Burger Battle experience visits the Banquet

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – Thousands of people participate in the Sioux Falls Burger Battle, but not everyone may be able to experience it. So, one Sioux Falls man is bringing that experience to them for free.

Rudy Navarrete and volunteers spent their Wednesday afternoon at the Banquet in Sioux Falls making 300 burgers in under six hours. The burger is what Navarrete calls the ‘Juicy Sioux-zy.’

“It’s a half-pound burger stuffed with cheddar, onions, bell pepper, Philly cheesesteak seasoning. Then we’ve got the bread. We add Gouda cheese to it, we toast a bun and add lettuce, tomato, pickles, ketchup, garlicky,” Navarrete said.

It’s the second year Navarette’s helped create a burger battle experience for those visiting the Banquet for dinner.

“It’s hard for a lot of families to afford, let alone individuals living in poverty. So, they’re going to get treated, have more of a gourmet burger here at the Banquet and hopefully, it’ll be a nice memory for them,” Navarrete said.

And a nice memory it was for both volunteers and dinner guests.

“I think it’s very rewarding and just seeing how thankful they really are and their reactions are just something that makes your day and realize how important this really is,” volunteer Harper Van Bemmel said.

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“I feel like coming here was a good way for me to use my blessings to help bless others,” volunteer Amera Faber said.

Several dinner guests at the Banquet expressed their thankfulness and said it was one of the best burgers they’ve tasted.

“Looking at their eyes and they’re just like, ‘oh, man, this is so cool. Thank you so much,’ Navarrete said. “I’m grateful I could do it.”

Navarrete said he wants to continue the tradition and share the taste of the Sioux Falls Burger Battle experience with even more people.

The cost for all 300 burgers was more than $1,380, but several donations from the community helped cover those costs completely.