"Local Burger brings veggie burgers to game", text copied below

By Justine Patton

Originally published September 2, 2010 at 8:56 p.m., updated September 2, 2010 at 8:56 p.m.

Local Burger will now be selling its World’s Best Veggie Burger at KU sporting events, starting at the football game against North Dakota State.

Local Burger’s founder and owner, Hilary Brown, contacted the University’s athletics vendor, Centerplate, with the idea. Within a couple of days, after delivering samples and testing the burgers on Memorial Stadium’s grills, Brown received the OK she was looking for.

Rick Brown, general manager of Centerplate, said the staff was excited to add Local Burger to the list of local restaurants they work with.

“They seemed like a perfect fit, being local, fresh and gluten-free,” Brown said.

The organic veggie burger will add another vegetarian option to the menus at KU’s basketball, football and baseball games.

The veggie burger will offer different nutritional benefits than a regular hamburger. It includes four organic vegetables and two organic grains and provides an array of vitamins and minerals that protein from meat does not provide.

Margaret Tran, Local Burger’s social media and promotions manager and recent KU graduate, said she thought many students would take advantage of the menu’s new addition.

“It’s really exciting, because I know a lot of people on campus are looking for healthier options,” Tran said.

Brian Sitek, a sophomore from Atchison, said he had tried a veggie burger before, and he might get one at one of the games.

“I still like meat though,” Sitek said.

However, Local Burger’s founder and owner, Hilary Brown, said the burgers are not just for vegetarians.

“People who are offended by the word ‘veggie burger’ love this veggie burger,” Brown said. “It’s got a great texture. It’s really good and nutritious.”

At tomorrow’s football game, fans can find The World’s Best Veggie Burgers at concession stands in the stadium. It will be sold for $5.50 and served on a hamburger bun with a Jayhawk logo branded on top.

— Edited by Abby Davenport