Burger Week has evolved into a week-long celebration for 3rd-grade teacher Katy Tierney, who created a complete guide for navigating the week. The guide includes practical routes, operating hours, geographical breakdowns, and a unique rating system.
The simple yet effective spreadsheet has transformed Burger Week into a community adventure for her, friends, family, and now several community members. Tierney’s road map takes locals and visitors across the city and county searching for some of the most unique and deluctant burgers.
“The inspiration came from my sister-in-law and our group of friends,” Tierney said. “We were trying to figure out how we were going to conquer everything and how we could rate them and make comments, and she said, ‘We need a spreadsheet.’”
So, they made one.
Tierney began selling the guides for $3 a piece to raise money for CrossRoads, a local women’s shelter.
After discovering the guide, Visit Owensboro contacted Tierney and asked to collaborate. They threw around several ideas, eventually deciding on a pocket guide and agreeing to donate $200 to Goodfellows for Tierney’s efforts.
“I’m excited that it’s available for everyone this year without payment,” Tierney said. “I love the booklet and have about eight copies at our house. We’ve charted a plan dates and days next to a location.”
Burger Week has been a staple in Owensboro for 3 years, offering amateur food critics and burger enthusiasts an opportunity to pair their unbridled spirits with satisfying their taste buds.
This year’s event boasts over 40 participating restaurants. The Owensboro Times posted a story with locations and burger descriptions earlier this week.
“We talked a lot about the places, the locations,” she said. “I spoke with the food trucks quite a bit, and about 2 weeks ago, I had people from last year and people I know asking me when the spreadsheet would be ready. I did my best to get it out as quickly as possible, and the rest is history.”
She’s not counting out visiting all 40 just yet, but she has her reservations. Last year, she and her team made it to 27, a number they want to exceed this year.
Tierney spends her days teaching at Estes Elementary, often sharing her excitement for the week with her students or ordering take-out with her colleagues.
And, while the week is a celebration of Owensboro’s unique culinary minds, Tierney said it’s always been about more than just burgers. Access the guide here.
“I love how excited the whole town gets about this week and how everyone has different opinions on how the burgers are,” she said. “It gives everyone something fun to talk about and brings tons of money to our community and the restaurants, which is even better.”
