Splurge: 4 Cheap Detroit Eats Go Fancy
Friday, March 4, 2011 at 9:00AM | Becks Davis A sandwich, a slider, a Coney dog, & a corn dog.
These should be simple, cheap eats, right? They should only cost a couple of bucks. Not this time. I went out and found the fancy pants versions of these staples in Detroit.
Chefs, especially the top notch ones, can interpret food in many different ways. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I’m here to tell you if it’s worth the extra money. Is it a party in your mouth or did you just waste your hard earned cash?
So, it’s not just a sandwich, it’s a lobster roll. We’re not talking White Castle or Telway sliders; this is Kobe beef with Boursin cheese. Michael Symon reworks Detroit’s beloved Coney dog with the addition of pulled pork and cheddar cheese. Lastly, you’re not picking up this corn dog at the State Fair; this one has Maine lobster.
You know what? Most of them work.
Kobe Sliders ~ $16 & $21 ~ Ronin Sushi, Royal Oak
Menu description: ginger, smoked bacon, sriracha, lettuce, tomato, boursin cheese
Verdict: They are teeny tiny, as sliders are, but the Boursin cheese made these extra special. The mound of shoestring fries will keep you munching for hours and fill you up. I’ll be going back.
Tip: The Kobe sliders are $16 on the happy hour menu (everyday 5-7pm), otherwise they’re $21. Totally worth it at the lower price.
Maine Lobster Corn Dog ~ $17 ~ Coach Insignia, Detroit
Menu Description: Napa Cabbage Slaw & Whole Grain Mustard Hollandaise
Verdict: The mustard hollandaise was rich and the lobster melted in your mouth. I cheated and went in for happy hour where you can get a mini-version for $4. The full sized lobster corn dog appetizer would be great to share with the table but too much for one person. I’d go back for the happy hour morsel.
Roast Coney Dog ~ $9 ~ Roast, Detroit
Menu description: pulled pork, jalapeno, cheddar, red hots
Verdict: Michael Symon takes Coney dogs seriously and he handcrafted his version to perfection. The dog itself has a nice bite and the pulled pork and cheddar take it over the edge. Beware: it has a spicy kick. This is a big plate of food and the side of fries was a nice surprise. Totally worth the $9.
Lobster Roll ~ $20 ~ Café Via, Birmingham
Menu description: claw meat, citrus aioli
Verdict: This is a big sandwich with a ton of lobster meat and a few greens. That’s it. I get that lobster is expensive but this roll had no bang for twenty bucks. Café Via is a beautiful setting with interesting rooms but next time I’ll order something else off the menu. Save your money.
Most of the time you want cheap food to be cheap. Once in a while you need to splurge and try something different. Have you seen any other cheap eats around Detroit that have received an expensive makeover?
Reader Comments (4)
These look just awesome and I really should not look at these when I'm hungry.
However, while I'm sure the Kobe Beef sliders are very tasty, I have to draw a line. Wagyu like Kobe beef is not meant to be ground. Try some sukiyaki here in Japan and you will know what I'm talking about. Grind up some good American surloin and you will get the same taste. My mother in law would have my head if I were to eat that.
And I can't spell sirloin... Can I blame my fat fingers?
Since I won't be back in Detroit until this summer, I'll have to make my own version of the Roast Coney Dog. Sounds amazing, now please post the exact ingredients. ;)
Mark,
Good tips! I'll try ground sirloin the next time we grill burgers. On a completely different note, I thought that Kobe beef couldn't be imported to the States right now and that what restaurants here call Kobe is actually American raised Wagyu. I haven't researched it but if it's true I wonder how restaurants get away with calling it Kobe.
Christopher,
It is amazing, especially if you like spicy food. I'll see if I can wrestle the recipe out of Michael Symon's hands.