Video: “Smash Burger” Named One Of Top 33 In America

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TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – Political elections are one week away, but there is a nationwide race which lets voters determine the best burger in America.  As WCBI’s Allie Martin reports,  a Northeast Mississippi restaurant is in the running for the prestigious honor.

Andrea Gainous took a road trip from her hometown, of Hamilton, Alabama, for a  popular item at The Neon Pig.

“I ordered the Smash Burger,” Gainous said.

In fact, a map on the cafe’s wall shows how far others have come to Smash.

“We have people drive hundreds of miles to try the Smash Burger.  It’s filet mignon, New York strip and Benton’s bacon in a hamburger grind, a two patty burger, also has our in house quick pickles, pickled, pickled onions, cheddar, hoison and comeback sauce on a grilled ciabatta bun,” said co owner Trish McCluney.

The Neon Pig is  an old school butcher shop, where meat is sold from local farms.  The meat is also used in the cafe , which features fresh, organic produce from area growers.  The Smash Burger is by far the most popular item on this menu and the online food and entertainment site, Thrilllist, has named the Smash Burger one of the top 33 burgers in the nation.

“They also decided to have a little fun and have the readers choose from those 33 burgers, their favorite burger on the list, so we have launched a massive social media campaign trying to win our bracket and move on to the next round,” McCluney said.

McCluney believes the popularity of the Neon Pig and its signature menu item is a testimony to great food and loyal customers who want to Eat Local.

“I think it speaks volumes about our community and they love and expect fresh food, they love to know where their ingredients are coming from, their food is sourced,” she said.

Loyal customers encourage others to cast their vote for the Neon Pig’s Smash Burger in the online race.

“It’s delicious, and it’s a local place with incredible food and I love it;s from, a southern kind of, not a huge town, a smaller town, that’s a really big deal,” Gainous said.

Neon Pig owners, cooks and staff say advancing to the Finals in the best burger competition would be a huge deal and a big victory for local eateries.

For information on how to vote, go to www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/the-33-best-burgers-in-america