Winners Chosen In Temecula's Battle Of The Burgers: 'The People Have Spoken'

TEMECULA, CA — "The people have spoken" and they've chosen their favorite burgers and loaded fries in Temecula, according to organizers of the 2025 Battle of the Burgers.

The Rez Burger from Ebullition Brew Works Pub & Grill, The Smokehouse Burger from Corkfire Kitchen, Taste of Asia and Mexican Street Corn at Pechenga Resort Casino were all listed as first place winners in their respective categories.

The competition was held at Pechanga Resort Casino on Oct. 18 and gave Temecula Valley restaurants a chance to vie for "Best Burger" while offering hands on training for local high school culinary arts students.

“We’re incredibly grateful for our partnership with Visit Temecula Valley and Pechanga Resort Casino,” said Jenni Huter, CTE Work-Based Learning Facilitator at TVUSD. “This wonderful event gives our CTE high school culinary students a fantastic opportunity to work side-by-side with professional chefs and helps prepare them for careers in the culinary and hospitality fields. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.”

The event, which also functioned as a fundraiser, raised $12,000 for the TVUSD Career Technical Education Culinary Arts Program — 50 percent more than what was raised last year.

The Battle of the Burgers is a collaboration between between Visit Temecula Valley, Pechanga Resort Casino and the Temecula Valley Unified School District.

In the burger category, the award-winning burgers are available for purchase at the winning restaurants through Dec. 31, 2025.

In the loaded French fry category, chefs worked side-by-side with student culinary teams to create one-of-a-kind creations for the event. These special dishes are not available on regular restaurant menus.

More than 400 ticket-holders and an "esteemed" panel of judges cast their votes in two main categories: Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice. The panel of judges included the following:

• Joel Greene – IE Explorer
• Pam Kragen – San Diego Union-Tribune
• Priscilla Tapia - Temecula Foodies
• Brenden Kalfus – Temecula Mayor
• Bree Mazzolani – Temecula Valley Explorer

The competing restaurants were 8 Bit Brewing Company, Corkfire Kitchen, Crush & Brew, Ebullition Brew Works Pub & Grill, Luke’s on Front and The Smok’d Hog.

Check out the "the victors" of Best Burger:

Judge's Choice

• First Place: The Rez Burger, Ebullition Brew Works Pub & Grill. Jalapeno buffalo patty with Monterey Jack and house spicy aioli, Ortega chili, red onion, and tomato on a brioche bun
• Second Place: Wham Bam Thank You Jam, Luke’s on Front. Half-pound grass-fed beef patty topped with lettuce, tomatoes, roasted jalapenos, onions, garlic aioli, cream cheese, bacon, and onion straws.
• Third Place: The Smokehouse Burger, Corkfire Kitchen. Caramelized onions, Texas-style brisket, smoked cheddar, and chipotle BBQ sauce.

People's Choice

• First Place: The Smokehouse Burger, as above.

• Second Place: Wagyu Burger, 8 Bit Brewing Company. Two Hook & Cleaver Wagyu smash patties, grilled onions, American cheese, green leaf lettuce, tomato, pickles, house spread, seeded brioche bun.
• Third Place: The Brew Burger, Crush & Brew. All beef patty, beer-braised mushrooms, Swiss cheese, Crush & Brew sauce, brioche bun.

Fully Loaded: Best Loaded Fries

Judge's Choice

• First Place: Taste of Asia, Banquets, Pechanga Resort Casino. Five-spice chicken, smoked hot honey, spicy mayo, cucumber relish. Chef: Ronald Sanchez, Students: Adrian Torres and Andia Shirvani.
• Second Place: Mexican Street Corn Asada Fries, Temptations Food Court, Pechanga Resort Casino. Roasted corn, tajin & chili powder, pickled jalapeno, Mexican crema, cotija cheese, carne asada, creamy chili lime sauce. Chef: Jessica Diaz. Students: Sophia Goodin, Patty Rico, Megan Ta.
• Third Place: Smoked Carne Asada Fries, Kelsey’s, Pechanga Resort Casino. Chef: Nicholas LaFarga. Students: Deyna Rodriguez, Jaydan Colgan.

People's Choice

• First Place: Mexican Street Corn Asada Fries, as above.
• Second Place: Smoked Carne Asada Fries, as above.
• Third Place: Tex Mex BBQ Pulled Pork Fries, Journey’s End, Pechanga Resort Casino. Chef: Jordan Garcia. Students: Tyler Scira, Brianna Cornejo, Myles Ortiz, Ash Chappel.