By Mike Cohen and Tony Medeiros
Le Burger Week concludes its 13th edition on September 8. Mtlrestop visited three locations for tastings: Jack Saloon in Vaudreuil, and Billy K’s on Ste. Catherine Street East, and the Time Out Market Montreal at Eaton Centre downtown.
Each year, Le Burger Week brings together restaurants from coast to coast to celebrate Canada’s dynamic culinary landscape. Whether you’re craving nostalgic classic cheeseburgers or daring gourmet creations such as a triple-decker hickory smoked rib burger, Le Burger Week has something to surprise every taste.
More than just a celebration of delicious burgers, this prestigious food festival is committed to supporting local restaurants across Canada. It highlights the passion, dedication, and artistry chefs pour into every creation, giving them the freedom to craft irresistible burgers that keep taste buds coming back for more. Participating restaurants benefit from increased visibility, attract new customers, and join a community that champions their culinary talent.
“As we gear up for the 13th edition of Le Burger Week, it’s incredible to reflect on a journey I never imagined would extend beyond the first year,” explains co-founder Na’eem Adam. “What began as a simple celebration of burgers has blossomed into a powerful platform that champions hundreds of Canadian restaurants. It’s truly rewarding to see how this festival has grown, continuing to honour the passion and creativity that local chefs bring to their communities through every dish.”
As in past years, the festival will conclude with the crowning of burger champions in each city across various categories. From the prestigious “Most Popular in Canada” title to the regional accolade of “Best by Province,” determined by the votes of festival-goers, the winning restaurants will bask in these accolades. These awards highlight their culinary innovation and exceptional gastronomic skills.
This year’s edition of Le Burger Week brings back the Hambur-games: an interactive gamified experience that allows participants to rack up points (called YUMS) and redeem them for burgers throughout the weeklong event. Different ways to earn YUMS include: signing up for Le Burger Week, voting for burgers, tagging on Instagram and making a transaction on the LBW site. What’s more, those with the most points aka “YUMS” will qualify to win food delivery gift cards ranging from $100 to $500.
Jack Saloon Vaudreuil
For 13 years now, Jack Saloon has been recognized as the festive resto-bar of choice for chilling out with friends, enjoying a good burger and live music. There are six branches – Vaudreuil, Crescent Street downtown, Dix30 on the South Shore, Saint-Jerome, Trois-Rivieres and St. Jerome.
The new menu focuses on cuisine inspired by Nashville and the American South, with greater emphasis on Tex-Mex ingredients. For example, the beef tartar is now served with marinated onions, buffalo sauce and marrow bone for carnivorous flair, while the salmon tartar is topped with nachos. An expanded offering of shareable appetizers and vegetables now includes corn ribs, roasted broccoli with ranch sauce and dynamitas made with strips of spicy green bell pepper rolled in a pastry topped with cream cheese and cheddar, then deep-fried.
Like a saloon frequented by the cowboys of the American West, Jack Saloon is a place where you arrive early after work to drink a beer, eat and unwind, and where the evening ends very late. In a nod to the days of the Wild West, when cowboys drank a beer after work to quench their thirst and a shot of whiskey to relax, Jack Saloon offers keg beer on special every day from 4 pm to 7 pm, and a free shot of whiskey in a nod to the Boiler Maker.
With music at the heart of the Jack Saloon experience, they called on specialist Louis Turpin to develop a playlist that mixes country and classic rock with 60 new songs every month. Jack Saloon continues to offer live musical performances every week. Country evenings with live bands and line dancing will be organized by the various franchisees.
We stopped by Jack Saloon, where we were warmly welcomed by Francois Anis, the owner of the Vaudreuil location. Anis secretly told us that in the future there are plans to expand into the U.S. market in Florida. This year, the restaurant gained significant attention during Le Burger Week by introducing its uniquely crafted ‘Lady Jane Classic‘ burger. We had the pleasure of sampling two standout burgers during our visit, and both truly lived up to the restaurant’s growing reputation for creativity and flavor.
The “Lady Jane Classic” burger is a culinary masterpiece, carefully designed to delight the senses. At its core is a juicy patty, expertly crafted from a harmonious blend of veal and pork, showcasing the bold flavors of Montréal-style preparation. This savory patty is elevated with a nod to Southern comfort, thanks to a flavorful BBQ succotash, delivering a satisfying mix of smoky, sweet, and savory notes.
A layer of finely shredded, crisp lettuce adds refreshing contrast, while thick, smoky bacon enhances the burger with its rich, salty goodness. The combination is perfectly balanced by a creamy layer of smooth mayonnaise, which ties the elements together with a velvety finish. Encasing all these flavors is a soft brioche-potato bun, providing a buttery, slightly sweet foundation with a satisfying bite. The result is an indulgent and mouthwatering burger experience that combines regional influences with gourmet execution, making the “Lady Jane Classic” a standout in both flavor and craftsmanship.
We had the delight of trying two of the restaurant’s top-rated and most highly recommended burgers. The first was the “The Australian Stockmen” burger, built on a soft, pillowy brioche bun. At the heart of this burger was a juicy, hearty beef patty topped with a tangy spread of goat cheese. The zesty pop of pickled beets added an unexpected bite, balanced by fresh spinach, ripe tomatoes, and sharp red onion. But the pièce de résistance was the blueberry mayo, lending a sweet, fruity contrast to the savory layers. The result? An explosion of unconventional flavors that melted in my mouth. It was a strange yet deeply satisfying combination, like nothing I’ve ever tasted before.
The second burger, “The Crispy Avocado-Ranch Chicken,” was equally impressive. Served on a toasted sesame seed bun, this burger featured a perfectly breaded chicken breast with a crispy, golden exterior. Cool, crisp iceberg lettuce and juicy tomatoes provided a refreshing contrast, while jalapeños delivered a fiery kick. What set this burger apart was the creamy, indulgent avocado-ranch sauce, which added a smooth, rich finish to every bite. This unique flavor combination gave the burger an air of sophistication and truly set it apart.
Both meals were accompanied by a generous serving of succulent, perfectly cooked house fries, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Each fry was golden-brown and seasoned to perfection, achieving that delicate balance of crunch and fluffiness that can only be described as heavenly. Paired with a side of rich, spicy mayo for dipping, the fries offered an irresistible combination of heat and creaminess, elevating this classic side to a whole new level of indulgence.
Jack Saloon’s burgers are expertly crafted, blending premium meats, inventive toppings, and top-notch ingredients to offer an unforgettable dining experience. Whether you’re a devoted burger lover or seeking something out of the ordinary, Jack Saloon delivers a mouthwatering meal that impresses you with both its bold flavors and striking presentation. Check out their menu at https://jacksaloon.com.
Billy K’s
We headed to the Ste. Catherine Street East location of Billy K’s, the growing chain headed by noted restaurateur Tom Bountis, and sampled their signature Billy Burger. It is made up of two AAA Angus patties, three buns, tomatoes, onions, pickles, and their famous Billy K’s sauce. We added fries and yep a hotdog as well as a grilled cheese crispy chicken sandwich and a grilled chicken burger.
Bountis is the founder and creator of the Allô! Mon Coco chain, which he sold to the MTY Group in 2019. He is also co-owner of Mr. Puffs and Shawarmaz. A few years back he was in Cornwall to open a new Mr. Puffs when he came across a Billy K’s, which specialized in burgers, wraps and other comfort food. It turned out the owner was looking to sell. He and his sister Fotini and partners Melih Batri and John Sanoudakis decided to purchase the brand.
The first Billy K’s in Quebec opened on Boulevard de Gare in Vaudreuil followed by St. Leonard, Laval, Pointe-Claire and now Ste. Catherine Street East near the downtown core.
Menu options include hotdogs, homemade burgers, fresh-cut fries, wraps, poutines (with a signature sauce), tacos, subs, pita, salads and more.
“We do not cut corners,” said Bountis. “The fries are made on-site, from freshly cut potatoes.”
Info: https://www.billyks.com/en/menu.
Time Out Market Montreal
We also headed out to the Time Out Market Montreal at Eaton Centre downtown, with participating concessions serving up their limited (and mouthwatering) creations:
Zestee Big Marthy! by Chez Simon Cantine Urbaine: Sink your teeth into this delicious combo of a savoury patty, crispy bacon, crunchy onion tanglers, and Emmental cheese; all brought together with a fresh crunch of lettuce and a tangy Zestee sauce with parmesan, lemon, and garlic.
Campo Burger by Campo: Experience a burst of flavours with extra-crispy Portuguese chicken served on a soft brioche bun, paired with São Jorge cheese, fresh lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and a drizzle of homemade piri-piri mayonnaise. This burger brings a taste of Portugal to every bite!
BOSSA X DILALLO Chopped Cheese by BOSSA: Get ready for a flavor explosion with this ground steak burger, featuring a melty cheese blend, fiery Dilallo hot peppers, and savory capicola. It’s topped with fresh tomato, lettuce, and a splash of ketchup.
Creole Lamb Burger by Paul Toussaint: Spice up your meal with this Creole-inspired lamb burger. Nestled in a soft brioche bun, it’s topped with Timalis, white cheddar, and a creamy Creole mayo for a flavorful twist on a classic.
Smash Cheeseburger Bao by Chanthy Yen: A unique twist on the classic cheeseburger, this bao features a ground steak patty, MAK sauce, American cheese, pickled cucumber, and crisp lettuce, all wrapped in a soft and fluffy bao bun.
Pork & Pulled Beef Burger by Climats: Indulge in a rich and hearty burger with braised pork and beef, sharp cheddar, and a mix of pickled vegetables (corn, zucchini, red cabbage). Finished with a luxurious truffle mayonnaise, this burger is a gourmet experience.
Texan Beef BurgerBurger de Boeuf Texan by America’s BBQ: Dive into this Texas-inspired burger featuring a juicy beef patty, bourbon onion and pineapple jam, sharp cheddar, and a zesty chimichurri mayo, all nestled in a soft brioche bun.