The father-and-son team that opened a Comet Burgers in Macomb County less than a year ago has decided to pull the plug on their east side location.
Comet Burgers launched operations at a former Checkers drive-through restaurant on Harper Avenue, between Nine Mile and 10 Mile roads, in St. Clair Shores in in June of 2025.
According to a post on their Facebook page that appeared on Monday morning, Mike Lleshaj and his father, Lon, said the closing comes “with mixed emotions.”
“To every customer who pulled through our line, enjoyed a freshly-made burger, or grabbed a milkshake, we can’t thank you enough,” the team said in their post. “Your loyalty and smiles meant the world to our small, family-owned team.”
Comet’s original eatery opened in Royal Oak about 30 years ago, according to Lleshaj.
After establishing themselves as a staple of the Royal Oak dining scene, they decided to expand into neighboring Macomb County.
Comet Burgers, which specializes in sliders, is known for its retro 1950s design. Their menu also includes chicken sandwiches, chili cheese fries, waffle fries, fried mushrooms, macaroni, cheese bites, milkshakes and more.
They opened early for the 2025 St. Clair Shores Memorial Day Parade, where they found a captive audience. The owners decided to take advantage of the hundreds of people walking by during the parade by offering free hamburgers and cheeseburgers. Paradegoers eagerly devoured the grilled-on-site food.
Customers on social media said they enjoyed the menu, but found the cost for fast food items to be too expensive.
“While this chapter in St. Clair Shores is coming to an end, our story continues strong at our first location in downtown Royal Oak (207 S Main St). We invite you to visit us there for the same out-of-this-world burgers, sandwiches, shakes, and 50s-style diner feel you love,” the owners wrote on their post.
No word yet on what will eventually take the property where Comet Burgers was located.