  Deandub11 Member Username: Deandub11 Post Number: 153 Registered: 05-2006 |
My birthday is next month and I obviously want to have a birthday dinner in the city. It will just be 4 of us. I don't want to go to and upscale restaurant. What suggestions do you have with the pre requisites being that number one it is very good, but also that it is either, a hole in the wall, a Detroit staple, authentic ethnic food, or off the beaten path. Thank you in advance. | ||
The_ed Member Username: The_ed Post Number: 24 Registered: 10-2007 |
Try Howe's Bayou in Ferndale; 9 & Woodward. The Blue Nile on 9 mile....Azteca across from Oakland Mall...no wait, those aren't in Detroit. Aknartoon's if you can find it. It was on Woodward North of Chicago but moved elsewhere. I've not seen it anywhere as of yet. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 5494 Registered: 08-2004 |
I would suggest the original Buddy's near 6 Mile & Davison. Can't beat the pizza and the "hole in the wall" charm that you seek can be found there... | ||
Rrl Member Username: Rrl Post Number: 912 Registered: 12-2003 |
Cadieux Cafe for a couple buckets of mussels, many pints, and feather bowling (make sure you reserve your lane early). Head to the Tap Room on Charlevoix & Alter afterwards. www.cadieuxcafe.com Dakota Inn Rathskeller is also a unique locale w/ authentic German food, good brew and the Schnitzelbank! www.dakota-inn.com Don't really think either of these places could be considered 'hole-in-the-wall' (maybe Tap Room), but definitely unique. (Message edited by rrl on October 11, 2007) | ||
Waz Member Username: Waz Post Number: 216 Registered: 11-2006 |
The Ivanhoe Cafe on Frederick at Jos. Campau. http://www.ivanhoecafe-pyc.com /pycmain.html Very good food - check Detroit staple - check Ethnic - check (not the entire menu, but some items are Polish) off the beaten path - check (definitely check!) hole-in-the-wall - depends on your definition, but definitely not upscale Only problem is they're open for dinner only on Fridays. | ||
Vas Member Username: Vas Post Number: 825 Registered: 01-2004 |
Polonia Restaurant Hamtramck and I second Cadieux Cafe, though its not that ethnic. | ||
Peter Member Username: Peter Post Number: 113 Registered: 02-2007 |
Honest John's by Wayne State | ||
Quinn Member Username: Quinn Post Number: 1501 Registered: 01-2005 |
Great hole in the wall with ala cart menu based around great steaks...you'll love it: "Capers" on Gratiot http://detroit.citysearch.com/ profile/5223230/ I didn't write that 4 star review, but it is pretty awesome. Think LJ's meets Carl's Chop House. | ||
Rrl Member Username: Rrl Post Number: 913 Registered: 12-2003 |
Capers, good call. | ||
Smogboy Member Username: Smogboy Post Number: 6077 Registered: 11-2004 |
Cadieux Cafe will always be one of my faves. I think it'll also fulfill a few of your requirements of being a Detroit staple, the food is pretty decent and for a fun time, rent the lanes and go feather bowling to top off the night. It's one of my favorite places to entertain out of town guests just because of the decent selection of lagers and it's not likely their home towns have a feather bowling lane. | ||
Dhugger Member Username: Dhugger Post Number: 203 Registered: 03-2005 |
Los Galenas in Mexican town. On Saturday night they have a band after 9 p.m. You get to watch dads dance with their daughters and all the rest of the couples too. Good authentic food and sweet atmosphere. | ||
Gnome Member Username: Gnome Post Number: 189 Registered: 08-2007 |
There are a lot of great neighborhood places, but to meet your specs, Cadieux Cafe hits all the points: hole in the wall, ... clean but old a Detroit staple, ... started as a Speakeasy. authentic ethnic food,... if Beligans are ethnic or off the beaten path... depends on your path Feather bowling is a hoot, but you have to make reservations, the beer is cold the food good and you can have a full night of fun for 200 bucks. Personally, I like the handpainted sign which shows the names of the neighborhood Beligin boys that were in the Service in WWII. www.cadieuxcafe.com | ||
Quinn Member Username: Quinn Post Number: 1503 Registered: 01-2005 |
If you're going to Mexican Town, I'd suggest getting frozen margaritas at Las Golanes (DHugger's suggestion), but moving to El Comal across vernor for dinner. Seriously the best food in the area...no joke. http://detroit.citysearch.com/ profile/5231067/detroit_mi/el_ comal_restaurant.html (Message edited by quinn on October 11, 2007) | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 1797 Registered: 10-2006 |
Detroit Coney at Livernois and McNichols! | ||
Gingellgirl Member Username: Gingellgirl Post Number: 66 Registered: 04-2007 |
My vote: Traffic Jam & Snug http://www.traffic-jam.com | ||
Kathleen Member Username: Kathleen Post Number: 2520 Registered: 10-2003 |
I suggest Z's Villa on Piquette just east of Woodward. | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 10697 Registered: 12-2003 |
The Golden Fleece! The only Greektown dive left! Chicken Kabob...hummus...yum! | ||
Neilr Member Username: Neilr Post Number: 594 Registered: 06-2005 |
You've already been given many excellent ideas. I'd like to suggest Sinbad's. It's a Detroit staple and, to me, the food is consistently good. | ||
Fury13 Member Username: Fury13 Post Number: 2594 Registered: 10-2003 |
Senor Lopez on Michigan Ave. between Livernois and Lonyo (Mexican). Roma Cafe in Eastern Market (Italian). Polonia in Hamtramck (Polish). Dakota Inn Rathskeller on John R north of Six Mile (German). All are Detroit staples, all are casual, all are ethnic. All are pretty good, too. | ||
Diehard Member Username: Diehard Post Number: 151 Registered: 03-2005 |
For good Indian food, Sizzle-n-Spice on Monroe across from the Compuware building. (I don't think they have a liquor license though, and the hours can be strange.) | ||
Durango Member Username: Durango Post Number: 33 Registered: 10-2006 |
It's not a "hole-in-the wall" but Omega Coney Island on Chicago & Greenfield or the other location at Grand River & Fenkell has great food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Great prices and quick service. | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 1803 Registered: 10-2006 |
"I suggest Z's Villa on Piquette just east of Woodward." That is a really really good suggestion. How many bars in Detroit have volleyball courts, horseshoes, outdoor patio TVs, and really good pizza? Z's villa is the place to go! | ||
Timeless Member Username: Timeless Post Number: 5 Registered: 09-2007 |
You can search http://313rd.com for directions to all of the above listed places. I suggest Roma Cafe as well... http://313rd.com/biz/roma-cafe map at the bottom | ||
Detx Member Username: Detx Post Number: 29 Registered: 07-2007 |
Dulys! | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 949 Registered: 11-2005 |
Cass Cafe on (surprise) Cass. Great food. Upscale but not snobby. Plus, the owner is a great guy (redid my kitchen, too).  | ||
Granmontrules Member Username: Granmontrules Post Number: 202 Registered: 01-2007 |
Bogartz on the east side - just east of Cadieux on Mack (Detroit side) great beer, awesome pizza and steaks. We love it! | ||
Oldoak Member Username: Oldoak Post Number: 44 Registered: 09-2007 |
Twingo's on Cass Ave. near Wayne State. Not a hole in the wall, not cheap, but food is good and it is cozy. | ||
Thecarl Member Username: Thecarl Post Number: 1080 Registered: 04-2005 |
quote: pah! artsy-fartsy overrated. head over to mario's. | ||
Deandub11 Member Username: Deandub11 Post Number: 155 Registered: 05-2006 |
All good suggestions, but I'm not impressed yet...I've heard or been to all of these except Polonia and Dakota, both supplied by Fury. Bump... | ||
Oldredfordette Member Username: Oldredfordette Post Number: 2897 Registered: 02-2004 |
Sizzlin Spice has beer and wine. | ||
Softailrider Member Username: Softailrider Post Number: 72 Registered: 02-2007 |
Last time I ate at Mario's was a couple years ago after a Lions game . Food was GREAT , we ate so much almost had to go to the hospital on the way home . I thought I was going to have a coronary for a while . | ||
Detrola Member Username: Detrola Post Number: 59 Registered: 02-2006 |
Detx, You beat me to it. DULY'S, the very definition of "hole in the wall". | ||
Gnome Member Username: Gnome Post Number: 195 Registered: 08-2007 |
Go to the Dakota, it too meets all your specs and the sing along is a hoot. You can learn a little German, eat some of the best potato pancakes in the world and amaze yourself in the building's archetecture. If you haven't been to Germany, then go to the Dakota because inside es ist einem deutschen beir Saal in Goslar oder Freiburg ähnlich. (Message edited by gnome on October 13, 2007) |
