If the Edmonton burger scene had a theme song, it would be this…
At least that’s been my experience anyways. I’ve had a few good ones, a lot of bad ones, and a couple total train wrecks.
I like to think I am quite experienced when it comes to eating burgers – I can tell you where to get a good burger in San Francisco, no problem. San Diego? I could rattle off a couple of places without a second thought. Heck, even Calgary has better burger places than us, it seems.
What the hell is so difficult about making a drool-worthy hamburger in Edmonton, anyways?
Every time I get asked “Where is the best burger in Edmonton?”, I panic a bit. I mean, there are some fairly good ones in this town, but have I had a truly great burger here?
No, not really.
It’s really not the restaurant’s fault either. It’s ours – the consumers. The city of Edmonton has a long standing culture of mediocrity when it comes to our taste in food; we accept it, and we propagate it. We sit idly by and gobble up the defrosted, pre-made, or pre-packaged junk food that bad restaurants put on our plates, and we keep going back for more.
Thankfully, this has started to change in the last couple years, but we’ve still got a long way to go.
Unfortunately, there is nowhere where that is more apparent than the humble burger, but that can’t be all there is. There’s got to be a really good – maybe even a great – burger somewhere in this fine city!
And I am making it my mission to find it.
So if I’m going to search for the best burgers in Edmonton, I’ll have to share the things that I think make a good burger. Some of the bigger factors to me include:
- Quality meat- If you’re using some low-grade shitty beef (hopefully not this kind of shitty) then you’re dead in the water right from the start. The beef ought to be moist, and have a nice crust on it. My personal preference is for a burger cooked on a flat top, but there’s nothing wrong with a good grilled burger either.
- Gristle– Gristle is the calling card of a crappy burger patty. If I find a bunch of that hard, inedible junk in my burger, I’m done with it. Nothing is worse than having to spit out chunks of ‘meat’ from every mouthful.
- Cheese- Why anyone would want a burger without cheese is beyond me (lactose intolerances excluded of course). I don’t even care what kind of cheese for the most part; I just want lots of it. And this is one of the very few meals that processed cheese is perfectly acceptable.
- Seasoning- Proper seasoning is too often interpreted to mean more seasoning. Over-seasoning is just as bad as under-seasoning.
- Toppings- Please, if you’re going to put bacon on my burger don’t give me pieces that are either burned and raw. Or both in the same piece. Cook it properly so I don’t have to peel half of it off and leave it on the plate. Nothing shows a customer that you just don’t give a damn quite like sending something like that out of the kitchen. Also if the lettuce is brown, put it down. I don’t want your compost on my burger. Or for that matter a lettuce core. (it’s happened.)
- The Bun- That brings us to the bun. For me, the bun is a vessel used to keep my hands clean while I eat some deliciously moist and drippy meat and cheese love. It needs to be soft, and not overpower the burger. It should have some crispy, grilled edges, and be easy to chew through. When restaurants fail with the bun, it’s usually because they use a fancy, chewy bun that is obscenely huge and the patty, which should be the star of the show, gets totally lost in a dry, yeasty nightmare.
- Condiments– Right here is where a good burger get’s elevated to a great burger. Garlicy aiolis, herbed mayos, spicy mustards, seasoned ketchups…. they all add so much to a great burger. Get it right, and you’ve got a winner. Do it poorly (or neglect it altogether) and you go from burger hero to burger zero in one bite.
So how does that list compare to what YOU think makes a good burger? I’d love to hear your opinions on the best burgers where you live, and what makes it your favourite. I’ll begin posting burger reviews soon, so check back frequently and see how your own personal rankings compare to mine.
Until then, just call me Burgerhound.
In my experience the bun is often where the burger fails. Please please use fresh buns, not those better suited to being cubed and inserted in a turkey! And don’t add so many condiments that I can’t taste the burger with its bacon and cheese. Your mileage may vary but I have had too many great burgers ruined by stale buns. For the life of me I can’t understand restaurants that won’t pony up their best to a paying customer.
I agree. The bun is likely the single biggest fail when it comes to burgers. I had one recently that was so dry it crumbled in my hands as I held it. Terrible.
Great comments, Jody! Thanks for reading.
Phil
I make a mean zucchini relish that has a place of honour on the bottom bun of all my burgers 🙂
And a corn relish for TexMex.
A splash of dill pickle juice in the pan of slow-roasted beef. Balsamic with chicken. Apple cider with pork. Lemon on fish.
Nothing like a bit of food-grade acid to balance out flavours.
That all sounds great Deb! What time can you deliver?
Phil
Ha!
I’m down to the last of my zucchini relish because I didn’t get any made this summer (silly, I know) BUT there’s a jar of corn relish with your name on it 😉
And I agree about the bun. I’ve had many a burger ruined by a sub-par (crumbly, tasteless) or overzealous (too thick, too doughy) bun.
Without a doubt, the best burger I have ever eaten (and I’ve eaten a few) was the Le Pigeon burger at their Little Bird Bistro. They nailed every single thing that makes a great burger. They used a ciabatta bun which I greatly prefer to the often used brioche. http://littlebirdbistro.com/
Locally in yeg, I hate to say it but I think Cactus Club has the best burger.
Nick- I’m sad that I didn’t make it to Little Bird when we were in Portland last year. It was in the list, but just didn’t happen.
I’ll have Cactus Club coming up in a burger post pretty soon. Stay tuned.
Gotta go with the garlic mushroom burger at Tasty Tom’s on Whyte Ave. great meat, great shrooms and you’ve gotta love the ambiance at Tom’s. Although I pass on the homemade ketchup.
Ooooh, I forgot about Tasty Tom’s! Thanks for reminding me. I used to go there a lot, but I stopped when the owner started not being there much. We had a few poor experiences with the food when he wasn’t there, so gave up on it. I should go try it again.
I recall that garlic mushroom burger being more of a GARLIC mushroom burger. lol. Gave you breath that could peel paint.
Thanks for the comment Darryl!
Phil
Patty is essential. Too many gelatinous (Harvey’sesque) Sisco pattys out there. Next Act consistenucome through for me.
Edit “consistently comes through”
Lots of votes for Next Act. My personal favourite too. We’ll see if it’s still my favourite after all this. Haha.
Phil
Next Act – The Director, and whatever that Pyrogy is
Burger Baron – Mushroom Burger (seriously)
Alley Burger – Hundred (last year sometime) – The burger they had with the fries in it
The Hat makes a mean burger
We had to think hard about that list. It really is few and far between.
Burger Baron is so ghetto (in a good way), but each location is a bit different. I admit, I enjoy their mushroom burger though. lol.
I hadn’t heard that The Hat has a good burger. The list to try is getting pretty long!
Phil
The Hat *describes* a good burger but doesn’t deliver. I ordered a blue cheese and bacon burger and it was delivered on a stale seasame seed Mc-Bun. The bun was a huge disappointment and the actual meat/cheese combo couldn’t overcome it.
I do agree with the Burger Baron note though. If I want a burger (which I rarely do because they’re, well, so generally crappy), I’d have a mushroom burg at the BB.
I’ll give Tasty Tom’s a try. Never been there.
Cynthia,
I haven’t been to The Hat for years, and I think it’s changed ownership a couple times since then. When were you there?
I have to admit, Burger Baron is my ghetto-burger of choice, but the locations are all a bit different. Which one is your favourite?
Phil
Umami burger at the common is my fav by far
I’ve heard about that one. It’s on the list to try, hopefully in the next week or so. Thanks!
Phil
I agree. Hadn’t had an amazing burger while I was in Edmonton. I think the Lamb burger at Sugarbowl was great that one time. But their service and inconsistency leaves a bad taste.
I’m most excited to see what kind of burger you will be cooking up as a result of taste testing.
For me a great burger is quite simple, I love a good juicy beef burger. I’ve tried other meats but always come back to beef. I think the patty-bun ratio is important. Love a thicker patty and I agree it must have cheese, preferably a sharp cheddar for me… Also love some form of aioli or mayo. I like the softer bun but it needs to hold up to juices. Also mushrooms, avocado, bacon, tomatoes… Doesn’t matter as long as it accents the burger and doesn’t overshadow it.
Now I’m craving a burger!
I agree on the Sugarbowl. I liked it the first time, but it hasn’t been any good since.
I rarely get a non-beef burger that’s any good, but a pork burger I had in San Diego is the best I ever had.
Thanks for your comments!
Phil
My favourite is definitely The Hat. The Signature Burger has a great patty, toppings and the bun always holds up without being too big and dry – the death of so many burgers.
I’m a Next Act girl, as well. Delux comes out with some winners now and again, they’ve got some interesting “monthly special” burgers, and I do like their bison and brie burger, but overall Next Act wins it for me. Their PB&J is my fave. BACON JAM on a burger? Score.
And I TOTALLY agree on the bun comment. Why can’t they put as much effort into the bun as the rest of it? I don’t understand this.
Thanks for the comments, Julie.
In the past I have found Delux really hit and miss. I haven’t been in a long while, so I’m going to give them another try.
The bun thing just irritates me. Way too often people use one that totally takes away from the burger instead of complimenting it.
Phil
I also had a great experience with the umami burger at the Common. By far the best burger was the burger at Turtle Creek Cafe (R.I.P.) before it became crappy old Original Joe’s near the University. Since it closed I’ve become more of a chicken burger connoisseur since it’s true, yeg beef burgers blow for the most part. Good luck in your quest, bacon loving Jedi…I await your tales of burger adventure.
Ps-I did not enjoy my experience at The Hat AT ALL.
I really like the Chicken and Waffles at The Common, so I’m looking forward to trying the burger.
Wow, haven’t heard Turtle Creek Cafe in a while! That takes me back. You must be waaaay older than me though, since I can’t even remember anything about the food. 😉
Thanks for the comments, Amy!
Phil
I’m probably going to get lynched for this, but Soda Jerks serves up a pretty decent burger. I especially love the “build your own burger” option – you get to choose EVERYTHING that goes in to it – patty, bun, toppings. Personally, I like the beef patty on sourdough toast.
Jamie, burgers seem to be so subjective in what each person likes, but Soda Jerks is a place people have been telling me about for a while so it’s on the list to try.
The build your own burger option has some merit for sure.
Phil
For me, a huge part of what makes a good burger is the messy factor.
I am not a fan of messy burgers. I like the ingredients to stay within the borders of the bun, not spilling out the back or dripping down my arm.
Proof that opposites attract.
You- neat and tidy burger.
Me- Sloppy and messy all the way.
I normally avoid chains but had a gift card to Earls and tried their new smash burger and I have to say it was one of the best I’ve had in Edmonton. The Common also has a great burger.
I don’t understand the Next Act recommendations. I’ve only been once so maybe it was an off day but it was one of the worst burgers I’ve ever had. The patty was disgusting. More like eating a sausage patty or meat loaf sandwich. Very rubbery and gross. I’d never go back there.
Rob,
Thanks for the comments! I’m looking forward to getting over to The Common, and I’ll put Earls on the list too. Trying to avoid too many chains, but if it’s good it’s good.
Phil
No problem. Maybe it was my low expectations but I’ve had the earls bronx burger twice now (both at west end location) and it was good both times.
Similarly, maybe it was my high expectations of Next Act hearing it’s the best burger that made me disappointed in it. I think they probably salted the ground beef way too early giving it a rubbery sausage texture which I hate.
Sucks to hear below that The Common is using focaccia as their bun. I had their pulled pork sandwich which used a brioche type bun that was the best bun I’ve ever had. They should use that for the burger too.
My favourite burger is between Shack Shack in New York, Burger Priest in Toronto, or just my home made one using the bun and ketchup from Modernist Cuisine and the smash technique from serious eats.
*Shake Shack
My favourite burger is in Brooklyn at Diner. It’s perfect. Just a glorious house made beef patty cooked medium rare with good aged cheddar cheese and a delicious brioche bun from their sister bakery. They give you a jar of dijon on the side.
You’re totally right about the bun! I also wish the meat was not so dry and overcooked; that seems to be the standard around town. If you’re using good quality meat, making the burger in house, there’s no reason it needs to be done to ‘well’. Natural juices, that’s where it’s at.
If I’m drinking beer, Next Act is the spot for sure. Otherwise I think The Common is tops right now, and has good potential. Their bun is still a fail for me. It’s focaccia or something and inevitably falls apart (although someone told me to keep the sandwich stick in for as long as possible, which helped). It’s a well spiced situation, but again, I find the patty is generally cooked more than it needs to be.
Looking forward to the reports!!
Thanks for the comments, Marianne!
My 2 favourite are both at Carnitas Snack Shack in San Diego. No other burgers even come close for me. I’ll look up Diner next time we go to New York. Thanks for the tip.
I like my burgers with just a touch of pink, but a good sauce on it can make up for a bit of dryness in my books.
Phil
Best burgers I’ve had in yeg are rodeo burger on 97st in namao centre and the burger joint on 23 ave south of Costco. Please review. Dying to try bannock burger on 124st
Thanks for the comments!
I’ve been to Rodeo and Bannock already, and I’ll be writing up the posts soon. I went to Rodeo in the U of A area though. I will have to go back to Burger Joint as I’ve only been once quite a while ago. Thanks!
Phil
I so miss the Motoraunt. THAT was the best burger in Edmonton. The homemade ketchup rocked too.
I remember the Motoraunt even from when it was on Jasper ave decades ago! I never did get in there to try it though… went once and stood inside for a while and nobody came out so we left. Haha. Weird place.
Thanks for dropping in, Patrick!
Phil
I’m a huge fan of the Burger Joint near South Edmonton Common. It’s family owned and there is always great care put into making the burgers. Hand made patties, fresh ingredients etc. Price point is good too.
Still taking suggestions for burgers to try? If you haven’t already got these on your list, make sure to check out O’Byrne’s and Tasty Tom’s (although I’m 100% sure the latter is on your list already). And it’s a chain, but I have to say White Spot can always fill a burger craving for me.
My local favorites are Burger Joint by South Common and Jack’s Burger Shack in St. Albert. What do you recommend in San Francisco? I like Burgermeister and Super Duper Burger but I’m always on the hunt for more.