Where to get the best chili-topped burgers in Winnipeg
Winnipeg has a couple of minor, obscure food specialties. But the number one has got to be fatboys. It’s the only specialty that is thriving in Winnipeg, so it can be rightfully considered to be Winnipeg’s representative dish.
What is a fatboy?
A fatboy (sometimes spelled as fat boy) is simply a hamburger with chili. Not Texas-style chili because that will just become a sloppy mess. Coney Island-style chili is used because it’s more viscous. And because the creator used to work in a Coney Island-style restaurant. Fun fact: both Coney chili and fatboys were invented by Greek immigrants.
It’s dubious to treat a regular hamburger with a particular topping as a local specialty, but it’s woven into the food fabric of Winnipeg and found nowhere else.
The name isn’t standard either. Perhaps to avoid litigation, some restaurants call it by other names. But it’s still a burger with thin, well-done beef patties, lettuce, tomatoes, white onions, pickles, mayo, and of course, chili. The “fat” part comes from the copious amount of mayo and large size. Well, at least larger than regular hamburgers from fast food chains.
The most important component for me in a fatboy is obviously the chili. Otherwise, I would just order a regular burger.
The fatboy restaurants in Winnipeg are old-school. They look like they haven’t changed since the 1960s and 1970s. Most are cash-only. Some close during the brutal winter season, so check ahead if you are visiting between December and March.
Dairi Wip Drive In
Dairi Wip may not have invented the burger with chili but they claim to be the first to call it a “fatboy”. The drive-in is straight from the 1960s.
The fat boy felt like the most standard one in this taste test. The patties were slightly thicker than the others and robust in beef flavour. Mayo, mustard, and other sauces overflowed. They certainly weren’t afraid to make the burger messy to eat. There was a good balance of acid, saltiness, and creaminess. It reminded me of tzatziki sauce. The downside was that the chili was not very discernible. Still, a satisfying eat. 7.5/10.
The interior hasn’t changed in decades.
Mrs Mike’s
Here’s another vintage burger joint that has its own loyal following. Mrs Mike’s doesn’t call them fatboys. It’s the Kingburger here.
I wasn’t that hungry, so I got a simple hamburger. Note that all their burgers have chili.
This isn’t a fair comparison with other restaurants because I didn’t order their signature burger. Mrs Mike’s hamburger is the most basic and cheapest in their burger menu. It shows.
But I was here for the chili so I didn’t mind. Sadly, like several others I’ve tasted, there wasn’t enough of it. There wasn’t enough sauce either. It was just a thin layer of mustard and ketchup. It felt like a McDonald’s hamburger but with a handmade patty and a hint of chili. 6/10.
Mrs Mike’s closes during winter and is cash-only.
Original George’s Burgers & Subs
Original George’s is not the original purveyor of fatboys but they make a pretty good one. They and Dairi Wip probably have the most faithful rendition of a fatboy circa 1960.
I could taste the char on the patty. The chili was earthy and interplayed well with the tangy and salty sauces. It was on the borderline of being too messy to eat. 7.5/10.
It boils down to personal preference whether you like a burger to be swimming in sauces. For the former, go to Dairi Wip. Original George’s is more restrained.
This is the only restaurant in this review that has a decent dining area. And a decent attempt at interior decor. They proudly display their Greek heritage with memorabilia around the restaurant.
Super Boys
Super Boys came later on the scene in 1985. They’ve did some tiny tweaks to the fatboy and call it “Super Boy”. While it’s not as old as the other fatboy pioneers, it’s still a classic.
The most noticeable difference is the bun. It’s chock-full of sesame seeds. It did make a difference as they imparted a subtle fragrance. The patty was seasoned assertively. The burger was juicy with all the sauces but it never felt messy to eat. There was a light hit of chili. I say they’ve improved on the fatboy formula. And this was the cheapest fatboy in this test. 8/10.
The interior was closed for dining because of COVID-19 but it’s not a huge loss. It’s cramped and plain. Takeaway is the way to go.
VJ’s Drive Inn
VJ’s Drive Inn does a respectable fatboy. It’s also the most central for tourists, just a few minutes walk from The Forks and Union Station.
Their signature is the VJ’s Special. Unlike other fatboys, it wasn’t doused with sauces. The bun managed to remain fluffy. This was the only burger where the chili stood out. It felt like it came straight from Coney Island. The taste resemblance was uncanny. The patty was decent but it lacked char and could be juicier. All in all, a solid option. 7/10.
VJ’s Drive Inn is a tiny shack. It’s not a drive-thru. Customers have to walk in to order. There are picnic tables outside if you are brave enough to sit down in -20 degrees weather. They close for winter and are cash-only.
Verdict
- Super Boys: 8/10
Best overall flavour, cheapest, and just the right amount of messiness. - Dairi Wip Drive In: 7.5/10
For those who like a saucy burger. - Original George’s Burgers & Subs: 7.5/10
Textbook example. Scores evenly well on all aspects but not the best at any one. - VJ’s Drive Inn: 7/10
More focused burger, letting the chili shine. - Mrs Mike’s: 6/10
Average burger.
Practical information
Dairi Wip Drive In
- Rating
- 8/10
- Prices
- Fat boy: $8.75 ($7.81 excluding tax)
- Address
- 383 Marion Street
- Hours
- Monday 1100h – 1930h
Tuesday to Sunday 1100h – 2000h - Date of visit
- December 2021
Mrs Mike’s
- Rating
- 7/10
- Prices
- Hamburger: $7.50 ($6.70 excluding tax)
- Address
- 286 Tache Avenue
- Hours
- Tuesday to Saturday 1130h – 1900h (closed in winter from mid-December)
- Date of visit
- December 2021
Original George’s Burgers & Subs
- Rating
- 7/10
- Prices
- Fatboy: $7.85 ($7.00 excluding tax)
- Address
- 1141 St Mary’s Road and other locations
- Hours
- Monday to Saturday 1000h – 2200h
- Date of visit
- December 2021
Super Boys
- Rating
- 7/10
- Prices
- Super boy: $7.00 ($6.25 excluding tax)
- Address
- 1480 Main Street
- Hours
- Tuesday to Saturday 1100h – 1900h
- Date of visit
- December 2021
VJ’s Drive Inn
- Rating
- 7/10
- Prices
- VJ’s special: $8.85 ($7.90 excluding tax)
- Address
- 170 Main Street
- Hours
- Daily 1000h – 2200h (closed in winter from Christmas)
- Date of visit
- December 2021