A (Canadian) Cheeseburger in Paradise

It turns out there is a very ‘Canadian’ way to make a cheeseburger. Who knew? Starting yesterday, the lucky residents of Merida have the chance to taste this unique style, thanks to the opening of Canada Burger, 3 blocks from Gran Plaza mall.

Local resident Canadians, Mark Miller and Scott Jaspar, driven by “a love of food and a love of Canada” decided to combine their two passions, and drawing on a background in the food service business, they conceived the concept for a Canadian themed burger joint here in Yucatan.

The result, in a word, is delicious.

Keeping it simple, the menu consists of two basic items; the Canadian style cheeseburger, and poutine, a creation from Quebec, popular across Canada.

The cheeseburger begins with a toasted bun, brushed with melted butter. A choice of mustard, mayonnaise, ranch dressing, ketchup, or Canada Burger’s signature maple barbecue sauce is offered, and the piping hot off the grill patty is stuffed with a secret mixture of four cheeses, making for delightful oozing when bitten. An additional slice of cheese graces the top, and crisp lettuce, juicy tomato slices, onion, jalapeño and pickles are available for topping the burger, which is then wrapped for easy eating.

Poutine – for those of us unfamiliar with this Canadian treat – is French fries, topped with cheese curds and beef gravy, and Canada Burger’s poutine is indeed sublime.

Soft drinks available (“pop” in Canadian) are Coke, Coke light and zero, and to the delight of many, Cherry Coke and Vanilla Coke.

Prices are accessible - $39 pesos for the cheeseburger and $21 pesos for an order of poutine if ordered separately, with drinks $11 pesos or $16 pesos for the flavors. The combo, which includes the burger, an order of poutine and a drink, is priced at $66 pesos ($71 pesos with flavored Coke).

Current location is Calle 26 #237, x 73 y 71, in Colonia Montes de Amé, 3 blocks behind Gran Plaza, in the north of Merida, and opening hours are from 7pm to midnight, Monday to Saturday. Visit them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/amocanadaburger for more information.

In the future, the plan is to relocate to Prolongación Paseo de Montejo, in the vicinity of Superama. Watch this space for news when that happens. For now, make the drive to Montes de Amé, enjoy a unique taste of Canada in Merida at Canada Burger, and tell Scott you read about it in The Yucatan Times.