ULTIMATE BURGER BATTLE
The Ultimate Burger Battle has begun!
It’s arguably the most delicious time of the year in Thunder Bay!
For the month of November, we’ll be eating our way through 15 signature burger creations from local eateries in support of the United Way Thunder Bay. Follow along on our Burger Battle journey with photos and reviews of each of this year’s Platinum Burgers as we try them.
The Bop Shop | Kimchi Burger
Kimchi on a hamburger? At first, the pairing seems like an odd choice, but it works so well. The fermented vegetables add an excellent texture and crunch, but most importantly, provide just the right level of spice counterbalanced with the tangy gochujang mayo and sharp cheddar cheese. Rather than stacking item after item, the two fried kimchi patties are the perfect amount of burger without you feeling comatose afterwards. Bonus points for the two pork mandu (deep-fried Korean-style dumplings), which serve as a great alternative to French fries.
-Adrian Lysenko
The Paddy Wagon YQT | The Warden’s Crunch
When it comes to what makes a good burger, crunchy might not be the first word that comes to mind, but The Paddy Wagon’s Ultimate Burger Battle contender is here to change that. This behemoth of a burger comes on a toasted bun for your first dose of crunch and is packed with two extra crispy smash patties with some even crispier smoked bacon on top. All this is balanced out with tangy pickles, creamy habanero Monterey Jack cheese, and a hearty helping of housemade Heartbeat aioli. But, what truly sets this burger apart is the addition of hot honey and hot honey crunchy bits. This one is sweet, spicy, and certainly lives up to its name on the crunch factor.
-Sidney Ulakovic
Red Lion Smokehouse | The Lasagna Burger
Red Lion’s lasagna burger is a feat in burger architecture, with its namesake deep fried slice of lasagna placed in the middle giving it some seriously intimidating height. This towering slice of Italy comes with your classic burger fixings—juicy double smashed patties, ooey-gooey American cheese, fresh lettuce and tomato—but leans into more traditional Italian flavours with the addition of roasted red peppers, marinara sauce, and, of course, Parmesan cheese. Aside from being a feast for the eyes, it’s the best of both worlds in terms of delicious comfort food and is a testament to just how much you can do with all that leftover lasagna the next time you make a pan of it.
-Sidney Ulakovic
Outlaws Burgers & Fries | Garlic French Dip
Forget the fries—Outlaws’s signature burger this time around incorporates a side of rich French onion soup that perfectly complements this savoury stack of goodness. The garlic french dip is served with a creamy garlic aioli, a layer of balsamic-glazed caramelized onions, and a slice of smoked gouda, giving this burger tons of deep, delicious flavour that’s balanced out with the addition of arugula and chopped chives for sharpness. As the name implies, this one is best enjoyed dunked in the soup on the side before every bite to maximize the best of every component this burger brings to the table.
-Sidney Ulakovic
Getaway (Gateway Casino) | The Firecracker
Gateway Casino's burger at the Getaway Restaurant is poppin'! The Firecracker lives up to its name by fusing creamy and spicy flavours in one delicious bite, complete with breaded jalapeño poppers perched precariously atop a patty. Crispy fried onions add fun flair and a pile of arugula refreshes the palate by cutting through the richness of the cheese. This isn't a burger for the faint of heart—it's for spice lovers, indulgence seekers, and anyone who believes food should be fun. Extra points for the tuxedo sesame seeds on the bun!
-Susan Pretty
The Sal | The Mac n’ Cheese Monster
If mom’s mac and cheese met dad’s grilled burger, this delicious dish would be the sinful result of their offspring! The Sal’s Mac n’ Cheese Monster is pure comfort food turned indulgent masterpiece. A juicy beef patty becomes the canvas for molten Velveeta sauce that drapes every bite in creamy richness. Freshly grated Parmesan adds a sharp, nutty edge, while crunchy bacon bits bring smoky contrast. Snappy green onion cuts through the decadence with a refreshing bite, keeping the burger balanced instead of overwhelming. It’s messy, bold, and unapologetically satisfying — the kind of burger that makes you forget the forkand dive in with both hands.
-Susan Pretty
Norteños Cantina | Salsita Burger
Bringing their A game to the Ultimate Burger Battle, Norteños Cantina serves up their tasty Salsita Burger. Loaded with their signature tender birria beef, tossed in roja salsa, topped with melted Monterey Jack cheese, jalapeño aioli, house-made pico de gallo, and served on a fresh bun, a lot is going on flavour-wise with this burger. But the cornerstone is the 4.5 oz beef patty, which pulls it altogether with every sloppy bite. Buen provecho!
-Adrian Lysenko
Beefcake’s Burger Factory | The Apex Predator
The Apex Predator comes in swinging with a tonne of flavour—and even more meat! The star of the show is unmistakably Beefcake’s patty. Rich, tender, and packed with flavour, it delivers that classic taste that every great burger needs. Riding right beside it is apple butter BBQ pulled pork, an addition that creates a sweet-meets-meaty balance of flavours. Every bite gets lifted by the refreshing crunch of the Beefcake’s special pickles, which deliver a bright snap. Topped off with smoky bacon, melty cheese, and housemade sauces that bring heat, sweetness, and tang, The Apex Predator is bold, rightfully earning its place at the top of the burger food chain.
-Alaina Linklater
Dawson General Store | The Smokeshow Too
Dawson General’s signature burger is a triple threat in the meat department—starting with, of course, all-beef smash patties, piling on whisky-braised beef, and finishing off with house-smoked bacon, making for a grand total of 11 ounces of meat between the super-soft milk bun. The addition of smoked gouda further deepens all the meaty flavours happening here, but there are all kinds of welcome moments of sharpness as well. Pickle lovers will certainly appreciate the shredded pickles on this burger, which makes for a burst of tanginess in every bite that’s strengthened with their sauce of choice, a chipotle blueberry BBQ sauce that makes this burger a one-of-a-kind.
-Sidney Ulakovic
Mike’s Roadhouse | Ultimate Smashed Burger
Recently, smashed burgers have been gaining popularity. The “smashing” technique creates a superior texture with crispy, caramelized edges and a juicy interior. With all this in mind, Mike’s Roadhouse Ultimate Smashed Burger lives up to its title. Freshly smashed to order, the burger has a double 4oz beef patty, double cheddar cheese, sautéed onions, pickles, an onion ring (which adds a nice crunch—never can have too much onion), and a tangy garlic aioli sauce that brings it all together within a toasted bun. And I would be remiss to mention that it’s topped with a delicious deep-fired pickle.
-Adrian Lysenko
