Burgers. Hot dogs. Milk Shakes. French fries.
Sounds like your run-of-the-mill greasy spoon, doesn’t it?
Well, at Mercury Burger Bar in Detroit’s historic Corktown neighborhood, this formula is amped up a notch or two (or three).
Located at 2163 Michigan Avenue, standing guard over Roosevelt Park in front of Michigan Central Station, this place is the epitome of the resurgence of this Irish district.
After the Detroit Tigers moved from Tiger Stadium in Corktown to Comerica Park in downtown, the neighborhood faced some hardships; but the upswing is now in effect.
While Mercury is indeed a hipster locale, it’s also appropriate for families, foodies, and anyone who enjoys classic American fare, along with tons of fantastic Michigan beer.
The recipe is simple: fresh, house-made ingredients, a cool interior, great service, and a full bar. It’s hard to go wrong with what Mercury has going on.
There are thirteen burgers to choose from, including “The Classic,” the “SW Detroit” (a nod to Mexicantown), the “Bacon Cheddar” and the “Shroom Burger.” Curiosity comes into play when you dig into the other, less-obvious selections.
“The Local” is topped with pulled pork, cheddar, slaw, pickles and barbeque sauce. The title makes perfect sense given Mercury Bar’s location across the street from arguably the most famous restaurant in Detroit.
The “Flint Burger” is a shout out to the Motor City’s northern cousin, Vehicle City, who perfected the olive burger via its esteemed chain of homegrown burger joints, Halo Burger.
The “Eastern Market,” “Portobello” and “Salmon” choices offer something for the more health-conscious connoisseurs to dig their teeth into.
To complement the very American menu, five hot dog selections are available. The “Detroit,” “Chicago” and “NY, NY” are made just the way they are in their namesake cities.
Sandwiches, salads, and sides are also listed, with poutine available for one or to share. A Canadian dish, this salty snack consists of fries, brown gravy, and curd cheese. It may sound odd, but it’s making its presence known in Detroit as of late.
The “Shakes & Stuff” portion is where stuff gets good. Traditional choices are there, but local favorites like the “Faygo Orange Creamsicle” and “Boston Cooler” are the real darlings of the menu.
Mercury does just about everything right – from the location to the outdoor Biergarten to perfectly sized portions, this Corktown joint knocks it out of the park.
Mercury Burger Bar is located at 2163 Michigan Avenue in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood. They can be reached at (313) 964-5000 or www.mercuryburgerbar.com.
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