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Kevin Alexander of Thrillist calls it "the greatest trip of my entire life."
For the past year, he hit 30 American cities and ate 330 burgers in search of the best 100 in the nation.
They're "the most democratic of foods," he writes. "The best burger in any one city might be in the dankest of dive bars, or in the fanciest of restaurants. Finding the ones that matter takes you all through a city (and outside it) and helps you understand a city's geography, its class structure, its views on race."
In Michigan, he came up with four worthy of the list. Red Coat Tavern in Royal Oak is #9 nationally:
The meat in the Redcoat Tavern burger is seasoned and cooked perfectly. 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." I ate the whole thing that day, despite having to eat five more burgers. And I'd do the same damn thing today.
Here are the burger joints and their rankings:
#9 Red Coat Tavern, Royal Oak (classic burger with sharp American cheese)
#57 Motz's Burger, Detroit (double cheeseburger with fried onion)
#76 Miller's Bar, Dearborn (cheeseburger)
#85 Travis Coffee Shop, St. Clair Shores (cheeseburger)
