As you all know I am a fit freak and like to keep it tight but last year or has it been 2 years, anyway a friend of my put the challenge up to find Toronto’s best burger and so it began every summer looking for what we call the best burger.  This summer(09) I am SURE we will find the elusive burger that is yummy to the tummy and if we fail I guess I will have to enjoy the spoils of being a loser.  I recently visited my family in the Windsor Detroit area and found the best, yes the best burger I’ve ever , yes ever had at Five Guys Burger in Detroit.  As we drove to Nortland in Detroit, a ride I believed was to far for a simple burger, the talk in the car among my family was of how delicious this burger was and how I was going to love it because it was the best burger ever…yes ever. Anyway as we drove by Norhtland mall my mind was flooded not with scrunches burgers but rather with memories of my youthful stomping grounds and flashbacks of shopping at JC Penny with my mom. So we get to the burger joint, nothing impressive about the presentation, it was a simple building with a design reminiscent of a 50s burger spot decked in red and white. The first thing I noticed when i walked in was its simplicity and bags of peanuts, I thought right away about all the people with peanut allergies that could not eat here. We stood in the continuously short line and ordered one burger each, as we waited for our burgers to be freshly made we sat down to snack on self serve peanuts, we sat there having good laughs and shucking peanuts laughing that a restaurant like this would not fly in Canada because of the peanuts and we laughed even hard as my brother and sister decided to fill their pockets with hand fulls of peanuts…they were indeed very good peanuts. Finally my name was called and there wrapped in branded wax paper was what was apparently the best burger…ever. I unwrapped my neat tightly wrapped burger and proceeded to take a bite. I felt my teeth sink slowly into the bun and through the juicy 100% beef patty a couple chews later I knew i had to order another burger because yes this was the best burger ever and this one burger was not going to be enough for me. So I had finally found the best burger…ever and it was located in Detroit…400KM away from my home. With their burger finished my fam continued to shuck and eat the complimentary peanuts as they watched intently as i began my on second bundle of wonder, as I finished my last bite I was informed that there was a wager that I could not finish two, which I did, I demanded my cut of the winnings.

Czehoski
The ultimate in bourgeois decadence, burgers at Czehoski are made with organic sirloin beef and bison, mixed with green peppercorns and topped with Italian truffles, porcini mushrooms, heirloom tomatoes, smoked bacon, espelette peppers, capers and foie gras. They’re served on a toasted sesame seed bun—and a silver platter, naturally.

Golden Star Restaurant
A Thornhill institution, this family-run burger joint has been open since 1965. And it’s easy to see why: the six-ounce, house-made patties are char-grilled and juicy, served with fresh lettuce and tomato, and house-made special sauce.
7123 Yonge St., Thornhill, 905-889-6891.

Black Camel
Forgive us for stretching, but Black Camel’s pulled pork sandwich is spectacularly good—and more satisfying than most burgers in the city. Once you try it, you’ll find it hard to go back to a regular beef patty.

South St. Burger Co.
This may come as a surprise, but one of the city’s best burgers comes courtesy of a fast food chain. A new spinoff of New York Fries, this Leaside shop has an interior that smells like a backyard barbecue. And the flame-licked meat is topped with a choice of such house-made offerings as peach or mango sauce (take that, McDonald’s), four kinds of cheese, chunky guacamole and fresh veg. The shakes and fries should not be missed.
45 Wicksteed Ave., 416-421-8559.

Johnny’s Hamburgers
So the burgers come out of a box, the staff wear paper hats and service can be surly. Who cares? Johnny’s does hamburgers the way you imagine they were back when “McDonald” was a Scottish surname and Mike Myers, a former customer, lived locally. They’re cooked hot—with fire—and dressed to order on a soft and satisfying white bun. All for $2.65.
2595 Victoria Park Ave., 416-491-7222.

You told us where to go. We went, we ordered, we ate. Here’s what we found:

Dangerous Dan’s Diner , 714 Queen St. E. 416-463-7310
Burger: $4.29

This Queen and Broadview cow palace is home to the Coronary Burger — two 8-oz. patties, bacon, cheddar and a fried egg. This is for amateurs. Pros get the Quadruple C (Colossal Colon Clogger Combo), which has a 24-oz burger, a quarter pound each of cheese and bacon, two fried eggs, plus a shake and poutine (defibrillator optional). I am therefore ashamed to order one plain 8-oz. burger, cut in half. I feel so … inadequate. We opt to eat in, sitting at dirty, broken-down car seats that serve as booths.

The taciturn dude at the grill delivers a juicy, medium burg fresh from the grill that’s packed with garlic punch. The lingering scent of Dangerous Dan keeps repeating on me throughout the day. Not that I mind. The patty was made of good-quality beef without fillers and the meat was handled with care, so it stayed moist.

(As with all our burgers, unless the place has a secret sauce to try, we go plain and simple: lettuce, tomato, ketchup and mustard.)

The only negative I can find is the tomato is pale and under-ripe. And Sabrina, being a cautious eater, is unhappy the burger was still pink in the middle, but I enjoyed it. Meaty, juicy and yummy. “It was big,” was Sabrina’s verdict. Yes, indeed. Dan’s the man.

The Real McCoy Burgers & Pizza , 1033 Markham Rd. 416-439-6804
Burger: $3.95

Like Johnny’s Hamburgers, this Scarborough stalwart does take-out only from its strip-mall location that’s home to several Sri Lankan businesses. They’ve been serving burgs at The Real McCoy for more than 25 years and they have it down to a science. With its tiled walls covered with faded portraits of the kids’ sports teams it has sponsored over the years, the Real McCoy is a true neighbourhood joint with fans all over the city. As one reader wrote after the last burger round-up: “I’m a west-end guy … the best burger in town is the Mojo burger at the Real McCoy. It’s worth the drive to the east end.”

How can we argue with that? We taste the basic burg (the Mojo adds bacon and cheese) and while we can’t quite pronounce it the best, it’s definitely a good burger.

The patty is on the thin side, but still good quality, and beefy tasting. Served on a toasted Kaiser, it’s not as drippy as some, nor is it as juicy because the patty seems a tad overworked. But it’s still tasty and this sits fine with Sabrina. “I like everything neat and tidy,” she explains. “I don’t like spillage.” I am wearing traces of Dangerous Dan’s on my shirtfront and still burping garlic. I feel like a slob, but a happy slob.

Golden Star Restaurant, 7123 Yonge St. 905-889-6891
All Star Burger: $4.45, milkshake: $2.80

Back when Coke cost a nickel, Margaret Costante and Frank Doria fell in love in South Porcupine, Ont. Eventually they ended up in Thornhill, where they opened the Golden Star in 1964. There, beneath the illuminated sign, they’re still serving the ace burgers that have made this north Toronto diner a favourite ever since the invention of Beatle boots. Toronto Star restaurant critic Amy Pataki gets misty when she talks about Golden Star. So I was prepared for a good hamburger when we walked up to the long counter. After all, Pataki knows her chow like few others in this city. But what we got was greatness. The juicy homemade patty tastes like chopped steak with a minced onion tossed in for extra oomph. Hot, fresh and perfectly cooked, with backyard smokiness and a lovely charred exterior, it fit the sesame seed bun like it was made to measure. The tomato was ruby red and juicy, the lettuce fresh. We also broke with protocol to try a vanilla shake and were initially disheartened to see it come out of one of those pre-fab machines. But it was actually quite tasty — milky and sweet with a lovely vanilla flavour.

Slip onto the orange plastic bench beneath plastic plants and enjoy your burger from a little plastic basket. It’s a total ’60s experience. We are unanimous. Golden Star is a great burger — and the winner!

The Yellow Griffin Pub , 2202 Bloor St. W., 416-763-3365
Plain, Plain, Plain! Burger (with fries): $8.85

We felt like rubes ordering a plain burger at Yellow Griffin, which boasts 35 varieties from Burning Schoolhouse to the Skippy Dipper — a burg topped with peanut butter (kind of a satay thing).

This is also our most formal stop: a quaint Bloor Street West pub with table service and an outdoor patio. The chef is silent as a tomb on what goes into his all-beef burger, but I taste a bit of lemon pepper or perhaps lemon rind. It’s quite yummy and a generous hot and tasty patty that tends to crumble as we eat, so while it’s not as moist as the other contenders, it’s nicely charred and has that honest-to-goodness barbecue flavour that burger lovers crave. And, the fries are delicious (like we needed fries at this point.) We waddle like hippos back to the car. “I think I’m having a heart attack,” I mutter.

Magoo’s Gourmet Hamburgers and Ice Cream , 4242 Dundas St. W. 416-234-1148.
Goo-Goo Burger: $3.40

Once again, we’re in a strip mall, this time in Etobicoke. Bright blue and yellow décor and huge stuffed CNE midway booty makes this a place kids would love. The burgers are cooked on an open grill to order. While our other contenders used varying degrees of flavouring in their patties, these are plain and simple and a bit on the dry side. “It’s neutral. Like Switzerland,” Sabrina volunteers. The bun has just a few sesame seeds sprinkled on top, but it’s fresh and the bun-to-burg ratio is good and for burger purists who don’t want a lot of noise with their cow, Magoo’s will fit the bill quite nicely. But the Magoo sauce is a mistake — too-sweet mayonnaise makes for an odd taste. The sandwich is much better without it.

So, there you have it. Doubtless we are still missing some of your flame-licked faves, but I honestly don’t know if I can do a third round. Oh, who am I kidding? Show me the error of my ways if we missed a primo hamburger and keep watching here for an update. Meanwhile, Happy Canada Day. I think I’ll have a hot dog.

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What you had to say about the city’s best burger:

Pete’s Burger in Pickering is by far the best burger..allowing myself to eat burgers once every other week I am VERY picky…must try — Candi

One of the best is to be had at Allen’s on the Danforth . (the beer choices aren’t bad either!)  — John

It isn’t on the menu, but the burger at Allen’s on the Danforth is the best burger I have had in this city. Cooked medium rare this is a burger lover’s delight. — Rob

When it comes to burgers and a great summer patio I can’t believe you didn’t even mention Allen’s on the Danforth !!! They have amazing burgers. My favorite is the standard old cheddar and bacon with sweet potato fries on the side but my fiancé loves goat cheese on his. They are so well known for their burgers they aren’t even officially listed on the menu, people just ask for them. And no I don’t work there, I just really like their burgers. — Kate

Without travelling to the outer ex-suburbs like Thornhill and Mr and Mrs Sauga, try K&S Restaurant at Queen East, just east of Logan. A huge burger on a sesame bun and just right for less than $5. But it is a copy of the one served at the famous Tulip Restaurant further east on Queen St. at Coxwell, a jumbo selling for $5.45. Try ‘em both and see who wins, besides your stomach. — Ken

Although I agree with the Golden Star “being best by far” as it was my old high school hang out — the best burgers south of the 401 still has to be The Burger Shack on Eglinton Ave.

I’ve been to many of the spots that you covered and feel that you got a good variety going for your list, but you unfortunately lack the all-time best hamburger … Toronto or Earth. I have no doubt that you’ve heard of the Wimpy’s hamburger chain, with its burgers so big that you need to cut the ends off with a fork and knife just to lift the bun. — Ronald

My vote goes to The Grillway at Annette and Runnymede. Unassuming greasy spoon with the most delicious burger; great bun, choice of toppings. Amazing. Extra added value comes from admiring the tough cookie at the cash register remember everyone’s order, keep the line moving and take absolutely no sass from the many many schoolkids that pile into the place for lunchtime poutine. — Cathy

I must let you know about this fabulous place called Hero’s. It has by far the best Gourmet burgers in Toronto. — Tamara

Harvey’s — Brock

People’s (176 Dupont) serves the best straight-up hamburger in the city….no questions asked. Your list is incomplete without it. My suggestions is to get a side of o-rings too….you can’t go wrong. — Michael

I have to admit, I am a Harvey’s lady … I was a Harvey’s girl … now I am a old Harvey’s lady. I ate my first Harvey’s on Avenue Rd. (South of 401) North York when they first opened 40 odd years ago. Wherever I live I eat Harvey’s. The only other burger that i would eat is Webers. — Joan

You missed another great burger joint in the west-end. Magic Spots at Royal York and Bloor.They have yummy burgers, and an amazing chicken greek salad … to die for. It has been around for a long time and I am sure you will not be disappointed. Everyone from the west-end has grown-up eating at the place. — Tania

My all time favourite burger joint is definitely the Hope Street Diner at 324-326 Lonsdale Road in Toronto. It’s a cozy little Café like joint that serves extremely moist and tender burgers cooked to your liking. — Lina

Just tried a great new place over in Leaside area, opened this week. It’s called South Street Burger Co. and has great fresh tasting burgers with amazing onion rings. The French fries looked great too. — Patricia

Still recommed you try: Wimpies (on Kingston Road). The best burgers so far in my eyes. — Mary