Masons Bar and Grill
13490 Farmington Rd, Livonia, MI, 48150
Masons Bar and Grill Menu
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Address :
13490 Farmington Rd
Livonia, MI, 48150 - Phone (734) 427-0650
- Website https://masonsbarandgrill.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :9:00 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner, Late Night
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Divey
Noise Level : Average
Music : Juke Box
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Drive-Thru : No
Caters : No
Categories
Burgers
Burger or Hamburger is savored as the most desired fast food meal in the United States. A hamburger is basically a sandwich prepared by stuffing ground meat patty, generally beef, between two slices of a bun cut in half. Hamburger is also famous for its seasoning. Most popular condiments used in hamburgers in the United States are mustard, mayonnaise, and ketchup. Besides ground meat patty, hamburgers are also stuffed with lettuce, onions, tomato slices, pickles, and cheese.
Hamburgers are also categorized into two types in the United States. Fast food hamburger and individual hamburgers served at restaurants are two basic types of burgers served in the United States. The individual hamburgers served at restaurants are prepared using everything including lettuce, onion, tomato, and sliced pickles as well as melted cheese on the patty or crumbled on top. American restaurants also serve veggie burgers for those who don't relish meat. Cheeseburgers are also hot favorite in the United States.
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Jerome O.
Let's be honest here. Mason's is a bar, plain and simple. It's no bistro, tavern, or tapas cafe. It's....a bar. And in that, they do well with that concept. Find one thing to be good at and try to be really good at it. Mason's doesn't go out of its way to climb to the top of the chain, and in fact, manages to not get in its own way in that aspect. Good range on the menu of commonly found bar foods -- sandwiches, burgers, and fried appetizers. Midrange beers, wines, and liquors, of course. But the one great thing? You can actually hold a conversation. Too many dive bars try too hard to be a nightclub, figuring that the louder the music, the more dancing there will be, and the more dancing must translate to more liquor sales. But really, we're talking about a middle-class Farmington/Livonia neighborhood here. How much booty-shakin' is there going to be to the lilting sounds of Journey, Van Halen, or Dropkick Murphys from the do-it-yourself digital jukebox? That the volume is enough to hear the music but low enough to enable conversation is a blessing in comparison. On the walls are, of course, the kitsch and collections of memorabilia...but most impressive to me was the framed pages of the World War II era Detroit Free Press front page. Reading about the war from a contemporary perspective, looking at the ads from the '40s, while sipping my Labatt from the mason jar was by itself an experience. Like going to Henry Ford Museum if the Ford Museum had a cash bar in the main exhibit halls! Living in Sterling Heights, I'm of course not going to go out of my way to go to Mason's. But if I happen to be in the area, I wouldn't mind stopping back in. No pretentiousness, no holier-than-thou attitude. It's just a good little bar in its own little corner of the world, doing what it does best: serving up liquor and food for an evening of drinking and talking.
(3)T H.
+BEST BURGERS on planet Earth!! - Wait staff is 60+yrs. old, so don't go there for the "talent" + Did I mention; BEST BURGER on planet Earth?!!
(4)Mic M.
It was my turn today at enjoying this place. The ambiance was cool, many things to look at as well as a bunch of old signs on the wall. Had the burger, it was a 1/3rd pounder for $4.90 and tasted greaTTT! I also thought the fries were good too. The other diner had the ham sandwich and onion rings...the rings were pretty tasty, although they were nearly 4 bucks which to me is high. So overall I would say their prices are a little on the high side (except the burger which was odd.) The burger was great, and the fries hot and crispy, but it was about 9 bucks with a tip. The clientele were a mix of business types to people in shorts just chillin out for a beer and a bite. I would recommend this to others, just know that you may pay a little more, but overall I think its worth it, and will return. bon appetit
(4)Val C.
All I can say is winner winner chicken dinner while wow were glad we found this place by far the best bar burger I've had in a very!!! long time the ambience is cool and divey like old bars from wyandotte or downtown Detroit A couple really loud guys but that's okay we had a new waitress but I didn't have to look up once and my drink kept Being refilled a definite stop if you want one the best burgers you've ever had
(5)Rick S.
Mason's is a neighborhood bar that's been a Livonia fixture for many years. I've been going there for longer than I care to admit! They have a friendly staff, cold beer, and solid food. The prices are reasonable. The wife and I drop by for a burger & fries every so often. The burgers are hand made, not previously frozen patties. They're good and the meat is fresh. I love crinkle cut fries...they have 'em! I'm still in search of the perfect burger joint, so they don't get 5 stars, but they're damn good and I hope to eat many more of them!..just not tonight, I'm full.
(4)Zbyszko J.
The food here is still excellent, but I don't come here nearly as often as I used to. The service has gotten horrendous over the past three or four years. There's a waitress who works evenings here who couldn't hear a dump truck driving through a nitro-glycerin plant. Sit at the bar or pay the price. Don't say I didn't warn you.
(2)Jenna A.
Tonight I went to Mason's for the first time and it did not disappoint. After drooling for months over other Yelp reviews, we finally went for their best known dish, the cheeseburgers! Mason's cheeseburgers are exactly what a bar cheeseburger should be; Moist, fresh, and perfectly prepared. Be sure to go here if you are craving a burger. I also got their onion rings, which were crisp and very tasty. There is an internet jukebox, which accepts credit cards FYI. There are also two arcade machines and all sorts of vintage, industrial signs to oogle. The waitstaff was super nice and efficient. Five stars all the way!
(5)Seth. C.
Just moved up here from southern ohio. Absolute killer burger and melt, cold beer and classic dive bar atmosphere. Just my kind of place only blocks from my house. Staff is always friendly and patrons are great as well. Will be back many many times!
(4)Evie B.
Shame shame shame on me!! I should know better than to order anything other than my cheeseburger! Why the hell I decided to go with the Buffalo Wings...uggggghhhh The minute I saw them go in the microwave, I knew I was doomed. I could have just bought a box for $3.99 at home and at least baked them nice and crispy...No where worth the $8.95 that I paid. They had the appearance of BWW, but appearance only. They were lukewarm and tasted like cheap wings from a box. :( The chili cheese fries were DELISH. They use shredded cheddar and LOTS of it, so those made up for the horrible wings. Huge portion and price totally appropriate : ) Son had the chicken tender/fries...good basic tenders/ delish crispy fries Hubs had the obvious choice, cheeseburger/fries and was the most satisfied at the table. He also ordered a side of mozz sticks. Do not bother to order. Again, these had a frozen, right out of the box flavor. Lesson learned; stick to the cheeseburger/fries. The service is great. I love the older ladies who are there during the day, but the young girl we get in the evening is always nice and attentive.
(3)Cybill R.
I went expecting burger greatness. I left with a stomach ache and a greasy coating in my mouth. I'm no stranger to the greasy dive burger, but this burger was nothing but greasy. Absolutely no seasoning on the patty. The grease soaked the bun immediately. I generally eat a burger with nothing but cheese so I can taste the patty flavor, but I had to load this one up with ketchup and mustard just to be able to eat it. I still gave up halfway through. I feel slightly sick and coated in grease. Big disappointment. The place itself is neat, a great place for drinks.
(2)Eric G.
What a great little dive this is.. if you are going here for anything other than a burger.. don't bother.. however... They get their beef from Eastern Market and are known for their burgers.. Great value, great food and great service.. Nice little burger dive
(4)Brian M.
Am I missing something here? I ordered the doubleshift burger which was the most tasteless and greasiest burger I think I've ever eaten. I most likely will not eat a burger here again. 2 stars for the friendly barkeeps.
(2)Stephanie E.
I must say this was one of my top 2 burgers ever!
(5)Mike B.
The Burgers are consistently the best! We live in Chicago but always stop in for a burger and fries whenever we are in town. We actually have cravings for them and my semi- vegetarian daughter even asks for one. I've been going here for over 30 years now and still look forward to that Burger every visit.
(5)Karrieann F.
One of the best burgers I've ever had. This is how it's done. I can't imagine anyone ordering anything other than a beer and burger. Well maybe an order of chili cheese fries if you have the room. Generous portions. Please do yourself and your taste buds a favor. The next time you're craving a true burger, a straight up real burger, be sure to try Masons. No need to complicate it like those build your own burger places.
(4)Kris A.
I've been to Mason's 3 times now and I'm just getting around to reviewing it. Lazy? No, I just don;t want the secret to get out! :-) If you're looking for an earthy place with tons of memorabalia & one of the best burgers in the area, you've come to the right place. Nothing fancy here, even the pop's come to the table in the can. What you can expect is pretty good service, and some darned good food! Ther double shift burger is 2/3 pounds of heaven on earth. Get it with cheese and load on as many other toppiings (especially the onions) from the tabletop condiment trays. The fires are great for chili & cheese, and the onion rings are exceptional. I haven;t had just the chili, but I've heard it's pretty good. Their home made soups are a big hit with my friends too. This is a great lunch or after work place to put on your "to-do" list!
(4)Nate H.
Just finished having a burger here at Masons. Average burger at best. The bacon was uncooked but the fried pickles were good. Not worth coming back. Much better burgers around metro Detroit.
(2)Paul A.
The best bar burger in town hands down. The other food they serve is pretty good too especially the onion rings. The service is good and friendly. Plus the beer is cold and at a good price.
(5)Blaise B.
Nice little bar in Livonia. Big menu, standard bar food; we had a fabulous waitress. Unfortunately our experience was ruined a little by two EXTREMELY loud men at the bar. I've been to a bar or two, and I am by no means sensitive to noise, but they were seriously shouting at the top of their lungs the entire time we were there. Seems like someone working there should have said something to them, since there were several other tables of people trying to eat and have their own conversations without having to strain to hear over the screaming.
(4)kevin k.
The misses and I having coming here for years,still love the burger, fries, just recently have started taking my father in- law to Masons, he has become a fan of there burgers also.
(5)Kim G.
The best burger I've ever had was here. It's a very divey bar (in a good way) where your drinks are served in mason jars and the walls are covered in old signs. The staff is great, very friendly. It's simple and nice.
(5)Sal P.
First off I must get this out of the way. I know the decor looks like it hasn't been updated in 30 years, but that is what gives it a charm. For a bar Burger there is no place better. You're best value for money is the 3 sliders with grilled onions for $5 and change. Absolutely delicious and comes with all the pickles YOU CAN EAT!!!! This is normally the company I work for go to restaurant when we go out. The place is close, the food is good, the service is prompt (not very friendly but they get the orders right so mehhh!?!). We stopped in the other day and I had the usual plus an order of onion rings. Probably not the most health conscious decision, but who cares about that. This is Yelp and we are talking about food, not calories. The walls are literally plastered with old Detroit signs and symbols from the past of our once great city. I hope they don't ever change a thing. It feels like I'm walking into a street museum of my city in it's glory day's. I always spot something new and witty on the walls and I guess it just feels like home during the good old days when Detroit was an industrial power house and not the bad reputation it gets these days. I LOVE IT!!! I have to give this 4/5* because the servers there look as if they have been working there just about as long as the place started pouring it's first draft. They seem a bit burnt out and aren't very friendly. I'm always a good tipper and they know they are going to get a good one from our group of ~10. So I guess I just don't understand why they can't smile every once in awhile or offer me a refill on my drink? I'm nit picking at things that really don't matter because at the end of the day the food hits the table fast, hot, tasty, and you leave happy. I guess if you took out that older staff component than maybe things would be updated and I surely don't want that too happen. If you're in the mood for a cold one or a juicy burger and Bates is too far down the road, stop in. Even if you just want to kick back and watch the Tiger's get themselves beaten up on while traffic thins out. Just give it a try. +Good value for money +great atmosphere -cold service :)
(4)Ellie K.
Yes those burgers truly are nothing but ground meat! I was in for a rather rarely done meat protein fix - doctors insist vegetarians need meat so I try to placate the info with maybe a thrice yearly fix. (Yes, that barely registers to be of any value whatsoever.) Clearly there is a difference in the meat. But maybe a little something else might help, but these are meaty. I had the 3 mini burgers and 2 proved enough for a meal. Didn't find the crinkle fries any good as previous reviewers said. Aren't crinkle fries a sure sign they were frozen? So the meat should be fresh, but the fries frozen? Here is the biggest downfall for me - this is Bud and Miller country! No decent beer available. Let me hit Michno's on Friday for lake perch and a nice micro brew.
(3)Bob U.
The grill they cook on us absolutely disgustingly dirty. How can anyone eat the food.
(1)Tamara Y.
VERY GOOD bar burgers and fries. I deduct one star because, more often than not, my burger is over cooked. I always order it "medium," and tend it get it "well done." Even so, it's tasty. I also like that the condiments come on a large tray, meaning that I can put pickles and onions on my burger to my heart's content.
(4)Tom F.
Is this the BEST bar burger in the Detroit area? I have been here a few times in the past few months as I am finding my way in this area again for work. My friend needed a beer as he was stuck in the I-96 traffic detours. He had never been here so what better place. I haven't reviewed this place since 2009 so time for my update. The great thing is so many things have changed in the last five years, but not Mason's. Since we stopped for a beer I had to have a cheeseburger and fries to go with my tall domestic. I must say I have to agree with my original review. This is THE best bar burger in the area! Nothing has changed. Change is good, but not here. My friend ordered one also after all the mmmmm noise I was making. He actually agreed with me that this is real good. Prices reasonable. (Less than $10 with tip). Must stop again...and again....and again....
(5)Jewells N.
This is super local bar at Farmington and 96 - so if you are trapped in traffic.... You walk in and you know this place - local bar,, cold taps, grill. Same one you went to when you were a kid with your dad or grandpa - Has not changed in 40+ year: a great thing. The burger is perfect - nice sesame bun, good char on the fresh ground eastern market burger, nice big slice of cheese if you want it. Comes a la carte - so order the side you want or none at all
(4)Liz R.
We tried Mason's about 7 years ago, when we first moved to the area, then never went back. We didn't have the burger then, so cut us some slack. Anywho, present day, I'm trolling through Yelp reviews (don't worry, I'm only semi-stalking you...) and this popped up. I was really craving a made-by-an-actual-person hamburger, so off we went. First off, the insides of this place are 100% local bar. And its dark. Like 'I had to turn my menu toward the TV to see it' dark. $4.90 for a burger, and the deep-fried side is extra? Seemed pricier than I remembered! But ooooh, it was sooooo good. We got the last order of mini tacos because they ran out of sour cream (I tried not to dwell on that last dusty tub of sour cream in the way back of the fridge). I ordered a single with american cheese and onion rings with ranch. Ken copied and got a burger, but with cheddar, and then ate half my rings (big enough order to share, and we got the smaller size). I actually tasted...beef! We washed it all down with a pitcher of Mich Amber Bock.
(4)Eric G.
I read the reviews on Yelp and was ready for an amazing burger experience. What I received was a burger so greasy that it soaked the bottom bun and left a massive pool on the bottom of the plate. The worst is when the burger has no seasoning on top of being soggy. Maybe I'm getting old, but the amount of grease made me feel ill for the rest of the day.
(2)Maureen M.
I've read these reviews and I've driven past this place many times. I actually never realized it was Mason's until last night. My friends wanted to meet up for a drink, and I recommended stopping here. Afterall, they initially wanted to go to Kickers, which I am not a fan of. There is no doubt this place is a dive and it's dingy. It's a good thing there's no more smoking, otherwise I imagine it would've been nearly impossible to see. This place reminds me of the bar I used to work at except it was pretty dead as far as business goes. It appeared that 3 of their beer taps were out, which isn't a good sign. The decor is really interesting and can keep you busy if you're sitting there alone. My favorite sign so far is "No Hunting, Prison Area" or something like that. ha ha Service was friendly and prompt. My friend was very happy to sip on some Old Crow whiskey. Afterwards, he had a beer on tap, which was served in a mason jar...very cute! I like that. I also like that they serve decent sized shots. No sissy shots here, although the bartender didn't know how to make a Cement Mixer. It's not a common shot, I know, but it's easy. There isn't a lot of top shelf liquor here, but you do have some options. I didn't see any Leroux (Polish Blackberry Brandy) when they have a few Polish eagles hanging prominently above the bar. They only had the crappy bottle of blackberry brandy. I'm very curious about these burgers and they will definitely bring me back here. I checked out the grill, which is very similar to what I used to cook on at the bar I worked at. This is one, old and well used grill, that's for sure! I liked that the bartender thanked us for coming in and wished us a good night as we left. It's a simple gesture, but not one I expect.
(3)Marlena P.
Best burgers!!! A great dive bar with AMAZING burgers and beer on tap. My new favorite bar in Detroit for sure.
(5)Anna S.
My husband and I stopped in after spending an evening on the "west side" shopping and I used the yelp app on my phone to find a new place to eat. We decided on Mason's for a good, cheap burger. The atmosphere: Dimly lit bar, lots of "crazy crap" on the walls and just some tables and booths along the wall. A few large screen TVs. Dive bar for sure. The food: I can't really say anything great about the burger, but I also can't say anything bad about it. I found the beef itself to be really flavorful and juicy, but it didn't "wow" me. The pickles and onions come in a little tray with napkins and condiments after you order. I was a little surprised that the burger didn't come with lettuce or tomato, you had to ask for it. But either way, the naked burger with cheese was really flavorful. My husband got the burger with grilled onions, and he seemed "unimpressed." I will say that a hand-pattied burger, grilled fresh for around $4.50 in a dive bar is a good find. The service was adequate. Our server promptly told us she was new, but was really mostly attentive and friendly. The best part of the evening, however, was the small group at a table in front of us. They were openly discussing the fact that one's daughter was home from jail. Apparently she was caught on the way to purchase, or steal, 75 lbs of marijuana. Also something else about an armed robbery charge under her belt. Dinner AND a show!
(3)Sharina J.
Best burgers ever! It's a bar so I wouldn't suggest bringing kids. The staff are very nice and remember you.
(5)Liz W.
My sincerest apologies to the vegetarians, vegans and health fanatics of the world (my dietician in particular) , but I am a hamburger fan. I must confess that now. I like double burgers in particular especially hand formed patties cooked so that they are still juicy. Fries I can live without but man do I live for a burger. Heck I can even do without the bun if need be. Mason's is legendary. A dark and smoky bar with all junk local as decor (license plates, old street signs and the like). It really is not what I would call a homey atmosphere unless you grew up at a truck stop. This is definitely not a place to bring anyone who needs impressing, unless like me all they need to impress them is great burgers. The only things I have ever eaten in Mason's are burgers and sides of fries or O rings. I see other food in there and even hear tales of it being good, but I will always get a burger. Period. Once you taste one you will be hooked too. The best burger here is the Double Shift, two third of a pound patties with your melted choice of cheese- Swiss, Cheddar, American or Mozzarella for 5.65. It is served on an onion roll or plain bun with lettuce, tomato and mayo. You also get a dill pickle with it. You can add bacon or olives for extra but you really don't need them. Any other condiments you might need are in a little metal container they bring to you to doctor up your burger just as you like it. The burger itself is just perfect, too big of course but isn't that the beauty of it? The fries are extra and are your typical ridged affairs, hot and fresh but not the main attraction at any rate, single order is 1.95 or get the red basket for 3.95 and share with a friend or three for cheap. The O Rings are 2.75 and nice enough. This is not a heath food place, other items include fried fish on a plate or a bun, kielbasa, hot dogs, coneys, BLTs, sloppy joes, beefy chili, fried chicken bites and strips. You name unhealthy food and here it is. Their low cal option is chicken or tuna salad in a pita, somehow I am guessing they don't use non fat mayo though. This is no issue for me as I expect to eat unhealthy in a bar but I am giving you fair warning, there is no healthy option here and really did you expect there to be? If you are a petite eater they do have single burger option which my mother says is quite delicious but I just can't resist the double and I am not embarrassed about that a bit. I just eat better the rest of the week. Go on and try Mason's, splurge on the calories. In the Entertainment book there is a coupon for buy one get one free, so it will not be a splurge on the wallet at any rate.
(5)David P.
On just about every "Best Burger In Detroit" list... Yep. It's definately in that league... Not to mention Miller High Life snd Blue Light on tap.... Still think Miller's (Dearborn) has a better burger, but Mason's as better Onion Rings.
(4)Gus M.
I have been here a few times to grab a burger and have not been disappointed yet. The waitress is nice and it really has a Detroit/Michigan feel inside. The walls are all covered with fun and crazy signs. The main reason I come here is for their burgers. I must say locally they have a reputation for a great burger. Masons is a great place if your looking to grab a burger and a beer. The service was friendly but could have been a little bit quicker considering it's just a burger. I ordered a single burger with pepper jack cheese, bacon, grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, and mayo. Mmmmm is was really good and cooked perfectly. I did not like the men's bathroom, I do understand that this place is a dive but they didn't even have paper towels to dry your hands. They had that old school cloth thing that you spin to try and find a dry spot, i hate that thing. It's not worth a long drive or anything, but if your in the area they do have a good burger.
(3)John S.
I've lived in the area for a long time, but never eaten at Mason's. After reading so many rave reviews here and noticing the awards Mason's has received, I was looking forward to picking up some great bar burgers to take home for dinner. We were quite disappointed and surprised. The burgers were bland and tasteless. Big and juicy for sure, but no character. I guess it could be dependent upon the cook, but I hesitate to try them again.
(1)Chris L.
I've avoided burgers for awhile for no particular reason. I was overdue and really looking forward to sinking my teeth into any old burger but the idea of checking Masons off the list seemed an even better idea. Don't know if I caught the place at too weird a time (2-3pm) but I was kinda underwhelmed. I have eaten so many shitty burgers at truck stops and other purveyors of biomass a la Americana I'm really not that hard to satisfy when it comes to a burger. But while certainly not crappy it wasn't really notable either. If I had not had the yelp-o-verse preconception knocking around my head I would have just eaten the burgers while talking to my friend without paying any real attention to what I had eaten and would have been troubled to recount the experience the next day it was that so-so for me. Burger just wasn't that juicy to me and was a little on the cold side. Didn't taste mega-lo mart frozen patty bad but not fresh patty off the grill good either. The onion rings weren't soggy pieces of shit, which these days can't be underestimated as an accomplishment, but didn't wow me either. Also $20 bucks for two cheeseburgers and two orders of onion rings that were only OK at a dive bar didn't really leave me wearing my happy good value pants either. *edit 9/12/10 I forgot to mention the mason jar thing. They serve beer in them. I get that it's homey and even I like the visual of it. But drinking out of jars with the threads on the side ergonomically sucks and is more annoying than it is cute in the end.
(3)George C.
This is the best burger around beats Red Coat Tavern and Side Track hands down and it is not as expensive as those places either. If you want the best burger this is the place!
(5)Jim M.
I love this place. Great Burgers, Keno, and Conversation with regulars. You can't beat it!
(5)Rebecca S.
One word: Hamburgers. Four words would be "decent bottled beer selection." But if you just need one, then "hamburgers" should do it. Friendly servers wait on loyal locals who've been coming to Mason's for years for their juicy 1/3 lbs. patties. I haven't had their fries, but the onion rings were crispy greatness with minimal grease. Throw in the TV screens, including a big-screen, tuned to sports, and you've got a great place to hang out with friends.
(4)Jerome O.
Let's be honest here. Mason's is a bar, plain and simple. It's no bistro, tavern, or tapas cafe. It's....a bar. And in that, they do well with that concept. Find one thing to be good at and try to be really good at it. Mason's doesn't go out of its way to climb to the top of the chain, and in fact, manages to not get in its own way in that aspect. Good range on the menu of commonly found bar foods -- sandwiches, burgers, and fried appetizers. Midrange beers, wines, and liquors, of course. But the one great thing? You can actually hold a conversation. Too many dive bars try too hard to be a nightclub, figuring that the louder the music, the more dancing there will be, and the more dancing must translate to more liquor sales. But really, we're talking about a middle-class Farmington/Livonia neighborhood here. How much booty-shakin' is there going to be to the lilting sounds of Journey, Van Halen, or Dropkick Murphys from the do-it-yourself digital jukebox? That the volume is enough to hear the music but low enough to enable conversation is a blessing in comparison. On the walls are, of course, the kitsch and collections of memorabilia...but most impressive to me was the framed pages of the World War II era Detroit Free Press front page. Reading about the war from a contemporary perspective, looking at the ads from the '40s, while sipping my Labatt from the mason jar was by itself an experience. Like going to Henry Ford Museum if the Ford Museum had a cash bar in the main exhibit halls! Living in Sterling Heights, I'm of course not going to go out of my way to go to Mason's. But if I happen to be in the area, I wouldn't mind stopping back in. No pretentiousness, no holier-than-thou attitude. It's just a good little bar in its own little corner of the world, doing what it does best: serving up liquor and food for an evening of drinking and talking.
(3)T H.
+BEST BURGERS on planet Earth!! - Wait staff is 60+yrs. old, so don't go there for the "talent" + Did I mention; BEST BURGER on planet Earth?!!
(4)Gus M.
I have been here a few times to grab a burger and have not been disappointed yet. The waitress is nice and it really has a Detroit/Michigan feel inside. The walls are all covered with fun and crazy signs. The main reason I come here is for their burgers. I must say locally they have a reputation for a great burger. Masons is a great place if your looking to grab a burger and a beer. The service was friendly but could have been a little bit quicker considering it's just a burger. I ordered a single burger with pepper jack cheese, bacon, grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, and mayo. Mmmmm is was really good and cooked perfectly. I did not like the men's bathroom, I do understand that this place is a dive but they didn't even have paper towels to dry your hands. They had that old school cloth thing that you spin to try and find a dry spot, i hate that thing. It's not worth a long drive or anything, but if your in the area they do have a good burger.
(3)Mic M.
It was my turn today at enjoying this place. The ambiance was cool, many things to look at as well as a bunch of old signs on the wall. Had the burger, it was a 1/3rd pounder for $4.90 and tasted greaTTT! I also thought the fries were good too. The other diner had the ham sandwich and onion rings...the rings were pretty tasty, although they were nearly 4 bucks which to me is high. So overall I would say their prices are a little on the high side (except the burger which was odd.) The burger was great, and the fries hot and crispy, but it was about 9 bucks with a tip. The clientele were a mix of business types to people in shorts just chillin out for a beer and a bite. I would recommend this to others, just know that you may pay a little more, but overall I think its worth it, and will return. bon appetit
(4)Val C.
All I can say is winner winner chicken dinner while wow were glad we found this place by far the best bar burger I've had in a very!!! long time the ambience is cool and divey like old bars from wyandotte or downtown Detroit A couple really loud guys but that's okay we had a new waitress but I didn't have to look up once and my drink kept Being refilled a definite stop if you want one the best burgers you've ever had
(5)Edwina P.
On our eternal quest to find the best burger in metro Detroit we found ourselves in Livonia. Checked out Mason's. Burger was respectable. Not too thick...no fancy toppings. French fries were hot. Crinkle cut in case it matters to you. Not my favorites, but they were good. If you are looking for an authentic bar burger experience I would def recommend it. But not the best burger in Detroit. The search continues...
(4)Chad A.
One of the best burgers around. Very friendly staff. You wont be disappointed.
(5)Chris L.
I've avoided burgers for awhile for no particular reason. I was overdue and really looking forward to sinking my teeth into any old burger but the idea of checking Masons off the list seemed an even better idea. Don't know if I caught the place at too weird a time (2-3pm) but I was kinda underwhelmed. I have eaten so many shitty burgers at truck stops and other purveyors of biomass a la Americana I'm really not that hard to satisfy when it comes to a burger. But while certainly not crappy it wasn't really notable either. If I had not had the yelp-o-verse preconception knocking around my head I would have just eaten the burgers while talking to my friend without paying any real attention to what I had eaten and would have been troubled to recount the experience the next day it was that so-so for me. Burger just wasn't that juicy to me and was a little on the cold side. Didn't taste mega-lo mart frozen patty bad but not fresh patty off the grill good either. The onion rings weren't soggy pieces of shit, which these days can't be underestimated as an accomplishment, but didn't wow me either. Also $20 bucks for two cheeseburgers and two orders of onion rings that were only OK at a dive bar didn't really leave me wearing my happy good value pants either. *edit 9/12/10 I forgot to mention the mason jar thing. They serve beer in them. I get that it's homey and even I like the visual of it. But drinking out of jars with the threads on the side ergonomically sucks and is more annoying than it is cute in the end.
(3)George C.
This is the best burger around beats Red Coat Tavern and Side Track hands down and it is not as expensive as those places either. If you want the best burger this is the place!
(5)Jim M.
I love this place. Great Burgers, Keno, and Conversation with regulars. You can't beat it!
(5)Rebecca S.
One word: Hamburgers. Four words would be "decent bottled beer selection." But if you just need one, then "hamburgers" should do it. Friendly servers wait on loyal locals who've been coming to Mason's for years for their juicy 1/3 lbs. patties. I haven't had their fries, but the onion rings were crispy greatness with minimal grease. Throw in the TV screens, including a big-screen, tuned to sports, and you've got a great place to hang out with friends.
(4)Sal P.
First off I must get this out of the way. I know the decor looks like it hasn't been updated in 30 years, but that is what gives it a charm. For a bar Burger there is no place better. You're best value for money is the 3 sliders with grilled onions for $5 and change. Absolutely delicious and comes with all the pickles YOU CAN EAT!!!! This is normally the company I work for go to restaurant when we go out. The place is close, the food is good, the service is prompt (not very friendly but they get the orders right so mehhh!?!). We stopped in the other day and I had the usual plus an order of onion rings. Probably not the most health conscious decision, but who cares about that. This is Yelp and we are talking about food, not calories. The walls are literally plastered with old Detroit signs and symbols from the past of our once great city. I hope they don't ever change a thing. It feels like I'm walking into a street museum of my city in it's glory day's. I always spot something new and witty on the walls and I guess it just feels like home during the good old days when Detroit was an industrial power house and not the bad reputation it gets these days. I LOVE IT!!! I have to give this 4/5* because the servers there look as if they have been working there just about as long as the place started pouring it's first draft. They seem a bit burnt out and aren't very friendly. I'm always a good tipper and they know they are going to get a good one from our group of ~10. So I guess I just don't understand why they can't smile every once in awhile or offer me a refill on my drink? I'm nit picking at things that really don't matter because at the end of the day the food hits the table fast, hot, tasty, and you leave happy. I guess if you took out that older staff component than maybe things would be updated and I surely don't want that too happen. If you're in the mood for a cold one or a juicy burger and Bates is too far down the road, stop in. Even if you just want to kick back and watch the Tiger's get themselves beaten up on while traffic thins out. Just give it a try. +Good value for money +great atmosphere -cold service :)
(4)Ellie K.
Yes those burgers truly are nothing but ground meat! I was in for a rather rarely done meat protein fix - doctors insist vegetarians need meat so I try to placate the info with maybe a thrice yearly fix. (Yes, that barely registers to be of any value whatsoever.) Clearly there is a difference in the meat. But maybe a little something else might help, but these are meaty. I had the 3 mini burgers and 2 proved enough for a meal. Didn't find the crinkle fries any good as previous reviewers said. Aren't crinkle fries a sure sign they were frozen? So the meat should be fresh, but the fries frozen? Here is the biggest downfall for me - this is Bud and Miller country! No decent beer available. Let me hit Michno's on Friday for lake perch and a nice micro brew.
(3)Bob U.
The grill they cook on us absolutely disgustingly dirty. How can anyone eat the food.
(1)Tamara Y.
VERY GOOD bar burgers and fries. I deduct one star because, more often than not, my burger is over cooked. I always order it "medium," and tend it get it "well done." Even so, it's tasty. I also like that the condiments come on a large tray, meaning that I can put pickles and onions on my burger to my heart's content.
(4)Nate H.
Just finished having a burger here at Masons. Average burger at best. The bacon was uncooked but the fried pickles were good. Not worth coming back. Much better burgers around metro Detroit.
(2)Paul A.
The best bar burger in town hands down. The other food they serve is pretty good too especially the onion rings. The service is good and friendly. Plus the beer is cold and at a good price.
(5)Blaise B.
Nice little bar in Livonia. Big menu, standard bar food; we had a fabulous waitress. Unfortunately our experience was ruined a little by two EXTREMELY loud men at the bar. I've been to a bar or two, and I am by no means sensitive to noise, but they were seriously shouting at the top of their lungs the entire time we were there. Seems like someone working there should have said something to them, since there were several other tables of people trying to eat and have their own conversations without having to strain to hear over the screaming.
(4)kevin k.
The misses and I having coming here for years,still love the burger, fries, just recently have started taking my father in- law to Masons, he has become a fan of there burgers also.
(5)Kim G.
The best burger I've ever had was here. It's a very divey bar (in a good way) where your drinks are served in mason jars and the walls are covered in old signs. The staff is great, very friendly. It's simple and nice.
(5)Tom F.
Is this the BEST bar burger in the Detroit area? I have been here a few times in the past few months as I am finding my way in this area again for work. My friend needed a beer as he was stuck in the I-96 traffic detours. He had never been here so what better place. I haven't reviewed this place since 2009 so time for my update. The great thing is so many things have changed in the last five years, but not Mason's. Since we stopped for a beer I had to have a cheeseburger and fries to go with my tall domestic. I must say I have to agree with my original review. This is THE best bar burger in the area! Nothing has changed. Change is good, but not here. My friend ordered one also after all the mmmmm noise I was making. He actually agreed with me that this is real good. Prices reasonable. (Less than $10 with tip). Must stop again...and again....and again....
(5)Jewells N.
This is super local bar at Farmington and 96 - so if you are trapped in traffic.... You walk in and you know this place - local bar,, cold taps, grill. Same one you went to when you were a kid with your dad or grandpa - Has not changed in 40+ year: a great thing. The burger is perfect - nice sesame bun, good char on the fresh ground eastern market burger, nice big slice of cheese if you want it. Comes a la carte - so order the side you want or none at all
(4)Rick S.
Mason's is a neighborhood bar that's been a Livonia fixture for many years. I've been going there for longer than I care to admit! They have a friendly staff, cold beer, and solid food. The prices are reasonable. The wife and I drop by for a burger & fries every so often. The burgers are hand made, not previously frozen patties. They're good and the meat is fresh. I love crinkle cut fries...they have 'em! I'm still in search of the perfect burger joint, so they don't get 5 stars, but they're damn good and I hope to eat many more of them!..just not tonight, I'm full.
(4)Zbyszko J.
The food here is still excellent, but I don't come here nearly as often as I used to. The service has gotten horrendous over the past three or four years. There's a waitress who works evenings here who couldn't hear a dump truck driving through a nitro-glycerin plant. Sit at the bar or pay the price. Don't say I didn't warn you.
(2)Jenna A.
Tonight I went to Mason's for the first time and it did not disappoint. After drooling for months over other Yelp reviews, we finally went for their best known dish, the cheeseburgers! Mason's cheeseburgers are exactly what a bar cheeseburger should be; Moist, fresh, and perfectly prepared. Be sure to go here if you are craving a burger. I also got their onion rings, which were crisp and very tasty. There is an internet jukebox, which accepts credit cards FYI. There are also two arcade machines and all sorts of vintage, industrial signs to oogle. The waitstaff was super nice and efficient. Five stars all the way!
(5)Seth. C.
Just moved up here from southern ohio. Absolute killer burger and melt, cold beer and classic dive bar atmosphere. Just my kind of place only blocks from my house. Staff is always friendly and patrons are great as well. Will be back many many times!
(4)Evie B.
Shame shame shame on me!! I should know better than to order anything other than my cheeseburger! Why the hell I decided to go with the Buffalo Wings...uggggghhhh The minute I saw them go in the microwave, I knew I was doomed. I could have just bought a box for $3.99 at home and at least baked them nice and crispy...No where worth the $8.95 that I paid. They had the appearance of BWW, but appearance only. They were lukewarm and tasted like cheap wings from a box. :( The chili cheese fries were DELISH. They use shredded cheddar and LOTS of it, so those made up for the horrible wings. Huge portion and price totally appropriate : ) Son had the chicken tender/fries...good basic tenders/ delish crispy fries Hubs had the obvious choice, cheeseburger/fries and was the most satisfied at the table. He also ordered a side of mozz sticks. Do not bother to order. Again, these had a frozen, right out of the box flavor. Lesson learned; stick to the cheeseburger/fries. The service is great. I love the older ladies who are there during the day, but the young girl we get in the evening is always nice and attentive.
(3)Cybill R.
I went expecting burger greatness. I left with a stomach ache and a greasy coating in my mouth. I'm no stranger to the greasy dive burger, but this burger was nothing but greasy. Absolutely no seasoning on the patty. The grease soaked the bun immediately. I generally eat a burger with nothing but cheese so I can taste the patty flavor, but I had to load this one up with ketchup and mustard just to be able to eat it. I still gave up halfway through. I feel slightly sick and coated in grease. Big disappointment. The place itself is neat, a great place for drinks.
(2)Eric G.
What a great little dive this is.. if you are going here for anything other than a burger.. don't bother.. however... They get their beef from Eastern Market and are known for their burgers.. Great value, great food and great service.. Nice little burger dive
(4)Brian M.
Am I missing something here? I ordered the doubleshift burger which was the most tasteless and greasiest burger I think I've ever eaten. I most likely will not eat a burger here again. 2 stars for the friendly barkeeps.
(2)Stephanie E.
I must say this was one of my top 2 burgers ever!
(5)Mike B.
The Burgers are consistently the best! We live in Chicago but always stop in for a burger and fries whenever we are in town. We actually have cravings for them and my semi- vegetarian daughter even asks for one. I've been going here for over 30 years now and still look forward to that Burger every visit.
(5)Karrieann F.
One of the best burgers I've ever had. This is how it's done. I can't imagine anyone ordering anything other than a beer and burger. Well maybe an order of chili cheese fries if you have the room. Generous portions. Please do yourself and your taste buds a favor. The next time you're craving a true burger, a straight up real burger, be sure to try Masons. No need to complicate it like those build your own burger places.
(4)Kris A.
I've been to Mason's 3 times now and I'm just getting around to reviewing it. Lazy? No, I just don;t want the secret to get out! :-) If you're looking for an earthy place with tons of memorabalia & one of the best burgers in the area, you've come to the right place. Nothing fancy here, even the pop's come to the table in the can. What you can expect is pretty good service, and some darned good food! Ther double shift burger is 2/3 pounds of heaven on earth. Get it with cheese and load on as many other toppiings (especially the onions) from the tabletop condiment trays. The fires are great for chili & cheese, and the onion rings are exceptional. I haven;t had just the chili, but I've heard it's pretty good. Their home made soups are a big hit with my friends too. This is a great lunch or after work place to put on your "to-do" list!
(4)Liz R.
We tried Mason's about 7 years ago, when we first moved to the area, then never went back. We didn't have the burger then, so cut us some slack. Anywho, present day, I'm trolling through Yelp reviews (don't worry, I'm only semi-stalking you...) and this popped up. I was really craving a made-by-an-actual-person hamburger, so off we went. First off, the insides of this place are 100% local bar. And its dark. Like 'I had to turn my menu toward the TV to see it' dark. $4.90 for a burger, and the deep-fried side is extra? Seemed pricier than I remembered! But ooooh, it was sooooo good. We got the last order of mini tacos because they ran out of sour cream (I tried not to dwell on that last dusty tub of sour cream in the way back of the fridge). I ordered a single with american cheese and onion rings with ranch. Ken copied and got a burger, but with cheddar, and then ate half my rings (big enough order to share, and we got the smaller size). I actually tasted...beef! We washed it all down with a pitcher of Mich Amber Bock.
(4)Eric G.
I read the reviews on Yelp and was ready for an amazing burger experience. What I received was a burger so greasy that it soaked the bottom bun and left a massive pool on the bottom of the plate. The worst is when the burger has no seasoning on top of being soggy. Maybe I'm getting old, but the amount of grease made me feel ill for the rest of the day.
(2)Sarah T.
Way better than millers. Love the crinkle fries too. The wait staff is always super friendly even when I'm the dork with the book. Mmmm millers.
(5)David P.
On just about every "Best Burger In Detroit" list... Yep. It's definately in that league... Not to mention Miller High Life snd Blue Light on tap.... Still think Miller's (Dearborn) has a better burger, but Mason's as better Onion Rings.
(4)Maureen M.
I've read these reviews and I've driven past this place many times. I actually never realized it was Mason's until last night. My friends wanted to meet up for a drink, and I recommended stopping here. Afterall, they initially wanted to go to Kickers, which I am not a fan of. There is no doubt this place is a dive and it's dingy. It's a good thing there's no more smoking, otherwise I imagine it would've been nearly impossible to see. This place reminds me of the bar I used to work at except it was pretty dead as far as business goes. It appeared that 3 of their beer taps were out, which isn't a good sign. The decor is really interesting and can keep you busy if you're sitting there alone. My favorite sign so far is "No Hunting, Prison Area" or something like that. ha ha Service was friendly and prompt. My friend was very happy to sip on some Old Crow whiskey. Afterwards, he had a beer on tap, which was served in a mason jar...very cute! I like that. I also like that they serve decent sized shots. No sissy shots here, although the bartender didn't know how to make a Cement Mixer. It's not a common shot, I know, but it's easy. There isn't a lot of top shelf liquor here, but you do have some options. I didn't see any Leroux (Polish Blackberry Brandy) when they have a few Polish eagles hanging prominently above the bar. They only had the crappy bottle of blackberry brandy. I'm very curious about these burgers and they will definitely bring me back here. I checked out the grill, which is very similar to what I used to cook on at the bar I worked at. This is one, old and well used grill, that's for sure! I liked that the bartender thanked us for coming in and wished us a good night as we left. It's a simple gesture, but not one I expect.
(3)Marlena P.
Best burgers!!! A great dive bar with AMAZING burgers and beer on tap. My new favorite bar in Detroit for sure.
(5)Anna S.
My husband and I stopped in after spending an evening on the "west side" shopping and I used the yelp app on my phone to find a new place to eat. We decided on Mason's for a good, cheap burger. The atmosphere: Dimly lit bar, lots of "crazy crap" on the walls and just some tables and booths along the wall. A few large screen TVs. Dive bar for sure. The food: I can't really say anything great about the burger, but I also can't say anything bad about it. I found the beef itself to be really flavorful and juicy, but it didn't "wow" me. The pickles and onions come in a little tray with napkins and condiments after you order. I was a little surprised that the burger didn't come with lettuce or tomato, you had to ask for it. But either way, the naked burger with cheese was really flavorful. My husband got the burger with grilled onions, and he seemed "unimpressed." I will say that a hand-pattied burger, grilled fresh for around $4.50 in a dive bar is a good find. The service was adequate. Our server promptly told us she was new, but was really mostly attentive and friendly. The best part of the evening, however, was the small group at a table in front of us. They were openly discussing the fact that one's daughter was home from jail. Apparently she was caught on the way to purchase, or steal, 75 lbs of marijuana. Also something else about an armed robbery charge under her belt. Dinner AND a show!
(3)Sharina J.
Best burgers ever! It's a bar so I wouldn't suggest bringing kids. The staff are very nice and remember you.
(5)Liz W.
My sincerest apologies to the vegetarians, vegans and health fanatics of the world (my dietician in particular) , but I am a hamburger fan. I must confess that now. I like double burgers in particular especially hand formed patties cooked so that they are still juicy. Fries I can live without but man do I live for a burger. Heck I can even do without the bun if need be. Mason's is legendary. A dark and smoky bar with all junk local as decor (license plates, old street signs and the like). It really is not what I would call a homey atmosphere unless you grew up at a truck stop. This is definitely not a place to bring anyone who needs impressing, unless like me all they need to impress them is great burgers. The only things I have ever eaten in Mason's are burgers and sides of fries or O rings. I see other food in there and even hear tales of it being good, but I will always get a burger. Period. Once you taste one you will be hooked too. The best burger here is the Double Shift, two third of a pound patties with your melted choice of cheese- Swiss, Cheddar, American or Mozzarella for 5.65. It is served on an onion roll or plain bun with lettuce, tomato and mayo. You also get a dill pickle with it. You can add bacon or olives for extra but you really don't need them. Any other condiments you might need are in a little metal container they bring to you to doctor up your burger just as you like it. The burger itself is just perfect, too big of course but isn't that the beauty of it? The fries are extra and are your typical ridged affairs, hot and fresh but not the main attraction at any rate, single order is 1.95 or get the red basket for 3.95 and share with a friend or three for cheap. The O Rings are 2.75 and nice enough. This is not a heath food place, other items include fried fish on a plate or a bun, kielbasa, hot dogs, coneys, BLTs, sloppy joes, beefy chili, fried chicken bites and strips. You name unhealthy food and here it is. Their low cal option is chicken or tuna salad in a pita, somehow I am guessing they don't use non fat mayo though. This is no issue for me as I expect to eat unhealthy in a bar but I am giving you fair warning, there is no healthy option here and really did you expect there to be? If you are a petite eater they do have single burger option which my mother says is quite delicious but I just can't resist the double and I am not embarrassed about that a bit. I just eat better the rest of the week. Go on and try Mason's, splurge on the calories. In the Entertainment book there is a coupon for buy one get one free, so it will not be a splurge on the wallet at any rate.
(5)John S.
I've lived in the area for a long time, but never eaten at Mason's. After reading so many rave reviews here and noticing the awards Mason's has received, I was looking forward to picking up some great bar burgers to take home for dinner. We were quite disappointed and surprised. The burgers were bland and tasteless. Big and juicy for sure, but no character. I guess it could be dependent upon the cook, but I hesitate to try them again.
(1)Sarah T.
Way better than millers. Love the crinkle fries too. The wait staff is always super friendly even when I'm the dork with the book. Mmmm millers.
(5)Edwina P.
On our eternal quest to find the best burger in metro Detroit we found ourselves in Livonia. Checked out Mason's. Burger was respectable. Not too thick...no fancy toppings. French fries were hot. Crinkle cut in case it matters to you. Not my favorites, but they were good. If you are looking for an authentic bar burger experience I would def recommend it. But not the best burger in Detroit. The search continues...
(4)Chad A.
One of the best burgers around. Very friendly staff. You wont be disappointed.
(5)