Burger fest brings budget-friendly wagyu to the table

At least eight restaurants in the core are serving $12 burgers made with local wagyu beef from July 2 to 11 as part of Downtown YEG Burger Fest. The premium beef comes from Lakeside Farmstead in Sturgeon County, a family farm that has been recognized for both its beef and cheese products.

One featured burger of note is the pho-inspired burger from Rosewood Foods. It's an update on a popular former feature with pickled onions, cilantro, Sriracha, and pho-flavoured mayo. Hoang Long 888 will similarly emphasize Vietnamese flavours with a burger-banh mi hybrid. It includes the usual toppings found on banh mi, as well as a signature hot sauce and "tropical" sauce. Elsewhere, Birdog is leaning into a steakhouse/bistro palate with a burger topped with caramelized onion jam, black truffle aioli, and a choice between triple-cream brie or aged, smoked gouda.

There's a pickle-heavy option at The Common, a burger with Thousand Island dressing at River City Revival House, smash burger options from both Eleven Eleven and Let's Smash Burger and Shakes, and a spicy creation at Jack's Burger Shack. Both the participating Jack's location downtown and the one in St. Albert are up for sale, though the owners want the restaurant's legacy to live on after the transition. Still, it might be best to taste the award-winning Tu Le's work while you still can.