Cover Story
Best of Detroit 2016
Detroit has never given up its secrets easily. In a region this sprawling, you’ve always needed a little inside information to know where to go. Unlike other cities that put all their show-stopping wonders on main drags, you’ll need a few addresses and some car fare to survey our superlatives. And that’s not a bad…
Party with the best of Detroit this weekend
Get down with the best of them.
Tequila Mundo takes over Royal Oak Farmers Market
One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, MORE!
No, Judge Rhodes’ $18K per month salary was never in jeopardy during this DPS debacle
While teachers feared not being compensated for work they’d already done this year, Judge Rhodes’ salary was in the clear.
DPS teachers return to work with promised pay, but other demands remain unmet
“There was a sense of celebration and relief when realizing immediate needs are met, but also dread about the fight ahead and how to leverge our power for that fight.”
Dilla’s Delights doughnut shop unveiled Tuesday in Harmonie Park, quickly sells out
This is something you’ll be waking up early for.
Detroit named ‘Best Place to Open a Yoga Studio’
Can you say ohm yeah?
Red Wings fans miffed over nixed LED arena roof
Here’s why Red Wings fans have every reason to feel misled by the original rendering with the LED roof.
Show preview: The Rides at the Michigan Theater this Friday
Don’t expect gentle folk-rock when you go see Stephen Stills’ new band.
Sorry ladies, Justin Verlander and Kate Upton are engaged
Verlander is off the market.
Detroit’s Vault of Midnight is open
Go ahead, take the day off, it’s fine.
The Jazz Underground, metro Detroit’s newest jazz club, opens May 6
The spot is located in Warren, and it looks sophisticated and fun.
DFT President: ‘Let us be clear. We are still locked out’
While the union leadership and the teachers are unified in their desire for pay and an audit of the district, day two of the “Lock Out” highlights chasms when it comes to the Lansing legislation.
Construction underway for Midtown Rock City Eatery location
Rock City is moving to the Motor City.
Just announced: Garbage at The Fillmore
Yes, Shirley Manson, yes.
Detroit Music Awards honors Detroit’s best on Friday night
From juggalos to Prince tributes, we saw it all at the Detroit Music Awards.
Are Detroit teachers being pressured to support DPS legislation in order to get paid?
94 Detroit Public Schools were closed Monday, following news that teachers on 26-week pay schedules were not being paid.
Metro Detroit music hot spots named ‘Greatest American Venues’
See which venues made the Consequence of Sound’s list.
WXYZ documentary looks at the toll of Detroit gun violence
What is the real cost of Detroit’s epidemic gun violence?
Royce da 5’9″ lands #1 album on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop charts
Detroit rapper Royce da 5’9″ earns his first #1 album on Billboard charts.
Why I’ll encourage my son to read Savage Love
“We’re sex positive.”
Who will win at tonight’s Detroit Music Awards?
Here are the nominees for tonight’s show, have any predictions?
The properties of one Dan Gilbert
Dan Gilbert and Tom Gores’ proposed soccer arena would be the latest among dozens of downtown property deals for the Quicken founder.
Push comes to shove on Michigan historic districts
One media outlet says the move was mostly about Mackinac.
Orbit basically predicted Little Caesars Arena in the ’90s
In hindsight, it’s almost too realistic to be funny.
Michigan vs. Iraq: In size, that is
We can finally visualize how big Michigan is compared to Texas, Colombia, and Iraq.
Jonathan Toubin shares six Detroit dance floor fillers and heavy soul killers
Here’s the perfect soundtrack to get dressed up and psyched for Toubin’s crushing soul night this Sat., April 30 at UFO Factory.
Design a mural for Rochester Hills
Contest for best design could make a muralist of you yet.
DOJ responds to Dearborn Police Department’s request for help
Since December two unarmed African Americans have been killed by Dearborn police officers.
Looking at the Fermi plant — 30 years after Chernobyl
Not only have we had meltdowns, some people think we’re headed toward a worse disaster.
Red Bull’s Hart Lines brings top street skaters to Detroit
Skateboarding mecca Hart Plaza to host second annual competition.
Detroit Music Awards delay Kid Rock’s award; Friday show will carry on
Rock’s assistant died Monday in an ATV accident outside of Nashville.
President Obama coming to Flint on May 4
The White House announced on Medium this morning that President Obama will visit the city of Flint next week, on Wednesday, May 4, to meet members of the community ravaged by the water crisis. The announcement came via a letter from POTUS to an 8-year-old Flint girl named Mari Copeny. Her letter and Obama’s response…
Best Barbecue Restaurant in Washtenaw County
980 W. Eisenhower Pkwy., Ann Arbor; 734-389-7100; oldcarolina.com Last year’s winner is back: Old Carolina won our readers over again with its rendition of Carolina barbecue, slow-smoked with real hickory wood, and offering such down-home rarities as Alabama white sauce.
Best Restaurant in Wayne County
3921 Second Ave., Detroit; 313-438-5055; seldenstandard.com The much-lauded Selden Standard scored big time this year, winning Hour Detroit’s 2016 restaurant of the year, and chef-owner Andy Hollyday landed a James Beard nomination for best chef in the Great Lakes region. With all that, it’s no surprise our readers agreed and have named the Midtown eatery…
Best Middle Eastern Restaurant in Wayne County
12710 W. Warren Ave., Dearborn; 313-582-8185; alameerrestaurant.com It might seem strange to say it’s worth checking out the newly James Beard Award-winning Dearborn restaurant for the complimentary fresh bread alone. But it will only sound strange If you’ve never been there before. The service is always exceptional, and the food is some of the best…
Best New Bar in Wayne County
225 Gratiot Ave., Detroit; 313-736-5533; standbydetroit.com Situated on the edge of the street art-festooned Belt Alley is downtown’s newest and most exciting bar and restaurant. When you’ve had one of the many exquisitely crafted cocktails here designed by the showman bartenders, or one of chef Brendon Edwards’ stellar small plates or entrees, you’ll quickly realize…
Best Cajun in Macomb County
36863 Van Dyke Ave., Sterling Heights; 586-983-3700 Colorfully decorated, New Orleans-themed, Gator Jakes is a sports bar with Big Easy flourishes. The menu aims to please a bar crowd, with Louisiana-inspired burgers, sandwiches, and pastas that include the “Hurricane Burger,” the “Crocodile Club,” and “Chicken Creole Pasta.” Or go for the “Bayou Baby Back Ribs”…
Best Happy Hour for Drinks in Macomb County
See dooleysirish.com for locations It’s a bar-and-grill empire! With locations in three Macomb County cities, every Dooley’s does things a bit differently. Happy hour is 4-7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday in Sterling Heights and Mount Clemens, but in Roseville, happy hour is 11 a.m.-8 a.m. every day. That’s nine hours of happiness, including dollar Budweisers until 4…
Best Gyro in Washtenaw County
4001 Stone School Rd., Ann Arbor; 734-971-5552; ahmosdeli.com What makes the gyros so wonderful at Ahmo’s? Perhaps it’s the simplicity of vegetables, bread, meat, and sauce all working together. Perhaps it’s the quality of the meat, provided by Atlas in Detroit. In any event, you don’t last 14 years by cutting corners. Congratulations, Ahmo’s.
Best Poutine
1411 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck; 248-633-3072; rockcityeatery.com We’re partial to this poutine because it happens to be named after one of our favorite writers, Nicole Rupersburg. Nicole’s Poutine has duck confit gravy and cheese curds for an extra buck they’ll crack an egg over the dish. The fries are crisp, which is a perfect compliment…
Best Diner
22950 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-399-5150; theflytrapferndale.com This Ferndale staple continues to impress our readers, with its mashup of traditional diner fare with a twist. Ordering plain eggs is “a la Boring” here. Instead, fans are more likely to spring for the Green Eggs and Ham (with roasted Poblano pesto), or the Boot (with fresh Mozzarella,…
Best Adult Store
See intimateideas.com for locations With multiple locations in metro Detroit, you’ve got a one-stop shop for your intimacy needs no matter where you are. No matter what your kink or who your partner, the staffs at Intimate Ideas will help you take your adult fun to the next level.
Best Pre-Roll at a Dispensary
35 E. Cross St., Ypsilanti; 734-340-2941; depot-town.com When you get a pre-rolled joint, you’re paying for convenience, so expect prices to be a bit steeper, but oh-so-definitely worth it. Depot Town offers two types of pre-rolled joints: a premium, which comes in the strains of Death Star, Couch Lock, OG Kush, and Durban Poison, and…
Best Tire Store
3641 E. Davison St., Detroit; 313-891-5640 Four generations of Suchers have manned this Detroit tire store. “Honestly, I never planned on doing this,” Jon Sucher, great-grandson of the store’s original founder, Jacob, tells MT. While he may have fell into the job, one thing is for sure: This store cares about its customers. The fact…
Best Thrift Store in Oakland County
127 E. 14 Mile Rd., Clawson; 248-589-0500 Owned by longtime friends Melanie Williams and Nicole Duffey, Regeneration offers a unique buying and selling experience for thrift store enthusiasts. Williams says this uniqueness stems from their ability to cultivate lasting relationships with their customers, treating each of them like family from the first time they walk…
Best Diner in Wayne County
719 Griswold St., Ste. 180, Detroit; 313-962-9106; eatdimestore.com A bright, colorful interior, central location, and fun, varied menu have our readers committed to Dime Store. It sits in the Dime Building on Griswold, giving busy office workers access to a quick coffee break to go (make sure to grab a muffin with that), a power…
Best Arcade
See daveandbusters.com for locations There are two Dave & Buster’s in Michigan, and both are conveniently close to Detroit (Utica and Livonia). To say the arcade is a blast would be an understatement. From classics like Pop-A-Shot, Pac-Man, and Skeeball to newer games like Million Dollar Midway, D&B has offerings for all ages and will…
Best Grow Shop in Oakland County
29090 Campbell Rd., Madison Heights; 248-439-6269; northernlights.com You know you’re getting great advice from this specialty retailer. Not only were they formerly Jim’s Flowers in Royal Oak, but Northern Lights Hydroponics has now spent years as leaders in the growing industry of medicinal marijuana cultivation. They even continue the tradition of expanding into the parking…
Best Place to Get Sneakers
21205 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-547-8800; hodgessubaru.com With their sled dog-like snow driving ability and reputation for lasting for hundreds of thousands of miles, Subarus are in many ways a perfect fit for Michigan drivers. Hodges is known for having an excellent inventory of used and new cars and affordable prices that won’t break the bank.
Best Tattoo Artist
4718 W. Walton Blvd., Waterford; 248-742-1521; creativestains.com Documenting his art on the website Creative Stains, Matt Hockaday proves he’s a real force to be reckoned with. While his ink subjects run the gamut, the pictures show Matt has a real knack for portraits and faces (he’s also pretty good with animals, sexy ladies, and roses).…
Best Restaurant with Live Music
526 S. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-591-9000; 526main.com It’s “dinner and a show” at 526 Main, where world-touring professional pianists play, sing, and entertain audiences from the elevated stage. It’s a classy joint, and the menu is sophisticated too, with such choices as lobster mac, New York strip steak, and cedar plank salmon.
Best Indie Coffeehouse in Wayne County
8025 W. Agnes St., Detroit; theredhookdetroit.com And the winner once again of this category is none other than this stalwart of the coffee revolution, Red Hook. The tables may regularly be packed with both the laptopped and the mega-strollered crowds, but there’s never a long wait for expertly prepared brew. Stumptown’s “Hair Bender” is still…
Best Fish & Chips
36470 Jefferson Ave, Harrison Charter Township; 586-463-2671; terrytime.com The Macomb County restaurant has been racking up awards for its fish and chips for years, and it’s no surprise considering its chefs have worked in seafood houses since the days of Milroy’s. Terry’s takes handcut Atlantic cod and breads it with your choice of regular or…
Best Rum
Bacardi.com Since 1862 Bacardi has been fueling good times. While the rum is good on its own, the brand features a number of delectable Bacardi-based cocktails that make you wish it was happy hour. Cuba Libre? Check! Or how about a classic Mojito? You feel like you’re at an after-hours bar in Havana dancing up…
Best Chiropractor
31390 Northwestern Hwy, Farmington Hills; 248-855-2666; levineclinic.com Back out of whack? The Levine Clinic of Chiropractic can put your spine back in line and help you on your way to a healthier lifestyle. Dr. Robert Levine and Dr. Daniel Cohen have both been practicing in metro Detroit for more than 20 years. Unlike other doctors…
Best Rapper
dejloafmusic.com What can we say? This woman is a powerhouse. When “Try Me” first started hitting the local airwaves in the summer of 2014, we knew this was an act that would reach distances much greater than the D. And we were right. While Dej is in demand across the nation, we love that she…
Best Outdoor Wedding Venue
580 Waldon Rd., Clarkston; 248-625-0700; pineknobmansion.com It really is hard to think who else might possibly win this category — the Pine Knob Mansion is such a classic choice. It really is such an extravagantly stunning space. Nature and architecture co-exist perfectly here, so where else to start a life together and celebrate than in…
Best Environmental Marketing Gimmick
Just a few years after community anger had prompted the removal of a massive pile of “pet coke” from the riverfront near Southwest Detroit, a new pile began to appear. But the people responsible had a soothing argument: It’s not pet coke — it’s “coke breeze.” Why should that make you feel better? Because a…
Best Local Artwork to Save
When Dmytro Szylak retired from General Motors in 1992, he began installing whirligigs and fanciful sculptures in his backyard. Over the years, they grew and became a massive, colorful attraction he called “Hamtramck Disneyland.” But since Szylak died at 92 in May 2015, the future of the artwork has been in a sort of limbo.…
Best Casino Hotel
1777 Third Ave., Detroit; 877- 888-2121; mgmgranddetroit.com Even if gambling isn’t your thing, MGM is a popular choice for those looking for a quality place to crash in the D. From its luxurious spa to its live music venues — and of course, 24-hour concierge staff — MGM offers guests top-of-the-line amenities as well as…
Best Barbecue Restaurant in Macomb County
See badbradsbbq.net for locations This local mini-chain is up to three locations, and it’s all built on the motto that sums up their practice: “From our smoker to your plate.” They smoke most meats in fruit and hickory wood smoke, and do everything the old-fashioned way. Get a taste of the meat in one of…
Best Restaurant in Washtenaw County
216 S. State St., Ann Arbor; 734-623-2233; savasrestaurant.com Our readers picked Sava’s last year for its breakfast offerings. But the restaurant is great all-around because it does it all: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The dinner menu offers plenty of choices: straight-ahead fine dining (seared Arctic char or braised lamb shank, for instance), as well as…
Best Middle Eastern Restaurant in Washtenaw County
601 Packard St., Ann Arbor; 734-998-0131; alibabaannarbor.com From the delightful Arabesque wall murals to the super competent staff and the ability to order take-out online, it’s no wonder that Ali Baba’s is a customer favorite. From the highly regarded meat combos to the freshly made falafel and 10 varieties of salad, there’s something for everyone…
Best Soul Food
29508 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield; 248-208-1680; beansandcornbread.com Detroit’s soul truly shines at Beans & Cornbread. Though the Southfield staple specializes in Southern cuisine, the Motown flair you get on every plate is what’s been bringing awards home (and customers back) since 1997.
Best Sports Bar in Washtenaw County
203 E. Washington St., Ann Arbor; 734-222-9999; thearena-a2.com This place has it all. Arena has 22 TV screens, four of them high-def, even two in the restrooms. There are more screens, too: Internet-ready jukebox, Golden Tee, Megatouch, and even physical games like billiards and darts. Add 24 taps of draft beer and you have the…
Best Sushi in Washtenaw County
114 W. Liberty St., Ann Arbor; 734-662-9303; pacificrimbykana.com French techniques are employed in this exceptional Ann Arbor restaurant’s approach to pan-Asian. This is not your average pan-Asian joint: There are new and magical mixtures of flavors here. Japanese, Thai, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese all comingle in heavenly ways.
Best Karaoke Bar
917 N. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-547-6051 This cozy Royal Oak joint is a local hangout for sure, but the major draw is the raucous and fun karaoke. The song selection is expansive and the people who attend are generally supportive. It’s the kind of place you’ll want to while away the hours — and…
Best Mac and Cheese
See macncheez.com for locations. When it comes to red-hot trends like local sourcing, humanely raised proteins, and fast-casual offshoots, all these trends were quietly adopted by Lorraine Platman years before they were hip. The same goes with comfort food: Six years ago, she opened her first Mac n’ Cheez eatery. A bowl of Platman’s mac…
Best Male Bartender
225 Gratiot Ave., Detroit; 313-736-5533; standbydetroit.com Before he joined forces with chef Brendon Edwards to found downtown’s Standby, we knew magical things could happen when Joe Rob was behind the bar. We helped judge a cocktail contest a few years ago and Rob won handily. Sure, Rob can make your classic cocktails, but he loves…
Best Place for Sexy Lingerie
See loverslane.com for locations Lover’s Lane has plenty of intimate apparel for both women and men, from lingerie, garter belts, corsets, robes, costumes, and thongs. This Michigan-based chain provides a clean, sex-positive environment and a friendly staff eager to help you explore your inner kink, though you can shop discreetly on their website as well.
Most Knowledgeable Dispensary Staff
12632 Eight Mile Rd., Detroit; 313-821-4350 This Eight Mile dispensary is known for having not only a friendly staff, but a well-versed and knowledgeable one. As marijuana smoker “Blakewzrd” wrote on a forum about the Fuego staff, “Felt like a friend! Hilarious and friendly staff! Best looking buds in town. Good deals often.”
Best Hardware Store
6432 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-875-0838; detroithardwareco.com How they pack everything you’d need for a home project into this cozy store is a mystery. How they find the right fittings so quickly is another. And if they don’t have it, they’ll tell you where you can get it; they’re that honest. It all began when Albert…
Best Thrift Store in Wayne County
See salarmythrift.com for locations With an internationally recognized charity and deep roots in faith, the Salvation Army is more than just a thrift store gold mine. Their positive impact is felt the world over with numerous initiatives for the betterment of human life with everything from addiction rehab to emergency response in natural disasters.
Best Selection of Bottled Beer in Wayne County
14915 Charlevoix St., Detroit; 313-824-1030; yeoldetaproom.com Sure, Ye Olde Tap Room has a great selection of single-malt Scotch, and it’s loaded with history, having been a blind pig, a barbershop, and the home of the Union Homing Club, a pigeon racing organization. But most people come for the beer. Decorated with tap handles and beer…
Best Place for People-Watching
1331 Broadway St., Detroit; 313-749-9738 punchbowlsocial.com The upscale, healthier version of bar food may be the selling point of Punch Bowl Social, but we’re all about the people-watching in this hip downtown establishment. From athletes and sports fans to Quicken interns and just your average Joe and Joettes, this place has an eclectic and wide…
Best Grow Shop in Macomb County
2327 Auburn Rd., Shelby Twp.; 586-997-2700; thirdcoastgardensupply.com It’s important to not rely on Johnny-come-latelies when one needs expert advice in this field. Third Coast Garden Supply has been around for seven years now, and have gained a trusting and loyal clientele for a good reason. Their prices are reasonable, and the staff provides expert advice…
Best Jewelry Store
120 W. Maple Rd., Birmingham; 248-644-1651; Astreinjewelers.com In 2014, the public chose Astrein’s as the best jewelry store to purchase an engagement ring from. This year, readers expanded their understanding of what is so great about this fine jewelry store to include, well, all jewelry. Brothers Richard and Gary Astrein have been at this for…
Best Deli in Oakland County & Best Sandwich in Washtenaw County
See breadbasketdelis.com for locations. The Bread Basket Deli mini-chain is a regular winner of some deli-related category almost every year going back 20 years. This year, it’s the sandwiches, such as the single-decker, double-decker, and three- and four-decker sandwiches. Not fantastic enough? There’s the Bread Basket offer to “pound it”: Any sandwich can be made…
Best Auto Repair
23459 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-544-2100; wetmorestireandautorepair.com You’ve driven past them for years and marveled at the vintage vehicle with wobbly wheels poking out of the second floor of their building. Wetmore’s has been in business since 1928. That means that many local families have trusted them to work on their vehicles for generations. From tire,…
Best Indie Coffeehouse in Washtenaw County
317 W. Cross St., Ypsilanti; 734-484-4684; uglymugypsi.com For a dozen years now, Ypsi’s Ugly Mug has been roasting seriously tasty beans sourced directly from micro-lot farmers throughout South America. All the baristas here know exactly how to pull a decent shot with the right amount of cream, as well as do that fancy latte art…
Best Fries
1999 Coolidge Hwy., Berkley; 248-268-3175; republicaberkley.com Petro Drakopolous, the owner of Republica and the mastermind behind most of its dishes, plays up his Greek heritage in this dish he’s coined “Plato’s Potatoes.” Crisp, golden fries are tossed with fresh lemon juice, oregano, and feta cheese for a plate of fries that simply doesn’t need ketchup.
Best Flavored Vodka
skyy.com When most people think of flavored vodka, they think of college kids sneaking shots in their dorms at night. Skyy Infusions is not this kind of flavored vodka. In a sleek blue bottle, this a damn fine, and classy flavored vodka. As their website explains, the brand was started in one man’s quest to…
Best Rehabilitation Center
See pinnacletreatment.com for locations With locations throughout the Northeast and the Midwest, Pinnacle Treatment Centers just opened a new methadone treatment center in Ann Arbor last fall, and has plans to open two more in Sterling Heights and St. Clair Shores in the near future. The services that Pinnacle offers are predominantly low-cost outpatient treatments.…
Best Hotel in Detroit
One Park Ave., Detroit; 313-237-1700; aloftdetroit.com Located in the ornate and decadent David Whitney Building, this new hotel is the talk of the town right now. Touting two bars, a cafe, and a gym, Aloft has all the amenities needed for someone to work and play in the city. A real standout is how the…
Best Promoter
embarcoentertainment.com We don’t know how Embarco does it, but we do know why our intelligent readers vote Embarco as the top local promoters for years running. Embarco’s roster has included acts like Trick Trick, Kaleido, Alien Ant Farm, and many more. Currently they’re working with My Pal Val, so they’re obviously very forward-thinking. Plus, they…
Best Donut Shop in the City
11300 Conant St., Hamtramck; 313-368-9214 This family doughnut shop has been on the corner of Caniff and Conant for 32 years, the last five of them owned by a Yemeni family. The owner says he still keeps the old classic recipes on the menu, such as the Romanian burek, another example of Hamtramck’s powerful polyculturalism.…
Best Muslim-Majority City Council
This year, we took a warts-and-all look at Hamtramck’s Muslim-majority city council. With right-wing bloggers and news media in high dudgeon over the election results, we talked to the locals, the mayor, and council members who’d been bombarded by phone calls from around the world. What did we find? A small-town city council much like…
Best Casino Promotion
377 Riverside Dr. E., Windsor; 800-991-7777; caesars.com/caesars-windsor We all love a good casino, but what happens when that casino offers awesome promotions? Even better! Caesars Windsor is a great casino with great promotions to help you save even more money. On their website, they are offering $16 off hotel rooms, and special promotions that involve…
Best Steakhouse in Oakland County
245 S. Eton St., Birmingham; 248-647-7774; bigrockchophouse.com From the ivy-covered entrance to the surprisingly colorful interior, there’s much to enjoy about Big Rock. But those steaks and chops are no joke: They serve filet mignon, rib-eye, New York strip, Wagyu, and a full line of surf to complement your turf.
Best Restaurant in Macomb County
39091 Garfield Rd., Clinton Township; 586-263-6540; lucianositaliancuisine.com Luciano’s wrapped up this category last year, and it’s easy to see why it’s back on top again. Family-owned and -operated, with white linens, soft table lighting, and a menu of old-fashioned Northern and Southern Italian cuisine made with fresh, natural ingredients, and in generous portions at prices…
Best Middle Eastern Restaurant in Macomb County
22114 Harper Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-777-9600 A real family-friendly mainstay on the east side, Sahara’s St. Clair Shores location is a reader favorite, and with good reason. You can expect to enjoy the usual fare — from shawarma to falafel and juices to tea — with the specialized, spice-filled care that’s made this restaurant…
Best New Bar in Washtenaw County
124 Pearl St., Ypsilanti; 734-487-1555; ypsialehouse.com The interior is modern, the food includes brisket and ribs, and the location is a stone’s throw from hip eateries and breakfast spots. The beer is especially interesting: Mishigama is the Japanese-sounding brew created by Michigan craft beer pioneer Ted Bagerow. All put together, it earned the Alehouse the…
Best Sports Bar in Macomb County
See hamlinpubs.com for locations The fact that Hamlin Pub is a is a successful mini-chain of local sports pubs should tell you something. They credit their combination of ice-cold beer, top-notch entertainment, and food so good they cater, all in a comfortable setting.
Best Bar Before a Tigers Game
2208 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-962-0319; bookiesbar.com Want to drink and dine al fresco style before hitting Comerica Park? Bookies is the best place to get a rooftop seat, a filling sandwich, and a cold beer before strolling a few short blocks to catch a game. The now 12-year-old bar also has plenty of seating indoors,…
Best Gyro in Macomb County
See olgas.com for locations When Olga Loizon first opened her small restaurant in Birmingham in 1970, what we today call “Mediterranean food” hadn’t gained acceptance beyond gyro stands, and it was places like Olga’s that took the first steps of introducing Americans to the freshness, flavor, and flatbreads of that region. Since then, Mediterranean food…
Best Dive Bar in Macomb County
42066 Van Dyke Ave., Sterling Heights; 586-731-2000 Dive bars don’t usually have as much going for them as Jamboozies, but in Macomb County’s competitive drinking scene, it’s best to offer it all: bartenders who’ll happily pour you one of the Michigan brews flowing on tap or mix you up a martini. There are 15 TVs…
Best Night Out
3901 Christopher St., Detroit; 313-264-1288; whatsfowling.com Want a good time? Try fowling (FOAL-ing). What is it? It’s one man’s mad dream to combine the sports of football and bowling. That man’s name is Chris Hutt, and he’s been packing them in for more than a year now at his massive, 34,000-square-foot space on the border…
Best Group Night Out
515 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak; 248-515-2551; five15.net We have to agree with our readers; this event is awesome. The host of the evening is a drag queen who spits vile, crude humor at the crowd all evening. It really is so much fun, and is especially fun if you grab a drink or two…
Best Dispensary
2245 W. Liberty St., Ann Arbor; 734-369-8573; peopleschoiceofannarbor.com This Ann Arbor dispensary is something of a mainstay in the Michigan medical marijuana world. Located in a simple purple building, the People’s Choice is known for its wide selection of bud and friendly staff. Busy? Patients can sign up in person for future use of their…
Best Downtown Shopping District
www.allinbirmingham.com Walkable, charming, and clean, downtown Birmingham is a joy to meander around. But the real selling point is the shopping. With six antique and gallery spaces, nearly 50 clothing and accessory stores and 17 jewelers, this is a place to while away both an afternoon and a couple of bucks.
Best Thrift Store in Washtenaw County
See valueworld.net for locations With 12 locations in Michigan, Value World is a gently used treasure trove for thrift store aficionados with everything from designer label clothing, to home décor, and even vinyl.
Best Diner in Washtenaw County
2660 Washtenaw Ave., Ypsilanti; 734-434-0100; facebook.com/goldeneggypsi You can tell you’re in a classic breakfast eatery when some of the customers have been coming there since childhood. Such is the case with the Golden Egg, and with good reason: From 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, the kitchen churns out breakfast classics while the servers keep…
Best Female Bartender
350 Monroe Ave., Detroit; 313-962-4200; deluxlounge.com If you don’t recognize Frankie’s name, or even her face, chances are you’ll know her by her boobs. The busty bartender isn’t afraid to show off the goods, which we’re sure brings in quite a bit of dough inside the Greektown bar where she’s worked for more than six…
Best Grow Shop in Wayne County
3535 Fort St, Lincoln Park; 313-382-4200 This hydroponic garden center keeps long hours, regularly has excellent sales and specials, and aims to be the area source for all of your needs, whether you are a novice or an old hat at cultivating your favorite sticky green stuff. They truly are experts, and do offer discount…
Best Jewelry Repair
205 Pierce St., Birmingham; 248-647-8670; mount-n-repair.com When that most prized piece of jewelry or beloved family heirloom needs replacement of missing links, general repair, or restringing or resizing, it isn’t always an easy decision. You don’t want to trust those treasures to just anyone, but our readers have vetted Mount-N-Repair for us. They’ll do the…
Best Grocery Store
See kroger.com for locations A classic supermarket, Kroger is a place you could while away hours as you meander through its expansive aisles stocked full with fresh produce, delicious deli meats, and delectable treats. In a rush and don’t have time to wander? No worries: Kroger is easy to navigate no matter which location you…
Best Bagels
1236 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-444-9342; detroitinstituteofbagels.com It’s all about that crunch! Whether you’re talking classic New York-style or their heartier Montreal cousins, if a bagel doesn’t crack a bit when you first bite, that means it wasn’t first boiled and then baked properly (which means it’s not even a bagel, but rather a bread-sponge). DIB…
Best Indie Coffeehouse in Macomb County
29200 Hoover Rd., Warren; 586-576-0317; facebook.com/dovetaildetroit Do you miss the way coffee shops were back when the craze first took hold in the 1990s, before the chain shops made every coffee drink into a 1,000-calorie frappe milkshake and all the crazy fancy coffee snobs made everything so freaking confusing? DoveTail has great first-wave style coffee:…
Best Sliders in Oakland County
241 W. Nine Mile Road., Ferndale; 248-850-7420 Really, sliders are just a small part of the menu at Public House, but they are creative, sandwich-style riffs on the classic small burger: A burger made of brisket and ground round, a spicy fried chicken topped with pickles and buttermilk-dill dressing, a cauliflower-mushroom with au jus, a…
Best Craft Beer
newbelgium.com Going to a dinner party and want to bring a laid-back, but simultaneously thoughtful beverage? Go with New Belgium. Makers of popular craft beers like Fat Tire, this 25-year old company screams cool but sophisticated. The picturesque drawings on the bottles aren’t too bad, either.
Best Bocce Courts
4291 Lapeer Rd., Orion Twp.; 248-371-9987; palazzodibocce.com This combined Italian restaurant and bocce ball court is such a great idea, and ideal for larger groups (parties over a dozen are encouraged to make reservations). Whether your grandparents played this centuries-old sport in the old country, or you just picked it up yourself after seeing it…
Best Singer
theblueflowers.com The noir-ish, genre-bending alt-pop band the Blueflowers have been together since 2008, self-releasing their first album the following year. Hinote and her husband, guitarist/producer Tony Hamera, lead the band. MT has called their debut a “genuinely beautiful and touching piece of work,” praising Hinote’s versatile and lovely voice for how it “remains note-perfect and…
Best Cider Mill
17985 Armada Center Rd., Armada; 586-784-5343; blakefarms.com Once upon a time, metro Detroit families would pile into the station wagon, drive 10 miles into the country, and pick apples, heading home with a bushel of them, as well as a greasy paper bag filled with doughnuts. Since then, it’s become a longer drive and a…
Best Fest for People Watching
Youmacon.com Admit it. You love people watching just as much as that guy sitting alone on a park bench with a pair of binoculars. There’s no better place to see interesting people than at Youmacon. The Detroit-only anime festival features plenty of colorful and creative attendees. Fans paying homage to their favorite Japanese characters get…
Best Journalist Who Worked at Metro Times
Since his departure from Metro Times, Curt Guyette has been on a roll at the ACLU of Michigan: uncovering what’s happening in Michigan thanks to the state’s emergency manager law. He has alerted us to how the Education Achievement Authority became a testing ground for software companies, how emergency managers have driven DPS ever deeper…
Best Casino Restaurant
2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-237-6732; motorcitycasino.com/iridescence We’re so glad to see that Iridescence won this poll, because it really is the place where you’d suggest that your parents go for their diamond wedding anniversary, or where you’d ask your boss to take you on your last day working for the firm. Michael Russell, one…
Best Steakhouse in Wayne County
155 W. Congress St., Detroit; 313-962-0277; thelondonchophouse.com A Detroit tradition that began in the late 1930s, the London Chop House oozes class and style. While its clientele is no longer restricted to auto barons, celebrities, and high-ranking officials, the place still has an air of sophistication and exclusivity. Perhaps it’s the premium cuts on their…
Best New Restaurant Oakland County
1214 S. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-306-1954; jimbradysdetroit.com Proprietor Tom Brady (no, not that Tom Brady) has seen to the rebirth of a legendary Detroit institution in suburban Royal Oak. Inside the former Oxford Inn, the space has a mid-century “Don Draper” quality, with upholstered barstools, sunburst light fixtures, and a pink payphone in the…
Best Bar in Oakland County
215 Fifth St., Royal Oak; 248-629-9423; fifthavenueroyaloak.com This Royal Oak bar is not a newcomer to our Best Of Detroit list. Our readers designated it the “Best Place to Celebrate Your 21st Birthday” last year, and this year, they told us, “wait, that’s not all.” Turns out, Fifth Avenue is virtually a one-stop shop when…
Best New Bar in Macomb County
See tiltedkilt.com for locations Since first opening in 2003, the Tilted Kilt has grown into a national Celtic-themed sports bar chain with three locations in Michigan, opening its Sterling Heights location in the beginning of 2015. The waitresses are buxom babes, and that’s reflected in the cheeky name of some menu items, such as “Sadie’s…
Best Wine Bar
23810 Woodward Ave., Pleasant Ridge; corkwinepub.org Sure, Cork has a great wine selection, but that’s not even the best part about this pub. The atmosphere and decor are warm and inviting, the staff is friendly, the brunch is delicious, and we’re in love with their Bloody Mary bar. They also host regular events, such as…
Best Sushi in Macomb County
44955 Hayes Rd., Sterling Heights; 586-580-2546; ichibanjapanesebistro.com Hey, what’s going on? Ichiban won last year for having the best Hibachi, and this year our readers voted it for Best Sushi in Macomb County? Well, that’s just a testament to the level of quality and the variety of this superb restaurant. Their hibachi remains super, and…
Best Lesbian Bar
16920 W. Warren Ave., Detroit; 313-584-6525; facebook.com/gigisgaybar Whether you feel like being a karaoke rock star or a dancing queen, GiGi’s has what you need. The no-fuss spot is popular across the LGBT community and has been a staple in the city since 1973.
Best Seafood in Oakland County
See kruseandmuerrestaurants.com for locations The stellar Kruse and Muer restaurants in Oakland County began as a partnership between Bill Kruse and his great friend, the late Chuck Muer of Charley’s Crab fame. The first restaurant opened at what’s now the Village of Rochester Hills outdoor mall. With a business model that values customer service and…
Best Bar Decor
1500 Woodward Ave., Floor Two, Detroit; 313-962-7711; wrightdetroit.com From the moment diners step off the elevator into Wright & Co.’s second-floor space, the ambiance screams “Chicago!” Opened in the historic Wright-Kay Building in 2014, the gastropub has a long, narrow, dining area with a spectacular tin ceiling and tall window views of the Woodward and…
Best Florist
713 W. Silver Lake Rd., Fenton; 810-629-5995; gerychsflowers.com April showers bring May flowers. Or you can get your floral fix any time of year at Gerych’s, where they create centerpieces and personalized bouquets for every event and occasion. Helping you stop and smell the flowers since 1975, Gerych’s arrangements can bring color into any household…
Best Budtender
18495 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe; 313-423-6892 What winning ways earned Dillon this honor? A coworker says that Dillon is really friendly, outgoing with patients, always looking for ways to take care of them within their budget, and knows everything, from edibles to concentrates to the flower itself.
Best Local Shopping Experience
22801 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 810-441-0956; www.rustbeltmarket.com Featuring 50 independent shops in a 4,000-square-foot event space, the Rust Belt Market in Ferndale has become something of a Metro Detroit institution, or at least a go-to spot when looking to find new artists and gifts for loved ones and yourself. While shopping is great, we’re so excited…
Best Thrift Store in Macomb County
51774 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Twp.; 586-884-6559 This upscale thrift store is a hidden gem in Macomb County. Every visit promises the discovery of much needed basics, as well as splurge-worthy items at a fraction of their original costs. We — and our readers — are fans.
Best Selection of Bottled Beer in Washtenaw County
303 S. Ashley St., Ann Arbor; 734-369-4212; 8059 Main St., Dexter; 734-253-2356; beergrotto.com The Ann Arbor location looks more like a coffeehouse than a pub, with natural wood and brick, and scattered tables among a few barrels. But a steady clientele of young adults comes into the space seeking a good beer or wine buzz.…
Best Farmers Market in Macomb County
141 N. River Rd., Mount Clemens; 586-493-7600; mountclemensfarmersmarket.com If you really want to make a connection with local farmers, dairy hands, and butchers, you can do all that and more at this airy, charming farmers market. Tucked away in a historic district, here you’ll find fresh, locally grown produce, as well as a variety of…
Best Grow Shop in Washtenaw County
4095 Stone School Rd., Ann Arbor; 734-677-0009; thegrowshow.org This large store combines reasonable prices with friendly and expert staff and a huge range of premium products. Whether you need lights, growing media, tools, nutrients, books, or just some basic advice, the Grow Show is likely to have everything you need.
Best Local Etsy Shop
etsy.com/shop/TheDetroitCardCo Run by Genna Cowsert, the Detroit Card Co. is one-stop shopping for charming and sweet cards that are perfect for any occasion. From funny Mother’s Day cards to hand-lettered congratulation notes, this is one-stop, original shopping. Don’t just get someone a card, get them art!
Best Deli in Wayne County
1300 Porter St., Detroit; 313-961-2000; mudgiesdeli.com Seems like no two years are the same at Mudgie’s, and that’s precisely why our readers have once again declared the Corktown spot the best deli in Wayne County. The sandwiches are bountifully stuffed with local meats, the soups will make your mouth explode, and the newly minted bar…
Best Optical Boutique
245 West Maple Rd., Birmingham; 248-646-6699; optikbirmingham.com No mere optical boutique, Dr. Joe Ales’ Optik Birmingham boasts unique collections of never-worn vintage eyewear from the 1890s to the 1980s, as well as exclusive contemporary eyewear. You won’t find this stuff at the mall. The store’s hip accessories and funky art objects only add to Optik…
Best Tea Room
22821 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-239-1131; detroitbubbletea.com In 2014, Ferndale natives Arun Prasad and Alycia Courneya opened Detroit Bubble Tea and fans of the Boba tea, which kinda tastes like a smoothie, but is lower in calories and sugar, have made it a popular destination in the trendy neighborhood. No clue what Boba is? The staff…
Best Sliders in Wayne County
3041 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte; 734-285-0420; joeshamburgers.net Owner Jeremy Sladovnik was inspired by the burger joints of his youth to create a shrine to the slider. That drove him to open Joe’s in 2009, where you can get a classic slider heaped with grilled onions for $1.49. The little guys get grander from there, topped with…
Best Light Beer
coorslight.com A Rocky Mountain cold beverage, Coors Light is the perfect drink if you want a nice refresher but don’t want a heavy, dark ale. The largest beer in the MillerCoors portfolio, this is a drink with a following. In recent years, Coors Light has been pushing its advertising towards women — who make up…
Best Yoga
500 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak; 248-268-2160; 1224 Library St., Detroit; 313-502-5450; citizenyogastudio.com With two locations, Citizen Yoga has become the go-to spot for zenned-out yogis in the city. Classes include everything from vinyasa to slow burn, and there are a variety of levels, so you never need to feel embarrassed or insecure about your…
Best B&B
84 E. Ferry St., Detroit; 313-871-6000; innonferrystreet.com A cluster of beautifully preserved historic homes on charming, tree-lined Ferry Street comprise this adorable B&B. Settle into one of the Inn on Ferry Street’s four restored Victorian mansions or two carriage houses. While the homes are gorgeous and warm, we can’t help but also adore the location.…
Best Record Label
psychopathicrecords.com MT has never shied from the juggalo community, from our former “Ask A Juggalo” column to our continued coverage of the antics and music of the label’s founders, Insane Clown Posse. One of the most successful independent labels in recent history has grown surprisingly diverse, and they employ close to 30 people full-time in…
Best Self-Destruction of a Hypocrite Politician
The story was so bizarre that it wouldn’t have been believed without an audio recording confirming it: Knowing that his heterosexual affair with fellow Tea Party legislator Cindy Gamrat was bound to be revealed, homophobic, holy-rolling state Rep. Todd Courser hatched a wild scheme to circulate an email alleging that he was a bisexual cruiser…
Best Domestic Beer
millerlite.com Craft beers may have the limelight, but sometimes you just need to crack open a good ol’ domestic brew (and then crack open like 10 more). And since the beer is “less filling,” after all, you can drink enough as it takes without feeling like you weigh an extra 50 pounds.
Best Players Club
377 Riverside Dr. E., Windsor; 800-991-7777; caesars.com/caesars-windsor For those who gamble regularly, joining the players club is the next step to enjoying all the benefits that casinos have to offer. Caesars Windsor offers some of the best deals and specials when you join their players club. You get insane discounts on rooms, free food from…
Best Steakhouse in Washtenaw County
322 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-669-9977 Serving only prime quality steaks aged for at least four weeks, the Chop House is one of those places where you’ll pay dearly, but the proteins you get are among the top 2 percent of all steaks inspected by the USDA. You get finely marbled beef every time, which…
Best New Restaurant in Wayne County
1942 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-446-8360; republictaverndetroit.com With its historic setting in the castle-like GAR Building, a kitchen attuned to nose-to-tail meatiness, and a run-up to opening that kept us in anticipation for months, Republic was a runaway smash hit when it opened last year. Sure, you can have satisfying dishes of country-style ham, seafood…
Best Italian Restaurant in Oakland County
415 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak; 248-542-4444; trattoriapizzeriadaluigi.com This Italian restaurant is so good it manages to be both subtle and hearty — exactly what you want from the finest Italian cuisine. The braciola di maiale Valdostana dish consists of three pork cutlets pounded thin and rolled with prosciutto and fontina — you might dream…
Best Polish Restaurant
2990 Yemans St., Hamtramck; 313-874-5726; polishvillagecafe.us It’s easy to see why our readers chose Polish Village; the food and the atmosphere are so exceptional, we’re all willing to wait a spell just to sit down at this eternally popular family spot. During the holidays, they even wrap their paintings on the wall up as if…
Best Rooftop Bar
529 Monroe Ave., Detroit; exodosrooftop.com Featuring dark wood floors and clay brick wall, Exodos is cozy, no doubt. But the real attraction for this Greektown establishment is its al fresco lounge. Outfitted in whitewashed wood, the patio features bench seating and a bar and is generally filled with good-looking people with great hair drinking beer.…
Best Bar Before a Red Wings Game
450 W. Fort St., Detroit; 313-964-9127 This bar has a lot going for it: the memorabilia on the walls, the history of being a bar for Detroit’s journalists, the pleasant family-run vibe, the small but welcome parking lot, the commodious room in back for large gatherings. They always add a little something special, such as…
Best Family Restaurant
See bigboy.com for locations Remember how your parents used to take you out for that huge brownie dessert every time you got a good report card? OK, maybe that wasn’t everyone, but nevertheless, Big Boy has been bringing families together for a long time. With crayons for the kiddos, bottomless coffee for your pops, and…
Best Dive Bar in Washtenaw County
201 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti; 734-482-5320; taproomypsi.com In the sea of enjoyable bars in Ypsilanti, the Tap Room is a perennial reader favorite. The downtown bar maintains a down-and-dirty atmosphere, with affordable drinks served by a friendly staff. The menu goes beyond typical bar fare, with many burger, sandwich and Mexican choices to go with…
Best Place to Drink That Is Haunted
4421 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-832-5700; thewhitney.com In the ever-changing Midtown landscape, The Whitney — a 22,000-square-foot Romanesque Revival standout rendered in pink granite — is a staple. On the top floor of the 1890s mansion is The Ghost Bar, an elegant cocktail spot that offers a more casual entry into this fine dining destination. The…
Best Spa & Best Salon in Oakland County
See bianchis.com for locations Bianchi’s highly trained stylists provide quality hair care and form trusting relationships with their clients. Services include men and women’s haircuts, as well as styling, extensions, makeup, manicures, pedicures, waxing, color and highlights, and conditioning. Facial treatments, massages, and other body therapy services are another draw at Bianchi’s. A spa day…
Best Strain
Available at Shake and Bake; 20477 Schaefer Hwy., Detroit; 313-340-2253 T-R-A-N-Q-U-I-L-IZ-E. With a reputation as a heavy sedative with a sweet flavor, King Bubba is known to relax people. That’s right, sit back and relax like a king as your muscles unclench and a heavy, dreamy euphoria washes over you. But watch out and don’t…
Best Appliance Store
See abcwarehouse.com for locations It’s often said that there’s two things in life that are certain: death and taxes, and we think you could throw buying some sort of home appliance into that mix. Whether it’s a toaster or a state-of-the-art smart appliance (you know, the fridges that like link up to the cloud or…
Best Wedding Dress
708 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-723-4300 Romasposa.com Located in the always fashionable Birmingham shopping district, Roma Sposa is the premier spot for finding the perfect gown for your special day. Marketing themselves as the best atelier this side of Rome, Roma Sposa has tons of dresses for women who describe their taste as sophisticated…
Best Diner in Macomb County
13522 22 Mile Rd., Shelby Township; 586-726-7335 From 6 a.m. until 3 p.m., the Orange Peel is where hungry diners wander in, find a table, and get treated to some of the grandest breakfast dishes available. But the real thrill is watching those egg dishes arrive, especially the fluffy “three-egg” omelets that take up the…
Best Farmers Market in Oakland County
316 E. 11 Mile Rd., Royal Oak; 248-246-3276; romi.gov/farmersmarket This historic market is as known as a tourist destination and a lovely place to have a wedding as it is for its wares, but don’t discount the awesomeness of the market itself. Fresh fruits and vegetables don’t get any fresher unless you’re down on your…
Best Bicycle Shop in Washtenaw County
217 S. Fourth Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-214-9700; transitionrack.com If you’re ready to get serious about bicycling, you have probably already at least dropped by the professionals at Transition Rack. This is no hipster fixie spot; the full-service operation stocks a high concentration of specialty gear, bikes, apparel, and parts. From mountain and road bikes to…
Best Place to Buy Art
1410 Service St., Detroit; 313-744-6505; 1xrun.com It would be impressive enough if 1xRUN just ran its artist-in-residency program, which has welcomed more than 150 artists from across the globe. Still more impressive is its Murals in the Market festival, which has resulted in more than 100 murals going up in Detroit. But the core business…
Best Wedding Planner
24590 N. Industrial Dr., Farmington Hills; 248-474-7077; emeraldcitydesigns.com From floral design to event planning, Emerald City does it all — which is why they are one of the sought-after wedding planners in the metro area. As one pleased customer wrote on the company’s website: “I literally started crying when I saw the room. Sobbing.” Now…
Best Sub Shop
See potbelly.com for locations Hot subs, shakes, soups and salads, oh my! Potbelly may not have originated in the Motor City, but it’s made an impression on the bellies of metro Detroiters. With 26 locations across Michigan, the sub shop is a must-stop for sub lovers. Potbelly’s signature creation, A Wreck, is a meat-lover’s dream.…
Best Juice Bar
See droughtjuice.com for locations This raw, cold-pressed juice business took off in 2011, run by five sisters with the last name James. Their juices gained popularity quickly due to their organic, fresh ingredients and sleek packaging. The business has grown to six locations stretching from Bloomfield Hills to Detroit.
Best Sliders in Washtenaw County
609 E. William St., Ann Arbor; 734-368-9592; hunterhousehamburgers.com This location of the venerable Birmingham burger stop opened just a few years ago, offering the same sort of enamel-steel diner fare that’s just a cut above. In addition to the grilled-onion-laden sliders, there are shakes and malts from Calder’s Dairy.
Best Michigan Made Liquor
161 Vester Ave., Ferndale; 248-629-9951; valentinedistilling.com Rifino Valentine continues to blaze the trail for craft distilleries in Michigan, and along the way he’s producing some of the finest vodka, gin, and whiskey we’ve tasted. This year, Valentine Vodka earned the honor of World’s Best Vodka at the 2016 World Vodka Awards. “I’ve always appreciated the…
Best Feather Bowling
4300 Cadieux Rd., Detroit; 313-882-8560; cadieuxcafe.com This category may as well have been invented for the Cadieux Café, the former homing-pigeon club and current Belgian-themed bar where you can order mussels and fries, wash it down with an Affligem Triple, and then head into the side room, equipped with 72-foot dirt trenches, to see what…
Best Haunted House
18 S. Perry St., Pontiac; 248-332-7884 hauntedpontiac.com There’s an awful lot of competition in this category; we Michiganders take Halloween very seriously. Ed and Jim Terebus’ haunted house, opened in 2000, held the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest walk-through haunted house for a number of years. The horned mascot at Erebus is a…
Best Electronic Artist
soundcloud.com/kevinreynoldsdetroit If you’ve ever seen Kevin Reynolds, you know how he really gets into it — hopping up and down and dancing to his inventive techno right as he’s putting it together for you. The in-demand DJ/producer also runs his own label, Todhchai Records — something he picked up while first apprenticing at Transmat with…
Best Bid on the Packard Banksy
The image has by now become iconic: a 1,500-pound section of cinderblock and concrete from the Packard Plant depicting a child with a paintbrush next to the words: “I remember when all this was trees.” When the 555 Gallery crew hauled it out of the hulking building in 2010, they initially claimed they hoped to…
Best Microbrewery or Brewpub in Wayne County
1401 Abbott St., Detroit; 313-974-7366, ext. 6; brewdetroit.com Why shouldn’t Brew Detroit seal up this category? It’s brewing some of the best beer the Detroit area has to offer, as Brew’s 400-barrel tanks give a bit of extra capacity to other small brewers, such as Atwater and Motor City Brewing Works. The 68,000-square-foot facility is…
Best Casino Table Games
555 E. Lafayette St., Detroit; greektowncasino.com Sitting at slot machines for hours on end can be exhausting even when you’re just sitting there staring at the screen. That’s why we love table games, and Greektown Casino has the best. The tables are normally never overcrowded — giving you ample arm and breathing room when things get…
Savage Love: The one-night stand
Q I am a trans man and I have no love life. But I did just hook up with a friend two nights ago. It was the first time I’ve had sex in more than a year. My problem is that it was a “one-time thing.” I was hoping to be FWB at least. I’m…
Best Steakhouse in Macomb County
48900 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Township; 586-731-3900; 22ndstreetsteakhouse.com Established in 1992, Nick’s is a steakhouse specializing in prime cuts, from petite filet mignon up to the chateaubriand for two. Seafood choices include ahi tuna, salmon, lake perch, Alaskan king crab legs, and even frog legs. The interior is clean and approachable, and they offer a…
Best New Restaurant in Washtenaw County
120 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor; 888-456-3463; mezzevino.com When is an Italian restaurant not an Italian restaurant? When it embraces all the flavors that enliven the Mediterranean coast, from mussels to meatballs, from calamari to couscous. Now there’s the sort of restaurant concept where large groups can go to dine and leave nobody unhappy: Even…
Best Italian Restaurant in Wayne County
330 Oakwood Blvd., Detroit; 313-841-0122; giovannisristorante.com Everything you eat here is handmade, and it’s extra tasty, so show up hungry. The Alfredo, for instance, is a step above — there are subtle spices in their preparation that truly elevate the normally pedestrian dish. Their veal Marsala is the real customers’ favorite, and just one bite…
Best Dance Club in the Suburbs
1815 N. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-298-6875; lunaroyaloak.com Heads-up: Last year, Luna was voted Best Bar for Hook-Ups in Oakland County by our readers. It remains a popular spot, and people do get dressed up nice to go out here, plus the drink specials are great deals. So it might still be the place to…
Best Bar on the Water
24214 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-445-8080; browniesonthelake.com It’s only natural a restaurant in St. Clair Shores would win honors for its patio, given the way establishments on the Nautical Mile are right on the water. Brownies has water access in spades too. You can boat right up to the finger piers and walk onto…
Best Eastern European Restaurant
122 E. Washington St., Ann Arbor; 734-665-8767; amadeusrestaurant.com Running restaurants is a family tradition for Pawel Strozynski, the owner of Amadeus. His grandfather owned multiple eateries in Europe and even supplied ships on their way out to sea with food, and the time-honored practice of filling bellies with delicious meals has clearly been passed down…
Best Bakery
104 W. Caroline St., Fenton; 810-629-8882; crustandbeyond.com If you haven’t treated yourself to the goodness coming out of Fenton-based bakery Crust, now is the time. From beignets to onion rolls, the bakery — which is a full-scale wholesale producer on top of its own retail storefront — is owned by the same families who own…
Best Seafood in Wayne County
400 Renaissance Center Ste. 1404, Detroit; 313-567-6837; joemuerseafood.com The revival of the historic Muer name on a restaurant within Detroit city limits came in a partnership between Joe Muer and Andiamo’s Joe Vicari, and it came just as Detroit’s dining scene was becoming dynamic enough again to support it. The restaurant, with a beautiful waterfront…
Best Handcrafted Cocktails
201 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-291-5295; theoaklandferndale.com Before he was the toast of the town for his Detroit restaurant Chartreuse, Sandy Levine was better known as the guy who opened the first classic cocktail bar in town. This moody, atmospheric spot harks back to the 1920s, a decade Sandy calls “the most stylish period…
Best Salon in Wayne County
89 Monroe Ave., Detroit; 313-965-3710; ezelli.com Identifying as the salon for busy, working professionals, Ezelli salon strives to provide stylish ‘dos for those always on the move. Under the direction and supervision of international award-winning stylist Francis Bolis, Ezelli salon promises quick service to those with busy schedules as well as pampering for those just…
Best Edibles
Ann Arbor’s Kirk Reid first started baking with the stuff that gets you baked back when he was weaning himself off pain pills almost a decade ago. “Medibles” provided relief, but the taste of many of the confections was often overwhelming and unappealing. Reid has learned every trick in the book since then, creating sugar-free…
Best Michigan Made Product
faygo.com Where does one even begin? Faygo, the brightly colored pop, is a Michigan classic. From black cherry to the original red pop, Faygo has been staining lips for decades. We totally get why the Juggalos have adopted Faygo as their official family drink.
Best Gift Boutique
4240 Cass Ave. Ste. 107, Detroit; 313-831-4844; lovehughlongtime.com If you’re wondering where to shop to pimp your bachelor pad or help a friend out, we’ve got news for you — it isn’t Ikea. Check out Cass Corridor’s Hugh, a store that stocks everything a man needs to impress both his friends and the ladies. From…
Best Selection of Bottled Beer in Macomb County
101 N. Main St., Mount Clemens; 586-961-6371; threeblindmiceirishpub.com It’s an Irish pub with a wood-paneled bar and a plethora of TVs to watch the game. TBM features more than 250 bottles of beer ranging from the typical to dependable imports to the unusual, such as Belgian witbiers like Wittekerke, malty double bocks like Ayinger Celebrator…
Best Farmers Market in Wayne County
2934 Russell St., Detroit; 313-833-9300; easternmarket.com We’re so in love with Eastern Market, and grateful that we can go to this storied Detroit institution (around for 150 years!) every Saturday of the year. The seasonal crafts are nice, but we go for fresh produce: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, duck eggs, spinach, garlic, and walnuts. Contrary…
Best Bicycle Shop in Macomb County
28411 Schoenherr Rd., Warren; 586-756-5400; macombbike.com It’s no wonder this friendly, helpful, and affordable shop has won this category for multiple years, now. There is much on offer here, no matter your budget. Unlike a lot of bicycle stores, they offer a variety of stationary exercise bicycles, as well as the regular transportation kind. They…
Best Late Night/24-Hour Restaurant
535 Monroe Ave., Detroit; 313-962-4687 Contrary to popular belief, coney islands (and Taco Bell) aren’t the only late night food options around. Plaka in Greektown is enough of a greasy spoon to satisfy your night-owl cravings, and it’s a solid option for those who just need a meal when most places are closed (shout out…
Best Deli in Washtenaw County
422 Detroit St., Ann Arbor; 734-663-3354; zingermansdeli.com It’s a favorite of presidents (Obama, Clinton, to name a couple) because of its generous deli sandwiches, huge selection of cold cuts, artisan cheeses, olive oil, sausages, fresh bread, and more. And it also unsurprisingly makes the cut yet again among our readers as best in Washtenaw County.
Best Coney in Oakland County
See leosconeyisland.com for locations With so few late-night dining options available in metro Detroit, our readers tend to stick the tried and true. The 24-hour downtown Royal Oak location is reliably packed on late weekend evenings, and there are several 24/7 locations that fill the dining void after a midnight movie. With nearly 60 locations…
Best Bar Food
100 W. Montcalm St., Detroit; 313-961-1929; thetownpumptavern.com This Sean Harrington-owned bar in Foxtown serves up the kind of food that makes it easy to drink all day and night. Filling burgers, hand-tossed pizzas, traditional sandwiches, plates of loaded fries, and cheesy breadsticks fill up the menu. We recommend the Greek pizza, monster burger, and loaded…
Best Sliders in Macomb County
26756 Gratiot Ave., Roseville; 586-362-8585; 71 N. Main St., Mount Clemens; 586-468-4200; seeburgerscheeseburgers.com Variety is clearly the path to slider supremacy. Seeburger offers sliders made with beef, turkey, chicken, Buffalo chicken, even Cajun salmon, sold by the dozen or half-dozen. Some of the more out-there varieties are made with larger, 5-ounce patties, such as the…
Best Michigan Vodka
6056 N. Telegraph Rd., Dearborn Heights; 313-551-4164; rustedcrowspirits.com Inspired by the Motor City, it’s not surprising Detroiters love this vodka. And since the distillery produces and packages every bottle as if it were its very first, using only the optimum ingredients this fascinating mitten-shaped state has to offer, you can feel good about drinking it,…
Best Public Golf Course
9085 Big Lake Rd., Clarkston; 248-922-0300; shepherdshollow.com Rated Golf Digest’s 42nd-best public course in the entire country, Shepherd’s Hollow offers 27 holes of championship-level golf. They also have a terrific dining experience on offer, and are a popular location for weddings and other special events. The course design is stunning.
Best Visitor Experience
slowroll.bike In a few short years, this procession of bicyclists of all skill levels has become a weekly parade drawing thousands on warm Monday nights. What helps is the way the ride welcomes everybody: from inner-city cyclists to suburban riders who show up for the ride with their bikes on roof racks. The ride’s routes…
Best Cover Band
mega80s.com In multiple polls (including this very one right here), this specialty 1980s act has been voted the best cover band in Detroit. And for good reason. This rad troupe resuscitates 1980s popular culture like nothing else, not even a binge-watch of John Hughes films while you wash your Pop Rocks down with Capri Suns.…
Best Example of a Community Coming Together to Solve a Problem
Residents of Hamtramck have faced some unusually bumpy roads last year. Reports said a contracting snafu meant the city had to discontinue the filling of potholes. That left Hamtramck in a lurch, until the Hamtramck Guerrilla Road Crew came onto the scene. With seed money of $120, and a willing group of a half-dozen volunteers,…
Best Microbrewery or Brewpub in Macomb County
5919 Chicago Rd., Warren; 586-979-8361; kbrewery.com When it comes to really intense flavor, no place has zoned in on extreme beer geeks like Kuhnhenn, having created such flavorful brews as Wild Blueberry Pancake Ale and Raspberry Eisbock. The open and airy space has no kitchen (just a popcorn machine, in fact), so the beer has…
Best Casino to See a Show
1777 Third Ave., Detroit; 877- 888-2121; motorcitycasino.com There are tons of things to do at MotorCity Casino, but catching a show at the Sound Board is one of our favorite things to do at the vibrant casino. The 1,500-seat theater has a unique way of feeling intimate, yet big and theatrical all at the same…
Higher Ground: In 2016, a friendlier climate for 420
We’re in the midst of the cannabis holiday season. The Ann Arbor Hash Bash and Monroe Street Fair were a few weeks ago, and the Global Marijuana March is May 7 (Grand Circus Park in Detroit). Smack dab in the middle was 4/20. The first place I hit was the B.D.T. Smoke Shops in Hazel…
Best Desserts at a Restaurant
2 Washington Blvd., Detroit; 313-782-4313; topofthepontch.com You might go to Top of the Pontch for its breathtaking views of the cityscape, but you’re missing out on all the restaurant — located on the 25th floor of the Crowne Plaza — has to offer on the dessert menu. Since it’s a best pick for dates and…
Best New Restaurant in Macomb County
52969 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Township, 586-580-9382; vastkitchenandbar.com Open since last year, the Vast crew wanted to provide a restaurant that was high-end but approachable, sophisticated but not intimidating. That translates into a menu of burgers and sandwiches for lunch, but some pretty high-toned entrees for dinner, including filet mignon, Parmesan-crusted chicken, lamb chops with…
Best Italian Restaurant in Washtenaw County
326 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-663-6387; gratzirestaurant.com There is always an extra reason to return regularly to this favored spot, as the chef’s specials highlight a different region of Italy each month. Myriad appetizers are always extra good here, and we recommend you load up on them. There’s a reason so many regulars go…
Best Irish Tavern
2555 W. 12 Mile Rd., Berkley; 248-399-6750; omaras.net Whether you were born underneath a Blarney stone and are covered head to toe in freckles, or not, we all can tell the difference between a true Irish tavern and a silly imitation. Thankfully, this friendly, large spot offers up great traditional dishes, including a spectacular Dublin…
Best Irish Pub
324 S. Main St., Rochester; 248-608-2537 An authentic Irish pub based in Rochester’s adorable downtown, O’Connors is a great place to go if you want a craft beer, cocktails, or some traditional Irish food. Irish poutine, anyone? Keep this bar in mind for next year’s St. Paddy’s Day — it’s known for throwing the biggest…
Best Bar Before a Lions Game
2301 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-471-3400 hockeytowncafe.com If Hockeytown Cafe isn’t a Detroit staple, we don’t know what is. While the bar may seem like a Red Wings hangout (and yes, it is) it’s also the place to go when you’re heading to a football game. There’s an awesome beer selection — everything from Budweiser and…
Best Bar for Classic Cocktails
419 Monroe Ave., Detroit; 313-782-4189; firebirdtavern.com Slightly off the beaten path of Greektown, the Firebird rightly takes its symbolism from Detroit’s rise-from-the-ashes heritage. The stylish old dark wood fixtures and natural brick walls give it a historic feel, making it just about the perfect place for a cocktail, so what you throw back will be…
Best Open Mic Night
22740 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-591-3466; dinoslounge.com What makes for a great open mic night? Is it the quality of the performers? The ambience of the hosting venue? None of that hurts. But a supportive and savvy audience is just as crucial, and this is why our readers voted DAMN Tuesday Acoustic Open Mic at Dino’s…
Best Martini Bar
2233 Park Ave, Detroit, MI 48201; 313-963-4040; centaurbar.com This upscale and dynamic bar right in the center of downtown is a great place to kick back, unwind, and mingle with some of the hippest people in Detroit. While you can get a host of drinks at Centaur, it’s probably best known for its martinis. There…
Best Salon in Washtenaw County
See douglasj.com for locations Douglas J in Ann Arbor maintains its title as the Best Salon in Washtenaw County for the third year in a row. One of many Douglas J Institutes in Michigan, the company doubles as a great salon and a school for aspiring stylists. With an extensive and inexpensive service menu, Douglas…
Best Concentrate
Do you have a blowtorch in your bedroom? If you’re a loyal dabber, you’ll love Uncle Morty’s Extracts, which include tasty oil, wax, and rosin, as well as chocolate. You can find the concentrates at ArborSide, a dispensary at 1818 Packard St. in Ann Arbor.
Best New Business
4120 2nd Ave., Detroit; 313-309-7892; willleathergoods.com Have you seen this space? The high-end, Oregon-based retailer set up shop inside the old Tomboy Supermarket in Midtown and boy, is it gorgeous. Peddling $500 handbags, $640 rugs, $160 wallets, and $55 shoe horns, among other things, this is a trendy new addition to Midtown’s burgeoning shopping district.
Best Place to Furnish Your Home
See artvan.com for locations This popular chain was established in 1959, and since then it has satisfied customers so much that it is now crowned the Midwest’s No. 1 furniture and mattress brand. Featuring tons of chic designs, Art Van also touts low prices — meaning you can live comfortably and well without breaking the…
Best Patio for Drinking in Oakland County
22828 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-850-8060; imperialferndale.com Like bugs to a mosquito zapper, we’re drawn to Imperial’s fresh, simple take on tacos, chips and salsa, hot dogs, and margaritas, all behind a clean, modern design with a mix of bar seating, booths, and communal tables. In the summer months, the restaurant’s back patio provides an opportunity…
Best Farmers Market in Washtenaw County
315 Detroit St., Ann Arbor; 734-794-6255; a2gov.org This place can be almost overwhelming when it’s up and humming. After all, they have more than 100 producers of fine foods set up here. This market has a nearly even mix of people selling fresh produce as it does those selling baked and prepared items, so it’s…
Best Bicycle Shop in Oakland County
163 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-439-1892; downtownferndalebikeshop.com This store is super well-known, respected, and beloved for good reason. Owner Jon Hughes’ grandfather is a member of the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame for his coaching, and for opening the Continental bicycle store in Detroit back in 1939. Downtown Ferndale Bike Shop feels like a…
Best Eyewear
Visit seeeyewear.com for locations SEE has been around since 1998 and is the go-to source for fashionistas and trendsetters who know how to rock glasses. It’s funky and trendy, and there’s even an exclusive SEE line. Best of all, SEE has reasonable prices, so you can look great, feel great, and SEE great without breaking…
Best Deli in Macomb County
35197 Dodge Park Rd., Sterling Heights; 810-979-0828 This Italian-style deli churns out a variety of subs, made with hard-crust bread delivered from Ontario, and also features an array of fresh prepared foods – all reasons our readers picked Ventimiglia’s as Best Deli in Macomb County.
Best Coney in Wayne County
114 W. Lafayette Blvd, Detroit; 313-961-7758; americanconeyisland.com The decades-long, intense rivalry between American and Lafayette Coney Islands is the kind of stuff that can tear families apart. OK, no, not really. But Detroiters certainly have a strong opinion over which they prefer. This year, American Coney Island, established in 1917, takes the crown as best…
Best Pop-Up Restaurant
9737 Joseph Campau St., Hamtramck; 313-757-3093; revolverhamtramck.com Multicourse meals from visiting chefs are the driving force of this mainstay of the new foodie scene. In October 2013, Peter Dalinowski and Tunde Wey found a home for their concept in a former Thai restaurant in Hamtramck, and quickly began drawing diners from all over metro Detroit.…
Best Vodka
titosvodka.com Things may be bigger in Texas, but hangovers aren’t one of them when you’re sipping the Austin-based brand’s vodka. Tito’s six-time distillation process yields vodka free of impurities. Translation: you probs won’t get a headache, and it’s actually made by a guy named Tito. Tito Beveridge, as a matter of fact. It doesn’t get…
Best Michigan Gin
2445 Michigan Ave., Detroit; twojames.com Two James’ Corktown tasting room and distillery is a must-visit Detroit destination. When the weather warms, the front of the tasting room opens to the sunshine and Michigan Avenue street scene. The craft distillery’s Old Cockney Gin is our readers’ choice for Best Michigan Gin, and it’s made from the…
Best Bowling Alley
4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-9700; majesticdetroit.com Around for more than a century, Garden Bowl is the No. 1 spot for people wanting to kick back and bowl. As reviews of Garden Bowl note on Yelp, this is a “fun, laid-back bar and bowling alley.” Kind of perfect for a first date or a gathering with…
Best Place for Live Local Theater
Baldwin Theatre, 415 S. Lafayette Ave., Royal Oak; 248-541-6430; stagecrafters.org Headquartered in the historic Baldwin Theatre, this member-run community organization has plenty to celebrate during its 60th anniversary this year. Stagecrafters has a main stage, a black box, and a youth theater program, putting on a total of 10 shows annually. There are plenty of…
Best Singer-Songwriter
thewhiskeycharmers.com As one half of Detroit’s exceptional alt-country duo the Whiskey Charmers — along with Lawrence Daversa — Shepard really is among the most talented singers and songwriters in metro Detroit. Whiskey Charmers’ songs are poignant, smart and supremely well-crafted. Shepard is sure to be a mainstay on the music scene for years to come.
Best Business Expansion to Oppose
US Ecology, a hazardous waste facility on Detroit’s east side, wants to enlarge its operation tenfold. The facility’s new license would “allow it to increase hazardous waste storage there in tanks and containers from 64,000 gallons to nearly 666,000 gallons.” The facility is a half-mile from the densest urban area in Michigan: Hamtramck. It’s also…
Best Mead
1511 Jarvis St., Ferndale; 313-744-6323; bnektar.com With names like “Kill All the Golfers” and “Zombies Take Manhattan,” it’s easy to see why B. Nektar has crafted a reputation for modern-day magic when it comes to its meads. And it’s not just metro Detroiters who are putting the brewery on the map; it was the first…
Best Casino Buffet
2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 866-782-9622; motorcitycasino.com This award-winning buffet features both American and international cuisine. Stuff your face with everything from warm breads to delectable sushi. Have a hankering for something sweet? Go wild at the create-your-own-dessert station. Want to plan your visit based off the food? Check out some of the evening themes.…
Best Specialty Pizza in Wayne County
470 W. Canfield St.. Detroit; 313-832-2700; motorcitybeer.com One of the original fixtures of Detroit’s small brewing scene, the taproom added brick-oven pizzas in the ’00s, and they’ve been a hit ever since. The menu offers 10 different kinds of pie, as well as a build-your-own option with more than three dozen potential toppings. The ingredients…
Best Tacos in Oakland County
316 W. Fourth St. Royal Oak; 248-291-6313 This stylish Royal Oak tavern’s tacos are part classic, part creative. They come with white onions and cilantro, and the American-friendly cheese is hidden between the doubled-up corn tortillas. We once had a mahi mahi taco there that was excellent without the usual adornments (think jicama slaw, habanero…
Best Breakfast in Oakland County
203 Pierce St., Birmingham; 248-258-6278 23144 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-398-0444; eatattoast.com Often the best isn’t anything new at all, but a classic that endures ever-changing trends in the dining scene. That’s the case for our readers, who’ve once again named Toast Best Breakfast in Oakland County. As crowded as it gets during the weekend brunch…
Best Italian Restaurant in Macomb County
49624 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Township; 586-731-7544; dafrancescos.com Cozy, cute, and with a smart and wide selection of Italian favorites, it’s easy to see why our readers chose this Italian restaurant as their favorite in this category for three years running. It’s hard to think of another restaurant in the area that has as much…
Best Tapas
115 S. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-268-1719; ladulce.com This new addition to Royal Oak is a departure from the many bro-ish spots that saturate the suburban downtown landscape, which is precisely what our readers wanted when they named it Best Tapas in metro Detroit. With its meticulously designed, whimsical interior, authentic Spanish-style tapas, and a…
Best Hibachi
See gomongo.com for locations Because the kids are starving, you don’t feel like cooking, and you get an eye-catching show when the chef custom-prepares your stir-fry. Portions are huge, so you’ll be sure to have plenty of leftovers and feed the whole brood on not too much dough. Keep it healthy, with a variety of…
Best African
545 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-547-6699; bluenilemi.com Both the lentil-based dishes and the tibs stews are exceptional. Plus they always give you enough injera — the unleavened flatbread one uses to eat the meal — that’s really important! Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisines might be the best third date food there is. You already know…
Best Pie
8066 Kercheval Ave, Detroit; 313-447-5550; sisterpie.com Lisa Ludwinski’s pie-making business began quite humbly — inside her parents’ kitchen. But the faster her pies started selling, the bigger a facility she needed. She moved the operation to Hannan House and was working toward the ultimate goal of owning her own bakery when Hatch Detroit awarded her…
Best Seafood in Washtenaw County
341 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-769-5960; realseafoodcoannarbor.com Opened by Dennis Seras in downtown Ann Arbor in 1975, Real Seafood offers reasonably priced fresh East Coast fish and seafood entrees, a raw oyster bar, and a comfortable, open atmosphere. If you’re looking for fresh oysters, lobster, shrimp and more from New England, the Great Lakes,…
Best Gay Bar
928 W. McNichols Rd, Detroit; 313-863-3934; newmenjoscomplex.com While Menjo’s has long been known as a cool, hip gay bar in Detroit, new owners Mike Shannon and Tim McKee are currently upping the ante and redefining what that means. “We’re trying to preserve our history so that we can help the younger generation,” Shannon tells MT,…
Best Salon in Macomb County
45318 Market St., Shelby Twp.; 586-566-7700; theblosalon.com The elegantly designed, modern Blo Salon draws inspiration “from the love of hair and the desire to create something truly special for our clients.” Blo offers women’s and men’s cutting and styling, as well as color and texture, lashes and waxing, makeup, and hair products. This Shelby Township…
Best Dispensary Name
50 Ecorse Rd., Ypsilanti; 734-484-1990 Gotta respect a dispensary that doesn’t mince words. It’s cannabis that cures, after all. CannaCure gets right to the point: This is medical marijuana biz that’s around to help relax, help, and cure its patients.
Best Men’s Clothing
1500 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-437-8095; johnvarvatos.com John Varvatos, the luxury designer and Allen Park native, launched his 4,000-square-foot Detroit store last year with a private Alice Cooper concert. In addition to the chic, rock ‘n’ roll apparel — T-shirts, boots, leather jackets — you can head upstairs to find a record and vintage audio equipment…
Best Body Piercing
3871 Rochester Rd., Troy; 248-528-0810; ironcladtattoo.com Ironclad is the place to go if you want a perfect tattoo, or a piercing on your ears, nose, navel, nipples, or naughty bits! The shop is known for having a higher-end clientele, which means their jewelry is of a higher caliber, as well. Choose a stud or hoop…
Best Sandwich in Oakland County
418 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak; 248-544-4749; cafemuseroyaloak.com We’re not sure which menu item (or items) successfully wooed our readers, but the bill of fare is full of doozies: grilled hanger steak with provolone and ammoglio sauce, salmon with Gruyere, short rib with three cheeses, and more, all on a choice of organic Zingerman’s sourdough,…
Best Pet Supply
See petsuppliesplus.com for locations That classic combination of knowledgeable and friendly staff and discounted pricing with a wide selection is really on display at area Pet Supplies Plus locations. You can even adopt a pet from here. It’s obvious the employees love a wide variety of animals. No wonder our readers picked Pet Supplies Plus.
Best Bicycle Shop in Wayne County
1216 Griswold St., Detroit; 313-502-5883; detroitbikes.com If you’re looking for affordable quality, but still want to pay homage to Detroit craftsmanship, Detroit Bikes is the way to go. The homegrown bike shop manufactures just two bikes, the A Type and B Type, both priced at $699. You’ll also find a selection of apparel and accessories…
Best Happy Hour for Food in Oakland County
2010 W. Auburn Rd., Rochester Hills; 248-853-6600; ckdiggs.com Between the mid-day rush of business lunchers and the evening dinners drawing families, CK Diggs’ weekday happy hours (3-7 p.m.) offer discounts on beer and the full range of the family-owned business’ eclectic menu, which includes such unusual dishes as ahi tuna and Thai pizza. Every weekday…
Best Movie Theatre
www.emagine-entertainment.com This Michigan chain features some of the best blockbusters, but that’s not the only thrill of visiting an Emagine theater! This megaplex comes with fancy snacks, a full bar, and comfy lounge chairs. Talk about a great place to unwind and escape.
Best Coney in Washtenaw County
3917 Jackson Rd., Ann Arbor; 734-665-5909; 1555 S Main St, Chelsea; 734-433-1012 This Washtenaw County favorite regularly gets accolades from The Ann Arbor News and routinely appears on our Best of Detroit list. This year is no different. Homemade soups, prime locations, and a full breakfast menu help keep Uptown on our readers’ minds.
Best Corned Beef
22385 E. 10 Mile Road., St. Clair Shores; 586-771-5715; pobtavern.com Corned beef isn’t on the regular menu at Pat O’Brien’s (unless you count the Reuben), so if you’re hankering for a taste of their award-winning sandwich, you’ll have to wait until it gets close to St. Patrick’s Day. Of course, you can stop in for…
Best Irish Whiskey
jamesonwhiskey.com Oh, Jameson, where do we begin? How about at breakfast, when you’re the perfect sidecar to a Bloody Mary, or during lunch, when mixed with a bit of ginger ale, you become the much-needed midday pick-me-up? Or perhaps dinner, sipped slowly to take the edge of the day, and of course, at 2:00 a.m.,…
Best Michigan Bourbon
newhollandbrew.com New Holland ages its bourbon in American oak barrels for years and then in beer for three months. Stop and think about that for a second. Now imagine how delicious it’s going to taste. According to New Holland’s website the end result is a mix of “biscuity notes” and “smooth malt character” with “whiskey…
Best Skatepark
1500 N. Stephenson Hwy, Royal Oak; 248-545-5700; modernskate.com Skating is no longer a strictly outdoor activity. Thanks to Modern Skate and Surf, skaters can now surf the halfpipes indoors. Modern isn’t just a skatepark, it’s also a skate shop. Strap on your helmets and protective gear, grab a board or skates — whatever tickles your…
Best Public Work of Art
href=”http://www.muralsinthemarket.com”>www.muralsinthemarket.com Put on by 1xRun, the fellows behind Inner State Gallery, Murals in the Market is an intense and awesome public works project where artists from around the globe come to the D to put up beautiful murals around Eastern Market. It’s cool having all of these artistic and smart people coming to the city…
Best Jazz Club
350 Madison St., Detroit; 313-887-8532; jazzcafedetroit.com This place really is hard to beat when it comes to the “Best Jazz Club” category; they’ve got superior talent coming through from out of town, as well as some of the hottest and most diverse local talent regularly pushing the music’s boundaries and plying lovely standards. The food…
Best Place for Kids to Learn About Life Through Boxing
6445 E. Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-209-3029; downtownyouthboxing.org In a converted book bindery on the east side of Detroit, any given weekday you’ll find dozens of young people gathered around two boxing rings, where fighters are being coached in the sweet science. But the facility, which opened last year, is no ordinary boxing gym. It’s the…
Best Slots
2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 866-782-9622; motorcitycasino.com If Assembly Line, the flashy lights, or the luxury hotel isn’t enough to draw you in, we’re going to talk about the most basic winning factor of MotorCity Casino: slots! Play hooky from the outside world and have some fun with some of their popular games like Cleopatra,…
The ILL Itches carry Detroit garage rock into a new era
What exactly is the Detroit sound? It encompasses a spectrum that spans minimalist blues to post-punk disco. It is rhythmic and raw, and like the Red Wings circa 1997 — or perhaps the $5 round pie — it has become a dominant, near-ubiquitous presence in the American cultural lexicon. Besides having what is objectively the…
Best Tacos in Wayne County
1100 Central Ave., Detroit; 313-297-8804; 3851 Fort St., Wyandotte; 734-258-8790; restaurantcaminoreal.com Two locations might have put this Wayne County Mexican spot over the top this year, as Camino Real recently opened a new location in a former Ponderosa in Wyandotte. It’s an American-friendly take on tacos, as they’ll happily add cheese, and there’s no cabeza…
Best Breakfast in Wayne County
1942 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-446-8370 On the flip side of Republic in the funky, reimagined GAR Building, we have the Wayne County winner for best breakfast. Parks & Rec gives us a chef-inspired breakfast and lunch vibe. Bacon is in a unique lamb form, hash browns are “high end,” and sweets like the Dutch…
Best Greek Restaurant
558 Monroe Ave., Detroit; 313-964-6800; pegasustavernas.com Pegasus is a Detroit staple and has been serving up top-notch Greek cuisine since long before Greektown earned its now-famous moniker. The restaurant’s huge open kitchen and generous portions make it an easy choice for diners, and its late night game (it’s open until 3 a.m. during the week…
Best New Dance Club
4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-9700 populuxdetroit.com The spot once known as the Magic Stick is bright, shiny, loud, and exhilarating, with a first-class sound system and dance floor lighting. It’s hard to think of a better place to catch a national act or celebrate a major occasion with a group of friends, whether it’s a…
Best Old-School Bar Jukebox
309 S. Center St., Royal Oak; 248-545-2235 Royal Oak changes, but Gus’s stays the same. Except for the lack of cigarette smoke and the wealth of Michigan brews on tap, it could still be 1984, the year the place opened. The bar’s staying power is largely due to the hard work of many, including co-owner…
Best Bar Before a Pistons Game
3880 Lapeer Rd., Auburn Hills; 248-370-8909; ciccarellis-22-sports-bar.com Highly capable bartenders? Stellar memorabilia? Shuttles to and from the game? A bar filled with other insane people ready to get super rowdy and cheer at the top of their lungs throughout the entire game, if not beyond (especially if it’s the beloved Pistons, of course)? You have…
Best Bar to Celebrate Your 21st
205 W. Fifth Ave., Royal Oak; 248-591-9226 otoolespubs.com Let’s start with the obvious. O’Tooles is in Royal Oak, which is pretty much the best city to turn 21 in — bar central, amirite? But O’Tooles stands out as a solid place to get wasted legally for the first time. A casual public house with an…
Best Cigar Bar
116 S. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-647-4555; churchillscigarbar.com A classy joint with a fantastic cigar selection, Churchill’s is where you go when you want to try cigars for the first time or the 100th time. They’re accommodating for newbies and aficionados alike. Where else can you sample Maker’s Mark bourbon and a Maker’s Mark cigar?…
Best Brewery Taproom
330 E. Lincoln Ave., Royal Oak; 248-268-8780; roakbrewing.com Just a few blocks outside Royal Oak’s bustling downtown, ROAK Brewing Co.’s taproom opened to almost instant fanfare in June of last year. Its 70 seats make it an intimate gathering space that doesn’t skimp on aesthetics. A 30-foot glass sculpture designed by local artist Mark Bommarito…
Best Barbershop in Oakland County
31225 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington Hills; 248-855-1415; floydsbarbershop.com Owning the title as the original rock ‘n’ roll barbershop for men and women, Floyd’s 99 barbershops are decked out with posters of musical artists and bands. Get a haircut and shoulder massage, color or shave with great music playing in the background. Customers can book appointments…
Best Vape Store
See inlinevape.com for locations With stores in Canton, Royal Oak, Saint Clair Shores, Utica, and Ypsilanti, Inline Vape is metro Detroit’s definitive source for e-liquid, box mods, and all the supplies needed for vaping bliss. “I buy all my juice here, and I have introduced so many people to vaping through this place,” Yelp user…
Best Women’s Clothing
15 E. Kirby St., Detroit; 313-559-5500; shopparkshelton.com/The_Peacock_Room.html Rachel Lutz’s boutique offers new and vintage clothing and accessories, as well as antique furniture and eclectic artifacts. The Peacock Room occupies a gorgeous space in the historic Park Shelton. As we detailed in a 2014 profile of Lutz, she’s been around Midtown since a very young age.…
Best Tattoo Shop in Wayne County
See eternaltattoos.com for locations Since 1980, Eternal has been turning people’s dreams into ink-on-skin reality. And as the tattoo craze has expanded, so has the shop, now with four locations in Livonia, Clawson, Taylor, and Howell. Nine artists work out of the Livonia store, where awards and honors hang on the walls for their work.…
Best Patio for Drinking in Wayne County
660 W. Baltimore St., Detroit; 313-873-1739; northernlightslounge.com About a decade before it became a thing to turn a nondescript city building into a stylish tavern, Northern Lights was here. This moody, atmospheric bar has it all: a vintage ambience, live entertainment, cozy booths, and a bustling bar with a good mix of drinkers. Additions over…
Best Bookstore in Detroit
901 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit; 313-961-0622; rarebooklink.com Have you ever been to John King with a friend and not become at least momentarily afraid you’ve lost that person? Have you ever gone and found one of the most interesting titles that you’d never heard of — that you can’t believe even exists? Have you ever…
Best Gym in Oakland County
See lafitness.com for locations With so many locations not just in the Detroit suburbs but around the country, it’s easy to see why LA Fitness is a top choice for business executives and anyone else who travels frequently and needs to stay in top form. You don’t have to be a traveler to enjoy their…
Best Flea Market
2045 Dixie Hwy., Waterford; 248-338-3220; dixielandfleamkt.com This place is almost too clean, well-lit, and staffed with friendly vendors to be a “real” flea market. Even the food is good at Dixieland, where you can find such a variety of bargains, from knock-downs and forgotten items to knockoffs and the fanciest in authentic vintage. Clothes, watches,…
Best Wings in Oakland County
2950 Rochester Rd., Troy; 248-740-1574; see hooters.com for locations Hey, it’s a chain, but what matters to our readers isn’t the size of the restaurant group, but rather the size of the wings. And these ones are pretty giant and they come in a variety of heat levels. With a party-like vibe and choice of…
Best Coney in Macomb County
See nationalconeyisland.com for locations Depending on where in metro Detroit you live, you’re bound to have a soft spot for one Coney Island over another. And if you’re in Macomb County, inevitably your loyalties rest with National Coney Island. It serves as the late night gathering place after closing time at the bar, satisfying your…
Best Romantic Restaurant in Oakland County
30715 W. 10 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills; 248-474-3033; cafecortina.com How does a sophisticated ristorante survive 40 years in a market glutted with Italian food? By consistently pursuing excellence: Not only has it been named one of America’s top restaurants by Zagat, earned restaurant of the year by Hour Detroit magazine, and received five stars from…
Best Whiskey
Jackdaniels.com You can tell a lot about a person who drinks Jack Daniel’s, mainly that they’re probably capable of kicking your ass, yet will gladly loan you a lighter. Just give it back. Jack is the stuff of legends, and with everyone’s whiskey obsession at an all-time high, it gives you the chance to feel…
Best Michigan Whiskey
161 Vester Ave., Ferndale; 248-629-9951; valentinedistilling.com This Ferndale-based distillery is all about Michigan, and more specifically Detroit love. The Woodward Ltd. Bourbon Whiskey is distilled from a mash of corn, barley, and rye and aged four years. It has sweet notes of caramel and brown sugar balanced against spicy notes of rye, cinnamon, and woody…
Best Local Sports Personality
detroit.cbslocal.com/station/97-1-the-ticket Valenti, 36, is brash, bold, quick-witted, and bright. It’s easy to see why our readers chose him; if you’re not following him on Facebook, it’s hard to call yourself a true Detroit sports fan. He’s of course half of the highly entertaining Valenti and Foster Show (formerly the Sports Inferno). The self-described “Don Draper…
Best Family Outing
21750 Hall Rd., Clinton Township; 586-469-2800; cjbarrymores.com The perfect place to take the kids for a day of fun, CJ Barrymore’s will have the young ones entertained for hours while also offering a respite for the adults in the crew. Featuring an indoor and outdoor amusement — replete with water rides — a self-serve eatery…
Best Metal Club
28949 Joy Rd., Westland; 734-513-5030; thetokenlounge.com How could anyone else even consider winning this category at this point? Bands from across the word now know that the undisputed king of Detroit’s metal scene is the Token Lounge. If a band has an indecipherable logo, cookie monster vocals, and is any good, they better play the…
Best Art Supplies
See www.dickblick.com for locations This Midwest chain is known for its stellar selection and affordable prices. Just because you’re a struggling artist doesn’t mean you can’t buy materials! Blick’s friendly staff is on hand to answer any of your burning art questions. Let your inner Picasso out and visit Blick.
Best Music Equipment
See guitarcenter.com for locations With thousands of items on hand, the most knowledgeable staff for miles around, and generous rental agreements, it’s easy to see why our readers chose Guitar Center. Whether you’re getting your kid his very first practice violin and you have no idea how to even start, or you need specially wound…
Best Specialty Pizza in Washtenaw County
341 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor; 734-769-6700; maniosteria.com Mani Osteria is known for the pizzas it makes in its wood-fired oven, and with good reason: Owner Adam Baru clearly learned a thing or two in his years on the East Coast. The kitchen staff was still experimenting with their pizza dough recipes just days before…
Best Tacos in Washtenaw County
341 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor; 734-213-7400; isalita.com Everything has to be a little bit tonier in Ann Arbor, and so it is with the gastropub-inspired taco choices offered at Isalita: the “Baja Fish” stuffs tacos with mahi mahi, chipotle remoulade, avocado, and pickled red cabbage, whereas the “Bahn Mi” is made with Vietnamese sausage,…
Best Breakfast in Washtenaw County
20 N. Washington St., Ypsilanti; 734-485-9625; beezyscafe.com This friendly, playfully decorated brunch spot is often crowded with customers seeking the simple, honest food Beezy’s promises. It’s breakfast, yes, but done with a thoughtfulness that goes far beyond your corner diner: The French toast is sourdough, the hash is made with tempeh, the scramble is spiced…
Best Indian Restaurant
411 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak; 248-298-3198; motimahalroyaloak.com If you are looking for something a bit different within your Indian food needs, look no further than Ullah Abdul’s exceptional Moti Mahal, which pairs exceptional taste with generous portions. Where else are you going to find British preparations such as balti within a 500-mile radius?
Best Cajun in Oakland County
22848 Woodward Ave.; 248-691-7145; howesbayouferndale.net This category would seem to be made for Howe’s Bayou, which is chock-full of not just Louisiana-themed decor, but offers a menu packed with Cajun and Creole fare, including Gulf shrimp, Creole-style mussels, popcorn crawdads, Cajun-friend shrimp, crawfish cakes, alligator sausage, catfish, jambalaya, crawfish étouffée, Andouille-encrusted pan-fried oysters, and even…
Best Cuban in Wayne County
1250 Library St., Detroit; 313-962-8800; vicente.us Among the earlier introductions of Caribbean food in metro Detroit, it’s no surprise that our readers still favor this downtown spot for its plantains, yuca, papas rellenas, thinly pounded Bistec de palomilla beefsteak, breaded pork, and black beans and rice. Plus, twice-a-week salsa sessions make for the ideal date…
Best Thai Restaurant in Oakland County
459 E Big Beaver, Troy; 248-817-2694; sythairestaurant.com/birmingham At this point, Thai food is at the same place in the U.S. as Chinese food was in the 1980s or ’90s. It’s so ubiquitous that middle Americans have learned not just to distinguish between noodle dishes or to really get down with the spicy stuff, but many…
Best Cakes
511 W. Canfield St., Detroit; 248-931-1485; cakeambition.com When Jessica Bouren started Cake Ambition at age 25 in 2010, many Detroiters felt they had to leave the city limits to get a specialty cake. Thanks to her, many of them can pick up custom confections right in town. In fact, Bouren says her business seems to…
Best Draft Selection in Oakland County
2265 Crooks Rd., Rochester Hills; 248-289-6093; chbfd.com Seriously, this place really is kind of a Big Freakin’ Deal. BFD’s parking lot is usually jammed up by 7 p.m. on a weeknight, and the interior is filled to capacity with couples, families, and just plain people enjoying beer. On a warm night, the action spills out…
Best VIP
1777 Third St., Detroit; 877-888-2121; mgmgranddetroit.com/v-nightclub Do you want to know what it feels like to be an oil baron or a basketball superstar? All you have to do is book some time in the VIP area at the beyond luxurious V Nightclub, in the heart of the MGM Grand. They have some of the…
Best Barbershop in Wayne County
949 S. Military St., Dearborn; 313-565-8300; gentlemenfirst.creativejones.com Sorry, ladies, but in this case, it’s Gentlemen First: a place where can get their beards trimmed or shaved and their hair cut and styled. There’s TV, awesome magazines and kitschy paraphernalia to keep customers entertained while expert hairdressers work their magic. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are…
Best FM Radio Station
89xradio.com This alternative rock station knows how to have fun! Just take a look at the lineup for their “birthday bash” at The Fillmore Detroit on May 8! Silversun Pickups, Foals, and Joywave. Talk about a good time. While the music is a draw, people also seem to gravitate to the station’s radio personalities like…
Best Attorney, Female
1000 Town Center, Southfield; 248-557-3645; yourrights.com After spending many years plastered across metro Detroit in the form of outdoor advertising, the glamorous face of Joumana Kayrouz needs no introduction. And yet, to many, she was a sphinx: something everybody knew but nobody knew the real story behind. At least until Drew Philp’s 2014 Metro Times…
Best Tattoo Shop in Oakland County
230 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-439-0021; signaturetattoo.com Ferndale’s highly popular Signature Tattoo has been churning out brightly colored happy customers for seven years now. Popular science informs us that the human body generates an entirely new set of cells every seven years, so why not adorn your own body with a new tattoo from…
Best Patio for Drinking in Macomb County
15 N. Walnut St., Mt Clemens; 586-468-7777; madisonspubmtclemens.com Double your patio pleasure at this Mount Clemens bar and club. The two-story outdoor area features a full bar, an outdoor fire pit with built-in seating, live music, and an unfettered view of the city’s downtown. Sip cocktails at an umbrella-topped table during a warm summer afternoon…
Best Bookstore in the Suburbs
124 E Washington St., Ann Arbor; 734-585-5567 The best bookstore in Ann Arbor got a lot better in the last year, with its massive upgrade to its upstairs coffee shop (now one of the best in the area), which also hosts a far improved space to host readings and events. And they have books too,…
Best Gym in Wayne County
1401 Broadway St., Detroit; 313-309-9622; ymcadetroit.org Let’s briefly wax poetic about how awesome this gym is. One: It’s in an excellent location downtown. Two: Membership is not going to break the bank. Three: Its facilities are sleek and clean. Four: There is a pool. Want to get in shape, but struggling to pay for the…
Best Happy Hour for Food in Wayne County
8047 Agnes St., Detroit, 313-469-0976;craftworkdetroit.com It’s no secret that happy hour cuisine can be underwhelming in most scenarios. Not that case at this West Village destination, and fans swear by it. Swap out the sad bowl of peanuts for duck liver pate, a variety of tacos, and of course, crafty cocktails, domestics, and wines, for…
Best Local Bank or Credit Union
See tcfbank.com for locations Getting (and keeping) control of your finances can be tough, not to mention confusing, which is why having a bank that prizes education makes a huge difference. TCF Bank recently received an Innovation in Education Award at NASDAQ for its free financial education programs, which have reached 100,000 people in the…
Best Vegan or Vegetarian Restaurant in Oakland County
23136 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-548-1941; omcafe.com Ferndale’s Om Café, open since 1985, was catering to vegans back when Detroit was wholly a meat-and-potatoes town. It has been under new ownership since October 2014 by Jessica Norwood, who reinvigorated the space, introducing weekend brunches, a few daily specials, and the same nutrient-dense food Norwood says she’s…
Best Romantic Restaurant in Wayne County
GM Renaissance Center, 71st and 72nd Floor, Detroit; 313-567-2622; coachinsigniadetroit.com Show that special someone how you feel in the largest rooftop restaurant. The menu has its share of eye-popping entrées (prosciutto-wrapped sturgeon with caramelized kumquats, pistachio pesto-crusted wild salmon, saffron-dusted, pan-roasted snapper, etc.), but even a simple shared charcuterie board can help create that intimacy…
Best Gin
tanqueray.com Launched in London in 1830, this bold brand employs botanicals like juniper, coriander, angelica root, and liquorice. It’s mega-popular in the U.S. and has been mentioned in tunes by famous recording artists like Snoop Dogg, Marcy Playground, Notorious B.I.G., and 50 Cent. We’re ready for a gin and juice.
Best Michigan Tequila
tequila-cabresto.com/index-verified.php Available in ultra silver and reposado varieties, Cabresto represents “the heart of Mexico, the soul of Detroit.” With the weather getting warmer, this is a great way to drink local and enjoy a splashy margarita. The silver tequila is smooth and clean, while the reposado has a slightly smoky finish and hints of honey…
Best Neighborhood
The historic district of Detroit isn’t just relevant around St. Patrick’s Day. While it does have an Irish heritage, Corktown is an example of the revitalization of Detroit. Primarily residential, the district also houses historical landmarks like the Michigan Central Station and the site of the former Tigers Stadium. Corktown is also home to plenty…
Best Artist
Artists generally play to the ivory tower. Their work is generally directed at critics, dealers, and buyers, even if it leaves the public cold. Not so with this year’s Best of Detroit choice for Best Artist: Jerry Vile has a knack for using art to capture the imagination of the average person, whether it’s running…
Best Indie Club
1501 Holden St., Detroit; 313-338-3674 Step inside this unassuming corner spot, and you’ll find quite a different world inside. It’s not as dramatic as stepping inside a Tardis, but they’ve got a state-of-the-art sound system here that is the envy of venues twice its size. A lot of expense went into refurbishing the upstairs wooden…
Best Guitarist
themuggs.com There’s a reason MT has consistently written up the Muggs over the 15-plus years they’ve been around. Danny Methric is as close as they come to local rock royalty.. His deep, bold, and roots-soaked riffs reign supreme in the bars and music halls around town.
Best AM Radio Station
wjr.com WJR, known as “newsTalk 760,” isn’t just any news radio station. The 50,000-watt news/talk station, owned by Atlanta-based Cumulus Media Inc., is so powerful it can be heard all over the Midwest and even in the eastern part of Canada at night. As if that isn’t cool enough, it’s the new home of the…
Politics & Prejudices: All the governor’s men
When I was waiting last week to see who would be criminally charged in what I think we should all call Flintwatergate, an irreverent thought flew through my head: Maybe the indictments will stop at Howard Hunt, Gordon Liddy, and the Cubans. For those of you younger than some of us aging, self-indulgent baby boomers,…
Best Tacos in Macomb County
See elcharrousa.com for locations Serving Mexican in Macomb since 1971, El Charro offers Mexican classics, and unusual creations, including puffy soft-shelled tacos and fried ice cream. This spring, keep your eyes peeled for El Charro’s new food truck in Eastern Market.
Best Breakfast in Macomb County
See thepantryrestaurant.com for locations When you’re a Macomb County mini-chain as successful as the Pantry, winning Best Breakfast in your region is a shoo-in. And this is much more than straight diner fare: fresh fruit crepes, a Caesar salad with prime rib, baked apple pancakes, and more. And, of course, you still get those gut-busting…
Best Chinese in Oakland County
215 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak; 248-545-2700; pekinghousemi.com There are many ways to judge a Chinese food restaurant — we think we read that in a fortune cookie once — and one of the most important measures of success is a spot’s takeout game. Well, we’ve gotta say Peking House in Royal Oak is killing…
Best Electronic Music Club in Detroit
2548 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-965-4789 Unpretentious, large, and always fun, it’s no surprise that many of the most in-demand after-parties during each year’s Movement festival take place here. TV Lounge is always pretty packed because it’s a place you always know you’re going to get a terrific sound system, excellent talent, and a terrific…
Best Happy Hour for Drinks in Oakland County
530 S. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-582-9460; blackfinnameripub.com/royaloak Our readers rated it the Best Pick-Up Bar in 2009 and the Best Bar to Meet Someone in 2011. Apparently, all those people are officially hooked up, because it’s the happy hour that put Blackfinn up on the board this year. The high-energy bar and restaurant offers…
Best Thai Restaurant in Wayne County
2450 S. Telegraph Rd., Dearborn; 313-730-8161; bangkok96.com The origin of Bangkok 96 is well-known: Owner and operator Genevieve Vang is of Vietnamese descent; after her family moved to Thailand, Vang fell in love with the cuisine. Today, she serves up delicious Thai food that has people coming from miles around. The sweet-and-sour soup is ridiculously…
Best Dive Bar in Oakland County
22824 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-546-8331 A Ferndale mainstay for 30 years, Danny’s is a refreshingly straightforward “beer and shot” neighborhood hangout. The food is straight-ahead too, with a menu of classic American bar fare. It draws a good mix of folks, especially after work. Is that “divey”? If that means a bar without pretensions, then…
Best Seafood in Macomb County
13905 Lakeside Circle, Sterling Heights; 586-566-0627; sterlingsbistro.com Enjoy sushi and entrees such as flatbread pizzas, salmon, seabass, mahi mahi tacos, and steaks at Sterling’s, where fresh, seasonal ingredients are incorporated into the menu. You can pair the food with one of more than 70 wines or one of the signature martinis at Sterling’s.
Best Distillery Tasting Room
6056 N. Telegraph Road, Dearborn Heights; 313 551-4164; rustedcrowspirits.com Rusted Crow owner Joe Schebel told us he didn’t expect the taproom to be so popular, especially since it’s located in Dearborn Heights, largely considered outside the typical zone for foodies and craft cocktail seekers. However, the taproom has become a destination and a nightlife hot…
Best Barbershop in Washtenaw County
40 E. Cross St., Ypsilanti; 734-483-6300 This small barbershop is a local gem: With only two stylists, Paula and SinDerElla, the barbershop only accepts walk-ins, but offers high quality cuts and styles at affordable prices. Both Paula and SinDerElla ensure customers are satisfied with their new hairdos, which likely helped put them over the top…
Best TV Journalist
Detroit’s homegrown Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist is a national phenomenon and celebrity in his own right thanks to a best-selling book, a nationally broadcast show, The Americans with Charlie LeDuff, and his work for outlets such as VICE and Mother Jones. LeDuff’s flamboyant reporting style telegraphs his personality, humor, and passion for change, and he’s used…
Best Attorney, Male
19390 W. 10 Mile Rd., Southfield; 248-355-5555; fiegerlaw.com The attorney famous for defending “Dr. Death” Jack Kevorkian is back in the news after filing a $100 million lawsuit against the state and McLaren Flint Hospital earlier this year, representing people who contracted Legionnaire’s disease in connection with the Flint water crisis. With his unmistakable hair,…
Best Tattoo Shop in Washtenaw County
30 N. Huron St., Ypsilanti; 734-485-8288; briteideatattoo.wordpress.com One look at the tattoos that recently came out of this clean, smart tattoo shop, and you’ll want to make an appointment right away. From traditional to tribal, cartoon to hyper-realistic, you’ll get exactly what you want at this readers’ favorite. Brite Idea’s logo — of a woman…
Best Patio for Drinking in Washtenaw County
204 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-662-8650; cafefelix.com This Ann Arbor cafe has a decidedly European feel that spans from the food to the ambiance to the gorgeous patio that sits outfront. Dine al fresco on glass tables and rattan chairs while noshing on the French-inspired menu. Since the bistro is situated on Main Street,…
Best Limousine
3671 E. 12 Mile Rd., Warren; 586-751-8275; Lavdas.com Known for their jewelry and limousines, Lavadas screams luxury. The Warren-based limo service has been around for more than 30 years, and has more than 80 different vehicles that customers can choose from. Clients include business executives, travelers, concert-goers, and anniversary, prom, and wedding revelers.
Best Gym in Washtenaw County
See lifetimefitness.com for locations Life Time Fitness touts an unparalleled workout experience. With state-of the-art equipment, pristine facilities, and a club-like atmosphere, this is not just a gym, but a lifestyle. Enjoy a pilates class or swim laps in the pool — whatever you choose to do, you’re sure to feel good.
Best Sporting Goods
See dunhamssports.com for locations With roots in Waterford, Dunham’s has been in the sporting goods game since 1937. Sierra Mehok, manager at one of their locations, says the biggest things that keep customers coming back are the lower prices compared to other big name sporting goods stores, as well as their welcoming staff.
Best Wings in Wayne County
400 E. Congress St., Detroit; 313-962-2210; sweetwatertavern.net There’s a reason why this Bricktown spot is open ’til 2 a.m. everyday. It’s the iconic chicken wings, which come from a simple recipe. They’re brought in fresh every morning from Eastern Market and are marinated for 24 hours for a robust flavor.
Best Vegan or Vegetarian Restaurant in Wayne County
8029 Agnes St., Detroit; 313-649-2759; detroitvegansoul.com Erika Boyd and her life and business partner, Kirsten Ussery, have hit upon something new: reinterpreting an often unhealthful cuisine — soul food — as a life-giving, healing vegan menu. The fare from Boyd’s kitchen is plant-based, organic, and sourced as locally as possible. While it’s a novelty, it’s…
Best Romantic Restaurant in Washtenaw County
115 W. Washington St.; 734-327-2312; logan-restaurant.com Most of the dishes are approachably American, but prepared with exotic ingredients and preparations or French inflections that can put diners in a sensual mood. For instance, the New York strip doesn’t just come with a baked potato: It comes basted with butter and thyme, with sauteed spinach and…
Best Tequila
Patrontequila.com Blame it on Patron, got you in the zone. Actually no, stop blaming alcohol for your actions and just accept that if you’re doing shots of Patron, you’re in for an adventure. Nothing says “I’m here to party” like buying a round for your friends, or better yet, strangers. Whether you like your training…
Best Michigan Winery
5019 North West Bay Shore Drive, Omena; 231-386-5201; Leelanaucellars.com A four-and-a-half hour drive from Detroit, Leelanau — which is an Indian word meaning “Delight of Life” — isn’t just a place to get amazing wine, it’s a destination to get away from the city and take in the beautiful outdoors. Of course the wines, which…
Best Building to Rehab
2405 W. Vernor Hwy, Detroit It’s been a wild ride for old Michigan Central Station, or “the depot,” as Detroiters insist upon incorrectly calling it. (The Fort Street Union Depot was torn down in 1974.) In previous Best of Detroit issues, readers have demanded it be razed and demanded it be rehabbed, sometimes in the…
Best-Kept Secret
100 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit; 586-819-0467; ambassadorbridge.com We can’t believe we’ve been going on this long in life without knowing this ridiculously awesome best-kept Detroit secret. We’ve all been there. You’re out on the town with your old college friends and you’re reminiscing on the good ole’ days. It’s 2 a.m. and the bars have…
Best Radio Journalist of the Year
If you relied on public radio for all your news about the Flint water crisis, you’d be well-informed: In the media dogpile touched off late last year, radio journalists were at the forefront of inquiry. But if you only had to hear one voice, that of Lindsey Smith at Michigan Radio would be the most…
Best Local Band
beggarsrock.com Musically, Detroit is a meat-and-potatoes kind of town. If you want to engage the people, you’ve got to reach deep down within yourself and deliver some heavy riffs and belt out the dirtiest gutbucket rock ‘n’ roll that you possibly can. It helps if your chops are tempered with a sense of humor and…
Best Up North Casino
6800 Soaring Eagle Blvd., Mount Pleasant; 888-732-4537; soaringeaglecasino.com We have great casinos in the city of Detroit, but weekend trips up north are a necessity. One of the best places to hit while you head to the land of trees is Soaring Eagle Casino in Mount Pleasant. Not only do they have a great casino…
Best Specialty Pizza in Macomb County
45257 Van Dyke Ave., Utica; 586-731-5566; tivolispizzeria.com Tivoli was founded 40 years ago by Natale Evola. Today, Lorenzo Evola carries on the family’s mission, and Tivoli Pizza does it all: Pie-lovers can choose among two dozen toppings, on classic round pizza, square-crust pizza, deep-dish Chicago-style pies, or thin crust creations. The menu also offers breadsticks,…
Best Food Truck
macshackmichigan.com; facebook.com/macshackmichigan What happens when you take mac and cheese on the road? It’s not a cheesy punchline, it’s the Mac Shack. The food truck features different takes on America’s favorite instant meal. From jalapenos, hot dogs, bacon, and even vegan mac and cheese, the Mac Shack has everything for cheese connoisseurs on the road…
Best Pizza in Oakland County
23141 Dequindre Rd., Hazel Park; 248-547-1711; louispizza.net The old-school family atmosphere of this Hazel Park mainstay — the Chianti bottles, the dark red decor, and the many photos in the lobby — underline the fact that you really are stepping back in time to the 1970s or even the ’50s when you cross the threshold…
Best Chinese in Wayne County
4710-12 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-974-7669; midtownshangri-la.com We Detroiters are at somewhat of a disadvantage in terms of Chinese food options, which is why Shangri-La is so prized. Get your pick of Cantonese-style cuisine, dim sum, sushi, and a smattering of fare from other Asian nations at this spot, which includes a second-floor balcony dining area,…
Best Cajun in Wayne County
2051 Gratiot Ave., Detroit; 313-446-9639; detroitgumbo.com This black-owned family business was founded by Louisiana native Joseph Stafford in 1970. In 1982, it was purchased by Joe Spencer, who has kept this little gumbo shop going at the corner of Gratiot and St. Aubin. It’s a spare, cozy place with a few tables, and most of…
Best Cuban in Washtenaw County
117 W. Washington, Ann Arbor; 734-761-2882; fritabatidos.com When Eve Aronoff Fernandez opened Frita Batidos in December 2010, it was a familiar culinary maneuver: a celebrated chef opening a casual, frills-free spot. But her menu of Cuban-inspired cuisine really connected with diners, who embraced the spin the chef put on fritas: spicy burgers made with chorizo,…
Best Thai Restaurant in Washtenaw County
414 S. Main St. Ste. 130, Ann Arbor; 734-929-9933 Ann Arbor has not experienced anything like a shortage of Thai restaurants since the 1980s. So when our savvy readers choose Marnee, you know it’s because their expertly spiced offerings go well beyond the usual Pad Thai fare. Marnee is in fact renowned for its casual…
Best Burger in Oakland County
176 N. Adams Rd, Rochester Hills; 248-218-6001; 310 S. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-268-1621; bspotburgers.com Celebrity chef Michael Symon is known as a burger maven, which helps explain his casual restaurant devoted to the two-hander. B-Spot has all sorts of creative choices with amusing names, such as the “Porky,” the “Fat Doug,” the “Plain Jane,”…
Best Draft Selection in Wayne County
4265 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-769-8828; hopcat.com/detroit We sometimes tease people from the west side of the state for their politics, but we forgive them for their beer. As if to return the favor, the good people of Grand Rapids’ HopCat plunked down a two-story, 130-tap, 12,000-square-foot temple to beer right on our main drag. They’ll…
Best Bottle Service
401 S. Lafayette Ave., Royal Oak; 248-542-0082 sabrageroyaloak.com/bottle-service/ To sabrage means to open a champagne bottle with a saber. Let that sink in for a minute and then consider what that says about the Royal Oak establishment rocking the moniker. This nightclub’s bottle service features everything from a vintage collection with a 2004 Veuve Clicquot…
Best Stylist
2127 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 314 W. Fourth St., Royal Oak; 248-565-8786; blackthesalon.com The owner and master artist of Black the Salon, Jeph Wright has been working in the hair industry for almost a decade. He opened Black the Salon in 2009, promising customers complete dedication and great haircuts. As the owner and head artist, Wright…
Best Local Blog
hipindetroit.com Hip in Detroit recently celebrated their fourth anniversary, and this is the third time they’ve been voted into the Best of Detroit issue by our readers. It’s no wonder, or surprise. After all, HID’s bloggers Christie Laabs and Sadie Q are exceptional at highlighting all the most positive things in every event, restaurant, person,…
Best Sexy Clothes
See loverslane.com for locations This popular chain store has some of the sexiest clothes a person could wear. Buy it to show off to another, or to just treat yourself, or a sexy significant other — Lover’s Lane has it all. And we’re not talking just lingerie; there are hot bathing suits, faux leather corsets…
Best Tattoo Shop in Macomb County
See 247tattoos.com for locations Elite Ink really and truly lives up to its name. These state-of-the-art facilities have been in existence for years, and their work is highly detailed, crisp, clean, and excellent. Be sure to peruse the work of the many artists that work at both locations before you choose who to have do…
Best Day Drinking
1110 W. 14 Mile Rd., Clawson; 248-435-2494; hideoutclawson.com For years, the Hideout was a dark bar where you could drink in the shadows. No longer. After a series of renovations, Hideout is now a bright wonderland for any party reveler no matter the time of day. Owner Reef Palaj gutted the interior and installed brand-new…
Best Specialty Market in Oakland County
See westbornmarket.com for locations Initially known for its fruit and flowers, Westborn has grown to where so much more is offered today. First off is their “giant cookie,” which is both excellent and yes, huuuuge! There are delicious soups made daily from scratch, more hot sauces on offer than you had any idea existed, and…
Best Sandwich in Wayne County
2015 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-265-3684; rubbedindetroit.com Detroiters agree that the heartily stacked sandwiches like the Little Italy (stuffed with Mortadella, soppressata, capicola, pepperoni, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, banana pepper, and mayo) and Purple Kid (with smoked turkey, goat cream cheese, swiss slaw, and beet slaw) are reason enough to name the Corktown spot best of…
Best Happy Hour for Food in Washtenaw County
114 E. Washington St., Ann Arbor; 734-213-1393; 720 Norris St., Ypsilanti; 734-480-2739; arborbrewing.com At Arbor’s ABC Brewpub in Ann Arbor, happy hour is 8 p.m. to closing Sunday, 4-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, and all day long Monday. At ABC Microbrewery in Ypsilanti, 8-10 p.m. Sunday, 4-7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, and all day Monday. The menus at both…
Best Moving Company
Seemichiganmovers.com for locations Serving the area since 1991, Men on the Move can help with both in-state and long-distance moves — from initial packing to delivery and unloading. No one ever wants to move their stuff, so why not choose a highly rated and trusted service when you have to? None other than the producers…
Best Vegan or Vegetarian Restaurant in Washtenaw County
407 N. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-224-8859; thelunchrooma2.com Back in 2011, the Lunch Room was just a food cart behind Downtown Home & Garden. Since then, it has become a vegan success story. Phillis Engelbert and Joel Panozzo have built their love of vegan fare into a mini-empire, with a brick-and-mortar restaurant and bar in…
Best Romantic Restaurant in Macomb County
6067 26 Mile Rd., Washington Township; 586-786-4674; saporirestaurant.com Sapori is based on an idea whose time has come: that authentic Italian food is simple and flavorful. That fare is one of the big draws for the restaurant, where everything is made from scratch and never frozen. In addition to the many pastas, steaks, chicken and…
Best Art Museum
5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-7900; dia.org A true gem, the DIA is a marvel to behold — once, twice, 100 times. Every visit to this beautiful marble masterpiece is sure to be filled with surprises. May it be a sweet new exhibit or the acknowledgement of a Matisse you never knew was there, the DIA…
Best Beer Selection in a Store
1613 Livernois Rd., Troy; 248-404-9999; 2940 S. Rochester Rd., Rochester Hills; 248-852-9307; redwagonshoppe.com Don’t let the old-timey “Shoppe” title fool you, Red Wagon is a comprehensive beer, wine, and liquor store. Open since 1965, this fine wine, premium spirit, specialty market has it all at locations in Rochester Hills and Troy. Some of the featured…
Best Photographer
mrheatcam.com It’s no wonder our readers recognize this amazing local photographer as the best of the best, he’s constantly shooting Metro Times events at the Royal Oak Farmers Market and has residencies at V Nightclub inside MGM Grand Casino Hotel and at Dooleys Roseville every Wednesday. Don’t know him by name? You’ll surely recognized his…
Best Place to See an Indie Film
4135 W. Maple Rd., Bloomfield Twp.; themapletheater.com The Maple isn’t just a movie theater; it’s an experience. It’s connected to a coffee shop (Great Lakes Coffee!) and a bar that hosts fun trivia nights. You’ll want to go to the Maple for more than just its world-class movies. It’s a place to spend hours, and…
Best Folk Venue
316 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-761-1451; theark.org The Ark’s world-class performers are always pushing the definitions of folk music: whether it’s strumming a plaintive folk song that almost makes you weep, or fusing modalities from different cultures to create a sound so hypnotic the audience just has to get up and groove. Now in…
Best Hip-Hop Club
Saint Andrew’s Hall 431 E. Congress St., Detroit; 313-961-8961; saintandrewsdetroit.com Talk about a historic and storied structure; St. Andrew’s Hall was constructed in 1907 and was originally used as the meeting site for the Scottish Society of Detroit. The space is cleverly carved into three unique event spaces: a large main ballroom, a quaint spot…
Best Strip Club in Macomb County
24500 Henry B Joy Blvd., Mount Clemens; 586-468-8900 This Mount Clemens classic is popular with those who want a $15 dance and an affordable beer in a no-frills environment. Sure, the place could do with a lick of pain, but who wants to pay $20 for a dance?
Best Round Pizza
See greenlanternlounge.com for locations The Vettraino family has been making great pizza in Madison Heights for more than a half-century now, and they’ve added four other locations over time, too: Another full-service restaurant in Clinton Township, and carry-out locations in Royal Oak, Macomb, and Clinton Township. Come to 12 Mile and John R and taste…
Best Middle Eastern Restaurant in Oakland County
22651 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-548-0680; anitaskitchenonline.com Anita’s really hits that sweet spot between deliciousness and healthy eating that we’re all striving for. If we could afford it, we might consider eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner at this family-friendly Middle Eastern spot. Their lentil soup borders on the divine, and the shawarma is lovingly prepared. A…
Best Pizza in Wayne County
See pizzapapalis.com for locations If you really want to go old school with your pizza dining, you find a spot that specializes in take-out, and only has lobby seats for people who must nosh immediately. There are a few dozen seats here, but no table service. You order your pie here, and maybe eat a…
Best Bar in Macomb County
With three locations, it’s clear Macomb County loves this family-friendly sports bar. The Trpcevski family has owned Art & Jake’s, with its flagship location at Shelby and Mound in Utica, since 2001, and its fanbase has grown ever since. Whether you just want to watch the game or catch up with an old friend —…
Best Electronic Music Club in the Suburbs
15 S. Saginaw St., Pontiac; 248-599-2212; elektricitymusic.com You can always catch great dance music played through a state-of-the-art system at Pontiac’s favorite place to have a tremendous night out on the town. This club, in the space formerly occupied by the legendary Industry, brings the special effects-laden noise of EDM into a well-designed and classy…
Best Happy Hour for Drinks in Wayne County
1128 Washington Blvd, Detroit; 313-961-2500; roastdetroit.com Michael Symon’s Roast has been an understated elegant dining and drinking destination since 2008. It’s the kind of place where harried jetsetters and locals alike can unwind in style during one of the most celebrated happy hours in town. From 4 p.m.-6:30 p.m., there’s plenty to nosh on at…
Best Thai Restaurant in Macomb County
24940 John R Rd., Hazel Park; 248-545-4070; pisthai.net While the Pi’s Thai location in Sterling Heights may have closed, the John R Road location is just minutes from the line between 586 and 248. And there’s a reason a reason the wait for take-out is always out the door at this wonderful family-run, cash-only business.…
Best Dive Bar in Wayne County
3930 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-831-3830 Dive bars provide a link to the past you just can’t get from a squeaky-clean white box. But few bars have the history lacquered on as thickly as the Old Miami. Adorned with memorabilia from the Vietnam War from its days as a vets bar (“Miami” = Missing in Action…
Best Draft Selection in Macomb County
57695 Van Dyke Ave., Washington; 586-697-3300; browniron.com This place has a whopping 66 taps that feature solely American-made craft beer, with a huge focus on brews made right here in Michigan. Their current draft list includes a largeselection of Right Brain beers, plus Bell’s, Founder’s, Griffin Claw, Short’s, New Holland, Perrin, Rochester Mills, Railtown, Dragonmead, Atwater,…
Best Rock Club
10339 Conant St., Hamtramck; 313-873-1117 smallsbardetroit.com This feisty bar is one-part neighborhood dive and one-part sexy lounge. In other words, it is the ideal place to meet up and get the night rolling. While the candlelight vibe is excellent, what really sets Small’s apart is the stellar rock shows throughout the week, which include a…
Best Mani-Pedi
See luvpedicures.com for locations It’s almost flip-flop season, and you know what that means. Time to hit the salon and treat yourself to a mani-pedi. LUV Manicures and Pedicures offers customers the best, cleanest, and most personalized experience. The salon also gives back to the community, sponsoring various charities throughout metro Detroit. Treat your hands…
Best Detroiter to Follow on Instagram
instagram.com/camera_jesus/ camerajesus.bigcartel.com Created by Joe Gall, Camera Jesus is truly a sight to behold. Boasting more than 40,000 followers, the account features atmospheric photos of everything from the Multnomah Falls in Portland to a commercial jet graveyard just outside Bangkok. But don’t get too much wanderlust looking at the pics. Camera Jesus touts its fair…
Best Local T-Shirt
Available online at detroitmfg.com or at The Detroit Mercantile Co., 3434 Russell St., Detroit; 313-831-9000 Founded in 1991, Detroit Manufacturing is the brainchild of Robert Stanzler, who wanted to create a design company dedicated to “the exploration of Detroit’s identity through design.” In that time, he’s created some of the most iconic shirts inspired by…
Best Record Store in Oakland County
234 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-565-8775; foundsoundvinyl.tumblr.com Ahhh, how nice it is to enter this large store and check out their eight full bins of newly arrived used records! They also do some of the best ordering of new stock, including cassettes. While some stores cannibalize their own stock by selling the more fancy…
Best Trivia Night
Everyone loves a good trivia night. You’re surrounded by your squad of nerdy friends, there is lots of beer to go around, and a giant pizza to share. Geeks Who Drink is revolutionizing the way we all play team trivia at bars. There are themed nights if you want more specific competition, and just normal…
Best Specialty Market in Macomb County
See ninosalvaggio.com for locations Did you know that there are close to 2,000 Michigan-made products at this wonderful specialty market? It’s true. Their wares are staggering, and they stock a large amount of organic and gluten-free items. That’s not to mention their large wine selection, their loads of craft beers, and the fresh lobster, plus…
Best Gym in Macomb County
See planetfitness.com for locations Planet Fitness prides itself on being a judgment-free zone. The Macomb County locations are gyms where you can go at your own pace, feel comfortable asking for help, and not worry about being judged. Members have access to lots of nice, new equipment and unlimited fitness training programs. Oh, yeah and…
Best Place to Buy a Motorcycle
14100 Telegraph Rd., Taylor; 734-947-4647; bikerbobshd.com This Harley-Davidson dealership, located in Taylor, is known for having one of the most knowledgeable and approachable motorcycle staff in the region. Biker Bob opened in 1998 to create a special place “where friends, family … all motorcycle enthusiasts can celebrate life and freedom,” according to their website.
Best Wings in Washtenaw County
See buffalowildwings.com for locations Proving once again that our readers go to a name they can trust in the wings category, we have Buffalo Wild Wings crowned winners in Washtenaw County. Choose from the spicy, sweet, mild, and rubbed treatments, grab a frosty beer to go with it, and catch the big game at any…
Best Vegan or Vegetarian Restaurant in Macomb County
45629 Hayes Rd., Shelby Twp.; 586-580-3293; cleanplate4u.com This fast-casual spot opened by the vegan chef of Royal Oak’s Cacao Tree has helped ensure that no longer do diners out past M-59 have to resort to weak vegetarian menu items. The fare at Clean Plate may even be flavorful enough to appeal to meat-eating pals along…
Best Shawarma
See bucharestgrill.com for locations Bucharest started as an inexpensive Romanian eatery in the back of the Park Bar, serving loaded pitas to boozy patrons. Now, it’s a successful mini-chain, with locations in Corktown, Rivertown, and Milwaukee Junction. That growth can be credited in part to the subtle flavors of Bucharest’s handmade shawarma. It comes in…
Best Bourbon
jimbeam.com No surprise here: Jim Beam is one of the top-selling brands in the world. But something about the bourbon makes it somehow a more adult choice. Unlike other, sweeter spirits, Beam is undisguised bourbon, showing off its charred finish, inviting you to let it linger on your tongue, rather than shoot it down with…
Best Wine Selection in a Store
1538 Centre St., Detroit; 313-732-WINE; verticaldetroit.com Part wine bar, part shop, Vertical features some of the most coveted wines in the world. Run by a father-and-daughter team, Jim and Remy Lutfy, Vertical offers more than 250 vintages by the bottle, and more than 40 by the glass. Why should you trust the Lufty fam to…
Best Business to Work At
1050 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 888-900-9962; quickenloans.com Our esteemed readers weren’t alone in naming Quicken Loans the best place to work. Fortune named Quicken No. 5 on its list of 100 Best Companies to Work For this year, up seven spots from its 2015 designation. The financial publication cited the mortgage lender’s 2010 move into downtown…
Best Aquarium
Great Lakes Crossing Outlets, 4316 Baldwin Rd., Auburn Hills; 866-622-0605; visitsealife.com Did you know that cownose stingrays breathe through special holes behind their eyes? It’s true, and you can visit the cute buggers right here at this very clean and responsible facility. Hours of fun await you and your kids at Sea Life. In addition…
Best One-Man Neighborhood Watch
As we reported in a cover story last year, Brightmoor resident Jonathan Pommerville launched a one-man crusade to expose the people dumping on his hard-hit west side neighborhood. Armed with only a video camera, he has used his YouTube channel to try to shame the johns, prostitutes, dumpers, scrappers, and drug users who treat Brightmoor…
Best Facebook Artist
You might know him from his weekly “Parting Glances” column in Between the Lines and his LGBT advocacy; from exhibitions at the Detroit Institute of Arts and The Scarab Club; for cover stories he’s written for Metro Times; or for his frequent position at the bar at Cass Cafe, perusing the tea chest. In recent…
Best New Strip Club
415 E. Congress St., Detroit; 313-961-5005; legendsindetroit.com Back in November, a small fire erupted in the club and it’s been closed for repairs ever since. That didn’t stop you from voting it No. 1. We’re sure when Legends reopens, it’ll pick up right where it left off: offering three floors of high-quality everything. From its…
Best Deep Dish Pizza
See paparomanos.com for locations In the past, winners of the deep dish category were usually aping our neighbor to the west, those lasagna-style creations they call Chicago-style deep dish. But this year, a homegrown example of Detroit-style square deep dish pizza wins out.
Best Art Gallery
1410 Gratiot Ave., Detroit; 313-744-6505; innerstategallery.com If you want some wacky, cool, limited-edition artwork, Inner State is where it’s at. Bringing in world-class artists from around the globe, Inner State Gallery shows are some of the best in the city. The eclectic crowd the gallery draws is pretty sweet, as well. The show that’s just…
Best Pizza in Washtenaw County
500 E. William St., Ann Arbor; 734-929-2227; neopapalis.com Ann Arbor isn’t really known as a pizza-eating destination. It’s easy to understand why: It’s a college town, and you can make a fast buck pumping out a pie with inexpensive pizza if you’re either a chain or a place in the style of a chain. Thank…
Best Bar in Wayne County
349 Monroe Ave, Detroit; 313-964-0007; oldshillelagh.com This Motor City staple was opened in the 1970s by a retired Detroit police officer who was raised in Dublin, and it’s since become cemented in the city’s drinking tradition. Seemingly everyone has a tale about a night at the three-story Celtic funhouse, which is often described as a…
Best Sports Bar in Oakland County
2511 Livernois Rd., Troy; 248-273-4600; cjmahoneystroy.com Imagine TVs: TVs everywhere. A dozen more more TVs in the dining area, as well as two 80-inch plasma screens, and individual TVs in each booth. The games don’t stop on the screen: There are pool tables, Golden Tee, electronic basketball, Big Buck Shooter, Keno, and a dance floor.…
Best Sushi in Oakland County
1515 E. Maple Rd., Troy; 248-689-2332; monjinlau.com Our esteemed readers voted for Mon Jin Lau as Best Sushi because their rolls are as generous as they are tasty. But they serve far more than that at this pan Asian crowd favorite, where you can always get delicious meals across the spectrum of Chinese, Thai, and…
Best Gyro in Oakland County
121 N. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-629-6500, gokouzina.com KouZina owner Bobby Laskaris and his chef father Panagiotis brought street-style Greek cuisine indoors. Their kitchen relies on the Mediterranean love of all things simple, fresh, and authentic, and yet happily tweaks the classics for dietary restrictions, down to gluten-free soups and three varieties of house-made pitas.…
Best Burger in Wayne County
349 Monroe Ave., Detroit; 313-964-0007; oldshillelagh.com When owner Shellie Lewis took over this Greektown staple last year, a Michigan-made menu of dishes made with organic, natural products was a conscious push. That means using bread from Detroit-based Avalon Bakery, pasture-raised, grass-fed Michigan beef from C. Roy & Sons, and RBGH-free, all-natural cheese from Farm Country.…
Best Chicken and Waffles
19345 Livernois Ave., Detroit; 313-861-0229; kuzzoschickenandwaffles.com Most foodies agree that chicken and waffles is a soul food tradition that originated on the West Coast and spread from Roscoe’s in LA up to Lois the Pie Queen in the East Bay before moving inland thousands of miles to arrive in our fair city. And oh my,…
Best Food in a Strip Club
13710 Eight Mile Rd., Detroit; 313-371-3700; playersdetroit.net Players is known for its premium cuts of meat — literally, this club’s menu includes a number of carnivore delights, and even if meat is not your thing, you gotta respect that. Plus, it serves up a different dinner special each night of the week, so you’re in…
Best Smoke Shop
737 E. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-677-0178; thaheadshop.com There’s more options than ever for smokers with the advent of e-cigs etc., meaning it’s super important to find a smoke shop that’s up on the latest. Enter: Tha Head Shop in Ferndale. Ranging from a wide array of Juicy Jay’s E-Juice to vape pens, Glass Hand Pipes,…
Best Modeling Agency
612 E. 4th St., Royal Oak; 734-845-9950; 7stonemanagement.com Whether it’s booking entertainment for festivals, venues, or events, 7 Stone is committed to elevating Detroit’s native talent. With a fleet of over 250 models and years of experience in everything from films to charity galas, the company is a top choice for major clients, including Quicken…
Best Wedding Ring
See tappers.com for locations This fine jewelry chain has rings that will dazzle. Go with custom designs or browse through Tapper’s “Rock Her World” collection — no matter which way you go, we’re sure it will delight and you’ll find something special for that perfect person in your life.
Best Record Store in Wayne County
22501 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-561-1000; dearbornmusic.com Dearborn Music is the size of five other record stores, and the shop is about half and half when it comes to its mix of new and used vinyl and new and used CDs. That means you’re really likely to find what you’re looking for. This store has actually…
Best Cocktail Lounge
140 Cadillac Square; 313-223-2626 Our readers may be familiar with the Keep. For months, it was the project of mustachioed bartender Evan Dawber, who cultivated his love of the cocktail in a Harmonie Park basement until he found a wonderful, eclectic spot with a patio and a basement in Cadillac Square. Dawber has moved on,…
Best Specialty Market in Washtenaw County
See wholefoodsmarket.com for locations Clearly not all chain stores are bad. After all, when you want a large variety of organic produce and prepared items, from more than eight brands of yogurt to more flavors of kale chips than you can shake a didgeridoo at, where else can you possibly go? The Ann Arbor location…
Best Sandwich in Macomb County
51096 Filomena Dr., Shelby Township; 586-247-6300; nsidenydeli.com At this New York-style delicatessen, you get more than pastrami on rye: The sandwich arts are explored more completely, beyond grinders, subs, and gyros: There are inventive lettuce wraps, pitas, and even panini.
Best Happy Hour for Food in Macomb County
See barlouie.com for locations Sure, you can find a Bar Louie from Alabama to Wisconsin. But in the wilds of Macomb County, Bar Louie is that comfort station where, 4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, you can wash down the gut-pleasing selections on the menu with discount drafts, wine, and even martinis.
Best Dentist
42801 Schoolcraft Rd., Plymouth; 734-420-2326; plymouthdental.com Whether you need a full set of veneers after a few root canals, or you’re just about due for a cleaning, you might consider this highly regarded practice. Under one roof, they have four dentists, an endodontist, a periodontist, an oral surgeon, and an orthodontist. Even if you’re not…
Best Champ of Local Farm-to-Table
23825 John R Rd., Hazel Park; 248-398-4300; mabelgraykitchen.com This category seems almost to have been invented for the culinary overachiever behind Mabel Gray and the Root. As we detailed in a 4,800-word cover story last year, Rigato establishes relationships with old-fashioned family farms, urban greenhouse gardeners, small beekeepers, cutting-edge aquaculture operations, local milk suppliers, and…
Best Saganaki
525 Monroe Ave., Detroit; 313-962-7093 The Golden Fleece isn’t fancy, but it’s been a staple in Greektown for as long as we can remember. They carve meat off the spit before your eyes, the servers as sweet as pie, and there’s more Old World charm than you can shake a stick at. And that flaming…
Best Scotch
johnniewalker.com We’ve heard that Winston Churchill liked Red Label with a dash of soda, and Christopher Hitchens said: “the best blended Scotch in the history of the world is Johnnie Walker Black, the breakfast of champions!” What started as some backroom hooch made by a Scottish grocer has come so far.
Best Michigan Brewer
575 S. Eton St., Birmingham; 248-712-4050; griffinclawbrewingcompany.com This man was born to brew. From the minute he started — on a stove, by the way — to 20 years later, when his Griffin Claw concoctions continue to win numerous awards, Dan Rogers has been committed to creating the best possible brews. He’s been described as…
Best Nonprofit
Address available upon request; St. Clair Shores; 313-458-8014; detroitdogrescue.com Compassionate, professional, and clean, DDR is surprisingly Detroit’s first-ever no-kill dog shelter. As such, it’s hard to imagine visiting any other shelter. Be still your heart, when you take a gander at the available rescue dogs up for adoption on Detroit Dog Rescue’s website. We fell…
Best DJ
skamartist.com/captn20 We can’t tell you enough how truly great Captn20 is, and lo and behold, our esteemed readers absolutely agree. A highly sought-after artist and part of the prestigious Skam collective of touring DJs, when Captn20 (aka Nick Haddad) is not running his off-the-hook show at MGM Grand’s V Nightclub, you can find him playing…
Best Music Festival
Memorial Day weekend in Hart Plaza, Detroit; movement.us Movement is a Detroit institution in the best sense; readers voted last year’s event the best festival in the area (and the year before that, and the year before that). More than 111,000 people from around the world attended Movement in 2015, according to festival producer Paxahau.…
Best Reason to Bring Back Streetcars
April marks the 60th anniversary of the final DSR streetcar to run down a Detroit thoroughfare. There were many reasons the streetcar largely disappeared from U.S. cities: inflation, labor costs, the automobile, popular attitudes, with an able assist from automaker propaganda. But streetcar systems weren’t scrapped everywhere. Many European cities did not get rid of…
Best Microbrewery or Brewpub in Washtenaw County
See jollypumpkin.com for locations We’ve been fans of Jolly Pumpkin ever since they opened up in Ann Arbor. From the appealing downtown setting to the inventive menu of pizza and sandwiches, Jolly Pumpkin offers plenty to enjoy, but the main event is their Belgian-style brew. It’s prepared with a subtle hand, finished in barrels with…
Best Barbecue Restaurant in Oakland County
240 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-206-7130; zekesrnrbbq.com Talk about popular appeal: Not just barbecue, but a lively bar scene, as well as the draw of a “rock ‘n’ roll” restaurant. It’s a combination that does everything but demand you let down your hair and lick your fingers. And, yes the barbecue is quite good…
Best Pizza in Macomb County
See buddyspizza.com for locations How could Buddy’s not have won this category in our readers’ poll? The original gooey, yummy, square Detroit pizza with the (intentionally) slightly burnt cheese on the edge of the crust has set the standard for Detroit-style pizza. Ask anyone who’s moved away what the one thing they most crave from…
Best Bar in Washtenaw County
705 W. Cross St., Ypsilanti; 734-485-6720; wurstbarypsi.com Yes, it’s a total sausagefest. Since 2012, what first sounded like a clever conceit — beer and sausage — has become a habitual MT Best Bar winner. The Wurst’s beer list is crowded with the best brews from Europe, the United States, and Michigan, all paired with outstanding…
Best Cajun in Washtenaw County
300 S. Maple Rd., Ann Arbor; 734-929-9200; thequarterbistro.com Inspired by the cuisine of Louisiana, but attuned to the appetites of Ann Arbor, with New Orleans classics given a bistro finish (as in “bistro-style tilapia fillet”), or a vegetarian-friendly twist (as in the vegetable muffuletta), or just made accessible (as in the catfish strips with house…
Best Happy Hour for Drinks in Washtenaw County
207 S. Main St. Ann Arbor; 734-214-0400; theravensclub.com The smart, speakeasy-style spot marries choice craft cocktails with a farm-to-table lineup on the menu. The best part: Ravens Club places five of its top-selling cocktails on its happy hour menu, along with draft beers and five small plate selections – all for $4. All of this…
Best Comedy Club
310 S. Troy St., Royal Oak; 248-542-9900; comedycastle.com Sometimes you need more than an expertly used GIF to get you laughing out loud, and when you need something IRL to get you ROFL, we’re lucky to have Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle. For the past 20 years, the joint’s been providing the best stand-up comedy the…
Best Burger in Washtenaw County
See baggerdaves.com for locations There are Bagger Dave’s locations all over metro Detroit, of course, but something helped put them over the top in the Ann Arbor-Ypsi area. Maybe it’s the variety of the sandwiches, which come filled with beef, chicken, mahi-mahi, black bean patties, and more.
Best Draft Selection in Washtenaw County
338 S. State St, Ann Arbor; 734-996-9191; ashleys.com The draft list at Ashley’s in Ann Arbor seems to be never-ending. The place has more than 60 taps filled with both Michigan-made craft drafts and those from around the world. They’ve got Bell’s Consecrator Dopplebock, Dark Horse Double Crooked Tree, Dragonmead Final Absolution, Founder’s Dirty Bastard,…
Best Strip Club in Wayne County
20771 Eight Mile Rd., Detroit, 48219; 313-541-7000; penthousetdetroit.com This Eight Mile gentlemen’s club is known for its exciting performances. According to Yelp reviews, “At certain times during the night, two dancers will get up on a pair of motorcycles that come down from the rafters.” The dancers tend to use a lot of props, and…
Best Head Shop
25940 Michigan Ave., Inkster; 313-561-7969 It’s hard not to drive past the Station and not have your interest piqued, with its exterior wood paneling, red-painted garage doors, and lingerie-wearing mannequins in the storefront window — like a country antique store with a twist. Inside you’ll find pipes, vaporizers, T-shirts, e-cigarettes, body jewelry, “and a bunch…
Best TV News Team & Best Local News
myfoxdetroit.com The Fox 2 team gets props for asking tough questions, like the kind that once drove Detroit City Councilman George Cushingberry to declare a “No Elrick Zone.” It’s no surprise they were voted Best TV News Team and Best Local News by our readers — this is the station that readers trust and watch.
Best Place to Buy a Piece of Detroit
10125 E. Jefferson Ave, Detroit; 313-626-2000 www.pewabic.org Founded in 1903, Pewabic is one of three historic Arts & Crafts-era potteries still around. While the nonprofit has garnered fans for its inclusive classes, design studio sessions, and studio tours, Pewabic is most memorable for its classic and nationally renowned handmade ceramic tiles and vases. All dipped…
Best Record Store in Washtenaw County
255 E Liberty St., Ste 249, Ann Arbor; 734-327-9239; store.ugsounds.com This venerated store has been in A2 for 15 years now, after two separate Ypsi locations. Owner Matt Bradish and his staff always stock their bins as tightly as possible with all the latest cool records and hot reissues. It’ll always be a superb shop…
Best Whiskey Selection
27626 Harper Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-675-2115; butterrun.com Thrillist named this place one of the 21 best whiskey bars in the country, so we’re not surprised our readers understand the value of this St. Clair Shores saloon. The whiskey list is enormous, and they carry the much-coveted Pappy Van Winkle 15-, 20-, and 23-year, plus…
Best Specialty Market in Wayne County
575 Brush St, Detroit; 313-222-0000; citymarketdetroit.com With how crammed this place is from ceiling to the floor with fresh produce and delicious vittles, it’s reminiscent of the best urban market in Brooklyn or London or some fancy place like that — all without the inflated prices. The wine selection is ace, as are their beer…
Best Car Dealership
See suburbancollection.com for locations The Suburban Collection sells and services 33 automobile brands in more 30 retail locations throughout Michigan. They sell both new and used cars, and light trucks. It’s also a great place for maintenance, warranty repairs, paint, and collision repair. This is car shopping made easy, without the stress and pressure of…
Best Plastic Surgeon
6635 Daly Rd., West Bloomfield Twp.; 248-538-3333; anewyou.com Need a little nip-and-tuck? Go just anywhere for plastic surgery and you could face dire consequences. Of course, Dr. Michael Gray is a leader in his field with plenty of prowess and skills when it comes to lipo, face-lifts, neck-lifts, eye-lifts, tummy tucks, laser resurfacing, and other…
Best Wings in Macomb County
44935 Hayes Road, Sterling Heights; 586-799-4135 Maybe it’s the unique sauces on this chain’s “world famous” wings, like the TK Signature, the Kilt Burner, or the Tilted. Maybe it’s the scantily-clad waitresses who riff on traditional Scottish plaid with tiny halter tops. Maybe it’s a little from column A and a little from column B…
Best Chef
2 Washington Blvd., Detroit; 313-782-4313; topofthepontch.com Since the Crowne Plaza Pontchartrain Hotel reopened in 2014, it has seen its share of changes in its two restaurants: Top of the Pontch and Jefferson House. First, with the departure of chef Justin Vaiciunas (last year’s Best Chef), then with the closure of the Jefferson House. If there…
Best Cake Pops
1752 Eureka Rd., Wyandotte; 734-925-6238; cakedropsgalore.com What’s a cake pop? It’s a little cake on a stick, as if it were a lollipop. Or you can have them without the stick as “cake drops.” Owner Tammie Bachran tells us they’re popular at weddings. They add a bit of butter cream to sheet cake batter, roll…
Best Imported Beer
Labatt.com Great things comes out of Canada: Drake, The Weeknd, Justin …. Trudeau — what did you think we were going to say? — and of course, Labatt. It’s one of the few imported brews you’ll see enjoyed with as much frequency as its American rivals, and hey, when it comes to beer, we say…
Best Bloody Mary
2460 Market St., Detroit; 313-393-1711; 3601 E. Twelve Mile Rd., Warren; viviosdetroit.net. After a night of bad (or good, depending on your point of view) decisions, the relief from a Vivio’s Bloody Mary — several of which are available with bacon — is enough to make us misty-eyed. This reader favorite, with locations in Eastern…
Best Local Film Festival
cinetopiafestival.org This yearly film festival is one of the most respected and well-regarded. Local filmmakers and world-renowned big shots share space in this inclusive festival dedicated to good storytelling and art. Over the course of 10 days, filmgoers can catch up on 50 flicks on more than 100 screens between Detroit and Ann Arbor. While…
Best Indoor Wedding Venue
333 Madison St., Detroit; 313-963-9800; gemcolonyevent.com You may know this quaint and deluxe, circa 1903 relocated building with elaborate decor as a groovy spot to check out the latest off-Broadway shows or live comedy. It also doubles as one of the nicest possible wedding venues, with attractive packages for a variety of budgets. They have…
Best Comeuppance
It has been a long road down for disgraced former Detroit City Councilman Charles Pugh. We initially liked Pugh when he ran for council. We took him at his word when he promised to usher in a new era of civility and professionalism on the council. But power seemed to bring out a petty and…
Best Detroit History Blog
detroiturbanism.blogspot.com Blogger Paul Sewick wrote the fascinating Corktown History blog while he lived in Corktown from 2005 to 2015, showing off his knack for turning questions about Corktown’s history into satisfying and readable accounts of what happened when. When Sewick moved to Farmington Hills last year, he wanted to expand the scope of his writing,…
Best Casino Sports Bar
1777 Third Ave., Detroit; 313-465-1234; mgmgranddetroit.com/tap TAP opened inside MGM Grand in 2012, and since then it’s been drawing in way more than gamblers and hotel guests. The self-described “newest oldest pub” draws in tons of sports fans with its 40-plus flat-screen TVs. The extensive beer menu — 50-plus rotating selections is nothing to scoff…
Best Barbecue Restaurant in Wayne County
2138 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-962-9828; slowsbarbq.com We all know the story by now: In 2005, Phil Cooley put three things together: a historic, repurposed space, low-and-slow barbecue, and a cicerone’s beer list. That combination was such a hit that it’s been repeated across metro Detroit for a decade now. But Slows was there first, and…
Best Restaurant in Oakland County
401 S. Lafayette Ave., Royal Oak; 248-542-0082; bistro82.com Bistro 82 is no stranger to our Best of Detroit honors: Last year, the restaurant earned a staff pick for Best Appetizer Menu. For our readers, that appeal was clearly broader, as it was named the best in its region. Under the guidance of chef Derik Watson,…
Best Specialty Pizza in Oakland County
See bigalora.com for locations There’s more than pizza at Bigalora: small plates, soups, salads, pastas, wood-fired entrees and more. But the pies they churn out would seem to be the very definition of “specialty pizza” — made with pizza dough that undergoes a natural 72-hour fermentation period before being covered with fresh, sustainably produced ingredients,…
Best New Bar in Oakland County
376 N. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-607-3127; stradaroyaloak.com What does it take to be the best in glitzy Oakland County? This year’s formula seems to be a sophisticated small plates spin on Italian fare, a no-expense-spared décor that includes an original 1920s chandelier from the Book Cadillac Hotel, an Italian wine selection, and a balanced…
Best Sports Bar in Wayne County
517 Monroe St., Detroit; 313-983-4000; pappysdetroit.com Tucked away on Monroe in Greektown, Pappy’s is a cozy sports bar that still manages to cram in seven televisions. Within a few blocks of both Comerica Park and Ford Field, it’s a good place to watch games or enjoy drinks before or after. The menu is a stick-to-the-ribs…
Best Sushi in Wayne County
See fishbonesusa.com for locations Fishbone’s is famous for excess: Just look at their endless brunches for a prime example. And that more-is-more attitude extends to the sushi, which they’ve offered for years now. Between rolls, nigiri, and sashimi, they offer more than 70 variations.
Best Saganaki & Best Gyro in Wayne County
525 Monroe Ave., Detroit; 313-962-7093 A cozy bit of Old Greektown lives on Monroe Street in the form of the Golden Fleece, a throwback to the days when every restaurant on Monroe had a blue-and-white checked tablecloth and served saganaki with a shout. A terrific choice for a fast, flavorful downtown lunch at a nice…
Best Burger in Macomb County
36759 Mound Rd., Sterling Heights; 586-264-9500; theirishcraft.com The creations are manly at Irish Craft. The patties are half-pounders, but the treatments they get can be impressive: the “Pub Burger” gets topped with pickle chips and “pub sauce,” the “Breakfast Burger” with cheese, bacon, and a fried egg, and the “Jack Daniels Burger” with cheddar, Monterey…
Best Selection of Bottled Beer in Oakland County
175 W. Troy St., Ferndale; 248-808-6633; oneeyedbettys.com Betty’s has been a hit since it first opened, with its meaty menu (which includes “bacon with a side of bacon”), dozens of taps, and stylish interior. But the selection of bottled beer shines in its own right: from Arcadia Cocoa Loco to Wolverine Grand Cruz, from a…
Best Strip Club in Washtenaw County
31 N. Washington St., Ypsilanti; 734-487-2110; dejavuypsilanti.com Déjà Vu prides itself on being the area’s only fully nude strip club, although the tradeoff is that the club only serves pop. Yes, on some nights, you may see more than your fair share of late-teens desperate for their first look at a booby. But somehow, that…
Best Overall Selection at a Dispensary
3340 Eight Mile Rd., Detroit; 313-305-4040 Fantastic name aside, House of Dank is the people’s choice when it comes to offering more than just mids. The dispensary boasts an enormous selection of high quality strains, concentrates, and infused products, and it even has its own app. Seriously. Search for House of Dank on your preferred…
Best Detroit Brand
441 W. Canfield St., Detroit; 313-285-2390; www.shinola.com President Barack Obama has a Shinola watch. So does President Bill Clinton. Since coming on the scene in 2011, Shinola has become the most visible of Detroit brands. Fittingly for the Motor City, the brand is built on quality manufacturing done by Michigan workers — of watches, journals,…
Best Consignment Shop
623 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak; 248-591-4554; gentlemensconsignment.com Kelly Pepper opened his consignment shop after losing so much weight that his otherwise perfectly fine designer threads no longer fit his new svelte frame. Now, his Royal Oak shop deals in clothing, shoes, accessories, neckties, and more. They even have a tailor who works in-store to…
Best Record Store in Macomb County
23013 Gratiot Ave., Eastpointe; 586-774-8480; melodiesandmemories.com Don’t be overwhelmed when you enter this store and realize it has six separate rooms under one roof. Two of those rooms are crammed with bargain-priced records, by the way. This is a very crowded store, with deals all over the place, as well as fancy collector items. Dan…
Best Country Bar
49440 Ryan Rd, Shelby Township; 586-254-4666 Open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, Coyote Joe’s has a multitude of specials, like $2 drafts. Because it’s both a country hangout and a nightclub, Coyote Joe’s plays a mix of country tunes and top 40 hits.
Best Comic/Collectibles Shop
See comiccity.com for locations Comic City has been serving the greater Detroit area since 1993 and they seem in no shape to stop anytime soon. With stores in Pontiac, Trenton, Canton, and West Bloomfield, there are many opportunities to find the collectables or latest release that you’re looking for. Not only do they have your…
Best Import Car Dealer
21205 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-547-8800; hodgessubaru.com With their sled dog-like snow driving ability and reputation for lasting for hundreds of thousands of miles, Subarus are in many ways a perfect fit for Michigan drivers. Hodges is known for having an excellent inventory of used and new cars and affordable prices that won’t break the bank.
Best Pawn Shop
20450 Greenfield Rd., Detroit; 313-345-4000; pawndetroit.com The family behind truTV’s hit show Hardcore Pawn is known for being a tough bunch, but Detroiters know the Golds have been deeply rooted in the community since the 1920s. The store sells all the usual pawn shop goods — TVs, jewelry, and other items that fetch a good…
Best Insurance Agent
68364 Main St., Richmond; 586-727-6525; Verlindeinsurance.com For over a decade Mark Swieczkowski has been with Verlinde Insurance, which has been in business as an independent local insurer since 1923. Swieczkowski’s committed family man, Rotary Club member, and executive board member for the Michigan Professional Insurance Agents Association. He even volunteers at his church and for…
Best Indie Coffeehouse in Oakland County
300 Hamilton Row, Birmingham; 248-792-9766; gocommonwealth.com A combination breakfast spot and coffee shop, the instantly successful Commonwealth offers high-end fare in the familiar format of the Pacific Northwest-inspired artisanal/fourth-wave coffee shop. They match their fancy homespun minimalist design sensibility with solid product; those cool-looking bottles of cold brew they recently introduced, for instance, are as…
Best Raw Bar
318 S. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-541-1186; tomsoysterbar.com The “raw bar” in this case is the entire establishment, which has excelled at providing seafood for more than 20 years. During any given day of the week, Tom’s will have seven or eight different kinds of raw oysters, from Virginia, Massachusetts, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia,…
Best Flavored Beer
smalltownbrewery.com While this potent brew would actually have to belong to your father if you are under the legal drinking age, this highly tasty stuff has an ABV of 5.9 percent. It is spicy and sweet, an excellent craft specialty ale brewed with a lot of creativity and care. It might be a “gateway drug”…
Best Michigan Beer
235 Grandville Ave. SW, Grand Rapids; 616-776-1195; foundersbrewing.com Featuring a cartel of unique and tasty beers, Founders says it doesn’t make beer for the masses but rather for “a small cadre of renegades and rebels who enjoy a beer that pushes the limits of what is commonly accepted as taste.” This means beers with tangy…
Best Hotel in the Suburbs
100 Townsend St., Birmingham; 248-642-7900; townsendhotel.com This luxurious hotel, nestled in the heart of downtown Birmingham, is the perfect spot to catch up on some R&R. The cozy English-style rooms are opulent without being garish, and the friendly staff are known to treat their guests like royalty. Enjoy time soaking up in the hotel’s beautiful…
Best Wedding Banquet Hall
38400 Van Dyke Ave., Sterling Heights; 586-978-3880; pennasbanquets.com This highly rated family-run venue with a full-service staff has been at it for close to 50 years. Penna’s regularly hosts events of all kinds, from fundraisers to weddings. The attached Italian restaurant is a favorite of many regulars, and the dishes are superb. The bocce ball…
Best Art Fair
wyandottestreetartfair.org This is such a charming fair, which brings together visual art, food, and live performance of many stripes all in lovely Wyandotte. It happens mid-July every year, and is about to enter its 55th year. There are dozens of booths filled with fantastic creations, and the variety of food vendors will make your head…
Best Goodwill Ambassadors for Hamtramck
We tracked down Hamtramck’s power rangers earlier this year and met William Berry and Joseph Brooks, both 25, of Hamtramck. They’re huge fans of science fiction, martial arts, comics, and dressing up. And almost as soon as they go out in public in their getups, they’re scoring high-fives and selfies with anybody within eyeshot. “We’ve…
Best High Limit Area
555 E. Lafayette St., Detroit; greektowncasino.com Living the VIP life while gambling at Greektown is the only way to go if you want to win really big. The $100 slot machines and dozens of table games will raise the stakes and your blood pressure. The area is secluded so you truly enjoy the VIP experience.
