Dac Biet brings Asian-American burgers to the downtown core

Toronto’s love affair with Asian-American fusion isn’t fading: joining the ranks of DaiLo, Patois and R&D is Dac Biet, a pan-Asian burger joint with a Vietnamese name. Dac Biet means “special,” or in this case, “combo with everything.” The burgers at the small spot (previously home to Sam’s Philly Cheesesteak) are loaded with Asian toppings like kimchi, char siu (barbecue pork), house-pickled daikon and more. All of the six stacks on offer start with the same base—a griddled five-ounce patty of freshly ground sirloin, brisket and chuck on a chewy Ace bun—before getting a Vietnamese, Chinese or Korean makeover. The Banh Mi Burger, for example, tops a beef patty with lemongrass pork, pickled daikon and carrot, cilantro, cucumber and mayo. The Korean contender, called the Kalbi Burger (pictured above), comes crowned with kimchi and slathered in a Korean barbecue–flavoured sauce. Fries come topped with kimchi, pulled pork and wasabi mayo, and even the joint’s poutine gets a twist: the Quebecois staple might look familiar, but the gravy’s spiked with pho jus.

213 Church St., 416-703-8878, dacbietburger.com, @dacbiet_burger