The cheeseburger is arguably North America’s most significant contribution to world cuisine. It’s the go-to menu item of choice for patrons across every demographic category in Canada, America and beyond.
Its consistency is one reason for its enduring popularity. People know what to expect, and are rarely disappointed. And ever since Burger King topped a burger with lettuce and tomato — a daring move a half century ago — there have been plenty of variations on this delicious theme.
Today, burgers come in every conceivable combination, from triple stacked to flame broiled to giant bacon-crowned monuments to caloric excess.
Some of the most creative versions are well-kept secrets, grilled up at off-the-beaten-path burger joints that don’t follow a corporate-inspired menu; imagined by local chefs who really do enjoy their craft.
Burger Barn in the Canadian territory of Six Nations of the Grand River is such a place. There, in the small town of Ohsweken, Ontario, entrepreneur Jason Hill has built a casual dining restaurant that long thrived on word-of-mouth alone, until 2013 when the camera crew of The Food Network’s “You Gotta Eat Here!” show came to town. Since then, legions of tourists have discovered Jason Hill’s extraordinary restaurant and its innovative menu.
Over the years, fans have chronicled some of Jason Hill’s best burger hacks — creative culinary twists built on Burger Barn’s signature foundation of a half-pound, home-ground Canadian AAA corn-fed beef patty, grilled to order:
The Bleu en Rouge
A peppercorn-crusted burger topped with blue cheese, thick cut bacon, house-made red onion marmalade and A1 steak sauce.
The Fajita Burger
A burger topped with cheddar cheese, sautéed onions, roasted red peppers and guacamole.
The Skoden Bread and Cheeseburger
With this hack, the buns are not just grilled cheeses, they’re also stuffed — one with pulled pork, the other with brisket.
The Jason Voorcheese
A burger topped with cheddar, Monterey jack, Swiss and mozzarella cheeses plus Sriracha ketchup, smoked bacon and spring mix.
The Knó:ha Burger
A Wagyu beef patty on a bed of spring mix, topped with Brie cheese and house-made maple bacon and onion jam.
The Irish Kiss
A burger coated in peppercorn and topped with cheddar cheese, bacon, sautéed onions and our house-made Jameson Whiskey aioli.
The Roadhouse Burger
This burger is topped with house-made steak sauce, Swiss cheese, sautéed onions and mushrooms, crispy dusted onions, garlic mayo and pickles.
The Morning Glory
A patty on a bed of shaved ham, topped with crispy bacon, American cheese, crispy potato strings, spicy ketchup and a sunny side egg.
The El Chompo
A burger topped with Zesty Doritos, mixed cheese, salsa, cheddar cheese sauce, sour cream, green onions and a deep-fried avocado.
The Boba Feta
Popular on May 4 each year, this burger features 40 Creek barbecue sauce, feta cheese, crispy bacon, sautéed onions, house-made garlic mayo, lettuce and tomato.
Up in Smoke Burger
A patty with deep-fried smoked cheddar, pulled pork and crispy bacon, topped with house-made apple chutney and an onion ring.
Lipstick on a Pig
A burger topped with cheddar cheese, macaroni and cheese, pulled pork and creamy coleslaw.
The Kitchen Sink Burger
Two 8 oz. patties, mozzarella and Swiss cheese, crispy bacon, macaroni and cheese, barbecue pulled pork, dusted jalapeños and all the garnishes.
Rockstar
A burger topped with smoked cheddar, deep fried avocado, guacamole, salsa, sour cream and a green onion.
Havarti Like a Rockstar
This burger features jalapeño havarti, thick cut bacon, dusted onions and a full garnish.
Havarti 5-0
Burger Barn’s signature patty topped with jalapeño havarti, pulled pork, grilled pineapple and dusted jalapeños.
The Notorious B.L.T.
A burger topped with smoked cheddar, thick cut bacon, roasted tomatoes, bacon aioli and lettuce.
The Mike Byson
An incredibly rare (or, if you prefer, well-done) bison patty topped with feta cheese, sun dried tomatoes, spinach and pesto.
Blazing Saddles
A burger topped with jalapeño havarti, bacon, banana peppers, dusted jalapeño and sriracha aioli.
Smokey & the Bandit
A patty topped with smoked cheddar, bacon, lettuce, tomato and Burger Barn’s house-made Bandit Sauce.
The Hot Mess
A burger featuring jalapeño relish and jalapeño havarti, plus bacon jam, special house-made mustard and dusted onions.
The Triple Crown
A triumphant burger topped with mozzarella cheese, thick cut bacon and house-smoked pork and brisket.
