BEST BURGER OF MY LIFE. MICHELIN STAR LEVEL. If you come to Northern Michigan from anywhere else there are a few things that are a must on any list. Seeing the Mackinac Bridge, getting some world famous Mackinac fudge ('cuz diabetes), picking up Petoskey stones on the many beautiful beaches. In short, there are countless things to see and do along your route. You MUST add a stop at Beechwood Cafe to this list. My wife and I have been there twice and will be back many more as this is now my ALL TIME favorite restaurant. You should know this up front, I have had the BEST BURGER OF MY LIFE there. Let me explain. My wife asked to go to lunch today. She mentioned Beechwood. It didn't take me long to say, "sure" remembering my last experience being nothing short of stellar. Last time I got a steak sandwich. It came with Au Jus and as succulent and mouth watering as any steak sandwich you will ever have. Savory and mouthwatering is an understatement.But I decided to try something new. I looked at the burger list. I see this little unassuming name "Maytag Blue Cheese" burger, sounds appetizing but nothing earth shattering. Standard menu description for the best burger I have ever had in my life. I know I know you doubt me. But read on. So after a very short wait time to get our food (10 minutes I think from walk in to served? This place was PACKED on Easter weekend too). The waiter sets my plate in front of me. I could see the blue cheese mixed with the grease from the burger perfectly slowly oozing out the sides. I've had a blue cheese burger quite a few times, so I know what to expect. Checked all the boxes before I took a bite. I should stop here for a quick public service announcement. If you do not like blue cheese on a burger, this review isn't for you anyway, and also I don't trust you. My first bite. I start chewing and almost immediately pause. My wife looks at me and says, "What's the matter? Good? Bad?". I don't respond yet but stop and stare at this masterpiece in my hands while I chew as if I am looking at a piece of art. You probably think I am over-exaggerating here (this ACTUALLY happened).
My wife chuckles and says "That good huh?", she can tell by now I am amazed. I was speechless. She handed me her panini and I gave her my burger to try, I took a bite of hers (absolutely stellar), and I watched her eyes go wide as she chewed on the bite from my burger. "Dude", she says.
What she says when there's nothing else to say.The bun is a pretzel roll bun. Soft on the outside with a crisp buttery center. The beef is absurdly delicious. No clue what the chef uses to season, but we couldn't stop raving about the beef patty. It was a perfect fat to beef ratio. The tomato was thick cut and as fresh as you could ever get. The dill pickle thick crinkle cut crisp and savory. Grilled onions and mushrooms were piled high on this masterpiece. But you've not had them this well prepared I guarantee you.They're as savory as any french onion soup you would ever have. The mushroom slices are buttery, garlicky, and savory. So mouthwatering with just the absolute perfect texture. They piled high and spilled over onto my plate. Fresh crisp arugula lettuce on top. Perfect bacon. Full stop. From bun top to bun bottom, this was outstanding. Love went into making this. But the pinnacle? The blue cheese was borderline transcendent. It had just enough sharpness and creaminess to it, but oh how it caressed the other components and just brought it all together. I set the burger down and I said to my wife, "This is one of the best burgers I've had in my life. Every bite is incredible". I went back on it, and told her "It's the best BURGER ever". These chefs are Michelin Star level, and that is not even an understatement. The baked goods? The Challah bread is this decadent "soft on the inside" and "crispy and buttery outside" bread that just melts in your mouth. I ADORE this restaurant. It's amazing in every possible way and the Chefs are just the nicest most incredibly friendly people. It is absolutely worth a stop.
Please try the Maytag Burger if you are even a halfway fan of blue cheese burgers. You won't regret it. I have found my happy place :D read more