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National Hamburger Day and The History Of The Slider In Detroit

Author Jim O'Brien
Sliders that could become White Castle Stuffing

Today (Tuesday, May 28th) is National Hamburger Day. And if you’re from Detroit you’ve probably had a couple of sliders in your day, right? But what is the history of the slider in Detroit? Let’s go back a bit and find out – because it’s all connected to White Castle and their first big step into the big city. 

White Castle burgers on grill
White Castle on the Grill (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

The History Of The Slider In Detroit – Starts in 1929

In 1929, Detroit was a bustling city teeming with industrial growth and cultural vibrancy. It was against this backdrop that our buddies at White Castle, a company hailing from Wichita, Kansas, made a significant move by opening its first restaurant in Detroit on Jefferson in June of 1929.

History of the slider in Detroit - starts at White Castle on Jefferson in 1929

 This marked a pivotal moment not only for the company but also for the city’s culinary landscape.

White Castle’s small, square-shaped burgers, known as sliders, quickly gained traction among Detroiters. Their affordability, portability, and unique flavor resonated with the city’s residents, making them an instant hit (and more slider joints started to open…Motz’s goes back to 1929 as well). 

The restaurants’ efficient production methods and emphasis on cleanliness were particularly appealing in an era when such standards were not universal in the food industry (if you’ve ever watched any of the History Channel shows on food prep back then, you know what I’m talking about). 

Detroit embraced White Castle and its sliders wholeheartedly, with the restaurants becoming iconic fixtures in the city (and starting the run of amazing “slider joints” all over Michigan). The term “slider” itself is said to have originated from the burgers’ propensity to effortlessly slide due to their small size and steamed buns. But can you make a slider at home? Check this out:

Like so many things here in Detroit – the story of the slider hamburger is not just about a fast food item; it’s a tale of innovation, adaptation, and the symbiotic relationship between a company and a city undergoing rapid transformation in the dynamic landscape of the late 1920s.

Jim O'Brien is the Host of "Big Jim's House" Morning Show at 94.7 WCSX in Detroit. Jim spent eight years in the U.S. Naval Submarine Service, has appeared on Shark Tank (Man Medals Season 5 Ep. 2), raised over two million dollars for local charities and is responsible for Glenn Frey Drive and Bob Seger Blvd in the Motor City. Jim's relationship with Classic Rock includes considering Bob Seger, Phil Collen from Def Leppard, Wally Palmer of the Romantics and many others good friends. Jim writes about ‘80s movies, cars, weird food trends and “as seen on TikTok” content.

5 Must-Try Burgers In Metro Detroit

Looking for must-try burgers in Metro Detroit? Good news! Look no further because we have got you covered.

There are tons of delicious options for burgers in and around Detroit. So, whether you’re looking for something classic or out of the ordinary, you can find it in Metro Detroit. You just have to know where to look!

5 Of The Best Burgers In Metro Detroit

Sure, Detroit is famous for its Coney Dogs; however, that doesn’t mean there isn’t great options for burgers, as well. So, whether you’re a local or someone coming to Detroit for the NFL draft, you’re not going to have to go very far for a delicious burger.

Yes, you can find all the traditional burger chains around Detroit. It’s never hard to find a Quarter Pounder , Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger, or Whopper. Additionally, we have a Shake Shack downtown in Campus Martius. If you’ve never had a burger from Shake Shack you are totally missing out. However, you can enjoy Shake Shack in just about every city in the country. For that reason, I’m not including it on the list of the best burgers in Metro Detroit. I wanted the burgers on the list to be exclusively found here in the 313.

Only picking 5 of the best burgers in Metro Detroit presented a challenge because there are so many good ones to choose from. So, to make it easier I focused on burgers close to Downtown. Yes, you can get great burgers up in Clarkston and Rochester–but we’ll save that for another time. Now, I want to focus on what you can find within a close drive to downtown because the NFL Draft is coming up and this year it’s being hosted in Detroit! Literally millions of people are expected to be in Downtown Detroit for the NFL Draft and they’re going to be hungry. I’d hate to send them all the way to Lake Orion to get a great burger. So, focusing around Detroit is what you’ll find on this list.

Ready to see what made the list? Feel free to let us know if we missed your favorite! Let’s dive in!

  • One-Eyed Betty's

    https://www.instagram.com/p/C0CVQCZssDy/?hl=en

    Honestly, I was going to do a list of the Best Burgers In Detroit, but that meant I couldn’t include burgers in Ferndale. If I can’t include burgers from Ferndale that means I can’t include the best burger in all of Metro Detroit. That burger is from One-Eyed Betty’s. It’s a simple burger with nothing complicated added on–it’s just a great delicious burger. I think it’s the garlic aioli that adds that little extra that goes a long way. I have full confidence in saying it’s the best burger in Detroit.

    Now, we can get to the list of the best burgers in actual Detroit. I’m sorry, I couldn’t not include One-Eyed Betty’s. Try it and you’ll understand.

  • Checker Bar

    Checker Bar in Downtown Detroit

    Checker Bar in Downtown Detroit

    Checker Bar is fantastic and is only a stone’s throw away from where the NFL Draft will be happening. In fact, it’s probably the closest burger joint to where all the fun will be had. That’s a good thing because the burgers are phenomenal! They have plenty of different options, so no matter what you’re craving they’ll have it. I’m a sucker for the sweet potato waffle fries. You’ll want to check this place out for yourself!

  • Green Dot Stables

    If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary then Green Dot Stables is for you! They have all sorts of sliders. There’s beef sliders, chicken sliders, and the famous Mystery Meat! They’ll change it up all the time so you never know what’s going to be the Special when you arrive. It’s been rabbit, beef, chicken, and more. No matter what it is, you won’t be disappointed. It’s a little tougher to walk to, but it’s a cheap and easy Uber or ride share.

  • Mercury Burger Bar

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BTuWO3mlJBJ/

    The Mercury Burger Bar has some of the best burgers in Detroit. It’s also a very cool scene. The Juicy is my personal go-to. However, there is a long list of burgers to try on their menu. There are traditional burgers and funky ones, as well. So, no matter what you’re looking for you’ll find it there. Especially if you’re looking for a burger and a beer. That’s the spot.

  • Great Lakes Burger & Pizza Bar

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CvYAHZdLLa5/

    I only recently discovered the Great Lakes Burger & Pizza Bar, and I’m glad I did. There aren’t a lot of places in (or out) of Detroit where you can add Crab or Lobster Meat to your burger. However, you can do that here! A little Surf and Turf burger? Yes, please! They also have great pizza, in case you’re not looking for a burger…but if that’s the case what are you doing here?? If you’re looking for something far from traditional this is for you!

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