The Experience: Unbeknownst to me, a contest is held annually in Detroit at the Eastern Market, pitting hamburger joints against each other for bovine supremacy. In 2013, One Eyed Betty’s took the top prize with a bleu cheese topped burger, resting inside a doughnut batter-stuffed bun. Doughnuts are One Eyed Betty’s signature, but after learning of their burger win from my sister (a regular at the restaurant) I decided that only I could determine the greatness being served in their Ferndale location.
Burger Ordered: The Betty Burger
The Taste: Before eating the Betty Burger, which is significantly less ridiculous than the burger that won the Detroit Burger Brawl, my sister and I shared a bowl of crispy Brussels sprouts. They were incredible, probably the best I’ve ever had. The Betty Burger was topped with bacon, sharp cheddar, garlic aioli, greens, tomato, and onion. I skipped the tomato, obviously. The bacon was exquisite, and the garlic aioli predictably had me swooning. The patty was immense, but only one small bite of it lacked the well-seasoned meat that comprised every other bite. One sign of a great burger is a compulsion to say over and over again while eating, “this is a great burger!” That happened to me while eating the Betty Burger.
On top of that, the hand cut french fries and the onion rings were delicious. The beer menu was incredibly extensive (something I’m seeing more and more in the greater Detroit area), and filled with unique brews that met my snobby beer standards.
The Verdict: One Eyed Betty’s is a gem, for burgers, beer, and whiskey. I can’t believe it’s been around as long as it has and I’ve only started going there now. Betty’s will surely become a permanent staple of my visits to Michigan.
One Eyed Betty’s is located at 175 West Troy Street Ferndale, Michigan.
