Quebecers don’t like burgers; they love them! Everyone has their own definition of what a good burger is, and some of us worship them. Ingredients, size, cooking techniques, purity, originality… Everything is up for discussion, testing and tasting, of course. So, while it’s impossible to award the prize for the best burger to anyone, here is a series of places across the province, known or not, recommended by burger enthusiasts.
The essentials
It is simply impossible to write an article about good burgers without mentioning a few institutions. Starting with the Louis restaurant, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year in Sherbrooke and offers a series of burgers, including the Gros Louis, which are still very popular. At Victor, in Quebec City, the gourmet burger has been the center of attention since 1991, with 17 different variations. However, we must not forget Montreal, where you can enjoy Chez Tousignant, a chef’s canteen that has managed to conquer the taste buds of foodies with its short map. Let us also mention the smash burgers of L’Hamburger, also present on the North Shore, as well as the memorable ones of Chez Simon cantine urbaine, to which we have already dedicated an article and which now has four addresses. Finally, let’s salute the decadent burgers of Gras Dur, triple champion of the Grand Prix of Burger Week, which takes place this year until September 8.
The Meatball (Montreal)
This restaurant in the Rosemont district has been full, seven days a week, for about fifteen years. What’s its secret? “Everything is homemade and carefully crafted,” says its owner, Jacques Trottier. AAA meats, mayonnaise made with fresh eggs, sauces made with stocks, fries made with potatoes blanched every day, artisanal bread. We are proud of what we serve.” Enough to make you want to try La Boulette’s 13 burgers, including the classic Beaubien, BLT style, the Canadian Salmon (with mushrooms and arugula) and the appetizing Chèvre. 2223 Beaubien Street East, Montreal.
Miss Inès, the hamburger workshop (Quebec)
Inès Gauthier was only 16 years old when she founded her first restaurant in District Gourmet in 2021 with the support of her parents. “I chose burgers because we all love them in the family, even my vegetarian mother,” she confides. Quality, respect for the product, and unabashed indulgence; the 11 burgers offered are delicious, whether it’s the classic Mlle Inès, with two “smashed” Angus beef patties and Quebec cheese, or the famous Raclette, which stands out with its raclette cheese, tomato chutney, maple-mustard sauce and caramelized onions. 990, Church Road, Quebec
The Ascot Canteen (Estrie)
Cook Maude Maher made her dream come true by launching her revisited canteen project in her native village in 2020. “My vision: to keep our classics, but with a twist funky and local,” she explains. This concept translates into a menu featuring six burgers served on brioche buns, and containing usual ingredients (ground beef, fried chicken) or less common ones, such as chuck roast, or crab cake married with beef in land and sea format. Note that this attractive canteen is participating in Burger Week 2024, until Sunday, with an Italian creation. 5626 State Route 112, Ascot Corner
At Mag, the fine canteen (Bas-Saint-Laurent)
There’s a beautiful family story behind this gourmet snack bar. Founded in 2018 on Île d’Orléans, its owners were stuck abroad during the pandemic… so much so that the couple’s three children took over! Back in Quebec, the family added two new addresses to their stronghold, including this canteen in La Pocatière. “Our musts ? The La Jupette burger, with two kinds of melted cheese placed on an Angus beef patty, says co-founder Louise Paradis. Or the Mer Sea, with large pieces of lobster and a sauce made with homemade lobster bisque. 53-A, route 132, Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatière
OG Burger (Laval)
OG, as in “original”. It was indeed in homage to the old burgers, which they found tastier, that two friends, including a chef, launched this snack bar last June. “Since we prefer burgers that you eat with one hand and that are well made, we chose to make smashes and to only include good stuff,” says Jean-François Charky. This good stuff is triple A beef shoulder, Martin’s potato bread, or Rock le coq fried chicken. The owner’s recommendation? “The OG burger, which is like the Big Mac, but much better.” 5237, Lévesque East Blvd, Laval
The unclassifiable
To conclude this short, non-exhaustive tour of places to devour good burgers, we would like to introduce you to different concepts, such as Mimi & Jones, a Montreal canteen… that is vegan! Like everywhere else, they offer croquettes, fries, and among other things four burgers with ingredients “that taste plant-based, but that people, including children, like,” says Catherine St-Cyr, also co-owner of Bistro Tendresse. Also in Montreal, the Marché des saveurs du Québec offers burgers every Friday, prepared according to the arrivals and the inspiration of the head butcher; not to be missed, it seems. Finally, Antoine Trudel, aka Tony BBQ, and his dirty burger, containing notably minced Black Angus beef brisket, potato bread, smoked bacon and fried onions, are raging at many events in the Quebec region. To discover!
This content was produced by the Special Publications Team of Dutyrelevant to marketing. The writing of the Duty did not take part in it.