Later this month, Toronto’s gourmet burger wars will have a new contender. According to its Facebook page, Ottawa’s renowned and ever-popular The WORKS Gourmet Burger Bistro is heading down the 401 to open its first GTA franchise in Oakville.

Owners Bruce Miller, Andy O’Brien and Sean Bell are opening their Oakville location sometime this month. The WORKS uses Canadian meats for its hand-prepared, filler-free burgers. Each burger — and you have your choice of pure ground beef, whole chicken breast, ground turkey, veggie burger, portobello mushroom cap or domestic elk (for a $3.29 upgrade) — is fire grilled, for about 20 minutes, to well done (cooked-to-order advocates may want to stick to their Burger’s Priest or Holy Chuck). 

There are over 68 gourmet burger topping combinations to choose from, including plenty of vegetarian options for any herbivores who happen to be tagging along. The WORKS is also known for its cleverly-named burgers, such as the Beverly Hills Lawsuit (with a fried egg, leaf spinach, havarti cheese and double smoked bacon, $12.64) or the San Francisco Treat (with real Kraft Dinner and cheddar, $11.63). For those craving a simple bacon and cheddar burger, not to worry, there’s always the Ho Hum #2 ($12.13).

If you’re looking for something other than a burger, there are a variety of milkshakes (16oz. $5.67) on the menu. Starters include the Tower-O-Rings ($9.41).

And did we mention the burger topped with Kraft Dinner? Just checking.

The Works Gourmet Burger Bistro, 149 Lakeshore Rd. E., Oakville.