2014 Burger Week and Burger Day Review

by Pandora Angelique Lee
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Over 50 restaurants participated in The Grid’s third annual Toronto Burger Week from May 28-31, 2014 (yes it’s less than a week—the name is a bit misleading).  Most of the participating restaurants featured a $5 burger, while six restaurants created Black Tie Burgers (a regularly-priced feature burger, where $5 of each burger sold went to The Stop Community Food Centre).  The week was capped off with Burger Day at Fort York on June 1.  This event gathered all participating vendors so that hungry burger lovers could easily sample mini burgers in one location. (Missed Burger Week?  See the table below.)

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Photograph by Ingrid Goh. Fidel Gastro’s Lisa Marie’s The Nutella Burger

This year’s burgers featured patties made from beef, bison, pork, veal, chicken, haggis, short rib, brisket, tuna, and quinoa.  Some burgers even took on ethnic flavours including Greek, Korean, and Indian.  The burger which received the most notoriety was Fidel Gastro’s Lisa Marie’s Nutella Burger–a burger stuffed with Nutella®, then topped with plaintain chips and garlic coconut sauce.  Over 30,000 burgers were sold over the 4-day period.

New to this year’s Burger Week were the beer deal and free burger deal.  Fourteen vendors offered a burger and Creemore Spings beer for $10.  While seven vendors participated in a free burger deal where customers paying with the PayPal app received their burger for free.

One noticeable improvement from last year’s Burger Day was the availability of seating.  This year, rows of umbrella-covered picnic tables lined the Fort York lawn.  Guests also used sunny or shaded areas on the grassy lawn as additional seating.

Price was the greatest barrier to this year’s Burger Day.  Last year’s price for Burger Day was $30 for adults and $15 for kids which included all-you-can-eat burgers.  This year Burger Day entrance fee was $20+HST for adults (price was reduced to $15+HST for those paying with PayPal app) and free for kids.  However, after paying the fee, consumers had to pay $3+HST for each slider.

The effects of the pricing scheme change was noticed by both returning vendors and customers.  Some vendors we spoke to indicated they observed less traffic than the previous year and significantly lower sales than last year.  In fact, some reported only selling* a third of the previous year’s volume.   (*Note: the vendors did not “sell” the mini burgers.  The Grid asked vendors to prepare a minimum of 500 mini burgers for Burger Day.  Customers purchased tickets at sales booths to trade for burgers.  A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales was donated to The Stop.)

Customer comments included ‏@rubberneck: “Hey #Toronto, it’s really expensive #burger day at Fort York” ‏and @anexasluoar: “Way less people this year due to the massive price increase, which also means less lineups.”  That being said, line ups were seen at a few vendors including Barque Smokehouse, Fidel Gastro’s Lisa Marie, Hogtown Smoke, and Holy Chuck Burgers.  Customers in Barque Smokehouse’s (noticeably longest) line reported a 15 minute wait for the mini burgers.

By 4:30pm @TheGridTo tweeted :“There’s just 30 minutes left in Burger Day– if you come down to Fort York now, admission is FREE! $3 sliders, $5 beers!”  Customers who made it to Burger Day at that time were in for a bargain.  Not only did they receive free admission, some vendors were giving away mini burgers because they could not bring them back to their restaurant.

When people have a limited budget and limited stomach space, they will favour popular restaurants, which leaves small or new restaurants at a disadvantage in a popularity contest.  Last year The Grid reported over 40,000 sliders grilled during Burger Day.  This year’s pricing scheme change resulted in total of approximately 12,000 sliders sold (a few restaurants refused to disclose the number of sliders that they sold).

If you missed this year’s Burger Week or Burger Day don’t fret.  We spoke to participating restaurants and got the inside scoop on which burgers would still be available for you to try:

Restaurant Missed the Burger?
ARRIBA RESTAURANT Arriba Classic Burger: Angus beef, burger sauce, lettuce, tomato, and red onion, on an onion poppyseed bun Find it regular price on their menu
BARQUE SMOKEHOUSE Brisket burger with smoked candied bacon and pommery barbecue sauce on a brioche bun Find it regular price on the Monday-Friday lunch menu
BEERBISTRO Bison burger with smoked ketchup, aged white cheddar, and house-smoked beer bacon on a buttermilk bun Find it regular price on their menu
BIG SMOKE BURGER The Blazing Pineapple: Ground chuck patty with grilled, glazed pineapple, hot peppers, mayo, barbecue sauce, and lettuce It’s available for the month of June
BOAR SANDWICHES BOAR Ball: Veal, pork, and beef patty with tomato sauce, provolone, and caramelized onions served on a Portuguese bun. Better luck next time
BOOTS & BOURBON SALOON The Black & Blue Burger: Ground beef, Cajun seasoning, blue cheese, and fried onion strings Find it regular price on their menu
BRASSAII Brassaii Beet Down Burger: Beef tenderloin, pork fat, beets, mozzarella, and pressed cucumber on a butter bun Find it regular price on their lunch menu
BURGER BRATS Beef patty with cheddar, strip bacon, smokey BBQ ranch sauce, and crispy onion rings Find it regular price on their menu
CARDINAL RULE Swiss Army Burger: Ground brisket with Swiss cheese, homemade barbecue sauce, and an onion ring Look for it as a future feature item
COMMON GOODS Organic beef burger with aged cheddar and caramelized onions Find it regular price on their menu
DAVE’S… ON ST. CLAIR Beef with blue cheese, sliced pear, and chopped walnuts with honey drizzle on a potato bun It’s June’s burger of the month and will be regular price on their menu afterwards
E11EVEN The Woodland Burger: Prime chuck, gruyère, sautéed woodland mushrooms, and mesquite aioli
FAT LOUIE’S BBQ The Smoked Belly Burger: Two beef patties, smoked pork belly, American/cheddar cheese, jalapeños, onion, ketchup, and mustard. It’s available as the summer special
FIDEL GASTRO’S LISA MARIE The Nutella Burger: Burger stuffed with Nutella and topped with plantain chips and garlic coconut sauce It may appear as a brunch menu special. Call ahead to confirm
FRANK Wild boar patty with maple fennel bacon, wild mushrooms, onion, and sour cherry compote on a brioche bun Vegan Burger: Sweet potato and quinoa burger topped with lettuce, tomato, and pickles and served with a side salad It’s available in the first few weeks of June
GANGSTER BURGER The Jesse James: Candied bacon marmalade and southern-style slaw over a beef patty finished with honey Dijon glaze It’s available in the first few weeks of June for $5
GLADSTONE HOTEL Ground beef, poblano pepper and onion jam, smoked bacon, and St. Paulin cheese Veggie Option: Marinated organic tempeh, onion rings, wild mushrooms, barbecue sauce, and aged cheddar Find it regular price on their menu
GRAPEFRUIT MOON House-made sausage patty smothered in Monterey Jack cheese, and topped with smoked bacon, a sunny side up egg, jalapenos, and green onions. Find it regular price on their menu
HABITS GASTROPUB Smoked brie-stuffed Black Angus patty with puttanesca relish, pancetta, crispy onion, and spicy aioli on a brioche bun, served with a side of fries Find it regular price on their menu
HARD ROCK CAFE Fiesta Burger: Brioche bun with roasted jalapeno salsa, Jack cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo, lettuce, and tomato  Look for it on a future menu
HERO CERTIFIED BURGERS The Action Hero: Angus beef patty, guacamole, bacon, chili white cheddar, onion ring, tomato, lettuce, and Hero sauce. Look for it as a future feature item
HEY MEATBALL Big Trouble in Little Italy Burger: Pork patty with tomato gravy, mozzarella cheese, pesto, and spicy pickles. Vegan Big Trouble in Little Italy Burger: Vegan patty, pesto, cashew mayo, and spicy pickles Look for it as a future feature item and during the Taste of Little Italy
HOGTOWN PUB AND OYSTERS Hogtown Burger Taquito: Beef patty in a crispy white corn tortilla with lettuce, mustard, ketchup, tomato, onion, and dill-pickle relish  Better luck next time
HOGTOWN SMOKE Angus burger stuffed with pulled pork and topped with cheese, pork belly strips, and pulled pork infused with BBQ sauce and bourbon Find it regular price on the summer patio and truck menu
HOLY CHUCK BURGERS The Misbred Village Bahahastard: Two patties of aged beef, Ontario lamb, and saganaki cheese ground together and topped with red onion, Greek olive oil, and sautéed peppers. Find two variations (The Village Cow & The Village Bastard) on the regular menu. It may make an appearance on the future menu
HUDSON KITCHEN Fried chicken burger with adobo mayo and lettuce on a Portuguese roll, served with yucca chips and pickled carrots Find it regular price on their dinner menu
INSOMNIA RESTAURANT & LOUNGE Insomnia Burger: Chuck/sirloin burger with cheddar, lettuce, tomato, red onion, dill pickle, and garlic aioli on a milk bun Find it regular price on their menu
JOHN & SONS OYSTER HOUSE Smoked B.C. Fanny Bay oyster, pimento glaze, crispy prosciutto, iceberg lettuce, tomato, and chipotle aioli on a butter bun Look for it as a future slider
MORGANS ON THE DANFORTH Burger’s Got Seoul: Brisket and chuck patty seasoned Kalbi style and topped with house-made kimchi and Monterey Jack There’s a similar burger called Brisket’s Got Seoul on the regular menu
OLLIFFE Bison chorizo burger with smoked gouda, apple slaw, and spicy chicharrónes Bison burgers are sold once a week.  Call ahead to confirm
OSTERIA DEI GANZI Ganzi Saltimbocca Burger: Ground veal burger topped with tomato-sauced parma, provolone, arugula, sage, and sage aioli Find it regular price on their 2014 summer menu
ROCK LOBSTER FOOD CO. Surf & Turf Burger: Kobe beef, spicy carrot and cabbage slaw, and grilled shrimp Better luck next time
RUDE BOY Beef patty with smoked pimento cheese, mustard barbecue sauce, and southern slaw Better luck next time
SLAB BURGER Crispy Hawaiian Burger: Beef patty topped with pineapple chunks, crispy onion, and crunchy bacon Pineapple chunks and crispy onion are now free toppings!
SPIN TORONTO Cheddar jalapeño chicken burger with guacamole and sweet onion relish on a cornbread bun Better luck next time
THE BEET ORGANIC CAFÉ Vegan Burger: A quinoa, mushroom, and walnut burger with daiya cheese, cucumber, arugula, and vegan mayo on a kamut bun Ask for it and they can make it
THE BURGERNATOR Bombay Burger: Beef patty topped with a mango/chili salsa and finished with a curry aioli Better luck next time
THE CALEDONIAN Whisky Haggis Burger: Half-pound haggis burger topped with caramelized onions and Ardbeg Smoky Whisky cheese fondue on a brioche bun
THE CITIZEN Ground prime with smoked barbecue demi-glace, St. Honoré cheese, fried shallot rings, and house pickles on a grilled brioche bun Find it regular price on a future menu
THE COUNTY COCKTAIL & SNACKBAR Four-ounce Cumbrae’s dry-aged beef burger with tomato jam and shallot butter Better luck next time
THE COUNTY GENERAL Spiced lamb burger with cucumber relish, minted goat yogurt, and confit tomatoes on Greek flat bread Find it regular price on a future menu
THE CREST Beef and ‘nduja burger with smoked bacon, aged cheddar, caramelized onions, and smoked pepper aioli
THE EMERSON Pepper jack and jalapeño-stuffed beef burger with zucchini relish on a sesame seed bun Look for it as a future feature item
THE GREEK A mixed lamb and beef keftedes patty topped with feta, tomato, onion, and tzatziki Find it regular price on the menu
THE HAPPY HOOKER Crispy Tuna Burger: Panko-breaded patty with tartar sauce, lettuce, and tomato on a toasted bun Look for it on a future menu
THE LAKEVIEW RESTAURANT The Pickled Piper: Ground chuck patty with chopped dill pickle and chili mayo on a sesame seed bun; garnished with a deep-fried pickle Better luck next time
THE PASSENGER Naturally raised beef, peameal, cheese curds, Dijon mayo, dill pickle, and lettuce on a Boulart ciabbata bun Find it regular price on the menu
THE WHIPPOORWILL RESTAURANT AND TAVERN Ground prime on a warm buttered bun topped with bacon, broccoli, mustard, and beer cheese Better luck next time
THE WORKS War Pig: Canadian beef topped with fried mushrooms, smokey BBQ sauce, real Canadian cheddar, and smoked bacon Find it regular price on the menu
TOMA BURGER ADDICTION The Wild Life: Angus prime rib, truffle mayo, cremini mushroom, double-smoked bacon, Swiss cheese, arugula, and balsamic glaze on a brioche bun Find it regular price on the menu
UTOPIA CAFÉ AND GRILL Korean short rib burger topped with kimchi slaw, pickled daikon, and spicy karashi mayo Look for it on a future menu

 

THE GREEK-A mixed lamb and beef keftedes patty topped with feta, tomato, onion, and tzatziki
THE COUNTY GENERAL-Spiced lamb burger with cucumber relish, minted goat yogurt, and confit tomatoes on Greek flat bread
GLADSTONE HOTEL-Ground beef, poblano pepper and onion jam, smoked bacon, and St. Paulin cheese
GLADSTONE HOTEL-Veggie Option: Marinated organic tempeh, onion rings, wild mushrooms, barbecue sauce, and aged cheddar
MORGANS ON THE DANFORTH-Burger's Got Seoul: Brisket and chuck patty seasoned Kalbi style and topped with house-made kimchi and Monterey Jack
THE CALEDONIAN-Whisky Haggis Burger: Half-pound haggis burger topped with caramelized onions and Ardbeg Smoky Whisky cheese fondue on a brioche bun
THE BURGERNATOR-Bombay Burger: Beef patty topped with a mango/chili salsa and finished with a curry aioli
THE CITIZEN-Ground prime with smoked barbecue demi-glace, St. Honoré cheese, fried shallot rings, and house pickles on a grilled brioche bun
THE CREST-Beef and 'nduja burger with smoked bacon, aged cheddar, caramelized onions, and smoked pepper aioli
THE BEET ORGANIC CAFÉ-Vegan Burger: A quinoa, mushroom, and walnut burger with daiya cheese, cucumber, arugula, and vegan mayo on a kamut bun
BARQUE SMOKEHOUSE-Brisket burger with smoked candied bacon and pommery barbecue sauce on a brioche bun
SLAB BURGER-Crispy Hawaiian Burger: Beef patty topped with pineapple chunks, crispy onion, and crunchy bacon
FRANK-Wild boar patty with maple fennel bacon, wild mushrooms, onion, and sour cherry compote on a brioche bun.
BOOTS & BOURBON SALOON-The Black & Blue Burger: Ground beef, Cajun seasoning, blue cheese, and fried onion strings
SPIN TORONTO-Cheddar jalapeño chicken burger with guacamole and sweet onion relish on a cornbread bun
INSOMNIA RESTAURANT & LOUNGE-Insomnia Burger: Chuck/sirloin burger with cheddar, lettuce, tomato, red onion, dill pickle, and garlic aioli on a milk bun
FIDEL GASTRO'S LISA MARIE-The Nutella Burger: Burger stuffed with Nutella and topped with plantain chips and garlic coconut sauce
JOHN & SONS OYSTER HOUSE-Smoked B.C. Fanny Bay oyster, pimento glaze, crispy prosciutto, iceberg lettuce, tomato, and chipotle aioli on a butter bun
HUDSON KITCHEN-Fried chicken burger with adobo mayo and lettuce on a Portuguese roll, served with yucca chips and pickled carrots
HOLY CHUCK BURGERS-The Misbred Village Bahahastard: Two patties of aged beef, Ontario lamb, and saganaki cheese ground together and topped with red onion, Greek olive oil, and sautéed peppers
HOGTOWN SMOKE-Angus burger stuffed with pulled pork and topped with cheese, pork belly strips, and pulled pork infused with BBQ sauce and bourbon
HERO CERTIFIED BURGERS -The Action Hero: Angus beef patty, guacamole, bacon, chili white cheddar, onion ring, tomato, lettuce, and Hero sauce
HEY MEATBALL-Big Trouble in Little Italy Burger: Pork patty with tomato gravy, mozzarella cheese, pesto, and spicy pickles
HEY MEATBALL-Vegan Big Trouble in Little Italy Burger: Vegan patty, pesto, cashew mayo, and spicy pickles
TOMA BURGER ADDICTION-The Wild Life: Angus prime rib, truffle mayo, cremini mushroom, double-smoked bacon, Swiss cheese, arugula, and balsamic glaze on a brioche bun
HABITS GASTROPUB-Smoked brie–stuffed Black Angus patty with puttanesca relish, pancetta, crispy onion, and spicy aioli on a brioche bun
HARD ROCK CAFÉ-Fiesta Burger: Brioche bun with roasted jalapeno salsa, Jack cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo, lettuce, and tomato
DAVE'S... ON ST. CLAIR-Beef with blue cheese, sliced pear, and chopped walnuts with honey drizzle on a potato bun
E11EVEN-The Woodland Burger: Prime chuck, gruyere, sautéed woodland mushrooms, and mesquite aioli
BURGER BRATS-Beef patty with cheddar, strip bacon, smokey BBQ ranch sauce, and crispy onion rings
COMMON GOODS-Organic beef burger with aged cheddar and caramelized onions
CARDINAL RULE-Swiss Army Burger: Ground brisket with Swiss cheese, homemade barbecue sauce, and an onion ring
HOGTOWN PUB AND OYSTERS-Hogtown Burger Taquito: Beef patty in a crispy white corn tortilla with lettuce, mustard, ketchup, tomato, onion, and dill-pickle relish
THE WHIPPOORWILL RESTAURANT AND TAVERN-Ground prime on a warm buttered bun topped with bacon, broccoli, mustard, and beer cheese.
BOOTS & BOURBON SALOON-The Black & Blue Burger: Ground beef, Cajun seasoning, blue cheese, and fried onion strings
UTOPIA CAFÉ AND GRILL-Korean short rib burger topped with kimchi slaw, pickled daikon, and spicy karashi mayo
THE HAPPY HOOKER-Crispy Tuna Burger: Panko-breaded patty with tartar sauce, lettuce, and tomato on a toasted bun
THE STOP-Rowe farms ground chuck, Junction Brewery Conductor's Ale mustard, bacon, pickled asparagus, and cucumber slaw with preserved lemon aioli, served on a Boulart slider bun
THE RUDE BOY-Beef patty with smoked pimento cheese, mustard barbecue sauce, and southern slaw
THE PASSENGER-Naturally raised beef, peameal, cheese curds, Dijon mayo, dill pickle, and lettuce on a Boulart ciabbata bun
THE LAKEVIEW RESTAURANT-The Pickled Piper: Ground chuck patty with chopped dill pickle and chili mayo on a sesame seed bun; garnished with a deep-fried pickle
BIG SMOKE BURGER-The Blazing Pineapple: Ground chuck patty with grilled, glazed pineapple, hot peppers, mayo, barbecue sauce, and lettuce
BRASSAII-Brassaii Beet Down Burger: Beef tenderloin, pork fat, beets, mozzarella, and pressed cucumber on a butter bun
ARRIBA RESTAURANT-Arriba Classic Burger: Angus beef, burger sauce, lettuce, tomato, and red onion, on an onion poppyseed bun

Photographs by Ingrid Goh.

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