Ask Jeff Ditcher what it’s like setting up an upscale burger bar at the tail end of Toronto’s burger craze, and he’s not too worried. The traveller, wine collector and founder of M:brgr opened his second location at King and Spadina on Sunday (the original location is in Montreal), despite the presence of Craft Burger and Grindhouse in the immediate vicinity. His rationale? Toronto’s burger demand is only going to get bigger. And besides, he says he’s got an edge on the competition, with waited tables, an extensive wine list, a resident mixologist and an awe-inspiring list of toppings ranging from the odd to the gourmet. Oh, and he’s got the only joint in town with a $100 burger on the menu.
M:brgr is all about options. Start by choosing a patty (AAA $8.75, organic $12, Kobe $19.75, veggie $9.75, or tuna $15.75), then a bun (whole wheat, white or a lettuce wrap), followed by cheese and then the mother lode of topping selections. While a more conservative customer might pop on some grilled onions ($1.50) or hot peppers ($1.25), someone partaking in a full-fledged burger bender might opt for black truffle carpaccio ($10), pulled pork ($6) or even foie gras ($11).
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- M:brgr’s take on the Big Mac comes with two AAA patties, cheddar, spicy fancy sauce, chopped onions, pickle, tomato and lettuce ($15.75)
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- An AAA burger with grilled pineapple, arugula and bacon ($14.75)
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- The Grilled Asian Chicken features baby bok choy, romaine, carrots, roasted ramen noodles, french fried onions, scallions and, of course, chicken ($15.75)
Take that burger indulgence to its logical extreme and you end up with the $100 burger: two Kobe beef patties, bacon, grilled pear, foie gras, brie, fig jam, asparagus, Piave vecchio cheese, garlic-roasted ham, porcini mushrooms, honey truffle aïoli and truffle carpaccio, and an assortment of sides. It’s like the more uppity brother of Dangerous Dan’s Colossal Colon Clogger.
On the more frugal end, M:brgr offers a lunch special ($12.75) featuring an AAA burger with fries and a soft drink. Part of the proceeds goes to SickKids.
The venue itself seats about 200 and is contemporary but warm with its oak-panelled walls. Large murals of Toronto’s cityscape are peppered with random oddities to keep customers amused in a Where’s Waldo sort of way (see if you can spot the space ship). Managing the kitchen is Adam Rutherford, who spent time cooking in such Montreal stalwarts as Globe and Rosalie.
As for the all-important burger preparation, the patties are made simply: ground beef is mixed with a medley of secret spices. But for Ditcher, the true test of a patty is how it tastes sans bun. “You have to be able to eat the patty on its own,” he says. “Most people don’t eat it that way, but that’s key for us.”
M:brgr, 401 King St. W. (at Spadina Ave.), 647-729-1747, mbrgr.com.
Would you have a $100 burger in a place where the patties are ‘simply made’? with Oak looking cheap chairs ?! Come on! Toronto sure as hell dont need another burger joint!
January 11, 2011 at 9:08 pm | by CRITICLet me guess…serves that other tired trend for dessert…cupcakes..
January 11, 2011 at 11:44 pm | by Red Maple LeafNothing says Classy Joint like tables set with Fast Food Napkins.
January 11, 2011 at 11:51 pm | by Oh, Noooo!Well Simply made burgers sounds a lot better then a burger who someone jazzed up way too much no names but there is a place in toronto. $100 for a burger but look at the amount of toppings and read those toppings pretty serious s**t.
I will be there Saturday gotta try this place out.
SideNote- A burger should be about the beef not how much junk they put into it. When you buy a steak do you want them to over spice or add to many extras? Bc salt and pepper on a steak is all you really need.
January 12, 2011 at 6:57 am | by Culinerd$100 dollar burger just makes me upset. I can picture these half wits telling their buddies “yeah man, we just opened up a place with a $100 dollar burger. pretty cool eh?’. Didn’t Montecristo try a $100 dollar martini? They are looonnnnnggg gone now. Why????? What’s the point? No sober, sane person would ever dream of ordering it. In fact I’m sure I’m not the only one completely put off this place just for having that on the menu. Absolute amateurs…
January 12, 2011 at 12:18 pm | by deanRarely do I wish bad but I hope they fluke out. Their ‘toronto needs lots more burger place’ is a tat of a talk down to us. Not good at all. $100… GTFOH!!!
January 12, 2011 at 1:21 pm | by JackOh Im sure the yuppies will eat this up. Please be warned, eat somewhere where the food and the beef actually matters. Lets say Beast, Cowbell et all.
January 12, 2011 at 1:38 pm | by Julie DrozdowA mixologist? I’m so there! Nothing I like better with my burger than a nice highball.
January 12, 2011 at 2:34 pm | by mattagascarI have visited this establishment in Montreal on numerous occassions and it is the best burger by far. I am excited to have one of these restaurants in the city.
January 12, 2011 at 3:28 pm | by HiggsI am SALIVATING….
Ive been to m:brgr in Montreal many times and have ALWAYS been blown away but the quality of meat and great taste of their brgr. Cant wait to see the New Location…. 100$ brgr might be slightly out of my price range but if you can afford it… call me and Ill take a bite of yours… Cheers BB
January 12, 2011 at 3:53 pm | by Hungry BoyPlease…people want value, there is zero value in mbrgr..I’ve tried it twice already because I always give places 2 chanes and both times its when you get the bill…it just isn’t close to worth it, again no value!
January 12, 2011 at 4:17 pm | by MarkDefinatly will not repeat and will not recommend.
Hate it when burger joints don’t disclose the cuts of their patties, which in terms of taste resonates much more than organic, grass fed, or AAA.
January 13, 2011 at 2:03 am | by henrybacon, grilled pear, foie gras, brie, fig jam, asparagus, porcini mushrooms, honey truffle aioli and barf LOL
January 13, 2011 at 11:39 am | by BG011All i can say about this place is that its a huge rip off! The average price for a burger, fries and pop is about $20 (if that). They charge you $2 for lettuce……seriously? Get the fuck outta here with that. Also being from Montreal you would think they had a dope tasting poutine but low and behold it tasted like mediocre McCain fries with grainy gravy and cold cheese. LOL Anyways if you wanna try it out for yourself go ahead….hate to say i told you so. Go to Craft Burger or even Harvey’s for that matter.
January 15, 2011 at 1:34 pm | by LosWas going to go there this weekend but opted to go to Utopia with friends, average price for the burger and fries combo seems pretty regular for the downtown scene anywhere you go where they use good product is between $12-$18 from what I seen. The lettuce is a little over much tho…Maybe this weekend if I feel like treating myself.
January 17, 2011 at 9:02 am | by Culinerd