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The Telway
Category: Restaurants Burgers Burgers [Edit]
27000 John R RdMadison Heights, MI 48071
(248) 545-7962
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 12 am - 12 am
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night
- Alcohol:
- No
- Drive-Thru:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
43 reviews for The Telway
Review Highlights
"It's great slider joint and still cheap."
(in 4 reviews)
"This place is great for a late night after bar stop."
(in 5 reviews)
"...tried my first slider outside of the white castle realm."
(in 8 reviews)
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43 reviews in English
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Review from David J.
Hudson, WI
1/18/2012
The last time I went to the Telway was in July as I now live in Wisconsin. Whenever I am in Michigan, the Telway is one of my 2 must haves, the other being boneless almond chicken. The burgers are worlds better than White Castle. They are slightly bigger, have more taste and lack the 5 holes of a White Castle slider. The chili dogs are tasty as well. I started going to Telway over 25 years ago and I still love it. Great prices, good food and friendly service. Be prepared for an interesting time if you go there after 10pm. . .
-
Review from Marissa H.
Royal Oak, MI
1/16/2012
You know what sucks? When you discover something as delicious as The Telway in the midst of your post-Holiday diet and five work outs a week, thus voiding all of the hot yoga, rowing, swimming and stairmastering you've been doing. BUT...TOTALLY worth it.
Telway sliders are the most delicious greasy, ketchupy-mustardy, little guys ever. I kept thinking cheeseburger goo when I was eating this. I know that description doesn't sound good, but I swear it's delicious. The onion rings or french fries are totally legit as well.
For *all my stalkers, this is probably where you can find me at around 2 a.m. on a weekend night. I know it'll be super hot when I have my face covered in ketchup and strings of onions coming out of my mouth.
Cash only (but conveniently, there's a BOA ATM in CVS across the street).
*I only have one stalker. His name is Ryan #1 (I happened to date two Ryan's following him), and he once locked me in his bedroom and started to clean his hunting rifle (Kansas, y'all) after I tried to break up with him. True story. He used to leave me creepy notes in my car, too. -
Review from Gregory Y.
West Bloomfield Township, MI
8/29/2011
I was at Telway Saturday afternoon, had a couple Hamburgers and some O-Rings. To each his own, but I wasn't that impressed, they were soggy and I missed the burnt onion taste that Greenes has, perhaps the secrete here is to not clean the grill so often lol.
Telway's buns were too large in comparison to the meat and the onions were mushy like they were stewed instead of just ignored and allowed to caramelize. With that said, I still would eat a sack of them :)
The price was right too. -
Review from Dil F.
7/24/2011
5-star employees, good sliders and a good street-side view. Still not Motz.
Popped in here while running errands in this fine city. I love the people working here. They made my day with their joke and story telling. Real kind folk.
The cheeseburgers are delicious: small, greasy, beefy, oniony,with pickle, ketchup and mustard. But, as good as they are, they always remind me of a fabulously improved version of McDonalds burgers. I think this every time I eat at Telway. Depending on the comparison, that can be a compliment, or, if the comparison is with Motz, then it's a bit of a disappointment. Nothing at all to cry over - Telway is satisfying quick and cheap eats, and I'll pop in again - but the slider kingdom is ruled by one king, which is Motz.
Nevertheless, when you're coming to this Telway, be sure to bring just a little extra tip money than usual. You'll be glad you did. -
Review from Tony S.
Eastpointe, MI
6/28/2011
After considering that most people on Yelp! think Telway is the best slider I had to see for myself. I've lived around the St. Clair Shores area for years and Travis & White Castle are the sliders that are most popular around here.
Telway.
This is not a reconstructed 50's retro diner. This is the real deal, older than the 50's It's pretty darn small, cozy though and locals feel comfortable here.
Cheap price.
I took a carryout and I ate the onion rings in the car. They were nice looking, thin, crispy, with light batter and light salt, decent. I also ate one of the burgers in the car. Greasy, moist, fresh bun, fresh pickle, stringy onions. Seasoning good but next time I go I'm going to ask them to go heavy on the mustard.
Nice people working there and the locals seem cool.
Pros: They taste fresher than Travis. The chili was very good, smooth and balanced, I could eat a huge bowl of this. Coke was a perfect balance too. I definitely want to try some of the other stuff they have.
Cons: Travis burger has a bit more meat and has slightly more flavor, or a flavor I prefer. Not really a con, as it's expected when getting sliders but make sure if you've never had a slider that you know it's greasy, unhealthy comfort food that may not help your weak stomach.
4.75 Respect -
Review from Tom F.
8/8/2010
It was time for me to teach another class at the Burger University. I had a big class meet up at the Telway for the first day. My class consisted of the likes of Kevin S., Brit S., Katie G., Jon K., Janelle W, TJ W, Lorna E., Eric P., Dave M. There were a few absentees but this was a full class in the small dining area.
Lesson One: Smell
As I approached north on John R I stopped at the light on the corner of 11 Mile, rolled down my window and smelled. PERFECT, I can smell the Telway from the road.
Lesson Two: Preparation
Sweet perfection. Balled up fresh meat, stringy sweet onions on top. Brown the burger on the first side, flip over, smash down with spatula. Place bottom of bun on top of smashed meat, top of bun on top of the bottom bun. Place damp towel on top of 25 burgers on grill to keep steam contained. This people is the offical way to make a slider. Great lesson.
Lesson Three: Meal
Outstanding. Sliders taste better in the restaurant than take home. Fresh meat, thin stringy onions, crispy pickles, ketchup and mustard. Great! I also added an order of onion rings and the classic Coke. The onions rings were store bought. They weren't very hot. They keep the fries and onion rings under the fryer to keep warm. This should lower from a five star to a four star, but maybe not.
Lesson Four: Atmosphere
Great atmosphere. Sitting on the stool facing 11 Mile and John R was rather interesting. I saw somebody filing through the garbage can across the street looking for bottles for return. Somebody stopped at the light and was yelling out at the couple in the convertible next to them "something" unmentionable here. Madison Heights is a friendly town.
This was a very good class. I really enjoyed the people. We had people who had been in the class before and we had some first days.
Comparing this slider joint to my favorite(Greene's) the taste is very comparable. The meat tasted more like a ground chuck versus the ground sirloin at Greene's. Next time I am in the area I will definitely go here again. If I lived on this side of town this would be the best slider joint. This goes to the old saying, location, location, location.
There will be a team building with all the class members afterward at another place. I think a dive karoake bar is most likely.
Class dismissed.Listed in: Burger University
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Review from Christopher S.
Sterling Heights, MI
2/24/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Hands-down one of the best sliders in the metro-Detroit area!
I cannot write anything that does justice for the place...all I can say is go there and experience it...you will not be disappointed. -
Review from William D.
Warren, MI
2/9/2011
It is what it is, an old school greasy spoon - one of the best and least expensive and it is also bright and clean. Great service.
Bad point (there had to be one...) unlike The Telway in Detroit (Michigan & Martin - near Livernois), they do not have root beer here. You'll have to settle for Coke. -
Review from Craig S.
Royal Oak, MI
5/22/2010
Confession time...I was a Teleway Virgin...omg
This is a first time visit review, and as we all know...First impressions make a big impact. So here is a simple breakdown of my first time : )
The setting......Telway...small but there were a few seats free
The day......a Friday night...a warm Summer day
The time......about 11:30 pm...i did not stare at my watch, gawd
The food......coney dog, chilli fries, cheese burger, onion rings
******(Note: don't judge me, i am a guy so i was craving...lol)
The cost......all for under $8, very cheap and fast
The taste......it filled my craving, very satisfied
The friendliness......very friendly, but i can't remember her name /wink
The return......i will definitly go for another visit
The expectation......not gourmet of course, but a good late night stop
Thumbs Up : ) -
Review from Joe T.
9/25/2010
Went here with high expectations, in search of slider perfection.
Ended up being decent, but basic sliders. Good greasy sliders with just a couple stringy grilled onions and a pickle or two per burger. Bread was buttery warm. But something was missing. I still enjoy Comet Burger in Royal Oak as the better slider, but this was decent. Chili & cheese fries were decent, and chili dog was decent. All in all, nothing to write home about. Odd thing is I went in here pretty buzzed, and for some reason it didn't hit the spot. So something was a little off, because even White Castle would have hit the spot, though granted expectations would be lower there. No real complaints - just not the best sliders in town that's all.
Prices are very cheap, and open 24/7 - which is a plus! The classic, dingy, dive ambiance was a plus to me as well. You can definitely tell it's a neighborhood diamond in the rough. Seating inside is limited, so plan on standing and eating or taking the food outside if you are there when it's busy. -
Review from Dave S.
8/4/2010
If you are looking for some late night grub and are sick of the usual fare (Coney Island or Taco Bell) then Telway will be a nice change of pace. It is the perfect place to satisfy your late night grease craving.
It's a small little joint so if it's a popular choice that night you might need to get your order to go. Be warned that these sliders are about at least twice as big as a White Castle slider, so don't go in there and make your standard WC order.
Nothing like ending the night with a few cheeseburger sliders, chili fries and of course, the cherry on top, an ice cold Mr. Pibb. -
Review from Brian B.
8/6/2010 1 Check-in Here
Telway, how I love you.
This place is great for a late night after bar stop. Place is great for small greasy burgers that hit the spot when you need something in your system. Really small inside, so you need to beat the crowd before 2am.
For $6-7, you can get 4 burgers, fries, and a drink. You will be more than satisfied.
The service is always adequate and place is pretty clean. Since the new smoking law, the place really cleared up. Before, it was almost gross at times to be in there. -
Review from Michael G.
Madison Heights, MI
12/26/2010 12 Check-ins Here
Sliders under a buck.. Greasy goodness on a greasy bun. Yes sir.
And the onion rings... Thin onions in perfectly crispy batter that smell and taste amazing.
Speaking of those onion rings.. you can smell them from nearly half a mile away... one of those things that draw you to it....
Beware though, if you indulge in this Madison Heights landmark.. you may have a rough night.. you may have a wrestling match in your stomach! But even with this risk.. It's great slider joint and still cheap! -
Review from Evangelos F.
Warren, MI
9/22/2010
Sliders! Buy em in bulk! Why wait an hour in a White Castle drive-thru when you can get a better burger at Telway in a jiffy? Definitely expect a crowd around 2AM so be the early bird and grab some for your buddies. Limited seating but you wanted to stand and watch those patties sizzle anyways. Get their number so you can call ahead and order and skip waiting altogether! Plus they have that deal when you get burgers To Go.
Do no fall asleep at the counter and do NOT visibly piss on the CVS next door (go to the alley behind it). -
Review from Kate B.
11/10/2010
I've been visiting the Telway since my old Rock-n-Roll days (i.e., when my band would finish playing a show downtown) and after the after-hours bar we'd hit Telway for greasy, delicious, beefy-cheezy drippy Big D-Late-Nite-Satisfying Bite. Good sliders, great fries - all manner of greasy goodness to aid in the soaking-up of that last drink, or to refuel after you've screamed your way through a concert or stumbled your way through 2 days of DEMF, or spent too much time scrutinizing art or just generally in need of refueling on a budget.
Tho no longer in the music scene, I still visit the Telway - just not at the same hours :O) *sings a bit of Iggy* -
Review from Janelle W.
Detroit, MI
TJ and I are slowly working some beef back into our diets, and Telway was one of the first things we wanted to try.
Was it tasty and juicy and greasy and good? Yes.
But did it offer me a convincing argument to continue eating beef? No.
It's uber cheap eats--you get a lot of taste for a little cash. But the sliders aren't earth-shatteringly fabulous. I can see how one might gain an appreciation for Telway as a late-night after-the-bar place. But for a mid-day lunch, I can find you a better burger.
*** CASH ONLY!!! *** -
Review from Stuart M.
Madison Heights, MI
7/21/2011 19 Check-ins Here
piping hot coffee, and sliders a great combination. I have been to the Madison Hts, and Detroit location on Michigan Ave and both are superb.
They are a great fix for the great filled craving you get every once and a while, make sure you get everything on them and especially the grilled onions....it fills the late nite urge -
Review from dea a.
10/13/2007 2 Check-ins Here
I shouldn't like it... but I do. It's soggy, greasy, cheesy, salty food -- and it's soooooooooo fantastic after a night at the bars.
I think I'm in love. Or is that the booze talking? -
Review from Michael C.
Warren, MI
4/26/2008
Sliders!
Though these sliders aren't as expert as Comet Burger, they certainly do have an edge on any other place around - they are by far the cheapest burger anywhere in the state - under $1! As far as taste, they are what they are - heart-attack on a bun, a little slice of grilled heaven. Cheaper than McD's, 100X better on taste, and no crazy additives.
But I will say that they have to put something in their coffee to make it the most delicious coffee on the planet .No, I'm not joking. There's something in that coffee that makes it the most fulfilling coffee ever, hands down. Plus at 35 cents, you really can't beat it. So even if you don't like coffee, give it a shot!
This is probably the best alternative to fast food while not straying far from the heart of what makes fast food FAST. Even if there's a line, you'll be in and out quick, and somehow the meal will taste bigger and better than anything that comes out of a drive-thru window! -
Review from Kristine Z.
Sterling Heights, MI
6/23/2011
I have been coming here ever since I was little. I've first went to the original one on Michigan Ave and then when I moved I found out there was one closer to me. This is the place to go for great hamburgers and fries and a great late night snack after the bar.
-
Review from Jenn V.
Wyandotte, MI
10/15/2009
Yummy and cheap! Typical menu of sliders, coneys, chili fries, onion rings, chocolate shakes, etc. Extremely cheap prices (cheeseburgers under a buck) and decent quality (for what it is). The chocolate shake is from a machine, which I know a lot of people would turn their nose up at. But this rivaled any "handmade" shake I've had. They also have a bunch of pies, like banana cream and apple crumb, and each piece is under 2 bucks!
What surprised me about this place was how clean it was! Every surface was clean and free of any crumbs and spills. You can obviously see into the "kitchen", and it was super clean too. I have worked in restaurants and know how disgusting they can be, so this was refreshing.
Highly recommended for some cheap sliders and a shake. -
Review from Amya S.
Sterling Heights, MI
10/28/2009
At my work, whenever we have to come in on Saturday, all the boys I work with automatically start talking about Telway.
"OH MY GOSH! LET'S SEND AMYA TO GET TELWAY! I'M GOING TO EAT 10 THIS TIME! AND FRIES! AND 2 CONEY DOGS!"
And then comes the conversation about the bathroom... but I will spare you the details, because I have a heart.
Anyhow, I can only attest to the sliders there. I'm just not a fan. I prefer the nice, soft, steamed bun White Castle has to offer. The sliders at Telway taste bitter to me, and coat my tongue in a funky flavor that I can't get rid of for 24 hours, no matter how many times I brush, floss, gargle, chew gum, etc, etc.
The service is quick and the prices are cheap. Voila, 2 stars. -
Review from Heidi P.
Madison Heights, MI
3/2/2010
We live close to Telway and if the wind is just right we can smell the burgers at all hours of the day or night.
The smells? Delicious.
If you're looking for the typical greasy, oniony, slider...Telway is your place.
If you're looking for something healthy...keep looking. -
Review from Eric J.
Birmingham, MI
4/15/2011
The Telway isn't just good. It's important.
If you're lucky enough to have had these sliders then there's nothing I need to explain to you. It's as much ritual as epicurean. -
Review from Eric P.
9/9/2009 1 Check-in Here
Less than a buck a slider in this day and age? The price is one of the major factors in this place earning 4-stars instead of 3, especially since I'm not a huge fan of sliders. The sliders are decent, although the quality of the meat is just alright (but what do you expect for a buck?). The fries are much better than other slider places in the metro area (I still have to try Hunter House). I wasn't a fan of the chocolate shake but many people swear by it.
There is no denying that it is a cultural landmark of madison heights. Come at 2am to meet drunk or high teens and twenty-somethings, along with working class joes, old men sucking down cup after cup of coffee, preppy kids, hipsters, nerds, they all come to satisfy their craving. -
Review from niquesha s.
Madison Heights, MI
4/16/2011
I cannot believe I waited so long to put up my favorite slider joint. I have to drive by with my windows up or i'll stop in... which can't be anygood for my figure I mean when you get your bag you can almost see through it, cause of the grease... anywho great burgers cheap! but how will I avoid them come summer time.... guess i'll have to take Dequindre to get to work.
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Review from Justin M.
7/7/2010
Best sliders around! This place is great any time of the day, I like to stop by before an evening out on the town (followed by some toothbrushing, those onions are potent). The fries and onion rings are standard fare, the burgers is what you want.
The telway tastes great for lunch, dinner, a late night snack, or a drunken "i'm coming home from the bar and need something in my stomach" meal. -
Review from Dave G.
Madison Heights, MI
9/25/2009
I would only ever visit this place at 2am, after the bar. Awful after effects in the morning. Has the effect of 3 bowls of bran flakes on a bun. I even have a Telway-specific house rule: If you get it, the trash must go into the OUTSIDE trash cans immediately after the meal; never left on the table or even put in the kitchen trash. The disgusting smell permeates everything you own if left indoors overnight.
Like I said...the overnight smell is awful. The fresh burger smell when you drive/walk by is an entirely different animal. The smell from the street is so good that I have been known to forget the consequences that the morning always brings and go ahead and order. That smell combined with the great people-watching opportunities are the reason I give The Telway 2 stars instead of 1. -
Review from Anna S.
2/10/2011
Loves me some Telway. Having grown up near Birmingham's Hunter House, I originally thought my boyfriend (husband now) was crazy for thinking Telway was good. But, I've changed my mind because Telway is good, and it's WAY cheaper than HH. I'm totally a fan. The sliders are awesome, the coneys are to die for (they deep fry the hot dog, I know, right?) and the service is SO friendly! Great late-night post-bar food or for a quick lunch.
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Review from Maggie N.
Warren, MI
2/16/2011
with my insane school schedule telway is the only place that is open both 6:30am when i leave for class and 10:30pm when i come back from work. i can always buy with pocket change too.
not only that but the food is quality, i mean it. the burgers are so good and wholesome and affordable. i enjoy the atmosphere, i've had many a strange and funny conversation with an absolute stranger there. it's an incredibly friendly environment.
they'll also make strange requests. if you ever go there, ask for a chili hamburger, they're AWESOME.
but whenever my schedule is not so friendly, which it never is, i am always sure to stop at telway. i believe they are cash only though. -
Review from Ryan W.
9/28/2009
** Disclaimer ** I was visiting Detroit when I noticed The Telway around the corner from where my buddy lives. I thought, "That could be a really awesome hole in the wall place." But then I realized: crappy-looking places in Detroit aren't crappy on-purpose. Unlike in DC where cool places go shabby chic by design in order to convey some "authenticity." Nope, in Detroit, a crappy-looking place might actually just be, well, crappy.
That said, The Telway serves a noble purpose in this world: serving grease to drunks after the bars close. Why they're open 24 hours beats me. They should limit operating hours to 10PM to 5AM. The sliders I ordered were ok, but nothing special - very similar to a McDonald's cheesburger, but smaller. Fries also were remarkably like Mickey D's, but were missing salt. The chocolate shake was just bad and tasted like artificial mix. Certainly no ice cream involved in that milkshake. Don't want to even think about the hygiene standards at this place.
Was considering giving it three stars because I think it played a large role in helping me avoid a hangover, but I just couldn't do it. -
Review from Rebecca O.
Warren, MI
9/13/2007
If you're drunk but terrified of White Castle at 2 in the morning (like i am!!!) go to Telway. They're sliders are much better. my hubby's a fan of their chili dogs too. they're cheap. the food is freaking AWESOME. but expect to wait in a long line. especially at 2 in the morning. i'm apparently not the only one in the neighborhood that loves some Telway after the bar. and, like Erik said and my mom taught me so long ago -- make sure you go to the bathroom before you leave wherever your coming from. they won't let you use theirs. but ... having to cross your legs and hop around a little bit until you get home is definitely worth it for Telway deliciousness.
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Review from Marc A.
Waterford, MI
11/12/2007
Five stars for how I feel when I'm drunk and eating Telway sliders and one star for the way I feel the next morning. They taste great, but are not the best food to throw atop a stomach puddle of booze. I once made a bodacious claim that I could take down 30 of their sliders in one sitting. My digestive system thanked me for not following through.
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Review from Ryan C.
Detroit, MI
11/22/2010
As much as it is about the food, it is even more about the atmosphere. If you want to hear old men tell incredible stories to each other while drinking coffee on your lunch break, I highly recomend The Telway. It is mindblowing, real deal America.
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Review from James D.
9/21/2009
Telway is the business. Kevin is 100% I have been to a few slider joints myself, namely The Comet Burger, and I believe that the Telway is King. All hail King Telway. Some of the people in there are KINDA creepy and my forearms stick to the counter when I eat, but thats to be expected in a place slangin grease at under a dollar a pop. Seriously. The price is right, the taste is right, the location is right, so this place is definitely right. Plus, there is always an old dude with big hair in his ears finishing the crossword puzzle at any hour of the day. BEST!
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Review from juston m.
2/28/2010
telway makes a great end to most of my friday nights.
after soaking myself in drafts at bowling i enjoy a lovely telway burger or 4.
the onions are my favorite part. my burger is smothered in them and i couldn't be happier. it's a slider. it's delicious. my favorite of all the little slider joints speckled around metro detroit.
i also enjoy adding an onion ring to the burger for a little crunch.
i haven't had anything else off the menu. always just burgers and onion rings and they're good enough for me to continue with that tradition.
love, juston -
Review from kevin s.
Allen Park, MI
9/11/2009
I recently tried my first slider outside of the white castle realm. My first was Carters in Allen Park, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Telway on John R. COMPLETELY murdered Carters though. The burgers were much closer to what I would think is a perfect slider. The buns are moist from the steam from the burger and onions, smaller than a regular burger, and very tasty. The fries were crisp and delicious. I still have a few of these places to try, but until them I am convinced that this is the best slider in the area.
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Review from Brandy Z.
Royal Oak, MI
7/21/2010
Place is a chain use to go to one in Wayne with a ex. Greasy spoon joint. workers are ok but get the job done for food. Cheap eats. I went there last halloween for a haunted tour. seemed like everyone knew everyone who goes in there
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Review from john w.
Royal Oak, MI
7/11/2010
Best sliders on the planet! Ridiculous that this is not 5 stars.
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Review from Deborah R.
Ferndale, MI
1/21/2010
To get the best experience that Telway has to offer you must be there at 2am on a Friday or Saturday to end your night with 35 cent coffee and delicious burgers. They are incredibly cheap (but delicious) and the service is fast. You will get the best people-watching experience as all of the drunkards sit down and pass out at counter or line up for take-out goods. If you're going to eat fast-food type junk you should veto that idea and try stopping in here, you can thank me later.
