From old-school roadside cheeseburgers to stacked pub creations, these are the Southwest Michigan burger stops worth knowing.
Where to Find a Great Burger in Southwest Michigan
There isn’t one burger stop I’d recommend for every Southwest Michigan trip. Redamak’s in New Buffalo is the old-school institution, St. Joseph has pub-style burgers, and Benton Harbor gives you a solid smash-burger option. Harbor Country has choices that make more sense when you’re already travelling the Red Arrow Highway corridor.
Some of these places are worth seeking out specifically for the burger. Others earn their spot because they fit naturally into where you’re spending the day or work well for a group. If burgers are only part of your dining plans, my Southwest Michigan Restaurants Guide covers the broader local food scene.
Best Burger Restaurants in Southwest Michigan at a Glance
I’d narrow the choices by the kind of stop you want. Redamak’s is the classic New Buffalo choice, The Buck combines burgers with Michigan beer, and The Brick House covers the smash-burger side of the list. The remaining picks each make sense for a particular location, group, or style of meal.
| Restaurant | Location | Best For |
| Redamak’s | New Buffalo | Classic Southwest Michigan burger stop |
| The Buck Burgers & Brew | St. Joseph | Burgers and Michigan beer |
| The Brick House | Benton Harbor | Smash burgers |
| Red Arrow Roadhouse | Union Pier | Harbor Country road trip |
| The Stray Dog Bar & Grill | New Buffalo | Casual group meal |
| Neon Grill | St. Joseph | Quick burger and fries |
| Red’s Root Beer | Paw Paw | Old-school drive-in stop |
Redamak’s — New Buffalo
The Southwest Michigan Burger Institution
Redamak’s has been part of New Buffalo since 1946, with the Maroney family operating the restaurant since 1975. Burgers are the point here, not an afterthought. Its famous slogan — “The Hamburger That Made New Buffalo Famous” — tells you exactly what kind of place this is.
For a first visit to New Buffalo, this is where I’d start if you want the old-school burger experience. It’s casual, family-friendly, and easy to work into the day without making lunch or dinner a production.
There is one important catch: Redamak’s operates seasonally, generally from March into October. I always recommend checking its current schedule before making a special trip, particularly early or late in the season.
For more dining choices nearby, see my New Buffalo Restaurants Guide.
Best for: First-time visitors looking for the classic New Buffalo burger experience.
The Buck Burgers & Brew — St. Joseph
Best for Burgers and Michigan Craft Beer
The Buck is the St. Joseph choice I’d make when burgers, Michigan craft beer, and a downtown location all matter. It’s more pub than old-school burger joint, with a burger-focused menu and outdoor decks.
This is also where I’d look when I want something more creative than a basic cheeseburger. Because you’re already downtown, The Buck works particularly well as a lunch or dinner stop while you’re spending time in St. Joseph.
I wouldn’t choose it just because you want the quickest burger in town. Come here for the combination of the burger menu, beer, and sit-down pub experience. If you’re deciding among more than burger places, my Best Restaurants in St. Joseph, Michigan guide gives you the broader choices.
Best for: Creative burgers, Michigan beer, and a downtown St. Joseph meal.
The Brick House — Benton Harbor
Best Smash Burger
Smash-burger fans have one of the easier decisions on this list. The Brick House, on Territorial Road in Benton Harbor’s Arts District, serves smash burgers alongside sandwiches and other casual American choices.
The burger style is what earns it a place here. I’d come for the thinner patties and browned edges of a smash burger rather than the more traditional burger experience at Redamak’s or the pub approach at The Buck.
The broader menu also helps when you’re eating with someone who isn’t interested in a burger. If you’re spending more time in the area, my Benton Harbor Restaurants Guide covers the other places I’d consider.
Best for: Anyone specifically looking for a smash burger.
Red Arrow Roadhouse — Union Pier
Best Burger Stop in Harbor Country
If you’re staying around Union Pier or driving through Harbor Country, I wouldn’t automatically head to New Buffalo for a burger. Red Arrow Roadhouse is a longtime local option right along the Red Arrow Highway corridor.
I’d pick it when I want a sit-down meal rather than a quick burger and fries. Burgers are part of a broader menu, which also makes it useful when I’m travelling with people who can’t agree on what they want for dinner.
For me, the location is what makes Red Arrow Roadhouse particularly useful. If your day already has you around Union Pier or elsewhere along Red Arrow Highway, you can get your burger without going out of your way.
Best for: A casual burger stop while exploring Harbor Country.
The Stray Dog Bar & Grill — New Buffalo
Best Burger Near the New Buffalo Waterfront
The Stray Dog solves a problem I run into when travelling with a group: not everybody wants a burger. Its broader American menu gives everyone more room to choose.
I’d pick it over Redamak’s when location and menu variety matter more than having New Buffalo’s classic burger experience. It also fits naturally into a day around downtown and the waterfront.
For the burger itself, I’d still lean toward Redamak’s. For a casual group meal where a burger is only one of the choices, The Stray Dog makes more sense.
Best for: Families and groups who want burgers without being limited to a burger-focused restaurant.
Neon Grill — St. Joseph
Best No-Frills Burger in St. Joseph
Don’t come to Neon Grill expecting another version of The Buck. This is a drive-thru-only burger stop, with cheeseburgers, double burgers, and fries rather than a sit-down restaurant experience.
That distinction is exactly why I include it. Neon Grill makes sense when I want a quick, inexpensive burger on the go. If I want to sit down over burgers and beer, I’d choose The Buck instead.
Best for: A quick, no-frills burger and fries when you don’t need a dining room.
Red’s Root Beer — Paw Paw
Best Old-School Burger Stop
Red’s Root Beer is the geographical outlier on this list, and that’s worth knowing before you put it into your plans. Paw Paw is inland along I-94, so I wouldn’t drive out from the Lake Michigan towns solely for a burger here.
It makes much more sense when your route already takes you through Paw Paw. Red’s gives you the old-school drive-in experience rather than another pub meal, with burgers and root beer keeping things simple.
For families and road-trippers passing through this part of Southwest Michigan, that simplicity is the reason I’d stop.
Best for: An old-fashioned burger-and-root-beer stop when your route takes you through Paw Paw.
Planning a Southwest Michigan Burger Stop
Check current hours before making a special drive. That’s especially important with Redamak’s because it operates seasonally rather than year-round.
I also give myself more flexibility in New Buffalo and downtown St. Joseph on summer weekends. Restaurants can be busier around normal lunch and dinner times, so eating a little earlier or later can save part of your day from being spent waiting.
Beyond that, I wouldn’t over-plan it. Pick the burger stop that fits where you’ll already be.
Final Thoughts — Southwest Michigan Has More Than One Great Burger
I wouldn’t choose a Southwest Michigan burger restaurant from a ranking alone. The better choice is the one that fits where you’ll be and the kind of meal you actually want.
Some of these restaurants are destinations; others are simply good choices when they already fit your route. That’s how I’d use this list.
If you’re planning the rest of your meals, my Southwest Michigan Restaurants Guide covers more of the places I’d consider around the region.