News Summary
The 2025 Detroit Burger Battle concluded with Zip Sauce Burger taking the title of Best Burger at Eastern Market’s Shed 5. The competition featured over a dozen local restaurants, attracting around 1,700 attendees who enjoyed unlimited burger sampling. The event, organized by Dine Drink Detroit, showcased Michael Esshaki’s unique burger recipe, which impressed judges and burger enthusiasts alike. The winning entry showcased a delightful blend of flavors highlighted by the signature Zip Sauce.
Detroit – The 2025 Detroit Burger Battle concluded on Sunday with the newly established restaurant Zip Sauce Burger crowned as the champion. The annual competition, which took place at Eastern Market’s Shed 5, awarded the winning restaurant with a trophy and a cash prize of $1,000. This year’s event marked the ninth installment of the popular burger battle, with over a dozen metro Detroit restaurants vying for the title of Best Burger.
Running from 1-4 p.m., the event was organized by Dine Drink Detroit and drew in a crowd of approximately 1,700 burger enthusiasts. Attendees enjoyed unlimited sampling of burgers from ten different competing restaurants, bars, and food trucks while supplies lasted. Despite the challenging hot weather, hundreds of food lovers queued up to taste the culinary creations presented.
Local food entrepreneur Michael Esshaki entered Zip Sauce Burger into the competition at the last moment, having only a week’s notice due to a new opening. Adding an exciting twist to the contest, Esshaki’s winning burger featured a blend of short rib, brisket, and ground chuck, grilled with onions and slathered in his trademarked Zip Sauce, known across metro Detroit for its flavor-enhancing qualities. This winning combination was served on a grilled bun with traditional toppings alongside a side of the signature Zip Sauce.
The judging process consisted of a popular vote where attendees selected their top three burgers. The top five results were then forwarded to a panel of judges, which included notable food writers and social media personalities, for final evaluation. Judges critiqued burgers based on four key criteria: presentation, execution, creativity, and flavor. As part of the event’s entertainment, visitors were treated to drinks from a cash bar and enjoyed live DJ music while sampling the burgers.
The highly competitive landscape included returning champion So Cheesy and three previous winners: Aljoom’s BBQ, Kozy Lounge, and the popular Chaos Burger, who secured second place in the rankings. Other notable competitors included Coeur, representing a sophisticated approach to burger-making from Ferndale, and Droptop Pizza, which received the “people’s choice” award for its double smash burger. Stello’s food truck was recognized for having the “best presentation.”
The Burger Battle not only served as a platform for competition but also aimed to shine a spotlight on local restaurants, fostering ongoing relationships with new patrons. Parking was complimentary at the venue, located at 2801 Russell St., Detroit, ensuring ease of access for attendees. Tickets for the event were available for purchase, with children under five admitted free of charge.
In summary, the 2025 Detroit Burger Battle showcased the skills of local chefs and the excitement of the community for culinary arts. As the event continues to grow in popularity, it highlights the vibrant food culture of Detroit and encourages locals and visitors alike to explore the outstanding offerings from metro Detroit restaurants.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Zip Sauce Burger Wins Grand Prize at Detroit Burger Battle
Burger King Faces Lawsuit Over Whopper Size Misrepresentation
Culinary and Community Events in Metro Detroit This Spring
Additional Resources
- Detroit Free Press: Burger Battle Showdown Set for Eastern Market
- Detroit Free Press: Zip Sauce Burger Wins Detroit Burger Battle
- Detroit News: Detroit Burger Battle Highlights
- Hour Detroit: Best of Detroit 2025
- Click On Detroit: Metro Detroit Winners in 2024 Vote 4 the Best Contest
- Wikipedia: Dining in Detroit
Author: STAFF HERE DETROITMI WRITER
DETROIT STAFF WRITER The DETROIT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDetroitMI.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Detroit, Wayne County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Movement Electronic Music Festival, Detroit Grand Prix, and America's Thanksgiving Parade. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Detroit Regional Chamber and Focus HOPE, plus leading businesses in automotive and healthcare that power the local economy such as General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Henry Ford Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
