Hosted by CityBeat Events, the upcoming Cincinnati Burger Week (July 15-21) is a seven-day food frenzy featuring $5 specialty burgers at more than 75 area restaurants, bars and bakeries (they serve dessert “burgers,” not like meat donuts). The creations run the gamut from straightforward quarter pounders to veggie burgers and really wild monstrosities. This little shameless self-promotion slideshow highlights some of the more indulgent options. Proceeds from Burger Week help benefit Childhood Food Solutions, a nonprofit that works to help kids secure access to food during school breaks. Get more info and details at cincinnatiburgerweek.com.

Blondies Sports Bar & Grill 7886 Cincinnati Dayton Road, West Chester The Blondie Burger: A half-pound Angus beef burger with pepper jack cheese, jalapeño poppers, chipotle ranch, bacon and jalapeños. Photo provided by Blondies Sports Bar & Grill
Taste of Belgium 1135 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine; 2845 Vine St., Corryville; 3825 Edwards Road, Rookwood; 16 W. Freedom Way, The Banks B3 Burger: A short rib/brisket/chuck blend burger is topped with candied bacon, cheddar, tomato jam and Belgian barbecue sauce on a cheddar-grit waffle bun. Photo provided by Taste of Belgium
Barleycorn’s 1073 Industrial Road, Cold Spring; 2642 Dixie Highway, Lakeside Park; 8544 U.S. 42, Florence Cincy BBQ Grippo’s Burger: A half-pound burger comes topped with blue cheese dressing, Grippo’s Bar-B-Q chip crumbles (true!), lettuce, tomato and pickles. Photo provided by Barleycorn’s
Burger Brothers 6370-6364 Kellogg Road, California Honey Bourbon BBQ Burger: 7 oz. burger patty, smothered in bourbon honey barbecue sauce with fried, seasoned onion rings and pepper jack cheese. Photo provided by Burger Brothers
Nation Kitchen and Bar 1200 Broadway St., Pendleton The Great White Buffalo: Two buffalo-spiced Avril-Bleh beef patties, blue cheese crumbles and a buffalo celery mayo, all on a Sixteen Bricks Artisan Bakehouse challah bun. Photo provided by Nation
Keystone Bar & Grill 313 Greenup St., Covington and all other Keystone locations Southwestern Burger: Keystone’s signature burger grind, Swiss cheese, béchamel, Southwest ranch, jalapeño relish, pico de gallo and seasoned tortilla straws, served on a toasted kaiser bun. Photo provided by Keystone
The Mac Shack 249 Calhoun St., Clifton Heights; 5655 Harrison Ave., Green Township Cheeseburger in Paradise: Burger meat is plopped on top of a pile of Lovin’ Spoonful macaroni and cheese, which is then topped with lettuce, tomato, Heinz 57 sauce, french fries and a pickle spear. Photo provided by Mac Shack
Burgers & Crafts 600 W. Third St., Covington Peanut Butter Jelly Burger: A burger blend of short rib, beef brisket and chuck topped with chipotle-honey peanut butter, bourbon-bacon jam, crispy pickles and American and Swiss cheese. Photo provided by Burgers & Crafts
Gold Star 24 locations including 504 W. Fourth St., Covington Chili Burger: Gold Star was once Hamburger Heaven, a Mount Washington hamburger joint purchased by the Daoud brothers in 1964. Since then, the menu has expanded to include Cincinnati-style chili, among other options. For Burger Week, Gold Star is highlighting their burgers, but you can get both specialties on the Chili Burger: two beef patties topped with Gold Star chili, Fritos, diced onions, mustard and cheddar cheese. Photo provided by Gold Star
Slatts Pub 4858 Cooper Road, Blue Ash Burgerrito: A half-pound of ground beef on a brioche bun topped with jalapeño-cilantro cheddar cheese sauce, seasoned rice, black beans, pulled chicken, burrito sauce and fried flour tortilla strips. Photo provided by Slatts
Chapter Mount Adams 940 Pavilion St., Mount Adams Double Stack Burger: White cheddar, truffle aioli, housemade pickle and tomato, served on a challah bun. Photo provided by Chapter Mount Adams
Grandview Tavern 2220 Grandview Drive, Fort Mitchell The Gusto: An 8 oz. grilled burger topped with pepper jack cheese, lettuce, guacamole, pico de gallo and chipotle mayo. Photo provided by Grandview
Tres Belle Cakes 8921 Reading Road, Reading Biscoffee Iceburger: Glazed donut topped with housemade Biscoffee ice cream, drizzled with chocolate fudge. Photo provided by Tres Belle Cakes
At 580 Market Gourmet 580 Walnut, #130, Downtown All American Burger: A 6 oz Certified Angus Beef with American cheese, bacon, a fried egg and mayo on a burger bun. Photo provided by At 580 Market Gourmet
B&A Street Kitchen 1500 Race St., Over-the-Rhine South + Southwest Burger: An Angus burger is topped with housemade jalapeño jelly, Tajin-spiced pork rinds, lettuce, tomato and bourbon mayo on a toasted brioche bun. Photo provided by B&A Street Kitchen
Martino’s on Vine 2618 Vine St., Corryville Pittsburger: A burger patty served on thick-cut Italian bread topped with provolone cheese, fries, coleslaw and tomatoes. Served with a side of chips. Photo: Jason Huck
Toast & Berry 9856 Montgomery Road, Montgomery Green Chili Double Burger: Two fresh ground chuck and brisket patties smashed and topped with green chilis and white cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, and chipotle mayo on a brioche bun. Photo provided by Toast & Berry
Macaron Bar 1206 Main St., Over-the-Rhine Macaron Burger: Dark chocolate ganache “patty” topped with white chocolate “lettuce” and “cheese,” on a traditional almond meringue “bun” topped with toasted sesame seeds. Photo: Ty Wesselkamper
Bru Burger Bar 41 E. Sixth St., Downtown; 271 Buttermilk Pike, Fort Mitchell Black and BRU Burger: A blackened 4 oz. patty with a signature blend of brisket, sirloin and chuck, onion bacon jam, whipped gorgonzola cheese spread, fresh arugula and sliced tomato. Photo provided Bru Burger Bar
Brown Dog Café 1000 Summit Place, Blue Ash Brat Burger: A housemade beef bratwurst is served on a pretzel bun with pickled red cabbage, New York white cheddar, a Kaiser pickle, red onion and Brown Dog brat mustard. Photo provided by Brown Dog Cafe
The Birch 702 Indian Hill Road, Terrace Park Wasabi Burger: A beef burger comes topped with wasabi mayo, hoisin ginger sauce and sesame slaw, served on a brioche bun. Photo provided by The Birch
Prime 580 Walnut St., Downtown Jack Burger: Prime burger, rocket arugula, aged Vermont Cheddar, bourbon-bacon jam, Berkshire bacon and truffle aioli on a brioche bun. Photo provided by Prime
House of Orange 433 Johnson St., Covington Dutch Lion Burger: Locally sourced beef comes topped with bacon, a slice of gouda, an additional gouda wedge (lots-o-gouda), spicy orange mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle. Photo provided by House of Orange
Flipside 7622 Blake St., Liberty Township The One Red Door: Ohio grass-fed beef patty, brie cheese, crispy shallots and smoked apple-bacon-date aioli. Photo provided by Flipside
Sandbar 4855 Kellogg Ave., East End The Southern Comfort Burger: A 6 oz. burger with housemade spicy pimento cheese with jalapeños, fried green tomato, applewood-smoked bacon, lettuce and onion on a brioche bun. Photo provided by Sandbar
deSha’s 11320 Montgomery Road, Sycamore Township Pimento Burger: Ground-beef burger with pimento cheese topped with a spicy pickle-tomato relish. Photo provided by deSha’s
Washington Platform 1000 Elm St., Downtown The Fat Boy: A burger topped with American cheese, fried oysters, tartar sauce, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle on a toasted sesame seed bun. Washington Platform also has a fancy vegetarian option: a housemade vegan red bean and rice burger with fried green tomato and chimichurri slaw. Photo provided by Washington Platform