Showing posts with label Ketchup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ketchup. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

The Montreal Burger Report 93: Le Jolifou (Part Five)

Howdy!

Episode 93: Le Jolifou (Part Five) [21:38]
(Download:
MP3 31MB / FLAC 108MB / Ogg Vorbis 14MB / Stream)
(or play it here)


Good day and welcome to episode 93 of the Montreal Burger Report. Where our heroes had just finished a disappointing meal at Le Jolifou. Listen today to hear how David Ferguson the owner and chef of Le Jolifou explains what went wrong, and how our heroes meal turned into a horror show.

He then starts to show how he creates his burger. Explaining where he got the initial idea. He then shows off his brisket, explaining how he cooks it (salt, pepper, smoking).

The Brisket

Zeke interjects while taking pictures to explain that he really can't take good pictures of food. David Ferguson explains the theory behind the bun. How and why he cooks the tomatillos. They then discuss the Birri brothers' vegetables. He then starts to build the burger. Mayonnaise, Salsa Verde, Brisket, Poblano, and Avocado, a discussion of burger architecture ensues.

Building the burger

Zeke begins to eat the burger while analyzing the relationships between the flavors.

The All Dressed Burger at Le Jolifou

He then goes on to explain how his preference is for a minimalist burger. They then discuss the textures in the burger, along with cooking methods. Zeke has an epiphany while eating and compares the hamburger at Le Jolifou to a Rothko painting.

'Magenta, Black, Green on Orange', oil on canvas painting by Mark Rothko, 1947, Museum of Modern Art

Thank you very much for listening to episode 93 of the Montreal Burger Report where David Ferguson the chef and owner of Le Jolifou saved the evening, as Zeke discovered he can eat sloppy burgers without fear. Where will Zeke and E Coli eat next? Who will they interview? And how many new burger joints are there in town? Find the answer to these and other questions next week in episode 94 of the Montreal Burger Report. Same Burger time, same burger channel.

Le Jolifou is located at 1840 Beaubien East they are open Tuesday to Sunday nights until 10 o'clock at night (later on Fridays and Saturdays). Their phone number is (514) 722-2175. And the website is jolifou.com


View The Montreal Burger Report Map in a larger map

In a nutshell; The Montreal Burger Report is Magilla Gorilla meets the film Diner at Toqué. It is a radio show and podcast where Zeke and E Coli go out have a couple of burgers, some beer and talk about them and to the people who make them. There is a new episode available every Wednesday morning at montrealburgers.com and on CKUT 90.3 FM in Montreal. If you would like to write to us, our email address is MontrealBurgers@Gmail.com.

The Montreal Burger Report is your source for the most in depth and comprehensive coverage about hamburgers, cheeseburgers, both with and without bacon in Montreal.

This episode of the Montreal Burger Report was written and produced by Chris 'Zeke' Hand. We would graciously like to thank CKUT for their support, Johnny Hicks for the music, and YOU for listening.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

The Montreal Burger Report 92: Le Jolifou (Part Four)

Howdy!

Episode 92: Le Jolifou (Part Four) [15:19]
(Download:
MP3 22MB / FLAC 75MB / Ogg Vorbis 10MB / Stream)
(or play it here)


Good day and welcome to episode 92 of the Montreal Burger Report. Where our heroes are at Le Jolifou waiting for their food.

It took 21:05.903 minutes from the time the wings were ordered to the time they arrived. Once the wings were done E Coli texted a friend who had recently been at Le Jolifou to ask about her experience.

Other people waiting for their food at Le Jolifou, notice the romatic lighting.

It then took took 10:15.405 minutes for the burgers to arrive.

Zeke eating a different burger at Le Jolifou

The waitress (whose name we missed) finally comes over and inquires as to how our meal is going... E Coli let her know.

Thank you very much for listening to episode 92 of the Montreal Burger Report where Zeke and E Coli tried to eat the burgers at Le Jolifou. What went wrong? Will David Ferguson be able to make everything alright? And how would you describe Zeke's epiphany? Find the answer to these and other questions next week in episode 93 of the Montreal Burger Report. Same Burger time, same burger channel.

Le Jolifou is located at 1840 Beaubien East they are open Tuesday to Sunday nights until 10 o'clock at night (later on Fridays and Saturdays). Their phone number is (514) 722-2175. And the website is jolifou.com


View The Montreal Burger Report Map in a larger map

In a nutshell; The Montreal Burger Report is Magilla Gorilla meets the film Diner at Toqué. It is a radio show and podcast where Zeke and E Coli go out have a couple of burgers, some beer and talk about them and to the people who make them. There is a new episode available every Wednesday morning at montrealburgers.com and on CKUT 90.3 FM in Montreal. If you would like to write to us, our email address is MontrealBurgers@Gmail.com.

The Montreal Burger Report is your source for the most in depth and comprehensive coverage about hamburgers, cheeseburgers, both with and without bacon in Montreal.

This episode of the Montreal Burger Report was written and produced by Chris 'Zeke' Hand. We would graciously like to thank CKUT for their support, Johnny Hicks for the music, and YOU for listening.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

The Montreal Burger Report 91: Le Jolifou (Part Three)

Howdy!

Episode 91: Le Jolifou (Part Three) [16:30]
(Download:
MP3 24MB / FLAC 88MB / Ogg Vorbis 12MB / Stream)
(or play it here)


Good day and welcome to episode 91 of the Montreal Burger Report. David Ferguson owner and chef at Le Jolifou still has the microphone and has successfully prevented any sound effects from happening. He is in the middle of explaining how and why he changed the concept of Le Jolifou from fine dining to roadhouse. And then finally our heroes are able to wrestle the microphone away so they can get down and eat! E Coli goes undercover and our heroes decide to order some chicken wings, cole slaw, a buttnaked burger and an all dressed burger. They then discuss the Ferguson's living arrangements and what public transportation to use to get to the restaurant while waiting for the food to arrive.

The bar at Le Jolifou

In real life E Coli and Zeke went to Le Jolifou and then afterward Zeke went and interviewed David Ferguson. But to make a more entertaining and enjoyable Montreal Burger Report experience we have artfully spliced things together so that David Ferguson explained things first. What you hear next happened a week before what you just finished hearing.

Chicken Wings at Le Jolifou

Thank you very much for listening to episode 91 of the Montreal Burger Report where David Ferguson owner and chef at Le Jolifou finally got off the microphone and let our heroes order. Will they ever get to eat? Where's the mayo? and what about the service? Find the answer to these and other questions next week in episode 92 of Montreal Burger Report. Same Burger time, same burger channel.

Le Jolifou is located at 1840 Beaubien East they are open Tuesday to Sunday nights until 10 o'clock at night (later on Fridays and Saturdays). Their phone number is (514) 722-2175. And the website is jolifou.com


View The Montreal Burger Report Map in a larger map

In a nutshell; The Montreal Burger Report is Magilla Gorilla meets the film Diner at Toqué. It is a radio show and podcast where Zeke and E Coli go out have a couple of burgers, some beer and talk about them and to the people who make them. There is a new episode available every Wednesday morning at montrealburgers.com and on CKUT 90.3 FM in Montreal. If you would like to write to us, our email address is MontrealBurgers@Gmail.com.

The Montreal Burger Report is your source for the most in depth and comprehensive coverage about hamburgers, cheeseburgers, both with and without bacon in Montreal.

This episode of the Montreal Burger Report was written and produced by Chris 'Zeke' Hand. We would graciously like to thank CKUT for their support, Johnny Hicks for the music, and YOU for listening.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

The Montreal Burger Report 90: Le Jolifou (Part Two)

Howdy!

Episode 90: Le Jolifou (Part Two) [14:18]
(Download:
MP3 20MB / FLAC 71MB / Ogg Vorbis 10MB / Stream)
(or play it here)


Good day and welcome to episode 90 of the Montreal Burger Report. David Ferguson owner and chef at Le Jolifou still has the microphone. He starts off by explaining how he became enamored of flavors, and how that affects his sauces and condiments. Which then leads into a discussion about the globalization of the food chain and the locavore movement. Along the way he discusses seasoning, carrots, and the sauces he makes.

The four sauces made at Le Jolifou

Thank you very much for listening to episode 90 of the Montreal Burger Report where David Ferguson owner and chef at Le Jolifou explained the ideas and theories behind the food that he cooks. Is anyone hungry yet? When are we going to eat? And what bus can you take to get to Le Jolifou? Find the answer to these and other questions next week in episode 91 of the Montreal Burger Report. Same Burger time, same burger channel.

Le Jolifou in the middle of winter

Le Jolifou is located at 1840 Beaubien East they are open Tuesday to Sunday nights until 10 o'clock at night (later on Fridays and Saturdays). Their phone number is (514) 722-2175. And the website is jolifou.com


View The Montreal Burger Report Map in a larger map

In a nutshell; The Montreal Burger Report is Magilla Gorilla meets the film Diner at Toqué. It is a radio show and podcast where Zeke and E Coli go out have a couple of burgers, some beer and talk about them and to the people who make them. There is a new episode available every Wednesday morning at montrealburgers.com and on CKUT 90.3 FM in Montreal. If you would like to write to us, our email address is MontrealBurgers@Gmail.com.

The Montreal Burger Report is your source for the most in depth and comprehensive coverage about hamburgers, cheeseburgers, both with and without bacon in Montreal.

This episode of the Montreal Burger Report was written and produced by Chris 'Zeke' Hand. We would graciously like to thank CKUT for their support, Johnny Hicks for the music, and YOU for listening.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

The Montreal Burger Report 89: Le Jolifou (Part One)

Howdy!

Episode 89: Le Jolifou (Part One) [13:14]
(Download:
MP3 18MB / FLAC 64MB / Ogg Vorbis 9MB / Stream)
(or play it here)


Good day and welcome to episode 89 of the Montreal Burger Report. We're going to play this one fairly straight, because we turn the microphone and pretty much the entire episode over to David Ferguson owner and chef at Le Jolifou, and we're not certain how he feels about sound effects. He starts off by explaining how he and his wife Helene got the name Jolifou from a Cornelius Krieghoff painting.


David Ferguson owner and chef at Le Jolifou then goes to explain just about everything you needed to know about the meat. While making small tangents to discuss the concepts and ideas of making authentic food and what exactly a Roadhouse is.


Once all is said and done, will he successfully hijack the show? Is anyone going to eat? And What about the condiments? Find the answer to these and other questions next week in episode 90 of the Montreal Burger Report. Same Burger time, same burger channel.

Le Jolifou is located at 1840 Beaubien East they are open Tuesday to Sunday nights until 10 o'clock at night (later on Fridays and Saturdays). Their phone number is (514) 722-2175. And the website is jolifou.com


View The Montreal Burger Report Map in a larger map

In a nutshell; The Montreal Burger Report is Magilla Gorilla meets the film Diner at Toqué. It is a radio show and podcast where Zeke and E Coli go out have a couple of burgers, some beer and talk about them and to the people who make them. There is a new episode available every Wednesday morning at montrealburgers.com and on CKUT 90.3 FM in Montreal. If you would like to write to us, our email address is MontrealBurgers@Gmail.com.

The Montreal Burger Report is your source for the most in depth and comprehensive coverage about hamburgers, cheeseburgers, both with and without bacon in Montreal.

This episode of the Montreal Burger Report was written and produced by Chris 'Zeke' Hand. We would graciously like to thank CKUT for their support, Johnny Hicks for the music, and YOU for listening.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Montreal Burger Report Episode 58: Copacabana and Burger de Ville

Howdy!

Episode 58: Copacabana [13:11]
(Download: MP3 19MB / FLAC 140MB / Ogg Vorbis 11MB / Stream)
(or play it here)


Chris Zeke Hand and Linda Extra Pickles Besner briefly discuss the Montreal Architectural Icon, the Orange Julep. Our hero and heroine decide to leave Copacabana and in order to begin their C&W burger experience. They walk outside and directly in front of a car, Avoid death a second time while getting into the cab and unfortunately only then does Zeke discover that the cab driver doesn't know any streets in Montreal. As a consequence they make an executive decision to go directly to Burger De Ville. Once they finally arrive they order.

Copacabana is located at 3910 Saint Laurent. Their phone number is (514) 982-0880. And they are open 7 day a week from about noon to 3 in the morning.

Burger de Ville is located at 59 Westminster in Montreal West, their phone number is 514 564 9902 and they too are open seven days a week from 11 in the morning to 9 at night
.
The Montreal Burger Report is a radio show & podcast where Zeke and Extra Pickles go out have a couple of burgers, some beer and talk about them. It is your source for the most in depth and comprehensive coverage about hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and sliders in Montreal. There is a new episode available every Wednesday morning at Montreal Burgers dot blogspot dot com and on CKUT 90.3 FM in Montreal. If you would like to write to us, our email address is Montreal Burger at Gmail dot com.

Copacabana
Address: 3910 Saint Laurent
Phone: (514) 982-0880

This episode of the Montreal Burger Report was written and produced by Chris Zeke Hand. We would graciously like to thank CKUT for their support, The Sweetback Sisters and the one the only the incomparable Brad Slyde of Disco Break dot com for the music, and YOU for listening.


View The Montreal Burger Report Map in a larger map

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Episode 55: Mr. Steer

Episode 55: Mr. Steer [10:40]
(Download: MP3 15MB / FLAC 114MB / Ogg Vorbis 9MB / Stream)
(or play it here)
[audio http://www.archive.org/download/20100512/MBR_55.mp3]

In today's episode Chris 'Zeke' Hand and Warren 'Soylent' Wilansky talk with Mahroof Tarafdar, the cook at the celebrated fixture on the Montreal Hamburger scene, Mr. Steer, and then they pay the bill and leave.

[caption id="attachment_1147" align="alignnone" width="550" caption="Steerburgers on the Grill at Mr. Steer"]Steerburgers on the Grill at Mr. Steer[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1153" align="alignnone" width="550" caption="View of The Grill at Mr. Steer"]View of The Grill at Mr. Steer[/caption]

The Montreal Burger Report is a radio show & podcast where Zeke and Soylent go out have a couple of burgers, some beer and talk about them. It is your source for the most in depth and comprehensive coverage about hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and sliders in Montreal. There is a new episode available every Wednesday morning at MontrealBurger.Wordpress.com and on CKUT 90.3 FM in Montreal. Our email address is MontrealBurger at Gmail.com.

[caption id="attachment_1151" align="alignnone" width="550" caption="A Menu Stand and the Condiments at Mr. Steer"]A Menu Stand and the Condiments at Mr. Steer[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1141" align="alignnone" width="550" caption="The View From the Counter at Mr. Steer"]The View From the Counter at Mr. Steer[/caption]

This episode of the Montreal Burger Report was written, produced and engineered by Chris Zeke Hand. We would graciously like to thank CKUT for their support, The Fabulous Bloaters, Cheech and Chong and the one the only the incomparable Brad Slyde of DiscoBreak.com for the music, and YOU for listening.

Mister Steer
Address: 1198 Saint Catherine W
Phone: (514) 866-3233

[googlemaps http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=101337671826617990441.0004725bfe498f2b4a89e&ll=45.501339,-73.571792&spn=0.005264,0.00912&z=16&iwloc=0004828a5eae1bca370a8&output=embed&w=425&h=350]

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Episode 54: Mr. Steer

Episode 54: Mr. Steer [11:00]
(Download: MP3 15MB / FLAC 116MB / Ogg Vorbis 9MB / Stream)
(or play it here)
[audio http://www.archive.org/download/20100505/MBR_54.mp3]

In today's episode Chris Zeke hand and Warren Soylent Wilansky talk with Louisa the waitress who has worked at Mr. Steer for 22 years and Simone, the cashier about their experiences on the job.

[caption id="attachment_1146" align="alignnone" width="550" caption="Interior View of Mr. Steer"]Interior View of Mr. Steer[/caption]

The Montreal Burger Report is a radio show & podcast where Zeke and Soylent go out have a couple of burgers, some beer and talk about them. It is your source for the most in depth and comprehensive coverage about hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and sliders in Montreal. There is a new episode available every Wednesday morning at MontrealBurger.Wordpress.com and on CKUT 90.3 FM in Montreal. Our email address is MontrealBurger at Gmail.com.

[caption id="attachment_1136" align="alignnone" width="550" caption="The Montreal Burger Report\'s Rig"]The Montreal Burger Report's Rig[/caption]

This episode of the Montreal Burger Report was written, produced and engineered by Chris Zeke Hand. We would graciously like to thank CKUT for their support, The Fabulous Bloaters, Cheech and Chong and the one the only the incomparable Brad Slyde of DiscoBreak.com for the music, and YOU for listening.

Mister Steer
Address: 1198 Saint Catherine W
Phone: (514) 866-3233

[googlemaps http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=101337671826617990441.0004725bfe498f2b4a89e&ll=45.501339,-73.571792&spn=0.005264,0.00912&z=16&iwloc=0004828a5eae1bca370a8&output=embed&w=425&h=350]

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Episode 53: Mr. Steer

Episode 53: Mr. Steer [13:12]
(Download: MP3 17MB / FLAC 134MB / Ogg Vorbis 11MB / Stream)
(or play it here)
[audio http://www.archive.org/download/20100428/MBR_53.mp3]

In today's episode Zeke recites the menu, Zeke and Soylent discuss the design and kitsch factor of storied and influential Montreal Hamburger Enterprise known as Mr. Steer, and try and ascertain if there is a sponsorship deal in place.

[caption id="attachment_1144" align="alignnone" width="550" caption="The First Page of the Menu at Mr. Steer"]The First Page of the Menu at Mr. Steer[/caption]

The Montreal Burger Report is a radio show & podcast where Zeke and Soylent go out have a couple of burgers, some beer and talk about them. It is your source for the most in depth and comprehensive coverage about hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and sliders in Montreal. There is a new episode available every Wednesday morning at MontrealBurger.Wordpress.com and on CKUT 90.3 FM in Montreal. Our email address is MontrealBurger at Gmail.com.

[caption id="attachment_1139" align="alignnone" width="550" caption="A Blurry Image of the Entire Menu at Mr. Steer"]A Blurry Image of the Entire Menu at Mr. Steer[/caption]

This episode of the Montreal Burger Report was written, produced and engineered by Chris Zeke Hand. We would graciously like to thank CKUT for their support, The Fabulous Bloaters, Cheech and Chong and the one the only the incomparable Brad Slyde of DiscoBreak.com for the music, and YOU for listening.

Mister Steer
Address: 1198 Saint Catherine W
Phone: (514) 866-3233

[googlemaps http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=101337671826617990441.0004725bfe498f2b4a89e&ll=45.501339,-73.571792&spn=0.005264,0.00912&z=16&iwloc=0004828a5eae1bca370a8&output=embed&w=425&h=350]

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Episode 52: Mr. Steer

Episode 52: Mr. Steer [14:46]
(Download: MP3 16MB / FLAC 150MB / Ogg Vorbis 10MB / Stream)
(or play it here)
[audio http://www.archive.org/download/20100421/MBR_52.mp3]

In today's episode James Gaspar, the Mister in Mister Steer explains the recipe, the history and everything you ever wanted to know about Mr. Steer. The cut of meat, where they get it, the French dressing, the Suzie Q fries and what has changed over fifty two years.

Mr. Steer is located at 1198 Saint Catherine West. Their phone number is 514 866-3233. And they are open seven day a week from 8 o'clock to 10 o'clock and midnight on weekends.

[caption id="attachment_1131" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Mr. Steer viewed from Across the Street "]The Facade of Mr. Steer viewed from Across the Street[/caption]

The Montreal Burger Report is a radio show & podcast where Zeke and Soylent go out have a couple of burgers, some beer and talk about them. It is your source for the most in depth and comprehensive coverage about hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and sliders in Montreal. There is a new episode available every Wednesday morning here and on CKUT 90.3 FM in Montreal. Our email address is Montreal Burger at Gmail dot com.

This episode of the Montreal Burger Report was written, produced and engineered by Chris Zeke Hand. We would graciously like to thank CKUT for their support, The Fabulous Bloaters, Cheech and Chong and the one the only the incomparable Brad Slyde of Disco Break dot com for the music, and YOU for listening.

Mister Steer
Address: 1198 Saint Catherine W
Phone: (514) 866-3233

[googlemaps http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=101337671826617990441.0004725bfe498f2b4a89e&ll=45.501339,-73.571792&spn=0.005264,0.00912&z=16&iwloc=0004828a5eae1bca370a8&output=embed&w=425&h=350]

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Episode 51: Mr. Steer

Episode 51: Mr. Steer [11:09]
(Download: MP3 16MB / FLAC 121MB / Ogg Vorbis 10MB / Stream)
(or play it here)
[audio http://www.archive.org/download/20100414/MBR_51.mp3]

In today's episode Chris 'Zeke' Hand and Warren 'Soylent' Wilansky are at the Legendary Montreal Hamburger Institution known as Mr. Steer. Our heroes talk about the sear marks, have a discussion on hamburger integrity and the meatball-like nature of the Steerburger at Mr. Steer.

[caption id="attachment_1135" align="alignnone" width="550" caption="A Steerburger and Suzie Q Fries"]A Steerburger and Suzie Q Fries[/caption]

The Montreal Burger Report is a podcast where Zeke and Soylent 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.

[caption id="attachment_1148" align="alignnone" width="550" caption="A Blurry Snapshot of the Number 6 Platter on the Menu"]A Blurry Snapshot of the Number 6 Platter on the Menu[/caption]

This episode of the Montreal Burger Report was written, produced and engineered by Chris 'Zeke' Hand. We would graciously like to thank CKUT for their support, The Fabulous Bloaters, Cheech and Chong and the one the only the incomparable Brad Slyde of discobreak.com for the music, and you for listening.

Mister Steer
Address: 1198 Saint Catherine W
Phone: (514) 866-3233

[googlemaps http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=101337671826617990441.0004725bfe498f2b4a89e&ll=45.501339,-73.571792&spn=0.005264,0.00912&z=16&iwloc=0004828a5eae1bca370a8&output=embed&w=425&h=350]

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Episode 50: Mr. Steer

Episode 50: Mr. Steer [11:36]
(Download: MP3 16MB / FLAC 124MB / Ogg Vorbis 10MB / Stream)
(or play it here)
[Audio http://www.archive.org/download/20100407/MBR_50.mp3]

Chris 'Zeke' Hand and Waren 'Soylent' Wilansky discuss the menu selections at the mythical Montreal hamburger eatery Mr. Steer. Soylent can't quite make up his mind about what to order. Zeke insists on getting sauteed onions with his hamburger platter. And lurking nearby is everpresent question of the orange stuff.

[caption id="attachment_1115" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Steerburgers at Mr. Steer "]The number 6 platter at Mr. Steer; Two Steerburgers with cheese and Suzie Q fries. (photo by BILLBINNS from flickr)[/caption]

Mister Steer
Address: 1198 Saint Catherine W
Phone: (514) 866-3233

[googlemaps http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=101337671826617990441.0004725bfe498f2b4a89e&ll=45.501339,-73.571792&spn=0.005264,0.00912&z=16&iwloc=0004828a5eae1bca370a8&output=embed&w=425&h=350]

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Montreal Burger Report Episode 42: Decca 77 & Firegrill (part 5 of 5)

Episode 42: Decca 77 & Firegrill (part 5 of 5) (14:07);
(Download: MP3 19MB / FLAC 155MB / Ogg Vorbis 12MB / Stream)
(or play it here)
[AUDIO http://www.archive.org/download/20100210/MBR42_vbr.mp3]Chris 'Zeke' Hand, Ed (Blork) Hawco, and guest Montreal burger reporter Frank Hashimoto debate the good and the bad of the Firegrill burger experience. The result is an existential quandary in which the burger is simultaneously a good burger and not a good burger.

[caption id="attachment_973" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Firegrill burger with fried slivered onions."]Firegrill burger with fried slivered onions.[/caption]

Ed's Verdict


Firegrill makes a pretty good burger, but the big-box format of the restaurant and the corporate feel of it diminishes any sense of craft. There's no way to know where the beef came from, and in my case the taste of the beef was overshadowed by the taste of the barbecue sauce (my own fault for ordering that one). That said, I give Firegrill points for keeping it juicy and not overcooking, and for keeping the toppings on point and suitable for a big juicy burger. On balance, I think it was pretty tasty, but not particularly distinctive.

Zeke's Verdict


I was impressed with how good the hamburger at Firegrill was. Part of it is due to how low my expectations were going in - however any place that will cook a hamburger rare for me, instantaneously becomes a good burger joint, if not a great burger joint in my mind. That being said, the generic nature of the restaurant does take something away from the whole experience - but not as much as I would have thought. Add to that the Deep fried onion, and anytime I think of Firegrill it makes me smile.

Frank's Verdict


I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by the burger. Firegrill is much like other many of the other nicer generic restaurant chains where you could expect a decent burger. Given that their raison-d’etre is food cooked on a grill, you could either expect that they know how to cook all variations of meat or that they are geared toward grilling steaks and would overcook your burger. I’ve usually found it to be the latter so I was quite content to have gotten a nice juicy burger well-seasoned to bring out the flavour of the meat. Plus the burger itself was well constructed with fresh ingredients. As far as comparisons to other restaurants, the burger was not good enough or special enough to make it a burger destination, but if I found myself there and didn’t have a craving for another menu item I would be happy to order the burger.

Decca 77
Address: 1077 Drummond
Phone: (514) 934-1077

Firegrill
Address: 1490 Stanley
Phone: (514) 842-0020

[googlemaps http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&source=embed&msa=0&msid=101337671826617990441.0004725bfe498f2b4a89e&ll=45.498948,-73.573122&spn=0.010528,0.018239&z=15&output=embed]

[Previous Episodes of The Montreal Burger Report:
Episode 38: Decca 77 & Firegrill (part 1 of 5),
Episode 39: Decca 77 & Firegrill (part 2 of 5),
Episode 40: Decca 77 & Firegrill (part 3 of 5),
Episode 41: Decca 77 & Firegrill (part 4 of 5)]

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Montreal Burger Report Episode 41: Decca 77 & Firegrill (part 4 of 5)

Episode 41: Decca 77 & Firegrill (part 4 of 5) (14:15);
(Download: MP3 20MB / FLAC 158MB / Ogg Vorbis 12MB / Stream)
(or play it here)
[AUDIO http://www.archive.org/download/20100203/MBR41_vbr.mp3]Chris 'Zeke' Hand and guest hamburger fan Frank Hashimoto have started to eat their burgers at Firegrill and get down to the business of describing them. Ed (Blork) Hawco is still waiting for his because of an ordering mixup.

[caption id="attachment_969" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Zeke's Cheeseburger, ½ lb all beef burger, Monterey Jack cheese, toasted bun, lettuce, tomato, pickle, red onions."]Zeke's Cheeseburger, ½ lb all beef burger, Monterey Jack cheese, toasted bun, lettuce, tomato, pickle, red onions.[/caption]

Zeke initially does not think it will be a good burger, but will his opinion change when he sees how it is cooked?

[caption id="attachment_970" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Zeke's Cheeseburger cooked rare."]Zeke's hamburger cooked rare.[/caption]

Finally Ed's burger shows up. Quantities of sauce and cheese are debated.

[caption id="attachment_971" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Blork's Firegrill Burger."]Blork's Firegrill Burger. ½ lb all beef burger, Monterey Jack cheese, bacon, BBQ sauce, toasted bun, lettuce, pickle, red onions.[/caption]

Decca 77
Address: 1077 Drummond
Phone: (514) 934-1077

Firegrill
Address: 1490 Stanley
Phone: (514) 842-0020

[googlemaps http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&source=embed&msa=0&msid=101337671826617990441.0004725bfe498f2b4a89e&ll=45.498948,-73.573122&spn=0.010528,0.018239&z=15&output=embed]

[Previous Episodes of The Montreal Burger Report:
Episode 38: Decca 77 & Firegrill (part 1 of 5),
Episode 39: Decca 77 & Firegrill (part 2 of 5),
Episode 40: Decca 77 & Firegrill (part 3 of 5)]

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Montreal Burger Report Episode 40: Decca 77 & Firegrill (part 3 of 5)

[AUDIO http://www.archive.org/download/20100127/MBR40_vbr.mp3]
Episode 40: Decca 77 & Firegrill (part 3 of 5) (14:12); (MP3 20MB / FLAC 160MB / Ogg Vorbis 12MB / Stream)

Chris 'Zeke' Hand, Ed (Blork) Hawco, and guest cheeseburger enthusiast Frank Hashimoto are at Firegrill Restaurant & Bar on Stanley Street, in the process of ordering their hamburgers and cheeseburgers (cheeseburgers for Frank and Zeke, the Firegrill burger for Blork). As appetizers they order a deep fried Spanish onion and some coconut shrimp. When the onion arrives, Blork is amazed and stops the whole production while he takes a picture:

[caption id="attachment_966" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="The famous deep fried Spanish onion."][/caption]

Disillusionment starts to creeps in, but then the burgers arrive and everything changes.

Decca 77
Address: 1077 Drummond
Phone: (514) 934-1077

Firegrill
Address: 1490 Stanley
Phone: (514) 842-0020

[googlemaps http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&source=embed&msa=0&msid=101337671826617990441.0004725bfe498f2b4a89e&ll=45.498948,-73.573122&spn=0.010528,0.018239&z=15&output=embed]

[Previous Episodes of The Montreal Burger Report:
Episode 38: Decca 77 & Firegrill (part 1 of 5),
Episode 39: Decca 77 & Firegrill (part 2 of 5)]

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Montreal Burger Report Episode 39: Decca 77 & Firegrill (part 2 of 5)

[AUDIO http://www.archive.org/download/20100120/MBR39_vbr.mp3]
Episode 39: Decca 77 & Firegrill (part 2 of 5) (15:19); (MP3 21MB / FLAC 169MB / Ogg Vorbis 13MB / Stream)

Chris 'Zeke' Hand, Ed (Blork) Hawco, and guest cheeseburger enthusiast, Frank Hashimoto make their way to Firegrill after briefly considering aborting the original plan and going to M:Brgr instead. Before they exit Decca 77, however, Blork gets back on his bathroom hand dryer obsession. Over at Firegrill, Zeke obsesses over the source of the beef used in burgers.

[caption id="attachment_963" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Firegrill (Stanley st. location) on Google Streetview."]Firegrill (Stanley st. location) on Google Streetview.[/caption]

The burning question of this episode: Will the burger be sloppy or not?

Decca 77
Address: 1077 Drummond
Phone: (514) 934-1077

Firegrill
Address: 1490 Stanley
Phone: (514) 842-0020

[googlemaps http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&source=embed&msa=0&msid=101337671826617990441.0004725bfe498f2b4a89e&ll=45.498948,-73.573122&spn=0.010528,0.018239&z=15&output=embed]

[Previous Episodes of The Montreal Burger Report:
Episode 38: Decca 77 & Firegrill (part 1 of 5)]

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Montreal Burger Report Episode 38: Decca 77 & Firegrill (part 1 of 5)

[AUDIO http://www.archive.org/download/20100111_769/MBR38_vbr.mp3]
Episode 38: Decca 77 & Firegrill (part 1 of 5) (14:37); (MP3 20MB / FLAC 162MB / Ogg Vorbis 13MB / Stream)

Chris 'Zeke' Hand and Ed (Blork) Hawco are joined by guest hamburger aficionado, Frank Hashimoto at the swishy downtown restaurant Decca 77, where they discuss the nature of chain restaurants, suburbs, knobs in ties, and whether the burgers at their ultimate destination for the evening, Firegrill Restaurant & Bar will be good, bad or indifferent.

[caption id="attachment_961" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Google Streetview of Decca 77."]Google Streetview of Decca 77.[/caption]

The guys get excited about the famous deep fried onion at Firegrill, something Blork has never seen before. In a related side note, Blork launches into a long soliloquy about the nature of the bathrooms in suburban restaurants. In the meantime they complain about the size of the head on their beers, which is followed by a profanity-laden sticker-surprise when the bill arrives. Everything gets weird when the subject of the tip comes up.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Montreal Burger Report Episode 37: Pub Next Door & Copoli 2 & Copoli 1

[AUDIO http://www.archive.org/download/20100106/MBR_37_vbr.mp3]
Episode 37: Pub Next Door & Copoli 2 & Copoli 1 (10:00); (MP3 14MB / FLAC 107MB / Ogg Vorbis 8MB / Stream)

Chris 'Zeke' Hand and Ed "Blork" Hawco make world history by visiting both Copoli 2 and Copoli 1 in the same night. Ed sits it out while Zeke orders a burger. The guys discuss the differences between the two restaurants, and surprisingly, the differences in the burgers between the two places.

[caption id="attachment_768" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Inside the burger at Copoli."]Copoli Hamburger[/caption]

Ed's Verdict


I like Copoli 2 as a friendly neighborhood restaurant, but I'm not a big fan of the burgers at either location. I like my burgers to be all about the meat, and in the case of Copoli burgers it seemed to be more about the eight-inch diameter gimmick and the condiments. It's a pretty good sandwich -- essentially kefta on Persian flatbread -- but it's not something you'd hold up into the light and proclaim to be a fine example of burger perfection. Still, if you like a good ol' ground beef sandwich and have an enormous hole to fill, it's a good choice if you're in the neighborhood.

Zeke's Verdict


I surprised myself on two counts, the first one being that despite having lived in Montreal for a considerable amount of time, I had never eaten at either Copoli restaurant. And the second surprise was obviously my ability to eat two Copoli hamburgers (in fact they were actually bacon cheeseburgers). Given that my first Copoli hamburger was distinctly underwhelming, I realized that it was extremely unlikely that I would ever eat another. In my view, there was nothing memorable about the hamburger. I wouldn't go so far as to call it a kefta, but neither one was a great burger.

Pub Next Door
Address: 5175A Sherbrooke O.
Phone: (514) 481-1596

Copoli Two
Address: 4458 Sainte-Catherine O
Phone: (514) 514-989-8580

Copoli One
Address: 5181 de Maisonneuve O
Phone: (514) 514-483-0000

[googlemaps http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&source=embed&msa=0&msid=101337671826617990441.0004725bfe498f2b4a89e&ll=45.482702,-73.605051&spn=0.021062,0.036478&z=14&output=embed]

(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 36: Pub Next Door & Copoli 2 & Copoli 1)

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

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)

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

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."]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)