As new-comers to Moncton, we weren’t aware of the Moncton Burger Festival until it had practically started. We realized early on, pre-festival, with our eyes overwhelmed by 54 photos of all sorts of different burgers (one of them was encapsulated between two donuts!!), that we couldn’t eat them all. So we broke out the map, the calculator, and a spreadsheet to determine how many we could legitimately consume in the 17 days of the festival. Our goal was to try two a day, rating each, and we made it 26! These top five are the best among some 26 fantastic creations.
#5 Blue Cheese Burger
The Keg Steakhouse, Moncton
Here at The Hungry Monc, one of us LOVES blue cheese and one of us…does not. But this burger is a game-changer. This burger is so well designed that the blue cheese hater had a change of heart.
This excellent beef patty was topped with a generous helping of blue cheese, melty cheddar, onion ring, and bacon. Blue cheese pairs well with beef because its strong pungent flavour balances out the rich, buttery beef. The construction of the burger was also well thought out, the blue cheese is dolloped into the center of a fried onion ring. This holds it in place so that, instead of squishing out the sides, you get a delicious helping of blue cheese with every bite.
In a nutshell, this burger is not just good; it's excellent. It's the kind of burger that makes you rethink your stance on blue cheese. Bravo, Keg Steakhouse, you've won us over.
#4 Cheese Forgive Me
Old Triangle Ale House, Moncton
We’ve eaten at the Old Triangle before and loved it, so we were optimistic that they would hit it out of the park. Our optimism was justified. They went with two very different cheeses and it works. The habanero monterey jack cheese adds a cheesy flavour that doesn’t go missed. The French styled herb and garlic cream cheese, dare I say, adds a je ne sais quoi. They ratchet things up with bacon jam. Bourbon bacon jam!! Yes please! Some traditional fixings with the crispy onions were a nice touch but not over-the-top distracting. The potato bun was soft and scrumptious and I don't know if mixing pork into the beef patty added anything but it was one of the nicer patties we’ve enjoyed (and we’ve had 27 on the tour).
The Cheese Forgive Me burger came with a side of tater tots which was a nice change of pace. Overall it’s a nice spin on the basic burger structure.
#3 Albert Street Heat
Chris Rock Tavern, Moncton
Like many restaurants on the list, this was our first trip to the Chris Rock Tavern. This burger combined a juicy beef patty with mozzarella, spicy bbq sauce, shaved brisket, pickles, and topped with crispy matchstick potatoes. Providing a delightful crunch reminiscent of bacon, these matchsticks became an addictive element we couldn't get enough of. The sweet bbq, mixed with a savory, juicy patty, and the crunchy salty matchsticks is a masterful blend of textures and flavours.
On top of enjoying this excellent burger, this burger was paired with one of the best fries of the festival, rounding out a flavourful experience.
#2 Never Broke My Heart Burger
Tide & Boar Gastro Pub, Moncton
This is a classic double smash burger with pickles lettuce, bacon, and the standout topping: deep fried American cheese. We’ve never seen it before, but it will be a welcome addition to our burgers from here on out. Keep it coming Tide & Boar.
We’ve had lots of items on their menu over the last year and it’s clear that they have great ingredients and an attention to detail. This classic burger shines!
#1 The Bourbon Bacon Double Cheeseburger
Tait House, Shediac
Our favourite burger is a mind-blowing burger from Tait House Shediac – the Bourbon Bacon Double Cheeseburger. Seriously, it's the burger dreams are made of. Picture this: two patties that are so light and juicy, topped and sandwiched between not one, but two layers of melty American cheese. Every bite is a perfect ratio of patty and cheese goodness.
But here's where it gets extra exciting. Where other burgers had a complex assortment of ingredients, Tait House kicks their burger up a notch with one additional topping - bourbon in the bacon. The bourbon flavour is a great compliment to the salty bacon and seasoned beef. It's all the basics done oh-so-right, with a touch of bourbon magic that puts this burger right at the top of our list.
Good news for you – the Flip Burger Fest is hanging around until Feb 3, and word on the street is that this amazing burger will stick around on the menu even after the festival is over. You can bet we're planning on going back again and again for this masterpiece.
Conclusion
The Flip Burger Festival was originally taking place Jan 12-28th, 2024. Fortunately for all burger lovers, they extended the festival at some restaurants until Feb 3rd. So if you haven't tried these burgers, you still have a chance. We recommend giving the restaurant a call to make sure they are still participating!
Thanks to this festival we have been introduced to so many new restaurants in the area. Beyond the burgers that initially drew us in, we are eagerly anticipating a return to explore the entirety of each menu.
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