Burger Review #33: BQM

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Date Visited: August 22, 2017
Location: Riverside
BurgerTours Rating: 7.05/10

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

Website
 

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Drew's Review

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

BQM, also known as the Burger Shoppe, was our second #BurgerTour stop of the day. When I had ordered the Double Trouble from Hangry Burger nearly 4 hours earlier, I had no idea we were going to eat at two burger joints in one day. Had I known, I would have ordered the Single Trouble (insert laugh track here).

We arrived around the evening rush and it wasn’t as busy as I had expected. The dining area was really small with only a few seats and tables to choose from. Finding this place was really easy. All we had to do was look for the BQM stamp on the front window. Upon arriving, we didn’t know what to expect as we didn’t have time to do our research like we normally do for each #BurgerTour. We also had no idea what we were going to order. It was like walking into a restaurant blindfolded and hoping it all goes well.

We read over the menu and there were quite a few options that sounded appealing. Reading down the list, I was leaning towards the Riverside, the Ossington and the Liberty. I settled on the Liberty, a hand-crafted beef burger with blue cheese, Dijon mustard, red onion and garlic aioli. I was ready to give my taste buds a ride of flavours.

The Liberty/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

We grabbed some stools and sat next to the window. Within minutes, our burgers were ready. The tray was huge. The burger, not so much. I was ready to dig in. I decided not to order a side and went with a bottle of water to quench my thirst. I took my first bite and it was delicious. The first bite I got was mainly the blue cheese and the Dijon mustard. I knew the blue cheese was going to be a strange leftover taste, but I had hoped the additional toppings were going to balance it out. In other words, it was a satisfactory flavour and the additional toppings were a delight.

The meat was juicy and well cooked and every bite was satisfactory. The bun was soft and well represented on a small burger. I tried some of the fries Mark had ordered and they were a great side option. The fries weren’t anything special but they were just slightly above average.

Overall, BQM offers some really juicy creations and very creative options in their three locations in the GTA, (King West, Ossington, Riverside). I will certainly like to visit their other locations someday, but for now, I’m simply BQM’d.

7.1/10

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Mark's Review

After a short break from our first visit at Hangry Burger, we walk across the Don Valley into Riverside. Here, we take you BQM (Beer Quality Meats).

BQM sets to differentiate themselves from other burger joints by producing locally handcrafted burgers, sandwiches, beers, and much more, through quality. Their restaurants reflect the character and culture of certain neighbourhoods and surrounding areas. The Ossington, Riverside, and Liberty are examples of such burgers that highlight the food culture and local ingredients that are found in the neighbourhoods where BQM currently resides.

I went for the Ossington, which had a portobello mushroom patty base, layered with mozzarella cheese, caramelized onions, and topped with garlic aioli.

The Ossington/Photo by Mark Avila

This burger was no joke to get around. It was quite a struggle to find the perfect spot to take that first bite, but once I did, I dug in. My mouth was greeted by the thick mozzarella cheese, followed by the sweet caramelized onions. What caught me off guard was the mushroom patty. I'm accustomed to the juiciness and soft bite of a beef patty, but instead the mushroom presented itself as a light and creamy touch to the burger experience.

Overall, I was fond of the difference of flavour this burger presented. It was a new taste, but not out of the ordinary.

Riverside was a new neighbourhood for us, and they definitely didn't disappoint with this burger tour. 

7/10

Burger Review #32: Hangry Burger

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Date Visited: August 22, 2017
Location: Yonge & College
BurgerTours Rating: 8.15/10

Taste	Messiness	Price	Venue	Pluses
Great	Some Drip	$11-$15	Fast Food	Gluten Free

Website

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Mark's Review

We're back at it again after a month hiatus. To make up for lost time, we bring you a BurgerTour first. Two burger joints in one day! This was a spontaneous decision and definitely took a toll on our stomachs and wallets.

For the first leg of this burger tour special, we visit Hangry Burger.

The menu had a variety of nine signature burgers, plus the option to build and customize your own burger. But I opted for one of the signatures.

The Jamaican Me Hangry is a 100% beef patty burger with double smoke bacon, layered with a house slaw, tomato, jalapeño, house jerk rub, and homemade jerk sauce.

Jamaican Me Hangry/Photo by Mark Avila

Taking in the first bite, I was not expecting the smokiness from the jerk sauce and heat from the jalapeño to create an explosive flavour in my mouth. The juiciness from the beef patty and savoury kick from the double smoke bacon added an extra boost of meaty flavour. And the oil content was kept to a minimal, which made a difference in the in the transparency of the burger. I find that the less oil in the patty, results in a more refined burger that enhances the flavour experience.

Overall, Hangry Burger was a satisfying experience. The Jamaican Me Hangry was more than what I expected. The quality of the burger and presentation made it a lot more appetizing and appealing to the eye.

This was the second Burger Joint we visited in Little Italy, and so far... this neighbourhood hasn't disappointed me with their food selections. Looking forward to more BurgerTours in Little Italy.

8.5/10

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Drew's Review

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Considering I get hangry constantly, paying a visit to Hangry Burger was a no-brainer.

Hangry Burger was an unexpected surprise. Without knowing too much about this joint, Mark and I decided to give it a try earlier in the year. Without doing any research, we found out it was closed for renovations. We didn’t know how long they were going to be closed, so we settled on another burger joint for that month. A few months go by and we decide to give Hangry Burger another shot. Their Instagram page certainly looked like it was active.

We arrived at the Yonge Street location just in time for lunch and Mark and I found we were the only ones dining in the restaurant at the time. The space was small with a few tables and bar stools near the window. We each looked over the menu and decided what we were going to order. I decided to go with the Double Trouble. It was their signature burger with two all beef patties, aged white and regular cheddar cheese, lettuce, pickles, onions, tomato, and their homemade hangry sauce. Just thinking about the size and what I had just ordered, I wasn’t prepared to devour such a burger.

Double Trouble/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Low and behold, this burger was delightful. The meat was tender, juicy and cooked to perfection. The flavour was succulent and savoury. The toppings were everything a burger needed, without any crazy additions to ruin the sensation. And I made the right choice by going with an extra beef patty because it became the perfect balance for the toppings. The fries were salty and crispy, and one of the better selections from a burger joint in this area.

Overall, Hangry Burger was satisfying. It offered a delicious burger alongside friendly service and a welcoming atmosphere. Each burger is genuine and the cooks really take into account the preparation behind every burger. Among the many choices of joints to choose from in the area, Hangry Burger was a pleasant surprise and highly recommended. Needless to say, when hanger strikes again, I'll be back.

7.8/10

Burger Review #31: Cowboy Jack's Juicy Burgers

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Date Visited: June 06, 2017
Location: Eglinton East (Permanently Closed)
BurgerTours Rating: 6.8/10

Taste	Messiness	Price	Venue	Pluses
Great	Some Drip	$11-$15	Restaurant	Veggie

Website
 

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Drew's Review

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Howdy! For our 35th BurgerTour, we take you to the east end, Eglinton and McCowan to be exact, to dine at Cowboy Jack’s Juicy Burgers. Before Mark suggested it a day earlier, I had not heard of this joint, let a lone knew of its existence. I’m pretty familiar with Scarborough, but hearing about this one was a surprise. We treated this like any other BurgerTour and had no idea what to expect. I had done very little research on what they had to offer before the actual visit.

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

We decided to go on a day when we were both off during the second week of June. It was a Tuesday, and I wasn’t expecting much of a crowd. We entered the establishment a little after 11 in the morning, and not a single diner was to be seen. There we many tables to be sat at and it was very well decorated. Every wall was covered in a Western theme and really brought this joint to life.

We walked up to the counter and took a good hard look at their menu to decide what we were going to order. Every option sounded like it was going to be a good one and I was having a hard time decide. After a few minutes, I decided to go for the 5oz. Home Burger with a regular size Home Burger Poutine. I was fairly hungry but the poutine portion looked huge. I decided to save my appetite just for that.

5oz. Home Burger/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Within a few minutes, our burgers were ready. My burger looked remarkably ready to be eaten. I was small, compact, but don’t let the size fool you. This burger was full of flavour. After the first bite, I was drooling over the taste of the meat. It was tender and juicy, and cooked well to perfection. The toppings were a nice addition and complemented the burger very well. I had ketchup and mayo on it, just like I do every time I have the chance to customize my toppings, and it mashed really nicely together with the other toppings, which were lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and onions.

Home Burger Poutine/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

The Home Burger Poutine was by far my favourite. Little chunks of burger thrown into fries, cheese curds and gravy is all I really needed. And the regular size was just enough. I was so full and satisfied that I still had a little poutine left over and took it home with me.

Overall, Cowboy Jack’s is a nice small place with great food at decent prices. What's not to like? It's delicious, fresh and high-quality food and it's a family run restaurant. The atmosphere is terrific with great Western touches but not enough to bother you. We experienced terrific service and overall, very friendly and welcoming. And these burgers are just dynamite. You can truly taste the difference that quality makes. Oh, and the Home Burger Poutine is a strong recommendation of mine.

7.6/10

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Mark's Review

Angus Beef Burger/Photo by Mark Avila

This BurgerTour takes us to east Scarborough where we visit a family run burger joint that is known for their use of natural ingredients, and fresh blends of herbs and spices. For this tour, we take you Cowboy Jack’s Juicy Burgers. They recognize themselves for offering preservative free burgers with no added artificial flavours.

We were the first customers of the day and were greeted with a nice welcome as soon as we walked in. The menu was simple with a traditional approach to home style burgers. They also had a vegetarian burger option, and additional offerings of sandwiches and wraps.

I chose the Angus Beef Burger with my own choice of lettuce, onions, pickles, tomatoes, ketchup, and mustard. It was nothing spectacular and tasted just like any other Angus Burger I’ve had in the past, but probably one of the best.

Overall, there is nothing much left to say other than the service and food were satisfactory.

6/10

Burger Review #30: Bareburger

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Date Visited: March 19, 2017
Location: Bay and Dundas (Permanently Closed)
BurgerTours Rating: 8.65/10

Taste	Messiness	Price	Venue	Pluses
Awesome	Some Drip	$11-$15	Restaurant	Veggie, Gluten Free, Liquor

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Drew's Review

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Bareburger was on our list for quite awhile before we got to visit it in the afternoon in late March. I had been to this location once and after a very pleasing and welcoming first time, was looking forward to returning and trying more from their menu. I had given Mark an ultimatum between choosing Bareburger and another potential, future BurgerTour joint for the month of March, and to my favourable outcome, burger-hungry brains think alike.

We entered the joint and it was fairly full with a few open tables. We were then guided to a small table directly in the centre part of the dining area, with only a bit of a small gap separating our table from the others. Everything was, or looked like it was made of wood, resembling a cottage or a summer camp in the wilderness where you learn to avoid bear attacks and make burgers...? Could that have been Bareburger's actual pitch to open the franchise? Who knows.

We were quickly greeted by our waiter who placed menus in our hands and took our drink orders shortly after we had taken a seat. The service this time was faster than what I first remembered. Although in my defence, I was on a horrible date the first time and the girl I was with, we didn't have that much in common and had little to talk about, so...yeah. This time however, the time just flew by, but I was glad to have such a memorable experience.

The first time I ate here, I had gotten the County Fair. It was a really delicious tasting burger with bison meat, mayo and aged cheddar. It was so good that this time around, I ordered a similar tasting burger: the El Matador. It was also a bison burger that came loaded with pickled jalapeños, guacamole, spicy pico de gallo, and cheese curds all on a brioche bun. How flavourful could that be? The answer: very.

El Matador/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Our orders emerged from the kitchen within a 10-15 minute time frame, and I couldn't have been more anxious to eat a burger than any other time while doing a BurgerTour. The first bite I took was mouth watering. Straight from the heart and soul of this Spanish-infused burger, my taste buds were on the verge of having a fiesta.

The bison was well cooked and all the signature toppings were mixed well together, there wasn't a single offbeat flavour that had a reaction to my taste buds. Every single bite was like a featured Pitbull song; the vocals were very well mashed together with a very repetitive flow and rhythm, and then unexpectedly, you would get that spiciness of the pico de gallo that would clash so effortless to create something you just can't get enough of. Fireball.

Overall, Bareburger is more than just a franchise; it's a lifestyle and if I could, I would live this lifestyle over and over again until I'm no longer relevant. The burgers I've had within my two trips could not have been any better. I look forward to returning in the near future to try more delicious creations off their menu, but for now, I've had my fair share of Bareburger and it's time I recommend it to every other burger lover in the city.

8.8/10

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Mark's Review

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

We’re back to Downtown Toronto for another BurgerTour, but this time we take you the heart of Downtown...Yonge-Dundas Square. There are many restaurants along this stretch of Dundas Street, but one place in particular has always caught my attention. Andrew has already visited this joint a while back, but I think it was fair that I do the same. With that said, we officially tag Bareburger!

Bareburger has a mission to provide fresh, clean, and simple foods that are locally sourced to satisfy the hunger. However, as they say..“but if Wisconsin has the best cheese and Montana knows Bison as well as Texas knows elk, we’ll work hard to bring those ingredients into all of our food.” Seeing this intrigued me to see how far they’re willing to stretch their horizons to serve top grade burgers with the highest quality ingredients.

The menu was quite extensive with a nice selection of salads, sandwiches and other delectable meals. However, our main purpose was of course, the burgers. This joint is probably one of the few we’ve visited that offered meat substitutions aside from the traditional beef patty option. If you’re feeling a meat upgrade they also offer duck, turkey, bison, elk, and wild boar. They also offer two vegetarian burger options, one of them being gluten free. Their burger menu had a fair selection as well, but there was one that immediately caught my eye. And that burger...is the Wiki Wiki.

The Wiki Wiki is a wild boar burger layered with gouda cheese, duck bacon chickpea onions, topped with a grilled pineapple in a brioche bun. I also ordered a side of onion rings and a bottle of cream soda.

The Wiki Wiki/Photo by Mark Avila

The first bite made a huge impact...from the softness of the brioche bun, to the sweetness of the grilled pineapple fusing with the savouriness of the duck bacon; this burger was loaded with flavour. The wild boar patty was cooked to a nice soft texture and was easy to chew compared to others I’ve had before. Without a doubt, this was a good choice.

Overall, the experience was more than satisfactory from the service to the food, everything was spot on! I questioned myself on why I never visited this joint until now, and I regret not doing it earlier.

8.5/10

Burger Review #29: Burger Factory

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Date Visited: February 19, 2017
Location: Queen West
BurgerTours Rating: 6.9/10

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

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Drew's Review

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

I had never heard of this joint before and I was quite surprised to find it located in an area I visit quite frequently. Queen Street West is home to some of the best burger joints in the city. Mark found this one on a hunch. I agreed and we decided to give this place a try.

We arrived shortly before 2pm on a day in mid-February and it was pretty full. We were lucky enough to grab a booth when we entered. It was a small space with a few tables and booths along the sides. People were eating and casually talking but it was noisy from the minute we walked in - the walls were paper thin. We walked up to the counter to place our orders. This place was rather typical when it came to selecting options. They had only a few burgers on the menu, but because this was a so called "burger factory", I was expecting an enormous number of burgers to choose from.

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

When the guy behind the counter asked for my order, I said the first thing I was able to read off the menu which was the Juicy Lucy. It sounded alright. The burger came with a cheese-stuffed patty and toppings of your choice. I figured at this point, I'd be up for anything worth trying, so I decide dead to keep my order, short and simple.

Mark and I found a booth to sit at while we waited for our burgers. While sitting, I read a sign on the wall that said they offered free Wi-Fi. So I took out my phone to check, but it was password protected. Now because it was rather noisy, I was having a hard time hearing what order numbers they were calling out. I gave it a few minutes before I walked up to the counter along the side to wait for my order. I guess I'd hadn't given it enough time because the guy behind the counter repeated they'd call my number when it was ready. It was at this point I simply just asked for the Wi-Fi password and walked back to the table.

Juicy Lucy/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Within a few minutes, our burgers were ready. I was greeted by a tray with a wrapper with a burger in it, a side of fries and a can of pop. I unwrapped the foil to uncover a decent looking burger, sandwiched between two sesame seed buns. It looked like your typical burger you grill up in your backyard BBQ. The only difference being was that this beef patty had a cheese filling, so it delivered that extra melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. The overall taste I got was a bland burger, if nothing more. For the price I paid for the burger, it was pretty small. The flavour was tasteless and the melted cheese cooked in between the patty didn't do much to help the taste.

Overall, I had a decent, mediocre burger. The staff were friendly and the location was great but the burger was just a typical burger for me: nothing special. I hope to return sometime to redeem my review of this joint and I hope to try some of their other options from the menu.

7.3/10

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Mark's Review

The Original Cheeseburger/Photo by Mark Avila

We take you back to Downtown Toronto, where we visit a hidden a gem along Queen Street West. For this BurgerTour, we take you to the Burger Factory!

This joint was no easy place to find. We walked back and forth along Queen Street for a good fifteen to twenty minutes before seeing it among the many restaurants along this stretch.

The Burger Factory prides itself in using premium grade beef that is ground daily to ensure the highest quality burgers. It shows in their menu selection as they offer both traditional to specialty handcrafted burgers.

I opted for the Original Cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, and relish. I’m pretty simple when it comes to my burger toppings, so I made sure this burger was made for me. And the taste of this burger was spot on. The beef patty was cooked to a nice texture that allowed the juices to flow out and mix together with the toppings.

Overall, there were really no flaws I found with this burger, other than the bun being a little dry, but I guess that depends on their preference. It was a satisfying experience, but nothing spectacular.

6.5/10

Burger Review #28: The Stockyards

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Date Visited: January 12, 2017
Location: Hillcrest
BurgerTours Rating: 7.85/10

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

Website

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Drew's Review

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

For our 32nd burger review, we travelled to the west end of the city to visit one of "Toronto's most underrated burger joints" the city has to offer. Doing some research about where we were going to eat at for this month didn't really take any time at all. Our minds were made up and The Stockyards was the next on the list. We had heard about this place a few times over the last few months, but it was the location that was a bit of a challenge for us. Basically, Mark and I weren't familiar with the St. Clair West area, so we really didn't know what to expect, and this was going to be a new adventure for the both of us.

We arrived shortly after 2pm on a day in early January and there was already a small group of people dining in the restaurant. When we entered, we were quickly given a choice of where we would like to sit. We grabbed a couple of stools up along a bar they had against one of their walls. The space was fairly small, yet big enough to fit a few hungry customers. Given by my first impression, I could tell this place was a neighbourhood go-to hangout. But of course, this day in particular attracted to burger enthusiasts to its shop to try some delicious homemade creations. And I came with an empty stomach.

Upon arriving, Mark and I had given the menu a quick glance and saw only a few burgers to choose from. But they weren't your typical original cheeseburger or signature hamburger. These were creations made by the kitchen staff at the Stockyards, prepared fresh daily. All of the burgers sounded very interesting to try and I was going over them one by one in my head before the waiter returned to ask for our order.

Green Chili Pimento Cheese/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

I went with the Green Chili Pimento Cheese, which I was told was a great option. I slided in an order of fries and a drink to complete my combo. Barely a few minutes go by before our burgers are placed in front of us. I guess we were distracted by taking selfies and filming for this episode of BurgerTourTV. My burger looked amazing. The Green Chili Pimento Cheese was topped with smoked jalapeño, cheddar cheese, mayo, lettuce and crunchy string onions. Everything on this burger looked liked it was ready to be eaten and I was ready for my first bite.

The taste I got first was from the secret sauce and the mayo. It was tangy and really complemented the smoke jalapeño. The crunchy string onions were a treat as well as they were a great combination to add to this burger. The meat was juicy and well cooked and it was just the type of meat you would want to find in a burger. Everything about it was perfection and I'm glad I made the right choice. The fries on the side were crispy, golden brown, yet tender. I yearned for more.

Overall, the Stockyards houses burgers unlike any other joint in Toronto. Sure they may only have a few to choose from, but I'd take quality over quantity any day. This place is like very neighbourhood friendly, and very welcoming to newcomers such as us. I would definitely return again sometime in the future and I look forward to trying more fantastic creations from the Stockyard chefs.

8.2/10

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Mark's Review

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

We take you to our first BurgerTour to the Hillcrest neighbourhood in St. Clair West where we visit the Stockyards Smokehouse & Larder. This area is almost foreign to me, as it was only my second visit to this part of Toronto’s west end. It was a refreshing scene to uncover a new locale where I can indulge in its food culture.

The Stockyards was a joint I’ve read about before and was always on my radar for burger joints to visit. They are known for their rendition of comfort food and fresh twist on classic diner meals.

Walking into Stockyards I was surprised by how small and intimate the space was, but especially at how the staff were very personal with their guests. After seating ourselves we were able to quickly glance at the menu, but it took no time for me to decide on what to order.

The Beast Style/Photo by Mark Avila

I went for the Beast Style.

The Beast Style is composed of two mustard seared patties served with a secret sauce, with caramelized onions, lettuce, and topped with American style cheese and pickles. This beast had quite the taste. After my first bite I couldn’t distinguish what I tasted; there were so many (distinct) flavours clashing with one another. After a few more bites, I could finally taste the soft seared patties and the caramelized onions coming together to create a smooth flavour that was both sweet and savoury. It was a nice combination that made this burger more enjoyable and a refreshing flavour for my taste buds.

Overall, I was satisfied with the whole experience. Would I consider coming back here frequently for a quick bite? Maybe not... but if I were ever in the area, then definitely!

7.5/10

Burger Review #27: No Bull Burgers

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Date Visited: November 23, 2016
Location: Beaches
BurgerTours Rating: 8.55/10

Taste	Messiness	Price	Venue	Pluses
Great	Some Drip	$11-$15	Fast Food	Veggie

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Drew's Review

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

It was the end of the month and we needed to decide on a burger place to eat at. I did a quick Google search of what was in the area and unfortunately, most of them were fast food chains or ones we've already tried. But there was one that popped up that caught my attention and was only one bus ride away. Mark and I both agreed as we were running low on options. The place was No Bull Burgers, and my first thought was, what an interesting name for a burger joint.

In 2011, Tony Tsakanikas opened up No Bull Burgers in the downtown core, serving Toronto residents with the objective to distinctively "cut the bull out of the burger business." In Tony's opinion, the joints in the Toronto burger scene lacked quality and authenticity. Within two years time, he decided to relocate the joint to his home neighbourhood in the Beaches, and focus more on a family-oriented approach.

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

We went on a wet and cold day in late November. We entered the joint in the evening, around the the time of the dinner rush and it was a small space with limited seating. There were already a few people already dining there at the time, which is always good to see. The walls were decorated with "No bull" posters and posters of the classic Toronto streetcars. From the outside, this joint looks pretty small, but a glance inside deceives your perspective.

Shortly after entering, we were quickly greeted by a man from behind the counter who was eager to take our orders. He ran threw some of the options available and we quickly decided we each were going to try two of their specials instead of customizing our own burgers. No offence to the customization option, but I like to leave the creation process to the burger creators.

After the guy behind the counter took our orders, we went to go grab a seat at a table along one of the walls. It wasn't a long wait at all. Soon after placing our orders, our burgers appeared right in front of our eyes. The burger was pretty big and the toppings were just about ready to fall out. I had ordered the Smoke Show. It was a quarter pound cheddar cheeseburger that came topped with naturally raised smoked brisket and naturally raised pulled pork, and drizzled in whiskey BBQ sauce. After one glance at this burger, I knew I had to stock up on napkins as this wasn't going to be pretty.

The Smoke Show/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

After the first bite I took, I tasted the flavour from the whiskey BBQ and it blended really well with the smoked brisket and smoked pulled pork. It was a little tangy at first, but it was very delicious. Bite after bite after bite, I just couldn't get enough and before I knew it, the burger was gone. I also ordered a side of deep-fried Mac & Cheese bites. They were well fried, tasty and a great side option if you tend to get tired of French fries. They were a nice compliment to the Smoke Show burger as the sweet, tanginess of the beef brisket mashed nicely with the crunchy taste of the Mac & Cheese bites.

Overall, this burger joint really grew on me from hearing about it, to the dining experience, to writing this review. I really enjoyed eating there and I would definitely return to sample more delicious creations off their menu. Whether it was the atmosphere of the joint, the friendliness from the men behind the counter or the taste of the burgers, No Bull Burgers came up as an unexpected surprise. It was quite simply beyond my expectations and when you're in the city that has a desire for great tasting burgers, it's enlightening to have this option. No bull.

8.6/10

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Mark's Review

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

For this BurgerTour, we take you back to our neck of the woods, where Andrew and I visit No Bull Burgers. This local burger joint in the Beaches located on Kingston Rd. just west of Victoria Park was a genuine find. I rarely find myself in this area, but considering there are many local food spots to discover, this may be my new locale of interest.

This particular tour was rather last minute, and a different setting for the both of us since this was our very first evening tour in Toronto...aside from our special Montreal Tour a year and a half ago.

Browsing through their menu took no time at all, as I made my quick decision and chose The Red Neck Burger. This beast is a quarter pound burger layered with swiss and cheddar cheese, peameal bacon coated in beer batter, rolled in homemade chips, and topped with lettuce, tomato, and whiskey BBQ sauce.

The Red Neck/Photo by Mark Avila

It was quite difficult at first to get around that first bite, but as soon as my mouth took in all those flavours, the whiskey BBQ sauce penetrated my taste buds with a fusion sweetness and spice, followed by the light crunch of the peameal bacon covered in the homemade chips, which gave the burger an additional touch of flavour from the beer batter.

I was expecting a heavy combo between all the infusing flavours, but to my surprise all the ingredients complimented one another so well giving me that Southern kick with the sweetness and spice.

Overall, No Bull Burgers was a pleasant experience. Since this is one burger joint close to home, I will definitely be back!

8.5/10

Burger Review #26: Burgatory

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Date Visited: October 27, 2016
Location: Little Italy
BurgerTours Rating: 8.45/10

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

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Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Drew's Review

It was the last week of the month and we were thinking of where we should go for the month of October. We did some research and after narrowing it down to a few places, we chose to go to Burgatory in Little Italy. After a quick Google search, we found the menu, the location and some pictures. It looked very pleasing, and I couldn't wait to try their burgers.

Mother-son duo Kristen Van Peteghem and her son Alexei, the entrepreneurs of Burgatory, launched the food truck in 2014. The food truck grew in popularity within the city, and through Alexei's enthusiasm and love for burgers, he and his mother decided to expand and in April of last year, opened the 30-seat restaurant on College Street. The restaurant offers the same burgers as the food truck, but with an expanded menu.

The thing that makes Burgatory special is that they offer a selection of burgers based on the seven deadly sins and include items such as The Envy Burger or The Sloth Burger. Every burger they make is made in-house from the highest quality beef in Southwestern Ontario and prepared fresh daily.

We arrived shortly after the lunch rush in the middle of the afternoon on a Thursday and I was a little surprised Mark and I were the only two dining in the restaurant at the time. The restaurant was a humble and spacious place that offered lots of seating, and it looked like we had first dibs on where to sit. As soon as we entered, we were pleasantly greeted by a man from behind the counter. We found the menu and went over the options in our heads. Normally with new places, it takes us a few minutes to gaze upon the menu and settle on what we will order. But coming into Burgatory with our minds set on what we were going to order after observing their menu online, we knew exactly what we wanted. We gave our orders and went to grab a table along the windows at the front.

The Sloth Burger/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Approximately 10-15 minutes later, our burgers were ready. We bring them back to our table and we spend almost another 5 minutes taking pictures and videos of our meal. I had ordered The Sloth Burger. It was a beef burger with Velveeta cheese, hickory sticks, topped with lettuce and tomatoes and drizzled with Sloth Sauce, their own, homemade Big Mac sauce. The burger was small and compact, which would probably mean there was going to be lots of flavour. I took my first bite and it was a delightful mouthful of heavenly deliciousness. The buns were warm and tender. The meat was juicy and well cooked. The flavour was succulent and there's not a thing I would've done to make it better. The Sloth Sauce was just the right thing this burger needed as a dressing to bring together the flavour of the meat and the hickory sticks: tangy and just the right amount of mess. It was simply perfection. The fries I had gotten on the side were golden, crispy and sprinkled with sea salt, and was a perfect pairing to the Sloth Burger.

Overall, we chose a great burger joint to eat at for the month of October. Everything that I had expected from Burgatory met my expectations. I would definitely return again and try other selections from their menu. If you're ever in Little Italy and are looking for a great burger place to eat at, Burgatory makes one helluva burger.

8.4/10

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Mark's Review

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

We take you to our first burger tour in Little Italy, at Burgatory! This joint located on College St just east Ossington Ave prides itself with serving the best quality meat from local farms in Southwestern Ontario.

Their menu was inspired by the seven deadly sins: lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, and pride. However, only six of the deadly sins are featured on their menu. Since there are only six burgers featured on the menu, making a decision wasn’t that difficult. Looking at each burger, however, I was impressed on the creativity, thought, and effort that made each one resemble a deadly sin.

The Wrath Burger/Photo by Mark Avila

I decided to go for the Wrath Burger. It’s a beef burger topped with a special Hell Sauce (which is homemade Poblano and Chili de Arbol Sauce), layered with pickled Jalapeño, Red Onion, Lettuce, Tomato, and Havarti Cheese on a Brioche Bun.

At first, I was expecting to get a burst of spice from the Hell Sauce and pickled Jalapeño. But to my surprise, it was a sweet and spicy combination that gave my mouth a sensational dose of flavour. The beef patty was cooked close to perfection, and the brioche bun added a nice touch of smoothness to the burger.

Overall, the Wrath Burger exceeded my expectations. If you find yourself venturing around Little Italy and looking for a good burger to satisfy your hunger, Burgatory is the place to go.

8.5/10