Burlington, Ontario, isn’t exactly famous for its beaches, but one little snack bar that many Toronto folks haven’t heard of is worth making the trip.
Even though it opened in the summer of 2022, Dunky’s Beach Shack on Burlington Beach really took off after a video from 2025 went viral on social media throughout Ontario.
Since then, founder Shawn Dunk tells blog TO that business at the beach shack has skyrocketed, even though most Toronto residents still don’t know about it. But now they do.
Dunk and his family – his wife and their two sons, ages 18 and 14 – are locals who spent a lot of time at Burlington Beach during the COVID-19 lockdown.
“The only thing we were able to do was go to the Burlington Beach, and there was this building that sat empty and I know it used to be an old concession stand, so we were like, ‘Someone’s got to open that up,’ so we dove into it, trying to find a way in, didn’t have much luck, and then one day we broke through and they opened it up for tender, and we won the bid,” Dunk explains.
Although Dunk has spent most of his life working in kitchens – from sports bars to fine dining – starting a burger spot was new territory for him and his family. Still, Dunk tells blog TO there was a big hole in the market for smash burgers in Burlington that they wanted to fill.
Luckily they did because beachgoers in Burlington were clearly craving them. While Dunk describes the early days at Dunky’s as “slow going,” word of mouth worked wonders. Gradually but surely, Dunky’s Beach Shack turned into a local favorite.
It helps that Dunk is a volunteer hockey coach during winter months and hires mostly local kids – many of whom he coaches – to work at the shack. Plus, the menu features burgers, poutine, and other fast-food staples that you’d find at any great spot.
When that viral video came out, even more people across Ontario learned about Dunky’s. This led to an increase in customers that continues into the 2026 season. But beyond running a restaurant people love visiting, being able to do it alongside his family has been the best part for him.
“The most important part is the family; that’s what it’s all about. I worked in this industry my whole life, and I used to barely see my family. I would just be busy working at restaurants for other people so this helps combine my worlds into one,” he explains while laughing and adding, “and it helps teach my kids how to actually work.”
At Dunky’s Beach Shack you can grab all kinds of beach-friendly eats like their special Dunky’s Burger, smash tacos (a fun mix between smash burgers and tacos), poutine and hot dogs-all made fresh right there. Except for buns and onion rings; everything else is naturally gluten-free too.
You can’t beat a summer road trip-unless it’s for an amazing burger-and if you ask all those Burlington locals who’ve made Dunky’s Beach Shack part of their warm-weather routine they’ll tell you it’s definitely worth traveling for.
Dunky’s Beach Shack is located at 1086 Lakeshore Rd. in Burlington.
