| rev:text
| - By way of a bit of background, if you're a Danforthian, a Leslievillian or a Beacher, you've had occassion to be near or around the intersection of Gerrard and Jones, usually to drive through it to get to the Danforth or to Queen Street. Am I right or am I right?
There's nothing much in the way of restaurants nearby to this intersection except a McDonalds (I use the term restaurant loosely), many Asian-inspired restaurants which keep strange hours and are boarded up and replaced with other Asian-inspired restaurants often. Then there is a highschool, a Pizza Pizza and a Smoker's Mart. I suspect it's some kind of variety store which sells fried chicken, though I have not been inside.
I give kudos to anyone with the strength to open a brand new restaurant in a run-down part of down. I know Gerrard and Jones is working towards a Queen Street East or Danforth-style visage. That said, you can't tear all of the houses and buildings down and though it's blocks away from two lovely parts of town, it's a totally different machine and it's been overlooked for a long time.
That said, Great Burger Kitchen is always busy. People know about it and they go. They pay the $11 some-odd dollars for a burger. Many reviewers of this restaurant have commented on the price. To clarify, while the burgers may be more expensive than your run-of-the-mill burger, they offer beef, chicken and veggie burgers. The meat is ethically and locally raised and the buns are delivered daily from the nearby Brick Street Bread shop. The toppings selection is unlike what you would find anywhere else and the burgers are superior in taste. I give kudos to any new business willing to support established local ones as part of their day-to-day business dealings. I think that's what neighbourhoods like Leslieville and the Danforth are all about.
Many reviewers have also complained about the wait. Just because this isn't a typical restaurant (i.e. with seating other than some bar stools around the window area) doesn't mean that beef and chicken don't take time to cook. This isn't McDonalds where the ...ahem...beef is cooked in advance and waiting in a warming tray for the convenience of our nano-second society. It's real meat and it takes time to cook.
The fries as a sidedish or as a poutine (of which there are many varities to choose from) are pretty good. The serving size is a bit excessive, but not overpriced considering the volume.
Long story short, GBK is a great local establishment and I always root for the little guy. I hope they continue to enjoy success because I think they deserve it. I also note that after the inception of GBK, many other burger places have opened relatively nearby, likely on the heels of GBK's success.
Give it a try, but remember, you'll have to wait if you don't want undercooked beef, bring more than $5 for your meal and enjoy!
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