On Thursday, August 27th, plan to have a burger for lunch or dinner in honour of National Burger Day. But you don’t want any ol’ patty. You want something good. Here are my top 5 picks for best burgers in the city:
Richmond Station, around since 2012, is one of just a handful of restaurants where they have consistency down pat, which is why you’ll see so many of the city’s chefs dining there on their nights off. The burger is made with ground beef, topped with braised short rib that’s frozen, so that it melts while cooking. Heinrich has referred to it as a “hidden surprise. Like gravy, but on the inside.” The ground meat is then folded around it and then pressed into a thick patty. Salt and pepper is added and then it’s put right on the grill.
Sometimes you just want a plain ‘ol burger. Nothing fancy, but good, simple and that won’t leave you hungry afterwards. The Patrician Hamburger ($5.15) is a homemade patty that Chef Chris grills without charring it. The meat is still pink the middle but has a great crust. On a toasted white bun with lettuce, tomato, mustard, (ketchup’s on the table) it’s one of the best things you’ll eat all day. That, along with the great family that runs the joint – Terry, his mom and uncle, and brother-in-law Chris – makes it a must for tourists and Torontians alike.