Sampling burgers around the coast is a good way to stay warm.

Our ice age should end shortly, and maybe I can get back to cooking some of my own burgers.

Cold weather is good for one thing, stimulating the appetite. Last week we accepted the challenge of Sam Shipp, the owner of Ballyhoo's Island Sports Grille on Emerald Isle.

Sam had read my article declaring the burger cooked at the Fairway Restaurant as the best burger on the beach. He took exception to his burger not being considered, and he was right.

I take rating burgers seriously. In Roanoke, Virginia after numerous taste tests, I declared the Burger in Square as the finest burger vendor.

One of my previous careers was chasing 200 head of Angus cattle around the Canadian wilderness in New Brunswick, so I know my beef.

I'm glad Sam called. Not only have we found another great burger, but we have also added a restaurant to the list of places to enjoy a meal here on the Crystal Coast.

We were pleased to find Ballyhoo's has a broad menu, good service, cold beer, great food, and reasonable prices. Those $1 beers hit the spot.

However, I am not ready to declare a new burger champion. To make this fair, I have to eat at least three burgers before I am willing to crown a 2008 beach burger champion.

Also it is a little hard to compare Ballyhoo's burgers to Fairway's since Fairway has been closed for renovations for a month, and I have not had one of their burgers since September.

I will be headed over to Ballyhoo's for another burger this week while my wife samples some of their other food. We had some excellent wings there last week. I have high hopes that I can convince my wife to try the Grouper bites.

Fairway is supposed to open in early February so I can probably have this Burger War settled by the end of February.

Whichever way it goes, both burgers are already head and shoulder above any others I have tasted in the area.

In the meantime, while you're waiting for the official results, give Ballyhoo's a try, I know you will not be disappointed. The restaurant is even non-smoking.