Hole-E Burger Bar

Has to have the BEST burger in town hands down!!!
We visited Hole– E Burger again today and, as always, it delivered!
The burgers were sooooo good and on home-​made buns, including a gluten-​free bun that was actually very good (very hard to find that anywhere). The fries were yummy and the burger toppings were plentiful.
As it turns out, the owner was there too. What a nice guy!
So…great food, a lovely décor and nice people to boot!
We won’t go anywhere else for burgers in Toronto ever again!

Overwhelming and over charged.
Menu is so confusing. Way too many choices and not at all well laid out. Even the physical placement in relation to the cash is frustrating.
This was my third visit and will be my last. Too many other burger bar so choose from.
The food is good enough. But it took us about ten minutes just to place the order (not a fan of these places where you have to dress your burger at the till I far prefer to watch as it’s made… maybe it’s not efficient but when 4 burgers and drinks costs 60 bucks I think they could slow it down a bit.).
Decent enough concept but for us it just isn’t special enough to warrant putting up with the frustrations.
And the server lacked any personality charm or patience. Maybe that’s why I have none now?
Try No Bull burgers if you are in the east end and need a specialty burger. Much better and better value.

Dam! I got agree with Colin. I dont see why this place has an average 3 star to me that’s meh it’s alright vibe but dam I found a great burger place.
I decided to test their signature burger Hole E Smokes and their poutine. For good reason, Being their signature it should be an actual tasting of their food. Now I’m not a poutine guy but I have had my fair share of it anyways. Usually it’s a flaw I see so I had to see if that we good.
Lets start with poutine. I give them points for a good portion for a good price, the gravy and cheese wasn’t lacking and on mark. The only thing I can knock it down for are the fries, not enough crispy crunch but all and all ⁴⁄₅.
Now onto the burger. It was a pull pork burger top with coleslaw with it was saucey tender pork. Add meaty juicy patty and we got a winner.
So I give this place a great rating. Location isn’t the most convenient but meh I Will travel for that. Still got more to try.

Incredibly disappointed with the service at the cox well location! I felt rushed by the lady serving may 26 at 7:08 (according to my reciept) I ordered 2 can dine to go. Two upgrades to the smoke burger. A sweet potato fries and a poutine. I got home looking forward to our meal after a crappy day. One burger was correct and the other wasn’t even close. The other is two patties with hot peppers. A slice of tomato and a slice of onion. I didn’t get the poutine either! So I had plain fries and I gave my dogs the patties from the burger I didn’t order. I called and complained and was told to drive all the way back after I got home to relax. Needless to say I didn’t go back. Very poor customer service!

Place is really nice, clean and lots of space. The servers were incredibly friendly, chatting with everyone, laughing, they gave the place a relaxed vibe. Has a mini patio which is cool they also serve beer which is nice :)
Burger was really good, cooked medium, juicy but not messy. Nice range of toppings. Rating just on the previous I’d go with 4, but the fries were a disaster. Half were partially raw and the ones that weren’t were meh, and those little Popsicle stick forks? Also not much parking. If you go at a busy time you’ll spend a good chuck searching for somewhere to park.

Delicious! Their portion sizes are enormous. Definitely worth the groupon.
Will definitely come back again! Especially for that free scoop of ice cream I got from checking in on Unilocal ;)

Just came from there and was pleasantly surprised. I had the American Dream with fries, onion ring ketchup and a flavourful cheese (not sure which one it was).The patty was seasoned nicely and cooked well enough to not be pink in the middle, but not overcooked. Very flavourful! Bun was very soft. Fries were good enough. The first time I came here it wasn’t that great but things have certainly changed. Will definitely return.

I am not really a burger fan so this probably would not have been a place I would try alone. My SO loves burgers and diner fare so when I saw a Groupon for this place we decided to go here on a whim before my work. There is parking along the plaza strip, along with other food places to choose from as well. We walked in and it was empty probably because it was just hitting lunch time. I redeemed the voucher easily and we ordered a pulled pork burger for my SO and a steak burger for myself. This also came with 2 large fries and 2 large fill yourself fountain drinks. Food took about 10 mins and I was able to request some toppings on mine. I enjoyed my burger… It was an actual piece of steak medium rare like I requested. The vegetable toppings tasted really fresh and not mushy/​stale. My SOs pulled pork burger fell out so we ate it with the fries. The fries tasted fresh and was plentiful. The manager or owner not sure, was very nice and checked in with us to see how everything tasted. What I’d like to see from them hopefully: loyalty program?, brunch fare, ice cream floats/​pies, frings, better buns for certain burgers such as the pulled pork so it won’t get mushy, whole wheat/​whole grain bun option, and tator tots! I would like to try their signature burgers, onion rings, and desserts. It was a very good experience and a convenient location.

Went here because my boyfriend had picked up a Groupon for two burgers, fries and drinks. I was really impressed with the quality of the burger, it tasted exactly like a great homemade burger would. The fries were awesome as well. I definitely would head back there Groupon or not, as the price was great for the quality!

I find it very sad. That someone would spend that much money for a low traffic middle of the road area. Without doing a survey of the neighborhood. I certainly hope the least the equipment. The food is good but not great. They’re using certified Angus beef that would be fine. if they didn’t put it in the mixer and made it into a mulch as in a sausage. I think it’s too late the space is too big and they spent too much money. They have to take in 2500 a day. just to break even. I wish you all the luck in the world and I mean that

Tried this place with their groupon and ordered the skirt burger with fries. The presentation was top notch, burger ensembled neatly with all toppings present. The helping of fries were generous. The burger patty itself was a bit dry, but I think that’s due to the lack of fat content in their ground beef ratio and not the cook. The brioche bun was soft and tasty, the skirt cheese was crisp and chewy, perfect. Lettuce, tomatoes, pickle, jalapeños were fresh. The fries were fresh cut and crispy
Although I paid $ 11 groupon price for combo I would go back again.
Bottom line-​The meat was a bit dry, but for everything else they got right, I’d order another

Came here for a quick birthday dinner with my family on a Tuesday night. To my surprise the place was completely empty. The menu was pretty overwhelming for someone as indecisive as myself. There were many unique burger combinations I wanted to taste. After awkwardly standing in front of the cashier confused for about 10 minutes I finally settled on the Mac and cheese burger with fries and drink.
The burger patty itself seemed just like any other average burger, nothing special. I feel like the whole appeal of this establishment is just to try something you’ve never had before. The Mac and cheese burger was a cool thing to try once, but it certainly wasn’t tear jerkingly delicious. If I ever come back, it would only be to try a different burger out of sheer curiosity. Other than that I don’t see myself making multiple returns.
I like how they make their fries, not too crispy and not too soft either. Perhaps a little bit salty but this is all up to personal taste. I believe they had ice cream and shakes as well but I didn’t get around to trying them.
Also, I noticed many of their burgers use a «cheese blanket» instead of just tossing a slice of cheese in the burger. This seemed delicious in thought, but I was underwhelmed when I took the first bite into the burger. It was distastefully salty and just seemed like it didn’t belong. I’d much rather have the regular slightly melted slice of cheese (or none at all considering it was already a mac and CHEESE burger).
Overall I had a decent experience dining at Hole-​e burger. It’s not good enough to make me want to come back, but it’s not bad enough to make me complain either. If I were craving a burger I’d most likely choose an alternative burger joint.

I have visited this establishment three times in hopes to give my local burger joint a chance… I will never return. I have ordered the veggie sandwich, goat cheese salad, poutine, and burgers. Each time my boyfriend and I have been horribly disappointed. The fries are drenched in salt. The poutine has next to no gravy or cheese, the burgers and incredibly greasy. Also, the veggies on the vegetarian sandwich were extremely over cooked and had no flavour.
The owner was extremely friendly however, he is very, very unorganized. The grill and prep line is «controlled» ciaos. The kitchen and sitting area are very clean however, with the high prices and quality of food I will never go back.

I was eager to try their Almighty Veggie sandwich… there was nothing almighty about this… very disappointed. It contained 1 small Portobello mushroom, 2 small zucchini rounds and a small amount of roasted pepper and onions… and oh goat cheese… I think (couldn’t hardly taste it). All this for 9.00, ?.. This sandwich wasn’t even worth 5.00. The only thing I will give this sandwich is the bun. This Almighty sandwich has potential to be pretty good if only they aren’t cheap on the ingredients! I certainly will not be returning to this place… not worth it.

Underwhelmed after how it was hyped up.
First, the good things — The mac and cheese is the bomb dot com. Its amazing and I cannot rant more about it.
Mediocre things — I’ve had a poutine there and it ended up tasting quite soggy and there was practically no cheese.
Crappy choice of beer and it’s expensive. I got what was on tap and it tasted watered down. The pop is also pretty expensive for fountain pop but that’s what you pay in today’s society.
Bad things — My best friend got terribly sick after eating a burger there, and it was the only thing she had ate all day. She thought one of her toppings had gone bad — not the actual burger.
Also, don’t even try to eat in there if you’re a big person. It’s not big person friendly. The tables are close together with uncomfortable seats — or you have the fun task of trying to sit at a tall bar-​esque chair.
I continue to go back — but solely for the mac and cheese.

Second time visit this time 5 of us. I wasn’t hungry that just ordered sweet potato fries and salad. Despite the others’ feeling about their burger as I have no right to express their feeling. While just about my Sweet potato fries and salad. They are terrible…
The sweet potato fries wasn’t cheap at all but the serving may be approximately 10−15oz? So little that I almost wanna cry…
And the salad… it was a joke… maybe that was my fault that ordered salad at a burger place. My sister in-​law and me both ordered salad which I had a goat cheese and she had a Caesar salad but they look 95% the same! A plastic bowl filled with small portion of head lettuce (which is the same green used on the burger). Topped with few bread cubes or little goat cheese.
We end up didn’t finish it as we felt like we were a goat that being fed with grass.
We felt like being mis-​treated and being cheated.
I know they tried hard to create a energetic and welcoming atmosphere in order to build a sharp impression for customers. However, food is the key. I felt zero passion on their food neither from me nor them.
Goodbye.

Middle E of the Road
Went for a second visit last week, was greeted loudly by the owner who declared they were the «best burgers in Toronto, as voted by you» I replied I hadn’t voted for them.
The pricing is a little on the steep side, and although I am not averse to paying close to $ 10 for a decent burger, I would say these burgers are close but not quiet worth it.
We got the special, 2 burger combos (basic burger, not a special burger, fries and a small fountain pop) for $ 18. The burger seemed a little dry (similar to first visit), and they had mixed up our order (put the burgers on the wrong buns).
The worst part about both visits was the owner sitting out front smoking a cigarette. Not something I would recommend to entice people. Owner did seem to have a lot of *sniff* energy when we were there during a World Cup game.

Checked out Hole E burger on Coxwell and i must say i was a little underwhelmed.
In these days of burger joints upping the «steaks» i was prepared to be wowed.
Not so much — ordered the Hole E Smoke (patty, pulled pork, slaw) and found it so so. The patty didn’t seem to have the right consistency (chuck/​sirloin ratio) and was pretty well done which didn’t help
The pulled pork was fairly bland and the slaw didn’t pop with that acidic yum that it should.
Nowhere near as good as NoBull’s Smoke in a direct comparison.
Burgers Priest beats them all with no need for fancy toppings. Deep fried Jalapenos and Cheese are the only toppings you need.
The fries were pretty solid.
Nice décor and layout, friendly staff.
Just not what you expect these days from a Burger joint (they’re so en vogue) as the bar already sits pretty high.

The owner messaged me about my review which usually infuriates me. Owners have a way of making excuses and trying to tell me why I’m wrong. This guy was really apologetic and seemed genuine. He invited me in to give them a second chance so I said what the hell and headed over again.
When I got there I had a brief conversation with him about my previous experience and he told me that the place was new, a lot of their employees are new to the work force or trying to re-​enter, etc. and said a lot of things like there was «no excuse» and «you shouldn’t have to suffer for that». It was nice.
I ordered the Hole E Skirt burger and the macaroni and cheese again. The burger was amazing. I finally found out that the «skirt» is cheese burned on the flattop around the burger. My first skirt burger didn’t have that which had me thinking a skirt burger is just a cheeseburger. The meat was cooked medium which I really hope isn’t a mistake. It’s hard to find any pink in a burger in Toronto. It was delightful. And the bun was an entirely different experience, soft but sturdy. Not like the cracker I was served on my first visit.
As for the mac and cheese, when it arrived I was concerned. I took a bite and it was obviously pasta with plain bechamel. I didn’t complain at first as I thought maybe it’s just a really, really bad dish and I didn’t want to look like a jack ass. When the owner approached my table to see how everything was I did ask if the macaroni and cheese should have cheese in it. He looked at it and immediately ran it back to the kitchen. A couple minutes later he brought it back and it was perfect. Seriously, this is THE macaroni and cheese of LIFE! The best I have ever eaten. He said it was a new cook that night and he forgot to add the cheese… I’m a forgiving guy, whatever. Oh yeah, they also top the dish with bacon and little chunks of cheese that’s been melted and burned like on the skirt burger. Mmmm… I’ll be back for this again so soon.
Most of my fears have been resolved. I think this place will probably be five stars by July. Great addition to the neighbourhood.

I came back around 2 weeks after for lunch with my husband. It had a lot of take out orders, which is good! I noticed 3 highchairs (yay!), but didn’t bother checking the bathrooms, but I believe that they have installed change tables already.
My husband ordered the smoke burger and I had the chipotle turkey burger. It took at least 15 minutes (I think due to the number of take out orders) which was the time they told us, but the results were better than last time!
The chipotle turkey burger was cooked well and the guacamole was flavrourful, and you got a nice kick from the chipotle! I tried a bite of the smoke burger and it was good, and flavourful with the pulled pork inside. The husband was happy.
I have yet to retry the poutine, and skirt burger but will do so another time. I will return! I just need to make sure to allocate a lot of time, as the burger turnaround isn’t the fastest.