Lafayette Coney Island and other Detroit, MI Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Name: Lafayette Coney Island

Lafayette Coney Island has been standing on the corner of Michigan Ave. and Griswold for the better part of a century and feels like the old 'cheeseburger cheeseburger' skit from Saturday Night Live. The menu is simple: Coney dogs, hotdogs, french fries, Coke ('No Pepsi, Coke'), apple pie. There's nothing fancy here and the waiters might give a little attitude, but this little diner is pure Detroit and especially in the middle of the night since they're open until 5 am. When our basketball team played Philadelphia for the finals one year, our mayor bet 24 Lafayette coney dogs against 24 Philadelphia steak and cheese sandwiches from the mayor of Philadelphia. We won, but even the mayor knew where to go for the best Coney dog in Detroit. Once I asked the waiter what type of pies he had. 'Now why are you going to make me tell you all the pies we have because you're only going to have one,' he replied. 'Now you just tell me which one you want and I'll get it for you.' 'Uh ... apple?' I asked shyly. The waiter threw his hands in the air. 'Ok! See how easy that was?' Giggle ... yes, that's Detroit.

Favorite Dish: Coney dogs, fries and a coke. Average price for a meal: $6 USD

Leave a Comment

Theme: Other

Directions: Corner of Michigan Ave. and Griswold, downtown Detroit, MI

Restaurant Name: Avalon International Breads

Avalon is not only an excellent bakery specializing in fresh organic breads, espesso, sweets, sandwiches and foccacia, but it's a slice of shangri-la bordering on a rather rough neighborhood. Some breads are named after local neighborhoods including Palmer Park Pain Aux Noix (farm bread with walnuts), Motown Multigrain, Poletown Rye or Paradise Valley Raisin Pecan. Avalon is also a popular hangout for locals and university students as well as a good spot to find information for local gay/lesbian events.

Favorite Dish: Organic date bars

Leave a Comment

Theme: Other

Address: 422 W. Willis, Detroit
Other Contact: 313. 832. 0008

The Detroit Farmers Market in Eastern Market
Eastern Market was settled by German immigrants in 1834 and became a public market in 1891. Today, the area is dotted with late Victorian and Edwardian buildings that house unique merchants such as Rafal's (unique spices, coffee), R. Hirt Jr. (cheese) and the Central Market Building (meat and fish). The best time to visit is Saturday morning when the venders also fill the stalls with locally made honey, nuts, fruit, vegetables, flowers, wine and more. Visit one of the cheese sellers who displays photos of his happy goats playing with his kids. Catch up with the local news while the venders hawk their goods and vie for a sales moment with visitors. Watch a steel drum musician play the blues for money on the street. See a melting pot of cultures from veiled Islamic ladies with their families and local farmers in overalls to Mexican venders selling seriously hot peppers and exotic African ladies. In May, gardeners should visit for the annual Flower Day which is the largest flower-bedding market in the country. Sometimes I would visit early in the morning for coffee after dancing at an all-night club. The stores are open daily. The outside stalls are open on Saturday. Bert's Marketplace, a popular late night jazz/blues club, is also located in Eastern Market. To see a food photo feast, visit the travelogue to the right called 'Market Day.'

Favorite Dish: Coffee beans at Rafal's

Leave a Comment

Theme: Other

Directions: Farmers Market: 2934 Russell, Detroit, MI. Bert's Marketplace: 2727 Russell, Detroit, MI.
Other Contact: Farmer's Market: 313. 833. 1560.

Restaurant Name: Greektown

Greektown is a touristy spot located in one of the safest areas of Detroit, so so there will be plenty of cops on the corners during peak hours. There are loads of Greek restaurants and a some excellent bakeries. Peak into the beautiful St. Mary's Church if it's open or the Second Baptist Church that was an important stop on the underground railroad, see which jazz band is playing at the Music Menu Cafe or catch some street jazz on the street. The Greektown Casino and an upscale hotel are just around the corner.

Favorite Dish: For an appetizer, try the flaming saganaki cheese in the Greek restaurants. Servers flame the cheese with cognac, yell 'opa' and cool the fire with lemon juice. Average price for a dinner: $7-$12 USD. Photo credit: aeaendy@virtualtourist.com

Leave a Comment

Theme: Other

Address: Monroe St. in downtown Detroit

Hamtramck in Detroit's only official burrough and has a large Polish and Eastern European community. The restaurants, bakeries and pubs aren't fancy, but they are the real deal. Former president George Bush ate at the popular Under the Eagle Polish restaurant. The world-famous Motor Lounge nightclub is also located in Hamtramck.


Leave a Comment

Theme: Other

Address: I-75 and Caniff near downtown Detroit

In Mexicantown, an off-the-beaten path gem is just steps from the touristy restaurants of Zochimilco and El Zocalo. At Taqueria Lupita's, many people speak only Spanish and it's not only the real deal, but inexpensive too. Three people can eat dinner for about $20. Or, duck around the corner to El Comal, a South American restaurant.


Leave a Comment

Theme: Other

Address: Porter St. near the Ambassador Bridge to Canada

Restaurant Name: La Gloria Bakery

It's easy to overlook La Gloria that rests at the end of Porter St. while walking in the other direction to any of several great Mexican restaurants. However, this amazing bakery is filled with lively locals all chatting in Spanish with Latin TV programs quietly playing from a set in the corner while they fill cafeteria trays with fresh sweets pulled from wooden curio-like cabinets. Try the fruit empanadas (turnovers), Mexican chocolate cookies with cinnamon and almonds, Mexican wedding cake cookies sprinkled with powdered sugar, churros (Long strips of dough fried like doughnuts) or fresh tortillas made from the neighborhood tortilla factory.


Leave a Comment

Theme: Other

Address: Porter St., Mexicantown, Detroit

The Whitney, Woodward Ave., Detroit
The Whitney restaurant was the home of David Whitney who arrived in Detroit in 1857 and later became the largest lumber baron in this part of the country. After four years of construction, his home was completed in 1894 at the cost of $400,000. The mansion is 21,000 SF with 52 rooms. Whitney died in 1900, but his family occupied the home until the 1920s. Various city offices occupied the building in the following years, but after a long period of vacancy, the home was remodeled into The Whitney, one of Detroit's great restaurants, that opened in 1986. Today, the retaurant is known for its amazing dishes, but budget travelers who want to splurge a bit can skip dinner in favor of a walk up the grand marble staircase to the third floor lounge. The lounge has a beautiful bar, light appetizer/dessert menu and weekend entertainment with a soulful divaesque jazz singer and a piano accompaniment. A visit to the lounge is a perfect splurge or prelude to a romantic evening. In the summer, the small gardens that surround the house host weekly garden parties, sponsored by a local rock radio station. The garden parties attract the pretty people who enjoy great appetizers, art exhibits and live music from top local bands. Local trivia: The second floor of the empty restaurant next door was once a used as a gym by Joe Louis, one of America's greatest boxers.

Favorite Dish: The dessert menu will include unique items such as a chocolate glazed bombe of chocolate and peanut butter mousses with caramel sauce, banana creme, and caramelized banana. Price range for a dessert: $8 - $12 USD.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Other

Address: Woodward Ave., Detroit
Other Contact: www.thewhitney.com