New Buffalo — If our recent Detroit News Burger Bracket competition taught us anything, it’s that Michigan is full of historic and beloved burger joints.
One of them is in the very southwestern corner of the Mitten. Redamak’s is celebrating 51 years in the coastal town of New Buffalo, which is much closer to Chicago than it is Detroit.
Thursday, May 28 is National Burger Day, so why not dive deeper into what makes Redmak’s so popular on the west side of the state.
The house favorite here is the Velveeta burger, with layers of the smooth and creamy pasteurized and processed cheese product melting its golden yellow-orange mantle over the grill-pressed, medium-well beef patty. Mild white onion, cross-cut crunchy pickles and ketchup and mustard keep it company inside the soft, sesame seed bun.
Gourmets can opt for Swiss, pepper jack or mild cheddar cheese on their Redamak’s burger, which comes in size “legendary” (5 and 1/3 ounces before cooking) or “ultimate” (8 ounces before cooking). Velveeta seems like such a classic, though, as it was a household staple for decades by the time Redamak’s debuted.
Redamak’s “hamburger that made New Buffalo famous,” as their logo says, is beloved because it is simple and consistent. The meat is all cut, ground and pattied in-house, and cooked to order. Last season, they estimated that customers moved 70,000 pounds of beef.
“It’s basically ground chuck, there’s no fillers, we don’t add anything,” says owner Chuck Maroney. He adds that the simplicity of the burger is what makes it special, but also Redamak’s commitment to hospitality.
“Customer satisfaction, customer return,” he said. “We just try to be consistent day in and day out. I think that’s what’s got us.”
A hungry person could easily put away two of the “legendary” Velveeta burgers ($9), but bring cash or plan to pay a visit to their ATM. After 51 years in the business, this Harbor County destination is still cash only. They’ve joined the 21st century with online ordering, but you still have to pay cash upon pickup.
I visited the 400-capacity restaurant ahead of this summer’s busy season, so there was no problem getting a seat at the tiny bar area, which has a few small booths and stools along the rail. Customers who go to Redamak’s every summer, though, are used to a full dining room and sometimes even a short wait on the porch for a table during summer weekends.
Along with the burgers, customers come here for cold beers and cocktails, soups, salads, breaded seafood dishes, hot dogs, sandwiches and other pub grub.
Did I say 51 years? That’s what one sign says, but another says “since 1946.” That’s because founders George and Gladys Redamak started the business back then. Jim and Angie Maroney bought the restaurant from Gladys Redamak in 1975, and their family — Chuck, his wife Linda, his brother James and the kids — still run it today.
Redamak’s, 616 East Buffalo in New Buffalo, is open noon-9 p.m. Thurs.-Mon. is and closed Tues.-Wed. during the spring. Call (269) 469-4522 or visit redamaks.com to place a carryout order or view the entire menu.
mbaetens@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: For National Burger Day, a visit to Redamak’s, one of Michigan’s best
Reporting by Melody Baetens, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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