Friday, October 13, 2023

Burger Review #70: Ugly Delicious

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Date Visited:
July 28, 2023
Location: Kensington Market
BurgerTours Rating: 6.85/10



    Taste         Messiness         Price         Venue        Pluses   
GreatMessy$11-$15Fast Food Veggie, Alcohol, Halal

Website


Drew's Review

Oh my God, we’re back again. 

Tucked away in the heart of Toronto's vibrant Kensington Market, Ugly Delicious is a unique culinary experience and a respectable selection located in a market known for its standout cuisine. 

We arrived shortly before the dinner rush and it was quiet. The ambiance is cozy and hip, fitting perfectly with Kensington Market's eclectic vibe. The service is friendly and efficient, and the menu offers an array of enticing options. The pricing is a bit on the steeper side, considering the portion size and the fact that the burger doesn't quite reach the level of satisfaction that it promises. 

Double Classic Burger/Photo by Andrew Hockridge
I ordered the Double Classic burger, a wagyu smash patty with Amhas a unique culinary experience and a respectable selection of American cheese, pickles, lettuce, tomato, and Ugly sauce. The burger certainly excels in certain aspects. The star of the show is undeniably the Wagyu smash patty. It's cooked to a perfect medium-rare, with a beautifully crispy and flavorful exterior that adds a satisfying crunch to each bite. 

The choice of condiments is also commendable. The pickles offer a refreshing contrast, cutting through the burger's richness with a satisfying crunch and a tangy kick. The lettuce and tomato bring a welcome element of freshness, and the Ugly sauce, which I got as a side dip for my fries, complements the other ingredients on the burger exceptionally well and gives the burger a unique character. 

Overall, Ugly Delicious is a great hangout and burger joint located in Kensington Market and a great burger option if you find yourself in the area. When it shines, the wagyu patty is a true gem, and the Ugly sauce is a noteworthy condiment. However, a more thoughtful approach to balancing flavours and textures could elevate the burger to a whole new level of deliciousness. The dining experience is enjoyable, but the pricing might deter some diners from seeking a more substantial meal. 

6.2/10

Mark's Review

We are back in Kensington Market for another burger tour! I can’t remember the last time we were here, but it does feel nice to be back. Burger joints tend to come and go in this area rather quickly. As sad as it is to see some of our favourite joints disappear, it’s always a welcoming surprise for us to discover a potentially new spot to call our favourite. 

For this burger tour, we pay a visit to… Ugly Delicious! This joint uses Halal slaughtered Australian Wagyu and AAA beef that they form, by hand, into smash burgers. They have a decent burger selection, but the one that caught my eye was the Onions We Crazy. Having a choice of a single or double patty, I opted for the double wagyu smash patty topped with American cheese, pickles, ugly sauce, smashed onions, tomato, and lettuce. 

Onions We Crazy/Photo by Mark Avila 
My first bite was met with the crisp outer edge of the wagyu patties, followed by the river of juices flowing down the sides. This was met with the creamy texture from the American cheese, which was countered by the savouriness from the onions and ugly sauce. I don't know what they put in their ugly sauce, but it definitely made the burger more delicious than what I was already experiencing. Despite this burger being filled with onions from rim to rim, it was not overpowering at all. If anything, I found it to have enhanced the flavour profile. 

Overall, this was probably one of the best smash burgers I've had in a while, and getting the double patty was the best decision to get the full flavours. Presentation wise, it was ugly, but the overall taste was delicious! Ugly Delicious was a great find, and definitely a go to spot for a good smash burger in the Kensington Market. 

7.5/10

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