Carmacks, burger capital of the Yukon?

Good morning,

You may have noticed there was no email last Thursday. And you’d be correct! These newsletters take a lot of time to put together and let’s just say sometimes burnout strikes at the worst possible time.

But I’m excited to be back as usual today with what may be the biggest burger update of the summer. I ask the question that everyone (or maybe just me) has been asking themselves — why are the burgers so good in Carmacks? I’m not sure I found the answer, but I certainly left satisfied.

And of course, there’s lots of news to cover, including some important trade news, so let’s dive into the newsletter! 

– Geoff Sharpe, Lookout founder

The Yukon Weather Report

THE YUKON NUMBER

130

Fun fact – this is the number of bridges in the Yukon. [Yukon Highways and Public Works]

TRADE

Trade barriers take a hit?

Are internal trade barriers dead? Not so much, but there has been some movement. 

What happened: On Wednesday, the Yukon government signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Ontario, BC and Alberta, to break down trade barriers, improve labour mobility and help strengthen Canada’s economy in the face of Donald Trump’s tariff attacks.

The details: The memorandum calls for a few different things, such as “regulatory alignment” and reducing costs for businesses operating in each jurisdiction. One thing that the MOU noted was that the territories have a “unique context” and “development level” that may require keeping certain regulations. 

• Key consideration: Internal trade barriers cost the country around $200 billion per year. 

What it means: As you can tell above, there’s not a whole lot of meat on the bones when it comes to the actual policy changes that would take place, and what it could mean in practice for the Yukon. Carney promised to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers by Canada Day, but it hasn’t really happened, according to CBC. 

• The Yukon and the collective territories in the North also face unique challenges that will require a different approach than what the provinces are currently undertaking, as noted in the MOUs. While it’s slow going, there’s at least some progress in the face of years of slow movement.

THE AGENDA

👮 The RCMP arrested a man on Tuesday evening, in connection with a child who went missing on July 20, who later returned home that evening. Police said the child had been forced into a vehicle. The man faces kidnapping and other “very serious” offences. [Yukon News]

❌ On Monday at 4 pm, Beaver Creek was under evacuation alert due to a fire in the area, which had burned around 76 square kilometres. But that order has now been rescinded. [CBC]

🏅 The Yukon government is investing $2 million into sport and recreation organizations, athletes and other groups. The list of groups getting money is big and includes a huge cross-section of organizations. 

🔥 As of Wednesday evening, there were 92 active fires in the Yukon, 17 requiring a full response. There are currently no fire restrictions in place.

🏕️ The Carcross/Tagish First Nation are using all the Conrad Campground drive-in sites for their Haa Kusteeyí Celebration from today until July 27. In other camping news, Ethel Lake Campground is open once again after fire closures.

🛢️ Whitehorse conservation officers are seeking information on a hydrocarbon spill on the Alaska Highway at km 1436 near Whitehorse. If you have information, please call 1-800-661-0525 or submit the tip to yukon.ca/TIPP

🗑️ There are new changes to how to deal with some Household Hazardous Waste. Interchange Recycling is taking over responsibility for waste oil, anti-freeze and other materials like that on Aug. 1 with a collection site at the Whitehorse Waste Management Facility. The facility for disposing of these items will be open Monday and Thursday and the first Saturday of the month from 9 am-4 pm, while commercial operators need to contact the organization directly.

REVIEW

Carmacks, the burger capital of the Yukon?

Carmacks has 588 people according to the last census. It has one gas station. But somehow Carmacks is blessed with not one, but two burger spots that are, surprisingly, some of the best in the territory.

Coal Mine Campground & Canteen

Everyone has a spot they build a long road trip around. A place you have to stop at, no matter what. For us, it’s the burger and ice cream stand at Coal Mine Canteen, a few minutes outside Carmacks.

Every summer we’ve lived here, we’ve made the trek to Dawson, and on every trip, we stopped for what I had always assumed was the best burger in the Yukon. The soft serve was an added bonus.

On our trip to Tombstone last week, anticipation was high because this time, I came not only to eat it, but to rate it.

The place is slightly different than previous summers. The stand now sits in a renovated trailer instead of the large building, but it was as busy as ever. It still maintains its charm, a long line of people waiting patiently for food as they continue their trip up to Dawson or the Dempster.  

Like many things, sometimes memories are better than reality. You hold something on such a pedestal that, in reality, it’s impossible to live up to. Sadly, it was the case with the burger.

Don’t get me wrong, the burger was good. The cheddar cheese had lightly melted, with a thick-cut patty that was well salted. But it wasn’t as great as I remembered. Still though, it’s a burger worth stopping for.

Luckily, some memories stay true. The fries were exactly as I remembered them, slightly cut, golden crispy on the outside with a well-cooked inside. Lathered with ketchup, they are some of the best in the Yukon (though as always, the fries don’t factor into the burger rating).

So how did it rate? I’m giving it a 8.3. It’s a really great roadside burger, but the Smashed YXY still ranked better.

Roadside Grill

Waving inflatable tube arms are not just meant to sell cars, but also show where to grab a burger. 

Roadside Grill, located just across the street from Carmacks General Store, re-opened in June as a small, roadside stand. If you drive by too fast, you’ll miss it. And that would be a mistake.

The menu is eerily similar to Coal Mine Canteen: whiteboard menu, black lettering, cheeseburger, chicken burger, fries, and ice cream. But the big difference? The Roadside Slam, sitting right atop the list. Intriguing and naturally, I ordered it.

What appeared in my takeaway container was one of the tallest burgers I’ve ever laid my eyes on — two thick slabs of thick beef patties, well-cooked bacon and mushrooms, yellow and white cheese… The list goes on. I think I had pickles? Hard to remember with so much on it.

There’s something about seeing a burger and immediately knowing it’s good. On the first bite, I knew looks matched the taste. The beef was well-cooked, perfectly salted, with a soft bun. Enough can’t be said about the bacon. Rather than frying it to a crispy tasteless slice, the grill master kept it slightly soft. Well done.

My only complaint, and warning for some, is that if your mouth is on the small side, it’ll be awkward to eat. It was easily the messiest burger I’ve had during these rankings, as it fell apart halfway through eating it. With a lesser burger, it would’ve been annoying. In a burger this good, it’s part of the charm.

Their score? 8.7. The team at Roadside Grill has built a towering testament to well-cooked meat, an overwhelmingly precarious behemoth of cheese, beef, bacon and mushrooms. It’s not just good, it’s great.

If you’re craving a burger, you can’t do much better than Roadside Grill.

BURGER RANKINGS

HOME OF THE WEEK

Grizzly Valley sure has some nice spots, and this place is no exception. Except it’s not one building, but two. 

This 12-acre lot boasts a five-bedroom main home with Italian heated tile, open concept kitchen, quartz countertops, wood stove and a whole lot more. It’s really a sight to behold. The guesthouse ain’t bad either.

For what looks like one of the nicest places available in the Yukon, you can bet it’ll set you back a pretty penny…

EVENTS

Events outside Whitehorse are highlighted.

Family + Kids

Southeast Alaska State Fair | Southeast Alaska State Fairgrounds, 1029 Haines Hwy, Haines | July 31–Aug. 3, various times | Parade, music, rides, shows, vendors & more | Tickets various prices

Augusto! Children’s Festival | St. Elias Convention Centre, Haines Junction | Aug. 8-10 | Art and music festival that celebrates children | Learn more

Discovery Days Parade | Peter’s Trailer Court, Watson Lake | Aug. 16, 12 pm | Floats, prizes and a ‘Life in the North’ theme | Free

Arts + Music

Short Walks for Short Nights at ‘Round Back | Guild Hall, 27 14 Ave. | July 24, 7-9 pm | Live performances, storytelling, musicians and artists | Tickets $12

Johnny Pogue & the Colleens Alive | 98 Hotel | Friday, July 25 | Come dance to the music of the East Coast and Irish, or just have a cold beverage

Brunch of Dreams | Macaulay House, 907 6th Ave, Dawson | Jul. 27, 11 am | Pyjama brunch with art, games and tattoos | Free

The Two Gentlemen of Verona | Guild Hall, 27 14 Ave | Jul. 30-Aug. 2, 7 pm | Outdoor Shakespeare comedy by Yukon Theatre | Tickets $15

Atlantis: A dystopian cardboard clown show | Yukon Arts Centre | Oct. 14–16, 7 pm | Absurd clown theatre by Ramshackle Collective | Tickets $20

Paradise 2025 | Kettley’s Canyon, Marsh Lake | Aug. 8–10 | Multi-day EDM music fest with 42 DJs | Tickets – various prices

Free 54•40 Concert | Shipyards Park | Aug. 30, 5 pm | Outdoor concert with legendary rock band 54•40 | Free

A Perfectly Reasonable Night of Comedy | Yukon Arts Centre, 300 University Dr (Whitehorse) | Oct. 21, 7 pm | Comedy with Carolyn Taylor, Pat Kelly & Peter Oldring | Tickets $50

Atlantis: A dystopian cardboard clown show | Yukon Arts Centre, Whitehorse | Oct. 14–16, 7 pm | Absurd clown theatre by Ramshackle Collective | Tickets $20

Outdoors and Sports

Bike Day and BBQ | 503 Hanson St, Whitehorse | July 26, 10:15 am | Bike ride, free tune-ups, BBQ at park | Free

Drive Chip Putt Junior Event | Mountain View Golf Club | July 27, 11 am | Golf skills for ages 6–14, lunch and prizes | Learn more

Mountain View Club Championships | Mountain View Golf Club | Aug. 2–3 | Golf tourney with multiple categories and dinner | Adults $85, Juniors $40

17th Annual Haines Fishermen’s Free Coho Salmon BBQ | Southeast Alaska State Fairgrounds, Haines | Aug. 3 | Free BBQ with local salmon and festivities | Free

7th Annual Takshanuk Ridge Run | 7 Mile Saddle Trailhead Parking Lot, Haines, AK | Aug. 3 from 8 am | Scenic ridge run with limited spots | Tickets $40

Honey Harvest | Wye Lake Park, Watson Lake | Aug. 7, 11 am | Learn how honey is harvested, snacks provided | Free

Discovery Day Golf Tournament | Dawson City Golf Course, Dawson City | Aug. 14-16, 2:00 pm | 18-hole team scramble with prizes and banquet | Learn more

Have an event or a community announcement? Submit it here.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

We managed to get out to Tombstone last weekend. The weather gods were smiling on us because for two whole days, it was sunny with barely any clouds in the sky.

WHAT’S FOR SALE

Here are some of the funniest and weirdest things available on Facebook marketplace in the territory:

• A dragon enclosure - $600

• A 1994 Dodge Roadtrek camper van - $24,500

• Fresh organic vegetables - $6

• 20-foot tiny home - $45,000

• A city bus - $5,000

• Spruce tip/lime jelly - $4

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

Congrats to Long Ago People’s Place on their 30th anniversary. I’m hoping to take my dad there this weekend! [CBC]

The Millennium Trail was briefly closed on Monday due to a roaming brown-coloured bear, though there were no reports of aggressive behaviour. [Yukon News]

The Yukon 1000 sounds absolutely gruelling, with participants having 234 hours to get from Whitehorse to 140 miles north of Fairbanks by paddling. Only 30 teams are accepted each year. Here’s a great story from someone who participated in it. [Paddling Mag]

Haines Junction has a new drop box at the front entrance of the St. Elias Convention Centre for correspondence and payments.

Congrats to Stu Qually, who was named the City of Whitehorse’s 2025 Employee of the Year for 2025.

If you’re a CAFN citizen, you can now access language learning on your own time. Email [email protected].

The Keno City Music Festival is looking for volunteers to help out with the event. 

Cabin Fever in Whitehorse is closing, and people have some strong thoughts about the food over on Reddit…

The Yukon Status of Women Council is looking for a new board member.

VIDEO OF THE DAY

Team Yukon was out in force at the Celebration of Lights 2025 in Vancouver, run by Midnight Sun Fireworks, a Whitehorse-based volunteer troupe. You can watch the show in the video above.

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