Inside a BP gas station on Ford Road across from the iconic Ford Drive-In Theater, a 21-year-old’s garage brainstorm transformed into Detroit’s most celebrated halal burger joint. 🍔
Since November 2014, Taystee’s Burgers has rewritten the rules of gas station food, winning the prestigious 2016 Detroit Burger Brawl and earning recognition from Eater, Metro Times, and Detroit Free Press for its award-winning, over-the-top burger creations.
How Taystee’s Burgers won Dearborn’s hearts
In 2014, 21-year-old Ali Jawad was hanging out in his garage, figuring out what to do with his life after dropping out of college.
His grandfather Kazem had recently reacquired a BP gas station on Ford Road that sat at the outer edge of East Dearborn, but the place was in bad shape with cardboard covering broken windows and a dilapidated restaurant inside.
Ali partnered with chef Mohamed Nassereddine, who was looking for a change after working at the now-shuttered Mashawi Lebanese restaurant, and together they opened Taystee’s in November 2014 with just $20,000 from Ali’s savings.
The gamble paid off as the gas station started filling up with customers who discovered these weren’t ordinary burgers—they were made fresh daily with 100% halal beef. 🏆
What catapulted Taystee’s to citywide recognition came from a mid-day craving by Nassereddine—he would grab a pack of Doritos and dip them into the nacho cheese they served on burgers, which eventually led to him putting it ON a burger.
That creation became Ali’s Notch-Yo-Burger and won Detroit’s coveted Burger Brawl in 2016, beating a field of entrants from across metro Detroit and cementing Taystee’s status as serving Detroit’s best burgers. 🎉
The original Dearborn location at 10419 Ford Road remains the place where it all began, drawing burger lovers from all over the Midwest to this unassuming gas station.
Food Highlights
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Nacho Burger: A cheese lover’s ultimate dream loaded with nacho cheese sauce, jalapeños, and crunchy toppings.
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Ali’s Notch-Yo-Burger: The 2016 Detroit Burger Brawl champion featuring nacho cheese Doritos, Swiss, American, pepper jack, and nacho cheeses, hot sauce, grilled onions, beef bacon, lettuce, and tomato on an onion bun—a behemoth that put Taystee’s on the map.
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Taystee Special: Described as stacked ridiculously high, this monster features coleslaw, fries, a fried egg, tomato, oozing cheddar cheese, and spicy mayo on a brioche bun.
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Volcano Burger: A fiery creation loaded with jalapeños, jalapeño poppers, beef bacon, pepper jack cheese, nacho cheese, lettuce, tomato, and Taystee’s spicy mayo on an onion roll.
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Original Burger: The foundation that started it all—a 5 oz. 100% halal beef patty with lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, and Taystee’s signature sauce.
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West Coast Burger: A popular creation that brings California vibes to Dearborn MI, with fresh ingredients and creative toppings.
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Cool Ranch Supreme: The fan-favorite featuring crunchy, cheesy, saucy happiness loaded with Cool Ranch Doritos, ranch sauce, and cheese.
- Hawaiian Burger: A tropical twist combining teriyaki glaze, pineapple, and savory toppings that becomes an instant favorite for sweet-savory lovers.
- Breakfast Burger: By far the best gas station burger customers have ever had—a fried egg, beef bacon, Swiss cheese, grilled onions, green peppers, tomato, and Taystee’s original sauce with two grilled cheese sandwiches as the bun.
Atmosphere
The original BP gas station location at 10419 Ford Road, across from the Ford Drive-In Theater, is where the legend began and continues to thrive.
Don’t let the gas station setting fool you—this is where some of metro Detroit’s best burgers emerge fresh from the grill daily.
The modest seating creates an authentic, no-frills environment where the focus stays squarely on the incredible halal food. ⛽
Open until 1:00 AM daily, this Dearborn restaurant accommodates late-night burger cravings from locals and travelers exploring Michigan’s diverse food scene.
Bottom Line
Experience the original location where Taystee’s revolutionized gas station dining and won the 2016 Detroit Burger Brawl.
Made-to-order burgers with 100% halal beef and creative, over-the-top toppings ensure every bite delivers award-winning flavor.
This is where Detroit discovered that incredible burgers can come from the most unexpected places.
Address:
10419 Ford Road, Dearborn, MI 48126
📞 (313) 724-6535
🕔 Mon-Sun: 11:00 AM–1:00 AM