Barn Owl Eatery & Café
“Finally, a burger worth bragging about!”
When I first heard that Barn Owl Eatery & Café was going to start serving “smash burgers,” I had mixed emotions. I was excited to finally have a place to go when craving a “real” hamburger in Osoyoos, but I didn’t want to get my hopes up too much, in case it turned out to be “just another burger.” However, I am absolutely thrilled to declare that Osoyoos finally has a burger worth bragging about.
I was lucky enough to snag a table at the newly renovated and very family-friendly home of The Barn Owl Eatery & Café, after it made the 20-foot journey from their previous small location to a full-sized building in the same parking lot.
I had the chance to chat with one of the owners, Megan, while her significant other and Chef, Jav, furiously cooked in the kitchen, trying to keep up with the many new customers eager to try Osoyoos’s newest culinary hotspot. Megan, who was accompanied by her 6-year-old daughter Lirra, said they’ve been thrilled with the community’s support since moving locations and expanding their menu.
A burger worth bragging about. The B.O.B. burger with onions, cheddar, pickles, signature B.O.B. sauce, and Hickory Sticks for an added crunch.
Sheldon Herman photo
Megan, who primarily operates Dharma Kids Daycare in town, was pulling double duty this day, helping Jav and his staff stay on track with the influx of customers all wanting to try their new culinary offerings. Megan and Jav moved from Vancouver in 2022 and opened The Barn Owl in 2023 to great success, which led them to expand to their current location.
For those who were fans of The Barn Owl before, you’ll be happy to know that all of your favourites, including the coffee, pastries, and breakfast items, are still available. The biggest change? The addition of their “Smash Burger” menu and homemade “old school” milkshakes served in the old metal cup that we all grew up loving.
Megan suggested I try their “Signature” burger, known as The Barn Owlet Burger (B.O.B. Burger), with your choice of 1, 2, 3, or even 4 patties! All of the burgers are made with BC grass-fed beef and are “smashed” to order. For those who aren’t familiar with a “Smash Burger,” it starts as a ball of meat that is “smashed” onto a hot grill, giving it a perfectly crusted patty, ready to have whatever condiments you like added.
For me, the “B.O.B.” burger came with onions, cheddar, pickles, signature “B.O.B.” sauce, and a personal favourite of mine, “Hickory Sticks,” which give it a unique and satisfying crunch. That would have been enough to make this burger stand out, but they went one step further by going back in time and cooking all of their fries in beef tallow.
For those who don’t know, beef tallow is how fast food restaurants used to cook their fries before switching to vegetarian-friendly oils. In my opinion, this change killed the classic French fry, so I was ecstatic to see they were breaking away from the “industry standard” of using vegetable oils and going back to true deep-fat frying. Not to worry if you’re vegetarian, though – they have plenty of options to accommodate dietary restrictions.
Sheldon Herman photo
Just when I thought things couldn’t get any better, Megan brought me three of their house-made sauces, including chipotle ketchup, garlic aioli, and spicy aioli. All three were outstanding, and I honestly couldn’t pick a favourite because they were all delicious.
Put all of these elements together, along with the soft potato bun that every burger comes with, and Osoyoos finally has a burger worthy of being labeled “famous.” So, the next time you’re craving a burger and don’t want to be disappointed, head over to The Barn Owl Eatery & Café and tell them Sheldon sent you!
The Barn Owl Eatery & Café is located at 6511 Main Street, Osoyoos. They are open Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
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Sheldon Herman is the author of the international bestselling book The Tortured Traveller: How I Survived The Worst Vacation Ever and has travelled and dined in 60 different countries. Neither the writer nor the newspaper received financial compensation for this article, and the opinions expressed are solely those of the author. If you are a restaurant owner or have a suggestion for a restaurant to be featured, please send an email to [email protected].
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