Corktown Detroit: Ima

Ima, located on Michigan Ave, just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Motor City Wine, opened its doors in late December of last year. Chef Michael Ransom’s Michigan roots and his passion for Japanese comfort food and is what started the udon (thick wheat flour noodle served hot in soup) themed restaurant. The space is small, but is full of big flavors. With a seasonal menu offering a variety of noodle soups including Spicy Pork Udon and rice bowls like the Golden Curry, Ima brings together Japanese cuisine with home cooked feel good food.

Steamed edamame: Chilis, lemon, olive oil, sea salt. I really liked the bright, spicy, seasonings. This normally yummy snack was amped up with flavor. I couldn’t get enough.

Unagi-don Rice Bowl: BBQ glazed eel, pickled cucumber, slaw, pickled ginger, radish sprout. I am a huge eel sushi fan so when I saw this on the menu, I had to order it. I was worried that the eel would be fatty and when it came out, my suspicions were confirmed. This required me to put in a little work, but once I did, it was slightly sweet from the eel sauce and satisfactory. The pickled veggies were slightly acidic, but cut through the rich eel. I added a fried egg and boy, am I glad I did. The yolk created a sauce that added a bright color to the rice bowl.

Golden Curry Rice Bowl: Silky curry sauce, root veggies, ginger pickle, soft boiled egg. When I spotted the bok choy, I was thrilled because it’s one of my favorite vegetables, but I don’t get to eat it too often. The curry flavor was bold, without being overwhelmingly spicy. The scallions added a mild onion flavor and a nice bright crunch.

Spicy Pork Udon: Toasted chili broth, smoked pork loin, soft boiled egg, garlic oil. This bowl brings the heat! The pork was tender, juicy, and sliced thin. The broth was seriously spicy with a hint of smoky. It was almost hard to eat because of how hot it was, but the broth had good flavor. This would’ve been better if they toned it down just a tad.

Curry Udon: Silky curry broth, soft egg, ginger pickle. Be prepared, because you will definitely slurp with this bowl! I recommend cutting the noodles into smaller pieces to make eating this less messy. The curry broth was savory, subtle. and not super spicy which I liked. The ginger pickle added texture and the sour flavor complimented the curry.

Service was really good and I was impressed with how accommodating and friendly the staff was. The tables are set up as shared seating which I always like because I get a good view at what my neighbors are enjoying. If you know me, I hate menu’s because I can never decide. I want it all! So being able to see the options in the flesh helps me make a dinner decision. I was bummed out that Ima doesn’t serve alcoholic beverages, but hopefully they will have their liquor license soon. I will definitely be back to try the Ima tacos and Mexican Coke. Ima offers gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan options. Join Ima for dinner, they are open Tuesday-Saturday, 5pm-10pm.

Ima

Thanks for an awesome time, ladies! Can’t wait for our next adventure.

Downtown Detroit: Townhouse

Townhouse’s Detroit location lies on Woodward Ave in the heart of Downtown, across from Campus Martius. Townhouse offers a massive Whiskey and Bourbon menu as well as an array of different small plates that are reasonably priced. I recommend dining in the “glass house” because the natural light will pour through and illuminate your experience. If you want drinks, grab a seat at the bar. The menu is all over the place and there is no theme, but I like this. You can find pizza, salads, burgers, sushi, and also some unique dishes such as Elk Tenderloin, Braised Short Ribs, and Butternut Squash Pizza.

Sweet Corn Chowder: House Chorizo, Pumpkin Seeds (pepitas), Cilantro, Lime. The chorizo had a subtle spicy flavor without being greasy or heavy. The chowder had a smooth, silky texture which complimented the crunchy pepitas nicely.

Brussel Sprouts: Balsamic Brown Butter, Parmesan, Pistachio. Since I love pistachios, I couldn’t pass up this dish. I liked that the Brussel Sprouts were tender on the inside, yet crispy and caramelized on the outside, but they were a little overcooked for my liking. The Parmesan adds a nice salty flavor which paired well with the balsamic.

Shrimp Tempura Verde Roll: Crab, Granny Smith Apple, Japanese Salsa Verde, Cilantro Crystals. If you know me, you know that I love verde sauce. So much, in fact, that I often request it at my late night Taco Bell visits even though I know they don’t carry it. Ridiculous, I know, but I just have hope that one time I will ask and they will have a different answer.

Fun Fact: Verde sauce is a regional TB menu item. You can imagine how excited I was when I was in Arizona a couple months ago and was rewarded verde sauce. I asked for my favorite condiment as I usually do ready to be disappointed yet again, only to be told that not only did this Taco Bell have it, but they actually make it fresh. Score!

Anyways, back to this sushi roll. This verde sauce was on point. Fresh, slightly acidic and tart, adding a nice brightness to the crunchy tempura. The Granny Smith apple was a nice addition and added a sweet texture. I didn’t taste the crystalized cilantro, but since it can be overpowering, this was a good thing.

Chicken Meatballs: Tomato Sugo, Parmigiano Reggiano, Basil. I liked that these meatballs were a change from the usual beef meatball. They were light and I didn’t feel bad eating them. The sauce was decent, slightly sweet, with a hint of heat. I also appreciated that there was enough sauce for each bite of meatball. The meatball itself could’ve used more seasoning.

Service was good and the restaurant gave off good vibes. Townhouse offers Happy Hour and daily dinner specials. I didn’t save room for dessert, but I had my eye on the Hot Chocolate Creme Brûlée and the Fried Bread Pudding. I will definitely be back to taste dessert and eat my way through the sushi menu.

Shout out to Chris for a fun night! Thanks for sharing with me.

Corktown Detroit:Katoi

Atmosphere: 4.5 out of 5 bites (colorful lights illuminate exposed brick)

Price: 4 out of 5 bites

Quality/Taste: 4.5 out of 5 bites

Service: 4.5 out of 5 bites (Scored one of the last tables @ 6 PM, Thursday night)

Wow Factor: 4.5 out of 5 bites (seasonal menu)

Located on Michigan Ave in Detroit’s historic Corktown, Katoi opened its doors in March 2016 and has been the hottest new spot ever since. Currently it is being considered as Best New Restaurant for 2017 James Beard Awards and I am convinced when the winners are announced in March, Katoi will be awarded the honors. Diners expect an “out of this world” experience. The flavors are on a whole other planet and this is what the restaurant is centered around. The mother ship has landed and it brings bold and intense tastes!

Shared plates, so order a lot and be prepared to chow as each plate is delivered

Thrice Cooked Sweet Potatoes: Palm sugar, sherry, cilantro, topped with crispy shallots and served on a bed of avocado cream sauce.  Insane! The outside of the potato was crispy, yet the inside was tender and creamy. The potatoes weren’t super sweet, but the sugar caramelized the outer edges of the potatoes. The avocado cream sauce added a creamy freshness that offset the richness.

Chickpea Tofu: Served with herb salad topped with crispy shallots and a sweet chili garlic dipping sauce. The tofu was soft and tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. I didn’t think I would like this as much as I did, but it was delicious! It was like a soft, fluffy, chickpea pillow. The crispy fried shallots added a subtle onion flavor and texture. The sweet chili garlic sauce was the right amount of sweet and heat to spice up the chickpea tofu.

Drunken Pastrami: Stir-fried rice noodles with thai bail, tomatoes, chilies, black soy sauce, and gai lan (Chinese broccoli). This was my first choice, but it ended up being super spicy! The pastrami was tender and delicious, but the chilies really took over this dish. I really liked the rice noodles and gai lan. Pair with sticky rice to tone down the heat.

Phat Mama: Stir-fried ramen, sea urchin, cherry tomatoes, chilies, thai basil, steelhead roe, and galangal (root spice similar to ginger). One of my favorites! I was very intimidated by the sea urchin, but it melted into the dish acting like a creamy sauce. The ramen was perfectly tender and delicious. The chilies added a slight kick and Watch out! I wasn’t looking and accidently swallowed one and it lit my tongue on fire.

Panaeng Curry: Kabocha squash, tofu, lime leaf, peanuts, roti (Indian flatbread). My favorite dish! Most curry’s are too sweet for my liking, but this was the perfect trio of sweet, spicy, and curry. The curry wasn’t overpowering and the sauce was the perfect velvety consistency. The tofu was slightly crispy and absorbed the delicious sauce like a sponge. The squash was creamy and perfectly cooked. The peanuts added texture and the toasted roti was the ideal tool to scoop up the sauce.

Scallop Sour Curry: Jasmine rice cake, napa cabbage, long beans, thai basil, cured egg yolk. The rice cake was crispy and paired well with the rich broth sauce. The scallops were tender, light, and perfect with the sour curry.  I like that this dish was served with long beans, they added a nice brightness.

Tom Yum Hotpot: Hot & sour soup, pork & shrimp dumplings, lemongrass, lime leaf, lime, cilantro. This was unlike any hot & sour soup I have tasted before. The broth had a good flavor, but the hot/sour element was subtle. The pork & shrimp dumplings were slightly sweet and tender.

Flank Steak & Mushrooms: Wild hedgehog mushrooms, king trumpet mushrooms (high quality longer mushrooms), puya (botanical plant), lemongrass, lime, herbs. I loved the meaty, earthy array of mushrooms. The steak wasn’t as tender as I’d like, but it was sliced thin, cooked medium, and delicious.

Superman Ice Cream: House made blue moon with almond crumb. The best way to end an amazing meal! You could really taste the homemade quality. Creamy, sweet, with that blue moon fruity flavor that I love. The almond crumb was subtle, but added a sweet, nutty crunch.

Service was great from the moment we walked in and our server did an excellent job of explaining the menu and suggesting different dishes. Each bite was packed with a punch of flavor yet perfectly balanced. I have never tasted such a wide variety of different spices in one sitting before and it was incredibly pleasing.

It pains me to report that early Friday morning, February 17, 2017, Katoi was victim to a devastating arson fire. This breaks my heart as I was just there the night before and so excited to return. Please support the owners and staff of Katoi and help out in any way that is needed. I am confident that when the mothership lands again, it will come back bigger and better than ever!

Detroit: Union Street

Located on Woodward Ave in Detroit’s Midtown, Union Street has been serving guests since the 1970’s. You can find a heavily Southern influenced menu with unique twists on comfort food like Jumbo Lump Crab Au Gratin and Lobster Grilled Cheese. Expect Louisiana favorites as well as the classics like appetizers, sandwiches, and burgers. Aside from a killer menu, Union Street is packing a mean Bloody Mary Bar fully equipped with a plethora of hot sauce, pickles, olives, seasonings, garlic, horseradish, cheese, salami, you name it. What better way to start the new year?! Don’t forget about the star of the show, the spicy honey bacon! Incredible! See how they ranked.

Atmosphere: 3 out 0f 5 bites

Price: 3.5 out of 5 bites

Quality/Taste: 3.5 out of 5 bites

Service: 3 out of 5 bites

Wow Factor: 3 out of 5 bites

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Bloody Mary: With all the fixins. Like a meal in a glass with a spicy kick. The spicy honey bacon was thick, tacky, and sweet with some heat. Delicious!

BBQ Brisket Egg Rolls: Four smoked beef brisket rolls filled with sharp Cheddar and shredded cabbage. It’s a no brainer that tender brisket goes well with melty Cheddar, but then you throw in a crispy eggroll and cabbage and it changes the whole game. Brilliant! The homemade BBQ sauce was sweet, but had a nice acidity from the vinegar.

Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich: Pickled Mustard Seed Drizzle, Bread and Butter Pickle, Creamy Slaw on a Soft Potato Roll. The pickled mustard seed was more on the sweet side, but it went well with the crispy fried chicken. I really liked that it was a thin chicken breast, lightly breaded and perfectly golden. The slaw was delicious! It was lightly dressed and not oozy with heavy mayo (ugh, the worst). It was crunchy and added texture. And the pickles, you can’t go wrong with pickles! Highly recommend this sandwich!

Jambalaya: Chicken breast, andouille sausage, bell peppers, Cajun shrimp & rice. The shrimp was huge, perfectly seasoned with spices, and succulent. I really liked the rich, sauce with huge chunks of juicy chicken breast, andouille sausage, and bell peppers.

Service was a little slow at first, but our server Ray did a great job at recommending some delicious menu items. The atmosphere is pretty relaxed at Union Street. There are a lot of regulars and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves and having a good time. The food is what I like to call grown up comfort food. Think childhood favorites like mac and cheese, but add Lobster.Next time, I am checking out the brunch menu!

Detroit: Le Petit Zinc

Le Petit Zinc (French slang for a local bar) is the kind of place you want to be. French food, Reggae music, quaint with such a unique vibe. They serve delicious coffee and oversized cups of hot chocolate. With a menu bursting with organic and local ingredients, Le Petit Zinc is serving up classic French fare at a friendly price. The croissant sandwiches are amazing and I recommend ordering the daily specials. See how they ranked.

Atmosphere: 4 out of 5 bites

Price: 3.5 out of 5 bites

Quality/Taste: 4 out of 5 bites

Service: 4 out of 5 bites

Wow Factor: 4 out of 5 bites

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Fromage de Chevre et Epinards: Goat cheese (marinated in olive oil and rosemary), spinach, and pine nuts. The crepe was light and delicate and filled with tons of fresh spinach, goat cheese, and pine nuts. The goat cheese was tangy and the pine nuts added a nice mild crunch. The greens were tossed with a light balsamic dressing which was sweet with a subtle bite.

The food is outstanding and the service is good. The inside dining room has a counter and a total of maybe 6 tables. I think it’s perfect though and creates an incredible buzz. People line up to get a seat and it makes you feel like you are apart of something great. When the weather allows it, the outside patio opens up into a lovely little court yard resembling French country side cafes and offers more seating. Le Petit Zinc is exploding with character with loud colors, paintings, fresh flowers on every table, and one of a kind trinkets sprinkled all throughout the restaurant. Check em out!

Detroit: Flowers of Vietnam

Pretty bold, Chef George, bringing Vietnamese food to Mexicantown. It works though and it is so good! What started as a pop-up, Flowers of Vietnam is now serving dinner on the weekends at Vernor Coney Island on Clark St. George saw an opportunity to bring some diversity to Detroit with FOV. There’s no question why Thrillist voted George “Best Chef of 2016.” FOV is dishing out authentic Vietnamese grub with colorful and exotic flavors. They offer Vietnamese coffee, Mexican coke, tea, booze, and desserts as well. See how they ranked.

Atmosphere: 3.5 out of 5 bites

Price: 3.5 out of 5 bites

Quality/Taste: 4.5 out of 5 bites

Service: 4 out of 5 bites

Wow Factor: 3 out of 5 bites

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Ginger Beer cocktail: Refreshing, spicy, and sweet.

Co’m Tam: Crispy rice, grilled pork chop, Chinese sausage, sugarcane shrimp, sunny side egg. My favorite selection on this flavorful “sampler” was the Chinese sausage. It reminded me of a thinly sliced, cured, sweet, dried sausage and it was delicious. The pork chop was tender, thin, and caramelized from being grilled. I loved breaking the yolk of the egg and mixing it up with the crispy rice and fresh pickled veggies. The shrimp was buttery and succulent . It was amazing how each item on the plate had it’s own flavor, but also came together so beautifully.

Bo Kho: Braised beef, carrot, Mexicantown Bakery banh mi, Thai basil, Vietnamese black pepper. One of the most tender, fall apart in your mouth pieces of meat I have ever tasted. The sauce was slightly salty, but delicious enough that I found myself sopping it up with the fresh, soft bread. The carrots were sweet, tender, and complimented the fresh Thai basil.

Suron Ram Man: Caramelized rib tips, broke rice, sesame, scallion. Wow! The meat was tender with a thick, sticky sauce. The scallion was simple, but added enough freshness to balance the tacky, rich rib tips.

Vietnamese newspapers covered the windows, Hip Hop music played, and on the left side was the dining room, and the right side was the kitchen and counter. The food was awesome and the service was great. It was such a cool, hip vibe and everyone was having an awesome time. This was the first time I had ever eaten Vietnamese food so I didn’t really know what to expect. It was exploding with flavor, but at the same time, was so simple. If you haven’t been here, make it your priority and go!

Detroit: the Peterboro

Once upon a time, around the 1970’s, Detroit’s Chinatown (Midtown, Cass Ave and Peterboro area) existed and flourished. Years later, businesses closed and people moved out as a result of crime and the neighborhood slowly died. Fast forward to March 2016, the Peterboro is at the forefront of Detroit’s Chinatown revival in the Cass Corridor and they are reminding us why the community was once so successful.

Chef de Cusine, Brion Wong creates contemporary American Chinese recipes incorporating childhood memories, ten years of experience and inspiration from some top talents including Alex Guarnaschelli and Susar Lee. He and his crew is serving up some delicious dishes like the rich and hearty Hot & Sour soup (and I don’t even like Hot & Sour soup). With a menu including the classics with it’s own style like Almond Boneless Chicken (with Griffin Claw IPA batter) and some newbies with a spicy spin such as Cumin Lamb Ribs, the Peterboro is taking your neighborhood Chinese joint to the next level. See how they ranked.

Atmosphere: 4 out of 5 bites

Price: 4.5 out of 5 bites

Quality/Taste: 4 out of 5 bites

Service: 3.5 out of 5 bites

Wow Factor: 3 out of 5 bites (menu)

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Thai Old Fashioned: Milk washed tea rum, demerara (large-grained raw sugar), angostura (bitters). Interesting layers of flavors with a subtle spice and sweetness. Refreshing!

Cheeseburger Spring Rolls: Tangy sauce, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles. Think deconstructed cheeseburger wrapped in a crispy, crunchy, shell. Very different take on an American classic. Kudos for creativity and thinking outside the box. When I bit into the spring roll, molten hot cheesy beef poured out. I like the idea of the toppings on the outside, but I think I would rather like the onion, tomato, and pickle diced up inside the spring roll. The tangy sauce was spot on to your typical burger condiment, but some heat would really take this over the top. Still tasty!

Mongolian Hanger Steak: Hoisin & chili glazed with charred scallions, onion, and red peppers. The steak was tender and melted in my mouth. Flavors of sweet, salty, and spicy awakened my taste buds. The crunchy noodles and charred veggies added a nice texture. I recommend this dish!

Chocolate Sugar Egg Puff: Osmanthus sugar, creme anglaise. I’ll be honest, its not often that I save room for dessert, but I’m glad I didn’t miss out on this. A crispy, fried outer pastry (think a light, airy donut) filled with a delicious rich cream reminded me why dessert should be ordered first. Sweet, but not over the top sugary. Such a steal for only under $6.

The Peterboro uses quality, upscale, ingredients and transforms them into modern classics at an affordable price. I really liked the laidback vibe. The dining room was a nice balance of casual and elegant with industrial high ceilings and exposed bricks and pops of red with mood lighting. The food was delicious and I can’t wait to eat my way through the rest of the menu. Now, when I’m craving Chinese, I’m heading to the Peterboro.

Midtown: Selden Standard

One of Detroit’s favorite hot spots, Selden Standard, just celebrated it’s two year anniversary. Located in Midtown, Selden Standard is the ideal place for shareable small plates. With ingredients that are prepared at their seasonal freshness, Chef Andy Hollyday and his crew create mouth watering masterpieces that showcase their love and passion for their work. The style is rustic casual, but don’t let that fool you. These guys are bringing their A game with a menu bursting with local, fresh flavors. Expect to experience the same from a full bar that includes carefully chosen wines from around the world, perfectly paired brews, and craft cocktails that incorporate seasonal fruits with house made juices. See how they ranked.

Atmosphere: 4 out of 5 bites

Price: 4 out of 5 bites

Quality/Taste: 5 out of 5 bites

Service: 4.5 out of 5 bites

Wow Factor: 4.5 out of 5 bites (unique ingredients, quality, flavor)

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Sour Cherry Ale: Belgian. Perfect balance of sweet and sour. Loved it!

Grilled Scallions: Romesco sauce (made with roasted red pepper and almonds). I never thought how much I would like whole grilled onions, but these were delicious. Sweet and subtle. The romesco sauce added a slight smokiness and freshness.

Beef Tartare: Grilled bread, tonnato sauce (tuna mayo), olives, herbs. Whaaaat? This was the most amazing thing I have ever tried. I have never had tonnato sauce and honestly didn’t know what it was until today, but it was good. It added enough fat to compliment the lean beef without being fishy. The grilled bread added a great texture and when it was gone I found myself shoveling the beef into my mouth with just the fork. Get this! And when you’ve finished it, order another!

Charred Octopus: Chickpea, chorizo, pepper salad. The octopus was tender and paired well with the subtle nutty chickpeas. I liked that the red pepper salad still had some crunch.

Duck Bolognese:  Tagliatelle, pear, Parmesan. The sauce included delicate pieces of duck and big chunks of pear served over tender pasta. The pear was tender, but still had texture and sweetness. It was an interesting combo, but worked well. This dish was full of flavor, but wasn’t heavy. The pasta was buttery and cooked perfectly. My only complaint was that there wasn’t more duck. Very delectable!

The service was great and our server made it a point to go over the menu with us before we ordered. I really liked that although there was a wait on a busy Thursday night, the staff didn’t seem flustered or overwhelmed. There was a very cool and relaxed vibe going on. The menu changes with each season and offers a wide array of eats. I will definitely be back for brunch and the donuts and cider.

Shout out to @motorcityknifeworks for showing me the Beef Tartare. Thanks, Jason!

Gold Cash Gold

Located in Detroit’s Corktown, Gold Cash Gold is getting ready to celebrate it’s two year anniversary. Once the home to pawnshop owner, Sam Rubin (grandfather of Les Gold, owner of American Jewelry and Loan), the space now houses the farm to fork restaurant, which is serving up American food with a Southern twist. Gold Cash Gold offers classics such as Fried Chicken and the signature GCG Burger and also unique items such as Chicken Liver Mouse and fries with a pimento cheese sauce and a fried egg. See how they ranked.

The front door. How cool!

Atmosphere: 3.5 out of 5 bites

Price: 3.5 out of 5 bites

Quality/Taste: 3 out of 5 bites

Service: 4 out of 5 bites

Wow Factor: 3 out of 5 bites

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Bloody Mary: Pickle juice bloody Mary mix. Those that read my blog or follow me on Instagram (@thebitetonight) know that I am obsessed with Bloody Mary’s. This one was really good! Fresh, spicy, and the pickle juice was the perfect amount of sour. The rim was seasoned with a killer spice blend. The only thing I could put my finger on was cumin and chili powder, but our server mentioned a few other flavors that he wouldn’t reveal. Kudos to the pickles, olive, and pickled asparagus garnish.

Biscuits & Gravy: Mushroom gravy, buttermilk biscuits, and poached eggs. That gravy though! I loved the mushroom gravy, it was delicious! Rich and hearty with big chunks of fungus. The gravy was thick and acted as the perfect sauce for the dense biscuit. Once the yolk broke and mixed with the gravy, it added a light yet silkiness that took this dish over the top.

Chicken Biscuit Sandwich: Pickle brined fried chicken, homemade ranch, spicy slaw, mixed greens. Disappointing. Brining chicken is supposed to add moisture, but this fried chicken was dry even for being dark meat. It also didn’t help that the homemade ranch was missing. I asked for a side of it and it made the sandwiches a little better, but not much. I did like the spicy slaw. It had a subtle kick, nice crunch, and pickled punch.

My favorite part of Gold Cash Gold (besides the Bloody Mary, of course) was the décor and design. I would describe it as art deco meets antique with a touch of history with the original loan sign. I love the stained glass and the chandelier. Service was good and our food came out quick (there also weren’t many tables @ 1 PM on a Saturday). Our server did a good job of describing the menu and answering our questions. Don’t expect to get lunch here, GCG skips it altogether, only offering brunch (Saturday & Sunday) and dinner service. They also offer dining via the Chef’s Table where guests are sat next to the kitchen with a distinct view into Chef Brandon’s technique and skill.

After brunch, Jacki and I stopped by Motor City Wine for a drink where I received a full consultation from the bartender on sour beers. It was great. Take note.

Petrus Aged Ale (sour beer): A little bite with a touch of sour. Not as sour as I’m used to, but still really good.

Mercury Burger & Bar

Today on the Bite Tonight: Mercury Burger & Bar

Residing in Corktown, Detroit, on Michigan Ave, Mercury Burger & Bar is one of those places that you must visit. A neighbor of Slow’s BBQ and Mudgie’s Deli, Mercury Burger & Bar is adding it’s own flare to burgers. They have amped up some favorites by putting their own spin on fresh ingredients. The menu includes burgers, hot dogs, shakes, and hand cut fries. What goes best with a burger? Yep, you guessed it, beer! It is a bar after all, so Mercury offers a full bar including beer and liquor. See how they ranked.

Atmosphere: 3.5 out of 5 bites

Price: 3.5 out of 5 bites

Quality/Taste: 3.5 out of 5 bites

Service: 4 out of 5 bites

Wow Factor: 3 out of 5 bites (menu)

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My pick

Southwest Detroit: Burger topped with a chorizo slider, jalapeños, münster cheese, tortilla strips, avocado, and zanahorias (pickled spiced carrots). I also added green olives and Southwest ranch. Mercury does not skimp on the toppings, that’s for sure. I think they went a little crazy with the tortilla strips. I had to knock a handful off the burger just to taste the other toppings. I’d rather have more than not enough and they added a pleasant crunch with each bite. The Meunster cheese caught my eye and added a nice mellowness to the spicy, salty burger. The pickled spice carrots were subtle, but the vinegar was just enough to waken up my taste buds. The chorizo slider was smaller than I expected which was a good thing. It was juicy, spicy, and paired well with creamy avocado.

Josh’s Pick.

Bacon Cheddar Burger: With a fried egg, crispy onion straws, and Dreamland BBQ sauce. Messy, but tasty! The yolk from the egg acted as a rich, silky sauce and went well with the tangy, sweet, BBQ sauce. The crispy onion straws were not your usual wimpy thin straws, these were thick onion rings! Deliciously fried goodness.

Strawberry Milkshake: Sweet, creamy, with chunks of strawberry. Delicious, without that artificial strawberry taste.

Service was good and the staff did a good job at recommending items off the menu. I really liked that the menu wasn’t too large. There’s nothing more difficult than being faced with a bunch of choices when you’re as indecisive as me. I’m expected to only pick one or two things? C’mon! Mercury Burger & Bar offers a handful of items and they really put all their energy into doing those items right. There are pieces of Detroit incorporated into the item names (Eastern Market & Flint) and Mercury serves tater tots and poutine! Next time, I am ordering the Faygo Orange Creamsicle Milkshake. If you haven’t been, you have to check em out.