News Summary
The Black Napkin in Grand Rapids has been awarded the title of champion in the inaugural Great Lakes Burger Battle. This competition showcased the best burger joints across Michigan, with The Black Napkin’s offerings receiving high marks for taste and quality. The restaurant, known for its gourmet burgers and unique menu items, has garnered significant local support and aims to join Michigan’s Top 10 Burger Legends. Since opening in 2022, The Black Napkin has rapidly become a beloved dining destination.
Grand Rapids – The Black Napkin, located at 966 Fulton St. E, has made headlines after being crowned the champion in the inaugural Great Lakes Burger Battle. This competition, organized by the Michigan Beef Industry Commission, gained significant attention as it sought to highlight the best burger spots across the state, with nominees submitted by local residents. The victory positions The Black Napkin as a contender for Michigan’s prestigious list of 2025 Top 10 Burger Legends.
In this statewide competition, The Black Napkin’s burger was evaluated by a panel of secret judges based on taste, appearance, cooking temperature, and overall experience. The establishment has also distinguished itself by being a finalist in the Best Burger category of the annual Best of Grand Rapids survey by Grand Rapids Magazine. This accolade solidifies its status as one of the city’s top new dining destinations as recognized in 2023.
The Black Napkin specializes in elevated fast food offerings, including smash burgers, homemade sodas, and battered fries. The restaurant first opened in 2022, initially intending to sell popsicles. However, recognizing the demand for gourmet burgers in the area, owners Korin Hollinshead and Jason Richardson pivoted their menu to incorporate hot food items, which has proven popular among customers. On particularly busy days, the establishment has recorded sales of up to 850 burger patties in just one day, demonstrating a thriving customer base.
The restaurant’s menu features innovative burger options, such as the Le College Dropout, priced at $12 for a single. This unique burger incorporates premium ingredients like grand cru cheese and peppercorn tomato jam, contributing to the restaurant’s reputation for high-quality food. Additionally, the menu includes hot chicken sandwiches, seasoned fries with customizable toppings, and distinctive homemade sodas with flavors like pistachio orange blossom and ruby red Fresca, crafted from natural ingredients.
The Black Napkin operates from Wednesday to Saturday, from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., currently only accepting walk-in orders with no online ordering available. Despite its focus on hot food, the establishment continues to serve its original popsicle line at a price of $4 each, attracting those with a taste for sweet treats.
The restaurant attributes much of its success to strong word-of-mouth support and a friendly atmosphere that encourages community engagement. Customers frequently express their enthusiasm for the food, often willing to queue for a chance to enjoy the popular dishes. Lindsay Green, the Director of Marketing Communications for the Michigan Beef Industry Commission, noted that competitions like the Great Lakes Burger Battle not only showcase local restaurants like The Black Napkin but also celebrate the efforts of beef producers in Michigan.
As The Black Napkin continues to cultivate a growing following and further establish its presence in the Grand Rapids dining scene, its recent accolades and community support reflect an ongoing commitment to quality and innovation in the world of burgers.
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Additional Resources
- Grand Rapids Magazine: Black Napkin Competition
- MLive: Decadent Smash Burgers
- Wood Radio: Best Burger in Michigan
- Grand Rapids Magazine: Best New Spots
- MLive: Cheap Eats at Black Napkin
- Wikipedia: Burger
- Google Search: Best Restaurants in Grand Rapids
- Google Scholar: Fast Food Trends
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Smash Burger
- Google News: Grand Rapids Restaurant News
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
