Matt's Burger Lab Etobicoke — Restaurant in Toronto

I ordered a burger and poutine online, arrived about 4 minutes earlier than the scheduled time. Noticed a poutine already sitting there, gravy poured & box not closed, flies swarming around the kitchen. Waited 10 minutes in total before my burger was ready. This is understandable, it was a busy lunchtime. Unfortunately they tried to serve me the poutine that had been sitting there wide open, getting cold and having flies landing on it. Not only disappointing but unsanitary. I realize its summer and there are flies around and that they are difficult to keep out of a restaurant. But food shouldn't be sitting open on the counter for 10+ minutes while waiting for the rest of the order, theres no excuse for that. I probably would have taken the soggy cold poutine had the box been closed for the time it was sitting there, but the flies were unacceptable. I truly don't understand why they would build the poutine before the burger was ready. Even if its a busy lunchtime, it shouldn't be difficult to time fresh fries that haven't been sitting there for 10+ minutes.

Wont be returning.

Edit in response to owners reply: My attitude was disrespectful? Your "good cooks" tried to serve me unsanitary food that had been sitting for 10+ minutes, give me a break. Your cashier tried to insist that the food was fine when it clearly wasn't. I didn't have another 20 minutes to wait for them to make it again, and I no longer trusted the kitchens food safety & sanitation practices.

Your claims about what I "almost" did are insane. Your inability to correctly address the complaint vs attacking your customers shows a maturity level of a child. Look at the other review replies, it shows a common pattern.

For anyone reading this review, you have been warned. This place doesn't respect customers, or sanitary food...

Saw that a bunch of new restaurants opened around me so I have committed to trying them. First up was Matt's Burger Lab.

Can't really speak to Atmosphere and Service as I was in and out in 10 seconds since I ordered through Ritual, but it's a nice little Burger joint with tables inside should you want to dine in.

The poutine is your average fast food poutine. The fries soaked up that gravy but had a nice potatoey taste to it. The gravy is basic, wouldn't be surprised if it was just from a packet that you add water too, but ultimately has no depth of flavour and is bland. The cheese curds or cubbed mozzarella is not squeaky or had that bite that you want when getting a poutine. Poutine gets a 6/10. I wouldn't get it again but if I really wanted a poutine in the area, and that Mill street McD's busy, I'd consider this place.

The Burger is just alright. The Brioche bun is nice and soft, the bacon had some chew to it. The carmalized onions are pilled on there and is honestly the only thing you really taste. The Burger patty needs seasoning, it also didn't have that maillard reaction, that crispy pressed exterior. The Burger was juicy, in terms of freshly grilled, but I wouldn't choose it over other smashed burgers in the GTA.

Overall this place gets a 6/10. If I want something that's a step above a BK or McD's I'll get it. But it doesn't hang with like Five Guys or...

Wow! I was hungry and driving by and saw Subway and figured I'd just get a sub. Looked around the plaza and saw Matt's Burger Lab and liked the name and had never seen it before, so figured I'd give it a shot. I'm glad I did, because for the price, this has gotta be one of my new favorite burger spots!

Ordered the classic burger smash with cheese combo and every bite was fantastic. Burger is flavourful with a nice toasty bun, ingredients are fresh, fries are fresh cut daily and sprinkled with some fresh herbs and spices, came with 2 dipping sauces. The house Lab sauce is tangy and delicious, like big Mac sauce but better. And to top it off, the service was incredibly friendly.

Came to like $17.50 or something with a can of pop and ample serving of fries. It's restaurant quality in a semi-fast food environment, and the burgers are cooked to order. So good!

Big Mac combos are like $15-16 now, Subway footlong combo is close to $20. I hope to see tonnes of Burger Labs popping up! I also got a Five Guys burger last week, which was $9.99 just for the burger and was a soggy, bland mess.

10/10, will definitely eat here again. If you like burgers, definitely...