RIVER NORTH — Teams from the Chicago Police department's Grand Crossing, Englewood, Near North and Town Hall districts scarfed down burgers for a cause last month at 25 Degrees — and the Near North team came out ahead, leading the 18th District police department to victory.
It was the fourth annual "Burger Pig Out for Charity" at at the River North restaurant, pitting teams against each other in a burger-eating relay race to raise money for the 100 Club of Chicago, which supports the families of fallen police officers and firefighters in Cook County.
Former vegetarian Lizzie Schiffman dishes about what would be on her burger ahead of the competition:
The July 23 event, hosted in the parking lot adjacent to the River North restaurant, included live entertainment and free food and drink for guests — who were welcome to eat at any pace.
"We're blessed that Old Style has donated all the beer, there's 2 Gingers whiskey and they're making a special cocktail for us, there's gonna be food and drinks," said Joe Ahern, CEO of the 100 Club of Chicago. "It's $30 presale, $40 at the door, and it all goes to the 100 Club."
The annual event started in 2010, and for the last two years the 100 Club has been the beneficiary. The Gold Coast-based organization's primary mission is to provide the families of fallen officers and firefighters with a $50,000 donation, and to cover the cost of a college education for all children in the family.
"This year we're at 19 kids in college," Ahern said. "We have 15 universities and two law schools that are providing two full scholarships each to the sons and daughters of police officers, and firefighters, and anyone killed in the line of duty in Cook County. Events like this really go a long way to help us sustain this into the future."
Some of the cast from the locally based TV series "Chicago PD" and "Chicago Fire" also made an appearance, Ahern said.
Ahern said 25 Degrees' burgers "might be the best in the city," but that they're so big "I don't know how anyone could eat two of them."
Before the event, Ahern declined to guess which team could come out in the lead.
"That's a crapshoot," he said. "I don't bet on horses or police officers eating hamburgers."
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