Little Mike’s Hamburgers: the great OKC onion burger tour, part two
by Sarah | October 6, 2008 | 23 Comments
(3.87 with 15 votes) 
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.
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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!
November 26th, 2008 at 11:21 am
Mikes was ok iv had better, a place you should try out and i think its pretty good as well is HD’s onion burgers on 122nd and council good greasy onion burgers at that place and is themed around Harleys and Nascar! Good place!
December 10th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
I ate breakfast at Little Mike’s 2 (next door) for the last 2 days and I was impressed. I think the prices are reasonable, place is clean and the staff is really sweet. The eggs and hash browns were yummy, and the hash browns weren’t all greasy and laden with fat like they are at many other places. I’m looking forward to trying their fried catfish special this Friday. Note: Little Mike’s 2 is not open on Mondays – I found that out this week!
Snickerdoodle, I know what you mean about the lack of plenty good veggie places in the area. I don’t eat a lot of meat either. Little Mike’s offers some good options with their veggie burger & Caesar salad. But if you’re in the mood for something different, try the tiny little Gyro place behind Starbucks. I love their hummus and falafel. And Yamato Japanese Steakhouse (just west of Rockwell) has great stir-fried veggies, veggie sushi & miso soup. At least, I think miso soup is vegetarian…might have to look into that one!
June 10th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Was not impressed. The meat was dry with little flavor & the onion rings were terrible. My friend & I’s stomach both hurt bad after we left. The place was also filled with quite a bit of right wing hate propaganda on the walls which I was quite shocked by. Do yourself a favor & head over to Bunny’s onion burgers which are the best in town.
June 16th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Right Wing Hate Propaganda????? What, does Mike have an American flag on the wall and some pro-military stuff? What!, No shrine with candles dedicated to the “O”ne?
I’ve never been to this place but I plan to check it out very soon based on Joe’s (wasn’t that Stalin’s first name?) review. I’m all about right wing freedom/anti-socialism propaganda. I bet I won’t even get a belly-ache from the food or decorations.
Do yourself a favor and don’t trust a review that is based on someone’s narrow minded politics. Businesses are private ventures and they have freedom of speech too. Well, until 1/20/2009 they did!
June 20th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Hey guys, I appreciate the comments but lets keep the discussion on restaurants rather than politics. Thanks so much – Tim (the site owner)
June 24th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
Tim, I agree totally! Right Wing or Left Wing who cares? I just want to know how the wings taste!
If I’m going to this place or that place for lunch or dinner who cares? I’ve been to places that are awesome that are obviously not my religion. I’ve been to places that don’t share my college affiliation. I’ve been to places where I don’t care about immigration laws. All of them have fed me and some (if not most) I am a regular customer.
It’s all about the food @ eataroundokc.com. There are plenty of web sites for politics, religion and sports. Let’s not spoil the food!
August 14th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
A little high price wise a lot over cooked!
August 27th, 2010 at 2:12 am
That Joe guy sounds like a fool. But, what do you expect from somebody that say Bunny’s are the best in town? That’s a laugh. Everybody has their own taste, but it’s become pretty clear that this guy doesn’t have “GOOD” taste. Little Mikes stacks up with the best of the best.
October 15th, 2010 at 11:20 pm
Little Mike’s is delicious and I’ve visited this location at least 100 times and NEVER had a bad experience. Sounds like the bad reviews are due to sissy Democrat feelings being hurt that not everyone rolls over and plays “nice”. Try the Caesar burger and onion rings! They’re so popular sometimes they sell out on Fridays and Saturdays, but if you’re a regular like me, they will save an order just for you without you having to ask! Awesome!
November 10th, 2010 at 6:02 am
I just saw your commercial this morning and did not like it. I expected you to offer a special of some kind , instead it was about a straw?? It was kind of condescending also. Hope you didn’t pay a lot! I was embarrassed for you. What was the point? There was no humor! Wow.
August 21st, 2011 at 1:06 pm
Food wise, the basic bacon cheese onion burger and fries combo i had was as good as most others in town. So, if you are looking for a decent cheap onion burger, this one will get the job done.
The service I got last night, however, will keep me from ever coming back. I eat out a lot, a real lot, like every-night-of-the-week lot. On Saturday nights, a group of 6-10 of my friends get together for our weekly bull session. We’ll hit a restaurant then see a movie or go play pool or race go-carts or something fun.
Last night, we decided to try Little Mike’s for the first time, since it was basically right next door to Slick Willie’s. We were going to meet there at 7:30. Had we known ahead of time, that they closed at 8:00 on Saturdays, we likely wouldn’t have gone so late, possibly not at all, but that’s not the concern. It’s their restaurant, and if they want to close at 8 on Saturdays, that’s their business. A group of 5 of us walked in at 7:30, expecting two more who were rolling in from Edmond. My girlfriend and I ordered last and I noticed two of the employees exchange looks of irritation as two of us put together a couple of tables for our party of 7. I dismissed it, since I always make sure the tables are put back where we find them before we leave.
At 7:40 our last two arrive . . . to find the door locked, 20 minutes before closing, with 18 people still inside. One of ours gets up to unlock the door, lets them in, and relocks the door behind them. Those two walk to the counter, and get summarily ignored. The group of 6 at the table behind us finish their meal and find the locked door upon their exit. They unlock the door and leave. Our two, having been ignored at the register for a couple minutes, come sit with us. At 7:45, another couple walks in, gets someone’s attention at the register and are served with dripping irritation. A minute or two later, another couple walks in and are asked how they got in, since the door had been locked. One of the employees then locks the door (with 14 customers inside) and mumbles under her breath as she returns to the counter. Our two get fed up with the situation and head across the street for Fazoli’s, unlocking the door on their way out. after their departure at 7:50, two more couples are turned away as well a single customer, a man I notice later tending bar at Slick Willies. The door is relocked, causing a 4-some, another single, and two more couples to venture on in their search for onion burgers.
The five of us finished our meal, listening to the big guy from behind the counter grumble as he was cleaning the pickle trough. We bussed our own table and left before 8.
I love local businesses, I’d rather spend a little more and know someone in town is benefiting from it. I appreciate the conservative slant to the wall hangings, and I probably would have looked around and read more of them had I not been so focused on the incredibly poor customer service. Luckily for us, Little Mike’s is not the only onion burger in town. I’m sure the next time my group of car guys (USAF Major at Tinker, Edmond Realtor office manager, downtown salvage yard counter jockey, midtown rehab center IT guy, public relations guy for a downtown fuel management company, parts guy for a dealer on the “Mile” in Norman, hospital IT guy in Norman, Putnam City school teacher) wants an onion burger, we’ll be headed back to S&Bs or Ron’s.
September 11th, 2011 at 8:45 am
They close at 8 every night. It’s a family run business, and I can say I’ve been there MANY, MANY times and NEVER had bad service. Your “friend” went on Urbanspoon and trashed this location and LIED btw. She states another customer was leaving and that’s how she and her husband got in the door. Thanks for clearing that up, as I suspected was the case. I would ask you give Little Mike’s another chance as there must have been something pressing going on that night that the staff needed to leave for. Wedding, funeral, who knows, but they are truly some of the nicest staff anywhere (usually).
Please tell us what you think.