Toronto craves external validation

If there's one thing people in Toronto love, it's the external validation represented by some U.S. franchise setting up shop here. Once upon a time it was the burrito buzz of Chipotle. Then there were the hours-long waits for a table at Cheesecake Factory. There was hype over the introduction of Popeye's chicken sandwiches and the controversy over the coming of Chick-fil-A.

- EDWARD KEENAN

It's that time again! When the first Canadian location of the smash burger chain Shake Shack opened at Yonge and Dundas last week, Torontonians were there for it. And still there, on the sidewalk, hours later. Waiting in a snaking line that went up and down the block, and then continued across the street in Dundas Square.

The joint opened at II a.m., people showed up as early as 6 a.m. I hope they liked the burgers.

They probably did. I've eaten at Shake Shacks in multiple U.S. cities over the past decade, and my impression is that the burgers are very good, the vegetarian Shroom burgers are shockingly good, the crinkle-cut fries are fine but better with cheese sauce, and the shakes are very solid. As fast food options go, you could do a lot worse.

But I can't imagine any chain restaurant food worth standing in the sun for several hours to buy. Clearly, a whole lot of people disagree. This is Toronto, where many of us derive serious satisfaction from getting the chance to finally do something our American neighbours take for granted.

There may be something Torontonians like almost as much, though, which is the external validation that comes from appearing near the top of international lists.