Toronto went wild for burgers when news broke that Shake Shack was opening its first Canadian outpost in the city. Yesterday, as the doors swung open at its Yonge-Dundas Square location, eager crowds lined up hours in advance. Shake Shack’s signature ShackBurger is priced slightly higher at $8.49 for a single patty and $12.49 for a double. While the jury’s still out on whether it lives up to the hype, Toronto boasts a slew of burger joints we think outshine Shake Shack.
Here are five spots in the city serving up better burgers.
Matty’s Patty’s
Toronto chef and internet celebrity Matty Matheson is not new to flipping burgers. After running as pop-up shops in Japan, Hawaii, and at Mathesonโs own food festival, Matty Fest, Mattyโs Pattyโs Burger Club has set up a permanent home across from Trinity Bellwoods Park. Made with 100 per cent AAA beef sourced from Ontario, Matheson offers single, double, and even triple cheeseburgers topped with sharp American cheese, then served on a sesame seed milk bun.
The Burger Shack
View this post on Instagram
This no frills burger shop located in the heart of uptown at Yonge and Eglinton has been serving up the best classic burgers, souvlaki and shakes in town for more than four decades.
Ozzy’s Burgers
View this post on Instagram
Toronto used to have terrible burgers: overcooked hockey pucks on too-big, too-tough buns. But over the last decade, thanks to a renaissance led by the Burger’s Priest, you can now get good burgers all over town. Even in Kensington Market there are two more burger shops (the Burgernator, Top Gun Steak & Burger) within a block. But only at Ozzy’s can you get a burger of fresh ground beef smash-griddled to a crisp and placed on a squishy bun for $6.99. In a city where this commodity typically runs $9 to $12 ย I feel like I’m stealing from Ozzy.
Big Smoke Burger
View this post on Instagram
Big Smoke Burger has been a Toronto favorite since 2007, offering premium grilled-to-order beef paired with Canadian cheeses and unique toppings. The name pays homage to both their flame-grilled cooking style and Toronto’s nickname. Each burger carries a distinct smoky flavor that lives up to its name.
Friday Burger Company
View this post on Instagram
After tasting over 700 burgers globally, Chef Joe Friday launched Friday Burger Company in Toronto, bringing his gourmet comfort food to life. The highlight is Chef Fridayโs signature burger, perfected over 20 years. The menu also includes chicken sandwiches, salads, sides, and milkshakes. Chef Fridayโs passion for burgers began in his teens and continued through his career in Michelin-starred restaurants worldwide.
