Redcoat Tavern: Burger Royalty in Royal Oak
- Piece of Cake Staff
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Written by Lindsay Grohs
We all have that restaurant that we grew up in. The one that hits you with a wave of nostalgia as soon as you walk through the door. The go-to that your family dined at after a Friday night soccer game or a Sunday morning service, or even a sibling’s birthday. For my family, that restaurant is Redcoat Tavern. My family has been a regular at Redcoat Tavern for as long as I can remember. Moving away from my small town made me realize how much I appreciate a Redcoat burger and quality time dining with my family. To celebrate coming home from college for the summer and my brother’s soccer game win, my family and I dined at Redcoat Tavern the other night—a heartwarming meal that reminded me how good it feels to be home.
Redcoat Tavern was established in 1972 to provide a warm, inviting atmosphere where guests could enjoy high-quality food, particularly its now-iconic burgers, in a relaxed, pub-style setting. With a focus on great taste, community, and consistency, it quickly became a local favorite in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan. The restaurant is characterized by its vintage pub aesthetic, guiding their menu, decor, and overall atmosphere choices. Red light illuminates the entire space, providing a cozy, intimate vibe. Barrels and bricks line the walls, enhancing the rustic, old-world charm. Red booths line the outer edges of the inside of the restaurant, with larger wood tables in the center space. On the other side of the restaurant is a full-service bar where guests can enjoy a selection of beers on tap, classic cocktails, and various other drinks.
Our visits there are always spectacular, but this one was extra special since I hadn’t been to Redcoat in a while. My family has a tradition of ordering a different variation of the same burger. The burgers are their most popular menu dish. So much so that their restaurant was named Detroit's Best Burger by MLive in 2017. Following tradition, we all put in our order of the Original Redcoat Special Hamburger. This burger comes with a half pound of ground beef, tomato, lettuce, and special sauce all on a toasted sesame bun, as well as any add-ons of your preference. I ordered mine as it comes with the addition of Amish blue cheese and grilled onions. We also ordered onion rings, coleslaw, and truffle fries for the table.
My burger came out cooked to perfection: tender, soft, and juicy, with the blue cheese melting into the burger. Tasting that burger was like getting a bite of exactly what I didn’t know I’d been craving. It immediately reminded me of that meme: “The perfect bite doesn’t exist…” but it absolutely does! The flavors were rich, bold, and well-balanced. The blue cheese and special sauce combined beautifully for a tangy, subtly sweet taste. The grilled onion provided a caramelized, sweet-savory edge. Lastly, the lettuce and tomato tied it all together, adding a sense of freshness to the dish.
If the burger wasn’t exquisite enough, the sides took it to another level. The onion rings were golden, crispy, and with the perfect level of saltiness. And they were huge! I loved taking the extra “special sauce” from my burger and dipping the onion rings into it. It made for a lovely sweet-savory combo. The coleslaw was a good balance of creamy and tangy with a subtle crunch. I would, however, not recommend it to those looking for a more savory slaw, as it tasted a little too sweet for my liking, coming from someone with a sweet tooth. But the truffle fries brought it home with their crispy texture and beautiful blend of seasonings. Thin-cut fries seasoned with garlic, parsley, other herbs, a touch of salt, and drizzled with truffle oil. The truffle oil added a sense of aromatic depth, infusing each fry with a subtle richness. This dish was indulgent, yet surprisingly light, with a flavor that’s both sophisticated and comforting. The catch with these fries is that they are not listed on Redcoat Tavern’s menu. They are a “secret menu item” that only regulars, or those lucky enough to catch wind of it, know about. This element adds a sense of elegance to the dish and your meal.
When dining at any restaurant, I always like to inquire about staff favorites. So, my family asked what our waiter’s order was when dining at Redcoat himself. He said the Original Redcoat Special Hamburger, but blackened with smoked gouda and pickle chips on the side. Yum!
Their burgers also come with the option to upgrade to a Piedmontese beef patty. Piedmontese is a breed of domestic cattle from Italy that is known to be leaner and less fatty due to its natural genetic makeup. It is higher in protein and lower in both fat and calories. This is a great option for those looking to enjoy all the flavor of a great burger, but with a lighter, leaner twist.
I know we’ve talked a lot about the burgers, so let me introduce you to some of their other popular menu items. Their British-style fish & chips capture the British spin on this dish with its crisp, savory, and tangy flavors. It is served with battered cod, golden fries, and slaw, and topped with malt vinegar. Their Mount Vernon features baked Virginia ham, double-melted Swiss cheese, and their special sauce all on a fresh onion roll, delivering a satisfying smoky‑creamy bite with a subtle zing. They also offer pies such as Shepherd’s Pie and Amish Chicken Pot Pie, which both bring a comforting, homestyle feel with rich fillings and flaky, golden crusts that warm you from the inside out.
So, whether you’re looking for a small-town burger or a hearty chicken pot pie, Redcoat Tavern has got you covered. With its vintage pub vibe, cozy atmosphere, and consistently satisfying food, Redcoat Tavern remains a timeless favorite in Royal Oak that keeps its locals coming back for more. It's a taste of British-American cuisine right next door!
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