Burger Beast Burgie Awards on Nov. 19

2011 Burgie Awards poster
by Andrew Shirey.

A few weeks ago I wrote that tickets were available for the 2012 Amstel Light Burger Bash, a food gathering that brings some of the most renowned chefs in the country to compete for the best burger title.

The only problem for some of us is to have to dish out $250 per person for tickets. I just found the solution: don't go. Save the cash and head to Magic City Casino for the 2011 Burger Beast Burgie Awards on Nov. 19. It's free.

About 10 South Florida burger restaurants will be present at the event serving food and vying for the title of "Best Burger 2011," including Charm City Burger Company from Deerfield Beach, Gilbert’s 17th Street Grill from Ft. Lauderdale, Quickie’s Burger & Wings from Hollywood.

Over 40 food trucks from as far as Tampa and Orlando will also be at the event duking it out in their respective category.

The event will take place from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Magic City Casino is located at 450 N.W. 37th Ave. in Miami.

Sef “The Burger Beast” Gonzalez started blogging about burgers in 2008 much like me, because he loved to eat them and was trying to find the best one. Now, he also blogs about other types of comfort foods and has been putting together the event for the last three years.

There will also be a showing on a big screen of the documentary called Hamburger America.

Here's a list with the burger joints participating in the competition:

Burger & Beer Joint (South Beach)
Charm City Burger Company (Deerfield Beach)
Cheeseburger Baby (South Beach)
Georgie’s Alibi (Wilton Manors)
Gilbert’s 17th Street Grill (Ft. Lauderdale)
Jr’s Gourmet Burgers (Miami Springs)
The Local (Coral Gables)
Pincho Factory (Westchester)
Quickie’s Burgers & Wings (Hollywood)
Sakaya Kitchen (Wynwood)
Tobacco Road (Brickell)

For a list of participating food trucks, check out Burger Beast's post.

What: The Burgie Awards 2011
Where: 450 N.W. 37th Ave. in Miami
When: Saturday, Nov. 19 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.