Food and Drink
On today's Daily Detroit:
00:33 - Discussion about legendary historic Detroit mayor Hazen Pingree and his legacy, as we also thank all the people who came out to Tocororo last night.
06:00
On today's Daily Detroit:
Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Tariffs possible impact on consumers
Rocket's Acquisition of Redfin
Road closures in Greektown
Business closings (Coffee Down Under and Zeoli's)
Street Beet Takes Over
Coffee Down Under, an Aussie-inspired basement coffeeshop at Shelby and Congress in Detroit's Financial District, will be done on March 15. They had been open for four years.
For some time now, a one-person operation has been all we can justify, but that has come with a bit too much unpredictability for the kind of reliable experience we strive to offer our guests.
While this chapter is coming to an end, we’re already working on ideas for what’s next—whether it’s a new concept in our space or the right partner to better suit the space and the evolving downtown landscape. If you have thoughts, we’d love to hear them!
The closure will not impact The Shelby, the bar next door.
I interviewed Coffee Down Under owner Tarun Kajeepeta for PBS Detroit at the start of 2023. He raised concerns then about the decline in office workers.
Of the three businesses I talked to for this piece, two are now gone from downtown. One left their retail space and consolidated at a building they own in Hamtramck, and the other restaurant is open — but has more limited hours and days than before COVID.
In a number of follow-up conversations, I've been told that the area seems to now have more foot traffic on weekends and evenings than during the day as more regional tourists spend time in downtown Detroit.
The Owner/Chef Megan Shaw says the new Street Beet spot will be "a full-service dining experience, a walk-up window for quick bites, an innovative bar program heavy on mocktails, and an in-house bakery program."
Street Beet has gotten a name for itself making fast-food inspired plant-based dishes.
They aim to create a true "third space" at 1800 Michigan Avenue in Detroit with "game nights, DJs, and a multifunctional community hub."
Street Beet will be open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner — and do a brunch. They'll be open at their current spot in Third Street Bar until the new spot is ready.
Washed Up Coffee is also coming to the space, ran by Emily Potter and Amélie Haakonsen, will run alongside their breakfast service and serve pastries as well.
If you're a listener to our show, you might know the name Amélie Haakonsen as also is part of Dessert Oasis - who we talked with for Detroit Coffee Week last year.
Haakonsen is adding this project on top of the other work.
No opening dates were given.
A bakery that doesn't exist in Ferndale, Lafayette coney returns, it's the end of the line for Bobcat Bonnie's in Corktown, A historic district for the rencen gets denied, and more! Today with Shianne Nocerini.
A local group of restaurants is dealt another blow as their first location — on 1800 Michigan Avenue in Detroit — is closing, according a Facebook post from the owner Matthew Buskard.
Opened in 2015, the spot became a go-to for brunch for awhile. But the concept has been facing challenges at multiple locations, with recent permanent closures in Wyandotte, Ypsilanti, and Clinton Township.
Quoted from the post:
What’s next for Bobcat Bonnie’s is our renewed focus on getting back to who we were, and what our goals were. Fixing some of the issues we see here in the restaurant, fixing some of the mistakes we made, and being able to get back to being the spot that you use to love. Having fun, serving food and community, and a renewed focus on taking care of our people is what we will be working on. Somehow as we grew we lost some of that magic and focus, and as this economy has proven, you got to be at your best because money is tight, and folks are looking for GREAT places to spend those few extra dollars.
Their hope is to "re-create what was great about Bobcat Bonnie's" and "ALL of the Corktown staff" is moving to the Ferndale spot, save for a few who "couldn't join us" and are placed with other jobs in the neighborhood.
Devon O'Reilly joins in to round up some of the interesting stories and places around town.
Timestamps:
00:21 - Introductions, mentioning that Fat Tuesday is approaching and our favorite flavors of Paczki
03:
12 Things To Know Around Metro Detroit
A litte Townie Talk with Fletcher Sharpe...
Topic timestamps:
02:10 Fletcher appears on One Detroit and talks about the hug that broke barriers in baseball
04:28 - Seva is closing. We
What does it take to become a cheesemonger? What are some of the best cheeses right now? Where can you try some of this stuff?
Zach Berg from Mongers' Provisions stopped by to talk about
On this Friday edition of Daily Detroit, hosts Devon and Jer kick things off with a victory lap for Devon, who accurately predicted the opening of an Apple Store in Detroit nearly three years ago.
On today's episode we talk about how a new high-speed rail project in Canada could eventually connect up with Detroit, we react to your feedback on the stores and restaurants you'd like to see in
Welcome to your Wednesday edition of the show, with Jer and Fletcher!
On today's all-local podcast (download here if you don't see the player above):
01:40 - Thanks Deadline Detroit for including us on
If you've been around Detroit for at least a minute, you know how important The Clique is. It's this diner on East Jefferson where you might run into everyone from a neighbor to a public official.
Bridge Detroit did a great write-up looking at the ups and downs the spot has faced. Go read the thing.
I'll be honest in that I've lapsed in going since the pandemic. Going to fix it this month. Diner breakfast is the best, IMHO.
Happy Valentine's Day! Jer and Devon made it into the studio through the snow to record something for just for you.
On the show:
- 0:55 - 4:37: Valentine's Day weekend plans, early
If you're just getting started, how should you stock your home bar? Whether it's the accessories and gadgets, spirits, or bitters and grocery items, we have you covered.
Norris needs some advice setting up
"Father Forgive Me" will be located in the former garage space of The Shepherd Detroit, adjacent to ALEO on Parkview. [Instagram with more pictures]
The venture comes from the hospitality group behind Standby, Deluxx Fluxx, and The Skip.
Interior design will be handled by Holly Jonsson Studio.
Plans include using The Shepherd's outdoor spaces, with programming aimed at fostering community engagement through art, culture, and conversation. You can follow them on social media here.
The Shepherd is a church that's been converted into a community, arts and entertainment space.
Today, we're talking about rats. They've been in the news a lot lately - whether at the center of a ongoing downtown coney feud or suburban communities wrestling with the problem. So what actually works?
On your Friday editon of Daily Detroit:
Jer spotlights The Mug, a cozy new coffee shop in the budding Piety Hill neighborhood, just north of Downtown.
Then, Devon dishes on a revamped spot
The location is in Canton, at Ford Road and Sheldon, between the Walgreen's and Firestone Complete Auto Care.
You know the hype is real when people camp overnight in the cold for your chicken fingers.
Brothers Henry and Joshua Cox camped outside the door starting at 7pm on Monday night. Patrice Austin joined shortly after.
The grand opening was well organized, and the staff wasn't phased by the crowds. Everyone got their food quickly.
My first impression of The Box Combo.
Raising Cane's has a simple, fast-casual menu. This isn't a Michelin star - this is on the go, and you get good value for what you pay. I'm into the One Cane's Sauce.
The coleslaw was a solid B+. I am Polish, and we like to pickle and ferment foods.
The coleslaw could have been a little stronger, and I would have liked some more spices, but that is a personal preference. The cabbage had plenty of dressing while maintaining some crunch.
Although a chain, they included local flair. There was a decorative piece from Ford, a Plymouth-Canton marching band jacket, and even a Willow Run Airport pennant flag. That is a nice touch to make residents feel comfortable dining at the restaurant.
Raising Cane's is at 44218 Ford Road in Canton.
In this episode, Jer talks with Dena Walker, the manager, and Mickey Lyons, a frequent guest and local historian, about the iconic Detroit bar, The Old Miami.
Celebrating its 45th anniversary, The Old Miami is
Our latest episode of what to know and where to go in Metro Detroit! We talk about a ton of things - from trying Vecino and an Archery cafe, to visiting an old favorite in