DEARBORN – We’ve been on the hunt for the very best hamburger in Metro Detroit.
Like you, we’ve been sick of these “top 10 burgers” lists put out by every news organization and their mother. That’s why Carmichael Cruz and I, Cassidy Johncox, have put our arteries at risk as we tasted our way through the burgers of Southeast Michigan.
But as much as it pains me to say it: Burger Breakdown is coming to an unexpected end.
Important Burger Breakdown notice
Carmichael and I began this journey last year with every intention of trying as many burgers as we possibly could. We asked for burger suggestions and received hundreds -- and that’s not including the burgers we wanted to personally try, too. We narrowed our list down to less than 100. But before we could make a big enough dent, our career paths took a sharp turn.
Carmichael left WDIV in April, and I’m leaving in July. That unfortunately means Burger Breakdown as you know it is ending.
Perhaps the Local 4 team will revive Burger Breakdown in some way, since the journey to find the best Metro Detroit burger is nowhere near finished. But the burger content specifically from Carmichael and I is stopping.
One of our last taste tests before Carmichael left Michigan was at Brome Modern Eatery in Downtown Dearborn. We’ve visited spots like Miller’s Bar, Redcoat Tavern, Shamrock Pub and more, now see how we felt about Brome.
Next stop: Brome Modern Eatery, Dearborn
It’s known as an “essential” Dearborn restaurant. Brome Modern Eatery specializes in burgers, but also makes a mean salad (especially the kale salad!).
I’ve ordered from here numerous times, but never have I sat down and tried their burger -- and Carmichael had been waiting to try Brome since moving to Michigan. So, we decided to give it a go.
I ordered the “original” burger, which comes with red onion, tomato, pickles, romaine and “Brome Sauce.” Carmichael ordered a “double stack,” which is essentially the same thing but with two patties, griddled onions instead of red, and American cheese.
The original burger costs $11.75 with no sides. The double costs $12.75.
We ordered at the screens on the wall, sat down, and were served not long after. We attached little microphones to our shirts so we could record our reactions while eating. To spare you from the gross chewing sounds, we’ve written out the conversation for you to read.
Here’s how it went.
Chewing the fat
Cassidy: This smells realllly good, already.
Carmichael: Mine looks so cheesy! I’m ready.
Cassidy: I like that I have red onions instead of white.
Carmichael: I’m not gonna cut it. But I am gonna dive in.
We take out the knives and take our first bites.
Cassidy: Yum.
Carmichael: Yum.
Cassidy: There’s so much flavor. I think I really like the sauce.
Carmichael: This is tasty! I love how much cheese there is, especially for a double patty. It’s perfect.
Cassidy: I didn’t even realize that mine doesn’t come with cheese. It’s definitely moist enough without cheese, but I would add cheese next time around.
Carmichael: I’d say you should.
Carmichael: I think all of the elements are working really well together, except ...
Cassidy: The bun?
Carmichael: Nods. It’s not my favorite.
Cassidy: The more I chew this, the less I like the bun. It takes a lot longer to chew than everything else. You get a mouthful of flavor, but by the end of the bite, you’re still chewing the bun ... and it’s not a great bun.
Carmichael: The bun is actively working against the burger, I think. It’s tough and doesn’t have great flavor. Kind of reminds me of a fast food texture.
Cassidy: Agreed. I really like everything, apart from the bread.
Carmichael: The meat does have a great char on it.
Cassidy: Yes! And I do really like their burger sauce. I think overall it’s a good, tasty burger. I just wish it had a different bun.
Carmichael: Me too. The bun holds back what otherwise could’ve been a top-notch option.
Cassidy: I’m not completely counting them out, though. I would still come back and try their other specialty burgers and see if that helps.
Carmichael: Agreed.
Overall rating
For Brome: The burgers here were, overall, really tasty and well made. The quality of the ingredients was obvious, and the flavor -- especially the meat mixed with the sauce -- worked really well. Unfortunately, we really disliked the bun and thought it sort of ruined the burger. We would come back, but Brome won’t be topping our list.
Our ratings are as follows (on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the best):
- Carmichael’s rating: 7
- Cassidy’s rating: 7.3
Check out our average ratings and the current burger rankings below.