And the 'Best Burger in Shanghai' award goes to ...

Now, that felt like a 4th of July party (and some Canadians in attendance said it wasn't a bad effort for Canada Day, either). Hot, sweaty weather. No rain! Hamburgers. Beer. Live music. Water balloons. Hamburgers. Beer. Drinking contests. Fireworks (albeit during daylight). Hamburgers. Beer. Ketchup battles. Some guy from Beijing getting pantsed. Hamburgers. Beer.

You know, the usual.

A big congratulations to chef Eric Johnson and Team Jean-Georges — they created the judges' choice for "Best Burger in Shanghai." Bubba's Smokehouse Burgers (from Bubba's Texas BBQ, of course) finished a close second. And Blue Frog's chili burger came in third.

Winner of the People's Choice award was SH mag's Beef Tips team, headed by former chef, one-time motorcycler and current food writer Christopher St. Cavish (pictured). They utilized the age-old (fatty meat + lots of melted butter) / spandex = popularity theory to perfection.

Shanghaiist would like to thank all partygoers, judges and contestants for making the first-ever City Diner Shanghai Independence Day Burger Grill-Off such a success. Thanks to American Craft Beer Partners, Henry's Brewery & Grill and VIN for supplying some tasty libations. Thanks, too, to our great musical guests Lonestar Wind, Hard Queen, Ellen Manning, and Tom & Jerry featuring JJ Davis.

And a very special thank you (drenched in melted butter) to Kelley, Danyeu and everyone else at City Diner for pulling this all together.

Finally, thanks to Canada for allowing this party to happen on Canada Day. July 4 falls on a Friday next year, so you guys are safe for 2008.

More photos available here. We should have a slideshow ready this evening. Got photos you'd like to share? Email them to photos at shanghaiist.com.