Le Burger Week: Discovering Centrale Bergham
I must say that I always look forward to Canada’s iconic Le Burger Week. For the milestone 10th edition in 2021, I could not wait to study the official list of participating restaurants and find somewhere new to try. My choice that year? Centrale Bergham — and what a discovery it was!
Founded a decade ago in the Petit Maghreb area of Montreal’s East End, this fast-casual sandwich restaurant chain has grown to 17 locations across Quebec and Ontario. Serving halal sandwiches inspired by world cuisines, Bergham aims to offer food that appeals to everyone, regardless of background or taste.
At first glance, it might look like a typical fast-food joint — you order at the counter, then sit down or take out — but the kitchen tells another story. Everything is prepared fresh, with homemade bread and no frozen ingredients.
“We are not like Subways, McDonald’s or the others,” says CEO Assad Khan. “Everything is made fresh in the kitchen. Nothing is frozen. Our bread is homemade as well.”
I visited the LaSalle location on Newman Blvd — a great spot with plenty of free parking. I ordered the King Burger, and let me tell you, I didn’t even want to know the calorie count! Served on a soft bun, it features a beef patty, crispy chicken, fried onions, cheddar cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes. The flavor was out of this world — the combination of textures and Bergham’s unique sauces made for an unforgettable experience.
Once I was there, marketing director Hira Khan encouraged me to sample a few other items, which became my lunch and dinner for the rest of the week. The sandwiches were next-level. The Maximum features Philadelphia chicken breast, two beef patties, beef bacon, and cheddar cheese, while the Philly Steak includes creamy filet mignon, mushrooms, and Swiss cheese.
Of course, there were also chicken wings in the bag — I shared them with a colleague, who gave them two thumbs up. Hira also suggested trying a poutine, which turned out to be a perfect dinner side dish. Bergham offers six kinds: Chika, Philly Steak, Merguez, Le Chef, Le Rouge, and the classic. I went with the regular — golden fries, rich poutine sauce, and gooey cheese curds.
Did I really need dessert at that point? Why not! I tried the Chocolate Nut and Tiramisu — a decadent creation that was both smooth and crunchy, crispy and sweet. I also couldn’t resist a slice of chocolate cake to complete the feast.
Centrale Bergham is part of the Genesys Restaurant Group (https://groupgenesys.com/concepts/lokma), which also owns Mont Tacos, Lokma, and Fête à Crêpe. Locally, Bergham operates two locations in Laval, five in central Montreal, and one each in LaSalle, St-Laurent, Montreal North, and Greenfield Park.
