DETROIT (WWJ) — What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Detroit — Cars? Sports? Music?
None of those answers would be wrong. But you can’t forget about the city’s food.
The city will be in the spotlight this weekend as hundreds of thousands of football fans descend on Detroit for the NFL Draft. If you’re coming from out of town, here’s a handy guide to help you find what to eat this weekend
Coney islands
You can’t go to Detroit and not have a coney dog. What exactly is that? It’s a hot dog in a steamed bun, topped with no-bean chili, white onions and mustard. And Detroit loves them.
Specifically, Detroiters love American and Lafayette, a pair of coney islands right next to each other near Campus Martius Park, opened by Greek immigrant brothers more than a century ago. We also love to debate which is better, so you might as well try both and let us know what you think!
Other coneys across the city and Metro Detroit include Leo’s, Kerby’s, L. George’s and more. You’ll find not just coney dogs, but plenty of other options, from gyros, to hanis to chicken tenders and more.
Detroit Style pizza
Much like the coney dog, a trip to the Motor City wouldn’t be complete without some Detroit Style deep dish pizza — especially if you’ve never tried it.
Some have deemed it the best type of pizza in the U.S. But what exactly is it?
With a crisp, focaccia-like crust, savory pepperoni pressed into the dough and frico cheese flowing all the way to the ends of the pan, Detroit Style is the absolute king of all pies.
The original is Buddy’s — the one on Six Mile and Conant, to be exact — but there are countless Detroit Style joints all over the metro. Among the best are Buddy’s, of course, Loui’s, Green Lantern, Como’s (in Ferndale) and Shield’s.
P.S. Bears fans, you can find good Chicago Style pie at PizzaPapalis Rivertown, and if anyone's itching for some good New York Style, check out The Metropolitan in West Village or Supino Pizzeria in Eastern Market.
Sports bars
We Detroiters love our sports teams, so it’s no surprise that Downtown Detroit is home to plenty of sports bars. While this weekend won’t exactly be a gameday, there will certainly be a gameday atmosphere. Many of these sports bars are within walking distance to the Draft Experience and will be offering specials all weekend.
While there are several newcomers to the scene worth checking out — including Gilly’s Clubhouse, opened in honor of Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert’s late son — many Detroit sports fans will tell you their favorites are the old staples: The Detroiter Bar in Bricktown, Nemo’s in Corktown and The Old Shillelagh in Greektown, just to name a few.
All of those joints serve up great burgers and bar food, each with their own histories.
P.S. if there are any Premier League soccer fans in town looking for a place to watch their team Saturday morning, there are plenty of options, including Thomas Magee’s in Eastern Market, which is open bright and early.
Breweries
If you're looking for a good craft beer in Detroit, you won't have to look very far. The Detroit Beer Company on Broadway -- right around the corner from all the action -- has three floors and serves up fantastic beer and food.
Other popular breweries close to the draft footprint include Batch Brewing Company in Corktown, Atwater Brewery near the Detroit Riverfront, and Jolly Pumpkin in Midtown. But the craft beer scene stretches all across the Metro Detroit region, and it's hard to be disappointed anywhere you go.
Cocktail bars
Looking for something a little more swanky, perhaps? Downtown is home to plenty of unique cocktail bars. The Candy Bar inside the Wurlitzer Building on Broadway is wall-to-wall pink and serves up some wild concoctions. So too does the Sugar Factory (including boozy milkshakes).
Other acclaimed bars downtown include the Apparatus Room, Sugar House, The Brakeman, and The Skip, located within an alley known as “The Belt,” which is well worth a trip.
If you’re looking for a rooftop bar, you’ll want to check out The Monarch Club, Kamper’s Rooftop Bar, or Lumen.
FIND EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE NFL DRAFT IN DETROIT HERE
Live music joints
If you’re jonesing for some live music after draft festivities wrap up each night, look no further than Cafe d’Mongo’s Speakeasy. With live jazz and their famous grilled cheese, this eclectic little place on Griswold Street is a can’t-miss.
Other options for live music include Tin Roof — expect quite the party atmosphere — next to Comerica Park; Cliff Bell’s for Jazz; and a little Midtown dive bar called The Old Miami.
The best of the rest
This list barely made a dent in Detroit's robust food scene. Frida Batidos on Columbia Street -- an awesome upcoming neighborhood worth checking out -- has great Cuban street food.
You can find all sorts of great Mexican food in Southwest Detroit, while the city offers great Middle Eastern, Asian, Greek and African food. From shawarmas to gyros to Thai fusion, there are endless options.
With many visiting fans staying at hotels in the suburbs, you'll find plenty of great food and drink options in popular downtown areas like Royal Oak, Ferndale, Birmingham, Berkley, Clawson and more!