50+ must-try burgers in metro Detroit

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

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Bate’s Burgers 33406 Five Mile Rd., Livona; 248-542-8878; batesburgers.com Bates is among the old-school white-tile corner burger joints in metro Detroit that cropped up in the 20th century, imitating the successful White Castle chain. It opened its Five Mile location in 1959 and a second location on Middlebelt in 1976 and boasts hordes of satisfied fans to this day.
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Bate’s Burgers

33406 Five Mile Rd., Livona; 248-542-8878; batesburgers.com

Bates is among the old-school white-tile corner burger joints in metro Detroit that cropped up in the 20th century, imitating the successful White Castle chain. It opened its Five Mile location in 1959 and a second location on Middlebelt in 1976 and boasts hordes of satisfied fans to this day.

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Bar Pigalle 2915 John R. St., Detroit; 313-497-9200; barpigalle.com A French-inspired spot in Brush Park that serves a signature Pigalle Burger with Dijonnaise and house American cheese on a brioche bun, available as a single or double.
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Bar Pigalle

2915 John R. St., Detroit; 313-497-9200; barpigalle.com

A French-inspired spot in Brush Park that serves a signature Pigalle Burger with Dijonnaise and house American cheese on a brioche bun, available as a single or double.

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Brome Modern Eatery 22062 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-996-5050 | 5250 Auto CLub Dr., Suite 150, Dearborn | bromemoderneatery.com A local halal burger chain with an expansive and inventive menu, whose options include the spicy “Dante’s Heaven” and the One Eyed Brome served with a fried egg on top.
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Brome Modern Eatery

22062 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-996-5050 | 5250 Auto CLub Dr., Suite 150, Dearborn | bromemoderneatery.com

A local halal burger chain with an expansive and inventive menu, whose options include the spicy “Dante’s Heaven” and the One Eyed Brome served with a fried egg on top.

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Bronx Bar 4476 2nd Ave., Detroit; 313-832-8464; facebook.com/p/Bronx-Bar-Detroit This dive bar has turned into a popular hipster hangout, but the burgers are still pretty underrated, and a great option for when you’re in Midtown.
Michelle Gerard

Bronx Bar

4476 2nd Ave., Detroit; 313-832-8464; facebook.com/p/Bronx-Bar-Detroit

This dive bar has turned into a popular hipster hangout, but the burgers are still pretty underrated, and a great option for when you’re in Midtown.

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Burger Shack 8606 N. Telegraph Rd., Dearborn Heights; getburgershack.com This spot has a build-you-own-burger menu with a slew of options. Chef and owner Ali Aljoom won Eastern Market’s 2023 Detroit Burger Battle and its $1,000 prize.
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Burger Shack

8606 N. Telegraph Rd., Dearborn Heights; getburgershack.com

This spot has a build-you-own-burger menu with a slew of options. Chef and owner Ali Aljoom won Eastern Market’s 2023 Detroit Burger Battle and its $1,000 prize.

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Burgrz 3204 Walton Blvd., Rochester Hills; 248-375-3060; burgrz.com Given its name, it’s unsurprising that this place has such an extensive burger menu, including a Coney fusion burger with chili, mustard, and onions.
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Burgrz

3204 Walton Blvd., Rochester Hills; 248-375-3060; burgrz.com

Given its name, it’s unsurprising that this place has such an extensive burger menu, including a Coney fusion burger with chili, mustard, and onions.

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The Butcher’s Grille 22713 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-436-0055; thebutchersgrille.com This halal restaurant offers a selection of burgers that are packed with flavor. Its Lebanese burger includes an Angus beef patty topped with fries, coleslaw, American cheese, tomatoes, pickles, and ketchup. The other burger options offer something for everyone, whether you’re in the mood for a bite that’s unique or usual.
Tom Perkins

The Butcher’s Grille

22713 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-436-0055; thebutchersgrille.com

This halal restaurant offers a selection of burgers that are packed with flavor. Its Lebanese burger includes an Angus beef patty topped with fries, coleslaw, American cheese, tomatoes, pickles, and ketchup. The other burger options offer something for everyone, whether you’re in the mood for a bite that’s unique or usual.

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California Burgerz 12045 Conant St., ​Hamtramck | 28508 Dequindre ​Rd., ​Warren | californiaburgerz.com Inspired by the famous West-coast chain In-N-Out Burger, this eatery brings a taste of California to Michigan. The burgers merge greasiness with slightly-elevated fast-food quality for a much-needed addition to the local burger scene.

California Burgerz

12045 Conant St., ​Hamtramck | 28508 Dequindre ​Rd., ​Warren | californiaburgerz.com

Inspired by the famous West-coast chain In-N-Out Burger, this eatery brings a taste of California to Michigan. The burgers merge greasiness with slightly-elevated fast-food quality for a much-needed addition to the local burger scene.

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CK Diggs 2010 W. Auburn Rd., Rochester Hills; 248-853-6600; ckdiggs.com Metro Times readers crowned this Best Burger in Oakland County in 2023.
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CK Diggs

2010 W. Auburn Rd., Rochester Hills; 248-853-6600; ckdiggs.com

Metro Times readers crowned this Best Burger in Oakland County in 2023.

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The Charlevoix 14927 Charlevoix St., Grosse Pointe Park; 313-458-8448; thecharlevoix.com Available only on Monday nights, the Charlevoix serves a classic smashburger with lettuce, onions, and American cheese on a sesame seed bun.
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The Charlevoix

14927 Charlevoix St., Grosse Pointe Park; 313-458-8448; thecharlevoix.com

Available only on Monday nights, the Charlevoix serves a classic smashburger with lettuce, onions, and American cheese on a sesame seed bun.

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The Coach Grille 26685 Dequindre Rd., Madison Heights; 248-398-4411 This sports bar has an entire menu of wagyu beef burgers, including an All American Burger, a Coach Burger with Tillamook cheddar and Smiths bacon, and an eyebrow-raising “Suicide Burger” with ghost pepper cheese and chipotle mayo.

The Coach Grille

26685 Dequindre Rd., Madison Heights; 248-398-4411

This sports bar has an entire menu of wagyu beef burgers, including an All American Burger, a Coach Burger with Tillamook cheddar and Smiths bacon, and an eyebrow-raising “Suicide Burger” with ghost pepper cheese and chipotle mayo.

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Comet Burgers 207 S. Main St., Royal Oak; cometburger.com This old-school diner has been serving in downtown Royal Oak since 1995, and plans to open a Saint Clair Shores location.
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Comet Burgers

207 S. Main St., Royal Oak; cometburger.com

This old-school diner has been serving in downtown Royal Oak since 1995, and plans to open a Saint Clair Shores location.

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Conor O’Neill’s 318 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; conoroneills.com An Irish-style pub that serves up traditional fare, Conor O’Neill’s also offers a formidable “Big House” burger.

Conor O’Neill’s

318 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; conoroneills.com

An Irish-style pub that serves up traditional fare, Conor O’Neill’s also offers a formidable “Big House” burger.

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Cutter’s Bar & Grille 2638 Orleans St., Detroit; 313-393-0960; cuttersdetroit.com Located in Eastern Market, this long-standing business is beloved for its burgers and other bar fare. All of the basics are available and do not disappoint.
Michelle Gerard, Stock Detroit

Cutter’s Bar & Grille

2638 Orleans St., Detroit; 313-393-0960; cuttersdetroit.com

Located in Eastern Market, this long-standing business is beloved for its burgers and other bar fare. All of the basics are available and do not disappoint.

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El Bigote’s Tacos & Burgers 988 Vinewood St., Wyandotte; 313-610-4274 This downriver spot tucked away inside a market does not only serve Mexican food — it’s a great burger place, too.
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El Bigote’s Tacos & Burgers

988 Vinewood St., Wyandotte; 313-610-4274

This downriver spot tucked away inside a market does not only serve Mexican food — it’s a great burger place, too.

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Frank’s Eastside Tavern 126 Avery St., Mt Clemens; 586-463-4223; frankseastsidetavern.com This authentic basement speakeasy has been open since the prohibition era and is one of the oldest bars in the Detroit area. Its burger is famous for being one of the best in Macomb County.

Frank’s Eastside Tavern

126 Avery St., Mt Clemens; 586-463-4223; frankseastsidetavern.com

This authentic basement speakeasy has been open since the prohibition era and is one of the oldest bars in the Detroit area. Its burger is famous for being one of the best in Macomb County.

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Ford’s Garage 21367 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-752-3673 | 44175 W. 12 Mile Rd., Novi; 248-274-3673 | fordsgarageusa.com The buns here are emblazoned with the logo of this Ford Motor Co.-inspired chain. What could be more American than that?

Ford’s Garage

21367 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-752-3673 | 44175 W. 12 Mile Rd., Novi; 248-274-3673 | fordsgarageusa.com

The buns here are emblazoned with the logo of this Ford Motor Co.-inspired chain. What could be more American than that?

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Frita Batidos 117 W. Washington St., Ann Arbor | 66 W. Columbia St., Detroit | fritabatidos.com Metro Times readers voted this spot Best Burger in Washtenaw County in 2021 and 2022. The Cuban-inspired joint is heavy on the spices and flavor, but friendly on your wallet.
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Frita Batidos

117 W. Washington St., Ann Arbor | 66 W. Columbia St., Detroit | fritabatidos.com

Metro Times readers voted this spot Best Burger in Washtenaw County in 2021 and 2022. The Cuban-inspired joint is heavy on the spices and flavor, but friendly on your wallet.

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The Great Commoner 22001 Michigan Ave Suite 100, Dearborn; 313-403-1200; greatcommoner.com An upscale eatery that combines French, Middle Eastern, and American influences. Its Prime Double-Double comes with two four-ounce prime beef patties, lettuce, tomato, pickle, bacon onion jam, smoked provolone, and “fancy sauce” served on a sesame brioche.
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The Great Commoner

22001 Michigan Ave Suite 100, Dearborn; 313-403-1200; greatcommoner.com

An upscale eatery that combines French, Middle Eastern, and American influences. Its Prime Double-Double comes with two four-ounce prime beef patties, lettuce, tomato, pickle, bacon onion jam, smoked provolone, and “fancy sauce” served on a sesame brioche.

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Green Dot Stables 2200 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit; greendotstables.com This long-standing Southwest Detroit watering hole reopened under new management in 2012 with a fun, inventive slider menu that includes a rotating “mystery meat” special. Even better, prices remain low, with most sliders between $2 and $5.
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Green Dot Stables

2200 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit; greendotstables.com

This long-standing Southwest Detroit watering hole reopened under new management in 2012 with a fun, inventive slider menu that includes a rotating “mystery meat” special. Even better, prices remain low, with most sliders between $2 and $5.

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