Ben’s Fresh in Port Jervis won the “People’s Choice” award for its ‘Benny Burger’ in a statewide cook-off competition.

The owner, Bob Geraghty, tells News 12 the popular Benny Burger won first place in the New York State Beef Council’s Best Burger cook-off in Syracuse on Monday.

The burger that put Port Jervis on the map is described as mouth-watering. “It’s curated simply for us. Topped with lettuce, tomatoes, onions and pickles with our house sauce – the Benny sauce,” says Bobby Geraghty. “I’m a firm believer in fresh ingredients.”

News 12 is told a special blend of beef is delivered to the restaurant twice a week.

By way of the restaurant’s special house burger, Ben’s Fresh made it to the finals after being up against thousands of restaurants statewide. “It was an amazing opportunity to go up there and compete against three other restaurants,” says Geraghty.

MORE: Port Jervis restaurant among top 4 in statewide ‘best burger’ competition

Although the Benny Burger didn’t win the competition’s top prize, customers must think otherwise.

“We are making about 1,500 to 2,000 burgers a week now compared to a couple of hundred before,” says Geraghty.