Dexter's Grill — Restaurant in Southgate

I've had Dexter's on my list of places to try for some time. My wife and I don't necessarily seek out burger joints, but the consistent praise we've heard and read for Dexter's led to a visit.

First, the location and atmosphere are both unassuming, homey and comfortable. As soon as you walk through the door, you're pleasantly greeted and informed of the ordering process (order at counter, food brought to table). A very nice touch.

We each ordered a combo. I got Shauny's Mushroom and Swiss, and she got Steve's Spicy Burger. Just a few minutes later, giant burgers and plentiful fries were brought to our table in convenient carryout containers. The fries were nicely seasoned and piping hot. The burgers were perfectly cooked, had a nice sear, and there was no skimping on the toppings. I included a classic "bite" pic of one of the burgers to show how substantial their burgers are. Neither of us came close to finishing the entire combo, and it's interesting to consider that the price of a Dexter's combo competes with the price of a fast food combo. The main differences are that Dexter's is made to order from real food ingredients, there's a nice variety to choose from, and the quantity of food is probably 2 to 3 times that of the standard fast food combo. If you haven't been there, give it a shot. It would be hard to find more value in a burger combo anywhere. Next up, we're going to have to try one of the...

I chose this restaurant based on the number of stars and its location right off the highway, and my family and I are so happy we ate here. We absolutely love the people and the food.

The stand-alone building is in an old, kind-of-rundown gas station (non-operational). The inside totally makes up for the outside though. Note: Love the business sign.

First, it’s the warmth of the people inside. Everyone was super-friendly, and we could feel the sincerity. They were helpful in our ordering at the counter and in the service to the table.

Second, the food is very delicious. All of their items are named after people. We had Baby Jay’s double bacon burger, Steve’s spicy double burger, fried cod and wings (8 or so different flavors to choose from). Patties are big so be prepared to eat. It had good flavor and was non-greasy. The fried codfish (2 pieces) was tender and the batter light. It was also not greasy. I wish I had two other pieces of fish (so tempted to order more). The fries in our combo were crispy, and yes, non-greasy. Wings were nicely fried. The three flavors we had were garlic Parmesan, spicy jerk and lime pepper. The latter two were our favorites. The total for essentially 4 items, fries and drinks was $47 (tax included).

Everything was clean including the bathrooms.

All-in-all, a gem because of the heart of the people and the quality...

Tried the Baby Jay’s Bacon Cheeseburger. Overall, it was okay. The burger patty was a bit dry for my taste. It seemed like an 85/15 beef mix, which just didn’t hit quite right. Unlike some other reviews I’ve read, I actually found the patty under-seasoned. Not terrible, just kind of bland.

The bacon was spot-on. Two slices, cooked well, and just enough to add flavor without overpowering the burger. Fries were a mixed bag. Some were perfectly crispy on the outside and soft inside, while others were undercooked but still edible.

Some other reviews mention wilted lettuce. Honestly, it’s tough to get a fresh-off-the-grill burger to the table, still hot, without a little wilt. What I had was minimal and well within the bounds of acceptable. If you’re expecting a cold patty on crisp lettuce, you can do that at home.

There’s a lot of promise here. While it’s not going to replace my go-to burger spot, I’d consider giving it another shot down the road.

Service was excellent. Clear, friendly, and efficient. No complaints there. The atmosphere is fine. Nothing particularly memorable, but nothing off-putting either. Overall, not a bad experience, just...