Big Smoke Burger to Reopen Flagship Location, 2/17

Gourmet hand-crafted burger shop, Big Smoke Burger, today announced the grand re-opening of its King Street West flagship store (573 King St. W.) since closing and undergoing extensive renovations in November 2014. To celebrate the occasion, on Tuesday, Feb. 17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m the restaurant will offer free hand-crafted burgers, fresh cut fries and fountain drinks. Big Smoke Burger is also asking customers to make a donation to the Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Clubs and will match every dollar donated.

The newly renovated flagship location boasts a complete overhaul, designed by Giannone Petricone Associates (Terroni, Sud Forno, The Carbon Bar), including unique decor customized to reflect the King St. West location. In addition to a sleek interior, Big Smoke Burger is introducing new menu items including a smaller traditional 4 oz Burger, the Blazing Pineapple Burger (hot banana peppers, grilled pineapple, house-made blazing sauce) and a Jerk Chicken Sandwich (bbq sauce, hot banana peppers). These additions join Big Smoke Burger's roster of homemade milkshakes, hand-cut fries, fresh greens, traditional poutine and signature house-made sauces.

"We're very excited to announce the re-opening of our flagship store," said Mustafa Yusuf, founder and CEO, Big Smoke Burger. "We've grown exponentially since 2007 so we wanted to honour the King West shop, the first-ever Big Smoke Burger location, with a fresh and bold design that reflects our commitment to our clientele as we continue to deliver the best possible product."

Big Smoke Burger opened its first Toronto location in 2007 and was quickly lauded for its gourmet, grilled-to-order, AAA, hand-crafted beef burgers made with fresh Canadian ingredients and topped with superior garnishes. Recognizing the city's need for fast-casual specialty burger shops, Yusuf opened one new location a year in Toronto between 2007 and 2012. In addition to the original four corporate locations, Yusuf has since expanded his business model to include franchise locations across the world in cities including New York, Denver and as far as the Middle East.

The restaurant invites burger lovers who want to make a difference to stop by the newly renovated King West location on Tuesday, Feb. 17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for free burgers, fries and fountain pop. Donations made will benefit the Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Clubs and Big Smoke Burger will happily match each dollar donated.

"Our team of volunteers and ambassadors are thrilled to participate in the celebration of Big Smoke Burger's re-opening," said Ian Edward, executive director, Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Clubs. "Providing young people with proper meals is one of the many ways our after-school initiatives help children develop skills for ongoing success."