Special 100th Burger Review: The King Eddy

Photo by/Mark Avila

Date Visited: December 9, 2023
Location: Ottawa, ON
BurgerTours Rating: 9.25/10

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

Website

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Drew's Review

Burger joint number 100! We did it! 

And for our grand ceremonious celebration, we drove to our country’s capital, Ottawa. And what better place to dine at than The King Eddy! 

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

To help us select this special occasion, we took to our socials and held a poll. Before doing this, we stumbled upon the 50 best burger joints across the country and wrote them on pieces of paper for our friends to choose from a hat. We narrowed it down to three locations – Bernie and the Boys Bistro in Drumheller, Alberta, Rouge Burger Bar in Chicoutimi, Quebec, (which was our runner-up) and The King Eddy, which eventually won with a landslide 74% to 26%. Luckily, Ottawa was a much quicker trip than the other places we drew. 

It was December and we anticipated the trip up north to be cold, but we weren’t expecting the snow. It was cloudy skies when we arrived in Ottawa and after scoping out the area the night before, we made our way to the King Eddy for a mid-day snack, shortly after noon. When we arrived, diners were still ordering from the breakfast menu, but we were here specifically for the burgers. Aside from a handful of Canadian fresh (never frozen) beef burgers, the King Eddy also provides fried chicken, sandwiches, poutine, salads, desserts and many other favourites, not to mention their all-day breakfast menu which I mentioned earlier. 

The place was packed, and we were lucky to grab a table shortly after we arrived as there was quite a long wait there afterwards. There was a good, positive vibe about this place: bright lighting, and plenty of tables, as well as a bar, which we were sitting at. Everyone was talking amongst themselves and with many people already dining and more waiting for a table, I could tell at this very moment that we made the right choice for our 100th BurgerTour. 

The King Eddy signature/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

I decided to get the signature King Eddy burger which was a burger with two Canadian all-beef patties, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles and their homemade Eddy sauce (mayo). Within about a 20-minute wait, our burgers were brought out. The burger was a good-looking homemade cheeseburger with a sesame seed bun and looked very tasty. And after the first bite, my sights preceded my expectations. 

 

The beef patty was tender and juicy, and just the perfect amount of flavour. The toppings were a great addition to compliment the burger and every bite was better than the previous. I couldn’t get enough of it. The golden crispy fries were also a delight but required a good amount of ketchup that sets the flavour just right. 

Overall, I don’t think we could have made a better choice for our 100th BurgerTour. The King Eddy really provided exceptional customer service, a family-friendly atmosphere and plenty of options on the menu to choose from. Not to mention, the location in particular, in Byward Market, is the perfect location for this burger/diner/breakfast restaurant. I will want to return to this joint in the future and I highly recommend it to any food lovers in Canada – it is well worth the trip. Trust me. I’m Canadian. 

9.0/10

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Mark's Review

Who knew that we would make it up to this point. What started off as a small venture to satisfy our food cravings turned in to a full burger tour where we have visited the best burger joints in Canada, and Europe. We started off going from local joints, branching out to different ends of Toronto, to road trips, plane trips, and finally reaching different continents. The last 9 years filled our stomachs of the best and the worst the world of burgers has to offer. Over the years we’ve developed our personal favourites, and seen many places rise and fall. 

We’re proud to say that we’ve made it to our 100th burger joint, and happy that our supporters and followers were able to choose the joint for this special occasion. Among many highly regarded burger joints throughout the country, our followers decided to bring us to the nations capital, Ottawa, where we visit… the King Eddy! 

Beyond Real Veggie Burger/Photo by Mark Avila

Located in the Byward Market, the King Eddy is a local favourite that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We arrived just after brunch with the lunch rush just starting to trickle in. Safe to say that our plan to reach the King Eddy by noon turned out to be a wise decision. We were seated after about 15 minutes at the bar where we had a nice panoramic view of the restaurant. The interior was a mix of a cafe, restaurant, and diner which was a nice homage to all the different joints we’ve visited throughout the years.  

I opted for the Beyond Real Veggie Burger— Black Bean & Quinoa Vegan Patty layered with, mayo slaw, dill, pickle, and chilli mayo. 

Taking that first bite, the texture was soft and tasted like turkey stuffing. Without a doubt probably one of the best vegan patties I’ve ever had. The chilli mayo and slaw, I found, added a touch of sweetness which was a nice balance to the savouriness of the patty. Even though I’ve had many variations of this burger before, it’s the simplicity of this one that made it stand out. Sometimes, less is more! 

Taking the trip to Ottawa for just a burger was definitely worth the drive. As much as this felt like any other burger tour, it was a meaningful one. Having made it to 100 burger joints was a long awaited milestone. We’re happy to have made the King Eddy as our burger joint of choice on this special occasion. It only took us 10 years to visit out 100th joint, and we’re looking forward to visit 100 more!

9.5/10

Burger Review #73: Super Smash Burgs

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Date Visited: November 26, 2023
Location: Markham, ON
BurgerTours Rating: 8.05/10

Taste	Messiness	Price	Venue	Pluses
Awesome	Messy	$11-$15	Fast Food	N/A

Website

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Drew's Review

Hi, hello, good morning. Welcome to BurgerTours!

For our 99th burger tour, we drove north of the city to main street Markham to visit Super Smash Burgs!

Known for their off-brand artwork, similar name and cheeky cultural references to the popular Nintendo franchise, Super Smash Burgs offers freshly grilled smash burgers, flavour-inducing French fries and milkshakes, which according to their website, are interminably coming soon!

The place was vibing with a few diners inside at the time of our arrival. The space is small, but the seating is spacious. This is more of a take-out burger joint anyway, but we decided to dine in this time. Pictures lined the walls indicating the close resemblance to Super Smash Bros, even though none of the burgers referred to this fact, it was still noteworthy.

Within a few minutes, we placed our orders. Ranging from a “classic” smash to a “super” smash and even an “Oklahoma” smash burger with onions infused into the smash patty, the variety is simple, but the quantity per smash burger is huge. Each burger comes with the option to add an additional patty, along with Super Smash Burgs homemade smash sauce and a choice of fries on the side – crinkle or regular.

Double Super Smash Burger/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

I decided to order the double-smash patty Super Smash Burger, which came with American cheese, caramelized onions, pickles, lettuce, tomato and Smash Sauce on a potato bun. The burger was small and the burger patty was exposed outside of the buns. The first bite was delightful. The clash between the smash sauce and the burger patty was flavourful and the toppings were a nice addition.

It was tasteful, but it was nothing too spectacular. The fries on the side were possibly the best part of the meal as I ordered them with a side of the smash sauce to dip them in. They were a nice supplement for a smash burger of this quality.

Overall, Super Smash Burgs proved to be a successful business expenditure and I’m sure it will only grow in popularity with burger enthusiasts in the city driving north to try their detectable smash burgers. By no means was it a special smash burger and I’ve had better in the past, but it was a nice breath of fresh air, just to experience a smash burger outside of the city confines.

7.1/10

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Mark's Review

We are back in Markham, where we try Super Smash Burgs! This joint was recommended to me by some friends, and of course had to try it. Located in Markham, Super Smash Burgs brings back some childhood nostalgia with its retro interior and a huge Pikachu mural by the ordering till. As their name suggests, this joint is all about the smash burger, with a small burger menu with tasty options.

I opted the Oklahoma Smash – a smash patty infused with onions topped with pickles, american cheese, and smash sauce. First impressions,

Oklahoma Smash/photo by Mark Avila

it looked creamy and juicy. Just looking at the smash patty was making my mouth water and the melted cheese added a thick to indulge in. My first bite was met with the onions, and the juices from

the smash patty oozing down the sides of my mouth. The bun was buttery and soft, and the crinkle fries were golden and crispy.

Overall, I think the taste was one of the best I’ve had in a while, and even though the burger was simple the flavour profiles were definitely up there. It was a nice burger. The smash patty I would say was the highlight. There were no competing flavours, as they all complimented each other really well. Super Smash Burgs is a hidden gem, and a huge shoutout to my friends, Noel and Kristie, for recommending this place to us!

9/10

Burger Review #72: Odd Burger

Date Visited: October 13, 2023
Location: Little Italy
BurgerTours Rating: 7.55

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

Website

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Drew's Review

Welcome back to another edition of BurgerTours, your number-one source for the best-tasting burgers in Toronto! 

For this one, we take you to Odd Burger. We visited the College Street location shortly before 6pm the warm atmosphere of the restaurant was inviting, and the few diners inside created a cozy yet vibrant ambiance. The modern decor and friendly staff added to the welcoming environment, making it a place you'd want to spend time enjoying a meal. 

Their menu immediately caught my attention with its inventive take on classic fast-food burgers. 

 

The Famous Burger/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

I opted for the Famous Burger, a vegan interpretation of the iconic Big Mac. The attention to detail in crafting this plant-based masterpiece was evident in the house-made patty, featuring a blend of wheat and soy protein, flax seeds, onions, nutritional yeast, and a special seasoning mix. The layers of flavour were further enhanced by the sesame bun, white onions, chopped lettuce, dairy-free cheddar cheeze slice, and pickles, all topped with their house-made secret sauce. The Famous Burger lived up to its name, offering a satisfying combination of textures and tastes reminiscent of the traditional Big Mac. The patty had a hearty and flavorful profile, complemented by the creamy sauce and crunchy vegetables. 

The attention to quality and commitment to using minimally processed, sustainable ingredients resonated with Odd Burger's mission statement. Odd Burger's mission to disrupt the fast-food industry with plant-based, scratch-made, and sustainable offerings aligns with the growing demand for ethical and environmentally conscious dining. With 11 locations across Canada and expansion plans, Odd Burger is making strides in promoting a more sustainable and compassionate approach to fast food. 

 

However, as with any dining experience, there can be unexpected moments. In my case, while attempting to insert a straw into a plastic cup, I accidentally spilled soda all over the table. The staff promptly provided a rag, and though it was a bit awkward, we eventually changed tables. Despite this small mishap, it didn't overshadow the overall positive experience. 

Overall, my experience at Odd Burger was fantastic, despite a minor hiccup. The friendly staff and inviting atmosphere contributed to a positive dining experience. The Famous Burger was a highlight, showcasing the creativity and dedication of Odd Burger to providing delicious plant-based options. I would highly recommend it to anyone, vegan or not. 

8.1/10

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Mark's Review

For this burger tour, we are again going vegan! We pay a visit to Odd Burger in downtown Toronto for another delicious and healthy vegan experience. These type of joints are becoming more and more popular nowadays, as people are looking for an alternate and feel good way to eat a burger. And to be quite honest, I stand by it! 

Upon entering I was immediately taken to a McDonald’s restaurant seeing the self serve ordering kiosk by the cashier. Selecting my order was a no brainer. Browsing through the menu, my eyes shifted to the Vopper. 

The Vopper is a smashed plant based patty and smoked bacon topped with cheddar cheese, pickles, tomato, and lettuce. 

The Vopper/Photo by Mark Avila

Taking the first bite, my expectations was that it would taste like a Whopper. And to my surprise, the flavour was very similar. Mind you that I haven’t tasted a Whopper in years, but I can never get the sweet and smoky flavour profile out of my mouth. The Vopper, on the other hand, was a lighter version but tasted just as good. At first, I was little thrown off by the plant based patty, but the more bites took the better it tasted. I wish there was more of the smokiness that I remember from the original Whopper, but overall the burger was alright. Nothing extraordinary, it was neither good or bad. 

Odd Burger is another great vegan alternative burger joint to venture in to, but compared to others we’ve visited I’d say it wasn’t the best. The Vopper was a nice spin off to the classic Whopper, and as much as I enjoyed this burger I found there was something missing that really hindered the flavour of the burger. Yes, this is a plant based burger but I’m sure they could’ve done more to enhance the original Whopper flavour profile into this burger. 

7/10