Elijah's Automatic, opened by restaurateur Shant Mardirosian, has Toronto lining up for flame-broiled burgers and nostalgic menu items. 

Burgers have always held a special place in the heart of the California native, who grew up waiting and cooking his whole life.

Coming off the smash burger success that was Burger's Priest, which Mardirosian sold in 2017, he proceeded to open popular pizzeria Fourth Man in the Fire and Harry and Heels California Donuts. 

Excited to be back with another grilling establishment, Mardirosian is here to set the record straight, flame broiled in the new smashed. 

"Flame-broiled is basically like cooking on a barbeque," Mardirosian explained to blogTO. "You have actual flames hitting the meat, rather than cooking on a hot griddled surface. Griddled surfaces can get really hot, 450 - 500 degrees, which gives you a nice crust, but we cook our burgers at almost 1000 degrees." 

This 1000-degree heat gives the burgers their distinctly smokey, charred and savoury flavour. 

The meat is ground fresh in-house daily, sometimes minutes before the patties hit the grill. In addition to the 100 per cent beef they use, 45-day aged salt-dried ribeye fat also gets incorporated. 

The Automatic ($13) is a classic double patty with cheddar cheese, mustard, ketchup, and thinly sliced pickles, served on a soft brioche bun. 

After craving a burger all week, the Automatic delivered exactly what I needed. The patties were juicy and crisp, with the cheese perfectly melted between them. And I appreciated the simplicity of the burger - no tomatoes or lettuce, just really good beef and a few fixings. 

If you are looking to level up your burger and tap into your 'inner caveman,' as Mardirosian likes to say, there are two options. 

The Bacon Automatic ($15) comes with the addition of smokey bacon, creating a burger with a deeply meaty flavour. 

The Chili Automatic ($15), topped with homemade beef chili, is a tribute to Californian fast food chain Original Tommy’s, known for their chili burgers. 

Pair any of the burgers with a side of Beef Fat Fries ($4.50) and a classic Shake ($5.99) for a winning and filling combination.

The fries are thinly cut and fried until golden and crispy in beef fat, giving them a nostalgic flavour reminiscent of the original fries from McDonald’s. 

Much of the atmosphere also pays tribute to this nostalgic feeling, with 70s, 80s, and 90s music playing loudly on the speakers. 

From the outside, the space is entirely unassuming.

That’s because Elijah's Automatic is a converted law office that resembles a house more than a burger joint.

Once inside, you're greeted by moody dark interiors, stained glass windows, and exposed brick, with the theme of fire displayed throughout. 

As with Mardirosian's other ventures, Elijah's Automatic draws inspiration from a biblical reference. The story with Elijah being God had spoken to him with fire from the heavens.

Candles and candelabras line the wall nearest to where you order, and a small fireplace, original to the building, adds to the ambience.

There's enough room for 40 people to sit inside, but during the summer months, the outdoor patio, with its string lights and wooden tables and chairs, is the place to be.

Aside from burgers, the menu also has hot dogs. Similar to the Automatic, the Charred Hot Dog ($7) comes with sliced pickles, mustard, ketchup, and diced white onion. 

For two dollars more, you can get the Chili Cheese Dog ($9) which comes with the addition of beef chili and melted shredded cheddar. 

If you’re a big fan of chili, don't worry, you can also upgrade your side order of fries to have the chili cheese goodness on top ($8).

The hot dogs have a satisfying snap and are sliced down the middle, allowing all the toppings to fit nicely inside.

To amp up the heat in your meal, try the free Cascabella peppers. These small, hot yellow chillies are typically offered at burger spots across California.

The recommended way to enjoy them is to bite off the tip and pour the juice over your food.

For dessert, grab a colourful Harry and Heels donut ($3.99), or take a box to go (3 pack, $13). Soft, pillowy, and beautifully glazed, the donuts are the perfect addition to the fun and indulgent menu. 

Elijah's Automatic is located at 821 The Queensway.