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7 | Wednesday, December 11, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Enjoy the works at this downtown burger shop When you eat at this gourmet burger shop in downtown Oakville, you really are getting The Works and not just in toppings. Whether you choose the beef, elk, chicken or turkey burger, you're biting into quality Canadian meat, when you're slurping that chocolate milkshake, you have Canadian farmers to thank and that cold beer you're enjoying originates in a Canadian brewery. To top it off, so to speak, owners Andy O'Brien and Bruce Miller are not just Canadian, but proud Oakvillians, operating a whoppingly successful burger chain that has grown from five to 27 restaurants in under three years. Three years ago, they moved their corporate head office, or Burger Central as it's affectionately called, to Oakville, and opened the Lakeshore Road East shop two years ago. "We are unique in that we are Canadian. We're Canadian owned, and where we can on our menu, we have Canadian products," said O'Brien. The Works concept has grown exponentially for several reasons, he believes. "It's a great concept. It's all about having a gourmet burger the way you want it." The Works' urban industrial design with its classic rock and roll and blues soundtrack, is also unique. With a bricks and mortar interior, The Works can be described as a cool, casual gourmet burger bistro, a compact restaurant with a small footprint. There are no TVs and no bar, but it's a full service, licenced sitdown restaurant. It's no different than going to any other full service establishment except The Works is focused on making "awesome burgers", said O'Brien. There are more than 50 burger types on the menu but hundreds of different mix and match combinations to choose from. You can enjoy fresh, handpressed gourmet beef, elk, chicken, turkey, Portobello mushroom cap or veggie burgers on a whole wheat, artisan white, or gluten free bun. Toppings range from tomato and lettuce to macaroni and cheese and peanut butter; there are more than 70 different toppings, including 11 types of cheese. If you can think about it, they have it, said O'Brien. The classic burger has always been a go-to favourite for Canadians because burgers are Canada's comfort food, said Miller. "The burger business is also the largest food category within the restaurant space within Canada, in fact, within North America, and it's been that way for the last 40 years," he added. Contributing to The Works' brand is the owners' social conscience, insisting on each location being immersed in its local community. "We're consistently giving back into charitable organizations, " said Miller. In Oakville specifically, the burger shop has worked with the Oakville Distress Centre and Community Living Oakville but across the province, literally hundreds of small charities have been financially boosted by the generosity of The Works. "We feel that it's very important to be very involved in those communities. We help out wherever we can," said Miller. People are often surprised that the shop's head office is in the downtown core and that its owners don't just work, but live in Oakville. "It's great to be able to be a part of the community, not only from a living standpoint and watching the town grow and develop, but also from a business standpoint, seeing it grow and develop as well. I really treasure that," said O'Brien. For that reason, and the fact The Works' research and development research facility is also in town, Oakville customers are the first to try new menu ideas, whether they be milkshakes, burgers or salads (yes The Works also has salads, poutine, wraps and sandwiches) The Works has received "fabulous support" from the Oakville community and subsequently patrons are invited to celebrate the establishment's second anniversary with a special BOGO offer. (see coupon below) which is good through until the end of January, "It's our way of giving back and saying thank you to the community that has supported us for the past The Works' co-owners Andy O'Brien and Bruce Miller two years," said Miller. Photo by Chantal Ayotte/Metroland Media S K R WO FREE R E G R BU