The community has spoken and declared Beefcake’s Burger Factory to have the best Novemburger for the second year in a row. On December 7, the restaurant was presented with the top honour for its creative take on the Novemburger that featured a smash burger patty, house-smoked back bacon, a pickled poblano pepper, grainy bourbon honey mustard, muenster, extra old cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, thick sliced pickle, ketchup and mayo, all on a roasted garlic potato bun.

“In three years Novemburger has become one of the premier food events in Thunder Bay. The amount of promotion behind it really helps the partner restaurants, and the patrons who come to support the initiative are always guaranteed to have a lot of unique and fun burger experiences,” says Derek Lankinen of Beefcake’s Burger Factory. “Beefcake’s Burger Factory always receives an incredible rush of support every November. We were very lucky to have such a great month and blessed to be voted and chosen as people’s choice yet again this year.”

Throughout the month of November, burger lovers visited 17 participating restaurants to try versions of each location’s signature Novemburger. For each burger sold, $2 was donated to the United Way of Thunder Bay. Collectively, 10,119 Novemburgers were sold—3,749 more than last year. The United Way of Thunder Bay also recognized the Prospector Burger Barn for its hat trick as the restaurant with the Most Novemburgers Sold, selling an incredible 2,546 Novemburgers.

Overall, $25,472 was raised during the annual Novemburger initiative. “Wow! Novemburger 2021 definitely smashed records,” says Albert Brulé, chief executive officer of the United Way of Thunder Bay. “This year’s burger initiative really brought the competition featuring very unique burgers with twists and their own personalities and techniques. Thunder Bay loves a good burger and it shows. The 2021 Novemburger event generated some sizzling competition, delicious burgers and an amazing funding contribution to United Way of Thunder Bay.”

Thunder Bay Novemburger locations included: Apple Chipotle’s, Beefcake’s Burger Factory, Bight Restaurant & Bar, Bonobos, Daytona’s, Galaxy Lounge, Java Hut, Madhouse Neebing Roadhouse, Prospector Burger Barn, Prospector Brew House, Red Lion Smokehouse, The Foundry, and The Sal.

Also, this year the fundraising event also expanded into the region, with three participants from Kenora: Boathouse Waterfront Eatery, Bob’s Burgers, and Lake of the Woods Brewing Company. Congrats to Bob’s Burgers who took the title for Most Novemburgers Sold after selling 128 sandwiches.

All funds raised from Novemburger will support the United Way of Thunder Bay’s 2021 campaign, Local Love in Action. “Providing access to basic needs, like food, is critical right now. We are doing everything we can with our partners to ensure no one is hungry and has access to the food they need. For every $1,300 raised through the campaign, 120 meals can be provided for four weeks through a local community kitchen,” says, Jodie Wilson, director, Philanthropy & Community Engagement.

Over the past three years, Novemburger has sold 20,390 burgers with a grand total of $56,702 donated to the United Way of Thunder Bay.