W Burger Bar
10 College Street 
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Phone: 416.961.2227
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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.
Comments (42)
Anyone else notice the amount of "gourmet" burger joints opening up in the city is increasing? Very few have impressed me thus far, at least not enough to ration spending $15* on a burger+fries, but this place looks/sounds like potential...
This place is pretty good actually. Friendly staff and probably the best turkey burger i ever tasted. I got a lot of sides so my bill for two ended up over $30. It was well worth it, the fries rocked and their bread is good. Since I live close this will be a regular joint for me.
Gourmet? Give me a break.
For the best home made burger all you need is $6 and a ride to square boy on Danforth and Jones.
Too bad about the ridiculous objectification of women going on at "W" burger bar. The food looks good, but I will not spend money there.
The best burger place hands down is the Yellow Grififn in Bloor West village. However, it could possibly be the worst service in the city as well. But the burgers are so good, I put up with it and go back.....
Out of all the gourmet burger joints, I still prefer HERO burgers.
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.
where are the boob photos? I need to see to know if I should visit. Objectification is awesome!
Where are the boobs, falsely labeled :p
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 can’t wait to try the W burger bar, food looks good.
I have been to lots of gourmet burger joints and have to say Craft burger is great, never been disappointed.
Definately have to agree with you Cathy. Love Yellow Griffin, but have to put up with their service. Give me a 'Healthy Kick' burger with sweet potato fries and garlic mayo to dip it in. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Those chicken tenders were honestly the best chicken I've had in T.O. in ages... they were cooked to perfection. Agreed though, the mac & cheese could use work!
I tried the chocolate banana spiked milkshake and it rocked. 3oz of booze in it too :) I've always been annoyed that more burger joints don't offer a whole wheat option, so it's nice to see that that's available here. I dug the sweet potato fries (with the chipotle mayo). I've tried the beef and lamb burgers are they were very good. Oh and they have PBR on tap for $4 a pint... not bad.
After getting messages this review earlier today, a couple of pals and myself figured we'd giver a shot.
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!
Went for dinner last night. And once again, I disagree with BlogTO's review. I had the beef burger with Aussie toppings, and ordered the burger medium. The meat of the burger was not seasoned at all (no salt and pepper), it was overcooked (almost crunchy), incredibly dry and the pineapple used for the Aussie burger was canned and the beets on my burger were not pickled. Ordered the mixed greens salad to start was consisted off standard greens and a unripe cold tomato sliced on top.
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 ($3.95/pint). Service wasn't that great, the food came out slow and sporadic (three people in my party, none of the food came out together and the appetizers and mains came out at the same time).
baby wanna bah-bah...grow up and lose your inhibitions. Sexuality isnt sexist is actually quite liberating once you embrace it.
South Street Burger Co at Yonge & Eglinton. Best burgers plus they serve New York Fries and amazing onion rings. Mmmm... think I'll go right now!
Do they still have round plates these days? If I ask for one, will I be laughed at? Jesus I'm only 29...
If wearing a black bra under a see-through top that's any colour except (a less-than-classy fashion faux-pas as long as I can remembered) is "sexuality" to you, then, damn, Jim, I think girlpublisher isn't the one who needs to grow up. The last time anyone thought that was genuinely sexy was when we were 14.
A smile and efficient service is all I want from a server. If you're cute and sexy, that's awesome too, but not required. But if I wanted boobs, I'd be at a bar or a night club. Or in bed.
Make me a good burger and we'll talk.
yeah... its weird that we would pay big money for a sexed up burger! its pretty much the same stuff as a regular burger, and the average person can easily make these themselves... but i think the whole concept of buying and eating a gourmet burger from a nice place, is that it makes us feel nice... its a treat for many of us. While it may not taste 10$ better than an average burger... the experience for many of us is worth it.... every now and again.
THE BEST ALL TIME BURGER in the city of Toronto/Thornhill honestly is at GOLDEN STAR..they have been around for 30 years..the guys are so nice, the fries are amazing, the onion rings are great..but their HOME BURGERS ARE HANDS DOWN THE BEST AROUND!!!!!!!!!!!! (who cares about the price!!! If it's under 10 dollars for a meal, then it's a good thing)
Try it! You won't be sorry...there's a reason why they have been around for generations and generations....
jayphill....
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 was excited to see a new restaurant was opening up at the Yonge and College intersection an area seriously lacking on good food options. After waiting a few months for it to open I made my way to W to see if they can walk the walk of burgers.
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.
went there yesterday and we really enjoyed the food (lamb burger, beef burger, half order of excellent chicken fingers). they have a good selection of beers on tap too—we got some maudite! the only thing that was not so great was that the guy i assume was the owner was going around taking photos of the place, including some of people eating, without asking. it didn't bother me but he could have asked.
Was hoping to welcome a great new burger joint in the area. This ain't it. Burger, just okay, but nothing I'd return for. And, no side pickle! The Craft "Blu" Burger still reigns.
So after all of these comments I had to go over and try it for myself.
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.
What is with all the comments about boobies? Settle down, this is a post about burgers in Toronto, not an outlet for your sexual frustrations.
I decided to try this place the other day for lunch.
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.
I found an amazing deal where you can get a burger and soda for 3.85 from W burger. The deal is at wagjag.com
sweet deal considering the quality of burgers
Same question as itskatie. And Laura, you live a tip at a restaraunt?! How unusually unusual and noble of you!
Definitely in need of some artwork, and the service could be a smidge quicker, but everyone was nice when we were there and the food was easily tastier than average. I would definitely visit again, assuming they can cut down the wait time; you kind of expect to be in and out in a jiffy when you eat at a burger joint. But hey, it's new, and I'm sure it will age well.
Dropped by to try that veggie burger. Was quite delicious although I found the patty a little dry. Don't typically buy veggie burgers though so I don't have as many points of reference. For some reason it looked to me like my and my friend's burgers were smaller than those of people sitting next to us. Did anybody else notice that?
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.
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