Illusive Restaurant's jalapeño popper burger enters statewide contest

Rensselaer restaurant competes for New York's best burger title

Apr. 7, 2026 at 4:21pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a single, iconic jalapeño popper burger repeated in a tight grid pattern, utilizing flat, vibrant, and unnatural neon color palettes overlapping with heavy black photographic outlines to turn an everyday burger into modern pop art.Illusive Restaurant's jalapeño popper burger, a local favorite that has earned a spot in the statewide competition for New York's best burger.Albany Today

Illusive Restaurant and Bar in Rensselaer, New York has been nominated for the New York Beef Council's 10th annual Best New York Burger Competition. The restaurant's new jalapeño popper burger was shaped by customer feedback and is one of 42 restaurants competing across the state for the title of best burger.

Why it matters

The Best New York Burger Competition highlights the state's thriving restaurant industry and culinary creativity, with Illusive Restaurant representing the Capital Region in the statewide contest. A win would bring recognition to the local establishment and showcase the region's diverse dining options.

The details

Illusive Restaurant and Bar, located at 3 Ferry Street in Rensselaer, is owned by Chef Joseph Ventrice. The restaurant's new jalapeño popper burger was nominated for the 10th annual Best New York Burger Competition, which features 42 restaurants out of more than 50,000 across the state. The overall winner will be announced during the May Beef Month Celebration at the New York State Capitol on May 13.

  • The competition is currently open for public voting at nybeef.org through Friday, April 10.
  • The top 10 finalists will be announced on Tuesday, April 14.

The players

Illusive Restaurant and Bar

A restaurant located in Rensselaer, New York that has been nominated for the New York Beef Council's Best New York Burger Competition with its new jalapeño popper burger.

Joseph Ventrice

The chef and owner of Illusive Restaurant and Bar in Rensselaer.

New York Beef Council

The organization hosting the 10th annual Best New York Burger Competition.

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What they’re saying

“I appreciate seeing more Capital Region restaurants represented in regional competitions.”

— Joseph Ventrice, Chef and Owner, Illusive Restaurant and Bar

What’s next

The top 10 finalists in the Best New York Burger Competition will be announced on April 14, with the overall winner revealed during the May Beef Month Celebration at the New York State Capitol on May 13.

The takeaway

Illusive Restaurant's nomination in the statewide burger competition highlights the culinary talent and innovation in the Capital Region's dining scene, providing an opportunity for the local establishment to gain recognition and showcase the diverse food options available to New Yorkers.