 |
(The reflections of the signs on the door windows are
from stores across the narrow Charles Street)
Gourmet Burger Co.'s customers are discerning. Not any burger will do, and not any architecture either. And the owner has chosen well, with the dark purple window shades and the black and white contrasting paint. Bright, pretty petunias decorate the dark railings of the downtown store (there are four other locations in Toronto). John Ward, Gourmet Burger Co.'s owner, came from Australia to Canada bringing with him "fast food that wasn't processed, pre-frozen or prepared in a micro-wave," - the Australian way? The burgers look standard fare: 6oz GBC Burger, Double Cheeseburger, and a few exotic flavors added in (does Aussie Burger count as exotic, with fried egg and pineapple?). But John promises:
We start with the freshest local ingredients, 100% Canadian farm raised beef, aged for a minimum of 30 days delivered daily right to our door.His stores are also "green" (I always see whatever object that is described as green coated in thick coats of fluorescent lime green paint). He also assures us that we can "feel great about taking our delicious burgers away as all [their] packaging is 100% biodegradable."
His prices are surprisingly reasonable (but how high can burger prices really go?). And the ever-diligent John also provides us with a nutritional rundown of each burger. Cleverly, he doesn't combine the usual "meat, topping, bun and condiments" in one reading, but gives us each score individually. "280 calories for a chicken?" you might ask. The real story is more daunting. The full meal (without "toppings") can reach 1500 calories.
"Enjoy!" says Gourmet Burger Co.'s attractive on-line menu.
The above photo is the store near Bloor and Yonge, on Charles street.