THE DISH: Dangerous Dan's burger lives up to its name
July 15, 2010
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Megan Ogilvie
HEALTH REPORTER
When a hamburger is called the Big Kevorkian, bets are it’s bad for you.
Further evidence can be found in its description: An eight-ounce patty topped with fried foods aplenty — fried onion, an onion ring, fried mushrooms, two fried strips of bacon, a deep-fried pickle — plus garlic sauce and mayonnaise.
And, for the most block-headed of his diners, Dangerous Dan helpfully points out the burger is “really not very good for your heart” by placing two crossed-out hearts next to its name.
“Well, at least he’s not pretending it’s something that it’s not,” says registered dietitian Shannon Crocker with a chuckle.
Here’s the damage:
For the average person, the Big Kevorkian contains half the daily allotment of calories, a day’s worth of protein, a day’s worth of sodium and a day’s worth of fat.
Not all that surprising, really, given the toppings. What is surprising is that it’s not the worst-for-you burger in Toronto – or even at Dangerous Dan’s. According to the Star’s analysis, Dangerous Dan’s Quadruple C burger and the Burger Bar’s OMGTMJKM burger have more calories, fat and sodium.
That is not, in any way, an endorsement to eat a lot of Kevorkians. As a comparison, those dozen or so bites of burger have the same amount of fat as a litre of vanilla ice cream, something most people don’t eat in one sitting.
“If you add fries and a shake, now you probably have two days’ worth of fat in one meal,” says Crocker.
“The healthiest thing you can do is not to eat this burger.”
But health is not why people go to Dangerous Dan’s. Diners flock there for the rush of an over-the-top eating experience. Whether for a colossal hamburger, a greasy grilled cheese made with a quartet of cheeses, a deep-fried Mars bar or an overloaded dessert named Mexican Beast.
Sure, taking off all the toppings will go a long way to making this burger better for your heart. Then it’s no longer the Big Kevorkian.
Advice here is simple: If you want the burger of death, leave health consciousness at the door.
“But if you’re tagging along to the diner to watch others eat a Kevorkian, you can find lighter fare,” Crocker says. “Start with a plain burger and load up with veggie toppings and skip the add-ons and sauces and you’ve got a pretty healthy thing.”
Generally, a large burger with condiments and vegetables would have about 430 calories and 20 grams of fat. At Dangerous Dan’s, Crocker estimates his plain burger with veggies would probably have half the calories and half the fat of the Big Kevorkian.
Good to know for people looking to avoid a burger-induced death.
VERDICT: If you eat this burger every week — God forbid every day — you might well be calling Dr. Kevorkian to your bedside.
Find out how other popular take-out meals stack up:
Deli chicken
Fit for Life salad
Roasted vegetable Bagellini
Ikea cinnamon bun
Cora's breakfast
Meat-lovers' pizza
Vendor hot dog
Lemon Tart
Veggie Samosas
Tim Hortons Hot Breakfast Sausage Sandwich
Spicy Salmon Sushi Roll
Pad Thai
Veal Parmigiano
Peameal Bacon Breakfast Sandwich
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