Burger Review #46: Great Burger Kitchen

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Date Visited: July 22, 2020 

Location: Leslieville, ON

BurgerTours Rating: 8.25/10

Taste	Messiness	Price	Venue	Pluses
Awesome	Messy	$11-$15	Fast Food	Veggie, Gluten Free

Website

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Drew's Review

How's everyone doing? Good. So you're doing well then? 

It's been nearly six months since restaurants and public places were forced to close down. The ongoing pandemic has taken a toll on many local businesses with some closing for good. Many however are still striving and making the most of it. Everything is slowly starting to reopen again so business can continue with a few new measures for safe social distancing. One of the many joints who had reopened to customers is our next BurgerTour stop. 

For our 58th burger joint, we bring you to Great Burger Kitchen, a local stable on Gerrard St. that specializes in naturally raised beef, low-carb wraps and plenty portions of poutine. Upon deciding our next take-out venture, we posted a poll on our Instagram account to engage our fellow burger enthusiasts in helping us choose our next destination. And with a unanimous favour between the two joints, Great Burger Kitchen came out on top (with a helpful endorsement from themselves). 

We placed an order by calling ahead and was told it was going to be a 30-minute wait. Not a problem. We pulled up right around lunch time and I hopped out of the car to run in to pick up our order. Once inside, a server was taking an order from two gentlemen at the counter ahead of me and right after I entered, another takeout delivery service guy entered and waited on the appropriately marked arrows on the floor. I approached to counter to claim my order and retrieved a plastic bag full of curiosity and wonder. I quickly ran to Mark who was eagerly waiting for me back in the car. 

Riverdale Burger/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

We arrived back at my place and began digging in. I had gone with the Riverdale burger which is a homemade specialty that the GBK custom made. It came with honey mustard, tomato, lettuce, red onion, homemade GBK sauce and Swiss cheese. The burger was hefty looking. A decent sized patty sitting between two warm soft buns. The fist bite was tasteful. The meat was succulent and juicy. The buns were soft. The toppings harmonized ever so well with the composition of the burger that it didn't even matter if I was eating it upside down or right side up. This was a craftsman's greatest aspiration. One can only dream of creating a small, delicious compact burger, yet still satisfying from first bite to last. 

Not to be outdone, but I also had to try one of their signature poutines, nicknamed after the province, the Ontario Poutine had bits of bacon, onion, cheddar cheese and gravy. It was delicious with every bite and every bite as tasty as the last. Highly recommended. 

Overall I was really satisfied with the burger. The quality was outstanding given the portion size and the manageable price. The food was delicious and I look forward to returning sometime sooner rather than later to try some more homemade specialties. And thanks for the shout out GBK!

8.5/10

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Mark's Review

We are back with another burger tour! Still in the middle of a pandemic, but things are looking good as restaurants slowly welcome diners to dine in once again. Though this might be the case for some, ordering through an app or calling in for take out is still the current norm. We decided to play it safe and called ahead for take out. 

For this tour we posted a poll on Instagram and had our followers choose where we should visit. It was an unanimous vote, and the winner was… Great Burger Kitchen! 

They promote an ethical, healthy, sustainable, and local food culture through locally sourced Ontario Beef Burgers to bring you the finest quality product. Additionally, their fresh cut fries are double fried for extra crispiness extracting its full flavour. 

Voodoo Burger/Photo by Mark Avila

I opted for the Voodoo Burger- a beef patty layered with tomato salsa, chipotle mayo, guacamole, balsamic, fried onion, and lettuce. As a change for this meal, I chose a lettuce bun to hold all these flavours together. 

Taking the first bite… the lettuce bun shredded and everything oozed out like a volcanic eruption. Unless there’s a proper way to eat a burger with a lettuce bun, this meal was just gonna go downhill. I found myself using the lettuce to scoop everything into my mouth.. more or less this was a nacho in burger form. Aside from that struggle, everything tasted fantastic. The beef patty was nicely cooked, and the sauces were a balance of sweet, spicy, salty. 

Overall, a filling and flavourful burger. The lettuce bun was an interesting experience, but I probably would’ve benefited with a regular bun. Definitely would want to check this place out again once more COVID restrictions are lifted. 

8/10

Burger Review #43: Ozzy's Burgers

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Date Visited: January 21, 2020
Location: Kensington Market
BurgerTours Rating: 8.4/10

Taste	Messiness	Price	Venue	Pluses
Great	Very Messy	$11-$15	Fast Food/Restaurant	Veggie, Patio

Website
 

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Drew's Review

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Hi. How are you? Great. You’re welcome.

BurgerTour number 54 brings us back to Kensington Market to try Halal burger joint, Ozzy’s Burgers. Ozgur Sekar created Ozzy’s Burgers, a small, cozy, Halal burger joint in the heart of Toronto to share his passion of cooking and serving up his clients. Ozzy’s opened in the summer of 2017 and since its opening, Ozzy, himself, loves when he witnesses the smiles on all his customers after trying his burgers.

On a cold day in January, Mark and I decided Ozzy’s Burgers was going to be our next stop. We did our research and found out it was one of the top stops on our “yet to try” list. We were only aware of the rumor that it was one of the best places to try for burgers in downtown Toronto and our expectations were already set.

We entered the establishment in the early afternoon to an empty place. The dining area was small, but I already liked this place. The casual atmosphere and the friendly chatter between staff made me feel welcome. Upon reading over the menu in an attempt to satisfy our hunger, and getting the best possible option Ozzy’s had to offer, I was sidelined with choices between many interesting options. But somehow, I was drawn to Ozzy’s signature special double cheeseburger, the Mustang Sally. I thought to myself, how could I turn this down?

I decided to double down and order the Mustang Sally, which as I described, is a double beef patty with Canadian cheddar, swiss cheese, crispy beef bacon, caramelized onions, onion rings and special Ozzy sauce with BBQ dressing. And if I knew anything about double cheeseburgers, this was going to be a mouthful.

The Mustang Sally w/ golden crispy fries/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

I was quite impressed with the ten minutes that passed between order and completion. I was also impressed by how neatly presented the platters are. The fries on the side are definitely a plus, and needed, especially with a burger of this magnitude. The first bite was chaotic, yet satisfying. The patties are quite succulent and flavourful. Surprisingly, the bun and the toppings do not overwhelm the patty but compliments quite nicely. After a couple bites it was hard to really distinguish any flavour. Since it is a double patty all I ended up tasting was meat (not that that’s a bad thing) but I guess I was simply looking for something that would tickle my taste buds more. Nonetheless, I did eat it all and enjoyed it.

Overall, I wholeheartedly appreciated my meal at Ozzy’s Burgers and the mess created while eating the Mustang Sally was worth it. The only downside I would say about this place is the fact that it is a pretty small space to eat and in busy times, I suggest getting take out. But this is, as well as most of the restaurants in Kensington Market, a summer setting and does offer the outside tables for additional seating. Don't sleep on this place like we did for so long and get there now. Yes, even in the snowy conditions; it's so worth it. Can't wait to go back and try more tasty burgers on their menu.

8.3/10

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Mark's Review

Kensington Market never has a shortage of burger joints. Seems like every time we visit this neighbourhood, a new burger joint opens up. For this tour we visit a new local favourite, Ozzy’s Burger. 

This joint serves Halal Burgers ranging from the classics, signature, and premium. They also offer steak and chicken sandwiches. All of the burgers and sandwiches are served with handmade patties, sauces and toppings.

I decided to take a different route for this visit and went for a healthier burger option. They offer a Vegan & Veggie menu consisting of the Ozzy’s Vegan Burger and the Portobello Veggie Burger.

I opted for Ozzy’s Vegan Burger. Made out of a vegan patty, carmelized onions, roasted peppers, lettuce, tomato, pickled, sautéed mushrooms, jalapenos, and homemade guacamole. This was my second time having a vegan burger, and I was definitely looking forward to what this had to offer.

Ozzy's Vegan Burger/Photo by Mark Avila

Taking that first bite, the patty was nicely cooked and tasted quite nice with the different sauces and toppings. The homemade guacamole had a slight spice to it, which enhanced the overall flavour. It’s a shame that the jalapeño didn’t give the burger any heat, but the guacamole made up for it. Even though I was expecting a bland and underwhelming burger, it surprised me by the overall presentation and flavour.

I was satisfied by the experience and would consider trying more vegan and vegetarian options during future burger tours. Ozzy’s is looking to be my new Kensington Market favourite.

8.5/10

Burger Review #42: Showtime Bistro

Photo by Andrew Hockridge, featuring Mark Avila

Date Visited: July 15, 2019
Location: Armdale
BurgerTours Rating: 8.9/10

Taste	Messiness	Price	Venue	Pluses
Great	Very Messy	$11-$15	Diner	Veggie

Website
 

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Drew's Review

Showtime Bistro is a halal gourmet restaurant specializing in burgers, sandwiches and poutine. This was going to be our 5-year anniversary of #BurgerTours, so we were looking for something with class and a fine dining experience, and seeing the word gourmet in the description really made Showtime Bistro stand out.

The ambiance features warm lighting and rich wood paneling, but what sold me was the theme; cinematic. They have TV screens playing classic movies as well as famous quotes adorning the walls. Not to mention most of their burger options revolve around this theme. I guess you could say a touch of Hollywood rounds out the experience at this halal burger joint in Scarborough.

The Mike Tyson burger/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

As soon as we entered, shortly after filming our 5-year anniversary Q&A for our YouTube channel, we were greeted and taken to a table. The staff were all very pleasant and offered to give recommendations as this was our very first visit.

After taking a look at the menu, I ordered the Mike Tyson burger. It came with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, a pickle, bacon, fried battered jalapeños, topped with Havarti cheese and Showtime’s signature spicy mayo. I also had to try the Ferrero Rocher milkshake because that alone was something I had to try.

Ferrero Rocher Milkshake/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Within minutes, our orders were ready and brought to us on a patter. The Mike Tyson looked well cooked and very well compact for a gourmet burger. The first bite was delicious and had the right amount of flavour for what I was craving. I liked the fact that the jalapeños actually complemented the taste vs. just burning my mouth like it usually does. You could see the juice as you bite into your burger. You can tell they use good quality meat. However, the bun was so soft that it kept crumbling and it made the whole eating experience a bit messy. I'm sure that can be easily fixed if you ask for your burger bun to be well done.

The Ferrero Rocher milkshake was by far the highlight of my dining experience. That thing was like a satisfying meal in itself. It was very thick and filling, but makes you full of guilt after. I try to avoid dairy as much as possible but this is the only exception because it's that good. I can confidently say that if you have this milkshake, you will want to go back again and again. I'm currently craving it.

Here's the rundown. Showtime Bistro is fantastic and a must-try for those looking for something halal set in a modern cuisine. The cinematic theme they have going really adds to the dining experience. I would go back just to have the Ferrero Rocher milkshake again. The Mike Tyson burger is one of the best halal burgers I think I’ve ever had. Highly recommend everyone to give this restaurant a shot and dine in the spotlight. It’s worth the price and you won’t regret it.

8.7/10

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Mark's Review

We’ve reached another milestone at #BurgerTours, but this one is more momentous. We are 5 years old! I can’t believe how quickly time has flown by, and how many burger joints we’ve tagged across Toronto and Canada. Hopefully, in the next 5 years we will be able to take #BurgerTours abroad and feast on what the world has to offer.

For this milestone tour, we take you to North Toronto where we visit a popular halal bistro that serves crafted burgers, wraps, sandwiches, poutine, and much more.

We visit Showtime Bistro!

The Pineapple Express/Photo by Mark Avila

This joint guarantees 100% halal servings, and has a broad menu ranging from entrees, desserts, milkshakes, and mocktails. But, we were here for one thing... the burgers! They offer a decent burger selection and I opted for the Pineapple Express, a new addition to their menu lineup.

The Pineapple Express is a beef patty burger layered with spicy jerk seasoning, a slice of pineapple and topped with lettuce, tomato, onions, and jerk mayo. On top of that, it was served with big chunks of potato wedges which were nicely cooked and seasoned. I also couldn’t resist an order of the Mango Milkshake.

Taking that first bite I immediately caught the spice and sweetness from the jerk seasoning and mayo, which was a nice balance between the two flavours. Had the pineapple been grilled, that additional sweetness would’ve been a good compliment to the taste of the burger.

Overall, the burger was juicy and perfectly cooked. The portion size was fair, and more than enough to satisfy my stomach.

I was impressed by the service and quality of the food that Showtime had to offer, and is probably one of the top halal joints that I’d visit again. I didn’t have high expectations, but this first visit definitely surpassed it.

9/10

Burger Review #41: Burgers Park

Photo by Andrew Hockridge, featuring Mark Avila

Date Visited: June 21, 2019
Location: Henry Farm
BurgerTours Rating: 8.75/10

Taste	Messiness	Price	Venue	Pluses
Awesome	Very Messy	$11-$15	Fast Food	Veggie, Gluten-free

Website
 

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Drew's Review

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Burgers Park has been on our list for nearly a year, and we could never find the time to make the trip up to the Victoria Park and Sheppard Ave. area. What stood out for me was the conspiracy that the food offered by Burgers Park is eerily similar to that of Shake Shack. Now I’ve never been to Shake Shack before, but by comparing pictures, I can certainly agree there are some similarities.

We arrived in the early afternoon and the place had a few customers dining at the time. This place was clearly going for a park atmosphere, and I think they actually nailed it in terms of providing a quaint area with matching decor to eat and relax a bit. It was spacious enough not to feel too cramped, and lots of bright lighting.

The Park Burger/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Upon deciding what to get, the girl behind the counter informed us the milkshake/juices option wasn’t available. I was really dying to try one of their fruit drink options. But then again, this is a burger review and not a juice review. Burgers Park has a small menu; choosing between the burgers didn’t take any time at all. They also offer hot dogs, craft drinks and cookies and gelato for dessert.

I ordered the Park Burger, which came with American Cheese, beefsteak tomato, lettuce, sautéed onions, pickles, and the optional addition of ketchup and mayo. I was a bit surprised by the wait time as it was a little longer than I expected for the few people that were in the restaurant at the time. Despite that, the service was friendly.

The Park Burger was fantastic. The first bite was intense, and screaming to be cherished. The meat was freshly made and cooked to perfection. This is probably why our order took so long. But after consuming a few bites, the burger was very juicy/oily, which we were warned by the waiter not to take the wrapper off the burger. The fries also had a really good seasoning on them and if I had to rank them, I would give them two thumbs up!

Overall, if you're looking for a Shake Shack alternative or just a superb burger from an established burger joint, check out Burgers Park!

8.5/10

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Mark's Review

The Park Burger/Photo by Mark Avila

Burgers Park has been labelled the Canadian “Shake Shack” by some and is said to resemble other international burger joints, so we thought it would be nice to check it out and see if it’s the real deal. At a first glance the interior was very clean, casual, and green. The wood panels, and grass wall and benches created a casual fictitious indoor park atmosphere.

The menu ranges from hot dogs, burgers, milkshakes, smoothies, and craft drinks.

Since we were at Burgers Park, I had to go for the Park Burger. A Cheeseburger made of Angus Beef, seared mustard, lettuce, and tomato. I also wanted to try one of their crafted Fruit Shakes, but they were unfortunately not making it that day which was a little disappointing.

Taking the first bite, the Angus beef was very crisp and had a nice savory flavour. Out of the many Cheeseburgers I’ve had previously, this one is up on my list.

The overall quality was top notch and the flavours complimented each other really well. Since I have yet to try Shake Shack, this definitely was a nice preview and sets the bar high for a future visit.

9/10

Burger Review #40: Hidden Burger

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Date Visited: January 25, 2019
Location: Financial District
BurgerTours Rating: 7.95/10

Taste	Messiness	Price	Venue	Pluses
Awesome	Very Messy	$11-$15	Fast Food	Veggie

Website
 

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Drew's Review

Cheeseburger/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

The one question we had when we selected Hidden Burger was how were we going to find it?

Well, Hidden Burger is not so hidden thanks to the internet. Upon a Google search, Hidden Burger is located somewhere within Brookfield Plaza in the financial district of downtown Toronto. Now all we had to do was walk around and find it. It was like chasing after a rare Charizard.

Once found, Hidden Burger is a small, Archie-themed, cramped little area, with a few bar stools and a table along the wall. Luckily it wasn’t as busy as we were anticipating and the wait was only a few minutes to get our orders. Hidden Burgers offers burgers at a relatively modest size. More than fair for the price, and you'll be full with the large number of fries given - but just be aware that it's at a comparable size to Burger Priest and not the Works.

I decided to go with the cheeseburger. The burger comes with a soft bun (not toasted), burger patty, cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion and a bit of ketchup/mustard. The burger itself was very fresh and obviously made with quality ingredients. The beef patty was well seasoned and perfectly cooked.

Overall, Hidden Burger is a great little spot especially if you like a little bit of a mystery hunt. It’s definitely nothing super fantastic but a good solid burger if you're in the neighborhood or want something better than your typical fast food chain. It was well worth the find and the money spent, and you'll be playing "hide the burger" with your mouth quite quickly once you get a hold of one.

7.4/10

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Mark's Review

Photo by Mark Avila

The Cheeseburger/Photo by Mark Avila

Hidden Burger wasn’t the easiest joints to find. 

Nestled behind Bottom Line Sports Bar inside one of the Towers in Toronto’s Financial District, Hidden Burger serves simple all American style burgers topped with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and American cheddar cheese. Offering a basic menu consisting of the Veggie Burger, Cheeseburger, and Double Cheeseburger, this joint offers no substitutions. Simply said... you get what you pay for. They also have the “Jughead” Platter, inspired by the Archie Comics, is a 10 cheeseburger platter with added toppings, served with their side of fries and Jalapeno dipping sauce. And did I mention its $100!

I opted for the Cheeseburger. As simple as it was, it was perfectly made. The beef patty was nicely cooked, and the thick slab of cheddar cheese added a nice creamy flavour. There really isn’t much to say, other than that it was a satisfying experience that exceeded my expectations.

8.5/10

Special Burger Review: McCoy Burger Co

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Date Visited: November 4, 2018
Location: Oshawa, ON
BurgerTours Rating: 5/10

Taste	Messiness	Price	Venue	Pluses
Good	Chaos	$11-$15	Fast Food	Veggie

Website
 

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Drew's Review

McCoy Burger Co. was simply just a forethought after reading that our first, desired option, Baldwin Street Burger in Whitby, was closed due to “unforeseen circumstances.” For a chilly day in early November, I didn’t mind driving out to Oshawa to try this burger joint. Within the last few months, I had seen McCoy pop up in a few searches of intended burger joints to try. Seeing they once had a location on Yonge St. in midtown, I didn’t want this one to be “the one that got away.”

We arrived shortly before 2 in the afternoon and we were pretty hungry. McCoy has two locations remaining; one in Ajax and one in Oshawa. The one we drove to was located in a small plaza in North Oshawa and if you’re not paying attention, you may miss it. We walked in to see a small number of people already dining for a late lunch/early dinner. Now because this wasn’t our originally planned joint, we barely did any research about what to order/what to avoid. The girl at the counter seemed kind of indifferent and wasn't to helpful with the menu.

With a quick glance of the menu, I decided to go for the Double Jack burger. It came loaded with two 4.5 oz. of premium Canadian beef on a ciabatta bun with 3 slices of real Monterrey Jack. Onions sautéed in BBQ Sauce and topped with lettuce, tomatoes and McCoy Sauce. Before my first bite, I didn’t know what to expect, but I knew this was going to get messy as sauces were already oozing out of it.

Double Jack/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

The first bite was mouth-watering, but it didn’t last long. It was harder to eat than I anticipated because the ciabatta bun was slowly disappearing before the rest of the burger. The sauce was still oozing out before the rest of the contents started to fall out. I also felt like the world was watching me eat, struggling to wipe up the mess that was escalating before me. I wanted to tap out, but I refused. The clash between the BBQ sauce and special McCoy sauce created a river of liquid that the burger itself could not contain. I was running out of napkins. I could barely taste the Monterrey jack cheese, the exact embodiment of what this burger was named after.

What this burger lacked was the consistency of a natural burger. The ciabatta buns were merely bread slices between two stacks of 4 ½ pounds of meat and a sauce that was waterier than an ice cream on a hot summer day. Along with the texture and no flame broil taste, it was greasy. Really greasy. Like so greasy, it would make Burger Priest seem like a health food staple. There was barely any flavour and maybe the only thing the burger needed was a little salt.

Perhaps my expectations for a place that once operated in midtown Toronto were too high? But maybe there was a good enough explanation as to why it closed up shop in the big city and maintained their east-most joints.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The meat itself was juicy and it was really good quality beef, but felt like it needed a touch of craftsmanship. The Double Jack came across a bit bland for my tastes and I probably wouldn’t get it again.

4/10

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Mark's Review

The Mediterranean/Photo by Mark Avila

This tour was a more spontaneous than usual. Coming home from a weekend north of Toronto, we decided to take a quick detour to Oshawa. Here, we were originally planning on visiting a joint to do a tour, but to our surprise they were closed for a private function. As a backup, we drove a short distance to McCoy Burger Company.

This joint with locations in Ajax and Oshawa, prides in handmade burgers, farmed by Canadian Farmers, and grilled to perfection to provide you with the freshest and juiciest burger.

I opted for the Mediterranean. Local Ontario Spring Lamb on a bed of feta cheese, tomato, tzaziki, and lettuce. This perfectly brings out the flavours of Greece in a single burger.

At a first glance, it was sloppy and not put well together. However, the taste was good enough to save the presentation. The flavours fused together really well, and the taste was not overpowering as I was expecting. The lamb was nicely cooked, and the Tzatziki was definitely a highlight for me. It was a nice blend of citrus and sweetness to balance out the flavour.

It was nothing spectacular, as I was hoping for a good quality burger. But, it was decent enough to satisfy my hunger. Overall, the experience was underwhelming, but I hope to visit again soon for a better burger!

6/10

Burger Review #39: Fat Ninja Bite

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Date Visited: September 16, 2018
Location: Milliken
BurgerTours Rating: 7.5/10

Taste	Messiness	Price	Venue	Pluses
Good	Very Messy	$11-$15	Fast Food	Veggie

Website
 

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Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Drew's Review

If you’re looking for an Asian fusion joint and you happen to find yourself in the North West part of Scarborough, we’ve found the perfect location for you.

Fat Ninja Bite was first introduced to me through Mark and we decided to give it a visit on a warm day in September. When we arrived, there was very limited parking because it was in a small strip mall, but luckily, we were able to find a spot just as a customer was leaving. We walked in and the first thing I noticed was how small the seating area was. There was only a bar against the window with about 10 barstools.

Cheese Don Katsu Burger/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

We took a few minutes to read over the menu, and they have quite the list of selections; Asian-fusion burgers, chips, noodle soups and soft serve ice cream.

I ordered the Cheese Don Katsu Burger with lettuce, tomato, pickles & cabbage. The burger is a little difficult to eat so be prepared to get a little messy. The katsu is tender and flaky. It was pretty tasty, lightly battered, and big enough so you won’t require seconds. The sandwich had tomatoes, lettuce, slaw, and even pickles, brought together by a nice spicy mayo. As you've seen the cutlet itself, is way bigger than the bun itself.

Overall, the Don Katsu Burger is good but its not the best. Worth trying at least once or twice if you are in the area. The wait does seem long for a place that is set up like a fast-food stall. Although it is a small and obscure place, it is a must try and is a good place to grab a quick bite to eat.

5.5/10

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Mark's Review

For this tour we visit the north side of Toronto where we are introduced to a unique burger, a burger that is a fusion of the east and west. We take you to Fat Ninja Bite!

The Don Katsu Burger/Photo by Mark Avila

Fat Ninja Bite is all about the love for food. They prepare their burgers fresh every morning to ensure perfection and freshness (Expect to have a long wait since it is being prepared on the spot). Quality and freshness is something I always look for in a good burger, I had high expectations for Fat Ninja Bite.

This joint is known for their Katsu Burgers, (Japanese Style Cutlet covered in a thick layer of bread crumbs), and that’s what I had to try. They offer 3 types of Katsu: Don (Pork), Cheese Don (Pork), and Chicken. I opted for the Don Katsu Burger.

The Don Katsu is a monstrous burger layered with lettuce, tomato, pickles, cabbage, and a large slab of Pork Cutlet placed in the middle. They also have sauce options of either original, spicy, garlic or chipotle.
Taking that first bite... the sweetness from the sauce gave the burger a mellow taste, which provided a well balanced burst of flavour. The Pork Katsu was nicely cooked with a nice crunch! I also had a side of coleslaw which tasted amazing... a nice blend of sweet and sour, with a touch of creaminess. Authenticity is something I always appreciate, and definitely tasted it in the fusion of east and west.

Overall, the quality and service from Fat Ninja was above my expectations. The staffs were attentive and friendly, and the food was worth the wait and lived up to the hype. So, if you’re looking for a big and satisfying meal then Fat Ninja Bite is the place to go.

9.5/10

Burger Review #38: Shamrock Burgers

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Date Visited: July 29, 2018
Location: Highland Creek
BurgerTours Rating: 7/10

Taste	Messiness	Price	Venue	Pluses
Great	Very Messy	$11-$15	Fast Food	Veggie

Website
 

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Drew's Review

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Craving a burger, and not in a drive-thru rush? If you’re in the area, try Shamrock. It’s a bit of drive, but if you live in the east end of Scarborough, it’s definitely one of the better burger joints out there.

Shamrock Burgers was established in 1970 by Mr. Danny Maleganeas, and has since grown to three locations (2 in Ontario, and 1 in Alberta). This place at first glance doesn’t look like much but when you walk in, the staff are super friendly and there are few places to sit. The place itself is a bright and clean, fast-casual atmosphere with a mixture of "rock and roll" and Irish themed décor.

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

When Mark and I walked in on a sunny summer day in late July, it was just after the dinner rush, but diners were still trinkling in. There were seats and tables to sit at, and we were eager to get a table. So we made our orders brief.

Now, the food...

Shamrock’s menu consists of homemade fast food items such as burgers, fries, prime rib steak on a bun, chicken wrap, poutine, chicken souvlaki, and much more. Their goal is to offer a "fun, friendly and interactive rock and roll experience coupled with great homemade food to their customers". Overall, they have stayed true to their initial principles of using quality ingredients, and providing fresh made-to-order meals.

I really enjoy their list of selections on the menu. Lots of tasty toppings, your choice of cheese and a saucy selection complement the standards. Can't decide between fries and rings? Don't! Go for frings!

Double-Decker Grilled Cheese Burger/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

I decided to go with the Double Decker Grilled Cheese, which was a massive beef patty between 2 grilled cheese sandwiches, 2 pieces of side bacon, red onion, romaine lettuce and tomato. The bread had a decent amount of thickness, so the ratio between the bread slices, and patty wasn't too bad. This was an overall tasty grilled cheese burger, and definitely filling. I also got a side a golden crispy fries and a Vanilla milkshake, because I was starving, clearly.

Overall, the food is crazy good. Not bad value for what they give you which is a huge burger. If you're a burger fan, or just craving burgers, this is a great place to go. The place does seem a little small and cramped and not that great of an atmosphere, but if you're there just for the food, it's amazing.

This place is well worth any drive you need to take to get there or bus if that is you only option. I am very jealous of the people in the neighborhood that have access to this all the time. But leave your conscience behind because you will be carrying lots of greasy calories out with you.

7.5/10

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Mark's Review

For this Burger Tour we take you to east Scarborough to the neighbourhood of Highland Creek, where we visit Shamrock Burgers. One of two locations in the GTA, Shamrock Burgers is known for delivering a unique burger experience starting from friendly service, to an “edgy and youthful rock alternative”, with quality ingredients and burgers.

The rock and roll theme populates their menu with the Classic Rock, Rock Star, and Famous Combos.

I opted for the Gaelic. Since Shamrock screams Ireland, might as well go for an Irish-inspired burger.

The Gaelic/Photo by Mark Avila

The Gaelic is layered with lettuce, tomato, sun-dried tomatoes, sautéed mushrooms, shamrock cheese sauce, and house made lemon-tarragon aioli. Unfortunately, the sun-dried tomatoes were not available.

The meat was juicy and sweet. The citrus from the lemon aioli contrasted with a smooth sour flavour. No flavour overpowered the other; it was a perfectly balanced burger.

Good experience and delicious offerings. Will definitely have to try their edgy rock and roll style burgers next time!

6.5/10

Burger Review #36: Woody's Burgers

Photo by Mark Avila

Date Visited: March 27, 2018
Location: Long Branch 
BurgerTours Rating: 8.7/10

Taste	Messiness	Price	Venue	Pluses
Excellent	Messy	$11-$15	Restaurant, Bar	Patio, Liquor

Website
 

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Drew's Review

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

South Etobicoke has a long history as a destination to grab an old-school burger with all the classic fixings. These days, the restaurants serving up unique burgers are greater than ever and include made in-house premium beef and custom meat blends, and a variety of grilling techniques, including the use of Canadian hardwood.

One of those places is Woody’s, a small place just off of Brown’s Line in Etobicoke. Woody’s has been serving up burgers since 2009 – before the major burger craze hit the GTA. And it may have been around for a while, but Woody’s is still cooking up a storm in the present day and its burgers are more reflective of Toronto’s old burger scene than what we’ve got now.

They’ve got a small seating area, and a fairly large patio for when the weather’s nice. They sell a number of different types of burgers (turkey, chicken, bison, etc), including a bunch of customized burgers with names like Coronary, Tokyo, and California.

When we entered the joint in the early evening in March, we were a little surprised to see how small it was. Very limited seating so if it's busy, takeout might be best. They advertise a twenty-minute wait for their burgers, and they weren’t kidding. “We’re not fast food,” the menu boasts, “we’re good food.” Umm… I guess?

Boom Burger/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

We both placed our orders, was given a pager that would go off when our orders were ready and sat down. I wasn’t looking at the time, but I’m pretty sure it was about twenty minutes before the pager lit up and started vibrating. We turned in the pagers and went to go request our toppings from behind the glass. I went with the Boom Burger topped with pulled pork, jalapeño, smoked gouda, fried onions, chipotle mayo and smoked ketchup. As a combo with a milkshake and fries, it came out to about $15.

The burger wasn’t bad. It’s a meatloaf burger and they definitely aren’t shy with the seasonings. There’s zero beefy flavour here; most of flavour came from the pulled pork which was a nice addition to this type of burger. The beef itself was lacking in flavour but had a nice texture that was devoid of the sausage-like chewiness that some meatloaf burgers tend to have. The well-done burger also retained a decent amount of juiciness, even if it wasn’t exactly the juiciest burger I’ve had.

Golden French Fries/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

As for the fries, they were a tad under-cooked and dry, but were otherwise pretty tasty. They had some kind of seasoned salt on them, which was sparingly applied (unlike, say, at Five Guys) and which definitely complimented the fries quite well. It's no surprise considering how they're made. Everything, from the burgers to the salad dressing is made in-house at Woody's daily. No Processed ingredients are used. In fact, their meat comes from local farm raised cattle and each 7oz burger is hand pressed daily. But what makes Woody's truly distinctive is the use of wood burning grills.

Overall, Woody’s has amazing, great-tasting burgers and many options for customization. It’s a fairly small place so come prepared to wait. Come with an appetite as the burgers and toppings are large. The prices are also reflective of all the stuff you put on your burger which is definitely much better than any chain burger joint. It's a shame that Woody's is about a quarter of the way to Hamilton, because if they were closer to downtown, these guys would give Stockyards and the Burger's Priest a run for their money.

What are you waiting for?

8.4/10

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Mark's Review

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

It’s been a long while since we’ve been back to the west end of Toronto for a BurgerTour. We’re happy to be back and now tagging our 44th burger joint. For this tour, we visit Woody’s Burgers!

Located along Lakeshore at Long Branch, Woody’s specializes in grilling their burgers over Canadian hardwood, a distinctive taste that gives their burgers flavour and character. They pride themselves in using locally raised meat that are pressed in house daily, and guarantee premium quality and dining experience.

Woody’s has a broad menu ranging from the Classic Beef Burger to specialty burgers that are inspired from ingredients and flavours from around the world. Browsing through their menu as soon as we walked in, it wasn’t long before I made my decision.

Tokyo Beef Burger/Photo by Mark Avila

I opted for the Tokyo Beef Burger. It’s layered with pickled ginger, wasabi mayo, sautéed onions, and topped with my choice of additional pickles and red onions.

My initial first bite was met with the strong punch of the wasabi mayo. It definitely gave me that small taste of Japan, followed by the sautéed onions to ease the heat, and finally the pickled ginger to mellow out those strong flavours in my mouth. It was an interesting combination of heat, sweetness, and light tanginess that created a uniform taste of a burger inspired by flavours from East Asia. The beef patty was grilled close to perfection, good texture, and the smokiness from the grill was prevalent in almost every bite.

Overall, it was an excellent experience. From the food to the service, Woody’s is definitely a new favourite. So, if you ever find yourself in Etobicoke looking for a quick, yet satisfying meal, then Woody’s is the place to go!

9/10