Burger Wars: A Religious Experience?

My exile in Toronto has serious advantages, all of them food-related. First of these is my mother’s cooking.  The second, and perhaps most crucial advantage, is the quintessential summer staple: the hamburger.
Sometime during the past year hamburgers became the must-eat item. Burger joints have opened up all across Toronto and greasy spoons are making ground beef patties de rigueur.  And it’s not just burger joints serving this summer special.  Put on your favourite elastic-waisted designer jeans — you’ll need the elastic waistband — and head to Nota Bene or Bymark for this American classic.

The High Priest (photo courtesy of website Food With Legs)

I opted, however, for a little religion in my burger search.  In May my first stop was Holy Chuck where I was able to feed my burger crave. I dined simply on a Jr Cheeseburger and the classically Canadian poutine and I was left wanting more.

My prayers were answered — which offered me the chance for an indirect comparison — when I chose The Burger’s Priest for dinner.  The choice wasn’t so random; Food With Legs had done a blind taste test between cheeseburgers from both burger joints.

K and I found bar stools by the front window settled down with our cheeseburgers, fries, and milkshakes.  (Unfortunately, I had run out of the house without my camera so I don’t have a photo of TBP’s cheeseburger. Do take a look at Food With Legs photos to get more of the religion on TBP’s burgers.)

We laughed and joked, as we usually do, and did a mini comparison of our own. We immediately decided that we’d have to return to Holy Chuck and try their cheeseburger…just to be fair.

So, back to Holy Chuck we went — not the same night of course; that would have been unholy unhealthy.

My conclusion?  Holy Chuck wins where the fries are concerned. The poutine had my tummy singing the Hallelujah chorus all the way through!  And Holy Chuck’s shake is also better.  It’s rich and it’s thick, but not too thick, and it didn’t melt into a watery soup.  TBP’s milkshake wasn’t as sweet as Holy Chuck’s but it wasn’t as thick which, for me, is not a good thing.  As for the cheeseburger, it’s a very close call. TBP’s cheeseburger seemed drier and the meat crumbled easily. The flavour was quite nice too and the meat wasn’t overwhelmed by the toppings.  Holy Chuck’s cheeseburger was juicier, so much so that I went through 6 napkins while eating.

After all that eating there was only one thing left: race to the nearest church to atone for my gluttony.

The Burger’s Priest
1636 Queen St E
(click for map)

The Burger’s Priest
3397 Yonge Street, Toronto
(click for map)

Holy Chuck
1450 Yonge Street, Toronto
(click for map)

PS: The Burger’s Priest has a not-so-secret secret menu (here courtesy of Food With Legs).