Time is running out to enjoy the unique burger creations local restaurants are serving for Novemburger.
The annual campaign, which raises funds for the United Way of Thunder Bay, wraps up on Saturday. It's your last chance to try one of the 41 different burgers available in and around the city.
The staff at TBnewswatch, with a little help from TBT News, has been reviewing Novemburgers all month.
There's not enough time left to try them all, but we asked each reviewer which burger they would recommend if you could only eat one.
Here are the burgers we think you should try while you still can:
Jodi Lundmark: Thanksgiving Burger (Madhouse)
My favourite Novemburger has to be Madhouse’s Thanksgiving burger. Loaded between a Portuguese bun was a locally-raised turkey patty, swiss cheese, cranberries, crispy onions, arugula, roasted garlic aioli and Madhouse’s own Wild Turkey bourbon gravy. It stood out from the rest I had tried this month as they were all beef burgers. Some people may argue a burger isn’t a burger without beef. But that’s never been a sticking point for me.
Leigh Nunan: Chipotle Cheddar Smash Burger (Norteños Taqueria/Norteños Cantina)
Nortenos has kept their Novemburger on the regular menu before, and here's hoping they'll do it again because their Chipotle Cheddar Smash Burger is one I could go back to again and again. This burger is pure, if messy, deliciousness. It's flavourful, just a little spicy, incredibly cheesy, and all around finger-licking good. If you only eat one Novemburger this year, I strongly recommend this one.
Lucas Punkari: Cliffhanger Burger (Cliffhanger Restaurant & Bar)
Nostalgia and the call of home can come at you at odd times. That was certainly the case with the Cliffhanger Burger as it was pretty close to the ones I get to eat when my visit my parents back home in Sault Ste. Marie. The six-ounce Wagyu burger has cheddar cheese, bacon strips, corn-fried onions, roasted garlic aioli, a spicy fig jam and barbecue sauce in between a pretzel bun. Make the drive down Highway 61 before the month ends.
Olivia Browning: The Pepper Jack Smash (The Paddy Wagon)
The Paddy Wagon's burger just had something special about it. Whether it was the raspberry chipotle drizzle or the way the beef was cooked, all I can say is it was the best burger I have ever tried. Head over to the Port Arthur Curling Centre before November ends, you'll wish you would have sooner.
Gary Rinne: The Bacon Three-Way (Dawson General Store)
The Bacon Three-Way gets my vote for two reasons. I love bacon, so it was already set up for me with yummy bacon jam, pancetta and bacon burger sauce. The store-made milk bun brought this burger over the finish line.
Justin Hardy(TBT News): Rasta Pasta Jerk Burger (Island Spice Fusion)
If you’re only trying one Novemburger this year, it’s got to be Island Spice Fusion’s Rasta Pasta Jerk Burger. The juicy jerk seasoned patty topped with that cheesy rasta pasta makes for a mouth-watering combination. Don’t miss out!
Not convinced by any of these options? Or maybe you've already tried them all? Check out the rest of our reviews.
Each burger has been given a rating out of four stars:
Great: four stars ★★★★
Good: three stars ★★★☆
Okay: two stars ★★☆☆
Poor: One star ★☆☆☆
Participating restaurants:
- Anchor & Ore (Delta Hotels) ★★★☆
- Applebee's ★★☆☆
- Aunt Sarah's 588 Café Nolalu ★★★★
- Beaux Daddy's ★★☆☆
- Beefcake Burger Factory ★★★☆
- Bight Restaurant & Bar ★★★☆
- Bonobos ★★★★
- Burger Barn ★★★★
- Cajun Fuzion ★★★☆
Cheers The Village Pub(Temporarily closed)- Cliff Hanger Restaurant & Bar (Nor'Wester Hotel) ★★★★
- Da Vinci Centre Sports Bar ★★★☆
- Dawson General Store ★★★★
- Daytona’s ★★★★
- The Eatery 61 ★★★★
- The Eddy Restaurant ★★★★
- El Tres ★★★☆
- The Foundry ★★★☆
- The Getaway (Gateway Casinos Thunder Bay) ★★★☆
- Hodder Greeks ★★☆☆
- The Industry Social House ★★☆☆
- Island Spice Fusion ★★★☆
- Java Hut ★★☆☆
- Joey's Seafood Restaurant ★★★☆
- Lake & Spruce (Superior Inn) ★★☆☆
- LU Outpost ★★★★
- Madhouse ★★★★
- Masala Grille ★★★☆
- Monty's Joint ★★★☆
- Neebing Roadhouse ★★★☆
- Nook ★★★☆
- Nortenos Taqueria ★★★★
- Outlaws Burgers & Fries ★★★☆
- The Paddy Wagon YQT (Port Arthur Curling Club) ★★★★
- Portside (Prince Arthur Hotel) ★★★☆
- Prospector Steakhouse / Brew Pub ★★★☆
- Red Lion Smokehouse ★★★☆
- The Sal ★★★★
- Skal (Valhalla Inn) ★★★☆
- Slovak Legion ★★★★
- Station 22 ★★★★
- Bonus: Sleeping Giant Brewery's Novembrewger root beer ★★★☆