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TheKeg81

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Hey guys, seeking some advice for this area. Is there anything I must see while I'm up there? I will be traveling, flying, next week out to Detroit and driving over into Amherstburg, ON, Canada for work. I fly in on a Sunday so that'll probably be my best time for State-side sight seeing. I'll have fairly long days while in Canada so I can't afford too long of a trip in the evenings and would prefer not to do too much border crossing. So, without further babbling.....

Is there anything on the Canadian side to do?

Is there anything around the Detroit area worth seeing?
 
Is there anything on the Canadian side to do?

I have no idea, as I don't travel through Windsor too often. The beer in Canada is super expensive too. I guess you could check out Casino Windsor, which I would recommend over any of the casinos in Detroit.

Is there anything around the Detroit area worth seeing?

Well, that depends what you are into doing. Personally, I would avoid the City of Detroit for the most part, but there is Atwater Brewing downtown and there is Slow's Barbeque. In Wyandott there is the Oak Cafe which is a little neighborhood corner pub, but also has well over 250 different beers available. If you are into culture, you could check out the Detroit Institute of Arts, Henry Ford Museum, and/or Greenfield Village. Outside of those things, Detroit is pretty much all ghetto with very little police presence and a severely understaffed fire/EMS service.
 
Personally, I would avoid the City of Detroit for the most part, but there is Atwater Brewing downtown and there is Slow's Barbeque.

If you don't want to accept this chicken suburban viewpoint ;), and DO want to enjoy some of Detroit, and want some info from someone who actually ventures into the city on a daily basis, I can tell you there are are quite a few microbreweries and other interesting things in and around Downtown. Some are what Bigb Mentioned as well.

The VERY FIRST brewpub in Michigan is on Wayne State University's campus, called the Traffic Jam and Snug, they also make their own cheese, sausage, bread, etc. It's an interesting place, though I'm not a fan of their food. Right across the parking lot from TJ-s is my favorite micro brewery actually in the city- Motor City Brew Works; MCBW is most famous for their Ghetto Blaster English Style Mild, which is listed in the BJCP as a classic example of the style.

Actually I'll be there on Sunday about 1pm. On the Sundays I preach some of us retire there for a couple pitchers of Ghetto Blaster and pizza.

In and around WSU's campus is the cultural center; Detroit Institute of Arts, which is one of the premier art museums in the country. It boasts some amazing huge frescoes by Diego Rivera. Also near by (Actually on the same street as MCBW and TJ-s) is the Museum of Contemporary Arts Detroit.

You're also not too far from Comerica Park home of the Detroit Tigers. If you're coming in this Sunday, Justin Verlander is pitching, and more than likely his GF Kate Upton will be there.

If you're there on the weekend, Detroit's Eastern Market is pretty cool it's a big outdoor market with surrounded buildings with interesting shops and resteraunts. If you want a place near the border with Canada to get a few Micros or wine, Cost Plus Wines in Eastern Market would be the place to stop.

Closer to Downtown The Detroit Beer Company is on Broadway, they have some great beers as well.

In that same area is Rub Pub, which is a great bbq joint that has an amazing tap and bottle selection, this list is JUST the Michigan Beers they have, I was blown away by the bottle selection, of non Michigan beers.

If you want to drive away from Detroit a bit, in Dearborn is the Greenfield Village/Henry Ford Museum , which is an amazing place that even has an Imax theater and has a pretty cool auto factory tour.

I don't get across into Windsor or up to Amherstburg all that often anymore. But that city does have the [Fort Malden Historical Park it is a fort that stands on the remains of Fort Amherstburg in Amherstburg, Ontario. The original fort was abandoned by the British/Canadians in 1813 when Southwest Ontario fell into American hands. It's cool if you're interested in that sort of thing.

The best source for events of all types as well as Bar/Resteraunt info is our weekly free arts and entertainment rag, The Metro Times, it lists the annual "Best of Detroit" places in there, as well as a weekly calendar of event. We have a lot of festivals, and concerts, sporting events, and fairs going on in Metro Detroit all summer, so that's the best source of what's going on at any given time or another.

Let me know if I can help you in anyway...

:mug:
 
Besides the above mentioned Cost Plus Wines in Eastern Market to beer shop before crossing into Canada, I can also provide you with a list of some other great beers stores around, most on the East side. But for example if you wanted to hit Greenfield Village in Dearborn, right around the corner from there is Merchant's Wines, which has an amazing beer selection and was one of the first places to have a graduate from the Cicerone program, AND the first and I think only woman Cicerone in the country;



ANd here's the link from Atwater Brewing which Brother Bigb mentioned.

And if you do want to check out a non Detroit brewpub, my favorite, and one of the best in Michigan is Dragonmead, about 30 minutes east of Detroit. In fact that usually where when hbt'ers come to town, we usually get a bunch of the local guys from here to meet up with them.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
In Detroit ...
Because the restaurant is closed for it’s traditional summer holiday until August 8th ... IF you are going to be in the area for a few weeks ... in the city of Detroit, I’d say visit the Dakota Inn Rathskeller.
l.jpg


The Dakota Inn Rathskeller is the only surviving true ethnic German restaurant in Detroit, and has the very best German cooking in the city.

The Dakota is as close as you will find to the type of classic 1930's German restaurant/Rathskeller/Biergarten that was a mainstay of German immigrant community in Detroit.

Though the iceboxes (coolers) are no longer trap-doors in the floor behind the bar, the restaurant's original interior has changed little over the years. Heavy wooden tables and benches line the main hall and Deer and Elk adorn the walls. The restaurant has that authentic "old-world" feeling that comes from the polished darkwood furniture and wall paneling, hand-painted German scenes ... and servers decked out in traditional German style clothing. In days gone by, patrons who needed another stein of beer would summon the braufrau or waitress by pulling on the rope to ring the bell that hung above many tables ... though the ropes have since been removed, this is still the best place in the city to enjoy the finest German beers.

There are frequent events at the Dakota including live German music and also German style sing-alongs Fridays and Saturdays which feature American standards of the 1920's thru the 40's as well as the classic German sing-along `Schnitzelbank`; all accompanied by the piano which resides up above the crowd in an alcove in the wall. The restaurant is packed with singing patrons during the sing-alongs so reservations are a good idea for sing-along nights or when live German bands are playing.

The menu, as well as the beer and liquor selection are absolutely as authentic as you will find.
When you have an Asbach Uralt or a Jaegermeister here, you are taking part in a tradition that goes back over 70 years at the Dakota. You can visit the website at http://www.dakota-inn.com ... Even better, visit in person!


(note that as of today, 7-12-12 the Dakota’s website appears to be down for maintenance).

more pics of the Dakota Inn Rathskeller ... http://tinyurl.com/6u5s79c
 
Other restaurant choices in the City ...
The Cadieux Cafe ... in Detroit ... feather bowling, food and Belgian beer.

Polish Village Cafe ... in Hamtramck (an enclave within the city of Detroit). Great Polish Beer and Food

The Roma Cafe
... in Detroit's Eastern Market district - The Roma is Detroit's oldest continuously operating Restaurant at 122 years old ... And on Mondays they have a great Italian Buffet - alla you can eat - Mondays, 5 to 9pm ... ( btw bring in any guest check - food or bar check - from a previous day and get $4 off the buffet price.)

And if you are going to be around Windsor, Ontario ... I'd suggest going to Windsor's Little Italy district along Erie Street ... more info at http://www.viaitaliadining.com/members.aspx including a map.

And as Revvy suggested, visiting Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan is a really good destination. One of my absolute favorites. If you go there, try to make your visit between 11am and 4pm so that you can stop for a beer and or a meal at the historic 1831 Eagle Tavern located within the Village. (actually doors close at around 3:30 I think)

Libations from the Greenfield Village' Eagle Tavern's menu ...

CIDER & WINES
Claret
Cider

HOCK
Hock

SHERRY
Cream Sherry

PORT
Tawny

BRANDIES & LIQUEURS
Cognac Brandy

Brandy

Fruit Brandies: Applejack, Blackberry

SPIRITOUS LIQUORS
Corn Whiskey
Gin
Grain Spirit
Bourbon
Rum
Scotch Whiskey

MALT BEVERAGE
Porter
Steam Station Beer
Farmhouse Ale
Menlo Light Beer
Half & Half

Eagle Tavern
venueEagleTavern.png


Eagle%2BTavern%2Bpub%2B000.jpg
 
Greenfield village or Henry Ford Museum are awesome, and I would highly recomend as well.

FYI the border crossing back into the states can be a nightmare, but getting into Canada isnt too bad. There is of course a bridge and a tunnel to canada, so it wouldnt hurt to check wait times at each. I generally skip the detroit and Port Huron crossings comming back and take the ferry at Algonac or Marine City to save time.

There used to be some great Greek food downtown, don't know if it is still there or not locals could probably guide you for this one.

Beer, liquor, gas, and smokes are expensive in Canada, you might want to check if anyone at that end wants anything. However there is a pretty good selection of liquor avaliable in Canada not avaliable in the states, and if you are American paying with greenbacks you don't have to sign the book
 
In Detroit ...
Dakota Inn Rathskeller ...

I have never heard of that one... Interesting, I'm going to check it out.

Also, since the Cadieux Cafe and a few other east side places have been mentioned, we would be remiss to leave out Ye Olde Tap Room which is just a few miles from Cadieux Cafe. Ye Olde Tap Room has lots of great beers like the Oak Cafe. But if you go there, word of caution: DO NOT USE your credit or Debit card. They have had a rash of card cloning in that place. I sincerely doubt it is a concerted effort by the owner or staff, more likely an unscrupulous patron.

I have not been to the microbreweries (MCBW and Traffic Jam) that Revvy mentioned, but I did forget about the Detroit Brewery. Their Beer is pretty good. And yes, like Rev mentioned, Dragonmead has very good beer as well as Kuhnhenns (both in Warren).
 
Ye Olde Tap Room has lots of great beers like the Oak Cafe. But if you go there, word of caution: DO NOT USE your credit or Debit card. They have had a rash of card cloning in that place. I sincerely doubt it is a concerted effort by the owner or staff, more likely an unscrupulous patron.

Good call on Ye Olde Tap room, I forgot about that place. I busted my craft beer cherry there in my 20's when I lived in the neighborhood. I can boast that I drank the left column of the beer list.

Hmm, they don't have their own website?
 
Good call on Ye Olde Tap room, I forgot about that place. I busted my craft beer cherry there in my 20's when I lived in the neighborhood. I can boast that I drank the left column of the beer list.

Hmm, they don't have their own website?

It used to be yeoldetaproom.com, but it is no longer up. Which is a shame because they used to list their beers and had some pictures of the inside. I like Ye Olde Tap Room and everytime I go there, I take the trip over to Cadieux Cafe... which has good food and a pretty good Belgian Beer selection.
 
The previous posters all have good advice, those are great places. Be careful of the neighborhood the Rathskeller is in, though.
I work in Detroit, and I would still never visit Rathskeller without about 10 buddies. Oz, one of the bartenders at Nemo's (a Detroit landmark on Michigan Ave.) got a chain to the face when he wouldn't give up his car keys. I don't think I'm being dramatic when I say it's a third world country. You will probably not see cops, even if you call 911.
It's a great authentic German fest hall experience, once you get in. Their Oktoberfest celebration is fantastic.
Slows has a fantastic beer selection, but it can be tricky getting a spot now that they've been on TV and everybody knows about them.
I personally like the pizza at Motor City Brew Works better than the beer. Traffic Jam has better beer normally, especially if they have their Doppelbock in. They feature an oak aged raspberry frambois once in a while that is heaven in a glass. The brewmaster does whatever the hell he wants, on his time-frame - which sometimes sucks.
Detroit Brew Works is hit and miss on beer quality, but they normally have great food.
Dragonmead, meh. The beer is OK, but they haven't been aging it properly - it clearly tastes green. Too much demand I guess, although they are ramping up production shortly.
Kuhnhenn's has great beer, but it can get pricey drinking there. Their bourbon barrel 4th Dimentia old ale is awesome, but you need a cab after 1 :)
 
Wow, great responses by all. I'm due into DTW at 1pm today, so I will check out at least one of the places before crossing the border. How's the traffic in/around Detroit during evening rush hour?

@Airplanedoc: Thanks for the heads up on getting back into the states. My flight is super early (in the air @605am) on Friday and I'd hate to miss it due to poor planning on my part.
 
The crossing through Port Huron only took about 1/2 hour last evening (back to the US) but it was a Sunday and not as crowded as many other times. All of the booths were open (about 12 of them).

Going INTO Canada at 5 PM yesterday, though, had the cars lined up for miles and miles.

I didn't go near the Detroit crossing, though, and it is probably totally different. There are several links to websites to check the wait time at all the crossings (both Canada and US) by googling "border crossing wait times" and the name of the particular crossing you're using. The fees for the bridges are around $3.25 each way.
 
Going INTO Canada at 5 PM yesterday, though, had the cars lined up for miles and miles.

Thats unusual, Last time I was across the into US side was backed up to petrolia exit. Fortunatly I'm from PH so I headed down to Marine City ferry and was across and thru customs in less than 5 min, granted it was a 20 min drive but I figure I still came out ahead.

I'm pretty sure there is a is a bridge info recording with the crossing times, on some AM station just listen to that or ask the locals. The Ambassador bridge is the busiest NA border crossing
 
If you haven't eaten yet. Program you GPS for Lazy Bones BBQ on Groesbeck, just a little bit away from D'mead and pick up a sandwhich or a plate of q and take it to D'mead. Or ask them at the brewery for their book of take out menues and call and have it delivered. D'mead has burgers but allow outside food. Lazybone's sandwhiches are the bomb.

Lazy Bones
27475 Groesbeck Hwy
Roseville, MI 48066

(586) 775-7427
 
That sounds awesome. I might have them do that. DM is an interesting little place so far. Have not eaten yet and bbq sounds fantastic. The sauce is not heavily vinegar based is it?
 
If you haven't eaten yet. Program you GPS for Lazy Bones BBQ on Groesbeck, just a little bit away from D'mead and pick up a sandwhich or a plate of q and take it to D'mead. Or ask them at the brewery for their book of take out menues and call and have it delivered. D'mead has burgers but allow outside food. Lazybone's sandwhiches are the bomb.

Lazy Bones
27475 Groesbeck Hwy
Roseville, MI 48066

(586) 775-7427

Got to second Revvy on this call. The wife and I took his advice on this one and Revvy met us there. Outstanding Q and the beers at D'mead are awesome. Though one trip won't be enough to get through them all.

Having said that, Cadieux Cafe is a winner. Grab some cold Westmalle and the polish sausage. The muscles there aren't bad either. They come in a fricking bucket. You will also get to see your first ever "Featherball" court there as well...never heard of it before I saw it there. A bit similar to Bocce I think.
 
That sounds awesome. I might have them do that. DM is an interesting little place so far. Have not eaten yet and bbq sounds fantastic. The sauce is not heavily vinegar based is it?

They have different sauces, but I can't think of any of them vinegar based (I'm not a fan of those either) I usually get whatever they say is the house one. Can't remember which.

I like the Detroit Beef and Cheddar and the Smokehouse lightening on the sandwich menu. Especially the SMokehouse lightening.

Damn I wish I didn't have to do a wedding tonight...I'd try to meet up with you there.
 
Sounds awesome. I will be back up this way for sure, but its usually only about once a year. I hope that we'll continue to stay away from the usual Nov/Dec time frame.
 
Dang, $15 minimum to deliver. Any one want a free meal? :)

EDIT: One of the bartenders scored a free meal.

EDIT2: 1.5 hrs to deliver. Maybe next time
 
Hmmm.. I wish I would have checked this thread before leaving the office. I would have grabbed LazyBones and met you there for a beer. But alas. Its 1.5 hours later and I'm home.
 
Dang, $15 minimum to deliver. Any one want a free meal? :)

EDIT: One of the bartenders scored a free meal.

EDIT2: 1.5 hrs to deliver. Maybe next time



That must be something new...or when I get it deliverd it's usually 3-4 of us getting something. Most of the time now I just pick it up on the way.
 
That must be something new...or when I get it deliverd it's usually 3-4 of us getting something. Most of the time now I just pick it up on the way.

Yeah, I'll know better for next time. I'll grab it and then head over. I did find my way over to it though after leaving. It was delicious and the sauce was spot on with what I like.

I tried Bill's Witbier, Nagelweiss, Lancelot's Cream Ale (x2), and the dark mild one. The cream ale and the witbier being my favorites. I really like their draft handles there and wanted one. The $48 price tag talked me out of it though. :D

Next time, I'll plan better to make it to Cadieux Cafe and perhaps meet up with some of y'all. Thanks again everyone for the recommendations.
 
Next time, I'll plan better to make it to Cadieux Cafe...

You'll enjoy. At least you made it to Dragonmead. Pretty surprising place once you get inside, huh? Sounds like you managed a pretty good sampling while there.
 
You'll enjoy. At least you made it to Dragonmead. Pretty surprising place once you get inside, huh? Sounds like you managed a pretty good sampling while there.

It was a little different than the usual. It made me miss my favorite place to go out with my friends during college. We had a brewpub back home for a while, but it eventually closed up. I purposefully stuck to their lowest ABV beers so that I could sample plenty. Of course, if I had seen Revvy's message before I went there and had gotten Lazybones before going, I wouldn't have had any room for beer. That sandwich is huge.
 
Well, it looks like I may finish up early tomorrow with my work here in Amherstburg. I'm going to cross back onto US soil a day earlier than originally planned. I had a rough time getting across originally and don't want to risk missing my flight out of DTW on Friday morning if it is rough again.

So, the question is...anyone up for Cadieux or Dragonmead/food-taken-in?
 
So, the question is...anyone up for Cadieux or Dragonmead/food-taken-in?

I would be if I were in town. My client out there is not cooperating though. I had intended to be spending a decent amount of time in Detroit this year. Maybe Revvy will be free. :mug:
 
Well, it looks like I may finish up early tomorrow with my work here in Amherstburg. I'm going to cross back onto US soil a day earlier than originally planned. I had a rough time getting across originally and don't want to risk missing my flight out of DTW on Friday morning if it is rough again.

So, the question is...anyone up for Cadieux or Dragonmead/food-taken-in?

Depending on what time, I could probably meet up with you at Dragonmead afterwork. I have to be in Ponitiac early this afternoon but hopefully I will finish up at a reasonable hour. It's currently 11 am, so I'll check this thread as I get a chance.
 
Revvy said:
So you're talking tomorrow? Friday? I'm actually gonna be off. Depending on the time, Maybe. I'll do a D-mead/lazy bones meetup.

Unfortunately Revvy, I am talking about tonight, Thursday. I fly out Friday morning at 6 am.


BigB said:
Depending on what time, I could probably meet up with you at Dragonmead afterwork. I have to be in Ponitiac early this afternoon but hopefully I will finish up at a reasonable hour. It's currently 11 am, so I'll check this thread as I get a chance.

Cool, just let me know I'm staying fairly close by.
 
Revvy, thanks for quashing the Detroit bashing as quickly as it appeared earlier in the thread. It gets seriously old. My wife grew up down river and I’m from SW MI. I remember driving to Cobo for concerts the instant I turned 18. My wife and I even did a downtown pub crawl for our bachelor/bachelorette party.
Not mentioned was Fishbones. But since you’re from Louisiana it wouldn’t make a lot of sense to go since it’s designed to be a southern seafood restaurant.
The downtown city center surrounding Ford Field and Comerica Park is a great place to be. You’ve got everything from upscale restaurants, hole in the wall pubs, a casino, etc. It’s safe, well lit, and there is a lot to do. The drive in is a bit depressing as outside of this hub is what gives Detroit a bad rap.
As for Windsor, I went there a LOT when I was 19 – 20.99 years old. The lower drinking age pulls a lot of the younger crowd with disposable incomes across the bridge/tunnel. Honestly, I remember it being nice and clean but overall really expensive. And that was when the dollar was worth much more than Canadian.
There are some nice Canadian commercial beers that aren’t very prevalent in the US. Sleemans is a good one to try.
I hope you enjoyed your time in MI.
 
I'm leaving Pontiac now. It'll take approx 45 minutes to get there. I'll be the fat guy wearing the loud tie.
 
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