Burger Review #75: Mikey's Smash Burgers

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

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

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

Website

---

Drew's Review

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

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

Classic Smash (single)/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

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

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

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

8.2/10

---

Mark's Review

Jalapeño Inferno/Photo by Mark Avila

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

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

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

6/10

Burger Review #74: Aloette Go

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

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

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

Website

---

Drew's Review

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

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

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

Banquet Hamburger/
Photo by Andrew Hockridge

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

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

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

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

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

8.0/10

---

Mark's Review

Veggie Go/
photo by Mark Avila

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

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

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

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

6.5/10

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

---

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

---

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

---

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

---

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

---

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

---

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

Special Burger Review: Beer & Burger

Photo by/Mark Avila

Date Visited: September 8, 2023

Location: London, United Kingdom

BurgerTours Rating: 8.5/10

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

Website

---

Mark's Review

What is up guys? This is Mark, and I am here to present you with another Burger Tour. I’m back in Europe to give you our second burger tour from the UK, Beer & Burger! They have multiple locations across London, but the one I checked out was located in King’s Cross just steps away from King’s Cross Underground Station. Beer & Burger claims to serve the best craft beer and burgers in London, and it was only appropriate that I pay them a visit. 

Just walking restaurant I could feel the lively atmosphere. The loud music alongside the busy traffic and diners chatting away, I knew that the vibe was going to be vibrant. 

Having been seated and looking through the menu, nothing really caught my eye as something appetizing. Then, I saw their September guest burger, the Katsu Curry Chicken Burger. From recent memory, I don’t think I’ve ever had a burger with Chicken Katsu. Well, now was definitely the time.  

Katsu Curry Chicken Burger/Photo by Mark Avila

The Katsu Curry Chicken Burger is a fried chicken patty topped with katsu curry, and pickled daikon slaw in between glazed buns. 

I didn’t know what I was expecting, but when the burger was placed in front of me it was like a “WOW” moment. The sheer size caught me off guard. The chicken patty was thick and golden and had my mouth watering. The glazed buns was an eye catcher looking nicely baked, sporting a nice brown colour, and glistening. 

The first bite was met by the crunch of the chicken. It was so crunchy, flavourful, and just so good. I don’t think I’ve had fried chicken like this in a long time, and was a nice break from beef and vegan patties I’ve had. To be honest, I may try more fried chicken patties in the future if its offered as a burger or patty substitution. The curry was smooth and light on the spice, while the pickled daikon was creamy and balanced out the overall flavour. 

This was a nice surprise and satisfying burger for my first burger joint in London. Beer & Burger was great with the creativity and thoughtful construction of this burger. From presentation to the flavour it was everything that I was expecting. Overall, this is definitely a go to joint if you’re looking for a well prepared burger and a good time. Beer & Burger will for sure be a place where I will be visiting again on my next visit, and will be recommending to friends and family.

8.5/10

Burger Review #71: Mavericks Burger Co.

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Date Visited: August 11, 2023
Location: Sherbourne Common (Permanently Closed)
BurgerTours Rating: 7.4/10

Taste	Messiness	Price	Venue	Pluses
Good	Messy	$11-$15	Fast Food	Veggie, Alcohol, Patio

Website

---

Drew's Review

Hello. It’s that time again.

In August, we decided to try out Mavericks Burger Co., a burger joint located in Sherbourne Commons on the waterfront, just east of downtown Toronto. The quiet atmosphere greeted us, with only a handful of diners inside. The girl behind the counter efficiently took our orders, and we found ourselves a sunny spot to settle in. 

Our burgers arrived on glass plates, accompanied by waffle fries neatly nestled in bowls. I opted for the MavBurger, a single patty cheeseburger featuring their special MavSauce, which boasted a mustard-like tang. The presentation was straightforward, lacking any bells and whistles. 

MavBurger/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

The MavBurger itself was a no-frills affair. A basic with a mustard-infused sauce - it didn't offer anything extraordinary. The patty was cooked adequately, and the cheese melted just right, but the overall taste was predictable. The MavSauce, though claiming uniqueness, failed to leave a lasting impression. It was a simple burger that satisfied the basic craving but fell short of making a mark. 

The waffle fries, served in bowls, were decent - crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. However, they too lacked a distinctive flavour that would set them apart from your average fry. 

Despite the unremarkable nature of the meal, the experience was pleasant. The location, by the waterfront, added a certain charm. We envisioned a bustling scene in the coming years, especially with the anticipated new streetcar line along the waterfront. 

Overall, Mavericks Burger Co. scored a simple 6.3 out of 10 in my book. The burger and fries were satisfactory, but far from memorable. It's the kind of place you'd stop by if you're in the area and craving a straightforward meal, but I wouldn't go out of my way to return. 

6.3/10 

UPDATE: As a small disclaimer, it's worth mentioning that Mavericks Burger Co. has since closed its doors permanently in November 2023. While my experience may not have been outstanding, it's always a bit nostalgic thinking about the eateries that become a part of a city's history, even if just for a short while.

---

Mark's Review 

We're back in Downtown Toronto, where we pay a visit to our first burger joint on the Waterfront. Just down the street from the Portlands, we were both excited to try this joint as it was on our radars. We take you too… Mavericks Burger! 

This joint is unique as they serve all plant-based burgers. Finally, a burger I can eat without feeling an inch of guilt. 

The menu was small, yet appetizing. I opted for the Marley Burger. As a lover of everything mango, I did not hesitate with this decision. The Marley Burger is made up of their signature plant-based patty, teriyaki-jerk sauce, and of course, a cilantro-mango lime salsa. 

 

Marley Burger/Photo by Mark Avila

First impressions, the burger was very tiny. And to be honest, I was expecting more when it came to the overall presentation. When I took the top bun off, I was disappointed to see a small amount of the mango lime salsa underneath. I was looking forward to this the most, and unfortunately felt really underwhelmed. 

However, as soon as that burger touched my mouth everything changed. The salsa was perfection! Sweet, sour, and with a kick of spice, all the flavours meshed together so well. The teriyaki-jerk sauce gave it a nice smoky taste that mellowed out the salsa. I found this burger to have been well executed from the ingredients, and which flavours would best complement one another. 

Another great find, and what a nice change in scenery as we were able to enjoy our burgers by the waterfront. Mavericks definitely jumps up my personal list as a new favourite, and possibly my number one joint for all plant-based burgers. 

8.5/10

Burger Review #70: Ugly Delicious

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Date Visited: July 28, 2023

Location: Kensington Market
BurgerTours Rating: 6.85/10

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

Website

---

Drew's Review

Oh my God, we’re back again. 

Tucked away in the heart of Toronto's vibrant Kensington Market, Ugly Delicious is a unique culinary experience and a respectable selection located in a market known for its standout cuisine. 

We arrived shortly before the dinner rush and it was quiet. The ambiance is cozy and hip, fitting perfectly with Kensington Market's eclectic vibe. The service is friendly and efficient, and the menu offers an array of enticing options. The pricing is a bit on the steeper side, considering the portion size and the fact that the burger doesn't quite reach the level of satisfaction that it promises. 

Double Classic Burger/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

I ordered the Double Classic burger, a wagyu smash patty with Amhas a unique culinary experience and a respectable selection of American cheese, pickles, lettuce, tomato, and Ugly sauce. The burger certainly excels in certain aspects. The star of the show is undeniably the Wagyu smash patty. It's cooked to a perfect medium-rare, with a beautifully crispy and flavorful exterior that adds a satisfying crunch to each bite. 

The choice of condiments is also commendable. The pickles offer a refreshing contrast, cutting through the burger's richness with a satisfying crunch and a tangy kick. The lettuce and tomato bring a welcome element of freshness, and the Ugly sauce, which I got as a side dip for my fries, complements the other ingredients on the burger exceptionally well and gives the burger a unique character. 

Overall, Ugly Delicious is a great hangout and burger joint located in Kensington Market and a great burger option if you find yourself in the area. When it shines, the wagyu patty is a true gem, and the Ugly sauce is a noteworthy condiment. However, a more thoughtful approach to balancing flavours and textures could elevate the burger to a whole new level of deliciousness. The dining experience is enjoyable, but the pricing might deter some diners from seeking a more substantial meal. 

6.2/10

---

Mark's Review

We are back in Kensington Market for another burger tour! I can’t remember the last time we were here, but it does feel nice to be back. Burger joints tend to come and go in this area rather quickly. As sad as it is to see some of our favourite joints disappear, it’s always a welcoming surprise for us to discover a potentially new spot to call our favourite. 

For this burger tour, we pay a visit to… Ugly Delicious! This joint uses Halal slaughtered Australian Wagyu and AAA beef that they form, by hand, into smash burgers. They have a decent burger selection, but the one that caught my eye was the Onions We Crazy. Having a choice of a single or double patty, I opted for the double wagyu smash patty topped with American cheese, pickles, ugly sauce, smashed onions, tomato, and lettuce. 

Onions We Crazy/Photo by Mark Avila 

My first bite was met with the crisp outer edge of the wagyu patties, followed by the river of juices flowing down the sides. This was met with the creamy texture from the American cheese, which was countered by the savouriness from the onions and ugly sauce. I don't know what they put in their ugly sauce, but it definitely made the burger more delicious than what I was already experiencing. Despite this burger being filled with onions from rim to rim, it was not overpowering at all. If anything, I found it to have enhanced the flavour profile. 

Overall, this was probably one of the best smash burgers I've had in a while, and getting the double patty was the best decision to get the full flavours. Presentation wise, it was ugly, but the overall taste was delicious! Ugly Delicious was a great find, and definitely a go to spot for a good smash burger in the Kensington Market. 

7.5/10