Redamak’s Tavern

We’ve been coming to Union Pier for years, now. Every time we drove by Redamaks it seemed packed and a long wait. So finally this trip we thought we’d go early and catch a famous burger. First let me say the service was brutal, took almost 45 mins to get the smallest wings I’ve ever seen, forgot one of the apps and boring mozzarella sticks. Finally the burgers came and let me say I would’ve been happier with a McDonald’s Big Mac or definitely a Steak and Shake. Cash only disappointment, won’t be going back.

We make it here as often as possible to get the best cheeseburger around. Worth the trip from Chicago. Always fast, friendly service. Love it!

I don’t like burgers, but Redamak’s is the exception.

Thrilled to finally get to try this place, and the cheesy, Velveeta burger was just as tasty as I hoped for! Loved the large and friendly space, good servers, nice kids meal options, and local beer selection. We will return!!!

This was my second time here and have had a good meal both times. Great place to grab a quick bite, burgers, wraps, and sandwiches. Great for kids and large groups. Lots of menu choices, but not great for the diet couscous. Food was good and they are very receptive to substitutions. CASH ONLY.

This place is wonderful! We’ve driven by here numerous times on our way to Chicago and this place is always packed.
Decided to try it today on our way as its not yet tourist season and a Thursday.
I agree with other review-​favorite burger is Millers in Dearborn. This is VERY similar.
We both had burgers and fries. My husband upgraded to the bigger burger.
Both burgers came with fries and we stuck with velveeta on them. They do offer other cheese options if you prefer.
Our total with 1 beer and 1 shake was $ 21.00.
Can’t beat it!
We were told by our super friendly waitress the burger basket with fries is only Monday –Thursday with set times. Sorry-don’t recall what the times are.
We did inquire about summer wait times. She said an hour isn’t unheard of but usually quicker except for peak tourist season.
I’d definitely recommend this place as a stop.
We plan on taking Michigan Ave. this summer instead of 94 and plan to stop again.
BTW-​easy off and on for I-​94.
CASH ONLY.

Great if you have low standards or no standards. Not a single green leaf in sight on my $ 9 caesar salad (price without chicken). They’ve hiked up all the prices on their mediocre food. Bad food was easier to digest when prices were low.

This place upon arrival parking is a nightmare but worth the struggle. Place is so packed I guess since it’s only open from spring thru fall and close in the winter, waitress was nice but a little slow, prices are super cheap, food was yummy, no cards. CASH ONLY! but they have atm inside. I will return when I come to the area. Great burgers and shrimp. Loved the sweet potato fries. Place was 95% clean since there was napkins all over the floor. This is where my 4stars come from. They need to do better with picking up those tables. Other than that everything else was good.

Cheese fries here are AMAZING! Especially the waffle fries. However, don’t go too hungry, as I have never been there when there wasn’t a SUPER long wait.
As for the burger go for the velveta burger with everything! I always stop here on my way back to IL!

Driving through New Buffalo last weekend we decided to eat at Redamak“s. It’s legendary, right? The in store ATM machine was broken and we only had $ 20 in cash… Could we make it work? We had burgers, water, and split the fries. I had a gf bun for 1.50 extra (WORST gf bun ever!). Our bill came to 16.48 and with the tip 20.00!
The place was packed, large variety on the menu, great service. But we won’t be returning. The food was mediocre. I appreciated that they had a gf bun but it was gross. They need to toast the bun so it isn’t gummy. The only cheese for the burgers is velveeta… really? Fake cheese?
In the past I have enjoyed everything about this place. This time not so much. My suggestion is to go to Culvers for a burger and to the Stray Dog for everything else. Get with the times Redamaks!

Although I’m a die-​hard Miller’s fan, growing up in Dearborn and all… I have to admit, Redamak’s makes a darn good burger.
The deep fried cauliflower is outstanding, hand battered, and not found on a lot of menus. We also have had the garden basket which includes cauliflower, mushrooms, zucchini and green beans.
A great stop on the way to Chicago and points west!

I have been coming here for years. Always great food and service. I am happy they added carry out several years back to accommodate people who are in a hurry. It is usually packed but the service is fast so you usually do not have to wait too long. Best Burgers in Southwest Michigan!

I don’t get the. Negative reviews honestly. It’s a cheeseburger joint that serves AMAZING burgers covered in velveeta cheese, they are ridiculously fast at getting your food to you and they serve alcohol… I mean c’mon!!!

Never wrote a Unilocal review before but signed up just for REDAMAKS… My wife’s parents live in New Buffalo and we live 30 min away. So I see ppl go crazy over this place every year. If your a local, a beach bum or a wealthy Chicago NB summer person this place probably makes your eyes well up with tears from nostalgia. Well I’m not a native, I can’t swim and we don’t «summer» in NB. I do like a good burger though!
Went to this place once in my ten years in the area didn’t care for it. So last night 9÷28÷15 I went again after my sons soccer game at NB high school. What a sham! Got a double velveeta burger and fries and a shake (since they are famous for burgers).
First the shake… It’s a shake. Kinda small, about 12oz. Topped with whipped cream and a cherry. Really regular but good.
Second the fries… Small amount of «out the bag frozen» crinkle cut fries. Regular boring. (Cheese sauce for my fries was boring too, not even nacho flavored)
3^rd the burger… Smallish but ample. Fresh ingredients. However burger had ZERO FLAVOR!!! Not a hint of seasoning on the patties (salt pepper, seasoned salt nothing). And burger was dry as hell no grease no juice nada. Must have used ⁹⁰⁄₁₀ lean sirloin.
So if you want a juicy flavorful burger skip these guys. And my wife hated her veggie burger and they gladly still made her pay for it after we told the waitress. We won’t be back.

Ah, Redamak’s. I’ve been coming here since I was a toddler, and I don’t think it’s changed at all since. Sometimes, that’s a good thing.
I came here with my dad as we did a border-​run to Michigan most recently, and it was a nice burst of nostalgia. My dad got a double velveeta cheeseburger with fries ($ 6.75). He said it was just as good as he remembered. I got a buffalo bacon burger with cheese that they had on special, and it was delicious. I also got an order of fried pickles, which were delicious as always ($ 5.50).
Redamak’s is a greasy spoon that does one thing really, really well, and that is their burgers. Everything else you can expect to be fried and not house made most of the time. If you don’t mind that (and I usually don’t– it’s still freaking good!), then this is right up your alley. They also have cheesecake milkshakes that are really good.
The service was really bad last time I was here though. The waitress seemed to forget that we existed, and it took FOREVER for her to come back with a box, and then another 20 minute wait or so for us to get the bill. Service is usually fast and friendly, so I don’t know what her deal is.
Worth noting: cash only! There is an ATM on property, but they do NOT accept credit cards.

Again, who tricked me? How was I convinced? I must have been sick.
But I was here.
I told those who I was dining with that I would not be paying for my meal. Here is why.
Woody Hayes on recruiting trip in TSUN.
One night on a recruiting trip in the state of M! ch!g@n, an assistant noticed that the car he was driving was going to run out of gas. He let Woody know, who was dozing in the passenger seat, that he had to pull over for gas. Woody refused, and the assistant drove on. The assistant, who saw the weather was starting to get bad, began to become worried about getting stuck in the middle of nowhere, and once again stressed his desire to pull over and get gas. Woody erupted: «No, goddammit! We do NOT pull in and fill up. And I’ll tell you exactly why we don’t. It’s because I don’t buy one goddam drop of gas in the state of Michigan! We’ll coast and PUSH this goddam car to the Ohio line before I give this state a nickel of my money!» The assistant knew he wasn’t kidding, and they barely made it across the border and sputtered into the first gas station they found in Ohio.
This is how I live my life.
I started with a tomato soup. I also ordered the burger which was enough, a double was not needed. Big, greasy, and served in a bag. I had a chocolate shake with my meal that served me well.

Been hearing about this place for years. Finally around the area so we took a short drive from Michigan City to experience this joint. The restaurant was pretty busy, but we were seated promptly. We were here around 2PM eastern time on a Wednesday so we made it for their working man’s special which was a burger and fries combo for just a burger’s price. This made the meal very reasonably priced. Got the Velveeta Cheeseburger with everything on it plus lettuce and tomato. Delicious! The fries that came with were a hefty portion and the perfect consistency and crunch. Left very full and very happy. One downside: it’s cash only.

We visited Redamak’s on a weekend– the «working man’s specials» as mentioned by other reviewers are only available during the week.
I felt that other reviewers that mentioned the small portion size of the fries is misleading– we asked for two orders of fries expecting small portions… but that was not the case. Neither of us were able to finish our fries and felt that they were certainly a reasonable portion for the money. We probably could have easily shared one order.
We both tried the Velveeta cheeseburger and found it to be juicy and tasty. Well worth trying if you like a good cheeseburger.
I was also confused by other reviewers comments about the food being overpriced– we both felt that prices were average if not somewhat under-​priced based on similar meals in taverns in the Chicago area. The prices at Redamak’s are not in the same league with the McD’s «Dollar Menu» but by the same token, McD’s isn’t serving beer/​cocktails.
There is quite a bit of NHL memorabilia in the bar area (check photos) including a corner dedicated to the Chicago Blackhawks. Worth checking out by hockey fans.
Service was friendly and efficient, food was tasty and priced right– when we are in the area, we will be back.

«The Legendary» VELVEETA CHEESE BURGER w/​Fries — $ 5.25
If you’ve ever driven Interstate 94 Eastbound toward Detroit, you’ve seen the billboards for Redamak’s as you enter into Michigan from Indiana. For years, I had driven by, always seeing this billboard which talks about their «legendary» food. I had no idea their slogan was «The „Hamburger“ that made New Buffalo, MI famous». Well, Redamak’s will ALWAYS have my vote. And I will ALWAYS make time as I drive through.
New Buffalo, MI is one of those sleepy little beach towns. It’s located just over the Indiana/​Michigan Border on Lake Michigan itself. Just like any beach community, there’s not much going on in the winter; however, once the summer hits, look out! Whether you’re a beach bum, water baby or just enjoying the sites, hit up Redamak’s. The roadside diner, was, and still is, known for it’s family atmosphere, value, service, and quality.

Overpriced. And cash only.
My first visit to Redamak’s actually occurred on the first day they were open for the year (March 1, 2015). If you’re traveling through during the winter, this place is shut down.
When we arrived, the parking lot was packed. A good sign. There’s a ton of seating. It’s casual dining for sure. The walls are paneled with wood. There’s no discernible decorating scheme. Anything and everything is slapped on the walls.
Here’s what we ordered…
* Onion Rings ($ 6) — Nothing special and an absurdly small portion for that much money.
* Curly Fries ($ 4.25) — They were supposed to have been seasoned, but they were pretty bland. Tasted like they were just frozen Ore-​Ida variety.
* Cheeseburger with provolone ($ 5.75) — This was the best thing I tasted at Redamak’s. Nothing amazing, to be sure, but pretty good. They don’t ask you how you want your burger cooked, they just fire it up and cook it to eliminate any pink. They also put an entire cross-​section of an onion on your bottom bun. That was interesting.
* Six Boneless Chicken Wings ($ 6.50) — Pathetic and sad. These were dry little nuggets. Definitely not worth more than $ 1 each. Total ripoff.
* An Oreo Blast ($ 3.75) — This is their version of the Dairy Queen Blizzard, except Redamak’s ice cream was really soupy and watery to begin with. They do get points for having the Oreo pieces still be crunchy, though. If you want a frosty treat in this area, drive a little south to Oink’s Dutch Treat. You’ll be happier.
I feel like the only reason Redamak’s exists is because there’s a vacuum for this kind of family dining in the New Buffalo area. The food isn’t special and the sides are wildly overpriced.
The menu is huge, which may be a plus for picky eaters. But as you’d learn from any episode of Restaurant Impossible or Kitchen Nightmares, a giant menu is also a sign that there’s very little care put into any one dish. Most things are simply frozen dishes reheated before serving. I believe that’s the case with Redamak’s. Mostly bland food at absurd prices.
I won’t return.