When I was child, my family and I went out only a handful (probably less) of times a year and when we did the rule was that we ordered no drinks and no dessert.  We always went to a place in Waterloo called Marbles.

It was a burger joint with marbles in the table, in jars all over the place, and we ate burgers.  I haven’t been there in close to 30 years so I’m not sure what it’s like now, but I guess I left my heart at Marbles because until this year, I would never really go out and get a burger.

I don’t really think of myself as a burger person, but thanks to people like Richard Chudy of Boston’s Burger Blog  and chefs who use really good meat, understand the art of the  burger, and now have added it onto their menu, I appreciate a burger more than twice a year.

What I have also learned is that everyone has different rules for what makes a good burger.  For me, I like a patty that is fairly thin, a sour pickle, good condiments, and bread that is neither too rich nor has too strong a presence.  Some of my favourite places to get a  burger are: Rialto for their burger special on Sunday nights, Craigie on Main (I’ll share this with my husband but it’s a bit intense for me alone.), JM Curley (for before or after the ballet), and Kitchen on Common for a burger at lunch.