With National Cheeseburger Day approaching Sept. 18, 2026, Ypsilanti community members may want to celebrate at a local restaurant. Whether you are a meat lover or are looking for plant-based options, there is something for everyone.
Howard's Hoagies
Looking for classic American burgers at an affordable price? Howard’s Hoagies, located at 2011 McCartney Ave. in Ypsilanti, might be just the place for you. The restaurant is open noon to 7 p.m. Sundays and 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Besides being a go-to destination for “hoagie enthusiasts,” Howard’s Hoagies serves five burger options, ranging from a quarter-pound cheeseburger for $3.75 to a half-pound burger for $5.
Since moving to Eastern Michigan University’s campus in 2022, senior Ricardo Russell has been a regular customer at Howard’s Hoagies.
“I go there and get maybe three burgers. I eat one on the way back to the dorms, I eat one when I get on campus, and save one for later, and I never get tired of it,” Russell said.
Russell describes the taste of the burgers as similar to what a beautiful day would feel like.
“It’s like when you look on the weather app and, it tells you it’s going to be a cloudy day, and it’s going to be like 50 degrees, and then you go outside the next day, and it’s sunny,” Russell said. “The birds singing, the sun shining, and it’s like 70 degrees outside, and it feels amazing.”
Tap Room
Your friendly neighborhood bar in the heart of Ypsilanti serves up more than drinks. The Tap Room, located at 201 W. Michigan Ave., is open every day from noon to 2 a.m. and serves four beef burger options sourced from Knight’s Market, along with a meatless vegetarian option.
For Christina Campell, a senior at EMU, and her husband Casey, the Tap Room has been the go-to spot for burgers for the past eight years.
Christina Campbell said knowing where the meat comes from is part of what makes the Tap Room’s burgers stand out.
“Knowing that the meat that is used in their burgers comes from a reliable source — it comes from Knight's — gives it a different taste in general. Then it’s mixed with the bar/grill, so it’s like Tap Room, a greasy little bar, but then the meat is good quality. You get the grittiness from the bar, but it’s really good meat," she said.
For Casey Campbell, the quality of the food is also reflected in how the burgers are prepared and presented.
“It’s chef-level quality, because whoever’s working in the kitchen loves making food. You can tell. It’s chef-level presentation,” he said.
Sidetrack Bar and Grill
Another Ypsilanti staple is the Sidetrack Bar and Grill in Depot Town at 56 E. Cross St. in Ypsilanti. The restaurant is open Sundays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Friday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight.
This railroad-themed bar serves creative burgers like the Mac Attack, a burger topped with mac and cheese, along with diverse protein options, including black bean, tempeh, turkey and beef patties.
EMU senior Jacob Lau described his typical burger order, which includes avocado, an egg, Swiss cheese and the restaurant's special sauce.
“Especially if it’s a good ripe avocado, then when you take a bite of the egg, it will dissolve and give you a crisp feel of the burger and gives you extra juice,” Lau said.
Roy's Squeeze Inn
At Roy’s Squeeze Inn, the food is made fresh in an intimate spot. Located at 1315 E. Michigan Ave., the cash-only restaurant is open Sundays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. There, patrons can try the spot's classic Big Cheese Squeeze burger along with other options.
Plant Based Coneys
Those looking for vegan and meat-free options can find a meal at Plant Based Coneys in Depot Town at 42 E. Cross St. in Ypsilanti. The restaurant is open Sunday through Tuesday from noon to 8 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from noon to 8 p.m.
This all-vegan, compostable coney restaurant serves a variety of non-meat burgers, including a shroom burger, bacon cheeseburger and smokehouse burger. Customers can also build their own burger, with options ranging from $11 to $18.
