Smoked Lotus BBQ at Eastern Palace Club
21509 John R. Rd., Hazel Park; 248-850-8165; smokedlotusbbq.com
Hazel Park’s Key West-inspired tiki bar has got craft wood-fired barbecue cooking up inside too. The menu at Smoked Lotus features smoked barbecue, St. Louis-style pork ribs, broasted chicken, and housemade sides.
The Morrie
511 S. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-216-1112 | 260 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-940-3260 | themorrie.com
For diners in Oakland County, the Morrie was voted Best Bar in the Metro Times Best of Detroit poll. This neighborhood gathering place offers creative yet classic American bar cuisine and affordable prices, with “no pretense, but plenty of passion.”
Gus’ Snug
38 S. Main St., Clawson; 248-607-3631; gussnug.com
As the sister pub to O’Connor’s Public House, Gus’ Snug does bar food right too. The food menu is expansive, offering traditional Irish cuisine like corned beef and shepherd’s pie, as well as unique burgers and sandwiches, plus lots more.
Tony’s Sports Bar
23500 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-545-2920; tbsferndale.com
This pub has been a local favorite for decades, serving up tons of great food alongside great drink specials.
Blue Tractor BBQ & Brewery
207 E. Washington St., Ann Arbor; 734-222-4095; bluetractor.net
Inside of Ann Arbor’s Mash Bar, Blue Tractor BBQ cooks up some mouthwatering meats. The cuisine won Best Barbeque in Washtenaw County in the Metro Times 2023 Best of Detroit reader’s poll.
One-Eyed Betty’s
175 W. Troy St.; 248-808-6633; oneeyedbettys.com
Along with this tavern’s 44 rotating craft beer taps, One-Eyed Betty’s gastropub fare includes everything from appetizers and sandwiches to homemade soups and salads. On the weekends, the restaurant offers a special breakfast menu, featuring brunch favorites like omelets, scrambles, eggs benedict, pancakes, french roast, and more.
Motor City Sports Bar
9122 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck; 313-875-4710
Motor City Sports Bar offers traditional bar food and beer, plus a welcoming atmosphere and pool and foosball tables. In addition to classic burgers, wings, and fries, the chevapi (Balkan sausage) is a house specialty. The beer is cheap and cold, and the food is hot and greasy. What more could you want?
Photo via Motor City Sports Bar / Facebook
Public House
241 W Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-850-7420; publichouseferndale.com
This cozy joint has it all: cocktails, wine, beer, and a delicious menu of inspired eats. Food options include roasted cauliflower, hash browns with bacon, crispy cheddar, creme fraiche, and caviar, and salmon toast. For dessert, the brownie sundae with smoked caramel is a can’t-miss treat.
Photo via GoogleMaps
Berkley Common
3087 Twelve Mile Rd., Berkley; 248-677-0795; berkleycommon.com
Berkley Common is a collective gathering space offering food, drinks, and community. The menu includes inventive takes on comfort food, such as vegan gnocchi, spinach ricotta dip with naan, and chicken tenders with miso ranch. For a sweet snack, you can order the apple nachos, which are made with chocolate, caramel, cherries, strawberries, blueberries, coconut flakes, and candied pecans.
Photo via GoogleMaps
