Michigan Scores 4 Of America's Top Burgers: Thrillist

METRO DETROIT, MI — Turns out, metropolitan Detroit is a pretty darn good place to get a burger. At least that’s what the folks at Thrillist.com think. The publication’s national burger critic ranked four Detroit area establishments among the top 100 in the country.

Thrillist critic Kevin Alexander went on a year-long “Burger Quest” to find and rank the best burgers in America. His odyssey took him to 30 cities and included him downing some 330 burgers.

“There were rental cars, and hotel rooms, and one Airbnb that looked like a mausoleum for an above-average Americana collector,” Alexander wrote. “And yet, this was also the greatest trip of my entire life.”

His top pick? A Portland, Oregon joint named Stanich's “Nick’s” cheeseburger with grilled onions. “The sesame bun was griddled perfectly, preventing the somewhat messy burger from leaking through and getting soggy,” Alexander wrote. “The ground chuck had a good crisp edge, and the grilled onions, which must sit marinating in something, melded with the American cheese for that perfect diner burger mix.”

As for Michigan, Royal Oak’s Redcoat Tavern has the state’s best burger, according to the Thrillist writer. He ranked its classic burger with sharp American cheese at No. 9 nationally.

"The meat in the Redcoat Tavern burger is seasoned and cooked perfectly,” said Alexander. “There was a garlic undertone, great salt & pepper flavors, and a perfect, crispy char on the outside, holding together a juicy, loosely ground, perfectly cooked burger. The 'special sauce,' which is just really good mayo with minced onion in it, combined with the shredded lettuce to offer the perfect complement for the fatty meat and melted sharp Cheddar."

The other three Michigan restaurant’s to make the top 100 are:

• Motz’s Burgers, Detroit (No. 57). Double cheeseburger with extra fried onion. “Have you ever had an El Reno-style Oklahoma onion burger?” Alexander writes. “Well, if you happen to be in the Midwest, this is the closest thing to a pure Oklahoma-style onion burger you’re going to get, especially if you do the smart thing and get those extra fried onions.”
• Miller’s Bar, Dearborn (No. 76). Cheeseburger. “Don't expect a menu. Or windows. But do expect one of the best burgers in Michigan, seared perfectly and topped with a thick wad of Velveeta,” Alexander wrote. “Also, I dare you to ask, as I did, if they ever considered toasting their buns.”
• Travis Coffee Shop, St. Clair Shores (No. 85). Cheeseburger. “The quintessential diner burger in the quintessential Midwest diner,” Alexander wrote.

Here’s Thrillist’s top 10 burgers:

1. "NICK'S" CHEESEBURGER WITH GRILLED ONIONS
Stanich's, Portland, Oregon
2. THE BURGER
Raoul's, New York, New York
3. CHEESEBURG, FRIED ONIONS
White Hut, West Springfield, Massachusetts
4. THE TAVERN BURGER
Loretta's Northwesterner, Seattle, Washington
5. PROPER BURGER
Duke's Grocery, Washington D.C.
6. THE OZERSKY BURGER
Knife Dallas, Dallas Texas
7. THE MOTT BURGER
Mott Street, Chicago, Illinois
8. BURGER WITH CHEESE "ALL THE WAY"
Brooks' Sandwich House, Charlotte, North Carolina
9. CLASSIC BURGER WITH SHARP AMERICAN
Redcoat Tavern, Royal Oak, Michigan
10. DRIVE-IN CHEESEBURGER WITH GRILLED ONIONS
Garaje, San Francisco, California

Photo by Pedro Fernandes via Flickr Commons