Burger Review #75: Mikey's Smash Burgers

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Date Visited: February 22, 2024 (Permanently Closed)
Location: Union Station
BurgerTours Rating: 

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

Website

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Drew's Review

Back in February, we made a stop at Mikey’s Smash Burgers in Union Station - a popular spot that, sadly, has since closed its doors. The food court was packed as usual, so finding a table was tricky, but we managed after a bit of a walk around. 

Mikey’s Smash is all about keeping things simple with classic smash burgers. I went with the classic option: a single patty topped with American cheese, their secret sauce, specialty onions, pickles, lettuce, and tomato, all sandwiched between a brioche bun. 

Classic Smash (single)/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

The burger itself was impressive. The patty was cooked just right, with crispy edges that gave it a nice bite, and the seasoning was on point. The mix of toppings brought a good balance of flavours - sharp pickles, fresh veggies, and a creamy secret sauce that tied everything together. One minor hiccup: the brioche bun was a bit greasy on the outside. It didn’t take away from the flavour, but it’s something you notice as you take your first bite. 

The fries were the real MVP, though - crispy, well-seasoned, and paired with a dip that stole the show. It’s the kind of side that could easily stand on its own. 

Overall, it was a great experience. It’s a shame Mikey’s had to close this location, possibly avoiding the head-to-head with Shake Shack. But if you’re craving their burgers, you can still get them through catering.

8.2/10

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Mark's Review

Jalapeño Inferno/Photo by Mark Avila

For this burger tour we venture down into Toronto’s Union Station where pay a visit to Mikey’s Smash Burger. Just as the name says, we are here to indulge ourselves to another appetizing smash burger. 

I opted for the Jalapeño Inferno - a 4oz chuck burger loaded with everything Jalapeño. From spicy jalapeño jack cheese to jalapeño slices this burger is also topped with sriracha aioli, tomato, lettuce, and pickled habanero. 

Taking that first bite I was savouring away on the juiciness of the burger, it took less than 10 seconds for the heat to kick in. As someone with a low spice tolerance, the spice really dominated my palate. While my mouth was raging on fire, the flavours that I could distinguish helped to elevate profile and ease the heat of the burger, overall. 

6/10

Burger Review #74: Aloette Go

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Date Visited: January 18, 2024
Location: Midtown
BurgerTours Rating: 

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

Website

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Drew's Review

Hi good morning, we’re the cool kids and welcome to BurgerTours! 

To start off this exciting new year, we take you to an ever-growing simple burger joint featuring smash burgers for quick and easy consumption, Aloette Go! 

With three locations already in Toronto, Aloette Go brings a refined touch to fast-casual dining, blending the quality you’d expect from its Michelin-starred sister restaurant Alo with the convenience of a quick-service joint. Opening in January 2023, the location at Yonge and Eglinton which we decided to visit in January offers a streamlined experience designed for those on the go. 

Banquet Hamburger/
Photo by Andrew Hockridge

The vibe is simple and modern. After using the self-serve kiosk to order, or if you’re like us, you walk in and order in person, you step into a bright, compact space with just a few chairs along the wall for those opting to dine in. The emphasis here is clearly on take-out and delivery, so if you’re looking for a sit-down experience, it’s probably not the spot. But for a quick, no-fuss bite, Aloette Go fits the bill. 

The menu is concise, focusing on what they do best: burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, and a few salads. There’s also a tempting dessert option, like a Nutella swirl with chocolate cake bites, though I wasn’t brave enough to test my stomach after the burger and fries. 

I ordered the Banquet Hamburger with crispy bacon, American cheese, Go sauce, lettuce and tomato. The smash patty was juicy and well-seasoned, hitting the spot for a casual burger craving. The bacon, while crispy and flavorful, felt a bit overwhelming on such a small bun, especially with the oversized tomato slices. But overall, the burger was satisfying. It’s the kind of simple, well-executed meal that leaves you feeling content. 

The crinkle-cut fries were a standout. Golden brown, crispy, and perfect with the signature Go sauce. They complemented the burger nicely and rounded out the meal. 

Overall, Aloette Go doesn’t try to overcomplicate things. It’s a fast-casual spot with a focus on quality ingredients and efficient service. If you’re in the mood for a smash burger and a quick bite, this is definitely a spot to check out. 

8.0/10

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Mark's Review

Veggie Go/
photo by Mark Avila

We are back for the first burger tour of 2024! This year marks our 10th year visiting and tagging the best burger joints throughout the GTA. We have come a long way venturing the city to find the best of the best, and since then have visited more than 100 joints in 5 different countries. To start off our milestone year, we take bring you to midtown Toronto where we visit… Aloette Go! 

I would describe Aloette Go as an “express” version of the popular downtown Toronto restaurant, Aloette. Having a limited menu of burgers, salads, and sandwiches, this grab and go concept allows people to still enjoy the restaurants desirable dishes. 

I opted for the Veggie Go Burger — a vegan patty layered with a cheddar cheese skirt, onions, lettuce, shredded onions, and Go sauce. 

My first bite was met by the crunch of the cheddar skirt. It was crispy, creamy, and tasty. There’s just something about a cheese skirt that’s come to my liking that enhances the flavour of any burger even more. Additionally, the Go sauce was savoury which was a nice touch.

6.5/10