Detroit Draft City
Coney's, Crown Royal and Corner Slices
I was in Detroit earlier this week for work and the city is going to be rocking through the weekend because the NFL has invaded for the pro football draft which somehow has become a three day long extravaganza. I enjoy watching football, and I love where the Lions are headed, but I can’t wrap my head around how this draft has become such a big draw. It’s exciting to learn who the top few picks are, but how did this thing evolve into an Oscars x Bonnaroo x Gameday behemoth? In any event, there will be plenty to see and do all around the downtown area, so here’s a refresher on some places worth checking out this weekend if you are in town.
FINE DINING
If you haven’t been to Detroit in a while, you will be blown away by the amount of amazing, high end restaurants that are now in the city. These three all feature great food coupled with amazing ambiance…
Le Supreme is a full on Parisian brasserie that recently opened in the newly restored architectural masterpiece, the Book Tower. Afterwards, see if you can find the five other bars that are located in this same building.
Take an elevator to the bustling second floor restaurant of Wright & Company which overlooks Woodward Avenue and enjoy top notch modern fare.
Descend down a flight of stairs to the subterranean meat lair of the London Chop House which had its heyday in the 50s, but is every bit as great today.
PIZZA
If you are seeking Detroit-Style Pizza—and you should—it is hard to beat the experience at the original Buddy’s Pizza location at 6-mile in Conant. This hole-in-the-wall spot is always filled with interesting characters. Where else would you encounter some cops eating lunch next to a pack of friars who are next to some guys who just got off their shift who are pounding Miller Lites next to some hipsters from Belgium who heard that this place has the world’s best pizza? The sign outside still uses the original lingo of “Buddy’s Rendezvous” and it should be in the Smithsonian. There’s a bocce court out back which is a great place to hang if you have a group. And of course the pizza is excellent. They put the sauce on top of the cheese which keeps the dough from becoming too heavy or dense, and also allows the cheese to congeal along the edges to create an immaculate crunch.
If you want to try the new school version of Detroit-Style pizza, the next best option is Grandma Bob’s over in Corktown.
DIVES
I dare you to find a better drinking establishment in the entire country than Cafe D’Mongo’s. It’s only open Friday and Saturday night so it’s alwasy rocking with a wild mix of folks from all walks of life. There’s a funky layout with all kinds of bric-a-brac and the most amazing orange vinyl bar chairs. There’s a rollicking two piece band tucked into a corner that will blow your mind. There’s food in the form of ribs, chicken and grilled cheese. there’s the infamous “Detroit Brown” cocktail which pairs Crown Royal from right across the river and the homegrown favorite, Vernors ginger ale. And of course, there is the world class proprietor, Larry Mongo, who should be a lead chracter in the next Tarantino film.
A little further afoot in southwest detroit you will find the century old corner bar, Abick’s. Enjoy hard to find Detroit brew, Altes, while bellying up to the mahogany bar. Check out the somewhat secret back room cigar lounge where there’s tons of police, fire and military memorabilia from patrons and the owner’s family. There’s an old police call box which is reputed to stock the commissioner’s private liquor stash. Be sure to say hi to Shadow, the resident pooch.
CONEY’S
Do yourself a favor and before retiring and make your way to Lafayette Coney Island for a nightcap. There are two competing coney-serving restaurants side-by-side on this downtown stretch of Michigan Avenue, but I prefer the beaten-up old school charm of Lafayette over American. Order yourself a Coney with everything (no bean, beef chili + mustard + diced onions), and enjoy how the warm embrace of the steamed bun contrasts perfectly with the snap of the encased meat. Vernors is the way to go for a drink, but you can also wash it down with a beer. The waiters are a wonder to watch as they work from memory and perform circus-like antics when transporting an arm’s length worth of platters to tipsy diners.
I have to agree that Lafayette has a fine chili sauce and cozy atmosphere, but its culinary draw gets muddy after you duck your head and make the hunched walk down the dirty stairwell to the basement bathroom. American delivers to all 50 states, BTW ;-) https://www.instagram.com/americanconeyisland/