Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Not bad!

SOUTH ST. BURGER CO.
2215 Steeles Avenue West
Toronto, Ontario (North York)
(416) 514-1412

+ 6 other locations in Ontario, with more opening soon!



I've always heard rumors of this place - but never knew where to find one and what to expect. South St. Burger is owned by the same people as New York Fries. Yeah it's mall food - but it's good!

We found this restruant way up in North York one day while trying to find something tasty to eat. I saw the sign and it looked familiar. My buddy Justin was with me and he knew what it was right away!

I had some awesome extras on mine - horseradish mayo, spicy ketchup and guac! Imagine that - guac on a burger! Also don't forget the cheese and bacon - two favs of mine!

- Pare!



Editors note:
Matthew never said how this burger place was....Unless he sent his review before finishing? Due to his excitement of actually finding this place, as well as the prospect of guacamole on a hamburger, I'm going to go ahead and say that he in fact like it. If I am mistake, sorry in advance.

EW!

THE PICKLE BARREL
312 Yonge Street (Yonge & Dundas)
Toronto, Ontario
(416) 977-6677

+ additional locations around Ontario



This sorry excuse for a burger was one of the worst things I have had in a while. Not only did it take over an hour to get to my table - it was also sooooo dried out and the bacon was burnt! Not so sure I will ever be back to the Young/Dundas location.

The super huge milkshake was to die for though!

- Pare!

Monday, January 26, 2009

OH. EMM. GEE.

NOTE BENE
180 Queen Street West
Toronto, Ontario
(416) 977-6400



Nota Bene is my new favorite restaurant in Toronto. I thought I should make that abundantly clear, so that my bias is way out in the open before we start.  We ordered Jennifer's Stilton Brisket Burger.  Angela said with half a mouth full of that that "this is the greatest thing I've ever tasted".  I agree 312%.

GO TO NOTE BENE! EAT THIS BURGER! DIE HAPPY!

Best burger in Toronto. I'll fight you if you disagree..seriously.

-Mayor McCheese

Okay.

ARIS PLACE
229 Roncesvalles Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
(416) 533-0100



Michelle and I have been trying to get together for hamburgers for weeks now. We finally managed to coordinate yesterday afternoon, and met up at a diner called Aris Place, on Roncesvalles. It's a cozy (very warm inside!) wood-trimmed diner, complete with old menus, and exposed kitchen. We ordered the Homemade burger -- which, I'd suggest spending the extra $0.35 upgrade, from getting the frozen hamburger pattie. We got out gigantic hamburgers in about 10 minutes, served with cheese, lettuce and tomato (on mine). I thought it was a decent burger, however not the best by any means. It was a regular diner burger - basically, what you'd expect from a place like that. My stomach wasn't feeling the greatest to being with, so I don't think it was prepared to scarf down something of that caliber.

Michelle said though that hers was great! The only thing she'd change would be to have had the bun toasted....I thought they were? I guess not.

Anyway, this is a cute place to go in little Poland. Apart from their burgers, apparently a sweet cure for hangovers is to order their grilled cheese and onion rings. Key!

Sunday, January 18, 2009

99 Burger

WAYNE GRETZKY'S
99 Blue Jays Way
Toronto, Ontario
(416) 979-PUCK



Last night the whole family got together to go for dinner, then out to the Monster Trucks, for our brother's 23rd birthday. His choice of restaurant was Wayne Gretzky's, on Blue Jays Way - conveniently close to the Sky Dome.

Hermano Darren ordered "The Great One" Burger - a half pound sirloin burger, grilled medium well, topped with double smoked bacon and Canadian cheddar. To add that special something to it, the bun is branded with 99 (Wayne Gretzky's jersey number)

After a few bits, Darren looked up at me, scrunched his face and said:
"Hey! Here's your review....IT'S GOOOUUUUUUUUUUUDDDDDDDDDDD!!!"

Besides the burger, all the other food that we order was pretty great - minus the calamari dipping sauce, which everyone agreed was gross. If you plan on going here for dinner - especially on a Saturday night with a family oriented sporting event happening - you'll need to get there pretty early to avoid waiting around for hours for a table. You can make a reservation (which we did) but the latest you're able to is 4:30pm?

Friday, January 16, 2009

Macrobiotics burger

SEED
1604 Pacific Avenue
Venice, California
(310) 396-1604



I'm not sure what you think of when you say Macrobiotic, but I imagine Gwenyth Paltrow eating a bowl of dark green leafy mush covered in mold and maggots and anything else...well, bacteria-like. Sounds appetizing, doesn't it?

Seed has changed me. Well not my bad habits overall, but that mental picture I carry around.

They are a cute little joint one block from Venice Beach who carry a seriously exciting mix of Asian and American food, all with a vegan macrobiotic slant. I ordered the Mediterranean Burger, a bean and grain patty (hence the mashed up dirt coloring to it) with a red pepper aioli spread and served on an organic seven grain sourdough bun*
*If you can't tell, I copied that description from the menu...

I was afraid by the looks of the patty's color that it would be dry and/or burnt tasting, but it was the softest, juiciest non-meat burger I have ever had. The fresh organic tomatoes and onions were the perfect compliment and with a little organic hot sauce (provided by the restaurant), I scarfed down that burger in about 32 seconds flat. I promise I tasted enough of the food to write this review.

Your pal,
Siobhan, the Veggie Burger Connoisseur

Thursday, January 15, 2009

YUMMMMMM!

GOURMET BURGER CO.
482 Parliament Street
Toronto, Ontario
(647) 344-5103



OH HI THERE!

Family Lunch continues...

Today we decided on Gourmet Burger Co. - the newest fancy burger joint in the East end of Toronto. I've been reading nothing but good reviews on this place from different blogs, so we had to give it a whirl. They have a pretty eclectic selection of specialty signature burgers - including the Aussie, that is topped with pineapple (it really freaks me out, actually). Though everyone at the office got a signature burger (Smokey Bacon with avocado), I opted to build my own:

6oz. Gourmet Burger Co. Burger topped with BBQ sauce, chipotle mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, aged white cheddar, and avocado (to my surprise, the avocado is mashed, not sliced, which is a great, 'cause slices always seem to slip their way out!)

It was by no means a clean meal (lots of napkins required!) Sloppy, and condiment heavy, which was delicious! The bun was super soft (always a key for me), and the 100% beef itself was juicy and cooked to perfection. I am ridiculously full right now...but very satisfied with my meal.

Also, their onion rings are the best ones I've tasted in my entire life!!
On a side note though, if you are ordering from there with people, share your orders of fries or onion rings. There is only one size, and it's monstrous!

Pricing is about $8 or 9 bones a person. More expensive than any fast food, but an alright price for 'gourmet' type burgers that are handmade/dressed for you.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Hamburger bed!!


This is the coziest looking thing I have ever seen!

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Hi-5, guys!

FIVE GUYS FAMOUS BURGERS AND FRIES
1253 Caroline St NE.
Atlanta, GA.
(770) 220-0992



I first heard about Five Guys when I was living in New York. Everyone at work used to go to a small place tucked down some back hallway of a nice hotel that they would call “The Burger Joint” (not sure if that was the real name or if it even had a real name. They had a small neon sign with a picture of a burger on it.). One day the new craze was “Five Guys”. I assumed a place similar to The Burger Joint, run by, well, five guys! I kept meaning to go before I moved back, but somehow never made it. After I got back, I had a few friends tell me how great Five Guys is and I was happy to know I could give it a try down south.

The menu is pretty simple:
four burger options in two sizes and a few hot dog options.
Toppings include the standards plus things such as jalapeƱos, green peppers, A-1 and hot sauce. I decided to get the bacon cheeseburger with lettuce, onion, green peppers and A-1. The regular size has two patties, so i can only assume the “little” size has one.

This is probably the best burger I’ve had from a nation-wide restaurant. They pride themselves on always having fresh ground beef and fresh cut potatoes that are never frozen. It was packed full of flavor and grease and was messy and just amazing. It may not look like much in the picture, but I can assure you that you’ll love it.


Some of their awards are:
ZAGAT survey rated ’01-’08
“Reader’s Choice” #1 Hamburger ’99-’08
Best Burger in Baltimore, Raleigh and Delaware

- Bobby!