Stan Garfield is the Worldwide Consulting & Integration Knowledge Management Leader, Hewlett-Packard. He also writes an excellent knowledge management blog. Stan lives in the Detroit area and knows its eating places quite well. I spent much time working in Detroit in the 1980s but I found out from Stan that many of the places I liked then are gone now so I greatly appreciate getting this update.
Stan provides this list of Detroit's best restaurants today. Stan said that Detroit's best are ethnic or blue collar places. He added that Coney Island is a ubiquitous category of restaurant run by Greeks that serves coneys (hot dogs topped with chili, onions, and mustard), breakfast all day, standard short order food, and some Greek specialties. In the Detriot area there are concentrations of Arabic (Dearborn), Mexican (Southwest Detroit), Polish (Hamtramck), and many other nationalities. Here is Stan’s best of Detroit
Fancy: Tribute (Farmington Hills) openned in 1995 and has received praise form accolades from Gourmet Magazine, The New York Times, and The Wine Spectator. The meuns samples and pictures llok great. It is located at 31425 West Twelve Mile Road Farmington Hills, (248) 848-9393
Mexican: Taqueria Mi Pueblo (Detroit Mexican Town) Southwest Detroit has a growing Latino population that supports many taquerias along and around Vernor, Michigan and Livernois streets. 7278 Dix Rd, Detroit, MI 48209, Phone: (313) 841-3315
Greek: Pegasus Taverna (Detroit Greek Town) Greektown is an eight-square-block dining and entertainment area reachable from anywhere downtown via the People Mover. Pegasus Taverna was voted Michigan;s best Greek restaurant by the Detroit News. It is located at 558 Monroe. (313-964-6800)
Indian: Passage to India (Berkley) City Seacrh says. “the menu features extensive lamb, chicken and seafood offerings, including Tandoori items (grilled in a clay oven over charcoal.) Also, choose from vegetarian items, rice specialties and homemade breads. For starters, go for the mixed appetizer, to sample samosa, onion pakura, egg plant and papadam. It is located at 3354 12 Mile Rd Berkley, MI (248) 541-2119
Middle Eastern: La Shish is a chain that was voted best Middle Eastern Restaurant in Detroit by Hour Magazine. There are many locations on their site includuing La Shish in Auburn Hills 2065 N. Squirrel Road, Auburn Hills, 248-364-2000 (where the Pistons play)
Polish: Polish Village Café (Hamtramck) It was voted Michigan;s best Polish restaurant by the Detroit News. City Search says, “PVC serves up the city's best Old-World cuisine--think juicy kielbasa, crisp potato pancakes and moist pierogi .” It is located at 2990 Yemans St., Hamtramck (313) 874-5726
Soul Food: Steve's Soul Food (Detroit) The Detriot Super pages says it “this may be the city's best restaurant at classic southern soul food: sweet potato pie, collard greens, grits and gravy, and all kinds of other sides that only serve to further glorify the main event — roasted or barbecued chicken or beef.” It is located at 8447 Grand River Ave. Detroit 313-894-3467
Barbecue: Slow's (Detroit Cork Town) They have a nice web site and menu includes smoked fish and gumbo so it must be good. Slow’s is loacted at 2138 Michigan Avenue Detroit, 3 1 3 - 9 6 2 - 9 8 2 8
Pizza: Buddy's (chain) The Metro Times has agreed with Stan since 1985 on this pizza chain. There are many locations that you can find at the Metro Times listing.
Coney Island: Lafayette Coney Island (Detroit downtown) This white-tiled hot dog and chili emporium is open all night and apparently gets a big late night crowd. It is located at 118 W. Lafayette, Detroit, (313) 964-8198
Hamburger bar: Miller's Bar (Dearborn) their web stes says this is “where lesser burgers come to worhsip.” The photo spread on their site is classic. It is located at 23700 Michigan Ave Dearborn MI 48124 (313) 565-2577
Root beer stand: Brown's Root Beer (South Lyon) Cez Moz says. “Browns offers a nice 50's type diner atmosphere, and affordable prices.” It is located at 399 S Lafayette St -South Lyon, MI 48178-1407 (248) 437.6376
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