On a vacation there are times when you need a burger with fries, and wouldn't it be nice to have something other than the fast food you can find at home?
Stickleback West Coast Eatery at 5449 Sooke Rd: This is the new best burger I have ever had. Stickleback also has has some nice salads and appetizers. The location is terrific with an outdoor patio by the water. Come and watch kayak polo games while eating on most summer Sunday evenings.
Rock Beach Grill and Grocery at 7875 West Coast Rd: We had the pan-seared halibut burger (one of us had it with salad and one of us with fries). This is the perfect halibut sandwich. The halibut can also be ordered battered and deep fried. Our son liked the plain burger with fries.
Winks at the corner of Sooke Rd and Sooke River Rd: I like Winks' Mexican burger. All the burger patties are hand made from ground beef in the kitchen. Winks has a halibut burger, which comes either grilled or deep fried. I had the grilled version and it was delicious.
Stone Pipe Grill at 2038 Otter Point Rd: This is more of a standard restaurant than a "hole-in-the-wall" business, but the Stoney burger must be mentioned in any list of Sooke's best burgers. Great fries.
Smokin' Tuna Cafe at Becher Bay Marina: Located in the marina with a front seat view of Becher Bay, the Smokin' Tuna is something you must experience. Smokin' Tuna is conveniently close to Aylard Farm Park. It is only a 5-minute drive from Andover Cottage and not much further from Madrona Cottage. Smokin' Tuna Cafe is open for dinner on Thurs, Fri, Sat, and Sunday through the summer. This place is potentially romantic at any time of day.
Shells at Jordan River: Located at the west edge of Jordan River about 400 metres past the river. If you are coming from Port Renfrew, Shells is the first evidence of civilization as you come down the hill and begin to turn the corner into Jordan River. Shells is right on the corner. Shells serves hamburgers, and the essential halibut burger either grilled or deep-fried. Try their fries. They cut them from potatoes on the spot.
