Montreal Burger Report Episode 58: Copacabana and Burger de Ville

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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.


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Episode 57: Copacabana

Episode 57: Copacabana [12:31]
(Download: MP3 18MB / FLAC 1347MB / Ogg Vorbis 11MB / Stream)
(or play it here)
[audio http://www.archive.org/download/20100526/MBR57.mp3]

Linda Extra Pickles Besner explains the evolution of her burger consumption from McDonald's and Harvey's through her vegetarian phase to where it is currently, rare with cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onions, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise and relish. Zeke explains how his path has gone in the opposite direction towards a plainer more austere burger. Our hero and heroine briefly discuss the food issue of the New Yorker. And then Zeke tries to sound all authoritative by making up some nonsense about what the law is with regards to a hamburger being cooked in Montreal.

[caption id="attachment_1406" align="alignnone" width="550" caption="The Interior of Copacabana"][/caption]

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 MontrealBurger.Wordpress.com and on CKUT 90.3 FM in Montreal. Our email address is MontrealBurger at Gmail.com.

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 DiscoBreak.com for the music, and YOU for listening.

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

[googlemaps http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=101337671826617990441.0004725bfe498f2b4a89e&ll=45.521082,-73.577886&spn=0.010524,0.018239&z=15&iwloc=000486e1e17593fa87f79&output=embed]

Episode 56: Copacabana

Episode 56: Copacabana [12:19]
(Download: MP3 17MB / FLAC 130MB / Ogg Vorbis 11MB / Stream)
(or play it here)
[audio http://www.archive.org/download/20100519/MBR56.mp3]

In today's episode due to a complete and utter abdication of responsibility by someone who shall remain nameless, Chris Zeke Hand is only joined by Linda Extra Pickles Besner. Our hero and heroine are left high and dry (well maybe not too too dry) at the most fabulous watering hole on the entire plateau, Copacobana where they discuss their impending visit to Burger de Ville.

[caption id="attachment_1362" align="alignnone" width="550" caption="Google Street View of \'the fabulous watering hole\' Copacabana. Notice the amazing piece by Stare above."][/caption]

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 MontrealBurger.Wordpress.com and on CKUT 90.3 FM in Montreal. Our email address is MontrealBurger at Gmail.com.

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 DiscoBreak.com for the music, and YOU for listening.

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

[googlemaps http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=101337671826617990441.0004725bfe498f2b4a89e&ll=45.521082,-73.577886&spn=0.010524,0.018239&z=15&iwloc=000486e1e17593fa87f79&output=embed]

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: Au Feu, Part 3

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Au Feu Bistro Allumé — Part 3 (10:25); (MP3 11MB / FLAC 55MB / Ogg Vorbis 7.41MB / Stream)



In this final part of the second episode of the Montreal Burger Report Zeke and Ed discuss the philosophy, aesthetics and principles about what makes a good hamburger, a great hamburger or the best hamburger, along with similar points about hamburger restaurants (are the hamburgers at Au Feu the best in Montreal?) While talking and eating the delicious hamburgers at Au Feu, Ed ends up defending the fries at Au Feu (Zeke wasn't that impressed).


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(The Montreal Burger Report: Au Feu, Part 1 and Au Feu, Part 2.)

Montreal Burger Report: Au Feu, Part 2

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Au Feu Bistro Allumé — Part 2 (10:25); (MP3 11MB / FLAC 55MB / Ogg Vorbis 7.41MB / Stream)



Au Feu is was a small restaurant on the corner of Mont-Royal E. and St. Dominique. It's a friendly and unpretentious neighbourhood joint that serves up decent "corner bistro"-slash-"Plateau pub" fare. It's been around for some time, and before it was Au Feu it was called "Anubis," which didn't really look any different, giving the impression that this is a bit of a grand-dad place for well entrenched (read: aging) hipsters.

They only have a few burgers on the menu. Chris and Ed visited on a quiet Wednesday night, where they were met with friendly, indeed neighbourly service. The shadowy corner where they set up, and the fact that they were about the only people in the place, didn't bode well. The personal touch can be a lovely thing in a good restaurant, but Ed said he felt a bit like he'd walked into someone's house where the room mate was doing the cooking.

Alas, such prejudices where misguided. Both Chris and Ed were very happy with their burgers; they were fresh, tasty, cooked just right, and were not drowned in exotic sounding sauces and frilly things. There was cold Boreal beer on tap, and the fries, while not brilliant, were serviceable. By the time they paid up and left, a crowd had appeared and the restaurant was buzzing with activity.

Ed's Verdict

Au Feu's burger was a real treat. The meat and bun were well proportioned, the preparation was perfect, and it didn't dissolve into a sloppy mess the way so many so-called "gourmet" burgers tend to do. This was a burger for people who really like burgers. I will definitely go back if I'm in the neighbourhood and I'm craving a burger.

Chris's Verdict

Au Feu was a wonderful burger ably abetted by extremely low expectations. When we walked in the restaurant was pretty much empty, and no matter how hard I try, if a restaurant is empty I can't help but think "maybe nobody else likes their food." At Au Feu, after being served and taking a bite, I didn't care if anyone else likes their burgers.

Again, it was a fairly generic burger, but done just about perfectly (or as Ed said "perfectly executed"). I can't say the same thing about the fries, but we weren't going for the fires. The service was good, friendly and efficient. And they weren't intimidated by our microphones.

Despite what I said during the podcast, I actually have been craving an Au Feu burger recently and might actually cross town in order to get one.

Address: 35 Mont-Royal E., Montreal, QC, CA. (See clickable map, below.)
Phone: 514-843-3391
Web site: none.


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(The Montreal Burger Report: Au Feu, Part 1.

Montreal Burger Report: Au Feu, Part 1

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Au Feu Bistro Allumé — Part 1 (10:25); (MP3 11MB / FLAC 55MB / Ogg Vorbis 7.41MB / Stream)



Au Feu Bistro Allumé is was a small and well established neighbourhood bistro on the corner of Ave. Mont-Royal and St. Dominique in the Plateau. Prior to the burgers, Chris and Ed warmed up down the street at Plan B, where they discussed the upcoming burger adventure over a couple of beers.

The podcast kicks in after they arrive at Au Feu. Check the links above, and listen in as they discuss beer, their expectations for the upcoming burgers, and a bunch of other burgery stuff.

Sadly, Au Feu closed for business soon afterward Chris and Ed's visit and has been replaced by a new and well lit café. Regardless, the Au Feu burger report is running anyway, because we'd hate to have all those beefy words wasted, and as a tribute to the passing of a good restaurant.


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The burger ditty that introduces the Montreal Burger Reports' Au Feu reports is Hamburger Hop by Less Than Jake.

Montreal Burger Report: Meat Market, Part 2

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Meat Market — Part 2 (10:48) ; (MP3 15MB / FLAC 61MB / Ogg Vorbis 8.96MB / Stream)



Meat Market is a hip but affordable restaurant on Boul. St. Laurent, between Marie-Anne and Mont-Royal. As the name implies, they specialize in meat. The menu contains a number of tasty sounding items, including the ubiquitous bavette, a rib steak, and most notably, "meat sticks" (meat on a stick) that are served with a variety of sauces.

However, this being the burger report, we went for the burgers.

There are five composed burgers on the menu, bearing names like "Le Grand Bleu" and "Swiss Miss." They each come with a cheese (bleu, goat cheese, provalone, etc.) as well as a sauce and a number of unusual items such as wallnuts, green apples, harissa, or a "calabrese chip." Interesting, to say the least, but how do they stand up as burgers?

Listen to the podcast and find out. This is where Chris and Ed's divergent opinions on what constitutes a good burger are revealed. They also discuss the fries (made from a mix of sweet and regular potatoes) and the rather odd beer selection.

Ed's Verdict

Meat Market is a fun and affordable restaurant that doesn't try to outdo itself. I like the place, and will return. But the burger, while tasty, didn't fully work for me. It was too sloppy with too much goo and sauce, and not enough of a meaty burger experience.

Chris's Verdict

Meat Market struck me as being a fairly generic restaurant with a fairly generic burger. I personally cannot remember anything specific about the burger that I ate. There wasn't anything really horrible about the place, but on the other hand there definitely wasn't anything super either. That all being said, my burger wasn't bad.

I did take a shine to their chips and tapenade, and the fries (a combination of shoestring sweet potato and shoestring normal potato) were quite tasty. Meat Market wasn't expensive, but it wasn't cheap either. Overall they strike me as wanting to be a middle of the road type of place. And probably (since I always prefer to eat at Great restaurants) the only way I would go back is if I was extremely hungry at the exact time I was in front of their door, and I would then order something else on their menu instead of a burger.

Address: 4415 Blvd. Saint-Laurent, Montréal, Québec, H2W 1Z8 (See clickable map, below.)
Phone: 514.223.2292
Web site: www.meatmarketfood.com


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(The Montreal Burger Report: Meat Market, Part 1)

Montreal Burger Report: Meat Market, Part 1

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Meat Market -- Part 1 (10:48) ; (MP3 16MB / FLAC 62MB / Ogg Vorbis 9.45MB / Stream)



Meat Market is a hip but affordable restaurant on Boul. St. Laurent, between Marie-Anne and Mont-Royal. As the name implies, they specialize in meat. The menu contains a number of tasty sounding items, eight different types of burgers, the ubiquitous bavette, a rib steak, and "meat sticks" (meat on a stick) that are served with a variety of sauces.

Chris and Ed warmed up across the street and down the block at Les Bobards, where they quaffed a few beers and discussed their strategy. Then they made their way to Meat Market, at 4415 St-Laurent. Once in the restaurant, they discussed the beer choices and made their orders. Ed ordered a Rio Grande Burger (Meat Market ranch sauce, guacamole, cheddar, caramelized jalapeño, lettuce & tomato) Zeke ordered the Swiss Miss Burger (Bacon, swiss cheese, caramelized onions, pesto mayonnaise, lettuce & tomato).

Click the links above to listen to part 1 of Chris and Ed's visit to Meat Market. Go here for part 2.