The Telway Hamburgers
Madison Heights, MI Photo courtesy Mike Engle
The Telway Hamburgers is one of the best surviving examples of Detroit's classic slider joints. With its white porcelain exterior, compact size, and vintage pole sign, it looks much the same as it did when it opened in 1956.
Founded by the Sampson family, Telway became famous for its inexpensive sliders cooked over a bed of grilled onions. If the building looks familiar, there's a good reason. Lex Sampson founded Telway, while his brother Les went on to establish the Giant Hamburger System, giving both chains their similar look and feel.
It's always great to find places like this that haven't changed much over the years. Step inside and you'll still find the small lunch counter, swivel stools, and the kind of old-fashioned atmosphere that's becoming harder to find.
UPDATE: Here's a newer shot of Telway Burgers taken in early January, 2009. The place was still decked out with a Christmas wreath hanging overhead. Many thanks to Richard Weiss for updated photo. 01-09
Telway Hamburgers
Madison Heights, MI Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
UPDATE: Telway Hamburgers remains open 24 hours a day in Madison Heights. The historic building and vintage signage both survive. 06-26
Bates Hamburgers
Livonia, MI Photo courtesy Mike Engle
Bates Hamburgers is another great example of Detroit's long tradition of independent slider joints. The bright white building may remind you of White Castle or White Tower, but Bates has always been its own family-run operation.
The Livonia location opened in 1959 and has remained in the Bates family ever since. Inside, you'll still find the classic diner setup with a small counter overlooking the grill, where their famous sliders are cooked over a bed of grilled onions just as they've been for decades.
It's always great to find places like this that continue doing things the old-fashioned way. The building has become a local landmark, proving you don't need a big restaurant to build a loyal following.
UPDATE: Bates Hamburgers remains open in Livonia. The historic building and its original roadside character have been carefully preserved. 06-26
Greene's Hamburgers
Farmington, MI Photo courtesy Mike Engle
Greene's Hamburgers is another classic Detroit-area slider joint that's well worth seeking out. The bright white building, vintage rooftop signage, and compact layout all harken back to the days when small independent hamburger stands were found throughout the region.
Greene's opened in 1957, when the surrounding area was still largely undeveloped. Over the years, several Greene's locations came and went, but this Farmington restaurant is the last survivor. Inside, you'll still find the familiar counter and swivel stools, while the grill continues turning out the chain's signature onion-steamed sliders.
It's always great to find places like this that have stayed true to their roots. Not only is the building beautifully preserved, but the burgers are still made the same way they've been for generations.
UPDATE: Greene's Hamburgers remains open in Farmington. The historic building and its vintage signage continue to welcome customers. 06-26
Carter's Hamburgers
Dearborn, MI Photo courtesy Mike Engle
Carter's Hamburgers was a longtime favorite along Fort Street in Lincoln Park. While the white burger stand fit right in with many of Detroit's classic slider joints, it was the bright red awning stretching across the front that really made this place stand out.
The restaurant had been serving the Downriver community since at least the late 1950s, offering inexpensive sliders, loose-meat burgers, and coffee to generations of regulars. It was the kind of neighborhood burger stand that became a familiar stop for anyone growing up in the area.
It's always fun finding photos of places like this because they capture pieces of roadside history that have disappeared. While this Carter's location is gone, another Carter's Hamburgers in nearby Dearborn continues carrying on the family name.
UPDATE: The Fort Street Carter's Hamburgers has closed and the original building is no longer standing. The active Carter's location in Dearborn is a separate restaurant. 06-26
Bud's Hamburgers (Gone)
Detroit, MI Photo courtesy Mike Engle
Bud's Hamburgers was another classic Detroit-area slider stand, but what really set it apart was the giant fiberglass donkey perched on the roof. If you've ever seen an old Bray's Hamburgers, you probably noticed the resemblance—and that's no coincidence. This building originally operated as a Bray's before becoming Bud's Hamburgers.
Like many independent burger joints of the era, the little white-tiled building specialized in Detroit-style sliders and became a familiar stop for local residents. The rooftop donkey holding a hamburger and drink made it one of the more memorable roadside sights in the area and is something you definitely don't see on today's fast-food restaurants.
It's always great to find buildings like this that are still standing, even if they've found a completely different use. The donkey and burger signs are long gone, but the building is still instantly recognizable to anyone who remembers Bud's or Bray's.
UPDATE: The former Bud's Hamburgers building survives and is now occupied by an insurance office. The famous rooftop donkey statue and original signage have been removed. 06-26
Brayz Hamburgers
Hazel Park, MI Photo courtesy Mike Engle
Brayz Hamburgers is one of the most recognizable roadside burger joints in the Detroit area, and there's one reason you can't miss it—the giant donkey standing on the roof with a hamburger in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other. Known as "Buster," the fiberglass mascot has been welcoming hungry customers for decades.
Originally opened in 1950 as Bray's Hamburgers, the restaurant later became Brayz after the original chain dissolved. Fortunately, the classic white-tiled building survived the transition, along with the rooftop donkey that has become one of Michigan's best-known roadside attractions. Inside, you'll still find the familiar counter, swivel stools, and Detroit-style sliders that have kept people coming back for generations.
It's always great to find places like this that have held onto so much of their original character. Between the vintage building and Buster keeping watch overhead, Brayz is the kind of place that's worth stopping for, even before you order a burger.
Brayz Burgers
Hazel Park, MI Photo courtesy Mark Hackett
UPDATE: See the donkey at the Brayz Burgers in Hazel Park. This donkey
likes his burger! 04-01
UPDATE: Brayz Hamburgers remains open in Hazel Park. The historic building, vintage signage, and famous rooftop donkey all survive. 06-26
The Telway Hamburgers
Bates Hamburgers
Greene's Hamburgers
It's always great to find places like this that have stayed true to their roots. Not only is the building beautifully preserved, but the burgers are still made the same way they've been for generations.
Carter's Hamburgers
Bud's Hamburgers (Gone)
Brayz Hamburgers
Brayz Burgers
