Sonny's Hamburgers

You gotta love a great fresh hamburger. This place never fails me. Hamburgers are fresh seasoned and hot every visit.

If you are from Detroit, then sliders are one of the four major food groups. Look no further than Sonny’s slider for a true and authentic slider from the D. We stalk their food truck from festival to festival in the Summer and the Christmas Tree lighting in the Winter. You know they are the truck to beat when you are in a line of 25+ waiting on their delicious burgers. But don’t worry, the wait is worth it and it normally flies by as they are a well oiled machine when it comes to their service. We love Sonny’s. Keep a look out for them. They are WORTH IT!

We caught up with Sonny's Hamburgers as one of the food trucks in Cadillac Plaza on this sunny Tuesday. A good queue but it moved fast and I was able to order a double burger with the usual fixings. My friend got fries as well. It took about ten minutes before I popped back to check on our order. They could definitely use a beeper or pager system to let people know when their orders are ready but if that means a higher price, I'd skip it. Unwrapping back at the office, I had a messy and greasy and absolutely delicious burger. Smashed and flat and exactly what I wanted. And yes, the fries were also very good with just the right amount of salt. Would I choose Sonny's again? You betcha!

The food is on point — no frills, just the kind of timeless flavor that feels like home. Now, let’s talk real: they only accept cash. No cards, no Apple Pay, no tap-to-pay — and yes, that’s frustrating in 2025. So if you’re rolling through, bring cash and avoid the headache. Even with that, the pricing still holds value, and we’d say it’s worth the stop when you’re craving something familiar and satisfying. And while it’s tucked in a rougher area and the spot’s got an old-school exterior, we’ve never felt unsafe walking in. Hidden gem energy. Real food. No gimmicks. — Raven-Frank “I move through the world with bold taste and honest perspective.”

Best (greasy) double cheese I have had. Had to add my own ketchup for it to be just right. Not letting people stay in while waiting for their order means they're a "no" in the winter. Them ladies act like errbody tryna kill them. But I'll be back....

Best burgers in the entire Metro Detroit area. No tricks, no gimmicks, just an old fashioned, freshly cooked burger. Made me feel like I was back in the 60’s. 10/10.

Went here for the first time yesterday. Walked in it was two lady’s. Well the one who did all the talking was very rude. I said I have a pick up order (she rolled her eyes) with a very rude tone well what’s the name. I tell her Paris she stand there. I’m like I’m sure it’s not ready I just order but I did wanna just go head and pay for it. The look on her face was priceless. I would have just left the order but my Fran had to be to work. But I’ll never support this business again. The food was med asf to be dealing with and attitude and spend my hard earn money absolutely no salt or nothing on my fries

Lady told me NO standing in the building after ordering. But they have dine in service 🤷🏽‍♂️ now im standing in the rain

We caught up with Sonny's Hamburgers as one of the food trucks in Cadillac Plaza on this sunny Tuesday. A good queue but it moved fast and I was able to order a double burger with the usual fixings. My friend got fries as well. It took about ten minutes before I popped back to check on our order. They could definitely use a beeper or pager system to let people know when their orders are ready but if that means a higher price, I'd skip it. Unwrapping back at the office, I had a messy and greasy and absolutely delicious burger. Smashed and flat and exactly what I wanted. And yes, the fries were also very good with just the right amount of salt. Would I choose Sonny's again? You betcha! [Review 720 of 2025 - 425 in Michigan - 24280 overall]

I used to eat here when I was a kid. First time, I've been here in 10 years. I seen a video on YouTube that brought back sweet memories so I decided to make a trip. Well, you can't come inside to place or get your order. Middle-aged ladies were working the joint. Not really a warm and welcoming atmosphere. No gloves on the lady's hand at the grill. They let you know your order is ready when it's yelled over an intercom. I ordered 6 cheeseburgers with ketchup, mustard, and onions thinking the food would be worth it. The burgers had no seasoning or salt whatsoever. Bland. My burgers I make at home put these to shame. I won't be back unless they step it up. Disappointed!

The burger tasted good but i got a large burger and it was super small.. i thought they had accidentally given me a small- i could've eaten 4 or 5 of them. This was at a food truck event and i don't think ill ever order from their food truck again. I would try their storefront to see if theres a difference

this is my favorite spot to get burgers, i used to go here as a kid a lot as well, the service is good, i just wish it wasn't cash only , i rarely carry cash, but for this place looks like i'll have to keep a $20 on me. the ambiance is cool, little to no remodeling, still feels vintage, it's a vibe.

This review only applies to the food truck that was at the jazz festival! I had their small cheeseburger. I got it loaded with ketchup, mustard, grilled onions, and pickles it was absolutely delicious it just melted in your mouth can't wait to go to their regular store and have more!

So I heard that this place was a staple of Detroit. I tried the cheeseburger and fries while I was at the Beyoncé concert at Ford Field. The burger was made fresh to order. The food was OK. Not many options but I assume that was because we were at the stadium. I hear that the actual restaurant has more options on the menu to order from.

The food was kind of ok. Service was decent the atmosphere is not ok. There's a bus stop right at the front door and they don't allow you to use the rear door. That was my choice. It's not a safe location. Too many people are standing around outside the building.

Love the cash only, we've done burgers for 50 years greasy burger joints. Check out the pics. This place is all about the burger. This their story from their website "Sonny's Hamburgers is best known for their "old-fashioned" slider burgers. A fresh quality, hand packed, made-to-order burger with grilled onions, pickles, ketchup and mustard. A simple classic burger that is seasoned and cooked with love. A burger from Sonny's is like, "Love at First Bite", with a taste and distinct flavor that will make you want to come back."

This review is for our food truck experience at Copper Hop. We have been following Sonny's hamburgers for quite some time. We were excited to finally try this amazing looking burger. It was hump day and we couldn't wait to grab a beer and pair it with a great burger. I ended up ordering the regular hamburger and he ordered a hotdog and a small slider. We both decided to indulge and split the chili cheese fries! Yummy!!! We truly enjoyed our hamburgers. They had such a great flavor. The fries were equally delicious. I will most certainly be following this food truck around.

Food is excellent. Customer service, not so much. Was told it would be 15-20 minutes. Waited almost an hour. Woman was loud and rude. If the service was better, they'd get 5 stars.

The best burger ever! The place makes them fresh and it takes time but its a great burger and service is smooth nothing special. Focus on the food.

The food is spectacular. But watch out for Expired onions. The sugar in the onions goes bad easily and the cooks don't seem to notice... I don't even notice until I'm running for the bathroom the next day.... other than that come as early as possible to avoid the lowlife bums that seem to always litter the corner, might be better off with delivery from ubereats, doordash, etc. And don't bring your woman last time 3 horny bums tried to hit on my lady, right in front of me because they were scum with no decency or manners, very primitive thinking in the locals.

**Business is CASH ONLY**NO CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED** I found this place last winter by accident either on Yelp or driving by. I wanted something different for lunch without having to drive to far, spend to much money and had decent food. Sonny's fit the bill, and seems to have some great reviews. I've been here a few times now and I kind of like it. The place is small, with a constant flow of people dining in, carrying out and placing orders. The menu is simple and cheap, along with a great staff to boot. I usually get the two large hamburgers or the 2 large cheeseburgers depending on my appetite. It usually costs between $5 and $6, which is perfect. Plus, the burgers are filling and a nice size. Sometimes, when I come here, the wait is longer than others, but that's to be expected. Parking is okay, and I never have a problem getting a space. I love the staff here. They seem to work really hard, get my order right and are always spot on. So, why not the 5 stars? Even though the food is fabulous, every time I leave here I reek of burgers and grease. It's a really strong smell! It's not bad, just a lot. Also, they don't take credit cards. But, overall, I really like this place. Quick and efficient diner style food that's tasty and affordable. I love coming here, and will continue to come here in the future.

Really delicious, but a little pricy for what it is (and where it is). Still not as good as Telway (nothing is, though). This place was JAMMED with carryout orders on a weekday around 5, so now I know to call ahead next time! They were working like crazy and it still took about a half hour for me to get my food. Not their fault at all, I just didn't know it would be like that! Food was great though, and the order of cheese fries was HUGE!

*Cash Only* Sonny's is an old staple of the city. My first time in and I was not disappointed. In the mist of this Cov-id I decided to try some new restaurants and support local. Taste for a burger, nothing fancy just simple, filling and greasy. At 5:30 called in 2 small cheeseburgers with everything. The lady said 35 minutes. That was cool, I don't live far so I did a few things at the house. Total came to $4.22 Burgers were greasy (I like them that way). Customer service was....Detroit ‍ I'll be back!

I've passed here often, but never stopped. Randomly craving a burger I decided to try Sonny's. It's like a neighborhood best kept secret. They are cash only and primarily carry out. Sonny's has a dining area, but it's small. I like the burgers! I have had them a couple of times now in a 6 pack for $7.99. They are pretty big sliders and 2 can be enough. They have grilled onions and fresh buns. It is real ground beef and I enjoy the flavor. I even grabbed burgers to go on Labor Day morning since they open at 7am. It's a place that I would come back to for a slider. They even offer breakfast specials for school aged kids, which is nice. A student waiting on the bus can grab breakfast fo under $3. Economically and a small local business that I would go back to. TIP: Call ahead for your order if possible. The wait can be long if busy and it is a tiny hamburger joint.

There is no comparison to the burgers at Sonny's! I haven't frequented the neighborhood that hosts this gem often, so I've never thought twice about trying it. Mistakenly, I assumed that the burgers at Sonny's were comparable to Telway burgers. After sinking my teeth into the tasty juicy burgers, I can say that comparisons aren't fair. The large cheeseburger is enough to make a meal of. Order fries if you will. I did, but didn't care for them. The burger is definitely the star of the joint. The fresh buns were steamed, on the grill with lots of fragrant onions. *Side note* I suggest you order then go outside to wait for your food. My clothing (coat, hat, even my handbag) reeked of grilled onions for days. The tiny diner has two counter areas where one can eat inside, however it's basically a carryout establishment. I suggest carrying out. It stays crowded according to patrons and the cook. Your wait could easily be thirty minutes for a few burgers. I visited about 45 minutes to close, at some point, the doors are locked and entry is only allowed if you have already placed your order. All of the nuances I encountered were a bit comical and admittedly a tad uncomfortable, but I don't want thoze things to take away from the utter enjoyment of the cheeseburger, which was gooey, soft, hearty and flavorful. The prices are cheap. Parking is plentiful. Cash only. Visit well before closing.

This greasy spoon is the truth! The cheeseburger was great. I appreciate the consistency of this place. The cooks equally prepare the food. When the cook steps away from the grill they wash their hands before returning to the grill. Very important. I went to Greene's, because it was closer and open 24hrs. The cook collected money with gloved hands, touching the cash register. Another lady was cleaning up when the cook asked her to drop an order of fries. This young lady went from picking things off the floor to scooping fries for the fryer. She didn't wash her hands and she didn't put on gloves. Great taste and clean!

Your food truck came to our neighborhood tonight (in the rain) and it was great! Really like the fresh burgers and fries. Appreciate your being here and hope to see you again next summer!

Customer Service is horrible. Expect to wait at least 40 minutes of more for your burger. Also if you rate the restaurant on social media the aunt trolls the rating curse you and tries to get you to take the review down. I will give them a 1 star because the burgers are good if they are fresh and hasn't been sitting there. We received bad burgers the last time we went. Besides that the people working there attitudes are nasty.

*Expect to wait for your order* I tried calling my order in; they would not answer the phone. I drove up there. walked in around 3:32 pm. No one spoke to me. Finally someone took my order at 3:38 pm. I made a point of what time I got my order because I did not finally get my order until 4:25 pm! They quoted customers after me a 20 min wait. There is no justification for it taking that long to get a order of 4 burgers and fries. What's more is I foolishly waited for it. There is no AC or proper ventilation so my clothes smell of fried beef/deep fryer. Once I finally got home and bit into the burger I forgave them! LOL

After living in the neighborhood for two years and smelling this delightful beacon of Brightmoor cuisine I FINALLY stopped in. It was everything I had hoped to encounter. Greasy, sloppy, heaven. You gotta go deluxe here. All fresh made to order beef and they grill/caramelize the onions just perfectly. If you're looking for a secret underrated Detroit gen, Sonny's is the dang spot for you.

Situated on the corner of Schoolcraft and Evergreen in a white building characteristic of vintage burger joints, Sonny's Hamburgers has been operating a tidy business since the mid-60s. Find greasy, flavorful Burgers here topped with grilled onions. So 53 years of regular customers like 3 generation of family Love. This Burgers be larger than any sliders around town, you gotta call the Hamburger hey the sign on the place says so. Not the best of neighborhood in Detroit has the Green Light program tied to Police department. A dozen old time stools and rounded counter take you back in time. Got fast friendly service the grill packed with Burger n Onions. We ordered 2 Double Damn Burger and 2 Double Damn Cheeseburger for me that filled the belly with Love. Just look around 90 percent orders to go, we ate inside many folks looking at us like you musta got lost. I'm going to say one of the city's very best a must try. Find many reviews around the Web. Facebook, Google, Yelp n TripAdvisor #sonnyshamburgers #cheeseburger #oldschoolburger #detroitsbest #letsguide #motorcitymunchers

They have some excellent hamburgers in there it's a different taste the staff is very friendly fast service I've been going there for over 15 years

I heard about this restaurant on Yelp and stopped here since I was in the area. It's a clean and efficiently run restaurant. The staff was friendly and took orders quickly. The double cheeseburger I had was good, but the fries were meh. Most of the order was hard and flavorless. I would not order them again. I may give them a try again for a breakfast platter or another cheeseburger if I'm in the area and need a quick bite to eat.

The food is delicious. Our shop around the corner frequently orders carry out. But when i went there by myself at lunch i took a seat at the counter. I sat there for 20 minutes with money in hand and was never even acknowledged. They were busy but many people ordered who came in after me. Nobody even told me they would get to me. I ended up walking out. Did i mention i was the only white person in there? I felt like that played a big role

Clean, honest, and delicious. I can't remember having a better burger. Big thanks to the ownership for their dedication to delicious food.

went to the food truck they had in ferndale and this was a great smashburger to have! the large burger was the perfect size for myself and had cheese, onions, ketchup, mustard, and pickles. the fries were a large portion but didn't have salt added to them so you did have to salt them yourself and eat with ketchup

The customer service is TERRIBLE!!!! I won't EVER give this establishment another dime to be disrespected while being a paying customer! I wish I was able to give zero stars!

I am a student even at my age. The course is West Side 101, and the classroom is cab number 188, I have lived in this city for 30 odd years and still I have no clue sometimes. The other day while out in the wilds of the west side, I came across Sonny's. Another place that's good for lunch. Housed in an old Top Hat, it has solid roots, and I for one am thankful that this place exists. The people operating this little gem are friendly and will prepare your burger any way you like it. They offer small burgers, and for those with more in thier wallet, a bigger version, although I think the small burger is the best.. I got 2 small burgers for about 3 dollars, and a cup filled with some of the best coffee I have had in a long time, and I do not make it a habit to consume coffee, ever since Starbucks got thier evil mitts on it and made simple coffee too difficult to order. This is not that coffee, but your basic everyday, joe sixpack type stuff that used to cost 40 cents when I was a mere lad of 15. The coffee prices may have gone up, and the same goes for the price of the burgers, but these days, nothing as it was. Sonny's is a blast from the past, and I am one happy camper. I urge you to get off the freeway and drop in for a couple burgers and a cup of joe. Betcha you'll go home with a mug. The education continues, and if you happen to see my cab, chances are you'll see me at Sonny's. And so it goes.

Their sliders are really delicious, always hit the spot! Probably a good thing that they're cash only or we'd be eating burgers way too often. Their food's cheap, so it's easy to feed a bunch of hungry people, too.

Good sliders - albeit too greasy is the only problem (I am a big slider fan, and grease is normal, but this was too much - upset the stomach a little). Coffee was pretty great (something hard to find these days). Fries were not bad either - had the salt and ketchup ready. Old school decor is a plus (red terrazzo floor was my favorite part).

Best damn little burger I ever had ! I was a little concerned coming here as it is not in a great neighborhood and the first time I just drove by. However, I was in the area a month later and looked them up on my gps and presto, there was their number, so I called in a order for two "large" sliders. It was high noon and a beautiful day. I pulled into the parking lot and I was amazed by this place ! The building is untouched from graffiti in a horrid neighborhood, but once inside, everyone was really nice. The place was busy and a minute after I walked in, I was asked if I had called in a order. Maybe my Canadian ascent gave it away...haha. However, my order was ready and I just sat down and ate instead of driving away. The burger was a large slider alright, the pattie was slightly greasy, but so damn good. I just can not put my finger on why they are so good. The meat is seasoned perfectly, the onions were grilled to perfection and the bun was great too. It is the one of the best burgers I have ever had and I would put it up against any place. I have had sliders in Detroit before, but this one is different. It is larger and just has more flavor. I use to think Bates at 5 Mile and Farmington was the best.... I have been there a million times as my boyfriend lives near there, but Sonny's is better by far. My boyfriend may be a wimp to come here, but I will be back !!! When I was here, there were a group of older men at one side of the counter and they were a riot. They asked if I was lost and I told them, not anymore after having this burger. I might not look like a local, but I am going to be coming back now. This place is right down the road from Scotty Simpson's, but it might now be hard to choose between this place and Scotty's. Service was a 5, atmosphere a 5 and the burger is off the scale, it is better than a 5 by far !

Had carryout brought to me from Sonny's today for the first time. I must say, I used to think Bates was the best...but Sonny's has taken the cake with the "large" slider. These large sliders are amazing - perfectly greasy, very tasty, tender meat (no surprises) and good proportions of toppings (a bit too much mustard for my liking). When the burgers arrived, the grease had almost soaked through the entire top bun. AMAZING. The reasons why I'm not going with 5-stars right away is because I didn't actually go there, so I have no comment on service; we got stiffed on one order of fries (which were too underdone and under-seasoned) and it was my first time. But seriously good sliders - I'll be back.

This is the best little hamburger I have ever had. Very friendly staff. I had to make a choice between the smaller or larger slider. I chose the larger one. It was delicious. Reminded me of the hamburgers from yesteryear. I will definitely be back. Just wish I knew how many calories I was consuming. I only purchased one because I didn't know. The only con for me was that I wish I had purchased two!!

Great old school burgers I'm in love with them lol family friendly customer service was wonderful the burgers are just rite size made with love and cook to perfection if from Detroit eat hear now lol

Purchased a property down the block from this joint drove by it a few times so I figured I'd give it a shot amazing burgers nothing like I've ever had before really greasy but tasty customer service sucks and expect to wait for your order even if you order on the phone 30 min in advance

An excellent slider/hamburger. NOT the best neighborhood, but Mike and Darrell turn-out an excellent burger. Better than Motz or Bates? Yes.

Hello all this place is very unprofessional and Horrible it takes them1hr just for uncooked food not only that when they fix your food they never use gloves I will never go their again trying to support however you can not support Everyone‍

I was working over in Brightmoor and someone told me this place had the best sliders in town, so I had to try them. They were amazing--VERY greasy, onion-y, but so, so good. I got two small cheeseburgers with everything on them and fries, and everything was delicious, and it cost a whole $5.19. As other reviewers have said, the neighborhood isn't great, but I love the style of the place. A little corner diner--not a ton of seating, and their business is primarily take-out, but there are places to sit.. My fellow patrons were friendly and the place was buzzing.

Very poor service as when you walk in and either stand at the counter or sit down at the counter your presence is not acknowledged by anyone. I've tried to patronize this establishment 3 times and the same results. As for calling in an order and arriving to pick it up to take away,, the order is still not prepped or bagged in the stated time. Very disappointed at the whole experience. Try to say hi to people as the come in.

Love them. Service is always good. Food is even better. Always run to Sonny's for a good meal. Food always hot and fresh.

I haven't been here since high school and was craving a good ol cheeseburger. I placed a carry out order (the location isn't in the greatest area) and it was finished as I was walking in to pick it up. Omg the burgers are STILL to die for. You could taste the seasonings on the meat and they loaded it with onions, pickles, ketchup & mustard. I've been to bates on Middlebelt and theirs lack EVERYTHING (seriously!)... this is the ONLY place I'll go to from now on hence I learned my lesson. Haven't tried anything else here but the customer service was polite when I arrived so that's a plus. I'm in the customer service industry so I know the importance of how good customer service goes a long way.

Can't get better then a greasy double cheese burger from Sonny's... I loooove the staff same people for many years just feel like home when you walk in this time capsule

If you like your burgers greasy and don't mind waiting forever to get them, you'll love this place. Much too busy for me and the burgers are small. Really small. The only saving grace was its cheap.

I've lived behind this place for ten years n it's still one of the best burgers I've ever had....the only I've ever craved was here...they're breakfast is good too...little overpriced but worth it

The double cheeseburger I had today was one of the best hamburgers I've ever had in my life and certainly the best from an old school "slider" burger joint. I was shocked at how good it was.

Love there burger it's like home try them. They are a pop and mom dinner. Nice price for food been there for years.

Burgers are delicious real fresh beef not some frozen pattie. Good coffee too.