Mulberry Pie Wood-Fired Pizza has been crowned the champion of the 2026 Vermillion Burger Battle. The month-long competition generated an estimated $66,425 in economic impact for Vermillion-area restaurants, with 2,657 signature burgers sold and 623 votes cast through the LiveVermillion app.
Mulberry Pie’s “Notaburger” pizza featured a secret sauce, seasoned ground beef, bacon, red onion, Pecorino Romano and Colby Jack cheese, and homemade pickles on their slow-fermented, scratch-made crust, served with homemade ranch for dipping.
Throughout July, Mulberry Pie sold 190 Notaburgers during eight pop-up events, including appearances at Vermillion's Fourth of July Celebration and Thursdays on the Platz events, XIX Brewing Company, Jefferson Beer Supply and Fleurish Flower Farm.
Established in December 2024, owners Carrie and Gunnar Malek-Madani – who both work remotely from home – started Mulberry Pie as a way to get out into the community and meet people. The business’s name is a nod to mulberry wood, their favorite wood to cook with, which is native to the area and readily available as deadfall.
Carrie and Gunnar Malek-Madani develop their menus together using locally sourced ingredients alongside authentic Italian imports. Every pizza begins with dough that ferments for two days before being baked in their portable wood-fired oven that reaches temperatures near 1,000 degrees.
"Preparing food for people is Gunnar's love language," said Carrie Malek-Madani.
Dakota Brick House earned second place with its Seoul Train Burger. Cee Cee's Scratch Kitchen & Bar finished third with The Local Morning Jam.
Hosted by the Vermillion Area Chamber & Development Company, the competition invited residents and visitors to explore the local dining scene by trying the signature burgers and voting through the LiveVermillion app.
"July 2025 was one of our slowest months since starting our business," Carrie Malek-Madani said. "This year, thanks to the Burger Battle, July was among our busiest and most profitable months. We're so grateful to everyone who gave us a try and voted, and especially to the Vermillion Area Chamber & Development Company for organizing such a great event in support of our amazing, growing regional food scene."
"The Burger Battle continues to showcase the incredible creativity and talent of our local businesses," said Hanna DeLange, communications and tourism manager for the VCDC. "Congratulations to Mulberry Pie Wood-Fired Pizza and all of this year's participating restaurants for making another Burger Battle a success. Seeing the direct impact this event has on our local businesses is what makes it so rewarding."
The VCDC extends its appreciation to presenting sponsor Maloney Real Estate for supporting this year's Burger Battle. Special thanks also go to weekly giveaway sponsors Masaba, Linda Hawley of Maloney Real Estate, and Pat Roach of Maloney Real Estate.
The VCDC also thanks all 13 participating restaurants and everyone who supported local businesses by trying the signature burgers and casting their votes.
