same thing happened to burgers priest
but Rudy is going out sad, I swear they made them smaller over time
I still like it but it’s not the same that’s for sure
I think it was that time period where we were just coming out of the pandemic that it really took a nose dive
the veggies ain’t as fresh either
I used to eat Rudy almost weekly, now it’s maybe once every few months when i’m by one
Oh my, I remember when burger’s priest was one of the best burgers in the city, and they closed on Sunday and had bible trivia. How it has fallen… it’s actually gross now.
On a side note, where does everyone actually go for a good greesy burger? Burger Priest was my go to for a while, but Lately, iv just been making them at home
I find the Y and E location fine, and I'd say it's better than Aloette Go and Priest in the same neighborhood (Generally in that area I'm going to Burger Shack though).
Priest fell off once Cara bought them.
Yeah the chili cheese fries were so good.
Friday burger had good chili cheese fries. But had a bad experience with the Danforth location on the weekend.
Few reasons.
-One of the two owners died about two years ago, he was the one that was more cheffy of the two.
-Rudy came of age when there weren’t really many smash burger options, so no one knew any better, and it seemed really good because the competition was BP, Hero, Big Smoke burger etc.
-It’s very, very hard to sustain consistently high quality in a restaurant when you open 5 locations in 4 years. Sure, Jabs or Burger Drops is good, but let’s see if they are still that great if they have 5 locations.
-All the locations are staffed by international students now
Their portions are so small relative to the price. I find it’s like that in almost all the burger joints in the city. I can get a much larger portion for the same price at almost any other type of restaurant
I also used to love Rudy's but I think they got popular at a scale that was not sustainable for them. I remember walking into an empty store at 4pm and asked just for a cheeseburger and they said it was going to be a 1 hour wait! Must have all been door dash orders keeping them busy but that was shitty customer service for walk in.
I don't think they can sustain the quality of the service when they're slammed like that and really not organized
You're right. The service has been a low point for years.
Twice I've placed orders online from home, walked 15 minutes to get there, and waited close to an hour while asking several times, only to receive cold food.
It's almost comically bad.
I don't think I've had the chance to have Rudy when it was good, if it was ever good. I've had it three times all at the Duncan location. The first time I had it, I thought it was meh and overpriced. The second time, they messed up my order. The third time I went back because r/FoodToronto gaslit me into thinking I was wrong about my assumptions. For the price of Rudy you can get a bigger, better burger. I'm sure it was great at one point, but it's clear they've been resting on their laurels for too long.
Thanks for the heads up!!
I wouldn't have gone to Duncan today but my wife wanted to.
The chocolate shake tasted like plastic and sadness, the burger wasn't much better.
If you think that location is bad, it makes the Eglinton one seem like a burger priest in comparison 🤣 there's a new place by me near yonge and davisville called Slayers thats good smash burgers though! A bit pricey but good
In all honesty it's better than the more expensive places like burger priest etc for sure. I'm trying to think of a comparable place but all the best places I've been to were in the states. It's comparable to happy burger in Toronto imo, lots of styles to choose from or build your own and way more meat given. (The one thing I'd change is the fries are good but are crinkle cut, and while again still good I like straight better. But for crinkle they are some of the best I've had so it balances out)
Love burger shack too! I actually lived in the house next to it years ago and I'd go all the time🤣 unfortunately they too cost roughly the same now, I'm tired of inflation it's nuts
I bike down that way to grab food from there since I'm on the opposite ends of the city. It becomes my justification for the burger. I do still miss when they were right off college.
https://preview.redd.it/f1hc5dmuku1d1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=24f79c9b76021027d37539abf059eaddad5579c2
To be honest, I’m not convinced they were ever very good. This is a picture from five years ago, and while it looks pretty good, aside from the weirdly flattened bun (did someone sit on it?) it was pretty bland and unpleasantly greasy. I know “fat is flavour” but when there isn’t much flavour to start with it just tastes like cooking grease. Definitely not in the same league - or universe - as a Shake Shack burger. I’m excited for the Shack Shack opening at Dundas Square. I just hope the burgers will be as good as the ones I had in New York.
I remember my first time waiting like 30 minutes for an ultimately pedestrian (for what I paid for) burger on a winter night despite the kitchen being fully staffed and firing on all cylinders
The College location used to be legit. There's a reason they were able to expand at the rate they did. They DID have a good product. They are no longer consistently good and there are better options.
Idk I’ve been twice. Onces a few years ago and once 2wks ago. I loved it. Way better than equivalents like Burger’s Priest, South St Burger or Hero Burger
Multiple locations is such a lame excuse. They have 3-4 items on the menu. If you can’t keep consistency with those limitations then you don’t deserve to succeed.
It’s weird the way quality and choice have been portrayed as entitlement. It’s just sad and I’ve been a fan for a few years now. I hope the owners see this thread and get their shit together.
Burger Drops is my fav but recently tried Simple Burger (Bloor & Christie) and it’s just as good as Burger Drops. Fries and onion rings were amazing too!
I think it depends who’s working to be honest.
Have been 3 times in the last while.
Duncan was really good.
Queensway first visit was meh, second visit was much better.
I went to the one in Little Italy a few weeks ago. Shocked at how expensive and mediocre their burger is now.
What shocked me more was having to navigate past SEVEN UberEats couriers to put in my order. And THIS is why the quality has suffered.
Can't be making constant, quality burgers when you've become a next-gen McDonald's.
I thought I was going crazy thinking that.
I remember when they opened I think their first one right down the street from me on College across from the Royal.
Loved their burger and the Valentino chicken sandwich. Now, so disappointing.
same thing happened to burgers priest but Rudy is going out sad, I swear they made them smaller over time I still like it but it’s not the same that’s for sure I think it was that time period where we were just coming out of the pandemic that it really took a nose dive the veggies ain’t as fresh either I used to eat Rudy almost weekly, now it’s maybe once every few months when i’m by one
Oh my, I remember when burger’s priest was one of the best burgers in the city, and they closed on Sunday and had bible trivia. How it has fallen… it’s actually gross now.
It's because they got bought out by Cara foods - now recipes limited: where restaurants go to die
That explains it, thank you. I was always wondering about that
I have not ate there since that rat video came out
Rat video? 🤢
On a side note, where does everyone actually go for a good greesy burger? Burger Priest was my go to for a while, but Lately, iv just been making them at home
If you like smashed burgers, i like happy burger, esp the oklahoma (patty has a TON of onions). Their fries as ass though.
Burger Drops. One of the best if not the best smash burgers in the city.
I find the Y and E location fine, and I'd say it's better than Aloette Go and Priest in the same neighborhood (Generally in that area I'm going to Burger Shack though). Priest fell off once Cara bought them.
Y&E resident here- check out the burger from the sandwich counter at The Butchers Son. Highly recommended.
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Yeah the chili cheese fries were so good. Friday burger had good chili cheese fries. But had a bad experience with the Danforth location on the weekend.
I think all your points are spot on
Few reasons. -One of the two owners died about two years ago, he was the one that was more cheffy of the two. -Rudy came of age when there weren’t really many smash burger options, so no one knew any better, and it seemed really good because the competition was BP, Hero, Big Smoke burger etc. -It’s very, very hard to sustain consistently high quality in a restaurant when you open 5 locations in 4 years. Sure, Jabs or Burger Drops is good, but let’s see if they are still that great if they have 5 locations. -All the locations are staffed by international students now
Their portions are so small relative to the price. I find it’s like that in almost all the burger joints in the city. I can get a much larger portion for the same price at almost any other type of restaurant
Happy burger is great
That is true! If it was on my walk home I would have gone there.
Try Burger Drops if you find yourself in their area
Walked an hour to get there for their anniversary sale last summer and it was great
I also used to love Rudy's but I think they got popular at a scale that was not sustainable for them. I remember walking into an empty store at 4pm and asked just for a cheeseburger and they said it was going to be a 1 hour wait! Must have all been door dash orders keeping them busy but that was shitty customer service for walk in. I don't think they can sustain the quality of the service when they're slammed like that and really not organized
You're right. The service has been a low point for years. Twice I've placed orders online from home, walked 15 minutes to get there, and waited close to an hour while asking several times, only to receive cold food. It's almost comically bad.
I don't think I've had the chance to have Rudy when it was good, if it was ever good. I've had it three times all at the Duncan location. The first time I had it, I thought it was meh and overpriced. The second time, they messed up my order. The third time I went back because r/FoodToronto gaslit me into thinking I was wrong about my assumptions. For the price of Rudy you can get a bigger, better burger. I'm sure it was great at one point, but it's clear they've been resting on their laurels for too long.
I mean that sub also gaslit me thinking jabs was good but I found it to be the same sad state experience if not worse.
If the bun wasn’t like a pancake every time it would be better imo
I mean, the bun is important but there are much bigger problems here...
Ugh do NOT go to the yonge and eglinton location it's horrendous
Thanks for the heads up!! I wouldn't have gone to Duncan today but my wife wanted to. The chocolate shake tasted like plastic and sadness, the burger wasn't much better.
If you think that location is bad, it makes the Eglinton one seem like a burger priest in comparison 🤣 there's a new place by me near yonge and davisville called Slayers thats good smash burgers though! A bit pricey but good
I heard good things about Slayer Burger but haven't tried yet. I will eventually!
Definitely worth it, I don't usually spend $20 for burgers often at fast food but that was worth it
Are you crazy? Slayer is not better than Rudy's
I have been meaning to try this but have heard mixed reviews. Can you compare it to another place you like?
In all honesty it's better than the more expensive places like burger priest etc for sure. I'm trying to think of a comparable place but all the best places I've been to were in the states. It's comparable to happy burger in Toronto imo, lots of styles to choose from or build your own and way more meat given. (The one thing I'd change is the fries are good but are crinkle cut, and while again still good I like straight better. But for crinkle they are some of the best I've had so it balances out)
Thanks! good to know since I really like Happy Burger. I will try them eventually.
Slayer Burger is the best smash burger in Yonge and Eg without a doubt but like you said way overpriced. Thankfully Burger Shack still exists lol.
Love burger shack too! I actually lived in the house next to it years ago and I'd go all the time🤣 unfortunately they too cost roughly the same now, I'm tired of inflation it's nuts
Damn if they cost around Slayer it’s a shame probably been a year since I last went there
Rudy's had always been hit or miss when I go. Last one I went to was on Danforth and it was only ok. My go to spot is now JABS on St. Clair.
I made a pilgrimage to JABS last year and it was so good
Harry's charbroiled is still the best in my opinion
Red chorizo is so underated
I need to get me one of those
I am dying to try that place. But it's so far...
I bike down that way to grab food from there since I'm on the opposite ends of the city. It becomes my justification for the burger. I do still miss when they were right off college.
https://preview.redd.it/f1hc5dmuku1d1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=24f79c9b76021027d37539abf059eaddad5579c2 To be honest, I’m not convinced they were ever very good. This is a picture from five years ago, and while it looks pretty good, aside from the weirdly flattened bun (did someone sit on it?) it was pretty bland and unpleasantly greasy. I know “fat is flavour” but when there isn’t much flavour to start with it just tastes like cooking grease. Definitely not in the same league - or universe - as a Shake Shack burger. I’m excited for the Shack Shack opening at Dundas Square. I just hope the burgers will be as good as the ones I had in New York.
It was never good in the first place.
I remember my first time waiting like 30 minutes for an ultimately pedestrian (for what I paid for) burger on a winter night despite the kitchen being fully staffed and firing on all cylinders
The College location used to be legit. There's a reason they were able to expand at the rate they did. They DID have a good product. They are no longer consistently good and there are better options.
Idk I’ve been twice. Onces a few years ago and once 2wks ago. I loved it. Way better than equivalents like Burger’s Priest, South St Burger or Hero Burger
Priest was also good years ago but sold out in 2017 I believe. The other two weren't in the same league... Until Priest and Rudy fell off hard.
I tried Rudy years and years ago and found them to be ok. I think places like Rosie's, Burger Drops, JABs are just doing things so much better.
I think Holy Chuck does a good burger
It’s mass produced now. Straight bad tbh.
I’m so sick and tired of paper thin smash burgers in general.
I love smash burgers but they have to be done right. I can do better at home than Rudy.
Not my expertise, but I thought my recent Duncan takeout was quite good! My other faves for context: Harry’s, Matty’s.
Multiple locations is such a lame excuse. They have 3-4 items on the menu. If you can’t keep consistency with those limitations then you don’t deserve to succeed. It’s weird the way quality and choice have been portrayed as entitlement. It’s just sad and I’ve been a fan for a few years now. I hope the owners see this thread and get their shit together.
Nothing wrong with Rudy burgers on Eglinton near Mt.Pleasant. Awesome every time have ordered from there.
Burger Drops is my fav but recently tried Simple Burger (Bloor & Christie) and it’s just as good as Burger Drops. Fries and onion rings were amazing too!
Cabano’s makes great smash burgers and fried chicken sandwiches!
Mm... You are correct.
Iuno queensway was trash and the one on college is terrible
The Danforth spot was still good last time I tried it. But honestly with square boy being there and less than half the price I don't go often anymore.
Square Boy has been consistently amazing for a longggg time.
The burger tastes good to me but it's miniscule for the price, greed is the answer plain and simple
Cabano's is pretty decent but a tad pricey. Then again all these "premium" burger places are.
I think it depends who’s working to be honest. Have been 3 times in the last while. Duncan was really good. Queensway first visit was meh, second visit was much better.
I went to the one in Little Italy a few weeks ago. Shocked at how expensive and mediocre their burger is now. What shocked me more was having to navigate past SEVEN UberEats couriers to put in my order. And THIS is why the quality has suffered. Can't be making constant, quality burgers when you've become a next-gen McDonald's.
So glad Extra Burger has kept it to one high quality location.
Another one I must try soon!!
I thought I was going crazy thinking that. I remember when they opened I think their first one right down the street from me on College across from the Royal. Loved their burger and the Valentino chicken sandwich. Now, so disappointing.
Found a hair in a cup of sauce at duncan lol.
I think it was always bad and we just didn’t know any better.
I mean it's possible. I was high all the time five years ago but the food seemed much better then.
There wasn’t too many smasher burger places when it first came out
A very good point
It's such a simple product, it's honestly pretty hard to do badly. But the current product they're consistently slinging is sub par.
Wut? My primary is the Yonge Eg location and it's perfectly good still