9 Amazing Burgers We Ate At Burgerliscious 2013

A vegan friend once dreamed she had to eat her way out from under a giant slice of ham, and declared it the worst nightmare ever. For us, being swaddled in a massive layer of meat sounds like heaven -- so you can imagine that Coral Gables' Burgerliscious, the annual celebration of all things protein + bun, is the one of our favorite events of the year.

More than 20 of the Gables' best restaurants set up shop in Ponce Circle Park Thursday night, using everything from alligator meat to secret sauces to fried eggs and cilantro aioli to earn the votes of the crowd -- and those of judges Chef Jamie De Rosa of Tongue & Cheek, Gables Mayor Jim Cason, Giovanny Guitierrez of ChatChowTV, Nick Pena of Y100, and Johnny Carrascal of South Florida Burger Overload.

While music kept things lively and Sam Adams dished out beer, the happy crowd got down to chow. Check out the 9 most delicious burgers we were able to scarf down before getting too full to go on -- and keep reading to see who won:

Defending champion Shula's 347 offered up a delectable chorizo burger spiced with a chimichurri aioli.

Pincho Factory's mouth-watering concoction included the unusual pairing of Sam Adams-sauteed onions and cilantro mayo -- and it was awesome.

Swine's meaty offering was a short rib, brisket and smoked pork blend with house-smoked bacon and special sauce. We almost died eating it, and would have died happy. It took home 3rd place and the People's Choice award.

You just don't see burgers like this anywhere else. Bread + Butter's double frita burger blew minds -- and won 2nd place.

The Bar's burger was so tasty we forgot to note exactly what was on it. Now THAT's a good burger.

Sushi Maki's surf and turf burger paired a perfectly cooked sea scallop with Kobe beef, kimchee, and spicy mayo.

Tarpon Bend killed with a bacon burger topped with fried egg and Sam Adams mayo.

Canadian cooking show "Rebel Without A Kitchen" got into the Florida heat with an alligator burger topped with a flaming hot spicy sauce and sandwiched on a pillow-soft bun.

John Martin’s Irish Pub & Restaurant proved grilling is more than a spot o' luck: their perfectly juicy patties tasted like the best 4th of July barbecue ever.