When the Detroit Pistons rolled into Cleveland for the 2026 Eastern Conference semifinals, they brought more than just their basketball game—they brought their taste buds. But for two Motor City journalists, a first-time encounter with a beloved Ohio burger joint didn't exactly hit the mark.

Writers from the Detroit Free Press and MLive.com found themselves at Rocket Arena, where Swensons—freshly added to the Cavaliers' 2025-26 season menu—was serving up its famous burgers. The Akron-based chain had recently been crowned the Beacon Journal's 2026 best burger winner, setting high expectations for these out-of-town sports scribes.

Omari Sankofa II, the Pistons beat writer for the Detroit Free Press, went straight for the signature Galley Boy: a double cheeseburger layered with two secret Swensons sauces, served on a toasted bun with a green olive pick. He paired it with onion rings, which he actually enjoyed. But the burger itself? Not so much.

"The sauces to me didn't really fit the burger and the burger was small, too," Sankofa said. "I didn't like the sauces on there. It was a weird flavor profile—out of all the sauces you could throw on a burger, why these two?"

Jacob Richman from MLive.com opted for the double cheeseburger with fries. His verdict was equally lukewarm. "The meat-to-bun ratio isn't particularly good—a lot of bun, not enough meat," he noted. "Not my favorite burger by any means, and there were no toppings on it, nothing very appealing on that, just a burger and cheese." He also mentioned the sandwich felt a bit smooshed and off in size.

Despite the less-than-stellar reviews, both writers left the door open for a second chance. Sankofa said he'd be willing to give Swensons another try, while Richman encouraged fans to taste it for themselves, even after his own negative experience.

In the world of sports rivalries, it seems the battle between Cleveland and Detroit has found a new front: the burger counter. Whether this matchup ends in a buzzer-beater or a foul remains to be seen—but for now, the Pistons' writers are sticking with their onion rings.