Oakwood Proper Burgers

Oakwood Proper may not have a huge storefront or a spot on Front Street where tourists pass by in waves, but that’s part of its charm. If you take a short detour down Garfield to 8th Street, you’ll spot it — a small pink building that’s hard to miss. That’s how I found it the first time, sitting at the light wondering, “What the hell is that pink building? What is Oakwood Proper?” If you’ve ever watched Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares, you know he often says large menus rarely mean great food. He’ll strip a menu down to just a few things and make each one perfect. Oakwood feels like it took that advice to heart. Their menu isn’t large, but everything on it is done exceptionally well. I ordered The Oakwood, and at first glance, it was beautifully put together. It looked like something out of a sit-down restaurant, but without the high price tag. The locally produced bun had that golden, homemade quality — soft, yet sturdy enough to hold everything together. The bacon was thicc, with two “Cs,” cooked perfectly, and there was just the right amount to add texture and flavor without overpowering the burger. The patty itself was rich and full of flavor, something that could easily stand on its own. And then there was the house ranch — smooth, tangy, and absolutely perfect with the rest of the burger. The BBQ Ranch Fries were just as impressive. A mountain of fries, the kind of portion you’d get at Five Guys, easily enough to share. I’m pretty sure the cashier said it was about a pound, and I believe it. They were seasoned beautifully — a little sweet, a little salty — and the mix of house-made ranch and BBQ sauce was dangerously addictive. The sauces together created a smoky-sweet flavor that made it nearly impossible to stop eating. Oakwood Proper doesn’t try to be something it’s not. It’s a small, confident place that focuses on quality, balance, and flavor. And it delivers.

Stopped here for dinner and it exceeded our expectations! Staff was very friendly and food was delicious. We enjoyed the specialty burgers, garlic parm fries and pickle beer, as well as the retro vibe!

Lunch at Oakwood Proper Buger was outstanding. The atmosphere is mid century ecletctic with a retro burger joint feeLunch at Oakwood Proper Buger was outstanding. The atmosphere is mid century ecletctic with a retro burger joint vibe. There is more room than it looks from the outside as indoor and outdoor seating is sprawling, including an outside bar. Service was incredible! Not only faster than most "fast food" restaraunts the food was incredible. The smashburgers were prepared perfectly and hand cut fries were plentiful and fresh. Highly praise for Oakwood Proper Burgers!!l. There is more room than it looks from the outside as indoor and outdoor seating is sprawling, including an outside bar. Service was incredible! Not only faster than most "fast food" restaraunts the food was incredible. The smashburgers were prepared perfectly and hand cut fries were plentiful and fresh. High praise for Oakwood Proper Burgers!! Looking forward to my next visit.

What a fun burger joint! Love the quirky decor and approach. The whole mid-century cove is fun and colorful. The staff is friendly and helpful. Prices are reasonable. But this is a place you MUST experience.

New year new me! Stumbled into this place whist navigating the frozen tundra which is Traverse City. Let me just say, the breakfast is amazing! I had the "Biscuts and Gravy" as well as the "Scorpion" breakfast sandwich. Both clearly made with quality in mind. Highly recommend. YEAAAHUHH

Amazing burgers and fries! Great little patio area but indoor seating also available. Super fast service and extremely friendly staff. Definitely worth a stop!

Great smash burgers. You can order some of their specialty burgers that co.e with chips or a build your own burger and order the parmesean fries for sure. They're great! Meal came to almost $40 for two of us with 2 burgers and the fries. Very good!

A hidden gem that delivers on quality and flavor! The vanilla milkshake is an absolute standout—creamy, perfectly sweet, and one of the best I’ve had in a long time. The burgers have juicy patties and fresh toppings. The portions are generous enough that we split a burger for lunch, and it was more than satisfying. Plus, the prices are very reasonable for the quality you get.

Nice outdoor seating, food was great. My son loved it as well and said it was deserving of all of the 5 star ratings :)

We stopped at Oakwood Proper from a friend's recommendation. We were pleasantly surprised. It was such a cute little restaurant serving delicious burgers and fresh cut fries. The staff were very friendly. We would recommend this restaurant.

Oakwood is amazing. After hearing everyone I know rave about it, we had to try it out. And... it did not disappoint. The burgers were incredible. Great char on them and super thick bacon. The staff was super friendly and walked us through all the burgers. I love everything about the atmosphere. Very vintage retro. We sat outside on the picnic tables in the sunshine and drank our a Mexican beers. I was skeptical it could live up to so much hype but it did. My daughter now asks to return every time we drive by.

After a day exploring Traverse City, we were looking for a place to eat and after driving by Oakwood Proper Burgers not once, not twice, but three times going to various places, we decided - hey, might as well give them a try. As we stepped in this rainy day, we were greeted warmly at the counter and placed an order. The restaurant has three main seating areas - firstly the entrance area by the grill, then a number of seats outside, and finally a number of tables in the building across the patio. Since it was raining, the interior seating areas were quite full but we managed to squeeze in. The person at the counter seemed quite used to seeing tourists eat there, as during our time there, we saw an additional 5 or 6 parties walk in and she gave the exact same spiel about the menu! We ended up just getting a single burger and a full order of fries, since she explained that the fries would be a full pound. Oakwood ($15.50) - This is a smashburger patty that honestly isn't smashed that thin, but has great caramelization, forming a crisp crust along portions of the patty. It's cooked until past well done, making the burger a little on the dry side, even when adding in the moisture from the other ingredients. The burger is quite salty, and the added thick bacon (cooked well, but not shatteringingly so) makes everything even more salty. There's a slice of white cheddar cheese melted on top and a bit of caramelized onion, adding additional fat and sweetness. The patty is on a scant bed of shredded iceberg lettuce - really not much there and probably could be omitted without much difference. Everything is on a hand sliced bun which is nice and fluffy and has a buttery taste. The bun is baked just down the street at Old Mission Bakery. Overall the burger seemed to be a bit overpriced to me, but looking into it more it seems like it's due to the higher quality of the ingredients. The burger comes with a bag of chips as well. (4/5) Garlic Parmesan Fries ($7.75) - This is at least a pound of freshly fried fries. They add a generous amount of lightly browned garlic (probably jarred pre-chopped garlic given the taste) and a large amount of shredded parmesan. The fries are served hot and the parmesan is able to melt to a stretch in some portions. The fries are crisp to start, but must be eaten fast, or they start to become limp. They are not overly salted which is well appreciated. The fries come with two small containers of Proper Sauce, which seems to perhaps be a mayochup with pickle relish added? There's ketchup available, which adds a hit of sweet flavor compared to the more creamy Proper Sauce. It's great to alternate the dips as you work though the mountain of fries. (4/5) Overall we thought the food at Oakwood Proper Burgers was quite good and we would return in the future the next time we are in Traverse City. Bathrooms - Single room behind the order counter.

This is not just another burger joint! This is THE burger joint to eat at if you find yourself in Traverse City. There are a variety of burgers you can choose from (including vegan or turkey) or you can build your own, you can also get your fries with all kinds of different toppings, I decided to order plain fries, and the seasoning was perfect. They have a great outdoor space that is dog friendly along with some indoor seating as well, and the service was spot on! But most importantly, the food was absolutely amazing.

Proper Burgers in Traverse City is a gem, offering not only incredible smashburgers but also quick and easy service that makes it a breeze to grab a delicious meal on the go. The restaurant's convenient location right off the road makes it an ideal stop for both locals and travelers passing through. Despite the speed of service, the quality of the food is never compromised--each smashburger is cooked to perfection, with juicy, flavorful patties and crisp, fresh toppings. The ambiance is casual and inviting, perfect for enjoying a great meal in a laid-back setting. Whether you're dining in or picking up, Proper Burgers provides a satisfying experience that combines convenience with mouthwatering flavors.

Best burger in Traverse city, maybe all of Michigan. Great fries and shakes also. Friendly service, great selection, what's not to love? Slabtown used to be pretty good, but this is so much better.

This place is THE BEST burger place in Traverse City! The atmosphere is quaint and inviting, and the food is perfection. We ordered the Proper Burger, The Oliver and The Parmesan garlic fries. The burger is crisp on the outside and full of flavor. The fries - I'll be dreaming of those until we return! I'm so happy we stopped in and now it will be a must go-to, when we visit TC. The BEST!

Wanted a quick "little bite" and hubby was craving a burger. Well we didn't get "little" but it was fantastic. The place is just cool from inside out and the service was amazing. They were super friendly when you walked in and schooled you on how they worked. Lots of specialty burgers and then a build your own option. We built our own and got fries (only in a pound of them as an option--there went the "little bite" cuz we had to try them). Everything was amazing, fresh, well prepared. They also had a nice selection of craft beers which my husband enjoyed. Would definitely come back many times.

Back in Traverse City and I was looking for a good burgers, fries, and beer. Oakwood did not disappoint....tasty juicy original burgers and fries with a very patient hostess to explain newbies the menu. I would certainly would recommend to anyone.

Uh.... LOVE THE 70's decor in their new dining room! . And of course, love their burgers! They had me at Garlic Mayo. Bring it on Vampires! You don't stand a chance against this mouth-watering mayo!!! Service, as always, was awesome! If you're visiting Traverse City, this is a MUST-EAT-AT place :-). The locals come here!

This lunch spot was recommended by a local, as the best burger and jalapeño fries around! Pink building with Cozy dining area filled with wooden bench seating and a fireplace! Loved the char on the burger and caramelized onions, the fluffy buns are made at the bakery across the street, The fries with cheese sauce and blistered jalapeños was the biggest hit, this is a must try! Tip- seating on the outside if the dinning room is full.

The best burgers and fries I have ever tasted great service You should definitely try this place

These are 5-star burgers and shakes. You will sit outside at picnic tables, this is not fancy, but it is consistently very very good.

Dad and I came here after the beach and drooled over our burgers. This is my perfect meal, great quality beef, perfect fries and complimentary chips. Great vibe they got goin on with the patio it definitely capped off our lunch with a great experience.

First time here and the food was amazing! My husband doesn't eat red meat so it was nice to find a turkey burger that wasn't a frozen patty. Most places focus on the burger and forget about the rest. The fries were fresh and not soggy like other places. I have zero complaints and only compliments for this place.

If you're staying at a hotel that doesn't have a laundry facility, you definitely want to do laundry next door and have lunch here! I don't have a favorite meal because everything made here is great. They serve dessert but I haven't tried any of it because the meals & beer was good enough for me. Service is great, I'm sure they're busy on the weekends because everytime I check them out on the weekdays, there's no line and since they make their meals once you place your order, wait time is 8 to 10 minutes. The place is clean, inside & out... idk if they have restrooms for public bc I never had to use the restroom so there's no review for that.

My daughter and I really enjoyed our meal at Oakwood Proper Burgers. We were in town for my wife's conference and drove by a few times taking her from our hotel to her conference center. The service was great! We were given an overview of their use of local Michigan craft beef and after making our order we were quickly eating on their shaded outdoor "retro-vibe" patio. I had the El Padre and my daughter had the Proper. We were both raving about them during our meal. The side order of seasoned fries were outstanding. One basket was more than enough for both of us. We enjoyed the chips that are standard with all burgers later that afternoon. The Cherry Barbecue ones were especially delicious! Overall, this is a great place for a burger whether dining on their patio, or getting takeout.

Had a lot of hot sauces, and the service was really nice. Really cute seating area and water on tap. Comes with a bag of chips with the burger. Taste of the burger was really good. It was a little bit more expensive but I would definitely go again for the quality of food.

They use local sourced beef , hand cut fries and everything was cooked perfect. First time there the employee couldn't have been nicer, telling us to take our time and ask her about anything. I liked coming in the winter months though I hear the patio is great but we got the window seats enjoyed the cozy almost family style of seating . And the food was fantastic. I will stop there every time we visit TC.

Oakwood was awesome! Super cool staff and ambience and the burgers are creative and delicious! El Padre is the best burger I've ever had! We'll be back!

(Sorry for my horrible pictures) This is the best burger I've ever had. The bacon is so thick and is honestly the best bacon I've ever had on a burger. I absolutely love the ranch as well. I had this 4 nights in a row. Also the peanut butter shake is GREAT! I cannot wait to come back to Traverse City I miss this burger so much lol

Great all natural ingredient sourced burger. Was in town and thought I would give it a try and it didn't disappoint. I had the oakwood burger. I would recommend if your in the area and looking for something good and different to eat.

Very good burgers for a quick stop. Food did not take long. Patty melt was very tasty as were the Parmesan fries. A basket fed four of us. Atmosphere is more of a food truck vibe and self serve for condiments, napkins and water. Overall a good choice if you're craving a good burger for a decent price.

This place is low key but high in quality! Make sure you don't miss this tiny burger RESTAURANT! As soon as you walk in the door you're greeted and helped with, "Hello, have you been here before?" With each no the employee explains the menu options with clarity. We had their signature burger The Proper, with a PB shake (Moomers) and BBQ-Ranch fries. Burger, perfect. Fries, fresh hand cut. Shake, Moomers NUFF SAID. Cool little joint I'd highly recommend that has a laid back vibe.

We are here on vacation based on the good reviews. Hubby wanted his burger done more. They cook all the same-lie a smash burger. Tasted good and basket of fries look and taste like natural cut fries. We had nice weather so took advantage of it and sat outside. Nice to try but unless you're a huge burger fan you will want to skip. Everyone friendly.

Great smash burger restaurant. Great options. Simple but great burger choice. Highly recommended.

I had one of the best burgers I've ever tasted here last summer! It was so juicy and flavorful! Their fries and shakes looked delicious, but I showed restraint. There is very little indoor seating, but that was fine as I was more than happy to eat outside! (I've always chosen to eat outside weather permitting and then adding the Covid factor in...). Glad to see they had local potato chips too! The service was good and their outdoor seating area is cute. I'd definitely would come back here!

Absolutely fantastic burger joint. They use so many locally sourced ingredients, the flavors are wonderful. The bun alone would bring me back, but the burger was juicy and flavorful and the toppings just took it beyond. I had the Oakwood Burger, which is topped with cheddar, bacon, grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, and a house-made ranch. THE RANCH!! Best ranch I have ever tasted! Staff were friendly and thanked customers genuinely for supporting their small business. Seating is in an outdoor courtyard that was perfect for enjoying a Michigan summer evening. I was just in town visiting family and can't wait to return to dine here again. Highly recommend!

This place offers very good burgers and fries for a very good price point everytime I've eaten here I enjoyed my food and wished I wasn't as full so I could go for seconds. The service was very good and pretty quick for a small family business.

Found Oakwood's from a Facebook post and thought we would try it out! Great Smashburgers - loved the build your own option. Service was super friendly and welcoming. Was able to sit outside and enjoy the great weather. Fries were AMAZING and the Proper sauce for the fries was awesome. Will be back again!

So good, easily one of the best burgers you'll have. Great atmosphere. Great service. I'll be back whenever I'm in TC!

If you are looking for a great burger this is the place for you!! The fries and shakes are just as good!! It was a perfect spot for lunch!! I'm certain we will be back next time we are in TC!!

A Gem in the Heart of the Community - Oakwood Proper Burgers Prepare yourself for a delightful journey to Oakwood Proper Burgers, a place where the burgers are as heartwarming as the atmosphere! It's not just the sizzling, mouth-watering patties that make this spot special--it's the community vibe and the ever-so-friendly Leslie who turns a simple meal into an extraordinary experience.Leslie's radiant smile and personal touch make every patron feel like a cherished part of the Oakwood family. The ambiance is cozy and welcoming and the seating setup invites conversation amongst patrons and friends. Fresh, locally sourced (Michigan) ingredients come together in a symphony of flavor that will have you coming back for more. And if you're a picky eater like me, you can build your own smash burger (just cheese please )! Oakwood Proper Burgers isn't just a burger joint--it's a celebration of good food and great company, all wrapped up in the warm embrace of your favorite neighborhood spot. If you haven't already, do yourself a favor and drop by - your taste buds and your heart will thank you for the experience. Five stars aren't enough for this neighborhood gem; Oakwood Proper Burgers deserves a constellation. Secret Tip: They also serve the occasional breakfast which is equally as delightful.

Awesome staff. Great food and atmosphere. Everything about Oakwood is fun (and delicious!)

For an incredibly tasty meal, try Oakwood Proper Burgers. Not only do they have fantastic burgers and fries (try the Oliver Twist for a real taste treat), but their service is exceptional. I use a walker and sometimes I am too tired/sore to unload it and walk into a business. I called and asked if I could make an order and have someone bring it out to my car. Not only did they do that, but they sent the tab to my phone via text and I was able to pay online! Thank you for an excellent experience!

Some of my favorite burgers I've found have been in Hawaii, California, and others parts of the United States, but Oakwood Proper sitting in the heart of Traverse City takes the lead! Coming from a family with culinary expertise, I can undoubtedly say this is a hidden gem at the least! Such a simple menu holds lots of potential, and no I'm not going to tell you about the burger, you have to try one for yourself. But wait- there's more, the fries are to die for! I got the garlic Parmesan basket... but once again you'll need to try it because I'm not going to spoil it! Truly a proper burger!

Amazing! Great burger and fries. Super friendly staff. Only docking a star because of price ($15.50 for 1 burger without fries). Definitely going back though!

You will not be disappointed here! The burgers are so tasty and they even had a plant based burger as well. The hand cut fries are delicious....I tried the salt and vinegar ones but there are other flavors as well.

Overall, great experience!! As soon as we walked in, the worker taking orders explained the menu to us. We placed our order (The Proper, The Oakwood, and Garlic Parmesan Fries) and it wasn't long before our fries made it out to us. They were great, but so difficult to eat. We couldn't find any forks, so used the fries with proper sauce (delicious!!) to scoop up the parmesan and garlic scattered around the fries. The portion was huge! Plentiful for the two of us. The Proper was delicious and actually preferred over The Oakwood, which came as a shock to both of us. Both were cooked perfectly, though. We would love to try different options, but are happy with our picks and recommend them. Overall, the bill came out to $50 with tax and tip. Not too bad compared to everywhere else in the area. We sat outside to eat and enjoyed the weather. They also offered various local beers and seltzers, which was a nice touch.

I am a burger fiend and decided to try this place after driving in from Chicago. Absolutely excellent burger and fries - creative flavors, fresh ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and tons of flavor from a sweet local spot. Don't miss it!! (Photos my own, via @heyomayo on Instagram)

Great service helpful, and give advice food is just fantastic. Small and cute The service was very nice.

Service was great! For two people total was $39 and that's only getting 2 burgers and fries so not to impressed with the place. I felt as though you could get the same quality for a lot cheaper.

Friendly owner working the grill. Great staff. Lots of good burgers and French fries. Great selection of local beers to choose from. Small place but good. The only negative is no mushrooms or tomatoes to add to the burger but that's it. Lots of great choices on the menu. Was visiting from out of state and I would certainly go again if I'm the area.

Service - Excellent Burgers - delish and fresh Fries - too much seasoning but very fresh hand cut Overall definitely will return!

Best Burgers in town! The fries are amazing and the proportions are massive. Great service to boot! Comfortable relaxing setting.

Service was super quick! The burgers were tasty. If you get the bagged chips, be sure to grab the kettle chips with cherry.

This place was great! We were in the area and did a google search of places to try and this came up. It was totally worth the drive. It is a tiny little space with a great outdoor eating area. Everyone was extremely friendly and helpful. This is a no-frills, come as you are type of place. There was a water bowl out for your pet and mason jars and a hose (mounted on the wall) for anyone who just wanted water. I loved that! I was able to eat less than half of my burger because it was huge! I got the Oakwood burger and my husband got a boring old hamburger. We shared an order of fries and ended up taking half of those back to the hotel as well. The fries are fresh cut and absolutely outstanding! If you are in the area, you MUST visit Oakwood Proper Burgers!!! We will stop in here every time we are in the area from now on.

This place has amazing people working and super tasty smash burgers Excellent quality and the garlic Parmesan fries are amazing as well. Super friendly and high quality burgers. The best burger in the TC area hands down Cory