What can you can you say about the perfect burger. This is the bench mark that all others burgers aspire to be.
Millers Bar located between Outer Drive and Telegraph on the north side of Michigan Ave. in Dearborn. Other than the marquee on the avenue you could easily pass it by. However if you do stop in you are in for a real treat.
First off at its core Millers is a bar, plain and simple. They happen to make the best burgers in the metro Detroit area, but let's be honest it's a bar. You gain a sense of your surroundings as soon as you walk in, patron's line up patiently along the wall across from the cooks' line hoping to score the next table or booth. While waiting you can't help but notice all the burgers on the flat top sizzling away, the smell is divine. This is where the burger faithful come to eat.
Once seated the no nonsense waitresses take your order. Don't even think about asking for a menu here you have basically two choices, burger with or without cheese. If its slow enough you may entice them for a grilled cheese but really don't embarrass yourself. You will have a choice as to how your burger is cooked; after all we do live in a democracy. Condiments can be summed up into four words; mustard, ketchup, raw onion and pickles. They don't do lettuce or mayo; you can get that at Burger King.
Once ready, your burger comes piping hot from the grill oozing with Velveeta cheese on the customary wax paper and if desired, with onion in tow. Me, I prefer mine with onion and ketchup only, but that's just me. One bite though and I'm taken to another place. Time and time again the burger is spot on. Different then a fast food burger, Millers excels at what they do best; a damn good burger. The right amount of beef and fat offer a taste unlike other bar burgers around.
If you plan on going to Millers a tip or two:
1. Be prepared for a wait if you're going at a prime time. Waits could last up to 15 minutes at the way outside, but it is so worth it.
2. Know ahead of time this is a bar burger so remember they have no lettuce, mayo or tomato. Raw onion and pickles are the veggies de jour.
3. Always do the double, meaning go with an order of fries and onion rings.
4. The bill is the honor system, be honest, Millers has been doing business this way for ever and we hope it always will, so pay your share.
5. Skip the beer and wash down the burger with a Vernor's, another Detroit institution.
$33.00 plus tip for 4 with cheese, the double (fries & Rings), and three pops.
Rating:
5 out of 5 Tummy Pats
Miller's Bar
23700 Michigan Ave.
Dearborn, MI 48124
(313)565-2577
