Restaurants
W Burger Bar
Toronto has a lot to be depressed about, but W Burger Bar, a new eatery at Yonge and College, has developed a formula to heal us.
Their solution to the pains of a bad economy, pandemic fears, and the onset of winter is simple: burgers, booze and boobs. Lest this heady trio of indulgences get your guilt-o-meter soaring, W Burger Bar donates a portion of all proceeds to Sick Kids, ensuring each visit will mix the joy of sin with the satisfaction of redemption.
But first, the sins. W Burger Bar is foremost a hamburger joint, and their comfort-food menu is anchored on a solid selection of burgers. Emphasizing locally sourced, antibiotic-free meats and fish, and a host of vegetarian options, the menu isn't all guilty pleasures, but the meats and toppings are so tasty, it might as well be.
At $5.75, the Pure Beef Burger is succulence for a steal, the Rowe Farms beef providing, hands down, the most flavourful patty I've had this year. I shelled an extra $2.50 for "Aussie Rules" toppings, and graced my fresh, house-baked bun and burger with the singular flavours of fried egg, pineapple and pickled beets. I'll tell you something: those Aussies sure know how to sex up a hamburger.
It was challenging not to order the delicious Pure Beef Burger on a subsequent visit, but I selflessly sacrificed my desires for the sake of this review, requesting the Lamb Burger ($10.95) and a Quebecois Poutine ($6.95) instead. I also brought a friend, who got the Fresh Panko Breaded Chicken Tenders ($9.95) and a half-order of Macaroni and Cheese ($4.95).
We started with the poutine. A solid Toronto approximation, it was fresh golden fries, salty beef gravy, and a scattering of soft curds. Quebecois diners would have my pretty Anglo head on a platter for saying it was the real Montreal deal, but I quite enjoyed it.
Next stop on our palatable pilgrimage was the Macaroni and Cheese, the only dish on our journey that gave cause for penance. Despite perfectly al dente cavatappi (long macaroni curls) fresh mozzarella, and dried cilantro, the dish was overwhelmed by the plasticky taste of processed cheddar. Co-owner Frank Weshler assured me that the full-sized version, which is baked to a crisp, is better, but with so many solidly tasty alternatives, I'm not sure I'd order this again.
Panko Chicken Tenders, however, will definitely be on my plate next time. Fashioned from the soft muscle of the inner chicken breast and cooked till juicy in a dusting of crisp panko, they are a delight. The light panko allows the delectable chicken to take its rightful place as the dish's star flavour.
Although similarly juicy, W Burger Bar's Lamburger was subtler than both the chicken tenders and the beef burger. I ate mine in a wrap of bib lettuce, with menu-recommended cilantro yoghurt, mint sauce and alfalfa sprouts, plus a side of beets.
W Burger Bar serves a mean hamburger, but it's ripe for a sausage party, too. Female wait staff chirpily offer suggestions and shuttle dishes from kitchen to table, but good luck focusing on the teeming dining room, as their translucent pink v-necks and black bras emphasize bust over bustle. With such quality food on hand, the see-through tops seem unnecessarily tawdry, and I wish management would let the genuinely sinful mains speak for themselves. That said, I am guilty of my own indulgences, and will return to try W's confession-worthy after work special (2 mini burgers, a shooter and a beer for $9.95) and its boozy milkshakes.
A true believer, I know where all this booze and beef will take me, and I'm happy to go there: Heaven.
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For the best home made burger all you need is $6 and a ride to square boy on Danforth and Jones.
http://www.blogto.com/restaurants/squareboys
W wasn't bad. Their milkshakes are great, their fries need work and they need stronger buns - mine disintegrated half-way through my meal. The burger was dense but properly cooked, and very delicious.
I also wanted to tell those poor girls to wear flesh-coloured bras. A black bra under a light pink shirt? Tacky, ladies. Just tacky.
Do burgers really need to be gourmet, crazy fads. i will take a nice greasy, unhealthy, but delicious and filling burger any day. :D
I have been to lots of gourmet burger joints and have to say Craft burger is great, never been disappointed.
Burgers were excellent, and we all agree'd we would definitely go back. Also cheapest place ever!!! for PBR pints. $3.95 are you kidding me.
Only downfall to this excellent place is that one of the owners, i believe named, well I don't know, short guy, glasses and balding was quite rude. After speaking with one of the waitresses, who yes, wear low cut vnecks, but are still super polite, she shared with me that he basically has the social skills of lets say, a turtle.. Basically, coming back from the bathroom I was asking if I was going to finish carrying some boxes downstairs.. after giving the gentleman an odd look, I said why would I take them down, in which he replied, well what do you want me to take em down..
Once he found out I was a customer, well you would you know, expect some sort of apology, but no, just a weird look and back down the stairs he went.
Clearly this won't happen to everyone, but as long as that guy isn't around, I will totally go back!
Gourmet Burger Co in Cabbagetown makes a much better burger.
On the plus side, the panko crusted chicken fingers were really great and the fact that Pabst is on tap and retarded cheap ($3.95/pint). Service wasn't that great, the food came out slow and sporadic (three people in my party, none of the food came out together and the appetizers and mains came out at the same time).
A smile and efficient service is all I want from a server. If you're cute and sexy, that's awesome too, but not required. But if I wanted boobs, I'd be at a bar or a night club. Or in bed.
Make me a good burger and we'll talk.
Try it! You won't be sorry...there's a reason why they have been around for generations and generations....
hahahhhahaa you should've taken those boxes downstairs... maybe you woulde'v come across the girl's changing room and observed some very nice boobies there... hmmmmm boobies and burgers... what a match...
I'm not a red meat eater so my opinion may be a bit bias.
The ambiance is lacking a bit but I spoke to the owner, who so nicely introduced himself, and he said he'd in the midst of picking some art work.
I was a bit confused in the begining by all the topping selections but after taking a few looks at the menu it's pretty easy to create your own burger. They have great selection of condiments and toppings.
I ordered a turkey burger which to my surprise was very moist. I did layer it with a slice of mozzarella which always helps, but it was lean and flavorful. My boyfriend got the Bison which he ate in 6 minutes which I took as he enjoyed very much. I didn't love their fries and wasn't crazy about the bun, but we don't live in a perfect world.
Overall, give W a chance - they seem better than most other burger joints popping all over the place. I look forward to going back to W and trying some different toppings.
Thoughts on the food: The beef burger is delicious and priced extremely well quality-wise. I had it cooked medium and it was juicy and substantial enough to stand on it's own against the toppings (chili, mozarella cheese and sour cream). I'd have it again but substitute monterey jack. The fries (both sweet potato and plain ol' potato) were nothing special but the panko-breaded onion rings were amazing and a serious contender for best in the city! The panko chicken tenders were also really good.
The milkshakes were pretty decadent and with 3 oz of booze in 'em, packed quite a kick! I'll be back and you can bet I'll recommend this place to others.
I have to agree with the comments about the service being crappy. There were 3 takeout orders which came in after we ordered, and they were all filled first. I understand you're in a rush for take out orders, but just because we're sitting down doesn't mean we want to wait 30 min to have a burger cooked.
Plus, we're leaving a tip and those take out orders most likely are not.
It was frustrating, and the food wasn't good enough to make up for it.
sweet deal considering the quality of burgers
Aside from that it was indeed excellent. The service took a little while but it was relatively packed which was forgivable. The $4 beer helped. Will definitely come again.
Service is pretty slow. Has improved since the place opened but still has room to get better. Don't go here if you are in a rush.
Where is Toronto's best Philly Steak found?
Grabbed burger and fries to go, and while I waited had a $3.95 PBR.
Prices were right, taste was amazing and as a rarity, I was left full from this meal.
Just so you know, BQM opened way later than w.
And thank you everyone for the positive comments! We have a ton of new menu items and drink specials since this review and have made wonderful progress on changing some of the things that weren't working for our guests.
There has to be some serious management issues going on if they can't hold onto staff an judging from a lot of the comments here I can see why.
The staff here look miserable constantly and a friend of mine was interviewed 3 times to work here but never got the job. I guess it was decided she didn't look good enough in a low cut V-neck and the manager's perving abilities were hampered?
Either way, I will never go here again and I really hope this joke of a place takes a dive.