I was recommended to try a burger place from one of C's friend's even though she had never eaten there herself. I checked online and saw that this place held a lot of nostalgic value for many locals so that clinched it for us...
Traveling up the 400 to get to the 11...
Passing through...
I couldn't resist including this photo again (first seen in my Day 2 Highlights post):
Reviews I read online stated that you would know you reached Weber's once you saw the "orange bridge", which was actually built so that motorists wouldn't have to dash across the freeway. There is more parking on the other side of the bridge. Well, if it wasn't for the bridge, it was the smoke that we saw first.
Remember Airport-Car-Rental Guy? He did NOT recommend this place at all. In fact, he scoffed that it wasn't that great. It was pretty funny how he was pretty open with his disdain for Weber's but was so passionate about Swiss Chalet and Zedt's. Other reviews said the same thing, but despite the criticism, we still wanted to try out Weber's, known for their char-grilled burgers. Luckily, it was not crowded. I'd read reviews and saw photos of super long lines (an hour long or more). For us, the line was a tiny bit out the door but nothing that wouldn't deter us from going here...
Their menu is very simple. I noticed the 'poutine', but I wanted to wait until we were in Quebec City or Montreal to try a more authentic version. "Pop" is what they call their soda or soft drinks.
The view from the line to get in. There are several vintage Pullman train cars off to the side. One was a "washroom" (that's bathroom or toilet to us) and the other had indoor seating. There were also covered tables for patrons.
While customers are in line, the workers take your order and gets your money...
Another one runs back and gives you your change. While you are in line you can see the kids grilling up the burgers.
There was an ice cream shop right next door (as seen through a large glass partition). We would be going there after lunch!
The teen workers were so very courteous and very very efficient. They each had their assigned tasks and worked like a well-oiled machine.
One girl was prepping the condiments. Another was lining up the buns with patties and cheese. Gosh, they're so cheerful too!
My burger was NOT to have pickles and mustard. The girl kept track by looking at the order sheets and prepped the burgers methodically, making sure to skip the two ingredients on my burger.
By the time you get to the end of the line, your order is done and wrapped up for you. Total wait time: ten minutes top (if that).
My burger with just the tomato, onions, and ketchup. The buns were nothing special. The patty was juicy and grilled. Tasted like something we could grill ourselves in the backyard. I think if we had to wait more than half an hour (or yikes, an hour) for a burger like this, I would be disappointed. But hey, the food gods smiled upon us that day with parking and no wait. So for $3.75, this was quite fair.
Both Bert and TC got the fully dressed burger. The pickle looks like a tongue hanging out!
We shared a large fries and a chocolate shake. We had our waters with us...
For many locals here, Weber's is an institution and a de rigeur stopover as they go up to Muskoka for their cottages (it's what the moneyed folks do over here is what I've heard, going "cottaging" during the summer). The burgers are not bad but they aren't gourmet quality either, so that's not to be expected. I thought it was decent.
Of course, In-n-Out burgers still would kick major ass on Weber's version ten times over and then some.
Lunch was a welcome break after two hours of driving (or in my case, sitting)...
The bathrooms were in this car...
Behind the Pullman was a large, shaded grassy area with picnic benches. Many travelers had their dogs with them. The atmosphere here was very family and dog friendly, which is nice.
Now about that ice cream. TC wanted to try the watermelon.
The black specks were tiny chocolate flecks! I thought the ice cream itself looked good, you know, watermelon hued with "seeds" right? But the mini chocolate chips tasted odd with this particular fruit flavor. In any case, TC still liked it. It's one of her favorite flavors and it was such a hot day. Ice cream was the perfect dessert!
It was time to hit the highway again...
But first, another stop at another of one Canada's beloved food institutions...
Weber's
Hwy 11
PO Box 2308
Orillia, ON L3V 6S2
(705) 325-3696
www.webers.com
Up next...we got our sweets fix located just a stone's throw away from Weber's...
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