Golden Star Drive In — Restaurant in Markham

Great tasty burgers, however all staff never change their gloves. I ordered a burger and watched the cook touch the raw meat and then clean the counter and sweep the floor, all with the same pair of gloves, while the patty was cooking. Then without changing his gloves, he proceeded to touch the bun, and grab toppings to put on my burger. I tried to ignore it and still sat down and ate the burger, while watching the staff do the same thing for over a half hour. And what do you know, I felt sick afterwards. It seems they use gloves more to protect their hands rather than keep your food clean. Avoid going here if you don’t want to get sick. I hope management reads this review and takes action.

So decide to go back and see if there is any improvement to service. Unfortunately staff still do not change their gloves after touching the raw meat and cleaning the counters and tables. I guess they are trying to save money not using clean gloves. Disappointed 😔 Same utensils used touching the raw meat is then used to transfer the cooked food to the burger bun.

Update: Went in again and noticed staff are now more careful with food handling. Changing gloves more often and using different utensils for touching cooked and uncooked meat. Changing my rating to 3 star since some staff are still not changing gloves right after touching raw meat

Update: This will be my last review and visit. Went back and observed the same unsanitary conditions when handling food. Staff do not change gloves. For example, they were making my order and ran out of lettuce. The staff went to the back Walkin fridge, touched the door handles, on the way in grabbed another container to put inside the fridge, then came back with a new bowl of lettuce, and without changing gloves made my sandwich. Another staff used a very dirty towel which they hide under the counter, cleaned and then made a sandwich for someone else. And another staff came out cleaning tables and sweeping floors and went back touching food without changing gloves. Come on golden star staff, your customers are human not animals. I would not doubt if one of these days someone gets very sick and Sue’s them for...

I have been going here for years and I do like this place. Always received fast friendly service. The food is always good, or as good as one can expect from an establishment of this calibre. Take note, these people are professionals in the burger business. They have outlasted many of their competitors and I believe that is what gives them, or makes them appear to have a little bit of an "I don't care attitude". Believe me, there is no doubt that they do care about your experience otherwise they would not be so successful.

Recently, they have introduced a Habanero sauce. I really, really like this on my burger. It is not too hot although definitely this has some really good heat to it. I highly recommend that you try this before the wrecking ball comes. I know that the owners will hold out on selling for as long as possible. One day that will change as change always comes. It's inevitable. When? Who knows?

The reason I shorted Golden Star one star out of the five is because of their fries. I like crisp fries best. I always get take out since I live 5 minutes drive, or less away. I have never returned home from Golden Star with a box of fries and could call them crispy. They were always soggy. Once the manager at GS told me it was the potato supplier's fault. They brought the wrong ones. A month or two later I tried again and it was the same result. Sorry Golden Star. It seems that for me to get crispy fries in this neighbourhood I have to go to Friendly House Restaurant at 5908 Yonge. This is coming for someone who has lived in this neighbourhood for over 40 years.

GS owner: I know that you read these reviews. I would be happy to edit this post regarding he fries if you can...

UPDATE: Even if I believe the exhaust system excuse (which for a number of reasons, I don't), it doesn't excuse the conduct and general lack of courtesy from that original guy, or the other 3-4 who just stood behind the counter. Someone easily could have come to the door and explained the situation. I really don't feel like calling to hear BS excuses and offers of free fries in a feeble attempt to have me remove the review. Maybe this will help you guys remove some of your own bad habits instead.

ORIG REVIEW: Showed up at 8:30 pm on a Sunday night with 5 people (all grown-ass adults), all ready to eat. Even though both Google and the website say they're open till 9, the older gentleman came, locked the door as we were standing in front of it and then ignored us knocking. He walked back behind the counter, and looked up at us. I pointed at my watch and shrugged to say 'are you not open?' He made a face implying I've suggested he walks to Australia on foot. I held up nine fingers (asking aren't you open till 9?). He shook his head. Clearly Golden Star has achieved massive franchise success with thousands of locations and billions in revenue with their gourmet burgers and affordable prices that 5 customers are a drop in the bucket. I didn't see their matching Maserati's in the parking lot, but perhaps they travel by helicopter. Congrats on your success gentlemen, that you dont actually NEED to fulfill hours or serve all customers. 👍 P.S. I had enough time to drive to another restaurant 10 minutes away and post this entire review, and there's still 5 mins before they're...