Ferndale, MI — Savvy Sliders has always provided a meal I know I can depend on. I’ve sampled various sliders and sides from different Savvy locations around the Metro several times, often via food delivery while at work. I can honestly say that whenever I’ve ordered or tried their sliders, I’ve enjoyed every one, and it always satisfies my stomach and hunger! So, I decided now would be as good a time as any to sit down with someone from upper management and a store owner to learn what’s sizzling with this booming and rapidly growing company based out of Metro Detroit!
On Wednesday, I drove west on 9 Mile Road through downtown Ferndale until I reached Savvy Sliders at the intersection of Pinecrest Drive around noon. Once inside, I met with Savvy Sliders/Happy’s Pizza Vice President of Business Development Mark Wolok. Mark greeted me and gave me a great breakdown of the menu and different combo options. I ordered two sliders, fries, onion rings, and a drink. For the main slider attraction, I felt like being different and ordered the Mushroom Swiss and Boomin’ Chicken. They both looked very tasty, and I recalled really enjoying the boom sauce from a previous order, so I was hyped to try the Boomin’ Chicken!
When I was growing up, one of the things I loved most about getting sliders from various burger joints around Metro Detroit was their consistency. Traditional sliders, essentially mini hamburgers, are a popular Midwestern snack/appetizer or entrée. The patties are typically super thin smash burger style, topped with grilled onions, sometimes cheese, a choice of condiments, and pickles. Depending on the establishment, different types of bread get used for the buns, like brioche, Hawaiian rolls, or mini white/wheat buns. So, it’s a very consistent burger and flavor profile, with variations usually in bread selection or slider size. Some places make sliders slightly larger than their iconic miniature size but still keep them smaller than a regular burger.
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While I love the concept and execution of a good old-fashioned slider, I love it even more when creativity is explored, resulting in nuanced approaches to a timeless Midwestern classic. When I’ve been at restaurants that feature sliders on a menu, they’re usually served as appetizers. There’s always a ‘classic’ option, and then restaurants utilize the range of ingredients at their disposal and offer different styles, sometimes as chicken, seafood, or vegetarian slider options. Outside of White Castle (the OG), Savvy Sliders is one of the few slider-focused chains I’ve encountered in my travels. And while fast food hasn’t been at or near the top of my dining rotation for many years, I’ll still eat some on (mostly) rare occasions. Savvy Sliders is one of those establishments worthy of such occasions and for good cause!
I walked around and took photos and videos while waiting for my order. Once my food was ready, I returned to my table, and my eyes widened at the sight of the tantalizingly packed sliders on the tray. Even though you really can’t go wrong with any of the 12 slider options at Savvy Sliders, I immediately felt like I had made the right choice for options to try this particular afternoon. The Mushroom Swiss had perfectly melted cheese, a noticeably thicker patty, and a lightly toasted bun. Meanwhile, the Boomin Chicken was bursting between buns with a thick cut of fried chicken and was absolutely smothered in boom sauce. I was ready to eat!
I first grabbed for the Mushroom Swiss, biting into a well-rounded and hefty slider. The patty was thicker than your average slider patty but still kissed by the grill in the same fashion, providing a nice crispy sear to the top and bottom. The Angus beef patty held onto a lot of its juiciness as a result, exploding with savory goodness in every bite. To add to those bites, the sautéed mushrooms were plentiful and portioned generously, while the light mayo blended perfectly with the gooey melted Swiss cheese. After several large bites, I could easily say the Mushroom Swiss is a solid slider I would order again!
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The Boomin’ Chicken was next up. I was impressed by the sheer size of the fried chicken used instead of the typical slider patty. The slider was overflowing with boom sauce, with the entire chicken drenched in the zesty and sticky sauce. The chicken was fried and cooked for a perfect length of time, tearing apart well with bites of copious pickles and shredded lettuce. The boom sauce is the show stealer, bringing some heat to the party. When wanting a change in slider scenery, the Boomin’ Chicken is a great option and probably my favorite out of all the selections I’ve tried. Another great aspect of these sliders is the light toasting of the bread on the tops and bottoms of the buns. I would later learn from Store Owner Jada Nannoshi that the buns get a grill press treatment, similar but for nowhere near as long as the patties.
After consuming my two sliders, I eagerly snatched away at the onion rings and fries on my tray. I had already reduced the amount of onion rings before I remembered to snap a quick photo (above). The onion rings were pretty good, even better when dipped into one of the sauces. They had a light fry to them and were efficiently cut. I loved the crinkle-cut fries, which had excellent outer crispiness. The house blend seasoning is a reliable choice, although if you want to change it up, you can also choose either the lemon pepper or Cajun seasoning. Overall, the fries were crispy, well-seasoned, and perfect for dipping and holding hefty amounts of sauce. I finished nearly every fry before just about reaching full status.
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After I was done eating, I circled back with Mark to learn the origin story of Savvy Sliders and what the future might hold for this Metro Detroit-based company that has been expanding nationally.
“I think this December would be five years. Savvy Sliders got started in a local pizza chain out of Detroit and it was brought in as a purpose to increase the lunch business and the pizza chain, and it ended up taking off and becoming its own brand because of the demand and the love of the product,” Mark explained. “And now, with about 50 stores open and under development, not only through Michigan now, but also Texas, Florida, and several other states developing, there’s a lot of stores coming forward.”
And it makes sense for quick, reliable, and deliciously souped-up sliders such as these. The demand is understandable, and leaves me excited for more Detroit-branded companies to be recognized from coast to coast. As Mark would explain, there’s a recipe for success in the development and execution of the featured product at Savvy Sliders.
“So what makes them unique is we took it to a different level. Actually, what we consider to be bigger, better and bolder. Our burgers are never frozen, all fresh. And they’re automated through a process on an automated clamshell machine with the press of a button. And when the cooking is done, they open automatically, that burger’s completely temperature-cooked for each and every customer,” Mark said.
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Then, I caught up with Ferndale Store Owner Jada to learn what it’s like to work for Savvy Sliders and to be part of a Detroit-based company on the rise.
“So I think the company, it’s a very promising company. It’s very new, is very unique. It’s different. You don’t see anything like this. So it gives me more of a promise, and to see bigger and better things from this company. Building relationships with different clientele; that could be from dealerships or it could be from the school up the street,” Jada said. “It’s a really good way to connect with other parties, to build more relationships with them because we’re such a good brand and a good company.”
I then inquired about the range of options on the menu, and what Jada believes makes Savvy Sliders resonate with people.
“I think it’s homey. It’s very homey. Like when you are at a family barbecue, you have your burgers, you have your fries, you know, you have your steak, we have our steak sliders. It’s very comforting, it’s comfort food. And I think that’s why a lot of people come back and it’s good. It’s fresh, tasty. We have different varieties. We have about ten or so different sliders on the menu that people can choose from,” Jada explained.
Not only do I enjoy the food from Savvy Sliders, but knowing that the company was born out of Metro Detroit makes it that much more delightful. To see a Detroit-based company spreading across the country is also great for the city and furthers the awareness of our flourishing food scene, from fast food to fine dining. The folks at Savvy Sliders are committed to providing consistent quality meals. Management is excited to see what the future will bring, because frankly, Savvy Sliders is showing no signs of slowing down in terms of expansion. Their newest location just opened in Waterford last week, with quite a few more openings planned in the coming months as well, according to Mark.
It’s a meal you’ll know you’ll enjoy, along with the freedom to mix and match sliders or try different sauce/seasoning combinations. And if you’re in the mood for something sweet, their hand-spun custard shakes are sensational (especially the strawberry shortcake!). If you haven’t had a chance to check out a location near you, I’d highly recommend working Savvy Sliders into your rotation the next time you’re grabbing fast food or craving some sliders!
For more information on Savvy Sliders and to view their different menus by state, click here.
MI Foodie Adventures 