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Detroit
The Weekly Alternative for Detroit is the Metrotimes. Also peek at Detroit blog.
If you are going to Detroit in the first week of September, check out the “Dally in the Alley“, a big street fair. Pre-event there are also benefit shows as well. Saturday after labor day.
Regional Food thing-A chili dog here is called a “Coney”. Two places near each other are Layfayette Coney Island at 118 W Lafayette Blvd and American Coney Island at 115 Michigan Ave.
Or you could get sliders. Lots around at Telway Diner, 6820 Michigan Ave. Detroit, MI 313-843-2146 , Open Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on every day but Christmas. Hamburgers 60 cents each or 4 for $2 to go. Or at greene’s, at 10 mile and orchard lake road, or with a giant donkey out front in Westland is Bray’s, on Ford Rd. just west of Wayne Rd
The Ferndale neighborhood is a relatively new hipster enclave filled with vintage clothing stores and streetware.
Museums-
Detroit Institute of the Arts-5200 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202
Motown Museum-2648 W Grand Blvd, Detroit, Michigan 48208
Seafoam Palace of Arts and Amusements -Address: 6460 Kercheval Ave, Detroit, MI 48207
Outside the City in Dearborn is the Henry Ford and Greenfield Village, a hybrid indoor/outdoor museum on the beginning of the industrial revolution
Bars
The Bronx Bar 4476 Second Ave., Detroit 313-832-8464-voted “best jukebox”. Burgers are supposed to be good too.
Nemos-1384 Michigan Ave., Detroit MI 48226 -313-965-3180-lunch til 2:30 with burgers (including veggie burger) and “famous chili”. Only burgers after 2:30. Order drinks in one place, food in another, pay at the bar when done.
Old Miami -3930 Cass, Detroit, Michigan; Tel. 313.831.3830
must see neighborhood dive bar established in 1975 as a place for Vietnam Veterans. Military memorabilia, fireplace, couches, and a backyard with a stage for mostly punk bands.
ST. ANDREW’S HALL-431 E. Congress-Detroit-313-961-8137 and the Shelter club located below.
Smalls Bar and Grill -10339 Conant at: Cannif and Conant, Hamtramck-tel: (313)873-1117-Take the Holbrook/Cannif Exit East to Conant. Older more rock like crowd.
Food-
Cafe 1923-2287 Holbrook St Hamtramck MI 48212, cafe, art gallery, some live music. Rarely have I found a joint that has inspired love in so many. Google it and you will find many online tributes.
The Flytrap-22950 Woodward Ave. Ferndale, MI 48220, great for breakfast and gourmet diner food, featured on Diners, drive ins and dives.
Russell Street Deli-2465 Russell St. Detroit, MI (313) 567-2900-Great Breakfast/Diner place in a wholesale market area
Bangkok Cafe 323 W. 9 Mile Road Ferndale MI (248)548-5373 -Great and cheap thai.
Cass Cafe-4620 Cass Ave, Detroit, MI 313-831-1400-cool college hangout/techno kid joint.
Motz’s Burgers -7208 W Fort St, Detroit, MI 48209 (313) 843-9186 There are sliders and then there are SLIDERS. This place occupies the building of a former chain but has delicious sliders with sweet grilled onions. The building has been serving burgers since 1929
Telway Hamburgers – 6820 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48210(313) 843-2146 Open 24 hours-More sliders, great coffee, coney dogs, super cheap.
Hunter House Hamburgers -35075 Woodward Ave, Birmingham, MI 48009 (248) 646-7121 Landmark sliders in a Detroit Suburb.
Red Hots Coney Island– 12 Victor St, Highland Park, MI 48203: (313) 868-0766-Since 1921, currently closed Sunday and Monday and serving Lunch only
Mike’s Famous Ham Place- 3700 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216-Since 1974, Diner with thick ham dishes.
Band venues-
Outer Limits Lounge ?-5507 Caniff St, Hamtramck, MI 48212 (313) 204-8044 Great booking at this joint. Fleshtones, Gino and the Goons have all played here.
Paycheck’s Lounge-2932 Caniff Street, Hamtramck-tel: (313) 874-0909
The Majestic Theatre -4140 Woodward Avenue -Detroit-313.833.9700 Newer on the scene and part of the same complex with awesome shows is the magic stick.
ST. ANDREW’S HALL-431 E. Congress-Detroit-313-961-8137
The Magick Stick
The Magic Bag-22920 Woodward Avenue, Ferndale, MI 48220 -Home of the “view and brew” a movie for two bucks.
PJs Lager House– 1254 Michigan Ave. Detroit, MI 48226 / 313-961-4668
Painted Lady Lounge-2930 Jacob St, Hamtramck, MI 48212
Trixie’s-2656 Carpenter Ave, Hamtramck, MI 48212 (313) 316-5376-Bar with Occasional live music.
UFO Factory– 2110 Trumbull Ave, Detroit, MI 48216
Trumbullplex – housing collective and showspace in the Woodbridge neighborhood of Detroit, 4210 Trumbull Ave, Detroit, MI 48208
Detroit area Record Stores-
Third Man Records Cass Corridor– 441 W Canfield St, Detroit, MI 48201
Flat Black Circular, 541 E. Grand River, East Lansing, MI 48823
Melodies & Memories- 23013 Gratiot Ave, Eastpointe, MI, 586-774-8480
Peoples Records-1464 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, Michigan 48207
Paramita Sound·1417 Van Dyke St, Detroit, Michigan 48214
Detroit Threads-10022 Joseph Campau St, Hamtramck, MI, 313-872-1777-Record store/clothing place
Hotels-
Shorecrest Motor Inn. 1316 E. Jefferson Aven 800-992-9616-In the greektown area. Sleazy but central and safe.
You can find some good local listings on the website for the major paper in town-The Detroit Free Press.
Some pretty complete city listings here from Metro Times Website.
Farmington Hills, MI
Attraction-Outside of Detroit, Marvins Marvelous Mechanical Museum has a huge collection of Antique arcade games of both the fun and freaky variety. 31005 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334 248-626-5020
Allegan, MI
Ann Arbor, MI
Parties-
The Bang-Said to be the best party in town
Live Music-
Blind Pig -208 S. First Street
Ann Arbor MI 734.996.8555
Wazoo Records-336 1/2 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-2868
(734) 761-8686
(734) 995-5502
Museum (in danger of closing)
The Antique Toy and Firehouse museum-http://www.toyandfiretruckmuseum.org .3456 Patterson Road Bay City Michigan 48706 -888-888-1270
Bellevue, MI
Eats-Bellevue Drive-In, 9787 Battle Creek Hwy, Bellevue, MI 49021 (269) 763-0094 Drive in with burgers including an olive burger.
Birch Run, MI (Near Saginaw)
Eats-Tonys I-75-8781 Main St, Birch Run, MI 48415: (989) 624-5860, diner famous for their steak sandwiches and ginormous BLTs with over a pound of bacon. Finish with a huuuge Banana split.
Birmingham, MI
Eats-
Hunter House Hamburgers-35075 Woodward Ave, Birmingham, MI 48009 (248) 646-7121-Since 1952. Great Rings
Caledonia, MI
Eats-Cooks Hot Dog Drive In- 6874 Hammond Ave SE, Caledonia, MI 49316 (616) 656-0993-serving for 70 years though doesnt look like it on the outside. Looks like its in a mini storage building.
Coldwater, MI
Drive In Theater-
Capri Drive-in, 119 W. Chicago Road, Coldwater, MI 48888
Eats-
Short’s Root Beer Stand – 378 W Chicago St, Coldwater, MI 49036 (517) 279-9048-supercool looking drive in with dining room and awesome looking mascot for photo ops.
Dearborn, MI (Detroit Suburb)
Eats-Miller’s Bar-1941 watering hole for classic burgers, onion rings & beers with honor system payment.23700 Michigan Ave, Dearborn, MI 48124- (313) 565-2577
(810) 744-1260 www.haloburger.com
Burger Joint famous for Unusual Toppings like black or green olives, banana peppers and more
The Loft -515 Buckham Alley Flint, MI 48506 810.767.0933
http://www.myspace.com/loftinthealley
Two restaurants compete on their “broasted chicken dinners”
(989) 652-7200
http://www.bavarianinn.com/
http://www.zehnders.com/
Worlds Largest Xmas store, Bronners, between Flint and Saginaw, just off I-75. Take northbound exit 136 or southbound exit 144, open year round
Live Music-Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill -760 Butterworth St SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504(616) 272-3910
Founders Brewing Co : 235 Grandville Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 open til–2AM
Another event-
Every Friday is
Friday Night at GRAM (Grand Rapids art musuem), cash bar, live music, Galleries Open All Evening from 5:00 – 9:00pm
http://www.gramonline.org/
Record Store-
Vertigo Music 1, 71 South Division Ave., Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Eats-
Choo Choo Grill-1209 Plainfield Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505-Cool old train depot restaurant. Closed Weekends and only open til 3.
Cottage Bar- 80-year old bar with good burgers. -18 La Grave Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 454-9088
The Grand Coney, 809 Michigan St. NE Grand Rapids,MI 49503 – a diner (featuring hot dogs) with an awesome retro setting, 24 hours – except one night a week they close for cleaning – cheap food, big portions, great service, Hours:
Mon-Wed; 5:30 to 11pm , Thurs-Sun; Open 24 hours
The 76 Coffeehouse, 1507 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids, MI – Independently owned, beans roasted in their lower level, best coffee in town. 24 hours, very attractive staff, featuring “french sodas” a refreshing combination of flavored syrup and club soda or seltzer water mixed in a cup of ice with half-and-half or milk. located adjacent to
Yesterdog, 1505 weathly SE (eastown)- world famous hotdog spot open six days a week, cozy atmosphere. Their Ultradog has chili, chopped pickles, shredded cheese and mustard
Hall of Fame Burgers-655 Eastern Ave SE Ste A Grand Rapids, MI 49503-Good burgers and onion rings.
Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger -551 South Division Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Donkey Taqueria-665 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-Normally Trashy Travel sticks to regional food, but this joint has a sandwich, the TORTA DE JAMON has
roasted ham, pork confit, queso chihuahua, refried pinto beans, guacamole, pickled serrano-onion relish, chipotle-caper mayo, and chopped romaine lettuce for cheap. (featured on Cheap Eats).
Stellas Lounge-53 Commerce Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 bar with arcade and well known burgers.
Jonny B’z Dogs and More – 701 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503(616) 551-1108. So many Dog and burger joints in this town. This place has good looking burgers and amazing looking chili dogs
Venues-
Orbit Room located on the corner of 28th St. and the East Beltline in Grand Rapids Mi
Skelletones-133 S. Division, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(586) 469-2345
Nelis’ Dutch Village-Corner of US-31 at James
12350 James Street Holland, MI 49424, USA
Ph (616) 396-1475
Carousel, petting zoo, buy your wooden shoes
http://www.dutchvillage.com/
Roy’s Pasties & Bakery-305 W Lakeshore Dr, Houghton, MI 49931
Sadness: Vanished Kalamazoo has photos of all the cool gone stuff..
DIY shows here.
Bars-
Louie’s Trophy House Grill – Louie’s Trophy House grill is the oldest bar in Kalamazoo. 440 East North Street Kalamazoo, MI 49007 (269) 385-9359
Papa Pete’s-502 South Burdick Street Kalamazoo, MI 49007 (269) 388-2196 pizza joint with live music
Record Stores
Corner Record shop-1710 West Main Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49006 Recently opened Vinyl shop
Greenlight Music-4717 West KL Ave., Kalamazoo, MI, 49006 269.372.8560
50 year old plus sub place in a bavarian style building
Jean Kay’s Pasties & Subs-1635 Presque Isle Ave, Marquette, MI 49855: (906) 228-5310
115 S Eagle St, Marshall, MI 49068 (269) 781-0600-Mmm Roast beef.
Kalamazoo, Michigan (269) 385-9359
(248) 546-7888 part of a dissappearing chain of cafeteria style joints with an alarming face on the sign
Muskegon, MI
Amusement Park-
Michigans Adventure-this park has Shivering Timbers, a favorite ride of Rollercoaster Enthusiasts everywhere.
New Buffalo, MI
Eats-
Redamak’s Tavern-616 E Buffalo St, New Buffalo, MI 49117 (269) 469-4522-Cool tavern with decent burger and great decor. Fries are crinkle cut though which trashytravel despises, but you can get waffle fries sloppy with a nice dry chili.
Paw Paw, MI
Eats-
Red’s Root Beer-813 S Kalamazoo St, Paw Paw, MI 49079 1 269-657-8725-Chicago style and chili dog drive in with onion rings. Fries are crinkle cut which Trashy travel consider to be an abomination on the french fry. “Hot dog, its good!”
Pontiac, MI (greater Detroit)
Eats-
Bob E’s Super Chief -340 W Walton Blvd, Pontiac, MI 48340 (248) 333-2028-Foot long coneys. Good rings.
Potterville, MI
Eats-
Joes Gizzard City-Fried Chicken Gizzards, 120 W Main St.
Potterville, MI 48876 Served in Many different flavors, cajun, garlic and more. Plus deep fried burgers, dogs and oreos and twinkies.
Redford, MI (Greater Detroit)
Eats
Sandy’s by the Beech -25853 5 Mile Rd, Redford, MI 48239 Burgers, Loaded Chili
Rochester, MI
Eats-
Lipuma’s Coney Island -621 N Main St, Rochester, MI 48307 (248) 652-9862
500 Federal Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48607
Phone: (989) 752-2861-located in an old post office, was in danger of closing. Giant train set among other things.
Tony’s Original Restaurant-2612 State St
Saginaw, MI 48602
(989) 793-1801
Italian joint famous for giant steak sandwiches
(231) 409-7946-Shows are usually Friday Only and will be mostly Highschool age people.
Right near Bills the Original location of this two store burger, cheesesteak joint has a cool round mimo building.