The MLive newspaper group has been running a “Michigan’s Best Burger” feature for the last decade, and finally it released its top 10 list statewide.
The Wayland Hotel and Bar made No. 10 on the list, and the Albion Malleable Brewing Co. captured first place.
Judges who performed in-person taste testing were John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman.
The MLive account of the Hotel, published Thursday, was as follows:
“With a history dating back to the late 1800s, the Wayland Hotel & Bar has been a longtime favorite for residents. But with owner Josh Otto, who took over in 2012, the bar has become more of a destination restaurant than a nightclub.
“Pre-Covid they sold about 175 burgers on Fridays and Saturdays, and even on “Throwback Thursdays” when the burgers (and sandwiches) sell for a discount price on a special menu. You can get a 1/2-pound burger for less than $5. His motto: ‘Keep it simple.’
“He gets a 79-21 blend of lean ground beef from GFS (Gordon Food Service) and smashes it on his flattop grill, which makes the burgers ooze from the buns. He doesn’t use any seasonings. He uses Ed’s Breads for most of his buns.
“On our visit, we tried four burgers and a patty melt. The most impressive is ‘The Big Daddy,’ which is on his secret menu. The 1.5-pound burger is topped with lettuce, tomato, ketchup, mustard, pickle, onion and cheese. The three-patty burger is capable of feeding a family of four.
“The Big Daddy debuted about two years ago as a special on Monday nights.
“’And since then we just make them when customers ask, but it’s really helped launch customers into requesting 2 or 3 patties on burgers,’ Otto said.
“In addition, Otto wants you to try his favorite burger on the menu, The Unit 8, which comes with creamy cookie butter (yes, cookie butter), bacon, Swiss cheese and garlic aioli mustard on a pretzel bun.”
The Wayland Hotel consistently has been mentioned by Gonzalez and Sherman in the past when reporting on Michigan’s Best Burger.
