Now that the hugely popular Portland Mercury Burger Week has come to a close, let us take a moment to remember the largely unsung fallen heroes of this well-attended event: THE BURGER WEEK CHEFS. These brave champions faced hordes of hungry Portland burger lovers with nary a complaint... okay, maybe a few complaints... but they were well earned! Because anyone who can make that many delicious burgers for that many people should be given our highest accolades. And so...

THANK YOU BURGER WEEK CHEFS (and waitstaff, too!) FOR YOUR MERITORIOUS SERVICE TO OUR DIGESTIVE SYSTEMS. YOU ARE THE BEST.

And if you are one of those courageous few, here's a non-Mercury product you may be interested in: The Burger Week Survivor T-shirt, designed by Law Johnson and produced by Teespring.

You can reserve one now for only $15.99 and they also come in blue and red. (Because... Superman!) Again, the Mercury isn't getting a cut of these sales, we just think it's a great way to pay tribute to the veterans (those living and perished) of Burger Week.

Our hearts and sympathy also go out to those who managed to devour all 32 Burger Week burgers. May your gastrointestinal systems rest in peace.