The Hangover Burger That Breaks All the Rules in Colorado Springs
“Break all the rules” — that’s exactly what Guy Fieri declared while devouring the Hangover Burger at The Skirted Heifer, a funky burger joint right across from Acacia Park in downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Opened in 2014 by longtime restaurant owners Kevin and Suzette McGarry, The Skirted Heifer earned its name from their signature technique: melting cheese over the burger in a way that makes it look like it’s wearing a skirt. As one local put it when asked how they learned about the place: “By watching your show.” Guy loved that full-circle moment.
What Goes Into the Hangover Burger
This isn’t your standard bacon cheeseburger. The Hangover Burger is built on a one-third pound grass-fed, grass-finished beef patty sourced from West Cliff, Colorado — keeping it local is a point of pride here. The patty gets seasoned with their house focaccia salt before hitting the grill.
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The toppings read like a breakfast-after-a-rough-night menu: peach wood bacon, cream cheese (because bagels and cream cheese are hangover food, naturally), and their signature Bloody Mary sauce. All of this gets stacked on a homemade focaccia bun. They even mentioned Captain Crunch makes an appearance on the burger — a detail that had Guy intrigued.
On the side? Fries seasoned with brown sugar, kosher salt, and a little cayenne. That touch of sugar is what makes people stop and wonder what’s different. Guy’s verdict: “Those fries are gangster.”
Guy’s Reaction Says It All
Looking at the loaded burger, Guy acknowledged there was “a lot going on here.” But after taking a bite, his enthusiasm was unmistakable. “God that is so good,” he said, then asked, “Can I get you something to drink?” before realizing he was covered in napkins from the burger. His final call on the Hangover Burger: “Burgers dynamite.”
What impressed Guy beyond the food was the McGarrys’ commitment to sourcing. The cattle is well-treated and locally raised — in fact, they serve their own beef. The owners shared that eating their own product “amazes me every time,” but having it prepared at The Skirted Heifer makes it “triple amazing.”
Tips from the Skirted Heifer Kitchen
If you’re looking to elevate your burger game at home, here’s what the show revealed:
Season creatively: Skip the basic salt and pepper. A flavored salt like their focaccia salt adds an unexpected layer.
Think about your fry seasoning: A little brown sugar mixed with kosher salt and cayenne creates that “wait, what is that?” reaction from anyone who tries them.
Source matters: Grass-fed, grass-finished beef from a local rancher delivers flavor that mass-produced patties simply can’t match.
More Than Just the Hangover
While the Hangover Burger stole the show, The Skirted Heifer offers a full lineup of creative burgers. Guy mentioned the double build-your-own burger and the Gobble Gobble turkey burger. One local admitted they’d “probably gained 10 pounds since they opened.” With options like these, it’s easy to understand why.
If you’re into creative burger builds with attitude, this Colorado Springs spot delivers. For fans of other Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives segments featuring bold flavors, check out the Thai Curry Chicken Sausage Sandwich or see how Guy reacted to an *Out of this World* Cheesesteak in OH.
As Guy said while wrapping up: “Keep an eye on this one.” Find The Skirted Heifer and other Triple D favorites in our restaurant directory.