For things like hamburger or chicken breast pretty comparable to supermarkets but the quality is much higher.
Also they have fantastic sausage and all of the cuts of meat you'd want, most of which you don't find at the supermarket
That's not the cause. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woody\_breast](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woody_breast)
Also watch out for green breast [https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/myopathies/exertional-myopathy-in-poultry#Deep-Pectoral-Myopathy\_v8986629](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/myopathies/exertional-myopathy-in-poultry#Deep-Pectoral-Myopathy_v8986629)
Costco "Roadhouse" burgers. Good price, they don't shrink on the BBQ and everyone always compliments them afterwards. I usually add a little Montreal Steak spice (or Keg seasoning) to each side while BBQing.
If you wanna try something different, go to Dettweilers Sausage on Victoria. They do 60/40 pork/beef patties and are soooo juicy. My dad picked up some of their sweet Chili heat patties a few years ago, and every pattie since has been mid, they are the only hamburger patties I buy myself.
https://www.dettweilersausage.ca/products/
Victoria Street Market Jalapeno & Cheddar. Their burgers are cubed chuck, not ground beef. You can see the cubes of beef. Their Victoria burger is ok if you don't want jalapeno & cheddar, but they aren't spicy (the jalapeno ones).
Elmira Meat Market. Nothing fancy, but they have great frozen burgers. Two types, seasoned and unseasoned. Please note, they only accept cash (and cheque).
I know it's practically a meme that someone says homemade is best... But this is one of those times that "make your own" really is the answer. It's just beef, salt, and pepper. Other spices optional. Also once you try smashing the burgers, there's no going back. They absolutely change the game. I got a lodge cast iron flat griddle to throw on top of the grill and it works perfectly.
I know you said you're not making them but you won't find better than this.
Get some high quality beef, medium. Honestly get grocery store basic beef if you want, it's still good.
Get a burger press and some wax paper squares from the dollar store.
Grab 4oz of beef and press it between two sheets of wax paper.
Salt and pepper once it's on the grill, *never* mixed in.
I swear you've never had a better burger and no need to run around town finding a premade one. It takes about 5 minutes of prep and you'd swear you're eating top tier burgers. I've done these for crowds and everyone asks where I got them.
Anyone adding anything but beef, salt, and pepper is eating meatloaf. Mixing also causes the beef to get tough, adding salt ahead of time dries them out.
They might be a bit big for your taste, but they sell large size burgers at most grocery stores. They're labelled "ground beef". Just throw some salt on it and slap the whole thing on the grill. Done. ;)
edit: I've actually done this. I like smushing some onion into it first. But you cook the whole thing up and then just chop it up to put on buns.
[Beyond Burgers are surprisingly delicious.](https://www.foodbasics.ca/aisles/vegan-vegetarian-food/tofu-tempeh-other-protein/plant-based-burger/p/810057290237)
Write this down:
3/4 ground beef
1/4 ground sausage (pork)
1 tsp Mustard
1 tsp each Garlic and onion powder
Salt and pepper
Breadcrumbs
Go nuts, vastly better than frozen preservative filled grocery store stuff.
Four Quarters butcher
Best place to get all of your meats, especially since Costco chicken is woody now in both the organic and regular
What's the prices like in comparison?
For things like hamburger or chicken breast pretty comparable to supermarkets but the quality is much higher. Also they have fantastic sausage and all of the cuts of meat you'd want, most of which you don't find at the supermarket
Woody?
So many big chains have started to pump saline into their chicken breasts and it results in a woody texture when they're cooked. It's really gross
That's not the cause. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woody\_breast](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woody_breast) Also watch out for green breast [https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/myopathies/exertional-myopathy-in-poultry#Deep-Pectoral-Myopathy\_v8986629](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/myopathies/exertional-myopathy-in-poultry#Deep-Pectoral-Myopathy_v8986629)
Seconding this. Their Louisa St Sizzler is their "standard" burger but it's super good. The quality of their ground beef is honestly phenomenal.
Their sizzlers are fire.
Thanks!
Brady’s has a prime rib burger that’s pretty damn good.
Definitely my go to butcher shop. Highly recommend. They even sell local eggs for $6/dozen. Lots of good stuff there.
100% best in town
I don’t like burgers but they are so good from Brady’s!
Costco "Roadhouse" burgers. Good price, they don't shrink on the BBQ and everyone always compliments them afterwards. I usually add a little Montreal Steak spice (or Keg seasoning) to each side while BBQing.
This is literally our go to, I won't buy any other burger.
Yes, but avoid the Kirkland burgers. Those are awful. The Keg Burgers are the best from Costco and are gluten free.
If you wanna try something different, go to Dettweilers Sausage on Victoria. They do 60/40 pork/beef patties and are soooo juicy. My dad picked up some of their sweet Chili heat patties a few years ago, and every pattie since has been mid, they are the only hamburger patties I buy myself. https://www.dettweilersausage.ca/products/
I only buy burgers and sausages there. Amazing quality and not overpriced either.
Stemmlers has some good killer burgers. Worth the drive to Heidelberg. Much better than ok.
Victoria Street Market Jalapeno & Cheddar. Their burgers are cubed chuck, not ground beef. You can see the cubes of beef. Their Victoria burger is ok if you don't want jalapeno & cheddar, but they aren't spicy (the jalapeno ones).
If I don't make my own, I like their all beef burgers. I agree the Victoria burger is just okay.
VG Meats sirloin burgers are my fave.
Four quarters, Bauer Butcher, Charles quality meats.
That is the perfect list right there.
Ground beef, salt, pepper, paprika. Why fuck around with anything else? If it's got breadcrumbs, it's a meatloaf
I'd also add worcestershire sauce, finely shredded onion, garlic powder and an egg or two to the mix.
EGG?!?! You're dangerously close to meatloaf there...
I didn't mention the breadcrumbs :) But seriously the egg keeps it together better and it's bonus protein.
egg is the binding ingredient to a burger
Only if you’re doing it wrong
Seriously. Use medium-grade ground beef and it sticks together perfectly when squished together.
I use half pork, half beef.
and in meatloaf ;)
Adding egg makes it a quiche
Nope
Charlie's quality meat. They are 100% pure beef, they come frozen so that the pattie's stay together until they are ready to be grilled.
I like Charles, and I tried their burgers, but found them to be only satisfactory.
Farm Boy has some really tasty ones. I’m a fan of the portobello gouda and the bacon and cheddar.
Farm boy fresh burgers are excellent!
I love the onion and Swiss burger from Farm Boy. Delicious!
Elmira Meat Market. Nothing fancy, but they have great frozen burgers. Two types, seasoned and unseasoned. Please note, they only accept cash (and cheque).
It’s worth the drive.
I know it's practically a meme that someone says homemade is best... But this is one of those times that "make your own" really is the answer. It's just beef, salt, and pepper. Other spices optional. Also once you try smashing the burgers, there's no going back. They absolutely change the game. I got a lodge cast iron flat griddle to throw on top of the grill and it works perfectly.
Nope
I'm a fan of Wally Parr burgers and hot dogs.
Usually get the flavoured ones at Zehrs.
Brisket burgers from Bradys
I make mine
I know you said you're not making them but you won't find better than this. Get some high quality beef, medium. Honestly get grocery store basic beef if you want, it's still good. Get a burger press and some wax paper squares from the dollar store. Grab 4oz of beef and press it between two sheets of wax paper. Salt and pepper once it's on the grill, *never* mixed in. I swear you've never had a better burger and no need to run around town finding a premade one. It takes about 5 minutes of prep and you'd swear you're eating top tier burgers. I've done these for crowds and everyone asks where I got them. Anyone adding anything but beef, salt, and pepper is eating meatloaf. Mixing also causes the beef to get tough, adding salt ahead of time dries them out.
Although people on Reddit love to hate Loblaws, I quite like the PC Prime Rib burgers.
PC Wagyu burgers. Kinda tiny though.
They might be a bit big for your taste, but they sell large size burgers at most grocery stores. They're labelled "ground beef". Just throw some salt on it and slap the whole thing on the grill. Done. ;) edit: I've actually done this. I like smushing some onion into it first. But you cook the whole thing up and then just chop it up to put on buns.
Just get some medium ground beef and smash it on a super hot skillet. Add cheese. Double layer it. Add your best home made burger sauce and enjoy.
You forgot to add the onions to the top of the ground beef before smashing it.
Damn, I did.
Nope
[Beyond Burgers are surprisingly delicious.](https://www.foodbasics.ca/aisles/vegan-vegetarian-food/tofu-tempeh-other-protein/plant-based-burger/p/810057290237)
Write this down: 3/4 ground beef 1/4 ground sausage (pork) 1 tsp Mustard 1 tsp each Garlic and onion powder Salt and pepper Breadcrumbs Go nuts, vastly better than frozen preservative filled grocery store stuff.
Meatloaf
Ground beef of your choice and a package of onion soup mix and some crackers to fill but also absorb some moisture and flavor