Top Three Burger Joints in Saint Ignace, Michigan

Timmy Lee converted the old perennial favorite Miller's Camp, increasing its appeal to yet another generation of residents and tourists. Easter Monday, my husband treated me to dinner there and we ventured in amongst the group of Opening Day baseball fans in the festive bar area. For quieter atmosphere, the nearby dining room stands ready. Both Warren and I ordered burgers with fries and onion rings as side dishes. I'm normally apt to eat fish, chicken or steak, but the cheeseburger at Timmy Lee's is OUTSTANDING! Warren prefers medium well beef, while I lean toward the medium rare; unfortunately, many places either over-grill my meal or his might need to be sent back for further cooking. Not at this place! Timmy Lee's menu boasts their top quality ground beef is from the Pine's Trading Post's butcher across town and the cook here hits the right note with BOTH meals. The buns are fresh and perfectly toasted, with the right amount of condiments balancing the burger. The choices of burgers range from a basic burger (or cheese burger) to Olive, grilled mushroom and onions and alternatives named to pique your interest. Knotty pine paneling, an attentive wait-staff, and their expert chef guarantee this place is tops when that burger craving peaks in St. Ignace.

Clyde's Drive-in just off the Bridge

A unique trip back to the days of your parents, stop at Clyde's in Saint Ignace for a real treat! The waitresses actually do walk or "skate" up to the car and the signature Clyde Burger (the Big C weighing in at ¾ pounds!) is famous far and wide. Our far-flung relatives migrate back to Saint Ignace each summer, with Clyde's the focus of their burger-buying. It's not just the hamburgers themselves, but the entire atmosphere contributes to a great burger experience. Son Vince staunchly maintains "Clyde's is the BEST!" No greater praise to be earned by one of our town's most finicky eaters. The long summer afternoons and evenings are conducive to a quick drive and enjoying a massive (or smaller version) of their fantastic hamburgers. Clyde's has a few spots located around the Eastern Upper Peninsula; however, ours in Saint Ignace has the added attraction of being right near the intersection of I-75 and US2 west-main crossroads of our little community.

The Driftwood Sports Bar

Right downtown, across from the main Star Line Ferry docks,The Driftwood Sports Bar ranks tops with my husband for his choice in hamburgers. Their menu is extensive, and they offer the bar/lounge setting on one end, with a more formal dining area on the other. Whether rooting for a favorite sports game, or celebrating an anniversary, birthday, graduation, or other milestone, the Driftwood's burgers rank "tops" here in Saint Ignace. They're usually flying a green and white Michigan State banner and enjoy their sports-themed offerings. According to Warren, The Driftwood's burgers are best in town and for a planked whitefish aficionado, it's our "compromise" for anniversaries and special events; however, MY favorites are from the Timmy Lee's Pub. I guess it's time to drive up to Saint Ignace and figure out who's better...cuz Vince is still set on the Big C at Clyde's.

The Chopped Onion provides outstanding information and pictures of Clyde's Drive-in and their food in Sault Ste Marie, a "sister" drive-in of the same family. Our local Clyde's is quite similar; however each setting in the eastern Upper Peninsula is unique.