Burger-themed restaurant week in Mystic and Westerly begins Monday

Eat some burgers, maybe win some prizes.That's the gist of Mystic Restaurant Week & Dine Out in Downtown 2021, a collaboration between the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce and Westerly-Pawcatuck Downtown Business Association that is taking place Nov. 1 to 7.The restaurant week the chamber held in March looked different from years past, with a focus on takeout and not all restaurants offering a two- or three-course fixed-priced menu.Chamber President Bruce Flax said this week the takeout aspect doesn't seem as relevant now as in March, "but we wanted again to not have a heavy lift for the restaurants, because they're going through a lot of different issues."The chamber and the Westerly-Pawcatuck DBA have asked each of the 25 participating restaurants to feature a burger, and patrons who dine in or get takeout can enter to win prizes donated by members of the two organizations."Restaurants have been getting beat up by supply (chain) issues and staffing so this focus on burgers is simple and not a heavy lift for the participating restaurants!" Westerly-Pawcatuck DBA President Shane Belanger said in a news release. "We are partnering with the Mystic Chamber to combine our efforts, reach more people, ensure restaurants stay busy and connect the two communities."What kinds of burgers can I get and where?Some local restaurants are getting creative with their burgers.Captain Daniel Packer Inne will have a Mohawk Bison burger with French onions and cheese, while Go Fish will have an Asian salmon burger and a surf & turf burger. The offering from Oyster Club is a quinoa burger with smoked Seacoast mushrooms, miso mayo and kimchi. Noble Smokehouse will have a brisket burger with mac 'n' cheese.In true Westerly fashion, Perks & Corks will have an Italian sausage patty from Westerly Packing with roasted red peppers, arugula, provolone and pepperoncini mayo.The Mariner, S&P Oyster Co., and Block and Bottle are among those offering beef burgers.The other establishments the chamber lists as participants are Bank & Bridge Brewing, The Shipwright's Daughter, Chapter One, Rocks 21, The Irons, Mystic Diner, Jealous Monk, Steak Loft, Harp and Hound, Engine Room, Mia's Café, Malted Barley, The Brazen Hen Tapped Apple Winery, Bridge Restaurant, Angie's Pizza, and Mint Leaf.For a list of other burger offerings and prizes, visit bit.ly/mysticburgers.What can I win?Those who eat at a participating restaurant will receive a text-to-win number and a keyword, and winners will be drawn on Nov. 8. Flax said people don't need to order a burger to enter.Prizes include track races at Monza World Class Karting, a wine cellar refrigerator from Shore Television & Appliances, an overnight stay at the Mermaid Inn of Mystic, merchandise from The Black Dog and tickets for Project Oceanology tickets.Pompelmo Gelateria, Stonington Natural Health Center, and Herbwise Naturals are among those offering gift cards of varying amounts.Flax said nonrestaurant chamber members typically are left behind during restaurant weeks, but by offering prizes from them, they have a role. He thinks the chamber may return to the three-course, fixed-priced format at some point but doesn't think it will drop the text-to-win prizes.Anyone who spends more than $100 at a single restaurant can bring their receipt to the chamber office at 22 East Main St. to win a fleece blanket, while supplies last.e.moser@theday.com