50+ must-try burgers in metro Detroit

By Layla McMurtrie on Tue, Jul 16, 2024 at 2:37 pm

Michelle Gerard

Burgers are the name of the game at Detroit’s Mercury Burger Bar.

The humble hamburger is a staple of American food culture, and metro Detroit’s burger scene is sizzling with choices. When you’re in need of a greasy pick-me-up or searching for a hearty, delicious meal, sometimes a simple juicy burger will do just the trick.

The delicacy is served at places from gas station eateries to no-frills diners to high-end restaurants. Sometimes, it can be hard to know where to find the best bite. So, we compiled a list of 50 of our favorite burgers in the Detroit area that are packed with flavor. If you haven’t tried these yet, you’re missing out on some of the best things you can eat between sliced bread.

[content-1]

Tags:

Scroll down to view images

Page 3 of 3

Dig Downtown Detroit, Flickr Creative Commons

Northern Lights Lounge

660 W. Baltimore St., Detroit; northernlightslounge.com

This New Center spot’s burgers are made in-house from an equal custom blend of chuck, short rib, and brisket.

41 of 57

Google Maps

O’Connor’s Public House

324 S. Main St., Rochester; 248-608-2537; oconnorsrochester.com

The burger menu features five offerings, including a fiery Brawler Burger with house-made barbecue sauce.

42 of 57

Courtesy photo

The Old Shillelagh

349 Monroe St., Detroit; oldshillelagh.com

Greektown’s long-standing Irish bar has a Michigan craft beef burger menu including a Spicy Jalapeño, Mushroom Swiss, Bacon Cheddar, and the classic Shillelagh.

43 of 57

Facebook, Olin Bar & Kitchen

Olin Bar & Kitchen

25 E. Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-774-1190; olindetroit.com

This Mediterranean-influenced restaurant serves a short rib burger with caramelized onions, Dijonnaise, and Boursin and American cheese.

44 of 57

Facebook, One-Eyed Betty's

One-Eyed Betty’s

175 W. Troy St., Ferndale; oneeyedbettys.com

The Ferndale fave’s signature “Betty Burger” comes with pecan smoked bacon, sharp cheddar, garlic aioli, greens, tomato, and onion, served on a brioche bun.

45 of 57

Instagram, @sandys_hungry

Redcoat Tavern

31542 Woodward Ave, Royal Oak | 6745 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield Twp. | redcoat-tavern.com

This spot is renowned for its big, juicy burgers, an American classic somewhat subversively sold in place with a British pub theme.

46 of 57

Google Maps

Rock on 3rd

112. E. 3rd St., Royal Oak; 248-542-7625; rockon3rd.com

This watering hole features a number of burgers on the menu, including a Lava Burger topped with sautéed onions, three cheeses, and a special lava sauce.

47 of 57

Facebook, Royale With Cheese

Royale with Cheese

4163 Cass Ave., Detroit | 25034 Ford Rd., Dearborn Heights | royalewithcheese.menu

Metro Times readers voted this spot Best Burger in Wayne County in 2022. At the restaurant, you can customize your own burger or choose from a handful of signature options. Plus, Royale with Cheese has its own unique sauces to elevate the flavor even more.

48 of 57

Google Maps

Shamrock Pub

7715 Auburn Rd., Utica; 586-731-6886; shamrockpubutica.com

This spot opened in 1935 and its website boasts, “Serving Utica since before you were born.” That longevity is largely thanks to its burger, elegant in its simplicity and perfection.

49 of 57

Instagram, @theslapboxx

Slapbox

9532 Conant St., Hamtramck; slapboxfoodtruck.com

This food truck is already making a name for itself thanks to its smashburgers, served with a signature “Slap Sauce.”

50 of 57

Facebook, Smashburger

Smashburger

1735 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy | 6919 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield | smashburger.com

This national chain launched in Denver, Colorado in 2007, even creating its own proprietary custom-forged burger smashers in its quest for the perfect smashburger.

51 of 57

Instagram, @eatsocheesy

So Cheesy

15010 W. Warren Ave., Dearborn; eatsocheesy.com

After launching as a food truck less than a year ago, this kitchen is already making a name for itself. Its Brisket Truffle Burger was recently crowned the best burger in the 2024 Detroit Burger Battle in Eastern Market.

52 of 57

Robert Stempkowski

Taystee’s Burgers

Multiple locations; taysteesburger.com

Although Taystee’s now boasts locations across metro Detroit, its journey began humbly out of a Dearborn gas station in 2014. It offers fresh, halal, juicy beef patties with a variety of different versions, including a Hawaiian with pineapple and Pepper Jack cheese, a spicy “Volcano,” a pizza version, and more.

53 of 57

Facebook, Telway Hamburgers

Telway Hamburgers

6820 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-843-2146 | 27000 John R Rd., Madison Heights; 248-545-7962 | thetelway.4-food.com

Out of all the greasy white-tiled diners in and around Detroit, this one may be the most beloved. The burgers are cheap and perfect for a late-night craving.

54 of 57

Facebook

Tommy’s Detroit Bar

624 3rd Ave., Detroit; 313-965-2269; tommysdetroit.com

This long-standing downtown spot has an extensive burger menu, made from fresh meat from Eastern Market.

55 of 57

Facebook, Bunkhouse Burgers

Union Joints

Multiple locations; unionjoints.com

This regional restaurant group has grown to include its flagship in Clarkston, Bunk House Burgers (also in Clarkston), Berkeley’s Vinsetta Garage, Fenton Fire House, and more. All have a variety of burgers on their menus that keep fans coming back for more.

56 of 57