In-N-Out!

IN-N-OUT BURGER
Fisherman's Wharf
333 Jefferson Street
San Francisco, CA 94133
(800) 786-1000

+ locations throughout California and Arizona




OK, so one of the things I'm super jealous about when I'm in the West coast, is that they have In-N-Out Burgers. I love going here for a number of reasons - including how consistently friendly the staff are, watching them put potatoes in the hand operated slicer to make homemade fries, and of course, how goddamn delicious their food is! I also love how they are kinda cultish, with their bible verses on all packaging, as well as the word-of-mouth "secret menu" that's available. At the same time though, that's what makes In-N-Out awesome!!

Some of the "secret menu" items include:
- 3x3 (which has three patties and three slices of cheese)
- 4x4 (like the 3x3 only with 4)
- Neopolitan shakes
- Grilled cheese sandwich (hamburger bun, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and sauce, but no hamburger patty)
- Flying Dutchman (two patties, two cheese, no buns or condiments)
- Animal Style (either hamburger or fries with cheese, spread, grilled onions and pickles)

My friend Angela and I went to In-N-Out on Fisherman's Wharf (the only In-N-Out location in San Francisco) Though I didn't order any of the secret choices (I almost got animal style, but then remembered there are pickles on it) I got Combo #1 - which is your basic cheeseburger, fries and a drink. Of course it was awesome! I also love the option of requesting "no salt" on your fries. How thoughtful of them!

I don't normally eat at fast food places, but In-N-Out is must whenever I visit California. Because they make everything fresh though, you don't really feel that bad for eating it.

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!

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!

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?

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