Congratulations to Matt and Joanna O’Neil of the Blue Ox of Lynn for their 1st Place finish at this year’s Boston Magazine’s Battle of the Burger sponsored by Amstel Light. The Blue Ox’s Sin Burger beat out 19 other finalists to take home the coveted award. They have now earned the right to compete in the Nationals next February in Miami. Last year’s National Champion was the Green Chile Burger from the kitchen of celebrity chef, Bobby Flay. Good luck to Matt and Joanna as they travel South to take on the big boys!
The Boston event was held on Tuesday August 13th at the Black Falcon Terminal in Boston’s revitalized Seaport District. Although the regional finals took place then the competition actually started much earlier than that. There were originally 70 entries that voters could choose from on the internet. The top 20 vote getters earned the right to compete at the finals.
At the finals Matt, Joanna and crew served 700 freshly made burgers. For the competition they served 3 ½ ounce versions of the original. The Sin Burger you get at the restaurant is a full 8 ounces. The Sin Burger is USDA Prime beef with applewood smoked bacon, Swiss cheese, truffle aioli, lettuce and tomato on a Brioche bun. A pickle from the Maitland Mountain Farm in Salem is served on the side. (Who knew there was an active farm operating in Salem and that they make delicious pickles?)
And yes, you can get this award-winning burger at the restaurant. Matt did not create this burger to compete in the competition. It has been on the menu since shortly after the restaurant opened in the Spring of 2009. But if you want one you better get there early since they sell out every night!
If you haven’t been to “the Ox” yet you’ve got to come to downtown Lynn and give it a try. Award-winning burgers are not all they serve. The appetizers, entrees and desserts are battle winnersas good as you will get in any of the fine dining establishments in Boston. To see the full menu visit their web site at www.theblueoxlynn.com.
The Blue Ox is located at 191 Oxford St. in downtown Lynn. It is just two minutes off of the Lynnway (Route 1A). Route 1A feeds directly into the Sumner/Callahan and Ted Williams Tunnels if you are coming from Boston or points South or West. In addition, the commuter rail stop for Lynn is just two blocks from the restaurant. You can make reservations via the web or by phone at 781-780-5722.