The Cheeseburger Poutine Litmus Test: Does Your Favorite Celebrity Actually Get Toronto?

In Toronto, we have a very specific relationship with our local institutions. We don't just eat at Pizza Pizza; we coexist with it. It is a constant, a national treasure that occasionally decides to venture far beyond the boundaries of traditional pizza, and in doing so, provides the ultimate litmus test for any visitor—celebrity or otherwise—to see if they truly 'get' the city.

Take, for example, the recent trip to the city by comedian, actor, and *Saturday Night Live* cast member James Austin Johnson. As BlogTO first reported, while Johnson is widely recognized for his portrayal of Donald Trump on *SNL*, his latest performance took place on Instagram, where he turned his attention toward a specific, baffling addition to the Pizza Pizza menu: the cheeseburger poutine.

In the short video, Johnson assumed the persona of the dish itself. In a bit of absurd comedy, Johnson's character declared, "Hi, I'm cheeseburger poutine, and when I was 11, my home was invaded."

Now, as a columnist obsessed with the fabric of our city, I find Johnson's reaction telling. The cheeseburger poutine—which BlogTO notes consists of standard poutine ingredients augmented with pickles and ground beef for $8.50—is exactly the kind of chaotic energy that defines the Toronto experience. It is a dish that shouldn't work, yet exists in the wild, available at local Pizza Pizza locations alongside other loaded poutine options.

When a celebrity lands in Toronto, they are often ushered toward the curated, high-end experiences. But the real soul of the city isn't found in a Michelin-starred tasting menu; it's found in the brave, slightly confusing decisions made by a corporate pizza chain. By leaning into the absurdity of the cheeseburger poutine, Johnson didn't just make a joke; he tapped into the specific brand of irony that Torontonians use to survive and thrive.

Of course, the comedy is in the contrast. The idea of a 'home invasion' as a metaphor for the collision of a burger and a poutine is exactly the kind of surrealism that fits the dish. As BlogTO suggests, the concept of the food is just as absurd as the video Johnson produced.

However, for the litmus test to be complete, the celebrity must move beyond the joke and into the actual experience. While Johnson's commentary earned him 'likes' from many of his Toronto-based fans, the final step in achieving true local status is the tasting. I agree with BlogTO's sentiment: we need to see Johnson actually sink his teeth into those pickles and ground beef.

Until a visitor can look at a $8.50 cheeseburger poutine and feel a strange, misplaced sense of pride—or at least a willingness to try it—they are merely tourists. James Austin Johnson is halfway there. He has the humor down; now he just needs the appetite for the absurd.