Amanda L.
Yelp
I've come to the Cadillac Lodge every holiday season for the past several years and each time I think I get a little bit more disappointed. First off, the decor remains the same each year, so it's just become a bit monotonous after a few years. Secondly, they have a capacity limit so if they're at capacity, you will be waiting outside for others to leave before you go in, which in and of itself is fine. My gripe is more with the fact that when you go in, the lodge is so packed, it's hard to find seating and incredibly overwhelming. I would recommend either more seating or set your capacity limit lower. I know this would mean probably a longer line during the busy times, but I think it would make for an overall better, more enjoyable experience for all once they get inside, making it overall more worth it. Just a suggestion!
The couches and fun patio furniture are all super high quality and cozy. The food and drink selection is limited and overpriced, which is the other downside. I got a hot cider, my friends shared one of their alcoholic bevvies, but for the most part nothing else on their menu appealed to us, and I would honestly recommend you to just get a nice meal nearby as there are so many options in the area, ranging from fast casual all the way to fine dining.
It's also important to note that you can take any of your drinks outside of the lodge. Alcoholic beverages, I can understand. But mine was a non-alcoholic hot cider and already in a to-go coffee cup and I wished there could be a distinction between the alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks as that it just a bizarre rule for the non-alcoholic ones when I would've really have liked to carry around a hot cider to warm my hands up while I was walking around Detroit.
What might've been most mystifying were their list of holiday-themed shots! All of the names of the shots evoked a certain image of what might go into it, and it was always wildly different. For example, they had a shot called "Grinch Green Tea," but the ingredients in it were whiskey, peach schnapps, sour, and Sprite. Where's the tea?? Where's the green?? I'm confused lol.
Overall, if you're in Cadillac Square checking out the shops, which is something I highly recommend, and even popping over to the Monroe Street Midway across from the square and need a place to duck into to warm up and get a bit of holiday cheer, I would recommend coming here. But I wouldn't recommend getting any of the food or honestly staying for all that long, because there is just a ton of other exciting things to be doing during the holiday season in downtown Detroit!