“We should get there early,” I informed everyone. “The lines are always long.”
“How about 7?” they said.
“Seriously, though.” I replied.
They didn’t believe me. With a dozen or so people (and unsure of the actual number who would show up), I rallied some folks to get there a bit earlier than the rest, at 6:45. We put in our name, and waited. Other parties filtered in at an increasing rate. I knew it was going to be even longer than anticipated to get tables. The rest of our group showed up.
We waited, and waited, and waited. Ennui almost slipped in, but we staved it off by getting drinks from the bar, delivered by a waiter that only takes care of people waiting for tables. They are known for their excellent beer and liquor lists, and we took full advantage to try something new. We played some pinball, we ordered another beer, we talked, we waited. It was an hour at that point – hungry people from our group started to pester the host station.
How does one wait this long with dignity and aplomb? Is it correct to pretend it doesn’t bother you? Do you have to extoll the merits of the restaurant to every first timer so they don’t strangle you? Should we have started a political action group in the meantime?
Scott, encumbered by thoughts about never eating again.
Hangriness radiated off of us. I think the staff may have felt that we were about to implode. Finally, after some confusion and some leadership from an upset Bonnie, we sat at a table. The rest of the group sat down at a table next to us about five minutes later. Relief.
It was a little over two hours that we waited. This is a part of the process of eating at One-Eyed Betty’s, as far as I can tell. Being prepared for this wait is important. There are no reservations, no text messages for tables that are ready, no buzzers for tables (I’ll point out again that is a waiter that only serves drinks to people not seated). You just wait.
The wait that was the worst of all, though? After a couple beers, not eating a snack in preparation to eat a big burger, and standing listlessly in that entryway, the wait that was the worst was after ordering our food. If that service wasn’t fast and good, something drastic may have happened.
I have to give credit to the staff, for dealing with angry people waiting constantly, for being fast with their service, for doing a great job of what they are supposed to do. I know I wouldn’t survive in an environment like that.
Pork belly poutine and brussels sprouts were ordered for the table to quell our hunger until the burgers arrived. Although brussels sprouts are the culinary hit of five years ago, they remain delicious, and Betty’s understands this – they make perhaps the best sprouts I’ve had. Super flavorful, lightly coated with balsamic vinegar and garlic, just salty enough, and incredibly crispy. Seriously, order these. The poutine was very good as well, with crispy fries, balanced and tasty gravy, and good cheese, but didn’t astound us quite like the brussels sprouts.
After quickly finishing off the appetizers, we were on to the burger. When i say “the” burger, it is because there is only one option at One-eyed Betty’s, despite their “2013 Burger Brawl Champs, Yeehaw” that remains scrawled in chalk above their bar. It contains: bacon, sharp cheddar, garlic aioli, greens, tomato & onion, served with hand cut fries or sub onion rings for a buck. $13. Turns out, they come with a pickle spear too. Of course, you can omit ingredients, but that is about it for customization options.
I went with the onion rings, totally unnecessary after I ate a bunch of poutine. They were crispy, without onion ring worm syndrome, and not overly greasy. Seasoning was again, very well done.
Most of our buns held together nicely, with a bit of toasting on these brioche buns, and everyone agreed that they were cooked just about perfectly to order. Consistency and proper bun choices have become a plague for us as a group, so a place that does it right deserves accolades.
There were mixed reviews on the patty flavor, but they remained overall positive. The burger toppings were fresh and the team clearly takes their ingredients seriously. However, there was some inconsistency – like the amount of raw onions (cut in full rings) or Carl’s one ridiculously tiny and thick tomato slice. It’s a small detail, but something a diner is going to notice. For a tomato lover, getting a slice like this on a burger is a very sad thing.
One-Eyed Betty’s is a place of trade-offs. You’ll like the beer list (if that’s your thing). You’ll like the service. You’ll love the food, and your family and friends from out of town probably would too. However, you might not care for the crowd or the ambiance, like some of our group, which makes up a normal Ferndale crowd. And I guarantee that you’re going to hate waiting for a table.
If you get to One-Eyed Betty’s with a small group, early in the night, you might have a short wait. A single diner can often find a spot at the bar, which I have done in the past. Otherwise, have a snack before you show up.
When I do come to eat here, and decide to brave the line, I always enjoy it. The chef puts a lot of thought into their food and sources good ingredients. The waitstaff are always nice, patient, and knowledgeable, because they have to be at a place like this. and the cooks really knock it out of the park with the quality and consistency of their food. There’s a reason it’s always packed in here, because they do what they do really well. Ultimately, it’s up to you – is it worth the wait?
Ratings:
Phil’s Music Report: “Good music.”
Burger: 4.09
Service: 3.85
Atmosphere: 3.76
Value: 3.41
Overall Rating: 3.815
Alice – 4.5/5
Asil – “Wait was SUPER long – plan ahead, especially if you have a crowd. Good vibe, decent burgers, would head here if I was hangin’ around Ferndale.” 3/5
Bonnie – “I’ll return since it’s close. I wish there were more burger options. I don’t need the bacon and fancy greens.“ 4/5
Carl – “Tomato to onion ratio was piss-poor. Beer list was good- NOT great (where the stouts at?) Ferndale parking is whack. I will probably return though” 4/5
Erik – “Only one burger on the menu? It better be carefully crafted. This one is. Wetter toppings wouldn’t hold up as well. The bun could have been more toasted, but was a bit sweet and the density was spot on. Great music! Rancid, the Damned, and Dead Kennedys were on at various points.” 4.5/5
Frank – “Nice and juicy patty, good flavor. Beer selection is expensive. It’s a popular place with a line, a good burger, and a long list of bourbons. It is what it is.”3.5/5
Jeff-
This place is so fucked
way too many people here
but the food is good
4/5
Lauren – “I want more garlic aioli on the burger. Not enough cheese.” 3.5/5
Lindsay – “Why bacon? Where was the cheese? The garlic mayo was good, but overpowering. But the core of the question, the burger, was good!” 3/5
Rachel – 4/5
Phil – “Why were the tomato slices so small in diameter and large in thickness? It made for awkward biting. I don’t know how much I can trust this rating. I am sick and hungry and waited 2:10 from arrival time to burger time.” 4/5
Sean – “The Betty Burger excelled in quality of meat and how it was cooked. The greens were top notch, better than just iceberg lettuce, the garlic aioli was fantastic. Those are the three things it had going for it. Past that, the overall experience was average or less than. If you’re hungry and need a burger now, One-Eyed Betty’s is not the place. If you’re patient and in good company, the Betty Burger is worth the wait.” 4/5
Scott – “I could go to Motor City and get a great burger for $8. It’s not worth waiting over 90 minutes every single time here, but a great burger.” 4/5
One-Eyed Betty’s
175 W. Troy St.
Ferndale MI 48220
(248) 808-6633
Motor City Burger Club 
