I have very strong opinions about food. I have a sandwich ranking (and a bunch of other food rankings, but those aren’t important right now). My number-one sandwich in life is the muffuletta. The first one I tried was in New Orleans, so I might be spoiled for life. But there was something about the muffuletta’s pillowy, olive-dotted bread, layers of Italian meats and cheeses, and that brilliant olive spread that lodged itself in my soul. So, of course, when I learned that one of Michigan’s signature state foods is the olive burger, I knew I had to hunt down the very best.
I think I found it. The most delicious olive burger in Michigan is waiting for you at Choo Choo Grill in Grand Rapids. This little red diner is the last stop on the line for true olive burger fans. This is more than hype: It’s a cozy, decades-old red diner where the food feels personal, the jokes roll off the staff’s tongues, and nobody’s rushing you out before you finish licking your fingers.
Choo Choo Grill sits at 1209 Plainfield NE, right at the intersection of Plainfield and Leonard, staring down old train tracks like it’s daring you to come check it out. Family-owned for over 60 years, this little red building leans into its railroad roots with vintage décor, signage, and a homey, lived-in feel. You’ll find just a handful of seats (bar stools and two booths), and locals joking with the folks running the place like it’s your grandma’s kitchen… if your grandma made world-class burgers. In nicer weather, the nearby glow of traffic and the hum of the neighborhood feel like soundtrack accompaniment to your burger. This is not a sterile chain. The Creston neighborhood sits nearby, with a friendly small-town vibe inside the city. If you’re looking for something to do after your meal, check out Craig’s Cruisers just up the road for some family fun, or head downtown to the Grand Rapids Art Museum or the Public Museum for a little culture to balance the calories.
Let’s talk burgers. On Choo Choo’s menu, you’ll see a range: third-pound, half-pound, and their magnum opus, The Legend, a one-pound deluxe cheeseburger. But olive burger lovers know what matters. The olive hamburger at Choo Choo Grill sneaks briny, finely chopped olives into the mix, weaving a slightly savory, salty tang right into the beef. It’s a flavor twist that surprises but feels utterly right… like a muffuletta’s olive spread got reincarnated in burger form. Many first-time visitors order The Legend simply for the spectacle and bragging rights, but olive burger devotees often return for the simpler olive hamburger (or olive cheeseburger, if you dare) again and again.
Don’t miss the sides and shakes either. Their steak fries and onion rings carry the same promise: fresh, not frozen, lightly crisped, with just enough crunch to contrast the juicy burger. The chocolate peanut butter malt deserves its own paragraph. Creamy, rich, with tiny peanut flecks stirred into chocolate ice cream and milk, it’s the kind of shake that makes you pause mid-sip, close your eyes, and ponder existence… or at least your next bite of burger. Staff pour it with flair, and the old-fashioned malt machine hums and whirs like it has a personality of its own.
Choo Choo isn’t just about lunch. Breakfast runs until 11:00 a.m., with names like the Fireman (three eggs, American fries, bacon, sausage, ham, and toast), the Rail Kill Sandwich (English muffin, eggs, sausage, cheddar, and Choo Choo sauce), the Brakeman, the Conductor’s Omelet, and the Red Caboose. Classic diner energy radiates through those plates. Ask around, and you’ll hear the same story: Families have been coming here for decades, passing the ritual down like a well-kept recipe. The cook still mans the grill with the focus of a conductor, regulars call out trivia between bites, and the whole place runs on laughter and the smell of burgers in the air.
I won’t kid you, y’all, this isn’t fine dining. You might wait a few minutes for a counter seat (the place runs on its own schedule), but that’s part of the charm. You lean in, catch the hum of conversation, the scent of sizzling patties, the clink of a milkshake tin, and suddenly you’re part of the rhythm. People don’t come here for polish; they come because flavor, history, and good company all share the same track.
So here’s your invitation: bring your appetite and your sense of adventure. Visit Michigan, stop in Grand Rapids, swing by Choo Choo Grill, order the olive hamburger (or The Legend if you’re feeling bold), grab a chocolate peanut butter malt, and let your taste buds be your guide. If I ever get back to New Orleans, I’ll still compare muffulettas… but I’ll bet this olive burger will nestle into my sandwich hall of fame too…