I LOOOOVE A GOOD BURGER. I like to think everyone loves a good burger. It could be a single patty covered in cheese with some crispy bacon and simple toppings on a soft sesame bun.
Or maybe it’s more patty, topped with mushrooms or pineapple or even a roasted red-pepper sauce, served on a pretzel bun. Large burger chains even have veggie burgers on their menus for those who want the joys of delicious burgers made with delicious veggies instead.
Long story short, there’s a burger out there for everyone. And the good news is that the beautiful region I call home has no shortage of amazing hand-held meal-in-ones. Small, large, meaty, veggie, classic or gourmet, the Bay of Quinte has a burger for you, and here are a few personal favourites (the hardest part of this roundup was only picking six):
Tiger Chicken & Ribs
68 Front St., Trenton
Despite its cool name, this restaurant doesn’t serve tiger. On the other hand, they do serve a delicious cheeseburger. Right near the water, this Trenton restaurant offers a diverse menu with something for everyone. I bypassed their delicious, juicy rotisserie chicken and saucy roasted ribs for what I was looking for. And this burg did not disappoint.
Burger Revolution
300 North Front St., Belleville
This spot has become a Belleville burger institution. Burger Rev’s ingredients are locally and ethically sourced, which makes biting into their burgers that much more satisfying. They buy their beef, cheese and veggies from nearby farms and purveyors. Order your burger straight up with the usual suspects or load it up with crisp deep-fried pickles, pineapple and ghost-pepper spread, pork belly, blue cheese or smoked cheese curds. All this before you get into the poutine menu and crack a Boylan’s soda. Heaven.
The Pier Patio & BBQ
1 South Front St., Belleville
If you want to eat a burger on the Bay—and I mean literally on the water—this summer hot spot at the tip of Meyers Pier is THE place. Their menu has an entire page of fresh Angus beef burgers with suitable names like “The Titanic……of Bacon.” Served on a soft brioche bun, you can make it a MONSTER by adding a second patty—or sub the beef altogether and opt for the veggie. The next tough decision is figuring out whether to go on Margarita Monday, Sangria Saturday or Caesar Sunday.
Riverside Restaurant & Bakery
1 Moira St. E, Belleville
This place is as old school as it gets—it looks like your grandpa and grandma’s house. But part bakery, part restaurant, it’s actually an awesome little diner serving great diner food. I recommend the cheeseburger with good old-fashioned onion rings for the perfect lunch. Make sure to grab a made-from-scratch cookie or cupcake on your way out.
Capers
272 Front St., Belleville
The kitchen team at this handsomely renovated downtown Belleville
restaurant recently put a burger contender on the menu. And, boy, does it contend. The smash burger doesn’t over-complicate things. It gives you everything you want and need in a well put-together package. One or two beefy patties smashed on a sizzling flat-top piled with American cheddar, thinly sliced onion and lettuce, all served on a soft and buttery brioche bun.
Olympic ’76
444 Dundas St. W, Belleville
This little gem hidden on Highway 2 is a classic place for a delicious, well-priced breakfast or lunch. But I have to give huge props to the Olympic ’76 patty melt. A seared beefy patty topped with fried onions and melty cheese, pressed between two slices of thick-cut toast. It’s kinda awesome. Like a grilled cheese with a beef patty and onions. Order one of these and a milkshake and you’re set.
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