Finding a good reliable burger joint can be as difficult as finding your match made in heaven. I think I'm still looking for the best around, but so far Buns on the corner of St Marc and St Catherine West is tiding me over.

The former used bookstore, turned late night burger joint, Buns Hamburger House has only four things on the menu: burgers, double burgers, fried potatoes, and soda. What else does a person need?

I've been to Buns a few times before in the warmer months, so I figured I'd stop in during the colder months. With only one person working the charcoal grill, and about four tables to sit at, you're going to have a slight wait for that burger, but in my opinion, it's worth it.

Buns boasts the usual hamburger toppings of pickles, mustard, lettuce, etc. however the cheese is FREE! And this isn't any old standard fake orange cheese with plastic around it; this is hand-sliced mozzarella cheese. Now, for someone very picky about her cheese, this place passes the test, a rare find for me in a fast food joint.

Along with the title "Buns" come the hamburger bun unique only to Buns. A little thicker than most, more crusty and even borderline stale, the buns are sliced in front of you and offer the perfect surrounding to the heavily seasoned charcoal grilled burger. None of those flimsy buns, or whole-wheat buns, just a white bun made for Buns designed by Buns.

While this time I passed on the fried potatoes, I have tried them in the past, and I think they could use a little perfecting. Sometimes the potatoes are burnt, sometimes they aren't cooked enough, but with a little hot sauce anything goes. Our burgers were served perfectly cooked (unfortunately one can't get a rare or medium burger in a joint like this), and our toppings expertly placed, something important for the perfect burger.

Upon further research I found that Buns was opened by a few young guys looking to make a place with cheap, affordable, quality fast food. A place where anyone could come by after class, after the bar, or after a long days work and get a meal for under 10 bucks. Prices are $4.00 for one burger, $6.00 for a double burger $2.00 for the fried potatoes and drinks at $1.00. In my opinion, these guys have the right idea and the skills to pull it off.

Buns is taking the enterprise further as well, with a new location on St. Laurent, perfect for a beer induced munchies after the bar or club. It takes a delicious burger to be able to sustain a place with only four things on the menu. It also helps that Buns plays classic 80's music, and the burger flippers make you feel right at home. Buns might not be another m:brgr, but it sure could have been the inspiration behind it.

Buns is located at
1855 Ste. Catherine O.
AND now open at
3673 Saint-Laurent.