Our search for Michigan’s Best Burger was another epic journey across the state, tasting and trying burger after burger, and meeting incredible, passionate restaurant owners and chefs at each and every place.
It was also unlike any search we’ve done in the past, as we, along with everyone else, had to take a break due to the pandemic. We recently finished up our last few visits, enjoying our burgers outside, on newly-constructed patios, or in our car outside a drive-in, conducting our interviews masked up and socially distanced.
On this search, we were looking to find some new restaurants that have incredible burgers, as well as revisit a few longtime favorites. We took our cue from you, our MLive readers, asking for your nominations, of which we received hundreds. We then created regional polls, and your votes assured a visit to each poll winner by our Michigan’s Best team of Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez. We then added in a few other spots to check out, for about 30 on-site total visits.
There are some places across the state that should be on everyone’s burger bucket list, and that consistently make the ‘best of’ lists. These are places that we truly love, and have visited multiple times. We decided to give them their own list, as Michigan’s greatest burgers of all time.
These are Michigan’s Greatest Burgers of all time.
Our Top 10 picks this go around include a mix of classic, simple burgers, to big gourmet topped burgers. Places range from fast casual spots where you can grab and go, a drive-in, a brewery and several bars. There is a little something for everyone on our list. We hope that you’ll check our picks out, and give them a try.
These are the 10 best burgers in Michigan.
Now more than ever, our Michigan restaurants need your support. Here are over 30 restaurants that are making some absolutely delicious burgers, and they are ready to serve you.
The Jolly Roger burger at Albion Malleable Brewing Company in the search for Michigan's Best Burger on Friday, March 6, 2020. Albion Malleable is our top pick for Michigan's Best Burger 2020.J. Scott Park | MLive.com
Our Top 10 picks for Michigan’s Best Burger:
10. Wayland Hotel, Wayland
9. Brown Bear, Shelby
8. West Pier Drive-In, Sault Ste. Marie
7. Sidetrack Bar and Grill, Ypsilanti
6. O’s Pub & Grill, Auburn
5. D’Angelo’s, Bay City
4. Hamburger Mikey, Muskegon
3. Taystee’s Burgers, Dearborn Heights
2. Falls Sports Lounge, Dearborn
1. Albion Malleable Brewing Company, Albion
You can read the whole story on the Top 10 burgers here.
Biére de Mac cooks up some amazing burgers, including this mushroom cheeseburger.
Biére de Mac Brew Works
Biére de Mac is located right at the tip of the mitt in Mackinaw City, making it a lovely place to stop as you travel to and from the U.P.
George Ranville owns the brewery, and his son, Danny, runs the day to day operations. The father-son team enjoys working together, creating French and Belgian-style beers that complement the handcrafted food that Chef Edgar Jacobs produces out of the small kitchen at the brewery.
The Ranville family has a long history in the Mackinac Straits area, having first settled in the area hundreds of years ago, along with the French explorers, traders and voyagers. A nod to the family’s heritage is the French spelling of ‘beer’ in their name.
A flight of Fleur de Mac on the patio at Biére de Mac.
Biére de Mac Brew Works
Food is a focus at the brewery, with a diverse menu that features gourmet burgers. Biére de Mac uses a special proprietary blend of beef for the burgers, a mix that the staff blind taste tests against other blends every single summer. This version has been the winner for four years now. The beef comes out juicy, with a great beefy flavor. Not a meat eater? Any burger can be subbed out with the vegan Impossible burger if you’d like.
The burgers are pretty incredible here, two-handers that feature a plethora of toppings. The Jalapeno Popper burger comes totally loaded with thick cut deep fried onion rings, fried jalapeno chips, and green chile cream cheese for a spicy little bomb.
The Mushroom Lovers is a totally delicious umami bomb, and one of the best mushroom burgers we’ve ever tried. Topped with seared cremini and shitake mushrooms, and smothered in a rich Gruyere cheese, its incredible.
Other options on the menu include some tasty nachos that feature green chiles and slow roasted pork, house made dirty potato chips topped with roast chicken, bacon, green onions and blue cheese, salads, sandwiches and a top notch macaroni and cheese.
The beers they brew at Biére de Mac are wonderful to pair with the food, with easy flavor profiles that compliment a variety of dishes. Perfectly located for a stop anytime you are on your way to the Mighty Mac, Biére de Mac offers lovely refreshments, both in your glass and on your plate.
The Biére de Mac Mushroom Lovers burger is a complete umami bomb, and that is a good thing.
Biére de Mac Brew Works
14277 Mackinaw Hwy
Mackinaw City, Michigan 49701
(231) 427-7007
A cheeseburger from Clyde's in St. Ignace. A must stop when you cross the Mighty Mac.
Clyde’s Drive-In, St. Ignace
There are three locations of Clyde’s Drive-In throughout the U.P. One in St. Ignace, one in Sault Ste Marie, and one in Manistique. All are now independently owned and operated, but still have very similar menus, featuring classic burgers, fries and shakes.
Clyde Van Dusen founded the original Clyde’s in Sault Ste Marie in 1949, he then expanded to Manistique and St. Ignace. The St. Ignace Clyde’s is a welcome site, located just across the Mighty Mac on Highway 2. It’s the perfect first stop for a snack when you get to the U.P.. There are just a couple of stools inside, instead just pull in and await your car hop who will quickly be out to get your order.
Clyde’s is always super busy all summer long, so be prepared for a possible wait, both to pull in, and for your food. The small griddle can only hold so many burgers at a time.
Clyde's is a classic drive-in, with car hop service to every car. Taylor Thomas waited on us during our visit.
Clyde’s Drive-In, St. Ignace
The menu items are almost the same at all three Clyde’s, and it’s all about classic drive-in offerings.
These are classic, simple, and totally delicious burgers. Most people opt for the easy to eat 1/4 pounder, which has a lovely ratio of bun to meat. The most popular burger is just a simple cheeseburger, and once you have one, you'll understand why. That griddle has been around the block, and adds some serious flavor to these burgers. They come wrapped in paper, and ready to go, or if you are eating in, served in a very practical coffee filter.
If you have a much bigger appetite, you can get Clyde’s famous Big C Burger is a 3/4 pound patty. It’s one big burger.
During our last visit to Clyde’s, we tried some random deep fried things, because, why not? We recommend the Southwestern Spuds, spicy little fried potato bombs laced with cheese. Delicious.
Clyde’s is a tradition for many U.P. residents and visitors, and is a must on any Michigan burger bucket list.
The classic Big C burger from Clyde's is one big burger.
Clyde’s Drive-In, St. Ignace
3 US Highway 2 W
Saint Ignace, Michigan 49781
(906) 643-8303
Cash only, please.
Clyde's in Sault Ste Marie is a legendary Michigan place, and a must visit when in the area.
Clyde’s Drive-In, Sault Ste Marie
Clyde’s in the Soo was founded by Clyde Van Dusen in 1949, at the original site located next to the Sugar Island Ferry dock on Riverside Drive in Sault Ste. Marie. Van Dusen was just 19 when he opened his first Clyde’s. He leased the land from the city, hand-dug a water line, and opened a tiny building to start serving hamburgers out of. Eventually, Van Dusen purchased the property, and built the building that still stands there today.
Van Dusen expanded to Manistique next, and then St. Ignace, bringing his famous griddled burgers to even more fans.
Van Dusen passed away in 2019 at the age of 90, having technically owned the Soo location right up until his death. His nephew, Bob Spencer, now runs the drive-in, leasing the building from Van Dusen’s children.
“It’s always been about the burgers,” Spencer explained. “Not much has changed. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
A cheeseburger from Clyde's in the Soo. They offer their burgers in a variety of sizes to enjoy here.
Clyde’s Drive-In, Sault Ste Marie
In the Sault, Clyde’s sources all their meat locally, from local market Neville’s Superette. The meat is ground fresh daily, and Spencer picks it up every morning. This fresh meat is what makes Clyde’s in the Soo stand out, it’s absolutely fantastic beef, with excellent flavor.
In a typical summer season, Clyde’s will go through about 22,000 pounds of ground beef. They probably could go through even more, but are slightly constrained by space. “We only have a three foot grill, you can only cook so much,” Spencer said.
This is another total throw-back place, with car hop style service, and just a few stools inside. Park your car, and watch the freighters cruise by at the Sault Ste Marie location. Splurge and get the onion rings and a milkshake. Dream of a simpler time, and know that not much has changed at Clyde’s over the last 70 years.
The staff at Clyde's Drive-In in Sault Ste Marie during the summer season of 2020.
Clyde’s Drive-In, Sault Ste Marie
1425 Riverside Dr
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan 49783
(906) 632-2581
Cash only, please.
The burger at Corky's Drive-In Allegan. It's old school dining at it's finest.
Corky’s Drive-In
Corky’s is housed in a former A&W Root Beer stand that was originally built in 1947, and serves up the classic drive-in cuisine that just never gets old. Linda and Randy Mankin bought the business in 1988, and have been running this charming, tidy little place ever since. The Mankin’s had been regular customers, and took the leap to ownership. After the purchase, they had a moment of panic, and Linda put out a request to her family. “Please come down here and help us,” she asked. The family answered, and came right out to help clean the place up.
Family plays a big part in the success of Corky’s, they have four generations of families working here, including the original owner’s great granddaughter, Lexie Ellinger. She told us that “It’s very homey here.” Jeff Mankin, Linda and Randy’s son, is on track to be the future owner of the drive-in.
Corky’s is known for it’s legendary root beer, and after one glass, we could certainly taste why. It’s nice and sweet, with low carbonation, and a hint of spice. They still use the antique milking machine to dispense the root beer, which probably contributes to its wonderful, old school taste. It’s practically perfect paired with one of Corky’s delicious burgers.
The chili cheese fries at Corky's Drive-In in Allegan. Thick cut fries, a sweet and meaty chili, and shredded cheddar cheese make for a tasty snack.
Corky’s Drive-In
The burger at Corky’s is “not anything fancy” according to Linda. This is true, but does not mean they aren’t downright delicious. The burger meat comes in fresh, is an 80/20 blend, and gets hand pattied into nicely sized portions daily. Buns are nice and soft, and come from Ed’s Breads. Order your burger deluxe for lettuce, tomato and onion, or order it with everything and it will come topped with ketchup, mustard, pickle and onion. Everything can be customized at Corky’s.
The ‘Corky Burger’ features a 1/3# seared burger, topped with melted American cheese and ham for a nice combination of creamy cheese and salty meat. The Olive Burger is one of the most popular options, and comes with so many olives that they overflow, sprinkling your tray with little green rounds. The ‘Hi Burger’ is a double patty, triple bun wonder that comes with cheese, lettuce, onion and tomato.
Bring your appetite for the monster that is known as “Heavy Kevi”, a special behemoth burger named after customer Kevin Meredith. Packed between two buns, you’ll get double patties, double American cheese, Swiss cheese, ham, bacon, and mushrooms, dressed the way you like it. We managed to get a bite in on this one, and the layers of flavors was complex.
Craving something other than a burger? We highly recommend the chili dogs here, or the chili cheese fries. The chili is made from a recipe from Great Grandma Elsinger, the original owner, and has never changed. It’s a slightly sweet chili, nice and tight, with just a hint of a kick. On top of the dog, it holds its own. Ladle over the perfectly crispy fries and sprinkled with a hint of cheese, and it rises to a whole new level.
This seasonal spot is open March 1 through October, and is cash only. Drive up and pull into one of the fourteen spots for fab root beer, freshly griddled burgers, and maybe some of those chili cheese fries, all served with a smile by generations of employees.
The crew at Corky's Drive-In in Allegan was just starting their season when the pandemic hit.
Corky’s Drive-In
1299 Lincoln Rd
Allegan, Michigan 49010-8011
(269) 673-4555
Cash only, please.
The burger at Dimo's is more like a patty melt, and that is a very good thing.
Dimo’s Deli and Donuts
We walked into Dimo’s Deli and Donuts and asked the guy at the front counter if the food was any good here. He cheekily replied “No, it’s not. Go eat somewhere else.” Turns out, it was owner Walid Dimo himself, and he is one hilarious character. He’s also one incredibly hard working guy, who is always at the counter, ringing people up and delivering donuts, bagels and burgers up with lots of attitude.
We sat down and watched the scene while we awaited our burgers, and were impressed not just with the ever constant line of people trailing out the door at Dimo’s, but also with how Dimo seemed to know them all, by first name, and by regular order. He is a true pro, and runs Dimo’s as a very tight ship. Our notes captured our first impression pretty perfectly. They say “This dude is a classic.”
Dimo’s first opened by Walid’s parents Karim and Mary Dimo. It was an Amy Joy Donuts franchise at first, and Walid took it over in 1991. He added lots of new menu items, expanding outside of just donuts, and giving a nod to his Mediterranean heritage with many of his dishes. Stuffed grape leaves, falafel, Mjadara, and shish kabob are just a few examples.
Topped with a big pickle half, the burger at Dimo's is a melty, delicious sandwich, with a lovely crunch from the griddle.
Dimo’s Deli and Donuts
Burgers here are pretty straight forward, but not at all what you might expect. There are two to choose from, based on size, not toppings. You can get either the half pound version or the quarter pound one. Meat comes from local sources, and the burgers come served with a bag of chips.
“It’s like a grilled cheese with a burger stuffed INTO it,” our notes say. This is a like a marriage of two very good things. Texas toast gets griddled with a bit of butter, to create a crispy tender shell to cradle extra ooey gooey cheese that fairly bathes the burger in it’s deliciousness. Topped with fresh juicy tomato and crispy lettuce, it’s a burger full of contrasts. We also feel that a straight up grilled cheese at Dimo’s would most likely be epic.
You really shouldn’t come by Dimo’s and not try a donut. The giant fried apple fritter is delectable, comes out extra crispy on the edges, with big chunks of sweet apple dotted throughout the spiced dough. The perfect dessert after your meal.
Dimo's Deli and Donuts owner Walid Dimo is always behind the counter at his busy shop.
2030 W Stadium Blvd
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103
(734) 662-7944
An olive burger is prepared and served on Wednesday, March 11, 2020 at Halo Burger in Flint. (Sarahbeth Maney | MLive.com)
Halo Burger
Yes, Halo Burger is a chain, with eight locations around the Flint area. But Halo Burger is a locally-owned business, that has been serving burgers up in a fast casual environment since 1923. If you are from Flint, you most likely love a Halo Burger.
"It's crazy how much people associate Halo Burger with Flint," co-owner Dave Walters said. "There are 97 years of history here."
Originally known as Kewpee Burger started by the Thomas family, Halo split off from that brand to establish its own identity in the area. They went through an ownership change or two over the decades, but since Walters and his partners at Halo Country LLC acquired the brand, they are going back to the basics of what made Halo Burger so great for many years.
"We are working hard to bring the brand back to it's original standard," Walters said. This means that they are going back to all the original recipes, creating standards for all the locations to follow, and focusing on Michigan made products.
"We essentially started from scratch, to get back to the brilliance of the brand," Walters said.
Halo Burger is well on its way to back to its former glory, thanks to the hard work of it’s staff, and the dedication of the owners.
Megan Ahejew, the restaurant's general manager, holds a tray of burger choices from the menu on Wednesday, March 11, 2020 at Halo Burger in Flint. (Sarahbeth Maney | MLive.com)Sarahbeth Maney | MLive.com
Halo Burger
If you've never been to a Halo Burger, you might not realize the history behind this brand, and the years they have spent serving the Flint region. No matter, because what you will realize is that they are serving up some excellent, locally made fast food, all with a Michigan twist.
Fresh ground beef comes from Wolverine Meat in Detroit and is a juicy 80/20 blend. Always fresh, and never frozen, the patties get seared and smashed on a smoking hot grill, and sprinkled with a little bit of secret Halo seasoning. You can choose from several sizes, from a 2 ounce slider on the kids menu, to the most popular 1/4 pound patty, or the 1/2 pounder if you're really hungry.
Order yours up "deluxe" for lettuce, tomato and mayo. According to Walters, this is how long time customers usually order. "The Works" means you get lettuce, tomato, mayo, ketchup, pickle, mustard and onion. All the burgers come with cheese, unless you say no thanks.
Halo is famous for their "Olive Burger" which comes loaded with sliced green olives, but not a goopy mayo based sauce. Just the right amount of briny saltiness to play off the meat and cheese.
We completely salute Halo Burger's commitment to highlighting Michigan products. Amy let up a small cheer when she heard that they offer authentic Boston Coolers here, a creamy dreamy blend of ice cream and Vernors pop. Talk about easy drinking, these shakes are top notch. They offer Koegel hot dogs, Metropolitan Baking buns, and even have a Sanders Bumpy Cake for dessert.
Halo Burger may have gone through a few years of questionable decisions, but they are back on a familiar path now. If you haven’t gone recently, we highly recommend a visit. The new team has tightened up the ship, and is committed to quality, as well as to the community. You just can’t argue with that.
Halo Burger employees pose for a photo after being voted as the top burger choice on Wednesday, March 11, 2020 in Flint. (Sarahbeth Maney | MLive.com)Sarahbeth Maney | MLive.com
Halo Burger
Multiple locations in the Flint area, get a complete listing of locations here.
Check each individual location for hours.
Halo Burger won our Flint poll for Michigan’s Best Burger, check out the pictures from our visit.
Nothing fancy at Heck's Bar in Kinde, but that is exactly why you should go there. Awesome burgers, served up at the bar or at your table. Feel free to play some pool or the juke box. Thumb living at its finest.
Heck’s Bar
If your bar has a burger called the “Heckleburger”, we will definitely be stopping by. Heck’s Bar, located in Kinde up at the tip of the thumb, is a local gem, that is also a popular spot for tourists traveling through to cottages located along the lakeshore.
“It’s a tradition for many people on their way up,” bartender Linda Pineau told us. She’s been working at Heck’s for 20 years, serving up beers and drinks, with a little chatter and a smile. The bar has a cozy feel, with a warm pellet stove to take the chill off, booths to snuggle up in, and a pool table to gather around.
“My dad lucked out on an amazing corner,” owner Rob Heck told us. The bar has been in this location for 67 years, and Heck’s dad built the current building back in 1963. Heck took over after his dad announced that he was retired in 1996.
“Every type of person comes in here,” said Heck. They’ve got a nice craft beer list, which was a bit unexpected. Short’s, New Holland and Brewery Vivant are commonly on the menu, and they always, always have Bell’s Two Hearted on tap. Obviously, we knew we were going to like it here.
Heck's Bar in Kinde is a super fun stop. Be sure to say hi to owner Rob Heck, left, and bartender Linda Pineau, who has been at Heck's for 20 years.
Heck’s Bar
Heck’s uses local ingredients when they can, with buns coming from Metropolitan Bakery in Detroit, and Gielow Pickles from Lexington.
That “Heckleburger”? It’s a big and meaty burger, featuring the special latticed ground burger that they use here. Two quarter pound burgers get laced with the beautiful melting powers of Velveeta cheese, which melds the burgers together into a sum greater than their parts.
The olive burger is just one patty, but with the same Velveeta cheese binding all the olives together. No mayo on this untraditional version, and that’s just fine.
A unique option is the bacon cheeseburger, which comes loaded with bacon bits, finely chopped and cooked, and piled on top for one of the most bacon-y things we tried during the whole search. It’s Heck’s Bar’s number one seller.
It’s not always easy to own and operate a bar. There have been decreases in the local population over the last few years, prices for product can fluctuate significantly, and then throw in a pandemic to boot. Heck rolls with the punches, and just keeps on serving the cold beer and excellent burgers.
“We’ve been through good times, and we’ve been through tough times,” he said. “I’ll do 18 hour days just to make sure everything is done the way we want it. People are great here.”
Gooey cheese, shredded lettuce, fresh tomato, and sliced olives top the olive burger at Heck's Bar in Kinde.
Heck’s Bar
2990 W Kinde Road
Kinde, Michigan 48445
(989) 874-4868
A cheeseburger from the Kozy Korner Saloon in Armada.
Kozy Korner Saloon
If you have a flat top that’s been searing up burgers for over 50 years, you have something special. That’s exactly the situation at Kozy Korner Saloon, located in the little town of Armada in northern Macomb county.
“The burger hasn’t changed,” owner Krissy Schmidtt told us. Her family has owned the bar for all of those years, Schmidtt’s late (and beloved) dad Ray Drummond bought the bar in 1969. Schmidtt literally grew up at the Kozy Korner. “Ray was awesome, I miss him a lot. He was truly a great man,” bar manager Shelley Hedlund told us. She’s been working at the Kozy Korner Saloon for 30 years.
That original grill still cooks up every single burger here, and it’s a classic, tiny grill, located right behind the bar. Schmidtt has tried to recreate the burger at home, to no success. “I’ve brought it all home, the burger, the bun, the seasoning. It never can taste the same without the grill.”
The backbone to the burger here is the excellent beef that the bar picks up fresh from Vinckier Foods across the street. The 80/20 blend gets formed into generous 1/2# patties, and slapped onto that well seasoned grill. They get a dusting of special seasoning, which we were told consists of salt, pepper and “something extra”.
The burger comes out with an excellent crumble when you take a bite, and just the right amount of seasoning. Things might be different now, but during our visit they still brought out a caddy of toppings in Tupperware containers to top your burger.
The amazing crew at the Kozy Korner Saloon. The bar is a true community gathering place for Armada.
Kozy Korner Saloon
We loved the classic “Kozy Burger,” a half-pound beauty that comes topped with sweet grilled onions, tasty cheddar cheese, huge slabs of crisp iceberg lettuce, and a thick slice of beefsteak tomato all nestled on a buttered bun. It’s a mouthful of a burger, and absolutely delicious.
Want your burger in a slightly different form? Try the stellar Patty Melt, which gives you burger in sandwich form. That fresh burger is squished between grilled rye bread, loaded with sauteéd onions, and melded with Swiss cheese for one fantastic offering.
We couldn’t pass up the chili, it’s Ray Drummond’s recipe, and a classic Michigan version. Chunky, with onions, peppers and tomatoes, ground beef, and, of course, beans, it’s a bowl that everyone will like.
The bar is a huge part of the community here, always participating in fundraisers and raffles to help raise needed funds. Armada has equally rallied around the Kozy during this difficult time, supporting them in every way that they can. While you might think it’s just a bar if you pass by, come on in, and join the families, regulars, and whole sports teams who come on in for great food and friendly service.
“Everyone is super supportive here, everyone is like family, everyone is involved with each other,” Schmidtt said referencing the community of Armada.
The burger set up at the Kozy Korner Saloon. During usual times, the crew will bring out a basket of toppings so you can embellish your burger however you see fit.
Kozy Korner Saloon
22991 W Main St.
Armada, Michigan 48005
(586) 784-9015
The Kozy Lounge in Hazel Park is a welcoming bar, with awesome burgers.
Kozy Lounge
Having opened in 1962, Kozy Lounge is the oldest bar in Hazel Park, and it’s still kicking almost every day of the week. We stopped by on a Sunday afternoon in March, and the bar was packed with regulars, playing shuffleboard, hanging out, eating burgers, and enjoying cold beers.
Michelle Haskell now owns the bar with her husband Rob Haskell, they took over from her mom Dee Dee Polulton about four years ago. Michelle has had a long history here, as she “used to clean the parking lot growing up” she told us. Polulton told us that the Kozy “has always been my heart. My apple didn’t fall too far from the tree.”
We got to meet the “King and Queen” of the Kozy, Sheila and Richard Fleishans. They’ve been patrons for over 40 years, and could not be bigger fans. “They are the best,” they told us.
Belly up to the bar, and notice the shelves that pull out below the top for extra eating space. An old school, unique touch that just adds to the ambiance here. Add in some fantastically named dishes, that all give a salute to the bar’s regulars, and you’ve got the perfect hangout. “People love to have fun here,” Polulton said. “They know what they’re doing.”
When you are at the Kozy Lounge, you will quickly become part of the crew here.
Kozy Lounge
Burgers here feature Fairway Packing beef, that comes in fresh in a 80/20 blend. Hand pattied, it gets a liberal dousing of the Kozy secret seasoning when it hits the flat top. First bite in, and the juice runs right down your chin. They obviously know what they’re doing here, the Kozy won the Detroit Burger Battle in 2019 with this combination.
Their signature “Kat Burger” is a deliciously unique offering, that is both spicy and sweet, with layers of flavor that goes on for days. Fresh jalapenos are cooked with honey, creating an incredible candied spice bomb on top of the burger. Add in rosemary bacon and savory Swiss cheese, and the Kat is one awesome burger, different, without being crazy.
The “Kozy Burger” is a seemingly simple combo of bacon, grilled onions and the lively addition of Swiss cheese, it’s classic. The #2, the “10 Mile Burger” is a straight up classic cheeseburger, topped with lettuce, tomato, pickle and onion. The “Ma Burger” named after Polulton, comes loaded with bacon, Swiss, and mild peppers loaded on a seared Texas toast. The “One Night Stan” named after a customer who wanted breakfast one day, isn’t a burger, but is great. Shaved ribeye, green peppers, sauteed mushrooms and onions, melted Swiss and two fried eggs make sure you have a great start to the day.
Kozy Lounge is a classic Detroit bar, with way above average burgers and food. We highly recommend stopping by this fun, welcoming spot.
Burgers come fresh off the griddle at the Kozy Lounge in Hazel Park.
Kozy Lounge
150 E 10 Mile Rd
Hazel Park, Michigan 48030
(248) 547-5017
Morgan and John Beilfuss are the proud owners of Lula's Louisiana Cookhouse, winner of Michigan's Best Fried Chicken. They made us one of John's specialities, his green chile cheeseburger.
Lula’s Louisiana Cookhouse
What can we say about Lula’s Louisiana Kitchen? That they have Michigan’s Best fried chicken. And we mean the very best. The whole menu will knock your socks off. We could go on and on, but what we love the most though are owners John and Morgan Beilfuss, who not only have incredible love for Owosso, but also an insane passion for great food.
Plus, they are just about the nicest people you’ll ever meet.
Since our original visit, the restaurant has expanded into the space next door, creating a new lounge/bar/club space known as Lily Pearl’s Lounge, with a full bar, featuring great hand made cocktails, craft beer, and a well curated wine list.
As of now, Lula’s and Lily Pearl’s are both closed. John has always prided himself on the incredible welcome that you’ll receive at his places, as well as the high level of service that his establishments provide. In his opinion, that is just not possible right now.
“We will not be reopening for a while,” John said. “So, what am I watching for? I’m watching for the moment this all is behind us and we can open the restaurant “offering the quality of experience our guests have come to expect from us”. To me that means no masks, that I feel free to hug my guests and employees when I feel like it, and without Covid 19 being on our minds.”
We are all hoping that we’ll get there soon.
The green chile cheeseburger at Lula's in Owosso is a speciality of owner John Beilfuss.
Lula’s Louisiana Cookhouse
We’ve visited Lula’s multiple times, whether it’s for a Michigan’s Best Day in Owosso, for Michigan’s Best BBQ (be sure to try their Chicken ON-DA-WAY, it’s fantastic), or for the best fried chicken in the state. John and Morgan have become incredible advocates for locally owned restaurants around Michigan, and always invite us to stop by for some of their specialties when we are traveling across the state.
So, it was no surprise when we said we’d stop by to say hello in March, to catch up and hear what was new at Lula’s, and the next thing we knew, John was serving us one incredible green chile cheeseburger. John has family in New Mexico, where the chile cheeseburger reigns supreme.
The version at Lula’s is pretty traditional, and totally delicious. Roasted Hatch green chiles get chopped up, and added to the top of a seared beef burger, nestled atop melted cheese. The combination of spicy heat, with creamy cheese is a great burger topping. As always, Lula’s manages to take quality ingredients, and spin them into unique versions of dishes that might be familiar, but are anything but in the hands of the chefs here.
Check out Chef John Beilfuss’ cooking tutorials, he’s got some great recipes, tips and tricks to share with you while we await Lula’s reopening.
Lula's expanded into the space next door, creating a new jazz club with a bar called Lily Pearl's.
113 S Washington St
Owosso, Michigan 48867
(989) 720-5852
Lily Pearl's Lounge
115 S. Washington St.
Owosso, Michigan 48867
(989) 720-5852
The cheeseburger and double burger at Nonla Burger in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Wednesday, March 4, 2020. The restaurant is a finalist for Michigan's Best Burger. (Kendall Warner | Mlive.com) Kendall Warner | MLive.com
Nonla Burger
Fast casual concept Nonla Burger has been a rousing success in Kalamazoo. The all fresh, made to order menu features burgers, chicken sandwiches, hand cut fries, and creamy dreamy milkshakes.
“It’s not really reinventing the wheel,” said co-owner Kyle Monk. “All walks of life can eat here and afford it.”
Nonla Burger is co-owned by Natashia and Kyle Monk and Johnny and Kelly Nguyen. Kyle and Johnny grew up together in California, and had always wanted to open a restaurant together. The Nguyen’s had a personal connection to Michigan, as Kelly is from here. They took the leap first, and opened Nonla Vietnamese Street Food in Mattawan and Nonla Bahn Mi Togo in downtown Kalamazoo. Together, the couples co-own Nonla Taqueria, a Mexican restaurant, in Schoolcraft, which opened in November 2018. The original Nonla Burger opened in 2018, while the new location, which features a drive thru window, just opened in February of 2020.
The burger here is designed from the top down, from the bun, to the perfect amount of meat, to the house made Nonla sauce, to the way they are wrapped for easy, clean eating. We loved the attention to detail that Nonla Burger puts in to everything they are doing here.
The crew at Nonla Burger poses for a photo in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Wednesday, March 4, 2020. The restaurant is a finalist for Michigan's Best Burger. (Kendall Warner | Mlive.com) Kendall Warner | MLive.com
Nonla Burger
The food here is absolutely top notch, served up quick and hot, and totally affordable. No wonder there was a line out the door during our lunch time stop in March.
Burgers are made from fresh beef, with smaller patties that can be stacked however you like. The meat gets a great sear, and is well seasoned, while buns are sturdy and a beautiful golden brown. The Single is a lovely, compact burger, while the Double has the perfect amount for bun to burger ratio, and as Kyle said, “It’s our star child.”
In addition to these delicious burgers, you can go vegetarian with a Beyond Burger, which has a hint of chargrill to it, and is a nice option. Do not miss the standout crispy chicken sandwich here, it’s absolutely perfect, especially if you order it up the “Nonla Way” which means it comes topped with house made pickled vegetables, fresh cilantro, and their excellent signature spicy ranch sauce.
Fries are hand cut, and come out with a lovely crunch and creamy interior. Try dipping them in a side of Nonla Sauce, which is somewhat reminiscent of a Thousand Island dressing. Also, be sure to order up the Shake of the Day, you won’t be disappointed.
Overall, these are super solid burgers at Nonla, and about one thousand times better than any mass market fast food option, and not that much more expensive. Completely worth a trip the next time you are in Kalamazoo.
Kyle Monk prepares handout french fries at Nonla Burger in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Wednesday, March 4, 2020. The restaurant is a finalist for Michigan's Best Burger. (Kendall Warner | Mlive.com) Kendall Warner | MLive.com
2103 S. Burdick St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001
(269) 443-2270
1700 S. Drake Rd. Suite a, Kalamazoo MI 49006
(269) 888-2499
*this location has a drive thru*
See all the pictures from our visit to Nonla Burger in Kalamazoo.
An olive burger sits on a pool table at RJ's Sports Bar and Grill in Portage, Michigan on Wednesday, March 4, 2020. The restaurant is a finalist for Michigan's Best Burger. (Kendall Warner | Mlive.com) Kendall Warner | MLive.com
RJ’s Sports Bar and Grill
In our experience, a good dive bar is one of the greatest gifts you can find. Discovering a spot that is welcoming, with talkative bartenders and patrons, offers up stiff drinks and cold beer, and has at least one great thing to eat is always awesome. We were very pleasantly surprised by RJ’s in Portage, which ticked off pretty much every thing you need in a great bar.
Upon our arrival, we were a little confused as to whether we were at the right spot. There is a large sign out front that says “Walt’s Lounge”, which was the name of the bar back when the current owner Randy Ely’s dad owned the bar. Randy changed the name in 1992. Randy, his wife of 40 years, Jane, and daughter Kate are now running the bar, and have been for the past 41 years. Kate hopes to take over some day.
We knew RJ’s had a lot of potential when we walked in and saw the mish mash of things going on here. There are pool tables, TV’s, some betting machines, pinball, Keno, high top tables, booths, a patio with corn hole games, tons of sports memorabilia, and even some antique maps of Kalamazoo on the wall. The bar was fairly crowded during our mid-day visit, with customers enjoying a quick lunch, or bellied up to the bar discussing current events. RJ’s is the only bar in town with no windows, so it’s the perfect atmosphere for a bit of day drinking.
“It’s the Cheers of Portage,” a patron told us. “Everybody knows everybody here.”
Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez speak with Randy Ely, the owner of RJ's Sports Bar and Grill in Portage, Michigan on Wednesday, March 4, 2020. The restaurant is a finalist for Michigan's Best Burger. (Kendall Warner | Mlive.com) Kendall Warner | MLive.com
RJ’s Sports Bar and Grill
Ambience is one thing, but throw in a great burger to enjoy as well and you are now approaching dive bar legend status. RJ’s is right up there, the burger here is a thing of beauty.
Randy picks up fresh ground meat from H&B Market just up the street every day. It’s ground chuck, and a bit on the lean side with a 85/15 blend. They hand patty the meat into 1/3# burgers, that then get a sear on the flat top that has seen it’s share of burgers. A sprinkle of RJ’s special secret seasoning goes on top, which brings out the natural flavor of the meat. The burger then gets nestled on to a bun from local bakery Ed’s Breads, who “have been here since we’ve been here” according to Randy. The burger is a great deal, a single is $4.50, a cheeseburger is $5, while a double will set you back $7.80.
The regular cheeseburger is the most popular, and we enjoyed it immensely, with the melted cheese coating the burger and dripping down our chins upon first bite. You can order your burger ‘everything deluxe’ and it will come out loaded with ketchup, mustard, pickle, onion, lettuce, tomato and mayo. We also liked the savory Swiss mushroom burger, and the Michigan classic olive burger, which included the genius addition of the olive spread on the bottom of the burger.
This is the type of bar where you might enter a stranger, but you will leave a regular, most likely with several new friends, and a full and happy tummy. Well done, RJ’s, we’ll be back.
A double burger sits on a pool table at RJ's Sports Bar and Grill in Portage, Michigan on Wednesday, March 4, 2020. The restaurant is a finalist for Michigan's Best Burger. (Kendall Warner | Mlive.com) Kendall Warner | MLive.com
RJ’s Sports Bar and Grill
8118 Portage Road
Portage, MI 49002
(269) 323-9262
See all of our pictures from our visit to RJ’s Sports Bar and Grill.
A Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Burger at Rookie's Burger Bar in Jackson in the search for Michigan's Best Burger on Friday, March 6, 2020. Rookie's Burger Bar was one of three stops in the Jackson area in the search.J. Scott Park | MLive.com
Rookie’s Burger Bar
Every single shift, every single day you’ll find Rookie’s owner Rodney Tripp in the kitchen, working his magic on the well seasoned griddle, and whipping up his signature stuffed burgers. Tripp took the bar over about two years ago, and rebranded the bar, while also changing up the menu a bit to reflect more of his extensive culinary experience. In addition to working in restaurants, Tripp spent seven years working as a butcher, so he knows his way around a piece of meat.
“I started cooking as a kid,” Tripp told us. “And took home ec classes in junior high. I just have always really liked to cook.”
Each burger here is 100% made to order, from stuffing each patty, to freshly sauteeing the toppings, to assembling the burger. These are pretty labor intensive for Tripp, but one bite, and you’ll be thankful for all of his hard work.
A Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Burger at Rookie's Burger Bar in Jackson in the search for Michigan's Best Burger on Friday, March 6, 2020. Rookie's Burger Bar was one of three stops in the Jackson area in the search.J. Scott Park | MLive.com
Rookie’s Burger Bar
Tripp buys fresh ground 80/20 beef daily from local A+A Market. To create the massive stuffed burgers, he makes a 8 ounce patty for the bottom and a 4 ounce patty for the top, and fills the middle with a variety of stuffing ingredients, sealing the meat around it. With the stuffing added, the burgers weigh in at a hearty one pound. Because they are so big, Tripp warns you that the burger will take about 20 minutes to cook. Don’t worry, it’s worth the wait.
The most popular stuffed burger is the Philly Cheesesteak, and it is just as crazy as that sounds. The tasty ground beef surrounds shaved and seared ribeye steak, sauteéd mushrooms and onions, Swiss cheese, and briny banana peppers. It’s a massive specimen, super juicy, and full of flavor. We loved how the molten cheese flows out of the center of the burger, and the banana peppers were an inspired addition, providing a bit of brightness to the rich burger.
If this sounds like a bit much for you, Rookie’s also offers up regular old burgers featuring a mere 1/2# patty. That well seasoned grill, and Tripp’s talent in the kitchen, makes sure that they are anything but ordinary.
Sarah Wood and Rodney Tripp at Rookie's Burger Bar in Jackson in the search for Michigan's Best Burger on Friday, March 6, 2020. Rookie's Burger Bar was one of three stops in the Jackson area in the search.J. Scott Park | MLive.com
Rookie’s Burger Bar
1910 S. Cooper St.
Jackson, Michigan 49203
(517) 795-1286
See all the pictures from our visit to Rookies Burger Bar.
Roy's Squeeze Inn in Ypsilanti is a classic old school burger joint, with a curved counter for dining.
Roy’s Squeeze Inn
It’s the cutest little spot, with the cutest, and most appropriate name. Roy’s Squeeze Inn has been a Ypsilanti staple since the 1950′s. Belly on up to the horseshoe shaped counter, perched on top of a swivel stool, and get ready for a good time.
Our counter girl was Tamara Phillip, a super friendly, and very efficient worker, who managed not just the counter, but also drive ups and phone orders, and worked the fryer, all while keeping us entertained.
“It’s a little bit like a sober bar,” Philliip said. “Lots of good counter talk, and you don’t have to deal with the craziness.”
Although open year round, summer is Roy’s extra busy time. Thursday nights are “Depot Town Car Night” when classic car aficionados come out to show off, and cruise the strip. They typically split their time between Roy’s and the equally old school Bill’s Drive-In across the street.
Roy's Squeeze Inn's counter features just a few red pleather covered stools to perch yourself on while you dive into one of Roy's simply good burgers.A
Roy’s Squeeze Inn
The burgers here are nothing fancy, just downright good. Phillips told us that Roy’s cooks prep everything, except the burger’s secret seasoning. Only the owner knows that recipe, and he comes in to mix it up personally.
She also explained the pride that the cooks take in the flat top griddle. “This grill is his baby,” Phillips said. “He’ll do anything to protect it.”
That griddle sears up some great burgers. If you really want to taste the meat, opt for the half pound Big Squeeze, which fits nicely on it’s larger sesame seed bun. The Quarter Squeeze is just that, a quarter pound patty. The Big and the Quarter come cut in half, for easier eating. The extremely cute, nice and small Little Squeeze is a perfectly proportioned slider, and a burger that you might want to order by the sackful.
One thing that sets these burgers apart are the grilled onions that get smashed and cooked right into the burger meat, for an extra pop of flavor and texture.
You can ask for your burger topped with lettuce, tomato, cheese or mayo. If you’d like to add ketchup or mustard, you can do that yourself. Many guests request extra secret seasoning on their burgers. As for sides, the freshly fried potato wedges are a nice one, crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside.
A little slice of Americana, and a big part of Ypsi history, Roy’s Squeeze Inn is a very fun experience.
Burgers come in three different sizes at Roy's, so you can find the one that is just right.
Roy’s Squeeze Inn
1315 E Michigan Ave.
Ypsilanti, Michigan 48198
(734) 485-3999
Cash only, please.
Schaendorf Brewing Company serves burgers made with meat from their very own cattle farm.
Schaendorf Brewing Company
Located in a beautifully restored historical building in charming Allegan, Schaendorf Brewing Company embodies the epitome of a true farm to table restaurant. Owned by the Schaendorf family, who are second generation owners of a local dairy farm, the brewery sources all of its meat direct from their own farm.
The family raises Holstein cows, and uses choice cuts to create their custom 85/15 blend. The internal marbling of the beef creates a juicy burger, with less shrinkage than other blends. Can’t make it to the brewery to try a burger? They distribute Schaendorf ground beef to Spartan stores.
Ben Schaendorf founded the brewery in 2018, deciding to expand into some new business territory. Born and raised in Allegan, he and his wife Nicole knew that they wanted to help build up the downtown community in this tight knit town. They bought the building, which over the years has housed everything from a car dealership to the home of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. It now is a wide open, bright and airy space, with exposed brick and beams, and a long bar along the wall where the brewery resides.
Ben brought on Kyle Heslip as his brewer, and he’s making some very solid beers. We recommend a flight, that way you can try a little bit of everything.
Schaendorf Brewing Company features fresh beef grown from the families own farm.
Start your meal off with some of the deep fried fresh cheese curds, you’ll be very glad that you did. They come out piping hot, crispy, and full of molten cheese.
The burgers here reside on brioche buns, and have a wonderful flavor. The Brewers Burger gets topped with a beer cheese blend, bacon, lettuce and tomato. The Western gets a dousing of BBQ sauce, and then crispy bacon and fried shoestring onions, for a classic combo. We particularly liked the Southwestern burger, which was topped with a very fresh salsa and some spicy jalapenos.
Schaendorf is making most everything in house, and we love this commitment to quality. From farm to table, Schaendorf Brewing is doing it right out in Allegan.
The Schaendorf family, from left: Ben, Kyle, Hayley and Nicole Heslip.
420 Water St.
Allegan, Michigan 49010
(269) 286-1059
They stack them tall at Schlenker's Sandwich Shop in Jackson.
Schlenker’s Sandwich Shop
We love Jackson here at Michigan's Best. You might not realize that it's one of the best foodie towns in all of Michigan. One of the reasons to visit is Schlenker's Sandwich Shop, a burger joint that has been open since 1927, serving up classic, well made burgers. In 2018, local entrepreneurs Nick and Tina Fuller decided to buy the shop.
"It's kind of like the bar Cheers. You see the same people eating, the girls know their orders," Nick Fuller said.
There are just 16 stools here, ringed around a horseshoe shaped counter. Grab one, and watch the magic unfold. The staff bustles around, and you can watch the cooks in the back, building burgers.
During our visit, we were joined with Jackson mayor Derek Dobies, who is a regular at Schlenker’s. “They focus on the burger here, and it’s not even served on a plate. It’s my favorite place to get a burger, the atmosphere is perfect, it’s cozy and unique. And having the customers interact with each other and the staff is really cool.” he explained.
The dining area is full at Schlenker's Sandwich Shop in Jackson in the search for Michigan's Best Burger on Friday, March 6, 2020. Schlenker's Sandwich Shop was one of three stops in the Jackson area in the search.J. Scott Park | MLive.com
Schlenker’s Sandwich Stop
When the Fuller's took over ownership, they decided to get back to basics at Schlenker's. They went back to the original burger recipe, and immediately went back to purchasing all of the ground beef from local Jackson business A & A Market. They stop by every morning to pick up the fresh ground beef.
As we were asking these technical questions, a local patron decided that they had to let it be known that there's "not a better burger in town". This is one reason we love Jackson, it's residents just can't hold back their passion for some of the good things that are going on here.
That beef that they pick up from A & A gets no additional seasoning, and is "super yummy" according to my notes. It has a great crumble to it, and when you take a bite it kind of just melts in your mouth.
The "Classic" is a simple iteration, with sweet relish, onion, and mustard. You'll get notes of pickle, hot mustard and sharp onion, all playing off the bun and the burger. The "Bacon Double' is exactly what you want in a burger, messy and juicy, but not too much to handle. It has a great topping-to-burger ratio, and is one solid burger. Every bite was spot on.
Don't miss the super crunchy onion rings, and the cauliflower bites are a nice starter.
You can call your order in ahead of time, and either pop in, or roll through the drive in. Or belly up to the lively counter, where all of Jackson meets for a burger. You will seriously be friends with everyone before you leave. As one customer exclaimed as he saw our order, “Tighten up, don’t lighten up!”, it’s all ok in Jackson, especially when you are ordering burgers at Schlenker’s.
The double bacon cheeseburger at Schlenker's Sandwich Shop in Jackson in the search for Michigan's Best Burger on Friday, March 6, 2020. Schlenker's Sandwich Shop was one of three stops in the Jackson area in the search.J. Scott Park | MLive.com
Schlenker’s Sandwich Shop
1104 E Ganson St.
Jackson, Michigan 49201
(517) 783-1667
See all the photos from our visit to Schlenker’s in Jackson.
The Big Mouth burger at the Station Grill,1910 W Broadway Ave, in Muskegon, Michigan on Tuesday, March 3, 2020. The restaurant is a finalist for Michigan's Best Burger.Alison Zywicki | azywicki
The Station Grill
We are big fans of The Station Grill in Muskegon, and it’s been a very popular place with the locals since 1972. Located in a former gas station, it’s been owned by Chris and Kelly Meyers since 1998, and in the family since it first opened.
We stop by regularly on searches, because everything they make on their diverse menu is excellent. The Station Grill was a finalist for Best Burger in 2013, and we have made subsequent visits for Best Chicken Wings in 2017 and Best Chili in 2019. Each time we stop we are amazed at the variety of guests at The Station. There might be a table of ladies who lunch, next to a couple on a date, next to a soccer team celebrating a win. Everyone is welcome at this bustling spot.
They go through some serious food at The Station Grill, and to get it all out in a timely, hot manner means major team work from the staff. Manager Tony Smith told us “It’s kind of like an orchestra playing. From service, to food, to take out, we have a great system to make it all work.”
One thing that helps is the long term staff that the Station retains. If you look at their uniforms, each employee boasts a patch that tells you how long they’ve worked here. 10, 20 30 years are all pretty common to see, and a rarity in the restaurant business.
(Back row, from left) Roger Pickard, Jerry Price, Kobe Mayhew, Kristy Miller, Brenda Paprocki, Tony Smith, Lindsey Moyer, Deontae Smith, Robert Pleimlimg (front row, from left) Madalyn Herrera, Tina Sherry, Daisy Williams, Kelly Meyers, and Marissa Smith pose for a group photo at the Station Grill,1910 W Broadway Ave, in Muskegon, Michigan on Tuesday, March 3, 2020. The restaurant is a finalist for Michigan's Best Burger.Alison Zywicki | azywicki
The Station Grill
Burger meat comes in fresh daily, and gets hand pattied into two sizes, either half-pound or third-pound. They season the meat with their own custom, secret spice which adds a great flavor. If you like it, you can even purchase some to enhance your burgers at home. The burgers get chargrilled, which gives them a distinct flavor.
It’s a very extensive menu at The Station Grill, and everything can be customized, including burgers. We thought it was pretty amazing when Smith told us all the ways that their fries can be cooked: Regular, Soft, Perfect, Crispy, Extra soft, Extra Crispy. That is some pretty serious customer service.
If you are super hungry, we’d recommend the Big Mouth Burger, which comes with two half-pound burgers, Swiss and American cheese. If you love beef, this is the burger for you. The Signature Burger is downright delicious, it comes topped with sweet grilled onions, salty bacon, and a wonderfully squishy bar cheese. It is the perfect combination of flavors. For the smaller appetite, The Station has cute little burger bites, that offer just a taste.
Be sure to order the Texas fries, these homemade chips are curly, crinkly, crunchy and lovely.
We overheard a waitress ask a customer “Anything else you need?” The customer responded “A wheelbarrow to get me out of here.” Truer words have never been spoken at The Station Grill in Muskegon.
The Big Mouth burger at the Station Grill,1910 W Broadway Ave, in Muskegon, Michigan on Tuesday, March 3, 2020. The restaurant is a finalist for Michigan's Best Burger.Alison Zywicki | azywicki
The Station Grill
910 W Broadway Ave.
Muskegon, Michigan 49441
(231) 759-0633
See all the pictures from our visit to The Station Grill.
Vegan Southwest Burger at Stella's Lounge, 53 Commerce Ave SW, in Grand Rapids on Monday, March 2, 2020. The restaurant is a finalist for Michigan's Best Burger. (Cory Morse | MLive.com) Cory Morse | MLive.com
Stella’s Lounge
Stella’s Lounge in Grand Rapids has been serving up their stuffed burgers since 2010, and continue to welcome a variety of guests with a large vegan menu, lots of beers and a huge selection of whiskeys, and a gaggle of old school video games to enjoy.
When HopCat first opened, “the menu was actually almost all vegan”, founder Mark Sellers explained. “We figured we’d be one of the only places in town with a vegan menu.” They had one burger, the Stella Bleu, which is a stuffed burger, with the cheese lovingly placed in between two patties. It’s still on the menu, and they probably won’t ever take it off as it was named the burger in United States by GQ magazine in 2012.
Now, the menu is split between vegan, vegetarian and all beef burgers, so there is something for everyone to enjoy
MLive's Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez interview owner Mark Sellers, middle, inside Stella's Lounge, 53 Commerce Ave SW, in Grand Rapids on Monday, March 2, 2020. The restaurant is a finalist for Michigan's Best Burger. (Cory Morse | MLive.com) Cory Morse | MLive.com
Stella’s Lounge
The 100% Angus beef at Stella's comes in fresh from an Indiana farm, and gets hand pattied every day. The stuffed burgers are a half pound of beef, with two patties of meat formed around the cheese filling. You can also select just a regular half pound patty that comes unstuffed. All burgers are topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, and a whole fried onion ring.
There are two vegan options you can enjoy here, which are two more than you can find at most bars. They both get cooked on a special, dedicated grill, so no worries about cross contamination with animal products if that's your jam.
The house made “Hippie Stuffed Burger” is a special blend of lentils and black beans, that comes stuffed with tempeh sausage and pesto. This burger didn’t try to be something it wasn’t, and it was a great, vegetable forward version of a burger. Load on those toppings for a vegan burger option with nice chew and flavor, one that isn’t trying to be meat, but offers a great vegan dining experience.
They also offer the Impossible Burger here, and if you want a plant based option that truly mimics meat in both taste and texture, this choice will check all the boxes. We tried it two ways, in the "Southwest Vegan" that was nice and easy to eat, and in the tasty "Mission Impossible" version that had some Hawaiian flair. Topped with a grilled pineapple ring, as well as BBQ sauce, spinach and sauteed peppers and onions, it was a sweet and savory treat.
Daiya cheese, a vegan, non-dairy plant based blend, is available for all burgers.
Stella’s is the perfect top downtown Grand Rapids stop before a show or a concert, where no matter what your group’s eating preference is, you’ll find a burger version that will make them happy. Add in a good selection of beers, arcade games to play, and fun, funky vibe and you’ve got the makings for fun night out.
Mission Impossible vegan burger at Stella's Lounge, 53 Commerce Ave SW, in Grand Rapids on Monday, March 2, 2020. The menu describes the burger as "Our vegan Hawaiian burger is a blackened Impossible patty, topped with a grilled pineapple ring, BBQ sauce, spinach and sautŽed peppers and onions." The restaurant is a finalist for Michigan's Best Burger. (Cory Morse | MLive.com) Cory Morse | MLive.com
Stella’s Lounge
53 Commerce Ave. SW
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503
(616) 742-4444
See all the photos from our visit to Stella’s Lounge in Grand Rapids.
The famous Talley Burger from Talley's Log Cabin Bar in Lewiston, MI.
Talley’s Log Cabin Bar
Another spot that keeps it super simple, Talley's Log Cabin Bar in Lewiston serves up a basic burger, uncomplicated and straightforward. The Talley burger is exactly what you want, and more than you expected, from this very fun northern Michigan bar.
Owned by Bird and Moe Smith since 1968, this place is a true Michigan treasure. An actual log cabin, located right downtown Lewiston, there is a very lively bar right in the front. Grab a stool here if you want to engage in some hilarious banter, get to know the locals, and have a hell of a time. Or sit at one of the many tables to enjoy time with friends and family. There are classic bar games like darts to enjoy, if you like.
When Gonzo visited Talley's on his search for Michigan's Best Burgers in 2013, he got the full Talley's experience from owner Bird Smith, who's quite the jokester.
“When I was on our search for Michigan’s Best Burger, I stumbled into a tiny bar that serves great burgers, and great fun,” Gonzo said. “Upon entering Talley’s Log Cabin in Lewiston, owner Bird Smith told me that Talley’s had just moved down the street.”Huh,” I said, looking very confused. That’s when I slowly realized he was joking.....The whole bar was in on the joke, and everyone burst out into laughter.”
Both Bird and Moe joined us during this visit, which is no surprise since they are pretty much at the bar every single day. Their son Tyler now manages the day to day operations of the bar, something that has pretty much been in his blood since the day he was born. Bird and Moe stopped by the bar on their way home from the hospital, and Tyler got passed around to meet all the regulars. Not one to stay in the car while Bird dropped something off, “I came in, and handed him to the first person,” Moe said.
Tyler started tending bar when he was a senior in high school, and the deal with his parents was he had to attend college, and then he could come back to run the bar. He’s been here ever since. “It’s a labor of love.”
“I really enjoy the people here,” Tyler said. “It’s the best part of my job.” He jokes that he’s adopted all the old ladies around the bar, and calls them all affectionately, Aunt.
Talley's Log Cabin Bar owners
Talley’s Log Cabin Bar
Bird really won't reveal much about the burger, except to say that they use fresh ground beef that they buy locally for each of the 1/3 pound burgers. The burger gets a slice of American cheese, and plopped onto a sesame seed bun.
That’s it. It’s under $5. And it is one beautiful burger. The meat fits the bun correctly, it’s super easy to eat without devolving into a mess, and it just tastes right. Juicy, without being greasy. It’s everything you want in a cheeseburger. You can add a thin slice of onion to your burger, and it will gently steam into softness as it’s brought to the table. Dress it the way you like at the table.
If you are heading anywhere near Lewiston, Talley’s is an absolute must stop, not just for great burgers, but also for the amusing banter, enjoyable staff and total entertainment that you’ll find at this bar.
“We’re lucky we are in a business where laughter is OK,” said Moe with a giggle.
It's a simple, no frills burger at Talley's Log Cabin Bar in Lewiston.
Talley’s Log Cabin Bar
2981 Kneeland St
Lewiston, Michigan 49756
(989) 786-2011
The burger from the Wagon Wheel in Portland.
The Wagon Wheel
This is a sweet little place located just off of 96, that features 12 lanes of fun bowling for kids, families, and leagues. Owners Chopper and Jonda Schrauben have run it for over 20 years, after taking over from Chopper’s dad, who built it in 1972.
Chopper started working here at age 8, standing on a beer crate behind the counter. They knew this industry was changing, so the enterprising couple added a kitchen, bar, a bigger dining area, and most recently, a wood fired pizza oven. The food here is incredible, especially the burgers. In fact, they sold almost 50,000 of them last year.
The burgers at Wagon Wheel are delicious and topped with all sorts of creative ingredients.
The Wagon Wheel
When asked which burger was the most popular, Chopper quickly answered “All of them.” We would have to concur, as every burger we tried seemed to get better and better.
The Wagon Wheel Special has been a 50 year favorite, it comes topped with ham and American cheese. The Pizza Burger is another long term best seller, and comes topped with a tangy tomato sauce and melted mozzarella cheese.
We love that each and every burger is wrapped up in the kitchen and then sent out. Chopper explained that this way, the burger “doesn’t sit under the window and gets dried out. This way it stays warm and gets nice and melty.”
The Schrauben’s have been in the business a very long time, but they aren’t resting on their laurels. “You have to keep growing every year,” Chopper said. “Otherwise you are going backwards and you have to get out.” Here’s hoping that The Wagon Wheel keeps moving forward, making incredible food, and welcoming guests to their very fun space.
The crew at The Wagon Wheel.
7888 E Grand River Ave
Portland, MI 48875
(517) 647-4989
Weston's Kewpee Burger is a Lansing mainstay.
Weston’s Kewpee Burger
A very classic spot in downtown Lansing, Weston’s Kewpee Burger is a long time favorite that serves up some very fine burgers, including their unique “Crumble Burger”.
The restaurant might be one of the oldest in Lansing, having gotten its start way back in 1923. It originally located in Flint, and was part of the Halo Burger. Kewpee was actually serving burgers out of a wagon wheel cart, that’s how old it is. The Weston family still owns it, and dad Gary along with daughter Autumn are there every day.
“It’s the nostalgia, and the years of tradition,” Autumn said when asked what makes Kewpee a special place. “We love what we do.”
Recently, Autumn attended the South Beach Food and Wine Festival in Miami Florida, and came away as the Judge’s choice winner for their famous crumble burger.
“I had no idea how big this event is,” Autumn said . “It was the best weekend of my life.”
Pretty cool that a little burger shop from Lansing came out on top.
A Crumble Burger from Kewpee in Lansing. The burger was named the Judge’s Choice at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival’s Burger Bash in Miami in 2020.
Weston’s Kewpee Burger
This Crumble Burger is made in the Juicy Lucy style, with the ground beef served loose. Piled high on a buttered, toasted bun, the meat gets topped with cheese and olive sauce, which all combines into a lovely little hand held sandwich, that while a bit messy, is really good.
They also offer up traditional patties as well, and these come out classically garnished and freshly cooked, for the perfect lunch just steps from the capital.
Everyone who works here feels like they are part of the family here at Kewpee. Autumn is so proud of her crew and what they’ve accomplished over the years. “I’m doing what I love,” she said. And we love what you do at Kewpee.
The crew at Weston's Kewpee Burger in Lansing. Owner Autumn Weston is front right.
Weston’s Kewpee Burger
118 S Washington Sq
Lansing, Michigan 48933
(517) 482-8049
Hot Bacon Cheese Burger at The Win Tavern 33, 7628 Georgetown Center Drive, in Jenison on Monday, March 2, 2020. The restaurant is a finalist for Michigan's Best Burger. (Cory Morse | MLive.com)
The Win Tavern 33
Located in the Grand Rapids suburb of Jenison, The Win Tavern 33 went right to the top of our regional voting polls for Michigan’s Best Burger. This bustling spot, in a town that’s not known for having really any culinary scene at all, has been killing it since the day they opened.
“This location kind of came up out of nowhere,” co-owner and managing partner Rob Wahl said. “We liked it because there is literally no competition out here in Jenison.”
Jenison, located about 10 miles southwest of Michigan’s second largest city, is a sleepy bedroom community, known for being conservative in it’s taste buds. In fact, Wahl joked with us about what the acceptable heat levels are for their popular Win-Fil-A fried chicken sandwich. Instead of offering it “Nashville Hot”, at Win Tavern 33 they offer a mild version, lovingly called “Georgetown Hot” after the township that Jenison resides in. Pro tip: order this chicken sandwich, it is huge and delicious.
Enough about the yummy chicken, let’s get down with the burgers here at Win Tavern. “I took the techniques that I learned from all the top burger places in Grand Rapids, and use them here,” Wahl told us.
Burgers are prepared in the kitchen at The Win Tavern 33, 7628 Georgetown Center Drive, in Jenison on Monday, March 2, 2020. The restaurant is a finalist for Michigan's Best Burger. (Cory Morse | MLive.com) Cory Morse | MLive.com
The Win Tavern 33
Gathering all of his restaurant experience, Wahl and partners Scott Ingersoll and Tad Feutz opened the restaurant in 2016. Originally, the plan was for it to be a bar, with a very limited, classic bar menu. Very quickly, the team realized that what Jenison really wanted was a full restaurant, so they added on to the menu, and developed their popular burgers to become the mainstay of their menu.
The burgers here feature fresh ground beef from the Thunder Ridge Meat Company. It’s an 80/20 blend that gets hand-formed every morning into 6 ounce balls.
“We are all about the ingredients and the technique here,” Wahl explained. The hamburger gets slapped on the flat top grill with a bit of butter, smashed down, doused with seasoned salt, seared, flipped, and seared again. This process creates a nicely seasoned burger, that’s well cooked.
Buns are buttery brioche here, and toppings are plentiful. Burgers come with house made potato chips, unless you’d like to change it up with fries for an additional up charge. We tried a variety of burgers, from a solid cheeseburger to a few more creative offerings.
The “J Popper” burger comes loaded with pepperjack cheese, a cream cheese spread, jalapenos, and hand dredged crispy fried onions. Yes, it’s delicious. Yes, it really does taste just like a spicy little jalapeno popper.
The “Get’ em N Go” burger, is a classic olive burger, with the seared and smashed patties getting sauced on both sides with a pungent salty olive mayo. It’s a classic Michigan burger, and very well done here.
The “Hot Bacon Cheese” burger is an intense offering of hot sauce, funky blue cheese, crispy bacon, lettuce, tomato and onion. If you want a burger to knock your socks off, this is the one. Bold only begins to describe it.
We can attest to the greatness that is the bacon jam at Win Tavern 33. This dense, heady mix of caramelized onions, sweet and rich, with a punch of porky flavor and a douse of fruity, sweet and acidic balsamic vinegar, tops the “Bacon Jam” burger, coating it in a crazy, out of this world, unique flavor. Something you won’t find many places, and you’ll be happy to find it here.
The restaurant has quickly become an integral part of the Jenison community, sponsoring sports teams and more. They host weekly fundraisers every Monday, helping to raise needed funds for community groups, all while serving up some great food.
(From left) Becky Garroch, Carissa Verburg, Dayton Lewis, part-owner Rob Wahl, Hailey Pellegrom and Corey Bertossi pose for a picture inside the kitchen at The Win Tavern 33, 7628 Georgetown Center Drive, in Jenison on Monday, March 2, 2020. The restaurant is a finalist for Michigan's Best Burger. (Cory Morse | MLive.com) Cory Morse | MLive.com
The Win Tavern 33
7628 Georgetown Center Dr
Jenison, Michigan 49428
(616) 734-6724
See all the pictures from our visit to The Win Tavern 33.
Michigan's Best team of John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman are true burger heads.
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This Muskegon favorite is a finalist for Michigan's Best Burger
Is Michigan's Best Burger at this whiskey and arcade bar in Grand Rapids?
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See our first 12 finalists for Michigan’s Best Burger
Mlive's Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez pose with Rodney Tripp at Rookie's Burger Bar in Jackson in the search for Michigan's Best Burger on Friday, March 6, 2020. Rookie's Burger Bar was one of three stops in the Jackson area in the search.J. Scott Park | MLive.com
Follow our Michigan’s Best adventures on social media
@mlivemibest on Twitter
@mlivemibest on Instagram
Facebook at MLiveMIBest.
Join in by using the hashtag #mibest
In addition:
Amy Sherman is on Twitter @amyonthetrail, as well as Facebook and Instagram @amyonthetrail.
Email: asherma2@mlive.com
John Gonzalez is on Twitter @michigangonzo, as well as Facebook and Instagram @MichiganGonzo.
Email: gonzo
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