The recently opened Frat Burger on the corner of King Street and University Ave., embodies the local Waterloo culture from top to bottom.
Pictures of historical Wilfrid Laurier University and University of Waterloo frats on the wall, locally grown beef and potatoes used in their burgers and fries and the owners Glen Smith and Jerry Smith, epitomise pieces of Waterlooโs story.
โWe love Waterloo,โ Jerry Smith said. โWeโve both grown up here born and raised, never left Waterloo. Weโre just showing support for our community, buy local, eat local.โ
The partnership between Ethelโs Lounge owner Glen Smith, and former Melโs Diner owner Jerry Smith has been described as a dream team.
Jerry explained the two partnered after, โGlen put my name on the sign board outside of Ethelโs with his number and he told me to call him, and I did. I had about 25 people call me and ask me โdid you know your nameโs on the board outside of Ethelโs?โโ
As a result of the partnership, Frat Burger was born. โFrat Burger really is a smashed up version of Ethelโs and Melโs, actually itโs more Ethelโs than Melโs,โ explained Jerry.
โFrat Burger is really just your run of the mill beer and wings pub, but substitute a really good burger and homemade fries for wings.โ
Thatโs right, donโt expect to find any wings, ribs or beer-battered fish, because Frat Burger is strictly, burgers, milkshakes, beer and fries.
Jerry explained his philosophy: โdo one thing really, really well. We took that idea and put it down with burgers and fries and thatโs it.โ
Frat Burger can also appeal to a wide variety of tastes, with some minor changes to the traditional burger.
โThe Portobello mushroom burger and Quiona burger are popular vegetarian and vegan options. The fries are also vegan,โ said Jerry.
โWith the burger we just stick to processing every fine detail of it so that we have a perfect burger every time.โ
When processing the burger Jerry explained, โWe bring in grass-fed beef from Toronto and we double grind it on site and thatโs all it is, thereโs no filler. Weโre the only place in Waterloo region that can offer a medium rare burger because we grind all our meat on site.โ
That attention to detail also means a large selection of toppings including havarti cheese, two different kinds of bacon, caramelized onions and a signature Frat Sauce and customers seem to appreciate the quality in selection.
First-time customer Chloe Stanois said, โI would come back just for the guacamole.โ
Greg Martin, another customer, was impressed with the choice of beef gravy or mushroom gravy on his poutine, โthatโs something I never would have thought of,โ he said.
But donโt think Frat Burgerโs delicious, quality burgers are going to strain your bank account. Jerry clarified, โGourmet doesnโt mean expensive. Gourmet means done well.โ Thatโs what sets Frat burger apart from other fast food burger joints. โNo one pays attention to quality itโs all mass produced.โ
โAnyone that takes a bite of that burger their eyes widen, and itโs like theyโve been awakened from mass production,โ Jerry added.
The difference in quality is noticeable. As patron Evan Kinsman put it, โa gourmet burger at Harveyโs is about the same price, and this is way better.โ