Today I took the 55 minute plus drive down to White Rock to witness first hand the rebirth of White Rock Burger Co.
Located within the Wooden Spoon restaurant, this was a concept born out of Covid, as a way to operate and maintain jobs during the world’s pandemic. Over 5 years later this is a concept the owners had always wanted to get back to and that they have. Operating since December 2025, they are accessible via the back of the restaurant. You order from the window, as purely takeout, with third party delivery options. Although there are plenty of social spaces around to enjoy your to-go meal at. Local parks, public seating areas, and the beach by the pier. I am sure they will be especially busy with the warmer weather around the corner.
Their specialty is smash burgers, with a variety of topping options to choose from. The classic being Little Rock with one patty, and Big Rock with two. I would take all the recommendations of the owner Grant, who enthusiastically shared his favourites. It is always great being able to see first hand the enthusiasm of the people behind your food.
Once again, you are not normally allowed inside the restaurant, but given the time of my visit (with Wooden Spoon being closed for lunch service), I was able to enter to watch my order being crafted and then take some photos and enjoy a couple of bites inside, for the best visuals and taste.
I started with The OG, which is basically a dressed up version of their regular smash. Two patties, an onion ring, shredded lettuce, dill pickles, and their Co sauce, all in between a brioche bun. Everything is made in-house, minus the onion ring and bread. Based on operation and space they would like to entertain making their own buns one day. However, for now they have given the job to Cobbs, with McCain supplying the onion rings. The latter was a fact I learned, being able to watch everything being made.
The OG comes with a story. It originally came off of the Wooden Spoon menu and moved on to Burger Co.’s, but done with a smash patty instead. The plan is to have it eventually transition back to its original menu, so be warned, there is only a limited amount of time to try this one here.
If you are craving a classic cheeseburger, this is the one. There is enough going on to keep you interested. Great crunchy bites between the crisp of the beef patty edges, the thick cuts of bacon, and the evenly breaded onion ring.
For those who like heat with their meat, look to the Fuego. This is the only all beef burger with a fire emoji by its name. Double sliced pepper jack cheese on double patties, topped with pickled jalapeños. It did deliver on some heat, but at the end of the day, each jalapeños is a gamble and does vary on its individual heat level.
Here, I would recommend ordering some of the side sauces. Available in the burgers, you can get a sauce dish of more if you like your burgers saucy like I do, or want something to dip into. For this I liked the Garlic Aioli or Cool Ranch BBQ, as complimentary condiments.
They also do chicken sandwiches, so I tried their take on a Nashville fried chicken sandwich, which they named Southern Fried Chicken. Fried chicken, crispy pickled jalapeños, American cheese, spicy honey mustard, butter pickles, and brioche bun. With three fire emojis this one was spicy with a tingling heat that lingered. This came from both the battered and fried jalapeño, plus their honey mustard sauce that is spiced. I recommend ordering an additional serving of the Spicy Honey Mustard to smother the chicken in, as the cutlet is larger than the burger, and I am partial to the sauce. It is hard to find a good honey mustard, let a lone one that is spiced like this.
And what is a burger without fries. You can make your meal a combo by adding on drinks and fries for $4.95 more. They have cans of soda, but I found their classic House Made Lemonade a wonderful companion. An equal parts sweet and tart sipper to refresh the palate in between more bold bites. They also have a strawberry version.
As for the fries you can have them as is or upgrade to either their dirty fries or a poutine. The Dirty Fries are tossed in Cajun seasoning and drizzled over with garlic aioli. I found it on the sweeter side, tasty as is with a good amount of tangy and brightening acid. This made a great accompaniment to the OG spoon burger with its zesty and acidic creaminess that contrasted the burger itself.
Between the two dressed fries, I would go with the Poutine. Its gravy is made from the drippings from their burgers. This is done in an effort to reduce as much waste as possible, putting the tasty bits back into the food. The gravy is mixed to order and to it gets added cheese, done over the stove top. Not the traditional cheese curds, but bricks of mozzarella for a satisfying stringy pull when still piping fresh.
Although if I could chose any side it would be their Mac and Cheese. This too had its cheese sauce made to order, with several different cheeses melted down for a decadent sauce. Enough to sufficiently coat all the spiralled noodles. This was comforting and I had no complaints.
In closing this is a great addition to the area and for those who love their burgers smashed.
White Rock Burger Co.
15171 Russell Ave White Rock, BC
604 560-9990
burgerco.co
