Burger Heaven in New Westminster, B.C., is hosting a "Bun-official" poll to predict provincial election results. Patrons cast their votes by purchasing burgers themed after political leaders.
A 35-year tradition born from a mayoral run
The political polling tradition at Burger Heaven is not a new marketing gimmick but a long-standing community fixture. According to CTV News, the practice began 35 years ago when the original owner of the New Westminster establishment ran for mayor, establishing a link between the restaurant's sales and local political sentiment.
This approach reflects a broader trend of "folk polling," where small businesses use anecdotal evidence and customer behavior to gauge the mood of a constituency. By transforming a civic duty into a dining experience, Burger Heaven creates a low-pressure environment for political discourse, contrasting the often-polarized nature of modern campaign trails.
Blue cheese for Doerkson and provolone for Eby
The current "Bun-official" menu assigns specific ingredients to represent the flavors of different political ideologies. As CTV News reported, the burger representing B.C. Conservative Lorne Doerkson features melted Chilcotin blue cheese and bacon, while the option for NDP leader David Eby is topped with provolone.
Each burger sold acts as a physical ballot, with the restaurant staff recording a tally on a public board. This visual representation of "votes" allows customers to see the shifting momentum of the race in real-time, turning the act of eating into a participatory exercise in political observation.
The New Westminster-Coquitlam riding's '100 per cent' accuracy
Manager Chris Gieb asserts that the restaurant's tally board is a reliable indicator of the actual election outcome. Gieb told CTV News that for the specific New Westminster-Coquitlam riding, the burger poll has historically been "pretty much 100 per cent" accurate in predicting the winner.
While such a claim of absolute accuracy is statistically unlikely in a formal sense, it highlights the role of the restaurant as a community hub. In tight-knit ridings like New Westminster-Coquitlam, a local business that attracts a diverse cross-section of the population can often capture a raw, unfiltered snapshot of public opinion that formal polls might miss.
How David Eby's snap election became a 'money grab'
The timing of the provincial race provided an unexpected financial boost for the business. chris Gieb noted that the decision by David Eby to call a snap election led to an increase in inquiries about the return of the burger poll, which Gieb candidly described as a "good money grab" for the restaurant.
This intersection of commerce and politics demonstrates how local businesses can pivot to capitalize on current events. By framing the snap election as a catalyst for sales, Burger Heaven leverages the urgency of the political calendar to drive foot traffic and increase order volume.
The missing tally for third-party candidates
Despite the enthusiasm for the poll, there are specific gaps in the data provided by the Burger Heaven menu. The report focuses exclusively on the B.C. Conservative and NDP options, leaving it unclear whether candidates from the Green Party or other smaller factions are represented on the tally board.
Furthermore, it remains unverified how the restaurant handles "spoiled ballots"—customers who order a burger but do not wish to be counted toward a specific party. While Gieb mentioned that customers can order off-menu items to discuss issues without buying a themed burger , the exact ratio of "themed" versus "standard" orders is not disclosed, which would be necessary to determine the poll's true statistical weight.
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