Burger Review #16: Fatburger

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Date Visited: September 28, 2015 
Location: Thornhill
BurgerTours Rating: 8.1/10

Taste	Messiness	Price	Venue	Pluses
Awesome	Some Drip	$6-$10	Fast Food	Veggie, Gluten Free, Liquor

Website

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Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Drew's Review

Fatburger is a burger joint that's really needs no introduction. Being an American burger chain, I knew right from the start the burgers were going to be massive. I had one goal in mind and that was to leave this establishment satisfied with a full stomach. And I succeeded.

Old Style Bacon Cheddar Burger/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Fatburger was our third American burger chain and it definitely lived up to my expectations. We decided to go on a muggy, late September day in the middle of the afternoon. It was quite the adventure trying to find the place. It's located north of the city in Thornhill and it is right across the street from Promenade Mall. From the outside, the dine-in restaurant looks narrow, but once you enter through either door from the west or the east, the space opens up. Right in the east entranceway, where we walked in, there is a dining space that has nearly five tables and a table bar along the wall. I was a little shocked because I wasn't expecting a big enough space for this many tables. There were a few guys in there who had just finished placing their orders before us, but to my surprise, it was pretty empty. There were only two employees working behind the counter from what we could see, but maybe at this time of the day, no rush or anything, it only needed the two.

As you walk in, you'll walk down a narrow hall towards the area where you give your order. Along the walls are strips and comics that advertise Fatburger. The walls are painted like a bar or a pub, and each has a really modern look to it. One wall has pictures of the burgers, and various statements that Fatburger claims to be there personalized motto.

Before we go to place our order, the guy behind the counter greets us and then waits as we take some time to read over the menu. I wanted to get something with bacon on it as I was craving it for a few days beforehand. I decided to go with the Old Style Bacon Cheddar burger. The list of toppings that followed sounded like it was going to be a mouthful. Mark and I also agreed to get a milkshake just to shake things up this time around. The gentleman gave us a number and told us to grab a table and when our meal was ready, the waitress will bring it to us. We walk back through the hallway and grab a seat in the corner overlooking the dining area, which made for a pretty good photo-op. Within minutes of placing our order, our milkshakes were brought out, followed by our meals.

Old Style Bacon Cheddar Burger/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Sitting in the basket was the burger I had ordered and a side of fries with ketchup. The burger was massive. The lettuce alone was falling out of the burger. I knew this was going to be a mess, so I stacked up on napkins and went to work. The first bite I got was the beef, lettuce, mustard and small bites of the crispy bacon. It was enough to satisfy my taste buds. I added a little hot sauce for my liking and even though the burger was already stuffed to the roof, the hot sauce made it that more amazing.

Every now and then I would glance over at my chocolate milkshake to see how much I had already gone through and by the the time I had finished eating half of the burger, I was down to my last sip. The fries were gone too as I like to get them out of the way before I finish the burger. The burger was one delicious taste after another. And when I finished it, I was fighting for more. But I was stuffed. The burger was beyond perfection for my liking, and the chocolate milkshake was probably the best one I've had to this day.

Chocolate Milkshake/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

The fries were golden crispy, and fresh. The fries were nothing too special, but nice to have on the side. After we fished out meal, the waitress returns to collect our baskets and asks us if we wanted a cup of ice water. We both agree and she goes back and brings out two cups of ice water for the both of us. I take a sip and this was everything I needed right then and there, in a cup. I don't know what it was about this cup of ice water but it was unlike any other ice water I've drank before. I would give that ice water a definite 10/10 for being exactly what I need after a huge, good tasting burger.

Overall, Fatburger offers an American tradition since 1952 by grilling up some good tasting burgers; not to mention their burgers are always fresh. And although they have a variety of choices on the menu, like alcoholic drinks for example, burgers are what they truly excel in. The service at this location was outstanding and the burgers were delicious. I would highly recommend this burger joint to anyone with a huge appetite. And if it wasn't all the way in Thornhill, I would definitely be here more often.

7.7/10

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Wall Menu/Photo by Mark Avila

 Mark's Review

The New Yorker/Photo by Mark Avila

Who knew it would take us this long to finally visit Fatburger. Well, the fact that it is located in Thornhill, north of Toronto, is probably one of the main reasons. But, being the only location in Ontario, my expectations were quite high. This particular joint was hyped up to me by a friend who lived out of town, and pressured me to try it out when I had the chance. Seeing that this particular visit was my special birthday tour, I took advantage of the opportunity.

*s/o to Andrew for treating me out to this awesome meal*

Seeing the restaurant for the first time, I was a little disappointed at how small the exterior was. I honestly thought it was going to be a cramped space with little to no room for dining. But, never judge a book by its cover. As soon as I walked into the restaurant, I was pleased to see a pretty decent size dining area with their signature burgers plastered on the wall.

After walking up to the counter to place our order, I just stood and stared blankly at the menu for the longest time. I always love a big selection! I finally made my decision with the New Yorker, a specialty burger on their menu for a limited time. I ordered it as a combo with a side of Fries, and a Banana Milkshake. Made with Angus Beef, slow cooked Pastrami, and covered with a thick layer of melted cheddar cheese, this burger is definitely up there with the big boys.

Chocolate and Banana Milkshake/ Photo by Mark Avila

Taking the first bite, the cheddar cheese immediately covered my taste buds. The Angus beef combined with the cheddar cheese made the burger so juicy, and the Pastrami added some extra flavour. But, I must admit, the cheddar cheese totally outdid the Pastrami. It was just a little too much. Even without the Pastrami, I feel the New Yorker would’ve tasted exactly the same. It was a little bit of a letdown. Regardless, I found the New Yorker to be a nice combination of flavour. Definitely a satisfying experience for both my stomach and taste buds.

Fatburger went above and beyond my expectations. From the efficient and quick service to the burger itself, my experience at Fatburger was certainly one to return to. Despite the far distance from where I live, I wouldn’t mind travelling to Thornhill for a satisfying and appetizing meal.

8.5/10