TIPPING THE SCALES

More than most dishes, a burger is at home in a brown-paper sack or on a table set with white linen and silver. These three buns cover all budgets.

RUDY ($) THE DRAKE ($$)

RUDY What’s the deal? There’s something incredibly comforting about the food at Rudy. It’s quick and easy, and just greasy enough to make your mouth water – without the food coma. The Queen and Duncan shop is essentially take-out only, offering just a couple stools, while the College location has more room to breathe – and scarf down burgers.

What you get Traditionalists go with the Rudy – their classic cheeseburger topped with lettuce, tomato and “Rudy sauce”, all for a little over $6. It might seem slim compared to the meatball-on-a-bun burgers, but the smashburger style maximizes the beef patty’s flavour. For a few extra bucks, the ravenous can get a Rude Dude double cheeseburger.

What else Rudy might be known for their burgers but the poutine could easily steal the show. Topped with squeaky, Quebec cheese curds and a saucy house-made gravy, this $6 addon is a lunch no-brainer.

THE DRAKE HOTEL What’s the deal? If you’ve yet to visit the iconic spot that started Queen West’s gentrification, consider it a must. The Drake combines the hipster vibe you would expect from a boutique hotel with the artsiness that the neighbourhood was previously known for. Grab a seat in the lounge and tuck into a menu made with seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients in the eclectic atmosphere.

What you get Most burgers come with just the bare minimum of toppings and sides, but not at the Drake. For $22 the patty is piled with aged cheddar, Perth bacon, Russian dressing, topped with a pickle and served on a milk bun, with a side of fries. Upgrade to pecorino and truffle butter fries for just $4 or sub in a side of greens for $3.

What else The beauty of dining at the Drake is that there’s always something on. Sip on $5 mixed drinks or $10 cocktails during their happy hour. Or stick around for trivia nights, live music or their weekend dance parties.

BYMARK ($$$)

BYMARK What’s the deal? This financial district hot spot has the class and quality you'd expect from Mark McEwan’s namesake. You’ll find it full of suits grabbing lunch or winding down by the bar upstairs where the vibe is a little more lounge-y. Dark and cozy, the lower level room has that fine-dining feel.

What you get Priced at $40, the famous Bymark burger might be one of the most expensive in the city, but we’d be lying if we said we couldn’t taste the difference. The eight-ounce patty is loaded with brie de meaux, shaved truffle and grilled porcini mushrooms. While it gets all the hype, there’s another one on the menu that’s worth the spend. Juicy and a little more funky, the dry-aged beef burger topped with caramelized onions and raclette cheese is well worth the $38 price tag.

What else The menu is solid gold, but the crab cakes and the seared sea scallops are two of our appetizer go-tos. f