The Canalside Restaurant Burger Review – Port Colborne, ON
The Canalside Restaurant Burger Review – Port Colborne, ON
The Canalside Restaurant sits at the corner of West Street and Clarence in Port Colborne, with the bridge in the background and a full patio out back. I've got some history here, and the burger came with a bold claim. It scores a 6.1, good for #111 out of 140 burgers on my Gold Medal Burger rankings.
Some old history
I haven't been back often since high school, when a buddy of mine got thrown out of the place a couple of times. He probably deserved it. But I also remember the owner treating a big group of us to drinks and appetizers after a funeral years later. Classy. Some bad, some good. I'm over it.
My order
A Gold Medal Burger, lettuce, onion and pickle only, cost $11.02. Good Port Colborne prices. Inside, the staff were super friendly. One of the guys behind the bar told me he would put this burger up against any homemade burger. Bold statement.
A first look
The bun was a toasted brioche, which I love. But the toppings were thin: one little leaf of lettuce, not much onion and a pickle spear instead of slices. I've never been a fan of the pickle spear on a burger. I thought we were over this.
First bite
I did manage to hit the pickle in my one bite. The bun was nice, the onions were fine and the pickles were okay. The patty was thick and smashed, and I'd call it some kind of homemade and backyard hybrid.
- Bun: Brioche, and the best part of the burger.
- Patty: Thick and smashed. Not bad on its own.
- Toppings: Light on lettuce and onion, with a pickle spear.
- Value: $11.02 is fair.
Under promise, over deliver
The patty itself isn't bad, but a burger that "stands up to any homemade burger" sets a high bar. My advice to the bar: under promise and over deliver.
My verdict
A 6.1 for the Canalside. I had a good time in the few minutes I spent inside, with a friendly server and a friendly guy at the bar, and I spotted a cabbage roll soup special that sounded really good. I'm coming back to try more of the menu, maybe at one of those picnic tables on the side.
Find The Canalside Restaurant
Port Colborne, ON
