Atomic Burger is a new retro-futuristic burger joint in Toronto's Leslieville neighbourhood. With playful creations like the Space Cadet, Chicken Rocket Tenders, and Moon Shake, diners can expect a cosmic spin on familiar favourites. 

Co-owners and chefs Linda Jong and Gene Carpenter (Elsie's; formerly Fattoush Sandwich Club) set out to create an eating experience beyond the typical takeout.

"We're not trying to reinvent the burger, but to make something great accessible to everybody in our own fun way," they told blogTO.

After rounds of recipe testing, they arrived at one of their signature menu items: the Space Cadet ($9.90) — a double beef patty layered with two times the cheddar, pickles, onions, and a tangy-sweet house sauce that ties it all together. 

"The name [Atomic] came pretty organically. When we landed on the Space Cadet, it was just out of this world."

From there, the theme practically wrote itself. 

The mid-century, space-age design comes to life through curvy geometric wall cutouts and pops of warm, creamsicle-coloured orange. Think Back to the Future meets The Jetsons, without the flying cars.

Unlike their smash burger counterparts with paper-thin edges, Atomic is proving that galactic tavern-style patties also have their place. Each one starts with beef that's butchered, dry-aged, and ground in-house before being seasoned, seared on the griddle, and stacked high with fixings.

The Atomic Dry Aged ($12.99) features a five-ounce patty with melty aged cheddar, finely shredded lettuce, a thick slice of tomato, house pickles, chopped white onions, and mission-classified atomic sauce on a pillowy wheat bun.

Plump and juicy, with a good char and a reasonable amount of dripping, it's as close to my ideal burger as it gets, every topping evenly proportioned for an interstellar bite. 

Fans of the now-closed Fattoush Sandwich Club will be glad to see the fried falafel that once drew a loyal following return as The Martian Burger ($8.99). 

Vibrant green from being packed full of fresh herbs, the falafel patty is light and fluffy with a crispy exterior. It's balanced by a bright vegan aioli that adds a touch of creaminess. 

For sidekicks, there's crispy house-made Saturn's Onion Rings ($4.49) or oregano-crusted Chicken Rocket Tenders ($5.99) with your choice of space sauce. 

The Galaxy Shake ($7.30) is also not to be missed. Its otherworldly purple hue comes from ube, a starchy yam, blended with coconut milk for a creamy texture and vanilla-like flavour that's not overly sweet. To up the fun factor, it's topped with a generous swirl of whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles. 

Inspired by the fudgy sweetness of a classic mud pie, The Atomic Pie ($6.99) layers sweet potato, coconut, and cinnamon spice. It's finished with a cloud of whipped cream and a generous sprinkle of graham cracker and cookie crumble.

Although there's no indoor seating, the hand-held burgers, sidekicks, and space treats are all built for a smooth, steady takeoff. Enjoy them back at the office, in nearby Greenwood Park, or at your home base.

Atomic Burger is located at 245 Greenwood Avenue.