Cynthia Cheng

“Designer” burgers – that is, more expensive fast food joints serving traditional fare, have been popping up all over Toronto and other parts of Canada in the past few years.  One of the latest additions to the market is South Street Burger, currently with several locations in the GTA and one in Calgary.  It is owned by the founders of New York Fries, a mall foodcourt staple and known for its poutine and keeping the peel on all its fries.

Unlike regular fast food burgers, “designer” burgers are supposed to be juicier and all-round tastier than those served at McDonald’s or Burger King.  In fact, the beef is supposed to be better quality.  These restaurants also have a wider variety of toppings and sauces, including guacamole and horseradish and different types of mustard and mayonnaise. Some even go beyond the traditional beef and chicken sandwiches – Craft Burger has one made with a lamb patty.  Though South Street Burger has all of these, their burgers are definitely not as good as the other designer joints like Hero Burger or Craft Burger.  The beef was on the dry side and the taste was only slightly better than most traditional fast food joints. 

Though the burgers weren’t “designer” in quality, they were certainly “designer,” price-wise.  The combo, including tax, was over $10.  If they were trying to be more like Lick’s (an in between type burger place) rather than Craft, then they should have lowered their prices a bit (and not to mention, improve the quality of their burgers). It’s like selling Ralph by Ralph Lauren at Black Label or Collection prices. The fries is good, and does made up for some of the shortfall. But one is probably better off going to the mall and get a separate order of fries from New York Fries.