I seek out each city's best burger when I'm on the road, and I can sincerely say after more research than my primary care physician advised...there's no competition even remotely close to Black Napkin's Le College Dropout burger.
The juicy tastiness of the excess smash overhanging the bun alone safely lands it in first place on my list, and that's before even getting to the toppings (trust the chef/creator, don't change anything about this masterpiece).
Don't forget the classic Cola (golden) and rust fries with sundried tomato ranch for dipping (I don't even like sundried tomatoes yet somehow I could eat it with a spoon).
Don't change Black Napkin crew - you are perfect the way you are!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rebecca Becky
Best Burgers ive had in Michigan.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burger
Brian Drenth
The Black Napkin (Fulton St, Grand Rapids) isn’t a restaurant — it’s a culinary flex.
This place doesn’t aim for “good”… it dominates. It’s the kind of meal that resets your standards and makes every other lunch spot feel like it’s playing in the minor leagues.
We ordered three sandwiches and somehow every single one of them tasted like the chef said: “Let’s make this unforgettable.”
The College Dropout Smash Burger
This smash burger is pure greatness.
The edges are crisp and perfectly seared, the center stays juicy, and the cheese? Melted into every bite like it was meant to be there.
It’s rich, savory, and absolutely addictive — cheesy, flavorful, and satisfying in the way only a truly elite burger can be.
This isn’t the burger you casually eat.
This is the burger you remember.
The kind of burger you talk about later like it was an event.
Chicken Sandwich Royalty And then the chicken sandwiches showed up and did what they came to do: steal the entire show.
We tried Hot Sweet & Sticky and Harlan Pepper and I’m telling you right now— these are some of the best chicken sandos in Grand Rapids. Period.
Perfect crunch. Juicy inside. Big, bold flavor. But it’s the sauces that elevate them into fine-dining-level flavor in street-food form.
Hot Sweet & Sticky is the ultimate balance — that heat + sweetness combo that hits every craving button at once.
Harlan Pepper is layered, bold, and expertly crafted — a sauce that tastes like it took time, skill, and intention.
Each bite is packed, not messy. Powerful, not overwhelming.
It’s flavor with precision. Exquisite.
The Fries Crispy. Hot. Seasoned to perfection. Not an afterthought — a main character. The type of fries you don’t share unless you really love someone.
The Verdict The Black Napkin is that rare place where you can confidently say: “Order anything. You won’t miss.”
There is genuinely nothing on that menu you wouldn’t like.
We didn’t even finish eating before we were already planning our next visit.
And that’s the sign of a spot that isn’t just good… it’s special.
If there was a rating beyond five diamonds, this is it: This is Grand Rapids excellence. A must-try. A must-repeat.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Sandwich, Rust Fries, Burger, Hot Sweet and Sticky Chicken Sando, Fried with Red Wine Vinegar and Salt
Lorenzo
We stood in line outside. It was cold. The guy that walked up after us had so many good things to say about this place. 30 min in the cold. Jan. In Michigan. Can't wait to go back. Best burger ever. Fyi take out only.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michelle Bissonette
Very popular and crowded, but worth the wait. These burgers were great as well as the fries.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bo Hobson
If Black Napkin has one million fans, I am one of them.
If Black Napkin has one fan, it is me.
If Black Napkin has no fans, then I am dead.
I love Black Napkin. I tell everyone who will listen to eat here. If you’re reading this and haven’t eaten here, go now.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Rust Fries, Burger, Big Malcolm Double
Brandi Hazen
I definitely get what the hype is about! I had a double Fussy Hussy, salted fries and the special dipping sauce. The building is very small and takeout is preferred (there are 4 small tables inside). There is almost always a line but it only takes about 10 mins to get your food. The smash burger was insanely delicious and crispy, and flowing over the sides of the bun. The olive mayo was perfect for the burger and the fries were some of the best fries I’ve ever had!! You gotta try this GR hot spot!! YUM!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fussy Hussy Double Smashburger with Fries and Ruby Red Fresca House-Made Soda
jonkler
Overly crowded and food is thin, over buttered and sour
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 4
Nikki
Black Napkin is hands down PHENOMENAL!!! Don’t listen to the naysayers
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Sandwich, Rust Fries
Arielle V
I had been hearing nothing but amazing reviews about black napkin for over a year and finally had a chance to try last week. A friend wanted to pick us up food on the way to my house. We got classics and rust fries. It was basically bun, lettuce, and condiments because the meat was so smashed and so so so overcooked that it turned to dust when you bit into it. The fries were really good, hence the rating being 2 stars. Idk if we just caught them at a bad moment, super off kinda day? My friend picked it up so I can’t comment on service or atmosphere… but based on the burger I don’t understand the appeal at all.
Amazing burger joint. Fries and drinks are on point too. The people running this shop are exceptional.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
J M (Shrubbery)
4.5 from my 10+ visits. Staff is amazing. Enough seats for probably 12 max. Fries are some of the best I've ever had. Burgers are amazing, chicken sandwiches are good but not the reason I keep coming back.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
James Bond
This place is amazing, don’t listen to the one star reviews
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sean Johnson-Moore
Upon moving back to GR from Ann Arbor I just had paid my deposit rent , and so many other things with moving expenses for my apt. I came here to eat one day and my card was maxed out one of the staff members covered my meal, I was embarrassed but extremely grateful that there is still a few good people out there , And the food was amazing thank u so much that was a big display of hope n love for me 💙🧡❤️💚
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegan
Sam Kalawart
Burgers are consistently the best in GR and love their handmade sodas too.
I seek out each city's best burger when I'm on the road, and I can sincerely say after more research than my primary care physician advised...there's no competition even remotely close to Black Napkin's Le College Dropout burger.
The juicy tastiness of the excess smash overhanging the bun alone safely lands it in first place on my list, and that's before even getting to the toppings (trust the chef/creator, don't change anything about this masterpiece).
Don't forget the classic Cola (golden) and rust fries with sundried tomato ranch for dipping (I don't even like sundried tomatoes yet somehow I could eat it with a spoon).
Don't change Black Napkin crew - you are perfect the way you are!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best Burgers ive had in Michigan.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burger
The Black Napkin (Fulton St, Grand Rapids) isn’t a restaurant — it’s a culinary flex.
This place doesn’t aim for “good”… it dominates. It’s the kind of meal that resets your standards and makes every other lunch spot feel like it’s playing in the minor leagues.
We ordered three sandwiches and somehow every single one of them tasted like the chef said:
“Let’s make this unforgettable.”
The College Dropout Smash Burger
This smash burger is pure greatness.
The edges are crisp and perfectly seared, the center stays juicy, and the cheese? Melted into every bite like it was meant to be there.
It’s rich, savory, and absolutely addictive — cheesy, flavorful, and satisfying in the way only a truly elite burger can be.
This isn’t the burger you casually eat.
This is the burger you remember.
The kind of burger you talk about later like it was an event.
Chicken Sandwich Royalty
And then the chicken sandwiches showed up and did what they came to do: steal the entire show.
We tried Hot Sweet & Sticky and Harlan Pepper and I’m telling you right now—
these are some of the best chicken sandos in Grand Rapids. Period.
Perfect crunch. Juicy inside. Big, bold flavor.
But it’s the sauces that elevate them into fine-dining-level flavor in street-food form.
Hot Sweet & Sticky is the ultimate balance — that heat + sweetness combo that hits every craving button at once.
Harlan Pepper is layered, bold, and expertly crafted — a sauce that tastes like it took time, skill, and intention.
Each bite is packed, not messy. Powerful, not overwhelming.
It’s flavor with precision. Exquisite.
The Fries
Crispy. Hot. Seasoned to perfection.
Not an afterthought — a main character.
The type of fries you don’t share unless you really love someone.
The Verdict
The Black Napkin is that rare place where you can confidently say: “Order anything. You won’t miss.”
There is genuinely nothing on that menu you wouldn’t like.
We didn’t even finish eating before we were already planning our next visit.
And that’s the sign of a spot that isn’t just good… it’s special.
If there was a rating beyond five diamonds, this is it:
This is Grand Rapids excellence. A must-try. A must-repeat.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Sandwich, Rust Fries, Burger, Hot Sweet and Sticky Chicken Sando, Fried with Red Wine Vinegar and Salt
We stood in line outside. It was cold. The guy that walked up after us had so many good things to say about this place. 30 min in the cold. Jan. In Michigan. Can't wait to go back. Best burger ever. Fyi take out only.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very popular and crowded, but worth the wait. These burgers were great as well as the fries.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If Black Napkin has one million fans, I am one of them.
If Black Napkin has one fan, it is me.
If Black Napkin has no fans, then I am dead.
I love Black Napkin. I tell everyone who will listen to eat here. If you’re reading this and haven’t eaten here, go now.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Rust Fries, Burger, Big Malcolm Double
I definitely get what the hype is about! I had a double Fussy Hussy, salted fries and the special dipping sauce. The building is very small and takeout is preferred (there are 4 small tables inside). There is almost always a line but it only takes about 10 mins to get your food. The smash burger was insanely delicious and crispy, and flowing over the sides of the bun. The olive mayo was perfect for the burger and the fries were some of the best fries I’ve ever had!! You gotta try this GR hot spot!! YUM!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fussy Hussy Double Smashburger with Fries and Ruby Red Fresca House-Made Soda
Overly crowded and food is thin, over buttered and sour
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 4
Black Napkin is hands down PHENOMENAL!!! Don’t listen to the naysayers
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Sandwich, Rust Fries
I had been hearing nothing but amazing reviews about black napkin for over a year and finally had a chance to try last week. A friend wanted to pick us up food on the way to my house. We got classics and rust fries. It was basically bun, lettuce, and condiments because the meat was so smashed and so so so overcooked that it turned to dust when you bit into it. The fries were really good, hence the rating being 2 stars. Idk if we just caught them at a bad moment, super off kinda day? My friend picked it up so I can’t comment on service or atmosphere… but based on the burger I don’t understand the appeal at all.
Food: 2
Recommended dishes: Rust Fries
Restaurantji Recommends
Amazing burger joint. Fries and drinks are on point too. The people running this shop are exceptional.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
4.5 from my 10+ visits.
Staff is amazing.
Enough seats for probably 12 max.
Fries are some of the best I've ever had.
Burgers are amazing, chicken sandwiches are good but not the reason I keep coming back.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
This place is amazing, don’t listen to the one star reviews
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Upon moving back to GR from Ann Arbor I just had paid my deposit rent , and so many other things with moving expenses for my apt. I came here to eat one day and my card was maxed out one of the staff members covered my meal, I was embarrassed but extremely grateful that there is still a few good people out there , And the food was amazing thank u so much that was a big display of hope n love for me 💙🧡❤️💚
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegan
Burgers are consistently the best in GR and love their handmade sodas too.
Recommended dishes: Burger
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