What started as a fun one-time pop-up has exploded into one of Victoria’s most buzzed-about food success stories.
Now, Murder Burger is going permanent—and they’re doing it in bold fashion by taking over the former Floyd’s Diner in James Bay.
If you’ve spent any time scrolling local food content, chances are you’ve come across their dry-aged smashburgers, unapologetic social media style, and diehard fan base. But even owner and founder Jody Polishchuk admits this wasn’t supposed to be a thing.
“I couldn’t find the burger I wanted here,” he said. “I was just a customer at Farm + Field who worked with them to develop the same dry-aged blend we use now. The first pop-up, at Floyd’s on the Gorge, was supposed to be a one-off. No master plan.”
But once the first event happened, something clicked. The community didn’t just show up—they kept coming.
A second pop-up turned into a stint at Picnic Coffee on Fort Street, where crowds returned weekend after weekend. “By January, it was clear the community really wanted this to be a permanent thing,” he said.
Now, Murder Burger is stepping into its next chapter—taking over the former Floyd’s location in James Bay, a move that feels both full circle and completely unexpected.
“I became friends with Petr [Prusa], the owner of Floyd’s, after our first pop-up at the Gorge location. When he offered us the space, I knew I had to say yes. It all came together really fast.”
Earlier this month, Prusa confirmed to Victoria Buzz they would be relocating the James Bay location to the Royal Scot Hotel on Quebec Street which is just around the corner.
The building, known for its unmistakable retro colours, will get a full makeover—inside and out. The new vibe? Still in development, but it’ll be unmistakably Murder Burger. “We haven’t fully settled on the interior yet, but it’s going to be cool. It’ll feel like us.”
Fans of the original menu will still find the smashburgers and fries they’ve come to love, but the new space means more room to play.
Expect an expanded menu featuring wings confit in beef tallow (just the flats—they tracked them down special), soft-serve made from scratch (a local first), and rotating beer cans that go beyond the usual lineup.
“There really isn’t another burger like ours in Victoria,” he said. “I think that’s part of why word-of-mouth spread so fast. People here are hungry for something great—and not just burgers. The food community is craving best-in-class versions of the stuff they already love.”
That desire to raise the bar has driven Murder Burger’s evolution. What started as a burger joint has morphed into something more, a place to chase nostalgic flavours, dial up quality, and do things differently.
“Victoria has some really talented people doing cool things,” he said. “But it’s also full of mediocrity. We live on an island, but not metaphorically—people here are watching what’s happening in other cities and asking, why not here?”
So far, the reception has been more than enthusiastic. “The biggest pinch-me moment was realizing people were coming every single week. That was wild.”
As for the opening? July 17th is the target, but it’s still to be determined depending on how final preparations go. “There’s still a bunch of stuff to do,” he laughed. “But we’ve got some fun surprises planned for opening weekend.”
Looking ahead, Polishchuk said the focus is simple, nail the experience, keep the quality high, and stay connected with the community that made it all possible.
“We talk to our customers like they’re our friends, not like we’re selling to them. That’s what creates connection. Just keep it real.”
For anyone dreaming of starting their own food concept, his advice is just as straightforward, “Obsess over every detail. Make delicious, uncomplicated, unfussy food. And you’ll probably do OK.”
Until then, one thing is clear, Victoria’s about to get a new landmark burger joint—and it’s not just another restaurant. It’s Murder Burger.
