They Call it a Royale with Cheeze

Isn't every week Le Burger Week though?

I first heard about Le Burger Week from following John Rush on Instagram. The former CFL player, rescue dog advocate, and vegan cook is very into burgers. But I assumed it was just something that happened in Winnipeg, as I’d never heard of it here. But when I asked him about it he quickly hipped me to the cross country event that happens for two weeks in September.

It started in Montreal (hence the French name) and has been expanding across Canada ever since. Restaurants sign up to be involved, agree to make a special burger, and then get included in all the official Le Burger Week news, social, DoorDash, etc. This year, however, they’ve been encouraged to make a plant-based burger!

If, like me, you’re wondering where, when, how… they have a simple tool on their website that shows all the places participating. It also has a handy “vegan” filter. If you’re in the Lower Mainland (and not downtown) I’ve got some bad news, you’ll need to go to Vancouver or Richmond to find a place that’s doing it. Here’s the official list of what’s on offer. You have until September 14th to get them before they’re gone…

Vancouver

• MeeT on Main - The Big Mondo
  We've stuffed a housemade burger patty full of juicy bbq jackfruit and turned the toppings to 11 with creamy ranch coleslaw, jalapeño bac'n mac n chz, and crispy onion rings, all on a toasted sesame seed bun. Served with a side of fries and ranch just for the heck of it.

• MeeT in Yaletown - Spicy Lucy
  A massive burger made with a house seasoned beyond patty that’s been stuffed with a creamy jalapeño cheez mixture and seared to perfection. On a cheez crusted bun, garnished with garlic mayo, pickled jalapeños, two crispy onion rings, shredded lettuce & juicy tomato slices. Served with fries & salad.

• MeeT in Gastown - Everyday I’m Truffling
  A massive premium white truffle burger. smashed beyond patties, swiss cheese, truffle herb mayo, spinach and sautéed mushroom, fresh arugula, and beautifully crispy tempura onion rings. served with a large portion of fries that have been drizzled with truffle mayo and freshly grated parm.

• Chickpea - The Juicy Lucy
  A Chao cheese-filled Impossible burger on a garlic aioli dressed bun with a bed of lettuce, tomato, onions and pickle. Piled high with dusted onion strings and crunchy jalapeño bottle caps and smothered in a home-made BBQ sauce.

• Blaze Gourmet Burgers - Falafel Blaze Burger
  handmade falafel patty (V)(GF), lettuce, tomato, pickles, turnips, zesty tahini, sauce, and hummus. Available in GF

• 1931 Gallery Bistro - Vegan Cheese Burger
  It made from Szechuan peppercorn Vegan patty, Korean Chili Aioli, Pickled Jalapeno, Tomato, Vegan cheese, Red onion, Icebergs Lettuce, Onion bun.

• The Cider House - Cider House Burger
  'Beef' style patty, cheddar, tomato, iceberg, secret sauce, sweet pickles served with skinny fries. Everything you need in a burger.

Richmond

• CAVU Kitchen Bar - The Vegan Messy Portobello Burger
  crispy portobello “bun” \ impossible patty \ mushroom cheese sauce \ tomato chutney \ caramelized onion mayo

• O’Hare’s Gastropub - Spicy Hawaiian Burger
  Beyond Meat patty paired with a spicy BBQ sauce, topped with guacamole, shredded cabbage, pineapple slice and an added kick of jalapeno peppers.

Next up… La Poutine Week in February & Le Pizza Week in May. No word on if either will be going vegan as well (though I will say there are plenty of great vegan options for both!)

Ugly Potato Update…

Thank you to everyone who went out to visit Heppell’s Potatoes on August 27th for the 4th Ugly Potato Day. They were able to raise $1,975 for local food banks, gave away 9000 pounds of food and about 900 people came. In addition to potatoes and squash they had another local farm join in with carrots.

I made a really lovely corn chowder with the white potatoes and some corn from Lepp’s Market. If you want the recipe check out my reel on Instagram for more.

Word on the street is there’s another ugly produce day coming this fall so stay tuned…

That’s it for this week! Have a great weekend, and let me know what you think if you try any of the Le Vegan Burgers on offer!