Buns, Patties, and Local Flavor: The St. Ignace Burger Tour
Welcome to St. Ignace, where the burger game is super serious. (seriously delicious!) The scene serves up everything from bison patties to pizza smash burgers to mac-and-cheese towers to jerk-spiced Caribbean creations. Step inside nostalgic drive-ins, laid-back pubs, charming cafés, and a host of other local favorites. For those keeping it plant-forward, you’ll be happy to discover meat-free burger and sandwich options here and there (keep reading to learn about those and many more!).
Now, a quick heads-up: this is by no means every burger in town. St. Ignace has more hidden gems than we could possibly list in one go. But, here are nine standout spots to get you started on your first St. Ignace burger tour. We hope you came hungry.
🍔 Clyde's Drive-In
Clyde’s Drive-In, located just west of downtown off Highway 2, has been a staple in St. Ignace since 1949. This seasonal (open through October and select days in winter) drive-in serves your meal straight to the car window, giving you a fun throwback experience.
Pull right into an available spot and place your order from the window. If you’re wondering where to start, nothing says ‘Clyde’s’ like the Big ‘C’ Burger, a three-quarter pounder that comes in beef or bison, stacked with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and American cheese on a buttered bun,
Of course, Clyde’s has other burger offerings—boy do they ever! They are said to be some of the best around, from the Garden Burger to the Mushroom Swiss, the Pizza Burger, a Taco Burger, and a “Zesty” Burger.
And if you’re not in the mood for a burger at all, you can’t go wrong with a whitefish sandwich, a grilled cheese, or even a good old-fashioned Sloppy Joe. (And that’s not even the whole list!)
Clyde’s side menu is also an adventure all on its own, with mainstays like fries, onion rings, and cheese curds. The real fun comes with the rotating sides: one week may bring savory Mac ’n’ cheese bites, the next something sweet like cheesecake mini burritos, then zesty nacho bites… There’s always a little surprise waiting to tempt your taste buds, and fans return just to see what’s new at Clyde’s.
👉 Pro tip: Don’t skip the malt, and don’t forget the cash! Clyde’s is cash-only, and on summer evenings, waits can stretch up to 40 minutes.
🍔 Driftwood Restaurant & Sports Bar
Located in downtown St. Ignace, the Driftwood Restaurant & Sports Bar is a homey spot that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Try the Mighty Mac Brunch Burger for brunch or lunch—two patties served with hash browns, bacon, melted cheese, and a fried egg.
And if you wander into the Driftwood around dinner time (and happen to be hungrier than a moose), get their Mighty Mac Burger—we’re talking beef patties gloriously stacked with pulled pork, bacon, and melted cheddar. Better yet, this one comes with a generous portion of poutine—French fries smothered in gravy.
Other worthy options include the Pub Burger with cheese and mayo, the Olive Burger with Swiss cheese and green olives, the classic “Hamburger” (with ketchup), and even a cheesy (but meat-free) Portabella option.
👉 Pro tip: Begin at the appetizer menu, then pair with a Michigan craft beer something from the cocktail menu if you’re so inclined.
🍔 Mackinac Grille and Waterfront Pub
Centrally located, the Mackinac Grille and Waterfront Pub offers a burger menu that ranges from comfort-food classics to over-the-top indulgence burgers. Each comes with your choice of steak fries, coleslaw, or baked beans, with onion rings or sweet potato fries as swaps.
First off, the Patty Melt kicks it old-school with a half-pound burger on your choice of grilled bread, onions and cheddar. Their Mushroom & Swiss Burger is all about the sautéed mushrooms and Swiss cheese, while the Cheese Cheeseburger doubles down with American and Swiss cheeses.
If you’re after smoky-sweet, the Mackinac Burger piles it on with bacon, BBQ sauce, cheddar, and thick-cut onion rings. Then there’s the Mighty Mac Burger, unapologetically indulgent, topped with mac ‘n’ cheese, cheddar, and bacon. For a meat-free option, try the Black Bean Burger, topped with cheddar, lettuce, tomato, with sour cream and salsa on the side.
They also happen to grill up some tasty hot dogs that are served on hoagie rolls. The Jumbo Dog is a quarter-pound classic, while the Killer Dog takes it several steps further with chili, cheddar, onions, and jalapeños.
👉 Pro tip: Sit outside at sunset—the view is as memorable as the burgers!
🍔 Kingston Kitchen (in the former Village Inn building)
The Village Inn may be gone, but Kingston Kitchen has brought new life into the downtown location offering must-try burgers that are full of flavors that you’d usually have to fly to the Caribbean to taste.
There’s the delicious Jerk Mushroom Burger: sautéed mushrooms and onions in a jerk sauce, topped with jack cheese. The Ocho Rios Burger piles jerk-flavored bacon, smoked brisket, cheddar, and crispy onion straws together for a layered explosion of super flavor. And then, the Kingston Hawaiian Burger features pineapple, creamy avocado, and melted chipotle jack cheese for a tropical twist that’s just like a vacation on a bun!
If you’re seeking something plant-forward, try the St. Mary’s Burger, a delightful stand-out that’s made with “poor man’s ackee”, beet hummus, quinoa, kale, roasted pineapple, and ginger, all finished with black garlic mayo. For those curious, ackee is the national fruit of Jamaica, prized for its creamy texture and a slightly nutty flavor.
For a hearty choice, the Dunes River Flood Burger combines smoked brisket, bacon, mortadella, the ambrosial topping known as Kingston Yum Sauce, smoked Gouda, and gardenia relish.
👉Pro tip: Visit outside the dinner rush if you can—seating is limited, and these flavors are ones to savor.
🍔 Bentley’s Café
Find Bentley’s Cafe in a cute historic building in downtown St. Ignace, just a short distance from the ferry docks. The space has a vibe that fans of Gilmore Girls might recognize as reminiscent of Luke’s Diner with cozy counters, stools, and that friendly, small-town feel; the kind of place where you can linger, chat, and enjoy a proper meal.
The burgers at Bentley’s are proudly made with local meats, so you really can’t go wrong here. Go for the Bentley’s Famous Burger, a masterpiece with sautéed red and green peppers—it’s as fun to look at as it is to eat! Then, there’s the satisfying Yooper Burger, which stacks a juicy beef patty with bacon, ham, Swiss cheese, and American cheese.
The Mushroom Swiss Burger is simple but irresistible with tender mushrooms melting into gooey Swiss cheese. Or, take full control with the Build-Your-Own Burger (BYOB)—you get a choice of lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, and BBQ sauce for a creation that’s uniquely yours. Beyond even sandwiches and burgers, Bentley’s is also famous for its authentic malts and homemade pies, so make sure to save room for dessert!
👉Pro tip: Bentley’s hours are limited, so it’s always smart to call ahead.
🍔 Buoys by the Bay
Buoys by the Bay sits at the south end of downtown St. Ignace, just across the street from Lake Huron. Open seasonally, this family-friendly pub springs to life in warmer months. You’ll find a nautical theme that makes for great photos while you’re waiting, and the inviting vibe sets the stage for some seriously memorable burgers. As a local, veteran-owned spot, it’s earned a loyal following; and what’s more, the head chef brings traditional culinary training to the table for pub fare you won’t forget.
For our burger tour, we’ll begin with the Ya Buoy Burger. For this one, you choose your cheese-type, then pile on lettuce, tomato, and onion in a wonderful array. Even more, the Black Bean Burger offers a satisfying plant-forward alternative. Or perhaps try their Brisket Burger for a decadent combo of patty, brisket, cheddar, and crispy onions. And just in case someone in your party isn’t exactly craving beef, there’s a Whitefish Po’ Boy and many other sandwiches that make tasty backups.
👉Pro tip: Buoys can get busy, so plan a little extra time. While you wait for your burger, try a few of their unique appetizers: lettuce wraps, duck wontons, steak bites, and much more!
🍔 The Gangplank Pub & Grub
Located on the south end of downtown St. Ignace, The Gangplank Pub & Grub is a seasonal spot where the menu is always full of surprises. Their specials rotate regularly, so you might find a BLT Burger one week, or a burger topped with deep-fried cheese curds and banana pepper rings the next; you never know what you’ll get, which makes it worth coming back again and again!
The Gangplank’s regular menu also keeps the excitement going with an incredible list of burgers; here are a few of our faves:
A great place to begin is at You and a Burger, giving you a choice of toppings and cheeses, from cheddar to feta to bleu—or even bacon. Vegetarians can dig into the Imposter: a made-to-order Impossible Burger, while the Bleu Cheese Olive Burger pairs green olives with a tasty bleu cheese sauce and fresh tomato on a grilled brioche bun.
The Mac Attack Burger doubles down with two patties, Lost Island Sauce, American cheese, pickles, and onion rings. The BBQ and Bacon Burger invites you to enjoy melted mozzarella and cheddar stacked with bacon. Then there’s the Count Burger, drizzled with a garlicky Vampire Sauce and smothered in grilled onions.
For the truly hungry, the Walk the Plank Burger is an absolute showstopper with two steak patties topped with bleu cheese crumbles, Boom-Boom sauce, onion rings, pulled pork, American cheese, and deep-fried cheese curds! Alternatively, the Bison Burger offers grilled Cabernet onions, marinated cucumbers, lettuce, and Dijonnaise on a toasted brioche bun.
👉Pro tip: Don’t be shy—ask about the daily specials, because some of the most outrageous burgers at the Gangplank only appear for a short time.
🍔 Fred’s Up North Dining and Truck Stop
Located off Highway 2 just west of the Mackinac Bridge, Fred’s Up North Dining & Truckstop is a must-stop if you’re craving a hearty burger in a home-town setting.
The Mighty Trucker Burger kicks things off with two patties piled high with hand-battered crispy onion rings on a toasted bun. Fred’s iteration of the locally-ubiquitous Mighty Mac ups the ante with a large burger patty topped with hardwood-smoked bacon and savory cheddar. Brunch fans shouldn’t miss the Brunch Burger—an ample beef patty with bacon, cheese, crispy hashbrowns, and a fried egg!
The Fred’s Mushroom Swiss Burger offers savory perfection as the name suggests, while the Cheeseburger Club Burger is all about the beef, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayo between your choice of toasted breads (white, wheat, or rye). The menu keeps right on delivering with the U.P. Burger, a satisfying half-pound creation, a quite straightforward Hamburger for purists, and the T-Stop Special: double patties, pepper jack, and American cheese topped with lettuce, bacon, and mayo.
👉Pro tip: Fred’s portions are generous, so being that insatiable appetite. And since this place is a truckstop at heart, expect a menu that really delivers on comfort.
🍔 Dusty’s Dogz & Smash Burgers
Dusty’s Dogz is known far and wide, not just for scrumptious hot dogs, but also for their generous contributions to dog-related charities. The quirky hot dog that greets customers at the entrance is a not-so-subtle hint at what’s inside, and while the hot dogs are certainly legendary, the smash burger menu is what we’re here for!
Every burger at Dusty’s comes standard with a choice of onions, pickles, tomatoes, ketchup, and mustard. The Single Smash is simple and satisfying, the Double Smash doubles down for serious hunger, and the P.H.A.T Dusty stacks three patties for the ultimate in indulgence. For a unique twist, the Pizza Burger features pepperoni and melted mozzarella, and there’s even a combo option for those who want both a burger and a hot dog.
👉 Pro tip: Don’t sleep on the sides—Dusty’s fries and toppings are local favorites. And don’t forget to snap a photo with the famous hot dog statues before, a fun downtown tradition and the perfect way to remember your visit to St. Ignace!
Lodging and Libations: After the Crawl
After a full day of tasting your way through St. Ignace, you’ll be glad to know the town has plenty of places to stay, so you can rest up just steps from dining, shops, attractions, and more.