Vancouver, BC, and Western Canada Burger Club

[dUbVADER]

Here is a pic of Coop jr. chowing down his burger :

[tlafleche]

Have you thought of going to the burger counter at the back of Save-on-Meats (43 West Hastings)? I'm not a burger connoisseur myself, but I've heard from several people that they serve up a good one. The neighbourhood cops certainly like it.

Theresa

[boris]

Friends,

I grew up in Vancouver - Kerrisdale, to be precise. I now live in the Seattle area.

I have eaten at Moderne Burger, and they make a solid well-made burger; however, I prefer the "White Spot" classic burger. The main purpose of this response is as follows:

The circa-1985 burgers at Red Onion are the BEST I have eaten in the city, although I always preferred the Double Dog with cheese . Things had not changed the last time I went to Red Onion 3 years ago but I guess they are presently rennovating? I hope they are done by the time I make my next visit - hopefully at the end of Nov.

Interesting that the fries have been so highly touted by others, as I have found they come across as near-burned, limp, and greasy in the past. Perhaps they have changed?

My suggestions - Cheeseburger with fried onions and "special sauce" - which is a very mild mustard-mayo based concoction. I know your "rules" suggest a plain burger, but I suggest the following; the complete burger experience is what is important. What defines the "experience" is that individual restaurant's interpretation of THEIR unique burger. Whether those distinctive features are placed inside the patty (the DB burger with foi gras, truffles and braised rib), inside the bun (cheese or onion), or between patty and bun, is irrelevant - each burger joint should be judged based on its best burger.

BUT....I really have to push the double dog with cheese, fried onions and special sauce!!! ( Insert emoticon of Homer Simpson drooling here)!!

Mark E.

Edited November 2, 2003 by boris (log)

[Ling]

boris and tlafleche: thanks for the suggestions!

I think the renovations at Red Onion are finished. I remember seeing ppl seated inside the restaurant a few days ago when I was bussing to school.

[elyse]

My suggestions - Cheeseburger with fried onions and "special sauce" - which is a very mild mustard-mayo based concoction. I know your "rules" suggest a plain burger, but I suggest the following; the complete burger experience is what is important. What defines the "experience" is that individual restaurant's interpretation of THEIR unique burger. Whether those distinctive features are placed inside the patty (the DB burger with foi gras, truffles and braised rib), inside the bun (cheese or onion), or between patty and bun, is irrelevant - each burger joint should be judged based on its best burger.

BUT....I really have to push the double dog with cheese, fried onions and special sauce!!! ( Insert emoticon of Homer Simpson drooling here)!!

Mark E.

Burger Club reviews the burger as the burger, not as the restaurant's interpretation of the burger. If it were otherwise, there would be no basis for critique, no common thread. The consistent thing must be the burger, or there is no point to Burger Club. Then call it Crap Between Two Pieces Of Something Club.

[dillybravo]

Hey,

The Red Onion is indeed reopened, and was incredibly busy tonight. Has anyone been to the Save-On?

[Ling]

Hey,

The Red Onion is indeed reopened, and was incredibly busy tonight. Has anyone been to the Save-On?

No, but tlafleche mentioned it earlier.

Is this a restaurant? A cafeteria-setting? tlafleche said it was a "burger counter". I'm curious about this place as well.

[tlafleche]

No, but tlafleche mentioned it earlier.

Is this a restaurant? A cafeteria-setting? tlafleche said it was a "burger counter". I'm curious about this place as well.

Save-on-Meats, famous for its neon sign...

...is primarily a butcher and green grocer. I had no idea they served burgers at the back until I read Timothy Taylor's novel, Stanley Park, and even then I wondered if that little bit was fictional. So I started asking around to those in the know, and lo and behold it was true. Not only that, but the giant burgers they serve for something like $5.00 are apparently quite tasty. Some of those people "in the know" were a little bitter that Taylor had revealed their secret.

Anyway, I go by there everyday on the way to work and think about the burgers. I think I'll just have to go in there one day and try it out. The same goes for the fish and chips at Only Seafood across the street – another longstanding and popular establishment in the downtown eastside – but that’s for another thread.

Theresa

[dgk]

New poster, recent lurker.

Quick googling turned up this link pertaining to the Save-On Meats counter, but also a few other spots in what the writer termed "Crackistan"..aka the Downtown Eastside. Last update for the page is listed as April 2003, so ymmv.

3ve Guide to Dining in Crackistan

dgk

[Coop]

The dining in Crackistan post sure proves that the internet is a conduit for many opinions. I did find the deep fried chicken head interesting. I wonder if that's a menu item, 2 heads in the 15 piece bucket. I was hoping that the next Burger Club meeting would be somewhere we could have a comfortable discussion on the burgers and other pressing issues. I'm not sure if Save-On meats would qualify. I hope that people don't think I'm elitist for this.

Edited November 3, 2003 by Coop (log)

[Jerry_A]

I was hoping that thew next Burger Club meeting would be somewhere we could have a comfortable discussion on the burgers and other pressing issues. I'm not sure if Save-On meats would qualify. I hope that people don't think I'm elitist for this.

I agree with you completely.

When reading about Save-on-Meats in Stanley Park, I said aloud to myself: "I will never go there". Not my cup of tea.

Edited November 3, 2003 by Jerry_A (log)

[Ling]

The dining in Crackistan post sure proves that the internet is a conduit for many opinions. I did find the deep fried chicken head interesting. I wonder if that's a menu item, 2 heads in the 15 piece bucket.

I've seen that picture of the deep fried chicken head floating around on the internet before. I think the guy who made the site just used it as a joke.

[forever_young_ca]

I ate at Rob Feenie's new restaurant - Feenies - for Saturday lunch. The teenager next to me had the biggest burger I have every seen. I don't know how he got his mouth around it. It was served with homemade fries. I can't remember the price of the burger, but I don't think it was outrageous. It looked beautiful, but I don't know how it tasted.

Just a suggestion - but you may put this place on your list for one of your burger tastings.

[Coop]

Yes I think we should give Feenie's burger some consideration. It will probably work out to close to what we paid for our burgers at Moderne. Let's keep it in mind. West's Wagyu Beef burger seems to be a little over priced though at $16.95.

[elyse]

In case anyone's interested in reading or adding to the Cutlets thread it's here. Plus, you can read his recs.

[Jerry_A]

Roxy Burger is right down the street from The Roxy, and I also assume they are affiliated. I know a few people that have been there a while back, and they liked it, though I'm not sure whether the burgers were actually good or if the abundance of alcohol they had consumed enhanced their critique.

As far as being too old for The Roxy I don't think anyone is too old for that place. Last time I was there (a long time ago), 'Cougars' were quite prevalent.

[Redhead]

I vote for the Red Onion, too. If only because it puts us within easy driving distance of Grandma's house, a convenient and cheap place to stow the Redhead twins for an evening.

Mr. Redhead is rethinking his 82% score for the Moderne Burger. He says he liked the new "steak burger" at A+W more than his Moderne creation. Sigh. Will we have to drum him out of the eGullet burger corps now? Redhead.

[Coop]

I hope not because Coop jr. gave the bun a 3 for seediness. He believed that it was an abstract way of rating a seedless bun. He was okay (3 out of 5) with the fact that the bun had no seeds. I don't think either should be asked not to return. These Cougars are they Washington State Alumni?

[Ling]

Mr. Redhead is rethinking his 82% score for the Moderne Burger. He says he liked the new "steak burger" at A+W more than his Moderne creation.  Sigh. Will we have to drum him out of the eGullet burger corps now? Redhead.

I think my bf rated the burger at Moderne an 84.

Then again, his idea of a day of gastronomic delight comprises of the Sausage and Egg McMuffin for breakfast, two Big Macs for lunch, and two Double Cheeseburgers for dinner. The first served with hashbrowns, and supersized fries for the burgers, of course.

Edited November 5, 2003 by Ling (log)

[sasskitty]

Sigh....would love to come on the 14th but I have a previous engagement.

The Red Onion's burgers are quite good, but might I recommend wearing a bib...every time I have gone I have left wearing a fair amount of my burger. And make sure you order the fry dip...mmmm...fry dip...

Have fun! I look forward to the results, and count Mr Sasskitty and I in for the next round!!!

[Ling]

Sigh....would love to come on the 14th but I have a previous engagement.

The Red Onion's burgers are quite good, but might I recommend wearing a bib...every time I have gone I have left wearing a fair amount of my burger.  And make sure you order the fry dip...mmmm...fry dip...

Have fun!  I look forward to the results, and count Mr Sasskitty and I in for the next round!!!

Cool...looking forward to meeting you two!

What's Red Onion's fry dip like?

I loved the dip at Moderne. If I were to go back (most likely will) I'd just order the big platter of fries and the dip.

[Tete Carre]

I've been lurking on and off for awhile but it finally took the 'humble/noble' hamburger thread to finally draw me in! In the right time and place I dearly love a good burger and would love to participate in the search for the best burger in Vancouver.

There is a new 'burger joint' on Cambie ((between 18th & 19th) called Harlows ( in the spot the terribly missed Fish Stop used to be). Prices range from about $8 to $12 and it's all they do. I've been once but, other than suggest it as a possible current or future venue, won't comment further ('twouldn't be fair eh?). They seat somewhere between 18 and 24 or so people. Might be a bit too similar in style/content to Moderne though (haven't been there myself yet).

Otherwise - have car, will travel - so if there's space at the next 'burger tasting table count me in!

[Ling]

Ahh...Harlows! This must be the place I saw on Cambie as I was driving by. I couldn't remember the name of the place--only that they had something like "Gourmet Burgers" scrawled on their glass window. As far as offering opinions go, I think you should feel free to tell us about the burgers there. Coop told us about his experience with Moderne before we went and I don't think it colored anyone's judgment during tasting. That said, welcome to Burger Club!

So is it OK with everyone if I set the date and time for Friday, November 14th at 7:30pm?

And I believe most of us want to go to Red Onion first, is that right?

[Ling]

Here are the suggested places so far. Pipe up if I've missed something! And feel free to add to the list.

-Feenie's

-Harlow's

-Red Onion

-Templeton (I read somewhere that this place was good)

-Roxy's

-Vera's

-White Spot

Where else could we go? I think we should go to some of the diners too. I like the food at Joe's Grill on W. 4th, but I haven't had a burger there.

[edm]

Templeton's got a nice vibe, but the food is not worth the trip, really.

Vera's burgers i found overcooked, even burnt.

The Yaletown brewing company makes a decent one.

But let me suggest you something : take the burger club to Whistler this winter, and go to the Splitz Grill. Now that's a pretty good burger, and they're serious about it ! Also try their "a la minute" caramelized banana split.

They've got the best burger i've had in BC so far.

Not that i am a specialist, my cup of tea being more wine and cheese. But i enjoy a big, juicy burger with tons of toppings from time to time, when i got a crave for junk food.