Metro Detroit: Farmington Hills’ Detroit Burger Bar
It all started in 2008 when Victor Paljusaj, a Schoolcraft College graduate, opened the 24th Street Tavern and the Old Detroit Burger Bar in Oxford. Since then, he has opened 9 successful restaurants in a number of areas throughout Southwest Detroit. His goal? Offer exceptional service in a friendly atmosphere with fantastic food.
The Paljusaj family name is not uncommon in the suburban Detroit area. They have owned a Coney Island in Detroit for many years and they are the longtime owners of Archie’s Family Diner in Livonia. Archie’s recently moved to Laurel Park Mall and is now called Archie’s Tavern. They also have interest in the 15th Street Tavern in Clarkston and the Firewood Grill in Howell.
But we are here to talk about The Detroit Burger Bar. More specifically, their Happy Hour.
Happy Hour is Monday-Saturday from 1-5 PM featuring discounted beer, wine, cocktails and choice appetizers. With “Detroit” in their name, they try to use locally sourced brands like Better Made Potato Chips, Faygo soda and craft beers from Michigan breweries. Most of their menu items have names referencing Detroit landmarks, streets or neighborhoods.
Happy Hour features:
$3 domestic drafts
$5 craft drafts
$3.50 house wines
choice discounted appetizers
On top of this they offer daily specials like:
Mondays - $5.50 Margaritas, $2.50 Coronas and Dos Equis
Tuesdays - Half off most their burgers - and fries are included
Wednesdays - Half off wine day with half off glasses and bottles
Thursdays - $2 domestic drafts and $5 select cocktails
Fridays - All You Can Eat Fish and Chips
Being a burger bar, they are known for their creative burgers with 13 different choices on their menu including a Kobe Beef Burger and Turkey Burger.
Their Monstrous I-94, which is a 4 patty 2 POUND cheeseburger with grilled onions, bacon, mushrooms, American, Swiss, cheddar and pepper jack cheeses for $25 (sorry this one is not included in the ½ off burgers on Tuesdays.
Finish this challenging burger and you will get you picture on their wall of fame and get a Detroit Burger Bar T-shirt.
We had a couple drinks each, an order of potato skins and their Broadway burger all for a little over $30. The Broadway burger is one of our favorites. It comes with a cooked to order ½ pound patty (we like ours medium rare to medium) topped with Wigley’s corned beef, Swiss cheese and 1000 Island dressing.
Another favorite of mine (but not Teresa) is The Lafayette which is topped with Detroit Chili Sauce, cheddar cheese sauce diced onions and mustard, it’s definitely a burger best suited for a knife and a fork.
Burgers are not all they do. They offer a full menu. Apps, Burgers, Coney Dogs, Salads, sandwiches and a few entrees.
If you are looking for a classic cheeseburger or a specialty burger loaded with a bunch of deliciousness this is the place to go . . . especially on Tuesdays.
Until next time . . . live well, eat well and enjoy life!
-Keith & Teresa Becker
