When Shant Mardirosian’s four-seat burger joint next to a sex shop and a streetcar loop at the wrong end of Leslieville became a foodie sensation in the spring of 2010, the self-anointed Burger’s Priest was getting six or seven calls a day from wanna-be franchisers.
Since then, the oft-copied resto has grown slowly at its own pace. A second Priest opened at 3397 Yonge north of Lawrence last year and a third at 463 Queen West of Spadina across from the Cameron in an old goth clothing shop is about to open any day.
As if that wasn’t enough, Mardirosian has just announced his plans for a fourth Burger’s Priest, this time in wild n’ wooly Etobicoke. The building at 986 Queensway is right on the corner of Islington and was once a CIBC bank. Explains the parking lot round back.
“It’s a great location and it’s across from the Cineplex,” says Mardirosian.
He’ll also be introducing ice cream.
“Nothing crazy just really classic stuff. Sundaes, banana splits, blizzards. Home-made sauces. Simple and good.”
Mardirosian expects the Etobicoke outpost to open in September. But what about Queen and Spadina?
“We’re in the home stretch.”
