The Best Burger in Winnipeg!

Some people search their entire life for a plate of food so amazing, that they bestow it with the title of ‘the best’. Who would have thought that the best burger you’ll ever eat was in Winnipeg all along, at Billabong Bar and Bistro.
Billabong, located at 121 Osborne street, has many things to offer. From down under crab cakes, and calamari, both $8.75 to the uluru ribeye, which is a broiled ten oz ribeye topped with an Australian peppercorn spiced Jus at $23, and even the odd yet satisfying barbecued kangaroo. With three different menus for different times of day there is something for the non-adventurous types and kangaroo tacos, $14, for those looking to step outside the box.
Our waiter, John, a very nice and courteous man walked us through the menu choices explaining the different items and what they closely resemble in taste, a key factor when deciding on the barbecued kangaroo at $27.50. We started off our night eating the surprisingly tasty kangaroo tacos, $14 for 6, thinly sliced kangaroo with thai-red chili dressing and mango stacked in crispy shells. John directed my attention to a burger that I ‘have to’ try. Being a very picky eater I was hesitant, but I decided that every burger is the same so how could I not like it.
They call it “the legendary aussie burger”, $11.50, and that title is well deserved. What came to my table was the Everest of the burger world. A huge 1/4 pound sirloin patty topped with smokey bacon, already off to a good start, aged cheddar cheese and hot pepper beet relish. That may not seem like that big of a deal, but this is where the burger get’s ‘aussie’. A thick slice of barbecued pineapple sits on top of the cheese, sweet and juicy with all the sugars on the outside perfectly caramelized. Right on top of the pineapple sits a fried egg, yolk not yet popped.
At first I didn’t know what to do, I was in awe at how good it looked, although when you put these ingredients down on paper it doesn’t sound all that appealing. My first bite was like being reborn, reborn a carnivore. The beef was so perfectly done on the grill, with just the right amount of char. The relish, spicy yet sweet, the perfect contrast in the same bite. The cheddar cheese and the smokey bacon set each other off perfectly with a great balanced flavour. Finally the fried egg and pineapple, the egg providing the perfect texture in an unbelievably great burger. Everyone of these items combining so perfectly to create the Da Vinci of handheld food, not to mention the side of crispy, thinly sliced, perfectly seasoned chips.
Billabong Bar and Bistro may have some odd items, somethings you would never consider eating. For those who want a great atmosphere, friendly staff and literally the best burger I’ve ever eaten, look no further than Osborne village.

4/5 stars.