Saltlik Burger Review – Banff, AB
Saltlik Burger Review – Banff, AB
My Gold Medal Burger quest stayed in Banff, Alberta for a stop at Saltlik, a steakhouse a friend recommended. I was out west for my brother's birthday, and the crew came along. Saltlik scores an 8.6, good for #20 out of 140 burgers on my rankings.
My order
A hamburger with lettuce, onion and pickle only, for $19.95. I love Alberta's five percent sales tax. The mountains and the taxes are the best things about living out there. We spent some time inside having drinks and talking business and real estate with the server before taking the burger outside.
Back home, Robyn calls ahead so the orders stay anonymous. Out here, we were shooting from the hip. With my shirt on and a friend the staff recognized placing the order, they likely figured something was going on.
First look
Under the evening light: a toasted brioche sesame seed bun, lettuce, red onion rings, horizontally sliced pickles that looked homemade and a homemade patty. Behind the camera was a friend I've known since grade 9.
First bite
One bite, everybody knows the rules. I tasted butter on the bun right away, and the pickle was a highlight. I'm sure it's homemade. The pickle game in Alberta is strong.
The breakdown
- Bun: Buttered, toasted and delicious, but too much bun for this patty.
- Patty: Cooked and seasoned nicely. Our server Frankie said it used to be eight ounces and is now six. I usually prefer six, but with a bun this size, eight would work better.
- Pickles: Homemade and on point.
- Onions: Red onion rings, standard.
- Value: $19.95, about ten dollars less than the Waldhaus down the road.
Saltlik vs. the Waldhaus
I compared it to the Waldhaus at the Banff Springs Hotel, which scored an 8.9 at $29.40. Overall, I don't think Saltlik is quite as good, but Saltlik's patty was actually better. The bun is what held it back.
My verdict
An 8.6 for a legit burger, pulled down only by the bun. My advice: don't grow the patty, shrink the bun. That saves on food costs and gives a better ratio at the same price. The beef and pickles are already there. If the burger is this good, I can only imagine the steak.
Find Saltlik
Banff, AB
