On May 1, 1918, Prohibition swept across Michigan, forcing bars and saloons to either close their doors or find creative ways to survive. Speakeasies and hidden house bars began popping up throughout the city, quietly serving patrons behind closed doors.

While these secret establishments allowed social drinking to continue, they also brought an unwelcome side effect. Crime began to rise, and organized gangs quickly found their way into the local nightlife. Among the most notorious was the Purple Gang, known for bootlegging and violent turf wars. Members of the gang, along with other criminal groups and clubs, were known to frequent Wyandotte’s underground bars.

One such establishment stood at the corner of 5th and Northline. During the 1920s, the building operated as a soda shop by day and a speakeasy by night. Decades later, when the building was remodeled, workers reportedly discovered relics hidden within the walls believed to be connected to the Purple Gang. Detroit Paranormal Expeditions later shared a striking photograph of Purple Gang members leaning casually against the outside of the building, an eerie reminder of the city’s Prohibition-era past.

When Prohibition finally ended in 1933, many of these hidden establishments stepped into the open. By 1941, 500 Ford Avenue was listed as a beer garden, like many others in Wyandotte. After the passing of the owner, the building was sold and eventually reopened as a burger joint known as Little Wally’s.

Little Wally’s would go on to earn a legendary reputation in Wyandotte. For generations of locals, it was the place to be. The bar became famous for its greasy sliders and the barrel of pickles that greeted customers inside.

Just a short distance away stood its greatest rival. Watkins, located at the corner of Biddle and Sullivan streets, built its own loyal following. Known for its greasy sliders, creamy milkshakes and signature steamed buns, Watkins became just as much a neighborhood institution. Watkins opened in 1937 and remained in business for more than 60 years before finally closing its doors in the early 2000s.

For years, locals debated which spot made the better burger, Little Wally’s or Watkins. Each had its devoted fans, and the friendly rivalry became part of Wyandotte’s food lore. Though both establishments are now gone, the stories, flavors and memories they created still linger in the conversations of those who remember them.

Even today, one question still sparks debate among longtime residents: who really had the better slider?