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 #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 #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 #37: Fresh Burger

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Date Visited: June 6, 2018
Location: Church and Wellesley
BurgerTours Rating: 7.6/10

Taste	Messiness	Price	Venue	Pluses
Awesome	Some Drip	$11-$15	Fast Food	Patio, Liquor

Website
 

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Drew's Review

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

How fresh would you like your meat? I think I’ve found an answer for you.

Former financial businessman, Jacques Kavafian, created Fresh Burger in 2013 by opening his first location near his home in Richmond Hill. Kavafian was “frustrated” with Toronto’s burger scene. He thought, “People are trying too hard to be different.” All he wanted was a good old-fashioned fresh hamburger. Thus, leading to him opening a small hamburger restaurant called Fresh Burger.

In January of 2018, Kavafian expanded his franchise by opening his third location of Fresh Burger. With three operational restaurants in and around the GTA, Fresh Burger has attained considerable attraction within Toronto’s burger scene.

We went one afternoon in June to visit the Church and Wellesley location with barely anybody in the restaurant. It was unfamiliarly quiet. The menu is simple. It serves burgers and fries with the option to customize your burgers and upsize your fries.

4 oz. Fresh Burger/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

I ordered the 4 oz. Fresh Burger with a slice of cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, caramelized onions, bacon, ketchup and mustard. The special sauce is Mac Sauce/Thousand Island dressing. After the first bite, I was in love. I wasn't expecting something this good from here; the patties were juicy, bread slightly toasted, cheese melty, and caramelized onions oh so sweet. It was a delicious bliss and the consistency was very similar to a homemade hamburger. The ingredients all work well to provide a refreshingly pure burger experience.

The fries are not greasy which makes them great. They are crispier than most places, but still good.

Overall, Fresh Burger offers an amazing burger made from actual, FRESH ground beef, not the frozen kind, because in this “Fresh” world, freezers don’t even exist. After being on our list for nearly a year, I was absolutely thrilled that I gave it a chance. If you're looking for a great no frills burger in the village, especially late after visiting the bars, I would definitely stop in here. Their name really does reflect what you get here.

7.2/10

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Mark's Review

The Double Freshburger/Photo by Mark Avila

We take you back to downtown Toronto, where we visit the neighbourhood of Church and Wellesley for the very first time.

A burger joint that bears freshness to its name, Fresh Burger, keeps the original hamburger alive, cheap, and delicious.

One of two locations in Toronto, the other in Richmond Hill, Fresh Burger was first started in 2013 and has since been dedicated to serve the best quality burgers at the lowest price. They’re proud to serve fresh meat, vegetables, and ingredients daily as they run their stores with no freezers!

The menu was simple with only four burger options. I opted for the Double Freshburger, an 8oz beef patty with lettuce, tomato, and cheese. Additional toppings are available for $1.00. But, I decided to stick with the original load.

Taking that first bite, my mouth was blown away. The beef patty was well cooked and the flavours were well distributed throughout my palate. Taking the burger as it came was definitely a good choice. I was able to appreciate the freshness and simplicity, while enjoying a perfectly handcrafted burger that was full of flavour.

8 /10

Burger Review #35: Mini Moe's

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Date Visited: February 23, 2018
Location: Wexford Heights
BurgerTours Rating: 7.1/10

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

Website
 

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Drew's Review

For this BurgerTours review, we return to Scarborough for another great tasting burger joint, Mini Moe’s Burgers, Fries and Funnel Cakes. Located on Lawrence Avenue East, this small dine-in fast food place offers burgers, fries, poutine, chicken sandwiches and even funnel cakes! The thing that stands out is that this has been awarded one of the best Halal burger places in Toronto by Halal Foodie. From the grinder to the grill, the burgers are never frozen and cooked fresh, fries are cut fresh and served with a sense of imagination, but let’s not forget, an all seasons-pass for funnel cakes.

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Mini Moe’s started off as Big Moe’s, part of a chain of burger joints in and around the GTA, but just last year, after a renovation and an entire name and menu change, the place reopened in September under the name Mini Moe’s. Mini Moe’s is just like your average Big Moe’s in terms of preparation, but with additional options on the menu.

We arrived on a late afternoon in late February and there was hardly anybody in there, probably like one other diner. We walked up and looked at the menu. They have several different options, but the prices were getting to me. Their so called “Mini” which is a classic 5 oz. patty cheeseburger was $6. And some of their special creations were $10 including the Goomba, which has a double patty, beef strips and BBQ sauce, and the Cluck ‘N Moo, which has chicken strips stacked on a cheeseburger. So be prepared to have a little extra cash on hand if you want to fill your stomach.

Mini-er/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

I decided to go with the Mini-er which is the second option of the Mini cheeseburger trifecta. It was two 5oz. patties and topped the way I liked: lettuce, tomatoes, ketchup and relish. I also ordered a side of fries, a root beer and the funnel cake, which I asked to be made by the time we were leaving. They were very considerate when dealing with our orders.

Mark and I both headed towards the table to grab a seat. Within a few moments, our burgers were ready. The Mini-er looked like a very simple and plain double patty cheeseburger, but it was the taste of the meat that really brought me to admire this place. The meat was juicy and tender. There was very little flavour but a simple cheeseburger didn’t need additional seasoning or toppings. The buns were fresh and crunchy and mashed really nicely with the inner components. Overall, I was satisfied.
Upon leaving, we thanked them and picked up our funnel cake to take home. I had gotten it without the ice cream as I didn’t want it to melt, but after my first bite, it was extremely delicious. The funnel cake is one of my favourite desserts and Mini Moe’s does make an awesome funnel cake!

Overall, Mini Moe’s surprised me in not only being a simple burger place, but by offering items that you would never expect a burger joint in Scarborough to offer. The staff and the cooks were really friendly and welcoming and I would definitely return in a heartbeat. And I think it’s true of what they say from what Mini Moe’s offers: Big things come in small packages.

7.2/10

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Mark's Review

We take you back to Scarborough for this burger tour where we visit, Mini Moe’s. This joint hidden in the heart of Scarborough offers a variety of delectable meal options ranging from chicken sandwiches, burgers, and funnel cakes. Did I also mention that it’s halal! Mini Moe’s was on our radar for quite some time and tagging this joint was a long time coming.

It was a quiet lunch hour when we walked in, so we didn’t feel rushed browsing through the menu before ordering. I decided to go for the Cluck n’ Moo.

The Cluck n' Moo/Photo by Mark Avila

The Cluck n’ Moo is a cheese burger layered with chicken strips and topped with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and relish. For a change, I had a side of sweet potato fries. My first bite was met by the nice crispiness of the chicken strips, which were complimented by the other flavours incorporated into the burger. There is nothing much else to say about the Cluck n’ Moo, it was decent. I definitely had better renditions, but I wouldn’t consider this as one of my favourites.

If there was one thing, however, the Funnel Cake was more satisfying than the burger. We got one to go topped with Strawberries, and it was surprisingly lighter than others I’ve had and not as sweet!

Mini Moe’s was a nice Scarborough find serving tasty burgers for a respectable price. It wouldn’t be my number one choice if I had to choose a favourite joint Scarborough, but overall it was a satisfying experience and will definitely be coming back.

7/10

Burger Review #34: Rudy

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Date Visited: September 27, 2017
Location: Little Italy
BurgerTours Rating: 8.1/10

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

Website 

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Drew's Review

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

It would be Rude not to review or try Rudy.

We had no idea what Rudy was and had only heard about it through word of mouth. Needless to say, we had to find out what made Rudy, Rudy. According to a website, Rudy isn’t really anything or anyone at all. In fact, it was just an inside joke between the owner and his business partner to refer to people who get a little out of hand after having one too many drinks back in college. Interesting, eh?

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Rudy (the restaurant) is a minimally decorated eatery in Little Italy that offers a small menu of burgers, chicken sandwiches and fries. Rudy caught our attention for being a burger joint that kept showing up on our news feed and the burgers from Rudy looked amazing in pictures. But could it actually taste as good as it looks? Yes. The answer is an emphatic yes.

We entered the burger joint in the early afternoon on an overcast grey day and while we were dining, I think only a handful of people came in to order and leave after picking it up. I wondered if it was a routine thing having customers wander in off the streets and order food for takeaway. The interior is quite large with an open feel and seating for about 20. When we went up to order, the menu was a lot smaller than I had read online, and only a few options for me to choose from without ordering the same thing as Mark. We placed our orders and went to grab a table near the window and within about 10 minutes, our orders were ready.

The Rudy/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

I ordered the Rudy, which is a single-patty cheeseburger topped with lettuce, tomato, and Rudy sauce. The burger was small and compact, but what it lacked in size, it made up for in flavour. The meat was tender and juicy with a nice beefy kick, it’s pretty much exactly what you’re looking for in the taste department. The buns were crisp and well-grilled and was a perfect match with the meat. The toppings added a nice little compliment to the overall burger. It was a pleasantly delicious burger with no unnecessary fixings or flavours and showcased itself to be one of the top-quality burgers I have tasted.

The fries on the other hand, weren’t as tasty. They lacked in flavour and seasoning and they were really dry and bland. I probably could’ve had the poutine for a much more appropriate side option, but maybe it was just a bad batch.

Overall, Rudy was ultimately a surprise and to many burger lovers, its an unexpected one. How could such a small burger pack a huge punch? Rudy does it well when it comes to grilling fresh ground meat and placing in between two crispy golden-brown buns. It’s a very unique way of making burgers, and sort of resembles a Shake Shack kind of look. Anyways, I’m all for these types of burgers and there aren’t that many that look that way in Toronto that we haven’t tried. If there’s anything that Rudy does right, it’s the burgers and sometimes you have to be a little Rudy to make it in the Toronto burger scene.

7.7/10

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Mark's Review

The Valentino/Photo by Mark Avila

We are back in Little Italy! For this tour we take you to Rudy on College Street. This joint was on our radar for quite some time, and returning to this area for another tour was something to look forward to.

The menu was small, but they made up for it in quality and originality. I decided to try the Valentino. It's a Fried Chicken Sandwich, layered with coleslaw, Valentino Sauce, and topped with a mild hot sauce.

The first bite brought out the hot sauce in an instant. There was a touch of smokiness and spice, which I assume was the Valentino Sauce that ignited a burning sensation in my mouth. The sweetness of the coleslaw eased the spiciness creating a well balanced flavour. The chicken breast was perfectly cooked to a golden brown, crispy on the outside, but soft and light on the inside. Not much complaints with this one.. the taste was spot on.

Little Italy, again, brings out another hidden gem in this neighbourhood's burger scene. Definitely rises to one of my favourites. I recommend visiting Rudy if you're ever in the neighbourhood and wanting to have a quick bite.

8.5/10