RUDY Resto is a Toronto-based chain restaurant known for their iconic smash burgers.
On Aug. 7, RUDY opened its 18th location at 263 Princess St. in the heart of downtown Kingston. The exterior’s bright red façade and block letter signs make it impossible to miss. The day before its grand opening, The Journal was invited to preview the menu. RUDY opened its doors to invited guests at exactly 1:00 p.m., but people trickled in on their own time, scanning the space while they waited to place their orders. The guest list included Queen’s influencer Alexa Paemurd and other journalists in the Kingston area.
After many years of visiting family and friends in Kingston, RUDY owner Luke McCann told The Journal he feels a special connection to the city. He has fond memories of the bustling downtown streets and hopes that RUDY can become a staple for people across the city.
In a statement to The Journal, McCann described the restaurant as “fast casual.” Cashiers welcomed each guest with a smile and were prepared to answer questions about menu options.
“We’re looking forward to a busy summer, and we can’t wait to open our doors,” McCann wrote in his statement.
He said the food was “quick, but made to order.” RUDY prides itself on having nothing premade. Burger meat is ground up the very morning it gets served, and the difference is noticeable.
The chicken burger came with their signature Valentino sauce on the side and added an extra kick to the crispy chicken.
RUDY’s fries were hot and fresh, cooked in beef tallow. The kitchen has perfected the art of the crispy French fry, which many fast-food restaurants can’t quite seem to master.
The chocolate milkshake was smooth and deliciously sweet. Staff also passed around individually portioned banana pudding samples for guests to enjoy.
Besides a few new deserts, RUDY’s menu has remained the same for 10 years.
There are beef and chicken options for their smashburgers, along with poutines. For customers looking to satisfy their sweet tooth, RUDY serves brownies, milkshakes, and Mexican Coca-Cola.
The red, black, and white interior has a sleek and clean look, but its tiled walls and long booths give it an older diner feel. The old pictures on the walls added character and helped identify the people who have made the restaurant what it is, including co-founders McCann and Chris Simpson.
There is a clear view of the kitchen from almost anywhere in the restaurant. Many attendees watched as the chefs and other back-of-house staff worked to prepare the orders as they continued to come in.
Over the years, the restaurant has successfully expanded rapidly outside of the GTA. McCann told The Journal that the restaurant has been “expanding like an onion” outside of the area.
As the company continues to expand into communities across Ontario, the Kingston location marks another step towards bigger things. The familiar menu, coupled with the delicious and fresh food, makes RUDY Resto an easy place to go back to.
Once RUDY settles into its new surroundings, it is sure to become a staple for Kingston’s inhabitants, especially students, in the years to come.
Tags
Luke McCann, RUDY Resto, Smash burgers
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