Nobel Burger Bar

If there is one thing this place has going for it - it's convenience and fast service. Unlike any establishment I've been too, you can place your order on an iPad and without any communication with a human being, your food magically arrives a short time later.

Let me be clear - I LOVE THIS. I can order what I want, when I want. No waiting for a server; a couple taps and bam - a beer is slapped on the table.

To clear things up, there is a human element involved here. A few human elements actually. That's how I'll break this review down. I directly interacted with 2 humans and indirectly with at least one more.

Human #1 - Direct

Delivered my order:

- Cooked from fresh 6oz burger from a local farm in Blackstock, ON; not far from my home which was interesting. Topped with aged cheddar, caramelized onions and mushrooms. The burger was $16.00 which would be insane for a 6oz burger outside an airport - but hey - it's and airport - a water is like $5.00.

- $4.00 for a side of onion rings. These were actually great.

- Muskoka Brewery Cream Ale - Tallboy for $9.50

This interaction was wonderful - meal delivered as expected.

Human(s) #2 - Indirect

Cooked my order:

- For a freshly ground, locally sourced burger, you would expect a mix of wonderful texture and flavour. The later was pulled off in spades - a wonderfully flavourful burger. This can likely be attributed to the smokey flavour from the char grilling and the well cooked toppings. However, the former fell flat. The burger was tough and what I would consider over cooked. Not the worst burger considering the flavour hit the mark, but I felt disappointed after dropping $16.00 for the burger alone.

Human #3 - Direct

Delivered more drinks and.....

- After finishing the meal and beer I ordered and additional beverage to pass the time before my flight. The drinks were delivered by a lovely lady to asked how the food was. I mentioned the burger was over cooked for my taste and was met with the following explanation: "the cooks are not allowed to serve 'undercooked' meat". I've had this response for a dry burger before so it was no surprise - corporate establishments in fear of litigation. Listen, I understand - it's business. However, this leads me to expect that if you order a burger here, you're more likely to receive something that resembles a hockey puck, as opposed to a moist and tender burger from a fresh, locally grown source.

THE DEAL

To round this all out, the server was quite empathetic and afforded free Fiji water and insisted if it was brought to her attention before I smashed the thing down (I was hungry), it would have been rectified. I don't see how it would have been fixed to my liking as they can't cook the burger the way that I want it, but I appreciate her empathy - and the free $5.00 (see what I did there?)

To call yourself a "burger bar" - Mr. McEwan of
all people should know that a real fresh burger should be cooked to order.

Still - probably one of your better choices in the airport - and the chairs are comfy.

3.5/5