Guelph's burger scene is more interesting than you'd expect for a mid-sized Ontario city. Between the weekly deal nights, the independent spots doing smash burgers and craft-style patties, and a few genuinely surprising value options at chains, there's more to Guelph burgers than McDonald's and A&W.
This guide covers the best recurring weekly burger deals plus the independent spots worth visiting when you want a proper burger without a special occasion price tag.
Weekly Burger Deals in Guelph
$5 Double Burger Combo — Sam's Grill
A double burger with a combo purchase for $5 every Monday, all day. Sam's Grill on Wellington Street is a Guelph institution — proper Greek-Canadian diner food at prices that haven't changed much in years. The $5 double burger with combo is one of the best value deals we track on this site.
Note: The combo purchase means you need to buy a drink or other item alongside. The total still comes in well under $10 for a proper meal.
2 Donairs for $20 — Sam's Grill
Not technically a burger, but worth including: Sam's runs a 2-for-$20 donair deal on Tuesdays. Sam's donairs are well-regarded among Guelph regulars — if you haven't been, Tuesday is the right day to try them.
Independent Burger Spots Worth Knowing in Guelph
Beyond the deal nights, Guelph has developed a solid independent burger scene over the past few years. These spots aren't running specific weekly deals (as of this writing), but they're consistently good value and worth building into your rotation.
Frank and Stein's
Frank and Stein's is one of Guelph's most interesting restaurant concepts — a hot dog and beer spot downtown that punches well above its fast-casual price point. The burgers here are a secondary menu item to the dogs, but they're done well. The real draw is the combination of good craft beer and unpretentious food at reasonable prices.
The downtown location makes it easy to drop in before or after something else in the core. Check their social media for rotating specials and beer features.
Bad Luck Bar
Bad Luck Bar is one of Guelph's more atmospheric spots — a cocktail bar with a food program that includes a burger worth ordering. It's a later-night option more than a dinner destination, but if you find yourself downtown after 9pm and want something substantial, the burger here holds up.
Royal Electric
Royal Electric has built a reputation as one of Guelph's more creative restaurant concepts. The menu rotates but typically includes a burger or burger-adjacent item that reflects the kitchen's craft focus. Not the cheapest option on this list, but worth it when you want a burger that's actually interesting rather than just filling.
What Makes Sam's Grill Worth Your Monday
Sam's Grill deserves more attention than it gets. The $5 double burger deal is remarkable not just for the price but for the context: Sam's is a legitimate Greek-Canadian diner that has been a Guelph neighbourhood fixture for years. This isn't a discount concept — it's a proper local restaurant running a Monday special to fill seats on a slow night.
The burger itself is a straightforward double patty with standard diner toppings. This is not a gourmet smash burger — it's a Greek diner burger, which means it's consistently executed, properly seasoned, and served fast. At $5 with a combo, it's one of the few sit-down restaurant meals left in Ontario that genuinely costs less than a fast food combo.
Getting the most out of Sam's Monday
A few things to know before you go:
Call ahead. Sam's Grill is a neighbourhood institution and it can get busy on Monday evenings, particularly during local sports events. A quick call (519-767-2557) to confirm wait times is worth it.
Order a Greek side. Sam's is a Greek diner — the real menu extends well beyond burgers. Spanakopita, Greek salad, and souvlaki are all on the menu and all good. If you're going for the burger deal, consider splitting a Greek starter.
Tip properly. A $5 burger deal requires you to behave well as a customer. Your server is working the same tables they always do. Tip on what the meal would normally cost, not on the deal price.
🍔 Burger tip: When a restaurant offers a burger deal that seems too cheap to be true, the catch is usually the drink — they mark up beverages to compensate. At Sam's, a soft drink with your $5 burger combo is the expected order. Skip the bottled water and get a proper drink.
The State of Guelph's Burger Scene in 2026
Guelph's burger landscape has shifted over the past few years. Several of the craft burger spots that opened in the late 2010s have closed or pivoted; the survivors tend to be either the established diners with loyal regulars (like Sam's) or the spots that integrated burgers into a broader concept (like Frank and Stein's).
The smash burger trend that hit Ontario's larger cities has arrived in Guelph in a modest way — a few spots have started doing proper smash patties with better results than the standard diner flip. If you're actively seeking out the best smash burger in Guelph, check food social media accounts from local Guelph influencers — the independent spots change more quickly than we can update this guide.
Burger and Beer: The Natural Combination
The best burger experience in Guelph usually involves both. Frank and Stein's is the obvious place to combine a burger with a craft beer. For a nicer evening, Bad Luck Bar downtown pairs cocktails with their food in a way that makes the whole meal more interesting.
If you're committed to value, Sam's $5 burger on Monday paired with a single beer is a complete, satisfying Monday night meal for under $20 including tip. That's hard to argue with.
See all this week's deals
Every recurring weekly deal in Guelph — burgers, wings, ribs, pasta and more.
Tonight's deals →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest burger deal in Guelph?
Sam's Grill runs a $5 Double Burger Combo every Monday (with combo purchase). At 715 Wellington St W — call 519-767-2557 to confirm before you go.
Where is Sam's Grill in Guelph?
Sam's Grill is at 715 Wellington St W, Guelph. Phone: 519-767-2557. Their $5 double burger deal runs every Monday all day; their 2-for-$20 donair deal runs every Tuesday.
Are there any craft burger restaurants in Guelph?
Frank and Stein's and Royal Electric both offer more craft-focused burger options in Guelph's downtown. Bad Luck Bar also serves a quality burger in an atmospheric setting. For the best current independent burger options, local Guelph food social accounts are the most up-to-date source.