Michigan’s Best Burger search heads to Kalamazoo to find the beef

https://www.mlive.com/michigansbest/2020/03/michigans-best-burger-search-heads-to-kalamazoo-to-find-the-beef.html

By John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com and Amy Sherman | asherma2@mlive.com

March 4, 2020

KALAMAZOO, MI -- We’re about to begin Day 3 of our search for Michigan’s Best Best Burger, and it’s already been pretty epic.

In just two days we’ve sampled a staggering 34 burgers, yes, we said 34 BURGERS, and we’ve already run into some serious contenders.

On Monday we were in the Grand Rapids area, and then on Tuesday we stopped in Muskegon and Shelby.

Overall the Michigan’s Best Team (that’s us, Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez of MLive.com) we’ll visit our 12 Regional Poll Winners and other finalists we pick from our polls/nominations.

You can see some of the photos from our first two days in links below.

In the meantime, we’re off to the Kalamazoo area today (March 4).

It’s going to be another great day.

Why don’t you join us if you’re in the area.

Special thanks to Michigan’s Best Burger search sponsor, the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Wednesday, March 4 Itinerary

Nonla Burger in Kalamazoo is nominated for Michigan's Best Burger 2020. John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of MLive.com will be making official visits in March and announce winners in early April. More info at mlive.com/michigansbest/Kalamazoo Gazette

Stop 1 -- 11:30 a.m.

Nonla Burger

1700 S. Drake Road Suite A

Kalamazoo, MI 49006

Other location:

2103 S Burdick St, Kalamazoo, MI 49001

269-443-2270

nonlaburger.com

"Love their cheeseburger with their special pickles and Nonla spread. Get those fries loaded Nonla Way too.They do great daily special burgers. Marianne

“My vote is for Nonla Burger in Kalamazoo. They have a no-nonsense, classic cheeseburger that is seasoned just right. Between this and their in-house Nonla sauce that goes on each burger, they hit all the flavor profiles that you want out of a good burger. Combine that with delicious fries and their handmade milkshake of the day and you have a burger meal that will leave anyone satisfied.” Jared

“My submission for the best Burger in Michigan is going to be Nonla Burger in Kalamazoo. Their original location is in Kalamazoo on Burdick St, and they just opened a second location on Drake Rd. Their burgers are simple, but executed perfectly. The patties themselves are seasoned well, their veggies are fresh and their special sauce (ie Nonla spread) is delicious. And, their double cheeseburger is a steal at only $4.95. To put another perspective of how good their burgers are, when they opened their second location on Sunday (Feb 16) at 11 am, they ran out of food by 2 pm. They closed to restock and prep more food, reopened at 5, then closed early at around 7:45 because they ran out of food again.” Jordan

Stop 2 -- 1 p.m.

RJ’s Sports Bar & Grill

8118 Portage Rd, Portage, MI 49002

269-323-9262

RJ’s placed No. 2 in the poll.

Stop 3 - 3 p.m.

Corky’s Drive-In Restaurant

1299 Lincoln Rd, Allegan, MI 49010

269-673-4555

Facebook

“As the matriarch of Corky’s Drive-In in Allegan, I am thrilled to have our family-owned restaurant nominated for “Best Burger.” However, we have a slight logistical problem. We are a seasonal drive-in. We don’t open until March 1, weather permitting. Is there any way we could still be considered? We would love to serve you one of our famous “Heavy Kevie” burger or a burger of your choosing. We named “Heavy Kevie” after a loyal customer who has since succumbed to cancer. Corky’s stands as an iconic legend on M-89 - built in 1947, it has operated as a drive-in ever since with carhops continuing to serve you with old-time classics. Since we purchased the restaurant more than three decades ago all of our family members have worked there in some capacity.Again, we would love to be considered for this Mlive honor. It would confirm and reaffirm the many years we’ve won the title of Best Burger in West Michigan". Linda Mankin

Stop 4 - 4:30 p.m.

Schaendorf Brewing Company

412 Water St, Allegan, MI 49010

269-286-1059

schaendorfbrewingco.com

“It’s been an honor to be nominated for MLive’s Michigan Best Burger! We truly appreciate the customers who took the time to nominate and vote for us. Schaendorf Brewing Company is a family-owned business dedicated to local deliciousness that starts at the farm. All of our beef is sustainably and ethically sourced just 15 minutes away from the Schaendorf Cattle Company. It’s then harvested at West Michigan Beef in Hudsonville and processed by Byron Center Meats in Bryon Center. There’s likely no other burger in Michigan with a smaller footprint. We invite you to come in and try what the locals have been raving about and would love to give you a tour of our farm to see where it all starts. The brewery also features a meat market where customers can purchase fresh or frozen beef and other products to enjoy at home. We take pride in serving fresh classic burgers but also one-of-a-kind new creations from our kitchen with our revolving burger of the week specials. The rest of our menu is pretty awesome too, featuring steaks from the family’s farm, Otto’s Chicken raised in Middleville and other locally sourced items based on seasonality.” Nicole Heslip

SCHAENDORF BREWING COMPANY OPENING IN ALLEGAN

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Allegan, Mich. -- A new brewpub has opened in downtown Allegan as part of a four-phase revitalization project.

The second generation of a local family dairy farm is opening Schaendorf Brewing Company to provide customers with farm-to-table cuisine and handcrafted beer.

Co-owner Ben Schaendorf operates Schaendorf Cattle Company and believes the brewpub will be a gathering place for the region.  “We saw this as an opportunity to give back to our local community, feature beef raised in our backyard and highlight the diversity of what’s grown in Michigan,” he says.

General Manager Randy Herzog says Schaendorf Brewing Company will offer local flavors with modern flair, “We’re using farm fresh beef for some in-house specialties including corned beef and smoked brisket, as well as hand cutting fries and creating several other house-made items.”

Phase I of the brewery included re-opening the restaurant at 412 Water Street with a new menu at the end of September.  Construction is now underway in the adjoining west wing of the building for Phase II, which will become an on-site beer production facility that will be led by Schaendorf’s brother-in-law Kyle Heslip.  “On a seven-barrel system, we’ll be able to produce regular new releases and one-of-kind, barrel-aged beers with the intent of offering to-go sales for patrons,” he explains.

Once complete, the brewery side of the restaurant will open with customer seating while the current dining room will close for renovations.  “We will be opening a market space that will feature specialty food items including to-go beer and Schaendorf Cattle Company beef,” says Nicole Schaendorf, who manages administrative operations for the facility.

The final phase of the brewery will be restoring Rebekah Hall on the second floor for special events.  Serving the community of Allegan for decades, Rebekah Hall was named after the female arm of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which once used the space.  “It’s been at least 30 years since the hall has been open to the public and it is our goal to refurbish it, offering the space for weddings, family celebrations and corporate events,” says communications specialist Nicole Heslip.

Before the brewery is operational, the restaurant will feature Tapistry Brewing, where Kyle Heslip is the current head brewer, and other Michigan craft beers.  “We’re farmers, brewers and food lovers,” says Ben Schaendorf.  “Check back often to try what’s new on the menu and see how we’re progressing.”

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Read more about our opening the Grand Rapids Business Journal article here!