Montreal Burger Report Episode 36: Pub Next Door & Copoli 2 & Copoli 1

[AUDIO http://www.archive.org/download/20091230/MBR_36_vbr.mp3]
Episode 36: Pub Next Door & Copoli 2 & Copoli 1 (13:00); (MP3 18MB / FLAC 140MB / Ogg Vorbis 11MB / Stream)

Chris 'Zeke' Hand and Ed "Blork" Hawco, despite having each finished a huge eight-inch Copoli Burger at Copoli 2, decide to make a run at Copoli 1. They pay up and head out into the night. On the way the continue to discuss the Copoli burgers already ingested, as well as the nature of neighbourhood restaurants and the competitive nature of Canadians.

(Previous Episodes of the Montreal Burger Report Episode 31: Pub Next Door & Copoli 2 & Copoli 1, Montreal Burger Report Episode 32: Pub Next Door & Copoli 2 & Copoli 1, Montreal Burger Report Episode 33: Pub Next Door & Copoli 2 & Copoli 1, Montreal Burger Report Episode 34: Pub Next Door & Copoli 2 & Copoli 1, Montreal Burger Report Episode 35: Pub Next Door & Copoli 2 & Copoli 1)

Montreal Burger Report Episode 35: Pub Next Door & Copoli 2 & Copoli 1

[AUDIO http://www.archive.org/download/20091223/MBR_35_vbr.mp3]
Episode 35: Pub Next Door & Copoli 2 & Copoli 1 (12:51); (MP3 18MB / FLAC 139MB / Ogg Vorbis 10MB / Stream)

Chris 'Zeke' Hand and Ed "Blork" Hawco finish their enormous eight-inch burgers at Copoli 2. Thoughts are mixed and divided. The word "gimmick" is raised. Despite the gut-busting nature of the Copoli burgers, Zeke makes another pitch for visiting both Copoli 2 and Copoli 1 in the same night.

[caption id="attachment_766" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="A Copoli Burger with bacon and cheese - all eight inches of it."][/caption]

(Previous Episodes of the Montreal Burger Report Episode 31: Pub Next Door & Copoli 2 & Copoli 1, Montreal Burger Report Episode 32: Pub Next Door & Copoli 2 & Copoli 1, Montreal Burger Report Episode 33: Pub Next Door & Copoli 2 & Copoli 1, Montreal Burger Report Episode 34: Pub Next Door & Copoli 2 & Copoli 1)

Montreal Burger Report Episode 34: Pub Next Door & Copoli 2 & Copoli 1

[AUDIO http://www.archive.org/download/20091216/MBR_34_vbr.mp3]
Episode 34: Pub Next Door & Copoli 2 & Copoli 1 (12:17); (MP3 17MB / FLAC 132MB / Ogg Vorbis 10MB / Stream)

Settled into their table at Copoli 2, Chris 'Zeke' Hand and Ed "Blork" Hawco place their orders and Ed pontificates on the nature of neighbourhood restaurants and the question of authenticity. The burgers arrive, and the guys are impressed with the size. Biting in, things get "interesting."

(Previous Episodes of the Montreal Burger Report Episode 31: Pub Next Door & Copoli 2 & Copoli 1 Montreal Burger Report Episode 32: Pub Next Door & Copoli 2 & Copoli 1 Montreal Burger Report Episode 33: Pub Next Door & Copoli 2 & Copoli 1)

Montreal Burger Report Episode 33: Pub Next Door & Copoli 2 & Copoli 1

[AUDIO http://www.archive.org/download/20091209/MBR_33_vbr.mp3]
Episode 33: Pub Next Door & Copoli 2 & Copoli 1 (13:53); (MP3 20MB / FLAC 149MB / Ogg Vorbis 11MB / Stream)

As they prepare to leave the Next Door Pub & Grill, Chris 'Zeke' Hand tantalizes Ed "Blork" Hawco's raging appetite by reciting the pub's menu. Ed has half a mind to abandon the project and eat there at the pub. Chris evens the keel and gets them back on track.

At restaurant Copoli, the guys snag a table and settle in to the business of surveying the menu and the environment.

[caption id="attachment_764" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Copoli 2 4458 Ste-Catherine O., corner Metcalf (Westmount)"][/caption]

(Previous Episodes of the Montreal Burger Report Episode 31: Pub Next Door & Copoli 2 & Copoli 1 Montreal Burger Report Episode 32: Pub Next Door & Copoli 2 & Copoli 1)

Montreal Burger Report Episode 32: Pub Next Door & Copoli 2 & Copoli 1

Play
[AUDIO http://www.archive.org/download/20091202/MBR_32_vbr.mp3]
Episode 32: Pub Next Door & Copoli 2 & Copoli 1 (13:19); (MP3 19MB / FLAC 143MB / Ogg Vorbis 11MB / Stream)

Warming up for their next burger report at the Next Door Pub & Grill (5175 Sherbrooke Street West) Chris 'Zeke' Hand and Ed "Blork" Hawco are undecided about visiting Copoli 1 or Copoli 2. Chris makes the bold suggestion that they visit both in the same night. Always up for something outrageous, Ed jumps on the bandwagon. Chris reiterates his theory of Montreal burgers and declares that one of the defining characteristics is thinness. Ed disagrees. Ed then casts his mind far back to the last time he had one of Copoli's eight-inch burgers.

(Previous Montreal Burger Reports: Episode 31, Pub Next Door & Copoli 2 & Copoli 1)

Montreal Burger Report Episode 31: Pub Next Door & Copoli 2 & Copoli 1

[AUDIO http://www.archive.org/download/20091125mbr/MBR_31_vbr.mp3]
Episode 31: Pub Next Door & Copoli 2 & Copoli 1 (11:12); (MP3 16MB / FLAC 119MB / Ogg Vorbis MB / Stream)

Chris 'Zeke' Hand and Ed "Blork" Hawco venture out to Next Door Pub & Grill, a small bar on Sherbrooke Street West that is "Westmount Adjacent" (aka in NDG), where they survey the scene and try the house beer, called Bumping Hill, Pumpkin Hill, or Bumpkin, depending on how many you've had.

After debating the merits of various "Westmount Adjacent" dive bars, they settle into a discussion of the night's mission: a trip to Copoli, home of "Montreal's biggest burger." The burning issue: should they go to Copoli 1 (across from the Vendome Metro station) or Copoli 2 (on Ste. Catherine, corner Metcalfe)?

[caption id="attachment_762" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Next Door Pub & Grill; easy to find if you know where to look."][/caption]

Montreal Burger Report: Le Bifteck St-Laurent & Buns Part 5

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Bifteck St-Laurent & Buns Part 5 (11:18); (MP3 15MB / FLAC 120MB / Ogg Vorbis 9MB / Stream)




Buns on Blvd. St-Laurent as seen via Google Street View.

Episode 30 of the Montreal Burger Report. In this episode our heroes, Ed Hawco (also known as Blork) and Chris 'Zeke' Hand discover how long it takes to to cook a hamburger at Buns, Zeke becomes a diplomat, Blork can't be objective and covets Zeke's third burger. Our heroes talk about the logistics of grinding beef in house and then depart for Else's.

The Montreal Burger Report is a radio show / podcast / blog / something or other where upon Blork and Zeke go out have a couple of burgers, some beer and in very generalized terms try to inform you about the good burgers in Montreal, the great burgers in Montreal, the best burgers in Montreal and everything else related to burgers in Montreal.


Zeke eating his third cheeseburger at Buns on Blvd. St-Laurent

Zeke's Verdict

I wasn't that impressed, although drinking enough beer beforehand can make just about anything palatable.

Ed's Verdict

I really love the concept of Buns; a small place that focuses on one thing -- at a very low price. Arguably, that makes it no different from any corner casse-croûte, but I've had some mighty fine classic burgers at hole-in-the-wall casse-croûtes. The difference here is the fresh young attitude and the degree of focus. The result? A pretty good straight-forward no-frills burger. A great choice if you're in the neighborhood and you want a quick and cheap bite that will hit the spot. On the other hand, the burgers were not spectacular, but what do you expect for four bucks? The only sour note was that my burger, which was quite small, was a bit overcooked. Zeke's third burger, however, was not, which tells me the grill man needs to work a bit harder on consistency.

That said, I'll definitely go back when I'm in the 'hood and I want a quick burger that will make me smile, but not necessarily sing.

Bifteck St-Laurent
Address: 3702 Saint Laurent
Phone: (514) 844-6211

Buns
Address: 3673 Saint Laurent
Phone: (514) 759-7799


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(Montreal Burger Report: Le Bifteck St-Laurent & Buns, Part 1, Montreal Burger Report: Le Bifteck St-Laurent & Buns, Part 2, Montreal Burger Report: Le Bifteck St-Laurent & Buns, Part 3, Montreal Burger Report: Le Bifteck St-Laurent & Buns, Part 4.)

Montreal Burger Report: Le Bifteck St-Laurent & Buns Part 4

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Bifteck St-Laurent & Buns Part 4 (13:43); (MP3 19MB / FLAC 150MB / Ogg Vorbis 12MB / Stream)



In this episode our heroes, Ed Hawco (also known as Blork) and Chris 'Zeke' Hand discuss the nature, concept, taste sensation and substance of the hamburgers at Buns. Blork states that he wants a bigger patty, then he thinks a smaller bun might do the trick, but then he decides in fact that a bigger patty would be better. He also loves the pickles. Our heroes also lament the lack of beer, and are unable to try the fries. But that doesn't stop them from ordering a second round of burgers.



Buns is located at 3673 Saint-Laurent, their phone number is (514) 759-7799 and they too are open seven days a week from 11:30 to 1 AM weekdays and noon to 2:30 AM on weekends.



The Montreal Burger Report is your source for the most in depth and comprehensive coverage and information announcing, describing, informing, and sometimes warning you about everything related to and involving hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and sliders in Montreal. The best hamburger, the crispiest fry, the coldest beer, the Montreal Burger Report covers it from every angle possible.


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Montreal Burger Report: Le Bifteck St-Laurent & Buns Part 3

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Bifteck St-Laurent & Buns Part 3 (14:16); (MP3 19MB / FLAC 152MB / Ogg Vorbis 11MB / Stream)



Before leaving Le Bifteck St-Laurent, Chris 'Zeke' Hand and Ed "Blork" Hawco solicit opinions from some of the bar hounds, such as Shan the Man. Across the street at Buns, Ed reads the menu, which takes about 12 seconds as all this place makes is burgers, and there are only a few variations.

Inside Buns, Zeke and Ed meet the owner of both Buns stores, who explains the concept and provides some details on the meat. (Canadian beef, 15% fat). The meat is ground off-premises, but they form the patties in-house daily. Zeke asks the burger cook if he can have his burger rare, and the reply is swift: "no." The boss then provides an explanation as to why rare ground beef is riskier than rare steaks or roasts.


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Montreal Burger Report: Le Bifteck St-Laurent & Buns Part 2

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Bifteck St-Laurent & Buns Part 2 (12:59); (MP3 17MB / FLAC 144MB / Ogg Vorbis 10MB / Stream)



After another round of nostalgia about Le Bifteck St-Laurent and its cheap beer, Chris 'Zeke' Hand and Ed "Blork" Hawco start talking about hamburgers. Specifically, they discuss their expectations of "Buns," the new minimalist burger joint that first opened on Ste-Catherine Street and later expanded to a second outlet on The Main (Boul. St. Laurent). Will it be the best burger in Montreal? Zeke is a little worried that the burgers will be too minimalist and plain. Ed is hoping for a good "backyard" style burger. Zeke points out the role reversal when it comes to expectations.


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Montreal Burger Report: Bifteck St-Laurent & Buns Part 1

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Bifteck St-Laurent & Buns Part 1 (11:19); (MP3 15MB / FLAC 121MB / Ogg Vorbis 9MB / Stream)



In this episode of the Montreal Burger Report, Chris 'Zeke' Hand and Ed (Blork) Hawco head up Boulevard St. Laurent for a visit to familiar territory. Both Chris and Ed have been on and around The Main for a couple of decades, so a trip to Bifteck St-Laurent for a few pre-burger beers brings out the nostalgia. As Ed struggles to remember if he really did get some beef at the Bifteck, Zeke recalls that this is the place where he learned it was OK to "leave beer over."

The guys get all "meta" and discuss the hamburger checklist and rating scales judiciously avoiding terms like "best," "meilleur" and delve instead into burger rating territory with words like "grind" and "crumble," while trying to come up with a better word than "gushy." They decide to have another beer as they prepare to visit a newcomer to The Main, the minimalist Buns, at 3673 Saint Laurent.


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Montreal Burger Report: Le Saint Bock & L'Amere à Boire Part 5

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Le Saint Bock & L’Amere à Boire Part 5 (13:35); (MP3 20MB / FLAC 145MB / Ogg Vorbis 11MB / Stream)



In the final part of the Le Saint Bock & L'Amere à Boire episode, Chris 'Zeke' Hand and Ed "Blork" Hawco eat their burgers and in the end are not overly impressed. Blork's burger had a dirty grease flavor that was so strong he didn't even notice the bacon. In the end, the talk turns back to beer, which in this case delivered more pleasure than the burgers.

Blork's Verdict

The more I ate my burger, the more I noticed a foul taste that seems to have come from a greasy grill that hasn't been cleaned. In the end, it was the dominant flavor, and it left a bad taste in my mouth that I could still sense the next day. Perhaps it was a bad night, because this place's reputation would sink like a lead canoe if all of the burgers tasted like that. Otherwise, it was a reasonably good sandwich, but not remarkable. The kind of thing you snarf down on a beery night out because you know you ought to eat something. Since I have been known to have the occasional beery night out, I might give this place another try -- just to see if that dirty taste is still there. But ultimately, L'Amere à Boire makes my beer list, but not my burger list.

Zeke's Verdict

As I said, initially I was anticipating something extremely good especially after reading the all the rave reviews on Chowhound about the Lamb Burger at L'Amere à Boire (one, two, three, four). Unfortunately what I didn't realize at the time was that they were all written by the same person. I should have known better, I didn't enjoy my lamb burger or my beer at L'Amere à Boire at all, and unlike Blork, I'm not likely to go back. Thankfully we had started the night at Le Saint Bock where the beer was delicious and the burger menu looked to be the same.

Le Saint Bock
Address: 1749 Saint Denis
Phone: (514) 680-8052

L'Amère à boire
Address: 2049 Saint Denis
Phone: (514) 282-7448


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(Montreal Burger Report: Le Saint Bock & L'Amere à Boire Part 1, Montreal Burger Report: Le Saint Bock & L'Amere à Boire Part 2, Montreal Burger Report: Le Saint Bock & L'Amere à Boire Part 3. Montreal Burger Report: Le Saint Bock & L'Amere à Boire Part 4)

Montreal Burger Report: Le Saint Bock & L'Amere à Boire Part 4

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Le Saint Bock & L'Amere à Boire Part 4 (11:37); (MP3 17MB / FLAC 124MB / Ogg Vorbis 10MB / Stream)



In this episode our heroes, Ed Hawco (also known as Blork) and Chris 'Zeke' Hand have left Le Saint Bock and order their burgers at L'Amere à Boire. Zeke wants his rare, Blork wants ketchup. Zeke doesn't know it but he will be disappointed, Blork won't be. While waiting for their burgers Blork and Zeke discuss how the Montreal Burger Report came into existence, and its reason for existing. Blork clamors for recognition, and then the burgers arrive.


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Montreal Burger Report: Le Saint Bock & L'Amere à Boire Part 3

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Le Saint Bock & L'Amere à Boire Part 3 (12:42); (MP3 17MB / FLAC 68MB / Ogg Vorbis 10MB / Stream)



In this episode our heroes, Ed Hawco (also known as Blork) and Chris 'Zeke' Hand finish their delicious beers at Le Saint Bock and are magically transported up the hill to L'Amère à boire for the main course.

Since the beers they had at Le Saint Bock were very good, both Blork and Zeke are hoping for the best with respect to the hamburgers at L'Amère à boire. Neither one expects a gourmet experience, but a good burger would complete the night.

Blork uses one of his lifelines to phone a friend and find out what L'Amère à boire means in English and what the pun is, Zeke asks the waiter for a recommendation about which beer to order and gets served the Černá Hora. Blork makes up his own mind and gets the Fin de siècle.


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(Montreal Burger Report: Le Saint Bock & L'Amere à Boire Part 1, Montreal Burger Report: Le Saint Bock & L'Amere à Boire Part 2.)

Montreal Burger Report: Le Saint Bock & L'Amère à Boire Part 2

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Le Saint Bock & Amere à Boire Part 2 (11:45); (MP3 17MB / FLAC 68MB / Ogg Vorbis 10MB / Stream)



In this episode, Chris 'Zeke' Hand and Ed "Blork" Hawco are having beers at Le Saint Bock anticipating the short trek up the hill to L'Amère à boire for their burgers. But before they leave, they notice the burger menu at Le Saint Bock. It has what appear to be very good burgers, or as Blork would call it, "perfection on a bun." Not quite gourmet burgers, they look like they would be very good burgers. However, our heroes continue with their plan, and make the walk up the hill to eat at L'Amère à boire.


View The Montreal Burger Report Map in a larger map

(Montreal Burger Report: Le Saint Bock & L'Amere à Boire Part 1.)

Montreal Burger Report: Le Saint Bock & L'Amère à Boire Part 1

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Le Saint Bock & Amere à Boire Part 1 (10:00); (MP3 14MB / FLAC 59MB / Ogg Vorbis 8MB / Stream)



In this episode our heroes, Blork and Zeke start off at Le Saint Bock a delightful microbrasserie (or as it is called in the part of the world that is not Quebec, a wonderful brewpub). Zeke orders and drinks a Malediction, Blork the Arrogant. Blork tries to goad Zeke, but is unsucsessful as Zeke quickly and gracefully steers the conversation towards more diplomatic waters.

Le Saint Bock is located at 1749 Saint Denis it is open seven days a week from 11 AM on weekdays and 1 PM on weekends the phone number is 514-680-8052 and their website is www.lesaintbock.com

The Montreal Burger Report is a radio show / podcast / blog / something or other where upon Blork and Zeke go out have a couple of burgers, some beer and in very generalized terms try to inform you about the wide and wonderful world of burgers in Montreal.


View The Montreal Burger Report Map in a larger map

Montreal Burger Report: Le Faste Fou Part 5

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Le Faste Fou Part 5 (13:02); (MP3 19MB / FLAC 78MB / Ogg Vorbis 11MB / Stream)





Chris 'Zeke' Hand and Ed ("Blork") Hawco tuck into their burgers and have a lot to say about mayonnaise, soft buns, beefiness, and parachuting. The burgers, while not lacking in flavor, do have some other lacks. A distinction is made between a critical lack and a non-critical lack. Listen in...

Ed's Verdict

Le Faste Fou's burger was tasty enough, and was presented on a nice soft bun (which I like), but it suffered from two problems: too much mayonnaise and not enough beef. That second problem -- not enough beef -- was the worst offender. After all, I believe that a burger's main attraction should always be the meat, and when that is lacking in flavor or volume, the whole package suffers. Had Le Faste Fou offered a double-burger option, I might have been more thrilled. In the end I'd rate it at as "pretty good" but not great.

Zeke's Verdict

It was that sense of lack that to this day stays with me. It wasn't a bad burger per se, but it really didn't have anything going for it, either. I'm not a big fan of any kind of ranking system, and it was only because of Ed's persistence that I answered the questions about which burger was the best burger among the many burgers that we had eaten. Overall, it wasn't a bad burger, but it wasn't a good burger, either.

Address: Various. We went to the location at 6390 rue St-Hubert, Montreal. (See clickable map, below.)
Phone: 514-271-3069 (St. Hubert location)
Web site: fastefou.com


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(Montreal Burger Report: Le Faste Fou Part 1, Montreal Burger Report: Le Faste Fou Part 2, Montreal Burger Report: Le Faste Fou Part 3, Montreal Burger Report: Le Faste Fou Part 4)

Montreal Burger Report: Le Faste Fou Part 4

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Le Faste Fou Part 4 (12:36); (MP3 18MB / FLAC 80MB / Ogg Vorbis 11MB / Stream)



Let's eat! Chris 'Zeke' Hand and Ed (Bl0rk) Hawco finally get down to choosing what they think is the best burger for each of them and ordering (Bl0rk gets an American, Zeke gets a Mexican).




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(Montreal Burger Report: Le Faste Fou Part 1, Montreal Burger Report: Le Faste Fou Part 2, Montreal Burger Report: Le Faste Fou Part 3)

Montreal Burger Report: Le Faste Fou Part 3

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Le Faste Fou Part 3 (12:11); (MP3 18MB / FLAC 78MB / Ogg Vorbis 11MB / Stream)



Chris 'Zeke' Hand and Ed (Blork) Hawco get back on track and get settled into a table at Faste Fou. They discuss the beer menu, and the originality (or not) of the concept of Faste Fou. Then they take a closer look at the food menu, which is vast (perhaps too vast). There's a lot to choose from, including a burger with peanut butter (According to Zeke not quite the best thing to put on your hamburger). Zeke likes 'em sloppy. Blork likes 'em classic. Which way will they go?


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(Montreal Burger Report: Le Faste Fou Part 1, Montreal Burger Report: Le Faste Fou Part 2)

Montreal Burger Report: Le Faste Fou Part 2

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Le Faste Fou Part 2 (12:47); (MP3 18MB / FLAC 80MB / Ogg Vorbis 11MB / Stream)



Chris 'Zeke' Hand and Ed (Blork) Hawco find some cracks in the belle visage of Gainzbar while trying to decide whether the Montreal Burger Report is impressionistic or expressionistic and then get into a discussion of the finer points of what makes for a good bar experience, along with trying to figure out the concept and process of the Montreal Burger Report. Just when you think there'll be no talk of any actual physical and three dimensional burgers they venture out into the cold (this was taped in January) only to get sidetracked again...


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(Montreal Burger Report: Le Faste Fou Part 1)

Montreal Burger Report: Le Faste Fou Part 1

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Le Faste Fou Part 1 (10:40); (MP3 19MB / FLAC 77MB / Ogg Vorbis 11MB / Stream)



Chris 'Zeke' Hand and Ed (Blork) Hawco head over to the Plaza St. Hubert for beers and burgers. Their first stop is Gainzbar, a wickedly lush boudoir-like watering hole. In Part 1 the guys discuss the bar, the whole crazy Plaza St. Hubert thing, and their expectations for the fare on offer across the street at restaurant Le Faste Fou.




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Montreal Burger Report: Dilallo Burger Part 4

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Dilallo Burger Part 4 (11:39); (MP3 15MB / FLAC 6MB / Ogg Vorbis 9MB / Stream)



Chris 'Zeke' Hand and Ed (Blork) Hawco continue to discuss the decor at Dilallo Burger on Notre-Dame Ouest, and Blork declares the crumble factor of his Dilallo burger to be "perfect." On his way back from checking the plumbing, Blork spies something in the kitchen that explains the perfect crumble. (You need to listen to the podcast to find out!)

Chris's Verdict

Two words: Absolutely Scrumptious. If you'd like something a little more detailed. They are extremely good burgers. They are great burgers. The only reason I can't say that they are the best burgers in Montreal is because I refuse to saddle anything with the label "Best of." That said, I highly, highly recommend and strongly, strongly suggest that you go and eat one or two, or three, or more) of their hamburgers as soon as you can.

Ed's Verdict

The Dilallo burgers I ate were delicious. They're freshly made to order, and they're not gussied up with silly stuff. I recommend you skip the lettuce and tomato and focus on the beautiful burger simplicity. The beef is fresh and has a perfect crumble factor, although it would be even better if there were a bit more crust. The bun is, at first glance, nothing special, but in fact it's my preferred type. I'm not crazy about big brioche style buns, or huge Kaisers. This is a nice soft, pliable white bread bun; perfect for holding your burger together but not in any way competing with it for attention. Dilallo Burgers are not fancy, and that's half the reason why they're so good.

Address: Various. The one we went to is at 2523 rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montreal. (See clickable map, below.)
Phone: 514-934-0818
Web site: None.
Map:


View The Montreal Burger Report Map in a larger map

(Montreal Burger Report: Dilallo Burger Part 1, Montreal Burger Report: Dilallo Burger Part 2, Montreal Burger Report: Dilallo Burger Part 3)

Montreal Burger Report: Dilallo Burger Part 3

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Dilallo Burger Part 2 (11:39); (MP3 15MB / FLAC 66MB / Ogg Vorbis 9MB / Stream)



Chris (Zeke) Hand and Ed (Blork) Hawco order their Dilallo burgers and wax on about cleanliness, the smell of fried onions, and the yellow and jaunty decor inside the Notre-Dame street Dilallo's restaurant. The burgers arrive, and they look pretty good!



Ed reports that the burger is "well done, but not overcooked." It's juicy!



Are they sloppy? What about the structural integrity? Crumble factor? The vernacular expands with the burgermeisters' waistlines. Listen in...


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(The Montreal Burger Report: Dilallo Burger Part 1. The Montreal Burger Report: Dilallo Burger Part 2.)

Montreal Burger Report: Dilallo Burger Part 2

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Dilallo Burger Part 2 (11:39); (MP3 15MB / FLAC 64MB / Ogg Vorbis 9MB / Stream)



Chris and Ed meet Toby, one of the bosses at the Burgundy Lion Pub, where they were warming up before heading across the street to Dilallo Burger at 2523 rue Notre-Dame Ouest in Saint Henri. Toby tells us about the Burgundy Lion's burger, he thinks it is one of the best burgers in Montreal, which sounds so good it almost derailed the mission.

But no! Across the street they went, into the bright yellow world of Dilallo Burger. Ed skims over the menu, where he finds they do indeed sell more than burgers (but not much more).

Tension builds, and after much deliberation, orders are placed...


View The Montreal Burger Report Map in a larger map

(The Montreal Burger Report: Dilallo Burger Part 1.)

Montreal Burger Report: Dilallo Burger Part 1

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Dilallo Burger Part 1 (11:42); (MP3 16MB / FLAC 127MB / Ogg Vorbis 10MB / Stream)



Dil-I-lo? Dil-AL-o? De-LIGH-la?

The full name of Dilallo Burger is Dilallo Burger Original 1929, which tells us that these burgers have been around since the first big stock market crash. (It's no coincidence that in these hard economic times, burgers get the best and biggest buzz in online food talk.)

The original restaurant is long gone, but the outlet in Verdun at 2851 rue Allard (near Monk) is within a few blocks of it, and is thus the most storied. Unfortunately, Verdun is not exactly known for its pub life, so Chris "Zeke" Hand and Ed "Blork" Hawco opted for the location at 2523 rue Notre-Dame Ouest, in Saint Henri, which is conveniently right across the street from the Burgundy Lion pub.

Listen in as Chris and Ed knock back a few cool ones at the Burgundy Lion in preparation for their visit to Dilallo Burger. Ed was a Dilallo virgin whereas Chris was an old hand, so to speak -- although it had been quite a while since he had been to a Dilallo Burger.

There are currently six Dilallo Burger outlets:

• 2851 rue Allard, Montréal (flagship): 514-767-9921
• 2523 rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal: 514-934-0818‎
• 6107 Rue Sherbrooke Est, Montréal: 514-482-2762‎
• 1680 avenue Dollard, Lasalle: 514-363-1000
• 5645 boulevard Grande-Allee, Brossard: 450-656-1313‎
• 4740 Route 132, Sainte-Catherine: 450-635-5553‎

All of which are not to be confused with either Chez di Lalla at 345 Villeray E or Restaurant da Lillo, 615 rue Jarry E.

The controversial upside-down burger on the Dilallo sign:



(Coming soon: a photo of the controversial upside-down Dilallo burger.)


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Montreal Burger Report: Méchant Boeuf Bar & Brasserie Part 3

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Méchant Boeuf Bar & Brasserie Part 3 (11:58); (MP3 18MB / FLAC 64MB / Ogg Vorbis 10MB / Stream)

Ed's Verdict

The room was too dark and too loud for my liking, but I know that some people seem to like that. Clearly, the very noisy people all around us where having a great time. However, we were there for the burgers, and I'm sad to report I was disappointed. The Méchant Burger is like something conceived on a white board by a marketing committee instead of by cooks in the kitchen. In other words, it looks good on paper but fails when executed.

For example, the proportions were all wrong, with the patty shaped more like a baseball than a hockey puck -- making it hard to eat and necessitating a long cooking time (because they won't cook them rare). The result is a ball of overcooked meat that's hard to cram into your pie hole.

It comes with caramelized onions, bacon, and two kinds of cheese (blue and gruyère). That all sounds great, but the blue cheese was very pungent and it overpowered everything -- even the bacon! Finally, it comes garnished with arugula. I love arugula, but it wilts very easily. When you put it on a burger all you end up with is limp stringy leaves that get stuck in your teeth. Oh, but it's arugula, so it sounds good in theory.

This burger should have been very good. And it could still be if they followed these bits of advice: (1) ditch the blue cheese -- or, to satisfy those blue cheese fanatics, make it a choice of blue or gruyère, but not both; (2) Re-shape the burger so it has the dimensions of a hockey puck instead of a baseball; (3) lose the arugula -- or put it on the side dressed with a bit of olive oil and white balsamic vinegar and a scratch of Parmesano Reggiano cheese.

But as-is, I cannot recommend it.

Zeke's Verdict

In short; it's bad. I didn't like it, nor was I able to finish it, which was not due to my being full and wanting a doggy bag.

In long; While I'm certain everyone at Méchant Boeuf is nice, sincere and has the best of intentions, when they get together to serve a hamburger despite their 'best intentions' it doesn't work out like they expected.

1. The music is too loud, both when it is played live or when it is pre-recorded and played over the sound system. This would be fine in a discotheque, but most of the time when I am dining, I like to converse with my companions - loud music makes that extremely difficult.

2. They advertise themselves as having the 'best burger in town.' However they only have one burger on the menu. While I'm all in favor of breaking with tradition, tradition states that if you serve burgers, you serve at least a small selection of (two, or three, or four) different types of burgers. Variations on a theme if you will. Only serving one kind of hamburger smack of fascism. I don't know anyone who likes fascism.

3. Speaking of the burger; it was overdone, dry, the flavor of the 'blue' cheese overpowered just about every other flavor and while I am not as dead set against a tall burger as Ed is, it wasn't a fun burger to eat.

4. In their defense, they do have a nice selection of beers, and there are lots of other things on the menu besides hamburgers.

Méchant Boeuf Bar & Brasserie
Address: 124 rue St. Paul West, Old Montreal. (See clickable map, below.)
Phone: 514-788-4020
Web site: www.mechantboeuf.com


View The Montreal Burger Report Map in a larger map

(The Montreal Burger Report: Méchant Boeuf Bar & Brasserie Part 1. The Montreal Burger Report: Méchant Boeuf Bar & Brasserie Part 2.)