Mercury Burger & Bar

I may be starting a fight in the Detroit burger community here, but that’s fine. Somebody has to say it.

The burger didn’t really move me. Not bad, not offensive, just not the one I’d send someone across town for. The tater tots, however, have a case. Those I understood immediately. Crispy, dangerous, and probably the reason I’d end up back here after convincing myself I was “just stopping in for one drink.”

When it comes to burgers in Detroit, I think I’m still more of a Nemo’s guy. But that’s the beauty of this city. Everybody has their spot, everybody has an opinion, and most of them are ready to defend it like hell.

Let me know what your favorite burger spot in the city is 🧐

What Mercury does have is a hell of a room.

There’s history on the walls, old Detroit memorabilia, and that Corktown character you can’t fake. The kind of place where you catch yourself staring at old photos longer than expected, trying to imagine the city before all the new glass, cranes, and condos started creeping in.

And location-wise, it’s hard to beat. You’re right near Michigan Central and Michigan Avenue, so after you eat, you can take a walk through one of the most interesting parts of Detroit right now, old bones, new energy, and a city very much in motion.

Now, the restroom.

I hope I’m mistaken, but from what I could tell, there was only one unisex restroom for the whole place. It’s also down in the basement, which creates a real accessibility issue. ♿️

The restroom itself was clean and had paper towels, which I appreciate. But one restroom for an entire restaurant this size is tough to overlook.

So with respect for the hospitality, the space, and the Detroit history on the walls, the restroom lands at a (4/10).