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MMMM mmmm Mmmm!! fried sausage wrapped hardboiled egg drizzles in your mouth to the zing of Dijon Mustard if you perfer and your choice of over 100 different beers from all over the world??? Yes it is here where you can find it.
Red Coat Tavern is what it's name is and follows the look to the "T" in Tavern... Nothing fancy about it, but that is how it's supposed to be. The place raves on their hamburger which I do find delicious and prepared to perfection.Hand pattied quality beef and a 2.00 upcharge for the rich in taste but low fat Piedmontes beef.. I really like that option. The burger is how you want it with their variety of choices. I say get it as you please and you wont be disappointed, but there are other things on the menu that look really good. I loved the scotch egg, The have Beer Cheese and a variety of soups and other entrees I plan to try.
Rustic Pub feel, dark and a great place to unwind. I give 5 outta 5 stars, It really does back it's name. It is a Tavern and with a Tavern they hit all five points of the star. Those points are for you to decide and when you find them you will understand. 1. Quality Beer 2. Dark Atmosphere. 3. Old School Bar maids and waitresses, 4 A SCOTCH EGG, and 5 A great Burger....
I'm not a disciple of The Red Coat Tavern. It's fine. It's a great place to meet friends for a burger and some drinks, for sure. I have enjoyed some good times with friends here.
Honestly, I think the burgers--while good--are overrated. I feel I've had burgers that I enjoy a lot more. Some of those are at corporate chains--as much as I am reluctant to admit it. What I can't get enough of, however, is the Scotch Egg. How can I argue with a hard-boiled egg coated in sausage and fried. A bit of dijon mustard to go with it? Oh my goodness! Heaven! I should probably just got there to eat Scotch Eggs and enjoy drinks with friends. The Scotch Egg is the one item I consistently have to get every time I go in there. I certainly enjoy the variety of beers available.
With so many Yelp reviews of RedCoat already present, and with the place being so well-established (my FATHER told me that the RedCoat Tavern was a popular place when he was my age...)I have decided to take a different approach.
I will admit that I haven't yet read all of the Yelp reviews, because there are 70 (!!!), so I am going to attempt to share with everybody the little secret things that I love about RedCoat that aren't on the menu.
#1) The Planter's Punch
When I say punch, I mean PUNCH. This drink knocks me on my ass! It's a mixture of fruit juices and rum (or multiple types of liquor, not exactly sure) that is so delicious, so smooth, doesn't really have that alcohol taste, and one is enough to make me tipsy. It used to be on the menu. I'm not sure why it is no longer on there, but they still make it as of my last visit
#2) Half and Half
One of the reasons that RedCoat is a popular place is because their food is consistently prepared. If you have had their spicy, almost overly-salty yet-still delicious seafood chowder, you know whereof I speak. If you have enjoyed their clam chowder, again, you understand what I am saying. What they don't tell you on the menu is that you can order a bowl of soup that is 1/2 seafood chowder and 1/2 clam chowder. On the face of it, it doesn't sound (or even look) very appetizing, but I assure you, it is. Order a half-and-half.
#3) Macaroni and Cheese
This is sometimes a daily special, but if you can get them to make it for you when it's not a daily special, I assure you, you will be pleased. Not on the menu, but delicious. I usually get mine with a piece of grilled or blackened fish on the side.
#4) Smart substitutions
You can substitute chicken in the amazing Tavern Salad with Fish, which is delicious.
Only complaint: Often times the temperature in there is either VERY hot or VERY cold. Not sure why. Also, avoid sitting by the door. If you do, and if they are busy, you will end up staring at a bunch of people's asses while eating, as the crowd can get quite large near the door and most people are standing up while they are waiting.
So, with that, I have officially shared my insider RedCoat wisdom with the world. Enjoy this place. I have, several dozen times. Never a bad meal.
What makes restaurants successful is consistency.
One Of My Favorite Spots In The Detroit Area...Bar None. You Really Cant Go Wrong With Virtually Anything You Order Here.
The Bartenders Here Make A Great Long Island....I Recommend Ordering One.
Oh Yea I Almost Forgot Their Burger is My Fav.
Thankfully the Brown family has stopped serving minors alcohol and they have stopped attacking police decoys. That's not good for business.
I went here after reading rave reviews on multiple food review sites but was sadly disappointed. $10 for the standard burger with special sauce??? And without fries? The quality of the meat was good but not great. I've had better at Casey's Tavern in Ann Arbor or the Kona Grill in Troy. The fries were alright. The burger had simple shredded lettuce like you get on a Big Mac. The carmelized onions were a nice touch that gave the burger a unique flavor. The ambiance is nice and the place has a diverse clientele both old and young, yuppies, and average joes.
Its worth a try once to see what all the hub-bub is about, it's a pretty good burger, but the price and wait are too much for me. I will satiate my burger cravings elsewhere.
YUMMIE! I made it in to try a burger since I've heard so many good things. I was not disappointed, the burger was delicious, and I love that even late we were served like it was normal dinner time. The onion rings were also delicious. Will definitely go again.
Ok......I did enjoy my food. My onion rings and corn beef sandwich were really good. My daughter enjoyed her food also. But the waiting for a table is the worst part. The location in royal oak, is to small for the amount of customers Red Coat Tavern attempts to satisfy. That brings me to the smoking part. I am not a smoker and do not enjoy smelling cigarettes during my meal.
So I was happy to find a second Red Coat Tavern in West Bloomfield. I again enjoyed the food, same great taste, but the waitress not so good. My waitress decided to put my daughter and I on hold several times, to attend to her larger table (that had already eaten) she would arrive then say could you hold on. All because the larger group called her and yet we hadn't ordered. We finally ordered, and the food was good. She only came back to refill my daughters drink......at least....lol
I hope the bigger table left a big tip.... because we didn't!!!!!!!
This place is the best. AMAZING!
They have some of the best burgers in the world. The zip sauce is beyond my wildest dreams. I usually get two. One for topping and one for dipping. Best part about the burgers, they are only 6.95 and all the toppings are included.
All the other food I have tried as well has been great, but normally I cannot get away from the burgers. The onion rings are the best I have ever had. This place is worth the wait. Though I find going in at 2:30 there is not much of a line.
Enjoy my yelpers.
This is another Detroit mystery to me. Tasteless burgers, tasteless buns, tasteless fries. I once had a good salad but the next time I went there it didn't taste as good. It has a good selection of beer. You can always count a crowd. It's mediocrity raised to an art form and people can't get enough of it. I just don't get it. I've experienced it personally for over thirty years now. Nothing has changed.
I didn't want to write a review for here because there are so many but I just had to say...
Ok, people need to realize 3 things about this place and stop giving it 2 stars because of it: 1) It will ALWAYS be packed, don't bitch about it it's just the way it is and will always be. It's packed because it's good, people. 2) The staff isn't the most enthusiastic sometimes-if you have EVER waited tables you should realize they are crazy ass busy and don't have a lot of room to move...it's not easy keeping 6 separate burger orders right as well as your other tables massive orders-so give 'em a break-I have never had an incorrect order. 3) Yes, it's dark and small in there, but so what? There are few places left these days that haven't changed in 20+ years, embrace it as a good thing.
Yes, the burgers might be a touch overrated sometimes, but seriously is there a place in the metro Detroit area that does them THAT much better? I don't think so...I always get the peidmontese and the million topping options you have is great too, so you never have to have the same thing over and over....the shoestring fries are cooked perfectly and go great with their ranch and the onion rings-yes, they are greasy-they are freakin' ONION rings...fresh cut onion rings-do you want freezer onion rings like from Burger King??? They are, in my opinion, perfectly done and nice and light with a slight crisp.
I have only had a side salad, coleslaw and onion soup here other than burgers, and it was all really good...
Another huge plus for people bitching about the wait...the liquor drinks are crazy strong...have a vodka or whatever or 2 on the rocks or with some soda and you will be feeling so good, you won't care that you have to wait for awesome food. Strongest and cheapest drinks anywhere-I'm sold.
The burgers are great, the beer selection is better than great. If you think you've had better burgers elsewhere, you're probably wrong and you should feel bad about it.
Sorry, just telling it like it is.
I have a voice that tells me that I need to go to Red Coat for a burger from time to time and I'm always so glad that I listen to it!!
So a couple of things that kinda bother me are the long waits in a cramped 'waiting' area that always overflows to the bar so make sure you go on a weekday at a weird time like after 9pm. And the booths where you sit at a 90 degree angle, I recommend that you sit at a table.
But it's well worth it! I always go for the Piedmontese burger since it has less fat and calories which means I can put more toppings on my burger so it kinda evens out in the end!! I go for the cheddar, bacon, burnt onion, guacamole and jalapenos! Burnt onions are the best!!! My mouth is watering as we speak...I think I hear that little voice again!
This place gets mad props from me because of the Piedmontese burgers they offer. They are low in both calories and fat, so I can enjoy my burger guilt-free!!
Some people don't seem to like the idea of adding toppings to your burger, but I disagree. I think it's fabulous! You can try all sorts of combinations and you never get tired of having the same thing.
The one bad thing about this place is that it isn't open on Sundays! And for some reason I ALWAYS crave burgers on Sundays....
Actual review: 3.5 stars.
Finally managed to get in here without a wait (yay for odd-timed midday meals)!
Loved the red decor (esp. the lights) and the late-night-smoky-bar atmosphere. This did not detract from my dining experience.
Of course I had a burger, and it was cooked to my liking. However, I must admit to finding the burgers at Vinsetta a bit better. Not only in taste, but Vinsetta doesn't charge extra for toppings (requisite lettuce and tomato notwithstanding). Also, we ordered our burgers with olives and they were served on the side, not on the burger, and they were unfortunately joined by their crimson partner in crime, the pimento. I'm not too fond of pimentos.
The thin-cut fries glistened with salt crystals and had the requisite crunch-surrounding-moistness. Pretty good fries, esp. if you're a salt fiend like I am.
Again, this place is worth the hype as the burgers are very good. I just think Vinsetta is a notch better.
Hey Yelp, will rating by 1/2 star increments ever be possible? ;-)
UPDATE 9/21/09: We met my parents here for lunch to celebrate my husband's birthday, and everything was so disappointing! The onion rings we ordered (intended as a shared appetizer) came AFTER everyone's meal. The fish in the fish & chips was undercooked and very greasy, and the o-rings were a little too greasy too. The biggest bummer was that I was real excited to try the "Cubano" sandwich, but I ordered it without mayo - I hate mayo. After we'd all finished our soup and lunch was about to be served, the waiter came out and said they would not make the Cubano without mayonnaise, is that okay? NO IT IS NOT - I had to order something else (hence the undercooked fish & chips, I suspect). Red Coat has always been such a treat, but today it was the opposite of good. Except for the clam chowder, which is always awesome!
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My family has been coming to Red Coat for as long as I can remember! As pretty much everyone else has mentioned, the burgers are something else. We always get the onion rings which are like no other I've ever tried - the BIGGEST rings ever with a very crispy delicious coating!
We also tend to get the clam chowder, which is very very good. I tend to not get the burgers very often, I'm more into the fish & chips. A little greasy but really nice large pieces of cod are in there! You can probably guess it's not the world's healthiest food...pretty tasty though.
I haven't been there since they implemented the valet parking, that sounds pretty annoying. I might have to deduct a star if I run into that. I will say it is DARK inside. If you go for lunch, be prepared to feel blind as a bat when you walk in - and once your eyes get used to it, you get blinded again when you walk out into the sunshine. It's worth it for the clam chowder & o-ring fix!
One of the best burgers in Detroit. There is always a long line out the door on weekends. Cold beer and great burgers what else can you ask for?
Food was good until HUGE CHUNKS of dust started to fall on our food! The manager asked if we wanted a new table and new food. We kind of lost our appitite at that point and finally he just let us leave without paying. I hope the next time I visit (if I ever) they clean up their dust problem.
Excellent burgers; deserving of their reputation of having the best in metro Detroit. Good beer choices. The scotch egg app is stellar (as long as you ignore the artery damage you're doing). Very busy during dinner so try and visit during off peak hours if at all possible. Dimly lit in red inside, so give your eyes a few to adjust.
Fabulous burgers, with plenty of options to mix it up. Try it on Rye bread, so good. French fries are tasty, but often cooked too lightly, may want to request "extra done". Enjoy.
Decided to go Red Coat for the first time after moving since everyone says its the best burger in town, but I wouldn't go that far.
Those of us in my party had to wait 20 minutes for lunch on a Saturday afternoon, so I suppose it truly is the popular place to go for a burger.
The burger itself was okay, but I don't get too overly excited for a burger or many other types of foods at this point anymore. Our server was pretty attentive and friendly, so I will give high regards to the staff at Redcoat.
Redcoat Tavern is the best burger in Metro-Detroit, quite possibly the U.S.
Here's the thing any good place is going to have a wait. They're busy, get over it. They don't take reservations because if people don't show, that's space they've been wasting. They take call aheads, but will not honor unless your whole party is there. This is all done so they can seat people as quickly as any resturant at full capacity all the time can do.
The ambiance is dark and brooding, just the way it was during Colonial times (get it, Red Coat Tavern?). The place started out as a small bar decades ago and became larger than life because of it's amazing food.
The Redcoat Burger is always cooked the way you like it. Sometimes there's a bit of a wait, but that is perhaps because of the 100 burger orders at any given time the chefs are trying to fulfill...right???? The onion rings are magnificent and the fries are good. Stop bitching that it's $10 for a burger and $6 for the rings. The Rings easily feed 2-3 unless you're a typical Michigander factty mcfatty and the burger can last two meals (or two lunches, one at noon and the other half at 3). You can get whatever you want on your burger, and even if you don't do the piedmontese you are still getting an excellent cut of beef.
The bar is great. Strong drinks, good wine selection and EXCELLENT beer selection. For the disenfranchised asshole complaining about the Valet Parking, well dick, they did that because of all the Dream Cruise idiots and now they're back to regular parking.
It is better than Bastone (although dog food is), it is better than your precious hipster joing the Emory and it is DEFINATEYLY BETTER THAN KONA GRILL (seriously dude, just go back to bed because if that's the way you feel about God's food, he doesn't want you around either). Oh and the Fudruckers guy? You should just stop eating all together because Satan obviously impregnated your mother in order for you to have such terrible taste buds and disdain for this beautiful fare.
So go to Red Coat and enjoy the burger, or should you venture off the popular path, the Monte Cristo is amazeballs as is the Clam Chowder, if you have room left, the Creme Brulee is pretty delightful.
Terrible wait but worth it for the best burgers...anywhere.
Detroiters seem to think Red Coat Tavern is the center of the burger universe. And thanks to a finally-fits-into-my-schedule Yelp meetup, I got a chance to see what all the ballyhoo was about.
Nothing like talking medicine and healthcare while we gluttonously jam our faces with juicy, fatty, cholesterol-filled burgers and onion rings!
And I can think of no better time to get introduced to such deliciously addictive burgers--three and a half months before stuffing my "Real Women Have Curves" rear into a wedding gown. As a preventative measure against my foreseen addiction, I purchased a bicycle today and started riding around Clawson (honk if you see me... just look for a pink bike with streamers and a banana seat).
Despite my perpetually poor chefing abilities, Red Coat gives me the confidence that I can build a burger as tasty as theirs. See, their burgers are best when pink on the inside, which is somewhat how meat turns out when I grill it ...I always char it crisp on the outside, while it remains cold and bloody on the inside. That counts, right?
And Red Coat's burnt onions... oh my! One of the most unique and enjoyable burger toppings; so crisp, salty, and flavorful. I can cook those too... every time I try to caramelize onions, they end up charred, black, and totally carbonized. Yup, I can do the same as Red Coat!
My first classic Red Coat burger was a concoction of burnt onions, sauteed mushrooms, and provolone, with their usual lettuce, tomato, and burger sauce. Sounded so good that Dea A. seconded my order!
So what's my verdict?
Sometimes, Detroiters are right. No, not about buying American cars... but about the universe's rotational axis traversing my Red Coat burger.
Went to RCT before a concert. WE had no wait, which was surprising considering how many people were lined up outside (there were only 2 of us). Parking is by Valet or figure it out yourself!
The place was cramped and noisy (as we expected), but wasn't overly smoky as we'd been told to expect.
The onion rings were very good, if somewhat pricey at $5.35. The Hamburgers basically come ala cart, and fries were $3.95, but can easily be shared between 2 people. There was an ample selection of beers, wines, and mixed drinks, all priced in the average range. And now on to the "Famous" burgers...
The hamburger was cooked exactly as I'd asked, and we had them topped with cheddar, bacon, sauteed mushrooms, lettuce, tomato, and onions. They were stacked pretty high. They tasted good, but I certainly wouldn't vote them in the "best" category, especially at over $10 each with our toppings (which is decidedly misleading on the menu)!!!
I'll be going back to Pontiac Lake Inn (White Lake) or Cozy Inn (Brighton) before I go back to RCT. It was nice to visit, but that's about it...
I'm going to say it....
Redcoat is overrated.
I know, I know. Practically everyone in metro Detroit thinks it is absolutely the best, there is no better burger. And well, I'm sure my opinion would be higher had there not been so many cons:
The prices...like $6 for an order of onion rings? I mean, they are good, but not THAT good! Do you know how many onion rings of my own I could fry up for $6? Plus the fact that burgers/sandwiches don't come with a side of rings or fries, so you have to get that separately, and if you're like me and with someone that doesn't like onion rings, well, I'm not going to spend $6 on onion rings and not eat the whole order.
The wait...I know, they have call ahead seating now. Do you know what happened when I used the call ahead seating? They said about an hour, I got there and had to wait another 45 minutes on top of it!
The cramped quarters...yes, maybe this is part of its charm. I have no problem with the dark interior, the red lighting everywhere, that's fine. But I do have a problem with being crammed in at a table like sardines and having to apologize to someone everytime I moved my chair.
The wait staff could use a lesson in enthusiasm and friendliness, as the last time I went there the waiter was a crab. And don't get me started on the parking lot!
Yeah, it's a good burger, and if I want JUST a burger, I'll go spend the money if I can walk right in there, sit at a table and get served quickly. Otherwise, I'll go to The Emory.
I love foodstuffs of the blackened/charred variety. I adore sauces of all sorts. And I've always been partial to cutely-branded condiments. So when I Yelped around recently for reviews on the Red Coat Tavern, spying tantalizing terms such as "burnt onions" and "Zip sauce," well, you can just imagine the drool and stomach-growling that ensued.
Soon after, I made an enthusiastic trip to Red Coat. And though I enjoyed the atmosphere, not even minding the hour-plus Saturday night wait--I was not all that impressed with my burger. In fact, I think I came upon one of the first condiments I have an aversion for... apologies to the Zip sauce chef. I also found myself choking down the carcinogeni- err, burnt onions.
Pluses: great beer list, decent (non-carcinogenic) onion rings and above-average service.
In sum, my tastebuds, initially delirious with excitement over some saucey burger action, were let down. Did I order wrong? Perhaps--and I will be back again to confirm. Massive meat masterpiece rehash--sans Zip and burnt-ness--here I come!
At Red Coat you will find me stuffing my face with a medium rare burger covered in blue cheese and burnt onions with burger juice dripping down my face while I cram shoestring fries in my mouth between bites. I don't know what it is about those fries but I can't get them in fast enough.
The rest of the food is good too, like the fish and chips but unless it's a Friday during Lent there's no need for that.
The service? It's great but who cares?
Find some random, off time to go or you'll be standing between the front door and the bar for at least 20 minutes saying excuse me while people walk all over your toes.
Ok, I went to RCT for my 3rd time today, and now I have to say I like the burger better than Miller's.
I don't care for a fancy burger, I always have restaurants hold all the extra crap off my burgers.
I get the Piedmontese burger (med) with cheddar, raw onions, ketchup and mustard, and man it is a good burger. I only eat half and I am full. If you eat the fried stuff the onion rings are great too, I had to try one when my friend ordered some.
If you are looking for a great burger that is made with pure high quality beef and not one of those premade pattys, this is your place.
My Favorite place in Metro Detroit to get a burger.
The inside atmosphere is what makes this place so special. Low lit, old school tavern feel. However, It is very crowded on a weekend night, and they aren't open on Sundays. BUT.... that all pails in comparison to the experience you get while dining @ The Redcoat.
I usually get a Piedmontese burger (lean, high quality beef) with cheddar and usually split some Onion Rings and or Shoestring Fries with the table, depending on who I am dining with.
Waitstaff is very accommodating, and according to my beer drinking friends (I dont drink alcohol) the beer selection is second to none. Imports, Domestics.... all good.
They offer call ahead seating, which I highly recommend on a weekend night.
They have valet parking there, but you are free to park on one of the side streets.
-1 for long wait times.
Red Coat has great burgers - ALMOST as good as Miller's! That is a serious compliment, coming from me. The Piedmontese option is awesome- it's lower in fat than regular ground beef and grass-fed, which means it's "cleaner", as far as meat goes. Their fries and onion rings are amazing, too. Staff is on-the-ball and pleasant.
The downside, and the reason I give it 4 stars, is the wait. It's horrendous. As in, you're lucky if you only have to wait 45 minutes at dinnertime. And you can forget about sitting at the bar and having a drink to kill time, because that's packed, too, from 5 pm on. So go at off hours, or prepare to wait waaay too long for your own good. They don't take reservations, but you can call 15-20 mins. ahead and they'll put your name on the waiting list. Not that that helps much, but at least it's something.
The lighting and ambiance leave lots to be desired, but I'm not taking off any stars for that b/c this isn't the kind of place you go for a romantic dinner - you go here to get your grub on with some great, greasy food!
Where can you find an awesome burger in a restaurant that looks like something out of Pirates of the Caribbean? Red Coat! The burgers are to die for. Don't miss it! My only contention is that I seriously think they are just buying McDonald's french fries and passing them off as their own.
Great wait staff. Cool dining room. Fun times!
I was downtown sitting through a bunch of lectures and was thankful that I could get free a little earlier than expected. I missed lunch again and my stomach was yelling at me to get a burger. I've read all the glowing reviews and decided to try it for myself.
I decided to go with the Red Coat burger with cheddar, bacon, raw onion, and zip sauce in addition to the lettuce, tomato, and burger sauce already on it. When I have a choice of prep, I go medium rare to satisfy that inner caveman. Was it the best burger I've had? Nope. Was it damn good? Hell yes. I also got a cup of clam chowder which was also pretty tasty. There were good sized chunks of clam and it was very creamy. I washed the whole meal down with two Guinnesses. My burger came out to about 10 bucks just for the burger. That is a little high for a burger with no fries included.
The service was on the slow side but then again the place was full at 3 in the afternoon. Still, I'd hate to be here when the place is packed during the dinner hour. If I lived closer, it might be worth the trip. But since I'm in Dearborn, I don't envision too many trips out this way.
I would like to take the opportunity to call out the patrons of this establishment (at least the ones I saw here today). I saw far too many doggy bags being packed up. Come on, you all should be able to finish this burger and a plate of fries. I saw men that should have easily finished this burger break down and take the rest to go. I saw females give in too easily to satiety. This whole shameful scene made me cry (only on the inside).
If any of you all are in the DC area, please make a conscious effort to stop by Ray's Hellburger for a better, cheaper burger.
For burgers, this place absolutely gets the "as good as it gets" nod from me. A little background to understand why I find this so exciting and special.... I avoid red meat 90% of the time, and I never order burgers from restaurants.... I just don't "get" burgers. I have never understood what the big deal is. I find ordering a burger a wasted trip out for dinner.
Red Coat has successfully changed my mind. I will proudly take my hubby, friends and family here. My comment when I got home was "I am worried that I will now crave red meat." Apparently, Red Coat is a lifestyle changing experience for me.
Thank you, fellow yelpers, for introducing me to the burger that has broken me, and for entertaining me during a fabulous meet up.
Okay, this is becoming a little cliché, but..... This place has great burgers!
They are absolutely PACKED around lunch time so don't show up in a hurry (last time I had to wait around 15-20 mins for a table). My recommendations are the burger with avocado, green olives, and cheese, and the cheese and ale spread.
Wow. That Zinc burger they have really does deserve Best Burger of the Year by the Freep.
That brioche bun, wow, really fantastic. It had arugula, tomatoes, dijon mustard, caramelized onions, swiss cheese (I think?), and bacon. They also understand the meaning of "medium" and actually cook it with a pink center (seriously, you have no idea how hard it is to get something cooked right if you don't want to order something carbonized or "well done").
The beer list is really quite good. They even had a seasonal specials beer list! All sorts of Belgian and English beers, some of which I have never heard of, and some that I know and love well.
Oh? Even better? This place runs on "my" hours -- open until 1-2am during weeknights! We were there at 8:30pm on a Wednesday and we still had a 15 minute wait. This place is popular! AND FOR GOOD REASON!
The fries and potato wedges are a pass, but those onion rings look damn good.
I will be back, Red Coat Tavern!
Tip: Go during off peak hours -- like 3pm or 9pm. Any other time there will be a wait. This place isn't as big as you think it is.
If you know me you know I like to eat. Over the past 3 years I basically ate my way across the United States. You see my husbands job took us all across the US and therefore I figured it was my job....nay my responsibility... to personally eat and taste test my way through each city we were in. One of the things we always did in each city was to seek out the "best burger"....so lets just say I am somewhat of an expert in the burger category.
Every place I went...every burger I ate...always made me miss Redcoat. Why? Because it seriously is the Best Burger that has touched my lips!
My burger of choice? The piedmont (made from "low-fat" cattle - just 2 grams of fat per burger) with cheddar, grilled onions, zip sauce and of course all the "regular" fixins'. But whatever you want you may have on your burger...so many things to choose from...burnt onions....olives...gouda...they got it all!
Onion rings are fabulous and I definitely suggest ordering up some for your table. If you are extra adventurous I HIGHLY recommend a Scottish egg. Its basically a heart attack on a plate but oh so delicous.
It is a pretty dark and dingy place...and they really squeeze you in there...but it just adds to the redcoat charm. In my opinion, service is great. Most of the waitresses have been working there for an extended period of time and are always super nice.
The wait can get pretty long. Even on Wednesday nights you could show up around 7 and still have a 1+ hour wait. Here is a tip my lovely yelpers...you can call ahead! Thats a little secret...from me to you....You can thank me later!
Burgers are everywhere. But great burgers are hard to find. So you put up with the long waits to be seated that sometimes happen. And the interior of the place is not the best. But the burgers are big and juicy and they will make them just the way you want them. You can get them on an English Muffin or a hard roll, with any kind of cheese and they can make them rare if you like rare as I do. There are all kinds of preconceived burgers on the menu or you can roll your own. The theme is a little tacky. with a knight in armor at the entrance, but you get past that once you get your choppers on one of those fine burgers.
After moving to Denver, Red Coat is one of the places I still think about regularly.....The atmosphere is sublime, nice and dark.... and red leather seats in the bar area are the best spot to go, if not the bar. I always used to make a last minute decision with a rare burger, usually landed on burnt onions, zip sauce, green olives mixed with mayo, bacon(its thick!)......
Great place to meet for happy hour too...make sure and go early on Fridays as you'll get shut out from a bar seat and have an hour+ wait for a table.
This is a burger I crave more than the others on GQs best burgers list, and I've had a bunch of them. If you live within a days drive, go there quickly.
I always wonder why Redcoat doesn't make it on the list of BEST BURGERS OF THE WORLD on a national level. These are the best. My friends always get the piedmontese burger, but I go for the regular angus beef. And the toppings - you can really really get ANYTHING you want on your burger. Besides the beef, they have an excellent beer selection. The place is small and cramped and usually busy. The bar area is very narrow and the usuals are parked at the bar early. It's kind of hard for large groups, there are only the mobile tables in the middle of the restaurant that can be pulled together. Otherwise, grab a group of 4 and grab a booth and the best burger of your life.
Also don't to go on Sundays..because they are CLOSED.
Farmington Hills, MI
Category: Burgers
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Category: Burgers
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Category: Pubs
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Category: Burgers
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