The great OKC onion burger tour, part two: Little Mike’s Hamburgers
by Sarah | October 6, 2008 | 11 Comments
(votes: 5, average: 4.2) 
Loading ...Little Mike’s Hamburgers is located at 6724 NW Expressway in Oklahoma City (map). They are open from 11am to 8pm Monday through Saturday. Call them at 405.773.9997 or visit their website.
Sliced or diced? Sliced or diced? Hmmm … when considering where to partake of my next onion burger, I must first ask myself if I want my onions sliced or diced. It really boils down to whether or not I want a neat onion burger or a messy one. And when I choose neat, I head to Little Mike’s Hamburgers in OKC.
The first question I asked owner Mike Laham is why he dices his onions instead of slicing them. He said the person who taught him to make onion burgers always diced them — makes for neater eating, he says. And this is true. Little Mike’s is a family-run business, and his kids are always on site. In fact, I missed Mike the first time around for an interview, and the middle son said I needed to come back and get my quotes “straight from the mouth.” Mike and his kids know most of their repeat customers by name, and if they don’t know your name, they know what you always order, as in my husband’s case (he’s one of the few people who orders an onion burger, hold the onions). And in my case, Mike says they “specialize in well done burger combos for special customers.” The fries are thick, so if you want ‘em crispy, order ‘em well done.
Laham has been in the burger business since 1978. He fresh-cuts his fries each day and said if he had known I was coming, “he would have used today’s meat.” The barbs usually fling a mile a minute in this place. Laham doesn’t hesitate to make his opinion known on the two most important things to many Oklahomans — football and politics. There are plenty of choice quotes to read as you stand in line to place your order.
Sometimes, to offset my onion burger, I’ll order a side salad in place of fries (kind of like using a diet coke to cancel out a Snicker’s bar). But this only works if you order the low-fat, packaged dressing, which is not near as tasty as Mike’s homemade Caesar dressing. Yummy!
Another special feature at Mike’s is the pickle bar, featuring big vats of dill pickles, bread and butter pickles, onions and peppers. I can eat as many pickles as I want, piling them high on my plate and my burger, and Mike doesn’t mind. In fact, sometimes before my burger arrives I’ll mix the dill and sweet pickles together to light up my taste buds.
The sole reason my co-taster and work friend, Beth, goes to Little Mike’s, is for the squeeze bottle of vanilla syrup which she pours into her Coke. Yep, right by the soda fountain sits a bottle of cherry syrup and a bottle of vanilla syrup. While writing this review and eating our onion burgers, Beth filled up her cup halfway with vanilla syrup three times. I’m surprised Mike didn’t kick us out, or at least charge her extra for all that she used.
Little Mike’s burgers seem to be a bit larger than the normal onion burger, and maybe that’s why his prices are a little higher, with a regular burger costing $3.79. The combo seems like a pretty good deal with a burger, small fries and drink for $6.99. My compadre and Shady writer, Andrew, likes a lot more meat than what a normal onion burger offers, but for those of us who can’t take much meat, these flat little burgers are just right. Mike’s also offers coneys, veggie burgers and chicken if you’re in the mood for something else. Plus, he has just recently expanded next door to serve breakfast and other lunch specials from 7am to 2pm each day. Pork chops and chicken fried steak are just a few of the specialties next door.
So, the next time you’re in the mood for a “neat-eating” onion burger with some crusty city folk, head to Little Mike’s, then let me know what you think in the comments.
(4.75 out of 5)
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So far, 11 people have responded to this article. Won't you join in?October 6th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Sounds great…this one will have to go on my “list” of places to try.
October 6th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Little Mike’s serves a great burger, I try to hit about once a week. I will have to try the fries well done.
October 6th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
By “veggie burger” do you mean an actual vegetarian option, or just a burger topped with vegetables?
October 6th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Yes, yes! I do so love Mikes. It is the perfect meat to onion to bun ratio, in my own opinion. Will be back to try the coneys.
October 7th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Everything said is true. I love Little Mike’s mainly for the vanilla, not to mention they have a perfect mix of CO2 and Coca Cola syrup. I love the pickles at the bar too!
October 7th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Glad everyone likes the place so far. Snickerdoodle, the veggie burgers are made of soybean and corn - main ingredients - no meat. So yes, it is a viable vegetarian option. They have two selections, but I don’t know what the difference is.
October 10th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
Wonderful review! All true. It is a perfect burger. The flavor of the meat and onions is so balanced that my wife and I have given up adding condiments. Beth D is right - the syrup mix is always just right on the sodas and the crushed ice makes it even more perfect. The onion rings are among the best in the city, so don’t miss those. It’s a great place everyone should visit!
October 12th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Thanks, Sarah! Being vegetarian this far south has been…..trying, to say the least. Many restaurants (and waitstaff) seem confused on “vegetarian” food and think if it’s mostly vegetables, then surely vegetarians can eat it. On more than one occasion I’ve been assured a dish was vegetarian, only to ask about the broth, sauce, etc.. and be told “Oh, yeah, it’s chicken/beef stock.” *blink* *blink* Last I checked stock made from animals doesn’t fall under the category of “vegetarian-friendly.”
October 16th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Little Mike’s is ok but I have never had anything there that stands out enough to make we want to include it in the regular rotation of places to eat
October 18th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Ok, my boyfriend and I went here tonight and it was awesome! He only eats meat when we eat out, and hasn’t had a burger in forever, much less a good burger. The woman who greeted and rang up everyone’s orders was really friendly, my veggie burger had great texture and flavor, the bf’s burger was (by his account) delicious, the pickle bar is a nice touch, and the syrups next to the fountain was awesome. Overall this is a great addition to our restaurant collection. Until now we didn’t have many dining options when down in the rockwell shopping area, especially when you factor in my vege tendencies and our distaste for chain restaurants. Basically, it’s hard for him to find a great meat meal, *and* for me to find a great vege meal, and both walk away happy without needing to compromise. My only criticism would be the fries not being crispy, but you get so many that it’s not too big of a deal.
I did forget the onion rings.
Next time, though!!
October 19th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Yeah, I’m afraid Oklahoma is meat and taters country and I imagine it has been rather difficult to find good veggie options. I find myself going Italian when I’m in the veggie mood. That always suits my carnivore husband. I’m glad you both enjoyed Little Mike’s and the next time you go, order your fries “well done” and they’ll be crispy!
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