Let me start by saying that I am a burger girl. 

I love hamburgers. Love them. I’ve taken on several “lifestyle diets” over the years and find myself craving burgers time and time again. I have eaten amazing burgers in unexpected places and been disappointed by experiences in notable spots. 

So when I see a new location open up in my neighbourhood I am eager to try it and armed with a “show me what you’ve got” attitude.

Market Burger lived up to my expectations in every way. 

Located in the heart of the Corydon Village, the first thing you’ll notice is that it’s simply a nice place to hang out. The deep colours and clean lines make it sexy enough for date night, while the mismatched chairs and large chalkboard wall (featuring info about their locally/ethically-sourced ingredients) keep it laid back. 

The rooftop patio is a must-experience, with a nice mix of shade, sun and charming artwork that blocks your view of the less than scenic parking lot below. 

My favourite installation is a skateboard light fixture from Green Apple skate shop, which is just down the street. Fans of retro design may want to move into Market Burger’s bathroom, decorated by local vintage shop Rhymes with Orange.

The menu (shaped like Manitoba) has a few options. You can choose one of their pre-designed burgers or build one from the ground up. There are two different vegetarian patties and a dizzying array of relishes. By the way, bacon relish is exactly what it sounds like. What an age we live in!

I chose to build a burger and my friend went with the Butter Chicken Burger. We split an order of “Frings”, which is a plate of onion rings and fries. You get a lot of fries but the onion rings were less plentiful and they stole the show for me. Sides are a bit pricey here as they don’t come with your burger, but there is enough to share. 

A couple bites in I stopped to enthusiastically declare my love for the burger through a very hearty mouthful, just like they taught me in finishing school. My friend agreed and we continued to eat in silent food reverie. Or maybe he was talking to me, who can say?

I’ve heard some people describe the burgers as dry, but I did not find that to be the case. If you like a juicy burger, I would suggest going with the multi-grain bun as their signature bun is rather large and may account for some of those issues. Also, I find that curry mayo solves everything and they make a very tasty one. 

Market Burger may cost a little more than your typical burger and fries joint, especially if you indulge in an adult beverage (in which case go for the Coco Carl Mojito), but it’s well worth it. You will leave full and with a clean conscience thanks to the Manitoba-sourced ingredients.

Published in Volume 68, Number 1 of The Uniter (September 4, 2013)