JUMP LINKS:<
Atwater Brewery - Detroit, MI
Aubree's Pizzeria and Grill - Various Locations, MI
Arctic Breakaway - Chelsea, MI
Basement Burger Bar - Canton, MI
Big League Brews - Taylor, MI
Blue Gator - Mount Pleasant, MI
Bone Heads Bar-B-Que - Willis, MI
Bridgewater Bank Tavern - Bridgewater, MI
Brome Burgers & Shakes - Dearborn, MI
Casey's Tavern - Ann Arbor, MI
Chomp Burger - Adrian, MI
Cleary's Pub - Chelsea, MI
Clubhouse BFD - Rochester Hills, MI
Clyde's Drive In - St. Ignace, MI
Corner Brewery - Ypsilanti, MI
Crossroads Bar and Grill - Leslie, MI
Crunchy's - East Lansing, MI
Dan's Taverns - Saline and Clinton, MI
Eagle Harbor Inn - Eagle Harbor, MI
Falls Sports Lounge - Dearborn, MI
Fat Boy Burger - Grand Rapids, MI
Fraser's Pub Sports Bar and Eatery - Ann Arbor, MI
Freddie's Tavern - Mount Pleasant, MI
Frita Batidos - Ann Arbor, MI
Full House - Ypsilanti, MI
The Gangplank - St. Ignace, MI
Green Spot Pub - Mount Pleasant, MI
Hamburg Pub - Hamburg, MI
The Hut Inn - Kearsarge, MI
Jay's Stuffed Burgers - Plymouth, MI
Jerry's Pub and Restaurant - Irish Hills, MI
Johnny's on the Lake - Belleville, MI
Kid Rock's Made in Detroit - Detroit, MI
Klavon's - Vandercook Lake and Jackson, MI
Knight's Steakhouse - Ann Arbor, MI (Original Location)
Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger - Ann Arbor, MI
Lansing Brewing Company - Lansing, MI
Lucky's Prime Time - Rochester, MI
Mason's Bar and Grill - Livonia, MI
Michigan House Cafe and Brew Pub - Calumet, MI
Mikey's Burgers and Fries - Howell/Brighton/Hartland, MI
Miller's Bar - Dearborn, MI
Mercury Burger & Bar - Detroit, MI
Nemo's - Detroit, MI
Patriot Pub and Grub - Brooklyn/Irish Hills, MI
Pat's Bar - Marquette, MI
Peanut Barrel - East Lansing, MI
Perrin Brewing Company - Comstock Park, MI
Redamak's - New Buffalo, MI
Redcoat Tavern - Royal Oak, MI
Red Rock Downtown Barbecue - Ypsilanti, MI
Rookies Burger Bar - Jackson, MI
Red Rooster - Willis, MI
Roy's BBQ and Burgers - Milan, MI
Rusty Nail Lounge - Canton, MI
Schlenker's Sandwich Shop - Jackson, MI
Shamrock Bar - Jackson, MI
Sheehan's on the Green - Plymouth, MI
The Side Door Saloon - Petoskey, MI
Sidetrack Bar and Grill - Ypsilanti, MI
Stella's Lounge - Grand Rapids, MI
Studio Grill - Kalamazoo, MI
Thompson's Bar and Grill - Saline/Clinton, MI
Tommy's Detroit Bar & Grill - Detroit, MI
Village Tap - Manchester, MI
West Point Lounge - Jackson, MI
The Wurst Bar - Ypsilanti, MI
Aubree's Pizzeria and Grill - Various Locations, MI
Arctic Breakaway - Chelsea, MI
Basement Burger Bar - Canton, MI
Big League Brews - Taylor, MI
Blue Gator - Mount Pleasant, MI
Bone Heads Bar-B-Que - Willis, MI
Bridgewater Bank Tavern - Bridgewater, MI
Brome Burgers & Shakes - Dearborn, MI
Casey's Tavern - Ann Arbor, MI
Chomp Burger - Adrian, MI
Cleary's Pub - Chelsea, MI
Clubhouse BFD - Rochester Hills, MI
Clyde's Drive In - St. Ignace, MI
Corner Brewery - Ypsilanti, MI
Crossroads Bar and Grill - Leslie, MI
Crunchy's - East Lansing, MI
Dan's Taverns - Saline and Clinton, MI
Eagle Harbor Inn - Eagle Harbor, MI
Falls Sports Lounge - Dearborn, MI
Fat Boy Burger - Grand Rapids, MI
Fraser's Pub Sports Bar and Eatery - Ann Arbor, MI
Freddie's Tavern - Mount Pleasant, MI
Frita Batidos - Ann Arbor, MI
Full House - Ypsilanti, MI
The Gangplank - St. Ignace, MI
Green Spot Pub - Mount Pleasant, MI
Hamburg Pub - Hamburg, MI
The Hut Inn - Kearsarge, MI
Jay's Stuffed Burgers - Plymouth, MI
Jerry's Pub and Restaurant - Irish Hills, MI
Johnny's on the Lake - Belleville, MI
Kid Rock's Made in Detroit - Detroit, MI
Klavon's - Vandercook Lake and Jackson, MI
Knight's Steakhouse - Ann Arbor, MI (Original Location)
Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger - Ann Arbor, MI
Lansing Brewing Company - Lansing, MI
Lucky's Prime Time - Rochester, MI
Mason's Bar and Grill - Livonia, MI
Michigan House Cafe and Brew Pub - Calumet, MI
Mikey's Burgers and Fries - Howell/Brighton/Hartland, MI
Miller's Bar - Dearborn, MI
Mercury Burger & Bar - Detroit, MI
Nemo's - Detroit, MI
Patriot Pub and Grub - Brooklyn/Irish Hills, MI
Pat's Bar - Marquette, MI
Peanut Barrel - East Lansing, MI
Perrin Brewing Company - Comstock Park, MI
Redamak's - New Buffalo, MI
Redcoat Tavern - Royal Oak, MI
Red Rock Downtown Barbecue - Ypsilanti, MI
Rookies Burger Bar - Jackson, MI
Red Rooster - Willis, MI
Roy's BBQ and Burgers - Milan, MI
Rusty Nail Lounge - Canton, MI
Schlenker's Sandwich Shop - Jackson, MI
Shamrock Bar - Jackson, MI
Sheehan's on the Green - Plymouth, MI
The Side Door Saloon - Petoskey, MI
Sidetrack Bar and Grill - Ypsilanti, MI
Stella's Lounge - Grand Rapids, MI
Studio Grill - Kalamazoo, MI
Thompson's Bar and Grill - Saline/Clinton, MI
Tommy's Detroit Bar & Grill - Detroit, MI
Village Tap - Manchester, MI
West Point Lounge - Jackson, MI
The Wurst Bar - Ypsilanti, MI
Rookies Burger Bar - Jackson, MI
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on Friday, October 26, 2018
In Attendance: The Jackson Burger Boy (from Shamrock Bar review) and Kathy
I was just waiting for John Taffer to come slamming through the door at any time. It would have been appreciated.
It was that kind of scene on a Friday night at the newly rebranded Rookie’s Burger Bar in Jackson. Now, if you Google the place, or simply walk the perimeter, it could be called Rookie’s Sports Bar, Rookie’s UpperDeck, or even Rookies Sports Bar and Grill. So, there could be a little bit of an identity crisis happening, but I think they’re focused on the future with the Rookie’s Burger Bar name. We’ll see if the signage ever changes, or their identity on the Internet.
After hopping out of the car and cutting through the customers that were smoking outside by the front door, it was time to enter this rebranded burger joint. When we walked in, it was at around 6:00pm on a Friday evening. Their bar area was decently full with patrons having some drinks after work. However, the rest of the joint was literally dead. We were the only people in to have a few drinks AND get a meal. Seemed like a weird sign after the very recent MLive feature.
After a few minutes, we realized that our server was one of the people that was outside smoking, and it appeared that she was in charge of the bar too. It looked like they had one bartender/server and one cook for the Friday night crowd. So far though, she was keeping up.
We decided to check out the draft beer option, only to find three total beers. Miller Lite, Bud Light, and some other option I hadn’t heard of before was the selection on tap. We decided to order a round of Bud Light bottles and then started to check out the menu.
There was an appetizer that looked worth checking out. The homemade Rookies Championship Rings are four large onion rings made with burger, sausage, bacon, and BBQ. It sounded like something to try, but when they came out, they were dry and just not up to the championship billing. We decided to focus on some more Bud Light bottles. After the bartender/waitress came back inside from a smoke break, she brought some beers over to our table, holding them right by the mouths of the bottles. We weren’t too excited to put our lips right where those smokey hands had been.
As we struggled to decide our next move, we did need to order our burgers. The Jaxson Burger Boy and I went with their newly famous stuffed burgers, and Kathy went for the standard version. We ordered our stuffed ones with cheese and bacon on the inside. I tried to recreate the same kind of stuffed burger that I had at the outstanding Studio Grill in Kalamazoo.
So, it was on to waiting for the burgers. With these massive stuffed burgers, it takes some time back on the grill. After waiting for a while, we were thinking that they’d be ready at any point. However, we then we saw the bartender/server head back outside for another cigarette. At that point, we knew it would be at least another five minutes or so.
While we waited, we decided to tour the place and we checked out all of the sports memorabilia on hand. It’s a massive collection for anyone that’s interested, and the place also has some pool tables within a pretty cool scene upstairs. Click here for the Rookies Slideshow.
We went back to our tables, and thought, wow, it sure would be nice to catch some sports on TV while we waited and drank another Bud Light bottle. But none of their TVs were on. Literally, no TV was on in a sports bar.
When the bartender/server was done smoking, it was time for the burgers. Still, no other customer had ordered any food. I guess we’d have to be the only ones.
Meat: 3/5
This stuffed burger is huge. Once again, it’s huge. It’s really awesome when you have a huge burger, and it’s a talking point, but I enjoy eating my burgers with my hands and not with a knife and fork. This simply wasn’t edible with your hands. We both tried and it just wasn’t possible. The meat did have a nice taste, but due to the size, things became complicated in a hurry.
I absolutely appreciate a big burger, and I commend Rookie’s for trying. It was just too tough to eat with your hands.
Bun: 4/5
I opted for the pretzel bun, and it was good. It tried to hold things together, but it’s a tough job with their stuffed burgers.
Cheese: 2/5
This was the downfall. It was liquid cheese stuffed inside. It oozed and ran out, and it just wasn’t the same as having some real cheese that melted while the burger was cooked. They do offer up some other options, but we kind of just went with what the menu suggested. We actually didn’t know we were getting liquid cheese when we ordered.
Sides and Beverages: 2.5/5
Their so-called Champion Rings were not that great, and typical bar sides are the other options. As for drinks, as mentioned above, if you enjoy Bud Light or Miller Lite, this place is for you. They do have an assortment of bottled beer, which mostly fell under the Budweiser and Miller empires.
Uniqueness: 6/10
Rookie’s is trying, but they just didn’t go 100% of the way to this rebranded image. It appears that they just threw sports memorabilia on the walls and created way-to-big stuffed burgers. It’s a dive bar, which always creates some unique situations, and the burgers are indeed overly huge.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 6/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 23.5/40
Random Shots:
I don’t know what else to add about the place. On a Friday night, this supposedly new burger hot spot in Jackson, according to MLive, was dead and it was an overall interesting experience. Jackson is one of the food capitals of Michigan, and I think there are better overall options out there.
Rookies Burger Bar
Map
Visited on Friday, October 26, 2018
In Attendance: The Jackson Burger Boy (from Shamrock Bar review) and Kathy
I was just waiting for John Taffer to come slamming through the door at any time. It would have been appreciated.
It was that kind of scene on a Friday night at the newly rebranded Rookie’s Burger Bar in Jackson. Now, if you Google the place, or simply walk the perimeter, it could be called Rookie’s Sports Bar, Rookie’s UpperDeck, or even Rookies Sports Bar and Grill. So, there could be a little bit of an identity crisis happening, but I think they’re focused on the future with the Rookie’s Burger Bar name. We’ll see if the signage ever changes, or their identity on the Internet.
After hopping out of the car and cutting through the customers that were smoking outside by the front door, it was time to enter this rebranded burger joint. When we walked in, it was at around 6:00pm on a Friday evening. Their bar area was decently full with patrons having some drinks after work. However, the rest of the joint was literally dead. We were the only people in to have a few drinks AND get a meal. Seemed like a weird sign after the very recent MLive feature.
After a few minutes, we realized that our server was one of the people that was outside smoking, and it appeared that she was in charge of the bar too. It looked like they had one bartender/server and one cook for the Friday night crowd. So far though, she was keeping up.
We decided to check out the draft beer option, only to find three total beers. Miller Lite, Bud Light, and some other option I hadn’t heard of before was the selection on tap. We decided to order a round of Bud Light bottles and then started to check out the menu.
There was an appetizer that looked worth checking out. The homemade Rookies Championship Rings are four large onion rings made with burger, sausage, bacon, and BBQ. It sounded like something to try, but when they came out, they were dry and just not up to the championship billing. We decided to focus on some more Bud Light bottles. After the bartender/waitress came back inside from a smoke break, she brought some beers over to our table, holding them right by the mouths of the bottles. We weren’t too excited to put our lips right where those smokey hands had been.
As we struggled to decide our next move, we did need to order our burgers. The Jaxson Burger Boy and I went with their newly famous stuffed burgers, and Kathy went for the standard version. We ordered our stuffed ones with cheese and bacon on the inside. I tried to recreate the same kind of stuffed burger that I had at the outstanding Studio Grill in Kalamazoo.
So, it was on to waiting for the burgers. With these massive stuffed burgers, it takes some time back on the grill. After waiting for a while, we were thinking that they’d be ready at any point. However, we then we saw the bartender/server head back outside for another cigarette. At that point, we knew it would be at least another five minutes or so.
While we waited, we decided to tour the place and we checked out all of the sports memorabilia on hand. It’s a massive collection for anyone that’s interested, and the place also has some pool tables within a pretty cool scene upstairs. Click here for the Rookies Slideshow.
We went back to our tables, and thought, wow, it sure would be nice to catch some sports on TV while we waited and drank another Bud Light bottle. But none of their TVs were on. Literally, no TV was on in a sports bar.
When the bartender/server was done smoking, it was time for the burgers. Still, no other customer had ordered any food. I guess we’d have to be the only ones.
Meat: 3/5
This stuffed burger is huge. Once again, it’s huge. It’s really awesome when you have a huge burger, and it’s a talking point, but I enjoy eating my burgers with my hands and not with a knife and fork. This simply wasn’t edible with your hands. We both tried and it just wasn’t possible. The meat did have a nice taste, but due to the size, things became complicated in a hurry.
I absolutely appreciate a big burger, and I commend Rookie’s for trying. It was just too tough to eat with your hands.
Bun: 4/5
I opted for the pretzel bun, and it was good. It tried to hold things together, but it’s a tough job with their stuffed burgers.
Cheese: 2/5
This was the downfall. It was liquid cheese stuffed inside. It oozed and ran out, and it just wasn’t the same as having some real cheese that melted while the burger was cooked. They do offer up some other options, but we kind of just went with what the menu suggested. We actually didn’t know we were getting liquid cheese when we ordered.
Sides and Beverages: 2.5/5
Their so-called Champion Rings were not that great, and typical bar sides are the other options. As for drinks, as mentioned above, if you enjoy Bud Light or Miller Lite, this place is for you. They do have an assortment of bottled beer, which mostly fell under the Budweiser and Miller empires.
Uniqueness: 6/10
Rookie’s is trying, but they just didn’t go 100% of the way to this rebranded image. It appears that they just threw sports memorabilia on the walls and created way-to-big stuffed burgers. It’s a dive bar, which always creates some unique situations, and the burgers are indeed overly huge.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 6/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 23.5/40
Random Shots:
I don’t know what else to add about the place. On a Friday night, this supposedly new burger hot spot in Jackson, according to MLive, was dead and it was an overall interesting experience. Jackson is one of the food capitals of Michigan, and I think there are better overall options out there.
Rookies Burger Bar
Map
Perrin Brewing Company - Comstock Park, MI
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on Saturday, August 3, 2018
Perrin Brewing Company is just one of many breweries in the Grand Rapids area. If you’re a fan of craft beer and knocking some breweries off your visit list, then the west side of the state is a great place to be. Located just north of GR in Comstock Park sits Perrin Brewing, and it’s been around since 2012. According to an article from the Detroit Free Press, when Randy Perrin opened the brewery, it was the fifth largest in the state, and they didn’t really know what they were doing. Perrin doesn’t drink himself, but he’s obviously all in and he’s been very successful.
In 2015, Perrin sold to Longmont, Colorado based Oskar Blues for an undisclosed price. They’re staying focused on remaining one of the top five breweries in the state when it comes to volume produced.
Perrin Brewing Company is an awesome place to visit. We were there on a Saturday afternoon in the summer after a round of golf at a nearby course. Our weekend was consisting of lots of golf and breweries. The actual facility at Perrin didn’t disappoint. There’s a great indoor area with TVs, shuffleboard tables, and more. They also have a great patio area, and overall, it’s just a really cool place to hang out.
They have both a drink and food menu that should totally meet the needs of anyone. I was ready for a burger, so there wasn’t any hesitation. Perrin serves an 8oz. buger that comes with a side of potato chips. I added cheese and enjoyed a flight of beers while we all waited for our food.
Meat: 2/5
I’d love to report something different, but even when ordered at a medium temperature, it was dry and almost tasteless. When I look at a photo of the burger, the dryness memory comes back to me. There was a charbroiled taste that was starting to come through, but overall, this isn’t something I can totally recommend.
Bun: 3/5
Standard bun and nothing to really report. The bun did overpower the meat slightly.
Cheese: 3/5
Normal variety of cheeses and a standard amount.
Sides and Beverages: 5/5
They’ve got a lot of choices for appetizers and such, and you obviously can’t go wrong with their selection of beer.
Uniqueness: 7/10
It’s a great brewery and an awesome atmosphere.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 6/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 26/40
Random Shots:
I’d recommend everything about Perrin Brewing Company, besides the burger. Please don’t let this review keep you away from a great location for beer and so much more.
Perrin Brewing Company
Map
Visited on Saturday, August 3, 2018
Perrin Brewing Company is just one of many breweries in the Grand Rapids area. If you’re a fan of craft beer and knocking some breweries off your visit list, then the west side of the state is a great place to be. Located just north of GR in Comstock Park sits Perrin Brewing, and it’s been around since 2012. According to an article from the Detroit Free Press, when Randy Perrin opened the brewery, it was the fifth largest in the state, and they didn’t really know what they were doing. Perrin doesn’t drink himself, but he’s obviously all in and he’s been very successful.
In 2015, Perrin sold to Longmont, Colorado based Oskar Blues for an undisclosed price. They’re staying focused on remaining one of the top five breweries in the state when it comes to volume produced.
Perrin Brewing Company is an awesome place to visit. We were there on a Saturday afternoon in the summer after a round of golf at a nearby course. Our weekend was consisting of lots of golf and breweries. The actual facility at Perrin didn’t disappoint. There’s a great indoor area with TVs, shuffleboard tables, and more. They also have a great patio area, and overall, it’s just a really cool place to hang out.
They have both a drink and food menu that should totally meet the needs of anyone. I was ready for a burger, so there wasn’t any hesitation. Perrin serves an 8oz. buger that comes with a side of potato chips. I added cheese and enjoyed a flight of beers while we all waited for our food.
Meat: 2/5
I’d love to report something different, but even when ordered at a medium temperature, it was dry and almost tasteless. When I look at a photo of the burger, the dryness memory comes back to me. There was a charbroiled taste that was starting to come through, but overall, this isn’t something I can totally recommend.
Bun: 3/5
Standard bun and nothing to really report. The bun did overpower the meat slightly.
Cheese: 3/5
Normal variety of cheeses and a standard amount.
Sides and Beverages: 5/5
They’ve got a lot of choices for appetizers and such, and you obviously can’t go wrong with their selection of beer.
Uniqueness: 7/10
It’s a great brewery and an awesome atmosphere.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 6/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 26/40
Random Shots:
I’d recommend everything about Perrin Brewing Company, besides the burger. Please don’t let this review keep you away from a great location for beer and so much more.
Perrin Brewing Company
Map
Kid Rock's Made in Detroit - Detroit, MI
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on Monday, March 12, 2018
By now, you’ve potentially had the opportunity to visit Little Caesars Arena in downtown Detroit. Opening in September of 2017, LCA is home to the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Pistons, and tons of other concerts and events. With a brand new building comes new restaurants and places to purchase food and beverages. Inside LCA is no shortage of either, and they’ve done a wonderful job with the arena and everything that comes with it.
LCA offers quite a few actual restaurants for people to enjoy before, during, or after an event. These spots are also open throughout the week, even when no event is taking place. Sports and Social Detroit, Mike’s Pizza Bar, The District Market, and Kid Rock’s Made in Detroit are the pillars of the restaurant scene at LCA. Whether you like Kid Rock or not, he has definitely made himself a common thread of the new arena. He opened the place up with a series of concerts, and his restaurant seems to be a staple for years to come.
There are a lot of neat components to eating dinner at LCA prior to an event, no matter what restaurant you choose. Each of them have an outside entrance, and instead of waiting in the ticket lines, you can simply enter through the restaurant, eat, and then they’ll scan your ticket there and you’re off to the concourse directly. There are also “patio” areas that look onto the concourse, and it’s great people watching while hanging there with food and drinks.
Specifically at Kid Rock’s Made in Detroit, their focus is Detroit style and southern dishes, with the obvious array of adult beverages. It’s decked out in Kid Rock flare, but overall the scene doesn’t make you feel surrounded by his presence.
When it comes to the burgers, they currently only have one on their menu, although at the time of the review, I feel like they had a few options. At any rate, I went with the Made in Detroit cheeseburger, which is their standard burger on the menu. I decided to add bacon to it because I was in that kind of mood. The burger automatically came with fries, and it was time to see Kid Rock’s burger was all about.
Meat: 3/5
Their burger is made with farm raised natural beef. It’s a good start, but for the most part, the major positives end there. They don’t appear to be hand-forming their patties, and instead, it looked pre-formed or maybe a ring was used. Beyond that, the burger was unfortunately over-cooked. The burger had a little bit of a charbroiled taste to it. All in all, things in this category weren’t terrible, but it’s fine to have higher standards.
Bun: 3/5
Typical bun - nothing to brag about, but it fit the burger nicely.
Cheese: 3/5
This burger automatically comes with American cheese, and since it’s the only burger currently on the menu, it could be the only option.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
They have a lot of sides that appeal to Michiganders. Baby Coneys are listed first on their sides portion of the menu, and Michigan bacon and Better Made chips are all featured within some other options. As for the beverages, Kid Rock's American Badass is on tap, and there are some Michigan-themed cocktails as well.
Uniqueness: 7/10
It’s unique because you’re at Little Caesars Arena, but beyond the Kid Rock factor, you’ve been in places like this before.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 27/40
Random Shots:
Although I’m not dying to go back, Kid Rock’s Made in Detroit serves up a decent burger and it’s just fun being at LCA.
Kid Rock's Made in Detroit
Map
Visited on Monday, March 12, 2018
By now, you’ve potentially had the opportunity to visit Little Caesars Arena in downtown Detroit. Opening in September of 2017, LCA is home to the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Pistons, and tons of other concerts and events. With a brand new building comes new restaurants and places to purchase food and beverages. Inside LCA is no shortage of either, and they’ve done a wonderful job with the arena and everything that comes with it.
LCA offers quite a few actual restaurants for people to enjoy before, during, or after an event. These spots are also open throughout the week, even when no event is taking place. Sports and Social Detroit, Mike’s Pizza Bar, The District Market, and Kid Rock’s Made in Detroit are the pillars of the restaurant scene at LCA. Whether you like Kid Rock or not, he has definitely made himself a common thread of the new arena. He opened the place up with a series of concerts, and his restaurant seems to be a staple for years to come.
There are a lot of neat components to eating dinner at LCA prior to an event, no matter what restaurant you choose. Each of them have an outside entrance, and instead of waiting in the ticket lines, you can simply enter through the restaurant, eat, and then they’ll scan your ticket there and you’re off to the concourse directly. There are also “patio” areas that look onto the concourse, and it’s great people watching while hanging there with food and drinks.
Specifically at Kid Rock’s Made in Detroit, their focus is Detroit style and southern dishes, with the obvious array of adult beverages. It’s decked out in Kid Rock flare, but overall the scene doesn’t make you feel surrounded by his presence.
When it comes to the burgers, they currently only have one on their menu, although at the time of the review, I feel like they had a few options. At any rate, I went with the Made in Detroit cheeseburger, which is their standard burger on the menu. I decided to add bacon to it because I was in that kind of mood. The burger automatically came with fries, and it was time to see Kid Rock’s burger was all about.
Meat: 3/5
Their burger is made with farm raised natural beef. It’s a good start, but for the most part, the major positives end there. They don’t appear to be hand-forming their patties, and instead, it looked pre-formed or maybe a ring was used. Beyond that, the burger was unfortunately over-cooked. The burger had a little bit of a charbroiled taste to it. All in all, things in this category weren’t terrible, but it’s fine to have higher standards.
Bun: 3/5
Typical bun - nothing to brag about, but it fit the burger nicely.
Cheese: 3/5
This burger automatically comes with American cheese, and since it’s the only burger currently on the menu, it could be the only option.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
They have a lot of sides that appeal to Michiganders. Baby Coneys are listed first on their sides portion of the menu, and Michigan bacon and Better Made chips are all featured within some other options. As for the beverages, Kid Rock's American Badass is on tap, and there are some Michigan-themed cocktails as well.
Uniqueness: 7/10
It’s unique because you’re at Little Caesars Arena, but beyond the Kid Rock factor, you’ve been in places like this before.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 27/40
Random Shots:
Although I’m not dying to go back, Kid Rock’s Made in Detroit serves up a decent burger and it’s just fun being at LCA.
Kid Rock's Made in Detroit
Map
Jerry's Pub and Restaurant - Irish Hills, MI
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on Friday, December 8, 2017
In Attendance: The Foster and Wright Families
Irish Mills, Michigan is known for its string of lakes and some definite tourist trapping. Michigan International Speedway is close by, and there are a few bars and restaurants to keep those entering this area happy and well-fed.
Jerry’s Pub and Restaurant sits right on Wamplers Lake, and be careful, because there’s only one way in, and there’s only one way out. We were all there on a Friday night on our way to the Nite Lights at MIS. It was a great stop before some Christmastime fun. Obviously, Jerry’s really gets rocking during the summer months, but it was a spot worth checking out now, and then hitting again when the Michigan weather turns warm.
The first thing worth mentioning about Jerry’s is the wonderful, massive, lakeside deck they have. I can only imagine hanging with friends over food and drinks while looking at beautiful Wamplers Lake. There’s a sand volleyball court, and more to keep everyone busy in the summer. The inside of Jerry’s has a lot to offer as well. Many rooms with different atmospheres keep the customers happy. There’s a back room with a pool table, a middle room with a fireplace and stage for entertainment, and the bar area is seems always busy. Overall, it’s a neat spot.
Their menu ranges from pizza, to seafood, to barbeque, and a lot of other dishes in-between. I was hungry for a burger, and Jerry’s offers one up that’s 8-ounces and charbroiled. It’s served on a brioche bun, and I added bacon. We ordered, and then walked around the place for a bit with a drink in hand because there’s a lot to see and experience. When the food came, everything looked delicious!
Meat: 4.5/5
Jerry’s offers up 8-ounce patties that are never frozen. We were told it’s a steak burger, and it sure did taste pretty good. It was cooked to order, and not a lot to complain about here. It did indeed have that charbroiled taste, which is a nice change at restaurants every now and again.
Bun: 4.5/5
Their brioche bun was nicely toasted. It fit the burger well.
Cheese: 4/5
They had a few different cheeses to choose from, and the amount was pretty solid. Again, nothing to really complain about here.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
If you’re a seafood fan, Jerry’s has some nice side dishes and appetizers that are right up your alley. Their bar had a nice selection of different beers, and their mixed drinks come in a tall glass.
Uniqueness: 8/10
This is a really neat place sitting on Wamplers Lake. Obviously you’re experience will be different in the warmer months than in the colder ones, but all in all, Jerry’s is a cool place. Remember, there’s one way in, and one way out.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7.5/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 32.5/40
Random Shots:
If you’re looking for a big Irish Hills visit, also check out our The Patriot review in the Original Burgers section. It’s also a neat place in that same area.
Jerry's Pub and Restaurant
Map
Visited on Friday, December 8, 2017
In Attendance: The Foster and Wright Families
Irish Mills, Michigan is known for its string of lakes and some definite tourist trapping. Michigan International Speedway is close by, and there are a few bars and restaurants to keep those entering this area happy and well-fed.
Jerry’s Pub and Restaurant sits right on Wamplers Lake, and be careful, because there’s only one way in, and there’s only one way out. We were all there on a Friday night on our way to the Nite Lights at MIS. It was a great stop before some Christmastime fun. Obviously, Jerry’s really gets rocking during the summer months, but it was a spot worth checking out now, and then hitting again when the Michigan weather turns warm.
The first thing worth mentioning about Jerry’s is the wonderful, massive, lakeside deck they have. I can only imagine hanging with friends over food and drinks while looking at beautiful Wamplers Lake. There’s a sand volleyball court, and more to keep everyone busy in the summer. The inside of Jerry’s has a lot to offer as well. Many rooms with different atmospheres keep the customers happy. There’s a back room with a pool table, a middle room with a fireplace and stage for entertainment, and the bar area is seems always busy. Overall, it’s a neat spot.
Their menu ranges from pizza, to seafood, to barbeque, and a lot of other dishes in-between. I was hungry for a burger, and Jerry’s offers one up that’s 8-ounces and charbroiled. It’s served on a brioche bun, and I added bacon. We ordered, and then walked around the place for a bit with a drink in hand because there’s a lot to see and experience. When the food came, everything looked delicious!
Meat: 4.5/5
Jerry’s offers up 8-ounce patties that are never frozen. We were told it’s a steak burger, and it sure did taste pretty good. It was cooked to order, and not a lot to complain about here. It did indeed have that charbroiled taste, which is a nice change at restaurants every now and again.
Bun: 4.5/5
Their brioche bun was nicely toasted. It fit the burger well.
Cheese: 4/5
They had a few different cheeses to choose from, and the amount was pretty solid. Again, nothing to really complain about here.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
If you’re a seafood fan, Jerry’s has some nice side dishes and appetizers that are right up your alley. Their bar had a nice selection of different beers, and their mixed drinks come in a tall glass.
Uniqueness: 8/10
This is a really neat place sitting on Wamplers Lake. Obviously you’re experience will be different in the warmer months than in the colder ones, but all in all, Jerry’s is a cool place. Remember, there’s one way in, and one way out.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7.5/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 32.5/40
Random Shots:
If you’re looking for a big Irish Hills visit, also check out our The Patriot review in the Original Burgers section. It’s also a neat place in that same area.
Jerry's Pub and Restaurant
Chomp Burger - Adrian, MI
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on Saturday, September 30, 2017
In Attendance: The Foster Family
Chomp Burger opened in March of 2016, and since that time, they’ve provided downtown Adrian with a really nice spot to eat and drink. The Chomp Burger ownership team consists of Eric Potter, his father, Bruce, and brother, Brad. They took about two years to construct a brand new building, and they did one heck of a job.
After parking behind Chomp Burger, we noticed that the building was really nicely built. It sits right on Main Street, and a well constructed patio sits outside for the nice Michigan months. The inside decor and theme is what was probably the most impressive part of the entire experience. They’ve gone with an industrial theme, and it’s done really well. There’s lots of handmade decor items and furniture, and gears everywhere that connect with their theme and logo. There’s a big fish tank behind the bar, and there’s just a cool overall vibe inside.
The ownership team created a menu full of burgers that use organic meat and fresh ingredients. They’ve got a huge selection of burgers to choose from, and you can select from a variety of meats as well. Organic grass fed beef, grass fed bison, elk, venison, and wild boar are all available for someone ordering a burger. I decided to go with the organic grass fed beef with the build-a-burger option, and I upgraded to garlic cilantro fries.
When the burger came, I can’t say I was blown away. When I asked the server how big the patty was, she mentioned ⅓ pound. It just didn’t seem large enough to fit the bun that was provided. It also didn’t have that hand-patted look to it. Maybe I’m off, but things just didn’t seem right. This burger sparked this Blog post. Anyway, on to the review.
Meat: 2.5/5
With the organic grass fed beef, obviously you can’t doubt the quality. I ordered it medium, and it was for sure overcooked. At times, that an be an instant deal-breaker. As mentioned above, it seemed small, and just not what I expected from Chomp Burger, a place that was supposed to be really dialed in to making great burgers. The photo attached to this review doesn’t lie.
Bun: 2.5/5
Once again, take a look at the photo and you’ll see how the bun just covers the meat. Good bun and all, but things didn’t match up.
Cheese: 4/5
Lots of different cheeses are available to have on any burger that you select.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
The garlic cilantro fries were pretty good, and they’ve got some other starters to choose from as well that looked pretty good when heading to other tables. On the beverage end of things, they do have milkshakes, but they’re over $5.00 if you want to order one beyond the normal. They had a nice selection of beers on tap. I could see Chomp Burger being a nice place to grab a beer at the bar and watch a game.
Uniqueness: 7/10
A very well constructed and designed building tossed into the burger scene. It’s a very cool place.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 27/40
Random Shots: I would stop into Chomp Burger again, but I can’t say I’m thrilled with this burger. It’s possible my expectations were a bit high, but overall, the photo doesn’t lie. Please see this Blog post for some further random shots about how to build a burger.
Chomp Burger
Map
Visited on Saturday, September 30, 2017
In Attendance: The Foster Family
Chomp Burger opened in March of 2016, and since that time, they’ve provided downtown Adrian with a really nice spot to eat and drink. The Chomp Burger ownership team consists of Eric Potter, his father, Bruce, and brother, Brad. They took about two years to construct a brand new building, and they did one heck of a job.
After parking behind Chomp Burger, we noticed that the building was really nicely built. It sits right on Main Street, and a well constructed patio sits outside for the nice Michigan months. The inside decor and theme is what was probably the most impressive part of the entire experience. They’ve gone with an industrial theme, and it’s done really well. There’s lots of handmade decor items and furniture, and gears everywhere that connect with their theme and logo. There’s a big fish tank behind the bar, and there’s just a cool overall vibe inside.
The ownership team created a menu full of burgers that use organic meat and fresh ingredients. They’ve got a huge selection of burgers to choose from, and you can select from a variety of meats as well. Organic grass fed beef, grass fed bison, elk, venison, and wild boar are all available for someone ordering a burger. I decided to go with the organic grass fed beef with the build-a-burger option, and I upgraded to garlic cilantro fries.
When the burger came, I can’t say I was blown away. When I asked the server how big the patty was, she mentioned ⅓ pound. It just didn’t seem large enough to fit the bun that was provided. It also didn’t have that hand-patted look to it. Maybe I’m off, but things just didn’t seem right. This burger sparked this Blog post. Anyway, on to the review.
Meat: 2.5/5
With the organic grass fed beef, obviously you can’t doubt the quality. I ordered it medium, and it was for sure overcooked. At times, that an be an instant deal-breaker. As mentioned above, it seemed small, and just not what I expected from Chomp Burger, a place that was supposed to be really dialed in to making great burgers. The photo attached to this review doesn’t lie.
Bun: 2.5/5
Once again, take a look at the photo and you’ll see how the bun just covers the meat. Good bun and all, but things didn’t match up.
Cheese: 4/5
Lots of different cheeses are available to have on any burger that you select.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
The garlic cilantro fries were pretty good, and they’ve got some other starters to choose from as well that looked pretty good when heading to other tables. On the beverage end of things, they do have milkshakes, but they’re over $5.00 if you want to order one beyond the normal. They had a nice selection of beers on tap. I could see Chomp Burger being a nice place to grab a beer at the bar and watch a game.
Uniqueness: 7/10
A very well constructed and designed building tossed into the burger scene. It’s a very cool place.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 27/40
Random Shots: I would stop into Chomp Burger again, but I can’t say I’m thrilled with this burger. It’s possible my expectations were a bit high, but overall, the photo doesn’t lie. Please see this Blog post for some further random shots about how to build a burger.
Chomp Burger
Map
The Gangplank - St. Ignace, MI
Reviewed by Kevin
Visited on Friday, July 22
In Attendance: The McCown Family
The Gangplank is a newer addition to the main drag in St. Ignace. It’s built on the former site of Pemble’s Grocery Store, an extremely well liked corner store that burnt down years ago. When the Gangplank went up it was described as the old Pembles site. The Gangplank is anchored by a tiny shack that they cook and serve food out of with a long plank like patio area that extends down to the sidewalk near State Street. The view is one of the best you can get overlooking the water. Sitting down you can see the St. Ignace Marina and Mackinac Island. Depending upon what event is happening in St. Ignace during your visit, you will have prime street watching while you eat.
Since its beginning I hesitated to check it out, but positive reviews from the locals convinced me to go in for a burger. My step-brother suggested I ask for a “skirted burger,” a burger completely covered in cheese with a burnt ring forming when the cheese hits the grill. The only problem is that this burger is no longer on the menu. Brian told me “don’t worry, just ask them to fix you one and tell them you know me.” That sometimes works, especially in a small town like this, but they weren’t having it. I asked for a skirted burger and the college aged waiter blew me off without hesitation. We said that it must not be that great of a burger to challenge the ruling, however he stood firm not to serve me the burger adding that it was a great burger that involved too much clean up. Too bad for them because they may have had a truly special thing going that would make the Gangplank a burger destination.
I ended up ordering a cheeseburger with mustard, ketchup, and pickle with an order of fries on the side. The rest of my crew got something else on the menu, so I had to fly solo on this burger review.
Meat: 3.5/5
The meat is tasty, but a little over seasoned for me. Very salty tasting.
Bun: 4/5
Nice and fresh brioche bun that was dark in appearance.
Cheese: 3.5/5
Left wanting more cheese on my burger.
Sides and Beverages: 3.5/5
They have a craft beer selection in cans and bottles. The sides include your choice of home cut fries, baked potato, or tortilla chips. Interesting choices.
Uniqueness: 8/10
The Gangplank is a nice little spot overlooking the water. It’s a great way to take in the area and watch the downtown while you eat.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7.5/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 30/40
Visited on Friday, July 22
In Attendance: The McCown Family
The Gangplank is a newer addition to the main drag in St. Ignace. It’s built on the former site of Pemble’s Grocery Store, an extremely well liked corner store that burnt down years ago. When the Gangplank went up it was described as the old Pembles site. The Gangplank is anchored by a tiny shack that they cook and serve food out of with a long plank like patio area that extends down to the sidewalk near State Street. The view is one of the best you can get overlooking the water. Sitting down you can see the St. Ignace Marina and Mackinac Island. Depending upon what event is happening in St. Ignace during your visit, you will have prime street watching while you eat.
Since its beginning I hesitated to check it out, but positive reviews from the locals convinced me to go in for a burger. My step-brother suggested I ask for a “skirted burger,” a burger completely covered in cheese with a burnt ring forming when the cheese hits the grill. The only problem is that this burger is no longer on the menu. Brian told me “don’t worry, just ask them to fix you one and tell them you know me.” That sometimes works, especially in a small town like this, but they weren’t having it. I asked for a skirted burger and the college aged waiter blew me off without hesitation. We said that it must not be that great of a burger to challenge the ruling, however he stood firm not to serve me the burger adding that it was a great burger that involved too much clean up. Too bad for them because they may have had a truly special thing going that would make the Gangplank a burger destination.
I ended up ordering a cheeseburger with mustard, ketchup, and pickle with an order of fries on the side. The rest of my crew got something else on the menu, so I had to fly solo on this burger review.
Meat: 3.5/5
The meat is tasty, but a little over seasoned for me. Very salty tasting.
Bun: 4/5
Nice and fresh brioche bun that was dark in appearance.
Cheese: 3.5/5
Left wanting more cheese on my burger.
Sides and Beverages: 3.5/5
They have a craft beer selection in cans and bottles. The sides include your choice of home cut fries, baked potato, or tortilla chips. Interesting choices.
Uniqueness: 8/10
The Gangplank is a nice little spot overlooking the water. It’s a great way to take in the area and watch the downtown while you eat.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7.5/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 30/40
Knight's Steakhouse - Ann Arbor, MI (Original Location)
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on Friday, December 9, 2016
In Attendance: Higgy and Zimmer
If you’ve ever done any digging about the Ann Arbor area, one place that always comes up is the original Knight’s Steakhouse on Dexter Road. There are so many great things about the place, and this is a spot that needs to be put on your short list immediately.
Back in 1952, Ray Knight purchased Knight’s Market in downtown Ann Arbor. The market still exists today, and it actually serves tons of local restaurants with quality meat products and more. With the success of the market, Ray then opened Knight’s Steakhouse on Dexter Road in Ann Arbor. It became a spot known for great food and strong cocktails. In 2001, the Knights opened a new location in Jackson, and just a few years ago, they opened Knight’s Downtown Ann Arbor, which is at Liberty and Maynard.
At the original Knight’s, it’s definitely a trip back in time, and a lot of their clientele is indeed from the older generation. Large comfortable chairs on wheels, wooden paneled walls, a little carpet on the floor, and much more makes you feel like you did indeed step back a decade or two. It’s a great vibe and the atmosphere is really neat. Even with it being a little outdated, no one would, or should, change a thing. After both of my visits, I'd recommend sitting in the bar area.
According to their website, “Knight’s is renowned for serving a mixed drink you would proudly serve to a guests at your home and at an exceptional price.” When your first cocktail arrives, you’ll marvel at how strong and good it is. Also, don’t forget to ask for the cracker, cheese, and butter basket. From what I’ve heard, it’s not an automatic that you’re given this anymore, so definitely ask. It’s a nice touch and once again makes you feel a little back in time.
When it’s time to order, obviously most people go for the steaks, chicken, seafood, and prime rib, but they do have a pretty good following for their burgers. As mentioned above, they ship their fresh beef out to several local burger joints that we have reviewed, and they’re all very good. Dan’s in Saline, for example, is one great burger that uses Knight’s ground beef.
One thing about ordering a burger at a great steakhouse is that you know there are quality chefs in the kitchen, and your burger will be cooked perfectly. I’ve been to Knight’s two times, and both times, my medium ordered burger came out and it was cooked to perfection. At Knight’s, your burger will come out exactly how you ordered it.
Meat: 5/5
First, Knight’s serves a square burger patty. It’s always a nicely received twist to the traditional circular burger patty. As mentioned above, I’ve been there two times, and on both occasions, it was cooked to absolute perfection. The juice poured out, and with Knight’s having their own meat market, it’s one of the freshest burgers you’ll ever have.
Bun: 4.5/5
Both ends are toasted and it’s the perfect fit.
Cheese: 4/5
They’ve got a variety of cheeses and here’s a little tip: order the All American Burger and they’ll give you two slices.
Sides and Beverages: 5/5
A perfect 5 comes in this category just based on the stiff cocktails alone. This is what they’re known for, and this is a big reason why people visit the original Knight’s. Their Twitter handle, @StrongDrinks, says it all.
Uniqueness: 9/10
Between the history, the great food, the classic feel, and the cocktails, it’s a pretty unique place all around.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8.5/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 34.5/40
Random Shots:
The original Knight’s Steakhouse on Dexter Road in Ann Arbor is a true destination, and even a burger destination. Get to the original Knight’s, ask for the cheese a cracker basket, order a strong cocktail, select a burger, and enjoy yourself.
Knight's Steakhouse
Locations
Map to Original Knight's Steakhouse
Visited on Friday, December 9, 2016
In Attendance: Higgy and Zimmer
If you’ve ever done any digging about the Ann Arbor area, one place that always comes up is the original Knight’s Steakhouse on Dexter Road. There are so many great things about the place, and this is a spot that needs to be put on your short list immediately.
Back in 1952, Ray Knight purchased Knight’s Market in downtown Ann Arbor. The market still exists today, and it actually serves tons of local restaurants with quality meat products and more. With the success of the market, Ray then opened Knight’s Steakhouse on Dexter Road in Ann Arbor. It became a spot known for great food and strong cocktails. In 2001, the Knights opened a new location in Jackson, and just a few years ago, they opened Knight’s Downtown Ann Arbor, which is at Liberty and Maynard.
At the original Knight’s, it’s definitely a trip back in time, and a lot of their clientele is indeed from the older generation. Large comfortable chairs on wheels, wooden paneled walls, a little carpet on the floor, and much more makes you feel like you did indeed step back a decade or two. It’s a great vibe and the atmosphere is really neat. Even with it being a little outdated, no one would, or should, change a thing. After both of my visits, I'd recommend sitting in the bar area.
According to their website, “Knight’s is renowned for serving a mixed drink you would proudly serve to a guests at your home and at an exceptional price.” When your first cocktail arrives, you’ll marvel at how strong and good it is. Also, don’t forget to ask for the cracker, cheese, and butter basket. From what I’ve heard, it’s not an automatic that you’re given this anymore, so definitely ask. It’s a nice touch and once again makes you feel a little back in time.
When it’s time to order, obviously most people go for the steaks, chicken, seafood, and prime rib, but they do have a pretty good following for their burgers. As mentioned above, they ship their fresh beef out to several local burger joints that we have reviewed, and they’re all very good. Dan’s in Saline, for example, is one great burger that uses Knight’s ground beef.
One thing about ordering a burger at a great steakhouse is that you know there are quality chefs in the kitchen, and your burger will be cooked perfectly. I’ve been to Knight’s two times, and both times, my medium ordered burger came out and it was cooked to perfection. At Knight’s, your burger will come out exactly how you ordered it.
Meat: 5/5
First, Knight’s serves a square burger patty. It’s always a nicely received twist to the traditional circular burger patty. As mentioned above, I’ve been there two times, and on both occasions, it was cooked to absolute perfection. The juice poured out, and with Knight’s having their own meat market, it’s one of the freshest burgers you’ll ever have.
Bun: 4.5/5
Both ends are toasted and it’s the perfect fit.
Cheese: 4/5
They’ve got a variety of cheeses and here’s a little tip: order the All American Burger and they’ll give you two slices.
Sides and Beverages: 5/5
A perfect 5 comes in this category just based on the stiff cocktails alone. This is what they’re known for, and this is a big reason why people visit the original Knight’s. Their Twitter handle, @StrongDrinks, says it all.
Uniqueness: 9/10
Between the history, the great food, the classic feel, and the cocktails, it’s a pretty unique place all around.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8.5/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 34.5/40
Random Shots:
The original Knight’s Steakhouse on Dexter Road in Ann Arbor is a true destination, and even a burger destination. Get to the original Knight’s, ask for the cheese a cracker basket, order a strong cocktail, select a burger, and enjoy yourself.
Knight's Steakhouse
Locations
Studio Grill - Kalamazoo, MI
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on Friday, July 29, 2016
In Attendance: Higgy and Boom
It’s difficult to start this review with the background of the Studio Grill. The reason for that is because the burger was just too darn good, and that’s where I want to start. This is THE burger if you are in the Kalamazoo area, and it’s a definite destination if you are searching for one of Michigan’s best burgers.
To now back up a bit, Studio Grill sits right on Michigan Avenue in downtown Kalamazoo. They opened in 2010, and they’ve made a name for themselves throughout the Kalamazoo area. Studio Grill only serves breakfast and lunch, and they’re only open until 3:00pm on weekdays and until 2:00pm on weekends. They are known to have the best breakfast in Kalamazoo. Once lunch hits, everyone starts showing up for burgers. In 2013, they were voted as having the best burger in southwest Michigan within MLive’s Best Burger in Michigan competition.
Studio Grill prides themselves on being a family owned restaurant that serves fresh, local products. They strive to use the freshest ground beef that’s never frozen, and their buns are delivered daily from Renzemas Bakery in Parchment, MI. They push for that home cooking feel with everything they do.
During my stop to Studio Grill, a few friends and I were in-between stops at Dark Horse Brewing and Bell’s Brewing. We entered for lunch on a busy Friday afternoon. When we walked in, we instantly felt that vibe of being welcome. Everyone was in a good mood as we chose a table along the wall. Our spot was near the center of the restaurant where a counter stood to greet customers that were picking up their takeout orders. Many were also in for a quick handmade shake, and we saw tons of different ice cream flavors under their counter. It seemed like there were a lot of loyal customers coming in and out.
We knew that Studio Grill specializes in stuffed burgers, but when we saw the menu, we realized we had limitless options. They have about 20 different developed burgers, and one that allows you to create your own stuffed burger, which they call the “Freestyle”. We looked, we selected, and they came. After one bite, we knew we had one of the top burgers in the state on our hands.
Meat: 5/5
Super fresh meat, and even with it being stuffed with cheese, it was still perfectly cooked to order (medium). The meat fell apart at times, which is a good sign, and it was a hand crafted patty that was about a ½ pound. It was perfection!
Bun: 4.5/5
As mentioned above, they get their buns delivered daily from Renzemas Bakery in Parchment, MI. On top of having a great bakery bun, they also buttered and toasted both ends. With that bottom and top bun having that buttered, toasted taste, it was once again perfection! Overall, it fit the burger perfectly.
Cheese: 4.5/5
If you can find a place that makes a great stuffed burger, don’t get fancy. Have them throw in some cheddar, or something spicy, and you won’t go wrong. I went for the stuffed cheddar, and I also had them place a piece of cheddar on top of the meat as well. As you can guess, it was just awesome. They have a huge selection of cheeses for any kind of burger you’d like.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
Basically, you’ll be choosing between sweet potato fries, cajun, regular cut, and homemade onion rings. On the beverage side, sodas and shakes are there for the taking.
Uniqueness: 8/10
Studio Grill has a great vibe for the breakfast and lunch scene. It’s great to break away from corporate flare and visit an awesome place like this.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 9.5/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 37.5/40
Random Shots: Go to Studio Grill! It’s not too far off of I94, and just make sure you know their hours of business. This is a burger destination. Bell’s Brewery is only a 10-minute walk or a 3-minute car ride away.
Studio Grill
Map
Visited on Friday, July 29, 2016
In Attendance: Higgy and Boom
It’s difficult to start this review with the background of the Studio Grill. The reason for that is because the burger was just too darn good, and that’s where I want to start. This is THE burger if you are in the Kalamazoo area, and it’s a definite destination if you are searching for one of Michigan’s best burgers.
To now back up a bit, Studio Grill sits right on Michigan Avenue in downtown Kalamazoo. They opened in 2010, and they’ve made a name for themselves throughout the Kalamazoo area. Studio Grill only serves breakfast and lunch, and they’re only open until 3:00pm on weekdays and until 2:00pm on weekends. They are known to have the best breakfast in Kalamazoo. Once lunch hits, everyone starts showing up for burgers. In 2013, they were voted as having the best burger in southwest Michigan within MLive’s Best Burger in Michigan competition.
Studio Grill prides themselves on being a family owned restaurant that serves fresh, local products. They strive to use the freshest ground beef that’s never frozen, and their buns are delivered daily from Renzemas Bakery in Parchment, MI. They push for that home cooking feel with everything they do.
During my stop to Studio Grill, a few friends and I were in-between stops at Dark Horse Brewing and Bell’s Brewing. We entered for lunch on a busy Friday afternoon. When we walked in, we instantly felt that vibe of being welcome. Everyone was in a good mood as we chose a table along the wall. Our spot was near the center of the restaurant where a counter stood to greet customers that were picking up their takeout orders. Many were also in for a quick handmade shake, and we saw tons of different ice cream flavors under their counter. It seemed like there were a lot of loyal customers coming in and out.
We knew that Studio Grill specializes in stuffed burgers, but when we saw the menu, we realized we had limitless options. They have about 20 different developed burgers, and one that allows you to create your own stuffed burger, which they call the “Freestyle”. We looked, we selected, and they came. After one bite, we knew we had one of the top burgers in the state on our hands.
Meat: 5/5
Super fresh meat, and even with it being stuffed with cheese, it was still perfectly cooked to order (medium). The meat fell apart at times, which is a good sign, and it was a hand crafted patty that was about a ½ pound. It was perfection!
Bun: 4.5/5
As mentioned above, they get their buns delivered daily from Renzemas Bakery in Parchment, MI. On top of having a great bakery bun, they also buttered and toasted both ends. With that bottom and top bun having that buttered, toasted taste, it was once again perfection! Overall, it fit the burger perfectly.
Cheese: 4.5/5
If you can find a place that makes a great stuffed burger, don’t get fancy. Have them throw in some cheddar, or something spicy, and you won’t go wrong. I went for the stuffed cheddar, and I also had them place a piece of cheddar on top of the meat as well. As you can guess, it was just awesome. They have a huge selection of cheeses for any kind of burger you’d like.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
Basically, you’ll be choosing between sweet potato fries, cajun, regular cut, and homemade onion rings. On the beverage side, sodas and shakes are there for the taking.
Uniqueness: 8/10
Studio Grill has a great vibe for the breakfast and lunch scene. It’s great to break away from corporate flare and visit an awesome place like this.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 9.5/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 37.5/40
Random Shots: Go to Studio Grill! It’s not too far off of I94, and just make sure you know their hours of business. This is a burger destination. Bell’s Brewery is only a 10-minute walk or a 3-minute car ride away.
Studio Grill
Map
Brome Burgers & Shakes - Dearborn, MI
Reviewed by Kevin
Visited on Tuesday, April 5
In Attendance: Melissa and Lucia
Brome Burgers & Shakes is on Michigan Ave in Dearborn. Yes, another burger choice in Dearborn. I was surprised to hear about this place because of all the other competition for burgers in the area. Brome brings the idea of having a tasty burger choice that fits into the category of yet another one of those increasingly popular healthy burger alternatives. Healthy burger options are a great thing as we learn more about our food. Brome Burgers provide that higher quality and their burgers taste really good! My burger was the most tasty health conscious burger I’ve had to date.
The restaurant itself is very well done with a modern set up. Parking is located in the back of the building and the rear entrance leads into a long hallway that is filled with a lot of information regarding what you are about to experience with the Brome brand. The food counter greets you at the end of the hall and the rest of the place spills out into seating with a high rise ceiling. Burger themed pop art decorates the walls and green, and I mean green, flourishes throughout the entire place. I feel healthier just sitting in the restaurant. An outdoor patio lining the east side of the building is available for those pleasant burger eating days.
Meat: 4.5/5
Thunder Ridge beef choices in premium black angus and 100% organic. The meat is tasty and healthy. A bit overcooked on my burger, but still very good.
Bun: 3.5/5
Toasted bun.
Cheese: 4/5
American, swiss, provolone, mild cheddar, white cheddar, ghost jack, and cheese sauce. What more can you ask for?
Sides and Beverages: 3.5/5
Kennebec fries (kosher salt & cracked pepper, cajun spiced, garlic & cilantro, truffle & parmesan), sweet potato fries, tots, sweet potato puffs, chili cheese fries or tots. Also, Brome offers a number of hand-spun shakes and concretes. Totally worth adding to your dining experience.
Uniqueness: 8/10
Brome burger brings it with a healthy atmosphere of lush green decor and a healthier burger option.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 31/40
Brome Burgers & Shakes
Map
Visited on Tuesday, April 5
In Attendance: Melissa and Lucia
Brome Burgers & Shakes is on Michigan Ave in Dearborn. Yes, another burger choice in Dearborn. I was surprised to hear about this place because of all the other competition for burgers in the area. Brome brings the idea of having a tasty burger choice that fits into the category of yet another one of those increasingly popular healthy burger alternatives. Healthy burger options are a great thing as we learn more about our food. Brome Burgers provide that higher quality and their burgers taste really good! My burger was the most tasty health conscious burger I’ve had to date.
The restaurant itself is very well done with a modern set up. Parking is located in the back of the building and the rear entrance leads into a long hallway that is filled with a lot of information regarding what you are about to experience with the Brome brand. The food counter greets you at the end of the hall and the rest of the place spills out into seating with a high rise ceiling. Burger themed pop art decorates the walls and green, and I mean green, flourishes throughout the entire place. I feel healthier just sitting in the restaurant. An outdoor patio lining the east side of the building is available for those pleasant burger eating days.
Meat: 4.5/5
Thunder Ridge beef choices in premium black angus and 100% organic. The meat is tasty and healthy. A bit overcooked on my burger, but still very good.
Bun: 3.5/5
Toasted bun.
Cheese: 4/5
American, swiss, provolone, mild cheddar, white cheddar, ghost jack, and cheese sauce. What more can you ask for?
Sides and Beverages: 3.5/5
Kennebec fries (kosher salt & cracked pepper, cajun spiced, garlic & cilantro, truffle & parmesan), sweet potato fries, tots, sweet potato puffs, chili cheese fries or tots. Also, Brome offers a number of hand-spun shakes and concretes. Totally worth adding to your dining experience.
Uniqueness: 8/10
Brome burger brings it with a healthy atmosphere of lush green decor and a healthier burger option.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 31/40
Brome Burgers & Shakes
Map
Falls Sports Lounge - Dearborn, MI
Reviewed by Kevin
Visited on Monday, March 28, 2016
In Attendance: The Chad
Many people may think of one main place to get a burger when going to Dearborn, and that one place could in fact be the Fall’s Sports Lounge.
The Fall’s Sports Lounge is a personal favorite of Michigan Burge Boy correspondent Chad. A Dearborn native, Chad has been trying to get me to have a burger there for over 10 years, stating that their burger stands second to none. Well, the time finally arrived for me to experience this classic bar burger when we met up for a bite to eat on our way down to a Wings game in late March.
Planted on Carlysle St., just off of Outer Dr., the Fall’s Sports Lounge is where the people of Dearborn have been enjoying good company, brews, and one heck of a tasty burger. Upon walking into the cozy, dark bar, Chad was instantly engaged with greetings from locals. Friendly faces and excitement for our burger quest made the homecoming a nice experience. Throughout the place you will find your typical sports photos, posters, and beer paraphernalia lining the wall, complete with Dearborn’s blue oval Ford sign set deep in the the far end of the bar. Flat screen televisions, a dartboard, and a pool table round out the place to meet everyone’s needs.
We both ordered the classic burger with Velveeta, mustard, ketchup, and pickle. Our burgers were cooked to a perfect medium and provided an outstanding amount juice that amazingly didn’t obliterate the bun. While eating, I told Chad that the burger didn’t disappoint and that it was everything he said it would be. At this very moment, I needed a darn good burger in my life because I was in a bit of a drought with finding a new burger that I can share with the masses. This is that burger. So, the next time you get a burger in Dearborn, take a break from eating burgers on Michigan Ave and check out the Fall’s Sports Lounge. You won’t be disappointed!
Meat: 4.5/5
The meat is tasty and is as juicy as any burger should be.
Bun: 4/5
A good size, brioche bun for the burger that is lightly toasted. A pretzel bun is available too.
Cheese: 4/5
A few choices here, but the classic comes with melted Velveeta and it is good!
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
Full bar and a few taps. A craft beer could be on tap hiding among the Miller Lite when you visit. Side choices are fries, waffle fries, and onion rings.
Uniqueness: 9/10
This place is Dearborn! A lovely place to take in the essence of the city while enjoying a delicious burger.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 9/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 34.5/40
Map
Visited on Monday, March 28, 2016
In Attendance: The Chad
Many people may think of one main place to get a burger when going to Dearborn, and that one place could in fact be the Fall’s Sports Lounge.
The Fall’s Sports Lounge is a personal favorite of Michigan Burge Boy correspondent Chad. A Dearborn native, Chad has been trying to get me to have a burger there for over 10 years, stating that their burger stands second to none. Well, the time finally arrived for me to experience this classic bar burger when we met up for a bite to eat on our way down to a Wings game in late March.
Planted on Carlysle St., just off of Outer Dr., the Fall’s Sports Lounge is where the people of Dearborn have been enjoying good company, brews, and one heck of a tasty burger. Upon walking into the cozy, dark bar, Chad was instantly engaged with greetings from locals. Friendly faces and excitement for our burger quest made the homecoming a nice experience. Throughout the place you will find your typical sports photos, posters, and beer paraphernalia lining the wall, complete with Dearborn’s blue oval Ford sign set deep in the the far end of the bar. Flat screen televisions, a dartboard, and a pool table round out the place to meet everyone’s needs.
We both ordered the classic burger with Velveeta, mustard, ketchup, and pickle. Our burgers were cooked to a perfect medium and provided an outstanding amount juice that amazingly didn’t obliterate the bun. While eating, I told Chad that the burger didn’t disappoint and that it was everything he said it would be. At this very moment, I needed a darn good burger in my life because I was in a bit of a drought with finding a new burger that I can share with the masses. This is that burger. So, the next time you get a burger in Dearborn, take a break from eating burgers on Michigan Ave and check out the Fall’s Sports Lounge. You won’t be disappointed!
Meat: 4.5/5
The meat is tasty and is as juicy as any burger should be.
Bun: 4/5
A good size, brioche bun for the burger that is lightly toasted. A pretzel bun is available too.
Cheese: 4/5
A few choices here, but the classic comes with melted Velveeta and it is good!
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
Full bar and a few taps. A craft beer could be on tap hiding among the Miller Lite when you visit. Side choices are fries, waffle fries, and onion rings.
Uniqueness: 9/10
This place is Dearborn! A lovely place to take in the essence of the city while enjoying a delicious burger.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 9/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 34.5/40
Map
Sheehan's on the Green - Plymouth, MI
Sheehan’s on the Green
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on May 14, 2016
In Attendance: Higgy and Gerbe
I haven’t been this excited about a location or a burger in a while. Sheehan’s on the Green is an old-school Irish bar, and it sits in a really unique spot. It shares a huge plot of land with the Oasis Golf Center and Camp Mirage. Really, there’s a lot to do in this large area that sits at highways I-275 and M-14.
Let’s actually start with the Oasis Golf Center. To me, this is a gem in the winter as they have a nice indoor driving range inside their dome. In the summer, take things outside to their full-fledged driving range, or try out some mini-golf. What makes Sheehan’s such a neat spot is that it actually sits right in the parking lot of Oasis. You pull your vehicle into Oasis, and you’re basically in a shared parking lot for both Oasis and Sheehan’s.
Sheehan’s on the Green is “home to the famous gourmet Sheehan burger.” They advertise it on their sign, along with “ice cold beer” and “cocktails”. When you head inside, you feel like you’re at that typical Irish bar, but Sheehan’s takes things a little further. They’ve got quite a few different rooms, including a bar area, restaurant area, sports area, and even a patio. Tons of memorabilia, both sports and from the Irish culture, line the walls. After you get your beer ordered, be prepared to have some fun with free popcorn and shuffleboard. That’s right, free! Their shuffleboard table is just sitting there waiting for you, and it’s a 16-foot dandy (see slideshow here).
Their burger selection is pretty large. They have more than 10 unique versions of the hamburger, and their main attraction is the 8oz., certified angus Sheehan Burger. I ordered that famous Sheehan Burger, while Higgy went for the Olive Burger, and Gerbe went with the Salsa Burger that was on special that day. A huge container of pickles are already kept on the table in anticipation of the burgers. After playing some shuffleboard, eating some popcorn, and talking to the locals, the burgers came.
Meat: 4.5/5
Cooked to perfection. Ordered medium, and they came out a juicy medium. Awesome. The burger was big and it was just cooked nicely. We talked to the cook and it appears that their burgers come in pre-formed, but fresh, from Empire Packing Company out of Detroit.
Bun: 4/5
Sheehan’s offers a sesame seed bun that’s toasted and it fits the patty well.
Cheese: 4/5
Quite a few choices and a decent amount of cheese was provided.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
We had seasoned curly fries (very good) and onion rings. Their onion rings are pretty well known at Sheehan’s, as they do the battering right there. They’re the size of a donut. Beyond those sides, they’ve got plenty of other typical food choices, and a standard bar for beverages.
Uniqueness: 8/10
Uniqueness comes in pretty high here, mostly due to the location. I mean, especially if you’re a golfer, how can you go wrong with hitting the driving range, whether it be indoor or outdoor, and then just head across the parking lot to Sheehan’s? The whole plot of land just makes you want to stick around for the entire afternoon.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8.25/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 32.75/40
Random Shots: Grab your golf clubs, hit some balls, and grab a burger and some brews at Sheehan’s on the Green.
Sheehan's on the Green
Slideshow on the Blog
Map
Aubree's Pizzeria and Grill - Various Locations, MI
Aubree’s Pizzeria and Grill
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on February 15, 2016
In Attendance: Higgy
I love Aubree’s. I love the pizza, and I especially love the cheese bread. My family has been visiting all of the local Aubree’s for quite some time. Heck, back in the day, there’s was even a guys-only Aubree’s League that I was a member of. There was no league about it; we’d just go to Aubree’s, eat, and drink.
Aubree’s has come a very long way. It started back in 1972 when a corner bar was built in Depot Town in Ypsilanti, MI. Since then, they’ve just gone all in and opened full-service restaurants all over the state. For a very long time, they just had restaurants in Ypsilanti and Marquette. Now, there are eleven total successful restaurants.
Everything I’ve had at Aubree’s has always delivered. True, they’re more of a pizza place than a burger joint, but when I was at Aubree’s about a year ago, there was actually a burger on the front of their menu. At that point, I figured that I was only going to live once, so why not try the burger and give it a MBB review?
On President’s Day of 2016, my buddy Higgy and I decided to hit Tee Box Golf Simulator in Ann Arbor, and then head on over to the pretty newly built Aubree’s in Dexter. It was time to try the burger and give it an official review.
Meat: 3.5/5
Their burgers are hand-pattied and are ⅓ pound of ground chuck. We ordered ours medium, and they came pretty close to that. Overall, it was just a little on the small side. It’s possible that they start with a ⅓ pound patty before cooking, and the cooking process can make it even smaller when served.
Bun: 4/5
Bakery style bun and it fit the burger well. They have a pretzel bun option.
Cheese: 4/5
Normal amount with the normal choices.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
Probably one of my top 3 favorite things to eat is Aubree’s Cheese Bread. It’s just unbeatable, and it’s been my go-to for a very long time. Whenever I go to Aubree’s, I order it. All of their sides are good, and they always have good monthly beer specials.
Uniqueness: 6/10
To be honest, nothing is overly unique, and you’ve been in places like this before. But, they don’t have to be unique to serve their customers great food in a good environment. Aubree’s does a good job.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 28.5/40
Random Shots: I have to say, for the past 10+ years that I’ve been visiting various Aubree’s, the service has always been interesting. Let’s say that this visit didn’t disappoint.
Aubree's
Locations
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on February 15, 2016
In Attendance: Higgy
I love Aubree’s. I love the pizza, and I especially love the cheese bread. My family has been visiting all of the local Aubree’s for quite some time. Heck, back in the day, there’s was even a guys-only Aubree’s League that I was a member of. There was no league about it; we’d just go to Aubree’s, eat, and drink.
Aubree’s has come a very long way. It started back in 1972 when a corner bar was built in Depot Town in Ypsilanti, MI. Since then, they’ve just gone all in and opened full-service restaurants all over the state. For a very long time, they just had restaurants in Ypsilanti and Marquette. Now, there are eleven total successful restaurants.
Everything I’ve had at Aubree’s has always delivered. True, they’re more of a pizza place than a burger joint, but when I was at Aubree’s about a year ago, there was actually a burger on the front of their menu. At that point, I figured that I was only going to live once, so why not try the burger and give it a MBB review?
On President’s Day of 2016, my buddy Higgy and I decided to hit Tee Box Golf Simulator in Ann Arbor, and then head on over to the pretty newly built Aubree’s in Dexter. It was time to try the burger and give it an official review.
Meat: 3.5/5
Their burgers are hand-pattied and are ⅓ pound of ground chuck. We ordered ours medium, and they came pretty close to that. Overall, it was just a little on the small side. It’s possible that they start with a ⅓ pound patty before cooking, and the cooking process can make it even smaller when served.
Bun: 4/5
Bakery style bun and it fit the burger well. They have a pretzel bun option.
Cheese: 4/5
Normal amount with the normal choices.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
Probably one of my top 3 favorite things to eat is Aubree’s Cheese Bread. It’s just unbeatable, and it’s been my go-to for a very long time. Whenever I go to Aubree’s, I order it. All of their sides are good, and they always have good monthly beer specials.
Uniqueness: 6/10
To be honest, nothing is overly unique, and you’ve been in places like this before. But, they don’t have to be unique to serve their customers great food in a good environment. Aubree’s does a good job.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 28.5/40
Random Shots: I have to say, for the past 10+ years that I’ve been visiting various Aubree’s, the service has always been interesting. Let’s say that this visit didn’t disappoint.
Aubree's
Locations
Lansing Brewing Company - Lansing, MI
Lansing Brewing Company
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on January 24, 2016
In Attendance: The Fosters and the Bodes
If you’re looking for a great summer afternoon or evening, pair Lansing Brewing Company with a Lansing Lugnuts game, and you’ve got one heck of a time. My visit to Lansing Brewing Company unfortunately came in the middle of winter, but I can’t wait to get back for the complete visit, as LBC sits just beyond right field fence of Cooley Law School Stadium, home of the minor league baseball team, the Lansing Lugnuts. It’s a great stadium, and if you’ve ever been to a minor league baseball game, you know how easy and fun they are.
Lansing Brewing Company re-opened in the fall of 2015, and they’re bound for success. Their re-opening is an interesting story. They were actually one of the first breweries in the city of Lansing, and I’m talking way back. Over 100 years ago, Lansing Brewing Company served those that were actually building the city. Their Amber Cream Ale was known all over the city, but unfortunately, prohibition shut them down in 1914. They’ve resurrected the brand, and opened their new, state of the art location, as already stated, right next to Cooley Law School Stadium, which is right in the downtown area of Lansing.
When I visited Lansing Brewing Company, it was only about two months old. I immediately started wishing it was summer due to the huge patio, and the entire side of the building was lined with garage doors that would give the entire place an outdoor vibe on a nice day. The whole place just looks cool, and we just kept commenting on how well done the interior design was.
Lansing Brewing Company has three signature beers and a big variety of rotationals. This is a brewery that has something for everyone. As for the food, their menu is huge and it won’t disappoint. I had the Stadium District Burger, which is a half pound Angus beef patty topped with cheddar cheese, beer onions and bacon, with a dill pickle aioli. Our whole family, and the family we were with, had a great time at Lansing Brewing Company.
Meat: 4/5
No real complaints here. They serve a nice ½ pound angus patty that’s cooked to order. Mine was ordered medium, and it was a little over-cooked.
Bun: 4/5
A good bakery-style bun that fit the burger well.
Cheese: 3.5/5
Nothing over the top to report in this category.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
They’ve got a good listing of appetizers and sides. My fries were beer battered, and they had a thick deep-fried taste. There are some pretty unique items on their menu that separates them from normal bars and whatnot. On the beverages end of things, obviously it’s a brewery, so enjoy a ton of different beers, liquors, and wines.
Uniqueness: 9.5/10
This is a great place with a nice location.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 32/40
Random Shots: I’d like to visit Lansing Brewing Company again soon.
Lansing Brewing Company
Map
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on January 24, 2016
In Attendance: The Fosters and the Bodes
If you’re looking for a great summer afternoon or evening, pair Lansing Brewing Company with a Lansing Lugnuts game, and you’ve got one heck of a time. My visit to Lansing Brewing Company unfortunately came in the middle of winter, but I can’t wait to get back for the complete visit, as LBC sits just beyond right field fence of Cooley Law School Stadium, home of the minor league baseball team, the Lansing Lugnuts. It’s a great stadium, and if you’ve ever been to a minor league baseball game, you know how easy and fun they are.
Lansing Brewing Company re-opened in the fall of 2015, and they’re bound for success. Their re-opening is an interesting story. They were actually one of the first breweries in the city of Lansing, and I’m talking way back. Over 100 years ago, Lansing Brewing Company served those that were actually building the city. Their Amber Cream Ale was known all over the city, but unfortunately, prohibition shut them down in 1914. They’ve resurrected the brand, and opened their new, state of the art location, as already stated, right next to Cooley Law School Stadium, which is right in the downtown area of Lansing.
When I visited Lansing Brewing Company, it was only about two months old. I immediately started wishing it was summer due to the huge patio, and the entire side of the building was lined with garage doors that would give the entire place an outdoor vibe on a nice day. The whole place just looks cool, and we just kept commenting on how well done the interior design was.
Lansing Brewing Company has three signature beers and a big variety of rotationals. This is a brewery that has something for everyone. As for the food, their menu is huge and it won’t disappoint. I had the Stadium District Burger, which is a half pound Angus beef patty topped with cheddar cheese, beer onions and bacon, with a dill pickle aioli. Our whole family, and the family we were with, had a great time at Lansing Brewing Company.
Meat: 4/5
No real complaints here. They serve a nice ½ pound angus patty that’s cooked to order. Mine was ordered medium, and it was a little over-cooked.
Bun: 4/5
A good bakery-style bun that fit the burger well.
Cheese: 3.5/5
Nothing over the top to report in this category.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
They’ve got a good listing of appetizers and sides. My fries were beer battered, and they had a thick deep-fried taste. There are some pretty unique items on their menu that separates them from normal bars and whatnot. On the beverages end of things, obviously it’s a brewery, so enjoy a ton of different beers, liquors, and wines.
Uniqueness: 9.5/10
This is a great place with a nice location.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 32/40
Random Shots: I’d like to visit Lansing Brewing Company again soon.
Lansing Brewing Company
Map
Atwater Brewery - Detroit, MI
Reviewed by Kevin
Visited on Friday, March 11, 2016
In Attendance: Jerry, Meredith, Miranda, Pam, Hemmy, and Johan
What goes better with a burger than beer? How about taking it a step further and eating a burger at a brewery! That’s what a bunch of us did at Atwater Brewery back in March as we prepared for a concert that night at the Fox Theater in Detroit.
Atwater Brewery is located in the Rivertown District, a short drive up Jefferson from downtown Detroit. This brewery has really focused on its brand and makes a nice connection to the hard working people of the area. Paintings from their new labels gracefully compete with flat screen televisions everywhere you look. Large glass windows provide a view of the brewing operation in back that was once an arms length away before the tap room opened up. Splitting the view in back is a tap list written in chalk that keeps going. The taproom gives hard working beer drinkers the opportunity to relax and enjoy many beers, company, and yes, even a burger.
The food set-up is simple with walk up ordering on the far right side of the long bar. We all placed an order for a burger that night. Everyone enjoyed their burger and here’s how mine stacks up.
I ordered a Bar Burger that is served with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, Atwater sauce, brioche bun, and I added cheese. I was given a number to post up at my table and they soon delivered my burger. The burger had a nice appearance.
Meat: 3.5/5
The meat, which appeared to be juicy, was tasty, but dry.
Bun: 3.5/5
Brioche bun.
Cheese: 3.5/5
Left wanting more on my burger.
Sides and Beverages: 5/5
Chips, waffle fries, o-rings, and all the beer you can imagine. The basket of pretzels is the way to go! It comes with honey mustard and pub cheese. So good!
Uniqueness: 8.5/10
This place is a great way to experience Detroit. It brings you into a district that has more to offer. Look across the water into Canada, reflect on downtown Detroit, or keep heading up Jefferson towards Pewabic Pottery and Belle Isle.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7.5/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 31.5/40
Atwater Brewery
Map
Clubhouse BFD - Rochester Hills, MI
Clubhouse BFD
Reviewed by Kevin and Lucas
Visited on January 9, 2016
In Attendance: Arnold
Let’s get right to it. We were in town for a Pistons game, and we needed a good burger near the Palace of Auburn Hills. Kevin got a lead on Clubhouse BFD, and off we went into a great night of burgers and basketball.
Clubhouse BFD has been pretty popular in the Rochester Hills area for quite some time. The BFD is short for Beer-Food-Drink, and they do a nice job in each area. They also feature a “juried gallery exhibit of the brewing arts”. Their beer list is quite massive. In fact, Clubhouse BFD is one of Draft Magazine’s Top 100 Beer Bars.
When you walk in, you’re greeted by lots of neat things on the walls, and just all over the place. The first thing you’ll notice is an old newspaper machine that’s been converted to a television. We were led to our seat, and it was a big sports Saturday. The NFL Playoffs were on, and as mentioned above, we were also getting tuned up for a Pistons game later that night. We dove into that beer list, and then into their burger selection. They have a large variety of burgers as well, and we each ordered a different one. It was time to settle in, look around at all of the stuff on the walls, watch some NFL, drink some brews, and have a good all-around time at Clubhouse BFD.
Meat: 4/5
Clubhouse BFD starts with ½ pound house blend of Angus, brisket, and short rib. It’s then “seasoned and cooked to perfection”. It was indeed seasoned and cooked pretty close to how we had ordered them.
Bun: 4/5
Good, and it fit the burger well. Nothing to complain about here.
Cheese: 4/5
Unless you go with the Build Your Own Burger, all of their selections come with a pre-chosen cheese. And, they all fit with what’s happening. Burgers with a nicely matching cheese include The Remedy, Richmond Press, and more. Check out their online menu for the full rundown.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
We mentioned that massive beer list, and they’ve got quite a few sides to be used as an appetizer or to be ate along with your meal. Their fries are good and on the smaller end, and their onion rings were pretty solid too. Nothing to complain about here either.
Uniqueness: 7/10
There’s a lot of places like Clubhouse BFD, but they do many things in an attempt to be and stay unique. Their website mentions that they will continue to evolve based on customer input.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 31/40
Random Shots: If you’re heading to the Palace, this isn’t a bad stop on the way! It’s about 10-15 minutes away.
Clubhouse BFD
Map
The Side Door Saloon - Petoskey, MI
Reviewed by Kevin
Visited on November 27, 2015
In Attendance: McCown Family with Nonna
On the edge of Petoskey sits a cozy bar with plenty of space. Formerly Vienna Gardens, the Side Door Saloon has been serving the area since 1963. They bring on a local Petoskey flair with a sports vibe. Plaid carpet paves the way for dark wood tables and furniture with lots of TVs and a special party nook with games. A full bar with Michigan craft taps makes this place good to go for any up north gathering at any time of the year.
I paid a visit to the Side Door Saloon over Thanksgiving break. Growing up just north of the bridge, I passed this place over a hundred times, but I never stopped in for a burger. I wanted something delicious to help me recover from a turkey hangover, so the family hopped in the car and decided to hit Petoskey for some shopping, a movie, and a burger.
The Side Door Saloon offers a list of “World Famous Burgers”, but is known for their olive burger. Everyone with me had to find out just how good the olive burger truly is. We all ordered one. The ⅓ lb. burger is cooked to order and served on a sourdough bun with an olive mayo mixture. I added a slice of pepper jack cheese to accompany my burger. Served in a wax paper enthroned basket with crinkle cut chips, this burger had me at hello.
Meat: 4/5
Tasty and juicy! Their fresh ground beef is locally sourced from Circle M Ranch of Wolverine. Gotta love that and it’s very good.
Bun: 3.5/5
Sourdough bun from GFS. The burger to bun ratio is spot on.
Cheese: 4.5/5
Quite a selection: American, swiss, cheddar, pepper jack, gorgonzola, smoked gouda, and provolone.
Sides and Beverages: 3.5/5
Sides are kept simple with chips. Full bar and seasonal craft beers from Petoskey Brewery, Short’s, and other Michigan brewers.
Uniqueness: 8.5/10
A nice up north vibe that won’t disappoint. An experience worth checking out.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 9/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 33/40
Random Shots: Lot’s of frog flair everywhere you look.
The Side Door Saloon
Map
Visited on November 27, 2015
In Attendance: McCown Family with Nonna
On the edge of Petoskey sits a cozy bar with plenty of space. Formerly Vienna Gardens, the Side Door Saloon has been serving the area since 1963. They bring on a local Petoskey flair with a sports vibe. Plaid carpet paves the way for dark wood tables and furniture with lots of TVs and a special party nook with games. A full bar with Michigan craft taps makes this place good to go for any up north gathering at any time of the year.
I paid a visit to the Side Door Saloon over Thanksgiving break. Growing up just north of the bridge, I passed this place over a hundred times, but I never stopped in for a burger. I wanted something delicious to help me recover from a turkey hangover, so the family hopped in the car and decided to hit Petoskey for some shopping, a movie, and a burger.
The Side Door Saloon offers a list of “World Famous Burgers”, but is known for their olive burger. Everyone with me had to find out just how good the olive burger truly is. We all ordered one. The ⅓ lb. burger is cooked to order and served on a sourdough bun with an olive mayo mixture. I added a slice of pepper jack cheese to accompany my burger. Served in a wax paper enthroned basket with crinkle cut chips, this burger had me at hello.
Meat: 4/5
Tasty and juicy! Their fresh ground beef is locally sourced from Circle M Ranch of Wolverine. Gotta love that and it’s very good.
Bun: 3.5/5
Sourdough bun from GFS. The burger to bun ratio is spot on.
Cheese: 4.5/5
Quite a selection: American, swiss, cheddar, pepper jack, gorgonzola, smoked gouda, and provolone.
Sides and Beverages: 3.5/5
Sides are kept simple with chips. Full bar and seasonal craft beers from Petoskey Brewery, Short’s, and other Michigan brewers.
Uniqueness: 8.5/10
A nice up north vibe that won’t disappoint. An experience worth checking out.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 9/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 33/40
Random Shots: Lot’s of frog flair everywhere you look.
The Side Door Saloon
Map
Lucky's Prime Time - Rochester, MI
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on Saturday, November 14, 2015
In Attendance: Megan and Papa
Lucky’s, and their chain of restaurants, are pretty popular. Lucky’s Prime Time, located in Rochester, has been a local staple for quite some time, and they’ve got a huge following for all meals of the day. There’s also Senor Lucky’s, located in Davison, Lucky’s Blindfish Grill in Lapeer, and there’s even a series of Lucky’s Steakhouses around the state. All in all, they know food, and they do things pretty well.
I was fortunate enough to hit Lucky’s Prime Time in Rochester for a burger on a nice fall Saturday. There were football games being played on their televisions, and it was just overall a great day to be diving into a burger. When you take a look at the Lucky’s menu, there’s lots to tasty options to choose from. I’m glad that a burger was on my radar as that simplified things.
At Lucky’s Prime Time, they grind fresh chuck and steak trimmings daily for their hand pattied burgers. All of their burgers are served with all the fixings, and you can substitute steak cut onion rings for only 99 cents. Let me discuss their onion rings for a moment, as they just looked delicious. I can think back to a few mistakes I’ve made while on the burger trail, and not ordering these is definitely one of them. Based on the gobs of people ordering them around me, it was clear that these were possibly Lucky’s most popular item on the menu, and as I said, they were huge and looked delicious.
I was at Lucky’s for a lunch-time burger, so let’s get to it.
Meat: 4/5
As mentioned above, Lucky’s grinds their meat daily, and it showed. It was a tasty and large burger that did it’s job. I ordered it medium, and it came pretty close to that.
Bun: 2/5
This was the downfall. The patty of meat was pretty big in diameter, so therefore, the meat wasn’t that thick. When you have a patty of meat like that, you just can’t have a towering and overpowering bun. It didn’t allow me to really enjoy the burger, as the bread become too much to handle. It was a bakery fresh bun, but in the end, it was just too large.
Cheese: 4/5
Only a few choices, but they loaded it on there! See the picture, and if you like cheese piled on your burger, this is the place for you.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
Full bar, and they really push the wine with their popular Italian plates. As mentioned, their onion rings look really good, and they serve some awesome bread prior to every meal.
Uniqueness: 6/10
Lucky’s has a full scale chain brewing, but these are pretty simple restaurants with menus that do indeed meet the needs of most customers.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 27/40
Random Shots:
I’d be willing to try the other restaurants in the Lucky’s statewide chain! Lucky's seems to be pretty popular for breakfast.
Lucky's Prime Time
Map
Visited on Saturday, November 14, 2015
In Attendance: Megan and Papa
Lucky’s, and their chain of restaurants, are pretty popular. Lucky’s Prime Time, located in Rochester, has been a local staple for quite some time, and they’ve got a huge following for all meals of the day. There’s also Senor Lucky’s, located in Davison, Lucky’s Blindfish Grill in Lapeer, and there’s even a series of Lucky’s Steakhouses around the state. All in all, they know food, and they do things pretty well.
I was fortunate enough to hit Lucky’s Prime Time in Rochester for a burger on a nice fall Saturday. There were football games being played on their televisions, and it was just overall a great day to be diving into a burger. When you take a look at the Lucky’s menu, there’s lots to tasty options to choose from. I’m glad that a burger was on my radar as that simplified things.
At Lucky’s Prime Time, they grind fresh chuck and steak trimmings daily for their hand pattied burgers. All of their burgers are served with all the fixings, and you can substitute steak cut onion rings for only 99 cents. Let me discuss their onion rings for a moment, as they just looked delicious. I can think back to a few mistakes I’ve made while on the burger trail, and not ordering these is definitely one of them. Based on the gobs of people ordering them around me, it was clear that these were possibly Lucky’s most popular item on the menu, and as I said, they were huge and looked delicious.
I was at Lucky’s for a lunch-time burger, so let’s get to it.
Meat: 4/5
As mentioned above, Lucky’s grinds their meat daily, and it showed. It was a tasty and large burger that did it’s job. I ordered it medium, and it came pretty close to that.
Bun: 2/5
This was the downfall. The patty of meat was pretty big in diameter, so therefore, the meat wasn’t that thick. When you have a patty of meat like that, you just can’t have a towering and overpowering bun. It didn’t allow me to really enjoy the burger, as the bread become too much to handle. It was a bakery fresh bun, but in the end, it was just too large.
Cheese: 4/5
Only a few choices, but they loaded it on there! See the picture, and if you like cheese piled on your burger, this is the place for you.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
Full bar, and they really push the wine with their popular Italian plates. As mentioned, their onion rings look really good, and they serve some awesome bread prior to every meal.
Uniqueness: 6/10
Lucky’s has a full scale chain brewing, but these are pretty simple restaurants with menus that do indeed meet the needs of most customers.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 27/40
Random Shots:
I’d be willing to try the other restaurants in the Lucky’s statewide chain! Lucky's seems to be pretty popular for breakfast.
Lucky's Prime Time
Map
Hamburg Pub - Hamburg, MI
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on Saturday, August 1, 2015
In Attendance: Higgy
Heading to the Township of Hamburg for a hamburger is an absolute no-brainer. Kevin and I had actually made a trip to Hamburg last summer, but a massive power outage forced a closing to the Hamburg Pub and basically all of Hamburg. Even the nearby Zukey Lake Tavern was closed. It took another calendar year to get back to Hamburg, and if anyone’s ever been there before, you know the burger and the atmosphere make the trip worth it. I mean, you're in Hamburg, for a hamburger!
Hamburg sits a few miles off of US-23, on M-36, between Pickney and Brighton. After our mission failed a year ago, it would take some maneuvering to get back. On a random Saturday this summer, MBB correspondent Higgy and I had been mountain biking at Island Lake State Park in Brighton, and on the way home, made a very spur of the moment, peel off the highway stop, in Hamburg.
One may wonder how Hamburg got its name. According to Hamburg historians, “E.F. Gay, a merchant from Ann Arbor, bought 30 acres in what is now Hamburg in 1835 and built a dam and sawmill. He sold out in 1837 to three Germans known as the Messrs. They added a grist mill, store, and hotel. Nineteen men met to choose a name for the town. The three Germans were not allowed to vote and the others were deadlocked at 8–8 and split between naming it "Steuben" or "Knox". The others finally agreed to allow the Messrs to decide, and they choose the name of their hometown, Hamburg, Germany.”
When we landed at the Hamburg Pub that Saturday, home of easily the best hamburger in Hamburg, we went inside to check things out. There are lots of TVs, a pool table, and the sense of many locals hanging out. We then headed for the patio because it was a nice summer day, and we were impressed with the large dual patio. There’s plenty of room outside, and we grabbed a table.
We took a quick look at the menu and went for the ½ pound cheeseburger. Chips automatically come with it, but we upgraded to fries. We sat, enjoyed the sunshine, and had a Bell’s Oberon while waiting for two delicious burgers to come out of the kitchen.
Meat: 4.5/5
The Hamburg Pub gets their beef from Eastern Market, and it’s never frozen. There’s one big impressive thing about this burger. We immediately took notice as to how large this ½ pound burger seemed, and our server mentioned that they pride themselves on serving their burgers sized after the cooking process is complete. How awesome. So, they probably slap a ⅗ pound burger or so on their grill, knowing it will cook down to a ½ pounder. In the end, it was huge.
The taste was great. It was seasoned well and cooked to order. It came with lots of pickles and even a spear on the side.
Bun: 4/5
Toasted nicely and it was fresh. It fit the burger well.
Cheese: 4/5
Typical selection with the typical amount.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
The fries that we had with our burger were really good. They were nicely seasoned and just overall tasty. Beyond the fries, they’ve got your typical selection of sides and alcoholic drinks.
Uniqueness: 7.5/10
It’s your typical small town bar, and we loved every minute of it.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8.25/10
It was darn good!
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 32.25/40
Random Shots:
Things at the Hamburg Pub blow up for Taco Tuesdays!
Hamburg Pub
Map
Visited on Saturday, August 1, 2015
In Attendance: Higgy
Heading to the Township of Hamburg for a hamburger is an absolute no-brainer. Kevin and I had actually made a trip to Hamburg last summer, but a massive power outage forced a closing to the Hamburg Pub and basically all of Hamburg. Even the nearby Zukey Lake Tavern was closed. It took another calendar year to get back to Hamburg, and if anyone’s ever been there before, you know the burger and the atmosphere make the trip worth it. I mean, you're in Hamburg, for a hamburger!
Hamburg sits a few miles off of US-23, on M-36, between Pickney and Brighton. After our mission failed a year ago, it would take some maneuvering to get back. On a random Saturday this summer, MBB correspondent Higgy and I had been mountain biking at Island Lake State Park in Brighton, and on the way home, made a very spur of the moment, peel off the highway stop, in Hamburg.
One may wonder how Hamburg got its name. According to Hamburg historians, “E.F. Gay, a merchant from Ann Arbor, bought 30 acres in what is now Hamburg in 1835 and built a dam and sawmill. He sold out in 1837 to three Germans known as the Messrs. They added a grist mill, store, and hotel. Nineteen men met to choose a name for the town. The three Germans were not allowed to vote and the others were deadlocked at 8–8 and split between naming it "Steuben" or "Knox". The others finally agreed to allow the Messrs to decide, and they choose the name of their hometown, Hamburg, Germany.”
When we landed at the Hamburg Pub that Saturday, home of easily the best hamburger in Hamburg, we went inside to check things out. There are lots of TVs, a pool table, and the sense of many locals hanging out. We then headed for the patio because it was a nice summer day, and we were impressed with the large dual patio. There’s plenty of room outside, and we grabbed a table.
We took a quick look at the menu and went for the ½ pound cheeseburger. Chips automatically come with it, but we upgraded to fries. We sat, enjoyed the sunshine, and had a Bell’s Oberon while waiting for two delicious burgers to come out of the kitchen.
Meat: 4.5/5
The Hamburg Pub gets their beef from Eastern Market, and it’s never frozen. There’s one big impressive thing about this burger. We immediately took notice as to how large this ½ pound burger seemed, and our server mentioned that they pride themselves on serving their burgers sized after the cooking process is complete. How awesome. So, they probably slap a ⅗ pound burger or so on their grill, knowing it will cook down to a ½ pounder. In the end, it was huge.
The taste was great. It was seasoned well and cooked to order. It came with lots of pickles and even a spear on the side.
Bun: 4/5
Toasted nicely and it was fresh. It fit the burger well.
Cheese: 4/5
Typical selection with the typical amount.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
The fries that we had with our burger were really good. They were nicely seasoned and just overall tasty. Beyond the fries, they’ve got your typical selection of sides and alcoholic drinks.
Uniqueness: 7.5/10
It’s your typical small town bar, and we loved every minute of it.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8.25/10
It was darn good!
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 32.25/40
Random Shots:
Things at the Hamburg Pub blow up for Taco Tuesdays!
Hamburg Pub
Map
Patriot Pub and Grub - Brooklyn / Irish Hills, MI
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on Tuesday, February 24, 2015 (and various other times)
It’s possible that there isn’t one place in Michigan that’s received so much hype from people around the Brooklyn area. We have had so many people talk about the quality and the amount of food that one receives. A small order of Nachos on a size large pizza platter? One pound of ham on a sandwich? Burgers that are darn delicious? It’s all true, and that and more can all be found at the Patriot.
Technically in Tipton, MI, the Patriot has been serving up race fans and locals for years. As already mentioned, it’s known for many things, and people just keep on coming back. The Patriot sits on US 12 between Clinton and Brooklyn. It’s in the heart of the Irish Hills and lots of people stop while traveling from one side of the state to the other via US 12. Also, there are tons and tons of lakes nearby, and it’s a dinner spot for many after a long day. The place has a unique layout, with a long bar that stretches back into the kitchen area. The bar actually gets noticeably darker as it moves away from the general seating of the area. All of their walls and decor are lined with patriotic themes.
During my first visit, I was with a group of people who had mostly been there before. We decided to order just about everything and try it all. We all ordered a round of drinks as well, and off we went. When the food came, it was what I had heard about. The amount of food that one is given here is just unreal, and the quality looked solid as well.
Meat: 3.5/5
This is a solid tasting burger that gets the job done. All of their patties are hand crafted and get grilled on a flat top. All of their beef comes from Jerry’s Market in Tecumseh, MI. They are all cooked to order, and their cooks can come pretty close to what you’re looking for.
Bun: 3.5/5
The Patriot has fresh and toasted bakery buns.
Cheese: 4/5
To be honest, I can’t recall what cheese options they offer, but there is something that sticks out. Looking back on all of my reviews, I can say that this is the thickest portion of cheese I’ve ever seen on a burger.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
Tons of delicious sides will keep you happy. Tater tots, onion rings, fries, and the list goes on and on. During my first visit, we got a half order of onion rings and that was the largest onion ring order I’d ever seen. They have a big drink list and the prices can be super cheap if you’re in there at there at the right time. If you’re in there at the wrong time, trust me, drinks and everything else are all still pretty cheap. Their beer comes out in frozen mugs. However, there aren’t a lot of glowing reviews coming from a cold glass of Patriot well water.
Uniqueness: 7/10
It’s an old school feel with lots of variety on their menu at great prices. I think that one could rip through their menu trying everything and never get bored or disappointed.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7.5/10
This was a pretty darn good burger and I’m sure it serves the Irish Hills area very well. Everything is bigger at the Patriot, from the amount of cheese to their super thick cut pickles. All in all, if you’re winding down US 12, give it a shot.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 29.5/40
Random Shots:
I’ve seen tons of different food items within the past year. The nachos are delicious and just monstrous, the pizza is really good with buttered crust, and their specials are just amazing. Lucas has a lot of family gatherings at nearby Clark Lake, and the Patriot has been a definite stop after a day on the lake. Also, hit their patio in the summer. For some reason, you can sense the lakes around you. See my Patriot slideshow for a nice photo review.
Patriot Pub and Grub
Map
Visited on Tuesday, February 24, 2015 (and various other times)
It’s possible that there isn’t one place in Michigan that’s received so much hype from people around the Brooklyn area. We have had so many people talk about the quality and the amount of food that one receives. A small order of Nachos on a size large pizza platter? One pound of ham on a sandwich? Burgers that are darn delicious? It’s all true, and that and more can all be found at the Patriot.
Technically in Tipton, MI, the Patriot has been serving up race fans and locals for years. As already mentioned, it’s known for many things, and people just keep on coming back. The Patriot sits on US 12 between Clinton and Brooklyn. It’s in the heart of the Irish Hills and lots of people stop while traveling from one side of the state to the other via US 12. Also, there are tons and tons of lakes nearby, and it’s a dinner spot for many after a long day. The place has a unique layout, with a long bar that stretches back into the kitchen area. The bar actually gets noticeably darker as it moves away from the general seating of the area. All of their walls and decor are lined with patriotic themes.
During my first visit, I was with a group of people who had mostly been there before. We decided to order just about everything and try it all. We all ordered a round of drinks as well, and off we went. When the food came, it was what I had heard about. The amount of food that one is given here is just unreal, and the quality looked solid as well.
Meat: 3.5/5
This is a solid tasting burger that gets the job done. All of their patties are hand crafted and get grilled on a flat top. All of their beef comes from Jerry’s Market in Tecumseh, MI. They are all cooked to order, and their cooks can come pretty close to what you’re looking for.
Bun: 3.5/5
The Patriot has fresh and toasted bakery buns.
Cheese: 4/5
To be honest, I can’t recall what cheese options they offer, but there is something that sticks out. Looking back on all of my reviews, I can say that this is the thickest portion of cheese I’ve ever seen on a burger.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
Tons of delicious sides will keep you happy. Tater tots, onion rings, fries, and the list goes on and on. During my first visit, we got a half order of onion rings and that was the largest onion ring order I’d ever seen. They have a big drink list and the prices can be super cheap if you’re in there at there at the right time. If you’re in there at the wrong time, trust me, drinks and everything else are all still pretty cheap. Their beer comes out in frozen mugs. However, there aren’t a lot of glowing reviews coming from a cold glass of Patriot well water.
Uniqueness: 7/10
It’s an old school feel with lots of variety on their menu at great prices. I think that one could rip through their menu trying everything and never get bored or disappointed.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7.5/10
This was a pretty darn good burger and I’m sure it serves the Irish Hills area very well. Everything is bigger at the Patriot, from the amount of cheese to their super thick cut pickles. All in all, if you’re winding down US 12, give it a shot.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 29.5/40
Random Shots:
I’ve seen tons of different food items within the past year. The nachos are delicious and just monstrous, the pizza is really good with buttered crust, and their specials are just amazing. Lucas has a lot of family gatherings at nearby Clark Lake, and the Patriot has been a definite stop after a day on the lake. Also, hit their patio in the summer. For some reason, you can sense the lakes around you. See my Patriot slideshow for a nice photo review.
Patriot Pub and Grub
Map
Tommy's Detroit Bar & Grill - Detroit, MI
Reviewed by Kevin and Lucas
Visited on Wednesday, March 18, 2015
It was a cold day back in March of 2013 when Kevin and Matt (Northern Michigan Burger Correspondent) stumbled upon Tommy’s Detroit Bar & Grill in Detroit. Kevin and Matt were on their way to watch some college hockey at the Joe in what was then the CCHA Championship. After parking on Fort Street, they turned the corner and walked down 3rd only to find the black and orange awning of Tommy’s. They went inside to get ready for some hockey with a cold one. Low and behold they found a historical gem.
Located in a building that dates back to 1840, Tommy’s Detroit Bar & Grill is a Detroit historical landmark. The building has a long list of interesting facts which includes its original function to create church bells, access to the underground railroad in the basement, a speakeasy during prohibition, and it even housed the notorious Purple Gang. During it’s rough and tumble years, it is said to believe that a mob hit took place killing members of the gang. Since Tommy opened in 2012, a lot of interesting happenings have taken place. They’ve had paranormal specialists in to test the building and it is alleged to have six spirits.
Captured in numerous photos on the wall, Tommy has great memories from his previous bar, Pacifico’s. It’s clear in these photos that he has quite a connection with Hockeytown. Detroit sports history graces the walls with Stanley Cup victories and player celebrations. Tommy’s is the quintessential place for any hockey fan.
Tommy’s serves up one heck of a service for his customers. A free shuttle can take you down to Tigers, Lions, and Red Wings games. Yes, Red Wings. He is so close to the Joe that anyone could walk without even thinking of it, yet he provides this first class service for his customers. It can take the bitter chill out of a 5-10 minute walk by taking the shuttle. And this isn’t just any kind of shuttle, it’s a nice party bus style shuttle. No old junky clunker bus that tall people hit their head on or have to fold up their legs in. Because of this first class service combined with location ambiance, the Michigan Burger Boys recommend Tommy’s as solid burger and shuttle for any Detroit game.
Now, about the burger! During their visit, Kevin and Lucas had the place to themselves. There was no major sporting event to fill the place up on a Wednesday night in mid-March. Once they got talking, the lovely Christina cooked them up one heck of a burger. A bleu cheese and bacon burger on a pretzel bun, which is her specialty. Served the way she envisioned her masterpiece, the tasty burger was demolished within minutes. With a cold IPA from Saugatuck Brewery in hand to wash down a delightful burger, the Burger Boys enjoyed good company and were also treated to a tour of the historic basement.
Meat: 4/5
Every 10lbs of meat is prepared with Tommy’s special 5 seasoning blend. Their meat is locally sourced from Eastern Market.
Bun: 3.5/5
Plain bun, pretzel bun, or a kaiser roll are your choices.
Cheese: 3.5/5
Cheddar, Swiss, American, pepper jack, bleu, and feta cheeses are offered.
Sides and Beverages: 3.5/5
Tots, fries, and waffle fries. A few beers on tap.
Uniqueness: 10/10
What’s not to like about this unique experience? Tommy’s has a lot to offer. Make sure to check out Tommy’s website to watch some of the videos that describe how unique this place really is and hear from Tommy himself!
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8.5/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 33/40
Random Shots: Tommy’s is the Michigan Burger Boy’s recommended burger and shuttle for a Detroit game. With only one more season left at the Joe, Tommy’s historical location combined with a darn good burger and first class service will keep the patrons heading over to 3rd Street before any Detroit game. No matter where the Wings play, Kevin and Lucas will hit Tommy’s without question!
Tommy's Detroit Bar & Grill
Map
Tommy's Slide Show
Visited on Wednesday, March 18, 2015
It was a cold day back in March of 2013 when Kevin and Matt (Northern Michigan Burger Correspondent) stumbled upon Tommy’s Detroit Bar & Grill in Detroit. Kevin and Matt were on their way to watch some college hockey at the Joe in what was then the CCHA Championship. After parking on Fort Street, they turned the corner and walked down 3rd only to find the black and orange awning of Tommy’s. They went inside to get ready for some hockey with a cold one. Low and behold they found a historical gem.
Located in a building that dates back to 1840, Tommy’s Detroit Bar & Grill is a Detroit historical landmark. The building has a long list of interesting facts which includes its original function to create church bells, access to the underground railroad in the basement, a speakeasy during prohibition, and it even housed the notorious Purple Gang. During it’s rough and tumble years, it is said to believe that a mob hit took place killing members of the gang. Since Tommy opened in 2012, a lot of interesting happenings have taken place. They’ve had paranormal specialists in to test the building and it is alleged to have six spirits.
Captured in numerous photos on the wall, Tommy has great memories from his previous bar, Pacifico’s. It’s clear in these photos that he has quite a connection with Hockeytown. Detroit sports history graces the walls with Stanley Cup victories and player celebrations. Tommy’s is the quintessential place for any hockey fan.
Tommy’s serves up one heck of a service for his customers. A free shuttle can take you down to Tigers, Lions, and Red Wings games. Yes, Red Wings. He is so close to the Joe that anyone could walk without even thinking of it, yet he provides this first class service for his customers. It can take the bitter chill out of a 5-10 minute walk by taking the shuttle. And this isn’t just any kind of shuttle, it’s a nice party bus style shuttle. No old junky clunker bus that tall people hit their head on or have to fold up their legs in. Because of this first class service combined with location ambiance, the Michigan Burger Boys recommend Tommy’s as solid burger and shuttle for any Detroit game.
Now, about the burger! During their visit, Kevin and Lucas had the place to themselves. There was no major sporting event to fill the place up on a Wednesday night in mid-March. Once they got talking, the lovely Christina cooked them up one heck of a burger. A bleu cheese and bacon burger on a pretzel bun, which is her specialty. Served the way she envisioned her masterpiece, the tasty burger was demolished within minutes. With a cold IPA from Saugatuck Brewery in hand to wash down a delightful burger, the Burger Boys enjoyed good company and were also treated to a tour of the historic basement.
Meat: 4/5
Every 10lbs of meat is prepared with Tommy’s special 5 seasoning blend. Their meat is locally sourced from Eastern Market.
Bun: 3.5/5
Plain bun, pretzel bun, or a kaiser roll are your choices.
Cheese: 3.5/5
Cheddar, Swiss, American, pepper jack, bleu, and feta cheeses are offered.
Sides and Beverages: 3.5/5
Tots, fries, and waffle fries. A few beers on tap.
Uniqueness: 10/10
What’s not to like about this unique experience? Tommy’s has a lot to offer. Make sure to check out Tommy’s website to watch some of the videos that describe how unique this place really is and hear from Tommy himself!
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8.5/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 33/40
Random Shots: Tommy’s is the Michigan Burger Boy’s recommended burger and shuttle for a Detroit game. With only one more season left at the Joe, Tommy’s historical location combined with a darn good burger and first class service will keep the patrons heading over to 3rd Street before any Detroit game. No matter where the Wings play, Kevin and Lucas will hit Tommy’s without question!
Tommy's Detroit Bar & Grill
Map
Tommy's Slide Show
Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger - Ann Arbor, MI
Reviewed by Kevin and Lucas
Visited on the afternoon of Monday, January 30, 2012 (many return visits)
Visited *NEW* location on Monday, January 5, 2015
In attendance: Lucas, Kevin, and Mr. Kerr
Re-Review Information: With great pleasure, we visited the new home of the one and only Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger. It has been an interesting journey for this Ann Arbor staple, but now they are back in business and still serving up one of the top burgers in Michigan. For our review purposes, we’ve decided to keep the original burger write-up in tact while mixing in everything from their new location (in bold).
Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a burger everyone must experience. We have nothing but good things to say about this place. Everything is good when it comes to Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger.
As soon as we pulled up outside Blimpy Burger, we could smell the deliciousness. Only a few places offer a tantalizing odor good enough to draw you in. No, this smell is not like a BK ploy. It’s real. Real good! Go to Ann Arbor, find UofM’s campus, take a whiff, and you’ll be sucked right in.
Even though our visit took place in January, the lack of snow prevented us from seeing Blimpy’s traditional sculpture display of snow bears gracing the façade. It’s quite a sight to see when there is snow. During our visit to the new location, located west of the downtown stretch of Main Street, there were no signs of any snow bears for there wasn’t enough snow. Even though the facade is totally different, let’s hope that this tradition continues somehow.
The time of day and what may be happening throughout Ann Arbor will determine how long you will have to wait. We were able to walk right in and grab our drinks and trays at 4:30 on a Monday. However, we’ve both seen the line out the door before. The surges of Blimpy patrons varies now. It seems like the mad rush happened over the holidays. All the loyal burger lovers lined up only with rumors of complaining in line. The traffic pattern for everyone while they wait is way better, especially when you finally make it to your table. There is no reason to worry about someone hovering over you while you try and eat. And as far as the waiting goes, don’t forget to “know your neighbor,” as Mr. Kerr says. Everyone is there for the same reason, and that’s to eat a really, really good burger. So, we suggest you embrace any line that you happen to stumble upon. Don’t worry, complain, or throw a hissy fit. If you don’t like waiting for a good thing, then go elsewhere. Do as the English do, queue up!
When you walk the ordering path, you have a lot of decisions to make. Grab a tray first and be ready. It’s the same order format from the same grill. Yes, all that built in deliciousness in the grease soaked grill made the move to the new location. There's potentially less yelling involved nowadays. During this visit it was a laid back Monday night dinner atmosphere with small surges, but nothing to bust the door down. Only future visits will tell the tale. Lucas went back on a Friday night in February, and things were pretty wide open then too.
Now it’s time to stay on your toes because you are going to be faced with a battery of questions from the Blimpy grillers. When prompted, you are expected to answer on demand. It’s all part of the experience. Make sure you pay attention and keep your socializing to a minimum, especially if they are busy. If it’s your first time, tell them you’re a Blimpy Burger virgin and they will not only be nice to you, but also give you a Tootsie Pop at the end.
Your first few questions will concern the deep fryer and grill. Onion rings (Kevin’s favorite), fries, and even veggies can be thrown into the fryer. Then, just about anything you can think of can be grilled with you burger. Try onion, bacon, salami, egg, and more.
The next set of questions will concern the amount of meat you want, the bun, and the cheese/toppings. Each Blimpy patty begins as a round mound at approximately 1/10 pound. So, plan on ordering a double, triple, quad (which we ordered originally), or quintuple (our last two trips). They’ll seriously toss you out if you order a single. Next, your round mounds get quickly squashed on the grill with a spatula. Don’t blink – it’s on to the bun, and there are four to pick from. Choose fast, as Blimpy is ready to toast it on their grill, which at this point is pretty loaded. Next are the cheese and toppings. With six different cheese choices, any cheese lover is in heaven. You can mix and match or go with only one. As for the toppings, Blimpy wants what’s “wet” first (ketchup, mustard, mayo). Then, let them know if you are interested in pickles, hot peppers, and there’s a ton more options too.
Quick, grab something from the beverage cooler. We picked something out as soon as we finished dressing our buns. LOL. Not sure if that’s the correct process, but since the cooler now greets you at the end, it only makes sense to grab it then. Same great selection of unique pops and something to appeal to almost anyone’s taste.
Once we completed the assault of questions and our burger was created, we had to pay up. Cash or credit. Yes, they accept credit card now. If you have more than a few bucks coming back to you in change, you will more than likely see a two-dollar bill. Don’t forget to tip.
We carried our trays over and sat down. Seating is not as cozy as before and makes it easier to enjoy your burger. About half the furniture is from the original location. The owner’s son refinished the original tables and chairs and he did great work! The burger is delicious and everything adds up to one terrific burger. You try to talk about other things, but you can’t. All you will want to do is talk about how good your burger is.
The four beef patties all on top of one another create a nice, thick, meaty experience. We could taste a hint of seasoning (Worchester sauce?) and it made the taste of the meat delicious. The cheese oozed from the burger, creating trails from burger to mouth. The bun and the onions were perfectly grilled/toasted and the correct blend and amount of toppings rounded out this ridiculously good burger.
You'll certainly find yourself looking around the place, if you didn’t do this while you were waiting in line. Memorabilia is all over and creates a unique, warm environment. A slideshow of the old place is running on the TV in the corner.
Now resting on the edge of downtown Ann Arbor, this location carries more of a family friendly vibe. It may even be fair to say that there is less of a college vibe now. Did closed doors create a gap of college aged customers? Well, with a new spot away from the center of campus, it will take some time for the aroma of delicious burgers to infiltrate the student population. Anyhow, this location has a lot of promise for the future. Better parking is one thing that can be said (more?). We see Blimpy being a busy, vibrant scene, especially in the warm weather months ahead. With breweries nearby, a beer garden up the street (look up) and a beer gratto (look up) across the street, Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger will be feeding the bellies of many hungry patrons for years to come.
Meat: 4.5/5
They double-grind their own western chuck daily!
Bun: 4/5
Having four to choose from obviously offers a terrific variety. Look for your bun to get a little greasy. We've noticed that the pumpernickel can be a bit large, but still worthy to those with a hearty appetite. Through our many visits, we always end up choosing the basic white bun so the delicious meat and toppings can overpower it.
Cheese: 5/5
Having six choices and having the ability to mix and match creates a cheese lover’s paradise. When it's all together, the cheese ends up woven between the multiple patties.
Sides and Beverages: 4.5/5
What would give them the extra 1/2 point? You can probably guess.
Uniqueness: 8/10
Blimpy Burger has got to be one of the most unique burger joints on the planet. Walk in and you won’t disagree. Maybe we’re missing the old place, but we don’t feel quite the same vibe.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 9/10
What else can we say? Blimpy is well-known throughout the state, and even across the country. We’ll be back.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 35/40
Random Shots: What was amazing is how they can take a massive burger off the creation station, somehow wrap it up, and make it edible. Be sure to check out the videos on our blog from Man v. Food and Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives - all featuring Blimpy. Finally, did you know that there are 2,147,483,648 different burger combinations at Blimpy?
Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger
Map
Blimpy Burger Slideshow - New Location
Blimpy Burger Slideshow - Original Location
Visited on the afternoon of Monday, January 30, 2012 (many return visits)
Visited *NEW* location on Monday, January 5, 2015
In attendance: Lucas, Kevin, and Mr. Kerr
Re-Review Information: With great pleasure, we visited the new home of the one and only Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger. It has been an interesting journey for this Ann Arbor staple, but now they are back in business and still serving up one of the top burgers in Michigan. For our review purposes, we’ve decided to keep the original burger write-up in tact while mixing in everything from their new location (in bold).
Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a burger everyone must experience. We have nothing but good things to say about this place. Everything is good when it comes to Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger.
As soon as we pulled up outside Blimpy Burger, we could smell the deliciousness. Only a few places offer a tantalizing odor good enough to draw you in. No, this smell is not like a BK ploy. It’s real. Real good! Go to Ann Arbor, find UofM’s campus, take a whiff, and you’ll be sucked right in.
Even though our visit took place in January, the lack of snow prevented us from seeing Blimpy’s traditional sculpture display of snow bears gracing the façade. It’s quite a sight to see when there is snow. During our visit to the new location, located west of the downtown stretch of Main Street, there were no signs of any snow bears for there wasn’t enough snow. Even though the facade is totally different, let’s hope that this tradition continues somehow.
The time of day and what may be happening throughout Ann Arbor will determine how long you will have to wait. We were able to walk right in and grab our drinks and trays at 4:30 on a Monday. However, we’ve both seen the line out the door before. The surges of Blimpy patrons varies now. It seems like the mad rush happened over the holidays. All the loyal burger lovers lined up only with rumors of complaining in line. The traffic pattern for everyone while they wait is way better, especially when you finally make it to your table. There is no reason to worry about someone hovering over you while you try and eat. And as far as the waiting goes, don’t forget to “know your neighbor,” as Mr. Kerr says. Everyone is there for the same reason, and that’s to eat a really, really good burger. So, we suggest you embrace any line that you happen to stumble upon. Don’t worry, complain, or throw a hissy fit. If you don’t like waiting for a good thing, then go elsewhere. Do as the English do, queue up!
When you walk the ordering path, you have a lot of decisions to make. Grab a tray first and be ready. It’s the same order format from the same grill. Yes, all that built in deliciousness in the grease soaked grill made the move to the new location. There's potentially less yelling involved nowadays. During this visit it was a laid back Monday night dinner atmosphere with small surges, but nothing to bust the door down. Only future visits will tell the tale. Lucas went back on a Friday night in February, and things were pretty wide open then too.
Now it’s time to stay on your toes because you are going to be faced with a battery of questions from the Blimpy grillers. When prompted, you are expected to answer on demand. It’s all part of the experience. Make sure you pay attention and keep your socializing to a minimum, especially if they are busy. If it’s your first time, tell them you’re a Blimpy Burger virgin and they will not only be nice to you, but also give you a Tootsie Pop at the end.
Your first few questions will concern the deep fryer and grill. Onion rings (Kevin’s favorite), fries, and even veggies can be thrown into the fryer. Then, just about anything you can think of can be grilled with you burger. Try onion, bacon, salami, egg, and more.
The next set of questions will concern the amount of meat you want, the bun, and the cheese/toppings. Each Blimpy patty begins as a round mound at approximately 1/10 pound. So, plan on ordering a double, triple, quad (which we ordered originally), or quintuple (our last two trips). They’ll seriously toss you out if you order a single. Next, your round mounds get quickly squashed on the grill with a spatula. Don’t blink – it’s on to the bun, and there are four to pick from. Choose fast, as Blimpy is ready to toast it on their grill, which at this point is pretty loaded. Next are the cheese and toppings. With six different cheese choices, any cheese lover is in heaven. You can mix and match or go with only one. As for the toppings, Blimpy wants what’s “wet” first (ketchup, mustard, mayo). Then, let them know if you are interested in pickles, hot peppers, and there’s a ton more options too.
Quick, grab something from the beverage cooler. We picked something out as soon as we finished dressing our buns. LOL. Not sure if that’s the correct process, but since the cooler now greets you at the end, it only makes sense to grab it then. Same great selection of unique pops and something to appeal to almost anyone’s taste.
Once we completed the assault of questions and our burger was created, we had to pay up. Cash or credit. Yes, they accept credit card now. If you have more than a few bucks coming back to you in change, you will more than likely see a two-dollar bill. Don’t forget to tip.
We carried our trays over and sat down. Seating is not as cozy as before and makes it easier to enjoy your burger. About half the furniture is from the original location. The owner’s son refinished the original tables and chairs and he did great work! The burger is delicious and everything adds up to one terrific burger. You try to talk about other things, but you can’t. All you will want to do is talk about how good your burger is.
The four beef patties all on top of one another create a nice, thick, meaty experience. We could taste a hint of seasoning (Worchester sauce?) and it made the taste of the meat delicious. The cheese oozed from the burger, creating trails from burger to mouth. The bun and the onions were perfectly grilled/toasted and the correct blend and amount of toppings rounded out this ridiculously good burger.
You'll certainly find yourself looking around the place, if you didn’t do this while you were waiting in line. Memorabilia is all over and creates a unique, warm environment. A slideshow of the old place is running on the TV in the corner.
Now resting on the edge of downtown Ann Arbor, this location carries more of a family friendly vibe. It may even be fair to say that there is less of a college vibe now. Did closed doors create a gap of college aged customers? Well, with a new spot away from the center of campus, it will take some time for the aroma of delicious burgers to infiltrate the student population. Anyhow, this location has a lot of promise for the future. Better parking is one thing that can be said (more?). We see Blimpy being a busy, vibrant scene, especially in the warm weather months ahead. With breweries nearby, a beer garden up the street (look up) and a beer gratto (look up) across the street, Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger will be feeding the bellies of many hungry patrons for years to come.
Meat: 4.5/5
They double-grind their own western chuck daily!
Bun: 4/5
Having four to choose from obviously offers a terrific variety. Look for your bun to get a little greasy. We've noticed that the pumpernickel can be a bit large, but still worthy to those with a hearty appetite. Through our many visits, we always end up choosing the basic white bun so the delicious meat and toppings can overpower it.
Cheese: 5/5
Having six choices and having the ability to mix and match creates a cheese lover’s paradise. When it's all together, the cheese ends up woven between the multiple patties.
Sides and Beverages: 4.5/5
What would give them the extra 1/2 point? You can probably guess.
Uniqueness: 8/10
Blimpy Burger has got to be one of the most unique burger joints on the planet. Walk in and you won’t disagree. Maybe we’re missing the old place, but we don’t feel quite the same vibe.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 9/10
What else can we say? Blimpy is well-known throughout the state, and even across the country. We’ll be back.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 35/40
Random Shots: What was amazing is how they can take a massive burger off the creation station, somehow wrap it up, and make it edible. Be sure to check out the videos on our blog from Man v. Food and Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives - all featuring Blimpy. Finally, did you know that there are 2,147,483,648 different burger combinations at Blimpy?
Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger
Map
Blimpy Burger Slideshow - New Location
Blimpy Burger Slideshow - Original Location
Klavon's - Vandercook Lake and Jackson, MI
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on Saturday, January 28th, 2015
In Attendance: The Foster Family
This place is awesome. Klavon’s has become the hottest spot in the Jackson area, and when you go into one of their two locations, you can easily see why. Both of their locations are ultra modern, with colorful menus on tablets, stone and granite, and TVs galore, even in the bathroom.
Klavon’s Pizzeria and Pub opened their first location in the Jackson Northwest area in 2007. Owner Justin Klavon, who has a great pizza background, built something that became very popular, very fast. Lines of guests waited for tables on most nights, and adding a second location seemed obvious. On Monday, June 16th, 2014, Vandercook Lake become home to a new location. Vandercook Lake is a small community just outside of the southeast side of Jackson. When they opened, they blew up.
Yes, Klavon’s is a pizzeria, but as any burger connoisseur would know, many great pizzerias are also home to some great burgers and more. During the summer of 2013, MLive conducted a Best Burger in Michigan search, and Klavon’s made the cut. This made their burger sales double, and in an instant, they became more than just a pizza joint.
I ventured into the new Vandercook Lake location for a family lunch, and it’s a very impressive place. Right when you walk in you’re drawn to a huge glass posters of Justin Verlander and Matthew Stafford (autographed). From there, a huge, beautiful, stone check-in area greets you with TVs behind it. Beyond there, you’re probably headed to one of the several seating areas. Everywhere is impressive. Their bar is super long and ultra modern. Colors change as their bottles shine. A TV chandelier shows music and more, and that’s something you’ve got to see.
Beyond the bar, one really neat area offers windows that slide, open, and close for kind of an indoor-outdoor seating area. I can’t wait to go back when the weather is better, because half the building can have an outdoor feel, and not to mention there’s a huge patio outside as well. Their booths have TVs in them, and there’s even a TV in the bathroom. Need more? There’s an entire upstairs area that overlooks the restaurant. You can rent it out, if you’d like, and there’s plush seating and more up there.
When it’s time to order, you’ll be using tablets. That’s right, something similar to an iPad serves as their menus. Most everything is clickable and expandable, and most food items offer photos, beverage pairings, and more. We ordered up some hot honey boneless wings and cheesy breadsticks as appetizers. Both were out of this world delicious.
And, finally, it was time to order up some burgers. They do have a separate category within their menu for burgers, and they’ve got a pretty nice selection too. According to MLive, Klavon’s uses black angus beef from Gordon Foods Services that has a lean-to-fat ratio of 77/23, meaning 23 percent fat, which is in line with ground hamburger rather than ground round or sirloin. The half-pound burgers are seasoned with an in-house blend, grilled to order, and served on a buttered and toasted brioche bun. I tried the Klavon Burger, which is 7 ounces, flame broiled, and cooked to order. I ordered it medium, added some American cheese, and it was time to eat a few more of our appetizers.
Meat: 4/5
As mentioned above, they do take a lot into consideration when preparing their beef. Mine was nicely seasoned, the flame broiled approach was definitely tasted, and it came out cooked medium, just how I ordered it. The burger was so, so juicy. On the flip side, their patties were not hand crafted and maybe they’ll make the jump beyond Gordon Food Services at some point. Overall, this category gets high marks.
Bun: 4.5/5
Their brioche bun was toasted and was the right size. It complimented the burger well.
Cheese: 4/5
American, Swiss, pepper jack, and cheddar are your options. A nice amount of cheese was on my burger.
Sides and Beverages: 4.5/5
I’ve never heard a bad thing about any of their sides, and they’ve got a great adult beverage selection as well. I had their beer-battered french fries with my burger, and they were crispy and pretty darn good. As mentioned above, our appetizers were awesome. Their beer taps change seasonally, and they usually offer up selections from Short’s, Dark Horse, and more.
Uniqueness: 8/10
Gosh, the place is just awesome, and see above for all of the features. Their new Vandercook Lake location is such a neat spot.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8.5/10
It was great! This was a juicy burger that had a flame broiled taste.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 33.5/40
Random Shots:
Their stuffed Chicago-style pizza brings people in from all over the place. Go to Klavon’s and order everything.
Click here to see a slideshow of Lucas's visit.
Klavon's
Map
Visited on Saturday, January 28th, 2015
In Attendance: The Foster Family
This place is awesome. Klavon’s has become the hottest spot in the Jackson area, and when you go into one of their two locations, you can easily see why. Both of their locations are ultra modern, with colorful menus on tablets, stone and granite, and TVs galore, even in the bathroom.
Klavon’s Pizzeria and Pub opened their first location in the Jackson Northwest area in 2007. Owner Justin Klavon, who has a great pizza background, built something that became very popular, very fast. Lines of guests waited for tables on most nights, and adding a second location seemed obvious. On Monday, June 16th, 2014, Vandercook Lake become home to a new location. Vandercook Lake is a small community just outside of the southeast side of Jackson. When they opened, they blew up.
Yes, Klavon’s is a pizzeria, but as any burger connoisseur would know, many great pizzerias are also home to some great burgers and more. During the summer of 2013, MLive conducted a Best Burger in Michigan search, and Klavon’s made the cut. This made their burger sales double, and in an instant, they became more than just a pizza joint.
I ventured into the new Vandercook Lake location for a family lunch, and it’s a very impressive place. Right when you walk in you’re drawn to a huge glass posters of Justin Verlander and Matthew Stafford (autographed). From there, a huge, beautiful, stone check-in area greets you with TVs behind it. Beyond there, you’re probably headed to one of the several seating areas. Everywhere is impressive. Their bar is super long and ultra modern. Colors change as their bottles shine. A TV chandelier shows music and more, and that’s something you’ve got to see.
Beyond the bar, one really neat area offers windows that slide, open, and close for kind of an indoor-outdoor seating area. I can’t wait to go back when the weather is better, because half the building can have an outdoor feel, and not to mention there’s a huge patio outside as well. Their booths have TVs in them, and there’s even a TV in the bathroom. Need more? There’s an entire upstairs area that overlooks the restaurant. You can rent it out, if you’d like, and there’s plush seating and more up there.
When it’s time to order, you’ll be using tablets. That’s right, something similar to an iPad serves as their menus. Most everything is clickable and expandable, and most food items offer photos, beverage pairings, and more. We ordered up some hot honey boneless wings and cheesy breadsticks as appetizers. Both were out of this world delicious.
And, finally, it was time to order up some burgers. They do have a separate category within their menu for burgers, and they’ve got a pretty nice selection too. According to MLive, Klavon’s uses black angus beef from Gordon Foods Services that has a lean-to-fat ratio of 77/23, meaning 23 percent fat, which is in line with ground hamburger rather than ground round or sirloin. The half-pound burgers are seasoned with an in-house blend, grilled to order, and served on a buttered and toasted brioche bun. I tried the Klavon Burger, which is 7 ounces, flame broiled, and cooked to order. I ordered it medium, added some American cheese, and it was time to eat a few more of our appetizers.
Meat: 4/5
As mentioned above, they do take a lot into consideration when preparing their beef. Mine was nicely seasoned, the flame broiled approach was definitely tasted, and it came out cooked medium, just how I ordered it. The burger was so, so juicy. On the flip side, their patties were not hand crafted and maybe they’ll make the jump beyond Gordon Food Services at some point. Overall, this category gets high marks.
Bun: 4.5/5
Their brioche bun was toasted and was the right size. It complimented the burger well.
Cheese: 4/5
American, Swiss, pepper jack, and cheddar are your options. A nice amount of cheese was on my burger.
Sides and Beverages: 4.5/5
I’ve never heard a bad thing about any of their sides, and they’ve got a great adult beverage selection as well. I had their beer-battered french fries with my burger, and they were crispy and pretty darn good. As mentioned above, our appetizers were awesome. Their beer taps change seasonally, and they usually offer up selections from Short’s, Dark Horse, and more.
Uniqueness: 8/10
Gosh, the place is just awesome, and see above for all of the features. Their new Vandercook Lake location is such a neat spot.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8.5/10
It was great! This was a juicy burger that had a flame broiled taste.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 33.5/40
Random Shots:
Their stuffed Chicago-style pizza brings people in from all over the place. Go to Klavon’s and order everything.
Click here to see a slideshow of Lucas's visit.
Klavon's
Map
Crunchy's - East Lansing, MI
Reviewed by Lucas and Kevin
Visited on Friday, August 8th (Kevin) and 15th (Lucas), 2014
In Attendance: Melissa (with Kevin) and Matt and Brad (with Lucas)
We were in the pursuit of the best burger in Lansing. There are always two burger joints that stand out when we talk to people that live or have lived in the Lansing area. Peanut Barrel is one, and we’ve got that reviewed. The other that keeps popping up is Crunchy’s. They have the self-proclaimed best burger in Lansing, and we were both really excited to try it this past August. The Peanut Barrel or Crunchy’s? Let’s get it on…
Crunchy’s opened its’ doors in 1982 when Paul Grattarola bought the restaurant from the previous owners of Geno’s. Back in his college days, Grattarola was known as “Crunchy”, and that’s where this famous East Lansing establishment got its’ name. They immediately moved away from the Italian themed restaurant that was once Geno’s, and moved more towards burgers and beers. They started selling tons of the “best burger in Lansing” and began offering up something that anyone who has attended college would appreciate. Crunchy’s has the Bucket of Beer, and you’ve got to see it to believe it. It’s a mop bucket filled with 270 ounces of draft beer. Yes, that’s right, a mop bucket filled with 270 ounces of draft beer. No misprint here.
In 1994, Dave and Vivian Milligan took the reigns of Crunchy’s and they’ve continued the traditions and added some of their own. The major change has been within the beer selection. Yes, they still offer the Bucket, but they are better known now for their craft beer selection. In fact, they pride themselves on being East Lansing’s original craft beer bar. They now feature over 25 craft beers on tap.
Inside, Crunchy’s has the look and the feel of a college bar. MSU propaganda breaks up the graffiti covered walls as tons and tons of names and messages are left behind. Televisions are visible from everywhere and a corner is dedicated to video games and a pinball machine to supplement your entertainment needs. Booths and tables line the place, and they even have a outdoor patio for the warmer months. With a dimly lit atmosphere, they’ve got Christmas lights hanging from just about everywhere, and people of all ages sit around and enjoy burgers. Even though it’s a college bar, and it truly has that vibe, there were lots of different aged people at Crunchy’s, and that tells you that the place is indeed a local staple.
When it’s time to order, you’re told to look no further than the burgers. That’s exactly what we all did. Their burgers come served with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and your choice of regular or BBQ chips. You can have it cooked the way you like it. One could also substitute in some fries or tator tots, and even a pretzel bun is an option for an additional charge. If you’re really looking to upgrade, onion rings are available too. A really nice offering on the cheese end is the MSU Cheddar and Jalapeno.
We ordered and it was time to see if Crunchy’s could beat out the Peanut Barrel and take claim as Lansing’s best burger.
Meat: 3/5
They’ve got two things going for them. The first is that the thing was cooked to absolute perfection. Lucas ordered his to a medium temperature, and that’s exactly how it came out. The second thing they’re doing well is that their meat does come in fresh from Wolverine Packing Company. That does seem pretty interesting since Crunchy’s is in East Lansing. The one complaint we have is that not only is the patty pre-formed, but it’s also very dense. MBB Correspondent Matt noted that it’s quite possible that the patty could truly be “snapped” in half. As far as the taste goes, it was a little bland. Lucas spent the extra .50 cents and tried their Crunchy Seasoning, which really just tasted like pepper.
Bun: 3.5/5
Solid. It was a little small for the amount of meat given, but sometimes that’s not a bad thing. We’d rather have a little less than a little more in this category.
Cheese: 3/5
Great options, but as you can see from the photo, there just wasn’t a ton of it on the burger. American, MSU Cheddar, MSU Jalapeno, and Mozzarella are the choices.
Sides and Beverages: 3.5/5
Typical bar sides, and you’ve got to respect the craft beer selection.
Uniqueness: 8/10
This really is an East Lansing and MSU staple. There’s no doubt that every person that went to MSU enjoyed many nights in Crunchy’s. Catering to the burger and beer crowd can make just about anyone happy. The Bucket of Beer concept is pretty unique and still rather shocking. It’s amazing that 270 ounces of draft beer can be poured into a mop bucket and wheeled to your table.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 6.5/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 27.5/40
Random Shots: Well, if we had a Best Burger in Lansing award to give out, the Peanut Barrel would definitely win. Sorry to the Crunchy fanatics, but that’s how we see it. However, Lansing sports radio personality David the Mad Dog DeMarco has been on our case about Mijo’s for quite some time now. So, Mad Dog, that’s our next Lansing stop!
Crunchy's
Map
Visited on Friday, August 8th (Kevin) and 15th (Lucas), 2014
In Attendance: Melissa (with Kevin) and Matt and Brad (with Lucas)
We were in the pursuit of the best burger in Lansing. There are always two burger joints that stand out when we talk to people that live or have lived in the Lansing area. Peanut Barrel is one, and we’ve got that reviewed. The other that keeps popping up is Crunchy’s. They have the self-proclaimed best burger in Lansing, and we were both really excited to try it this past August. The Peanut Barrel or Crunchy’s? Let’s get it on…
Crunchy’s opened its’ doors in 1982 when Paul Grattarola bought the restaurant from the previous owners of Geno’s. Back in his college days, Grattarola was known as “Crunchy”, and that’s where this famous East Lansing establishment got its’ name. They immediately moved away from the Italian themed restaurant that was once Geno’s, and moved more towards burgers and beers. They started selling tons of the “best burger in Lansing” and began offering up something that anyone who has attended college would appreciate. Crunchy’s has the Bucket of Beer, and you’ve got to see it to believe it. It’s a mop bucket filled with 270 ounces of draft beer. Yes, that’s right, a mop bucket filled with 270 ounces of draft beer. No misprint here.
In 1994, Dave and Vivian Milligan took the reigns of Crunchy’s and they’ve continued the traditions and added some of their own. The major change has been within the beer selection. Yes, they still offer the Bucket, but they are better known now for their craft beer selection. In fact, they pride themselves on being East Lansing’s original craft beer bar. They now feature over 25 craft beers on tap.
Inside, Crunchy’s has the look and the feel of a college bar. MSU propaganda breaks up the graffiti covered walls as tons and tons of names and messages are left behind. Televisions are visible from everywhere and a corner is dedicated to video games and a pinball machine to supplement your entertainment needs. Booths and tables line the place, and they even have a outdoor patio for the warmer months. With a dimly lit atmosphere, they’ve got Christmas lights hanging from just about everywhere, and people of all ages sit around and enjoy burgers. Even though it’s a college bar, and it truly has that vibe, there were lots of different aged people at Crunchy’s, and that tells you that the place is indeed a local staple.
When it’s time to order, you’re told to look no further than the burgers. That’s exactly what we all did. Their burgers come served with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and your choice of regular or BBQ chips. You can have it cooked the way you like it. One could also substitute in some fries or tator tots, and even a pretzel bun is an option for an additional charge. If you’re really looking to upgrade, onion rings are available too. A really nice offering on the cheese end is the MSU Cheddar and Jalapeno.
We ordered and it was time to see if Crunchy’s could beat out the Peanut Barrel and take claim as Lansing’s best burger.
Meat: 3/5
They’ve got two things going for them. The first is that the thing was cooked to absolute perfection. Lucas ordered his to a medium temperature, and that’s exactly how it came out. The second thing they’re doing well is that their meat does come in fresh from Wolverine Packing Company. That does seem pretty interesting since Crunchy’s is in East Lansing. The one complaint we have is that not only is the patty pre-formed, but it’s also very dense. MBB Correspondent Matt noted that it’s quite possible that the patty could truly be “snapped” in half. As far as the taste goes, it was a little bland. Lucas spent the extra .50 cents and tried their Crunchy Seasoning, which really just tasted like pepper.
Bun: 3.5/5
Solid. It was a little small for the amount of meat given, but sometimes that’s not a bad thing. We’d rather have a little less than a little more in this category.
Cheese: 3/5
Great options, but as you can see from the photo, there just wasn’t a ton of it on the burger. American, MSU Cheddar, MSU Jalapeno, and Mozzarella are the choices.
Sides and Beverages: 3.5/5
Typical bar sides, and you’ve got to respect the craft beer selection.
Uniqueness: 8/10
This really is an East Lansing and MSU staple. There’s no doubt that every person that went to MSU enjoyed many nights in Crunchy’s. Catering to the burger and beer crowd can make just about anyone happy. The Bucket of Beer concept is pretty unique and still rather shocking. It’s amazing that 270 ounces of draft beer can be poured into a mop bucket and wheeled to your table.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 6.5/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 27.5/40
Random Shots: Well, if we had a Best Burger in Lansing award to give out, the Peanut Barrel would definitely win. Sorry to the Crunchy fanatics, but that’s how we see it. However, Lansing sports radio personality David the Mad Dog DeMarco has been on our case about Mijo’s for quite some time now. So, Mad Dog, that’s our next Lansing stop!
Crunchy's
Map
Redamak's - New Buffalo, MI
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on July 11, 2014
In Attendance: Megan
Ever since seeing Redamak’s in George Motz’s Hamburger America, I knew the next time I was heading west, a stop in New Buffalo would be in order. On Friday, July 11th, my wife and I set out to a wedding in the Chicago area. Two stops were made: Greenbush Brewery and Redamak’s. Both locations sit right off I94 and they’re only about 10 minutes apart. It’s the perfect scenario for a couple of road trip pit stops. As for Redamak’s, it oozes history. It dates back to the late 1940’s when George and Gladys Redamak would greet every customer that entered. In 1975, a transferring of ownership found Jim and Angie Maroney at the helm, and they’ve been rocking this larger than life burger scene ever since.
Motz’s feature on Redamak’s made the place very, very intriguing. Each burger being cooked in its own pan, the use of velveeta cheese, and the notion of it being a real burger destination has always made this a must-stop for Michigan Burger Boys. As I got into the general area of Redamak’s, the hype machine started. Billboards lined the route heading to Redamak’s and once there, the signage and the building itself made it seem as if I was about to bit into the best burger I’ve ever had. Or, at least a true “legend”, which is their trademark claim.
Redamak’s is huge, and it’s definitely a family place that caters to the vacationers in the New Buffalo and Lake Michigan area. It can seat 400 people, and they’re only open for 8 months of the year (spring through fall). Once you walk down the long front porch and take a good look at the building, the in-only door leads you to the starting position. At the check-in area, the hype machine continues with tons of signage promoting Redamak’s, a huge t-shirt stand, an arcade for the kids, and a small bar area. As stated above, the place is huge. There are two good-sized dining rooms, and also a screened porch area.
We sat in the long dining area near the front of the building. Our server brought over some burger-shaped round menus and off we went. One thing I can appreciate about Redamak’s is that their burgers are served with “everything” on them. Their “everything” includes ketchup, mustard, crosscut dill pickles, and raw onion. I ordered a double cheeseburger with that signature Velveeta cheese. Their double makes a ½ pound burger. On the side, there’s plenty to choose from. There are actually two sections of the menu for sides (“Sides” and “More Sides”). We went with an order of fries and onion rings.
It was time to bite into the “burger that made New Buffalo famous”.
Meat: 3.5/5
It’s unfortunate to report, but this “legend” was a little dry. There wasn’t really any juiciness and it lacked some overall taste. Their meat is prepared fresh right in the kitchen, and as mentioned above, every patty is cooked in its own pan, and you have to respect that.
Bun: 3.5/5
It’s your typical sesame seed bun. It fit the burger really well.
Cheese: 4/5
There’s Velveeta, mild cheddar, pepper jack, and swiss to choose from. That’s a nice variety. As mentioned, I dove right into the Velveeta. It was good, but coated the mouth a little. Having the Velveeta option is pretty unique.
Sides and Beverages: 3.5/5
Tons to choose from. We had a side of fries and onion rings, and neither were too great. Redamak’s offers typical frozen sides that are deep-fried, but they do also branch off and have tons of other stuff too. I probably won’t be ordering the fries or onion rings again, so maybe some tater tots are in order for my next visit. On the beverage end, they've got your typical stuff, and a nice variety of Michigan craft beers.
Uniqueness: 9.5/10
Like I said, the Redamak’s hype machine is running full blast.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7/10
Maybe I had a random Redamak’s burger that wasn’t up to par, or maybe I’ve just had better during the past few years of the Michigan Burger Boys journey. Either way, it was a little dry and lacked flavor. However, this is indeed a true burger destination, and I look forward to giving Redamak’s another shot one day down the road. Hopefully my next visit is sooner than later.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 31/40
Random Shots: This is one where you’re going to want to check out the photo slideshow. Click here to view it on our Blog. My wife got the Veggie Burger and thought it was pretty good. Heads up - Redamak’s is cash only. As mentioned above, Greenbush Brewery in Sawyer was visited before Redamak’s, and I’d highly recommend going there too. It’s about 10 miles east of Redamak’s.
Redamak's
Map
Visited on July 11, 2014
In Attendance: Megan
Ever since seeing Redamak’s in George Motz’s Hamburger America, I knew the next time I was heading west, a stop in New Buffalo would be in order. On Friday, July 11th, my wife and I set out to a wedding in the Chicago area. Two stops were made: Greenbush Brewery and Redamak’s. Both locations sit right off I94 and they’re only about 10 minutes apart. It’s the perfect scenario for a couple of road trip pit stops. As for Redamak’s, it oozes history. It dates back to the late 1940’s when George and Gladys Redamak would greet every customer that entered. In 1975, a transferring of ownership found Jim and Angie Maroney at the helm, and they’ve been rocking this larger than life burger scene ever since.
Motz’s feature on Redamak’s made the place very, very intriguing. Each burger being cooked in its own pan, the use of velveeta cheese, and the notion of it being a real burger destination has always made this a must-stop for Michigan Burger Boys. As I got into the general area of Redamak’s, the hype machine started. Billboards lined the route heading to Redamak’s and once there, the signage and the building itself made it seem as if I was about to bit into the best burger I’ve ever had. Or, at least a true “legend”, which is their trademark claim.
Redamak’s is huge, and it’s definitely a family place that caters to the vacationers in the New Buffalo and Lake Michigan area. It can seat 400 people, and they’re only open for 8 months of the year (spring through fall). Once you walk down the long front porch and take a good look at the building, the in-only door leads you to the starting position. At the check-in area, the hype machine continues with tons of signage promoting Redamak’s, a huge t-shirt stand, an arcade for the kids, and a small bar area. As stated above, the place is huge. There are two good-sized dining rooms, and also a screened porch area.
We sat in the long dining area near the front of the building. Our server brought over some burger-shaped round menus and off we went. One thing I can appreciate about Redamak’s is that their burgers are served with “everything” on them. Their “everything” includes ketchup, mustard, crosscut dill pickles, and raw onion. I ordered a double cheeseburger with that signature Velveeta cheese. Their double makes a ½ pound burger. On the side, there’s plenty to choose from. There are actually two sections of the menu for sides (“Sides” and “More Sides”). We went with an order of fries and onion rings.
It was time to bite into the “burger that made New Buffalo famous”.
Meat: 3.5/5
It’s unfortunate to report, but this “legend” was a little dry. There wasn’t really any juiciness and it lacked some overall taste. Their meat is prepared fresh right in the kitchen, and as mentioned above, every patty is cooked in its own pan, and you have to respect that.
Bun: 3.5/5
It’s your typical sesame seed bun. It fit the burger really well.
Cheese: 4/5
There’s Velveeta, mild cheddar, pepper jack, and swiss to choose from. That’s a nice variety. As mentioned, I dove right into the Velveeta. It was good, but coated the mouth a little. Having the Velveeta option is pretty unique.
Sides and Beverages: 3.5/5
Tons to choose from. We had a side of fries and onion rings, and neither were too great. Redamak’s offers typical frozen sides that are deep-fried, but they do also branch off and have tons of other stuff too. I probably won’t be ordering the fries or onion rings again, so maybe some tater tots are in order for my next visit. On the beverage end, they've got your typical stuff, and a nice variety of Michigan craft beers.
Uniqueness: 9.5/10
Like I said, the Redamak’s hype machine is running full blast.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7/10
Maybe I had a random Redamak’s burger that wasn’t up to par, or maybe I’ve just had better during the past few years of the Michigan Burger Boys journey. Either way, it was a little dry and lacked flavor. However, this is indeed a true burger destination, and I look forward to giving Redamak’s another shot one day down the road. Hopefully my next visit is sooner than later.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 31/40
Random Shots: This is one where you’re going to want to check out the photo slideshow. Click here to view it on our Blog. My wife got the Veggie Burger and thought it was pretty good. Heads up - Redamak’s is cash only. As mentioned above, Greenbush Brewery in Sawyer was visited before Redamak’s, and I’d highly recommend going there too. It’s about 10 miles east of Redamak’s.
Redamak's
Map
Pat's Bar - Marquette, MI
Reviewed by Kevin
Visited on July 17, 2014
In Attendance: Kevin’s Family
This review is dedicated to Jim Letcher, RIP
Visiting Marquette was always a treat to me growing up. A trip to Marquette this summer gave me the opportunity to expose my family to this wonderful place on mighty Lake Superior. Driving on M-28 West, the further we drove into Marquette the more excited my wife got. She absolutely fell in love with this city in the North. We hit up a few places, including Blackrocks Brewery and Pat’s Bar, of course.
A Marquette staple, Pat’s Bar is a family owned operation for over 55 years. They are “the best in Marquette” when questioned about their burger, and many would agree. This place delivers on local flavor and they keep it simple with the decor. It’s a clean cut bar with nothing on the walls, a pool table, and a jukebox that jams country music. What else do you need in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula? One thing that always helps is a good burger.
I recommend you go out of your way for this burger. Take a detour off of M-28 and head down to 922 W. Washington St. to get yourself a burger that will meet your needs. It is simple and good. Pat’s menu isn’t necessary, but it sure is fun to look at. Order up a cheeseburger with some o-rings or fries. Pickles? Yes, please, and they put them on the bottom. Nice! While you wait, enjoy the light trickling in through the glass block ambiance or play some Keno. They have a couple of TVs to keep you occupied long enough until your burger arrives.
Meat: 4.5/5
Fresh ground beef. Hand made patty. Cooked the way I like it. What’s not to like?
Bun: 4/5
Pat’s burger is served on a fresh, plain white bun that is just the right size. It handles the juiciness of the meat.
Cheese: 2/5
Only one slice. Only one choice, American.
Sides and Beverages: 3/5
Good o-rings and fries. Only two beers on tap, but a few more in a bottle.
Uniqueness: 8/10
It’s no thrills for sure, but they do it well!
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8.5/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 30/40
Random Shots: This is a clean place with friendly service. Heads up if your are planning on biting into a burger on Sunday because they are closed.
Pat's Bar
Map
Visited on July 17, 2014
In Attendance: Kevin’s Family
This review is dedicated to Jim Letcher, RIP
Visiting Marquette was always a treat to me growing up. A trip to Marquette this summer gave me the opportunity to expose my family to this wonderful place on mighty Lake Superior. Driving on M-28 West, the further we drove into Marquette the more excited my wife got. She absolutely fell in love with this city in the North. We hit up a few places, including Blackrocks Brewery and Pat’s Bar, of course.
A Marquette staple, Pat’s Bar is a family owned operation for over 55 years. They are “the best in Marquette” when questioned about their burger, and many would agree. This place delivers on local flavor and they keep it simple with the decor. It’s a clean cut bar with nothing on the walls, a pool table, and a jukebox that jams country music. What else do you need in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula? One thing that always helps is a good burger.
I recommend you go out of your way for this burger. Take a detour off of M-28 and head down to 922 W. Washington St. to get yourself a burger that will meet your needs. It is simple and good. Pat’s menu isn’t necessary, but it sure is fun to look at. Order up a cheeseburger with some o-rings or fries. Pickles? Yes, please, and they put them on the bottom. Nice! While you wait, enjoy the light trickling in through the glass block ambiance or play some Keno. They have a couple of TVs to keep you occupied long enough until your burger arrives.
Meat: 4.5/5
Fresh ground beef. Hand made patty. Cooked the way I like it. What’s not to like?
Bun: 4/5
Pat’s burger is served on a fresh, plain white bun that is just the right size. It handles the juiciness of the meat.
Cheese: 2/5
Only one slice. Only one choice, American.
Sides and Beverages: 3/5
Good o-rings and fries. Only two beers on tap, but a few more in a bottle.
Uniqueness: 8/10
It’s no thrills for sure, but they do it well!
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8.5/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 30/40
Random Shots: This is a clean place with friendly service. Heads up if your are planning on biting into a burger on Sunday because they are closed.
Pat's Bar
Map
Casey's Tavern - Ann Arbor, MI
Reviewed by Kevin and Lucas
Visited on the night of Friday, January 20, 2012
Re-Reviewed on Tuesday, July 12, 2014
Re-Review Information: From the onset of Michigan Burger Boys, we’ve had countless people ask us about and have highly recommend Casey’s in Ann Arbor. Everyone always has great things to say about the place, but during our initial visit to Casey’s, we weren’t too impressed. However, they sure did deliver on our second visit. Because they impressed us so much the second time around, we’ve demolished the first review and started from scratch. Thanks, Casey’s, for a great burger experience, and here’s our re-review:
Located near the Amtrak station on edge of downtown Ann Arbor, Casey's Tavern fits snug on the corner of Depot Street and 5th Avenue. It's an interesting building both outside and in with curb appeal and a unique decor to please it's patrons. Customers sit nestled in private booths or cramped in tables throughout with little to no room. A delightful arrangement of Tiffany glass sits above the bar wall and the woodwork adds to the ambiance. A few TVs above the bar make it a spot to catch a game if you’re in a pinch. There’s plenty of UofM memorabilia around too.
During our second visit, we sat right at the bar and watched a Tigers game. We had great service and talked up the growing microbrew scene with our server who was also the bartender.
Their hamburger is a 7oz. fresh ground beef patty that you can have cooked to order. They get their meat delivered from Knight's Market 3 times a week. During our first visit, we questioned the uniform patty, but on our second visit, it didn’t even matter. They probably have to pre-form their patties due to the size of their kitchen, which would allow them to pre-make tons of patties to have ready for the day or night ahead.
We weren’t too impressed with their on tap beer selection as it was limited, but no real complaints as the ordering began. We both ordered our burgers cooked to medium, with mustard, ketchup, and pickle on top. Onion rings have to be ordered at Casey’s, so they became our side. Let the second time around begin.
Meat: 4/5
Their meat is from Knight's Market and it was cooked to perfection. As stated above, we ordered it medium and it came out medium. Perfection. It was juicy and tasted great. When people tell us about Casey’s, we assume this was the experience they had too.
Bun: 4/5
Onion bun and it complimented the meat well.
Cheese: 4/5
Good selection and they placed a hearty two slices on the burger.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
It's a bar, so you’ve got your typical drinks and sides. We wished their tap offered some more Michigan beers. Their onion rings are beyond delicious.
Uniqueness: 8/10
This place owns up to a Tavern atmosphere located near the Ann Arbor Train Station. It’s got a cozy feel inside and is a true must-hit within the Ann Arbor area.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8.25/10
Casey’s has a tasty burger that satisfied our craving.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 32.25/40
Random Shots: We’re just really glad we repaid a visit to Casey’s. It’s not quite on one of the main drags of Ann Arbor, but the downtown is very accessible if you’re coming from there, or are looking to head there after. We traveled to World of Beers after Casey’s and had a nice time trying many new beers and enjoying the perky staff.
Casey's Tavern
Map
Visited on the night of Friday, January 20, 2012
Re-Reviewed on Tuesday, July 12, 2014
Re-Review Information: From the onset of Michigan Burger Boys, we’ve had countless people ask us about and have highly recommend Casey’s in Ann Arbor. Everyone always has great things to say about the place, but during our initial visit to Casey’s, we weren’t too impressed. However, they sure did deliver on our second visit. Because they impressed us so much the second time around, we’ve demolished the first review and started from scratch. Thanks, Casey’s, for a great burger experience, and here’s our re-review:
Located near the Amtrak station on edge of downtown Ann Arbor, Casey's Tavern fits snug on the corner of Depot Street and 5th Avenue. It's an interesting building both outside and in with curb appeal and a unique decor to please it's patrons. Customers sit nestled in private booths or cramped in tables throughout with little to no room. A delightful arrangement of Tiffany glass sits above the bar wall and the woodwork adds to the ambiance. A few TVs above the bar make it a spot to catch a game if you’re in a pinch. There’s plenty of UofM memorabilia around too.
During our second visit, we sat right at the bar and watched a Tigers game. We had great service and talked up the growing microbrew scene with our server who was also the bartender.
Their hamburger is a 7oz. fresh ground beef patty that you can have cooked to order. They get their meat delivered from Knight's Market 3 times a week. During our first visit, we questioned the uniform patty, but on our second visit, it didn’t even matter. They probably have to pre-form their patties due to the size of their kitchen, which would allow them to pre-make tons of patties to have ready for the day or night ahead.
We weren’t too impressed with their on tap beer selection as it was limited, but no real complaints as the ordering began. We both ordered our burgers cooked to medium, with mustard, ketchup, and pickle on top. Onion rings have to be ordered at Casey’s, so they became our side. Let the second time around begin.
Meat: 4/5
Their meat is from Knight's Market and it was cooked to perfection. As stated above, we ordered it medium and it came out medium. Perfection. It was juicy and tasted great. When people tell us about Casey’s, we assume this was the experience they had too.
Bun: 4/5
Onion bun and it complimented the meat well.
Cheese: 4/5
Good selection and they placed a hearty two slices on the burger.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
It's a bar, so you’ve got your typical drinks and sides. We wished their tap offered some more Michigan beers. Their onion rings are beyond delicious.
Uniqueness: 8/10
This place owns up to a Tavern atmosphere located near the Ann Arbor Train Station. It’s got a cozy feel inside and is a true must-hit within the Ann Arbor area.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8.25/10
Casey’s has a tasty burger that satisfied our craving.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 32.25/40
Random Shots: We’re just really glad we repaid a visit to Casey’s. It’s not quite on one of the main drags of Ann Arbor, but the downtown is very accessible if you’re coming from there, or are looking to head there after. We traveled to World of Beers after Casey’s and had a nice time trying many new beers and enjoying the perky staff.
Casey's Tavern
Map
The Hut Inn - Kearsarge, MI
Reviewed by Kevin
Visited on July 14, 2014
In Attendance: Kevin’s Family
Located just north of Calumet on US41 you will find The Hut Inn. The Hut Inn has a “Hut” atmosphere all throughout. The ceilings float down on a diagonal and the restaurant is dark and cozy. Historical pictures of Copper Country line the walls. This place is a great way to take in the area while enjoying a good burger. On their menu, they offer a few burgers to satisfy your craving.
Probably the most interesting thing about this place is their burger challenge. The infamous “Lucchesi Burger” is a 5lb burger that, when eaten in 30 minutes or less, you can have for free and rename this behemoth of a burger. I don’t think I would even get close to eating all of this if given 3 hours in 30 minutes, so I just stuck to the 2/3lb “Hut Burger” to satisfy my appetite. Other notable burgers on the menu include the 1/3lb Packer Backer Pepper Jack Bacon Burger, the 1/3lb Steakburger Deluxe, and the 1lb Hut Hut Burger. Maybe one day Joey Chestnut will tour Copper Country and rename Lucchesi.
I was really impressed with this burger. A few weeks before I had this delightful experience, our MBB burger scout Matt made light of this place and he was right on the money. It’s a good one. My burger was filling, juicy, and the bun complemented the meat. I would send anyone here that is interested in a good burger. They don’t disappoint.
Meat: 3.5/5
Handmade angus beef patty char-grilled with great textural appearance.
Bun: 4/5
Fresh, buttered and lightly toasted. The perfect size!
Cheese: 2.5/5
Two slices. If only it felt and tasted like two slices.
Sides and Beverages: 2/5
A hefty serving of onion rings or fries.
Uniqueness: 9/10
It is a unique place to eat. The ambiance is one to take in on your portage through the area.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 29/40
Random Shots: This place is known for their generous serving sizes. As my friend’s grandfather says, “You won’t leave The Hut feeling hungry.” If you’re in the mood to stuff yourself even more, they also serve frozen custard.
The Hut Inn
Map
Visited on July 14, 2014
In Attendance: Kevin’s Family
Located just north of Calumet on US41 you will find The Hut Inn. The Hut Inn has a “Hut” atmosphere all throughout. The ceilings float down on a diagonal and the restaurant is dark and cozy. Historical pictures of Copper Country line the walls. This place is a great way to take in the area while enjoying a good burger. On their menu, they offer a few burgers to satisfy your craving.
Probably the most interesting thing about this place is their burger challenge. The infamous “Lucchesi Burger” is a 5lb burger that, when eaten in 30 minutes or less, you can have for free and rename this behemoth of a burger. I don’t think I would even get close to eating all of this if given 3 hours in 30 minutes, so I just stuck to the 2/3lb “Hut Burger” to satisfy my appetite. Other notable burgers on the menu include the 1/3lb Packer Backer Pepper Jack Bacon Burger, the 1/3lb Steakburger Deluxe, and the 1lb Hut Hut Burger. Maybe one day Joey Chestnut will tour Copper Country and rename Lucchesi.
I was really impressed with this burger. A few weeks before I had this delightful experience, our MBB burger scout Matt made light of this place and he was right on the money. It’s a good one. My burger was filling, juicy, and the bun complemented the meat. I would send anyone here that is interested in a good burger. They don’t disappoint.
Meat: 3.5/5
Handmade angus beef patty char-grilled with great textural appearance.
Bun: 4/5
Fresh, buttered and lightly toasted. The perfect size!
Cheese: 2.5/5
Two slices. If only it felt and tasted like two slices.
Sides and Beverages: 2/5
A hefty serving of onion rings or fries.
Uniqueness: 9/10
It is a unique place to eat. The ambiance is one to take in on your portage through the area.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 29/40
Random Shots: This place is known for their generous serving sizes. As my friend’s grandfather says, “You won’t leave The Hut feeling hungry.” If you’re in the mood to stuff yourself even more, they also serve frozen custard.
The Hut Inn
Map
Mikey's Burgers and Fries - Howell/Brighton/Hartland, MI
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on June 28, 2014
In Attendance: Mike
As we’ve mentioned in previous reviews, there’s a wave of new-age burger joints popping up all over the place. They’re a step above fast food and usually offer quality products. Enter Mikey’s Burgers and Fries, a new burger chain started right here in Michigan. They never freeze their meat, their fries are hand-cut, and they also boast hot dogs, shakes, and more.
Ironically enough, my buddy Mike accompanied me for this one. We were going to be doing a little mountain biking at Island Lake Recreation Area, and before we went, I did a little burger research and found Mikey’s. They currently have locations in Brighton, Howell, and Hartland. We were going to be right in Brighton, so Mikey’s was all set to be our lunch destination after a great workout of trail riding.
Their Brighton location is within a strip mall and it’s not too far from the downtown or from US 23. When you walk in, you’re greeted by the friendly employees at the counter. There’s a huge menu from which you’ll do your ordering. A double pattied burger is the standard at Mikey’s. We ordered our burgers and hand-cut fries, took a seat, and waited for our order. While we waited, I looked around and saw red tiling on the walls and an old-school juke box. Our order was up quickly, and it came in a brown, paper sack and it has some nice greasy spots on it. The burger was wrapped in foil and their hand-cut fries were aplenty. Between the name, ordering method, color scheme, and lots more, I was starting to feel like I was at another burger chain. At any rate, it was time to dig in!
Meat: 2.5/5
Mikey’s offers up never frozen meat, which is a great thing. Their patties are ¼ pound, and when you go for the standard double, you’ve got a nice ½ pound burger. The actual taste of the meat was a little dry and lacked seasoning, or something.
Bun: 4/5
This was the highlight. A bakery-style, buttered, and toasted bun really complimented the burger.
Cheese: 3/5
Nothing really standing out here. American cheese was on the burger.
Sides and Beverages: 3.5/5
Their fries are really, really good. An employee told us that they hand-cut their fries about every ten minutes, so you’re sure to have a really fresh batch. Fountain pop and milkshakes are your beverages. I had a chocolate shake and it was pretty good, but nothing to bring me back. The abundant fries really stand out in this category.
Uniqueness: 4/10
Mikey’s doesn’t try to be something different. They serve good burgers and fries and that’s their focus. However, each Mikey’s is supplied with an old-school jukebox with classic music inside. That’s really their only unique touch to the establishment.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 24/40
Random Shots: There were a few times when I did wonder if I was sitting in an old Five Guys Burgers and Fries. It did seem pretty close. However, I do appreciate Mikey’s and what they’re trying to do. They’ve got three locations and their Michigan born. Give Mikey’s Burgers and Fries a shot. And, check out a slideshow from the trip here.
Mikey's Burgers and Fries
Map (Howell)
Visited on June 28, 2014
In Attendance: Mike
As we’ve mentioned in previous reviews, there’s a wave of new-age burger joints popping up all over the place. They’re a step above fast food and usually offer quality products. Enter Mikey’s Burgers and Fries, a new burger chain started right here in Michigan. They never freeze their meat, their fries are hand-cut, and they also boast hot dogs, shakes, and more.
Ironically enough, my buddy Mike accompanied me for this one. We were going to be doing a little mountain biking at Island Lake Recreation Area, and before we went, I did a little burger research and found Mikey’s. They currently have locations in Brighton, Howell, and Hartland. We were going to be right in Brighton, so Mikey’s was all set to be our lunch destination after a great workout of trail riding.
Their Brighton location is within a strip mall and it’s not too far from the downtown or from US 23. When you walk in, you’re greeted by the friendly employees at the counter. There’s a huge menu from which you’ll do your ordering. A double pattied burger is the standard at Mikey’s. We ordered our burgers and hand-cut fries, took a seat, and waited for our order. While we waited, I looked around and saw red tiling on the walls and an old-school juke box. Our order was up quickly, and it came in a brown, paper sack and it has some nice greasy spots on it. The burger was wrapped in foil and their hand-cut fries were aplenty. Between the name, ordering method, color scheme, and lots more, I was starting to feel like I was at another burger chain. At any rate, it was time to dig in!
Meat: 2.5/5
Mikey’s offers up never frozen meat, which is a great thing. Their patties are ¼ pound, and when you go for the standard double, you’ve got a nice ½ pound burger. The actual taste of the meat was a little dry and lacked seasoning, or something.
Bun: 4/5
This was the highlight. A bakery-style, buttered, and toasted bun really complimented the burger.
Cheese: 3/5
Nothing really standing out here. American cheese was on the burger.
Sides and Beverages: 3.5/5
Their fries are really, really good. An employee told us that they hand-cut their fries about every ten minutes, so you’re sure to have a really fresh batch. Fountain pop and milkshakes are your beverages. I had a chocolate shake and it was pretty good, but nothing to bring me back. The abundant fries really stand out in this category.
Uniqueness: 4/10
Mikey’s doesn’t try to be something different. They serve good burgers and fries and that’s their focus. However, each Mikey’s is supplied with an old-school jukebox with classic music inside. That’s really their only unique touch to the establishment.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 24/40
Random Shots: There were a few times when I did wonder if I was sitting in an old Five Guys Burgers and Fries. It did seem pretty close. However, I do appreciate Mikey’s and what they’re trying to do. They’ve got three locations and their Michigan born. Give Mikey’s Burgers and Fries a shot. And, check out a slideshow from the trip here.
Mikey's Burgers and Fries
Map (Howell)
Basement Burger Bar - Canton, MI
Reviewed by Kevin
Visited on May 9, 2014
In Attendance: Melissa
The Canton Basement Burger Bar isn’t in a basement like their first burger joint in Farmington Hills, but it is tucked into the corner of a strip mall and it appears to carry the same concept of serving a kick butt burger in a sports bar atmosphere. Neither I nor Lucas have been to the Basement in Farmington Hills. We have heard a little bit about it and now that they’ve opened up in Canton, I must go see what all the talk is about.
Canton seems to have become a hotspot for burger joints lately. Bars, restaurants, and a handful of specialty burger establishments have taken over the city. Looks like I might have to take a closer look at Canton’s burger joints in a future blog.
Our visit to the Basement was a night on the town for my wife and I. We wanted to go somewhere that we could watch the Tigers game, have a cold one, and, of course, have a great burger. Without a doubt they delivered! The place has a modern feel in a cozy and comfortable atmosphere with flat screen televisions in every direction you look. We started out with an order of fringles, deep fried pickles, and an ice cold draft from the tap. The pickles were served blazing hot and once they cooled down, tamed our appetite for a bit. The collection of craft beers on tap come from the interests of the owner, who apparently is a craft beer junkie according to the bartender. The tap is rumored to rotate every few weeks and has some beers on tap that I’ve never encountered, especially in Canton.
Now for the best part, the burger! I love how you order your food here. They do it like nowhere else that I’ve seen before. You actually use a wet erase marker to select everything from your choice of meat all the way down to sides. There’s a lot to choose from and they do offer some unique “All Star” burgers for customers looking to find an interesting combination without too much thought. With so much to choose from across the board, they really do make it easy for people to keep coming back.
I went through the menu sticking to my favorite way to build a burger. As I went down the menu with my marker I placed a “check” next to beef (8oz), pretzel bun (I couldn’t resist), American cheese, and crispy tater tots with the intention of adding mustard and ketchup to my burger table side. I really wanted to indulge in every other option on the menu, but I knew I would be back.
My wife placed an order for a burger comprised with beef (6oz), white brioche bun, spicy ketchup spread, sharp cheddar, and an order of beer-battered fries.
After a short wait, our order arrived and it looked awesome. We geared up and gobbled down. Both of our burgers were cooked to order. They were extremely juicy. It was almost hard to believe that each time we bit into our burger that we would have hot juice flowing out onto our plate and hand. Very impressed! A mountain of tater tots and fries consumed our plates. We could have easily split one order. You definitely need to be hungry to take care of business here.
Overall I’m very satisfied with the Basement. As mentioned before, this place has a relaxing atmosphere with a friendly staff. The menu is clever and offers a lot to choose from, yet isn’t over the top. It’s now my favorite place to get a burger in Canton and reigns supreme for a spot to watch a game or hang out with a group of friends. I see myself bringing people here from out of town and will most certainly be bringing my Dad here to get a burger.
Meat: 4.5/5
An unbelievable selection! Choose from beef, kobe beef, or bison cooked to order. There are some vegetarian choices too.
Bun: 4.5/5
Toasted white, wheat, or soft pretzel bun. Nice bun to meat ratio.
Cheese: 3.5/5
The cheddar wasn’t over powering how I like it and the American cheese was just right, but left Melissa wanting another slice.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
Beer-battered fries, crispy tater tots, and sweet potato fries (w/cinnamon butter). They don’t skimp on the sides! Be prepared to eat a lot. Beverages include a full bar with a sweet rotating craft beer tap. They do have a few Lite beverages for the oldies, so don’t worry.
Uniqueness: 8/10
This place is nice and quaint. It takes care of you and provides a burger you will be happy with.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 9/10
Juicy and good enough to make you want to come back.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 33.5/40
Random Shots: Check out all the funky Hollywood celebrity burger pictures throughout the place. I found them to be comical.
Basement Burger Bar
Map
Visited on May 9, 2014
In Attendance: Melissa
The Canton Basement Burger Bar isn’t in a basement like their first burger joint in Farmington Hills, but it is tucked into the corner of a strip mall and it appears to carry the same concept of serving a kick butt burger in a sports bar atmosphere. Neither I nor Lucas have been to the Basement in Farmington Hills. We have heard a little bit about it and now that they’ve opened up in Canton, I must go see what all the talk is about.
Canton seems to have become a hotspot for burger joints lately. Bars, restaurants, and a handful of specialty burger establishments have taken over the city. Looks like I might have to take a closer look at Canton’s burger joints in a future blog.
Our visit to the Basement was a night on the town for my wife and I. We wanted to go somewhere that we could watch the Tigers game, have a cold one, and, of course, have a great burger. Without a doubt they delivered! The place has a modern feel in a cozy and comfortable atmosphere with flat screen televisions in every direction you look. We started out with an order of fringles, deep fried pickles, and an ice cold draft from the tap. The pickles were served blazing hot and once they cooled down, tamed our appetite for a bit. The collection of craft beers on tap come from the interests of the owner, who apparently is a craft beer junkie according to the bartender. The tap is rumored to rotate every few weeks and has some beers on tap that I’ve never encountered, especially in Canton.
Now for the best part, the burger! I love how you order your food here. They do it like nowhere else that I’ve seen before. You actually use a wet erase marker to select everything from your choice of meat all the way down to sides. There’s a lot to choose from and they do offer some unique “All Star” burgers for customers looking to find an interesting combination without too much thought. With so much to choose from across the board, they really do make it easy for people to keep coming back.
I went through the menu sticking to my favorite way to build a burger. As I went down the menu with my marker I placed a “check” next to beef (8oz), pretzel bun (I couldn’t resist), American cheese, and crispy tater tots with the intention of adding mustard and ketchup to my burger table side. I really wanted to indulge in every other option on the menu, but I knew I would be back.
My wife placed an order for a burger comprised with beef (6oz), white brioche bun, spicy ketchup spread, sharp cheddar, and an order of beer-battered fries.
After a short wait, our order arrived and it looked awesome. We geared up and gobbled down. Both of our burgers were cooked to order. They were extremely juicy. It was almost hard to believe that each time we bit into our burger that we would have hot juice flowing out onto our plate and hand. Very impressed! A mountain of tater tots and fries consumed our plates. We could have easily split one order. You definitely need to be hungry to take care of business here.
Overall I’m very satisfied with the Basement. As mentioned before, this place has a relaxing atmosphere with a friendly staff. The menu is clever and offers a lot to choose from, yet isn’t over the top. It’s now my favorite place to get a burger in Canton and reigns supreme for a spot to watch a game or hang out with a group of friends. I see myself bringing people here from out of town and will most certainly be bringing my Dad here to get a burger.
Meat: 4.5/5
An unbelievable selection! Choose from beef, kobe beef, or bison cooked to order. There are some vegetarian choices too.
Bun: 4.5/5
Toasted white, wheat, or soft pretzel bun. Nice bun to meat ratio.
Cheese: 3.5/5
The cheddar wasn’t over powering how I like it and the American cheese was just right, but left Melissa wanting another slice.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
Beer-battered fries, crispy tater tots, and sweet potato fries (w/cinnamon butter). They don’t skimp on the sides! Be prepared to eat a lot. Beverages include a full bar with a sweet rotating craft beer tap. They do have a few Lite beverages for the oldies, so don’t worry.
Uniqueness: 8/10
This place is nice and quaint. It takes care of you and provides a burger you will be happy with.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 9/10
Juicy and good enough to make you want to come back.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 33.5/40
Random Shots: Check out all the funky Hollywood celebrity burger pictures throughout the place. I found them to be comical.
Basement Burger Bar
Map
Green Spot Pub - Mount Pleasant, MI
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on Saturday, March 29, 2014
Every year, I take a trip to my alma mater, Central Michigan University. One thing that’s always on the agenda is having a burger. When I was at CMU, I was all about staying in that college budget, and a $4.99 burger and beer special always did the trick. Now that Michigan Burger Boys is in full swing, I’ve branched out and I’m not afraid to search high and low for the best burger in one of the best cities in Michigan, Mount Pleasant.
Recently, while in Mount Pleasant, I’ve tried the Blue Gator downtown, and the self-proclaimed best burger in town, Freddie’s Tavern. I knew there had to be better, and I found it this year. The Green Spot, a local staple, doesn't cater to the CMU crowd very much. I knew in my gut all along that this was the place to find the best burger in Mount Pleasant, and I was right. I’ll say it early, this is a really, really good burger. If you’re buzzing through Mount Pleasant or heading north or south along US 127, and if you’re in need of a burger, hit the Green Spot.
While at CMU, I didn’t hit the Green Spot often, but it was the location for both mine and my brother’s 21st birthday celebrations with my Dad. We have quite a bit of Irish in our blood, as my Grandma Foster was 100% Irish. To celebrate our 21st birthdays, our Dad would take us to the only true Irish bar in town (unless you count O’Kelly’s, which I don’t), and it made total sense. The Green Spot sits on the corner of the two busiest streets in Mount Pleasant, Mission and Pickard (M-20). It’s really a hot spot for the “townies”, as we used to call them while attending CMU. It’s a decent sized place, and what brings a lot of people in is there super long shuffleboard table. If you’re looking to play some shuffleboard, this is the place. They have a really old-school table, and I’ve seen people playing games on it for years now.
Their menu is basic bar food, and don’t expect to find one of those trendy craft beers on the beverage end. Their draft beer variety consisted of the basics, and you’ve got to respect and appreciate that. It goes back to what the feel of the Green Spot is all about. On the food side, they have a pretty big burger basket variety. Their burgers are ⅓ pound and the beef is ground fresh every day from one of the best butchers in Michigan, Smith and Sons. According to their menu, each work of art is served on a bakery Kaiser roll. Automatically add fries, and you’re all set. However, I will say this, their onion rings smelled delicious, and I’ll have to get those next time.
I ordered, it came, and it was delicious.
Meat: 3.5/5
Hand crafted patty, juicy, and overall delicious. To accommodate the bun, the patty had a large diameter, but it was ⅓ pound, as stated above.
Bun: 4/5
Really good bakery style bun. It was a Kaiser roll, and it complimented the burger well. It was large, and as stated above, I think they’ve got to make the patty large (but thinner) to accommodate the size of the bun. The bun isn’t thick, just large in circumference.
Cheese: 2.5/5
Typical options and the typical amount. Nothing jumping out here.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
Typical bar sides and beverages, but don’t go looking for Founder’s, Short’s, Atwater, or any other Michigan breweries.
Uniqueness: 6/10
The burger’s great, but this is basically your hometown bar. As mentioned above, they’ve got a classic, super long shuffleboard table.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 28/40
Random Shots: From what I hear, try their steak hoagies.
Green Spot Pub
Map
Visited on Saturday, March 29, 2014
Every year, I take a trip to my alma mater, Central Michigan University. One thing that’s always on the agenda is having a burger. When I was at CMU, I was all about staying in that college budget, and a $4.99 burger and beer special always did the trick. Now that Michigan Burger Boys is in full swing, I’ve branched out and I’m not afraid to search high and low for the best burger in one of the best cities in Michigan, Mount Pleasant.
Recently, while in Mount Pleasant, I’ve tried the Blue Gator downtown, and the self-proclaimed best burger in town, Freddie’s Tavern. I knew there had to be better, and I found it this year. The Green Spot, a local staple, doesn't cater to the CMU crowd very much. I knew in my gut all along that this was the place to find the best burger in Mount Pleasant, and I was right. I’ll say it early, this is a really, really good burger. If you’re buzzing through Mount Pleasant or heading north or south along US 127, and if you’re in need of a burger, hit the Green Spot.
While at CMU, I didn’t hit the Green Spot often, but it was the location for both mine and my brother’s 21st birthday celebrations with my Dad. We have quite a bit of Irish in our blood, as my Grandma Foster was 100% Irish. To celebrate our 21st birthdays, our Dad would take us to the only true Irish bar in town (unless you count O’Kelly’s, which I don’t), and it made total sense. The Green Spot sits on the corner of the two busiest streets in Mount Pleasant, Mission and Pickard (M-20). It’s really a hot spot for the “townies”, as we used to call them while attending CMU. It’s a decent sized place, and what brings a lot of people in is there super long shuffleboard table. If you’re looking to play some shuffleboard, this is the place. They have a really old-school table, and I’ve seen people playing games on it for years now.
Their menu is basic bar food, and don’t expect to find one of those trendy craft beers on the beverage end. Their draft beer variety consisted of the basics, and you’ve got to respect and appreciate that. It goes back to what the feel of the Green Spot is all about. On the food side, they have a pretty big burger basket variety. Their burgers are ⅓ pound and the beef is ground fresh every day from one of the best butchers in Michigan, Smith and Sons. According to their menu, each work of art is served on a bakery Kaiser roll. Automatically add fries, and you’re all set. However, I will say this, their onion rings smelled delicious, and I’ll have to get those next time.
I ordered, it came, and it was delicious.
Meat: 3.5/5
Hand crafted patty, juicy, and overall delicious. To accommodate the bun, the patty had a large diameter, but it was ⅓ pound, as stated above.
Bun: 4/5
Really good bakery style bun. It was a Kaiser roll, and it complimented the burger well. It was large, and as stated above, I think they’ve got to make the patty large (but thinner) to accommodate the size of the bun. The bun isn’t thick, just large in circumference.
Cheese: 2.5/5
Typical options and the typical amount. Nothing jumping out here.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
Typical bar sides and beverages, but don’t go looking for Founder’s, Short’s, Atwater, or any other Michigan breweries.
Uniqueness: 6/10
The burger’s great, but this is basically your hometown bar. As mentioned above, they’ve got a classic, super long shuffleboard table.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 28/40
Random Shots: From what I hear, try their steak hoagies.
Green Spot Pub
Map
Jay's Stuffed Burgers - Plymouth, MI
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on Tuesday, February 11, 2014
In Attendance: Stimac
A few days after visiting Jay’s Stuffed Burgers, I told Kevin about my experience. I was at a loss for words, really. I mentioned the style of burgers they serve, their fries, shakes, and everything in between. We got back to talking about just the specifics of the burger. Then, he said it, and he summed everything up really well. The burgers are Jay’s are “sin burgers”.
According to the Jay’s Stuffed Burgers website, Jay Kizy and his brother Jon spent years making their stuffed burger creations for parties and catering events. Things were going over so well that they opened their first storefront in the fall of 2012. It’s just steps away from the central portion of downtown Plymouth.
The secret to their success is that everything is homemade and practically made from scratch. Their burgers, as you can guess, are stuffed with anything you can imagine. One could go for their Paul Bunyan Burger, which features stuffed made-from-scratch mashed potatoes. Beyond burgers, they like to promote their homemade Turkey Chili. Jay and his brother Jon state that their Mom is the secret behind their food, and it’s actually her that creates the daily batch of that Turkey Chili.
Their motto states “Get Stuffed at Jay’s”. It was too bad that when Stimac and I visited, we were actually in the middle of a three-day conference over at Plymouth’s The Inn at St. John’s. Unfortunately, due to the enormous amounts of tremendous food we had been treated too over that time period, we were already stuffed before heading to Jay’s. Nonetheless, when there’s a burger hotspot nearby, we never hesitate.
When we approached the counter at Jay’s, we knew we were going for the All-American Burger. The All-American is certified Angus beef stuffed with sharp cheddar, and topped with grilled sweet onions on a toasted brioche bun. Throw some ketchup, mustard, and pickle on there, and we were going to be all set.
We also ordered some of their house french fries, which are all natural and feature Jay’s signature seasonings. I grabbed a classic chocolate milkshake, and we headed upstairs. When we sat down, we knew we should have sat downstairs at the counter that overlooks Ann Arbor Trail. It felt a little more “burger-esque” than the upstairs seating area.
About half of my mighty and tasty shake was gone as our food arrived. The “meal of sin” was about to begin.
Meat: 4/5
This stuffed burger thing is no joke. Their Angus beef was nice and tender, and the amount of cheese in the middle was pretty solid. It definitely oozed from the burger. Overall, the stuffed concept worked really well. It was a little greasy, but we don’t mind.
Bun: 4/5
This toasted brioche bun was the right size and was an overall compliment to an impressive burger.
Cheese: 4/5
Well, this is an interesting one, because the cheese is in the meat! They have four different cheeses to choose from.
Sides and Beverages: 3/5
The natural cut fries were really good, and we’ve also heard great things about their onion rings, which also appear to be homemade. Their shakes are good, and they’ve got an entire cooler of glass-bottled sodas. Stimac made note of the Sprecher’s Brewery soda stocked up.
Uniqueness: 6/10
The homemade food and the stuffed burger concept is what makes this place unique. The actual building has been changed from an old Mexican restaurant into Jay’s. They’ve done everything they can with that building, but overall, it does feel a little disjointed and awkward. It doesn’t scream a burger vibe. But, in the end, the burger is dang good, and that’s what makes it all work.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8/10
Overall, this greasy, stuffed, partially falling apart burger was definitely sinful.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 29/40
Random Shots:
This is one that I’m eagerly awaiting to eat again. I’d like to go back on an empty stomach and really do some damage.
Jay's Stuffed Burgers
Map
Visited on Tuesday, February 11, 2014
In Attendance: Stimac
A few days after visiting Jay’s Stuffed Burgers, I told Kevin about my experience. I was at a loss for words, really. I mentioned the style of burgers they serve, their fries, shakes, and everything in between. We got back to talking about just the specifics of the burger. Then, he said it, and he summed everything up really well. The burgers are Jay’s are “sin burgers”.
According to the Jay’s Stuffed Burgers website, Jay Kizy and his brother Jon spent years making their stuffed burger creations for parties and catering events. Things were going over so well that they opened their first storefront in the fall of 2012. It’s just steps away from the central portion of downtown Plymouth.
The secret to their success is that everything is homemade and practically made from scratch. Their burgers, as you can guess, are stuffed with anything you can imagine. One could go for their Paul Bunyan Burger, which features stuffed made-from-scratch mashed potatoes. Beyond burgers, they like to promote their homemade Turkey Chili. Jay and his brother Jon state that their Mom is the secret behind their food, and it’s actually her that creates the daily batch of that Turkey Chili.
Their motto states “Get Stuffed at Jay’s”. It was too bad that when Stimac and I visited, we were actually in the middle of a three-day conference over at Plymouth’s The Inn at St. John’s. Unfortunately, due to the enormous amounts of tremendous food we had been treated too over that time period, we were already stuffed before heading to Jay’s. Nonetheless, when there’s a burger hotspot nearby, we never hesitate.
When we approached the counter at Jay’s, we knew we were going for the All-American Burger. The All-American is certified Angus beef stuffed with sharp cheddar, and topped with grilled sweet onions on a toasted brioche bun. Throw some ketchup, mustard, and pickle on there, and we were going to be all set.
We also ordered some of their house french fries, which are all natural and feature Jay’s signature seasonings. I grabbed a classic chocolate milkshake, and we headed upstairs. When we sat down, we knew we should have sat downstairs at the counter that overlooks Ann Arbor Trail. It felt a little more “burger-esque” than the upstairs seating area.
About half of my mighty and tasty shake was gone as our food arrived. The “meal of sin” was about to begin.
Meat: 4/5
This stuffed burger thing is no joke. Their Angus beef was nice and tender, and the amount of cheese in the middle was pretty solid. It definitely oozed from the burger. Overall, the stuffed concept worked really well. It was a little greasy, but we don’t mind.
Bun: 4/5
This toasted brioche bun was the right size and was an overall compliment to an impressive burger.
Cheese: 4/5
Well, this is an interesting one, because the cheese is in the meat! They have four different cheeses to choose from.
Sides and Beverages: 3/5
The natural cut fries were really good, and we’ve also heard great things about their onion rings, which also appear to be homemade. Their shakes are good, and they’ve got an entire cooler of glass-bottled sodas. Stimac made note of the Sprecher’s Brewery soda stocked up.
Uniqueness: 6/10
The homemade food and the stuffed burger concept is what makes this place unique. The actual building has been changed from an old Mexican restaurant into Jay’s. They’ve done everything they can with that building, but overall, it does feel a little disjointed and awkward. It doesn’t scream a burger vibe. But, in the end, the burger is dang good, and that’s what makes it all work.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8/10
Overall, this greasy, stuffed, partially falling apart burger was definitely sinful.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 29/40
Random Shots:
This is one that I’m eagerly awaiting to eat again. I’d like to go back on an empty stomach and really do some damage.
Jay's Stuffed Burgers
Map
Frita Batidos - Ann Arbor, MI
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on Monday, September 23, 2013
In Attendance: Megan
Frita Batidos owner Eve Aronoff appeared on Bravo’s Top Chef. That’s a pretty sweet accomplishment. Ann Arbor is lucky to have her and the Cuban-style burgers that she and her staff prepare at Frita Batidos.
Opening in 2010, Frita Batidos sits on a pretty busy part of Washington Street in downtown Ann Arbor. It’s a white-out on the inside. White floors, white painted brick walls, and even white picnic tables to eat on. It’s a really neat place that focuses on serving dishes inspired by Cuban street food. They revolve themselves around two culinary Cuban staples:
The FRITA: According to the Frita Batidos website, the Frita is a burger traditionally made from spicy chorizo served with shoestring fries on top in a soft egg bun.
The BATIDO: Also according to their website, a bandito is a tropical milkshake made with fresh fruit, crushed ice, and sweetened milk – with or without rum.
As you can imagine, this makes for quite the combination. When one walks into Frita Batidos, they see a sea of white, and the ordering counter greets them at the door. For me, things were a little overwhelming at first. This isn’t your typical burger joint, or at least the kind I’m used to. When selecting your Frita, you’ve got five options. Of course there is the Beef Frita, and that comes with sweet chili mayo. There are also Chorizo, Chicken, Black Bean, and Fish Frita options. Each one comes with sweet chili mayo, chipotle mayo, or lemon scented mayo. Obviously, I went for the Beef Frita. It comes naturally Medium Rare, unless you want it another way. I ordered it Medium, and to make things interesting, I ordered a double patty of beef.
The toppings on their Fritas are where things get serious. What a unique mixture of possibilities, and all of them sounded amazing. Sticking to the Beef Frita, shoestring fries comes naturally on the top of a slice of Muenster cheese. There are no other cheese options. From there, it’s up to you. You can select as many other options as you want, and they’re offering a sunny side up egg, cilantro-lime salsa, tropical slaw, avocado spread, and bacon. I added some tropical slaw. So, overall, I was looking at a medium cooked Beef Frita with shoestring fries, Muenster cheese, tropical slaw, and their special sweet chili mayo, all on a fresh egg bun. Once again, not your typical burger.
It may not be the kind of burger that you’re used to having, but trust me, you’ll be back for another one. I went to Frita Baditos on a complete whim, and I never, ever expected the quality burger I received. The beef was cooked perfectly and hand crafted. Their sweet chili mayo was absolutely delicious, and so was everything else. This was a show stopper, and it’s time to start the scoring.
Meat: 4.5/5
Tasted great, cooked to order, and was a hand-crafted patty. They strive to source their fresh meat from Michigan or the Midwest whenever possible.
Bun: 4/5
There’s only one style of bun here, but it’s all you’ll need. Their egg bun was soft and tasted really good. I really enjoy a burger where the bun has a taste of its own, and this was one of those. It was also the perfect size and provided a great bun to meat ratio.
Cheese: 4/5
As with the bun, there’s only one choice here. And, as above, it’s all you need. It was delicious and I wasn’t able to complain about the amount that was placed on the burger.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
If you’re looking for some unique food, this place is for you. As mentioned above, they’ve got plenty of sides to keep the typical person happy. Their fries were absolutely outstanding - I was able to try the regular and garlic versions. I’m still thinking about them and they are one of the many reasons why I’m dying to go back. They also don’t hold back on the beverages either. Obviously, the Batidos are their staple, but don’t forget about the full bar that features Cuban inspired drinks. Lots of unique beers and mixed drinks (including great margaritas) are ready to serve you well.
Uniqueness: 8.5/10
It’s time to step outside your comfort zone and give Frita Batidos are try. It’s worth it, and you’ll appreciate the twists and turns that the place offers. You’ll leave feeling like you did just experience something unique and away from the norm.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 9/10
It’s uniqueness separates it apart from the rest, but overall, this is a top-notch burger. It was cooked to order, had a delicious bun, and came with some really neat toppings that added a delicious taste. I’m still thinking about it.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 34/40
Random Shots:
This place has quite the vibe. Expect to possibly sit next to some other folks on their long white picnic tables if you enter at a busy time. When you pay, remember that you are downtown Ann Arbor, and things tend to be a bit pricier there.
Frita Batidos
Map
Visited on Monday, September 23, 2013
In Attendance: Megan
Frita Batidos owner Eve Aronoff appeared on Bravo’s Top Chef. That’s a pretty sweet accomplishment. Ann Arbor is lucky to have her and the Cuban-style burgers that she and her staff prepare at Frita Batidos.
Opening in 2010, Frita Batidos sits on a pretty busy part of Washington Street in downtown Ann Arbor. It’s a white-out on the inside. White floors, white painted brick walls, and even white picnic tables to eat on. It’s a really neat place that focuses on serving dishes inspired by Cuban street food. They revolve themselves around two culinary Cuban staples:
The FRITA: According to the Frita Batidos website, the Frita is a burger traditionally made from spicy chorizo served with shoestring fries on top in a soft egg bun.
The BATIDO: Also according to their website, a bandito is a tropical milkshake made with fresh fruit, crushed ice, and sweetened milk – with or without rum.
As you can imagine, this makes for quite the combination. When one walks into Frita Batidos, they see a sea of white, and the ordering counter greets them at the door. For me, things were a little overwhelming at first. This isn’t your typical burger joint, or at least the kind I’m used to. When selecting your Frita, you’ve got five options. Of course there is the Beef Frita, and that comes with sweet chili mayo. There are also Chorizo, Chicken, Black Bean, and Fish Frita options. Each one comes with sweet chili mayo, chipotle mayo, or lemon scented mayo. Obviously, I went for the Beef Frita. It comes naturally Medium Rare, unless you want it another way. I ordered it Medium, and to make things interesting, I ordered a double patty of beef.
The toppings on their Fritas are where things get serious. What a unique mixture of possibilities, and all of them sounded amazing. Sticking to the Beef Frita, shoestring fries comes naturally on the top of a slice of Muenster cheese. There are no other cheese options. From there, it’s up to you. You can select as many other options as you want, and they’re offering a sunny side up egg, cilantro-lime salsa, tropical slaw, avocado spread, and bacon. I added some tropical slaw. So, overall, I was looking at a medium cooked Beef Frita with shoestring fries, Muenster cheese, tropical slaw, and their special sweet chili mayo, all on a fresh egg bun. Once again, not your typical burger.
It may not be the kind of burger that you’re used to having, but trust me, you’ll be back for another one. I went to Frita Baditos on a complete whim, and I never, ever expected the quality burger I received. The beef was cooked perfectly and hand crafted. Their sweet chili mayo was absolutely delicious, and so was everything else. This was a show stopper, and it’s time to start the scoring.
Meat: 4.5/5
Tasted great, cooked to order, and was a hand-crafted patty. They strive to source their fresh meat from Michigan or the Midwest whenever possible.
Bun: 4/5
There’s only one style of bun here, but it’s all you’ll need. Their egg bun was soft and tasted really good. I really enjoy a burger where the bun has a taste of its own, and this was one of those. It was also the perfect size and provided a great bun to meat ratio.
Cheese: 4/5
As with the bun, there’s only one choice here. And, as above, it’s all you need. It was delicious and I wasn’t able to complain about the amount that was placed on the burger.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
If you’re looking for some unique food, this place is for you. As mentioned above, they’ve got plenty of sides to keep the typical person happy. Their fries were absolutely outstanding - I was able to try the regular and garlic versions. I’m still thinking about them and they are one of the many reasons why I’m dying to go back. They also don’t hold back on the beverages either. Obviously, the Batidos are their staple, but don’t forget about the full bar that features Cuban inspired drinks. Lots of unique beers and mixed drinks (including great margaritas) are ready to serve you well.
Uniqueness: 8.5/10
It’s time to step outside your comfort zone and give Frita Batidos are try. It’s worth it, and you’ll appreciate the twists and turns that the place offers. You’ll leave feeling like you did just experience something unique and away from the norm.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 9/10
It’s uniqueness separates it apart from the rest, but overall, this is a top-notch burger. It was cooked to order, had a delicious bun, and came with some really neat toppings that added a delicious taste. I’m still thinking about it.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 34/40
Random Shots:
This place has quite the vibe. Expect to possibly sit next to some other folks on their long white picnic tables if you enter at a busy time. When you pay, remember that you are downtown Ann Arbor, and things tend to be a bit pricier there.
Frita Batidos
Map
Red Rock Downtown Barbecue - Ypsilanti, MI
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on Friday, September 20, 2013
Some people may ask me what I was doing ordering a burger at a barbecue joint. My response? “Why the heck not?”
If a good barbecue joint can handle ribs, pork, and other meaty items, it would seem that they could make a good burger. Well, at least at Red Rock, I was wrong.
Red Rock sits right on Michigan Avenue, right on the downtown stretch of Ypsilanti. It’s been open for a few years now, and the locals rave about their food and their craft beer selection. I had been in there a few other times for barbecue, and I was pretty impressed overall. On most days they offer some nice specials to keep the crowds coming. Beer Enthusiasts Mondays, $2 Trivia Tuesdays, Wine-Down Wednesdays, and Red Rock Thursday Nights create a buzz around what’s becoming a pretty well-known spot in Washtenaw County.
However, their burgers are where things head drastically south. After taking a look at the burger selections on their menu, things did look pretty promising. They serve fresh angus beef, all the fixings one would want, and even a pretzel bun option. Where do they get it wrong? They only offer one cooking option: well-done. That’s right, and you didn’t read a misprint. You can only get your burgers well-done at Red Rock. When our server told me this, after attempting to order it medium, my jaw literally dropped. I still decided to suck it up, and I gave it a shot.
Meat: 0/5
You can probably make a pretty strong prediction here. It was dry as heck and the flavor was probably cooked right out of it. It appeared to be a pre-formed patty. It would seem that at a place that works with all sorts of different meats, they’d be able to cook a burger to order and also hand-craft the patty. It’s very obvious that they don’t respect burgers at all, at least at this point. As a fan of Red Rock, I sincerely hope this is an area that can be improved for the future.
Bun: 3/5
Pretzel and regular bakery bun options. My pretzel bun was very dry.
Cheese: 4/5
Normal selection of cheese with a more-than-typical amount placed on the meat. This was the highpoint of the burger experience.
Sides and Beverages: 4.5/5
Tons of great sides due to Red Rock being a barbecue joint. I had french fries and their mac and cheese along with my burger. There are tons of great craft beers to try.
Uniqueness: 6.5/10
Overall, Red Rock is a cool place. Just don’t get the burger.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 4/10
Throughout our Michigan Burger Boys travels, this is the second time in which I did not finish my burger.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 22/40
Random Shots:
Please know that Red Rock is a really cool place. This review focuses on the burger experience, and nothing more. As stated above, I’ve been to Red Rock a few other times and have had pleasant experiences.
Red Rock Downtown Barbecue
Map
Visited on Friday, September 20, 2013
Some people may ask me what I was doing ordering a burger at a barbecue joint. My response? “Why the heck not?”
If a good barbecue joint can handle ribs, pork, and other meaty items, it would seem that they could make a good burger. Well, at least at Red Rock, I was wrong.
Red Rock sits right on Michigan Avenue, right on the downtown stretch of Ypsilanti. It’s been open for a few years now, and the locals rave about their food and their craft beer selection. I had been in there a few other times for barbecue, and I was pretty impressed overall. On most days they offer some nice specials to keep the crowds coming. Beer Enthusiasts Mondays, $2 Trivia Tuesdays, Wine-Down Wednesdays, and Red Rock Thursday Nights create a buzz around what’s becoming a pretty well-known spot in Washtenaw County.
However, their burgers are where things head drastically south. After taking a look at the burger selections on their menu, things did look pretty promising. They serve fresh angus beef, all the fixings one would want, and even a pretzel bun option. Where do they get it wrong? They only offer one cooking option: well-done. That’s right, and you didn’t read a misprint. You can only get your burgers well-done at Red Rock. When our server told me this, after attempting to order it medium, my jaw literally dropped. I still decided to suck it up, and I gave it a shot.
Meat: 0/5
You can probably make a pretty strong prediction here. It was dry as heck and the flavor was probably cooked right out of it. It appeared to be a pre-formed patty. It would seem that at a place that works with all sorts of different meats, they’d be able to cook a burger to order and also hand-craft the patty. It’s very obvious that they don’t respect burgers at all, at least at this point. As a fan of Red Rock, I sincerely hope this is an area that can be improved for the future.
Bun: 3/5
Pretzel and regular bakery bun options. My pretzel bun was very dry.
Cheese: 4/5
Normal selection of cheese with a more-than-typical amount placed on the meat. This was the highpoint of the burger experience.
Sides and Beverages: 4.5/5
Tons of great sides due to Red Rock being a barbecue joint. I had french fries and their mac and cheese along with my burger. There are tons of great craft beers to try.
Uniqueness: 6.5/10
Overall, Red Rock is a cool place. Just don’t get the burger.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 4/10
Throughout our Michigan Burger Boys travels, this is the second time in which I did not finish my burger.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 22/40
Random Shots:
Please know that Red Rock is a really cool place. This review focuses on the burger experience, and nothing more. As stated above, I’ve been to Red Rock a few other times and have had pleasant experiences.
Red Rock Downtown Barbecue
Map
Crossroads Bar and Grill - Leslie, MI
Reviewed by Lucas and Kevin
This review has been written by Lucas, who was raised in Leslie, MI.
Visited on Friday, August 9, 2013
I grew up in a small town called Leslie. It sits perfectly between Jackson and Lansing and an exit off US 127 makes Leslie very easy to find. On this night, Kevin and I were completing our Summer Burger or Bust tour. We had already spent some time at Schlenker’s and Chase Bar in Jackson, enjoyed the weather on Pleasant Lake, and even stopped in to the Lost Shoe for a bit. There was one stop left. It was time to hit downtown Leslie, where time seems to stand still.
Crossroads Bar and Grill, more commonly known as “The Crossroads” or “The ‘Roads” has been a Leslie bar and grill institution for quite some time. Today, it’s the only actual bar and grill in town. Many others bars have existed in town, but in all seriousness, they always end up burning down. Crossroads sits next to Independent Bank on the west side of Leslie’s one-block and no streetlights downtown. It’s been around for a while, and different ownerships have taken control a time or two. For now, they seem settled and are really doing well. An enhanced menu and daily specials are bringing in the crowds, and they’re becoming widely popular for their burgers.
My friends and I used to frequent the Crossroads all the time, especially during trips home from college. Any time we’d be back home, we’d all go there because you knew that’s where everyone was going to be. There were no other choices, and there still isn’t. Now, with trips more few and far between, visiting my old stomping ground was a real treat. Becky, the server everyone knows (she even bartended my wedding), was right there to greet us. We entered and walked through the bar side and into their newly renovated sports viewing room. All of the tables are painted with different team’s logos, including Leslie High School’s. There’s a huge projection television, and overall, it’s a great spot to watch a game. A side room has a balcony with arcade games and the back room features pool tables. There’s even a brand new patio area out front on the downtown side.
The burgers are what brought us to the Crossroads this time around, and it was time to get things rolling. Crossroads gained some fame recently due to MLive’s Best Burger competition. They beat out many great burgers in the Lansing area and moved into the actual statewide contest. Due to this, their business sure has increased. When we glanced at their menu, we noticed that their burgers are hand-crafted fresh patties of beef from Merindof Meats. Pure Michigan Bread Company bakes their buns, and you can choose between a sesame or pretzel. Many fry options and more make up their sides. It all creates a good mix for burger lovers. We both opted for cheeseburgers, with Kevin going bakery bun and Lucas going pretzel.
Meat: 4/5
Fresh, juicy, handcrafted, and cooked to order. They use quality beef from the local Merindorf Meats.
Bun: 4/5
There was a good bun-to-meat ratio, and it’s always great when there are choices in this category.
Cheese: 4/5
Tons of options! American, swiss, provolone, pepper jack, and even shredded cheddar are there to choose from.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
Hand-battered onion rings are coming soon to the Crossroads, and this is exciting Kevin. We both had a different style fry, and both were delicious. There’s your standard full bar available.
Uniqueness: 5.5/10
There just wasn’t anything we hadn’t seen before when it comes to this category. It’s a pleasant place, and their patio addition was needed in Leslie.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8.5/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 30/40
Random Shots:
If you are traveling up or down US 127 and Leslie is close, don’t hesitate to get off the exit, head one mile east to the downtown, and enjoy a burger at Crossroads. Make sure you stop by Dubs’s Dodgeball Tournament on the way out. And finally, “Who’s in there!?”
Crossroads Bar and Grill
Jackson Burger Tour Slideshow
Map
This review has been written by Lucas, who was raised in Leslie, MI.
Visited on Friday, August 9, 2013
I grew up in a small town called Leslie. It sits perfectly between Jackson and Lansing and an exit off US 127 makes Leslie very easy to find. On this night, Kevin and I were completing our Summer Burger or Bust tour. We had already spent some time at Schlenker’s and Chase Bar in Jackson, enjoyed the weather on Pleasant Lake, and even stopped in to the Lost Shoe for a bit. There was one stop left. It was time to hit downtown Leslie, where time seems to stand still.
Crossroads Bar and Grill, more commonly known as “The Crossroads” or “The ‘Roads” has been a Leslie bar and grill institution for quite some time. Today, it’s the only actual bar and grill in town. Many others bars have existed in town, but in all seriousness, they always end up burning down. Crossroads sits next to Independent Bank on the west side of Leslie’s one-block and no streetlights downtown. It’s been around for a while, and different ownerships have taken control a time or two. For now, they seem settled and are really doing well. An enhanced menu and daily specials are bringing in the crowds, and they’re becoming widely popular for their burgers.
My friends and I used to frequent the Crossroads all the time, especially during trips home from college. Any time we’d be back home, we’d all go there because you knew that’s where everyone was going to be. There were no other choices, and there still isn’t. Now, with trips more few and far between, visiting my old stomping ground was a real treat. Becky, the server everyone knows (she even bartended my wedding), was right there to greet us. We entered and walked through the bar side and into their newly renovated sports viewing room. All of the tables are painted with different team’s logos, including Leslie High School’s. There’s a huge projection television, and overall, it’s a great spot to watch a game. A side room has a balcony with arcade games and the back room features pool tables. There’s even a brand new patio area out front on the downtown side.
The burgers are what brought us to the Crossroads this time around, and it was time to get things rolling. Crossroads gained some fame recently due to MLive’s Best Burger competition. They beat out many great burgers in the Lansing area and moved into the actual statewide contest. Due to this, their business sure has increased. When we glanced at their menu, we noticed that their burgers are hand-crafted fresh patties of beef from Merindof Meats. Pure Michigan Bread Company bakes their buns, and you can choose between a sesame or pretzel. Many fry options and more make up their sides. It all creates a good mix for burger lovers. We both opted for cheeseburgers, with Kevin going bakery bun and Lucas going pretzel.
Meat: 4/5
Fresh, juicy, handcrafted, and cooked to order. They use quality beef from the local Merindorf Meats.
Bun: 4/5
There was a good bun-to-meat ratio, and it’s always great when there are choices in this category.
Cheese: 4/5
Tons of options! American, swiss, provolone, pepper jack, and even shredded cheddar are there to choose from.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
Hand-battered onion rings are coming soon to the Crossroads, and this is exciting Kevin. We both had a different style fry, and both were delicious. There’s your standard full bar available.
Uniqueness: 5.5/10
There just wasn’t anything we hadn’t seen before when it comes to this category. It’s a pleasant place, and their patio addition was needed in Leslie.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8.5/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 30/40
Random Shots:
If you are traveling up or down US 127 and Leslie is close, don’t hesitate to get off the exit, head one mile east to the downtown, and enjoy a burger at Crossroads. Make sure you stop by Dubs’s Dodgeball Tournament on the way out. And finally, “Who’s in there!?”
Crossroads Bar and Grill
Jackson Burger Tour Slideshow
Map
Schlenker's - Jackson, MI
Reviewed by Kevin and Lucas
Visited on August 9, 2013
In Attendance: Jackson Burger Boy
Resting on the edge of Jackson’s residential area, Schlenker’s holds a window with the best view of the city and serves a burger that makes Jackson a top destination on the burger trail. We’ve been to several burger joints, but it is easy to say that this tiny sandwich shop is on a pedestal. According to the Jackson Citizen Patriot’s Leanne Smith, George M. Schlenker opened the restaurant in December 1927 when Ganson Street was still dirt and Calvin Coolidge was president. In it’s current state, and with the high quality of burger, this is the kind of place you would take your Dad to. Here it is, Schlenker’s, our new number one for Burger Taste!
It may be difficult to find a seat when you walk into Schlenker’s. Believe it or not, the place actually expanded to seat 15 people at a u-shaped counter in 1937, and it remains the same size today. There’s little wiggle room during peak feeding times. If there’s a wait, it’s worth it. Look around while you're starving and you’ll notice that the owner is a huge Notre Dame fan. The walls are lined with all sorts of cool pictures ranging from family and ND to old versions of the building. If you get jammed up and seats aren’t available, place your order to go and head outside to eat on a picnic table.
When it comes to hamburgers, Schlenker’s serves up one of the best in Michigan. Watch from a counter seat as a huge piece of ground sirloin constructed of ball-shaped patties gets separated and smashed into individual burgers. Make sure you order a double, and know that something delicious is on its way. While you’re waiting, don’t hesitate to order a pop. They are served in the can and you must ask if you want a straw. Also, since Schlenker’s doesn’t have a public bathroom, don’t hesitate to hit the Hand Sanitizer bottles that are scattered throughout the counter.
The burger is cut in halves when served, but if that’s not your style, fear not as the whole thing easily sticks back together. Although the burger holds a delightful amount of grease that soaks through the wax paper it’s wrapped in, it is very light and the meat tastes super tender promoting an effortless bite.
Meat: 4.5/5
Their ground sirloin is fresh and is ground each morning inside Schlenker’s. Smashed up balls of ground sirloin become juicy and tender patties. Airy.
Bun: 3.5/5
Potato bun. The size was perfect and handled the cheese well.
Cheese: 4.5/5
Everywhere! Hot, swiss, and “regular” (American).
Sides and Beverages: 3/5
As stated above, cans of pop make for a different beverage experience. We saw many people drinking Vernors. Out of the bag sides. O-rings, fries, breaded mushrooms, and cauliflower buds are deep fried and aren’t too bad, but nothing to brag about. The burger dominates this entire experience, and really makes the sides an afterthought.
Uniqueness: 9/10
“U”nique seating and a quaint set up. The u-shaped counter makes you feel like you are eating your burger with each and every person inside Schlenker’s.
It’s also tough to forget the rich history of this tiny sandwich shop. Here’s another unique history example: Also according to Leanne Smith, when a gasoline station bought the property on which it stood sometime around 1930, it’s said that 20 football players from nearby St. John High School picked the building up and moved it 15 yards to where it still sits today.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 9.5/10
We can't say enough about the taste of this burger. It's a taste to be shared. Kevin will be taking his Dad here.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 34/40
Random Shots:
Heads up! This place is cash only and has no public phone. We can’t wait to go back and have another. The olive burger looks crazy enough to try as it is loaded with olives. Schlenker’s closes each night at 7pm, but they are known to close early if they run out of burger.
Schlenker's
Jackson Burger Tour Slideshow
Map
Visited on August 9, 2013
In Attendance: Jackson Burger Boy
Resting on the edge of Jackson’s residential area, Schlenker’s holds a window with the best view of the city and serves a burger that makes Jackson a top destination on the burger trail. We’ve been to several burger joints, but it is easy to say that this tiny sandwich shop is on a pedestal. According to the Jackson Citizen Patriot’s Leanne Smith, George M. Schlenker opened the restaurant in December 1927 when Ganson Street was still dirt and Calvin Coolidge was president. In it’s current state, and with the high quality of burger, this is the kind of place you would take your Dad to. Here it is, Schlenker’s, our new number one for Burger Taste!
It may be difficult to find a seat when you walk into Schlenker’s. Believe it or not, the place actually expanded to seat 15 people at a u-shaped counter in 1937, and it remains the same size today. There’s little wiggle room during peak feeding times. If there’s a wait, it’s worth it. Look around while you're starving and you’ll notice that the owner is a huge Notre Dame fan. The walls are lined with all sorts of cool pictures ranging from family and ND to old versions of the building. If you get jammed up and seats aren’t available, place your order to go and head outside to eat on a picnic table.
When it comes to hamburgers, Schlenker’s serves up one of the best in Michigan. Watch from a counter seat as a huge piece of ground sirloin constructed of ball-shaped patties gets separated and smashed into individual burgers. Make sure you order a double, and know that something delicious is on its way. While you’re waiting, don’t hesitate to order a pop. They are served in the can and you must ask if you want a straw. Also, since Schlenker’s doesn’t have a public bathroom, don’t hesitate to hit the Hand Sanitizer bottles that are scattered throughout the counter.
The burger is cut in halves when served, but if that’s not your style, fear not as the whole thing easily sticks back together. Although the burger holds a delightful amount of grease that soaks through the wax paper it’s wrapped in, it is very light and the meat tastes super tender promoting an effortless bite.
Meat: 4.5/5
Their ground sirloin is fresh and is ground each morning inside Schlenker’s. Smashed up balls of ground sirloin become juicy and tender patties. Airy.
Bun: 3.5/5
Potato bun. The size was perfect and handled the cheese well.
Cheese: 4.5/5
Everywhere! Hot, swiss, and “regular” (American).
Sides and Beverages: 3/5
As stated above, cans of pop make for a different beverage experience. We saw many people drinking Vernors. Out of the bag sides. O-rings, fries, breaded mushrooms, and cauliflower buds are deep fried and aren’t too bad, but nothing to brag about. The burger dominates this entire experience, and really makes the sides an afterthought.
Uniqueness: 9/10
“U”nique seating and a quaint set up. The u-shaped counter makes you feel like you are eating your burger with each and every person inside Schlenker’s.
It’s also tough to forget the rich history of this tiny sandwich shop. Here’s another unique history example: Also according to Leanne Smith, when a gasoline station bought the property on which it stood sometime around 1930, it’s said that 20 football players from nearby St. John High School picked the building up and moved it 15 yards to where it still sits today.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 9.5/10
We can't say enough about the taste of this burger. It's a taste to be shared. Kevin will be taking his Dad here.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 34/40
Random Shots:
Heads up! This place is cash only and has no public phone. We can’t wait to go back and have another. The olive burger looks crazy enough to try as it is loaded with olives. Schlenker’s closes each night at 7pm, but they are known to close early if they run out of burger.
Schlenker's
Jackson Burger Tour Slideshow
Map
Eagle Harbor Inn - Eagle Harbor, MI
Reviewed by: Kevin
Visited on: August 3, 2013
In Attendance: Jessie, Nate, & Grandpa Leonard
Way up in the Keweenaw Peninsula sits the town of Eagle Harbor. If you want Pure Michigan, you’ve found it. While you're there you might also want a burger. The Eagle Harbor Inn creates charbroiled greatness to complement the northern experience.
Many seek out the Eagle Harbor Inn as a destination to dine. They serve good food and it’s U.P. fashionable. The interior makes the customer feel regionally connected with woodwork, maps, and other local flair throughout the place.
The Eagle Harbor Inn serves a handful of charbroiled burgers. The burgers on the menu include: Charbroiled Burger, Black and Bleu Burger, Olive Burger, Bacon American Burger, and Pesto Burger. Normally when I review a burger I stick to my typical mustard, ketchup, and pickle, but my friend Jessie insisted that I have to try the olive burger. I couldn’t turn his recommendation away because he has been right about everything else that we explore in the Keweenaw.
I’m really into olives, so my order was an instant delight. I enjoyed it the way they serve it, a green olive mayo mixture and pepper jack cheese. The charbroiled flavor really flexed its muscles and was the keynote speaker for the burger. It was tasty and delicious, but I feel that this burger may not be for everyone because of the charbroiled impact. Live a little and try it for yourself.
Meat: 3/5
What a great charbroiled taste! I left wishing the meat was a bit more juicy.
Bun: 3.5/5
Toasted sesame bun that’s just the right size.
Cheese: 2.5/5
Left wanting more. The charbroiled taste overpowered it.
Sides and Beverages: 3.5/5
No tap, but offer a nice selection of beverages. Sides include fries and o-rings.
Uniqueness: 8/10
This place is unique. It's a destination to dine if you are in the area.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7.5/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 28/40
Random Shots:
This place is very nice on the inside and super clean. I really got a sense of pride from the family that owns and operates the Eagle Harbor Inn.
Eagle Harbor Inn
Map
Visited on: August 3, 2013
In Attendance: Jessie, Nate, & Grandpa Leonard
Way up in the Keweenaw Peninsula sits the town of Eagle Harbor. If you want Pure Michigan, you’ve found it. While you're there you might also want a burger. The Eagle Harbor Inn creates charbroiled greatness to complement the northern experience.
Many seek out the Eagle Harbor Inn as a destination to dine. They serve good food and it’s U.P. fashionable. The interior makes the customer feel regionally connected with woodwork, maps, and other local flair throughout the place.
The Eagle Harbor Inn serves a handful of charbroiled burgers. The burgers on the menu include: Charbroiled Burger, Black and Bleu Burger, Olive Burger, Bacon American Burger, and Pesto Burger. Normally when I review a burger I stick to my typical mustard, ketchup, and pickle, but my friend Jessie insisted that I have to try the olive burger. I couldn’t turn his recommendation away because he has been right about everything else that we explore in the Keweenaw.
I’m really into olives, so my order was an instant delight. I enjoyed it the way they serve it, a green olive mayo mixture and pepper jack cheese. The charbroiled flavor really flexed its muscles and was the keynote speaker for the burger. It was tasty and delicious, but I feel that this burger may not be for everyone because of the charbroiled impact. Live a little and try it for yourself.
Meat: 3/5
What a great charbroiled taste! I left wishing the meat was a bit more juicy.
Bun: 3.5/5
Toasted sesame bun that’s just the right size.
Cheese: 2.5/5
Left wanting more. The charbroiled taste overpowered it.
Sides and Beverages: 3.5/5
No tap, but offer a nice selection of beverages. Sides include fries and o-rings.
Uniqueness: 8/10
This place is unique. It's a destination to dine if you are in the area.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7.5/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 28/40
Random Shots:
This place is very nice on the inside and super clean. I really got a sense of pride from the family that owns and operates the Eagle Harbor Inn.
Eagle Harbor Inn
Map
Mason's Bar & Grill - Livonia, MI
Reviewed by Kevin and Lucas
Visited on Friday, July 19, 2013
In Attendance: Gerbe and Matt
Before you even walk into Mason’s you are greeted by a Michigan Historic Site marker staking their claim on the “Real Bar Burger” in all the land. Any place that hits you with a best bar burger sign on your way in better have something to back it up. We would have to agree that it is a darn tasty burger. During our visit we enjoyed devouring this real bar burger and had a lot of fun while doing so.
Throughout the hot summer months only the strong survive. From what we hear, the A/C is not in working condition at Mason's. The lighting is kept low, intensifying the neon burger sign near the grill, and local signs brought in by patrons of the past are hanging all over the place hiding the classic wooden paneling. They even have a shark hanging from the ceiling. We’re sure this is pre Sharknado. Older, yet large enough, televisions hang on the walls and video games line the far back walls. It’s dark, hot, and jammed together for an ultimate sensory experience.
Let’s keep it plain and simple with this burger review. All burger junkies need to visit this place. A large majority of people from the area have surely heard of Mason’s, if not had a Mason’s burger. They offer a well executed, cooked to order hamburger that holds its claim among the bar burgers of the world. Order a 1/3lb Mason’s Bar Burger or go big with the 2/3lb Doubleshift & Fries Combo. The meat is ground fresh daily from Eastern Market. Dress your burger at the table with a mustard, ketchup, pickle, and raw onion (all the important fixings). A variety of extra fixings are available.
Everyone in our gathering ordered a different burger which included different cheese and buns, but one thing was consistent, the they were all cooked the way we ordered them.
Meat: 4.5/5
Hot, juicy, tasty, and it’s fresh from Eastern Market.
Bun: 3.5/5
A good meat to bun ratio! Steamed options include onion and sesame.
Cheese: 3.5/5
American, swiss, pepper jack, sharp cheddar, or Mozzarella. Nice selection.
Sides and Beverages: 2.5/5
Good crinkle cut fries and beer battered onion rings. They serve their smaller beverages in Mason Jars!
Uniqueness: 8.5/10
This is a working man’s bar. It’s historic and fits the Livonia area well.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8.75/10
Mason’s has a tasty burger and we found ourselves thinking about it well after our visit.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 31.25/40
Random Shots: Sitting on Farmington Road near 96, Mason’s block “M” stares you down. Even though it is extremely easy to find, don’t ask Kevin how to get there. Lucas could barely contain himself as he photographed the heck out of everyone’s food. Take a look at his Mason's slideshow.
Check out this YouTube video about Mason's!
Mason's Bar and Grill
Map
Visited on Friday, July 19, 2013
In Attendance: Gerbe and Matt
Before you even walk into Mason’s you are greeted by a Michigan Historic Site marker staking their claim on the “Real Bar Burger” in all the land. Any place that hits you with a best bar burger sign on your way in better have something to back it up. We would have to agree that it is a darn tasty burger. During our visit we enjoyed devouring this real bar burger and had a lot of fun while doing so.
Throughout the hot summer months only the strong survive. From what we hear, the A/C is not in working condition at Mason's. The lighting is kept low, intensifying the neon burger sign near the grill, and local signs brought in by patrons of the past are hanging all over the place hiding the classic wooden paneling. They even have a shark hanging from the ceiling. We’re sure this is pre Sharknado. Older, yet large enough, televisions hang on the walls and video games line the far back walls. It’s dark, hot, and jammed together for an ultimate sensory experience.
Let’s keep it plain and simple with this burger review. All burger junkies need to visit this place. A large majority of people from the area have surely heard of Mason’s, if not had a Mason’s burger. They offer a well executed, cooked to order hamburger that holds its claim among the bar burgers of the world. Order a 1/3lb Mason’s Bar Burger or go big with the 2/3lb Doubleshift & Fries Combo. The meat is ground fresh daily from Eastern Market. Dress your burger at the table with a mustard, ketchup, pickle, and raw onion (all the important fixings). A variety of extra fixings are available.
Everyone in our gathering ordered a different burger which included different cheese and buns, but one thing was consistent, the they were all cooked the way we ordered them.
Meat: 4.5/5
Hot, juicy, tasty, and it’s fresh from Eastern Market.
Bun: 3.5/5
A good meat to bun ratio! Steamed options include onion and sesame.
Cheese: 3.5/5
American, swiss, pepper jack, sharp cheddar, or Mozzarella. Nice selection.
Sides and Beverages: 2.5/5
Good crinkle cut fries and beer battered onion rings. They serve their smaller beverages in Mason Jars!
Uniqueness: 8.5/10
This is a working man’s bar. It’s historic and fits the Livonia area well.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8.75/10
Mason’s has a tasty burger and we found ourselves thinking about it well after our visit.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 31.25/40
Random Shots: Sitting on Farmington Road near 96, Mason’s block “M” stares you down. Even though it is extremely easy to find, don’t ask Kevin how to get there. Lucas could barely contain himself as he photographed the heck out of everyone’s food. Take a look at his Mason's slideshow.
Check out this YouTube video about Mason's!
Mason's Bar and Grill
Map
Bone Heads Bar-B-Que - Willis, MI
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on Friday, July 12, 2013
In Attendance: Ethan
According to the Bone Heads Bar-B-Que website, Willis is a village that moves a little slower than the rest. When you go, you’ll find out quickly that they’re definitely right.
Bone Heads is known as the treasure of Willis, and it’s a barbeque joint that I’ve been wanting to hit for quite some time. The actual building is tied to much local history and it’s also haunted (see our Blog for a full history and haunted happenings recap). When we pulled into the partial dirt parking lot, it was an interesting scene. Bone Heads has the look of an old house. In the back, there’s a two-car garage attached. On the roof is a Hughes Net satellite dish. I’ve seen the commercials, and this must mean that Bone Heads is in a location where Internet providers simply don’t exist.
My buddy Ethan and I walked around to the front entrance, cut through the row of motorcycles, and when inside, saw two very different scenes. In the room to the left is a bar area, and to the right is a very old-fashioned looking restaurant. It has that Cracker Barrel feel with the heavy wooden chairs, China cabinets and China lining the walls on shelves, a wooden ceiling, old-fashioned table cloths, and even old wooden benches that resemble pews. There’s also an enclosed porch area. It honestly felt like you were sitting in your Grandma’s house or kitchen. Much of the furniture and décor was brought in from southeastern Michigan and northwest Ohio to give it an appearance similar to the historic general store. We wanted to spend our time in the bar area, but it was full, so we went back in time and ate on the restaurant side.
After viewing the menu, it was tough not to order a platter of barbeque and some delicious sides. However, their burger portion of the menu was impressive enough to steer me back home. And as you know, most barbeque joints have marvelous burgers. Their meat comes fresh from Knights, and that’s always a good sign. All burgers are ½ pound and there’s many different styles to choose from. To keep things consistent, I ordered their All-American, and Ethan ordered the delicious sounding BBQ Burger.
We opted for the fries on the side, but later realized we had made a huge mistake. After we had ordered, we noticed the table next to us being served a platter of homemade onion rings, and they looked absolutely amazing. We had made a rookie mistake by ordering fries without giving more thought to the process. I quickly asked our server if we could sample one. Most barbeque joints are also known for their homemade macaroni and cheese. I’m a mac and cheese slappy, so I figured why not have a side along with my burger and fries. It was shaping up to be a huge meal, and I was ready.
When the order came, it was showtime. We grabbed the Koop’s Mustard and Hunt’s Ketchup bottles from our table and started dressing the burgers. Gobs of pickle slices were given, and a side pickle spear was there too. If you like pickles on your burger, this is the place for you. You could literally cover the entire burger, and then some, with pickle slices. When picked up, the burger was hot to the touch.
Meat: 2.5/5
There’s good news and bad news here. As stated above, they serve fresh meat from Knights. It’s a square pre-formed patty, and from what I could tell, it was also seasoned. However, both of our burgers were ordered ‘medium’, and both came to the table really overcooked. This was a major downer. There was no juice, no line of red, nothing.
Bun: 4/5
Their toasted, seeded bun turned out to be a nice surprise. It was soft and the bun-to-meat ratio was perfect.
Cheese: 4/5
American cheese came standard, but others were offered. Two slices were automatically given!
Sides and Beverages: 5/5
When you’re at a barbeque joint, side dishes are to the extreme. There are tons of great options at Bone Heads to have alongside your burger. You’re not forced into having fries or potato chips. I saw homemade onion rings, homemade garlic mashed potatoes, and more come out of the kitchen looking delicious. As for what I actually tried, the fries were pretty good, the homemade mac and cheese was also pretty good, and the homemade onion rings were delicious. I’m excited to go back and get ahold of some onion rings, their famous pickle chips, and garlic mashed potatoes to accompany a BBQ Burger. As for the beverages, only two words are needed: Busch bottles.
Uniqueness: 10/10
The location, the history, the hauntings, the look of the building, the décor, the menu, and everything else makes this place very unique. Once again, see our Blog for a full history and haunted happenings recap.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7.25/10
This burger would have been a true contender if not for the overcooked meat. Everything else was awesome. Maybe we were just unlucky, but I hope that Bone Heads makes more of an effort in the future to serve their burgers as ordered. If they do, once again, we’ve got a real contender on our hands.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 32.75/40
Random Shots:
From Bone Heads, you’ve got very easy access to the pretty popular Original Gravity Brewery in Milan. Take the backroads (Stoney Creek to Carpenter). Check out the OG after a good Bone Heads meal. Or, if you’re looking for some real action, head to the Red Rooster (just ½ mile east of Bone Heads). We have the Red Rooster reviewed, and it’s in our Original Burgers section.
Bone Heads Bar-B-Que
Map
Visited on Friday, July 12, 2013
In Attendance: Ethan
According to the Bone Heads Bar-B-Que website, Willis is a village that moves a little slower than the rest. When you go, you’ll find out quickly that they’re definitely right.
Bone Heads is known as the treasure of Willis, and it’s a barbeque joint that I’ve been wanting to hit for quite some time. The actual building is tied to much local history and it’s also haunted (see our Blog for a full history and haunted happenings recap). When we pulled into the partial dirt parking lot, it was an interesting scene. Bone Heads has the look of an old house. In the back, there’s a two-car garage attached. On the roof is a Hughes Net satellite dish. I’ve seen the commercials, and this must mean that Bone Heads is in a location where Internet providers simply don’t exist.
My buddy Ethan and I walked around to the front entrance, cut through the row of motorcycles, and when inside, saw two very different scenes. In the room to the left is a bar area, and to the right is a very old-fashioned looking restaurant. It has that Cracker Barrel feel with the heavy wooden chairs, China cabinets and China lining the walls on shelves, a wooden ceiling, old-fashioned table cloths, and even old wooden benches that resemble pews. There’s also an enclosed porch area. It honestly felt like you were sitting in your Grandma’s house or kitchen. Much of the furniture and décor was brought in from southeastern Michigan and northwest Ohio to give it an appearance similar to the historic general store. We wanted to spend our time in the bar area, but it was full, so we went back in time and ate on the restaurant side.
After viewing the menu, it was tough not to order a platter of barbeque and some delicious sides. However, their burger portion of the menu was impressive enough to steer me back home. And as you know, most barbeque joints have marvelous burgers. Their meat comes fresh from Knights, and that’s always a good sign. All burgers are ½ pound and there’s many different styles to choose from. To keep things consistent, I ordered their All-American, and Ethan ordered the delicious sounding BBQ Burger.
We opted for the fries on the side, but later realized we had made a huge mistake. After we had ordered, we noticed the table next to us being served a platter of homemade onion rings, and they looked absolutely amazing. We had made a rookie mistake by ordering fries without giving more thought to the process. I quickly asked our server if we could sample one. Most barbeque joints are also known for their homemade macaroni and cheese. I’m a mac and cheese slappy, so I figured why not have a side along with my burger and fries. It was shaping up to be a huge meal, and I was ready.
When the order came, it was showtime. We grabbed the Koop’s Mustard and Hunt’s Ketchup bottles from our table and started dressing the burgers. Gobs of pickle slices were given, and a side pickle spear was there too. If you like pickles on your burger, this is the place for you. You could literally cover the entire burger, and then some, with pickle slices. When picked up, the burger was hot to the touch.
Meat: 2.5/5
There’s good news and bad news here. As stated above, they serve fresh meat from Knights. It’s a square pre-formed patty, and from what I could tell, it was also seasoned. However, both of our burgers were ordered ‘medium’, and both came to the table really overcooked. This was a major downer. There was no juice, no line of red, nothing.
Bun: 4/5
Their toasted, seeded bun turned out to be a nice surprise. It was soft and the bun-to-meat ratio was perfect.
Cheese: 4/5
American cheese came standard, but others were offered. Two slices were automatically given!
Sides and Beverages: 5/5
When you’re at a barbeque joint, side dishes are to the extreme. There are tons of great options at Bone Heads to have alongside your burger. You’re not forced into having fries or potato chips. I saw homemade onion rings, homemade garlic mashed potatoes, and more come out of the kitchen looking delicious. As for what I actually tried, the fries were pretty good, the homemade mac and cheese was also pretty good, and the homemade onion rings were delicious. I’m excited to go back and get ahold of some onion rings, their famous pickle chips, and garlic mashed potatoes to accompany a BBQ Burger. As for the beverages, only two words are needed: Busch bottles.
Uniqueness: 10/10
The location, the history, the hauntings, the look of the building, the décor, the menu, and everything else makes this place very unique. Once again, see our Blog for a full history and haunted happenings recap.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7.25/10
This burger would have been a true contender if not for the overcooked meat. Everything else was awesome. Maybe we were just unlucky, but I hope that Bone Heads makes more of an effort in the future to serve their burgers as ordered. If they do, once again, we’ve got a real contender on our hands.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 32.75/40
Random Shots:
From Bone Heads, you’ve got very easy access to the pretty popular Original Gravity Brewery in Milan. Take the backroads (Stoney Creek to Carpenter). Check out the OG after a good Bone Heads meal. Or, if you’re looking for some real action, head to the Red Rooster (just ½ mile east of Bone Heads). We have the Red Rooster reviewed, and it’s in our Original Burgers section.
Bone Heads Bar-B-Que
Map
The Wurst Bar - Ypsilanti, MI
Reviewed by Kevin and Lucas
Visited on Friday, June 21, 2013
In Attendance: Gerbe and Matt
Each time we conduct a burger review, we always bring our official Michigan Burger Boys notebook along to take notes throughout the process. The Wurst Bar in Ypsilanti was no different, but due to an absolutely sensational experience, we took notes from the minute we walked in to the minute we walked out. This place is unique, and they’ve got a really, really good burger.
In January of 2012, the Wurst Bar opened in the building that was once Theo-Door’s. It’s located on Cross Street, and it’s right in the heart of Eastern Michigan University. Kevin, being an EMU alum, is really excited to see the Wurst Bar, and some other establishments, opening up on Cross Street, making EMU’s edge-of-campus scene come alive again. With killer food and a wide drink assortment, the Wurst Bar creates an atmosphere that college students and beyond want to be a part of.
We had been wanting to pay a visit to the Wurst Bar for quite some time. On this given Friday night, after playing a round of golf at Eagle Crest, we figured we’d keep it in Ypsi and head downtown. Parking wasn’t too difficult (if you know Kevin’s top secret location), and you could tell from the curbside vibe that the atmosphere was going to be strong. We walked in, noticed a very busy and lively environment and sat down in the corner booth.
From the onset, we were overwhelmed with excitement. From the food and beverage selection to the decor, it was an amazing beginning to a sound evening. We wish we could provide you with a panoramic snapshot of the place - there’s stuff to look at everywhere. If you’re looking to watch a game, they’ve got you covered with new HD flat screen televisions. They have long tables that would fit large groups. They have a huge specials chalkboard and a skee-ball machine near the front entrance. A long bar sits in the back with plenty of bar stools.
Their menu, as we had heard, was busy and full of tasty items. We ordered two rounds of the Bavarian Pretzels as an appetizer. One plate came with Buttercream Fluff Dip and the other with Pimento Cheese Dip. Both were tremendous and all four pretzels were devoured quickly.
Beyond the food, this place can really bring the beverages. They really support Michigan craft brews, and a selection of them were only $2 for a pint (their Friday night special). They also have a nice selection of wines and liquors.
As far as the main entrees go, obviously, their main attraction is the bratwursts. You can get these in a variety of ways, and even on the top of your burger. We don’t envision a Michigan Brat Boys anytime soon, so we took aim at their nice selection of burgers. First of all, their burgers are brisket, hand ground, dipped in proprietary Umami rich sauces, hand-crafted, and then flat iron grilled. If you’re a burger enthusiast, but want to sample a little bit of their bratwurst, you can go for the Wurst Burger. It’s a burger topped with their brat and also sauerkraut and Swiss cheese. Other burgers include the Original (prime brisket), The Ringer (Funyons), The Bruiser (blackened and bacon), Mr. Peanut (crunchy peanut butter and bacon), and The Southerner (fried green tomato, bacon, and pimento cheese).
This evening, we were joined by a few golf buddies, and we all ordered different style burgers. Lucas and Kevin decided on different versions of the Original, while our friends ordered the Mr. Peanut and the Wurst Burger. Their bun choices are definitely worth mentioning. You have the ability to secure your beef in Zingerman’s Brioche or a pretzel bun. Out of all the burger joints we’ve hit, very few offer up a pretzel bun, and we appreciated this option being part of the ordering process.
When the burgers came, the flashes came out. Every jaw dropped and mouths were watering. It was showtime.
Meat: 4/5
As mentioned above, the quality is definitely there. The patties are brisket, hand ground, dipped in proprietary Umami rich sauces, hand-crafted, and then flat iron grilled. We both ordered our burgers ‘medium’, and Kevin’s was perfectly cooked and Lucas’s was a little over-cooked. Our one friend was not asked how he wanted his prepared. All in all, each burger was pretty juicy. The meat was so tender that it even fell apart a few times, and that’s a great sign.
Bun: 4.5/5
The pretzel bun was simply out of this world. That bun alone will bring people into the Wurst Bar to order a burger. Kevin was the only one at the table to order the Zingerman’s Brioche bun, and he thought it was “good, but not great”.
Cheese: 3.5/5
There was a wide variety (Cheddar, Swiss, Pimento, and Maytag Blue), but this was the area that disappointed our table. The cheese just didn’t seem to be there and it wasn’t memorable. All four of us agreed and stated that the cheese was hardly noticeable.
Sides and Beverages: 3.5/5
If you’re thinking fries or onion rings, move on to another location. Tater tots are what’s on the side here, but don’t worry, they are crispy and delicious. You can order regular or sweet potato, and even though they’re good, there’s really nothing special about them (frozen out of the bag). But c’mon, they’re tater tots and what’s not to love about them. If you’re not in the mood for the tots, the other side choice is a salad, and salads will never be on the Burger Boys’ radar. The $2 Michigan craft brew selection is a great Friday night feature. Beyond that, it’s a standard bar line-up and they know how to do things the right way.
Uniqueness: 9/10
Things fly off the charts in this category. What isn’t unique? See above and also below in our Random Shots.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 9/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 33.5/40
Random Shots:
What a night. Golf at Eagle Crest was fabulous. The Wurst Bar, if it isn’t already, will be Ypsilanti’s premiere spot. And, heck, we even grabbed a few warm and ever so delicious cookies from Insomnia Cookies on the walk to our cars. Basically, Ypsi was delivering the goods on this Friday night in June.
One thing really worth mentioning is how the Wurst Bar really does make an attempt to use local products. After one glance and a quick bite, Kevin noticed that they use Tony Packo’s pickles (Toledo, Ohio). One special that was featured on their chalkboard was the Mrs. Peanut Burger, a spin-off of their popular Mr. Peanut Burger. The only difference between the two is that strawberry jelly replaces the peanut butter. Another unique menu item (as you can see, there were many) was the Beer Float for dessert. It’s vanilla ice cream and your choice of beverage.
A special shout out to our waitress, Liz. She managed to keep one of our buddies in check and did a great job throughout our entire visit.
The Wurst Bar
Map
Visited on Friday, June 21, 2013
In Attendance: Gerbe and Matt
Each time we conduct a burger review, we always bring our official Michigan Burger Boys notebook along to take notes throughout the process. The Wurst Bar in Ypsilanti was no different, but due to an absolutely sensational experience, we took notes from the minute we walked in to the minute we walked out. This place is unique, and they’ve got a really, really good burger.
In January of 2012, the Wurst Bar opened in the building that was once Theo-Door’s. It’s located on Cross Street, and it’s right in the heart of Eastern Michigan University. Kevin, being an EMU alum, is really excited to see the Wurst Bar, and some other establishments, opening up on Cross Street, making EMU’s edge-of-campus scene come alive again. With killer food and a wide drink assortment, the Wurst Bar creates an atmosphere that college students and beyond want to be a part of.
We had been wanting to pay a visit to the Wurst Bar for quite some time. On this given Friday night, after playing a round of golf at Eagle Crest, we figured we’d keep it in Ypsi and head downtown. Parking wasn’t too difficult (if you know Kevin’s top secret location), and you could tell from the curbside vibe that the atmosphere was going to be strong. We walked in, noticed a very busy and lively environment and sat down in the corner booth.
From the onset, we were overwhelmed with excitement. From the food and beverage selection to the decor, it was an amazing beginning to a sound evening. We wish we could provide you with a panoramic snapshot of the place - there’s stuff to look at everywhere. If you’re looking to watch a game, they’ve got you covered with new HD flat screen televisions. They have long tables that would fit large groups. They have a huge specials chalkboard and a skee-ball machine near the front entrance. A long bar sits in the back with plenty of bar stools.
Their menu, as we had heard, was busy and full of tasty items. We ordered two rounds of the Bavarian Pretzels as an appetizer. One plate came with Buttercream Fluff Dip and the other with Pimento Cheese Dip. Both were tremendous and all four pretzels were devoured quickly.
Beyond the food, this place can really bring the beverages. They really support Michigan craft brews, and a selection of them were only $2 for a pint (their Friday night special). They also have a nice selection of wines and liquors.
As far as the main entrees go, obviously, their main attraction is the bratwursts. You can get these in a variety of ways, and even on the top of your burger. We don’t envision a Michigan Brat Boys anytime soon, so we took aim at their nice selection of burgers. First of all, their burgers are brisket, hand ground, dipped in proprietary Umami rich sauces, hand-crafted, and then flat iron grilled. If you’re a burger enthusiast, but want to sample a little bit of their bratwurst, you can go for the Wurst Burger. It’s a burger topped with their brat and also sauerkraut and Swiss cheese. Other burgers include the Original (prime brisket), The Ringer (Funyons), The Bruiser (blackened and bacon), Mr. Peanut (crunchy peanut butter and bacon), and The Southerner (fried green tomato, bacon, and pimento cheese).
This evening, we were joined by a few golf buddies, and we all ordered different style burgers. Lucas and Kevin decided on different versions of the Original, while our friends ordered the Mr. Peanut and the Wurst Burger. Their bun choices are definitely worth mentioning. You have the ability to secure your beef in Zingerman’s Brioche or a pretzel bun. Out of all the burger joints we’ve hit, very few offer up a pretzel bun, and we appreciated this option being part of the ordering process.
When the burgers came, the flashes came out. Every jaw dropped and mouths were watering. It was showtime.
Meat: 4/5
As mentioned above, the quality is definitely there. The patties are brisket, hand ground, dipped in proprietary Umami rich sauces, hand-crafted, and then flat iron grilled. We both ordered our burgers ‘medium’, and Kevin’s was perfectly cooked and Lucas’s was a little over-cooked. Our one friend was not asked how he wanted his prepared. All in all, each burger was pretty juicy. The meat was so tender that it even fell apart a few times, and that’s a great sign.
Bun: 4.5/5
The pretzel bun was simply out of this world. That bun alone will bring people into the Wurst Bar to order a burger. Kevin was the only one at the table to order the Zingerman’s Brioche bun, and he thought it was “good, but not great”.
Cheese: 3.5/5
There was a wide variety (Cheddar, Swiss, Pimento, and Maytag Blue), but this was the area that disappointed our table. The cheese just didn’t seem to be there and it wasn’t memorable. All four of us agreed and stated that the cheese was hardly noticeable.
Sides and Beverages: 3.5/5
If you’re thinking fries or onion rings, move on to another location. Tater tots are what’s on the side here, but don’t worry, they are crispy and delicious. You can order regular or sweet potato, and even though they’re good, there’s really nothing special about them (frozen out of the bag). But c’mon, they’re tater tots and what’s not to love about them. If you’re not in the mood for the tots, the other side choice is a salad, and salads will never be on the Burger Boys’ radar. The $2 Michigan craft brew selection is a great Friday night feature. Beyond that, it’s a standard bar line-up and they know how to do things the right way.
Uniqueness: 9/10
Things fly off the charts in this category. What isn’t unique? See above and also below in our Random Shots.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 9/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 33.5/40
Random Shots:
What a night. Golf at Eagle Crest was fabulous. The Wurst Bar, if it isn’t already, will be Ypsilanti’s premiere spot. And, heck, we even grabbed a few warm and ever so delicious cookies from Insomnia Cookies on the walk to our cars. Basically, Ypsi was delivering the goods on this Friday night in June.
One thing really worth mentioning is how the Wurst Bar really does make an attempt to use local products. After one glance and a quick bite, Kevin noticed that they use Tony Packo’s pickles (Toledo, Ohio). One special that was featured on their chalkboard was the Mrs. Peanut Burger, a spin-off of their popular Mr. Peanut Burger. The only difference between the two is that strawberry jelly replaces the peanut butter. Another unique menu item (as you can see, there were many) was the Beer Float for dessert. It’s vanilla ice cream and your choice of beverage.
A special shout out to our waitress, Liz. She managed to keep one of our buddies in check and did a great job throughout our entire visit.
The Wurst Bar
Map
Achatz Burgers - St. Clair Shores, MI
Reviewed by Kevin
Visited on Saturday, June 15, 2013
The Achatz Burger is a true visionary burger. It’s the kind of burger that is constructed by a well organized operation and is extremely photogenic.
I found out about this burger from a MBB follower named Bryan Thomas in a burger email. As we do with all suggestions, I added it to the A-Z Burger Index. After checking out the Achatz Burger website, it didn’t take long for me to find my way over to St. Clair Shores. Along for the ride was my dad and stepmother. They filled me in on the Achatz Restaurant and their well-known Achatz Handmade Pie Co. on the way over. There is quite a history here and the Achatz pies and names are very significant to the Metro Detroit area.
As we rolled up to the burger joint, I looked around and had the feeling that this place fits well in the St. Clair Shores community. During our visit, there was a steady flow of customers that seemed very interested and excited about the burger. Achatz Burger takes care of the lakeside hunger as they offer many other items on the menu which include Koegels splitter dogs, handmade pies, and Sanders Hot Fudge cream puffs. A great way to celebrate the local flavor. Throughout the restaurant they had a few Vernor’s signs and collectables, but failed to deliver on the fountain machine. That would be a nice addition, but would Vernor’s go well with a burger? My stepmom would say yes.
I ordered a double cheeseburger with American cheese, mustard, ketchup, pickle, and regular fries. My dad ordered a double with everything (all toppings free) and the same for my stepmother (with the special sauce on the side). When asked about the special sauce, they described it like a thousand island dressing. Once we placed our order, we fueled up at the fountain machine and sat down at a table to wait for our order.
As I enjoyed nice company, we looked around at the collection of motorized vehicles decorating the restaurant. The building itself is new and the atmosphere is nothing overly unique. It’s clean and they have many signs that speak to you about their operation. Extreme yellow signs with black font read loud and clear as to what they serve, how to order, and where to stand. Basically, here is what we do and this is what we do best.
Order up! I was instantly impressed with the picturesque quality of the Achatz burger. My dad insisted that I take a photo of his burger (pictured upper left) as it spoke to him dripping with intrigue. The burgers are served snuggled in a paper wrap and the fries jump out of the basket. First bite is a good one. Further inspection leads me to discover a well buttered potato bun that is well toasted. A bit much for me. Looking between the buns while consuming this tasty treat, I found it hard to find cheese. It’s there, but I wish that I ordered double cheese. I was left wanting more. It didn’t take long to destroy this one. My parents took care of business and said they would be back, but not to order the special sauce. It just didn’t grab their attention.
Meat: 4/5
The patties are hot, juicy, and well seasoned.
Bun: 3.5/5
Freshly baked potato bun served toasted. Signage and shirts let you know that the have the “best buns in town” (just incase you were wondering).
Cheese: 2.5/5
American or swiss. I was left wanting more on my burger.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
Pop, shakes, and malts. Hand cut fries and seasoning is optional (cajun, butter, ranch, parmesan, cheddar, rosemary garlic). Chili fries and chili cheese fries are offered too.
Uniqueness: 6/10
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 28/40
Random Shots: A delightful smell of freshly baked buns and other handmade items fills the air inside this burger joint.
Achatz Burgers
Map
Visited on Saturday, June 15, 2013
The Achatz Burger is a true visionary burger. It’s the kind of burger that is constructed by a well organized operation and is extremely photogenic.
I found out about this burger from a MBB follower named Bryan Thomas in a burger email. As we do with all suggestions, I added it to the A-Z Burger Index. After checking out the Achatz Burger website, it didn’t take long for me to find my way over to St. Clair Shores. Along for the ride was my dad and stepmother. They filled me in on the Achatz Restaurant and their well-known Achatz Handmade Pie Co. on the way over. There is quite a history here and the Achatz pies and names are very significant to the Metro Detroit area.
As we rolled up to the burger joint, I looked around and had the feeling that this place fits well in the St. Clair Shores community. During our visit, there was a steady flow of customers that seemed very interested and excited about the burger. Achatz Burger takes care of the lakeside hunger as they offer many other items on the menu which include Koegels splitter dogs, handmade pies, and Sanders Hot Fudge cream puffs. A great way to celebrate the local flavor. Throughout the restaurant they had a few Vernor’s signs and collectables, but failed to deliver on the fountain machine. That would be a nice addition, but would Vernor’s go well with a burger? My stepmom would say yes.
I ordered a double cheeseburger with American cheese, mustard, ketchup, pickle, and regular fries. My dad ordered a double with everything (all toppings free) and the same for my stepmother (with the special sauce on the side). When asked about the special sauce, they described it like a thousand island dressing. Once we placed our order, we fueled up at the fountain machine and sat down at a table to wait for our order.
As I enjoyed nice company, we looked around at the collection of motorized vehicles decorating the restaurant. The building itself is new and the atmosphere is nothing overly unique. It’s clean and they have many signs that speak to you about their operation. Extreme yellow signs with black font read loud and clear as to what they serve, how to order, and where to stand. Basically, here is what we do and this is what we do best.
Order up! I was instantly impressed with the picturesque quality of the Achatz burger. My dad insisted that I take a photo of his burger (pictured upper left) as it spoke to him dripping with intrigue. The burgers are served snuggled in a paper wrap and the fries jump out of the basket. First bite is a good one. Further inspection leads me to discover a well buttered potato bun that is well toasted. A bit much for me. Looking between the buns while consuming this tasty treat, I found it hard to find cheese. It’s there, but I wish that I ordered double cheese. I was left wanting more. It didn’t take long to destroy this one. My parents took care of business and said they would be back, but not to order the special sauce. It just didn’t grab their attention.
Meat: 4/5
The patties are hot, juicy, and well seasoned.
Bun: 3.5/5
Freshly baked potato bun served toasted. Signage and shirts let you know that the have the “best buns in town” (just incase you were wondering).
Cheese: 2.5/5
American or swiss. I was left wanting more on my burger.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
Pop, shakes, and malts. Hand cut fries and seasoning is optional (cajun, butter, ranch, parmesan, cheddar, rosemary garlic). Chili fries and chili cheese fries are offered too.
Uniqueness: 6/10
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 28/40
Random Shots: A delightful smell of freshly baked buns and other handmade items fills the air inside this burger joint.
Achatz Burgers
Map
Peanut Barrel - East Lansing, MI
Reviewed by Kevin
Visited on Friday, May 24, 2013
The Peanut Barrel sits nestled back in a series of shops along Grand River Avenue in East Lansing. It’s location is something that makes it quite unique. Before I even walked in it was clear that it held some prime real estate, as it has plenty of outdoor seating looking across into Michigan State’s campus. As many people have told me, sitting outside is perfect for people watching and enjoying the college environment. Now the view across campus is graced by an amazing view of the new Broad Art Museum. With a view of one of the premier contemporary art museums in the country and a college atmosphere, how can anyone go wrong?
Upon walking in, my group and I were greeted by the staff setting up for the day. It was just about high noon and we were hungry for a burger. That’s when I met Rond, a very friendly, clever waiter at the Peanut Barrel. For whatever reason, he had all of our names down by the time we placed our order. His service made our visit a pleasant one. All this before I even bit into my burger.
I ordered a Papa Joe’s Cheeseburger cooked medium with cheddar on a white bun, fries on the side and a Coke. I enjoyed good company while I waited for my order. Although we were one of the first tables in the place, it quickly filled up as the lunch rush took over. The Peanut Barrel is a cozy place with a fair-sized bar in the middle, a pinball machine and arcade games near the entrance, and a pool table crammed into the opposite end. This is the kind of pool table where you will have to keep asking people to mind your shot. Yes, I’m sure it would be a blast during peak times of excitement and sporting events.
My burger arrives! At first sight it doesn’t look like anything all that different from an average burger. I dressed it up with a few lines of ketchup and mustard, placed the lightly toasted bun on top, and took my first bite. Good. Each bite afterwards was even better. The burger was tasty, juicy, hot, and cooked exactly how I ordered it, but the star of the show was the bun. Man was this bun good. The best I’ve had on a burger. My friends ordered the whole wheat version and they enjoyed it just as much as I cherished mine. Perfect size, soft, and it complemented the burger in between. I just couldn’t stop talking about my hamburger!
I asked Rond about the bun and he kind of danced around where its from. As we were leaving, I had the chance to complement the owner of the Peanut Barrel about the bun and I was simply told that it’s a “secret” and that is good enough for me. I’ll be back to have another and next time I’ll bring Lucas, preferably during a big sports night to get the full experience of the Peanut Barrel.
Update - 7/29/13: Lucas went to the Peanut Barrel and found out that the buns come from the Pizza Crust Company in Lansing.
Meat: 4/5
Tasty and cooked just right. I needed a burger like this. What a great tasting burger!
Bun: 5/5
White, rye, or whole wheat bun. One of the best I’ve ever had!
Cheese: 3.5/5
Swiss or cheddar.
Sides and Beverages: 3.5/5
Good fries. Full bar that does it’s job.
Uniqueness: 9/10
This place is cozy. Location, location, location!
BURGER TASTE RATING: 9/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 34/40
Random Shots: Ask for Rond, as he will give you great service. Don’t forget to check out the Broad Art Museum when you are done with your meal.
Peanut Barrel
Map
Visited on Friday, May 24, 2013
The Peanut Barrel sits nestled back in a series of shops along Grand River Avenue in East Lansing. It’s location is something that makes it quite unique. Before I even walked in it was clear that it held some prime real estate, as it has plenty of outdoor seating looking across into Michigan State’s campus. As many people have told me, sitting outside is perfect for people watching and enjoying the college environment. Now the view across campus is graced by an amazing view of the new Broad Art Museum. With a view of one of the premier contemporary art museums in the country and a college atmosphere, how can anyone go wrong?
Upon walking in, my group and I were greeted by the staff setting up for the day. It was just about high noon and we were hungry for a burger. That’s when I met Rond, a very friendly, clever waiter at the Peanut Barrel. For whatever reason, he had all of our names down by the time we placed our order. His service made our visit a pleasant one. All this before I even bit into my burger.
I ordered a Papa Joe’s Cheeseburger cooked medium with cheddar on a white bun, fries on the side and a Coke. I enjoyed good company while I waited for my order. Although we were one of the first tables in the place, it quickly filled up as the lunch rush took over. The Peanut Barrel is a cozy place with a fair-sized bar in the middle, a pinball machine and arcade games near the entrance, and a pool table crammed into the opposite end. This is the kind of pool table where you will have to keep asking people to mind your shot. Yes, I’m sure it would be a blast during peak times of excitement and sporting events.
My burger arrives! At first sight it doesn’t look like anything all that different from an average burger. I dressed it up with a few lines of ketchup and mustard, placed the lightly toasted bun on top, and took my first bite. Good. Each bite afterwards was even better. The burger was tasty, juicy, hot, and cooked exactly how I ordered it, but the star of the show was the bun. Man was this bun good. The best I’ve had on a burger. My friends ordered the whole wheat version and they enjoyed it just as much as I cherished mine. Perfect size, soft, and it complemented the burger in between. I just couldn’t stop talking about my hamburger!
I asked Rond about the bun and he kind of danced around where its from. As we were leaving, I had the chance to complement the owner of the Peanut Barrel about the bun and I was simply told that it’s a “secret” and that is good enough for me. I’ll be back to have another and next time I’ll bring Lucas, preferably during a big sports night to get the full experience of the Peanut Barrel.
Update - 7/29/13: Lucas went to the Peanut Barrel and found out that the buns come from the Pizza Crust Company in Lansing.
Meat: 4/5
Tasty and cooked just right. I needed a burger like this. What a great tasting burger!
Bun: 5/5
White, rye, or whole wheat bun. One of the best I’ve ever had!
Cheese: 3.5/5
Swiss or cheddar.
Sides and Beverages: 3.5/5
Good fries. Full bar that does it’s job.
Uniqueness: 9/10
This place is cozy. Location, location, location!
BURGER TASTE RATING: 9/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 34/40
Random Shots: Ask for Rond, as he will give you great service. Don’t forget to check out the Broad Art Museum when you are done with your meal.
Peanut Barrel
Map
Rusty Nail Lounge - Canton, MI
Reviewed by Lucas and Kevin
Visited on Monday, May 20, 2013
In Attendance: Darrell Clem from the Canton Observer
If you’ve ever been in the Canton area, you’ve probably driven by the Rusty Nail Lounge. It’s on a very busy stretch on Ford Road and they’re not afraid to throw a banner or two up offering $3.99 burgers or $1.25 tacos. They want to draw you in, and because we’ve heard claims of them having the best burger in Canton, we figured a review was due.
When we walked in, we were pleasantly surprised that the place was pretty clean and had lots of HD TVs. It seemed from the get-go that this would be a pretty good spot to watch a game sometime. The Rusty Nail’s interior is kind of broken up into a few different areas. You can choose to spend your time right in the bar area, or step into a more restaurant friendly atmosphere.
As mentioned above, we’ve heard that the Rusty Nail does promote itself as having the best burger in Canton. After sitting down and ordering our drinks, we noticed that there was no mention of this on their menu nor was there really a featured burger, or even a noticeable burger section. They offer up three burgers - a ground round burger, bacon burger, and a low-carb burger (no bun). We were hoping that they were indeed Canton’s best.
Both of us ordered their standard ground round burger with American cheese, onion, pickle, ketchup, and mustard. Potato chips come standard on the side, but Kevin, loving those onion rings, grabbed a side of ‘em, while Lucas went for the fries. While we waited for our food, we enjoyed conversation and the Red Wings pregame show with plenty of classic rock playing. We definitely enjoyed the classic rock music vibe and their wait staff was perky and on top of their game.
When the burgers came, they looked delicious. Hand-crafted patties under sesame seed buns that appeared to be just the right size. It looked like they had things in order, but is it the best that Canton has to offer?
Meat: 3/5
This ⅓ lb. burger possesses a home cooked feel. Our burger was handcrafted, tasty, but overcooked.
Bun: 3/5
The Rusty Nail offers up a sesame or onion roll. It’s just the right size, but nothing special. They do not toast their buns.
Cheese: 3/5
Normal selection of cheese with the typical amount placed on the meat.
Sides and Beverages: 3.5/5
The fries and onion rings were decent, and there aren’t any other sides that really stand out on the menu. The full bar does its job.
Uniqueness: 6/10
We really struggled to find something that makes this place stand out. It’s a good spot, but they just don’t have that special something to really give it some points in this category.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7/10
Overall, this was just a ‘pretty good’ burger. We aren’t racing back, but if we’re in the area after a round of golf or something, we’ll have no issues grabbing a meal here. For some reason, the burger that Nemo’s serves jumped out as a nice comparison.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 22.5/40
Random Shots:
In the end, we can’t say anything totally negative about the Rusty Nail’s burger, but we’re somewhat doubtful that this is indeed Canton’s best burger. We've been to Vinnie's and Bailey's, but we'll definitely have to try out some other nearby burger spots. Don’t worry Cantonians, we’re on the hunt and we’ll keep you posted!
Rusty Nail Lounge
Map
Visited on Monday, May 20, 2013
In Attendance: Darrell Clem from the Canton Observer
If you’ve ever been in the Canton area, you’ve probably driven by the Rusty Nail Lounge. It’s on a very busy stretch on Ford Road and they’re not afraid to throw a banner or two up offering $3.99 burgers or $1.25 tacos. They want to draw you in, and because we’ve heard claims of them having the best burger in Canton, we figured a review was due.
When we walked in, we were pleasantly surprised that the place was pretty clean and had lots of HD TVs. It seemed from the get-go that this would be a pretty good spot to watch a game sometime. The Rusty Nail’s interior is kind of broken up into a few different areas. You can choose to spend your time right in the bar area, or step into a more restaurant friendly atmosphere.
As mentioned above, we’ve heard that the Rusty Nail does promote itself as having the best burger in Canton. After sitting down and ordering our drinks, we noticed that there was no mention of this on their menu nor was there really a featured burger, or even a noticeable burger section. They offer up three burgers - a ground round burger, bacon burger, and a low-carb burger (no bun). We were hoping that they were indeed Canton’s best.
Both of us ordered their standard ground round burger with American cheese, onion, pickle, ketchup, and mustard. Potato chips come standard on the side, but Kevin, loving those onion rings, grabbed a side of ‘em, while Lucas went for the fries. While we waited for our food, we enjoyed conversation and the Red Wings pregame show with plenty of classic rock playing. We definitely enjoyed the classic rock music vibe and their wait staff was perky and on top of their game.
When the burgers came, they looked delicious. Hand-crafted patties under sesame seed buns that appeared to be just the right size. It looked like they had things in order, but is it the best that Canton has to offer?
Meat: 3/5
This ⅓ lb. burger possesses a home cooked feel. Our burger was handcrafted, tasty, but overcooked.
Bun: 3/5
The Rusty Nail offers up a sesame or onion roll. It’s just the right size, but nothing special. They do not toast their buns.
Cheese: 3/5
Normal selection of cheese with the typical amount placed on the meat.
Sides and Beverages: 3.5/5
The fries and onion rings were decent, and there aren’t any other sides that really stand out on the menu. The full bar does its job.
Uniqueness: 6/10
We really struggled to find something that makes this place stand out. It’s a good spot, but they just don’t have that special something to really give it some points in this category.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7/10
Overall, this was just a ‘pretty good’ burger. We aren’t racing back, but if we’re in the area after a round of golf or something, we’ll have no issues grabbing a meal here. For some reason, the burger that Nemo’s serves jumped out as a nice comparison.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 22.5/40
Random Shots:
In the end, we can’t say anything totally negative about the Rusty Nail’s burger, but we’re somewhat doubtful that this is indeed Canton’s best burger. We've been to Vinnie's and Bailey's, but we'll definitely have to try out some other nearby burger spots. Don’t worry Cantonians, we’re on the hunt and we’ll keep you posted!
Rusty Nail Lounge
Map
Freddie's Tavern - Mount Pleasant, MI
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on Friday, April 5, 2013
In Attendance: The Money
Need an apartment to rent? Need a drink or a burger? You may want to look into Freddie’s Tavern in Mount Pleasant because they've got all of the above.
Freddie’s is one of those old school burger joints. It was established in 1981, and I’d have to predict that most of the original decor remains in place. I wondered a few times, based on the wooden paneling and the long banquet style tables if I was at a 2013 tavern or a cheap wedding. As for the statement above, yes, Freddie’s does have apartments for rent directly above the tavern. Check out our blog for more on this interesting situation.
Even though Freddie’s is located in Mount Pleasant, it’s mostly locals that visit, rather than CMU students. It sits on Adams Street, which runs north off of M-20. Interstate highway M-20 takes one out of town and away from campus life. As a former CMU student, I can say that I never did visit Freddie’s while in college. As stated above, it’s a little off the college path, and very few students do visit. On a side note, if you’re heading to Freddie’s, make sure you locate their roadside sign because there’s no actual signage on the building itself.
For an amazing seven straight years, Freddie's has been voted #1 burger by the local People's Choice Awards. So, a Mount Pleasant tavern that I’ve yet to visit, an award winning burger, and an apartment to rent? It all adds up to be a great night back in my old college town, even though poker and CNN were being displayed on their TVs instead of Final Four coverage. Hmmm...
Meat: 2.5/5
Ordered it Medium and it definitely came back Medium Well or even beyond. There was no sign of pink or juiciness. This factor did not allow me to really get a good sense of the quality and the true taste of their meat. To their credit, they do serve certified Angus beef and the patty was hand-crafted.
Bun: 1/5
It is a quality bun from Robaire’s, a very well known bakery in Mount Pleasant, but it’s huge, dense, and just flat out annoying. I asked the server about it and she did mention that a meeting was held regarding the bun and it’s size. As I said, it’s a quality bakery bun, but it absolutely destroys the burger.
Cheese: 2.5/5
Normal.
Sides and Beverages: 3/5
On the side you are offered up plain, simple, normal fries. You can also substitute out your fries for steamed vegetables. As far as the beverages go, it’s a bar, so you’re typical line of drinks are available. Large cocktail straws can make drinks go down quickly.
Uniqueness: 2/10
Unless you need to rent one of their apartments up top, there is nothing that really makes this place unique. It’s a townie bar, plain and simple. Don’t get me wrong, townie bars are my favorite burger joints to hit, but there just wasn’t any magic at Freddie’s.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 5.5/10
Overall, I feel like if a new bun gets placed on top, and if my meat was nice and juicy, we may have a much better burger here. At this point though, it’s below average.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 16.5/40
Random Shots:
I’m really starting to wonder where one can find a good burger in Mount Pleasant. I may continue the search through my yearly visits, but the frustration is building, and the awesome pizza at The Cabin keeps calling.
Freddie's Tavern
Map
Visited on Friday, April 5, 2013
In Attendance: The Money
Need an apartment to rent? Need a drink or a burger? You may want to look into Freddie’s Tavern in Mount Pleasant because they've got all of the above.
Freddie’s is one of those old school burger joints. It was established in 1981, and I’d have to predict that most of the original decor remains in place. I wondered a few times, based on the wooden paneling and the long banquet style tables if I was at a 2013 tavern or a cheap wedding. As for the statement above, yes, Freddie’s does have apartments for rent directly above the tavern. Check out our blog for more on this interesting situation.
Even though Freddie’s is located in Mount Pleasant, it’s mostly locals that visit, rather than CMU students. It sits on Adams Street, which runs north off of M-20. Interstate highway M-20 takes one out of town and away from campus life. As a former CMU student, I can say that I never did visit Freddie’s while in college. As stated above, it’s a little off the college path, and very few students do visit. On a side note, if you’re heading to Freddie’s, make sure you locate their roadside sign because there’s no actual signage on the building itself.
For an amazing seven straight years, Freddie's has been voted #1 burger by the local People's Choice Awards. So, a Mount Pleasant tavern that I’ve yet to visit, an award winning burger, and an apartment to rent? It all adds up to be a great night back in my old college town, even though poker and CNN were being displayed on their TVs instead of Final Four coverage. Hmmm...
Meat: 2.5/5
Ordered it Medium and it definitely came back Medium Well or even beyond. There was no sign of pink or juiciness. This factor did not allow me to really get a good sense of the quality and the true taste of their meat. To their credit, they do serve certified Angus beef and the patty was hand-crafted.
Bun: 1/5
It is a quality bun from Robaire’s, a very well known bakery in Mount Pleasant, but it’s huge, dense, and just flat out annoying. I asked the server about it and she did mention that a meeting was held regarding the bun and it’s size. As I said, it’s a quality bakery bun, but it absolutely destroys the burger.
Cheese: 2.5/5
Normal.
Sides and Beverages: 3/5
On the side you are offered up plain, simple, normal fries. You can also substitute out your fries for steamed vegetables. As far as the beverages go, it’s a bar, so you’re typical line of drinks are available. Large cocktail straws can make drinks go down quickly.
Uniqueness: 2/10
Unless you need to rent one of their apartments up top, there is nothing that really makes this place unique. It’s a townie bar, plain and simple. Don’t get me wrong, townie bars are my favorite burger joints to hit, but there just wasn’t any magic at Freddie’s.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 5.5/10
Overall, I feel like if a new bun gets placed on top, and if my meat was nice and juicy, we may have a much better burger here. At this point though, it’s below average.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 16.5/40
Random Shots:
I’m really starting to wonder where one can find a good burger in Mount Pleasant. I may continue the search through my yearly visits, but the frustration is building, and the awesome pizza at The Cabin keeps calling.
Freddie's Tavern
Map
Stella's Lounge - Grand Rapids, MI
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on Friday, March 15, 2013
Later visited and further reviewed by Kevin on Saturday, September 14, 2013
Looking for a retro 80’s vibe? Looking for one heck of a burger? Whether near or far, traveling to Stella's Lounge in downtown Grand Rapids is well worth the trip.
Stella’s Lounge opened their doors in 2010 and owner Mark Sellers has created quite the place. Featuring over 200 whiskeys, a large selection of craft beer, 70’s and 80’s arcade games, and serving up what GQ calls the best burger in America, it has become a must visit if in the Grand Rapids area. If for some reason all of the above isn’t enough to pull you in, know that they’ve got killer sides, tons of vegetarian options for those looking to keep it healthy, and they even once had a a sister bar, the Viceroy, connected next door. If for some reason I’m still not selling you on making a visit, keep reading.
Like I said, Sellers opened Stella’s Lounge in 2010 after a successful and still current run with another downtown bar, the HopCat. The HopCat is a bar that’s committed to serving great craft beer, especially from Michigan. It’s located less than a block away from Stella’s Lounge (actually steps away if you head out the back door of Stella’s and cut through the alley behind McFadden’s). So, Sellers knows how to create and operate fun, cool bars that serve craft beer and great food. As he quoted in Rapid Growth, "Stella's is a place I'd go for fun. When I open bars I kinda just think about what I would like. I love craft beer so that's what HopCat is all about, and I love the older video games so that's what this bar (Stella’s) is about."
Their menu has tons of great options, and anyone can find a great meal. My wife and I were in town for Laugh Fest, and she’s a vegetarian (I know, what the heck, right?). As mentioned above, Stella’s does really cater to vegetarians and vegans. If one were so inclined to not order meat, they could grab a vegan meatloaf, tacos (called Angry Pig Tacos on the menu), a huge stuffed veggie burger, or several vegan or vegetarian friendly snacks from the appetizer section. My wife was really impressed by the vegan meatloaf, which came with some dandy mashed potatoes and peas.
If you’re a normal person, and you’re looking to dive into some food that will make your heart potentially skip a beat, one could start with some Bacon Fat Popcorn (popcorn that tastes like bacon), Chronic Fries, BLT Nachos and much, much more. We had the Chronic Fries as an appetizer and they were to die for. The fries themselves were really crunchy and seasoned well, but the dipping sauce that came with them was beyond delicious. Stella’s calls it Angry Mayo, and it was absolutely outstanding. It may have been the best dipping sauce I’ve ever had for fries and such. And, FYI, it didn’t taste anything like mayonnaise.
Finally, and most importantly, the burgers. Stella’s has nine delicious choices to choose from, and all of them are stuffed with cheese. You won’t find the traditional, ordinary hamburger or cheeseburger on their menu. Each burger is unique in some way and the patties are 100% black angus beef that are hand-crafted. They are topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, sliced pickle, and an onion ring. The burgers are served with Chronic Fries, as mentioned above, or sub beer-battered onion rings upon request. I ended up choosing the Big Ballah; it’s black angus topped with cheddar, stuffed with cheddar, bacon, an onion ring, and stuffed jalapeno poppers. After having the Chronic Fries as an appetizer, I subbed those out for some beer-battered onion rings to have on the side.
The rest, as they say, was history. GQ was right about Kate Upton, and they were also right about the burger at Stella’s Lounge.
Kevin's Update: Unfortunately, Kevin did not have as great of an experience as Lucas. Within Kevin's group that attended Stella's with him, most burgers were over-cooked and everyone's sides came out cold. It was a rough experience for Kevin, as even the customer service was difficult to take. Due to this experience, we've been forced to reset their scores below.
Lucas's Update: During August of 2014, Lucas repaid a visit to Stella's, and they once again showed why they are very high on our list. Try their loaded tater tots as an appetizer. Overall, Lucas had a great experience, and he later went back again in 2016.
Meat: 4/5
For Lucas, this enormous patty of meat was well-seasoned, cooked to perfection, and hand-crafted. In fact, Lucas thought that this may have been the best seasoned burger he'd had. As for the size, the menu said that all burgers were ½ pound, but his guess would put this one closer to ¾ pound. Lucas's visit brought out a perfect, big, hand-crafted patty, seasoned, cooked to perfection (medium), and 100% black angus beef - an easy perfect 5/5 here.
As mentioned above, Kevin's visit entailed over-cooked and dry burger patties. Thus, we're sitting at a 4 in this category.
Bun: 4.5/5
Stella’s proved that a somewhat larger bun can work. The key to a larger bun is the softness of it. This one was so soft that as I ate it, the juice kept soaking in, and the bun almost disappeared. As for the bread, it was high quality and tasted great.
Cheese: 5/5
Stuffed with cheese and a slice of cheddar on the top for good measure - are you kidding me? Enough said.
Sides and Beverages: 3.5/5
Not even sure where to start here. As already mentioned, their sides are out of this world. Throw in a full bar featuring over 200 whiskeys and craft beer, and you are staring at the perfect situation to accompany a burger. The beer-battered onion rings that I had with my burger were really good, and don’t forget about those delicious Chronic Fries with the Angry Mayo dipping sauce.
Kevin's visit included their sides all being cold, and this is a major bummer. This moves the Sides/Beverages score to 3.5.
Uniqueness: 9/10
Do I need to really say more or get into the uniqueness again? Ok, why not, and here’s some more: Local art, the vintage arcade games are still only 25 cents (are you kidding?!), 70’s and 80’s movies and TV shows playing on their TVs (sorry sports fans), and tons and tons of vintage framed pictures and posters.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 9/10
This burger was fantastic. I’ll say it again - the thing was stuffed with cheese and also had a layer of cheddar on top! The seasoning was perfect. The bacon and the onion ring on top (I took off the stuffed jalapenos) created an awesome overall burger eating experience. This sounds crazy, but it seemed like my bites were rotating back and forth between having a hint of bacon and a hint of onion ring.
Once again, Kevin's visit proved something different than Lucas's. A once 9.75 for Burger Taste has been moved down to a 9.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 35/40
Random Shots:
On our cab ride to Stella’s (GR Hopper), we actually were told about the Bacon Fat Popcorn. I think it’s a local favorite. After our Stella’s experience, we went over to the HopCat, and that too was a great time. On their menu was a local favorite out of Ypsilanti’s Corner Brewery, the Ypsi Gypsi.
Stella's Lounge
Map
Visited on Friday, March 15, 2013
Later visited and further reviewed by Kevin on Saturday, September 14, 2013
Looking for a retro 80’s vibe? Looking for one heck of a burger? Whether near or far, traveling to Stella's Lounge in downtown Grand Rapids is well worth the trip.
Stella’s Lounge opened their doors in 2010 and owner Mark Sellers has created quite the place. Featuring over 200 whiskeys, a large selection of craft beer, 70’s and 80’s arcade games, and serving up what GQ calls the best burger in America, it has become a must visit if in the Grand Rapids area. If for some reason all of the above isn’t enough to pull you in, know that they’ve got killer sides, tons of vegetarian options for those looking to keep it healthy, and they even once had a a sister bar, the Viceroy, connected next door. If for some reason I’m still not selling you on making a visit, keep reading.
Like I said, Sellers opened Stella’s Lounge in 2010 after a successful and still current run with another downtown bar, the HopCat. The HopCat is a bar that’s committed to serving great craft beer, especially from Michigan. It’s located less than a block away from Stella’s Lounge (actually steps away if you head out the back door of Stella’s and cut through the alley behind McFadden’s). So, Sellers knows how to create and operate fun, cool bars that serve craft beer and great food. As he quoted in Rapid Growth, "Stella's is a place I'd go for fun. When I open bars I kinda just think about what I would like. I love craft beer so that's what HopCat is all about, and I love the older video games so that's what this bar (Stella’s) is about."
Their menu has tons of great options, and anyone can find a great meal. My wife and I were in town for Laugh Fest, and she’s a vegetarian (I know, what the heck, right?). As mentioned above, Stella’s does really cater to vegetarians and vegans. If one were so inclined to not order meat, they could grab a vegan meatloaf, tacos (called Angry Pig Tacos on the menu), a huge stuffed veggie burger, or several vegan or vegetarian friendly snacks from the appetizer section. My wife was really impressed by the vegan meatloaf, which came with some dandy mashed potatoes and peas.
If you’re a normal person, and you’re looking to dive into some food that will make your heart potentially skip a beat, one could start with some Bacon Fat Popcorn (popcorn that tastes like bacon), Chronic Fries, BLT Nachos and much, much more. We had the Chronic Fries as an appetizer and they were to die for. The fries themselves were really crunchy and seasoned well, but the dipping sauce that came with them was beyond delicious. Stella’s calls it Angry Mayo, and it was absolutely outstanding. It may have been the best dipping sauce I’ve ever had for fries and such. And, FYI, it didn’t taste anything like mayonnaise.
Finally, and most importantly, the burgers. Stella’s has nine delicious choices to choose from, and all of them are stuffed with cheese. You won’t find the traditional, ordinary hamburger or cheeseburger on their menu. Each burger is unique in some way and the patties are 100% black angus beef that are hand-crafted. They are topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, sliced pickle, and an onion ring. The burgers are served with Chronic Fries, as mentioned above, or sub beer-battered onion rings upon request. I ended up choosing the Big Ballah; it’s black angus topped with cheddar, stuffed with cheddar, bacon, an onion ring, and stuffed jalapeno poppers. After having the Chronic Fries as an appetizer, I subbed those out for some beer-battered onion rings to have on the side.
The rest, as they say, was history. GQ was right about Kate Upton, and they were also right about the burger at Stella’s Lounge.
Kevin's Update: Unfortunately, Kevin did not have as great of an experience as Lucas. Within Kevin's group that attended Stella's with him, most burgers were over-cooked and everyone's sides came out cold. It was a rough experience for Kevin, as even the customer service was difficult to take. Due to this experience, we've been forced to reset their scores below.
Lucas's Update: During August of 2014, Lucas repaid a visit to Stella's, and they once again showed why they are very high on our list. Try their loaded tater tots as an appetizer. Overall, Lucas had a great experience, and he later went back again in 2016.
Meat: 4/5
For Lucas, this enormous patty of meat was well-seasoned, cooked to perfection, and hand-crafted. In fact, Lucas thought that this may have been the best seasoned burger he'd had. As for the size, the menu said that all burgers were ½ pound, but his guess would put this one closer to ¾ pound. Lucas's visit brought out a perfect, big, hand-crafted patty, seasoned, cooked to perfection (medium), and 100% black angus beef - an easy perfect 5/5 here.
As mentioned above, Kevin's visit entailed over-cooked and dry burger patties. Thus, we're sitting at a 4 in this category.
Bun: 4.5/5
Stella’s proved that a somewhat larger bun can work. The key to a larger bun is the softness of it. This one was so soft that as I ate it, the juice kept soaking in, and the bun almost disappeared. As for the bread, it was high quality and tasted great.
Cheese: 5/5
Stuffed with cheese and a slice of cheddar on the top for good measure - are you kidding me? Enough said.
Sides and Beverages: 3.5/5
Not even sure where to start here. As already mentioned, their sides are out of this world. Throw in a full bar featuring over 200 whiskeys and craft beer, and you are staring at the perfect situation to accompany a burger. The beer-battered onion rings that I had with my burger were really good, and don’t forget about those delicious Chronic Fries with the Angry Mayo dipping sauce.
Kevin's visit included their sides all being cold, and this is a major bummer. This moves the Sides/Beverages score to 3.5.
Uniqueness: 9/10
Do I need to really say more or get into the uniqueness again? Ok, why not, and here’s some more: Local art, the vintage arcade games are still only 25 cents (are you kidding?!), 70’s and 80’s movies and TV shows playing on their TVs (sorry sports fans), and tons and tons of vintage framed pictures and posters.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 9/10
This burger was fantastic. I’ll say it again - the thing was stuffed with cheese and also had a layer of cheddar on top! The seasoning was perfect. The bacon and the onion ring on top (I took off the stuffed jalapenos) created an awesome overall burger eating experience. This sounds crazy, but it seemed like my bites were rotating back and forth between having a hint of bacon and a hint of onion ring.
Once again, Kevin's visit proved something different than Lucas's. A once 9.75 for Burger Taste has been moved down to a 9.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 35/40
Random Shots:
On our cab ride to Stella’s (GR Hopper), we actually were told about the Bacon Fat Popcorn. I think it’s a local favorite. After our Stella’s experience, we went over to the HopCat, and that too was a great time. On their menu was a local favorite out of Ypsilanti’s Corner Brewery, the Ypsi Gypsi.
Stella's Lounge
Map
Mercury Burger & Bar - Detroit, MI
Reviewed by Kevin & Lucas
Visited on Saturday, February 9, 2013
Wife Appreciation Day
The Mercury Burger & Bar has Detroit talking burgers. Opening in March of 2012, and located right across the street from legendary Slow’s Bar BQ in Corktown, the Mercury has been highly acclaimed and become pretty popular. In only one year, it has many raving about their food and beverages, and we’re happy they’ve brought some more life to the area. It definitely adds some spark to a specific block of Corktown that once housed the now vacant Detroit Central Station.
History is oozing from the Mercury Burger & Bar. As said above, this rather new bar sits close to the closed Michigan Central Station. Back in the day, there’s said to be a train that ran out of there called The Mercury. So, the Mercury Bar became the local bar for those hanging at Detroit Central Station or at the now vacant hotel next door to both, the Roosevelt Hotel. The original Mercury Bar closed in the 1980’s.
As you approach the Mercury Burger Bar, you’ll notice the historic Mercury Bar sign. The new owners were able to find the old sign and refurbish it. When you walk in, you’ll be looking at the modern day diner. You can sit right at the bar or cozy up in one of their booths or tables. You can also head downstairs for for additional seating. They also have a beer garden, and when we were there on a cold February night, many were enjoying it. A fire pit was present to keep everyone warm.
What we instantly appreciated about the Mercury was their appeal for everything local. Not only has the entire place been built by Detroit contractors, but many of the products they sell come locally as well. For starters, there are 16 beers on tap, and 12 of them are brewed in Michigan. Add Faygo, Vernors, and other local beverages and products, and you’re talking about a place that really, really appreciates the state of Michigan. It makes you want to support the Mercury because they support local businesses.
Once we sat down and opened the menu, we were instantly impressed with the burger selection. There are 13 burgers on their menu, and everything sounded so good that they all became options. There’s the Classic, the Juicy (their take on the Juicy Lucy), the Flint Burger, the Local, the S.W. Detroit, and so many more. The number of burgers had us instantly talking about coming back as soon as possible to keep trying something new.
And, don’t think that burgers are the only menu items they specialize in. They have a wide variety of sandwiches and hot dogs. Once again, due to the vast and yummy sounding selection, we were instantly talking about a return trip.
When it came to ordering, their shakes first drew us in for our beverages (it had been a long day already - Nemo’s and the Red Wings game were in our rearview mirror). Kevin ordered a Faygo orange creamsicle shake and Lucas ordered a chocolate shake. Both were great, and Lucas firmly believes that his chocolate shake may be the best he’s ever had.
Then, it was time to order some burgers and sides. As much as we wanted to go outside the box, we kept calm and chose two to try, the Classic and the Juicy. We arm wrestled to decide who got the first pick, but that ended in a tie. So, after Rock Paper Scissors, Lucas won and ordered the Juicy and Kevin got the Classic. Then, if picking a burger wasn’t tough enough, they sure don’t make it easy when selecting sides either. There are two fry categories, classic and specialty. If you go classic, you can get them with sea salt, sea salt with black pepper, or seasoned. If you go the specialty route, you can have garlic fries, poutine, chili cheese fries, tator tots, or sweet potato fries. If that’s not enough to choose from, you can also grab an order of onion rings. For us, Kevin, as always, got the onion rings and Lucas had seasoned fries.
After debating the menu and enjoying the atmosphere, it was review time.
Meat: 4/5
Fresh, great taste, well seasoned, and it was indeed cooked as ordered. The only thing holding this back was that it seemed a little smaller than most burgers we try.
Bun: 3.5/5
Typical bun and nicely sized.
Cheese: 4/5
A really nice cheese topping on the burger. The Juicy had cheese within the patty and also on top. However, the cheese inside the Juicy was not oozing from the meat, as the legendary Juicy Lucy does.
Sides and Beverages: 5/5
See above. You name it and they’ve got it. Our sides were really good, but we did think they were a bit salty. The shakes were awesome, and with all of the local brewed beers, how can this category not be a perfect five?
Uniqueness: 7.5/10
All of the above and more. Lights from the old Hudson Building are in the women’s bathroom (ask our wives), metal diner-like chairs, burgers served on metal round baskets, and so much more make this a unique burger experience.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7.5/10
This is a really good burger and we’d definitely suggest hitting the Mercury Burger Bar. We’re super excited to go back and try all of the other versions of burgers they have.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 31.5/40
Random Shots: Click here for a great preview article on the Mercury Burger and Bar by The South End’s Brianna Valleskey. This article really taught us a lot about the rich history. When you are inside the Mercury, take a close look at their bar. The owners had anyone that helped with the renovation of the Mercury engrave their name into it before sealing. Also, breakfast now being served!
Mercury Burger & Bar
Map
Visited on Saturday, February 9, 2013
Wife Appreciation Day
The Mercury Burger & Bar has Detroit talking burgers. Opening in March of 2012, and located right across the street from legendary Slow’s Bar BQ in Corktown, the Mercury has been highly acclaimed and become pretty popular. In only one year, it has many raving about their food and beverages, and we’re happy they’ve brought some more life to the area. It definitely adds some spark to a specific block of Corktown that once housed the now vacant Detroit Central Station.
History is oozing from the Mercury Burger & Bar. As said above, this rather new bar sits close to the closed Michigan Central Station. Back in the day, there’s said to be a train that ran out of there called The Mercury. So, the Mercury Bar became the local bar for those hanging at Detroit Central Station or at the now vacant hotel next door to both, the Roosevelt Hotel. The original Mercury Bar closed in the 1980’s.
As you approach the Mercury Burger Bar, you’ll notice the historic Mercury Bar sign. The new owners were able to find the old sign and refurbish it. When you walk in, you’ll be looking at the modern day diner. You can sit right at the bar or cozy up in one of their booths or tables. You can also head downstairs for for additional seating. They also have a beer garden, and when we were there on a cold February night, many were enjoying it. A fire pit was present to keep everyone warm.
What we instantly appreciated about the Mercury was their appeal for everything local. Not only has the entire place been built by Detroit contractors, but many of the products they sell come locally as well. For starters, there are 16 beers on tap, and 12 of them are brewed in Michigan. Add Faygo, Vernors, and other local beverages and products, and you’re talking about a place that really, really appreciates the state of Michigan. It makes you want to support the Mercury because they support local businesses.
Once we sat down and opened the menu, we were instantly impressed with the burger selection. There are 13 burgers on their menu, and everything sounded so good that they all became options. There’s the Classic, the Juicy (their take on the Juicy Lucy), the Flint Burger, the Local, the S.W. Detroit, and so many more. The number of burgers had us instantly talking about coming back as soon as possible to keep trying something new.
And, don’t think that burgers are the only menu items they specialize in. They have a wide variety of sandwiches and hot dogs. Once again, due to the vast and yummy sounding selection, we were instantly talking about a return trip.
When it came to ordering, their shakes first drew us in for our beverages (it had been a long day already - Nemo’s and the Red Wings game were in our rearview mirror). Kevin ordered a Faygo orange creamsicle shake and Lucas ordered a chocolate shake. Both were great, and Lucas firmly believes that his chocolate shake may be the best he’s ever had.
Then, it was time to order some burgers and sides. As much as we wanted to go outside the box, we kept calm and chose two to try, the Classic and the Juicy. We arm wrestled to decide who got the first pick, but that ended in a tie. So, after Rock Paper Scissors, Lucas won and ordered the Juicy and Kevin got the Classic. Then, if picking a burger wasn’t tough enough, they sure don’t make it easy when selecting sides either. There are two fry categories, classic and specialty. If you go classic, you can get them with sea salt, sea salt with black pepper, or seasoned. If you go the specialty route, you can have garlic fries, poutine, chili cheese fries, tator tots, or sweet potato fries. If that’s not enough to choose from, you can also grab an order of onion rings. For us, Kevin, as always, got the onion rings and Lucas had seasoned fries.
After debating the menu and enjoying the atmosphere, it was review time.
Meat: 4/5
Fresh, great taste, well seasoned, and it was indeed cooked as ordered. The only thing holding this back was that it seemed a little smaller than most burgers we try.
Bun: 3.5/5
Typical bun and nicely sized.
Cheese: 4/5
A really nice cheese topping on the burger. The Juicy had cheese within the patty and also on top. However, the cheese inside the Juicy was not oozing from the meat, as the legendary Juicy Lucy does.
Sides and Beverages: 5/5
See above. You name it and they’ve got it. Our sides were really good, but we did think they were a bit salty. The shakes were awesome, and with all of the local brewed beers, how can this category not be a perfect five?
Uniqueness: 7.5/10
All of the above and more. Lights from the old Hudson Building are in the women’s bathroom (ask our wives), metal diner-like chairs, burgers served on metal round baskets, and so much more make this a unique burger experience.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7.5/10
This is a really good burger and we’d definitely suggest hitting the Mercury Burger Bar. We’re super excited to go back and try all of the other versions of burgers they have.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 31.5/40
Random Shots: Click here for a great preview article on the Mercury Burger and Bar by The South End’s Brianna Valleskey. This article really taught us a lot about the rich history. When you are inside the Mercury, take a close look at their bar. The owners had anyone that helped with the renovation of the Mercury engrave their name into it before sealing. Also, breakfast now being served!
Mercury Burger & Bar
Map
Nemo's - Detroit, MI
Reviewed by Kevin & Lucas
Visited on Saturday, February 9, 2013
Wife Appreciation Day
Nemo’s rests on Michigan Avenue in Detroit’s Corktown. If you're a sports fan and you want Detroit, come here. It’s a great place to visit and eat a burger. A must during the days of Tiger Stadium, Nemo’s keeps visitors for all major sporting events happy. Kevin has been to Nemo’s many times for Tigers, Lions, and Wings games. Each sporting event brings a different Nemo’s experience. Wings games are a cozy environment. Tiger games will have outside tables and umbrellas on a warm day. And the Lions, well it can be a tailgater’s dream. They have free parking, several port-a-potties, and plenty of fans to make your football Sunday special.
During all major Detroit sporting events, for a small $3 a person fee, tickets can be purchased from the bar for the Nemo’s bus. With a beverage in hand (optional), the bus will drop you off before the game and pick you up when the game is over. Taking the bus is a great way to see the game and avoid traffic, but please don’t be obnoxious on the bus. Don’t forget to tip your driver!
Our visit to Nemo’s was just what the Wings fan ordered. The lockout is over and we are ready to get our burger before the good old hockey game. While walking into Nemo’s from the side door we were greeted with a BBQ pit for the smokers to keep warm. Very considerate. Too bad we're not smokers. Just inside the door, 97.1 The Ticket had a booth set up for the day. We quickly took a table and ordered our burgers.
Not too difficult of a decision to make. A table top menu lists your choices. A burger with cheese or choose from a few other sandwiches. Fries on the side. Get the customers in and push them out on the bus to the game. The bus brings you back if you want more. We like this. Keepin’ it simple. That’s what Nemo’s is all about. A simple burger for the Detroiter in all of us.
While we waited with a cold beverage in hand, we played trivia at the 97.1 booth. A simple game of plinko to determine what kind of trivia. Our first question was how many Stanley Cups has Detroit won? After answering 11, it was sad to hear that we were the first to get it right that day. So many people answer 10. Fans should know this!
The burgers arrived at the right time. We were starving. At first glance, the burger looked as good as it does on a normal visit. The cheese encased the meat and the bun was the right size with fresh pickles on the top. Lucas had raw onion, hold the lettuce and tomato please. A quick squirt of ketchup and mustard on top and eat. Good stuff.
Setting the burger aside, all the great history that Nemo’s holds with Detroit sports led us to talk about how this place is so much better to experience before a game than a place like Cheli’s across from Comerica Park. Nothing against Chris Chelios and his restaurant, but it doesn’t hold water to Nemo’s. Cheli’s has a location similar to what Nemo’s had back in the days of Tiger Stadium. Nemo’s to us is more of a Detroit experience than Cheli’s ever will be. Nemo’s has the history, the simplicity, the grittiness, and the memories. Now add the burger.
Meat: 3/5
Ground Round. A bulky look that complements the entire burger, but overcooked.
Bun: 3.5/5
Sesame bun that has the correct size. Lucas had a bit of a stale, dry texture.
Cheese: 3.5/5
There are two choices for cheese. Swiss or American. The cheese does it’s job and provides good coverage.
Sides and Beverages: 2.5/5
Nothing special here. Fries that are good. It’s a bar with a limited tap that has what most people need. They do provide a cup for you to travel with on the bus.
Uniqueness: 10/10
This is for the Detroit sports fan. History a block down from where Tiger Stadium once stood to the catering of the sports fan that hops on the bus to see the Tigers of tomorrow. Don’t forget the Wings crowd and Lions tailgate.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7/10
This burger is a good one. We get the simplicity of it all and how it fits what the burger eating, beer drinking sports fan needs. A simple burger that kept Tiger Stadium fans passing through the doors keeps fans riding on the bus.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 29.5/40
Random Shots: Nemo’s has a very limited menu. Don’t ask for a grilled cheese though. If the cook isn’t in a good mood you will be out of luck. Also, a word of advice... don’t look in the mirror.
Nemo's
Map
Visited on Saturday, February 9, 2013
Wife Appreciation Day
Nemo’s rests on Michigan Avenue in Detroit’s Corktown. If you're a sports fan and you want Detroit, come here. It’s a great place to visit and eat a burger. A must during the days of Tiger Stadium, Nemo’s keeps visitors for all major sporting events happy. Kevin has been to Nemo’s many times for Tigers, Lions, and Wings games. Each sporting event brings a different Nemo’s experience. Wings games are a cozy environment. Tiger games will have outside tables and umbrellas on a warm day. And the Lions, well it can be a tailgater’s dream. They have free parking, several port-a-potties, and plenty of fans to make your football Sunday special.
During all major Detroit sporting events, for a small $3 a person fee, tickets can be purchased from the bar for the Nemo’s bus. With a beverage in hand (optional), the bus will drop you off before the game and pick you up when the game is over. Taking the bus is a great way to see the game and avoid traffic, but please don’t be obnoxious on the bus. Don’t forget to tip your driver!
Our visit to Nemo’s was just what the Wings fan ordered. The lockout is over and we are ready to get our burger before the good old hockey game. While walking into Nemo’s from the side door we were greeted with a BBQ pit for the smokers to keep warm. Very considerate. Too bad we're not smokers. Just inside the door, 97.1 The Ticket had a booth set up for the day. We quickly took a table and ordered our burgers.
Not too difficult of a decision to make. A table top menu lists your choices. A burger with cheese or choose from a few other sandwiches. Fries on the side. Get the customers in and push them out on the bus to the game. The bus brings you back if you want more. We like this. Keepin’ it simple. That’s what Nemo’s is all about. A simple burger for the Detroiter in all of us.
While we waited with a cold beverage in hand, we played trivia at the 97.1 booth. A simple game of plinko to determine what kind of trivia. Our first question was how many Stanley Cups has Detroit won? After answering 11, it was sad to hear that we were the first to get it right that day. So many people answer 10. Fans should know this!
The burgers arrived at the right time. We were starving. At first glance, the burger looked as good as it does on a normal visit. The cheese encased the meat and the bun was the right size with fresh pickles on the top. Lucas had raw onion, hold the lettuce and tomato please. A quick squirt of ketchup and mustard on top and eat. Good stuff.
Setting the burger aside, all the great history that Nemo’s holds with Detroit sports led us to talk about how this place is so much better to experience before a game than a place like Cheli’s across from Comerica Park. Nothing against Chris Chelios and his restaurant, but it doesn’t hold water to Nemo’s. Cheli’s has a location similar to what Nemo’s had back in the days of Tiger Stadium. Nemo’s to us is more of a Detroit experience than Cheli’s ever will be. Nemo’s has the history, the simplicity, the grittiness, and the memories. Now add the burger.
Meat: 3/5
Ground Round. A bulky look that complements the entire burger, but overcooked.
Bun: 3.5/5
Sesame bun that has the correct size. Lucas had a bit of a stale, dry texture.
Cheese: 3.5/5
There are two choices for cheese. Swiss or American. The cheese does it’s job and provides good coverage.
Sides and Beverages: 2.5/5
Nothing special here. Fries that are good. It’s a bar with a limited tap that has what most people need. They do provide a cup for you to travel with on the bus.
Uniqueness: 10/10
This is for the Detroit sports fan. History a block down from where Tiger Stadium once stood to the catering of the sports fan that hops on the bus to see the Tigers of tomorrow. Don’t forget the Wings crowd and Lions tailgate.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7/10
This burger is a good one. We get the simplicity of it all and how it fits what the burger eating, beer drinking sports fan needs. A simple burger that kept Tiger Stadium fans passing through the doors keeps fans riding on the bus.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 29.5/40
Random Shots: Nemo’s has a very limited menu. Don’t ask for a grilled cheese though. If the cook isn’t in a good mood you will be out of luck. Also, a word of advice... don’t look in the mirror.
Nemo's
Map
Big League Brews - Taylor, MI
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on Saturday, January 19, 2013
In Attendance: Mark, The Money, Zo, Gerbe, and Matt
Update: This night is still a total blur.
According to Big League Brews in Taylor, "BLB's has quickly established itself as THE place to get the fiercest burger in town. The M.T. Burger is a 1/2lb work of hamburger art, prepared fresh, every time, with MT's secret blend of spices. This is a burger you WILL talk to ALL of your friends about."
Now, I'm not sure if I would go quite that far, but if you are looking for quality and quantity at a great price, look no further Big League Brews.
Sitting right on the north side of Ecorse Road between Pelham Road and Mortenview Drive is a great sports bar that not a lot of people may know about. Big League Brews used to be Tack's Lounge and Stool Pigeons Tavern, both of which, from what I've heard, were run down bars in need of serious makeovers. Now, Big League Brews has reformed the place within the past few years and they have much to offer. It's still a little dark, but overall, it appears that the livelihood of the place is back.
For one, their back room has a pool table, Golden Tee, darts, and a few other games too. While you're playing some games you'll have an opportunity to watch the games on their several televisions, including their 200 inch HD projection big screen. Yes, 200 inches. It's obviously huge and it covers an entire wall. Big League Brews always carries the biggest sporting events and PPVs.
Secondly, they have great specials and a fantastic menu. I must admit, the menu at BLBs is very creative, and you can tell that the owner, Matt Taylor, has his hands all over it. He's named many of the sandwiches after himself, and most of them are pretty unique. Beyond the famous M.T. Burger (I'll get to that later), one could try the OMFGIFH Burger. You'll have to figure out what the letters stand for, but I'll say this, it's spicy. They even have a separate meat created for their sliders. A few burgers use the slider meat (packed with onions, etc.), and of course, you could order the Mattkins Burger, which is their take on the original slider. My buddy tried M.T.'s BBQ Bacon Cheddar Burger. I'm not going to even get into this one, just check out my Blog post to see the picture. Or, if you aren't in the mood for a burger, you could try the BLB's BLT. It's bold - there's 1/2lb. of bacon on it.
A few years ago, before we began this site, I had been to Big League Brews and ordered the M.T. Burger. After having tons and tons of burgers in the past year, the staple burger at BLBs had really fizzled out of my memory. So, I decided to go with BLBs most famous burger once again. It's a steal of a deal - a 1/2lb. seasoned patty that comes with cheese and all the fixings you would need for only $3.25. A side of fries or onion rings are extra, but well worth it. They have several side options available and they are all at reasonable prices.
As for the burger, I ordered it medium, and since I had no real memory of the burger, I didn't know what to expect. When it came, I was pleasantly surprised as it's hand crafted and just looked all around great.
Meat: 4/5
Fresh and really nicely seasoned with Matt Taylor's secret seasoning. I ordered it medium, and it definitely came out medium well. I was expecting a little more juiciness, but overall, this 1/2lb. patty was a hit.
Bun: 4/5
The bun was toasted and very soft. This was a great bun.
Cheese: 4/5
As you can see in the picture above, it was everywhere.
Sides and Beverages: 3.5/5
Standard bar sides and beverages. Good prices on everything.
Uniqueness: 5/10
The menu is really the only thing that stands out as unique. Sure, there are lots of cool features at BLBs, but overall, it's a bar, albeit a good one.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7.5/10
This is a good burger and the seasoned meat really makes it. Throw in that juiciness I was looking for and you're looking at a top-notch burger.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 29/40
Random Shots: We really had a good time with the staff - they were very nice, funny, and friendly.
Big League Brews
Map
Visited on Saturday, January 19, 2013
In Attendance: Mark, The Money, Zo, Gerbe, and Matt
Update: This night is still a total blur.
According to Big League Brews in Taylor, "BLB's has quickly established itself as THE place to get the fiercest burger in town. The M.T. Burger is a 1/2lb work of hamburger art, prepared fresh, every time, with MT's secret blend of spices. This is a burger you WILL talk to ALL of your friends about."
Now, I'm not sure if I would go quite that far, but if you are looking for quality and quantity at a great price, look no further Big League Brews.
Sitting right on the north side of Ecorse Road between Pelham Road and Mortenview Drive is a great sports bar that not a lot of people may know about. Big League Brews used to be Tack's Lounge and Stool Pigeons Tavern, both of which, from what I've heard, were run down bars in need of serious makeovers. Now, Big League Brews has reformed the place within the past few years and they have much to offer. It's still a little dark, but overall, it appears that the livelihood of the place is back.
For one, their back room has a pool table, Golden Tee, darts, and a few other games too. While you're playing some games you'll have an opportunity to watch the games on their several televisions, including their 200 inch HD projection big screen. Yes, 200 inches. It's obviously huge and it covers an entire wall. Big League Brews always carries the biggest sporting events and PPVs.
Secondly, they have great specials and a fantastic menu. I must admit, the menu at BLBs is very creative, and you can tell that the owner, Matt Taylor, has his hands all over it. He's named many of the sandwiches after himself, and most of them are pretty unique. Beyond the famous M.T. Burger (I'll get to that later), one could try the OMFGIFH Burger. You'll have to figure out what the letters stand for, but I'll say this, it's spicy. They even have a separate meat created for their sliders. A few burgers use the slider meat (packed with onions, etc.), and of course, you could order the Mattkins Burger, which is their take on the original slider. My buddy tried M.T.'s BBQ Bacon Cheddar Burger. I'm not going to even get into this one, just check out my Blog post to see the picture. Or, if you aren't in the mood for a burger, you could try the BLB's BLT. It's bold - there's 1/2lb. of bacon on it.
A few years ago, before we began this site, I had been to Big League Brews and ordered the M.T. Burger. After having tons and tons of burgers in the past year, the staple burger at BLBs had really fizzled out of my memory. So, I decided to go with BLBs most famous burger once again. It's a steal of a deal - a 1/2lb. seasoned patty that comes with cheese and all the fixings you would need for only $3.25. A side of fries or onion rings are extra, but well worth it. They have several side options available and they are all at reasonable prices.
As for the burger, I ordered it medium, and since I had no real memory of the burger, I didn't know what to expect. When it came, I was pleasantly surprised as it's hand crafted and just looked all around great.
Meat: 4/5
Fresh and really nicely seasoned with Matt Taylor's secret seasoning. I ordered it medium, and it definitely came out medium well. I was expecting a little more juiciness, but overall, this 1/2lb. patty was a hit.
Bun: 4/5
The bun was toasted and very soft. This was a great bun.
Cheese: 4/5
As you can see in the picture above, it was everywhere.
Sides and Beverages: 3.5/5
Standard bar sides and beverages. Good prices on everything.
Uniqueness: 5/10
The menu is really the only thing that stands out as unique. Sure, there are lots of cool features at BLBs, but overall, it's a bar, albeit a good one.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7.5/10
This is a good burger and the seasoned meat really makes it. Throw in that juiciness I was looking for and you're looking at a top-notch burger.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 29/40
Random Shots: We really had a good time with the staff - they were very nice, funny, and friendly.
Big League Brews
Map
Fraser's Pub Sports Bar & Eatery - Ann Arbor, MI
Reviewed by Kevin and Lucas
Visited on Saturday, December 22, 2012
Annual Shareholder's Meeting
When looking for a place to hold our Annual Shareholder's Meeting we wanted a burger experience that included the right combination of necessities. We needed to have WiFi access for business, TV for the Lions game, and beverages to ease our pain as we watched the Lions lose. Since we had both been to Fraser's for a burger in the past, it was the perfect fit and time for us to review this place.
The scene at Fraser's is one that will morph over the time you spend there. It can move from a silver fox tour into a younger, hip crowd that, on the night we went, included a real life Ruxin (perhaps you've seen him on The League). To top off the ambiance, the jukebox belts out music specific to the waitstaff's taste. We don't really know if we fit into what can be found, but we like going here.
There are a few different ways you can order a burger. Outside of a dress your own burger, they have two gimmick burgers, the Fraser's Melt and the Fraser's Mac, and a slew of signature burgers from a Smokehouse Burger to an All-American Burger. When reviewing the Fraser's burger experience, we took into consideration our combined previous experiences and we feel the same way about Fraser's hamburger experience. It's a good place to hang out. This place meets our needs for a burger and brew to watch the game. However, it falls short when comparing it to all the places we've been to over the past year. Hanging out here for our meeting helped us put things into perspective.
The hamburger has consistently shown to be a good one, but with a few concerns. The bun is overpowering. Ah yes, here we go again on the bun. When we eat a hamburger we would like to think about more than just the bun. With this bun being a clear miss, focus on the burger was lost. The conversation always led us back to the bun and how it is just too thick and takes away from the overall enjoyment.
Next is how the burger tastes good even though it is over cooked. The meat seems tasty, but it's dry. No juicy deliciousness here. If they only pulled it off the grill when the juices still existed, then we would be super excited.
Beyond that, the diced pickle chunks on our burger don't fit and prove to be just another attempt to be trendy. We spent all our time outside of the bun and dry meat discussion picking up the graveyard of pickles from our plate. Oh the possibilities.
Anyway, this is how we see it stacking up...
Meat: 2/5
The meat was overcooked, yet tasty. Handcrafted patty in this case, but we've had formed patties for their gimmick burgers.
Bun: 2/5
Toasted, thick, soft, fresh, but too much of it.
Cheese: 2.5/5
It's cheese. American, Bleu, Cheddar, Hot Pepper, Swiss.
Sides and Beverages: 3.5/5
Fries, O-rings, rotating tap for your enjoyment.
Uniqueness: 6/10
This place is Ann Arbor with a U.P. feel. Maybe toss in a touch of Manchester.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 6.5/10
Taste is good, but it could be great.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 22.5/40
Random Shots: This place is a cool spot to hang out. If we lived closer, we would be in trouble. They offer WiFi and have an exceptional staff that is both friendly and perky.
Fraser's Pub
Map
Visited on Saturday, December 22, 2012
Annual Shareholder's Meeting
When looking for a place to hold our Annual Shareholder's Meeting we wanted a burger experience that included the right combination of necessities. We needed to have WiFi access for business, TV for the Lions game, and beverages to ease our pain as we watched the Lions lose. Since we had both been to Fraser's for a burger in the past, it was the perfect fit and time for us to review this place.
The scene at Fraser's is one that will morph over the time you spend there. It can move from a silver fox tour into a younger, hip crowd that, on the night we went, included a real life Ruxin (perhaps you've seen him on The League). To top off the ambiance, the jukebox belts out music specific to the waitstaff's taste. We don't really know if we fit into what can be found, but we like going here.
There are a few different ways you can order a burger. Outside of a dress your own burger, they have two gimmick burgers, the Fraser's Melt and the Fraser's Mac, and a slew of signature burgers from a Smokehouse Burger to an All-American Burger. When reviewing the Fraser's burger experience, we took into consideration our combined previous experiences and we feel the same way about Fraser's hamburger experience. It's a good place to hang out. This place meets our needs for a burger and brew to watch the game. However, it falls short when comparing it to all the places we've been to over the past year. Hanging out here for our meeting helped us put things into perspective.
The hamburger has consistently shown to be a good one, but with a few concerns. The bun is overpowering. Ah yes, here we go again on the bun. When we eat a hamburger we would like to think about more than just the bun. With this bun being a clear miss, focus on the burger was lost. The conversation always led us back to the bun and how it is just too thick and takes away from the overall enjoyment.
Next is how the burger tastes good even though it is over cooked. The meat seems tasty, but it's dry. No juicy deliciousness here. If they only pulled it off the grill when the juices still existed, then we would be super excited.
Beyond that, the diced pickle chunks on our burger don't fit and prove to be just another attempt to be trendy. We spent all our time outside of the bun and dry meat discussion picking up the graveyard of pickles from our plate. Oh the possibilities.
Anyway, this is how we see it stacking up...
Meat: 2/5
The meat was overcooked, yet tasty. Handcrafted patty in this case, but we've had formed patties for their gimmick burgers.
Bun: 2/5
Toasted, thick, soft, fresh, but too much of it.
Cheese: 2.5/5
It's cheese. American, Bleu, Cheddar, Hot Pepper, Swiss.
Sides and Beverages: 3.5/5
Fries, O-rings, rotating tap for your enjoyment.
Uniqueness: 6/10
This place is Ann Arbor with a U.P. feel. Maybe toss in a touch of Manchester.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 6.5/10
Taste is good, but it could be great.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 22.5/40
Random Shots: This place is a cool spot to hang out. If we lived closer, we would be in trouble. They offer WiFi and have an exceptional staff that is both friendly and perky.
Fraser's Pub
Map
Cleary's Pub - Chelsea, MI
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
In Attendance: The Foster/Burnett Family
Cleary's Pub has been a Chelsea area favorite for many years now. Known for it's traditional Irish ways, Cleary's appreciates the history that's within their pub. Even though they opened in 1991, they have maintained the original brick walls and tin ceiling that first brought charm to the building at the turn of the century. It graces the east side of downtown Chelsea, and it's great spot to grab dinner or even just a drink. With 12 beers on tap, there's something for everyone. Also, locals rave about their weekend live music.
I've had the pleasure of hitting Cleary's on several occasions through the years, mostly after UofM football games. This was, however, the first time I decided to give their burger a try. They serve chargrilled burgers that have certified Angus beef. Cleary's claims that the "tastiest, juiciest beef makes them the best-tasting burgers around." There are several kinds of burgers to choose from, and all come with 1/2 pound patties. They even have a burger mixed with Guinness. There are many different cheeses and toppings to choose from, and two different style buns, kaiser and pretzel. You can get one of their three kinds of fries on the side.
As for my order, I went with the straight-up cheeseburger with the pretzel bun. Cheddar cheese, pickle, a little onion, ketchup, mustard, and I'm all set. When it came, I immediately fell in love with the bun. Wow!
Meat: 4/5
Chargrilled and it was cooked just as I ordered it, medium. The chargrilled taste was great, and the only thing holding this one back in the meat category is the pre-formed patty.
Bun: 5/5
This couldn't have been more perfect. My pretzel bun was toasted and also buttered. Right when the burger landed in front of me, I noticed the light glaze of butter on the top. The pretzel bun had a great taste alone, but the perfection of the toasting and the buttering added an awesome touch.
Cheese: 3.5/5
Good cheese and a good amount. Nothing to brag about, and nothing to rag on.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
I think this is a place that Kevin needs to hit for the onion rings. According to their menu, they are thick cut and fried in beer battered. They offer a few beer battered appetizers, and along with their variety of sides, there's lots to choose from. Throw in their 12 beers on tap and everything else a bar has to offer, and things look pretty good in this category.
Uniqueness: 6.5/10
Cleary's is a great place, but in the end, it's your typical town bar. It's on a different level than most - it's a pretty nice place, but in the end, not too much makes it overly unique.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7.5/10
All in all, this is a really solid burger. Get the pretzel bun, as it's one of the best buns I've had. In fact, it's flat out the best I've had in recent memory.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 30.5/40
Get to Cleary's if your're near Chelsea. This actually makes two burgers in Chelsea that are worth checking out - the other being at the Arctic Breakaway.
Cleary's Pub
Map
Visited on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
In Attendance: The Foster/Burnett Family
Cleary's Pub has been a Chelsea area favorite for many years now. Known for it's traditional Irish ways, Cleary's appreciates the history that's within their pub. Even though they opened in 1991, they have maintained the original brick walls and tin ceiling that first brought charm to the building at the turn of the century. It graces the east side of downtown Chelsea, and it's great spot to grab dinner or even just a drink. With 12 beers on tap, there's something for everyone. Also, locals rave about their weekend live music.
I've had the pleasure of hitting Cleary's on several occasions through the years, mostly after UofM football games. This was, however, the first time I decided to give their burger a try. They serve chargrilled burgers that have certified Angus beef. Cleary's claims that the "tastiest, juiciest beef makes them the best-tasting burgers around." There are several kinds of burgers to choose from, and all come with 1/2 pound patties. They even have a burger mixed with Guinness. There are many different cheeses and toppings to choose from, and two different style buns, kaiser and pretzel. You can get one of their three kinds of fries on the side.
As for my order, I went with the straight-up cheeseburger with the pretzel bun. Cheddar cheese, pickle, a little onion, ketchup, mustard, and I'm all set. When it came, I immediately fell in love with the bun. Wow!
Meat: 4/5
Chargrilled and it was cooked just as I ordered it, medium. The chargrilled taste was great, and the only thing holding this one back in the meat category is the pre-formed patty.
Bun: 5/5
This couldn't have been more perfect. My pretzel bun was toasted and also buttered. Right when the burger landed in front of me, I noticed the light glaze of butter on the top. The pretzel bun had a great taste alone, but the perfection of the toasting and the buttering added an awesome touch.
Cheese: 3.5/5
Good cheese and a good amount. Nothing to brag about, and nothing to rag on.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
I think this is a place that Kevin needs to hit for the onion rings. According to their menu, they are thick cut and fried in beer battered. They offer a few beer battered appetizers, and along with their variety of sides, there's lots to choose from. Throw in their 12 beers on tap and everything else a bar has to offer, and things look pretty good in this category.
Uniqueness: 6.5/10
Cleary's is a great place, but in the end, it's your typical town bar. It's on a different level than most - it's a pretty nice place, but in the end, not too much makes it overly unique.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7.5/10
All in all, this is a really solid burger. Get the pretzel bun, as it's one of the best buns I've had. In fact, it's flat out the best I've had in recent memory.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 30.5/40
Get to Cleary's if your're near Chelsea. This actually makes two burgers in Chelsea that are worth checking out - the other being at the Arctic Breakaway.
Cleary's Pub
Map
The Corner Brewery - Ypsilanti, MI
Reviewed by Lucas and Kevin
Visited on Friday, November 30, 2012
Kevin's Master's Degree Celebration
*Please note: Arbor Brewing Company has implemented the same menu at both the downtown Ann Arbor brewpub, and also at the Corner Brewery. Their burger has changed since this review, and it's much improved. A new review will be happening soon.
The Corner Brewery is the distribution headquarters of Arbor Brewing Company. But as their website suggests, it's also a terrific place to hang out. It's located just a few blocks north of Sidetrack in Ypsilanti's Depot Town and they've got a great thing going. Opening up their tasting room and beer garden on May 31, 2006, "the Corner" has since gone through many changes and improvements. When they opened, the Corner was a great place to bring in your own choice of food, usually pizza from Aubrees, and play board games, darts, etc. Now, with a full kitchen and Green Brewery Expansion project completed, the Corner has established itself as a true hot spot in the Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor area.
Tons of things make the Corner unique. You can join their mug club - you get your very own mug that stays hung at the Corner. For a fee, you'll get to experiment with all of their brewed beers. Or, you can go big and purchase a chair. Your name will be written on the back, and we assume that when you are there, you'll get first dibs. The Corner has a really nice outdoor beer garden (if only Michigan had more warm months). On Wednesdays during the summer, they host a cornhole tournament, and people of all ages are welcome to join.
In 2012, the Corner decided to throw in a full kitchen. They offer pub food, and just like ordering a beer, you must head for the counter to let them know what you need. Offering a variety of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and stone baked pizza, the Corner's menu is pretty stacked.
They do have a nice portion of their menu dedicated to burgers. It's a "build your own burger" approach. They have the traditional beef patty, portabella cap, or black bean burger. Obviously, we chose the beef patty. Regarding their beef, and according to the Corner's menu and website, the burgers are made with free-range, grass-fed beef. It comes full circle right here in Michigan and is free of antibiotics and hormones. The cattle they feed are from the very spent grain that they produce, by their one and only farmer, Dave from Steinhauser Farm. Impressive!
Once you select your patty, you're off and running. You can choose from onion, white, or wheat bun. Great Lakes Potato Chips or A2 Tortilla Chips and a pickle spear are served automatically. Sorry fry lovers, the Corner doesn't serve them. If desired, onion, lettuce, and tomato are there for the taking, and any other regular or premium toppings will cost you .50 cents or $1.00 each. There are many cheese choices - even a three cheese blend is offered. Make sure to eat your food safely and visit the condiment stand after you place your order. That way when your beeper buzzes and you pick up your food, you can have your extras ready at your table.
When the burger came, it looked right off the grill in your backyard. It made us start talking again about how we could smell the burgers before we even entered the building. Nothing beats the smell of a good burger before you walk into the joint (we can only say that about a few places). It had been a while since both of us had come together for a burger review, and we were very excited about the possibilities.
Meat: 4.5/5
As stated above, it's quality beef. As for the taste, well, it was awesome. It tasted grilled and it was full of flavor and juice. The meat is definitely the strongest aspect of the Corner's burger.
Bun: 1/5
This was where things went downhill. At least one person at our table tried each of their bun styles, and we all agreed: it was too bready and pretty dry. The amount of bread within their buns really takes away from the meat of the burger, literally. The bread took control and it was just too much. Take a look at the picture above and you'll know what we're talking about.
Cheese: 4/5
Lots of choices and it covered the meat well.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
It's obviously tough to beat the beer selection at a brewery. Arbor Brewing Company has a great thing going, and it's fun to try the different flavors, new and old. As for the sides, the Corner does a pretty nice job. They prove you don't need french fries or onion rings to have alongside a burger. Their Great Lakes Potato Chips and A2 Tortilla Chips were both great tasting. Also, we hear their appetizers are delicious.
Uniqueness: 8.5/10
We're not sure what else the Corner can do to separate themselves from the crowd. From cornhole in the summer to owning your own chair, the Corner has lots to offer.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 6.5/10
If the Corner Brewery can improve the bun (less bread overall), then this score goes up dramatically. Everyone at our table struggled to get through the thick, dry bun, and one person even took the bottom layer off completely. If one change is made, it's a great burger, and not just a good one.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 28.5/40
Once again, the bun takes a few points away from what would be a better overall experience score.
Random Shots: We love the Corner! We've been going there for many years and it's always a nice spot to simply chill out. Next time we're in there, we've got to try their soft pretzels - they looked awesome.
The Corner Brewery
Map
Visited on Friday, November 30, 2012
Kevin's Master's Degree Celebration
*Please note: Arbor Brewing Company has implemented the same menu at both the downtown Ann Arbor brewpub, and also at the Corner Brewery. Their burger has changed since this review, and it's much improved. A new review will be happening soon.
The Corner Brewery is the distribution headquarters of Arbor Brewing Company. But as their website suggests, it's also a terrific place to hang out. It's located just a few blocks north of Sidetrack in Ypsilanti's Depot Town and they've got a great thing going. Opening up their tasting room and beer garden on May 31, 2006, "the Corner" has since gone through many changes and improvements. When they opened, the Corner was a great place to bring in your own choice of food, usually pizza from Aubrees, and play board games, darts, etc. Now, with a full kitchen and Green Brewery Expansion project completed, the Corner has established itself as a true hot spot in the Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor area.
Tons of things make the Corner unique. You can join their mug club - you get your very own mug that stays hung at the Corner. For a fee, you'll get to experiment with all of their brewed beers. Or, you can go big and purchase a chair. Your name will be written on the back, and we assume that when you are there, you'll get first dibs. The Corner has a really nice outdoor beer garden (if only Michigan had more warm months). On Wednesdays during the summer, they host a cornhole tournament, and people of all ages are welcome to join.
In 2012, the Corner decided to throw in a full kitchen. They offer pub food, and just like ordering a beer, you must head for the counter to let them know what you need. Offering a variety of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and stone baked pizza, the Corner's menu is pretty stacked.
They do have a nice portion of their menu dedicated to burgers. It's a "build your own burger" approach. They have the traditional beef patty, portabella cap, or black bean burger. Obviously, we chose the beef patty. Regarding their beef, and according to the Corner's menu and website, the burgers are made with free-range, grass-fed beef. It comes full circle right here in Michigan and is free of antibiotics and hormones. The cattle they feed are from the very spent grain that they produce, by their one and only farmer, Dave from Steinhauser Farm. Impressive!
Once you select your patty, you're off and running. You can choose from onion, white, or wheat bun. Great Lakes Potato Chips or A2 Tortilla Chips and a pickle spear are served automatically. Sorry fry lovers, the Corner doesn't serve them. If desired, onion, lettuce, and tomato are there for the taking, and any other regular or premium toppings will cost you .50 cents or $1.00 each. There are many cheese choices - even a three cheese blend is offered. Make sure to eat your food safely and visit the condiment stand after you place your order. That way when your beeper buzzes and you pick up your food, you can have your extras ready at your table.
When the burger came, it looked right off the grill in your backyard. It made us start talking again about how we could smell the burgers before we even entered the building. Nothing beats the smell of a good burger before you walk into the joint (we can only say that about a few places). It had been a while since both of us had come together for a burger review, and we were very excited about the possibilities.
Meat: 4.5/5
As stated above, it's quality beef. As for the taste, well, it was awesome. It tasted grilled and it was full of flavor and juice. The meat is definitely the strongest aspect of the Corner's burger.
Bun: 1/5
This was where things went downhill. At least one person at our table tried each of their bun styles, and we all agreed: it was too bready and pretty dry. The amount of bread within their buns really takes away from the meat of the burger, literally. The bread took control and it was just too much. Take a look at the picture above and you'll know what we're talking about.
Cheese: 4/5
Lots of choices and it covered the meat well.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
It's obviously tough to beat the beer selection at a brewery. Arbor Brewing Company has a great thing going, and it's fun to try the different flavors, new and old. As for the sides, the Corner does a pretty nice job. They prove you don't need french fries or onion rings to have alongside a burger. Their Great Lakes Potato Chips and A2 Tortilla Chips were both great tasting. Also, we hear their appetizers are delicious.
Uniqueness: 8.5/10
We're not sure what else the Corner can do to separate themselves from the crowd. From cornhole in the summer to owning your own chair, the Corner has lots to offer.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 6.5/10
If the Corner Brewery can improve the bun (less bread overall), then this score goes up dramatically. Everyone at our table struggled to get through the thick, dry bun, and one person even took the bottom layer off completely. If one change is made, it's a great burger, and not just a good one.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 28.5/40
Once again, the bun takes a few points away from what would be a better overall experience score.
Random Shots: We love the Corner! We've been going there for many years and it's always a nice spot to simply chill out. Next time we're in there, we've got to try their soft pretzels - they looked awesome.
The Corner Brewery
Map
West Point Lounge - Jackson, MI
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on Thursday, August 30, 2012
In Attendance: Mark, JZ, and Jackson Burger Boy
I grew up in the Jackson area and I still visit there frequently. I remember, as a child, hearing about everyone rushing over to the West Point after Jackson area high school sporting events to get a post-game burger and drink. If you talk to the fine citizens of Jackson, you'll hear them talk about two burger joints - West Point Lounge and Schlnkers Sandwich Shop. The West Point Lounge is a family owned neighborhood bar and grill and it has been in operation for over 75 years. Located on the west end of Jackson (hence the name West Point), it's been voted Jackson's favorite bar and grill on several occasions and its famous for it's cheeseburgers. In the burger section of their menu, there's a giant box that includes a quote from Concord High School basketball coach Bob Urschalitz, right after he won his 10th district and 6th regional championship in as many years. According to Urschalitz, "Winning basketball titles is like eating a West Point hamburger. No matter how many you've had, the last one is as good as the first one."
It had been a while since I had been in the West Point, but I could tell that much work had been done to the interior. It was much brighter than I remembered. We visited on a Thursday night, and it was a lively atmosphere. The interior shape is basically a big rectangle. You can see all tables and their long bar from any seat you choose. The West Point probably isn't the place to watch a game, but they do have a few TVs. Although, their TVs were not HD, and they sure weren't any brands I have heard of. Ever hear of a Sceptre brand TV? I haven't. Covering most of the walls are local high school photos - talk about a real community environment. There's also some fish tanks near the bar area, which looked pretty neat.
The West Point has pretty big selection of burgers. There's something for everyone. While I was picking out my traditional cheeseburger of choice, my brother decided to go for the chili cheeseburger. Make sure you take a look at the Jackson Burger or Bust Slideshow to see how that one came out. Wow!
It comes down to this: West Point burgers are excellent. The locals that rave about them are right. As I'm writing this review, I need another one right now.
Meat: 4/5
I didn't ask about the freshness of the meat, but when cooked, it sure had flavor. I always love burgers in restaurants that actually taste grilled, and this was one of them. It was cooked to perfection and when we inquired about how it was cooked, our server mentioned a char-grilling.
Bun: 4/5
High quality seeded bun and it was lightly toasted. It was a thin bun which really allowed you to put the taste into the meat and toppings.
Cheese: 2.5/5
They offered a few choices, but it wasn't necessarily oozing over the entire patty. I have definitely experienced more cheese on the patty at many other burger joints.
Sides and Beverages: 3/5
Typical bar food and beverage line.
Uniqueness: 6/10
The West Point has done many things to stand out in the Jackson area. From the area high school photos to the fish tanks, this place offers up a little more than fabulous burgers.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8/10
The West Point makes really good, char-grilled burgers. This was our second stop on my impromptu Jackson Burger or Bust tour, and boy was I glad to have a West Point burger after forcing that Shammy Burger down hours before.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 27.5/40
This place is worth a stop.
West Point Lounge
Map
Visited on Thursday, August 30, 2012
In Attendance: Mark, JZ, and Jackson Burger Boy
I grew up in the Jackson area and I still visit there frequently. I remember, as a child, hearing about everyone rushing over to the West Point after Jackson area high school sporting events to get a post-game burger and drink. If you talk to the fine citizens of Jackson, you'll hear them talk about two burger joints - West Point Lounge and Schlnkers Sandwich Shop. The West Point Lounge is a family owned neighborhood bar and grill and it has been in operation for over 75 years. Located on the west end of Jackson (hence the name West Point), it's been voted Jackson's favorite bar and grill on several occasions and its famous for it's cheeseburgers. In the burger section of their menu, there's a giant box that includes a quote from Concord High School basketball coach Bob Urschalitz, right after he won his 10th district and 6th regional championship in as many years. According to Urschalitz, "Winning basketball titles is like eating a West Point hamburger. No matter how many you've had, the last one is as good as the first one."
It had been a while since I had been in the West Point, but I could tell that much work had been done to the interior. It was much brighter than I remembered. We visited on a Thursday night, and it was a lively atmosphere. The interior shape is basically a big rectangle. You can see all tables and their long bar from any seat you choose. The West Point probably isn't the place to watch a game, but they do have a few TVs. Although, their TVs were not HD, and they sure weren't any brands I have heard of. Ever hear of a Sceptre brand TV? I haven't. Covering most of the walls are local high school photos - talk about a real community environment. There's also some fish tanks near the bar area, which looked pretty neat.
The West Point has pretty big selection of burgers. There's something for everyone. While I was picking out my traditional cheeseburger of choice, my brother decided to go for the chili cheeseburger. Make sure you take a look at the Jackson Burger or Bust Slideshow to see how that one came out. Wow!
It comes down to this: West Point burgers are excellent. The locals that rave about them are right. As I'm writing this review, I need another one right now.
Meat: 4/5
I didn't ask about the freshness of the meat, but when cooked, it sure had flavor. I always love burgers in restaurants that actually taste grilled, and this was one of them. It was cooked to perfection and when we inquired about how it was cooked, our server mentioned a char-grilling.
Bun: 4/5
High quality seeded bun and it was lightly toasted. It was a thin bun which really allowed you to put the taste into the meat and toppings.
Cheese: 2.5/5
They offered a few choices, but it wasn't necessarily oozing over the entire patty. I have definitely experienced more cheese on the patty at many other burger joints.
Sides and Beverages: 3/5
Typical bar food and beverage line.
Uniqueness: 6/10
The West Point has done many things to stand out in the Jackson area. From the area high school photos to the fish tanks, this place offers up a little more than fabulous burgers.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8/10
The West Point makes really good, char-grilled burgers. This was our second stop on my impromptu Jackson Burger or Bust tour, and boy was I glad to have a West Point burger after forcing that Shammy Burger down hours before.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 27.5/40
This place is worth a stop.
West Point Lounge
Map
Shamrock Bar - Jackson, MI
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on Thursday, August 30, 2012
In Attendance: Mark, JZ, and Jackson Burger Boy
Just east of the central downtown area of Jackson sits the Shamrock Bar. Holding its own on Michigan Avenue, the Shamrock has been around for a very long time serving locals their cheap drinks in an Irish atmosphere. It's not the most glamorous of places, but we all know that most bars off the beaten path have great burgers. Or, don't they?
I had heard about the Shamrock's "Shammy" burger for a while now, and I figured it was time to give this thing a shot. Most customers enter from the back, and the Shamrock's rear is quite the sight. We entered in-between a huge trash dumpster and an electric wheelchair. Once inside, we ordered our first round. The drink prices, as I had known for quite some time, can't be beat. You call it and it's $2.00. When it came time to ordering our Shammy burgers, you couldn't help but wonder where the kitchen was. A little corner prep area was visible, but we surely didn't consider that could be their kitchen. We inquired about the kitchen and how they made their burgers, and the bartender/hostess/server/waitress/cook (yes, only one person was staffing the Shamrock this night) pointed out a large press. She said "it's basically like a Foreman Grill". So, we figured out they had a press for their burgers, a microwave for chicken fingers, and a Crock Pot for other miscellaneous food (see Blog). Things just got interesting.
The Shammy burger is $3.50 and it's 11oz. With their burgers being "pressed", we were never asked how we wanted them prepared. They do come with all the toppings you'd want. What's really funny is the process of how they are delivered out to your table. Due to the press only being able to hold so many burgers at a time, the bartender/hostess/server/waitress/cook was not able to create all of our burgers at the same time. So, I remember my Dad's and brother's came out first, and then my friend's and mine. They came pre-cut with a nice-looking sesame seed bun. All Shammy burgers come with potato chips, as fries are not available due to no deep fryer.
The first bite tasted like something right off a Foreman Grill. If you've ever ate a burger off a Foreman (I have in college, with deer meat, tons of times), then you know what I'm talking about. My friend JZ and I agreed that it also had a frying pan taste. He remembered how his Mom used to make burgers on a frying pan, and he thought this tasted very similar. Probably due to the press, it was juiceless and tasteless. You can see where this is going...
Meat: 2/5
I did't ask and I probably don't want to know. No grilled taste and very bland.
Bun: 2.5/5
Sesame seed and it fit the meat pretty well.
Cheese: 2.5/5
A decent amount of cheese, but no options, just American.
Sides and Beverages: 3/5
The only possible side with a burger is potato chips. However, the low-priced drinks steal a point or two in this category.
Uniqueness: 4/10
Listen, I love the Shamrock. I've been there several times and my best memories of the place include stopping there during a few St. Patty's Day trolleys. However, the place isn't too unique. It's uniquely bad.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 5/10
Bland. No juiciness. Pressed. George Foreman would be proud.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 19/40
We left unsatisfied and that prompted a second burger stop at the West Point Lounge. Burger or Bust was on, Jackson style.
Shamrock Bar
Map
Visited on Thursday, August 30, 2012
In Attendance: Mark, JZ, and Jackson Burger Boy
Just east of the central downtown area of Jackson sits the Shamrock Bar. Holding its own on Michigan Avenue, the Shamrock has been around for a very long time serving locals their cheap drinks in an Irish atmosphere. It's not the most glamorous of places, but we all know that most bars off the beaten path have great burgers. Or, don't they?
I had heard about the Shamrock's "Shammy" burger for a while now, and I figured it was time to give this thing a shot. Most customers enter from the back, and the Shamrock's rear is quite the sight. We entered in-between a huge trash dumpster and an electric wheelchair. Once inside, we ordered our first round. The drink prices, as I had known for quite some time, can't be beat. You call it and it's $2.00. When it came time to ordering our Shammy burgers, you couldn't help but wonder where the kitchen was. A little corner prep area was visible, but we surely didn't consider that could be their kitchen. We inquired about the kitchen and how they made their burgers, and the bartender/hostess/server/waitress/cook (yes, only one person was staffing the Shamrock this night) pointed out a large press. She said "it's basically like a Foreman Grill". So, we figured out they had a press for their burgers, a microwave for chicken fingers, and a Crock Pot for other miscellaneous food (see Blog). Things just got interesting.
The Shammy burger is $3.50 and it's 11oz. With their burgers being "pressed", we were never asked how we wanted them prepared. They do come with all the toppings you'd want. What's really funny is the process of how they are delivered out to your table. Due to the press only being able to hold so many burgers at a time, the bartender/hostess/server/waitress/cook was not able to create all of our burgers at the same time. So, I remember my Dad's and brother's came out first, and then my friend's and mine. They came pre-cut with a nice-looking sesame seed bun. All Shammy burgers come with potato chips, as fries are not available due to no deep fryer.
The first bite tasted like something right off a Foreman Grill. If you've ever ate a burger off a Foreman (I have in college, with deer meat, tons of times), then you know what I'm talking about. My friend JZ and I agreed that it also had a frying pan taste. He remembered how his Mom used to make burgers on a frying pan, and he thought this tasted very similar. Probably due to the press, it was juiceless and tasteless. You can see where this is going...
Meat: 2/5
I did't ask and I probably don't want to know. No grilled taste and very bland.
Bun: 2.5/5
Sesame seed and it fit the meat pretty well.
Cheese: 2.5/5
A decent amount of cheese, but no options, just American.
Sides and Beverages: 3/5
The only possible side with a burger is potato chips. However, the low-priced drinks steal a point or two in this category.
Uniqueness: 4/10
Listen, I love the Shamrock. I've been there several times and my best memories of the place include stopping there during a few St. Patty's Day trolleys. However, the place isn't too unique. It's uniquely bad.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 5/10
Bland. No juiciness. Pressed. George Foreman would be proud.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 19/40
We left unsatisfied and that prompted a second burger stop at the West Point Lounge. Burger or Bust was on, Jackson style.
Shamrock Bar
Map
Redcoat Tavern - Royal Oak, MI
Reviewed by Kevin and Lucas
Visited on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
To anyone in Michigan's burger world, the Redcoat Tavern is legendary. It's been voted into the top echelon of metro-detroit burgers on countless occasions. In fact, it's even placed first in a few professional publications. The Redcoat has been serving burgers for over 30 years, and it was about time we made a visit.
The Redcoat Tavern sits on Woodward Avenue, and it's technically in Royal Oak, although it's really right on the lines of quite a few cities. It carries an American-British colonial theme that's just unmissable. We went during the Woodward Dream Cruise and it was a busy night. Many would avoid the Redcoat on an evening featuring the very popular Dream Cruise, but we wanted the real Woodward/Redcoat experience.
We waited for about an hour and watched the Dream Cruise. It was a great summer evening and we enjoyed witnessing everything from the Redcoat offering free valet parking, classic cars, a huge party scene across the street, and much more. We were finally seated in a dark booth with big red pads behind our backs. You have to see their booths to really know what we mean. Our eyes first went to the burger area of the menu. In a large box, the Redcoat Tavern lays out their "Original Redcoat Special Hamburger". Why try something else if this is so famous? We both figured, let's just go with what makes this place so special. As for drinks, the Redcoat offers a top-notch beer selection. We were very impressed with everything before even ordering.
After we decided on drinks, we began to really dissect the Redcoat "Original Special Hamburger" from the menu. If you order it the standard way, you'll receive a half-pound of fresh beef, mayonaise, pickle, tomato, lettuce, and cheese, as always, is optional. However, additional choices are endless, at an additional fee. Four additional buns, six cheeses, and tons of sauces and toppings are all available if you choose. It's a massive, impressive list of options. Even the beef has an option, as one looking for a healthy alternative can use their certified piedmontese beef. It's from a breed of cattle that's usually low in fat (less that 2 grams of fat per patty).
Everything came to our table and it was time.
Meat: 4/5
Tasty and cooked to order. No doubt their hand-crafted patties are very fresh.
Bun: 4.5/5
Regular toasted sesame seed bun, but plenty of options are available upon request (Onion Roll, Baguette, Grilled Rye, and Pumpernickel).
Cheese: 4.5/5
Gobs of options (American, Swiss, Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Provolone, Blue Cheese, and Smoked Gouda).
Sides and Beverages: 4.5/5
We hit on the beverages above and their sides didn't disappoint either. Their homemade onion rings were delicious, but a touch salty.
Uniqueness: 8/10
It was all pretty unique at the Redcoat. Everything from the American-British Colonial feel to the extreme history of serving good burgers, the Redcoat is a must for anyone looking for a good burger and something different. Residing on Woodward doesn't hurt either.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8.25/10
We are going back to the Redcoat at some point soon and we anticipate this rating increasing to a 9. While we enjoyed the "Original Redcoat Special", we were a little overwhelmed with the mayonaise. There was a lot of it and it overpowered the burger. Next time we'll go with the ketchup and mustard. Expect this score to rise in the future.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 33.75/35
Random Shots: Still hungry? Try the Ice Cream Burger.
Redcoat Tavern
Map
Visited on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
To anyone in Michigan's burger world, the Redcoat Tavern is legendary. It's been voted into the top echelon of metro-detroit burgers on countless occasions. In fact, it's even placed first in a few professional publications. The Redcoat has been serving burgers for over 30 years, and it was about time we made a visit.
The Redcoat Tavern sits on Woodward Avenue, and it's technically in Royal Oak, although it's really right on the lines of quite a few cities. It carries an American-British colonial theme that's just unmissable. We went during the Woodward Dream Cruise and it was a busy night. Many would avoid the Redcoat on an evening featuring the very popular Dream Cruise, but we wanted the real Woodward/Redcoat experience.
We waited for about an hour and watched the Dream Cruise. It was a great summer evening and we enjoyed witnessing everything from the Redcoat offering free valet parking, classic cars, a huge party scene across the street, and much more. We were finally seated in a dark booth with big red pads behind our backs. You have to see their booths to really know what we mean. Our eyes first went to the burger area of the menu. In a large box, the Redcoat Tavern lays out their "Original Redcoat Special Hamburger". Why try something else if this is so famous? We both figured, let's just go with what makes this place so special. As for drinks, the Redcoat offers a top-notch beer selection. We were very impressed with everything before even ordering.
After we decided on drinks, we began to really dissect the Redcoat "Original Special Hamburger" from the menu. If you order it the standard way, you'll receive a half-pound of fresh beef, mayonaise, pickle, tomato, lettuce, and cheese, as always, is optional. However, additional choices are endless, at an additional fee. Four additional buns, six cheeses, and tons of sauces and toppings are all available if you choose. It's a massive, impressive list of options. Even the beef has an option, as one looking for a healthy alternative can use their certified piedmontese beef. It's from a breed of cattle that's usually low in fat (less that 2 grams of fat per patty).
Everything came to our table and it was time.
Meat: 4/5
Tasty and cooked to order. No doubt their hand-crafted patties are very fresh.
Bun: 4.5/5
Regular toasted sesame seed bun, but plenty of options are available upon request (Onion Roll, Baguette, Grilled Rye, and Pumpernickel).
Cheese: 4.5/5
Gobs of options (American, Swiss, Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Provolone, Blue Cheese, and Smoked Gouda).
Sides and Beverages: 4.5/5
We hit on the beverages above and their sides didn't disappoint either. Their homemade onion rings were delicious, but a touch salty.
Uniqueness: 8/10
It was all pretty unique at the Redcoat. Everything from the American-British Colonial feel to the extreme history of serving good burgers, the Redcoat is a must for anyone looking for a good burger and something different. Residing on Woodward doesn't hurt either.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8.25/10
We are going back to the Redcoat at some point soon and we anticipate this rating increasing to a 9. While we enjoyed the "Original Redcoat Special", we were a little overwhelmed with the mayonaise. There was a lot of it and it overpowered the burger. Next time we'll go with the ketchup and mustard. Expect this score to rise in the future.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 33.75/35
Random Shots: Still hungry? Try the Ice Cream Burger.
Redcoat Tavern
Map
Michigan House Cafe & Brew Pub - Calumet, MI
Reviewed by Kevin
Visited on Saturday, August 4, 2012
You haven’t been up north until you’ve been to the Keweenaw Peninsula. God’s country is what the locals call it. Many people confuse the northern parts of the Lower Peninsula as up north. Okay, I’ll give you that it’s up north. Anything north of West Branch is a long way from Metro Detroit and it’s up north.
Let me clear things up for everyone...
If you go up north you are in the northern parts of the Lower Peninsula, but if you live up north, everything south of Cheboygan is Detroit. If you go to the great white north, you’ve paid $4 after you crossed the Mackinac Bridge and entered the Upper Peninsula. If you’re in God’s Country, you’re in the Keweenaw.
What brought me here? My best friend’s family is from the Keweenaw area. He and his family took me all over and I saw areas that visitors can only dream of exploring. Even though I did get to see a lot of things that your average tourist won’t, there is one thing many people do in the Keweenaw area, and that’s stop in at the Michigan House.
The Michigan House is riddled with history that dates back to the 1800’s with the rich history of Copper mining. Without getting away from the burger, let me clue you in on a few interesting things (remember that this site is all about the experience).
The Michigan House was home to Bosch Brewing Co. from 1850-1937. The building shows it’s age with Tiffany glass throughout, mosaic floors, and a mural above the bar. It is now home to Red Jacket Brewing Co. and they even brew their own root beer (good).
Need more history to go with your burger? The Gipper hamburger is named after George “The Gipper” Gipp. He is from Laurium and he even worked as a waiter in 1912 at the Michigan House before he left to play football for Notre Dame. So, that leads us to the “Gipper” hamburger.
The Gipper burger is a charbroiled burger covered in deep fried onion tanglers and chipotle sauce. Delicious! No extra’s necessary. My friends ordered regular charbroiled burgers with cheese to help get a well-rounded experience. See how a burger at the Michigan House stacks up.
Meat: 4/5
A tasty charbroiled burger! Certified Angus Beef.
Bun: 3/5
Lightly toasted three grain bun.
Cheese: 2.5/5
I hold Nate and Jess responsible for this one since my burger didn't have cheese.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
Full service bar and the home the Red Jacket Brewing. Lacking a little in the sides dept.
Uniqueness: 8/10
You heard the history, so now plan your visit.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 28.5/40
Random Shots: A true gem of the north. Don't forget to look around the place. The more you look, the more you see.
Michigan House Cafe & Brew Pub
Map
Visited on Saturday, August 4, 2012
You haven’t been up north until you’ve been to the Keweenaw Peninsula. God’s country is what the locals call it. Many people confuse the northern parts of the Lower Peninsula as up north. Okay, I’ll give you that it’s up north. Anything north of West Branch is a long way from Metro Detroit and it’s up north.
Let me clear things up for everyone...
If you go up north you are in the northern parts of the Lower Peninsula, but if you live up north, everything south of Cheboygan is Detroit. If you go to the great white north, you’ve paid $4 after you crossed the Mackinac Bridge and entered the Upper Peninsula. If you’re in God’s Country, you’re in the Keweenaw.
What brought me here? My best friend’s family is from the Keweenaw area. He and his family took me all over and I saw areas that visitors can only dream of exploring. Even though I did get to see a lot of things that your average tourist won’t, there is one thing many people do in the Keweenaw area, and that’s stop in at the Michigan House.
The Michigan House is riddled with history that dates back to the 1800’s with the rich history of Copper mining. Without getting away from the burger, let me clue you in on a few interesting things (remember that this site is all about the experience).
The Michigan House was home to Bosch Brewing Co. from 1850-1937. The building shows it’s age with Tiffany glass throughout, mosaic floors, and a mural above the bar. It is now home to Red Jacket Brewing Co. and they even brew their own root beer (good).
Need more history to go with your burger? The Gipper hamburger is named after George “The Gipper” Gipp. He is from Laurium and he even worked as a waiter in 1912 at the Michigan House before he left to play football for Notre Dame. So, that leads us to the “Gipper” hamburger.
The Gipper burger is a charbroiled burger covered in deep fried onion tanglers and chipotle sauce. Delicious! No extra’s necessary. My friends ordered regular charbroiled burgers with cheese to help get a well-rounded experience. See how a burger at the Michigan House stacks up.
Meat: 4/5
A tasty charbroiled burger! Certified Angus Beef.
Bun: 3/5
Lightly toasted three grain bun.
Cheese: 2.5/5
I hold Nate and Jess responsible for this one since my burger didn't have cheese.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
Full service bar and the home the Red Jacket Brewing. Lacking a little in the sides dept.
Uniqueness: 8/10
You heard the history, so now plan your visit.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 28.5/40
Random Shots: A true gem of the north. Don't forget to look around the place. The more you look, the more you see.
Michigan House Cafe & Brew Pub
Map
Sidetrack Bar and Grill - Ypsilanti, MI
Reviewed by Lucas and Kevin
Visited on Monday, July 16, 2012
This reviewed is dedicated to Dean Ledford, RIP
According to GQ Magazine, Sidetrack is one of the "Twenty hamburgers you must eat before you die. “The closer you come to a college campus, the worse burgers get” and that Sidetrack “is an exception.” The Burger Boys agree, Sidetrack has a great burger.
Sidetrack is located in Ypsilanti, but more specifically in Ypsi's Depot Town. It's just down the road from Eastern Michigan University, Kevin's alma mater. It sits literally right next to the main railroad line from Chicago to Detroit. Hence the name 'Sidetrack'. Its owner, Linda French, has quite the story if you check out the Sidetrack website. She took over ownership in 1980, and since then, it's stayed very steady under her guidance. Believe it or not, Sidetrack has actually served as a restaurant since 1850, under several different names of course. And, if things couldn't get much more unique, Sidetrack also has a Wikipedia page. Now how many burger joints have their own Wikipedia page? From the page, we've learned a lot. A railroad wreck has caused the building's odd shape and there was even a movie shot at Sidetrack. Lots of history in this place.
With an outdoor patio area, Frenchie's connected next door, and the actual main Sidetrack building, one can't go wrong if looking for a their preferred environment, a great burger, and cold beverage. We sat right at the bar due to the Tigers game being on. However, if you want to intensely watch a game, this may not be your spot. See, Sidetrack has not lost touch with the true architecture and decor of their bar to make room for plasma TVs. In fact, only one TV hangs near the bar, and it's off to the side. Instead, behind the bar sits a very large mirror surrounded by an old wooden, masterfully designed, antique frame. We appreciated the fact that Sidetrack wasn't going to compromise their true historic design. The ceiling appears to be the original architecture as well. As we sat, the train went through two times, which added something very unique and neat to our visit.
We began talking to the bartender, and she mentioned that the state of Michigan had just passed Oregon as the state with the most breweries. Interesting fact, and it sure prompted us to order a microbrew. As for the burgers, Kevin ordered their standard burger and Lucas was feeling overly hungry, so he got the double. When browsing the sides, we noticed that they have a nice selection of seasonings for their fries. Cajon, garlic, cinnamon and sugar, and salt and pepper provided some interesting options. Lucas went for the cinnamon and sugar, which wasn't too bad as different as it sounds.
The burgers came and we dove in. The buns were toasted, the meat hand-patted, the juice flowing, and the cheese was covering. We knew we were in for a treat.
Meat: 4.5/5
Sidetrack gets their meat from a local beef farm and market chain, Hillers. One thing we noticed was that the juiciness of this burger basically destroyed the bottom bun. Wow.
Bun: 3/5
Regular toasted sesame seed bun.
Cheese: 4.5/5
Tons of cheese options and it completely covers the meat.
Sides and Beverages: 4.5/5
Their selection of beer is outrageous and their sides are delicious. Their assortment of fry seasonings is a nice touch for both regular and sweet potato fries. Many go to Sidetrack for their deep fried pickles.
Uniqueness: 8/10
Everything from the railroad sidetrack location to Linda French's wild story makes this place awfully unique.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 9/10
What a burger! GQ was right! We knew after one bie that this was easily a top five burger for our site. Everything was very well prepared and they hit the nail on the head in every way.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 33.5/40
Random Shots: We have both ate at Sidetrack Bar and Grill on several occasions and it's one of our overall favorite places. We've even had our company's Christmas parties at Frenchies. If you've never been to Ypsi's Depot Town before, make this your next trip. Also, breaking news in December 2012, Sidetrack is expanding.
Sidetrack Bar and Grill
Map
Visited on Monday, July 16, 2012
This reviewed is dedicated to Dean Ledford, RIP
According to GQ Magazine, Sidetrack is one of the "Twenty hamburgers you must eat before you die. “The closer you come to a college campus, the worse burgers get” and that Sidetrack “is an exception.” The Burger Boys agree, Sidetrack has a great burger.
Sidetrack is located in Ypsilanti, but more specifically in Ypsi's Depot Town. It's just down the road from Eastern Michigan University, Kevin's alma mater. It sits literally right next to the main railroad line from Chicago to Detroit. Hence the name 'Sidetrack'. Its owner, Linda French, has quite the story if you check out the Sidetrack website. She took over ownership in 1980, and since then, it's stayed very steady under her guidance. Believe it or not, Sidetrack has actually served as a restaurant since 1850, under several different names of course. And, if things couldn't get much more unique, Sidetrack also has a Wikipedia page. Now how many burger joints have their own Wikipedia page? From the page, we've learned a lot. A railroad wreck has caused the building's odd shape and there was even a movie shot at Sidetrack. Lots of history in this place.
With an outdoor patio area, Frenchie's connected next door, and the actual main Sidetrack building, one can't go wrong if looking for a their preferred environment, a great burger, and cold beverage. We sat right at the bar due to the Tigers game being on. However, if you want to intensely watch a game, this may not be your spot. See, Sidetrack has not lost touch with the true architecture and decor of their bar to make room for plasma TVs. In fact, only one TV hangs near the bar, and it's off to the side. Instead, behind the bar sits a very large mirror surrounded by an old wooden, masterfully designed, antique frame. We appreciated the fact that Sidetrack wasn't going to compromise their true historic design. The ceiling appears to be the original architecture as well. As we sat, the train went through two times, which added something very unique and neat to our visit.
We began talking to the bartender, and she mentioned that the state of Michigan had just passed Oregon as the state with the most breweries. Interesting fact, and it sure prompted us to order a microbrew. As for the burgers, Kevin ordered their standard burger and Lucas was feeling overly hungry, so he got the double. When browsing the sides, we noticed that they have a nice selection of seasonings for their fries. Cajon, garlic, cinnamon and sugar, and salt and pepper provided some interesting options. Lucas went for the cinnamon and sugar, which wasn't too bad as different as it sounds.
The burgers came and we dove in. The buns were toasted, the meat hand-patted, the juice flowing, and the cheese was covering. We knew we were in for a treat.
Meat: 4.5/5
Sidetrack gets their meat from a local beef farm and market chain, Hillers. One thing we noticed was that the juiciness of this burger basically destroyed the bottom bun. Wow.
Bun: 3/5
Regular toasted sesame seed bun.
Cheese: 4.5/5
Tons of cheese options and it completely covers the meat.
Sides and Beverages: 4.5/5
Their selection of beer is outrageous and their sides are delicious. Their assortment of fry seasonings is a nice touch for both regular and sweet potato fries. Many go to Sidetrack for their deep fried pickles.
Uniqueness: 8/10
Everything from the railroad sidetrack location to Linda French's wild story makes this place awfully unique.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 9/10
What a burger! GQ was right! We knew after one bie that this was easily a top five burger for our site. Everything was very well prepared and they hit the nail on the head in every way.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 33.5/40
Random Shots: We have both ate at Sidetrack Bar and Grill on several occasions and it's one of our overall favorite places. We've even had our company's Christmas parties at Frenchies. If you've never been to Ypsi's Depot Town before, make this your next trip. Also, breaking news in December 2012, Sidetrack is expanding.
Sidetrack Bar and Grill
Map
Clyde's Drive In - St. Ignace, MI
Reviewed by Kevin
Visited on Thursday, July 5, 2012
When I drive back home north bound on I-75 there's a point where I turn a corner and I can once again see the Mackinac Bridge. It's the gateway to the U.P. and the place I call home. Once you cross the bridge and pay your $4, you will find yourself in the laid back town of St. Ignace, or as I like to call it, Swingin' Iggy. You can bet that two things happen when I go home, I pay bridge fare and I go to Clyde's.
It is with great honor and anticipation that I bring to all you burger junkies the Clyde's Drive In review for your burger loving purposes. If you've been here before, you know that it's a must before you buy fudge, eat smoked fish, or pound a pastie.
About a year ago I told my friend Matt to stop here and try the burger as he passed through on the way to the Keweenaw. He now builds a Clyde's burger pit stop into his travels. He even has their phone number (906-643-8303) programed in his phone so he can have his order ready to pick up as soon as he pulls in. Matt always sends me a text while enjoying his Clyde's burger.
When I go here I usually eat in my car or take it back to my Mom's house. Standard formation for this visit. I rarely eat inside. They do have limited seating inside and outside under a fairly new covered deck, but it's usually crowded and I'm lazy. Don't forget to tip your waitress when they bring your order out to your car. It's quite amazing how one girl will manage to wait on the entire drive in area. That's about 10-15 cars on a busy day. Sometimes you will see two gals working.
Once I picked up my sack of hamburgers and sides (see family portrait below), I drove back to my Mom's house to break burger. I ordered a Big "C" (3/4 lb. burger) with double cheese, mustard, ketchup, and pickle. Two smaller burgers accompanied the order, a regular cheeseburger and a Jr. cheeseburger. The order was complemented with a side of fries and pop.
There's nothing finer than opening up a brown paper bag stuffed with hamburgers wrapped in wax paper. The burgers are tasty to say the least. Each bite has a delectable one of a kind taste that you can only find here.
Meat: 3.5/5
Fresh ground beef.
Bun: 3/5
Regular toasted bun that is a perfect fit.
Cheese: 3/5
American cheese. Melts in your mouth. I suggest ordering double cheese when taking on the Big "C" burger.
Sides and Beverages: 2.5/5
Frozen variety. Fries that are undercooked and onion rings. The pop is poor at best. The main attraction here is their shakes or malts. They are really good and fit the meal. I highly recommend that you skip the pop and go for the malt.
Uniqueness: 8/10
It's a drive in with a good burger.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8.5/10
Well, it's hard not to be completely bias because I grew up eating here, but I think I am giving it an honest rating.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 28.5/40
Random Shots: I once ate two, yes two Big "C" burgers in one visit. Also, there are other Clyde's locations, but not all are drive in. You can find a Clyde's in Manistique, Rudyard (not sure if open), and Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Clyde's is closed during the Winter months. Be sure to check their Spring opening time when planning a visit.
Map
Visited on Thursday, July 5, 2012
When I drive back home north bound on I-75 there's a point where I turn a corner and I can once again see the Mackinac Bridge. It's the gateway to the U.P. and the place I call home. Once you cross the bridge and pay your $4, you will find yourself in the laid back town of St. Ignace, or as I like to call it, Swingin' Iggy. You can bet that two things happen when I go home, I pay bridge fare and I go to Clyde's.
It is with great honor and anticipation that I bring to all you burger junkies the Clyde's Drive In review for your burger loving purposes. If you've been here before, you know that it's a must before you buy fudge, eat smoked fish, or pound a pastie.
About a year ago I told my friend Matt to stop here and try the burger as he passed through on the way to the Keweenaw. He now builds a Clyde's burger pit stop into his travels. He even has their phone number (906-643-8303) programed in his phone so he can have his order ready to pick up as soon as he pulls in. Matt always sends me a text while enjoying his Clyde's burger.
When I go here I usually eat in my car or take it back to my Mom's house. Standard formation for this visit. I rarely eat inside. They do have limited seating inside and outside under a fairly new covered deck, but it's usually crowded and I'm lazy. Don't forget to tip your waitress when they bring your order out to your car. It's quite amazing how one girl will manage to wait on the entire drive in area. That's about 10-15 cars on a busy day. Sometimes you will see two gals working.
Once I picked up my sack of hamburgers and sides (see family portrait below), I drove back to my Mom's house to break burger. I ordered a Big "C" (3/4 lb. burger) with double cheese, mustard, ketchup, and pickle. Two smaller burgers accompanied the order, a regular cheeseburger and a Jr. cheeseburger. The order was complemented with a side of fries and pop.
There's nothing finer than opening up a brown paper bag stuffed with hamburgers wrapped in wax paper. The burgers are tasty to say the least. Each bite has a delectable one of a kind taste that you can only find here.
Meat: 3.5/5
Fresh ground beef.
Bun: 3/5
Regular toasted bun that is a perfect fit.
Cheese: 3/5
American cheese. Melts in your mouth. I suggest ordering double cheese when taking on the Big "C" burger.
Sides and Beverages: 2.5/5
Frozen variety. Fries that are undercooked and onion rings. The pop is poor at best. The main attraction here is their shakes or malts. They are really good and fit the meal. I highly recommend that you skip the pop and go for the malt.
Uniqueness: 8/10
It's a drive in with a good burger.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8.5/10
Well, it's hard not to be completely bias because I grew up eating here, but I think I am giving it an honest rating.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 28.5/40
Random Shots: I once ate two, yes two Big "C" burgers in one visit. Also, there are other Clyde's locations, but not all are drive in. You can find a Clyde's in Manistique, Rudyard (not sure if open), and Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Clyde's is closed during the Winter months. Be sure to check their Spring opening time when planning a visit.
Map
Thompson's Bar and Grill - Saline/Clinton, MI
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on Monday, July 2, 2012
In Attendance: Gerbe
Visiting Thompson's was definitely an impromptu visit while heading home from golf at Rustic Glen Golf Club. My buddy and I were a little hungry, so we figured, why not give Thompson's a try? After all, we have all driven by it a thousand times while traveling on US 12.
Thompson's Bar and Grill, located right betwen Saline and Clinton on US 12 is reminicsent of an old roadhouse bar. In fact, in all actuality, it may indeed be an old house. It's a hotspot as thousands drive by during race weekends at MIS. For a very long time, Thompson's was known as The Polar Bear, hence the huge penguin statue still standing outside. Quite frankly, it doesn't have that appeal that one may be looking for, but it's got some interesting characteristics about it. For example, there is a farm literally right behind the place. The bartender said that from about 5pm on, the place smells like poop (only they didn't say "poop"). Appealing, huh?
One rather disgusting part of the trip was a visit to the bathroom. I was greeted by many flies swirling throughout a bathroom that looked like it belonged in the movie Saw. In the restaurant/bar area, I noticed the place didn't have air conditioning or HD TVs. Not a huge deal, but something to note. My buddy and I ordered our burgers, had some cheap beverages, and had a pretty fun time chatting to the bartender.
Meat: 4.5/5
Their meat is never frozen and it's nicely seasoned. This was the highlight of the experience.
Bun: 3/5
Nothing too special, but it was toasted and the right size.
Cheese: 3/5
No real selection, but a good amount of American cheese was used.
Sides and Beverages: 3/5
Typical bar.
Uniqueness: 0/10
It's places like this where you sometimes struggle to score the uniqueness category. Is a place like this a zero or a five? We've had the same problem scoring The Village Tap and The Red Rooster in this category. In Thompson's case, I've got to heavily lean towards a zero. They have pool tables, Keno, etc., but the actual environment doesn't scream 'unique'. It screams 'an enjoyable dive bar'.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 6.25/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 20.25/40
Thompsons Bar and Grill - Saline, MI - Yelp
Map
Visited on Monday, July 2, 2012
In Attendance: Gerbe
Visiting Thompson's was definitely an impromptu visit while heading home from golf at Rustic Glen Golf Club. My buddy and I were a little hungry, so we figured, why not give Thompson's a try? After all, we have all driven by it a thousand times while traveling on US 12.
Thompson's Bar and Grill, located right betwen Saline and Clinton on US 12 is reminicsent of an old roadhouse bar. In fact, in all actuality, it may indeed be an old house. It's a hotspot as thousands drive by during race weekends at MIS. For a very long time, Thompson's was known as The Polar Bear, hence the huge penguin statue still standing outside. Quite frankly, it doesn't have that appeal that one may be looking for, but it's got some interesting characteristics about it. For example, there is a farm literally right behind the place. The bartender said that from about 5pm on, the place smells like poop (only they didn't say "poop"). Appealing, huh?
One rather disgusting part of the trip was a visit to the bathroom. I was greeted by many flies swirling throughout a bathroom that looked like it belonged in the movie Saw. In the restaurant/bar area, I noticed the place didn't have air conditioning or HD TVs. Not a huge deal, but something to note. My buddy and I ordered our burgers, had some cheap beverages, and had a pretty fun time chatting to the bartender.
Meat: 4.5/5
Their meat is never frozen and it's nicely seasoned. This was the highlight of the experience.
Bun: 3/5
Nothing too special, but it was toasted and the right size.
Cheese: 3/5
No real selection, but a good amount of American cheese was used.
Sides and Beverages: 3/5
Typical bar.
Uniqueness: 0/10
It's places like this where you sometimes struggle to score the uniqueness category. Is a place like this a zero or a five? We've had the same problem scoring The Village Tap and The Red Rooster in this category. In Thompson's case, I've got to heavily lean towards a zero. They have pool tables, Keno, etc., but the actual environment doesn't scream 'unique'. It screams 'an enjoyable dive bar'.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 6.25/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 20.25/40
Thompsons Bar and Grill - Saline, MI - Yelp
Map
Roy's BBQ and Burgers - Milan, MI
Reviewed by Lucas and Kevin
Visited on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
(many return visits)
It's always a good sign when you can smell the place while walking from the car to the front door.
Our official review on June 13, 2012 was our second actual visit to Roy's in Milan. The previous visit was about 2 years ago, before the formation of michiganburgerboys.com, on a recommendation to try a burger and their mozzarella sticks. Let's just say we missed all the important details back then.
Roy's is a unique burger joint from it's restaurant dimensions (14' wide by 100' long) to it's featured Bubba Burger and restaurant history.
The burger boys had the opportunity to have their burger cooked by Dave, the owner and avid racing fan. While they sat up front talking with Dave at Kevin's arm length away from the grill, they learned all about Roy's (check the blog for the history end).
Both Kevin and Lucas ordered the Big Bubba Burger. Yes, it's a gimmick burger, but man is it good. When they ordered the 1lb. burger, they had no idea how big it really is. Here's the process as seen first hand by the Burger Boys:
The fresh ground beef patty is hand formed (no metal ring here) and placed onto the grill. Diced onions are placed on the top and then the patty is flipped with the onions grilling on the bottom. Soon slices of Texas Toast appeared with a coating of butter to get the most out of a flavorful toasting. Once the meat is ready, the building begins. With the meat still on the grill, 2 slices of cheese are placed on top and the first slice of toast caps it off. No, not nearly done yet. On top of that, mayo, lettuce, tomato and repeat. After turning away for a second, Lucas and Kevin found themselves staring at a tower of a hamburger. See for yourself below.
With a burger like this, you have to make a decision on how to eat it. You can go one of two ways. Carefully eat it with a fork like Lucas, or be a man and eat it with your hands like Kevin.
Make no mistake, we've been to Roy's on several occasions, and on most visits, we'll get their standard 1/2 pound burger. Any burger you try is beyond tasty and juicy. There is much to like about this burger and the experience you get while eating it. It's easy to get a filling meal here.
Meat: 4.5/5
On site freshly ground beef and it's delightfully seasoned.
Bun: 5/5
Sesame / Texas Toast (Big Bubba)
Cheese: 3/5
No selection, but plenty of it!
Sides and Beverages: 3/5
Wide range of frozen sides in the fryer. Good. Fountain pop.
Uniqueness: 9/5
The history, building, and the Big Bubba.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 9.25/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 33.75/40
Random Shots: Very important - you must sit at the counter! And, look around while you are dinning. The more you look, the more you will find. Chances are that the Speed Channel will be on and the locals will add their opinions on how you should eat your burger. Ladies and gentlemen, this is an outstanding burger joint, and it's very doubtful that it leaves our Top 5 anytime soon. When Lucas went back to Roy's on Friday, March 19, 2013, he left saying it was the best burger he's ever had. No joke.
Roy's BBQ and Burgers
Map
Visited on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
(many return visits)
It's always a good sign when you can smell the place while walking from the car to the front door.
Our official review on June 13, 2012 was our second actual visit to Roy's in Milan. The previous visit was about 2 years ago, before the formation of michiganburgerboys.com, on a recommendation to try a burger and their mozzarella sticks. Let's just say we missed all the important details back then.
Roy's is a unique burger joint from it's restaurant dimensions (14' wide by 100' long) to it's featured Bubba Burger and restaurant history.
The burger boys had the opportunity to have their burger cooked by Dave, the owner and avid racing fan. While they sat up front talking with Dave at Kevin's arm length away from the grill, they learned all about Roy's (check the blog for the history end).
Both Kevin and Lucas ordered the Big Bubba Burger. Yes, it's a gimmick burger, but man is it good. When they ordered the 1lb. burger, they had no idea how big it really is. Here's the process as seen first hand by the Burger Boys:
The fresh ground beef patty is hand formed (no metal ring here) and placed onto the grill. Diced onions are placed on the top and then the patty is flipped with the onions grilling on the bottom. Soon slices of Texas Toast appeared with a coating of butter to get the most out of a flavorful toasting. Once the meat is ready, the building begins. With the meat still on the grill, 2 slices of cheese are placed on top and the first slice of toast caps it off. No, not nearly done yet. On top of that, mayo, lettuce, tomato and repeat. After turning away for a second, Lucas and Kevin found themselves staring at a tower of a hamburger. See for yourself below.
With a burger like this, you have to make a decision on how to eat it. You can go one of two ways. Carefully eat it with a fork like Lucas, or be a man and eat it with your hands like Kevin.
Make no mistake, we've been to Roy's on several occasions, and on most visits, we'll get their standard 1/2 pound burger. Any burger you try is beyond tasty and juicy. There is much to like about this burger and the experience you get while eating it. It's easy to get a filling meal here.
Meat: 4.5/5
On site freshly ground beef and it's delightfully seasoned.
Bun: 5/5
Sesame / Texas Toast (Big Bubba)
Cheese: 3/5
No selection, but plenty of it!
Sides and Beverages: 3/5
Wide range of frozen sides in the fryer. Good. Fountain pop.
Uniqueness: 9/5
The history, building, and the Big Bubba.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 9.25/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 33.75/40
Random Shots: Very important - you must sit at the counter! And, look around while you are dinning. The more you look, the more you will find. Chances are that the Speed Channel will be on and the locals will add their opinions on how you should eat your burger. Ladies and gentlemen, this is an outstanding burger joint, and it's very doubtful that it leaves our Top 5 anytime soon. When Lucas went back to Roy's on Friday, March 19, 2013, he left saying it was the best burger he's ever had. No joke.
Roy's BBQ and Burgers
Map
The Red Rooster - Willis, MI
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Well, this was just one of those reviews where you couldn't stop taking notes. There's just too much going on around you to not get everything happening down on paper. The Red Rooster is located at the corner of Willis Road and Rawsonville Road, in Belleville, MI. The town of Willis must be really, really, really small, because I have no idea how this place sneaks into having a Belleville mailing address. It you travel to "The Rooster" heading east, through the town of Willis, you'll know what I mean. This a very unique place. When you're in there to eat, the food definitely takes a back seat to the environment.
This wasn't my first stop at The Red Rooster. I've been in there on two other occassions. The first was a random stop for a few drinks, and the second was to try their top-billed pizza on their half-off pizza night (Mondays). This is my kind of scene, or I wouldn't keep going back. The customers add much livlihood to the whole experience.
I'll save my stories from the first two visits and stick to my review night. My burger night started by watching one of the customers head toward the jukebox. The song of choice? The theme song from WWE's Monday Night Raw. Next, I begin hearing tons and tons of swearing coming from the table next to me. I think there were even a few words I'd never heard before. That continued throughout my entire visit. Once again though, this is my scene and I'm definitely not knocking them for the first two minutes of Red Rooster action.
One thing worth mentioning about The Red Rooster is that their delivery service will pick things up for you at the small grocery store nearby on the way to your house. Need a can of WD40? How about some plastic forks for your picnic? They'll bring 'em to you along with your order. Another thing noticed from the menu is that they state, right on the cover, that if you feel like you need some assistance getting home due to alcohol consumption, they'll help you out. I wonder how many people take them up on that? Finally, don't think about checking the scene outside or using your phone, because The Red Rooster doesn't have windows or cell service.
Ok, onto the burger. I ordered it medium-well with steak fries. I was also treated to a helping of cole slaw, and no over-exaggeration, it was gone in three bites. I wouldnt' exactly call that sized helping a "side". Looking at the burger, I noticed two immediate things: a perfectly round patty, made by a metal or plastic ring, and shredded lettuce. After about one bite deep, I had an enjoyable conversation with the cook and he seemed to have a handle on things. He did state that burgers are not what The Red Rooster is known for, but heck, this place has such a unique vibe, it was just too tough not to try it. So, let's review the thing.
Meat: 2.5/5
Angus beef and it's never frozen. A ring was used for that perfect circle, but unfortunately we don't prefer patties that aren't hand-crafted. It was a touch over-cooked and didn't have a ton of flavor. Props for never freezing the beef though.
Bun: 4/5
Definitely not a top of the line bun, but it sure was the right size. It allowed me to taste the burger.
Cheese: 1/5
I was not offered any choices. It appers you're stuck with an American Single.
Sides and Beverages: 3/5
Steak or shoestring fries, tiny cole slaw helpings, and you're typical bar line of drinks. Cheap pints every day though ($1.70).
Uniqueness: 7/10
Whether they're trying to be unique or not, it sure is happening. And, I'm not even mentioning my other two visits and the events that transpired then. Read the Random Shots below for more Red Rooster environment examples.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 5/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 22.5/40
Random Shots: What was my final image before leaving? A woman kissed two different guys on the lips, both sitting at her table.
Hit The Red Rooster any night of the week for many outstanding specials. Beyond Half-Off Pizza Night on Mondays, make sure to check out their Taco Tuesdays, Sphagetti Wednesdays, or even Angus Saturdays. I don't know when The Red Rooster is hosting their next party, but when they do, get ready. They have a small dance/stage area that has enough lighting above it to provide enough brightness for a night game at Comerica Park. That scene must be unreal when they have that all up and running.
The Red Rooster
The Red Rooster - Yelp
Map
Visited on Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Well, this was just one of those reviews where you couldn't stop taking notes. There's just too much going on around you to not get everything happening down on paper. The Red Rooster is located at the corner of Willis Road and Rawsonville Road, in Belleville, MI. The town of Willis must be really, really, really small, because I have no idea how this place sneaks into having a Belleville mailing address. It you travel to "The Rooster" heading east, through the town of Willis, you'll know what I mean. This a very unique place. When you're in there to eat, the food definitely takes a back seat to the environment.
This wasn't my first stop at The Red Rooster. I've been in there on two other occassions. The first was a random stop for a few drinks, and the second was to try their top-billed pizza on their half-off pizza night (Mondays). This is my kind of scene, or I wouldn't keep going back. The customers add much livlihood to the whole experience.
I'll save my stories from the first two visits and stick to my review night. My burger night started by watching one of the customers head toward the jukebox. The song of choice? The theme song from WWE's Monday Night Raw. Next, I begin hearing tons and tons of swearing coming from the table next to me. I think there were even a few words I'd never heard before. That continued throughout my entire visit. Once again though, this is my scene and I'm definitely not knocking them for the first two minutes of Red Rooster action.
One thing worth mentioning about The Red Rooster is that their delivery service will pick things up for you at the small grocery store nearby on the way to your house. Need a can of WD40? How about some plastic forks for your picnic? They'll bring 'em to you along with your order. Another thing noticed from the menu is that they state, right on the cover, that if you feel like you need some assistance getting home due to alcohol consumption, they'll help you out. I wonder how many people take them up on that? Finally, don't think about checking the scene outside or using your phone, because The Red Rooster doesn't have windows or cell service.
Ok, onto the burger. I ordered it medium-well with steak fries. I was also treated to a helping of cole slaw, and no over-exaggeration, it was gone in three bites. I wouldnt' exactly call that sized helping a "side". Looking at the burger, I noticed two immediate things: a perfectly round patty, made by a metal or plastic ring, and shredded lettuce. After about one bite deep, I had an enjoyable conversation with the cook and he seemed to have a handle on things. He did state that burgers are not what The Red Rooster is known for, but heck, this place has such a unique vibe, it was just too tough not to try it. So, let's review the thing.
Meat: 2.5/5
Angus beef and it's never frozen. A ring was used for that perfect circle, but unfortunately we don't prefer patties that aren't hand-crafted. It was a touch over-cooked and didn't have a ton of flavor. Props for never freezing the beef though.
Bun: 4/5
Definitely not a top of the line bun, but it sure was the right size. It allowed me to taste the burger.
Cheese: 1/5
I was not offered any choices. It appers you're stuck with an American Single.
Sides and Beverages: 3/5
Steak or shoestring fries, tiny cole slaw helpings, and you're typical bar line of drinks. Cheap pints every day though ($1.70).
Uniqueness: 7/10
Whether they're trying to be unique or not, it sure is happening. And, I'm not even mentioning my other two visits and the events that transpired then. Read the Random Shots below for more Red Rooster environment examples.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 5/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 22.5/40
Random Shots: What was my final image before leaving? A woman kissed two different guys on the lips, both sitting at her table.
Hit The Red Rooster any night of the week for many outstanding specials. Beyond Half-Off Pizza Night on Mondays, make sure to check out their Taco Tuesdays, Sphagetti Wednesdays, or even Angus Saturdays. I don't know when The Red Rooster is hosting their next party, but when they do, get ready. They have a small dance/stage area that has enough lighting above it to provide enough brightness for a night game at Comerica Park. That scene must be unreal when they have that all up and running.
The Red Rooster
The Red Rooster - Yelp
Map
Johnny's on the Lake - Belleville, MI
Reviewed by Lucas and Kevin
Visited on Friday, April 20, 2012
Let's begin by getting to the meat of this one. Johnny's offers a "famous" charbroiled hamburger. Truly, what is charbroil anyway? Charbroil means that your food is grilled over a charcoal fire. A certain self proclaimed King makes this claim, but Johnny's truly is cooked this way. A charbroiled burger isn't for everyone, but it demands respect. It's good, especially if you like a higher level of carcinogens on your burger.
The overall experience was a good one. Johnny's resides on Belleville Lake and it's a terrific view for anytime of the year. One can only imagine that the summer scene is one to check out. They have boat slips that are right in front of the restaurant. Inside, there are televisions in every corner (for you to witness the Red Wings early exit from the '12 playoffs) and the lights surge from time to time.
Service was average at best and the atmosphere is for the 40 and up club. It was an entertaining night with a 20 something D.J. that played music that our parents would listen to. We even met a a couple on their first date after meeting on Plenty of Fish. Back to the burger...
Lucas and Kevin both ordered Johnny's "famous" burger, which consists of a 1/2 lb. pre-made fresh, never frozen, ground beef patty. The shape killed it. It makes you think of the handy tool that many people use at home to make hamburger patty's (check out the blog for more). Because it was pre-made, it carried a uniform shape and the burger didn't meet it's full potential.
Speaking seriously now, this charbroiled burger is tasty and will help you meet your quest in life to be a true American. So, if you like hamburgers that have a charbroiled taste, pay Johnny's a visit.
Meat: 3.5/5
A nice, tasty charbroiled burger.
Bun: 3/5
Nothing to brag about here. Typical toasted bun that is a little on the big side.
Cheese: 3.5/5
Typical cheese. They do give you two slices!
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
Typical bar. Your meal comes with bread (good) and cole slaw (delicious and made us think of Bill Knapp's).
Uniqueness: 7/5
One might say that it's a typical bar, but it's in Belleville and it's on the lake. If you want a true Belleville experience, visit this place. It has a very high customer comfort level and is a great place to meet with people you find online.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 28/40
Random Shots: Make sure you check out the fountain as you walk into the pseudo entrance.
Johny's on the Lake
Map
Visited on Friday, April 20, 2012
Let's begin by getting to the meat of this one. Johnny's offers a "famous" charbroiled hamburger. Truly, what is charbroil anyway? Charbroil means that your food is grilled over a charcoal fire. A certain self proclaimed King makes this claim, but Johnny's truly is cooked this way. A charbroiled burger isn't for everyone, but it demands respect. It's good, especially if you like a higher level of carcinogens on your burger.
The overall experience was a good one. Johnny's resides on Belleville Lake and it's a terrific view for anytime of the year. One can only imagine that the summer scene is one to check out. They have boat slips that are right in front of the restaurant. Inside, there are televisions in every corner (for you to witness the Red Wings early exit from the '12 playoffs) and the lights surge from time to time.
Service was average at best and the atmosphere is for the 40 and up club. It was an entertaining night with a 20 something D.J. that played music that our parents would listen to. We even met a a couple on their first date after meeting on Plenty of Fish. Back to the burger...
Lucas and Kevin both ordered Johnny's "famous" burger, which consists of a 1/2 lb. pre-made fresh, never frozen, ground beef patty. The shape killed it. It makes you think of the handy tool that many people use at home to make hamburger patty's (check out the blog for more). Because it was pre-made, it carried a uniform shape and the burger didn't meet it's full potential.
Speaking seriously now, this charbroiled burger is tasty and will help you meet your quest in life to be a true American. So, if you like hamburgers that have a charbroiled taste, pay Johnny's a visit.
Meat: 3.5/5
A nice, tasty charbroiled burger.
Bun: 3/5
Nothing to brag about here. Typical toasted bun that is a little on the big side.
Cheese: 3.5/5
Typical cheese. They do give you two slices!
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
Typical bar. Your meal comes with bread (good) and cole slaw (delicious and made us think of Bill Knapp's).
Uniqueness: 7/5
One might say that it's a typical bar, but it's in Belleville and it's on the lake. If you want a true Belleville experience, visit this place. It has a very high customer comfort level and is a great place to meet with people you find online.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7/10
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 28/40
Random Shots: Make sure you check out the fountain as you walk into the pseudo entrance.
Johny's on the Lake
Map
The Blue Gator - Mount Pleasant, MI
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on Friday, April 13, 2012
In Attendance: The Money
A cajun sports bar. Central Michigan University club atmosphere on Thursday nights. Rubber looking burgers. Talk about a place with a huge identity crisis.
While attending CMU, I used to go to what was once called "The Pub" on quite a few occasions. I've even got some really good stories from a few interesting nights there. When I was at CMU, this place was the furthest thing from a burger joint. However, a few years ago, new management took over and they decided to turn it into The Blue Gator. This place has to be the only cajan sports bar with a club-like atmosphere on Thursdays in the country. Cajun sports bar? Dance club? Burgers? Huh?
Let me be blunt - this burger wasn't good. I knew it wasn't going to be a good situation when the guy sitting next to me at the bar said to order the burger one temperature higher than what I really wanted. So, if I wanted it 'medium well', order it 'well'. He seemed to frequent the place often, and he said every single time he's ordered a burger it's been undercooked. He wasn't wrong.
When my 1/2 pound burger came out, it looked like a big solid piece of rubber. It just looked wrong. GFS makes better looking frozen patties than this. Let's just slap this thing silly already.
Meat: 1/5
I've never seen something look this gross before. As said above, it was way undercooked. I'll give it a 1 because at least there was something in-between the buns.
Bun: 2.5/5
Typical bun and it was toasted.
Cheese: 3/5
There was a decent amount of cheese, but it's tough to taste it through the tire-like taste of the meat.
Sides and Beverages: 2/5
You should never bring your camera along when returning to your alma mater. However, I sure wish I had one to take a picture of the tiny amount of waffle fries that was given alongside the burger. It was honestly laughable. I think I truly received five waffle fries. As far as drinks go, it's a bar, so you know the deal.
Uniqueness: 4/10
This one is kind of tough due to the identity crisis that the Blue Gator is going through. Heck, if you want to go clubbing, the Gator has it. If you want some cajun cookin', the Gator has it. If you want to watch a game, the Gator is a supposedly a sports bar. Overall, it's a mess if you ask me.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 4/10
I really wish I wouldn't have stumbled into this one. Wanting to bar-hop downtown drew us on for some food before the hopping began. Next time I'm in Mount Pleasant, Freddies' will be the stop.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 16.5/40
Random Shots: Fire Up Chips!
The Blue Gator
Map
No picture available (never bring your camera on a return trip to your alma mater)
Visited on Friday, April 13, 2012
In Attendance: The Money
A cajun sports bar. Central Michigan University club atmosphere on Thursday nights. Rubber looking burgers. Talk about a place with a huge identity crisis.
While attending CMU, I used to go to what was once called "The Pub" on quite a few occasions. I've even got some really good stories from a few interesting nights there. When I was at CMU, this place was the furthest thing from a burger joint. However, a few years ago, new management took over and they decided to turn it into The Blue Gator. This place has to be the only cajan sports bar with a club-like atmosphere on Thursdays in the country. Cajun sports bar? Dance club? Burgers? Huh?
Let me be blunt - this burger wasn't good. I knew it wasn't going to be a good situation when the guy sitting next to me at the bar said to order the burger one temperature higher than what I really wanted. So, if I wanted it 'medium well', order it 'well'. He seemed to frequent the place often, and he said every single time he's ordered a burger it's been undercooked. He wasn't wrong.
When my 1/2 pound burger came out, it looked like a big solid piece of rubber. It just looked wrong. GFS makes better looking frozen patties than this. Let's just slap this thing silly already.
Meat: 1/5
I've never seen something look this gross before. As said above, it was way undercooked. I'll give it a 1 because at least there was something in-between the buns.
Bun: 2.5/5
Typical bun and it was toasted.
Cheese: 3/5
There was a decent amount of cheese, but it's tough to taste it through the tire-like taste of the meat.
Sides and Beverages: 2/5
You should never bring your camera along when returning to your alma mater. However, I sure wish I had one to take a picture of the tiny amount of waffle fries that was given alongside the burger. It was honestly laughable. I think I truly received five waffle fries. As far as drinks go, it's a bar, so you know the deal.
Uniqueness: 4/10
This one is kind of tough due to the identity crisis that the Blue Gator is going through. Heck, if you want to go clubbing, the Gator has it. If you want some cajun cookin', the Gator has it. If you want to watch a game, the Gator is a supposedly a sports bar. Overall, it's a mess if you ask me.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 4/10
I really wish I wouldn't have stumbled into this one. Wanting to bar-hop downtown drew us on for some food before the hopping began. Next time I'm in Mount Pleasant, Freddies' will be the stop.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 16.5/40
Random Shots: Fire Up Chips!
The Blue Gator
Map
No picture available (never bring your camera on a return trip to your alma mater)
The Village Tap - Manchester, MI
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on Saturday, April 7, 2012
In Attendance: Jackson Burger Boy and Kathy
At around 7:30pm, which was about an hour into my visit, a fight nearly broke out and one messed up individual was tossed out of the bar. Slurred cuss words roared while the owner took away beer from the gentleman's table. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Manchester. Welcome to The Village Tap.
I've got to say, right away, that a fight nearly breaking out during a burger review was definitely a Burger Boys first. The Village Tap is located in downtown Manchester on the corner of Austin Road and M52. It's Manchester's watering hole, which is definitely the kind of place where a burger review should happen.
When you walk into "The Tap", you'll notice a just a few tables and a very long bar. I sat at the bar and watched a little of the Tigers game in standard definition while taking in this Upper Peninsula style atmosphere. That's right - if you are looking for that Up North feel, hit The Tap and you won't be disappointed. I mean all of this in a good way. Within the first few seconds, I spotted some senior citizens, a drunk shouting at the Tigers game, someone wearing a Manchester Men's Club sweatshirt, bumper stickers galore with vulgar language all over them, and a card game in progress. The Tap probably isn't the first place I'd choose to watch a game, but they do have two standard definition televisions for your viewing pleasure. Sitting right next to one of them is a flashlight. If you are looking to play darts, you'll have to shoot over their piles of empty glass bottles. In the bathrooms, mop buckets sit right next to the toilets. At one point, one of the locals brought in food in a Tupperware container for the owner. On one wall is a huge, and I mean huge, mounted fish. Feel like you are Up North yet?
The kitchen is completely visible, but it's shocking how small it is. The burger comes with a standard 1/4 pound patty, so I ordered a double. When it came, it was big and it looked very good. However, before I bit into it, I got sucked in by the Steel Panther limo ride party poster. Heck, for $55, this concert seemed like a good time (by the way, Steel Panther is worth a Google search).
Finally, after all of that, it's time to eat my double cheeseburger.
Meat: 4/5
The guy that created my patty of beef was about five feet from me. I saw the burger being created. Ordered medium-well, the owner/cook grilled it spot on. It was tasty, juicy, and there really wasn't anything to complain about.
Bun: 2.5/5
Typical bun and not toasted. Not that I can blame the guy for not toasting it with fights to break up, Steel Panther limo-trips to coordinate, etc.
Cheese: 4/5
I honestly can't remember if I was offered choices for cheese, but I know I received your typical Velveeta. However, tons of cheese was perfectly melted on this double cheeseburger. You had no choice but to taste lots of cheese with every bite.
Sides and Beverages: 3/5
Typical bar with your typical line of sides and beverages. Nothing to brag about. I had the fries and they were "ok".
Uniqueness: 9/10
At first, I honestly didn't know whether to give The Tap a 0 or 5 for Uniqueness. My intial thought was to split it in half, and go with a 2.5. I mean, it's obvious that The Tap has spent zero time doing anything that would make this bar unique. However, on the flip side, the oddities mentioned above make The Tap very unique, if you know what I mean. Where else can you find all of the above? You can't make this stuff up. So, it's a perfect 5 for Uniqueness.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7.5/10
This was a very good original burger. The supposed 1/4lb. patties had to add up to more than 1/2lb. It was huge. The cheese was everywhere. It was a dandy.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 30/40
Random Shots: Does anyone know where to get a Manchester Men's Club sweatshirt? When in town, take note of Manchester's other bar, the Black Sheep Tavern, which is about a two-minute walk west of The Tap. The Black Sheep Tavern is an odd joint too and their burger has been added to our A-Z Burger Index. It would take way too long to explain what's going on in the Black Sheep. Finally, when I left Manchester, I drove home as fast as possible. The whole night reminded me to a trip that I took one time to The Red Rooster in Willis, MI, when we thought a guy may be hiding on the bottom of our car. It's always fun to find places where time seems to stand still.
The Village Tap
Map (we would provide this, but it Google Maps doesn't even acknowledge its' existence)
Visited on Saturday, April 7, 2012
In Attendance: Jackson Burger Boy and Kathy
At around 7:30pm, which was about an hour into my visit, a fight nearly broke out and one messed up individual was tossed out of the bar. Slurred cuss words roared while the owner took away beer from the gentleman's table. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Manchester. Welcome to The Village Tap.
I've got to say, right away, that a fight nearly breaking out during a burger review was definitely a Burger Boys first. The Village Tap is located in downtown Manchester on the corner of Austin Road and M52. It's Manchester's watering hole, which is definitely the kind of place where a burger review should happen.
When you walk into "The Tap", you'll notice a just a few tables and a very long bar. I sat at the bar and watched a little of the Tigers game in standard definition while taking in this Upper Peninsula style atmosphere. That's right - if you are looking for that Up North feel, hit The Tap and you won't be disappointed. I mean all of this in a good way. Within the first few seconds, I spotted some senior citizens, a drunk shouting at the Tigers game, someone wearing a Manchester Men's Club sweatshirt, bumper stickers galore with vulgar language all over them, and a card game in progress. The Tap probably isn't the first place I'd choose to watch a game, but they do have two standard definition televisions for your viewing pleasure. Sitting right next to one of them is a flashlight. If you are looking to play darts, you'll have to shoot over their piles of empty glass bottles. In the bathrooms, mop buckets sit right next to the toilets. At one point, one of the locals brought in food in a Tupperware container for the owner. On one wall is a huge, and I mean huge, mounted fish. Feel like you are Up North yet?
The kitchen is completely visible, but it's shocking how small it is. The burger comes with a standard 1/4 pound patty, so I ordered a double. When it came, it was big and it looked very good. However, before I bit into it, I got sucked in by the Steel Panther limo ride party poster. Heck, for $55, this concert seemed like a good time (by the way, Steel Panther is worth a Google search).
Finally, after all of that, it's time to eat my double cheeseburger.
Meat: 4/5
The guy that created my patty of beef was about five feet from me. I saw the burger being created. Ordered medium-well, the owner/cook grilled it spot on. It was tasty, juicy, and there really wasn't anything to complain about.
Bun: 2.5/5
Typical bun and not toasted. Not that I can blame the guy for not toasting it with fights to break up, Steel Panther limo-trips to coordinate, etc.
Cheese: 4/5
I honestly can't remember if I was offered choices for cheese, but I know I received your typical Velveeta. However, tons of cheese was perfectly melted on this double cheeseburger. You had no choice but to taste lots of cheese with every bite.
Sides and Beverages: 3/5
Typical bar with your typical line of sides and beverages. Nothing to brag about. I had the fries and they were "ok".
Uniqueness: 9/10
At first, I honestly didn't know whether to give The Tap a 0 or 5 for Uniqueness. My intial thought was to split it in half, and go with a 2.5. I mean, it's obvious that The Tap has spent zero time doing anything that would make this bar unique. However, on the flip side, the oddities mentioned above make The Tap very unique, if you know what I mean. Where else can you find all of the above? You can't make this stuff up. So, it's a perfect 5 for Uniqueness.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7.5/10
This was a very good original burger. The supposed 1/4lb. patties had to add up to more than 1/2lb. It was huge. The cheese was everywhere. It was a dandy.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 30/40
Random Shots: Does anyone know where to get a Manchester Men's Club sweatshirt? When in town, take note of Manchester's other bar, the Black Sheep Tavern, which is about a two-minute walk west of The Tap. The Black Sheep Tavern is an odd joint too and their burger has been added to our A-Z Burger Index. It would take way too long to explain what's going on in the Black Sheep. Finally, when I left Manchester, I drove home as fast as possible. The whole night reminded me to a trip that I took one time to The Red Rooster in Willis, MI, when we thought a guy may be hiding on the bottom of our car. It's always fun to find places where time seems to stand still.
The Village Tap
Map (we would provide this, but it Google Maps doesn't even acknowledge its' existence)
Arctic Breakaway - Chelsea, MI
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited on Thursday, March 29, 2012
In Attendance: The Foster/Burnett Family
The Arctic Breakaway is one of the better sports bars in the Ann Arbor area. If you're a hockey fan, or like being around the rink, you're probably one of the few that know it exists.
Located on the top floor of the Arctic Coliseum in Chelsea, the Arctic Breakaway is a great place to grab a burger, a brew, and a hockey game. The bar/restaurant is very modern looking and overlooks the two ice hockey rinks that sit below, which are primarily for some area high school hockey teams and plenty of youth organizations. Counters with bar stools are arranged right next to the long panes of glass. You can order your food and drinks and sit right there and watch the action below. The bar area is very unique. If you were to sit there, you'd see changing glowing colors behind glass that is made to resemble ice. Then, behind the bar, is a glassed-off area for the kitchen. It resembles an ice hockey penalty box.
All Breakaway burgers come as a standard 1/2 pound, which is great. They have quite a few different style burgers to choose from, and right on their menu they claim to have "one of the best burgers around". I ordered their standard Breakaway Burger with cheddar cheese. They threw on some lettuce, pickles, ketchup, and mustard. Fries came with the package.
Delicious! I must say, this was darn good. Some burgers actually taste grilled - you know, that pure grilled flavor. This had that taste. I knew after a few bites that this was a solid burger and very recommendable.
Meat: 4.5/5
The taste was right on. As mentioned above, that pure grilled taste doesn't hit too often. The 1/2 pound patty was obviously a nice size and it was cooked exactly how I ordered it.
Bun: 3.5/5
Only one bun option, but it was nicely prepared. It appeared that the bun was lightly buttered before toasting. The bread itself was definitely an upgrade from your standard style. You probably wouldn't be able to find the buns they use at your local grocery store.
Cheese: 3.5/5
All of the normal options.
Sides and Beverages: 3.5/5
They have three kinds of fries to choose from, and you can turn any of those into chili cheese fries. The standard fries that I had were nothing to write home about. As far as the drinks go, it's a bar, so all of the normal options are available.
Uniqueness: 7/10
If you love hockey, or just being around the rink, the Arctic Breakaway would be a nice spot for you. They've done a nice job with the rink views and the bar area. Plenty of TVs are around to watch your favorite game.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7.5/10
This was a very good burger. It's been mentioned two times already, but the grilled taste is memorable.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 29.5/40
Random Shots: This place is loaded with stuff to do. A huge arcade sits right near the front doors, and on the night I was there, they had open skate for $3. They even have drop-in hockey. And, I'm sure that any parent that has a kid that plays hockey wants them to play at the Arctic Coliseum so they can hit the Breakaway during practices and games! I saw plenty of people, including those with me, order pizza, and all seemed to enjoy.
The Arctic Breakaway
Map
Visited on Thursday, March 29, 2012
In Attendance: The Foster/Burnett Family
The Arctic Breakaway is one of the better sports bars in the Ann Arbor area. If you're a hockey fan, or like being around the rink, you're probably one of the few that know it exists.
Located on the top floor of the Arctic Coliseum in Chelsea, the Arctic Breakaway is a great place to grab a burger, a brew, and a hockey game. The bar/restaurant is very modern looking and overlooks the two ice hockey rinks that sit below, which are primarily for some area high school hockey teams and plenty of youth organizations. Counters with bar stools are arranged right next to the long panes of glass. You can order your food and drinks and sit right there and watch the action below. The bar area is very unique. If you were to sit there, you'd see changing glowing colors behind glass that is made to resemble ice. Then, behind the bar, is a glassed-off area for the kitchen. It resembles an ice hockey penalty box.
All Breakaway burgers come as a standard 1/2 pound, which is great. They have quite a few different style burgers to choose from, and right on their menu they claim to have "one of the best burgers around". I ordered their standard Breakaway Burger with cheddar cheese. They threw on some lettuce, pickles, ketchup, and mustard. Fries came with the package.
Delicious! I must say, this was darn good. Some burgers actually taste grilled - you know, that pure grilled flavor. This had that taste. I knew after a few bites that this was a solid burger and very recommendable.
Meat: 4.5/5
The taste was right on. As mentioned above, that pure grilled taste doesn't hit too often. The 1/2 pound patty was obviously a nice size and it was cooked exactly how I ordered it.
Bun: 3.5/5
Only one bun option, but it was nicely prepared. It appeared that the bun was lightly buttered before toasting. The bread itself was definitely an upgrade from your standard style. You probably wouldn't be able to find the buns they use at your local grocery store.
Cheese: 3.5/5
All of the normal options.
Sides and Beverages: 3.5/5
They have three kinds of fries to choose from, and you can turn any of those into chili cheese fries. The standard fries that I had were nothing to write home about. As far as the drinks go, it's a bar, so all of the normal options are available.
Uniqueness: 7/10
If you love hockey, or just being around the rink, the Arctic Breakaway would be a nice spot for you. They've done a nice job with the rink views and the bar area. Plenty of TVs are around to watch your favorite game.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7.5/10
This was a very good burger. It's been mentioned two times already, but the grilled taste is memorable.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 29.5/40
Random Shots: This place is loaded with stuff to do. A huge arcade sits right near the front doors, and on the night I was there, they had open skate for $3. They even have drop-in hockey. And, I'm sure that any parent that has a kid that plays hockey wants them to play at the Arctic Coliseum so they can hit the Breakaway during practices and games! I saw plenty of people, including those with me, order pizza, and all seemed to enjoy.
The Arctic Breakaway
Map
Fat Boy Burger - Grand Rapids, MI
Reviewed by Lucas
Visited during lunch time on Saturday, March 17, 2012
Fat Boy Burger has been a Grand Rapids legend since the 1950's. However, in 2008, Fat Boy closed in the Cheshire Neighborhood, but later reopened in 2009 on Plainfield Avenue. Under a new roof, Fat Boy made every attempt possible to keep the historic feel. They even moved the sign from the old location to the new. Fat Boy is only open for breakfast and lunch Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays, so if you want to get your hands on GR's most famous burger, you better be there before 3pm. They are open for all three meals on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
The environment inside Fat Boy is very diner-like. They have many antique signs on the walls and an ice cream counter off in the far corner. It's the kind of joint where you feel the need to order onion rings and a chocolate shake with your burger. Ordering for breakfast or lunch happens at the counter, and I hope you brought cash because no credit cards here. Their selection of burgers does not overwhelm, but they've got plenty to choose from. I decided to go for their classic cheeseburger, and as I said above, an order of onion rings and a chocolate shake makes for a nice meal here.
When the food came, I was excited to see that their onion rings were definitely hand-made. Yum. I got to talking with the server and she also mentioned that their beef is freshly ground each morning. That's a definite plus. Overall, this was indeed a delicious meal. Bouncing between the chocolate shake, the onion rings, and the burger made for really nice lunch. Let's get to the burger:
Meat: 3.5/5
Once again, their beef is fresh and ground daily. However, the meat was a little dry. While eating the burger, the word 'dry' kept coming into my mind.
Bun: 2/5
Only one option and it wasn't toasted. Not bad, but not special.
Cheese: 2.5/5
Your typical amount of cheddar or American.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
Hand-made onion rings or fries work well as sides. As mentioned above, the diner-like atmosphere screams for a shake.
Uniqueness: 6.5/10
Lots of history with a nice blend of music playing. The ice cream counter is a nice touch.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 6.5/10
Not too bad overall. I would suggest going with the 2/3 lb. burger. If you do anything less, it's just not enough here, as I think that mistake may have been made.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 25.5/35
Random Shots: I would love to get breakfast at Fat Boy. There's times when you see a restaurant and you just know they would have a good breakfast - this is one of those. Also, the next time we're over in GR, "The Gipper" is going to be ordered at Gippers Bar and Restaurant. Check this out: a combo that features a burger with three 9oz. patties, fries, and a 48oz. draft. $22. Wow.
Fat Boy Burger
Map
Visited during lunch time on Saturday, March 17, 2012
Fat Boy Burger has been a Grand Rapids legend since the 1950's. However, in 2008, Fat Boy closed in the Cheshire Neighborhood, but later reopened in 2009 on Plainfield Avenue. Under a new roof, Fat Boy made every attempt possible to keep the historic feel. They even moved the sign from the old location to the new. Fat Boy is only open for breakfast and lunch Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays, so if you want to get your hands on GR's most famous burger, you better be there before 3pm. They are open for all three meals on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
The environment inside Fat Boy is very diner-like. They have many antique signs on the walls and an ice cream counter off in the far corner. It's the kind of joint where you feel the need to order onion rings and a chocolate shake with your burger. Ordering for breakfast or lunch happens at the counter, and I hope you brought cash because no credit cards here. Their selection of burgers does not overwhelm, but they've got plenty to choose from. I decided to go for their classic cheeseburger, and as I said above, an order of onion rings and a chocolate shake makes for a nice meal here.
When the food came, I was excited to see that their onion rings were definitely hand-made. Yum. I got to talking with the server and she also mentioned that their beef is freshly ground each morning. That's a definite plus. Overall, this was indeed a delicious meal. Bouncing between the chocolate shake, the onion rings, and the burger made for really nice lunch. Let's get to the burger:
Meat: 3.5/5
Once again, their beef is fresh and ground daily. However, the meat was a little dry. While eating the burger, the word 'dry' kept coming into my mind.
Bun: 2/5
Only one option and it wasn't toasted. Not bad, but not special.
Cheese: 2.5/5
Your typical amount of cheddar or American.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
Hand-made onion rings or fries work well as sides. As mentioned above, the diner-like atmosphere screams for a shake.
Uniqueness: 6.5/10
Lots of history with a nice blend of music playing. The ice cream counter is a nice touch.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 6.5/10
Not too bad overall. I would suggest going with the 2/3 lb. burger. If you do anything less, it's just not enough here, as I think that mistake may have been made.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 25.5/35
Random Shots: I would love to get breakfast at Fat Boy. There's times when you see a restaurant and you just know they would have a good breakfast - this is one of those. Also, the next time we're over in GR, "The Gipper" is going to be ordered at Gippers Bar and Restaurant. Check this out: a combo that features a burger with three 9oz. patties, fries, and a 48oz. draft. $22. Wow.
Fat Boy Burger
Map
The Full House - Ypsilanti, MI
Reviewed by Kevin and Lucas
Visited on the afternoon of Monday, March 12, 2012
The Full House Restaurant in Ypsilanti holds a solid hand in the game of burger gambling. This burger joint has been serving up a quality hamburger since 1973 and holds strong in their statement of clean, fast, and friendly service. According to their menu, The Full House is the "longest continuous, single-owner operated restaurant in the Ypsilanti area" and they have what it takes to serve a good burger. We bet that you will enjoy their burgers just as much as we do.
They serve a 1/2lb Ace burger and a 1/4lb King burger. We both ordered the Ace burger. Lucas had the fries and Kevin had the o-rings. Kevin ordered his burger the way they recommend it on the menu. Basically, think of the Ace burger as a Whopper that is good. It is built from the ground up with fresh ground beef and fresh fixings. Lucas went freestyle and created his own burger.
The burgers were as good as they looked when they are served to you (check out more pictures on facebook). The hardest part about doing our review is photographing our food before we can eat it. Needless to say, it didn't take long to devour our burgers.
We also rallied up on the happy hour specials. You can't beat $5 pitchers. They take good care of you too. From their frozen pitcher and glasses to their friendly service, they will make sure you get what you need.
If you are looking for a place to watch the game, enjoy a beer, and eat a decent burger, the Full House is a great place for you.
Meat: 4/5
Fresh ground beef.
Bun: 3.5/5
It's a sesame bun and it's lightly toasted! Just the right size.
Cheese: 3.5/5
Lucas described the cheese as "melty" and "oozing" on the burger.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
Your typical steak fries and average o-rings. What made it special for us is their happy hour specials and the way they serve the draft beer. We had the luxury to drink our beer from a frozen pitcher and out of frozen glasses.
Uniqueness: 7.5/10
This place is one of a kind. It is a great way to take in all that Ypsi has to offer.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8/10
It is a tasty burger!
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 30.5/40
Random Shots: This place is fun to visit and it starts in the parking lot. They have a variety of burger signs decorating the restaurant facing the street and on the side of the building. To get a better feel for of these meaty pictures, visit our blog.
The Full House Restaurant
Map
Visited on the afternoon of Monday, March 12, 2012
The Full House Restaurant in Ypsilanti holds a solid hand in the game of burger gambling. This burger joint has been serving up a quality hamburger since 1973 and holds strong in their statement of clean, fast, and friendly service. According to their menu, The Full House is the "longest continuous, single-owner operated restaurant in the Ypsilanti area" and they have what it takes to serve a good burger. We bet that you will enjoy their burgers just as much as we do.
They serve a 1/2lb Ace burger and a 1/4lb King burger. We both ordered the Ace burger. Lucas had the fries and Kevin had the o-rings. Kevin ordered his burger the way they recommend it on the menu. Basically, think of the Ace burger as a Whopper that is good. It is built from the ground up with fresh ground beef and fresh fixings. Lucas went freestyle and created his own burger.
The burgers were as good as they looked when they are served to you (check out more pictures on facebook). The hardest part about doing our review is photographing our food before we can eat it. Needless to say, it didn't take long to devour our burgers.
We also rallied up on the happy hour specials. You can't beat $5 pitchers. They take good care of you too. From their frozen pitcher and glasses to their friendly service, they will make sure you get what you need.
If you are looking for a place to watch the game, enjoy a beer, and eat a decent burger, the Full House is a great place for you.
Meat: 4/5
Fresh ground beef.
Bun: 3.5/5
It's a sesame bun and it's lightly toasted! Just the right size.
Cheese: 3.5/5
Lucas described the cheese as "melty" and "oozing" on the burger.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
Your typical steak fries and average o-rings. What made it special for us is their happy hour specials and the way they serve the draft beer. We had the luxury to drink our beer from a frozen pitcher and out of frozen glasses.
Uniqueness: 7.5/10
This place is one of a kind. It is a great way to take in all that Ypsi has to offer.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8/10
It is a tasty burger!
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 30.5/40
Random Shots: This place is fun to visit and it starts in the parking lot. They have a variety of burger signs decorating the restaurant facing the street and on the side of the building. To get a better feel for of these meaty pictures, visit our blog.
The Full House Restaurant
Map
Roy's Squeeze Inn - Ypsilanti and Canton, MI
Reviewed by Kevin
Visited on Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Roy's Squeeze Inn consists of 3 locations. The original location on Michigan Ave. in Ypsilanti, a less glamorous spot in Canton, and finally a restaurant/bar attempt in Ypsilanti on the corner of Ellsworth/Hewitt. The waitress in the Ellsworth locations said that they would be opening up another location in Saline across from the Automotive Components Holdings plant. Not sure if it's something to be excited about.
This review is based off of Kevin's experience at the Ellsworth location combined with previous visits to the other locations.
Not much can be said here. It's a fair burger. Go big or go home. Order the Big Cheese Squeeze, a half pound burger that will melt in your mouth. It is a tasty burger, yet salty as...
It's not clear why one would pick this place over another credible burger joint in a 50 mile radius. Maybe Roy's is known for their BBQ more than their burger. This is not a BBQ review site.
If your in a pinch and need a burger fix or you like deer salt licks, Roy's is for you.
Meat: 3/5
Salty! It's fresh ground beef, but it's salty.
Bun: 3/5
Sesame seed bun. It is served to you cut in half. Not a big fan of that.
Cheese: 3/5
American cheese and just the right amount.
Sides and Beverages: 2/5
Onion rings, curly fries, seasoned fries, and few others. Something for everyone, yet not all that impressed. The Ellsworth location has a full service bar.
Uniqueness: 6/10
The only way they are receiving 3 points is because of the original Roy's on Michigan Ave. If you are interested in going, visit the one on the Ave. in Ypsilanti. Canton's location is slow, doesn't have bathrooms, and there are limited places to sit (squeeze in). As mentioned above, the Ellsworth location is an attempt at a bar.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7/10
Not bad overall.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 24/40
Roy's Squeeze Inn
Map (Ypsilanti Michigan Ave. location)
Visited on Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Roy's Squeeze Inn consists of 3 locations. The original location on Michigan Ave. in Ypsilanti, a less glamorous spot in Canton, and finally a restaurant/bar attempt in Ypsilanti on the corner of Ellsworth/Hewitt. The waitress in the Ellsworth locations said that they would be opening up another location in Saline across from the Automotive Components Holdings plant. Not sure if it's something to be excited about.
This review is based off of Kevin's experience at the Ellsworth location combined with previous visits to the other locations.
Not much can be said here. It's a fair burger. Go big or go home. Order the Big Cheese Squeeze, a half pound burger that will melt in your mouth. It is a tasty burger, yet salty as...
It's not clear why one would pick this place over another credible burger joint in a 50 mile radius. Maybe Roy's is known for their BBQ more than their burger. This is not a BBQ review site.
If your in a pinch and need a burger fix or you like deer salt licks, Roy's is for you.
Meat: 3/5
Salty! It's fresh ground beef, but it's salty.
Bun: 3/5
Sesame seed bun. It is served to you cut in half. Not a big fan of that.
Cheese: 3/5
American cheese and just the right amount.
Sides and Beverages: 2/5
Onion rings, curly fries, seasoned fries, and few others. Something for everyone, yet not all that impressed. The Ellsworth location has a full service bar.
Uniqueness: 6/10
The only way they are receiving 3 points is because of the original Roy's on Michigan Ave. If you are interested in going, visit the one on the Ave. in Ypsilanti. Canton's location is slow, doesn't have bathrooms, and there are limited places to sit (squeeze in). As mentioned above, the Ellsworth location is an attempt at a bar.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 7/10
Not bad overall.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 24/40
Roy's Squeeze Inn
Map (Ypsilanti Michigan Ave. location)
Bridgewater Bank Tavern - Bridgewater, MI
Reviewed by Lucas and Kevin
Visited on the night of Tuesday, January 17, 2012
(many return visits)
If you haven't heard, The Bridgewater Bank Tavern has been voted the best tavern in Bridgewater. If that isn't news to you, you also know that the Bridgewater Bank Tavern is the only tavern in Bridgewater.
Sitting at basically the half-way point between Manchester and Saline is the Bridgewater Bank Tavern. Find Austin road, take it east or west, depending on where you are coming from, and look for the blinking yellow light. Welcome to Bridgewater. When you're under the light, you'll basically be sitting in the parking lot of "The Bank".
This place is full of history. It was originally The Bridgewater Bank, an actual financial institution, in the late 1800's. It was converted into a bar in the early 1970's and has had a very loyal following ever since. Locals call it "The Bank". A recent change in ownership has not slowed down The Bank or its loyal customers from downing lots of delicious food and drinks.
The Bank hums with a buzz of good times. Stop by the "Bridgewater Bank Store" and pick up some camoflage hoodies or coozies. A popcorn machine serves you well before or after your food arrives (always a nice touch). Heck, when I was in there, a Euchre tournament was in session. Now you're talking!
The nice-sized menu is full of eats for anyone, but obviously, we breezed right for the burgers, which cover the entire last page of the menu. The Bank has a standard burger size of 1/2 pound, which is nothing to complain about. You can order a 1/3 pound, but we wouldn't be caught dead doing that if the 1/2 pound is their standard size. Their standard cheeseburger comes automatically with all the fixings. One thing that we really appreciated was the option of getting your onions standard cut or sauteed. For the side, we both upgraded from the potato chips to french fries. The Bank has three kinds of fries (standard, waffle, and sweet potato) and they also offer hand-battered onion rings.
When the burger came, we were was beyond surprised at the look; it had that amazing, dive right in appearance. You could see the juice just sitting on the meat. During Lucas's first visit on January 17, 2012, he immediately texted Kevin with, "The cheese, the cheese, the cheese!". See the picture below, but the cheese completely covered the meat and it was dripping from the sides. The bun was lightly toasted, a pickle spear was on the side, and Lucas's waffle fries were absolutely delicious. Kevin, always opting for the onion rings, thought they were some of the best around.
During Lucas's first visit, it was definitely a surprise when when the burger was lifted; it's one of the heaviest burgers around. Who knows what they pack into that 1/2 pound patty, but man, that was one heavy burger. During both visits, and after biting into it, we quickly began to wonder why this burger isn't more well-known. This burger was good. In fact, The Bank's burgers are very good. Once again, "The cheese, the cheese, the cheese!". As at Miller's Bar, the cheese really made this burger special. It was massive (still sore from the heavy lifting) and yet still perfectly cooked to the medium temperature that was ordered. The pickle slices on the burger were a real treat, as they are really thickly cut. Those sauteed onions? Amazing.
Overall, we didn't expect this at all, and during our second visit, we officially named the Bridgewater Bank as MBB's "homebase".
Meat: 4.5/5
Their meat is absolutely fresh and never frozen. It's Hereford 100% beef. Delicious!
Bun: 4/5
This was a very nice, lightly toasted bun. Definitely not your typical grocery store bun.
Update: Head to the Bridgewater Bank on a Saturday for lunch. They use Benny's Bakery soft pretzels for their buns. Wow.
Cheese: 4.5/5
Have we said this yet? The cheese, the cheese, the cheese!
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
The Bank offers up three kinds of fries and they are all delicious. The standard cut fries have some good seasoning on them. Kevin, during our return visit, thought very, very highly of their hand-battered onion rings. As for beverages, it's a bar, so they've got your common variety. Don't forget about $1 drafts on Mondays.
Uniqueness: 7.5/5
This place has history. And no offense to Bridgewater Township residents, but it's in the middle of nowhere. It's a fairly unique joint with a friendly vibe.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8.5/10
Once again, The Bank's burger is flat out awesome. The meat was hand-crafted and had plenty of juice to it, the cheese was placed and melted perfectly, and the toasted bun and fixings made it one incredible burger. We're still stunned that this place isn't more known for its burger. We've compared The Bank Burger to the nearby Dan's Burger on a few occasions. The Knight's meat and Benny's bun give Dan's a very slight edge (it's getting closer by the second), but please take our advice and get to Bridgewater for their 1/2 pound delight as soon as you can. Not only is the Bridgewater Bank Tavern the best tavern in Bridgewater, but they also have the best burger in Bridgewater.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 33/40
Random Shots: The first time around, Lucas went to Bridgewater with a few buddies to watch the MSU at UofM men's college basketball game, and ironically, the first time he ever set foot in The Bank was about six years ago to also watch UofM and MSU basketball. Every time we've been to The Bank, we've had a great experience (their crispy chicken sandwich is awesome). Tuesday is all-day happy hour, featuring $2 bottles. The 4-Alarm Burger looked interesting - bring on the milk, celery, and ranch dressing! It has cajan seasoning, jalapenos, banana peppers, and pepper jack cheese. New on their menu are deep-fried Oreo's. Get some! Finally, we're looking forward to subbing in the Euchre tournament sometime soon.
The Bridgewater Bank Tavern
Map
Visited on the night of Tuesday, January 17, 2012
(many return visits)
If you haven't heard, The Bridgewater Bank Tavern has been voted the best tavern in Bridgewater. If that isn't news to you, you also know that the Bridgewater Bank Tavern is the only tavern in Bridgewater.
Sitting at basically the half-way point between Manchester and Saline is the Bridgewater Bank Tavern. Find Austin road, take it east or west, depending on where you are coming from, and look for the blinking yellow light. Welcome to Bridgewater. When you're under the light, you'll basically be sitting in the parking lot of "The Bank".
This place is full of history. It was originally The Bridgewater Bank, an actual financial institution, in the late 1800's. It was converted into a bar in the early 1970's and has had a very loyal following ever since. Locals call it "The Bank". A recent change in ownership has not slowed down The Bank or its loyal customers from downing lots of delicious food and drinks.
The Bank hums with a buzz of good times. Stop by the "Bridgewater Bank Store" and pick up some camoflage hoodies or coozies. A popcorn machine serves you well before or after your food arrives (always a nice touch). Heck, when I was in there, a Euchre tournament was in session. Now you're talking!
The nice-sized menu is full of eats for anyone, but obviously, we breezed right for the burgers, which cover the entire last page of the menu. The Bank has a standard burger size of 1/2 pound, which is nothing to complain about. You can order a 1/3 pound, but we wouldn't be caught dead doing that if the 1/2 pound is their standard size. Their standard cheeseburger comes automatically with all the fixings. One thing that we really appreciated was the option of getting your onions standard cut or sauteed. For the side, we both upgraded from the potato chips to french fries. The Bank has three kinds of fries (standard, waffle, and sweet potato) and they also offer hand-battered onion rings.
When the burger came, we were was beyond surprised at the look; it had that amazing, dive right in appearance. You could see the juice just sitting on the meat. During Lucas's first visit on January 17, 2012, he immediately texted Kevin with, "The cheese, the cheese, the cheese!". See the picture below, but the cheese completely covered the meat and it was dripping from the sides. The bun was lightly toasted, a pickle spear was on the side, and Lucas's waffle fries were absolutely delicious. Kevin, always opting for the onion rings, thought they were some of the best around.
During Lucas's first visit, it was definitely a surprise when when the burger was lifted; it's one of the heaviest burgers around. Who knows what they pack into that 1/2 pound patty, but man, that was one heavy burger. During both visits, and after biting into it, we quickly began to wonder why this burger isn't more well-known. This burger was good. In fact, The Bank's burgers are very good. Once again, "The cheese, the cheese, the cheese!". As at Miller's Bar, the cheese really made this burger special. It was massive (still sore from the heavy lifting) and yet still perfectly cooked to the medium temperature that was ordered. The pickle slices on the burger were a real treat, as they are really thickly cut. Those sauteed onions? Amazing.
Overall, we didn't expect this at all, and during our second visit, we officially named the Bridgewater Bank as MBB's "homebase".
Meat: 4.5/5
Their meat is absolutely fresh and never frozen. It's Hereford 100% beef. Delicious!
Bun: 4/5
This was a very nice, lightly toasted bun. Definitely not your typical grocery store bun.
Update: Head to the Bridgewater Bank on a Saturday for lunch. They use Benny's Bakery soft pretzels for their buns. Wow.
Cheese: 4.5/5
Have we said this yet? The cheese, the cheese, the cheese!
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
The Bank offers up three kinds of fries and they are all delicious. The standard cut fries have some good seasoning on them. Kevin, during our return visit, thought very, very highly of their hand-battered onion rings. As for beverages, it's a bar, so they've got your common variety. Don't forget about $1 drafts on Mondays.
Uniqueness: 7.5/5
This place has history. And no offense to Bridgewater Township residents, but it's in the middle of nowhere. It's a fairly unique joint with a friendly vibe.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8.5/10
Once again, The Bank's burger is flat out awesome. The meat was hand-crafted and had plenty of juice to it, the cheese was placed and melted perfectly, and the toasted bun and fixings made it one incredible burger. We're still stunned that this place isn't more known for its burger. We've compared The Bank Burger to the nearby Dan's Burger on a few occasions. The Knight's meat and Benny's bun give Dan's a very slight edge (it's getting closer by the second), but please take our advice and get to Bridgewater for their 1/2 pound delight as soon as you can. Not only is the Bridgewater Bank Tavern the best tavern in Bridgewater, but they also have the best burger in Bridgewater.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 33/40
Random Shots: The first time around, Lucas went to Bridgewater with a few buddies to watch the MSU at UofM men's college basketball game, and ironically, the first time he ever set foot in The Bank was about six years ago to also watch UofM and MSU basketball. Every time we've been to The Bank, we've had a great experience (their crispy chicken sandwich is awesome). Tuesday is all-day happy hour, featuring $2 bottles. The 4-Alarm Burger looked interesting - bring on the milk, celery, and ranch dressing! It has cajan seasoning, jalapenos, banana peppers, and pepper jack cheese. New on their menu are deep-fried Oreo's. Get some! Finally, we're looking forward to subbing in the Euchre tournament sometime soon.
The Bridgewater Bank Tavern
Map
Dan's Downtown Tavern - Saline, MI
Dan's Clinton Tavern - Clinton, MI
Reviewed by Kevin and Lucas
Dan's Downtown Tavern Visited on Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Dan's Clinton Tavern Visited on Tuesday, July 3, 2012
(many return visits and review update on June 26, 2016)
Nestled in downtown Saline is Dan's Downtown Tavern. It's nicely tucked near the northeast corner of Michigan Avenue and Ann Arbor-Saline Road. Dan's is a true staple of Saline, and they've expanded two times, which now puts them at a occupying three total buildings in downtown Saline. If you sit right at the bar on the original side, you'll have the luxury of watching your burger being created. If you are enjoying yourself on one of the new sides, you'll find plenty of new HD TVs attached to their historic brick walls. It's Saline's go-to spot for a burger and even a game.
Also located right in the downtown portion of town, Dan's Clinton Tavern has the same historic appeal. As in Saline, Dan's Clinton Tavern is the staple of Clinton. Historic brick lines each wall and patrons have the choice to sit right at the bar or at one of the many tables. If you sit right at the bar, you can plop yourself down right in front of where your burger is being prepared. Dan's Downtown Tavern and Dan's Clinton Tavern are both owned by the same person, Dan.
When you sit down, you have many choices of burgers at Dan's. Small burgers, big burgers, pizza burgers, and even peanut butter burgers can all be ordered from their diverse menu. On a few occasions, we've decided to order the massive one-pound cheeseburger, known as "The Big One". On "The Big One", you are allowed to choose three toppings to go along with a slice of cheese. If you select your toppings right, any burger on the menu can be formed into a massive one-pounder. As for sides, you've got quite the decision to make if choosing fries. Dan's allows you to choose between normal cut, sweet potato, and beer battered. Lucas went for the waffle in Saline (now unavailable) and the beer battered in Clinton, while Kevin chose the normal-cut fries in Saline and opted for onion rings in Clinton.
If you're a beer enthusiast, Dan's has a huge tap list, and they make changes often. Try the 2-Wheeler Whitbier from the Original Gravity in Milan, MI.
If you hit Dan's in Saline and you're a dude, please don't miss the old-school trough in the bathroom. It's a neat adventure in between ordering and eating, and "heads up" right when you walk through the door.
At both locations, once our food came, we realized what makes the burger so special: Knight's meat and Benny's Bakery buns. Knight's is a well-known Restaurant meat distributor in Ann Arbor, MI. They are known for their steaks and other meats. As for Benny's Bakery, well, it's about a one minute walk from Dan's in Saline, and if you haven't had a soft pretzel there on a Saturday morning, then you are really missing out.
Back to the burger. The combination of fresh Knight's meat and a lightly toasted Benny's Bakery bun makes a big difference in comparison to other burgers. When we ordered the one-pounder, they added two slices of cheese on top of the meat, and that was a nice touch. On most of our trips to Dan's, the first bite always does it - the Knight's meat is usually cooked to perfection, and the juice literally oozes from our burgers. We still remember the juiciness of the burgers from our original review visits in both Saline and Clinton. Even to the last bite, no joke, the juiciness was still there. The meat tastes fresh, there is always a good amount of cheese, and of course a nicely toasted Benny's Baker bun tops it all off.
All of their fries and other sides are a good compliment to the burger, and pickles are a nice touch. As for the burgers, they go down fast. During our original review visits, a one-pound burger should not be inhaled that quickly, according to USDA standards. Let's get to the scoring.
Meat: 4.5/5
Knight's meat makes this patty high quality, and when Dan's is on top of their game, this can be one of the best and juiciest burgers you'll eat.
Bun: 5/5
Again, nothing more to say, it's a Benny's Bakery bun that's nicely toasted!
Cheese: 4/5
Typical set of cheese, and they do give you a good amount.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
Dan's has a little of everything when it comes to the sides. They really cater to craft beer lovers, and they have a really nice sized tap list.
Uniqueness: 6.5/10
These are older bars that have that hometown feel. The location of both are nice as they are tucked within the downtown areas with shops, etc. nearby.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8.5/10
Dan's delivers a quality burger that's juicy, tasty, and cooked to order.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 32.5/40
Random Shots: Dan's is known to be one of the best burgers in the Ann Arbor area.
Dan's Downtown Tavern - Saline, MI
Dan's Clinton Tavern - Clinton, MI
Map (Saline)
Map (Clinton)
Dan's Downtown Tavern Visited on Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Dan's Clinton Tavern Visited on Tuesday, July 3, 2012
(many return visits and review update on June 26, 2016)
Nestled in downtown Saline is Dan's Downtown Tavern. It's nicely tucked near the northeast corner of Michigan Avenue and Ann Arbor-Saline Road. Dan's is a true staple of Saline, and they've expanded two times, which now puts them at a occupying three total buildings in downtown Saline. If you sit right at the bar on the original side, you'll have the luxury of watching your burger being created. If you are enjoying yourself on one of the new sides, you'll find plenty of new HD TVs attached to their historic brick walls. It's Saline's go-to spot for a burger and even a game.
Also located right in the downtown portion of town, Dan's Clinton Tavern has the same historic appeal. As in Saline, Dan's Clinton Tavern is the staple of Clinton. Historic brick lines each wall and patrons have the choice to sit right at the bar or at one of the many tables. If you sit right at the bar, you can plop yourself down right in front of where your burger is being prepared. Dan's Downtown Tavern and Dan's Clinton Tavern are both owned by the same person, Dan.
When you sit down, you have many choices of burgers at Dan's. Small burgers, big burgers, pizza burgers, and even peanut butter burgers can all be ordered from their diverse menu. On a few occasions, we've decided to order the massive one-pound cheeseburger, known as "The Big One". On "The Big One", you are allowed to choose three toppings to go along with a slice of cheese. If you select your toppings right, any burger on the menu can be formed into a massive one-pounder. As for sides, you've got quite the decision to make if choosing fries. Dan's allows you to choose between normal cut, sweet potato, and beer battered. Lucas went for the waffle in Saline (now unavailable) and the beer battered in Clinton, while Kevin chose the normal-cut fries in Saline and opted for onion rings in Clinton.
If you're a beer enthusiast, Dan's has a huge tap list, and they make changes often. Try the 2-Wheeler Whitbier from the Original Gravity in Milan, MI.
If you hit Dan's in Saline and you're a dude, please don't miss the old-school trough in the bathroom. It's a neat adventure in between ordering and eating, and "heads up" right when you walk through the door.
At both locations, once our food came, we realized what makes the burger so special: Knight's meat and Benny's Bakery buns. Knight's is a well-known Restaurant meat distributor in Ann Arbor, MI. They are known for their steaks and other meats. As for Benny's Bakery, well, it's about a one minute walk from Dan's in Saline, and if you haven't had a soft pretzel there on a Saturday morning, then you are really missing out.
Back to the burger. The combination of fresh Knight's meat and a lightly toasted Benny's Bakery bun makes a big difference in comparison to other burgers. When we ordered the one-pounder, they added two slices of cheese on top of the meat, and that was a nice touch. On most of our trips to Dan's, the first bite always does it - the Knight's meat is usually cooked to perfection, and the juice literally oozes from our burgers. We still remember the juiciness of the burgers from our original review visits in both Saline and Clinton. Even to the last bite, no joke, the juiciness was still there. The meat tastes fresh, there is always a good amount of cheese, and of course a nicely toasted Benny's Baker bun tops it all off.
All of their fries and other sides are a good compliment to the burger, and pickles are a nice touch. As for the burgers, they go down fast. During our original review visits, a one-pound burger should not be inhaled that quickly, according to USDA standards. Let's get to the scoring.
Meat: 4.5/5
Knight's meat makes this patty high quality, and when Dan's is on top of their game, this can be one of the best and juiciest burgers you'll eat.
Bun: 5/5
Again, nothing more to say, it's a Benny's Bakery bun that's nicely toasted!
Cheese: 4/5
Typical set of cheese, and they do give you a good amount.
Sides and Beverages: 4/5
Dan's has a little of everything when it comes to the sides. They really cater to craft beer lovers, and they have a really nice sized tap list.
Uniqueness: 6.5/10
These are older bars that have that hometown feel. The location of both are nice as they are tucked within the downtown areas with shops, etc. nearby.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8.5/10
Dan's delivers a quality burger that's juicy, tasty, and cooked to order.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 32.5/40
Random Shots: Dan's is known to be one of the best burgers in the Ann Arbor area.
Dan's Downtown Tavern - Saline, MI
Dan's Clinton Tavern - Clinton, MI
Map (Saline)
Map (Clinton)
Miller's Bar - Dearborn, MI
Reviewed by Kevin and Lucas
Visited on Friday, December 30, 2011
Return visits in December, 2012
On an unseasonably warm night in December of 2011, the burgerboys made a visit to Miller’s Bar in Dearborn, MI to kick off their website, michiganburgerboys.com.
A Metro Detroit Must! If you live here or visit the surrounding area, Miller’s Bar won’t disappoint any burger enthusiast.
Miller’s is a frequent stop for Kevin, as he is known to bring friends and family here whenever they are in town to eat a delicious burger. As for Lucas, Miller’s was uncharted territory. Sure, Kevin had told Lucas time and time again that Miller’s was worth the visit. It was time for Lucas to experience the place where the cheese makes the burger.
Unless you live in Dearborn, you must pay close attention to find Miller’s – it sits nestled on the corner of Michigan Ave and Birch Street, just west of Outer Dr. An old school bar with no windows and mirrors everywhere makes you feel like it’s bigger than it is. Miller’s layout is a bit unusual. As soon as you walk in the door, you feel like your entering a private club. The bathroom is immediately to the left of the first door and then you walk through a second door and decided if you want to go left or right. Your choices are to sit in the room with the bar (left) or to sit in the back with limited walking and leg room (right). The lighting adds to the ambiance of the place and on this trip, the lighting was very festive for the holidays.
Once you sit down, you are faced with a bottomless bucket of pickles. Of course you want to sneak a few before you get your burger. No menu here! You are asked, “what will you have?” and are expected to know how to order. Remember, this place has been around since 1941. If you don’t know, the waitress will teach you and if you’re “lucky” you will learn about their history or maybe how they are rated the #1 burger in Detroit by a news station.
After a short wait your food arrives. Don’t expect to see fine china or even Chinet paper plates. You get your food on good old wax paper. They don’t want to bother with dishes or clogging the landfill, and you won’t even care once you bite into your burger. Before you do bite into your burger, you must dress it up. Mustard, ketchup, pickle, and raw onion are your choices. It doesn’t need much with that delectable cheese that oozes out from the bun.
They use the honor system here. All you do is tell them what you had at the bar and fork over the money. Make sure you know what you ordered or else you might slow the place down. Don’t forget to visit the bathroom so you can experience one of the most dangerous floors in all of loo history.
Meat: 4/5
Nicely seasoned, fresh ground beef.
Bun: 4/5
They don't offer choices, but this one works like no other. It's a soft bun that fits the burger like a glove. It allows you to enjoy the meat, cheese, and toppings. A great traditional bun.
Cheese: 5/5
The cheese makes the burger. It oozes out and tastes great!
Sides and Beverages: 3.5/5
Fires or O-rings, you decide. Beverages include canned pop and a full bar with a very small selection of draft beer. Did we mention the 9oz. glass? Otherwise, pay a little more and you have a very small selection of bottled beer.
Uniqueness: 9/10
Yes, everything about this place is unique. All visitors will leave with a story to tell.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8.75/10
Both of us agree, it is a tasty burger. Once you bite into it, you will soon find yourself wondering if you should order another one.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 34.25/40
Random Shots: Update - The beverage selection is growing at Miller's! They now have Seasonal Leinenkugel's on Tap, not to mention a few more bottle selections. The wait staff is still in a big hurry and they all seem to use the same "jokes" while serving you. Friendly and efficient.
Miller’s Bar
Map
The Great Debate Blog Entry
Visited on Friday, December 30, 2011
Return visits in December, 2012
On an unseasonably warm night in December of 2011, the burgerboys made a visit to Miller’s Bar in Dearborn, MI to kick off their website, michiganburgerboys.com.
A Metro Detroit Must! If you live here or visit the surrounding area, Miller’s Bar won’t disappoint any burger enthusiast.
Miller’s is a frequent stop for Kevin, as he is known to bring friends and family here whenever they are in town to eat a delicious burger. As for Lucas, Miller’s was uncharted territory. Sure, Kevin had told Lucas time and time again that Miller’s was worth the visit. It was time for Lucas to experience the place where the cheese makes the burger.
Unless you live in Dearborn, you must pay close attention to find Miller’s – it sits nestled on the corner of Michigan Ave and Birch Street, just west of Outer Dr. An old school bar with no windows and mirrors everywhere makes you feel like it’s bigger than it is. Miller’s layout is a bit unusual. As soon as you walk in the door, you feel like your entering a private club. The bathroom is immediately to the left of the first door and then you walk through a second door and decided if you want to go left or right. Your choices are to sit in the room with the bar (left) or to sit in the back with limited walking and leg room (right). The lighting adds to the ambiance of the place and on this trip, the lighting was very festive for the holidays.
Once you sit down, you are faced with a bottomless bucket of pickles. Of course you want to sneak a few before you get your burger. No menu here! You are asked, “what will you have?” and are expected to know how to order. Remember, this place has been around since 1941. If you don’t know, the waitress will teach you and if you’re “lucky” you will learn about their history or maybe how they are rated the #1 burger in Detroit by a news station.
After a short wait your food arrives. Don’t expect to see fine china or even Chinet paper plates. You get your food on good old wax paper. They don’t want to bother with dishes or clogging the landfill, and you won’t even care once you bite into your burger. Before you do bite into your burger, you must dress it up. Mustard, ketchup, pickle, and raw onion are your choices. It doesn’t need much with that delectable cheese that oozes out from the bun.
They use the honor system here. All you do is tell them what you had at the bar and fork over the money. Make sure you know what you ordered or else you might slow the place down. Don’t forget to visit the bathroom so you can experience one of the most dangerous floors in all of loo history.
Meat: 4/5
Nicely seasoned, fresh ground beef.
Bun: 4/5
They don't offer choices, but this one works like no other. It's a soft bun that fits the burger like a glove. It allows you to enjoy the meat, cheese, and toppings. A great traditional bun.
Cheese: 5/5
The cheese makes the burger. It oozes out and tastes great!
Sides and Beverages: 3.5/5
Fires or O-rings, you decide. Beverages include canned pop and a full bar with a very small selection of draft beer. Did we mention the 9oz. glass? Otherwise, pay a little more and you have a very small selection of bottled beer.
Uniqueness: 9/10
Yes, everything about this place is unique. All visitors will leave with a story to tell.
BURGER TASTE RATING: 8.75/10
Both of us agree, it is a tasty burger. Once you bite into it, you will soon find yourself wondering if you should order another one.
BURGER EXPERIENCE SCORE: 34.25/40
Random Shots: Update - The beverage selection is growing at Miller's! They now have Seasonal Leinenkugel's on Tap, not to mention a few more bottle selections. The wait staff is still in a big hurry and they all seem to use the same "jokes" while serving you. Friendly and efficient.
Miller’s Bar
Map
The Great Debate Blog Entry
Disclaimer
The reviews found on michiganburgerboys.com are truthful and honest opinions, not advertisements. The reviewers are not obligated or encouraged in any way to only provide positive reviews. Opinions found on this site are those of the individual reviewers and do not necessarily represent the opinions of others. The reviewers of this site are not paid for their reviews and are not otherwise employed by companies that provide burgers to the public. All reviews are subject to change upon continual visits and comparisons.
