Plateau Burger Favourite Returns From the Dead After Fire

Retro Rachel Street diner L’Anecdote is back in business, six months after a major fire caused it to close its doors, putting its future up in the air.

A fire in the building on the corner of St-Hubert and Rachel back in May started in an exhaust duct — it left six people homeless in the apartments above the restaurant, and caused $150,000 in damages.

The return is good news for fans of no-nonsense, casse-croûte fare, but also those who like their burgers affordable, but with some twists, as beyond the classic beef options, L’Anecdote has options like bison and lamb on the menu. Critic Lesley Chesterman dubbed the beef option — with bacon, mushrooms, Emmental, lettuce, tomato, and mayo — one of the best in town, putting it in the same sentence as long-gone griddle god La Paryse.

A peek inside also suggests that L’Anecdote’s fantastically vintage interior, complete with red vinyl booths and bar stools also survived the fire (see below for the pre-fire version).

STATUS — L’Anecdote is open from 11 a.m. daily (9 a.m. weekends) at 801 Rachel E.

• Six left homeless after fire in Montreal’s Plateau neighbourhood [Global News]
• Casual Mile End Bistro Elda Shuts Its Doors — and Other Closure News [EMTL]
• The 14 best burger spots in Montreal [Montreal Gazette]