A Burger a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

You can find a burger joint in every nook and cranny of Toronto these days. A self-proclaimed mega-foodie, I'm on a never-ending quest to find spots that serve up the best patties in town.

Of course, when setting out with such a hefty task, one must establish certain criteria. For my purposes, I've decided to check out places that are serving up fresh, high quality ingredients (that leaves you out, McDonald's!), using locally-sourced, hormone-free beef.

My Four Faves So Far:

1) Holy Chuck Burgers

The Big Chuck
Holy Chuck Burgers - Toronto

Holy Chuck is grilling up, what I believe to be, the best burgers in Toronto, served with a smile, which are usually hard to come by. The meat is so tender and juicy, and provides the all-important melt-in-your-mouth sensation. My favourite menu item is 'The Big Chuck.' It has two delectable beef patties, lettuce, cheese, and their "special sauce" - aka their answer to the Big Mac, except way better.

2) The Burger's Priest

Bacon Cheeseburger
The Burger's Priest - Toronto

Definitely one of the more widely known and most talked about burger joints in the city, Burger's Priest is flipping some incredibly scrumptious, fresh burgers that keep the customers lining up down the block. The pillowy soft Wonder Bread bun and delightfully simple toppings are a great touch, though I'd pass on their limp, soggy fries next time.

3) The Stockyards Smokehouse & Larder

The Green Chili Pimento Cheese Burger
The Stockyards - Toronto

Just thinking about this burger makes my mouth water. This griddle-smashed burger, topped with smoked jalapeno, cheddar, mayo and butter lettuce, will send your taste buds into ecstasy. It's fiery, cheesy, and leaves you wanting more. The fries are sinfully delicious as well.

4) Burger Shoppe/BQM

Riverside Burger
BQM - Toronto

BQM offers the hungry patron heavenly, huge, beefy burgers, served with any combination of toppings you could imagine. I tried the Riverside, with bacon, lettuce, tomato, mozzarella, garlic aioli, BQM bbq sauce, and to top it all off, an onion ring! This was a seriously amazing burger that tantalized my senses and filled me to the brim. I also ordered their tasty sweet potato fries, which were totally unnecessary, as I almost had to undo a button.... Okay, and my zipper.

Restaurant critic in disguise...

In my search for the perfect burger, I've likely gained a pant size (or seven), but there are so many patties I've yet to try! Any suggestions?

Where do you go for your burger fix in Toronto? Please share!

Food Trucks Are Rolling All Over Toronto!

Have you ever watched Food Network's hunger-inducing show, Eat St.?

Most of the food trucks showcased on that show are all over the States, satisfying lined-up-for-miles, drooling customers who would sell their left leg for a paper plate of slow-roasted chipotle pulled pork on a bed of purple cabbage slaw, wrapped in a made-fresh-to-order corn tortilla, or a basket of freshly made crispy fries covered in fire-roasted poblano chiles, caramelized onions, shawarma-marinated steak and jack cheese! (......*drool*)

People lined up for food truck food at Food Truck Eats in the Distillery District
(Photo Credit)

I've been waiting not so patiently for the food truck craze to hit Toronto, and I am pleased to finally say with certainty that our day has come!

To me, the first Molson Amphitheatre concert of the year always marks the beginning of summer. So as I do every year, I happily made my way down to the Lakeshore on the first weekend of June to ring in the summer, and watch One Direction take the stage (don't judge me).

Thousands of screaming girls at One Direction (05/29/12)

But there was something new this past June!

Toward the back of the amphitheatre, amidst the foot-long hot dog and tall-can beer vendors, were FOOD TRUCKS(!!!!!!), parked, waiting for hungry customers. As I would soon learn this summer, this was only the beginning of my journey trying food trucks across the city.

My Faaave Food Truck:
I had the chance to try Buster's Sea Cove.

Buster's Sea Cove at The Sheepdogs concert (09/15/12)

 I had the Lobster Roll ($13), served with a dill pickle & Ms. Vickie's chips, and my concert-goer-partner-in-crime/reason I go to so many concerts, Chris, ordered the Shrimp Tacos ($9).

I'm still dreaming of this lobster roll! It was huge & lived up to the hype :)

I'm a huge fan of the beef gyros pita from Blue Donkey, which made several appearances at concerts all summer. The Portobello Burger truck came to a few shows as well, offering a vegetarian menu (which is a rarity!).

Blue Donkey Streatery & their friendly staff!

'Tasty Tacos' ($8, I think) from Portobello Burger (gluten-free, vegan-optional)
(black & garbanzo beans, sauteed onions, tomato sauce,
Mexican salsa, old cheddar cheese, on 2 hard corn shell tostados)
at Andrew Bird (07/19/12)

Food trucks have taken over our lucky city, and are (fingers crossed!!) here to stay!

You can read up on their menus, and find out exactly where they'll be parked daily, so you'll never miss another BBQ brisket sandwich or bacon-smothered poutine again.

Have you had the opportunity to try out some of Toronto's trucks? Which one is your favourite?

(For school purposes- word count: 352)