Patty Like a Rockstar
There’s something universally satisfying about a good burger. Whether dressed up in truffle aioli or stripped back to ketchup and pickles, it’s a symbol of comfort, culture, and creativity. And this summer, Cincinnati is stepping onto the world culinary stage with a burger that doesn’t just satisfy—it surprises.
Welcome to the World Burger Tour, Hard Rock Cafe’s globe-spanning culinary competition that invites chefs from every corner of the brand’s international family to craft a burger that tells a story. From Seoul to São Paulo, each patty is a passport stamped with local flavor, chef flair, and a mission to win over global taste buds.
And Cincinnati? We’re bringing the heat.
Crafted by Executive Chef Scott Donley of Hard Rock Cafe Cincinnati, the Queen City Burger is anything but ordinary. This towering local masterpiece features:
A golden slab of fried brie cheese
Rich beer-braised onions, a nod to the city’s German brewing roots
A house-made blueberry thyme sauce, earthy and unexpected
A finishing drizzle of hot honey, adding just the right amount of kick
This isn’t a gimmick burger. It’s a layered culinary narrative that celebrates Cincinnati’s inventive, working-class grit, and its growing culinary sophistication. Fried brie meets backyard barbecue. Blueberries meet brewhouse. Sweet meets heat. The result is a bite-sized love letter to the Queen City that’s as playful as it is polished.
A Tour with Global Stakes
The World Burger Tour is Hard Rock Cafe’s annual showcase of international culinary talent, where chefs are challenged to represent their hometowns and cultural backgrounds through burgers. Each participating location creates a signature entry, which is then judged by a combination of:
Guest feedback from in-store diners
Sales performance during the limited-time promotion
Social media votes and engagement
Insight from expert judge and mentor Olivia Tiedemann
Tiedemann, a rising force in the food world known for her mouthwatering content and creative culinary chops, has stepped in as this year’s special guest mentor and judge. She has worked closely with chefs across the Hard Rock network, offering guidance on flavor development, presentation, and innovation. Her presence brings an added layer of professionalism and excitement to the tour, helping ensure that each entry is more than just tasty—it’s world-class.
For the first time, the top five finalists will not only earn bragging rights but will also have their creations featured at Hard Rock Cafes around the world later this summer. After that, one final winner will be crowned the global champion of burgers.
It’s a high-stakes showdown served medium rare.
Cincinnati’s Queen City Burger has already been gaining buzz, thanks to Chef Donley’s bold blend of rich, sweet, and spicy elements. But it needs more than praise. It needs your vote.
A Call to Eat (and Post)
From now through August 5, locals and visitors alike are invited to Hard Rock Cafe Cincinnati to try the Queen City Burger for themselves. Diners can cast their support by:
Snapping a photo of the burger
Posting on social media with @HardRockCafe and relevant hashtags
Encouraging friends to taste and tag
This kind of grassroots support has the power to propel a regional burger onto the global stage. And let’s be honest—when was the last time you could help represent Cincinnati with your lunch?
The Queen City Burger may be one sandwich on one menu, but it represents something much larger. It shows how Cincinnati’s culinary scene is evolving from a chili-and-cheese town into a city willing to take risks, infuse global flavors, and celebrate its identity with bold pride.
This isn’t about food trends. It’s about storytelling through ingredients. Chef Donley has cooked up a burger that speaks to Cincinnati’s place at the crossroads of comfort food and creativity.
When visitors sink their teeth into it, they’re tasting more than a burger. They’re tasting who we are—brave, flavorful, and unapologetically different.
Plan Your Visit
Where: Hard Rock Cafe Cincinnati, located at 1000 Broadway Street
When: Now through August 5
What to Try: The Queen City Burger
What to Do: Post your pics, tag @HardRockCafe, and support Cincinnati’s burger on its journey to global domination
Beyond the Burger
While you're there, take in what makes the Hard Rock experience more than a meal. Live music, iconic rock memorabilia, and a chance to connect with a global brand that thrives on local spirit. The Queen City Burger is a reason to visit, but it’s far from the only highlight.
Whether you're a lifelong local or just passing through, this summer offers a rare chance to support Cincinnati on an international culinary stage—no plane ticket required.
So come hungry. Leave proud. And vote with your taste buds.