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

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

Special Burger Review: Le Foubrac

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Date Visited: January 27, 2018
Location: Gatineau, QC.
BurgerTours Rating: 7.9/10

Taste	Messiness	Price	Venue	Pluses
Great	Some Drip	$11-$15	Restaurant/Bar	Veggie, Patio, Liquor

Website
 

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Drew's Review

If you're looking for a really authentic Canadian meal, Le Foubrac is where you should be going. They have the fries you're looking for and the burgers to set them apart from other local restaurants. Le Foubrac offers a broad range of creative homemade burgers, poutines and desserts at good prices.

Le Foubrac first made its impact in Hull in 2013 when entrepreneur Daniel Morissette and his group invested in the site of a small café that recently closed down in the heart of Wrightville. Shortly after a concept and a refurbishment, Le Fourbrac opened with the attention focused on friendly service and a menu that revolves around sandwiches. The key is to do it right, use good ingredients and blend the flavours to come up with interesting dishes. That's exactly what Le Foubrac does.

The place was easy to find and they have a small parking lot. It can accommodate about 6-7 cars. However, I'm certain that there are a lot of street parking nearby.

We entered the restaurant/café shortly after 8pm on a Saturday night and it was packed. The seating is a little tight as the space is very small. Especially at the entrance as we had to stand and wait with another group for up to 20 minutes. You’ll also find when the winter comes they put up a black curtain to try and stop the cold wind from blowing in, which limits the space even more.

Le Foubrac/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

I ordered the signature, Le Foubrac – 100% beef topped with cream cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, caramelized onions, mushrooms and “Foubrac mayonnaise”. The patty was much thinner than patties at other restaurants, but I liked it that way, since I could actually taste all the different components of my burger instead of just having a bite of meat. My only criticism is the bun, good enough and they are homemade and would be great for a sandwich, but not soft as I would like them for a burger. I ended up spending less than 15$ on my meal and I couldn't even finish it.

On the side I ordered beef stew, and it was a great side option, especially in the winter.

As a restaurant that specializes in Burgers, this is a hit. Le Foubrac has great dynamic ambiance and the staff is very friendly and bilingual. The joint is small and cozy and can be absolutely full at certain times, but the food makes up for any wait times. Also, don't hesitate to choose a soup of the day instead of fries if you want a healthier meal. Will go back and I can't wait to try all their specialty poutines. I recommend this for anyone in the area looking for a tasty meal.

7.3/10

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Mark's Review

It’s 2018! And we’re back with another special edition burger tour. To start the year off, we travel 5 hours outside of Toronto to the city of Gatineau. This small city in Quebec, just across the Ottawa River is home to Le Foubrac.

Le Foubrac is known for their quaint and relaxed atmosphere where they invite people to enjoy a homemade burger or dessert with a glass of wine or draft beer, without hurting your wallet! Walking inside the restaurant, you are presented to paintings and sketches from local artists that adorn the interior. Something to keep yourself entertained while waiting to be seated or waiting for your meal. We visited on a busy Saturday night, from the looks of the crowd waiting to be seated, but we were able to acquire seats no longer than 30 minutes.

They offer a French and English menu, which was a plus for us non French speakers. Their products are always made fresh from local markets. Moulin de Soulanges provides them with fresh breads made with special flour localized from this bakery.

I took a small peak of their menu beforehand and it wasn’t long before I knew what I wanted to try.

Le Canard or the Duck Burger – it’s a duck meat patty with chicken, caramelized onions, mushrooms, and topped with a special Foubrac mayonnaise.

Le Canard/Photo by Mark Avila

Taking in that first bite I was shocked... there was no taste to the burger! I tried to comprehend on why that was... and taking bite after bite it just tasted bland. To my surprise, the sweetness of the caramelized onions together with the subtle spice of the Foubrac mayonnaise helped to bring the duck patty alive! It was a faint taste, but I could finally tell what I was eating. However, the chicken was nonexistent. Otherwise, the burger was a satisfying experience, which brought a mixed impression but finished on a good note.

Le Foubrac delivered with a casual menu, good food, and a relaxing dining experience.

Despite the long wait, I personally think it was worth it. Gatineau was our second burger tour in Quebec, with Montreal being our first; they definitely know how to work their burgers. If you ever find yourself in the Ottawa area, I would highly recommend taking the short drive across the Ottawa River to visit this neighbourhood burger joint.

8.5/10

Special Burger Review: Delirious Burger Co.

Photo by Mark Avila

Date Visited: November 14, 2017
Location: Hamilton, ON
BurgerTours Rating: 8.1/10

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

Website
 

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Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Drew's Review

We couldn’t have chosen a better burger joint for our second visit to Hamilton. Delirious Burger Co. is a no-frills local burger joint with friendly service, and more important, exceptionally tasty food.

Delirious can be described as “Hamilton's answer to The Burger’s Priest.” What sets Delirious apart from other local burger joints is that they offer American-style burger, cooked on a flat top grill rather than a griddle. Because the burger is cooked on a flat top, what you end up with is a crispy seared crust and a juicy interior.

Before Ben Greco opened Delirious in July of 2013, his wife said he must be “delirious" after telling her he was quitting 15-year-marketing career to open a burger joint in Hamilton.

"I made a big issue of finding something that was primarily unique," he said. "What I came across was a lot of the processed, fast food quality burgers. The burger was either frozen, had fillers, or the fries were also frozen, and it took away from the quality of the products produced." -Hamilton Spectator, July 2013

The small restaurant is tucked away on a side street in the west end of Hamilton. We were lucky we had Google Maps running so we were able to find it. The interior is bright and modern, with grey walls and black accents. Stools line the windows with a wooden counter-top. We arrived in the early evening and only a few diners were sitting when we entered.

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

The menu is small, which is refreshing because some places just offer many unnecessary options, and when all you want is the beef, this is the best option. They offer basic burgers and a stuffed Portobello burger veggie option, and the only side offered, at least when we were there, were fries. We placed our orders and within a few minutes, they were ready. It was fast.

I ordered the Double Bacon Cheeseburger topped with lettuce, red onions, ketchup and mayo. You can pay an extra 50 cents for sautéed onions, sautéed mushrooms or fried jalapenos. The meat was juicy and tender, and the flavour was succulent. The crispiness of the bacon clashed so elegantly with the tenderness of the beef. Every bite was satisfactory in my expectations. The double cheeseburger was just enough to satisfy my hunger and needless to say, I was full.

Double Bacon Cheeseburger/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

The fries on the side were outstanding. They were crispy on the outside, mushy in a delicious way on the inside and dusted in sea salt. They also provide you with malt vinegar, if you ask, which makes them even more amazing. Cannot say enough about these fries. Also, if anyone can find a way to fit the word 'fries' into this paragraph a few more times, please let me know.

Delirious Burger Company is a solid addition to the Hamilton burger scene. Their fries are excellent and their burgers among the best within the city limits. You’d be crazy not to try Delirious if you want a tasty burger that’s as quick as fast food (and comparable prices), but made with much higher quality ingredients. I will definitely pay this location a visit next time I find myself in the west end of Hamilton. *Thumbs up emoji*

8.7/10

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Mark's Review

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

After our first visit to Hamilton, which left a lasting impression to our stomachs... and wallets, we decided to come back and tag our second burger joint in the city. This time we take you to the neighbourhood of Westdale, in East Hamilton, where we visit Delirious.

Delirious has a simple, yet original menu. They don’t have much to offer from a simple beef burger to the whopping Double Bacon Cheeseburger. For those looking for a vegetarian alternative, the Stuffed Portobello Burger sounded quite appetizing as well.

Double Bacon Cheeseburger/Photo by Mark Avila

I decided to try the Double Bacon Cheeseburger with my choice of toppings – lettuce, mustard, pickles, and tomato. I’m always a fan of burger joints that allow you to customize a burger to your liking. It makes the experience more personable and allows you to craft a meal that caters to your taste bud. They don’t offer any meal combos, so the sides and drink were added on as an extra charge.

The beef patty was probably the juiciest I have ever had. The crispiness of the bacon added a nice crunch, while all the other flavours meshed together to create a tangy sensation in my mouth.

Delirious was a traditional burger joint with appetizing burgers. I think this is what makes Delirious different from other joints that decide to go for a traditional route. They add flavour and care when crafting their burgers, which show in presentation and taste. Once again, Hamilton wowed me with an impressive burger experience. When this city has given its best, so far, I can’t wait to see what other burger joints are waiting to be tasted.

7.5/10

Special Burger Review: Darrell's Restaurant

Photo by Mark Avila

Date Visited: November 05, 2017
Location: Halifax, NS
BurgerTours Rating: 8/10

Taste	Messiness	Price	Venue	Pluses
Awesome	Some Drip	$16-$20	Diner, Bar	Veggie, Gluten Free

Website
 

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Photo by Mark Avila

Mark's Review

This burger tour takes me to the east coast, where I visit one of Nova Scotia’s favourite burger joints. Marking the third solo tour and the 40th burger joint that we’ve tagged, I will be taking you to Darrell’s in downtown Halifax. This joint brought something different and unique to the plate, so don’t miss out on this promising review.

Darrell’s first opened in 1992 as ‘My Brother Darrell’. Since then, Darrell’s has won over their customers not just from the food, but from the service and hospitality. Their goal is to mould the customer experience, so that it’s personal and refined for each visit. I experienced this first hand as soon as I took my seat. The waitress that served me was from Newfoundland and knew I was from out of town. She asked where I was visiting from, and once I said “Toronto”, the conversation took off from there. I appreciated that she acknowledged who I was and where I was from, and that genuine effort over a short period made this visit even better.

Darrell’s has a wide selection from their menu ranging from burgers, pitas, wraps, sandwiches, salads, poutine, and desserts. As appetizing as they all sound, I had to focus on what I came here for... the burgers!

The Peanut Burger/Photo by Mark Avila

All of their burgers are made from fresh Certified Angus beef with your choice of Darrell Fries, regular fries, or a Darrell’s Nothing Fancy Salad.

The first thing that caught my eye was their famous Peanut Burger! So it wasn’t much hesitation that I immediately ordered this beast of a burger.

The Peanut Butter Burger is a spinoff of their BLTM burger (bacon, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, relish, and ketchup), and topped with a thick layer of peanut butter. It looked like any other burger that I’ve had before, but as soon as I took that first bite, the peanut butter immediately made itself known as the main feature of the burger. The thick texture and nutty taste from the peanut butter created a well balanced flavour that added a touch of sweetness to the burger.

I wasn’t expecting the Peanut Butter burger to be so flavourful, but to my surprise everything tasted together perfectly. There was nothing I found out of the ordinary... if there was one thing... probably more peanut butter. Can’t have too much peanut butter!

Darrell’s left me a satisfying and memorable experience. From the service to the food this joint did not disappoint in its reputation, and I totally understand why this is a popular place among the locals. If I ever find myself back in Halifax, I will definitely be coming back for a second visit!

8/10

Special Burger Review: Hambrgr

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Date Visited: October 17, 2017
Location: Hamilton, ON
BurgerTours Rating: 9.15/10

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

Website 

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Drew's Review

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Hambrgr was a place that was on our list for nearly a year. It was a destination that was given to us, like many others, by word of mouth and it was only a matter of time before we found ourselves in downtown Hamilton. On a day trip out of the city, Mark and I decided to drive to Hamilton to dine at Hambrgr.

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Hambrgr was introduced to the Hammer city in October of 2015. Chef Mike Cipollo worked 12 years as a corporate chef with Bier Markt and when the time came to open his first restaurant, he scouted possible locations in and around Hamilton. His plan was to open a “refined casual” restaurant with about 200 seats in about 7,000 square feet, but Cipollo would settle on King William, the heart of downtown Hamilton, a mere 600-square-foot area that sat close to 40 diners. Since then, Hambrgr has made quite the buzz with locals and people like us driving in from Toronto to try their delicious creations.

It was late into the evening when we arrived in Hamilton, so we were expecting it to be pretty busy…and it was. Every seat, every table, was taken. And we were lucky enough to get a small space right up beside the wall on a narrow table. In this joint, clearly, we weren’t dining alone. This place offered an array of qualities I have not experienced in burger joints in Toronto. The décor screamed hipster - It's got wood/metal tables, chalkboard walls, and exposed brick. It reminded me of some of the joints we’ve visited on Queen Street West.

Mark and I took our time to read over the menu before ordering. This was our first time, and the pressure of dining at a top ranked burger joint in Ontario was high and doesn’t come along very often. After a few minutes, we were ready to order. I got the Hamont, a signature burger crafted in house. And from the list of toppings, it sounds like it will quite the taste bud adventure.

The Hamont/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Within a few minutes, our burgers were ready and the platter, that came with a side of fries, arrived in front of our eyes. The burger was tall and the toppings really stood out. The Hamont came loaded with two patties, grilled onions, iceberg lettuce, glazed bacon, American cheese and their homemade Brgr sauce. The first bite had everything I could ask for in a burger. The meat was cooked to perfection, the bacon was magnificent and Brgr sauce was just what it needed to compliment the overall flavour.

The fries on the side were golden brown, and crispy and just the right amount of seasoning for my liking. They also offer poutine and other side options as well if you’re not feeling the desire for French fries.

Overall, Hambrgr was just what I had imagined: friendly staff, a vibrant atmosphere and great tasting burgers. I would strongly recommend this burger joint to all the burger lovers around the world. It takes strong creativity and brilliant minds to pull off what Hambrgr has in recent years. Maybe if it wasn’t an hour drive away, I could see myself eating there more often, but for now, I’m glad that it exists and it was well worth the drive.

8.8/10

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Mark's Review

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

This special burger tour review takes us an hour and a half drive out of Toronto to the City of Hamilton, where we visit Hambrgr. And no, Hambrgr, is not a typo. This joint first started off in 2015 with hopes to place Hamilton on the burger scene, with “the best damn burger you’ve ever eaten”. Hambrgr likes to keep it simple, but at the same time crafting the best quality burgers from locally sourced ingredients, accompanied by a vast selection of quality draft beer. Hambrgr certainly caught our attention, and we couldn’t wait to see what this Downtown Hamilton burger joint had to offer.

A popular spot for locals to dine in on a Friday night, the restaurant was bustling with diners either enjoying the sports game playing at the bar, or indulging in a meal with friends or family. Our purpose, like always, was the burgers. They offer a decent menu selection with two vegetarian options which caters to those who choose to enjoy a gluten free burger alternative.

The Maui Wowi/Photo by Mark Avila

I opted for the Maui Wowi. It comprises of a ¼ ounce beef patty, layered with spiced pulled pork white cheddar, pineapple jam, a coffee spiked BBQ sauce, and topped with crispy onions. I’ve had fairly large burgers in the past, but this one almost topped the rest. The first bite had me a little confused. All the flavours struck all at once... spicy, sweet, smoky... it was too much for one bite. But, once everything settled, I started to notice that the coffee based BBQ sauce was the dominant flavour in the burger. The kick from the pineapple jam was short and sweet that I even forgot there was pineapple incorporated in the burger. The spiced pulled pork and seasoning from the crispy onions balanced the smokiness from the BBQ sauce, which made the burger more flavourful and enjoyable.

This has got to be one of my favourite burgers that I’ve had in quite some time. The strong flavours solidified into a burger that is guaranteed to satisfy your preferred taste.

Hambrgr did not disappoint from the service, busyness, and the food. This was a perfect introduction to Hamilton’s burger scene, and if others aren’t up to par, then this is definitely the best damn burger I’ve ever eaten!

9.5/10

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