Rating Toronto's best veggie burgers
Bonnie Stern gives our buns a workout
by Hailey Eisen
OVER THE PAST 10 years, veggie burgers have taken their place on backyard barbeques and fast food menus as a popular alternativ for the vegetarians among us. But with the trend moving toward healthy and sustainable food choices, even carnivores are comin to appreciate this delicious and often nutritious meatless option. In fact, some veggie patties taste so similar to their bee counterparts that, once loaded up with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, mayo and cheese, it’s hard to tell them apart.
On one of the first mild days of the season, I set out on a quest to find the city's best veggie burgers. Who better to enlist as ou celebrity taster than Toronto’s heroine of healthy cooking and acclaimed author of 12 best-selling cookbooks, Bonnie Stern? arrived at her mid-town cooking school with our heated Koolatron filled with seven of Toronto’s top vegetarian burgers hailing from local burger chains, vegetarian eateries and neighbourhood pubs. “I prefer veggie burgers that don’t taste like meat,” explain Stern as we unwrap the first all-dressed sandwich. Her own recipe for homemade meatless patties includes barley, onion, carrots and mushrooms. “This can be a really healthy option if cooked on the grill and served on a whole wheat bun,” she Bonnie Stern on meatless miracles says.
Grand Prize Winner!
HERO CERTIFIED BURGERS 55 Avenue Rd., 416-925-7772
Our first impression of this burger is that it looks great! The fresh egg-bread bun is a nice touch, topped with poppy and sesame seeds. The soya protein patty has a meat-like texture and tastes great, especially when topped with all the fixings including the creamy Hero Certified Sauce.
Ask for:
Soul Burger $4.95
The Runner-Up
FRESH ON BLOOR 326 Bloor St. W., 416-531-2635
You won’t feel guilty biting into this burger — it screams healthy! The tasty almond, grain, vegetable and tofu patty (which looks and tastes nothing like meat) is topped with fresh veggies and house mayo and served on a multigrain bun. Treat yourself to a side order of Fresh’s famous sweet potato fries.
Ask for:
Deluxe Burger $8.00
Bronze Medal
GROUCHO'S GOURMET BURGERS 1574 Bayview Ave., 416-482-3456
This take-out joint does not disappoint! The flavourful grilled patty is made from soya, brown rice and mushrooms and also won’t be mistaken for beef. Topping choices include the usual fixings as well as tzatziki and sprouts, which contribute to the burger’s a fresh, healthy taste.
Ask for:
Veggie Burger $5.25
Thickest & Juiciest
SAFARI BAR & GRILL 1749 Avenue Rd., 416-787-6584
When you’re out for a beer at this neighbourhood pub, the garden burger is a delicious winning choice. The vegetables, including eggplant, zucchini and red bell peppers, that are blended into the patty give it a nice colour and flavour. But, Stern says the patty’s a bit too thick for her liking.
Ask for:
Garden Burger $7.99
Tops in Toppings
SOUTH ST., BURGER COMPANY 2215 Steeles Ave. W., 416-514-1412
This new eatery has been getting rave reviews around the office. The selection of toppings is impressive with fresh guacamole and mango chutney to name a few. The burger itself tastes pretty good but seems to be a bit burnt. The bun is kaiser-style and fresh. Treat yourself to a side order of onion rings!
Ask for:
Veggie Burger $4.50
For Meat Lovers
LICK'S 860 York Mills Rd., 416-391-3113
Lick’s is famous for its veggie burgers which can easily be mistaken for meat. The texture of the patty is that of a finely ground burger, but Stern says it’s too mushy. Toppings are plentiful and include tomatoes, pickles, onions, and Lick’s’ famous guk sauce. This sandwich is a meal in itself.
Ask for:
Nature Burger $4.69
Biggest & Boldest
HAIR OF THE DOG 425 Church St., 416-964-2708
This veggie burger came highly recommended. Though it doesn’t look like a traditional burger, the whole wheat bun is fresh and quite tasty. The patty, which is made of pecans, brown rice, mushrooms and other veggies, has a nice nutty taste. Stern notices an overpowering dried herb flavour.
Ask for:
Pecan Veggie Burger $11.00
