One of the best burgers in Montreal – Chez Simon Cantine Urbaine

Surprise. I’m back. Life got exciting and I had to disconnect. It felt a lot nicer that I anticipated to disconnect, but I haven’t forgotten about you. Yes you! I’ve been eating (of course) and have found some great spots to share – also not so great spots that I can share as well. Anyways, all this to say, shoutout if you remember a time when burgers weren’t smashed. All the recent burger spots that have popped up in the city are serving smash burgers. Why? There was a time when I didn’t like them. Not only were they were basically devoid of meat, but they were tiny and I thought they were faddy and would phase out eventually. But with the sheer amount of smash burger spots, I can confidently say, they’re here to say. So instead of hating, I decided to embrace them. I’ve eaten good ones and even great ones, like this one I needed to share with you; Chez Simon Cantine Urbaine.

Chez Simon Cantine Urbaine is located east of east, in Tétreaultville, a few minutes from Hochelaga. Drive past the Olympic Stadium and follow your nose. Literally. This neighbourhood diner/burger joint fills the air with that can only be describe as meat perfume, eau de burger. The menu is super simple consisting of burgers, hot dogs, poutines and sides.

Coney Dog

We got the Coney Dog, a Nathan’s all beef sausage topped with “Coney sauce”, onions and yellow mustard. The “Coney Sauce” is basically a meat sauce (popular on Coney Island). The hot dog itself was packed full of flavour and snapped when bitten into – signature of a Nathan’s dog that’s made with natural casing. The beef chilli added a spicy kick to sausage and the onion and mustard helped cut through the meatiness and fluffy Martin’s roll. Great snack.

Patty melt

The Patty Melt is a burger sandwich. Aren’t all burgers sandwiches anyways? Yes, but this burger patty is in between two thick slices of Texas toast, topped with American cheese, Provolone and house burger sauce. It was nice, but there was a lot of bread. The beef patty was delicious, see below.

Smash Burg

I’m going to cut to the chase; this is one of the best burgers I’ve had in Montreal. Smashed burger patty, capicola, American cheddar, caramelized onions, pickles and house burger sauce. I know I often write in sensational hyperbole, but I mean it this time. I’m not crying wolf. The burger from Chez Simon is a clinic in combination of robust flavours, construction and simplicity. Sure, there’s a space for your over the top burgers with sautéed mushrooms, avocado, truffle mayo (I like those too) but sometimes you need to break it back down to barebones to minimal ingredients and proper beef to appreciate a burger for burger sake.

The beef was intense in flavour, not only from the crust formed by the smokey griddle, but the thick-cut capicola that ate like bacon (perhaps a nod to another local Montreal burger institution. If you know, you know). The melted American cheedar added creaminess to the bite rounded out by the aromatic onions all nestled between a classic Martin’s potato roll.

Fries

The fries were addictive. I’d believe you if you told me they fried it in beef fat (speculation only, please don’t start any rumours.) They’re dusted with Simon’s signature spice blend. Which after polishing off the basket of fries, I realized it was his barbecue rub. I’ve known Simon from the KCBS barbecue circuit where I’m a certified judge. Great touch.

I’ll admit I was never a fan of the smash burger. I never found the appeal of eating a meat cracker. However, searing in the meat and caramelizing it with the rendered beef tallow only enhances and intensifies the flavour of the meat – something I’ve only recently come to appreciate. The deft hands of the cooks at Chez Simon are not only able to press the meat into a sheet, but highlight the quality of beef and meat to fat ratio with a beautifully latticed bovine ornamental mat-like doily. The burger is basically a fuck you to all other burgers.

Chez Simon Cantine Urbaine
8517 Rue Hochelaga
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No reservations, but prepare to wait. The line moves fast though and it’s worth the wait.