March 31, 2017

23 delicious Detroit brunches worth getting out of bed for

By Metro Times Staff

Brunch isn't for everybody. The Type A personality might bridle at the prospect of noontime lollygagging. The calorie-counter might object to the Hollandaise-drenched excess of the dishes. Teetotalers question why anybody would have a drink at all, let alone at the very moment it's legal to serve one.

But for those interested in liberating their spirits, it all makes sense. As they say in Russia: "Drink in the morning and you're free for the rest of the day."

By Michael Jackman

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Two-sided treat that puts the crunch in brunch: Toast; 23144 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-298-0444; 203 Pierce St., Birmingham; 248-258-6278: The Ferndale location has logged in about 15 years now, perfecting a gastropub vibe. From 7 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, it offers an ever-changing menu. Meanwhile, the Birmingham location has become a fixture, especially famed for the Friday-through-Sunday specials that add a bit of gourmet flair to the offerings. The full bar includes cocktails made with Crackalacka Cold Brew, that ridiculously delicious high-potency coffee with the nitro push. The Birmingham joint stays open later, and, in fact, the Toast empire is now so well known for its brunch that you still have to remind people they're open late. Photo via @toastferndale
Two-sided treat that puts the crunch in brunch: Toast; 23144 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-298-0444; 203 Pierce St., Birmingham; 248-258-6278: The Ferndale location has logged in about 15 years now, perfecting a gastropub vibe. From 7 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, it offers an ever-changing menu. Meanwhile, the Birmingham location has become a fixture, especially famed for the Friday-through-Sunday specials that add a bit of gourmet flair to the offerings. The full bar includes cocktails made with Crackalacka Cold Brew, that ridiculously delicious high-potency coffee with the nitro push. The Birmingham joint stays open later, and, in fact, the Toast empire is now so well known for its brunch that you still have to remind people they're open late. Photo via @toastferndale
Where brunch is casual, on Cass, and in a castle: Parks and Rec; 1942 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-446-8370: This downtown restaurant is something of a Siamese twin to Republic, the restaurant it shares a kitchen with. The hip diner offers breakfast- and brunch-style foods exclusively, and their menu includes items like shrimp and grits, cannoli French toast, and an item called Saturday Morning Cartoons, which is pancakes made with cereal milk, toasted marshmallow syrup, and cereal dust, and served with two eggs. They also have a coney waffle, which is exactly what it sounds like. Photo via @parksandrecdiner
Where brunch is casual, on Cass, and in a castle: Parks and Rec; 1942 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-446-8370: This downtown restaurant is something of a Siamese twin to Republic, the restaurant it shares a kitchen with. The hip diner offers breakfast- and brunch-style foods exclusively, and their menu includes items like shrimp and grits, cannoli French toast, and an item called Saturday Morning Cartoons, which is pancakes made with cereal milk, toasted marshmallow syrup, and cereal dust, and served with two eggs. They also have a coney waffle, which is exactly what it sounds like. Photo via @parksandrecdiner
A packed menu on a pleasant patio: Northern Lights; 660 W. Baltimore St., Detroit; 313-873-1739: From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, you can get such delicacies as a short-rib omelet, steak and eggs, and a smothered vegetarian hash. The mimosas are $3, but why stint when you can get the $11 carafe with a whole bottle of sparkling wine in it? Photo via @northernlightslounge
A packed menu on a pleasant patio: Northern Lights; 660 W. Baltimore St., Detroit; 313-873-1739: From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, you can get such delicacies as a short-rib omelet, steak and eggs, and a smothered vegetarian hash. The mimosas are $3, but why stint when you can get the $11 carafe with a whole bottle of sparkling wine in it? Photo via @northernlightslounge
A corner on brunch: Mudgie's; 1300 Porter St., Detroit; 313-961-2000: Mudgie's has been a staple in Corktown essentially since the deli opened it doors, serving wholesome soups and sandwiches to a faithful crowd of regulars. They only serve brunch on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., but their flavorful and filling eggs Benedict variations, egg sandwiches, and bread pudding are enough to pine after all week long. If eggs aren't your thing, Mudgie's brunch menu also includes a variety of Reuben sandwiches — including a vegetarian option — plus a smoked salmon board, a beer cheese spread, and a good-old PB&J. Photo via @metrodetroitfoodie
A corner on brunch: Mudgie's; 1300 Porter St., Detroit; 313-961-2000: Mudgie's has been a staple in Corktown essentially since the deli opened it doors, serving wholesome soups and sandwiches to a faithful crowd of regulars. They only serve brunch on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., but their flavorful and filling eggs Benedict variations, egg sandwiches, and bread pudding are enough to pine after all week long. If eggs aren't your thing, Mudgie's brunch menu also includes a variety of Reuben sandwiches — including a vegetarian option — plus a smoked salmon board, a beer cheese spread, and a good-old PB&J. Photo via @metrodetroitfoodie
Where they make a more macho mimosa: Bobcat Bonnie's; 1800 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-962-1383: Brunch is well-defined at Bonnie's, beginning promptly at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, and lasting until 3:30 p.m. There's a separate brunch menu full of breakfast classics and small plates to munch on. Then there are those restoring libations: Bloody Marys and mimosas are $3. But if you dare, there's the manly "Man-mosa" — 20 ounces of fresh OJ, sparkling wine, orange vodka, and beer, for $8. Photo via @bobcatbonnies
Where they make a more macho mimosa: Bobcat Bonnie's; 1800 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-962-1383: Brunch is well-defined at Bonnie's, beginning promptly at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, and lasting until 3:30 p.m. There's a separate brunch menu full of breakfast classics and small plates to munch on. Then there are those restoring libations: Bloody Marys and mimosas are $3. But if you dare, there's the manly "Man-mosa" — 20 ounces of fresh OJ, sparkling wine, orange vodka, and beer, for $8. Photo via @bobcatbonnies
Where to soak in the history: Grand Trunk Pub; 612 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-961-3043: In the 10 years since Foran's became Grand Trunk Pub, the joint has developed a loyal following with its weekend brunches, running 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The dishes are as locally sourced as practical, the 24 taps pour Michigan brews, your first mimosa or Bloody Mary is $7, with $2 refills, and it all takes place in a historic ticketing office for a railroad. How can you improve on that? How about with an all-Sunday menu with breakfast and brunch classics that can be ordered until midnight? Photo via @michigandrinks
Where to soak in the history: Grand Trunk Pub; 612 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-961-3043: In the 10 years since Foran's became Grand Trunk Pub, the joint has developed a loyal following with its weekend brunches, running 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The dishes are as locally sourced as practical, the 24 taps pour Michigan brews, your first mimosa or Bloody Mary is $7, with $2 refills, and it all takes place in a historic ticketing office for a railroad. How can you improve on that? How about with an all-Sunday menu with breakfast and brunch classics that can be ordered until midnight? Photo via @michigandrinks
When you're feeling chicken: The Block; 3919 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-832-0892: Since they started serving brunch in January, the brunch menu has already garnered crowd favorites, including a take on chicken and waffles (featuring fried chicken wings that are not breaded yet still crispy, served with sautéed pears). The chicken is the star of the show here: The Block's Ultimate Bloody Mary even features a chicken wing garnish. Brunch is served from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays. Photo by Jacob Lewkow.
When you're feeling chicken: The Block; 3919 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-832-0892: Since they started serving brunch in January, the brunch menu has already garnered crowd favorites, including a take on chicken and waffles (featuring fried chicken wings that are not breaded yet still crispy, served with sautéed pears). The chicken is the star of the show here: The Block's Ultimate Bloody Mary even features a chicken wing garnish. Brunch is served from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays. Photo by Jacob Lewkow.
Poutine to the people!: Brooklyn Street Local; 1266 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-262-6547: Brunch isn't all that much different from any other day at Brooklyn Street Local, other than the inventive specials that appear with the weekend meal at 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Standbys include poutine, especially a weekend version with hand-cut fries, caramelized onions, organic cheese curds, beef gravy, lardons, and perhaps even bacon or a fried egg. Photo via @brooklynstreetlocal
Poutine to the people!: Brooklyn Street Local; 1266 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-262-6547: Brunch isn't all that much different from any other day at Brooklyn Street Local, other than the inventive specials that appear with the weekend meal at 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Standbys include poutine, especially a weekend version with hand-cut fries, caramelized onions, organic cheese curds, beef gravy, lardons, and perhaps even bacon or a fried egg. Photo via @brooklynstreetlocal
When you need a historic setting for that lazy meal: Dime Store; 719 Griswold St., Ste. 180, Detroit; 313-962-9106: Open just a few years, Dime Store has made a name for itself as a destination for scratch-made breakfasts and weekend brunches. All the usual dishes prevail on this restaurant's brunch menu and there are day-drinking options that include a "beermosa" and Irish coffee. But one of the main thrills must be the inherent snazziness of brunching inside a 100-year-old skyscraper. Photo via @eatdimestore
When you need a historic setting for that lazy meal: Dime Store; 719 Griswold St., Ste. 180, Detroit; 313-962-9106: Open just a few years, Dime Store has made a name for itself as a destination for scratch-made breakfasts and weekend brunches. All the usual dishes prevail on this restaurant's brunch menu and there are day-drinking options that include a "beermosa" and Irish coffee. But one of the main thrills must be the inherent snazziness of brunching inside a 100-year-old skyscraper. Photo via @eatdimestore
When you want brunch with a side of mission statement: Gold Cash Gold; 2100 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-242-0770: GCG's brunch menu is deceptively simple. Sure, it's all the classics you'd want on a brunch menu: meat and potatoes, grits, and eggs, French toast, hash, ham and cheese, chicken and biscuits. And yet, everything, even the cocktails from the bar, adhere to the eatery's ethos of food that's "seasonal, conscientiously sourced, entirely hand-crafted and inspired by the way farmers around the world grow." Photo via @goldcashgolddetroit
When you want brunch with a side of mission statement: Gold Cash Gold; 2100 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-242-0770: GCG's brunch menu is deceptively simple. Sure, it's all the classics you'd want on a brunch menu: meat and potatoes, grits, and eggs, French toast, hash, ham and cheese, chicken and biscuits. And yet, everything, even the cocktails from the bar, adhere to the eatery's ethos of food that's "seasonal, conscientiously sourced, entirely hand-crafted and inspired by the way farmers around the world grow." Photo via @goldcashgolddetroit

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