Cover Story
Best of Detroit 2018
If you think of Detroit as a device, it’s the sum of more than its parts. Some of it is just naturally supercharged: a great location surrounded by fresh water, an international metropolis, sited right where the energy flows freely. A lot of it is in the brand: No matter how gritty it gets, it’s…
Haim keeps it in the family with ‘Sister, Sister, Sister’ tour headed to the Fillmore
You know what they say — good things come in threes. Such is true for sisterly indie trio Haim. It’s very difficult to dislike the modern day Wilson Phillips vibes of Este, Danielle, and Alana Haim, best known for producing hook-heavy road-trip worthy jams. Though the band might be pop-rock L.A darlings and #besties with…
Maroon 5 keyboardist PJ Morton goes solo at El Club
Are you ovulating? Are you considering proposing to your significant other? Need an excuse to make love? If you’re not hip to the smooth stylings of R&B singer-songwriter PJ Morton, you might want to light a candle and a run a bath because it’s going down. Morton, a New Orleans native, has been a member…
Get jacked for Mexican Knives album release show at Ant Hall
Don’t let the name fool you — Detroit indie outfit Mexican Knives are not out for blood. Rather, they’re here to bleed. From the band’s high-energy punk sensibilities to the endearing rasp of vocalist Ruth Synowiec (that should make Courtney Love nervous about her standing as punk priestess), Mexican Knives are slicing and dicing with…
‘Bob’s Burgers’ voice H. Jon Benjamin wants to flip the script on failure at Michigan Theater
The name might not strike a chord, but we are certain that the voice of comedian turned author H. Jon Benjamin should sound pretty damn familiar. Most known for his monotone, deadpan delivery on the animated series Bob’s Burgers and FX’s Archer, Benjamin will be discussing his latest endeavor that makes use of his unique…
Detroit Music Awards return with stacked line-up and more than 70 awards
Of course it’s an honor just to be nominated, but let’s be real — winning a Detroit Music Award is pretty fucking cool, too. The annual award show is now in its 27th iteration and will dole out more than 70 awards in 11 musical categories. Recipients are selected by local musicians and music industry…
Peruvian restaurant Culantro opens today in Ferndale
Peruvian eatery Culantro is up and running in Ferndale. The small restaurant in the former Southern Belle space at 22939 Woodward Ave. held its soft opening yesterday and hosts its grand opening today. Alvaro Herrera, whose family is opening the shop, tells Metro Times that Culantro is partly run by Peruvian and Ecuadoran immigrants who offer what they…
This April was Detroit’s 13th coldest on record
It wasn’t just your imagination. April in Detroit was cold this year. Data compiled the National Weather Service shows that the April we just experienced was the 13th coldest on record, with an average temperature of 43 degrees. That’s six degrees colder than what’s typical in this area for the first full month of spring.…
Report: Detroit’s QLine has not yet attained projected ridership
A new report from Bridge magazine says that Detroit’s QLine streetcar has fallen short of its projected ridership goals, but a spokesman for the streetcar’s operator M-1 Rail says the numbers need to be put in perspective. The streetcar, which opened to the public one year ago on May 12, was funded with a mix of federal…
Shri Thanedar leads Democrats in latest Michigan governor’s race poll
The latest poll on the race for the Democratic nomination for governor puts Shri Thanedar ahead of Gretchen Whitmer by about three points — 29.6 percent to 26.3 percent. Abdul El-Sayed polled at 6.6 percent, while Bill Cobbs was at 2.5 percent. Though the Detroit Regional Chamber gubernatorial poll put Thanedar ahead, it’s worth noting…
Seats from the Joe Louis Arena are now up for sale
You can now own a little piece of Hockeytown heaven in the form of a Joe Louis Arena seat. Seats at the 20,000-capacity venue went on sale today for partial season ticket holders, suite holders, and sponsors. The general public will have its chance to buy a souvenir on May 12. Prices start at $150.…
Michigan black bear shakes off long winter with romp through residential area
Looks like we’re not the only ones totally over winter’s bullshit. This black bear is out from hibernation and apparently hit the town of Midland yesterday, making his way through several back yards before authorities were finally able to catch up with and subdue him. The 250-pound bear attracted his fair share of onlookers despite…
High honors for Detroit Historical Museum’s Detroit 67 Project
The Institute of Museum and Library Services has awarded the Detroit Historical Museum the 2018 National Medal for Museum and Library Service for the museum’s Detroit 67: Looking Back to Move Forward community engagement project. It’s the country’s highest honor for museums and libraries “that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities.” Over the past 24 years, the award has…
Detroit’s Point of Origin unveiled in Campus Martius Park
If you find yourself mosying through Campus Martius, you might unknowingly stumble onto a historic landmark. Monday marked the 15th anniversary of Campus Martius Park’s groundbreaking. To commemorate, Detroit’s Point of Origin received a facelift and a proper unveiling. After the fire of 1805, it was the task of Judge Agustus Woodward to oversee the…
Detroit exits active state financial oversight after largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history
Detroit has exited active state financial oversight after balancing its budget in each of the three years since the city emerged from bankruptcy. The State Financial Review Commission that sprouted from the city’s bankruptcy restructuring plan voted unanimously to “go dormant” today, in a move that returns financial control to the mayor and city council. The nine-member FRC says…
Regional transit’s latest hurdle: Republican legislators from Detroit’s wealthy suburbs
Some Michigan House Republicans are pushing legislation that would stymie efforts to create a robust transit system in southeast Michigan as proponents of regional transit aim to get a millage before voters in November. Macomb County Republican Jeff Yaroch last week introduced a bill that would allow cities and townships to opt out of the…
Play dress-up at the DIA for a ‘Star Wars’ portrait on May 4
“Always two there are, no more, no less. A master and an apprentice,” says everyone’s favorite green guru Yoda in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. But when it comes to the Star Wars universe at large, there are hundreds of characters. (And no, Jar Jar Binks doesn’t count because he’s an abomination to the saga and the…
St. Clair Shores’ Travis Coffee Shop named one of America’s best diners
St. Clair Shores’ Travis Coffee Shop is among the nation’s 21 best, according to Thrillist. The national outlet says it traveled the country in search of the best diners, and appreciated the blue collar appeal of St. Clair Shores’ longtime greasy spoon. Harkening back to the days when “coffee shop” had less to do with…
‘Empress of Soul’ Gladys Knight will perform at the Fox Theatre with The O’Jays
No need to take the “Midnight Train to Georgia” to catch a glimpse of the “Empress of Soul” — Gladys Knight is teaming up with The O’Jays for a night of sultry Motown soul in the heart of Detroit. The 73-year-old, seven-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and actress has landed No. 1 hits across pop,…
Macomb County Buffalo Wild Wings customers may have been exposed to Hep A
Macomb County Health Department officials are warning that customers who ate at the Buffalo Wild Wings located at 29287 Mound Road in Warren could have been exposed to Hepatitis A after a case was confirmed in one of the restaurant’s employees. Anyone who ate at the location between Saturday, March 24 and Monday, April 9…
Report shows Grand Prix will have one-third of the economic benefit Penske claims
In recent months, the Free Press, WXYZ, Crain’s Detroit Business, the Detroit News, CBS Detroit, and other outlets reported that an “independent study” commissioned by Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix founder Roger Penske estimated the annual IndyCar race generated $58 million in local spending in 2017. But that’s not the full story on what the study found.…
King Krule makes Detroit debut with sold-out show at Saint Andrew’s Hall
A chilly April evening was the perfect backdrop for King Krule’s debut Detroit show. The moody London band, the project of 23-year-old Archy Marshall, played to a sold-out crowd at St. Andrew’s Hall on Saturday, April 28. It was clear from the beginning that Marshall was in charge, commanding his six-piece band and the crowd…
Man who shot at Detroit cop during citywide ‘paintball war’ faces charges
Dozens of people partook in a “paintball war” that stretched across Detroit on Wednesday, and at least six were caught by police. But the alleged actions of just one were apparently so brazen that they resulted in swift criminal charges from the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office. Davon Williams, 22, was with about 50 other people having…
Outdoor puppetry projection performance will tell a Detroit building’s life story
When walking around the city, have you ever wondered how many stories an individual building could tell? That’s the idea behind an outdoor multimedia puppetry performance piece scheduled for next week called Good Bones. It’s told via light and shadow projection on a wall … sort of like a drive-in movie — without the cars.…
How Michigan Republicans could mess with marijuana legalization if voters approve it
Remember when Michigan voters repealed the Emergency Manager law early this decade and then the Republican-led legislature subverted their will by passing a referendum-proof version of the law a month later? Well, the Lansing rumor mill is a’spinnin following yesterday’s big news that marijuana legalization will be on the November ballot — and yes, there’s…
State commission: DTE Energy can build $1 billion gas plant — and pass cost on to you
Environmentalists are registering their disappointment this morning upon word that that the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) has approved a certificate of necessity allowing the utility to build a $1 billion natural gas-fueled power plant in St. Clair County. The Union of Concerned Scientists says the commission has set a “risky precedent” that “leaves customers…
Empire Kitchen & Cocktails opens May 14 in Brush Park
American-style bistro Empire Kitchen & Cocktails opens in Detroit’s Brush Park on May 14. The 3,150-square-foot restaurant is taking shape in the ground floor The Scott at Brush Park apartment building, and will include a 30-foot bar and large garage doors that will open during warmer weather. Culinary Institute of America alum and Farmington Hills native…
Live Nation celebrates National Concert Week with $20 tickets
$20 to see the likes of Arcade Fire, Kesha, Jeff Beck, and Kevin Hart? Talk about living your best life. Thanks to promoter Live Nation and National Concert Week you can have your pick of the hottest tickets in town for the price of those pesky service charges usually slapped onto your ticket purchase. In…
Detroit police sergeant suspended as FBI probes alleged money-making scheme
Honestly, keeping up on the alleged misdeeds of Detroit police officers is starting to get a little challenging. A Detroit police sergeant has been suspended without pay amid an FBI probe into an alleged illegal money-making scheme, the Detroit Police Department has confirmed. The Detroit News first reported the suspension Wednesday night, after it obtained…
The Muggs at 18: Still rocking, playing Saturday, then touring Spain (again)
The story of the Muggs is a tale spanning 18 years. That’s a lot of history for any band, from shows at the Gold Dollar to the debilitating stroke that almost killed bassist Tony DeNardo to the recovery that brought him back as a keyboardist. The band went on to be featured on national television,…
Metro Detroit’s guide to Independent Bookstore Day 2018
Amazon is quick and Kindle’s are convenient but there’s something about searching through shelves of dusty old books that our handheld devices can’t stand up to. Independent Bookstore Day, happening Saturday, April 28, celebrates independently-owned bookstores around the country for their impact on their local communities. Local stores look at this day as a chance…
Blom Meadworks opens in downtown Ann Arbor on May 5
A new downtown Ann Arbor meadery celebrates its grand opening on May 5. When up and running, Blom Meadworks will offer four mead varieties, cider, and cyser — a mix of mead and cider. The meadery describes its products as “dry, sparkling, session meads and ciders made with Michigan ingredients,” and everything is fermented and…
It’s official: Pot legalization will be on the Michigan ballot this November
The Board of State Canvassers has approved a petition to put an initiative that would legalize recreational marijuana for people 21 and up on the November ballot. In layman’s terms — that means you can likely soon vote to free the weed. “This November, Michigan voters will finally get the chance to eliminate Michigan’s outdated…
‘Sound + Vision’ film fest comes to Southwest Detroit’s Senate Theater starting tonight
On Thursday and Friday, Southwest Detroit’s Senate Theater will host Sound + Vision, a two-day film festival showing 13 films ranging from feature-length documentaries to experimental shorts. The fest was organized by Red Bull House of Art and curated by producer Monty Luke, who says most of the films were chosen to focus on themes of…
Report: Shri Thanedar’s company abandoned more than 170 dogs and monkeys
A new report in the Huffington Post charges that Michigan Democratic gubernatorial candidate Shri Thanedar’s former pharmaceutical company abandoned 173 dogs and monkeys in its facility after the company went bankrupt in 2010: Thanedar had to shutter the New Jersey testing facility, AniClin Preclinical Services, after its parent company, Azopharma, which he owned, went bankrupt…
Six arrested in Detroit’s citywide ‘paintball war’
Detroit police have arrested six people who were part of what they describe as a “paintball war” that stretched across the city on Wednesday. It’s a sour outcome for an event that appears to have sprouted from good intentions. Detroit police spokesman Dan Donakowski tells Metro Times the “war” originated with a social media post that…
Review: Motorkam shows his versatility on ‘NewBlackCity’
Detroit rapper MotorKam has made of strong name for himself over the last couple of years for his own brand of funk and ghettotech-infused hip-hop as his alter ego, BlackDaddy. His previous two projects, BlackDaddy: Greatest Hits and BlackDaddy’s Birthday Suite both carried the vibe of a millennial dancing across three different eras of music. For…
Two ex-Detroit cops sentenced to prison for taking bribes from chop shop owners
Two ex-Detroit police officers have been sentenced to prison for taking cash bribes from auto collision shops in exchange for referring them stolen and abandoned vehicles recovered in Detroit. A federal judge yesterday sentenced 45-year-old James Robertson to two years in prison and 30-year-old Marty Tutt to one year in prison. The ex-officers are the second and…
Kroger, Meijer say they’re selling romaine lettuce that’s safe
Meijer and Kroger say they’re selling romaine lettuce that’s safe to eat. The announcement comes as the federal government continues to warn consumers to avoid whole and chopped romaine lettuce while it investigates a multi-state E. coli outbreak. The two chains say they aren’t selling lettuce grown in the Yuma, Arizona region, which the U.S. Center For…
Vinsetta Garage owners plan new eatery for former Big Beaver Road Hooters
The owners of the Vinsetta Garage are planning a new Latin restaurant called Gran Castor (“Grand Beaver” in Spanish) for a former Hooters on Big Beaver Road in Troy. Curt Catallo and Ann Stevenson — whose Union Joints restaurant group also runs spots like Clarkston’s Latin-inspired Honcho and the Union Woodshop — tell Eater that…
Fleetwood Mac charts tour sans Lindsey Buckingham with a stop at LCA
We know what you’re thinking. Fleetwood Mac is coming? Shut up and take my money. Don’t stop thinking… about the fact that Fleetwood Mac is forever a revolving door of drama and yet has one of the most iconic and influential discographies of all time. So, yes. Here’s our wallet. Take our money. The tour announcement comes just…
Detroit songwriter Sara Marie Barron’s debut ‘Wanna Know’ is the sweetness we need
What came first? The musician or the music writer? For songwriter Sara Marie Barron, it doesn’t really matter. The girl knows music and has a distinct voice both through a microphone and on paper. Her debut track, “Wanna Know” is without frills but full of feels. “Wanna Know” gives us crazy Vonda Shepard à la Songs from Ally…
Horoscopes (April 25-May 1)
ARIES: March 21 – April 20 Going into any new territory, it’s wise to take baby steps. When you’re playing with fire, it’s even more essential to take it slow. If you thought this would all come together in a heartbeat you see now that there is some groundwork to be laid. Going back to…
Best Bookstore
901 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit; 313-961-0622; kingsbooksdetroit.com While big box bookstores shutter by the numbers and mom-and-pop operations struggle to compete with Amazon and, well, the fact that most people these days seem to digest information in 140 characters or less, one iconic Detroit establishment is king — John K. King Used & Rare Books,…
Best Sliders
3041 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte; 734-285-0420; joeshamburgers.net
Best Middle Eastern Restaurant
12710 W. Warren Ave., Dearborn; 313-582-8185; alameerrestaurant.com Dearborn’s Al Ameer Lebanese restaurant consistently runs at such a high level that the James Beard Foundation chose it in 2016 for its America’s Classics Award, which goes to eateries that “have timeless appeal and are cherished for quality food that reflects the character of their community.” But…
Best Pizza (Suburbs)
4326 S. Rochester Rd., Royal Oak; 248-298-3005; greenlanternlounge.com
Best Desserts at a Restaurant (Suburbs)
401 S Lafayette Ave., Royal Oak; 248-542-0082; bistro82.com
Best Beer Selection in a Store
2940 S. Rochester Rd., Rochester Hills; 248-852-9307; redwagonshoppe.com
Best Wine Bar
23810 Woodward Ave., Pleasant Ridge; 248-544-2675; corkwinepub.org
Best Record Store
22501 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-561-1000; dearbornmusic.net
Best Movie Theater
Various locations; emagine-entertainment.com
The Coathangers’ Julia Kugel talks safe spaces, punching people in the face
Atlanta-based punk band the Coathangers is going on 12 years of creating fuming, booze-fueled rock ‘n’ roll, and it’s celebrating by releasing a live album, recorded over two days at Alex’s Bar in Long Beach, Calif. Guitarist and singer Julia Kugel — aka Crook Kid Coathanger — says in some ways, the live record finally…
Best Place to See an Indie Film
4126 Third Ave., Detroit; 313-482-9028; cinemadetroit.org Just because Cinema Detroit is Detroit’s only independent movie house doesn’t lessen the honor conferred upon it by our readers. The little theater on Third Avenue is up against some stiff competition: the recently restored Maple Theater in Bloomfield, with its stadium seating, in-house restaurant, coffeehouse, and VIP club;…
Best Comic/Collectibles Shop
42727 Ford Rd., Canton; 734-981-3561; comiccity.com
Best Soul Food
29508 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield; 248-208-1680; beanscornbread.com
Best Romantic Restaurant (Suburbs)
29850 Groesbeck Hwy., Roseville; 586-777-7770; mrpaulschophouse.com
Best Italian Restaurant (Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti)
326 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-663-5555; gratzirestaurant.com
Best Microbrewery or Brewpub (Detroit)
470 W. Canfield St., Detroit; 313-832-2700; motorcitybeer.com
Best Bloody Mary
2460 Market St., Detroit; 313-393-1711; viviosdetroit.net What makes a Bloody Mary great? In a city where Bloody Mary aficionados have a bevy of beautiful bloodys to choose from, why did Vivio’s Food & Spirits take the gold? Two words: Meat. Straw. OK, so we’ll need more than two words to describe the bountiful monstrosity that…
Best Race
theparade.org/turkeytrot
Best Tire Store
3641 E. Davison St., Detroit; 313-891-5640; suchertire.com
Best Tattoo Shop
8602 N. Telegraph Rd., Dearborn Heights; 313-565-1467; 247tattoos.com
Best Pawn Shop
20450 Greenfield Rd., Detroit; 313-345-4000; pawndetroit.com
Best Dive Bar
309 S. Center St., Royal Oak; 248-545-2235 In the heart of swanky downtown Royal Oak is a hole-in-the-wall bar by the train tracks where the lights are kept low and the cheap beer always flows. If fruity cocktails with exotics names aren’t your thing, find your way to Gusoline for a shot and a beer.…
Best Place for People Watching
youmacon.com
Best Engagement or Wedding Ring
120 W. Maple Rd., Birmingham; 248-644-1651; astreinjewelers.com
Best Steakhouse (Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti)
322 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-669-9977; thechophouseannarbor.com
Best Tapas (Suburbs)
216 E. Washington St., Ann Arbor; 734-369-3153; aventuraannarbor.com
Best Coffeehouse (non-chain)
29200 Hoover Rd., Warren; 586-576-0317
Best Microbrewery or Brewpub (Suburbs)
5919 Chicago Rd., Warren; 586-983-8362; kbrewery.com
Best Michigan Beer
575 S. Eton St., Birmingham; 248-712-4050; griffinclawbrewingcompany.com
Best Skate Park
1500 N. Stephenson Hwy., Royal Oak; 248-545-5700; modernskate.com
Best Women’s Clothing
15 E. Kirby St., Detroit; 313-559-5500
Best Thrift Store
Multiple locations, valueworld.net There is perhaps no thrift store so vast, so well-organized, and so well-priced, as a thrift store in the Value World chain. Each of Michigan’s 14 Value Worlds stands at more than 10,000 square feet, housing home goods, accessories, and thousands of articles of clothing. And much like any reliable chain, Value…
Best Pet Supply
Various locations; petsuppliesplus.com
Best Draft Selection
2010 W. Auburn Rd., Rochester Hills; 248-853-6600; ckdiggs.com
Best Rock Club
431 E. Congress St., Detroit; 313-961-8961; saintandrewsdetroit.com Since the 1980s, Saint Andrew’s Hall has been one of the most active and important music clubs in the city. It’s played host to household names like Iggy Pop, Nirvana, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, John Mayer, and Adele. It’s been praised by the late Soundgarden singer Chris…
Best Eyewear
160 S. Old Woodard Ave., Birmingham; 248-723-1900; seeeyewear.com
Best Poutine
2200 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit; 313-962-5588; greendotstables.com
Best Food Truck
248-974-5745; smokeringdet.com
Best Polish Restaurant
2990 Yemans St., Hamtramck; 313-874-5726; polishvillagecafe.us
Best Wine Selection in a Store
1555 E. 14 Mile Rd., Birmingham; 248-644-1916; kakosmarket.com
Best Michigan Bourbon
66 E. Eighth St., Holland; 616-355-6422; newhollandbrew.com
Best Eyewear Boutique
247 W. Maple Rd., Birmingham; 248-646-6699; optikbirmingham.com
Best Concentrate
24363 Grand River Ave, Detroit; 313-246-6912
Best Adult Store
16401 Eight Mile Rd., Detroit; 313-836-0647; uptown-bookstore.business.site
Best Electronic Music Club
1501 Holden St., Detroit; 313-338-3674 Almost as soon as it opened two and a half years ago, Marble Bar became one of Detroit’s premier places to party. And yet, it somehow took three Metro Times “Best Of” cycles for it to win the title of “Best Electronic Music Club.” That may be because the club…
Best Visual Artist
artbybnick.com It’s been a transformative past couple of years for Brian Nickson, whose illustrations and paintings often incorporate celebrities (like his portrait of O.J. Simpson, which he says was inspired by a Jay-Z song) and other pop culture references (like a recent painting involving the child from H&M’s recent racially charged viral faux pas). Nickson,…
Best Steakhouse (Detroit)
14736 Gratiot Ave., Detroit; 313-527-2100; caperssteakhouse.com
Best New Restaurant (Detroit)
1426 Bagley Ave., Detroit; 313-818-0218; ladyofthehousedetroit.com
Best Italian Restaurant (Detroit)
1400 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-962-5500; ottavavia.com Think of just how much Corktown has changed since Slows Bar-B-Q opened a what feels like a century ago in 2005: Just 15 years ago, the main culinary destination on Michigan was White Castle, and any drinking done al fresco was coming out of a paper bag. Early on…
Best Michigan Brewer
456 Charlotte St., Detroit; 313-335-3440; foundersbrewing.com
Best Visitor Experience
313-331-7760; belleisleconservancy.org
Best Barbershop
949 S. Military St., Ste. 1 Dearborn; 313-565-8300; gentlemenfirst.creativejones.com
Best Provisioning Center (Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti)
2245 W. Liberty Rd., Ann Arbor; 734-369-8573; peopleschoiceofannarbor.com
Best Strip Club
20771 Eight Mile Rd., Detroit; 313-541-7000; penthousedet.com
Best Bar (Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti)
2019 W. Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor; 734-369-2990; wolverinebeer.com
Best Club for Hip-Hop
4114 Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-279-7382; elclubdetroit.com While this Southwest Detroit music venue is perhaps better known for booking indie rock, a close look at El Club’s calendar shows acts from just about every musical genre under the sun are well-represented — and that includes plenty of great hip-hop and R&B. Some highlights from the past…
Best Attorney
19390 W. 10 Mile Rd., Southfield; 248-558-2315; fiegerlaw.com
Best Steakhouse (Suburbs)
27000 Karevich Dr., Novi; 248-305-5210; novichophouse.com
Best Seafood
600 Vester Ave., Ferndale; 248-658-4990; voyagerferndale.com Let’s face it — metro Detroit is not known for its oysters. Our proximity from the coasts makes importing the fresh stuff a challenge, so much so that few have dared try. Enter Voyager, the ambitious Ferndale upstart that has managed to crack the code and rise to best…
Best Coney (Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti)
3917 Jackson Rd., Ann Arbor; 734-665-5909; uptownconey.com
Best Bagel
23316 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-548-2580; newyorkbagel-detroit.com
Best Michigan Vodka
161 Vester Ave., Ferndale; 248-629-9951; valentinedistilling.com
Best Farmers Market (Detroit)
2934 Russell St., Detroit; 313-833-9300; easternmarket.org
Best Salon
2127 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-800-5184; blackthesalon.com
Best Provisioning Center (Detroit)
16555 Harper Ave., Detroit; 313-571-3108
Best Stripper Delivery
35560 Grand River Ave., Ste. 256, Farmington Hills; 248-270-5973; strippersdelivery.com
Best Gay Bar
928/950 W. McNichols Rd., Detroit; 313-863-3934
Best Metal Club
28949 Joy Rd., Westland; 734-513-5030; thetokenlounge.com
Best Auto Repair
242 W. Marshall St., Ferndale; 248-541-2500
Best Restaurant (Detroit)
2520 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-855-2864; takoidetroit.com In just four years, the hip Corktown Thai-fusion restaurant known as Takoi has had enough ups and downs to fill decades at any other eatery. Initially a food truck associated with Two James Spirits, it went brick-and-mortar across the street in 2016 and quickly won praise from local reviewers,…
Best Tapas (Detroit)
4130 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-285-9081; laferiadetroit.com
Best Italian Restaurant (Suburbs)
39091 Garfield Rd., Charter Twp. of Clinton; 586-263-6540; lucianositaliancuisine.com
Best Bakery
741 E. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-545-7295
Best Michigan Whiskey
2445 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-964-4800; twojames.com
Best Yoga
1224 Library St., Detroit; 313-502-5450; citizenyogastudio.com
Best Spa
22070 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, 313-565-9686; omdayspa.com
Best Bar (Detroit)
225 Gratiot Ave., Detroit; 313-736-5533; <a href="standbydetroit.comstandbydetroit.com
Best Musical Artist
annaburchmusic.com We wouldn’t be doing our job if our readers weren’t hip to the musical stylings and happenings of indie angel Anna Burch. Burch, who landed a spot on our “Bands to Watch” roundup in 2017, became a Metro Times cover girl earlier this year, and is riding the wave of her successful debut record…
Best Happy Hour for Drinks (Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti)
301 W. Huron St., Ann Arbor; thelastwordbar.com
Best Sub Shop
8500 Capital St., Oak Park; 248-541-9703; erniessandwichshop.com
Best Greek Restaurant
535 Monroe Ave., Detroit; 313-209-6667; thegreekdetroit.com
Best Coney (Detroit)
114 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit; 313-961-7758; americanconeyisland.com
Best Bar Food
511 S. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-216-1112; themorrie.com
Best Michigan Winery
Sabrosa Sangria; 52588 Van Dyke Ste. C, Shelby Charter Twp.; 586-884-8411
Best Head Shop
737 E. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-677-0178; thaheadshop.com
Best Budtender
8680 E. Eight Mile Rd., Detroit; 313-707-0994
Best Bar (Suburbs)
215 West Fifth St., Royal Oak; 248-629 9423; fifthaveroyaloak.com
Best Place for Live Local Theater
2357 Caniff St., Hamtramck; 313-365-4948; planetant.com
Best Happy Hour for Drinks (Detroit)
1128 Washington Blvd., Detroit; 313-961-2500; roastdetroit.com
Best Restaurant (Suburbs)
345 E. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-291-6160; otussupply.com
Best New Restaurant (Suburbs)
201 E. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-291-6133; theconserva.com
Best Juice Bar
2501 Russell St., Detroit; 313-818-3502; beyondjuicedetroit.com
Best Barbecue Restaurant
1403 S. Commerce Rd., Wolverine Lake; 248-438-6741; cayagrill.com
Best Microbrewery or Brewpub (Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti)
2321 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-954-6637; homesbrewery.com
Best Casino Buffet
2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 866-752-9622; motorcitycasino.com/assemblyline
Best Bowling Alley
4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-9700; majesticdetroit.com
Best Smoke Shop
25940 Michigan Ave., Inkster; 313-561-7969 Motorists driving west along this stretch of Michigan Avenue will find it hard to not do a double-take upon seeing this establishment, with its roadside sign, dark-stained wood paneling, its garage doors painted fire engine red, and the lingerie-wearing mannequins in the storefront window. Once upon a time, it was…
Best Farmers Market (Suburbs)
316 E. 11 Mile Rd., Royal Oak; 248-246-3276
Mulenga’s space invasion
There stood Mulenga Harangua, over by the food truck where Coriander Kitchen and Farms was handing out free stir fry and mandarin-beet salad samples to the assembled crowd. He was chomping down with some of the other folks who were there picking up transplants and seeds at Keep Growing Detroit’s Cold Crop distribution last week…
Best Bar for Classic Cocktails
1218 Griswold St., Detroit; 313-657-9177; badluckbar.com
Best Place to See a Jam Band
345 E Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-291-6160; otussupply.com Over the past decade or so, a strain of jam-based rock music mixing Americana, bluegrass, and roots influences has flourished, and in Michigan, Kalamazoo’s Greensky Bluegrass might best exemplify the genre. So it makes sense that the band helped christen Ferndale’s restaurant-music venue, Otus Supply, when it…
Best Happy Hour for Drinks (Suburbs)
24301 Harper Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-200-5242; kaponesbar.com
Best Mac and Cheese
4216 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-265-3729; rockcityeatery.com At this point, mac and cheese is about as ubiquitous as the burger, so it really takes something for any one restaurant’s version to stand out in your memory. Rock City’s take is one of the few that manages to do so. Theirs is a a super rich dish…
Best Shawarma
Multiple locations; bucharestgrill.com
Best Coney (Suburbs)
Various locations; nationalconeyisland.com
Best Breakfast/Brunch (Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti)
2501 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-663-3663; zingermansroadhouse.com
Best Karaoke Bar
4654 Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-406-4043; mutinybar.com When you hear “Aruba, Jamaica, oh I want to take you to/ Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama,” then it is likely that the Beach Boys have successfully transported you to Kokomo — a place where all your troubles are left upon the shore. Mutiny Bar in Southwest Detroit…
Best Casino Hotel
1777 Third Ave., Detroit; 877-888-2121; mgmgranddetroit.com
Best Cider Mill
17985 Armada Center Rd., Armada; 586-784-5343; blakefarms.com Not all “apple orchards” are alike. Some of them can be a gauntlet of overpriced crap, inflated slides, low-value hayrides, microwaved donuts, and other carney-grade trickery designed to bleed off every dollar in your wallet. But no such disappointments should haunt you at Blake’s Orchard and Cider Mill.…
Best Vape Store
27251 Gratiot Ave., Roseville; 586-285-5119; independentvaporcompany.com
Best Flea Market
2045 Dixie Hwy., Waterford Twp.; 248-338-3220; dixilandfleamkt.com At the border of Waterford and Pontiac you’ll find two flea markets in one at Dixieland. In the warmer months you’ll find the parking lot full of vendors dressed in sunhats and overalls. They’re selling their wares out their truck beds and on tarps laid out on the…
Best DJ
facebook.com/iamdjdannyd At some point in the mid-2000s everyone with a MacBook and a decent set of headphones decided they were going to become a DJ. But when it comes to entrusting the task of getting a party started and keeping it going until the break of dawn (or last call, in most cases), metro Detroit…
Best Beer Selection
Various locations; hopcat.com
Best Irish Pub (Detroit)
349 Monroe St., Detroit; 313-964-0007; oldshillelagh.com
Best Sushi
22871 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-543-9500; inyorestaurant.com
Best Gyro
121 N. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-629-6500; gokouzina.com
Best Late Night/24-Hour Restaurant
27302 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak; 248-808-6244; owlwoodward.com The world’s best food usually isn’t served at 3 a.m., but we’ve all found ourselves hungry at that hour for one reason or another. Unfortunately, that usually means your options are limited to coney islands or fast food. But there are a few noteworthy restaurants that stay open…
Best Breakfast/Brunch (Detroit)
719 Griswold St., #180, Detroit; 313-962-9106; eatdimestore.com
Best Martini
660 W. Baltimore St., Detroit; 313-873-1739; northernlightslounge.com
Best Casino Table Games
1777 Third Ave., Detroit; 877-888-2121; mgmgranddetroit.com
Best Piercing Studio
1531 Union Lake Rd., Commerce Charter Twp.; 248-363-8882; dv8bodyart.com Tiffany Diamond is especially proud of her specialty piercing studio in Commerce Township. “I think a lot of people do it because they really love the jewelry,” she says. “I just loved the idea of having another spot where I could put a diamond or gem.…
Most Knowledgeable Provisioning Center Staff
14239 Eight Mile Rd., Detroit; 888-420-2790
Best Gift Boutique
23147 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-556-5084; shoptherocket.com
Best Folk Venue
316 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-761-1451; theark.org This cozy Ann Arbor non-profit venue hosts live music over 300 nights a year in a room that is incredibly conducive to performing softer music. Top notch acoustics and seating very close to the stage intimately connects performer and audience. With a 400 person capacity, the Ark…
Best Bottle Service
535 Monroe Ave., Detroit; 313-420-1990; leveltwodetroit.com
Best Distillery Tasting Room
2462 Riopelle St., Detroit; 313-338-3760; detroitcitydistillery.com
Best Thai (Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti)
414 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-929-9933; marneethai-restaurant.com
Best Romantic Restaurant (Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti)
115 W. Washington St., Ann Arbor; 734-327-2312; logan-restaurant.com
Best Pizza (Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti)
311 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-913-2730; jollypumpkin.com
Best Corned Beef
Various locations; breadbasketdeli.com Owner Al Winkler tells us that when he opened his first Jewish deli during the mid-1960s, corned beef houses like his were nearly as common in Detroit as the coney island. As the Jewish population in the city migrated to the burbs, the deli landscape changed, and while there are far fewer…
Best Breakfast/Brunch (Suburbs)
23144 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-398-0444 203 Pierce St., Birmingham; 248-258-6278; eatattoast.com
Best New Bar
220 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-369-6070; nightcapbara2.com
Best Casino to See a Show
2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-309-4700; motorcitycasino.com/soundboard
Best Place to Buy a Motorcycle
44660 N. Gratiot Ave., Charter Twp.; 586-463-7700; wolverinehd.com
Best Jewelry Store
Various locations; tappers.com
Best Grocery Store
Various locations; plummarket.com
‘I Feel Pretty’ is still pretty problematic
When the trailer for the Amy Schumer-driven body image satire I Feel Pretty debuted online, the internet was furious. The film looked like a gender-bent version of Shallow Hal with internalized misogyny in contrast to old-fashioned male chauvinism. Luckily, I Feel Pretty is not nearly as offensive as the trailer would make the film out…
Best Comedy Club
261 E. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-327-0575; gocomedy.net
Hot dogs, the CIA, and Congress
Elissa Slotkin, who is waging an extremely impressive campaign for the Democratic nomination for a seat in Congress, was once a proud CIA agent who served three tours of duty in Iraq. Once, that alone would have been enough to turn me off. I also have to confess that I was reluctant to meet her,…
Best Thai (Detroit)
4240 Cass Ave., Ste. 103 Detroit; 313-638-1467 1226 Griswold St., Detroit; 313-638-1467; gosythai.com
Best Diner
24060 Woodward Ave., Pleasant Ridge; 248-632-1311; whistlestopdiners.com
Best Happy Hour Food
Various locations; barlouie.com
Best Cuban
1250 Library St., Detroit; 313-962-8800; vicentesdetroit.com
Best Burger
1326 Brush St., Detroit; 313-818-3708; basementburgerbar.com
Best Patio for Drinking
1300 Porter St., Detroit; 313-961-2000; mudgiesdeli.com
Best Players Club
555 E. Lafayette St., Detroit; 333-223-2999; greektowncasino.com
Best Place to Buy Art
715 E. Milwaukee Ave., Detroit; 313-873-2955; tangentgallery.com
Best Local T-Shirt
1353 Division St., Detroit; 313-285-8887; divisionstreetboutique.com When Brendan Blumentritt and J.P. O’Grady started slinging T-shirts out of their backpacks more than 10 years ago, they had no idea they were embarking on careers. But it was a single slogan that sealed their fate: Detroit Hustles Harder, a phrase that has grown so ubiquitous it is…
Best Grow Shop
29090 Campbell Rd., Madison Heights; 248-439-6269; northernlightshgs.com
Best Art Fair
Sept. 21-23; ferndalediy.com
Best Dance Club
1815 N. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-298-6875; lunaroyaloak.com
Best Irish Pub (Suburbs)
22824 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-546-8331
Best Thai (Suburbs)
2450 S. Telegraph Rd., Dearborn; 313-730-8161; bangkok96.com The origins of Bangkok 96 read like an adventure spanning the globe: Owner and operator Genevieve Vang is from Laos, and spent much of her youth visiting Thailand with her family. She finally fled there with her family when the Laotian government fell, spending a few years in…
Best Romantic Restaurant (Detroit)
15 E. Kirby St., Ste. D, Detroit; 313-818-3915; chartreusekc.com
Best Pizza (Detroit)
Various locations; buddyspizza.com It seems that plenty of people are now aware that Detroit has its own pizza style, like the New York fold-over thin slice, or the Chicago deep dish that Pizzeria Uno popularized in the Windy City. What’s more exciting is that Detroit-style is now becoming a thing around the country. But as…
Best Deli
6873 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield Twp.; 248-855-6622; thestagedeli.com
Best Cajun
22848 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-691-7145; howesbayouferndale.net
Best Rooftop Bar
529 Monroe Ave., Detroit; 313-962-1300; exodosrooftop.com
Best Poker
2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 866-782-9622; motorcitycasino.com
Best Place to Buy Lingerie
Various locations; loverslane.com
Best Men’s Clothing
520 W. 11 Mile Rd., Royal Oak; 248-865-9963
Best Gym
Various locations; planetfitness.com
Best Art Gallery
5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-7900; dia.org
Best Day Drinking
3930 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-831-3830 How much history can you cram under one roof? The Old Miami would seem to present a challenge of that sort, crammed with 50 years’ worth of memorabilia, much of it from the Vietnam War era, especially behind the bar. The sun casts a warm glow across it, with its…
Best Insurance Agent
Multiple locations; 313-530-1698; legacypartnersins.com
Best Vegetarian Restaurant
5586 Drake Rd., West Bloomfield Twp; 248-788-7400; friendshipcircle.org/soul/cafe Soul Cafe has been building a loyal following since it opened in 2016 — for both its food and its mission. Part of Friendship Circle’s Soul Projects, the café provides work opportunities for adults with special needs, teaching trainees skills like food prep, dishwashing, hosting, and serving,…
Best Tacos
26837 Ryan Rd., Warren; 586-754-1500; mrmiguels.com
Best Chinese
4710 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-974-7669; midtownshangri-la.com This Midtown establishment has a lively bar scene, partly thanks to its location on the campus of Wayne State University, and partly due to mind-bending concoctions such as Whisky Business, made with Jameson, apricot brandy, honey, and lemon. Between the two, it stays busy from lunchtime to closing time.…
Best Desserts at a Restaurant (Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti)
322 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 888-456-3463; thechophouseannarbor.com/la-dolce-vita
Best Chicken and Waffles
19345 Livernois Ave., Detroit; 313-861-0229; kuzzoschickenandwaffles.com Related Stories
Best Sports Bar
22726 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-398-4070; jspenaltybox.com
Best Slots
555 E. Lafayette St., Detroit; 333-223-2999; greektowncasino.com
Best Place to Buy a Quintessential Detroit Gift
10125 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit; 313-626-2000; pewabic.org
Best Michigan-Made Product
Faygo; 3579 Gratiot Ave., Detroit; 313-925-1600; faygo.com
Best Hardware Store
6432 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-875-0838; detroithardwareco.com
Savage Love: Crushed
I’m a straight male in my 30s. I’ve been with my wife for 12 years. I have had several affairs. Not one-night-stand scenarios, but longer-term connections. I didn’t pursue any of these relationships. Instead, women who knew I was in an “exclusive” relationship have approached me. These have included what turned into a one-year affair…
Best Bicycle Shop
163 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-439-1892; downtown-bikeshop.com Related Stories
Best Wings
400 E. Congress St., Detroit; 313-962-2210; sweetwatertavern.net For many years, Sweetwater was just down the street from Metro Times’ offices, and many an MT editor was drawn down to the ancient building on the corner of Brush and Congress streets, the better to commune with the joint’s vinegary, spicy, charred-but-moist chicken wings. Where lesser kitchens…
Best Fish & Chips
22200 Fenkell Ave., Detroit; 313-533-0950; scottysfishandchips.com There are some people who go to Scotty’s for the fish, the hand-sliced potatoes and onions, and hand-shredded cabbage for the coleslaw. Sure, they enjoy the tartar sauce and a ketchup-enriched shrimp sauce made by hand. But a lot of them go for the memories. You see, Scotty’s is…
Best Indian Restaurant
1739 Plymouth Rd., Ann Arbor; 734-662-2877; cardamoma2.com
Best Desserts at a Restaurant (Detroit)
4421 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-832-5700; thewhitney.com
Best Trivia Night
3052 Twelve Mile Rd., Berkley; 248-268-3909; patrickjsirishpub.com
Best Up North Casino
6800 Soaring Eagle Blvd., Mount Pleasant; 989-775-5777; soaringeaglecasino.com
Best Place to Buy Sneakers
1203 S. University Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-769-2260; mtvtn.com
Best Mobile Device Repair
28859 Orchard Lake Rd., Ste. A, Farmington Hills; 248-893-6410
Best Jewelry Repair
205 Pierce St., Suite 101; Birmingham; 248-647-8670; mountnrepair.com
