JUMP LINKS:
Bagger Dave's - Ann Arbor, MI
Bailey's Sports Grille - Canton, MI
BurgerFi - Ann Arbor, MI and Other US Locations
Chili's Grill and Bar - Various Locations, MI/US
Culver's - Various Locations, MI/US
Elevation Burger - Ann Arbor, MI and Various Locations, MI/US
Five Guys Burgers and Fries - Ann Arbor, MI
Freakin' Unbelievable Burgers - Flint and Farmington Hills, MI
Halo Burger - Various Locations in the Greater Flint Area, MI
HopCat - Various Locations, MI/US
The Outback Steakhouse - Various Locations, MI/US
Steak 'n Shake - Various Locations, MI/US
Wahlburgers - Various Locations, MI/US
Bagger Dave's - Ann Arbor, MI
Bailey's Sports Grille - Canton, MI
BurgerFi - Ann Arbor, MI and Other US Locations
Chili's Grill and Bar - Various Locations, MI/US
Culver's - Various Locations, MI/US
Elevation Burger - Ann Arbor, MI and Various Locations, MI/US
Five Guys Burgers and Fries - Ann Arbor, MI
Freakin' Unbelievable Burgers - Flint and Farmington Hills, MI
Halo Burger - Various Locations in the Greater Flint Area, MI
HopCat - Various Locations, MI/US
The Outback Steakhouse - Various Locations, MI/US
Steak 'n Shake - Various Locations, MI/US
Wahlburgers - Various Locations, MI/US
Chili's Grill and Bar - Various Locations, US
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited two times between Monday, October 2, 2017, and Saturday, December 30, 2017
Due to the large chain nature of Chili’s Grill and Bar, I feel like I shouldn’t be writing this review. However, the burger is just too good to not report on. I’ve now had their newest version of the Southern Smokehouse Burger two times, and it’s beyond delicious. Simply put, they’re doing everything the right way.
Chili’s has recently shrunk their menu, and they’ve upped the ante on what they do well: a few Mexican dishes, babyback ribs, and burgers. It’s quite the combination, but it appears they’ve dialed themselves in to a menu that’s working well.
The first Chili’s restaurant opened in 1975 in Dallas, Texas, and the building used was a converted postal station. Their original concept was hamburgers, as they offered up a lot of different kinds at good prices. Chili’s became popular, and soon they had almost 30 locations throughout the state of Texas. In 1983, original founder Larry Lavine sold to Brinker International. From there, things went national, and even global.
Through the years the desire to visit chain restaurants has been a little bit of a roller coaster ride for consumers. All in all, chain restaurants are out there, and from time to time, we need them. When I first had their Southern Smokehouse Burger, I was in-between errands with my family. I wasn’t expecting to order a burger, but when I opened the menu and saw a picture of the Southern Smokehouse Burger, I had to order it.
As mentioned above, Chili’s has brought back the burger. All of their burgers are now ½ pound, hand-formed, and fresh. If you take that combination and cook it to order, it’s a winning situation and it’s the burger template that all should follow. When I ordered, I went for it cooked to medium. I was ready to try this Southern Smokehouse Burger, which when you run the full gamut, you’re looking at bacon, cheddar, pickles, panko onion rings, lettuce, tomato, and Chili’s signature sauce. It’s also served with a side of original BBQ sauce. I skipped the lettuce and tomato to take a deeper dive into the good stuff.
We enjoyed some chips and salsa while we waited, and overall, things were off to a great start at Chili’s.
Meat: 4.5/5
I’ve already mentioned this, but the ultimate combination of a fresh, ½ pound, hand-formed patty is here. And, they nailed cooking it to medium. It was juicy, tasty, and just overall great. The signature sauce blended well with the juices and seasoning on the burger.
Bun: 4.5/5
The bun fit the burger very well. It wasn’t too bready whatsoever. It was toasted, and overall, nothing to complain about in this category.
Cheese: 4/5
Unless you want to try a different option, cheddar cheese is locked in, and the amount given didn’t disappoint.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
Well, Chili’s is a chain, so you’ve got your typical amount of flare in the sides and beverages department. However, there’s something for everyone can get what they craving.
Uniqueness: 5/10
Unfortunately, we have all been in oodles of restaurants like Chili’s. Places like Red Robin, Applebee’s, and others quickly come to mind. The typical chain restaurant isn’t unique anymore. However, don’t let the lack of uniqueness keep you away from this burger. Unless you have strict dietary needs, a person should be able to walk into any restaurant or bar, blend in, and enjoy themselves with food, drinks and good times.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8.25/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 30.25/40
Random Shots:
Just check it out, and I’m hoping you have the same experience as my two visits. Also, please see this Blog post that addresses The Burger Template.
Chili's Grill and Bar
Visited two times between Monday, October 2, 2017, and Saturday, December 30, 2017
Due to the large chain nature of Chili’s Grill and Bar, I feel like I shouldn’t be writing this review. However, the burger is just too good to not report on. I’ve now had their newest version of the Southern Smokehouse Burger two times, and it’s beyond delicious. Simply put, they’re doing everything the right way.
Chili’s has recently shrunk their menu, and they’ve upped the ante on what they do well: a few Mexican dishes, babyback ribs, and burgers. It’s quite the combination, but it appears they’ve dialed themselves in to a menu that’s working well.
The first Chili’s restaurant opened in 1975 in Dallas, Texas, and the building used was a converted postal station. Their original concept was hamburgers, as they offered up a lot of different kinds at good prices. Chili’s became popular, and soon they had almost 30 locations throughout the state of Texas. In 1983, original founder Larry Lavine sold to Brinker International. From there, things went national, and even global.
Through the years the desire to visit chain restaurants has been a little bit of a roller coaster ride for consumers. All in all, chain restaurants are out there, and from time to time, we need them. When I first had their Southern Smokehouse Burger, I was in-between errands with my family. I wasn’t expecting to order a burger, but when I opened the menu and saw a picture of the Southern Smokehouse Burger, I had to order it.
As mentioned above, Chili’s has brought back the burger. All of their burgers are now ½ pound, hand-formed, and fresh. If you take that combination and cook it to order, it’s a winning situation and it’s the burger template that all should follow. When I ordered, I went for it cooked to medium. I was ready to try this Southern Smokehouse Burger, which when you run the full gamut, you’re looking at bacon, cheddar, pickles, panko onion rings, lettuce, tomato, and Chili’s signature sauce. It’s also served with a side of original BBQ sauce. I skipped the lettuce and tomato to take a deeper dive into the good stuff.
We enjoyed some chips and salsa while we waited, and overall, things were off to a great start at Chili’s.
Meat: 4.5/5
I’ve already mentioned this, but the ultimate combination of a fresh, ½ pound, hand-formed patty is here. And, they nailed cooking it to medium. It was juicy, tasty, and just overall great. The signature sauce blended well with the juices and seasoning on the burger.
Bun: 4.5/5
The bun fit the burger very well. It wasn’t too bready whatsoever. It was toasted, and overall, nothing to complain about in this category.
Cheese: 4/5
Unless you want to try a different option, cheddar cheese is locked in, and the amount given didn’t disappoint.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
Well, Chili’s is a chain, so you’ve got your typical amount of flare in the sides and beverages department. However, there’s something for everyone can get what they craving.
Uniqueness: 5/10
Unfortunately, we have all been in oodles of restaurants like Chili’s. Places like Red Robin, Applebee’s, and others quickly come to mind. The typical chain restaurant isn’t unique anymore. However, don’t let the lack of uniqueness keep you away from this burger. Unless you have strict dietary needs, a person should be able to walk into any restaurant or bar, blend in, and enjoy themselves with food, drinks and good times.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8.25/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 30.25/40
Random Shots:
Just check it out, and I’m hoping you have the same experience as my two visits. Also, please see this Blog post that addresses The Burger Template.
Chili's Grill and Bar
Wahlburgers - Detroit and Various Locations
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on Wednesday, March 15, 2017
In Attendance: Gerbe
I have to admit, this was not the stop I had intended to make during a two burgers in one night extravaganza. Another burger joint was originally on the itinerary, but sometimes you’ve got to attack what’s in front of you.
I’m not sure if the Boston-based Wahlburgers was ever going to be a destination for Michigan Burger Boys. We aren’t impressed with the corporate flare that’s attached to this chain. The television show and everything else doesn’t seem to add up to a place that’s a fit for us. However, my buddy Gerbe and I found ourselves in Detroit’s Greektown neighborhood at around 9:00pm, and we were hungry. Wahlburgers it was.
When we entered, we were swarmed by posters and everything else promoting the television show. This is the exact reason why I didn’t want any part of it. We headed to the upstairs bar area and the place was pretty busy. When we sat down at the bar and ordered a beer, we were really impressed by their Wahlbrewski. It’s an IPA that was created by the Wahlburger team, and when they implement it at a new location, they have all of the local breweries use their recipe and make it. Then, the brewery that makes it the best, gets to continue making it for the restaurant. Very cool, and Roak Brewing Company in Royal Oak won the rights for the Detroit area. Great idea and this was nicely implemented by Wahlburgers.
We both ordered their Double Decker, which includes two 3-ounce patties. We were able to order how we wanted them cooked, and I went for medium. I was going to be shocked if they would deliver on two 3-ounce patties being cooked medium. Time would tell. Their thin crispy onion rings seemed to be a staple of the restaurant, so we ordered some of those as well.
Our food came and it looked delicious. A massive amount of those thin crispy onion rings showed up, and I couldn’t help but think about how Five Guys does something similar with their french fries.
What about the burger and the two 3-ounce patties being ordered at a medium temperature? To my surprise, they nailed it.
Meat: 4/5
As mentioned, they nailed those thin patties being cooked to medium. Good work, Wahlburgers. You usually don’t see thin patties like that being cooked to order, let alone accomplished. The meat was juicy and it was an overall good burger experience.
Bun: 4/5
A really nice bakery bun that was lightly toasted.
Cheese: 4/5
American “government” cheese came on the Double Decker and they gave you enough of it. They’ve got some other kinds as well depending on what burger you order.
Sides and Beverages: 4.5/5
As mentioned, they gave you a ton of the thin crispy onion rings, and they were pretty good. They were more like onion straws, but nonetheless, when dipped in the Wahl Sauce, it was nice to have them alongside the burger. They do also have tater tots, sweet potato fries, and Yukon gold fries. They have a large drink menu, and you’ve got to appreciate Roak Brewing making their Wahlbrewski.
Uniqueness: 5/10
Nothing really unique about this place, other than it being pushed by a television show. In what’s already a flooded market of burger chains, here’s Wahlburgers for you all.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 29.5/40
Random Shots:
Here’s the deal, and this is just an opinion:
When you’re in a place like downtown Detroit, Grand Rapids, Jackson, Ann Arbor, Lansing, or anywhere really, choose something that’s not a chain if you’ve got the time. There are so many great spots out there with fantastic burgers, culture, and environments that can't be duplicated. Support the places that are trying to make it work without the chain backing.
Wahlburgers
Map (Detroit Greektown Location)
Visited on Wednesday, March 15, 2017
In Attendance: Gerbe
I have to admit, this was not the stop I had intended to make during a two burgers in one night extravaganza. Another burger joint was originally on the itinerary, but sometimes you’ve got to attack what’s in front of you.
I’m not sure if the Boston-based Wahlburgers was ever going to be a destination for Michigan Burger Boys. We aren’t impressed with the corporate flare that’s attached to this chain. The television show and everything else doesn’t seem to add up to a place that’s a fit for us. However, my buddy Gerbe and I found ourselves in Detroit’s Greektown neighborhood at around 9:00pm, and we were hungry. Wahlburgers it was.
When we entered, we were swarmed by posters and everything else promoting the television show. This is the exact reason why I didn’t want any part of it. We headed to the upstairs bar area and the place was pretty busy. When we sat down at the bar and ordered a beer, we were really impressed by their Wahlbrewski. It’s an IPA that was created by the Wahlburger team, and when they implement it at a new location, they have all of the local breweries use their recipe and make it. Then, the brewery that makes it the best, gets to continue making it for the restaurant. Very cool, and Roak Brewing Company in Royal Oak won the rights for the Detroit area. Great idea and this was nicely implemented by Wahlburgers.
We both ordered their Double Decker, which includes two 3-ounce patties. We were able to order how we wanted them cooked, and I went for medium. I was going to be shocked if they would deliver on two 3-ounce patties being cooked medium. Time would tell. Their thin crispy onion rings seemed to be a staple of the restaurant, so we ordered some of those as well.
Our food came and it looked delicious. A massive amount of those thin crispy onion rings showed up, and I couldn’t help but think about how Five Guys does something similar with their french fries.
What about the burger and the two 3-ounce patties being ordered at a medium temperature? To my surprise, they nailed it.
Meat: 4/5
As mentioned, they nailed those thin patties being cooked to medium. Good work, Wahlburgers. You usually don’t see thin patties like that being cooked to order, let alone accomplished. The meat was juicy and it was an overall good burger experience.
Bun: 4/5
A really nice bakery bun that was lightly toasted.
Cheese: 4/5
American “government” cheese came on the Double Decker and they gave you enough of it. They’ve got some other kinds as well depending on what burger you order.
Sides and Beverages: 4.5/5
As mentioned, they gave you a ton of the thin crispy onion rings, and they were pretty good. They were more like onion straws, but nonetheless, when dipped in the Wahl Sauce, it was nice to have them alongside the burger. They do also have tater tots, sweet potato fries, and Yukon gold fries. They have a large drink menu, and you’ve got to appreciate Roak Brewing making their Wahlbrewski.
Uniqueness: 5/10
Nothing really unique about this place, other than it being pushed by a television show. In what’s already a flooded market of burger chains, here’s Wahlburgers for you all.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 29.5/40
Random Shots:
Here’s the deal, and this is just an opinion:
When you’re in a place like downtown Detroit, Grand Rapids, Jackson, Ann Arbor, Lansing, or anywhere really, choose something that’s not a chain if you’ve got the time. There are so many great spots out there with fantastic burgers, culture, and environments that can't be duplicated. Support the places that are trying to make it work without the chain backing.
Wahlburgers
Map (Detroit Greektown Location)
Bagger Dave's Burger Tavern - Various Locations, MI
Reviewed by Kevin and Lucas
Visited on June 10, 2015
In Attendance: Matt (Northern Michigan Burger Scout)
Back in 2012, our first Bagger Dave’s visit didn’t end up so well. We were disappointed in what was supposed to be a “legendary” burger tavern and it led to an overall negative review. Our rejuvenated stance with Bagger Dave’s started when they put up a new location in Canton. It wasn’t long after they opened their doors that Kevin decided to take his family there because they kept passing it all the time, and he wanted to know if they made any changes since the last time he had a burger there. They indeed had, and after multiple visits from both Kevin and Lucas, a complete re-review was in order.
One thing that popped out immediately was their new logo. It simply states Bagger Dave’s Burger Tavern and eliminates the word “legendary” from the previous version. This is a good move for sure!
Another good move is the craft of their burger. Bagger Dave’s has improved the burger by creating hand formed patties that are not only scrumptious in appearance, but thicker as well. This has proven to carry a more delicious, juicy burger.
Over the course of multiple visits, Kevin and Lucas have had very good burgers that are consistent and leave them with the feeling of wanting to come back for more. Beyond the burger, they are really supporting the craft beer industry, and at all of their locations, there’s always a nice bar area to unwind at.
In the end, whether it’s an All-American burger, specialty burger, or build your own, Bagger Dave’s is chugging down the train track.
Meat: 4/5
Bagger Dave’s offers up a very good prime rib recipe that is a hand formed patty and thicker than before. Cooked to order is happening now.
Bun: 4/5
Brioche, 9-grain wheat, sesame brioche, or pretzel are your choices. Good size and it’s fresh tasting.
Cheese: 4/5
There’s lots of choices: American, smoked gouda, sharp cheddar, bleu cheese, mozzarella, pepper jack, or swiss. It’s a fair amount that fits burger.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
Fresh cut potato fries or chips with a variety of delicious dipping sauces. You can also go with a side of mac ‘n’ cheese or a salad. Order a Michigan brew and you’re all set!
Uniqueness: 8/10
This place is actually pretty darn unique. The create-your-own-burger experience was a nice touch and it even has a section for burger sauces. Promoting Michigan brews, throwing some different twists into their sides, and of course, the train, all adds up to a fun and unique experience. Also, they have lots of local history up on the walls.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8/10
The improvements to their burger definitely bring this burger taste up a notch. It is a pretty good burger that will entertain your needs.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 32/40
Random Shots:
Keeping it together, a burger stick branded with the improved logo keeps your burger from taking a spill as it is served to you. Bagger Dave’s has a lot of different ways to connect with its customers and is sample friendly just in case you can’t decide. Also, a frosty mug for a brew makes Matt, or Northern MI Corespondent, happy as it will anyone seeking a cold accompaniment to their burger.
Bagger Dave's
Locations
Visited on June 10, 2015
In Attendance: Matt (Northern Michigan Burger Scout)
Back in 2012, our first Bagger Dave’s visit didn’t end up so well. We were disappointed in what was supposed to be a “legendary” burger tavern and it led to an overall negative review. Our rejuvenated stance with Bagger Dave’s started when they put up a new location in Canton. It wasn’t long after they opened their doors that Kevin decided to take his family there because they kept passing it all the time, and he wanted to know if they made any changes since the last time he had a burger there. They indeed had, and after multiple visits from both Kevin and Lucas, a complete re-review was in order.
One thing that popped out immediately was their new logo. It simply states Bagger Dave’s Burger Tavern and eliminates the word “legendary” from the previous version. This is a good move for sure!
Another good move is the craft of their burger. Bagger Dave’s has improved the burger by creating hand formed patties that are not only scrumptious in appearance, but thicker as well. This has proven to carry a more delicious, juicy burger.
Over the course of multiple visits, Kevin and Lucas have had very good burgers that are consistent and leave them with the feeling of wanting to come back for more. Beyond the burger, they are really supporting the craft beer industry, and at all of their locations, there’s always a nice bar area to unwind at.
In the end, whether it’s an All-American burger, specialty burger, or build your own, Bagger Dave’s is chugging down the train track.
Meat: 4/5
Bagger Dave’s offers up a very good prime rib recipe that is a hand formed patty and thicker than before. Cooked to order is happening now.
Bun: 4/5
Brioche, 9-grain wheat, sesame brioche, or pretzel are your choices. Good size and it’s fresh tasting.
Cheese: 4/5
There’s lots of choices: American, smoked gouda, sharp cheddar, bleu cheese, mozzarella, pepper jack, or swiss. It’s a fair amount that fits burger.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
Fresh cut potato fries or chips with a variety of delicious dipping sauces. You can also go with a side of mac ‘n’ cheese or a salad. Order a Michigan brew and you’re all set!
Uniqueness: 8/10
This place is actually pretty darn unique. The create-your-own-burger experience was a nice touch and it even has a section for burger sauces. Promoting Michigan brews, throwing some different twists into their sides, and of course, the train, all adds up to a fun and unique experience. Also, they have lots of local history up on the walls.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8/10
The improvements to their burger definitely bring this burger taste up a notch. It is a pretty good burger that will entertain your needs.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 32/40
Random Shots:
Keeping it together, a burger stick branded with the improved logo keeps your burger from taking a spill as it is served to you. Bagger Dave’s has a lot of different ways to connect with its customers and is sample friendly just in case you can’t decide. Also, a frosty mug for a brew makes Matt, or Northern MI Corespondent, happy as it will anyone seeking a cold accompaniment to their burger.
Bagger Dave's
Locations
HopCat - Various Locations, MI and US
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on February 19 and April 3, 2015
In Attendance: Greg
HopCat has been a favorite beverage stop of mine for a while now. They offer a ton of craft beers on tap. At their East Lansing location, they have 100 on tap, and that’s not a misprint. Needless to say, it’s a craft beer fan’s heaven. They continue to expand, and at press time, new HopCats have opened in Detroit and Ann Arbor. You’ll find others in Grand Rapids (the original), East Lansing, and there’s two out of state locations in Madison, WI and Broad Ripple (Indianapolis), IN. Their mission is pretty simple - to provide you with beer that’s been made with care and pride, whether it’s local or global.
Since opening their first location in Grand Rapids, they’ve received many accolades. Draft Magazine listed HopCat as one of the Top 50 Bars, and in 2013, RateBeer.com ranked the Grand Rapids location the #1 BrewPub in the United States. Also, don’t forget about Beer Advocate Magazine ranking it the #3 Beer Bar in the World. Impressive!
On top of enormous craft beer selection, they have a pretty solid food menu. Their Crack Fries are known to many and it’s what most people order alongside their first beer. To me, they are just over-seasoned general french fries, but most love them and you’ve probably heard of them.
I’ve frequented HopCat on quite a few occasions, but a burger was never on the docket. Through the years, I’ve had high hopes, mostly due to HopCat and Stella’s Lounge being under the same ownership. Stella’s Lounge currently sits as our #3 burger in Taste and our #1 location for Burger Experience. On HopCat’s menu, they’ve got an entire Burgers section, and ten different options are available. The time had finally come to try a burger at HopCat.
Update: Due to the below review, HopCat invited Greg and I back in for another round. We appreciated their offer, took them up on it, and had a better experience. Everything below reflects our last two visits when burgers were ordered. Scores have basically been averaged between the two visits.
Meat: 2.5/5
During the first visit, we had nothing positive to say in this category. Both Greg and I ordered our burgers at medium, and they both were way, way overcooked. Charred would be a decent word to describe it. However, the first bite did prove to be a little juicy, but that faded fast. It’s a preformed patty that appears and tastes pretty dense. Their charbroiled burgers are ½ pound and are a special blend of short rib, brisket, and ground chuck. On our second visit, we did have a better cooked burger.
Bun: 4/5
Brioche bun that’s toasted. It was good.
Cheese: 4/5
The first time around, I ordered some cheddar to top things off, but it came without cheese at all. I had to send it back to the kitchen, and it did then come back smothered. They offer cheddar, American, pepper jack, blue cheese crumbles, bar cheese, and Swiss. Lots of options, as you can see.
Sides and Beverages: 5/5
Their signature Crack Fries are beer battered with a special black pepper house seasoning. They are pretty good, but the hype may be a little too large for them. We had a few orders of their Pretzel Nuggz, and they were delicious. They came with a few dipping sauces too. As for beverages, it’s already been said - they’ve got tons and tons of local and global craft beer.
Uniqueness: 8/10
They have a good thing going.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 6/10
Two overcooked, preformed patties came to our table on our first visit, and nothing totally overwhelmed us on the second visit.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 29.5/40
Random Shots: My advice is to go to HopCat, drink some craft beer, and enjoy some Pretzel Nuggz and other appetizers. Don’t go there expecting a well-rounded meal. I’ve also tried their Killer Mac & Cheese, and it was also unimpressive. However, I have heard good things about other food options. All in all, I enjoy HopCat, just not for burgers. Click here for a photo of the original over-cooked burger.
HopCat
Visited on February 19 and April 3, 2015
In Attendance: Greg
HopCat has been a favorite beverage stop of mine for a while now. They offer a ton of craft beers on tap. At their East Lansing location, they have 100 on tap, and that’s not a misprint. Needless to say, it’s a craft beer fan’s heaven. They continue to expand, and at press time, new HopCats have opened in Detroit and Ann Arbor. You’ll find others in Grand Rapids (the original), East Lansing, and there’s two out of state locations in Madison, WI and Broad Ripple (Indianapolis), IN. Their mission is pretty simple - to provide you with beer that’s been made with care and pride, whether it’s local or global.
Since opening their first location in Grand Rapids, they’ve received many accolades. Draft Magazine listed HopCat as one of the Top 50 Bars, and in 2013, RateBeer.com ranked the Grand Rapids location the #1 BrewPub in the United States. Also, don’t forget about Beer Advocate Magazine ranking it the #3 Beer Bar in the World. Impressive!
On top of enormous craft beer selection, they have a pretty solid food menu. Their Crack Fries are known to many and it’s what most people order alongside their first beer. To me, they are just over-seasoned general french fries, but most love them and you’ve probably heard of them.
I’ve frequented HopCat on quite a few occasions, but a burger was never on the docket. Through the years, I’ve had high hopes, mostly due to HopCat and Stella’s Lounge being under the same ownership. Stella’s Lounge currently sits as our #3 burger in Taste and our #1 location for Burger Experience. On HopCat’s menu, they’ve got an entire Burgers section, and ten different options are available. The time had finally come to try a burger at HopCat.
Update: Due to the below review, HopCat invited Greg and I back in for another round. We appreciated their offer, took them up on it, and had a better experience. Everything below reflects our last two visits when burgers were ordered. Scores have basically been averaged between the two visits.
Meat: 2.5/5
During the first visit, we had nothing positive to say in this category. Both Greg and I ordered our burgers at medium, and they both were way, way overcooked. Charred would be a decent word to describe it. However, the first bite did prove to be a little juicy, but that faded fast. It’s a preformed patty that appears and tastes pretty dense. Their charbroiled burgers are ½ pound and are a special blend of short rib, brisket, and ground chuck. On our second visit, we did have a better cooked burger.
Bun: 4/5
Brioche bun that’s toasted. It was good.
Cheese: 4/5
The first time around, I ordered some cheddar to top things off, but it came without cheese at all. I had to send it back to the kitchen, and it did then come back smothered. They offer cheddar, American, pepper jack, blue cheese crumbles, bar cheese, and Swiss. Lots of options, as you can see.
Sides and Beverages: 5/5
Their signature Crack Fries are beer battered with a special black pepper house seasoning. They are pretty good, but the hype may be a little too large for them. We had a few orders of their Pretzel Nuggz, and they were delicious. They came with a few dipping sauces too. As for beverages, it’s already been said - they’ve got tons and tons of local and global craft beer.
Uniqueness: 8/10
They have a good thing going.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 6/10
Two overcooked, preformed patties came to our table on our first visit, and nothing totally overwhelmed us on the second visit.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 29.5/40
Random Shots: My advice is to go to HopCat, drink some craft beer, and enjoy some Pretzel Nuggz and other appetizers. Don’t go there expecting a well-rounded meal. I’ve also tried their Killer Mac & Cheese, and it was also unimpressive. However, I have heard good things about other food options. All in all, I enjoy HopCat, just not for burgers. Click here for a photo of the original over-cooked burger.
HopCat
Culver's - Various Locations, MI/US
Reviewed by Lucas and Kevin
Visited on: Several different occasions
Culver’s is right on the edge of fast food. Some place it directly in the fast food category, while others place it a step better. Either way, they’re known for their Butter Burgers and Fresh Frozen Custard, and when put together, it’s a very solid combination when you’re in a pinch. To us, and we hope you’ll agree after reading this review, Culver’s is not fast food. It’s better quality and it just tastes better too.
While doing our typical deep research, we learned that Culver’s has quite the history. In 1961, George and Ruth Culver opened their first restaurant in their hometown of Sauk City, Wisconsin. The two stepped into their restaurant with no formal training, but their team and family approach worked very well. Later, in 1984, Craig Culver, son of George and Ruth, along with his wife Lea, opened the first Culver’s. Craig combined his love for his mother’s butter burgers and his favorite vacation treat, frozen custard. It was an idea that no one could resist, and Culver’s was officially born.
Culver’s believes in doing things the same today as they were done back when their butter burger creation began. They use fresh, never frozen, 100% midwest beef, seared to perfection, and served on a lightly buttered toasted bun. Their commitment to the frozen custard also remains important. According to their website, Culver’s uses the finest real Wisconsin dairy, plus cold-pressed vanilla and Dutch-blend chocolate, and they make every batch fresh, right in the restaurant throughout the day. Beyond the burgers and the frozen custard, Culver’s attempts to source the highest quality cheese, milk, and other products. They also really believe in hospitality and customer service, and that’s usually evident when you walk into one of their locations.
When it’s time to order, you’ve got a lot to choose from. Obviously, start by thinking about what kind of Butter Burger and Fresh Frozen Custard you want. Their current menu has nine different burgers to choose from, and make sure you grab a double while making your selection. The frozen custard can come in a variety of styles, including the popular Concrete Mixer. Their sides and other food options are nearly endless. Other sandwiches, chicken, fish, crinkle cut french fries, thick cut onion rings, cole slaw, Wisconsin cheese curds, green beans, and the list literally goes on and on. Grab a Butter Burger, pick a side, select a frozen custard, and trust us, you’ll be all set.
Meat: 4/5
Well, it’s tough to complain in this category. Beyond bringing in their 100% beef never frozen, Culver’s also uses three prime cuts of beef, and absolutely no trimmings or fillers. Even though we’ve never been asked, their website stated that their burgers can be cooked to order as well. Whenever we’ve been to a Culver’s, the burgers have been pretty juicy and they taste good.
Bun: 3/5
Their bun is a simple white bread, but it’s definitely a step above all fast food options. In the end, nothing to brag about here, but nothing to knock either.
Cheese: 3.5/5
Wisconsin Swiss, Wisconsin Cheddar, and American are your choices. As mentioned above, their cheese is sourced from some of the finest dairies in Wisconsin. Literally every slice of cheese used at a Culver’s is produced in Wisconsin. During our visits, it would be nice if the cheese was a little more melty though.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
You saw this above, but their list of sides and beverages goes on and on. The grand list of sides should keep anyone happy. Their Fresh Frozen Custard is great, and there are a ton of different flavors.
Uniqueness: 7/10
It’s great to see a place that cares about ingredients and customer service, and they also offer pretty fast food. They care about their customers. In the end, Culver’s is just a simple place, but they do everything pretty well.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7/10
When you’re in a pinch, or need to hop off the highway for a quick burger, Culver’s is a quality spot to visit.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 29/40
Random Shots:
After UofM football games, Lucas frequents the Ann Arbor (Zeeb Road) location for a quick burger snack.
Culver's
Visited on: Several different occasions
Culver’s is right on the edge of fast food. Some place it directly in the fast food category, while others place it a step better. Either way, they’re known for their Butter Burgers and Fresh Frozen Custard, and when put together, it’s a very solid combination when you’re in a pinch. To us, and we hope you’ll agree after reading this review, Culver’s is not fast food. It’s better quality and it just tastes better too.
While doing our typical deep research, we learned that Culver’s has quite the history. In 1961, George and Ruth Culver opened their first restaurant in their hometown of Sauk City, Wisconsin. The two stepped into their restaurant with no formal training, but their team and family approach worked very well. Later, in 1984, Craig Culver, son of George and Ruth, along with his wife Lea, opened the first Culver’s. Craig combined his love for his mother’s butter burgers and his favorite vacation treat, frozen custard. It was an idea that no one could resist, and Culver’s was officially born.
Culver’s believes in doing things the same today as they were done back when their butter burger creation began. They use fresh, never frozen, 100% midwest beef, seared to perfection, and served on a lightly buttered toasted bun. Their commitment to the frozen custard also remains important. According to their website, Culver’s uses the finest real Wisconsin dairy, plus cold-pressed vanilla and Dutch-blend chocolate, and they make every batch fresh, right in the restaurant throughout the day. Beyond the burgers and the frozen custard, Culver’s attempts to source the highest quality cheese, milk, and other products. They also really believe in hospitality and customer service, and that’s usually evident when you walk into one of their locations.
When it’s time to order, you’ve got a lot to choose from. Obviously, start by thinking about what kind of Butter Burger and Fresh Frozen Custard you want. Their current menu has nine different burgers to choose from, and make sure you grab a double while making your selection. The frozen custard can come in a variety of styles, including the popular Concrete Mixer. Their sides and other food options are nearly endless. Other sandwiches, chicken, fish, crinkle cut french fries, thick cut onion rings, cole slaw, Wisconsin cheese curds, green beans, and the list literally goes on and on. Grab a Butter Burger, pick a side, select a frozen custard, and trust us, you’ll be all set.
Meat: 4/5
Well, it’s tough to complain in this category. Beyond bringing in their 100% beef never frozen, Culver’s also uses three prime cuts of beef, and absolutely no trimmings or fillers. Even though we’ve never been asked, their website stated that their burgers can be cooked to order as well. Whenever we’ve been to a Culver’s, the burgers have been pretty juicy and they taste good.
Bun: 3/5
Their bun is a simple white bread, but it’s definitely a step above all fast food options. In the end, nothing to brag about here, but nothing to knock either.
Cheese: 3.5/5
Wisconsin Swiss, Wisconsin Cheddar, and American are your choices. As mentioned above, their cheese is sourced from some of the finest dairies in Wisconsin. Literally every slice of cheese used at a Culver’s is produced in Wisconsin. During our visits, it would be nice if the cheese was a little more melty though.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
You saw this above, but their list of sides and beverages goes on and on. The grand list of sides should keep anyone happy. Their Fresh Frozen Custard is great, and there are a ton of different flavors.
Uniqueness: 7/10
It’s great to see a place that cares about ingredients and customer service, and they also offer pretty fast food. They care about their customers. In the end, Culver’s is just a simple place, but they do everything pretty well.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7/10
When you’re in a pinch, or need to hop off the highway for a quick burger, Culver’s is a quality spot to visit.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 29/40
Random Shots:
After UofM football games, Lucas frequents the Ann Arbor (Zeeb Road) location for a quick burger snack.
Culver's
Elevation Burger - Ann Arbor, MI and Various Locations, US
Reviewed by Kevin and Lucas
Visited on Wednesday, March 5, 2014
At the time of this review, we’re starting to notice something in the world of burgers. Popping up all over the place now are burger joints that aren’t quite exactly fast food, but they’re not really a sit-down restaurant either. Five Guys, Elevation Burger, and many more are trying their hand at the quick burger fix.
Enter Elevation Burger, a burger joint that wants you to know that ingredients matter. They have “elevated” the product and made it fresh and flavorful. They want it better for you and better for the environment. According to their website, “It is a vision for an elevated experience in a well-appointed and environmentally friendly setting. It is a vision for 100% USDA-certified organic, 100% grass-fed, 100% free-range, 100% ground-on-premises beef. For fresh-cut fries cooked in 100% heart-healthy olive oil. For hand-scooped shakes and malts and fresh-baked cookies.”
There is currently one Elevation Burger in the state of Michigan, and Ann Arbor is their home. When we walked in, we were greeted by Elevation Burger’s Ann Arbor owner, Mike Tayter. Along with his wife, Sarah, they plan on opening up a few more Elevation Burgers in Michigan. He seemed to be right at home, and what a hard worker. You could tell he really cares about Elevation Burger. Things inside were clean, you didn’t feel rushed, and it was just an overall good vibe. We were in there on a Wednesday at around 4pm, and there was quite a bit of business for the late afternoon hours.
One thing we are seeing more and more often is the “Big Burger Board” that sits above the ordering counter. All of the new-age burger joints have them, and they’ve taken the old school fast food board and put it on steroids. Elevation Burger has one too, and we’ve got to say, it’s probably the slickest, easiest to navigate “Big Burger Board” around. There are three giant headings set up in the following columns: Burgers, Toppings, Drinks and Sides, and Shakes and Malts. Pretty easy, huh?
We both went for a double cheeseburger, and Lucas tried his with the Elevation Sauce, which has a tangy-tomato flavor. If you’re a new-age burger joint, you’ve got to have your own sauce, right? As far as the toppings go, they’ve got plenty to keep you satisfied. The one that jumped off the board was the 6-month-aged cheddar. This is their only choice for cheese, but if they’re bringing that, then there’s no needed for anything else. Beyond the cheese, they keep things pretty unique. Organic bacon, balsamic mustard (the only choice for mustard), two kinds of onions, and more will surely meet your needs.
We both ordered their fresh fries and a shake. Kevin got the vanilla with key lime and Lucas got chocolate with chocolate syrup and malt powder. When you order a shake/malt, you are then allowed to choose two items to have within it. Looking past the fries and shakes, they keep things really healthy. Mandarin oranges, salads, and even organic milk are ready to go. In the end, our orders were in, directly to the owner, and we took a seat and waited for our metal trays to arrive.
Meat: 4/5
Their standard double burger offers the freshest meat you can find. The meat comes from 100% organic grass fed cattle. It’s also 100% free-range and 100% ground-on-premises beef. The result of all of their care is a burger that is much juicier than the rest. Their patties oozed that juice that you enjoy from a bar burger. Like most new-age burger joints, you can’t have your burger cooked to order, but we’ve come to expect that. The only real negative is that we wish their double burger was just slightly bigger. Or, maybe we just enjoyed it too much, and therefore, it was ate very fast.
Bun: 3.5/5
Get this: According to owner Mike Tayter, their burgers are served on a fresh potato roll. It is made with real sugar (just a touch) rather that high fructose corn syrup. They are all natural and do not contain Azodicarbonsmide (ADA), which is the stuff everyone was complaining about Subway having in their bread.
Cheese: 3.5/5
Our only knock is that there are no cheese choices, but as with the bun, a choice isn’t really needed if you are a fan of aged-cheddar. Their 6-month-aged cheddar really pops, and this is the feature of the burger that Kevin couldn’t stop talking about. It was delicious, and possibly the best couple of cheese slices we’ve had in quite a while.
Sides and Beverages: 3.5/5
Their fries are the healthiest you can find, and they’re pretty good. We referred to their mold as “thick shoestring” or “boot string”. If you’re not in the mood for fries, as mentioned above, they’ve got some healthy options for sides as well. On the beverage side, they have a standard new-age mix or make your own pop fountain and some healthier options in their cooler. If you are a shake/malt person, don’t leave without trying one. This is the item that Lucas kept talking about, and it does truly set the bar as shakes are concerned. After just having a shake at Jay’s Stuffed Burgers, this one separated itself immediately. Absolutely delicious.
Uniqueness: 7/10
As we stated above, this is yet another attempt to be a new-age burger joint. But, they have higher standards. In recent trips to Five Guys, there’s moments when you can see them slipping or getting comfortable. This won’t happen at Elevation Burger. On the uniqueness scale, they have their own sauce, some interesting toppings, and you heard it here first, the Vertigo Burger. Stack as many patties onto the Vertigo as you’d like.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8.25/10
We were truly upset when this juicy and cheesy burger was finished!
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 29.75/40
Random Shots:
If you’ve heard anything negative about their parking situation off of traffic-heavy Washtenaw Avenue, don’t buy into it. Yes, Elevation Burger sits on a busy Washtenaw Avenue, but we found the parking to be just fine. Two cool things about Elevation Burger to pass on: they have a punch card system that rewards frequent burger goers and they also have a pretty cool app for your smartphone.
Elevation Burger
Map (Ann Arbor, MI)
Locations
Visited on Wednesday, March 5, 2014
At the time of this review, we’re starting to notice something in the world of burgers. Popping up all over the place now are burger joints that aren’t quite exactly fast food, but they’re not really a sit-down restaurant either. Five Guys, Elevation Burger, and many more are trying their hand at the quick burger fix.
Enter Elevation Burger, a burger joint that wants you to know that ingredients matter. They have “elevated” the product and made it fresh and flavorful. They want it better for you and better for the environment. According to their website, “It is a vision for an elevated experience in a well-appointed and environmentally friendly setting. It is a vision for 100% USDA-certified organic, 100% grass-fed, 100% free-range, 100% ground-on-premises beef. For fresh-cut fries cooked in 100% heart-healthy olive oil. For hand-scooped shakes and malts and fresh-baked cookies.”
There is currently one Elevation Burger in the state of Michigan, and Ann Arbor is their home. When we walked in, we were greeted by Elevation Burger’s Ann Arbor owner, Mike Tayter. Along with his wife, Sarah, they plan on opening up a few more Elevation Burgers in Michigan. He seemed to be right at home, and what a hard worker. You could tell he really cares about Elevation Burger. Things inside were clean, you didn’t feel rushed, and it was just an overall good vibe. We were in there on a Wednesday at around 4pm, and there was quite a bit of business for the late afternoon hours.
One thing we are seeing more and more often is the “Big Burger Board” that sits above the ordering counter. All of the new-age burger joints have them, and they’ve taken the old school fast food board and put it on steroids. Elevation Burger has one too, and we’ve got to say, it’s probably the slickest, easiest to navigate “Big Burger Board” around. There are three giant headings set up in the following columns: Burgers, Toppings, Drinks and Sides, and Shakes and Malts. Pretty easy, huh?
We both went for a double cheeseburger, and Lucas tried his with the Elevation Sauce, which has a tangy-tomato flavor. If you’re a new-age burger joint, you’ve got to have your own sauce, right? As far as the toppings go, they’ve got plenty to keep you satisfied. The one that jumped off the board was the 6-month-aged cheddar. This is their only choice for cheese, but if they’re bringing that, then there’s no needed for anything else. Beyond the cheese, they keep things pretty unique. Organic bacon, balsamic mustard (the only choice for mustard), two kinds of onions, and more will surely meet your needs.
We both ordered their fresh fries and a shake. Kevin got the vanilla with key lime and Lucas got chocolate with chocolate syrup and malt powder. When you order a shake/malt, you are then allowed to choose two items to have within it. Looking past the fries and shakes, they keep things really healthy. Mandarin oranges, salads, and even organic milk are ready to go. In the end, our orders were in, directly to the owner, and we took a seat and waited for our metal trays to arrive.
Meat: 4/5
Their standard double burger offers the freshest meat you can find. The meat comes from 100% organic grass fed cattle. It’s also 100% free-range and 100% ground-on-premises beef. The result of all of their care is a burger that is much juicier than the rest. Their patties oozed that juice that you enjoy from a bar burger. Like most new-age burger joints, you can’t have your burger cooked to order, but we’ve come to expect that. The only real negative is that we wish their double burger was just slightly bigger. Or, maybe we just enjoyed it too much, and therefore, it was ate very fast.
Bun: 3.5/5
Get this: According to owner Mike Tayter, their burgers are served on a fresh potato roll. It is made with real sugar (just a touch) rather that high fructose corn syrup. They are all natural and do not contain Azodicarbonsmide (ADA), which is the stuff everyone was complaining about Subway having in their bread.
Cheese: 3.5/5
Our only knock is that there are no cheese choices, but as with the bun, a choice isn’t really needed if you are a fan of aged-cheddar. Their 6-month-aged cheddar really pops, and this is the feature of the burger that Kevin couldn’t stop talking about. It was delicious, and possibly the best couple of cheese slices we’ve had in quite a while.
Sides and Beverages: 3.5/5
Their fries are the healthiest you can find, and they’re pretty good. We referred to their mold as “thick shoestring” or “boot string”. If you’re not in the mood for fries, as mentioned above, they’ve got some healthy options for sides as well. On the beverage side, they have a standard new-age mix or make your own pop fountain and some healthier options in their cooler. If you are a shake/malt person, don’t leave without trying one. This is the item that Lucas kept talking about, and it does truly set the bar as shakes are concerned. After just having a shake at Jay’s Stuffed Burgers, this one separated itself immediately. Absolutely delicious.
Uniqueness: 7/10
As we stated above, this is yet another attempt to be a new-age burger joint. But, they have higher standards. In recent trips to Five Guys, there’s moments when you can see them slipping or getting comfortable. This won’t happen at Elevation Burger. On the uniqueness scale, they have their own sauce, some interesting toppings, and you heard it here first, the Vertigo Burger. Stack as many patties onto the Vertigo as you’d like.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8.25/10
We were truly upset when this juicy and cheesy burger was finished!
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 29.75/40
Random Shots:
If you’ve heard anything negative about their parking situation off of traffic-heavy Washtenaw Avenue, don’t buy into it. Yes, Elevation Burger sits on a busy Washtenaw Avenue, but we found the parking to be just fine. Two cool things about Elevation Burger to pass on: they have a punch card system that rewards frequent burger goers and they also have a pretty cool app for your smartphone.
Elevation Burger
Map (Ann Arbor, MI)
Locations
Freakin' Unbelievable Burgers - Flint, MI and Farmington Hills, MI
Reviewed by Kevin
Visited on Sunday, January 12, 2014
In Attendance: Phil
Located in Flint west of I-75 on Corunna Road, Freakin’ Unbelievable Burgers offers a casual atmosphere and a seemingly upscale burger. Early reports from my cousin weren't so good, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me. This place has been on my list for some time now. Since opening up almost two years ago, they have recently added a new location in Farmington Hills and look to keep expanding. As a guy that really likes burgers it’s important to know exactly what’s so freakin’ unbelievable. Returning home from our annual ice fishing trip, Phil and I decided to stop in for a burger and see what they have to offer.
Things looked very promising from the moment we walked into the joint. The place is new and flashy. A modern tile scheme and a reserved color palette throughout with pictures of people emphatically in love with a burger. It clearly takes on the charm that can be found in Hayden’s Grill and Bar of Canton, MI (same owner). They allow you to BYOFB (build your own freakin’ burger) or choose from one of their itemized burgers on the menu. We both ordered a Freakin’ Burger as an introduction, avoiding all of the 10+ gimmick burgers on the menu. We accompanied our meal with a side of freakin’ fries, onion straws, and self serve fountain pop (laying off their craft beer selection after a weekend of old reliable).
With our order number card placed on top of the tallest wire holder I’ve ever seen, Phil took the burger quiz on his smartphone while we waited. It’s a great ploy to get you to visit their website. Only after a short wait, they brought our order out.
The burger as a whole is extremely picturesque. The brioche bun was the right size and toasted for a nice taste. The burger is dressed up with plenty of fixings, but the perfectly circular formed patties are very thin. We were both left wanting more meat. It seems like the burger itself could be a force to be reckoned with if only it were made the star of the show. I kept thinking how cool it would be to combine the two patties together to make one and then double it. It wouldn’t bother me one bit if they raised the price by a few bucks to do this. In the end, I’m not all that freakin’ impressed. Yes, I would go back, but I won’t go out of my way for this one.
Meat: 2/5
Two thin and crispy patties of certified black angus ground beef. Other protein options are available.
Bun: 2/5
One choice. Toasted brioche bun.
Cheese: 4/5
Just the right amount of American cheese on my burger. Other cheeses include provolone, cheddar, swiss, pepper jack, bleu cheese, gouda, boursin, and cream cheese.
Sides and Beverages: 5/5
Sides include fries, onion straws, potato fries, smothered fries, fried pickles, jalapeno poppers, fried green beans, fried portobello mushroom. Many beverages from fountain pop to Michigan craft beer! Some beers are available on draft.
Uniqueness: 5/10
Interesting sauces and toppings with many gimmick burgers to choose from. Nothing beats a great burger bar, but a place like this is nice for a nice, good, quick fix.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 6/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 24/40
Random Shots: If you are driving to this place due west on Corunna Road, make sure to turn into the parking lot freakin’ early.
Freakin' Unbelievable Burgers
Locations
Visited on Sunday, January 12, 2014
In Attendance: Phil
Located in Flint west of I-75 on Corunna Road, Freakin’ Unbelievable Burgers offers a casual atmosphere and a seemingly upscale burger. Early reports from my cousin weren't so good, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me. This place has been on my list for some time now. Since opening up almost two years ago, they have recently added a new location in Farmington Hills and look to keep expanding. As a guy that really likes burgers it’s important to know exactly what’s so freakin’ unbelievable. Returning home from our annual ice fishing trip, Phil and I decided to stop in for a burger and see what they have to offer.
Things looked very promising from the moment we walked into the joint. The place is new and flashy. A modern tile scheme and a reserved color palette throughout with pictures of people emphatically in love with a burger. It clearly takes on the charm that can be found in Hayden’s Grill and Bar of Canton, MI (same owner). They allow you to BYOFB (build your own freakin’ burger) or choose from one of their itemized burgers on the menu. We both ordered a Freakin’ Burger as an introduction, avoiding all of the 10+ gimmick burgers on the menu. We accompanied our meal with a side of freakin’ fries, onion straws, and self serve fountain pop (laying off their craft beer selection after a weekend of old reliable).
With our order number card placed on top of the tallest wire holder I’ve ever seen, Phil took the burger quiz on his smartphone while we waited. It’s a great ploy to get you to visit their website. Only after a short wait, they brought our order out.
The burger as a whole is extremely picturesque. The brioche bun was the right size and toasted for a nice taste. The burger is dressed up with plenty of fixings, but the perfectly circular formed patties are very thin. We were both left wanting more meat. It seems like the burger itself could be a force to be reckoned with if only it were made the star of the show. I kept thinking how cool it would be to combine the two patties together to make one and then double it. It wouldn’t bother me one bit if they raised the price by a few bucks to do this. In the end, I’m not all that freakin’ impressed. Yes, I would go back, but I won’t go out of my way for this one.
Meat: 2/5
Two thin and crispy patties of certified black angus ground beef. Other protein options are available.
Bun: 2/5
One choice. Toasted brioche bun.
Cheese: 4/5
Just the right amount of American cheese on my burger. Other cheeses include provolone, cheddar, swiss, pepper jack, bleu cheese, gouda, boursin, and cream cheese.
Sides and Beverages: 5/5
Sides include fries, onion straws, potato fries, smothered fries, fried pickles, jalapeno poppers, fried green beans, fried portobello mushroom. Many beverages from fountain pop to Michigan craft beer! Some beers are available on draft.
Uniqueness: 5/10
Interesting sauces and toppings with many gimmick burgers to choose from. Nothing beats a great burger bar, but a place like this is nice for a nice, good, quick fix.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 6/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 24/40
Random Shots: If you are driving to this place due west on Corunna Road, make sure to turn into the parking lot freakin’ early.
Freakin' Unbelievable Burgers
Locations
BurgerFi - Ann Arbor, MI and Various Locations in the US
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on Friday, October 11, 2013
In Attendance: Gerbe and Matt
Update: Kevin loves their onion rings and the view! He recommends sitting by the window.
BurgerFi, making its first appearance in Michigan, has opened one of their chain burger joints in downtown Ann Arbor. It’s open on South University right in the heart of where UofM students hop around for food and drinks. After one visit, the Burger Boys are very happy they’ve opened.
This is a burger chain that’s all about being environmentally friendly. Their burgers are made from USA-sourced Angus beef made from grass fed cattle and served with a variety of topping options. According to BurgerFi, the natural Angus is free of antibiotics, hormones and additives providing a healthier and more flavorful beef for consumers. Beyond the meat, their chairs are made from recycled Coke bottles, tables are made out of compressed recycled wood and large fans use 66 percent less electricity. One of the core values of BurgerFi is protecting the environment. You’ve got to respect that.
When one walks into a BurgerFi, you’re heading right for a big ordering counter. Or, feel free to bypass it and head over to the bar area on the far side for a few drinks first. The whole scene is super casual. Before, during, and after ordering and hanging out on the bar side, we caught ourselves in many conversations with employees and other customers. They want it to be a casual place, and it does come off that way.
At the ordering counter, there’s plenty for you to choose from. They have a few burger options, and even a “build your best burger” option where the customer gets to create the burger from the amount of patties right through their large variety of toppings. One burger that has many talking is the B.A.D. Burger, which stands for Breakfast All Day Burger. It consists of Natural Angus burger, American cheese, hickory bacon drizzled hash browns, grilled diced onions, and ketchup. I went for their standard Double Angus Burger, and after you order the basic burger, what makes this place pretty unique, as mentioned above, is the large variety of toppings to then choose from. One could throw on potato chips, a fried egg, BurgerFi Chili, cheeses, produce, A-1 Sauce, BurgerFi Sauce, and so much more. With my burger, I went for the BurgerFi Sauce, American Cheese, and an onion ring.
While we waited we did head over to the bar side. Once there, we checked out some of their craft beer on tap. They had games on their HD TVs and it was an overall good vibe. Our buzzers sounded, and we knew it was time to head back to the counter and pick up our burgers.
Meat: 4/5
Locally sourced (which could actually mean anywhere in the USA), Angus, and cooked to perfection. They take their rounded balls of beef and splat them into patties, similar to a Five Guys.
Bun: 4/5
A good white bread bun that has the BurgerFi logo stamped into it. Pretty cool. The bun to meat ratio was where it should be.
Cheese: 4/5
Lots of good options make this category a success. American, Blue, Swiss, and White Cheddar are all waiting for you. Knowing BurgerFi, I bet they’d even let you mix and match.
Sides and Beverages: 4.5/5
Their fries are hand-cut each morning and their onion rings are hand-battered each morning. Both are fresh and really good. They have a nice variety of different fry styles, and they a look amazing. I had the regular hand-cut, and they were delicious. But, the parmesan cheese and herbs flavor was a little topping heavy. As far as the beverages go, they're serving up craft beer on tap, wine, liquor, frozen custards and concretes, and don’t miss the Coca-Cola Freestyle Machine. If you’ve never seen one of these, it’s worthing checking out. Many aren’t afraid to mix and match a little while using that thing.
Uniqueness: 8.5/10
It’s your national burger chain, but there’s nothing typical about this place. They’ve finished what Five Guys started, and took it to the next level. Actually, they took it about 100 levels above. You’ll see that this is one unique burger joint. And, we’d hate to break the lock, but click here for their secret menu.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 33/40
Random Shots:
We heard, from multiple sources, that their veggie burger is to die for. Even meat-eaters were telling us that. We won’t be ordering that burger, but FYI to all of you out there. If you’re looking for beef, but are health-conscious, try going “Green Style”. They’ll replace their bun or hot dog with crisp lettuce. We’ve also heard from multiple sources that the B.A.D. Burger is out of this world delicious. Finally, here’s a big tip: Next door to BurgerFi is a place called World of Beers. You are allowed to bring in your own food. The BurgerFi/World of Beers combo sounds like a hit to me.
Second Visit:
Just two weeks later, I was back at BurgerFi. I had another great burger experience, but I left a little disappointed due to the custard station being closed. They said it was due to “not having someone there to handle it.” I was really looking forward to trying one on the way out. Also, the employees seemed a little scattered on this visit. It’s no secret that BurgerFi operates in a college-based area, and the majority of their employees and clientele are going to be college students. Don’t get sloppy, BurgerFi. You’ve got something great on your hands.
BurgerFi
Locations
Visited on Friday, October 11, 2013
In Attendance: Gerbe and Matt
Update: Kevin loves their onion rings and the view! He recommends sitting by the window.
BurgerFi, making its first appearance in Michigan, has opened one of their chain burger joints in downtown Ann Arbor. It’s open on South University right in the heart of where UofM students hop around for food and drinks. After one visit, the Burger Boys are very happy they’ve opened.
This is a burger chain that’s all about being environmentally friendly. Their burgers are made from USA-sourced Angus beef made from grass fed cattle and served with a variety of topping options. According to BurgerFi, the natural Angus is free of antibiotics, hormones and additives providing a healthier and more flavorful beef for consumers. Beyond the meat, their chairs are made from recycled Coke bottles, tables are made out of compressed recycled wood and large fans use 66 percent less electricity. One of the core values of BurgerFi is protecting the environment. You’ve got to respect that.
When one walks into a BurgerFi, you’re heading right for a big ordering counter. Or, feel free to bypass it and head over to the bar area on the far side for a few drinks first. The whole scene is super casual. Before, during, and after ordering and hanging out on the bar side, we caught ourselves in many conversations with employees and other customers. They want it to be a casual place, and it does come off that way.
At the ordering counter, there’s plenty for you to choose from. They have a few burger options, and even a “build your best burger” option where the customer gets to create the burger from the amount of patties right through their large variety of toppings. One burger that has many talking is the B.A.D. Burger, which stands for Breakfast All Day Burger. It consists of Natural Angus burger, American cheese, hickory bacon drizzled hash browns, grilled diced onions, and ketchup. I went for their standard Double Angus Burger, and after you order the basic burger, what makes this place pretty unique, as mentioned above, is the large variety of toppings to then choose from. One could throw on potato chips, a fried egg, BurgerFi Chili, cheeses, produce, A-1 Sauce, BurgerFi Sauce, and so much more. With my burger, I went for the BurgerFi Sauce, American Cheese, and an onion ring.
While we waited we did head over to the bar side. Once there, we checked out some of their craft beer on tap. They had games on their HD TVs and it was an overall good vibe. Our buzzers sounded, and we knew it was time to head back to the counter and pick up our burgers.
Meat: 4/5
Locally sourced (which could actually mean anywhere in the USA), Angus, and cooked to perfection. They take their rounded balls of beef and splat them into patties, similar to a Five Guys.
Bun: 4/5
A good white bread bun that has the BurgerFi logo stamped into it. Pretty cool. The bun to meat ratio was where it should be.
Cheese: 4/5
Lots of good options make this category a success. American, Blue, Swiss, and White Cheddar are all waiting for you. Knowing BurgerFi, I bet they’d even let you mix and match.
Sides and Beverages: 4.5/5
Their fries are hand-cut each morning and their onion rings are hand-battered each morning. Both are fresh and really good. They have a nice variety of different fry styles, and they a look amazing. I had the regular hand-cut, and they were delicious. But, the parmesan cheese and herbs flavor was a little topping heavy. As far as the beverages go, they're serving up craft beer on tap, wine, liquor, frozen custards and concretes, and don’t miss the Coca-Cola Freestyle Machine. If you’ve never seen one of these, it’s worthing checking out. Many aren’t afraid to mix and match a little while using that thing.
Uniqueness: 8.5/10
It’s your national burger chain, but there’s nothing typical about this place. They’ve finished what Five Guys started, and took it to the next level. Actually, they took it about 100 levels above. You’ll see that this is one unique burger joint. And, we’d hate to break the lock, but click here for their secret menu.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 33/40
Random Shots:
We heard, from multiple sources, that their veggie burger is to die for. Even meat-eaters were telling us that. We won’t be ordering that burger, but FYI to all of you out there. If you’re looking for beef, but are health-conscious, try going “Green Style”. They’ll replace their bun or hot dog with crisp lettuce. We’ve also heard from multiple sources that the B.A.D. Burger is out of this world delicious. Finally, here’s a big tip: Next door to BurgerFi is a place called World of Beers. You are allowed to bring in your own food. The BurgerFi/World of Beers combo sounds like a hit to me.
Second Visit:
Just two weeks later, I was back at BurgerFi. I had another great burger experience, but I left a little disappointed due to the custard station being closed. They said it was due to “not having someone there to handle it.” I was really looking forward to trying one on the way out. Also, the employees seemed a little scattered on this visit. It’s no secret that BurgerFi operates in a college-based area, and the majority of their employees and clientele are going to be college students. Don’t get sloppy, BurgerFi. You’ve got something great on your hands.
BurgerFi
Locations
Steak 'n Shake - Various Locations, MI/US
Reviewed by Lucas and Kevin
Visited on Wednesday, May 8, 2013
It had been roughly 10 years since either Lucas or Kevin had been to a Steak ‘n Shake. We walked in knowing it was an old-school diner-style environment, but from the second we looked at the menu, we were instantly fired up at the possibilities. King-sized shakes and a large burger variety can set anyone up to have a pretty good experience.
Steak ‘n Shake actually has a pretty interesting history. The original Steak ‘n Shake was founded by Gus Belt in Normal, Illinois. He was the owner of a combination gas station and chicken restaurant, which he converted over to a hamburger stand. That hamburger stand in Normal, Illinois, after a fire and rebuild, became the very first Steak ‘n Shake.
When you think of Steak ‘n Shake, you probably think of how they are open 24 hours a day. Hopefully you also think about their famous steakburgers. These burgers are a blend of T-bone, sirloin, and round steak. They are one of the rare locations that serve up these kind of burgers. We were pleasantly surprised by the large variety of burger options. There were tons of burgers we wanted to try, including the Double or Triple Cheeseburger, Bleu Ribbon, Western BBQ and Bacon, the Wisconsin Buttery, a variety shooter pack, and there’s even more. As for our visit, Lucas landed the Triple Cheeseburger and Kevin had the Wisconsin Buttery. You are able to add all the toppings you want, including both red and white onion.
Now, let’s not forget about these hand-dipped shakes that they are pretty well known for too. Steak ‘n Shake is still serving their hand-dipped masterpieces the same way they did back in 1934. The shakes are monsters, and for once, you can order a shake and enjoy it before, during, and maybe even a little after your meal. And, just like the burgers, there are major decisions to be made here as well. They have a ton of amazing shakes to choose from. Lucas had the Chocolate Fudge Brownie and Kevin had the Butterfinger. Both were amazing and they are still talked about to this day. Chunks of brownie or Butterfinger strolled through the straw all the way through these giants.
After having a few tastes of those shakes, our burgers arrived. We were pleasantly surprised with the initial taste. We both discussed that when we walked in, we had no expectations at all, and we don’t mean that in a bad way. We just didn’t know what to expect. Lucas’s Triple Cheeseburger was tasty and full of cheese. Kevin’s Wisconsin Buttery held up too. Contrary to a normal review, it took a long time and much discussion to pencil in our scores for this one.
Meat: 2.5/5
Their combination of T-bone, sirloin, and round steak offers up something pretty unique, but we highly doubt the quality is there. Their patties are tasty, thin, greasy, flavorized, and crispy ended. Steak ‘n Shake tries to really “sell” these crispy ends (but is it mostly charred grease?). We confirmed that their meat is frozen to be cooked when needed.
Bun: 4/5
Good size, soft, and fresh tasting. They offer different styles that tailor to the various burgers on the menu.
Cheese: 4/5
They really did load on the cheese for both of our burgers. Once again, as with the buns, they offer a variety of cheeses to tailor to the specific kind of burger ordered.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
Only shoestring fries (seasoning options are available) are on their menu, and maybe it’s just us, but we aren’t a fan of these. As mentioned above, their hand-dipped shakes are killer. Everything from Tropical Banana to popular candy flavors are ready for you to try. These shakes save Steak ‘n Shake in this category.
Uniqueness: 7.5/10
This place has a 60’s diner feel that’s likable.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 6.5/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 28.5/40
Random Shots:
Out of all the burger joints in Michigan, for some reason, we’ve had more people tell us to try Steak ‘n Shake than anywhere else. We were really surprised by their pretty cheap prices. You are able to get a big burger, fries, and monster-sized shake for roughly $8. Overall, we believe that Steak ‘n Shake lives by the motto of focusing on a few things and doing them really well. We’re not sure about the overall quality (a step above fast food?), but we have to admit, it was tasty. Finally, with Steak and Shake being open 24 hours, is it safe to assume that they have the country's best burgers between the times of 2:00am and 11:00am?
Steak 'n Shake
Visited on Wednesday, May 8, 2013
It had been roughly 10 years since either Lucas or Kevin had been to a Steak ‘n Shake. We walked in knowing it was an old-school diner-style environment, but from the second we looked at the menu, we were instantly fired up at the possibilities. King-sized shakes and a large burger variety can set anyone up to have a pretty good experience.
Steak ‘n Shake actually has a pretty interesting history. The original Steak ‘n Shake was founded by Gus Belt in Normal, Illinois. He was the owner of a combination gas station and chicken restaurant, which he converted over to a hamburger stand. That hamburger stand in Normal, Illinois, after a fire and rebuild, became the very first Steak ‘n Shake.
When you think of Steak ‘n Shake, you probably think of how they are open 24 hours a day. Hopefully you also think about their famous steakburgers. These burgers are a blend of T-bone, sirloin, and round steak. They are one of the rare locations that serve up these kind of burgers. We were pleasantly surprised by the large variety of burger options. There were tons of burgers we wanted to try, including the Double or Triple Cheeseburger, Bleu Ribbon, Western BBQ and Bacon, the Wisconsin Buttery, a variety shooter pack, and there’s even more. As for our visit, Lucas landed the Triple Cheeseburger and Kevin had the Wisconsin Buttery. You are able to add all the toppings you want, including both red and white onion.
Now, let’s not forget about these hand-dipped shakes that they are pretty well known for too. Steak ‘n Shake is still serving their hand-dipped masterpieces the same way they did back in 1934. The shakes are monsters, and for once, you can order a shake and enjoy it before, during, and maybe even a little after your meal. And, just like the burgers, there are major decisions to be made here as well. They have a ton of amazing shakes to choose from. Lucas had the Chocolate Fudge Brownie and Kevin had the Butterfinger. Both were amazing and they are still talked about to this day. Chunks of brownie or Butterfinger strolled through the straw all the way through these giants.
After having a few tastes of those shakes, our burgers arrived. We were pleasantly surprised with the initial taste. We both discussed that when we walked in, we had no expectations at all, and we don’t mean that in a bad way. We just didn’t know what to expect. Lucas’s Triple Cheeseburger was tasty and full of cheese. Kevin’s Wisconsin Buttery held up too. Contrary to a normal review, it took a long time and much discussion to pencil in our scores for this one.
Meat: 2.5/5
Their combination of T-bone, sirloin, and round steak offers up something pretty unique, but we highly doubt the quality is there. Their patties are tasty, thin, greasy, flavorized, and crispy ended. Steak ‘n Shake tries to really “sell” these crispy ends (but is it mostly charred grease?). We confirmed that their meat is frozen to be cooked when needed.
Bun: 4/5
Good size, soft, and fresh tasting. They offer different styles that tailor to the various burgers on the menu.
Cheese: 4/5
They really did load on the cheese for both of our burgers. Once again, as with the buns, they offer a variety of cheeses to tailor to the specific kind of burger ordered.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
Only shoestring fries (seasoning options are available) are on their menu, and maybe it’s just us, but we aren’t a fan of these. As mentioned above, their hand-dipped shakes are killer. Everything from Tropical Banana to popular candy flavors are ready for you to try. These shakes save Steak ‘n Shake in this category.
Uniqueness: 7.5/10
This place has a 60’s diner feel that’s likable.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 6.5/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 28.5/40
Random Shots:
Out of all the burger joints in Michigan, for some reason, we’ve had more people tell us to try Steak ‘n Shake than anywhere else. We were really surprised by their pretty cheap prices. You are able to get a big burger, fries, and monster-sized shake for roughly $8. Overall, we believe that Steak ‘n Shake lives by the motto of focusing on a few things and doing them really well. We’re not sure about the overall quality (a step above fast food?), but we have to admit, it was tasty. Finally, with Steak and Shake being open 24 hours, is it safe to assume that they have the country's best burgers between the times of 2:00am and 11:00am?
Steak 'n Shake
Halo Burger - Various Locations (Flint Area), MI
Reviewed by Kevin
Visited on Sunday, February 17, 2013
Halo Burger is a fresh chain burger that is fast and will not disappoint the public searching for something tasty. A staple of the Flint area, Halo Burger has been around for over 80 years! Now there are 11 Halo Burger locations ranging from Birch Run to Fenton.
I had the pleasure of visiting the Halo Burger in Birch Run on the way home from my annual ice fishing weekend with my good friends Phil and (The) Chad. This was the perfect stop for us “to soak” up the end of a long weekend.
I haven’t been to a Halo Burger in years. With constantly traveling up and down I-75 to see family and friends in the U.P., I’m surprised that I haven’t made more of an effort to eat a burger here. We walked into Halo with the expectation that it would fill our burger fix. Nothing special as far as scenery, but we later determined that it doesn’t need anything. Eat our burger is what’s being said here, so that’s what we did.
We all ordered different burger combo’s. I went with the beefy double. All their hamburgers include 100% fresh ground beef with ketchup, mustard, pickles, onions, mayo, lettuce, and tomato. Love at first sight! As soon as I unwrapped the burger I felt good about my visit. The bun is the right size and it’s fresh and soft. The meat was juicy and delicious, or “heavenly” as they put it. It can be rare to see fresh garden varieties during the winter, but Halo stood tall. I thought about ordering another one, but I decided to let myself down from the weekend easily. Next time I visit I’m going to bring Lucas with me to the Saginaw St. location to test out their olive burger. This place deserves a closer look.
Meat: 3.5/5
Tasty and thick for this style of burger.
Bun: 4.5/5
Perfect size! Fresh and soft. What I dream a bun will be.
Cheese: 2.5/5
Limited selection with oozing qualities.
Sides and Beverages: 3.5/5
Fries, o-rings, chili cheese fries, cheese sticks. Fountain pop.
Uniqueness: 7/10
Fast food feel without the unnecessary flair. This is worth the visit. It’s stripped down because they know their burger is good and so many people agree.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8/10
Tasty burger. Phil labels this burger as a “working man’s burger” that’s a good fit for Michigan and the surrounding Flint area.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 29/40
Random Shots: The fountain pop machine is armed with Mello Yellow and Vernors!
Halo Burger
Visited on Sunday, February 17, 2013
Halo Burger is a fresh chain burger that is fast and will not disappoint the public searching for something tasty. A staple of the Flint area, Halo Burger has been around for over 80 years! Now there are 11 Halo Burger locations ranging from Birch Run to Fenton.
I had the pleasure of visiting the Halo Burger in Birch Run on the way home from my annual ice fishing weekend with my good friends Phil and (The) Chad. This was the perfect stop for us “to soak” up the end of a long weekend.
I haven’t been to a Halo Burger in years. With constantly traveling up and down I-75 to see family and friends in the U.P., I’m surprised that I haven’t made more of an effort to eat a burger here. We walked into Halo with the expectation that it would fill our burger fix. Nothing special as far as scenery, but we later determined that it doesn’t need anything. Eat our burger is what’s being said here, so that’s what we did.
We all ordered different burger combo’s. I went with the beefy double. All their hamburgers include 100% fresh ground beef with ketchup, mustard, pickles, onions, mayo, lettuce, and tomato. Love at first sight! As soon as I unwrapped the burger I felt good about my visit. The bun is the right size and it’s fresh and soft. The meat was juicy and delicious, or “heavenly” as they put it. It can be rare to see fresh garden varieties during the winter, but Halo stood tall. I thought about ordering another one, but I decided to let myself down from the weekend easily. Next time I visit I’m going to bring Lucas with me to the Saginaw St. location to test out their olive burger. This place deserves a closer look.
Meat: 3.5/5
Tasty and thick for this style of burger.
Bun: 4.5/5
Perfect size! Fresh and soft. What I dream a bun will be.
Cheese: 2.5/5
Limited selection with oozing qualities.
Sides and Beverages: 3.5/5
Fries, o-rings, chili cheese fries, cheese sticks. Fountain pop.
Uniqueness: 7/10
Fast food feel without the unnecessary flair. This is worth the visit. It’s stripped down because they know their burger is good and so many people agree.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8/10
Tasty burger. Phil labels this burger as a “working man’s burger” that’s a good fit for Michigan and the surrounding Flint area.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 29/40
Random Shots: The fountain pop machine is armed with Mello Yellow and Vernors!
Halo Burger
The Outback Steakhouse - Various Locations, MI/US
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
In Attendance: Mark and Jackson Burger Boy
The Outback Steakhouse has been a Foster family favorite for quite some time. My brother, Dad, and Step-Mom always converge at an Outback when looking for a good steak and a great meal at a pretty decent price. But, a burger? We'd never think of ordering one, until my brother saw the Bloomin' Burger on the menu one night. He said we had to do it, and I agreed.
The Bloomin' Burger, first created in 2008, is based off the Bloomin' Onion, a large onion cut to look like a flower. After it's cut, it's breaded and deep-fried. Dip the pieces into some of Outback's special Bloomin' Sauce, and you're all set for a great appitizer and about 1,000 calories. When you order a Bloomin' Burger, save the ketchup and mustard and replace it with that yummy Bloomin' Sauce. In fact, they actually give you a side of sauce in case you feel the need to put a little more on. I sure did. Actual pieces from the Bloomin' Onion are placed just below the top bun.
You all know what an Outback is and looks like, so let's head right for the review.
Meat: 3.5/5
You'd figure it's quality meat that's never frozen. It was very juicy throughout.
Bun: 4/5
The bun was nicely toasted with a waterfall sesame seed approach. Some sesame seeds trickled onto the bottom bun. The size was perfect and it didn't take anything away from the meat and toppings.
Cheese: 3.5/5
"Two pieces of cheese in this economy?" -Jeff Foster
Sides and Beverages: 4.25/5
Let's face it, the Outback does their sides pretty dang well. Tons to choose from and they are all really, really good. A full bar and beverage menu leaves you with plenty of drink options.
Uniqueness: 1/40
The Australiam theme barely gets them on the board.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8/10
Close your eyes while eating this and you won't believe you are in the middle of corporate flair. The burger was juicy, tastey, and even crunchy. The Bloomin' Onion pieces made for a 'crunch' on each bite. We were oohing and ahhing after each bite, and that's not an overstatement. Get this burger.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 24.25/40
Random Shot: My Dad got the Aged Cheddar Burger and claimed it was very good too.
The Outback Steakhouse
Visited on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
In Attendance: Mark and Jackson Burger Boy
The Outback Steakhouse has been a Foster family favorite for quite some time. My brother, Dad, and Step-Mom always converge at an Outback when looking for a good steak and a great meal at a pretty decent price. But, a burger? We'd never think of ordering one, until my brother saw the Bloomin' Burger on the menu one night. He said we had to do it, and I agreed.
The Bloomin' Burger, first created in 2008, is based off the Bloomin' Onion, a large onion cut to look like a flower. After it's cut, it's breaded and deep-fried. Dip the pieces into some of Outback's special Bloomin' Sauce, and you're all set for a great appitizer and about 1,000 calories. When you order a Bloomin' Burger, save the ketchup and mustard and replace it with that yummy Bloomin' Sauce. In fact, they actually give you a side of sauce in case you feel the need to put a little more on. I sure did. Actual pieces from the Bloomin' Onion are placed just below the top bun.
You all know what an Outback is and looks like, so let's head right for the review.
Meat: 3.5/5
You'd figure it's quality meat that's never frozen. It was very juicy throughout.
Bun: 4/5
The bun was nicely toasted with a waterfall sesame seed approach. Some sesame seeds trickled onto the bottom bun. The size was perfect and it didn't take anything away from the meat and toppings.
Cheese: 3.5/5
"Two pieces of cheese in this economy?" -Jeff Foster
Sides and Beverages: 4.25/5
Let's face it, the Outback does their sides pretty dang well. Tons to choose from and they are all really, really good. A full bar and beverage menu leaves you with plenty of drink options.
Uniqueness: 1/40
The Australiam theme barely gets them on the board.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8/10
Close your eyes while eating this and you won't believe you are in the middle of corporate flair. The burger was juicy, tastey, and even crunchy. The Bloomin' Onion pieces made for a 'crunch' on each bite. We were oohing and ahhing after each bite, and that's not an overstatement. Get this burger.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 24.25/40
Random Shot: My Dad got the Aged Cheddar Burger and claimed it was very good too.
The Outback Steakhouse
Five Guys Burgers and Fries - Various Locations, MI/US
Reviewed by Kevin and Lucas
Visited on Many Random Occassions
Five Guys Burgers and Fries is quite possibly the most popular upper echelon burger chain in existence. Heck, follow them on Twitter and you'll see a new restaurant popping up every day or so. The first Five Guys was set up in Washington D.C. in 1986, and it quickly grew into a local phenomenom. In 2003, they offered up franchising rights, and before they knew it, 300 units had been sold. From there, they've got about 1,000 units serving burgers and another 1,500 in development. Even President Obama goes there. See for yourself in our blog.
When looking for an upper echelon chain burger in Michigan, one would hit a Five Guys or Bagger Dave's. It made sense for us to do our initial reviews close to one another to really do a nice comparison of their burgers and establishments.
When you walk into a Five Guys, it's time to immediately get lost in their red and white color scheme as you head straight for the ordering counter. Five Guys keeps things pretty simple for you, as you've only got four burger options to choose from. You can order a hamburger, cheeseburger, hamburger with bacon, or a cheeseburger with bacon. As for the meat, they proudly claim, right at the counter, that their beef is 100% fresh and never frozen. In fact, Five Guys claims that nothing served from their restaurant is ever frozen - they only have coolers at Five Guys. As you order, you can see them crafting their burgers on the grill, mashing the beef with large spatulas. After you've made your burger selection, you've got a large list of toppings to choose from. You can order as many as you want; they are all free, or part of your burger price. There are quite a few interesting sauces to choose from too - A1, BBQ, hot sauce, etc.
If you are looking for fries, Five Guys does something a little different. They cook their fries in 100% peanut oil. This is something that other restaurants and chains can't claim. When ordering fries, there's only two different kinds to choose from - Five Guys Style and Cajun. When browsing the rest of the menu, one can easily see that Five Guys is definitely a kid-friendly location. They have premium hot dogs and grilled cheese sandwiches on their menu too.
After grabbing your drink from the fountain (the Greektown Five Guys in Detroit serves beer), it's time to take a seat. At this point, there are two things to do: eat shelled peanuts provided by Five Guys and read all of their boastful reviews painted on the walls. But, before you can crack open too many peanuts, your greasy brown bag is ready. When the phrase "greasy brown bag" is used, it's not an understatement. When one takes a peek, the overflowing amount of fries is truly a nice surprise. The paper cup (fair style) that the fries are served in is not even seen, nor is the burger. All that's visible are the fries, a large supply of them.
When one digs deep into that bag, and uncovers the burger through the heaping amount of fries, the toppings are visibly taking control of the burger. When the first bite is taken, the next natural step is to grab about three napkins because it's going to be a messy road ahead. The bun isn't taking up too much space, but everything else is. The cheese, although simple Velveeta, is loaded. In fact, all of the toppings smother the burger. All of this makes for a nice effect, but it took away from getting a true sense of what the juiciness and taste of the meat. All in all, the burger is handful, and it's dang good.
Meat: 4/5
This is quality meat. It's never frozen, no fillers, no preservatives, and even trans fat free. You can see the meat slammed by the spatulas. No pre-formed patties of meat here. However, at times, the meat can seem tough to find through the mound of toppings.
Bun: 3/5
Nothing out of the ordinary and only one option. Their sesame seed bun was just the right size.
Cheese: 3.5/5
No options, but as you can see from the picture, it wasn't lacking.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
Their peanut oil cooked fries are really good, and wow do they give you a TON of them. According to the bags of potatoes lying around next to the peanuts, the potatoes they use for their fries are specially selected for french fries. Nice touch. As mentioned above, we found that the Greektown Five Guys serves beer. That'll add a point or two.
Uniqueness: 7/10
The whole Five Guys experience is pretty unique. Everything from the peanuts to the very visible red and white color scheme makes Five Guys different than the rest.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7.25/10
This was a really good burger. We wish we could have tasted a little more of the meat, but when you have an overflowing amount of toppings, you can't really complain too much. The cheese was oozing within each bite. At least 20 napkins were used.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 28.75/40
Five Guys Burgers and Fries
Locations
Visited on Many Random Occassions
Five Guys Burgers and Fries is quite possibly the most popular upper echelon burger chain in existence. Heck, follow them on Twitter and you'll see a new restaurant popping up every day or so. The first Five Guys was set up in Washington D.C. in 1986, and it quickly grew into a local phenomenom. In 2003, they offered up franchising rights, and before they knew it, 300 units had been sold. From there, they've got about 1,000 units serving burgers and another 1,500 in development. Even President Obama goes there. See for yourself in our blog.
When looking for an upper echelon chain burger in Michigan, one would hit a Five Guys or Bagger Dave's. It made sense for us to do our initial reviews close to one another to really do a nice comparison of their burgers and establishments.
When you walk into a Five Guys, it's time to immediately get lost in their red and white color scheme as you head straight for the ordering counter. Five Guys keeps things pretty simple for you, as you've only got four burger options to choose from. You can order a hamburger, cheeseburger, hamburger with bacon, or a cheeseburger with bacon. As for the meat, they proudly claim, right at the counter, that their beef is 100% fresh and never frozen. In fact, Five Guys claims that nothing served from their restaurant is ever frozen - they only have coolers at Five Guys. As you order, you can see them crafting their burgers on the grill, mashing the beef with large spatulas. After you've made your burger selection, you've got a large list of toppings to choose from. You can order as many as you want; they are all free, or part of your burger price. There are quite a few interesting sauces to choose from too - A1, BBQ, hot sauce, etc.
If you are looking for fries, Five Guys does something a little different. They cook their fries in 100% peanut oil. This is something that other restaurants and chains can't claim. When ordering fries, there's only two different kinds to choose from - Five Guys Style and Cajun. When browsing the rest of the menu, one can easily see that Five Guys is definitely a kid-friendly location. They have premium hot dogs and grilled cheese sandwiches on their menu too.
After grabbing your drink from the fountain (the Greektown Five Guys in Detroit serves beer), it's time to take a seat. At this point, there are two things to do: eat shelled peanuts provided by Five Guys and read all of their boastful reviews painted on the walls. But, before you can crack open too many peanuts, your greasy brown bag is ready. When the phrase "greasy brown bag" is used, it's not an understatement. When one takes a peek, the overflowing amount of fries is truly a nice surprise. The paper cup (fair style) that the fries are served in is not even seen, nor is the burger. All that's visible are the fries, a large supply of them.
When one digs deep into that bag, and uncovers the burger through the heaping amount of fries, the toppings are visibly taking control of the burger. When the first bite is taken, the next natural step is to grab about three napkins because it's going to be a messy road ahead. The bun isn't taking up too much space, but everything else is. The cheese, although simple Velveeta, is loaded. In fact, all of the toppings smother the burger. All of this makes for a nice effect, but it took away from getting a true sense of what the juiciness and taste of the meat. All in all, the burger is handful, and it's dang good.
Meat: 4/5
This is quality meat. It's never frozen, no fillers, no preservatives, and even trans fat free. You can see the meat slammed by the spatulas. No pre-formed patties of meat here. However, at times, the meat can seem tough to find through the mound of toppings.
Bun: 3/5
Nothing out of the ordinary and only one option. Their sesame seed bun was just the right size.
Cheese: 3.5/5
No options, but as you can see from the picture, it wasn't lacking.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
Their peanut oil cooked fries are really good, and wow do they give you a TON of them. According to the bags of potatoes lying around next to the peanuts, the potatoes they use for their fries are specially selected for french fries. Nice touch. As mentioned above, we found that the Greektown Five Guys serves beer. That'll add a point or two.
Uniqueness: 7/10
The whole Five Guys experience is pretty unique. Everything from the peanuts to the very visible red and white color scheme makes Five Guys different than the rest.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7.25/10
This was a really good burger. We wish we could have tasted a little more of the meat, but when you have an overflowing amount of toppings, you can't really complain too much. The cheese was oozing within each bite. At least 20 napkins were used.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 28.75/40
Five Guys Burgers and Fries
Locations
Bailey's Sports Grille - Various Locations, MI/US
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on the night of Sunday, January 29th, 2012
In Attendance: Gerbe
Bailey’s Sports Grille, located in Canton, is owned by the larger Fox and Hound chain of sports bars. Bailey’s promotes themselves as the “best sports bar in town”, the “best bar food in town”, and even the “best party in town”. There are three Bailey’s in Michigan and quite a few Fox and Hounds scattered all over the mid-west.
Inside this Canton location, three large rooms meet the customer, each filled with their own blend of pool tables, shuffleboard, darts, TVs, and other sports/entertainment activities. The bar stretches across the front room, and enter either of the other two and you’ll surely find something fun to do. Bailey’s is a nice spot to watch a game, but an even better spot to watch Boxing, UFC, or WWE pay-per-views (for a $5 cover).
Bailey’s has a decent selection of burgers, but nothing over the top. To keep my reviews all on an even plane, I decided to order their traditional Bailey’s Burger with cheddar cheese. When received, it had the makings of a nice burger. It boasted hand-crafted meat and plenty of toppings set aside to throw on. While organizing/dressing the burger, I realized that shredded lettuce is not a restaurant's brightest idea; it just didn't work. As for my first actual bite, it was mostly bread. The bun was just too thick, and it took away from the overall taste of the burger. While eating, shredded lettuce kept falling out the sides. I knew this wasn’t going to be the worst burger I’ve ever had, but definitely not the best either.
Meat: 3/5
Hand-crafted but not a ton of flavor.
Bun: 2/5
Sesame seed, but just too bready. The top bun was very thick. This bun took away from the taste of the burger. They tried to toast the bun, but it looked and tasted to be toasted for too short of time.
Cheese: 2.5/5
Average, and maybe a little more needed.
Sides and Beverages: 3/5
It’s a bar, so they’ve got your typical selection of both. From my recent experiences, I feel like I was given a very small amount of fries. They tasted pretty good though.
Uniqueness: 5.5/10
This is a pretty neat sports bar with lots of fun things to do if you are looking to watch a game/event, play some pool or shuffleboard, etc. They do go above and beyond your typical sports bar.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 6.5/10
Just a good burger experience, but not very good or great. I believe they can take their burger to the next level with some simple fine tuning.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 22.5/40
Random Shots: Order the Bavarian pretzels for an appetizer. Their bathrooms had mouth wash for the customer, which I thought was a nice touch.
Bailey's Sports Grille
Map
Visited on the night of Sunday, January 29th, 2012
In Attendance: Gerbe
Bailey’s Sports Grille, located in Canton, is owned by the larger Fox and Hound chain of sports bars. Bailey’s promotes themselves as the “best sports bar in town”, the “best bar food in town”, and even the “best party in town”. There are three Bailey’s in Michigan and quite a few Fox and Hounds scattered all over the mid-west.
Inside this Canton location, three large rooms meet the customer, each filled with their own blend of pool tables, shuffleboard, darts, TVs, and other sports/entertainment activities. The bar stretches across the front room, and enter either of the other two and you’ll surely find something fun to do. Bailey’s is a nice spot to watch a game, but an even better spot to watch Boxing, UFC, or WWE pay-per-views (for a $5 cover).
Bailey’s has a decent selection of burgers, but nothing over the top. To keep my reviews all on an even plane, I decided to order their traditional Bailey’s Burger with cheddar cheese. When received, it had the makings of a nice burger. It boasted hand-crafted meat and plenty of toppings set aside to throw on. While organizing/dressing the burger, I realized that shredded lettuce is not a restaurant's brightest idea; it just didn't work. As for my first actual bite, it was mostly bread. The bun was just too thick, and it took away from the overall taste of the burger. While eating, shredded lettuce kept falling out the sides. I knew this wasn’t going to be the worst burger I’ve ever had, but definitely not the best either.
Meat: 3/5
Hand-crafted but not a ton of flavor.
Bun: 2/5
Sesame seed, but just too bready. The top bun was very thick. This bun took away from the taste of the burger. They tried to toast the bun, but it looked and tasted to be toasted for too short of time.
Cheese: 2.5/5
Average, and maybe a little more needed.
Sides and Beverages: 3/5
It’s a bar, so they’ve got your typical selection of both. From my recent experiences, I feel like I was given a very small amount of fries. They tasted pretty good though.
Uniqueness: 5.5/10
This is a pretty neat sports bar with lots of fun things to do if you are looking to watch a game/event, play some pool or shuffleboard, etc. They do go above and beyond your typical sports bar.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 6.5/10
Just a good burger experience, but not very good or great. I believe they can take their burger to the next level with some simple fine tuning.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 22.5/40
Random Shots: Order the Bavarian pretzels for an appetizer. Their bathrooms had mouth wash for the customer, which I thought was a nice touch.
Bailey's Sports Grille
Map
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