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Touted as the ultimate Thursday hangout, the event takes place in Fallsview’s scenic backyard and features games, a licensed patio and, most importantly, an impressive lineup of food vendors. It runs every week through Aug. 28.

Among the regulars, you’ll find Niagara staples like Andrzejewski Perogi Shop, Smoke & Moonshine, Banh Theory and Fireside Drive.

In addition to these familiar names, the event also hosts rotating pop-up vendors throughout the season. We had the chance to preview one of the upcoming additions, and if you’re a fan of smash burgers, this one is worth keeping an eye on.

Smash burgers have become a go-to comfort food, and their rise in popularity has brought a wave of new vendors offering their take on the classic. One standout is Galaxy Burger, a food truck based at 423 Barton St. in Hamilton. It’s serving some of the best smash burgers around, and we were impressed from the first bite.

The signature Galaxy Burger came stacked with a double patty, cheese, caramelized onions, fried onions, truffle mayo, lettuce and tomato. The balance of textures and flavours was spot on. The crisped edges of the patties and fried onions worked perfectly with the soft caramelized onions and creamy truffle mayo. The end result was a rich, savoury burger that delivered on all fronts.

We also sampled the poutine, which held its own. It featured shoestring fries, fresh cheese curds and a savoury gravy layered with care. The attention to detail was clear, and it paired well with the burger.

One item we didn’t get to try was the ube soft-serve ice cream. Judging by the quality of everything else and the buzz it’s getting online, it looks like a crowd favourite and probably a great way to finish off the meal.

Galaxy Burger will be joining a long list of vendors at Fallsview Casino’s Backyard BBQ on June 19, 3-9 p.m. Whether you’re a visitor looking for a Thursday night plan or a local starting the weekend early, this is one event worth adding to your schedule.

Milan Curcic is a food lover who explores the best of Niagara, sharing his journey through local flavours, hidden gems, events and amazing eats. To watch more of his video reviews, visit his Ìý´Ç°ùÌý Tastes of Niagara pages.