Unique burger creations lead to rapid expansion for Notre Boeuf De Grâce

RestoRap

It was 2015 and surrounded by fast food chains and signs that said A LOUER in N.D.G., Jonathan Dresner decided that an upscale burger restaurant was missing.

The Cheese-US burger

“Not just any classic burger joint though,” Dresner recalled. “We set out to create a fun, intimate restaurant which would immediately become an integral part of the neighborhood, and a destination for tourists and people from all over Greater Montreal.”

The appropriately dubbed Notre Boeuf De Grâce (www.notreboeufdegrace.ca) was an instant success and expansion happened quickly today there are eight locations (NDG, Downtown, St. Laurent, Pointe Claire, Laval, Terrebonne, Le Village, Le Plateau and Saint-Jérôme) and one more in Blainville on the way later this summer.

Notre Boeuf De Grâce locations grind top quality fresh beef daily on site and sometimes twice a day. They order local ingredients and make almost everything in house, from fresh-cut French fries, homemade sauces, house sodas, shakes, house beer and their handcrafted, signature cocktails.

Dresner also owns the Pigeon Expresso Bar downtown, the trendy new Pigeon Café on Monkland in NDG and is part of the groups which operate the plant-based restaurant and bars called Hello 123 and Kupfert & Kim and    the new vegan burger shop Burger Fiancé in Old Montreal.

Like all other restaurants in Quebec, Notre Boeuf De Grâce has had to focus on take-out and delivery almost exclusively for more than the past year. There is also weekend brunch from 9 am to 3 pm, with some of the items from that menu available each day.

There are variety of salads to choose from via the “In the Beginning” portion of the menu, as well as such items as chicken wings, bacon wrapped dates, potato skins, fried pickles, fried cheese curds, grilled asparagus and fried calamari with lemon aioli. I sampled the latter at my last pickup and it was outstanding.

A selection of burgers and poutine.

“The Other Side” of the menu contains barbeque ribs, mac ‘n cheese with ribs, hamburger steak, club sandwich, fried chicken strips, chicken Caesar wraps, fish ‘n chips, grilled cheese, the veggie dog and the  DG (Dame Good) Dog – a Hebrew National all beef hot dog with bacon, onion, fried banana peppers, ketchup and mustard, served with fries and a pickle. I can vouch for the latter, which was also included on our list.

There are different variations of sides and poutines to choose from as well.

Of course if you are going to experience Notre Boeuf De Grâce then their burger creations represent the big draw. I ordered the Cheese-US. This was outstanding and took me two days to eat. It consists of two six ounce beef patties, bacon, grilled cheese buns, cheddar and American cheese, lettuce, pickle, onion and ketchup sandwiched between two pieces of Challah – so basically a mega-grilled cheese sandwich with all the fixings. You can also ask for a special bun or a lettuce wrap.

Dresner introduced the Burger of the Month a few years ago, created by a local hero. They also have veggie, chicken and salmon burgers and a Phillie cheesesteak sub.

Do not forget the desserts. I had a delicious piece of apple pie with vanilla ice cream on the side.

To find the Notre Boeuf De Grace location closest to you go to https://www.notreboeufdegrace.ca/

Mike Cohen can be reached at [email protected]. See more of his reviews at www.MtlRestoRap.com