Dic Ann’s Part 3 (13:04); (MP3 17MB / FLAC 80MB / Ogg Vorbis 10MB / Stream)
On a cold and rainy night, our intrepid burgermeisters, their dates, and a chaperone piled into the car and made the long haul out to Boul. Pie IX to investigate the odd and surprisingly thin "burgers" purveyed by the mothership location of the home-grown Dic Ann's franchise.
Although Dic Ann's has various locations (none central), Zeke insisted that we had to drive out to Pie IX to experience the ambiance of the original location. And what ambiance! There are no tables at the mothership, only 15 stools at a counter overlooking the preparation area. (Other Dic Ann's locations offer fast-food style seating.)
We were lucky to get five seats in a row, but perhaps it was due to the weather. The restaurant is brightly lit, with blindingly bright yellow and white walls. Over the counter, a crew of neighbourhood girls and burly men kept the burgers moving with friendly, efficient service.
This isn't really a place to bring a date (although nobody told that to the guy in a suit sitting with a tranny at the end of the counter, but all that proves is that the transgendered love burgers too). Nor is it the kind of place where you linger over a beer, in particular because they have no liquor license.
The menu is simple and direct: four kinds of burgers, hot dogs, fries, and soft drinks. Aside from the simple hamburger and cheeseburger (each also available as "doubles"), there is the "Hi-boy" (a hamburger with lettuce and tomato, also available with cheese) and the "Hambourghini," which is topped with pepperoni.
The skinny fries are cooked in peanut oil, which is well noted on the walls and the menu, for those who have allergies. They were reasonably good, but unfortunately nothing special.
Between the four of us (one in the gang is a vegetarian), we knocked back about 13 burgers. That sounds like a lot, but believe me, these burgers are thin. You need at least two to make a meal. Chris, who is an unabashed fan, clobbered 6 of them.
Listen in to the meal's finale, and even better, the scuttlebutt regarding the goings on around us that the vegetarian notices while the carnivores had their faces buried in burgers.
Ed's Verdict
These burgers are odd (not that there's anything wrong with that). They are definitely the most unusual burgers you're likely to find in Montreal, which might explain their loyal base of fans. Most importantly, these little guys are tasty. It's not a sophisticated kind of tasty, but a good old fashioned meat and cheese in a spicy sauce kind of tasty. Very retro. And if you like your burgers a bit meatier, all you need to do is order a double. While I can barely bring myself to refer to these tasty sandwiches as "burgers," I'll not hesitate to go back.
Zeke's Verdict
I adore the Dic Ann's burger, and the Dic Ann's experience. The only reason why I would not call them the best burgers in Montreal is because I won't call any burger 'the best' burger in Montreal. But Dic Ann's burger is wonderful, delicious, and a lot of fun as well. I regularly convince friends and family to drive me (as I don't have a license) to Dic Ann's just so that I can share my enjoyment with them.
They offer a unique hamburger in a well designed space, quickly, cheaply and without any muss or fuss. What surprised me most on this visit, was that it was the first time I had ever eaten anything other than the 'Hi Boy' and and I was astounded to discover that without the lettuce and tomato the hamburgers and cheeseburgers at Dic Ann's taste even better. Next time (and there will be lots of next times) I will only order a regular (or maybe a double if I'm feeling adventurous).
Address: Various. Dic Ann's: 10910 Pie-IX blvd., Montreal North, QC, CA. (See clickable map, below.)
Web site: www.dicanns.com
View The Montreal Burger Report Map in a larger map
And the link to the video we mention is here.
(The Montreal Burger Report: Dic Ann's, Part 1, The Montreal Burger Report: Dic Ann's, Part 2.)
