New resto Matamak offers customizable food at ‘insanely low’ prices in Hamilton

A new Hamilton restaurant is hoping to disrupt the industry with a monthly membership model that it says provides both the quality and lowest price possible.

Matamak, which opened July 12 at 1065 King Street W. in Hamilton’s Westdale neighbourhood, allows people to customize their orders with various flavour combinations online and pick them up from the warming lockers at the restaurant. There’s also seating inside and outside the restaurant.

“We are here to solve the dining dilemma you face when we want to eat out; which is either break the bank to eat healthy or settle for cheap low-quality food,” Matamak wrote in a Facebook post. “Once you become a member, you’ll enjoy unlimited access to high-quality ingredients at insanely low prices.”

Among the customizable menu items, the restaurant offers drinks, build-your-won power bowls, hot dogs, 12-inch pizzas, avocado toast, gourmet burgers, smashburgers – a round beef pattie pressed flat to get a caramelized crust – and vegan offerings such as cauliflower wings, marinated tofu and Beyond burgers. It also has made-to-order fried chicken tossed in sweet Thai chili sauce and coleslaw, pickles and mayo on a toasted brioche bun.

“We are making as much of the menu in-house as we can,” said Matt Melymuk, a general manager at the restaurant, in a phone interview with hamilton.insauga.com. “We’re trying to do Latin, Asian and Indian fusion with flavours. … We are doing fresh fruits and produce daily.”

COURTESY OF MATAMAK VIA FACEBOOK

While students are a large part of its customer base, Melymuk said the restaurant also caters to families, professionals and businesses.

With the cost of living crisis hitting consumers hard, he said the restaurant offers lower prices than many places. The restaurant boasts that it could help members save an average of $118 per month. 

Melymuk said it charges membership fees in order to keep the menu prices low. As an example, he said an order of an eight-ounce burger, eight-ounce fries and soda drink costs $6.80 total at Matamak while at McDonald’s it runs closer to $20.

Many regulars visit Matamak five or six times a week, spending around $8 to $12, or $50 to $70 a week for a single person, he said.

The monthly membership consists of three tiers, allowing members to access the menu and pay for unlimited orders (the cost of menu items is additional). 

A single monthly membership is $25, valid for one person and non-transferable. Family membership is $55, valid for up to two adults and two children under the age of 18 living in the same household. Office membership is $100, valid for small businesses with employees of up to eight with orders placed for the office. For those who want to try it out first, Matamak is offering a free seven-day trial.