Crispy Cristy

An unassuming hole in the wall restaurant. I showed up expecting extreme pita but was overwhelmed when i saw what i did. From donair poutine to a burger with coleslaw between the buns and handcut fries. I will be makin many return trups to this place. Mmmmm

I can’t help but feel that Crispy Christy got the short end of the stick when it opened during the rush of new «gourmet burger» restaurants in Halifax within the past few years. It’s never mentioned alongside the greats like Cheese Curds, Relish or Ace Burger or really mentioned much at all really. It’s a bit of a shame considering its location and the burgers there are quite good.
I suspect a lot of it has to do with its presence, though. It has a catchy name but it doesn’t have the atmosphere that the aforementioned burger places have, or anything to make it memorable the way The Works, for example (RIP) had. If there’s one thing we can learn from each of these burger places is that atmosphere does matter because it draws us back.
The atmosphere or some level of personality or distinction is what is lacking for Crispy Christie.
The burgers are good and there’s enough variety there to please any burger fan. The fries on the other hand, can probably be passed up until you poutine them. There’s a choice between homemade or frozen fries, where the homemade ones are true to their name — hand-​cut potatoes cooked that are salted. They aren’t bad but there’s nothing about them that makes them great and thus bring down an otherwise great lunch combo (which you can get with a drink for about $ 10)
I’ve been here a few times already, mostly due to its central location and mostly because I’m okay coming here to eat by myself without feeling awkward. I typically get either a burger or just a poutine, though they do offer other options like wraps.
I’ve never been dissatisfied with the food or service and genuinely hope they stick around but unless I’m already in the area, I don’t feel it being a draw for me.

Tried this for lunch after a meeting and while everything was straight forward and staff were good, I felt the burger itself was missing a little something.
Price was within what the other burgers joints where charging. Just not feeling the love but put this in your pocket just in case.

Ordered fish and chips but almost immediately regretted it once I saw one of the workers deliver a specialty poutine with potato wedges to another customer. The fish and chips were good and only $ 10 so I cant complain but they weren’t anything spectacular. I’ll update this review when I try what looked like one of the best poutines I’ve seen though.

I tried this new kid on the burger joint block a few days after the initial opening. Conveniently located on Barrington Street it has a prime location for those who might not want to venture outside the downtown core for a good hamburger fix on their lunch break.
I wish I could have loved it more but it just wasn’t a hit for me. While I did get take out, the wait was a bit longer than I’d experienced at other «cook from raw» establishments, despite there not being many orders ahead of mine. I know they were trying to work out the kinks and refine their process.
I was underwhelmed by the menu offerings as I assumed if they were trying to target the same market as other gourmet burger joints in the city they’d have opted for a more trendy list of toppings. This felt more like something you’d see in New York and there wasn’t a feeling of locally sourced items or flavours.
I opted for the classic burger and was disappointed to realize that despite there being a variety of condiment and vegetable options (a la Subway) that I wasn’t asked my preferences at all and was given the standard «works» on my burger. I prefer not to eat mustard nor relish so this was hugely disappointing to me. If I’m eating a «gourmet» burger I expect to be at the very least asked if I want it «as is» from the menu or if i have modifications or preferences for the toppings.
The fries were average fare and while the lunch time deal didn’t break the bank, it did eat into my allotted lunch time considering I also had to account for travel time there and back.
Suggestions for improvement would be:
1) asking customers their preferences for toppings
2) a clearer «line starts here» set up as many people were unclear as to who had already ordered and were just waiting versus who hadn’t ordered yet
3) interacting with the customers a bit more — everyone on the line kept their heads down and you felt like you were interrupting them if you asked them if you could order (someone should be delegated to only cash/​orders)
Will I be back to give them a second chance? I’m not sure. You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression and mine wasn’t a stellar one.

Worst Gourmet Burger place in the city!!!
Ordered one of there larger burgers came with rings and mozza sticks right on the burger. Also ordered a Poutine to go with it and another poutine on the side for my son. First of all they didn’t know there specials they had one that said if you ordered a Burger and a drink the Poutine would be discounted I had to point it out to them.
The poutine was really bad, I could have went to the store gotten canned gravy and I would have made a way better poutine!!! Their burger was dry and tasteless.
Also their prices are $$$$ this is a place I would stay away from!!!

Extreme Pita’s old place, new coat of paint, same tables and seating. Specializing in Burgers, Poutine, Wraps and Wings.
Quality between fast food burger joints are the more gourmet varieties. $ 9 for a classic burger, patty was not frozen but not made from quality ground beef. A friend had a Caesar salad for $ 8 and wasn’t happy (caned croutons and fake bacon).
Service was great, enjoyed chatting with the owner about the exciting future of downtown Halifax.
Since they have only been open a couple days I’ll give them a couple more shots, but for the $ they are asking you can goto a gourmet burger establishment for the same money.