Montreal Burger Report Episode 47: Restaurant Philippe

Episode 47: Restaurant Philippe (5/5) [14:32]
(Download: MP3 21MB / FLAC 155MB / Ogg Vorbis 11MB / Stream)
(or play it here)[Audio http://www.archive.org/download/20100317/MBR_47.mp3]

This week Chris 'Zeke' Hand and Ed Hawco (also known as Blork) are joined by one of Montreal's best chefs Julie Rondeau at the Montreal Hamburger Institution, Restaurant Philippe.

[caption id="attachment_1072" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="The Restaurant Philippe Double Cheeseburger. Notice the crust formed by the Maillard Reaction."][/caption]

Zeke starts out by pointing out what he would do if he had Resto Zeke. Blork and Julie talk about the smashburger technique which produces a Maillard reaction and how it relates to the cooking and eating of hamburgers in great depth. Everyone discusses the ethical concerns of accepting free food and Zeke makes the executive decision to avoid any and all potential conflicts of interest by paying for everything. The general consensus is that they make great burgers at Restaurant Philippe, and everyone is in agreement that they should return often and soon.

Zeke's Verdict

I gotta give major props to Jack Ruttan for suggesting Restaurant Philippe (aka Resto Phil, Pataterie Chez Philippe and Chez Phil as well) and then to John, his dad and his daughter for making kick-ass hamburgers and cheeseburgers. I could ramble on using a variety of multi-syllabic words to elucidate on the exquisite appearance and how terrificly toothsome their repasts are. But I won't, and just simply state that they make really good hamburgers and cheeseburgers at Restaurant Philippe.

Ed's Verdict

The burgers at Chez Philippe are not sophisticated, but they are almost magically delicious. Whereas many burger places try to wow you with exotic sounding ingredients, and a lot of corner casse-croutes have traded in their souls for convenience and low-rent ingredients, Chez Philippe knocks me out with its modest menu of burgers that carry more than 40 years of uncompromising experience. The folks there still do it Phil's way, and the difference comes through in the flavour. They're one of the few places around (maybe the only one) using the "smash" burger technique, and the result is a gorgeous caramelized sear on the meat that amps up the beefiness to a heavenly level. It ain't fancy, but damn, is it good!

[caption id="attachment_1073" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="The Restaurant Philippe Double Cheeseburger after one bite."][/caption]

Restaurant Philippe
Address: 1877 Amherst
Phone: (514) 528-5957

[googlemaps http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&source=embed&msa=0&msid=101337671826617990441.0004725bfe498f2b4a89e&ll=45.519474,-73.563552&spn=0.005262,0.00912&z=16&output=embed]

[Previous Episodes:
Episode 43: Le Cheval Blanc & Restaurant Philippe (1/5),
Episode 44: Le Cheval Blanc & Restaurant Philippe (2/5),
Episode 45: Le Cheval Blanc & Restaurant Philippe (3/5),
Episode 46: Restaurant Philippe (4/5)]

Montreal Burger Report Episode 46: Restaurant Philippe

Episode 46: Restaurant Philippe (4/5) [11:25]
(Download: MP3 12MB / FLAC 104MB / Ogg Vorbis 8MB / Stream)
(or play it here)[Audio http://www.archive.org/download/20100310/MBR_46_vbr.mp3]

This week Chris 'Zeke' Hand and Ed Hawco (also known as Blork) are quiet and don't say a word. The entire show is spent listening to John Hachez talk about Restaurant Philippe's history, methods, recipes and love.

[caption id="attachment_1069" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="The Big Phil burger at Restaurant Philippe"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1070" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="The French fries at Restaurant Philippe"][/caption]

Restaurant Philippe
Address: 1877 Amherst
Phone: (514) 528-5957

[googlemaps http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&source=embed&msa=0&msid=101337671826617990441.0004725bfe498f2b4a89e&ll=45.519474,-73.563552&spn=0.005262,0.00912&z=16&output=embed]

[Previous Episodes:
Episode 43: Le Cheval Blanc & Restaurant Philippe (1/5),
Episode 44: Le Cheval Blanc & Restaurant Philippe (2/5),
Episode 45: Le Cheval Blanc & Restaurant Philippe (3/5)]

Episode 45: Le Cheval Blanc & Restaurant Philippe (3/5) [12:04]
(Download: MP3 17MB / FLAC 130MB / Ogg Vorbis 10MB / Stream)
(or play it here)[Audio http://www.archive.org/download/20100303/MBR_45_vbr.mp3]

Chris 'Zeke' Hand and Ed Hawco (also known as Blork) are preparing to leave Le Cheval Blanc so that they can eat some hamburgers at the Legendary Montreal Institution Restaurant Philippe. Julie Rondeau, one of the best chefs in town has joined them because she has been making changes to the menu at Le Cheval Blanc.

[caption id="attachment_1066" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Restaurant Philippe in Google Street View."][/caption]

In today's episode, while thay are walking down the street Zeke explains what a smashburger is, Blork gets all misty eyed and poetic about how wonderful and great the hamburgers at Restaurant Philippe are. And our heroes recognize it will be a momentous occasion because the previous time they had visited they had brought the restaurant reviewer from the Montreal Gazette with them and it was good.

[caption id="attachment_1067" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Restaurant Philippe interior view"][/caption]

Le Cheval Blanc
Address: 809 Ontario E.
Phone: (514) 522-0211

Restaurant Philippe
Address: 1877 Amherst
Phone: (514) 528-5957

[googlemaps http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&source=embed&msa=0&msid=101337671826617990441.0004725bfe498f2b4a89e&ll=45.519474,-73.563552&spn=0.005262,0.00912&z=16&output=embed]

[Previous Episodes:
Episode 43: Le Cheval Blanc & Restaurant Philippe (1/5),
Episode 44: Le Cheval Blanc & Restaurant Philippe (2/5)]

Montreal Burger Report Episode 44: Le Cheval Blanc & Restaurant Philippe

Episode 44: Le Cheval Blanc & Restaurant Philippe (2/5) [13:10]
(Download: MP3 20MB / FLAC 144MB / Ogg Vorbis 11MB / Stream)
(or play it here)[Audio http://www.archive.org/download/20100224/MBR_44_vbr.mp3]

This week Chris 'Zeke' Hand and Ed Hawco (also known as Blork) are still at Le Cheval Blanc, the oldest microbrasserie in Quebec. Julie Rondeau, one of the best chefs in Montreal has joined them and they have serious plans to go to the Legendary Montreal Institution Restaurant Philippe which is just down the street.

[caption id="attachment_1063" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="The menu board at Le Cheval Blanc"][/caption]

They discuss Julie's changes to the menu at Le Cheval Blanc and how beer is ordered in Quebec.

[caption id="attachment_1064" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Make mine a rousse."][/caption]

Le Cheval Blanc
Address: 809 Ontario E.
Phone: (514) 522-0211

Restaurant Philippe
Address: 1877 Amherst
Phone: (514) 528-5957

[googlemaps http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&source=embed&msa=0&msid=101337671826617990441.0004725bfe498f2b4a89e&ll=45.519474,-73.563552&spn=0.005262,0.00912&z=16&output=embed]

[Previous Episodes:
Episode 43: Le Cheval Blanc & Restaurant Philippe (1/5)]

Montreal Burger Report Episode 43: Le Cheval Blanc & Restaurant Philippe

Episode 43: Le Cheval Blanc & Restaurant Philippe (1/5) [13:45]
(Download: MP3 20MB / FLAC 149MB / Ogg Vorbis 11MB / Stream)
(or play it here)[Audio http://www.archive.org/download/20100217_526/MBR_43_vbr.mp3]

This week Chris 'Zeke' Hand and Ed Hawco (also known as Blork) start off at Le Cheval Blanc before walking down the street to the legendary Montreal institution Restaurant Philippe. And by a happy coincidence they are joined by one of Montreal's best chefs, Julie Rondeau.

[caption id="attachment_1011" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Le Cheval Blanc; north side of rue Ontario. Easy to spot."][/caption]

Zeke ended up arriving early and as you would expect immediately started talking to himself. Julie spots Zeke from across the bar and joins him. Blork shows up slightly later.

[caption id="attachment_1012" align="aligncenter" width="498" caption="The view upon entering Le Cheval Blanc."][/caption]

Le Cheval Blanc
Address: 809 Ontario E.
Phone: (514) 522-0211

Restaurant Philippe
Address: 1877 Amherst
Phone: (514) 528-5957

[googlemaps http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&source=embed&msa=0&msid=101337671826617990441.0004725bfe498f2b4a89e&ll=45.519474,-73.563552&spn=0.005262,0.00912&z=16&output=embed]

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."][/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)]

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."][/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."][/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."][/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)]

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)]

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."][/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)]

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."][/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.

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."][/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)

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

Howdy!

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


View The Montreal Burger Report Map in a larger map

(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

Howdy!

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.


View The Montreal Burger Report Map in a larger map

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

Howdy!

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.


View The Montreal Burger Report Map in a larger map