A Michigan Thing

It’s still Fortino’s even after the remodel!

The history of the hamburger slider in Detroit is closely tied to the rise of fast food and the city’s industrial boom in the early 20th century. As Detroit’s factories filled with thousands of auto workers, there was enormous demand for inexpensive, quick meals that could be eaten on short lunch breaks. Small, onion-steamed hamburgers became the perfect answer.

The original slider concept is generally credited to White Castle⁠, which opened in Wichita, Kansas, in 1921. Founders E.W. “Billy” Ingram and Walter Anderson sold small, square hamburgers for just five cents. The burgers were intentionally small, inexpensive, and served quickly, helping transform hamburgers from a questionable street food into a mainstream American meal. White Castle is widely recognized as America’s first fast-food hamburger chain.

Detroit embraced sliders early. White Castle expanded into Detroit in the late 1920s, opening restaurants in a city already obsessed with speed, efficiency, and affordable food. Their porcelain-clad white buildings projected cleanliness and modernity—important selling points in an era when many Americans distrusted ground beef.

Soon, local competitors emerged, creating what many consider a distinctly Detroit slider culture. Among the most beloved was the former Detroit chain Top Hat Hamburgers. Founded in 1955, Top Hat became famous for its tiny, onion-laden sliders and distinctive restaurant buildings. At its peak, the chain had dozens of locations across Metro Detroit and became a regional icon, especially for late-night diners and shift workers. Although most locations disappeared by the 1980s and 1990s, Top Hat remains a nostalgic favorite for generations of Detroiters.

Detroit’s slider tradition also lives on through local institutions such as Hunter House Hamburgers, Motz’s Burgers, Bates Hamburgers, and Telway Hamburger System. These restaurants continue the tradition of thin beef patties cooked over a bed of onions and served steaming hot in paper bags.

For many Detroiters, sliders aren’t just fast food—they’re a piece of working-class history, deeply woven into the culture of the Motor City.

If you grew up in Detroit, you might recognize the tile and the must-have basement bar. IYKYK

DetroitBasement

The Electric Forest is one of Michigan’s most famous and unique events. Held each June at the Double JJ Resort in Rothbury, it combines live music, camping, immersive art, and a massive sense of community in a way that many attendees describe as more than just a music festival—it’s an experience.

Originally launched in 2011 as a successor to the earlier Rothbury Festival, Electric Forest has grown into one of the premier music festivals in North America, attracting 40,000 to 50,000 people annually. The festival is produced by Insomniac and Madison House Presents and features a blend of electronic music, jam bands, indie acts, hip-hop, and more.

What truly sets Electric Forest apart is Sherwood Forest itself. During the day, festival-goers relax in hammocks beneath towering trees, explore interactive art installations, and participate in workshops and activities. At night, the woods transform into a surreal wonderland filled with elaborate lighting, hidden performances, costumed characters, and countless surprises tucked among the trees.

Music is still at the heart of the festival. The event traditionally features multiple stages and a diverse lineup. The jam band The String Cheese Incident has long been closely associated with the festival and often performs multiple sets each year. Recent lineups have also included major electronic artists such as GRiZ, Chris Lake, and many others.

Beyond the music, Electric Forest has developed a culture centered on creativity, self-expression, kindness, and community. Returning attendees often refer to themselves as “Forest Family,” and many make the pilgrimage to Rothbury every summer.

For many Michiganders, Electric Forest is proof that a small town in West Michigan can become the center of an entire universe—if only for four magical days each summer. 🌲✨