The Works Gourmet Burger Bistro

Great burger! If you’re looking to indulge, you’re gonna love this place. The milk shakes are the richest, creamiest thing I’ve ever tasted. Services level was also very high. Will definitely be back.

It is not worth it. People talk about this place like if it was the next greatest thing… but it is not. Service is slow, the place is usually packed (expect a line), and the product is not what you would expect for that price. The concept is well-​thought, but the burger is not great. Mine was greasy but not juicy.

Service is garbage. Never once had an experience to speak otherwise. Burgers are decent and it’s fun to try different toppings and patties but when you feel like you’re scum, I don’t care what I’ve ate/​am eating.

3.5 stars.
Stumbled upon the place while exploring the area. While the burgers were good, I didn’t really have a «wow!» moment. Maybe it was the choice of burger that I ordered? The Dead Ringer did lack in veggies and to me, a good burger has a good balance of vegetables within it. Overall, I like that The Works distinguishes itself from other burger joints by its variety and the use of ingredients that are not usual of burger joints (like blue cheese and avocado).

Food is ok, looks like a pub or a restaurant but expensive if u go by pub style & cheap in terms of restaurant but then food is not that great

I tried this place after hearing a lot of hype but left a little disappointed. I feel like the draw is that there are a ton of different varieties of burgers but ultimately the quality doesn’t live up to the price tag.
I started with a small strawberry cheesecake milkshake. This was outstanding! It was thick and tasted fresh and delicious! This was definitely the highlight of my dinner. ⁵⁄₅
I had the man cave burger, which was a pretty safe and conservative choice from the dozens of options available. Onions, cheese, and bacon. While the burger was a nice size, I felt it was a little dry. Not a bad burger by any means but just didn’t live up to the perception I had. ³⁄₅
With the burger, I upgraded to onion rings. The rings were cooked perfectly, with the outside providing a fantastic crunch. I thought they were a tad bland though. I think some seasoning of some kind would have perfected them. ⁴⁄₅
The server/​host that greeted us was a little rude and I felt we were inconveniencing him by making him seat us. Our server on the other hand, was great. Checked up on us just enough during the meal and was polite and attentive. ⁴⁄₅
Overall, the meal wasn’t bad. It just wasn’t as outstanding as I had hoped. Along with the premium price tag, I feel there are better options around downtown.

This was my first time at this location and the services was great. I was with a friend coming from Bier Market craving a burger after all the beer we had drank. This time it was an easy decision as to what I was going to order. I saw the Chick n’ Waffles and was instantly sold. I added beechhouse sauce to the it and went with the usual substitute for onion rings and a side of chipotle sauce for dipping. I love their onion rings and I think they are some of the best in the city. Oh wow, it was amazing! I loved the sweet taste of the waffles mixed with the flavours of everything else. I will definitely come back specifically for this. The only downfall is that the waffles don’t hold up as well as buns do so half way through I had to start using a knife and fork, but that was fine with me. My friend opted for the Smokey Mountain with chicken and fries as the side. He said his option was really good except the fries were too salty so I tried one and I agreed, way too salty for my liking. And we washed everything down with two bulldogs.

Tried the Hipster burger and the waffle burger. The Hipster didn’t have much in there so we weren’t expecting much but the waffle burger was AMAZING. They used waffles instead of buns and topped the burger with maple syrup. They had dozens and dozens of different burgers on the menu and I will be back to try some more.

First discovered The Works in Ottawa and just had to find one in Toronto. Since then I’ve come back numerous times. Love the whole atmosphere with the measuring cups and quirky menu item names. These burgers are definitely something you can’t find at a fast food joint. There’s so many options and you can put just about anything on your burger. It is quite pricey but the quality makes it worth it. This location has a nice patio if you don’t mind hearing all the downtown traffic buzz.

When the toppings are better than the burger itself, you know you’ve got a problem! This place has everything going for it — great roof top patio, impressive menu, adorable measuring cup drinkware, prime location. It’s unfortunate that on the day we went, our burger patties were extremely dry and the service was slow.
I’m all for a lazy Saturday, but we ended up waiting a long time for our meals. I’m pretty sure I could have walked home and made my own burger in less time. Our patties were both really dry. I ordered a veggie burger, and you can tell they just buy frozen patties from somewhere and throw them on the grill. My boyfriend’s beef patty was also really underwhelming. Overall not horrible, but if that’s all you do, it better be good!

I went here hungover, so take this review and my impressions with a grain of… well… hangover.
I had been meaning to go for quite some time, and decided it would be the cure for what was ailing me. Ate on the patio for lunch, which has a lovely view of the area. I would say that the ad/​wrap they have around the railing kinda blocks of the view, and would recommend they do away with that. Seating-​wise there were lots of options, as it was maybe ½ full (1pm on Sunday).
My server (Jessica) was awesome from the get-​go. Water (in a measuring cup no less) right away, plus a prompt drink order of a Caesar. I asked beforehand how their Caesars were, and she said they were great. She was right. One of the best I’ve had. Just a straight forward one with celery.
Asked for a recommendation on a burger, which she offered a couple of choices but that her favourite was the Juicy Lucy. Cheese stuffed burger patty? Nnnnnice. Paired with some delicious onion rings with chipotle mayo on the side. So. Damn. Good.
The only knock I will give it was the price. All in for the burger/rings/drink+tax/tip, I was out $ 32. Ouch.
This is one of those instances where I wish I could give an extra 0.5, as the price hit shouldn’t take it down a full point in my opinion.
4.5÷5

Great place. Good value. They have gluten free and healthier options this was My main reason for the 5 stars.
Service and location is perfect right in the centre of the city. Sit on the roof top. Especially on a nice summer day. Portions are huge ! Recommend the chips and the lean elk burger. Will be returning.

Had the man cave: caramelized onions, bold BBQ sauce, jack cheese and bacon. All these, on a 8oz patty. It came with fresh cut fries.
Overall a very good burger but it’ll awards only 3 stars because the price you’ll have to deal with in the end, isn’t as good as the burger is. Circa a 15% less would make it a splendid deal!

I loved the upper patio! It was cool to be able to look over the street while we were having dinner. Drinks are served in measuring cups which was different and unique. As far as the food goes, it was reasonably priced. The juicy Lucy
And born to Brie wild with beef were good. The three ring binder with a turkey burger was unfortunately dry. Fries were good and so was the bold slaw. We could have done without the attitude from the waitress when we asked her to clean the bird poop off our table though.

My friend and I bumped into this while wandering around the city. We picked the seats on the rooftop patio and the view was amazing !
I love all the selections that The Work offers. It took me a good 20 minutes to finally come to final decision. I ordered Elk on the Beech which is lean elk patty with avocado, beechhouse sauce, tomatoes and feta cheese, and onion rings on the side.
It was amazingly tasty! The burger was huge and filling and juicy. The onion rings were pretty good. Oh well, let’s not kid ourselves, everything tastes better deep-​fried!
The server was pretty good! Even we sat at the rooftop patio, the server didn’t forget us. She kept checking on us if we needed anything. She was also very friendly and gave us suggestions after seeing the confusions we had about the menu.
Forgot to mention, we walked in there with Starbucks drinks and the Work doesn’t allow outside food and beverages. The server was kind enough to give us their measuring glasses (which was very interesting) to pour our drinks in there so no one can give us trouble. And I fell in love with the Work at that moment.
The décor is creative and I had a good laugh after looking at their washrooms’ signs.
It was a nice burger experience and I will definitely come back here again. It’s a bit pricey but worth every penny spent!

The WORKS, a burger joint turned franchise that redefines what a true burger with «the works» on it really means. Offering over 30 burgers with all the «works» toppings you could ever dream of, The WORKS puts their money where they beef is by offering 100% Canadian hand-​made fresh beef, that is flamed-​grill to your liking. And if beef ain’t enough, their selection of chicken, elk, turkey or veggie burgers might just also hit the spot.
But before stepping into their world of burgers, I’d suggest you check out their hand scooped shakes. Made with real ice-​cream and served on big and fun measuring glasses, so you never ran out of the good stuff.
Or just default to their appies and venture into the new Baconism II menu items. Like their Bacon-​Wrapped Wrecking Balls, a succulent and mouth watering starter that is made with cheddar and potato, wrapped with juicy bacon and deep fried, then served with a roasted bacon garlic aioli for dipping pleasure.
Now onto their succulent burgers. Following the Baconism II tune, the Gettin’ Piggier With It WORKS new addition is their signature 8oz bacon and beef pattie, loaded up with Canadian bacon, cheddar cheese, smoked bacon, bacon ketchup and crunchy onion strings. Sorry, did I mention this burger had bacon in it?
Another favourite, and part of their top 10 favs, is The Hipster. Now, don’t confuse this for a white millennial in an urban area. This burger stands on it’s own with Havarti cheese, avocado and caramelized onions. The beef pattie, avocado and onions are all covered and wrapped in the Havarti cheese, making this burger one of a kind in their menu.
Buen Provecho,
Foodies Inked.

On my quest for gourmet burgers, I ended up one day in the Works. I liked the whole theme they had going on there, the environment was good, but the food was OK, nothing outstanding or very «Gourmet».
They tried to make the burgers really tasty but it just came out normal (i.e the two burgers that I had). Moreover, their ordering system is HORRIBLE, it is a «4 step ordering system», ordering can’t get any more complicated than that. The burgers are a bit on the pricy side, which would have been ok if they actually tasted good.

With over 50 gourmet burgers to choose from, I was really excited to finally check out The Works (@worksburger). They first opened in 2001 in Ottawa and now has 26 locations, they have also won many awards, including Ottawa’s best Burger for the past 13 years in a row.
It’s a full service gourmet burger restaurant unlike many other burger places in Toronto which is self served. All their burgers are made with fresh Canadian beef and hand press daily. Not into beef, there’s 6 other patty option on top of the standard beef and cheese stuffed beef which include elk, chicken, veggies and mushroom.
Bacontella Shake
~ Everyone’s favourite Nutella blended with smoked bacon and creamy Canadian
~ Ice Cream topped with whipped cream & even more bacon
~ This was the regular/​medium size and the 2 of us couldn’t even finished it since it’s so thick and filling but be warned, it’s super addictive.
Kamikaze Burger w/​side of Spicy Die-​Cut Chips + Gravy
~ Jalapeño, chipotle & banana peppers, cheddar cheese & hotter than hell sauce
~ Although the description sounded really spicy, it was actually not that spicy and I somehow wish there was something extra to it… maybe the standard lettuce & tomato or even avocado maybe?!
~ Although love the pickled peppers and the juicy patty, I wasn’t a big fan of the combination and the excessive sauce.
~ But let’s move on to the Spicy die-​cut chips, it was the highlight of the meal for me and I can’t stop eating them.
~ Super thin slices of potato with crispy edge and soft center (yes it’s possible even if it this thin) and even you don’t see any peppers or «red» to indicate it was spicy, it does pack some kick to it.
~ Plus the recommendation of gravy on the side by our waiter was spot on. Would come back just for them and I would be a happy girl
Six Degrees of K’vin Bacon Burger w/​side of Onion Rings
~ 6 types of bacon including a signature 8oz bacon & beef patty, grilled and piled high with Canadian Bacon, smoked bacon, bacon ketchup, bacon roasted garlic aioli, bacon hickory sticks with fresh lettuce & tomato
~This was their «Believe in Baconism Part 2» menu and I think it’s for limited time only since I don’t see it on their menu online, so better go get it know or else you would regret it.
~ Love every part of this burger from the mix of bacon and beef patties to the crunch of the bacon hickory sticks.
Verdict :
~ Really enjoyed the burger here and love love love the spicy die-​cut chip
~ Would love to come back for the patio when it’s warmer
~ The place was packed when we went on a Friday, so be ready to wait for a table.

I’m really quite surprised at the amount of good reviews this place has received. I suppose if your experience with hamburgers is with fast food joints like burger king, McDonlads an hero burger etc. then you will probably really enjoy the burgers here.
My experience with this place was disappointing to say the least, I guess I fell for the word «Gourmet» which led me to believe that these were fresh, handmade burgers with gourmet toppings. The reality is, the only thing «Gourmet» about this place is the selection of premium toppings, which are impressive. But that’s where it all stops, what I got was a dry, over cooked, chewy and quite flavourless beef burger which tasted and looked like a previously frozen and very likely manufactured beef patty that was very likely made in a factory somewhere.
There was absolutely nothing gourmet about the actual burgers. especially for that price… My experience was was total and utter disappointment if i wasn’t so hungry i would have thrown out the burger. But I just didn’t feel like complaining, it wasn’t worth it as it was nothing they could change without changing everything they do lol, so i just ate as much as i could, paid my bill and left. Noting to myself that i was duped and that this was a place i was sure i would never return to. This place is all about the toppings, smoke and mirrors really, they hope you won’t notice the crappy chewy burger under all those «gourmet» toppings.
For any of you foodies or real true burger lovers out there that are looking for a real home-​made/​handmade «gourmet» burger, stay far, far, far away from this franchise…
But If you’re looking for a high end Harvey’s or a hero burger that also sells booze?
Then you have found your utopia, you’l likely love it.
I personally won’t be going back, really over priced and incredibly disappointing…

I was impressed w/​the menu as there were so many gourmet burgers to choose from. First you pick which burger (choice of beef, chicken, veggie, portobello mushroom), bun (white, whole wheat, gluten free or bunless), sides (fries, poutine, salad, etc.). I liked the many options & great for vegans/​vegetarians & those w/​dietary restrictions.
I ended up selecting the Grills Gone Wild (Grilled eggplant, avocado, salsa loco & feta cheese). Had this bunless & replaced the meat w/​portobello mushroom instead w/​sweet potato fries and it was quite good & juicy. But honestly, it’s a burger. I didn’t expect this to be holy sh*t so good ⁵⁄₅. My hubby picked the War Pig (Mushrooms, smokey BBQ, cheddar & bacon). Hubby’s burger was only $ 5 cuz it was burger week ! What a sweet deal! However it was very dry. Perhaps that’s what happens when you order during burger week? hmm.
Service was great & our waitress was very personable & friendly. We don’t mind coming back another time. But would prob. avoid any specials.