So I caught up to a newbie and a few old school fave's that I'd never been to before.
1)Red Cabin Diner @Dundas and Kipling: bun was very flakey, threatened to fall apart as I ate what looked like a frozen prefab pattie. The good news: a generous helping of toppings. For $3.50, decent in a pinch. Very dirty interior though....
2)Apache Burgers @Dundas and Kipling: If I could've used a napkin to get the grease of the fresh off the grill pattie, it would've been an incredible burger. A good burger joint is where I feel like eating two of them! So far in Toronto, that's been at Mike's Munchies on Bathurst, the Burger Shack and now at Apache. Love the interior and the rich-looking customers.
3)Grindhouse. Hmm, I was surprised how small the $7 entry level burger is--unless you're on a diet, just order the bigger $10 one instead. It's really good, and they served it to me medium just like I asked, but honestly, I prefer the old-school vibe from Apache/M'sMunchies etc. Interior is awkwardly set up, and not having a real patio kinda sucks. I think they picked a bad location. The really good news: it's the only burger I've eaten in Toronto that wasn't char-broiled into a blackened cancer causing mess nor greasy stomach upsetting.
The verdict: The only place I have a massive desire to go back to again is Apache Burgers.