Newport's 'Burger Bender' Smackdown Returns Feb. 14

NEWPORT, RI — Looking for a fun way to spend Valentine's Day? Discover Newport ma have the solution. Feb. 14 kicks off the fourth-annual Burger Bender, a 10-day competition that pits Aquidneck Island's finest against each other.

This year's competition runs from Feb. 14 to 23. To take part, simply order a burger from any of the participating restaurants and vote online.

"Our local restaurants are cooking up their best burgers, topping them with everything from Guinness mac n' cheese, fried pickles and crispy pork belly to Poutine, placed it all between a bun —or toasted Brioche — and are tossing them into the ring," reads Discover Newport's website.

New this year, several restaurants are offering plant-based or non-beef burger options, marked with a leaf icon on the event's website. In all, 39 restaurants are participating. A full list is available on Discover Newport's website.

Last year's competition came in the wake of the week-long gas outage across Aquidneck Island, offering local restaurants the opportunity to drum up business after many were forced to close for days on end.