R.I.P. Miller's Bar in Dearborn

**Henry Whalley** · October-05-21, 06:19 PM

It's up for sale, but almost certainly will never be the same under new ownership. New owners almost inevitably screw things up.

**Smirnoff** · October-05-21, 07:05 PM

At the $4-million asking price. . . ...best of luck to whoever takes the risk.

**Zads07** · October-05-21, 09:31 PM

Unlikely that they'll get that money for the bar and if they do, some company will replace it with something.

Overpriced and a bit overrated burgers, I can find other good burgers in the area, but it's a spot that my grandfather loved. We'd go there all the time when I was younger with him, before he couldn't drive or travel much. I have many good memories with him there.

**stromberg2** · October-05-21, 09:46 PM

Let's not bury it yet.

Stromberg2

**Honky Tonk** · October-06-21, 04:00 AM

Originally Posted by Zads07

Unlikely that they'll get that money for the bar and if they do, some company will replace it with something.

Overpriced and a bit overrated burgers, I can find other good burgers in the area, but it's a spot that my grandfather loved. We'd go there all the time when I was younger with him, before he couldn't drive or travel much. I have many good memories with him there.

A bit? They're cookie-cutter, bulk packed, frozen hamburgers. Probably from Costco or Dearborn Snausage. I haven't been there in a few years now, but last time I went with a friend, "who'd heard so much about it", 2 burgers, a basket of onion rings, and 2 bottled waters, ran $25 with tip. Ridiculous for that quality of food. No plates, no eating utensils, they set your order in front of you on a piece of paper. The place does have a unique atmosphere.

**Danny** · October-06-21, 07:45 AM

Adieu Miller's Bar.

**Henry Whalley** · October-06-21, 07:53 AM

Originally Posted by Honky Tonk

... 2 burgers, a basket of onion rings, and 2 bottled waters, ran $25 with tip. Ridiculous for that quality of food. No plates, no eating utensils, they set your order in front of you on a piece of paper.

So, better than McDonald's and less expensive! And with atmosphere.

**DetroitSoldier** · October-06-21, 09:03 AM

Originally Posted by Honky Tonk

A bit? They're cookie-cutter, bulk packed, frozen hamburgers. Probably from Costco or Dearborn Snausage. I haven't been there in a few years now, but last time I went with a friend, "who'd heard so much about it", 2 burgers, a basket of onion rings, and 2 bottled waters, ran $25 with tip. Ridiculous for that quality of food. No plates, no eating utensils, they set your order in front of you on a piece of paper. The place does have a unique atmosphere.

$12.50 a person for a meal seems reasonable to me. Do you eat out much?

**Honky Tonk** · October-06-21, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by DetroitSoldier

$12.50 a person for a meal seems reasonable to me. Do you eat out much?

I guess I'm not getting my point across because it looks like we're heading into another poop flinging. Zell's Corner is currently my favorite burger stop. For the same amount of money, you get a thick, juicy open grilled burger, sautéed onions, grilled bun, and fries. Famous Burger in Dearborn is also very good. [IMO] Miller's used to be good years ago, but other than having a loyal, die hard, watering-hole, clientele, the burgers, especially for the price, are nothing to write home about. If they meet your criteria for good, bon appetite.

**Trumpeteer** · October-06-21, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by Honky Tonk

A bit? They're cookie-cutter, bulk packed, frozen hamburgers. Probably from Costco or Dearborn Snausage. I haven't been there in a few years now, but last time I went with a friend, "who'd heard so much about it", 2 burgers, a basket of onion rings, and 2 bottled waters, ran $25 with tip. Ridiculous for that quality of food. No plates, no eating utensils, they set your order in front of you on a piece of paper. The place does have a unique atmosphere.

The burgers are NOT bulk frozen. Ground fresh onsite daily and cooked to perfection on an aged well seasoned flat top. BTW you need "eating utensils" to eat a friggin hamburger and fries???

**Honky Tonk** · October-06-21, 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by Trumpeteer

The burgers are NOT bulk frozen. Ground fresh onsite daily and cooked to perfection on an aged well seasoned flat top. BTW you need "eating utensils" to eat a friggin hamburger and fries???

Some kind of plate instead of a piece of paper would be nice.

**softailrider** · October-06-21, 01:42 PM

I’ve never been to Miller’s but I am planning to try before it’s too late. I have found that bar hamburgers generally are priced anywhere from 10.00 to 14.00 dollars these days just about anywhere you go.

Actually I ate at TellWay today, but I had a fish sandwich. It was nothing to write home about, price was right though. Shoulda had a couple or 3 burgers.

**jcole** · October-06-21, 03:15 PM

Went to Miller's once; burger was good but not "golly gee-whiz I've never had a better burger"good. Service was rushed and not friendly at all. I don't mind a burger and fries in a basket but served on a sheet of paper? Meh. At least put my fries IN something. Never went back and haven't missed it.

**swingline** · October-06-21, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by Smirnoff

At the $4-million asking price. . . ...best of luck to whoever takes the risk.

That number implies a huge seven figure gross for the business even after you back out a big number for the real estate. Buyer should want some audited P&Ls. Not something usually available for a bar.

**jcole** · October-06-21, 07:32 PM

especially when the bar only does a cash business

**rickbak** · October-06-21, 08:48 PM

Miller's is in my neck of the woods. I've popped in every so often over the last 30+ years, so I guess it qualifies as my neighborhood bar. I agree, the burgers are tasty but probably over-rated. Held a few "editorial meetings" with editors and producers there over the years. In fact, now that I think back on it, that's the last time I saw Steve Wilke from Hour Detroit. Anyway, the casual service [[hey, who needs a plate?), honor system, and regular faces have always made it a comfortable space. As I understand it, the $4 million price tag includes adjacent building [[houses some kind of business) and second-story apartments [[think there's four) as well as liquor license. Don't know what that all adds up to for potential buyers. The bar's been around since Pearl Harbor was bombed, but who knows what the future holds. The west side of Dearborn continues to change.

**Zads07** · October-06-21, 09:18 PM

Originally Posted by Honky Tonk

A bit? They're cookie-cutter, bulk packed, frozen hamburgers. Probably from Costco or Dearborn Snausage. I haven't been there in a few years now, but last time I went with a friend, "who'd heard so much about it", 2 burgers, a basket of onion rings, and 2 bottled waters, ran $25 with tip. Ridiculous for that quality of food. No plates, no eating utensils, they set your order in front of you on a piece of paper. The place does have a unique atmosphere.

Wow, I mean you don't have to be rude about it.