BEST BURGERS IN TORONTO!! ??

[JohnnyHotSauce]

Groucho's on Eglinton and Bathurst. I know this is the second place from that location I've proclaimed as being the best at something. (King Falafel down the street has the johnnyhotsauce best falafel honours). I guess this neighborhood knows its food. I do not even live anywhere near this area.

Groucho's has the freshest ingredients, they hook you up with cheese, fresh grated cheddar and a huge honkin' handful of it too boot. Thick paddies, juicy, fresh buns, beautiful vegetables, mounds of grated cheese (Licks style), and an amazing garlic mayonnaise that gives the burger its award winning taste.

Its hard to choose a best burger, we have all eaten bad burgers and good burgers, but let me know where your personal favorites are and what about them makes them great!?

Thanks people!

J HS

[danionavenue]

The patty melt at The Pilot in Yorkville is a must experience.

[ManAbout]

Not really a review, just a rant. I was at Moxies the other day and see that their burgers are priced at $15. I asked the server if the meat was ground in house of they were premade burgers. He told me that they were premade. $15 for a frozen burger! Ridiculous! Has anybody tried this $15 frozen, bought by the case, premade burger?

[magic]

I've had the veal burger at the Moxie’s at Scarborough Town Centre and it is actually delicious. I don’t think they grind their own meat but it is absolutely NOT processed. Cooked to medium, but nice and juicy and just very tasty. They ran it as a special awhile ago and it was well received so I guess it was made a menu regular. I realize Moxie's is a chain, but the Scarborough Town Centre location at least has always had good food (for the most part) in my small opinion, and the veal burger has always been delish. I always ask for it sans cheese as I find it too salty for my taste and it interferes with the burger.

They do have frozen burgers there as well, which I don’t touch. I always opt for the fresh veal burger as I’ve always enjoyed it.

[larossa]

Best gourmet burger place in the west end is Organic Big Burger on Brown's Line. They are the tastiest I have had yet, and I have tried many that are popping up all over the place. Very unassuming spot with very limited seating unfortunately. But I was told they are expanding next door so can't wait! They also have good sweet potato fries, organic fruit for the kids, fruit sodas. If you are not a beef lover, the menu has other varieties of meat and veggie too.

-----
Organic Big Burger
602 Browns Line, Toronto, ON M8W3V5, CA

[bogie]

Our new find for a great burger is Bloordale Pantry, where we also go for our eggs benny fix BTW. My wife and I stopped by for a couple of burgers. I am happy to report that they were excellent. My wife had the mushroom melt and I had the homeburger with cheddar added. They were 6oz ground chuck burgers, perfectly cooked medium well to our specifications, juicy and beefy with no filler, on a slightly-toasted sturdy bun, garnished with fresh lettuce, thick ripe tomato and pickle, accompanied by a good handful of perfect frites and a small ramekin of coleslaw. Great value at $9.99 per. This is a really nice little joint, with a wonderfully hospitable wife/owner who runs the front and husband/chef in the kitchen.

-----
The Bloordale Pantry
1285 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6H, CA

[magic]

I finally checked out Dangerous Dan's, after years of delay.

Wow, what a jerk the owner is. A rude, boorish, dare I say mean individual.

Will absolutely not be returning.

The food? Meh. It was ok. Tasty. Sure. Compare it to BP? Yeah right.

Just on the staff/owner's attitude alone I would not return.

I'm sure they could care less, they were busy enough to survive without my repeat business.

Hey, at least I finally saw what the fuss was about. Feh.

[jmarcroyal]

dude, its a greasy burger joint in a sketchy crack neighbourhood across the street from a strip club and a block away from a jail. The place might look rough around the edges but atleast its a good burger, and really, are you there to make a friend?

[justpete]

There's a difference between making a friend and some idiot being a total dirtbag to a customer.

[jmarcroyal]

I guess hes like a soup nazi, or burger nazi i guess. Just follow the right ordering procedures, step to the left, pay and leave!

[magic]

I've had burgers that were 10 times better from owners that were actually nice to their new customers.

Not dirtbags, as justpete so beautifully said.

I don't need the owner or the staff to be my friend, no. Just not a dirtbag.

[abigllama]

I had friends that used to rave about Dangerous Dan's and never really got it. Big, huge burgers that were usaully dry and not much flavour. I found the cranky staff kind of fun. On one visit I had to use the washrooms and have not been back since. It wasn't just a "needs attention" thing but years and years of built up stuff and a rancid body fluid smell that would put most dive bars to shame. I will not eat food that comes from that place.

-----
Dangerous Dan's
714 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M1H2, CA

[magic]

Is this cranky owner/staff thing something they are known for?? A “shtick”, if you will? If it is, I'd never heard about that.

Honestly though, this didn't feel like shtick. This just felt like they were sonsabitches. And there's a difference.

Just not worth returning for me.

[abigllama]

It felt more playful to me than mean spirited but I have not been back in several years so things may have changed. If it's offensive then it's certainly not worth putting up with for the mediocre food. I wouldn't even order a pop from the place after the traumatic washroom experience so will take your word for it.

[jmarcroyal]

again, its a cracktown, how could you expect a half decent washroom?

[justpete]

Doesn't matter. A washroom is a reflection of a restaurants' cleanliness. If the washroom is in that state, the kitchen is the same.

[JennaBean]

cracktown? lol you obviously don't know the hood. Dark horse first location 50 meters away - $4 lattes. Ruby Watch Co. 15 meters away. PicNic winebar across the street. my guess you're from the burbs! but you made me laugh with your take. very funny.

-----
Ruby Watch Co.
730 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M, CA

[foodyDudey]

Maybe you are too young to know what that area was like 20 years ago? Maybe not cracktown, but not a place I would have moved to back then.

[JennaBean]

I've lived here for over four years and even in that time there has been a big change. It makes me a little sad. Soon it will just be an extension of Leslieville. Take it with a grain of salt as I also live in a great restored loft space (which you only ever find in fringe hoods) and I would rather live here or Regent Park for that matter than say the Beach or Rosedale - I've lived in both in the last 15 years.

[jmarcroyal]

Well you got Jillies on the corner, one of the sleazier clubs in the city, yes lots of crackheads in the area, plenty of homeless and drunk, a good bit of crime spillover from regent. I think things are changing, Ill admit I havent hung out in the area for a couple years but I drive through on occasion and its still not the greatest area.

Yes you got some nice restaurants there but thats because they believe there is a "culture" to the neighbourhood. I guess there is, and its changing for the better for sure, but for a long time that was one grimey area. Coxwell and Queen was like that for a long time too but with the theater and all the improvements to the area over the last 10 years, its gotten much better too.

Still, Broadview and Queen will continue to be grimey until councillors change the zoning and force out Jillies, tear it down and put in some new developments. At that point, the area will become destination spot. I guess Ruby and PicNic owners are smart buying in before the area takes off...

[food_whiz]

Stick to judging food! Not people and neighbourhoods! The amount of classism and judgement on this thread astounds me.

[embee]

It was the slums twenty years ago - I moved into the "transitional" area now called Leslieville and then waited fifteen years for it to transition. It's hardly the slums now. Places like Ruby Watchco are representative of this area today, with Jillies one of the few leftovers. Sooner or later, someone will upgrade that beautiful building. (I have to wonder what will happen to the current residents, though.)

As to DD, though, the place and the seats have always been dirty and the burgers were never any good - only big. (Disclosure - I haven't eaten there in many years.)

-----
Ruby Watchco
730 Queen St E, Toronto, ON , CA

[magic]

:)

[embee]

It certainly wasn't a shtick originally. I remember when they broke up a drug deal going down on their doorstep. It's probably a shtick now, though.

[magic]

Interesting.

Shtick or not I didn't care for it.

But thanks : )

[justpete]

Sounds like a place that I definitely don't need to visit. That's disgusting.

[foodyDudey]

Well they don't call it Dangerous Dan's for nothing! I've never eaten there but heard even the chairs are dirty.

-----
Dangerous Dan's
714 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M1H2, CA

[JennaBean]

oh they are! it is a bit, take your stomach in your own hands kinda place!

[torontojoe]

Does anybody else enjoy Bamburger on Yonge? It's a few street south of Eglinton and I love it. The burgers are a nice size and there are a lot of options in terms of meat (beef, lamb, turkey, pork) and toppings. While I do love a simple burger from time to time, I can also appreciate a big messy burger smothered in cheese sauce, grilled onions, bacon, bbq sauce etc. In fact, ever since my days in Australia I've longed for the taste of a grilled pineapple ring and avacado on a burger and Bamburger made it happen! For tons of taste combinations and a nice big burger, I recommend Bamburger to anyone looking to try somewhere new. The shakes are pretty good too.

-----
Bamburger
2112 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4S, CA

[jmeggs]

As you know (or could probably guess), Burger's Priest is closed on Sundays, so I went for Dangerous Dan's ... Dan's was always above par, but I get the impression that he's aware of the growing competition and has stepped it up a notch. The burger I got was amazing Far better than anything I've ever gotten at Burger Shoppe, Gourmet Burger Company, Craft Burger, or Grindhouse. Better than Burger's Priest? Definitely on a Sunday.

-----
Dangerous Dan's
714 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M1H2, CA

Burger Shoppe
688 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M1G9, CA

Big Smoke Burger
573 King St W, Toronto, ON M5V1M1, CA

[Davwud]

That's a good thing for us.

DT

[Food Tourist]

I'm impressed that the Priest doesn't work on Sundays. I finally ate a double double last week and it was divine. Angels were singing. Highly recommended. Worth a long drive. Too bad there are only about 4 stools and no tables. They only take cash which is a sin.

[shekamoo]

I had the flaming tower of babel the other day. now that is the work of an evil genius!

[Food Tourist]

Please explain the flaming tower of babel!

[shekamoo]

check out their facebook page! it is googleable

[childofthestorm]

"The Vatican City is a double double with a grilled cheese sandwich on the top and bottom. The Tower of Babel is a Vatican City with an option."

And an option is a panko-crusted deep-fried cheese-stuffed portobello mushroom, FYI.

God bless those of you who can walk this road. I sure can't! At least not if I want to live long and prosper.

[jmarcroyal]

Im guessing the Flaming Tower of Babel also has those panko crusted jalapeno peppers, which Ive tried on the double double and they had a nice spicy kick and a nice crunch!

[shekamoo]

it does not, you need to ask for smoke

[Food Tourist]

Oh wow, I just checked out their facebook page - tons of extra secret menu items, such as "the religious hypocrite" --The Option with bacon aka a bacon veggie burger. Brilliant! We all know bacon is the gateway meat for vegetarians.

Also, the "Noah's Ark" and much more!

[shekamoo]

see! I guided you the source of knowledge rather than just give you the Tower of Babel!!

[shekamoo]

given the size of the burger and the quality of the meat, it is really not that bad. I am not a huge eater, but this was easily doable.

[Food Tourist]

Grilled cheese sounds divine.

Marshall (on How I Met Your Mother) puts it best: "This is no mere sandwich of grilled meat and toasted bread, Robin. This is God, speaking to us in food."

I've had the awe-inspiring crispy Option -- so glad it's "normal" cheese and not some hellish goat product.

[Davwud]

Love that quote.

DT

[TorontoTips]

Just for fun, and to kick up some dust, here's my list (and it excludes burgers that require a second mortgage, or that contain anything sun-dried or poached :-)

1. The Buger's Priest
- Single cheeseburger with fried onions and their yummy frites-style fries

2. The Real McCoy
- Mojo Burger - flame-grilled hand-patted beef with cheese & grilled bacon, plus outstanding fries with gravy

3. The Burger Shack
- Home Cheese Burger and Fries with Gravy are excellent

4. Golden Star
- Solid Homeburger, great fries, pathetic limp gravy from a cheap powdered mix

Avoid: Johnny's (seriously, ignore the nostalgic who can't taste the horsemeat and cereal)

[jmarcroyal]

Real McCoy is one of my favorite places in the city, and I think their fries and gravy just may be the best in the city. I love their poutine even though they use shredded cheese because the fries and gravy make it great.

The Mojo Burger is great, but i highly recommend getting the Steak on a kaiser. The steak is a bunch of thin slices of marinated steak, grilled up perfectly, I just toss on regular condiments with mayo and steak sauce, cant forget a bit of hot sauce as well. Its my favorite midnight treat!(with fries and gravy ofcourse!)

[TorontoTips]

Hey jmarc,
Thanks for the tip, and in return I just thought I'd shoot you back a recommendation.

Believe it or not, in nearly 35 years of visiting The Real McCoy, I hadn't tried the steak until you mentioned it, since the burger was so great, but I did recently and like their Mojo burgers, it was indeed excellent.

In fact, if you like Real McCoy's "Steak on a K", you need to check out Massey's on south Liverpool Road in Pickering. It's the same cut of meat, same marinade on the steak, but bigger, juicier pieces of meat, better char, and much better kaiser.

Plus, like McCoy's, Massey's also has amazing fresh-cut fries, and awesome gravy, plus it's a sit-down so you can have a beer at a nice booth, instead of perching at the tiny elbow-counter at McCoys :-)

Oh, and if you go, get a slice of Massey's outstanding home-made chocolate layer cake - it's simple, not too sweet, and surprisingly great.

Cheers,
.James.

[Pincus]

Thanks to both of you! I feel a Real McCoy's road trip in the near future.

[TorontoTips]

Be forewarned, McCoy's is the most basic of greasy-spoon old-school greek-owned burger joint, now run by Forty-something son George, the 2nd generation of caring owners. You will either eat in your car, or share the elbow-counter and some Leafs-chat with a colourful assortment of Scarberians - students, cops, city-workers, etc. :-)

The food is very solid, (think Golden-Star, but better) specifically the home-made Mojo Burger, Steak on a K, (I ask for both not too well-done since they tend to overcook a little) great fresh-cut fries, good gravy, very solid pizza (if you get a slice as for it well-heated) and old-school onion rings which are huge greasy thick-battered things that some love and some hate.

Open late most nights till midnight or 1 a.m., closed Sundays, I believe.

[Pincus]

I've been there several times now, so the ambience available is well-known to me. :)

[jmarcroyal]

Yea thats McCoy, definetely doesnt look all that special but the food is great. Thanks for the rec TorontoTips, if im in the area Ill give it a try, is it open late too?

[Connoisseur]

OMG! Perfect for this Board... Massey's just reminded me of one of the best buger places ever!!! Big M's on Liverpool in Pickering. Exceptional Fresh and real burgers topped the way you like by Very friendly staff! with those thick-battered old-school onion rings! FYI the rings have a uniqueness that I can't put my finger on? But over all, burger Awesomeness with a side of rings please!

[DealsCartel_Nathan]

It's not in Toronto, but one of the best burgers I've ever had was from Roxy's in Oakville. Fresh and delicious, and the fries are great as well. Mind you, I haven't been there in years as I live out in Markham.

As others have mentioned, Golden Star Restaurant in Thornhill makes great burgers. Just make sure you order the homemade version! I haven't tried their "basic" burger, but I'm guessing it's the frozen variety.

[jd59]

I have been to the yonge street Jetsuns and have to say this is my favourite burger joint, it's NOT a gourmnet place, its just a burger joint, burgers are freshly made, fresh ingredients, NO THEY DON"T HAVE a hundred toppings (who needs that many anyways, you want gourmet go to a gourmet burger place. Jetsun is LIKE Lick's but I enjoy them much better, I've had dangerous dans, they're good but the atmosphere, decor STINK, bathroom is filthy there... Jetsuns is CLEAN every time i go there, my fries are fresh, onion rings are awesome! Price for regular combo is a little high, but if you get the junior combo, less than $5... this particular menu item is good value for your money, licks is going down hill, apparently using frozen burgers now, I don't know how many restaurants they have closed in the last 2 years, but JETSUNS IS A VERY GOOD BURGER FOR YOUR BUCK!!!!!!!!!

[Davwud]

My review was something to the effect of, "Like Lick's only worse."

Right down to the precooked burger patty. I "Won" a free meal and never used it. That should tell you what I thought of it.

DT

[doubledown]

so i'm a new member of teambuy and today they have a deal on the burger bar on augusta ave. i didn't notice any mention of the place in this thread and was wondering ......

[Davwud]

I had a "Free" burger from there and walked out with a drink, fries and a cheese burger and was still $15 lighter for my trouble.
It wasn't great either.

DT

[Jamie Eats Burgers]

I tried it within the first week it opened. I got the "kobe" burger. it tasted like a grocery store ground beef.

To be fair, I should go again sometime to give it another chance.

[abigllama]

There's other threads on the board for W Burger Bar. Burgers are ok but not great. The highlights are the onion rings, cheap pitchers, and boozy milkshakes, don't go expecting to be blown away by the burger.

[sillywalker]

TO's best burger is not at a restaurant, but undoubtedly for sale from the BBQ at lunchtime during the summer(before 130PM) for $5 at Summerhill Market in Rosedale. Bacon, Cheese, Mushrooms and Onions all optional and all included.

-----
Summerhill Market
446 Summerhill Ave, Toronto, ON M4W, CA

[duckdown]

Anyone try Woody's yet? www.woodysburgers.com

[foodyDudey]

Where is that place? It appears to be a Mississauga address, but they indicate a 416 area code.
I'm not sure I want to order food from a place called Woody's.

[terrycar]

Woody's is on the site of the old Freshwood Grill, on Lake Shore next to Burrito Boyz.
The food is fine-don't understand your aversion to the name.

[duckdown]

Naw, it's definitely Etobicoke. It's Lakeshore & Browns Line, as mentioned, beside Burrito Boyz

I hear they grind their meat daily on-site and the burgers are cooked to order.. Someone on another forum said they were very pleasantly surprised with the product they received, cooked pink without asking and clearly fresh groud.. Sounds promising, especially for the area.. And they serve a small selection of local beers

Might actually head there tonight if anyone wants to meet up for a beer and burger

[Jamie Eats Burgers]

duckdown,

did you go last night?

I'm going to see if they'll cater a lunch to my office.

[duckdown]

Yep, met another forum member there too who's wife is actually a pastry chef and got some goodies from them too

The burger was really good. Definitely appeared to be homemade in taste and appearance. For me the first thing I noticed when I walked in was that the place smelled like a burning forest, and that would explain why their door was wedged open permanently even in sub-zero temperatures.. the resto was freezing I heard 2 people say to eachother when they walked in.. The reason for this is that they use a wood burning grill that apparently emits alot of smoke.. I actually thought they were making southern BBQ in the restaurant until someone mentioned it was the wood burning grill. So that was pretty cool I thought. However the problem I had with the burger is that most of it was overcooked unfortunately. Only a small section had any visible pink at all, the rest was definitely overcooked without a doubt. Not that it still didn't taste good but it got a failing grade on this subject.. Also they never actually asked me how I wanted it cooked which is disappointing as well. However, it looked to be 2 young teenagers working the grill area which would probably explain it.. I am almost never happy when I notice it's teenagers cooking my food.. no experience. I would wager that when another person is cooking the food it would be alot better. Either way, it's definitely got lots of promise and yes the burger was the best I've had in the area for sure. Large selection of toppings, I got some of their homemade "smoked ketchup" and "chipotle mayo" on the burger and although I didn't try them individually they did go nicely on the burger

Poutine was bloody awful though, good god don't make the mistake of ordering that one.. soggy curds, puny portions for the large price tag, watery gravy with undercooked fries (yep, a few "raw texture" ones too). Would get the sweet potato fries next time instead without a doubt, saw someone elses and they looked good

[Michael N]

I don't know why it's so hard to find a decent burger in Toronto -- this was yet another burger letdown in this hamburger-challenged city. Maybe I'm a hamburger purist (okay fine, there's no maybe about it) but to me, a hamburger should consist of freshly ground beef, seasoned with some salt and pepper. That's it. Woody's hamburgers, like the burgers at so many burger joints in this city, have onions and other spices mixed in with the patty. That's not a hamburger -- it's a meatloaf sandwich.

But for what it was, it was decent enough, albeit WAY overcooked (there wasn't even a hint of pink in my burger or any of the burgers of the people eating around me). Meh. I think I just have to come to terms with the fact that if you want a decent burger, you need to make it at home or go to the States.

[terrycar]

I had a Woody's basic burger for lunch today & didn't find it over seasoned at all though it was cooked more than I like it. Maybe it depends on whoever is making the burger patties that shift.

[foodyDudey]

I had a very good burger yesterday at The Beaconsfield. Have you tried the burger there? I didn't specify how I wanted it cooked, but it arrived just how I like it - close to medium rare in the middle, and slightly charred on the outside. It came with a salad and fries, a good deal for $16.

-----
Beaconsfield
1154 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J1J5, CA

[duckdown]

Since my original writing, I've actually been back once or twice. It's unfortunate that it's been massively overcooked on ALL of my visits :/

[C mac]

Without reading this whole thread, here's my two cents:

For starters, I was pretty surprised to read so many people slam licks. I think licks is pretty good and yes I used to go the original one on Yonge. I personally don't really notice the change that much since they've gone Franchise.

My #1 choice is burger shack at Avenue and Eglinton.

My next to favs are The burger hut at Sheppard and Leslie (all though they've gone a bit downhill since new owner's about 8 months ago) and Johnny's at Sheppard and V.P

[foodyDudey]

If you think the original Lick's was on Yonge, that explains why you are surprised that others don't like it.

Where were you in 1982? Obviously not at the Licks on Queen East, or the one on Kingston Rd near Midland.

[duckdown]

Sorry but you lost credibility with me at the Johnny's reccomendation.. No chance bud

[magic]

Surprised? Lick’s has been consistently torn to shreds on Chowhound for years. Deservedly so, I might add. And yes, the Lick’s location on Yonge was definitely not the original. I think it opened maybe 10 or more years after the original Queen St. location opened.

I will agree about Burger Shack. I love it there. Only went to Johnny’s once but for what it is, I’d much rather go to Harvey’s. At least they have seats.

[foodyDudey]

I don't think that the Yonge street Lick's (which has been closed for quite a few years) opened in 1990. It was probably more like 1995. The original Lick's opened in 1980. How does a place like Lick's even exist, I don't know. I guess a lot of people will eat any old junk.

[magic]

Well, 10, 12, or 15 years, it certainly was not the original. I guess that's what I meant. But yeah, you're right. I think it was like '94 or about that, when it opened. But I can't recall for sure.

I used to like Lick's back in the day. Even though their fries were always miserable sons of bitches.

But the last 10 years or so, blech. Uh-uh. I'm sure it's been said somewhere on here, but their burgers are good. If you cook them at home. Restaurant = disgraceful indifferent sawdust.

[C mac]

hmmm...I'm still a little surprised. Most people I know like Licks. I guess we all have our own preferences. Anyway, the main part of my post was the Burger Shack. This place is really good. The burger hut is also pretty good (as mentioned before, i find it's gone down hill a bit since new ownership but many people I know still like it). I saw a post on here about Golden Star. Even though it's relatively close to me, I tried it for the first time about 7 months ago. Disgusting!!!

-----
Burger Shack
4 Linsley E, Alexandria, ON K0C1A0, CA

[duckdown]

But Golden Star's homemade burger is 10 times better than frozen Johnny's, it's possible you asked for the wrong kind, I made that mistake before too

[abigllama]

Thanks for the heads up on Woody's. The other half is trying to drag me out there this weekend and it's haul to get there. Concept sounds good but too far to go for sloppy execution.

[duckdown]

Well I can't say I've had a perfectly cooked burger at Woody's yet, so don't drive a crazy distance just on my account :)

Hopefully some other people from the neighborhood can weigh in on the place.. I only just found out about it.. if they can just learn to stop overcooking the burgers! :)

[Jamie Eats Burgers]

I ordered some burgers from there. I asked for medium and got that which I am happy about. I find their beef pretty bland though, but at least it is hormone free.

[abigllama]

No no you warned me away from it. It sounds like they need to get some things worked out. We don't own a car so it would have been next time we had a rental or an endless streetcare ride! That's where the thanks came in! :)

[duckdown]

Ahh, gotcha! :)

No prob ! I will get out there again soon, that area has alot of worthwhile food shopping.. (Euro meats for raw vendor sausages, Dimpflmeiers for rye bread and pretzels and bagels, Medium Rare for dry aged steaks and berkshire pork ribs, Bom Apetite for chicken, Costco) so I usually make a bunch of stops

cheers!

-----
Medium Rare
5241 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M9B, CA

[ravilall]

Senses Bakery @ Soho Hotel for lunch.

The best Turkey burger you'll ever eat. Served with sweet potato fries. 3 slider-sized burgers that are tasty and juicy... cranberry and mustard dipping sauces accompany.

[Bigtigger]

The Studio Café at the Four Seasons serves a very tasty burger, and will cook it rare if you request it. Comes with excellent fries.

[juliaschildathome]

The Burger Shoppe at 688 Queen Street East. The 'Riverside' (with mozzarella, lettuce, tomato, bacon, mayo and a fat, crunchy onion ring) is the best burger I have ever eaten. EVER. Moist and juicy and cooked perfectly to your liking, with an excellent patty-to-bun ratio. With a side of sweet potato fries, it can't be beat.

-----
Burger Shoppe
688 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M1G9, CA

[dgarts]

I'm amazed no one has mentioned Ciros. There's even a Facebook Fan Club. 1316 Bloor Street West (just a few steps west of Lansdowne). Absolutely a favourite of mine.

Not far from there, up in the Junction, is Bronto Burger. 2982 Dundas West.

-----
Bronto Burger
2982 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6P1Z3, CA

[Food Tourist]

Bronto Burger seems to have shut down and been taken over by Jocelyn's Place, also a burger place.

[dion1976]

george's deli @ bathurst and bloor or jumbo burger @ runnymede and dundas west

[szetab]

Looking for a tasty, generous sized good old fashioned Burger... Johnny's Hamburgers (2595 Victoria Park Avenue -Toronto). But don't ask for lettuce! They don't carry it and the old school owners won't want to hear the evil non-burger topping uttered in their establishment.

If you're a little further north, my other fave is Golden Star (7123 Yonge Street). Family owned & operated as well... this place has it all! Homemade sauce, thick cut bacon on their banquet burgers, 10+ varieties of milkshakes (I love combining em.. my personal favorite is vanilla banana cappuccino). You have to ask for the original homemade burger... and if you're an onions person, they have a hidden bowl or caramelized onions on side of the grill. HUGE basket of homefries (i usually go w/ half&half or rings & fries) and all for under $15. The original orange, brown & wood paneling from the seventies makes this place feel just right. Enjoy!

[ManAbout]

So your definition of a "tasty, good old fashioned burger" is a frozen, "ground left over cow parts", hockey puck that comes packed in a cardboard box that probably contains 50 to 100 such "burgers" made with the cheapest, left over ingredients in the slaughterhouse?

[CHICKEN_SKIN_MASK]

Sometimes it doesn't matter, ManAbout. No on has mentioned the old school Dairy Freeze on St. Clair. It is far from being the best burger in the city, but when you're stumble home at 3:30 AM it's pretty sweet to discover you've just bought yourself a greasy bag full of Dairy Freeze...it's exactly what I want I that moment. At the very least, it's better than Johnny's Hamburgers. Aside from that I usually go to Utopia or BQM (though I primarily go there for the onion rings).

[magic]

Is that the one on the north side of St. Clair, near Christie?

If so, it closed down over a year ago. It’s a parking lot now.

[Davwud]

No, that was the Queens Dairy.

This one is on the S/W corner of Caledonia and St. Clair.

DT

[magic]

Right. Danke.

[jayt90]

I keep reading these posts, often about pre-made lean burgers, while I'm devouring a delicious, fresh ground burger at home, medium rare, from a butcher counter charging $2/lb, with lots of fat and taste. The source is Soon Lee, and burgers are as good as Cumbrae, I just have to pan grill slowly.

-----
Cumbrae's
1636 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON M4G, CA

Cumbrae's
481 Church St, Toronto, ON M4Y, CA

Soon Lee
629 Markham Rd, Toronto, ON M1J, CA

[Vinnie Vidimangi]

Right on, brother. I go to Costco. About $2.25 lb, AAA. Fat content is 12-15% , which is good for me done in a frying pan.

[Pincus]

You should share your recipe on the Home Cooking board, then.

[happykathy]

Johnny's Hamburgers on Victoria Park and SHeppard. THe place is a dive and the service is pretty hilarious, but their burgers are great! It's a fast food, mompop kind of place - great late night! Nothing fancy.

[ManAbout]

If you think frozen burgers out of cardboard boxes are great, then knock yourself out with Johnny's Burgers. They are in fact up there with the most disgusting burgers in town.

[Pincus]

Been to Johnny's several times from peer pressure. Their shakes are the only good thing I've had there. Possibly some of the magic there is nostalgia, possibly because it's open when the clubs let out. :)

[duckdown]

I hate this place.. I didn't know they were open when clubs get out, though. I've passed by it many times around midnight and the place has been completely closed.. Maybe it's only Friday or Saturday nights

[Jamie Eats Burgers]

ya fridays and saturdays they are open till 3 am or around there.

[ManAbout]

Agree, Johnny's Cardboard Burgers = Disgusting. Which is why I am amazed that people still continue to recommend it on this board.

[CeeQueue]

My guess is they haven't actually eaten there since their last drunken burger binge in high school.

[OTFOODIE]

I would agree with ManAbout and add Apache Burger on Dundas West to the list of grossly overrated burger dives. (I would include Golden Star as well, but i seems to have its fans for reasons I cannot fathom or stomach.) Johnny's might, however, rate as one of the most memorably worst burgers I have had anywhere.

[Jamie Eats Burgers]

That is what is so good about it. That disgusting taste conjurs pleasurable memories of my youth of having terrible burgers for the majority of my life.

However, I mostly go to harass the workers. I don't care about the burger.

I like to go and ask for lettuce, and tell them why lettuce is such a good ingredient ( even though I don't actually like lettuce). When the "Yella" guy (who I call Johnny, because he is the face that I associate with that place) tell's me to come on Sunday, I rebut with me coming on Sunday, and although they were closed, I still didn't see any lettuce sitting on the counter when I looked through the window.

I also like to pretend I'm special because I know of the secret ingredients. When I get them I look around to see if anyone notices and gets jealous.

But hey, at least the service is fast. I know that I'll be in and out of there on an average of 5.2 minutes. This is based on that if a guy ahead of me in line hasn't pre-thought his topping and starts humming and hawing on which toppings he should get when it's his turn, Johnny will just put some basic toppings on it and, without words, tell him to screw off.

These are only some of the reasons of why I enjoy Johnny's Charcoal burgers.

[Boodah]

I used to eat at Apache Burger. The last time I was there the guy putting the burgers together was so stoned/drunk/out of it I'm not even sure he was even on planet earth. The guy in front of me in line got so mad with the repeated failure to put the correct stuff on his burgers he walked out. Then they put someone else's bacon on my hamburger. When the realized this had happened they (I swear I'm not making this up) took the wrapper off my burger, opened it up, took the bacon off of it and put it on the hamburger it was supposed to go onto in the first place, in full view of everyone standing in line. I was so shocked I didn't even know what to say. The guy who ended up with the bacon just stood there with a weird blank look on his face, then started laughing, took his food and left. What made all of this worse is it all happened right in front of the woman who appears to run the place, who stood there and said absolutely nothing. You couldn't even drag me back into that place.

[red dragon]

We went to Apache Burger for the 1st time, after reading about it here and the fact that we couldn't figure out if the BBQ joint on the same street was open or not.

Since we drove all the way from the north east end of T.O., we ended up eating at Apache. What a waste of our time and money! I even called from the road and politely asked about their food. I have a sensitive stomach and I asked very nicely if the person who is placing the burgers on the grill is touching the buns, which I've seen many time and regretted the after effects.

Well, the woman on the phone waxed poetic about how they have separate people working the grill, the buns, the toppings and they use 2 different tongs.

Well, we got there, service was dismal AND the guy used the same tongs on the raw meat! There were 2 tongs, for sure, but he never used them. I also asked for the bacon to be well done, crisp and it came out slightly raw and soggy!

I just prayed I would feel ok afterwards, when we should have just walked away!

The burger wasn't that great and the onion rings, OMG, advertised as home made, but I'm not joking when I say that the batter was so thick that each time we took a bite, we looked at the onion ring to SEE if there was any actual onion??

For the price we paid, we walked away, shamelessly shaking our heads!

Never again. My husband only has an occassional Saturday off and this is where we chose to eat, out of all the places in the GTA!!

A real disappointment. I took pictures, but really, not worth posting.

-----
Apache Burgers
5236 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M9B1A7, CA

[duckdown]

The place is simply awful, I am very sorry you had the misfortune of eating there :(

The problem about the BBQ place on the same street seems to be a common issue, their hours are sporadic at best

[red dragon]

Hi duckdown, thanks for your reply of sympathy, it was truly awful.

I wouldn't be so disappointed if it weren't a rare day off for my husband and having to eat there, when we had so many other places to choose from!

Yes, the BBQ is a rare visit as well, since again, we can only go on a Saturday. They did answer the phone, but it was past 12pm and we had no idea if they were open or closed.

Well, the good thing about chowhound is that we can post our feedback and try new places, some times they're a hit, and other times, a real miss!

[duckdown]

Magoo's is just 3 minutes up the street, and they have homemade burgers and I compare them to Licks. Not the best around but 20 times better than Apache !

The BBQ place is tasty but they need to work on their hours.. They seem very light

Good luck! :)

[red dragon]

Will put Magoo's on my "must try list."

Yes, the BBQ place (Paul & Sandy's Real BBQ) needs to get more stable and consistent hours!!

Thanks!

[Pincus]

Finally made it out to The Real McCoy. Had their MOJO burger, onion rings, and a strawberry shake.

Rings were mediocre, batter was OK and not too greasy, but I didn't get much of an onion taste off them. But the burger and shake were both really good. The shake was one of the best I've ever had, and the burger was really the top of the "fast food" type burgers I've ever had as well. I basically skipped dinner that night because I was so full from lunch!

Not a place I can get to often, but when I'm in the neighbourhood I will definitely be dropping by,

[Full tummy]

Pincus, try the fries next time. I believe they're handcut. To me, they're excellent. I like the gravy, too, but perhaps that's nostalgia. I grew up on Real McCoy burgers and fries with gravy.

[Dimwit]

There's a new place opened up in the No Frills Plaza on Bayley, 2 doors down from the LCBO. Pretty good. It's called The Butcher's Grill.
Their gimmick: the meat is in a display case and you pick it out and they grill it. All fresh, and handmade. 5 oz and 8 oz patties, steaks (strip loin) chicken, sausage etc. Reasonable pricing, premium burger territory but not outrageous. 5 oz is $5.99. It goes on a square bun, I'm not sure what -- chiabatta? but it's great. Only marginal thing is the fries, Cavendish old style I think, at least it's not the McCain's coated crap that's everywhere lately. Very decent. I'm going back to sample more menu - without the fries this time.

[jayt90]

I had to look this up since you didn't mention the area. It's Ajax, close to me, and an interesting concept, so I'll check it out. The patties shown are pre-made, could be from a box.
http://butchersgrill.ca/gallery.php

[duckdown]

Looks like a total Royal Meat BBQ clone, even to the part about "taking the pager to your table and waiting for it to vibrate".. I even see those disgusting "log things" that people seem to gobble up at Royal BBQ

[Boodah]

You talking about the Balkan schnitzel? Not sure if the version at RB is filled with cheese but the typical Serbian ones are. And yeah, sounds like something very similar to Royal Meats which I think is a great place (not cheap but very good).

[Davwud]

I haven't been to RM in a while but always liked it. Even the disgusting "Log things" AKA Chevaps.

DT

[Jamie Eats Burgers]

I personally don't like the beef/pork mix at RM.

It was nice to try but I guess I wanted that "beefy" quality that I have an expectancy for.

I found mixing with pork made it more boring.

[Boodah]

Yeah, I'm not a fan of their burgers (and the giant one is just scary). I see they have a smoked sausage now I should try next time (this time I got the steak sandwich again, expensive but really good and I split it so we get two meals out of it). I have to say one thing, RM used to have some of the best french fries around but they recently changed them and I'm not as thrilled with the results.

[duckdown]

Hi Davwud; I didn't mean the chevaps

They have some nasty "log thing" thats all rolled up and oozes white cream cheese when you cut into it.. i've never tried one but it looked honestly very very gross and greasy

[Boodah]

That log thing is the Balkan version of schnitzel.

[Food Tourist]

That phallic creation with white cream cheese is called Caragiorgio (or George's Schnitzel) and can be excellent (my first memorable experience with George's schnitzel was at Stari Grad on Dundas West near Kipling in 2005). Royal Meats' version is okay, and can be greasy but still quite tasty. Hey, even when it's bad, it's good.

[Boodah]

The one they serve at Zam's is supposed to be pretty good (at least according to the people I was with who ordered it).

[duckdown]

I do like the concept of RB and this new place; at least you can see the product before it's cooked and you can be assured it's homemade.. However; if they're unable or unwilling to cook your beef burger to order, then it almost seems like a waste

Their burgers are 100% beef?

[Dimwit]

I didn't ask. I wanted to see what it was like without changes. I liked it, it was well cooked without going overboard. Still moist. I think it's pure beef, if there's filler, it's light, just enough to keep the meat together.
I had cheese on mine and it was real cheddar, not processed.

The pager thing is lame. There's maybe 10 tables in a small shopfront. Hello? Just tell me it's ready. Maybe during the lunch rush it'd be necessary but rather overdone with 4 customers in the place.

[duckdown]

Definitely NOT a fan of the pager thing, and honestly, it's unhygenic really.

Who wants to grab a disc of plastic that 50 different people have had their grubby mitts on already today.. yeah, then lets use our hands to eat our food.. I'm gonna tell them "no, thats OK" next time they hand me the pager.. I'll just watch and wait for my order

[Dimwit]

Went back the other day and had the 8oz burger. No fries. It was great! It turns out the 8oz is sirloin. A little pricy at $5.59 but really good.

BTW skipped the pager thing. Just tell them no.

[Yum2MyTum]

Thanks to gregclow, a friend and I decided to try out the hand chopped burger at the Queen and Beaver. We loved the burger: perfect size, deliciously cooked to medium rare as requested, juicy and beefy. The bun held up well, and the thick cut potato-y fries came with a lovely picant homemade ketchup. Enjoyable and would highly recommend!

[ManAbout]

A couple of recent burger experiences:

JohnnyRockets - Tried them again, at Vaughan Mills. Had the St Louis with bacon, swiss cheese and grilled onions. The burger costs $9 tax for takeout, tax included. Better than any fast food place out there, but at that price, it better be. Good texture, but just a touch dry. The meat is not tightly packed together like a preformed patty, and actually is very similar to Golden Star on Yonge.

South St on Woodbine - Went there a couple of days after it opened. Preformed burger patty. It was just OK. The guy putting the condiments on didn't know what he was doing. He just put them in a stingy little pile, so when you eat the burger, you only get the condiments in one spot. Burger was on the dry side. The beef tasted better than what you get at McDonalds. It was around $5 something just for the burger. I might give it another try since it does have the potential of being better than other fast food places.

[duckdown]

South St. is bland, bland, bland and quite expensive. I haven't ever had a really enjoyable experience there

Thanks for the heads up about Johnny Rockets though. They supposedly also are the only place to get a Nathan's hot dog in Ontario also

[OTFOODIE]

You had me interested until you compared it to Golden Star. I've never been able to figure out why people think that place is so special. Duckdown has suggested a reason to try the place - to have a Nathan's dog.

[Davwud]

Did you have the GS home burger or the regular burger??

DT

[OTFOODIE]

The home burger - I really don't see what's special about it. I live quite close to GS, and only go there occasionally hoping that maybe my opinion of the place is wrong. Maybe I'll give it another try soon.

[ManAbout]

I was comparing the texture of JohnnyRockets with the one at GoldenStar. They are both hand formed patties and not the preformed compressed ones. The tastes are different. JohnnyRockets is made on the griddle and GS on the grill.

[Kellz]

Try Magoos in Etobicoke!

[jon.russell1212]

The best burger I've ever had was at the Rosedale Diner. Wow! This restaurant takes the hamburger to a whole new level (not cheap, mind you, but good). Burgers are cooked to perfection and topped with some unique and delicious intgredient combos. The restaurant's ambience is also quirky and it makes for a great date dinner. Casual, eclectic interior is warm, but still elegant. I can't wait to go back and highly recommend it.

[Jamie Eats Burgers]

what a website they have...

[rtw1212]

True! Fortunately, the burgers are way better than the website. I love Rosedale Diner too. Quirky and different ambience, good service and delicious burgers (try the Bison burger). Its a little different eating a burger in a pita, but after a couple bites you realize why they do it. The burgers are all flavor with only enough bread to hold everything in place. Yum!

-----
Rosedale Diner
1164 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4W2L9, CA

[ManAbout]

I had a pretty good burger at JohnnyRockets at Vaughan Mills not too long ago. They don't use frozen preformed patties. The burger is cooked on a griddle. It was cooked through, but still nice and juicy. Definitely a good burger, better than any fast food place out there.

[Boodah]

I posted this same basic thing in another thread and, again, it may sound crazy but give the hamburger side of New York Fries a shot, it's called South St. Burger Co. I'm as hardcore as they come, grinding my own meat, despise hamburgers with anything in the meat other than salt/pepper, etc... The burgers from this place are 100% pure beef, never frozen and are good enough that you can eat them with absolutely nothing on them.

http://www.southstburger.com/

[jayt90]

Will they cook to order, medium rare?
That's what I usually ask for, because they rarely ask me.
I'm not interested in any excuses about health department laws, because that is bogus.
And a lot of places pre-cook now; I don't know if this is one of them.

[Boodah]

I've never asked for medium rare so I can't attest to whether or not they'll do it. And no, this place does not pre-cook. The grill is right behind the buffet area where you pick your toppings, you'll be standing there watching them cook your patty while you're waiting.

[Full tummy]

They won't cook to medium rare, but sometimes the burger is a little pinkish inside. Definitely not medium rare, though...

-----
Medium Rare
5241 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M9B, CA

[mstestzzz001]

At the Yonge+Eglinton restaurant, they have a sign that says they cook to medium (or was it medium well?), but if you ask they'll cook the burger until it's well done.

[Boodah]

When restaurants take that position it never surprises me, the liability of potential lawsuits over food poisoning and/or a health department inspection isn't worth the $8 sale. I don't think I'd do it if I owned a burger place, either.

[embee]

I've got to very strongly disagree. South Street's burgers are extremely dry and close to tasteless, Yes, they are fresh and freshly cooked, but this doesn't save them.

The best I can say is that, unlike their main competitors (e.g., Hero), South Street's burgers provide an inoffensive protein base for some much better than average free toppings. A judicious choice of toppings can make this burger moist and tasty. Served with nothing on it, I could barely choke one down.

They have signs to the effect that all of their burgers are "properly cooked" to 160 F and served "still pink", and that you need to "request a well done burger". That's BS. They are served extremely overcooked, come what may.

I once pushed the issue, and (after several wasted burgers), the manager (or, possibly, the franchise owner) cooked me a burger that was actually pink. He showed that, with extreme care, watching the clock, it could be done, but I wouldn't expect a minimum wage grill cook to pull this off with a hungry lineup waiting. In truth, it wasn't good enough pink (and it was still extremely dry) to be worth the fuss.

They do have good fries, shakes, and rings (though I don't like something in the ring seasoning).

South St is really a wasted opportunity. They don't pre-cook (at least they didn't when I've been there), but the whole 160 thing is itself a crock. Wanting this post to remain, I'll say it as follows: there is a calculated risk inherent in raw or rare ground meat.

Pasteurization is one easily available mitigating option for foodservice. However, if you read your Howard McGee (considered the most credible food science writer), you'll discover that the the temperature required to ensure a reasonable margin of safety is MUCH lower.

[SMOG]

embee, for the reason you've mentioned, I would never expect to get a properly cooked burger, consistently, at any fast food restaurant. You have to be really experienced to be able to properly cook burgers and I just don't see it ever happening in any fast food shop. It's even rare (no pun intended) to see in a restaurant with consistency. It's sad, because some places charge a premium and boast that they will cook it properly, then go on to waste what in some cases could otherwise be a great burger. In my opinion, the toppings that places like South Street offer are gimmicky. I'd take a properly cooked regular burger with everyday toppings over a poorly cooked burger with gimmicky toppings anyday.

[embee]

Lick's used to do it hundreds of times a day --- but that was then :-(

[jayt90]

Yes, the gimmicky toppings are pure , high- priced hype. Sell the sizzle, not the steak!

If there are places that will do a medium or med/rare burger, they may negate their effort if the burger keeps cooking when removed from the grill.

However, there is no inherent reason why a good burger can't be done, at low price levels, with low priced help who are interested and well trained, and with an incentive to do it right. But that's a lot to ask, when the general public is not so demanding.

[SMOG]

Don't forget that we are the minority. The majority of customers, whether it's for $2 burgers of $10 burgers, would be freaked out with a medium-rare burger. So the manager of any fast food shop would have more downside to having a few undercooked burgers than several overcooked burgers.

[Jamie Eats Burgers]

Thats a very good point. The customers that these medium echelon burger places cater to are not food enthusiast like people on this board might be.

But I also find it funny when people refer to those places as "gourmet" But I guess its all based on perspective. Compared to that Irish burger chain that everyone talks about (I forgot the name of it), places like these seem very 'gourmet'

But I guess (as I've said before) I am a burger snob.

[Boodah]

What location did you try? The South St. on Islington has never, not once, served me a dry, under-seasoned burger. Location-specific inconsistencies in chain restaurants is a given (even for places like Ruth's Chris and Mortons) and hamburgers are particularly sensitive to how they're cooked so I'm not remotely surprised that my juicy burger at one location is someone else's hockey puck at another.

-----
Ruth's Chris
77 City Centre Dr., Mississauga, ON L5B 1M5, CA

[geekazoid]

The burgers I have eaten at South Street (Islington location) have always been pink and dripping with juices. I guess it really depends who cooks them. I tried the onion rings once there and they were not good. The fries are meh.

[mstestzzz001]

Second time at the Yonge & Eglinton location and my burger looked well-done. I asked for lettuce, tomato and relish as toppings and the burger was pretty dry with little beef taste. This is the second restaurant where I go initially and get a medium/med-rare burger, but when I return I get a well-done burger. Dang.

It looked like they used red onions in the onion rings and were on the greasy side. The chocolate shake was good though.

[queenmax]

For a long time (I grew up in NYC) I thought that there were NO good hamburgers in Toronto. It seemed like an alien food here that restaurants just did not understand. Then I discovered the hamburgers at the Cafe at the Four Seasons hotel. They are perfect. Alas, they now cost $26 and there is no hamburger in the world worth that amount of money. I have recently discovered the The Burger Shoppe. My NY taste buds were delighted. They serve real hamburgers. I loved mine..

[embee]

My South St experience is all in Leaside.

[duckdown]

South Street is SO overhyped and bland bland bland.. It seems to me like barely a step up from a fast food burger

[Jamie Eats Burgers]

I always liked south street because they were the first to have the "crazy" garnishes available. Although the beef is similar to its competition (boring), I gave it my business because I liked to play around with the toppings.

at the time, there weren't any fast food places where I could get mango chutney and goats cheese on my burger.

[Yum2MyTum]

For his birthday, I took a friend to Nota Bene for a burger comparison. We split the $19 Stilton burger (which I loved and previously posted about) and the $39 Wagyu burger, both cooked medium rare. Both of us sat in silence after our first bite of the Wagyu burger. We looked at each other and agreed: it was so good. So meaty. So juicy. So delicious. Topped with copious amounts of earthy shaved truffle and heavily sauced pulled braised beef... but it wasn't twice as good as the Stilton.

After a couple more bites, we both agreed: the Wagyu burger IS twice as good as the Stilton. I loved it. Highly recommend!

-----
Nota Bene
180 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON M5V 2A1, CA

[Jamie Eats Burgers]

Thats awesome.

How do you find the stilton? the variances of stilton is very subtle but I find stilton can be an overpowering cheese for a burger.

I love support for the burgers of this place.

[Yum2MyTum]

Hi JEB! The stilton was not overpowering - it's a pretty small hunk. However, the burger is not amazingly beefy as there are quite potent herbs in the mix. The Wagyu burger, in contrast, is beef, pure, simple, and powerful.

By the way, I love your site and thanks for all your reviews of burgers. I think I'll have to try Allen's next, based on your endorsement.

[Jamie Eats Burgers]

Thanks!

Its hard to find time to actually write the reviews, I'm currently backlogged two right now.

I think you will really enjoy the allen's burger. They don't use Wagyu beef of course, its still fantastic.

[Pincus]

Wait, they put braised beef on top of a hamburger??

[Yum2MyTum]

Yes they did... I know that might sound odd/non-traditional/insane... but it was so delicious.

[pakmode]

After watching a movie at Bloor St Cinemas this past Sunday we had dinner across the street at Insomnia Cafe.

Ordered the black angus burger - comes with fries and salad for $9.
Added on sauteed onions and a slice of cheddar for extra cost.

The burger was excellent. Cooked to a perfect medium. Nice thick patty. Cheese melted on last minute on the grill. Bit of a crisp on the outside of the patty and it the toppings and toasted bun were good as well.

The fries and salad were excellent as well - the garlic mayo that came with it was a nice touch.

The rest of the party ordered pizzas and they were also excellent as well.
Stopped by next door at the Green Beanery for some beans after...so all in all a good evening.

-----
Insomnia
563 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M5S1Y6, CA

[Jamie Eats Burgers]

awesome, I've been to insomnia before, but never have gotten food.

how "beefy" did the angus taste?

what kinds of cheese do they have?

[Pincus]

I've had some nice meals at Insomnia before, thanks for mentioning the burger.

[Wahooty]

Insomnia does make a decent burger. I wouldn't go out of my way for it, but if a craving strikes in the neighborhood, it gets the job done.

[pakmode]

I think they had cheddar and swiss only.

The burger had a beefy taste to it, meat seemed fresh and the patty seemed to be hand formed with good texture to it.

And even though this is a burger thread, I have to mention again that the pizzas we ordered were very well done.

[Full tummy]

I know it's not a cooked burger, but the best burger I've purchased and cooked at home is from Just an Olde Fashioned Butchery in Oakville. Seems to me it is chopped not really ground, as the bits are largish. Really very tasty and texturally superior to the other patties I've had...

http://www.torontolife.com/guide/food...

[jayt90]

I am looking for a good burger, and I'm willing to pan fry it at home.

There is a new gourmet burger place near my home, "Big Boy" at White's Rd. and #2. I am afraid to try it because the interior is prison/butch, and there is always a Hummer or aggressive looking Jeep outside

I would like to find a butcher who will grind my selection of beef (neck, shoulder, and rib end) at a reasonable price.

Are there any butcher shops or supermarkets east of Yonge St. who will do this?

[Crispy skin]

Well I fear little and love this place!!! Suck it up and go in the burgers are great. its not prison/butch don't really know what that means but it it is car racing theme.

[CeeQueue]

I believe this is the location opened by the couple who used to own/run the Big Boy burger place at Kingston Rd & St Clair. They are a really nice couple who enjoy what they do and are super friendly. Go there twice and you're a regular. The food was always really good at the Scarborough location.

I've never been a fan of the treaded sheet metal interior and loud music, but the food is worth it...just get takeout.

[embee]

Cumbrae's? Royal Beef?

[CeeQueue]

Try The Butcher Shop at Kingston & Markham. I don't know if they will, but it's worth a shot. [phone]‎
http://maps.google.ca/maps?oe=utf-8&a...

[Crispy skin]

No

[jayt90]

I found Cumbrae's prepared patties overpriced at $3.+ and overprocessed, possibly a double grind.
I'm looking for a genuine beefy front quarter taste, with a bovine scent burning in the nostrils.
I'll try Butcher Shop and Royal. Maybe ask at Highland Farms counter.

[Jamie Eats Burgers]

Its tough to find a butcher that will be happy to make a mix for you.

just grind it yourself... thats what I do.

[aser]

Yeah it's not like grinding is rocket science. Get a grinder and get to work. Season it to your heart's content or leave it plain for the beefy taste.

Buy dry age from your favourite butcher for that extra pungency you're looking for. You seem to like beef connections a lot, I'm sure you can sort something out w/ them.

[jayt90]

You are right about beefconnections. Their ground beef, even frozen, reminds of the best ground beef of my formative years.

[Jamie Eats Burgers]

never heard of beef connections.
and I checked their site, I assume they come frozen?

according to J. Kenji Lopez-Alt, best grinding mix is

1 part sirloin
1 part brisket
2 parts oxtail

I'm going to pull my hand crank grinder out from the basement...

[Selectfinefoods]

This may be a little late for Burger season, but I have read some things that scare me a little. Dry age is great for loins and hips that have good fat covering that can be trimmed when ready to cut freeze or retail. In our opinion the best part of the animal for burger is from the front and specifically the Chuck. As it is not well protected by a large degree of fat aging this any longer then 14 days would not be recommended. We dry age our loins 30+ days and don't put any of that trim into ground as it could taint an entire batch.

Most ground beef sold contains hearts, cheeks, and other trim that again I don't find suitable for burger meat. Chuck is hard to find as fewer and fewer shops are no longer bringing in hanging beef.

Now get some lamb shoulder and beef chuck ground mix, top with blue cheese, heaven.....

[SMOG]

"Most ground beef sold contains hearts, cheeks, and other trim that again I don't find suitable for burger meat."

This wouldn't be the case if you're buying from a reputable butcher shop, would it??

[Selectfinefoods]

A question I can't answer. Know your shop ask to look in the back, is most of what they are cutting from boxed beef or is it hanging? If they don't want to show you then make your own assumptions. The industry has been its own worst enemy and until just lately people have not questioned it.

The profit temptation of any meat retailer when demand for burger is high and the amount of trim is not keeping up is great to slip in tubed commercial beef, and or those products I mentioned prior.

[CeeQueue]

Burger season is all year 'round, isn't it? Back yard barbecue season may be shorter, but I refuse to limit my burger consumption to warm-weather months!

[Jamie Eats Burgers]

I usually wheel the gas grill in front of the door to the backyard, that way I don't have to leave the comforts of my kitchen to use the grill.

But that is if I'm going to grill a burger; I often sear and broil.

[jayt90]

Most of the burgers sold in Toronto are extruded. Easy to tell by looking at them. Check your freezer, could be there too.
I don't know why it took me so long to find out, but I saw the information on a butcher's site today. http://www.premiumbeef.ca/buy_ontario...
We owe it to ourselves to get burgers made from fresh ground beef, not frozen extruded patties.

[longolame]

I tried these Big Bruce burgers last year. I was excited by the promotional material and hoped for a great burger. But the final cooked product was not very good.
They're still just frozen patties and made from feedlot beef.

I'll take frozen patties made from fully grassfed animals over these industrial hockey pucks.
Fresh ground always produces the best burgers and if you can control which cuts of meat go into the fresh ground, you will have a very healthy and tasty meal.

[Restaurant Dish]

Well, this is interesting. But I have one point and one question:

First my point; as a business these days, unless it's health/well-being related, you can pretty much say anything you like until a)the authorities that "police" your industry catch up with you or b) a competitor tells them. So, what I'm trying to say is that just because this business writes on their website that most burger patties are made with compression or extrusion techniques, I'm just too jaded to believe things anymore.

Second, my question: If you don't extrude or compress a burger patty, how does it become a burger patty? Do you chop them up? I can't see how this happens. But interested in finding out.

And, who in the city serves non-extrusion/compression burgers?

[SMOG]

While I can try to guess, can you explain further what you mean by this? What exactly does extruded/compressed mean? And is it worse for us in terms of health, or are they just claiming that this type of processing adversely affects the taste and texture?

[Jamie Eats Burgers]

I don't think its a matter of health, but more the process, quality, and flavour. (unless a company uses preservatives or other additives, but that is based on a per company basis)

My guess is that every place that sells frozen patty burgers and made with the said extrusion/compression process. In today's economy, I can't see frozen burger companies hiring people to hand chop or grind beef and hand form them into patties, wrap them, box them, etc.

You can tell which restaurant serve frozen burgers compared to house-made burgers by ordering them. its just a matter of trail and error, word of mouth, or communication websites such as this one.

[ShermanTenor]

Somebody else mentioned it, but I have to agree that Weezies on King near Parliament makes one of the best burgers I've had in TO. Allen's pales in comparison...

Juicy, cooked perfectly without asking (still pink) and made from quality beef in house. Makes me drool just thinking about it.

Too bad they are only open for dinner these days - I work nearby and used to go regularly for lunch. Its been a while since I've enjoyed their food as a result.

-- ST

[brimskie]

Just to jump in on all the replies, I just had lunch at the Studio Cafe (at the Four Seasons Hotel) and I have to admit that their burger was pretty amazing. It was cooked just the way I asked (Mid Rare) still pink and extremely juicy. It comes with la sauvegine cheese, bacon, and maple bourbon onions with tomato aioli. The condiments don't at all distract from the taste of the meat. Just a small hint from one of the servers, It's not on their dinner menu but the kitchen would be happy to make it upon request if you don't mind waiting a few extra minutes. It's definitely a must-try!

[Pincus]

I'm gonna give kudos to CG's Hideaway again. Up near Scarborough, yes, but the burgers there are really good. It's a pub, not a dedicated burger place, but the burgers are darn good.

[GoodGravy]

I had the Angus burger @ McDonald's tonight and it actually tasted good! Beefy taste, fresh toppings, and slightly pink in the middle. I won't say this is Toronto's best, but it easily beat Licks and Harveys.

[CeeQueue]

I have to agree that the Angus burger beats Harvey's and Lick's. Real cheese, nice bun, real onions (i.e. not reconstitued, flavourless bits), a decent slice of tomato and a big, frilly piece of lettuce. They probably made a mistake sending it out pink in the middle, as I'm sure that would not be McDonald's policy. But even cooked through, it is still fairly juicy and flavourful.

And heretic though it makes me, I do like McDonald's fries for what they are. I absolutely love hand cut, twice fried fries with the skin left on, but in a pinch I still enjoy McD's shoestrings.

[LovelyAsia]

The best take out burger I have had in a long time was from The Stockyards on St. Clair - hubby is a fan of the ribs but I wanted to try something different on the menu and I was pleasantly surprised!

[ttran88]

you beat me to the punch... Stockyards burger was very tasty indeed. nothing special just a good, well balance, dressed burger. i recommend for sure as well.

But to date, Bymark Burger hands down.

[Jamie Eats Burgers]

what makes the stockyard burger good? other than balance?

I have gotten a request on the site to try the stockyards burger. so I will try and get out there this weekend and I'll write a review in the near future.

[LovelyAsia]

I found the meat really juicy and tasty, and the caramelized onions had great colour and taste. The bun is nothing special but for me it is all about the meat and toppings!

[duckdown]

It's made from unfrozen ground beef and cooked on a flat top griddle (not a grill)

I've never tried it but on my one visit to Stockyards they were selling more burgers than anyhting else

[Davwud]

The flat top is the best way to do a burger.

DT

[deelicious]

Have to agree - when ya get crisp edges like at Johny Rockets!

I love my rare burgers at Allens but thin burgers from Johny Rockets are great too. There is room for both. I will have to check out Stockyard for burgers.

Same way I like Kit Kat or Coffee Crisp once in a while - doesnt take anything away from my much better dark chocolates. Room for all because they are completely different.

[Askosrose]

I found a burger place that trumps Texas Burger in Uxbridge! It's a little restaurant on Hwy 47 called B & L Country Kitchen. Great burgers! They also do really nice breakfasts and it's very reasonable. Forget the price of the burgers, but for breakfast you can get 3 eggs, a pile of bacon, ham, sausage or peameal, toast and homefries for $5.75. The burgers are are juicy and tasty and you get your regular toppings to choose from.

[ttran88]

thats right.... they grab the meat and weigh it before they cook it.

[redhead]

not sure if it has already been mentioned - i was feeling too lazy to read all the posts but had a great burger today for lunch at Globe Bistro - "rib eye" with double smoked bacon and cheddar on an egg bun..very medium rare..delish fries - well worth the 15.00..let me see if I can attach a photo..no luck..rats. It was a great pic.

[Jamie Eats Burgers]

Redhead,

I went to the globe bistro the other day. It was awesome in its interesting flavour.

[oakesec]

Craft Burger (King St W)
Golden Star (Yonge & Steeles)

Nothing else even comes close.

[szw]

I like Golden Star a lot but I prefer Zets homeburger. I tried it once, they have a sign that says "try our new home style burger" but I'm not sure how new it is exactly since it was my first visit. I found the patty to be very loosely packed meaning it came apart easily in my mouth, which at first I found strange but immediately after enjoyed very much. Its a thicker patty style not the thin style of golden star.

Anyways its worth a try for those who like diner style burgers. I've had allens and I iiked it, but I prefer to eat my burgers in places like Golden Star or Zets.

[HarryLloyd]

"Nothing else even comes close."?

So tell me why its better than say allens, harbord room, bymark, or any other that you have had?


Chow!
HL.

[duckdown]

Those shouldn't even be in the running if you ask me...

I want to hear about Burger joints, not trendy hipster doofus restauraunts that charge $30 for a hamburger and require you to sit down in a suit and tie...

[tjr]

None of those restaurants require a suit or tie (I'm fine in nice jeans and a t-shirt), and the burgers are good or fantastic. The burger at Harbord Room is good. The one at Allen's is fine, but I dislike everything else about Allen's. The burger at Bymark is phenomenal and is probably one of the greatest single dishes in Toronto, imo. These are still burgers, they're made with great ingredients, and they taste great. Yes, they aren't $2, and a $6 combo doesn't net you onion rings and a jumbo-sized coke. Yes, you'd probably feel out of place wearing oil-stained jogging pants and a ripped Metallica t-shirt. Who cares? It's about the food.

Allen's and Bymark aren't really trendy hipster locations. Harbord Room maybe a bit more so, but it's more a restaurant-industry hangout than a hipster hotspot.

But you're right -- those burgers really shouldn't be in the running, because they're in another league altogether. As Jamie Eats Burgers said, apples and oranges.

[aser]

haha, "hipster doofus", save that for a Poutini post.

The thing w/ Allen's is, it's not that expensive of a burger. It's around $10.50 or so if I recall. Plus it's just a reg pub atmosphere, you can be wearing cheetos stained sweatpants and they'll let you in.

A homemade deluxe plus drink at Golden Star comes to close to $9, so it's not that far off.

[Jamie Eats Burgers]

Agreed,

thats why I think allens is awesome.

but both are of my favorites.

I actually go to goldenstar more often because the staff knows me as the guy who ate the quadruple homeburger. (which is true, I currently hold the record there)

[pinstripeprincess]

how big is a quadruple homeburger exactly? 4 patties or 4 bugers?

[Jamie Eats Burgers]

Its four homeburger patties in one bun.

I also opted for onions, pickles and tomatoes to keep my burger consistent (thats what I usually get on my burgers at goldenstar without getting into deep philosophy)

The problem I found was that the quad-burger was so juicy that the bottom bun was completely saturated and turned to mush. Next time I will ask for a double bottom bun haha.

really I see no reason to get a quad burger. It throws the burger way out of balance. I only did it because the sons who work there kept egging me on to do it.

[pinstripeprincess]

just call it gluttonous/morbid curiousity..... in my university town there was no shortage of quantity eating specials or challenges and so i'm always fascinated when something obscene comes along. throw in a couple milkshakes and large sides of poutine and you've got one birthday a friend of mine is not likely to forget!

[tjr]

Yep, Allen's is actually fairly cheap, considering the quality. It's similar in cost to a burger at a chain restaurant like Kelsey's, or something.

[HarryLloyd]

not a fan of the beers at allens?


Chow!
HL.

[Jamie Eats Burgers]

I havn't been to many places in Toronto where you can get Blanche de Chamblé on tap.

But we are digressing.

I normally save the beer for beer drinking and not when I'm eating.

[childofthestorm]

Allen's has like 20 beers on tap and over a 100 in bottles, doesn't it? I always get a pint of King Pilsener to go with my burger at Allen's. Although the hot days outside, yeah, the Blanche de Chambly really hits the spot.

[Yum2MyTum]

I tried out Harbord Room this past weekend -- judging from the conversations around our table, "industry hangout" is an apt characterization.

The burger was tasty... but IMHO didn't live up to the immense hype on this board (how could it, really). I found it dry and a bit overcooked, considering I asked for medium rare and was told that the burgers were always done medium rare.

I much prefer the Nota Bene stilton burger.

[Jamie Eats Burgers]

Each has their own place.

comparing a bimark burger to a goldenstar is like apples and oranges.

Think of burgers as if they were cars. there are many makes, models, accessories etc. You wouldn't compare a Hyundai to a BMW. However, both will get you from A to B (make you full of meaty happiness)

[jamesm]

I woke up this morning thinking I was an okay guy but it turns out that I'm just a trendy hipster doofus and apparently a moron for liking some restaurants.

Have you even been in any of these trendy hipster doofus places? Because they don't charge 30 dollars and they certainly don't require a suit and tie.

[HarryLloyd]

ok, i'll bite, im asking you who should and should not be in the running?

what are the rules of this game?


Chow!
HL.

[jamesm]

Utopia
The Roxton
Harbord Room
Weezies
Beaconsfield
Mitzi's Sister
Swan

Under 30 bucks and no suit and tie necessary.

[grandgourmand]

It's not really about what you want to hear...the OP was pretty general.

I'm all for cheap and cheerful, but you know...flexibility.

Allen's is hardly a hipster joint. Though there have been some dufuses in there, I'm sure of it.

[Googs]

I just don't get what the big deal about the Allen's burger is. That thing is as bland and boring as it gets. I don't care where the meat came from if it has no taste. For those wishing it cooked to order, sure they do that. However, they do it by forming a meatball. No wonder they can keep the middle rare. Everyone could if they served this misshapen mess. I find that inconsiderate of the diner in the extreme. Even with a knife and fork it's unmanageable.

[Jamie Eats Burgers]

maybe you had a bad one.

duds do happen sometimes. Depends on the chef who made it, kitchen management, etc.

Also, some people like to taste the subtle flavors of the beef. and some like a lot of spice in the beef of their burger. So I agree, allen's is spiceless (which I personally don't mind if the beef is good)

but I find it odd that you refer to it as a meatball. was it really that bad?

[Googs]

Mine and my friend's. We'll never spend cash there again.

It's a burger. If I wanted subtle I wouldn't order a burger. I don't need it to say 'aye carumba' when it hits my mouth, but it should say something. Oh it's subtle all righty. Subtly devoid of flavour. In medium rare of course.

When we want a burger we'll go directly to Weezie's. If I need a burger in the afternoon I'll make it myself.

[lunchboy]

Tried Craft Burger for the first time recently. Also have had Golden Star on several ocassions in the past. Here's what I'll say... Craft Burger was good, but mine was more dry that I had expected. I understand this is a common complaint. I really enjoyed the toppings though. Bun was great, smoked cheese was beautiful and it was all nice and fresh. I had the organic burger, so I really appreciate the fact that they offer that. The onion rings were fantastic. Very fantastic!

Golden Star is great. I usually get the regular burger, but I think you're referring to the home made "all-star" burger? If so, then I'd have to say that it's better than Craft Burger. They are quite different, however, in that while Craft burger offers a straight-up burger with interesting toppings, Golden Star flavours the burger itself with spices and onions and offers typical, basic toppings. I prefer the Craft Burger approach, but Golden Star did an amazing job with their offering.

lunchboy

http://nofreelunchonbayst.blogspot.com/

[Million881]

1) 11 out of 10, Steak Hache' burger from Thuet Bakery and Cafe...cooked medium rare, house baked bun (his breads are amazing of course) and homemade mustard and this gorgeous goats milk cheese, cant remember the name of the cheese. Meat was out of this world, but is a steak hache burger really a burger? Whatever it was was worth its weight in gold...

2) 9 out of 10, Cheeseburger from Gilead Cafe from Jamie Kennedy..gorgeous meat and no need for any condiments, just the aged cheese and let the meat speak for itself

3) 8.5 out of 10 Harbord Room, Lux burger, too much champagne prior to eating to remember the details but remembered fawning wildy, again great meat

4) 8 out of 10, Allens. The few that I have had have been great, the bun falls a bit behind the house baked Thuet and J Kennedy ones, could have been a touch bigger? JK's edges in the juiciness of the meat slightly

5) 7 out of 10, Drake, worth a try

Others worth mentioning, Craft, Burger Shoppe...Have yet to try Golden Star, but I am looking forward to it

Stay the hell away from (I believe it is called) BQM Burger on Ossington. How can you screw up burgers that badly when it is all that you do? Cooked to carbon, too much bun for the size of the burger, execution of the condiments and combinations sub par. Went with two others and we all traded bites, none were up to snuff for a burger centric place. But we only went the once (for good reason) so if others have had a better experience let me know.

[lunchboy]

I had a good experience at BQM. It's worth noting that BQM is actually the second outlet of Burger Shoppe that you mentioned. My burger was done more well than I had asked, but it was still juicy and nice. I agree that the burger was too small for the toppings and bun, but still good. I'd put it in the 8.5/10 category. Fries were wonderful, as were the onion rings.

I'd say it's worth another try!

lunchboy

http://nofreelunchonbayst.blogspot.com/

[Jamie Eats Burgers]

Miilion881,

I was intrigued by your top two choices. However, the Thuet Bakery (which is now named Conviction) does not have the burger on their menu anymore. Which is a shame because I would have liked to try it.

as for the Gilead cafe, their website is appaulingling uninformative. could you enlighten us with some more info like when you had it, price, is it only available at a specific time, etc.

I would also like to add that I have been the BQM on ossington, they have their regular burger (I believe its called the Natural), but they also serve an even more special burger called "The BQM Specialty Burger"... I ordered a double (not on menu) of that and I was pretty good. But not the best of course because their buns and toppings could use some work. But that was a while ago.

On that note, I recently went to the Burger shoppe in riverside thinking it would be the same. they didn't serve the "special" burger so I got the regular burger and yes, I was greatly disappointed.

Jamie

[SMOG]

They still have the Specialty Burger, which is the same as one of their other burgers, but the big deal with the Specialty Burger is that it's made from sirloin, whereas the others are from chuck. There is an option now on the menu to make it a double. I had one fo the other burgers, but requested it be made with sirloin, which they gladly did.

[freckles1963]

have you tried gourmet burger on parliament, pretty good

[Googs]

Not bad. Really not bad. I would eat there again.

[hungry_pangolin]

To my mind, and tongue, the thing about Gourmet Burger Company is that they have inventive combinations of toppings, which are delicious (looooove the mushrooms with Brie). The burger patty itself, though, is quite unremarkable. I go when I'm feeling lazy.

[chocabot]

That's exactly what i thought.

Unfortunately, no one else is gonna put beet and pineapple on my burger.

[Davwud]

I tried the one in Newmarket last week. Very underwhelming. Not bad mind you. I'd say a good chain burger, nothing more. I'd still take a 1/4lber w cheese over this burger though. That's mostly due to cooking method.

DT

[atomeyes]

why haven't Toronto burger joints learned that a good chili sauce is mandatory for all good burgers!

they should take notes from Winnipeg.

[duckdown]

because it's not.. i don't want god damn chili sauce on my burgers

[Davwud]

I do. Sometimes. When I want a chili burger.

DT

[OTFOODIE]

A selection of toppings is nice. However, I like my burger unadorned. If it needs all the toppings to make it good, it isn't a good burger. That's why I can't understand the adoration of joints like Johnny's, Apache, Golden Star, etc.

The Toronto burger scene is dismal. I used to enjoy Blueberry Hill (rating 8.5/10) , but I THINK the only surviving location is at York University, so my chances of being there are slim with parking, if you can find it, costing $4/hour. Lick's is passable, I'd rate it 6/10.

I guess my favorite two places would be Acme Burger (Queensway & Royal York) which I'd rate about 7/10 and Royal Meats (Kipling & North Queen) which I'd rate 7.5/10.

[embee]

Licks burger patty cooked at home = 6/10
Licks toppings + guk at Licks without the burger patty = 3/10
Licks burger patty at Licks with toppings + guk = 2/10
Licks burger patty at Licks, unadorned = 1/10

[foodyDudey]

Just thinking of how a Licks burger was at the Queen St location circa 1985, 8.5/10

[embee]

Don't :-(

[Prok]

Achh! Lived across the road (1983 Queen West) from '81 - '84. Nothing like it, at least seems to in memory! Mind you, also remember Webbers's from 1969. Had a Lick's this past weekend and it was nasty. Memories play tricks, I think.

[embee]

Your memory isn't playing tricks. Lick's burgers during that time frame were delicious.

Weber's never had good food. They always had great ambiance and, at one time, I thought of Weber's as the last place along that road where the food was safe to eat.

[OTFOODIE]

In retrospect, I probably shouldn't give Lick's a passing grade, but giving it a 1/10 doesn't leave room for the spectrum of truly awful burgers from Harveys, BK, McD, etc.

[embee]

Well...

Harvey's standard burger = 0/10
BK = 0/10
McD = double cheeseburger = 3/10 based on value
McD Big Mac = 3/10 based on gestalt experience
McD burger patty, unadorned = 1/10

[Full tummy]

embee, what about a McD double cheeseburger dressed like a Big Mac??? (And at the same price as the McD double cheeseburger - no extra!!)

[tjr]

All the ones I've asked at charge extra for the lettuce, etc. on a double cheeseburger.

[embee]

How much extra for the lettuce and sauce?

[tjr]

Not sure -- something like 5 or 10 cents? At the three or four locations I've been to in the past year or so, every time I've tried they punch in $$$ LETTUCE $$$ or something, at which point I ask if it costs extra, and they say, "Yes," so I say, "Oh no, just the regular toppings then." Maybe it's just the ones in Mississauga?

A double cheeseburger is pretty great without the additions though, so it isn't really a big deal.

[Full tummy]

The one at York Mills & Leslie didn't....

[abigllama]

Oh you're letting a well kept drunken secret out! It is true that the 24 hour McDs will dress the double cheeseburger up like a big mac for free upon request. The one at Yonge & Charles will do it no questions asked. It's not great but serves a purpose.

[Full tummy]

Someone shared with me, maybe it was you? I gotta share, too...

I also highly doubt anyone from McD's is reading my wee post.

[embee]

Not so fast. We tried this for the first time last week, at a McD's on Hwy 115/35 north of the 401.

The order was, indeed, not a problem. The receipt had the two double cheeseburgers at their regular price. There was also another item on the receipt, "like a mac". They charged $2 for "like a mac".
.

[grandgourmand]

really? it should only be 30c or 40c each...

[Full tummy]

Whatttttttt???? I have never been charged anything like that. Most times I've been charged nothing extra. Once I was charged something in the order of a few dimes.

Never been to that location. I guess they're onto the scheme, hehe. I guess that deflates the burger's ranking a fair bit.

[CeeQueue]

I bought two double cheeseburgers at the McD's on Eglinton at McCowan. They charged twice an item called "extra dressed" to get them like a Mac, and it was a dollar more for each burger. Plus the price of a double cheeseburger had gone up from $1.39 to $1.79 (not on the extra value menu anymore). It was good, but the cost is too close to that of the regular burgers.

[Full tummy]

Whatttttt! Shame.

[OTFOODIE]

My cheap quick-fix burger is to get two double hamburgers (I detest processed cheese, although it does work on the Big Mac) from the extra value menu and put them together into a singe bun. Hard to beat for under $3, but I'm guessing if it isn't on the EV menu anymore, that I might stop doing that.

[CeeQueue]

Some items are still left on the $1.39 menu...can't remember which ones went up to $1.79. It might only be double cheeseburger and maybe junior chicken.

[Full tummy]

Wow, that's something like my Egg McMuffin - a regular order, plus a second egg inside. Not cost-saving, or anything, but I like it that way.

[grandgourmand]

There's another combo called the McGangBang (sorry if that offends anyone). You order a double cheese and a junior chicken from the EV menu. Split the double cheese, leaving a patty with each bun. Insert Mcchicken, re-assemble. Google it for imagery.

[Davwud]

McYuck!!

http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=ht...

DT

[embee]

I've never ordered that. I didn't know until recently that you could, and I don't exactly hang around McD's.

I'd probably score that 3/10. Considering value, I'd reduce the Big Mac and the double cheeseburger to 2/10

[OTFOODIE]

I had a Royal Burger today, with only tomato, onion & extra salt & pepper. It was as goos a burger as I have had recently. The tomato was fully ripened and flavorful and the onion were not overpowering. I know that being a veal & pork blend makes this burger an anathema to some, but "frankly my dear, I don't..."

However, the real purpose of replying to my own posting is to ask where one might find those thin, light buns that Royal Meats uses in the north end (North York, Thornhill, Richmond Hill). One of the clerks at Royal Meats told me where to get them (a small euro bakery near Dundas & Keele), but that's not practical for me.

[Googs]

Oh dude, if you had the Toby's Courage back in the day you'd be begging for chili on your burger. With cheese sauce too. You never had a Coney Dog, Coney Burger, Coney Fries? Buddy, you've been missing out!

[duckdown]

Yeah, I don't get out much i guess ;D

[Prok]

Oh Man Toby's! My best friend lived over Toby's on Bloor in the early 80"s. Again, maybe it's just memories. Can still picture & taste those burgers and nothing I've had (and I've had them all) compares. Are we living in the past??? I know a hell of a lot more about food now than I knew then, and yet I don't get the same burger buzz that I used to get. back in the Toby/Licks days.

[terrycar]

Toby's burgers were the best franchise ones-and those fat British style chips.Yummmm1

[embee]

I don't remember Toby's as being THAT wonderful. Indeed, I thought Licks was better in the mid eighties. However, Toby's did make a damn good burger and offered some really good adornments.

IMO, the only place in Toronto today with a burger better than Toby's and Lick's served during that era is Allen's - for a lot more money. Like Licks, Toby's quality did plummet with passing time.

It's always interesting how much tastes differ. I always found Toby's frozen fries seriously undercooked and tasting of the supermarket.

[sumdumgoy]

The best burger and sausage deal in town is only available at lunch on weekdays 11 - 2 , March to November at the Summerhill Market.

Choices vary but usually burgers @$5 (half pound or better) are available in beef, lamb and chicken while sausages @$4 can be Berkshire, Italian, Chorizo or even big hot dogs @ $3.5. Non-processed cheese no extra charge, white or whole wheat buns and wide selection of condiments!

Very personable and eager to please cook named Wayne.

Take away only, no tables or amenities and don't sit on the hood of any nearby cars!!

[Davwud]

Prices have gone up slightly for this year I think but I had the Lamb burger last week and loved it.
For those it matters to, it was very pink inside.

DT

[JPJ]

While not mandatory it is awesome.

BTW agreed that on average Winnipeg's burger scene kicks the hell out of Toronto's. In fact it may be one of the few things (basic breakfast being another, fancy brunch dishes aside) that Winnipeg does much better than Toronto.

BTW if people don't want the chili sauce on it they can ask that it not be put on, most people would have it imo.

Also the sauce is nothing like having a chili burger, its not doused, its like a condiment, a really, really, really good condiment.

VJ's in Winnipeg (aka the corner shack) > Any burger I have tried in the GTA except maybe Allen's and the ridiculously overpriced Bymark burger. Certainly at that price point (like $2.50) Toronto has nothing that even comes close.

Sadly living in Winnipeg is not worth the burgers!

[cometier]

I am a huge fan of the burger at Paddingtons Pub at the St. Lawrence Market, the meat is incredibly tender, and almost requires no chewing... very flavorful. freshly hand made patties with meat from the market. you cannot get better. my only issue is the limited toppings, but with meat like this, there really is little need for toppings. I usually get the banquet burger....yummy. I had one on Wednesday. If you get it from the take out part of the restaurant its only $4.15. Fabulous value...

[Tatai]

Whenever I've had a burger that's "incredibly tender, and almost requires no chewing,..." it's because it's overloaded with filler. In my opinion, a good burger should have some chew.

[SeniorV]

Best burger in Toronto is The Real McCoy at Markham and Ellesmere (East End) followed by Goldenstar At Yonge and Steeles (North End), than Appache Burger Bloor St. West those are my choices in the city for the top 3.

[jayt90]

I would like to know more about the Real McCoy.
I have added a link, and I would like to visit on Friday.
How do they make or grind their burgers?
How are they grilled? (I prefer medium rare)
How are they served?

Price points?

-----
Real McCoy Burgers & Pizza
1033 Markham Rd, Toronto, ON M1H2Y5, CA

[Full tummy]

I've been eating the burgers at Real McCoy for about 30 years now, since I was a child. They have one pattie, at least, that they make/form (don't think they're grinding it) in house. I think it's the homeburger. Their burgers have a nice char-flavour; toppings are pretty much what you get at Harvey's, but that's the only way in which they are comparable to the dismal "patties" at Harvey's, which seem to me mostly filler. Prices are reasonable, in my opinion, in the $5-$6 range for the homeburger, which is quite a bit larger than their regular burger, if I recall correctly. Can't tell you anything about the meat, or whether burgers can be grilled to order, as when I go there, I enjoy the nostalgia of the experience rather than trying to make it into something gourmet. That means loading up on fries and gravy (from a mix, according to others on the board), too, which haven't changed either in decades. Same family owns the place, but I think it's the next generation at the grill now. Let us know what you think.

[Muffin__Top]

I disagree that Allen's has the best burger-I found it underseasoned even though it was juicy. You guys should really try the Nota Bene or Harbord room burger! They rank as my highest.

[tjr]

These burgers are both very good as well, but will probably fall into the "pretentious" category for burger aficionados.

[pinkskittles]

sorry i was so excited about nota bene's burger i forgot to add that i also like the burgers from burger shoppe in leslieville... they've always been nice to me by giving me extra onions and chipotle aioli at no charge. craft burger is also really good. i've had more consistent quality at the yonge/bloor location though.

-----
Burger Shoppe
688 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M1G9, CA

Big Smoke Burger
830 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4W, CA

[pinkskittles]

i LOVE the burgers at NOTA BENE on queen and i didn't find them pretentious... maybe a tad shishi but no holier-than-thou feeling there, and i wasn't dressed up. then again we were teh only lunch customers. i still think about that burger to this day... i should really go back... i love nota bene's burger. at toronto taste they were rushing it and it was awful (and severely undercooked—room temp and raw in the middle).. at the resto they did an awesome job. and they give you cute little pickles. definitely try it!

-----
Nota Bene
180 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON M5V 2A1, CA

[Yum2MyTum]

I'm not a huge burger consumer but on a friend's recommendation, I tried Nota Bene's stilton burger, ordered "as rare as possible". It came medium rare, juicy and so SO so delicious... just a touch of stilton on top, gorgeous caramelized onions throughout... and SO meaty, beefy and perfect. I liked the bun (I think it was an egg bread bun) and the fries served on the side were lovely: hot, thin, a little on the greasy side.
Yum! I'll definitely be ordering this one again. I've been told that the $39 Angus burger is even better. Will have to see about that...

[sauvagine]

thanks for this recommendation..How would their burgers compare with FN or Bymark's?

[Yum2MyTum]

Finally tried out Bymark's famed burger. $35 for a baseball size patty, done to order, of grade AAA beef, topped with a thick slice of brie and two slices of prince mushrooms, on a nice egg bun. I had mine sided with beets, and they come originally with onion rings. Had a beautiful glass of chianti to accompany it.

Of course, the burger was tasty. With ingredients like that, (and at that price) I expected nothing less. It was strongly flavoured and scrumptious but overall, too rich and not beefy enough. The beets were too oily for my tastes. I'd say I was a touch disappointed in light of my high expectations but it was still delicious.

I'd choose Nota Bene's burgers over Bymark's.

-----
Bymark
66 Wellington St. W, Toronto, ON M5K 1J3, CA

Nota Bene
180 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON M5V 2A1, CA

[duckdown]

No bacon? Brutal

[Yum2MyTum]

No bacon. I think my heart is glad about that fact.

[IMHOonly]

Craft Burger on King at Portland IMO just keeps getting better. Great toasted bun that isnt gummy. The burgers are charbroiled with lots of flavour from the grill. They cook the meat medium and the quality is above average. My only beef with the place is that it is inconsistent because of the person you happen to get on the grill. 1) Today for lunch my burger was cooked to death even though it was delivered medium as requested. The guy kept breaking open the burger (10 times if once) to check its doneness and as if that didnt drain enough juice, he kept squeezing the burger with the spatula. I think he was amazed by the flare ups and couldn't stop himself - there went all my juice! I watched him cook a chicken breast TO DEATH doing exactly the same thing. Just squeezing out every drop! 2) Every once in a while I get ketchup applied like it is the main ingredient and not just a topping. I have had gobs and gobs of ketchup - I am able to scrape it off but it makes such a mess and the bun gets soaked! Whats with all the ketchup?!?!

So if the guy on the grill has CZs in his ears and a skunk stripe hairstyle, ask him to take his smoke break so someone else can cook your burger! You'll thank me!

[MindGrinder]

You wrote" Craft Burger on King at Portland IMO just keeps getting better." Followed up by two paragraphs at how awful it was.

Now that is a recommendation!!!

Good Job!

[IMHOonly]

Actually it was followed by all of the things that I like about it. It was after that I went on to describe the shortcomings.

The reality is that I eat there at least once a week and have since they opened. It has improved over time to be very good most of the time. But today's burger pissed me off because it went beyond the gobs of ketchup problem.

The training and consistency control is poor so you are left to the devices of the person/people working the time you go.

So my complaint is that no matter how much it has improved, it is still inconsistent.

[aser]

So perhaps it's better to go to a place like Allen's that cooks to consistently to the degree of doneness requested than to play Russian roulette at Craft?

[pinkskittles]

i love Craft Burger on King between Spadina and Bathurst. they have an organic option. yum! and they put things like blue cheese on it.

[mrbozo]

I must try the hamburger (plain) and see what the buzz is about.

[Nadiacatlover]

The absolute best burger I've ever had in my life was at Royal Meats on Kipling/North Queen.

[duckdown]

Ewww, hopefully theyre not the same ones they sell at Royal Meats BBQ at kipling & the queensway -- they're not even made with beef!

It's pork and veal lol :)

[Davwud]

You're talking about the same place.
I agree that it's not the best burger but it's damned tasty. I really love the grilled pork sandwich.

DT

[ckostecki]

you know, i was reading through this and thinking just that. royal meats makes a killer burger, as well as cevapi sandwich or grilled chicken. the patties are made fresh, grilled on a huge grill in front of you, and topped fresh with whatever youw ant. such a great patty, you can't go wrong there. thanks for bring it up NCL

[Food Tourist]

The half-pound burger I ate at Royal Meat BBQ last week tasted exactly like a no-name brand frozen burger. I was so disappointed. I've had only good experiences in the past, and thought it was a reliable place. But for $14 including salad and Limonata, I will stick to non-burger menu items.
http://www.royalmeats.ca/

My friend claims that the burger at The Dizzy on Roncy is the best in town so that's next on my to-try list.

[Jamie Eats Burgers]

I believe the burgers at royal meats are pork and veal mixed. I've had it once and it really lacked that "beefy" flavour.

[aser]

It isn't the best in town but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by how good the Dizzy's burger is. I've had it a few times now at the Roncey location. Food quality there in general is very good, it fits the "gastropub" term, even if I find the word a bit grating.

Yes you can request level of doneness.

[Wahooty]

Only had it once and it was a while ago, but I do remember really enjoying that burger.

[yum1982]

I agree, Craft Burger is great for something quick! Not good for my waistline that they opened one around the corner from my house on yonge and bloor!

[kasey j miller]

I second the vote for Craft Burger. Had it for the first time today with my burger-loving SO and he loved it too. We both had the regular burger, nothing fancy and it was great.

[fuelbydamon]

If you can get into the Balmy Beach Club, it's a little hidden gem in the beaches, cheap beer, and an organic burger, made simple and fresh, on Brick St Breads brioche, served on a patio overlooking the beach. Nice summer treat. The club is private but they do open to the public for the Jazz fest, and some other days.

[mac n cheeze]

Welcome to Chowhound!

You seem to focus a lot on the condiments/fixings of the burger -- "mounds of grated cheese (Licks style), and an amazing garlic mayonnaise that gives the burger its award winning taste"

What about the burger itself? Are they premade/frozen patties? Does Groucho's grind the beef themselves? My issue with burgers in Toronto is the nanny-state requirement of restaurants having too cook ground beef to well-done -- this does not usually make for a tasty, juicy or edible burger - though there may be exceptions. Is Graucho's done this way?

For my personal tastes, it's the meat and preparation that should (in your words) gives the burger its award winning taste rather than an amazing garlic mayonnaise.

Can you provide a more fullsome description of the burger itself rather than the fixings
thanks

[bialy]

Okay - here's the deal - according to me, anyway! 99.99% of burgers in Toronto are not burgers at all; they are meatloaf. And the only 2 actual burgers I've had in T.O. are Johnnyburgers ok if you're desperate & have practically forgotten what that real thing tastes like. The other is Allen's - GREAT! Great meat, no shmutz in it, cooked how you want it because there are no eggs that have to be cooked into submission before you eat your meatloaf. Great bun, ripe tomatoes, beyond great fries.

What I can't figure out is how everyone seems to have forgotten what a real burger is - I was here a few years ago & had a Lick's burger - not great, but not meatloaf. And now, not only are all the burgers seasoned - they're all seasoned exactly the same!!! Are they all the same frozen crap?! And if you ask anyone why the burgers have so much stuff in them, they say things like 'you have to hold the meat together' or 'they'd be boring' or 'that's the way they've always been' - I feel like I'm going crazy. And yet, there are a few Torontonians who can appreciate a burger like Allens. Go figure!

[embee]

Licks did once serve a great burger - twenty something years ago. Then they got the fast food religion. Their frozen burgers are still edible when I cook them at home and serve them seared outside and medium rare within. Great? Not so much. I find the burgers cooked at Licks to be so overcooked as to be inedible.

Groucho's on Bayview served delicious burgers when they first opened, but they became awful, overcooked pucks as time passed. I've never been to the one on Eglinton.

I agree with you about Allen's burgers - .Toronto's best. However, the fries aren't as good as they used to be and don't taste as good as they look. I suspect a switch to Canola oil at some point. I should ask.

[Davwud]

Where is Allen's??

DT

[embee]

It's a pub on the south side of Danforth east of Broadview. You'll find many comments about Allen's on Chowhound, covering the whole range from love it to loathe it. But they make a great burger. Not cheap.

[Poorboy]

Allen's eh?
Right in my backyard and I have yet to try.
I see too that James Chatto (whom I have grown to appreciate his opinions more lately) has written them up in Toronto Life in the edition that arrived on my doorstep this morning.
I think I will check this out very soon.
Quick question...
Is this a good plain old-school burger or is it one that is piled with extras?

I prefer something simple without the taste being masked so that I can taste the burger.

TIA

[millygirl]

I think you will find it to your liking poorboy. It arrives open faced and if I recall correctly, mustard, relish and ketchup are the only condiments brought to the table.

[embee]

It's about the burger. The addons are superfluous, though the cheeses are real. The ketchup is ED Smith, the mustard is Dijon, and the relish tastes homemade (though it probably isn't). They cook burgers to taste.

[foodyDudey]

Poorboy, the Allens burgers were supplied by Royal Beef and may still be. Give me a call sometime and we can head over there to try them out again if you have time for lunch.

[tochipotle]

I agree about Allen's burgers - they are great. I just happen to like my burgers with mushrooms - and I hate that they won't just put these on the burger. (I've asked). Having them arrive on a side plate, just seems kinda pretentious to me. It's a burger. It's a good burger, but it's a burger. I don't need my toppings a la carte. While we're on the subject of really long threads - Allens also has some pretty amazing fish and chips...

[bluedog]

Licks=barforama. Vile food that has used to be pretty good. The very definition of "gone downhill".

[Davwud]

I would say that Starvey's is the defination of "Gone downhill".

DT

[foodyDudey]

well did you actually eat a Lick's burger from the original store on Queen St East around 1987 ? If you did and then ate one now, you'd feel like you just fell off the top of Mt Everest! After I tried one from the Lick's at Pape and Danforth soon after they opened, I wanted to toss it in the garbage. Only the name remains the same.

[Davwud]

Well in fact, yes I did Mr. Smartypants!!

Don't get me wrong, they've fallen a long way. The original Licks was a destination in TO. Now, they're a place to avoid at all costs.

My point is that Harvey's has fallen even further. They are no longer edible. Lick's still are. They're just a shadow of their former self.

DT

[Aardvark]

Allens is the best in Toronto that I've had. I order it medium rare. If you want to really taste the burger, don't order the blue cheese option. It tends to overwhelm the burger since they really pile it on. Great if you're in the mood for blue cheese, otherwise probably a pass. Nothing else I've had comes close to Allens.

[nummanumma]

and they make a killer bloody mary. - perfect with a hamburger for those who've over-imbibed the night before

[dimsumyum]

Went to Allen's last night and try and burger for the first time. dang, it is amazing. defianetly tops!

[Googs]

I find the Allen's burger bland and meaningless at best. If you're going to go pure beef, you best be putting that patty over charcoal.

[Jamie Eats Burgers]

googs,

where do you suggest to go for a pure beef burger over charcoal?

[Googs]

Jamie, if you feel like dropping the cash try Barberian's at lunch.
http://barberians.com/menu.php?menu_id=1

If you're out Port Hope way try the burger at Zest Bar & Bistro. In fact, even if you're just driving along the 401 to anywhere down east, forget about the service station, pull off the highway, and go to Zest. It's so refreshing to finally find a place in a small town that isn't afraid of flavour. It's a lovely space with a large back patio and a free parking lot. Now you have no excuses.
http://www.zestfoods.ca/menus.html

-----
Barberian's
7 Elm St, Toronto, ON M5G1H1, CA

[Jamie Eats Burgers]

Yes, I have heard of barbarians burger. Its on my list of burgers to try.

as far as zest, its tough to get out there, but I will actually be out that way on Labour day, I'll check if they are open.

[eller]

I had the burger at Barberians earlier this week and not surprisingly, it's the best I've ever had. Cooked to medium, the meat was deliciously pink inside a dark crust and on a bun that stood up to its juiciness, eating it was decadent, sinful and rapturous.

With a $100 wine, your burger is a buck.

[longolame]

With a $100 wine, the burger should be free.
Burgers go best with beer though!

[embee]

It's interesting how differently we view flavours. When I make a fresh burger at home, I'll sometimes load it up internally with strong herbs and spices, garlic, sauteed onion, and a big chunk of cheese. I rarely make it plain.

At other times, when I'm feeling energetic, I'll grind myself cuts like brisket, chuck, skirt, and short rib mixtures. These are better sparingly seasoned, since the meat flavors are strong

I can enjoy a Licks Burger, though only when it's cooked at home, by me. I even put spicy Guk on it, but I can no longer masticate and swallow the burgers served at today's Licks.

What I like about Allen's is that it always tastes like beef - good beef. As best as my palate can tell, they add no seasonings, possibly not even salt (which I would never omit myself). It comes blood rare to hard gray, as ordered, It's juicy and flavourful, certainly basic, but never bland.

[artstudent]

Bialy, I completely agree. To be honest, I do not think I ever had a burger I really enjoyed when I lived in Toronto last year. I tried Groucho's on Eglington and to me, it was actually the worst! I couldn't finish it. I ended up dissecting the thing, hoping that the toppings were causing the foul taste, but ended up eating them alone with the bun because the hamburger itself was so jam-packed with crap that you couldn't taste the meat- which only fueled my suspicion about Toronto ground beef, which started with a general city-wide refusal to serve a hamburger less than med-well. What ever happened to a simple and delicious great-tasting patty?

[duckdown]

Are the burgers frozen?

[Davwud]

If my schedule permits, I shall try it on Friday. Will report back then.

DT

[TorontoJo]

Welcome to one of the board's longest threads:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/460921