Reviews describe Picks as a small, family run burger spot in downtown Montreal known for fully customizable burgers, fresh ingredients, and strong value. The menu invites personalization with a wide range of toppings and sauces, including smoked Gouda and kimchi, and even options like poutine on the side. Patty thickness is debated, with some diners finding thick patties hard to bite while others praise burgers cooked to perfection and juicy, and several notes suggest thinner patties could yield a nicer crust. The atmosphere is described as warm and welcoming, a hole in the wall with drawings on the walls and friendly staff. Many reviews highlight fast, courteous service and affordable prices, and a sense that the recipes and vibe have remained consistent even after new ownership. Poutine is a common pairing, with large portions and flavorful sauces, though a few readers wished for more sauce on the poutine. Takeout is convenient and the location near Sainte-Catherine and St Marc makes it easy to grab a quick bite. A recurring note praises the loyal, returning customers and the sense of community and value, with veggie burgers and other crowd favorites mentioned. Overall, it is seen as one of the best burger spots in Montreal by many, with consistent quality, generous toppings, and a warm, approachable vibe, though there are occasional mixed experiences.
I used to love Picks; it was hands-down the best burger joint in downtown. Seeing the elderly Korean couple every time gave me such a sense of familiarity & comfort.
However, I noticed the ownership has changed. The moment I opened the door, I was hit by a heavy smell of grease. They didn't seem to turn on the exhaust fan at all during the entire process, & the smoke just kept getting thicker-it was quite unpleasant to be surrounded by such an oily atmosphere. While the shop looked decent in terms of cleanliness, the food was a total disappointment. The burgers taste completely different now. We ordered & paid for extra toppings & sauces, but they were missing from our order entirely. The patties have lost that signature juiciness I used to love.
It's such a shame to lose such a great spot. I won't be coming back.
One of my personal enjoyment of Picks is the old korean couple who move with little urgency but produce high quality foods at the blink of the eye.
Regulars are in for a surprise as they have sinced retired & sold this beloved hole in the wall. I hope this review will provide confidence to those who come by & see news faces behind the cash register that the quality & taste is exactly the same. The new proprietors were trained for a month & it shows. They even kept the wall of drawings.
Buy with confidence.
Jan 2, 2026
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I ordered the picks steak burger.the meat was cooked to perfection & it was juicy inside.The bun was also fresh.Last but not least the owners couple was very friendly
I stumbled across this unassuming hole-in-the-wall gem while looking for some local restaurants to try.
The place is small- it only has 4 tables & needs some TLC, but that's part of the charm. But most importantly, what they absolutely do right is the food!
I ordered a double burger with a fried egg, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, & chipotle sauce & it was exactly what a great burger should be: simple, but done very well & with fresh ingredients. They even offer kimchi on a burger, which I will try when I come back soon.
Their pricing is very fair & the service is fast. The lovely elderly couple running Picks has owned this little spot for about 17 years (if I remember correctly), & they have many loyal customers. After my first visit, they can definitely add me to that list!
I used to come here all the time when I was a student. I visited today & the lovely old couple is still there, welcoming you with warmth. I love this place & everything about it.
One of the best places in MTL to get a burger. It's fast & the burgers are amazing as were any of the sides I tried over the years. The couple running the place is friendly & quick.
Jul 26, 2024
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I ordered through a DoorDash & I must say, this is one of the best burgers I've ever eaten. Although this establishment is run by a lovely old couple & it's hidden from the spotlight, I recommend visiting it & trying it to help the business as it is not that busy & they've been around for a lot of years.
As others have stated, run by an older couple who seem nice. Very hole in the wall. I got there 15 minutes to closing & ordered a poutine. They took my order, but didn't offer any toppings (even after I'd asked) - just the standard cheese & sauce. It was affordable - I think 7CAD. Didn't see it on the menu. The poutine, however, was too salty. I avoided the sauce as much as possible & just ate the cheese & fries. I still could barely finish just that. People seem to love the burgers, but poutine is definitely not the move here.
Apr 15, 2024
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Picks is operated by a lovely older couple out of a tiny, smokey storefront with three small tables inside. It epitomizes a hole-in-the-wall. The burger patty was cooked perfectly although was a tad overworked, it was elevated by a high quality roll & fresh, quality toppings. The poutine was generously topped with curds & a typical sauce, the fries were frozen but crisp, fluffy inside & seasoned well. I would definitely return in the future as I felt it was greater than the sum of it's parts.
Little gem of a burger spot tucked away on St. Catherine run by a courteous old Korean couple. They have a perfected sequence to their craft that is admirable to watch. Orders are submitted with a slip, old deli style. The housemade patties are no joke. Some great customizable options such as other types of cheese or grilled onions.
Great to talk with the restaurant owners, a couple from South Korea. The burger was excellent with a slight crunch to the bun & cooked on the grill. Definitely good value here! You can customize your burger as you like it.
When I entered, I was taken aback. The place was quite small, the decor very simple & the menu written on a blackboard alongside a list of add ons & free toppings. The prices reflected the ambiance of the joint. Nothing exuberant. Very straightforward. There wasn’t a single person other than the couple working there.
The man took my order: Their Pick burger, the most basic burger you can get. I garnished it to my liking, got a fry. Ordered one for my roommate. Everything was prepared very quickly & he handed me my order in what seemed to be 5 minutes
When I got home & opened the paper bag he had given me, I was hit with a smell I haven’t smelt since childhood. This isn’t a McDonalds, thawed out, plastic looking fast food burger scent, or the nauseating smell of a ridiculously priced, over-the-top, heart attack causing, artery clogging burger you’d order from one of those ‘sit down’ burger joints in the city.
This is the type of burger you can only expect to see in movies. The smell, the packaging, the colours & the textures of this meal are everything you would think about when you crave a cheeseburger but it’s existence feeling as distant & unrealistic as a mirage in this world of culinary failures & deception. Well guys, search no further because this is where heaven meets earth.
Everything about this experience was perfect. Eating this burger single-handedly brought me back to the early 2000s. This is how cheeseburgers were meant to be enjoyed. This is the sweet spot between the fast-food experience & the love & soul of people who know what they’re doing in a kitchen. I wish I could relive the feeling of that first bite but the best I can do is recommend you go & experience this for yourself.
