On June 14, 2025 more than 1,300 burger lovers gathered at Chesapeake City Park for Coastal Virginia Magazine’s 2025 CoVa Battle of the Burgers. Guests enjoyed delicious sliders from 12 local restaurants and voted on their favorites.
Contenders included: The Butcher’s Son, Hackers Bar & Grille, J&K Style Grill, JMT Vegan Eats & More, Kitchenfinity, Maracaibo Bistro, P.O. Folk’s Southern Cuisine, SATE: A New American Experience, Scotty Quixx East, Smashers, Socky’s Bar & Grill and Raven Carry-Out Café.
The event also featured seven breweries including Big Ugly Brewing, Benchtop Brewing Company, Momac Brewing Company, Nansemond Brewing Station,Oozlefinch Beers & Blending, The Veil Brewing Company and Tradition Brewing Company, as well as High Noon Seltzers and Jim Beam cocktails. Guests enjoyed more than a dozen specialty vendors, live entertainment from Snackbar Jones and visiting pups from nonprofit partner, Norfolk SPCA.
Thank you to our Gold Sponsors: Performance Foodservice Virginia and Certified Angus Beef. And Silver Sponsors: Gallo; Peebles Golf Carts, Max Media, Sinclair Communications and YELP. Also thank you to Chesapeake City Park, the City of Chesapeake, all event participants, volunteers and attendees. We can’t wait to welcome you back in 2026!
THE BIG WINNERS:
The Burgers:
Winners were awarded in both the People’s Choice and Judges’ Choice categories.
Judges’ Choice Overall Winner: Smashers
Burger: The One-Hitter
Smashed Certified Angus Beef patties, American cheese, grilled onions, Kosher dill pickles and signature Smasher Sauce on a toasted potato bun
1st Place People’s Choice: Maracaibo Bistro
Burger: Simply George
A blend of picanha, brisket and chuck tender with roasted pork, Münster cheese and homemade Maracaibo’s Battle Sauce
2nd Place People’s Choice: Smashers
See description above
3rd Place People’s Choice: J & K Style Grill
Burger: Sloppy 2nds
Beef patty with Dr. Pepper, onions, Sloppy Sauce and cheese
The Beer:
Guests voted to select a People’s Choice winner.
People’s Choice Overall: Big Ugly Brewing
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Mercedes Bethune
