The Story Behind the North Metro Burger Wars
By Jacob “JZ” Zwack | The North Metro Realist
If you are new here, you might be asking: “Why is a local Real Estate Agent running a March Madness-style tournament for hamburgers?”
It’s a fair question. The answer involves a massive mistake, an angry internet mob, and a deep love for the communities north of 694.
Here is the full story of how the North Metro Burger Wars began, and why your vote actually matters.
The “Crime” (The Original Top 8)
It started on a Monday. I decided to post a simple blog article highlighting my “Top 8” favorite burger spots in the area. I called myself the “North Metro Realist,” confident that my decade of experience in the local service industry gave me the authority to rank them.
I was wrong.
Within hours, the comment section exploded. I was accused of “criminal negligence” for leaving off Shortstop Bar & Grill. I was roasted for including a drive-in that is currently closed for winter. I was politely (and impolitely) informed that I had missed the hidden gems in Ham Lake and the dive bars in Fridley.
The community spoke loud and clear: Anoka County takes its beef seriously, and an arbitrary “Top 8” list wasn’t going to cut it.
The Pivot: Democracy in Action
Instead of doubling down, I listened. I fired myself as the “Commissioner” and let the commenters set the field.
I scrapped the Top 8 and expanded the field to a massive 32-Team Tournament Bracket.
- No national chains.
- No seasonal closures.
- Just 32 locally-owned, independent kitchens battling for supremacy.
We broke the North Metro into four distinct regions: The River (Anoka/Ramsey), The Hub (Coon Rapids/Andover), The Strip (Blaine/Ham Lake), and The Southside (Fridley/Champlin).
Why Does a Realtor Care About Burgers?
This is the part where I usually get the side-eye. “JZ, shouldn’t you be posting about mortgage rates and open houses?”
Sure, I do that too. But here is the reality of my job:
I don’t just sell houses. I sell communities.
When I help a family buy a home in Blaine or Coon Rapids, they aren’t just buying drywall and shingles. They are buying the neighborhood. They are buying the schools, the parks, and yes—the Friday night dinner spot.
I spent over 10 years bartending at places like Buffalo Wild Wings and as well as a few others. I know the difference between a frozen patty and fresh ground chuck. I know that the “best” spots aren’t always the ones with the biggest marketing budgets—they are the ones where the locals hang out.
Running the Burger Wars isn’t a distraction from my job; it is my job. It’s my way of highlighting the local businesses that make the North Metro a place worth living in.
How The Tournament Works
This is a Single Elimination tournament. There are no second chances.
- The Field: 32 Restaurants.
- The Voting: 100% public vote. I have zero say in the outcome.
- The Schedule: The Round of 32 is open for voting NOW through January 15, 2026.
- The Rules: One vote per person, per matchup. We have bot-detection enabled, so don’t try to cheat.
My Promise to You
I am going to spend the next 30 days visiting as many of these spots as possible. I’ll be posting photos, interviewing regulars, and likely eating way too much cholesterol in the name of “market research.”
I invite you to do the same. Go try a place you’ve never heard of. Support a local business. And most importantly, VOTE.
This isn’t my list anymore. It’s yours.
[CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE VOTING BOOTH]
Jacob “JZ” Zwack is a licensed Real Estate Agent with The Minnesota Real Estate Team. When he isn’t mediating burger disputes, he helps people buy and sell homes in the North Metro with zero fluff and total transparency.