Burger Fest Breakdown: Everything Happening Between Two Buns

By: Andy Ambrosius 

Square Roots isn't the only festival taking the North Side by storm this weekend. 

Once residents sample craft beer and global music, some can head to one of Roscoe Village’s most famous street festivals.

Now in its fourth year, the Burger Fest takes place on Saturday and Sunday, July 13-14, on Belmont Avenue at Damen Street in the Roscoe Village. Each day the party runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

There are 14 burger vendors competing for "favorite burger" and "critics' choice," with six new contenders throwing their hats into the ring. Rockit Burger Bar was voted visitor's "favorite" burger at 2012's fest, and Cortland's Garage won 2012 Critics' Choice honors. 

This year's vendors include:

• Banh Mi & Company (New)
• The Burger Joint (River North, New)
• Butcher & the Burger (Lincoln Park)
• Cortland's Garage (Bucktown)
• Goose Island Brewpubs
• Hamburger Mary's (Andersonville)
• Indie Burger (Lake View, New)
• Leader Bar Drafthouse & Eatery (West Irving Park, New)
• Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro (North Center)
• Rockit Burger Bar (Wrigleyville)
• Select Cut Steakhouse (Lake View)
• Stanley's Kitchen & Tap (Lincoln Park)
• Square Bar & Grill (West Belmont, New)
• Twenty Five Degrees (River North, New)

The eclectic music lineup includes Florida alt-rockers Sister Hazel; acclaimed New Orleans rockers Cowboy Mouth; the blues-funk of Rob Blaine's Big Otis Blues; lauded Chicago rockers Vintage Blue; and popular Talking Heads tribute troupe This Must Be the Band. 

The full lineup is:

Main Stage on Saturday

• Noon—Aktar Aktar (indie folk rock)
• 1:45 p.m.—Rebecca Rego (acoustic rock)
• 3:15 p.m.—The Ivorys (rock)
• 4:45 p.m.—Super Happy Fun Club (eclectic pop/rock)
• 6:30 p.m.—Dot Dot Dot (pop/rock)
• 8:30 p.m.—Sister Hazel

Damen Stage on Saturday

• 12:30 p.m.—A Thousand Julys (R&B/funk)
• 2:00 p.m.—A Thousand Julys
• 3:45 p.m.—The Partyhardigans (party rock)
• 6:15 p.m.—This Must Be the Band
• 8:15 p.m.—Trippin Billies (Dave Matthews tribute)

Main Stage on Sunday

• 12:15 p.m.—One Night Band (pop/rock faves)
• 2:00 p.m.—Hen House Prowlers (bluegrass)
• 4:20 p.m.—Vintage Blue
• 6:00 p.m.—Rob Blaine's Big Otis Blues
• 8:15 p.m.—Cowboy Mouth

Damen Stage on Sunday

• 12:15 p.m.—School of Rock (kids' rock)
• 1:45 p.m.—97Nine (rock tribute)
• 3:45 p.m.—Hot Sauce Committee ('90s hip hop & dance/rock)
• 5:45 p.m.—Kashmir (Led Zeppelin tribute)
• 7:45 p.m.—Wedding Banned  (pop/rock)

In addition to mouth-watering burgers and music, there's also a "Kids' Zone" activity area  from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. each day featuring an arts and craft tent, inflatables, rock climbing, miniature golf and more. That's combined with a Radio Disney performance on Sunday afternoon from 1-2:30  p.m.