When this place opened, I was pumped. Finally, a burger joint not named Square Boy that is within walking distance from my home!
Of course, it had to be a disappointment.
It was extremely busy at lunch and dinner times in the opening weeks, so I went in the middle of the afternoon when it wasn't as busy. Staff members were just lingering around in the back, looking for something to do.
The first thing that annoyed me was the waiter, who sat down across from me to take my order. I get it, you're trying to be different and you want to have a cool, laid-back approach. That doesn't work for me. It was lame, tacky and uncomfortable. I don't want to be his friend, I want him to take my order and bring me my food when it's ready.
I kept it very simple and ordered the Leaside burger (beef) with fries for $14. The price is comparable to the city's best burger joints, but in terms of taste and quality the burger didn't stack up. It was thick and a bit pink in the middle but it didn't taste as fresh as it should and it had the shape of a frozen patty from the grocery store. Average at best, but it was filling.
I'll give The Works another shot, but I'm not holding out much hope.