Tampa's burger scene sizzles with a new restaurant in Carrollwood

Gourmet burger joints are proliferating in Tampa faster than mushrooms after the rainy season (mushrooms with a little Swiss, or maybe Gruyere). Square 1 Burgers, Burger 21, Burger Mongers, and now BGR the Burger Joint.

BGR, which opened Nov. 16 at 12913 N Dale Mabry Hwy. in the heart of Carrollwood, features vintage rock band memorabilia on the walls, funky mosaic tabletops and classic music videos playing on the large flat screen TVs. The first BGR was opened in Bethesda, Md., in 2008 by founder Mark Bucher, followed by a dozen more across the country, including Miami.

Using naturally raised and antibiotic-free grain-fed beef, and locally sourced produce, the chain is known for its specialty and seasonal burgers, like the Christmas Burger ($12.99), red-white-and-greened out with beefsteak tomatoes, basil and fresh mozzarella (Christmas-themed gingerbread and eggnog milkshakes round out the good cheer). Look for fancy burger accouterments like foie gras and black truffles and alterna-burgers like ahi and lamb. For more information about BGR, call (813) 962-4050 or visit bgrtheburgerjoint.com.