Redamak's — "The Hamburger That Made New Buffalo MI Famous"

Considering that Redamak's has been mentioned in dozens of posts, there's precious little description of the burgers though plenty of opinions: "blew," "fair," "overrated," "pretty good," "good," "very good." Surprisingly there's been no dedicated thread and no photos as far as I can tell.

Even though the current Redamak's restaurant is huge, a bit slick and touristy, I get a kick out of the no-nonsense presentation—the burgers, wrapped in grease-stained waxed paper, are simply placed on the table. A stack of paper plates is provided for those who want to get fancy.







The basic burger is a thick, pan-fried patty dressed with ketchup, mustard, dill pickles and a healthy slice of sweet raw onion. No lettuce or tomato is available. Burgers are cooked to medium-well but they're still fairly juicy. I wouldn't say Redamak's is one of my all-time favorites but it's nice to have a decently-executed 1940s tavern burger every now and then (Miller's Bar in Dearborn MI makes an especially fine version).

Remarkably, Redamak's cooks the burgers in cast iron skillets (5 or 6 in each), as they've been doing for many decades. No flat top griddles are used. These days it's not too common to find burgers this thick that aren't flame-grilled but even more unusual to get them fried in a pan, at least at high-volume places like Redamak's. I believe Hackney's used to pan fry but I think I remember hearing they stopped that inefficient practice (anyone know for sure?).

Michigan being Michigan, olives are a popular topping. Here's an olive burger dressed with enough mayonnaise to choke a horse.



Just the basic burger for me, thank you.

Redamak's
16 E Buffalo St (Pulaski Hwy/US-12)
New Buffalo MI
269-469-4522

I know Redamak's gets mixed reviews here at LTH, but I have to say, I'm a fan. I have learned to skip the "Working Man's Special", a burger and fries combo, served noon to 4pm, that saves you a buck or two off the regular price. It became evident to us (the burgers came out way too fast and were not as juicy as other times we'd visited) that the reason they offered the special pricing was because the burgers were precooked during that window as a time saver. Instead, I happily pay full price and custom order my burger to medium rare done-ness to insure I'm getting a fresh burger.

I'm also a devotee of the old South Shore Line posters that line the walls.

Buddy

Okay, so it is no Kuma's or Rosebud-you get the idea. But the double cheeseburger, fries and iced tea I had hit the spot for me as it has for the last thirty five plus years when I dined there last week. It totaled less than ten bucks. I was full and happy.

You can count me in the "good" camp. Thanks for the heads on the cooking technique as this is 'cool' news to me. I haven't been in a couple years but ate many in my youth both in New Buffalo and Chicago. Redamak's used to have a place on Lincoln ave in Lincoln Park. But for some reason it didn't work out. Maybe they switched the cooking technique at the now gone LP location?


a legend in their own mind? Ha, nah they're a tradition, cant knock that

I always liked Redamak's but loved Schoop's. It was usually an option of the two over summertime when at my buddy's place in Long Beach, IN which is not from from New Buffalo and also right near the Michigan City stop of Schoop's, I guess I'm more a 1930's style kind of guy. I agree about the looks and feel, it's got some character and as long as you stick with just the burgers you should be fine, they're good. I like them for a "1940's tavern burger" they do have a tasty uniqueness to them. But some people go expecting a "legend" like best burger ever which is what some people think of Redamak's while others say it sucks. Count me right in between. On a side note, while I don't prefer Velveeta cheese on a burger, I don't hate it. If you do hate it, the cheeseburger wont be to your liking.


Cheeseburger, if only they were still in LP, then they'd be the best burger around...

Getting into New Buffalo kind of late one evening a few months ago, there were few dining options, so we settled on Stray Dog Bar and Grill. Got to say, they served up one of the best burgers I've had in I don't know how long; good char flavor, but still juicy and tender. And the BBQ Pulled Pork wasn't half bad either.

I have to disagree with the Corn Dog on his declaration of Redamak's having the "best burgers ever", we tend to disagree on alot of things, like da best beef in the city and whether or not he's actually funny.


Not you again...

But I'll be damned if Redamak's doesn't have one of the better patty melts around, that town or any. The same burger cooked in a cast iron skillet is topped with potent grilled onions and a slice of Swiss served on some very nice locally sourced rye. Excellent if I may say. I'll be ordering a patty melt when stopping in at Redamak's from here on in. If I'm really hungry I'll get a cheeseburger too. I tried the sloppy fries which come with Red's sloppy Joe mix and a cups worth of ballpark cheese, gggaaaggghhh. Sweeter than a sweet tart, I was lucky to be saved by this pretty Patty and a cold one.


Patty Melt from Redamak's

That patty melt sure looks fine. And I love the Jay Leno pic.
Having been to Redamak's, I can say that they welcome large family groups, disappointed after storms ruined their camping trip.