Jessica R.
Yelp
There is no way to write a short post about Detroit and the culinary gifts it gives to the world.
Mind you this is my second long post because my first one Facebook deleted
My 3.672 days spent in Detroit was an experience of nonstop culinary joy and cultural learning.
Saturday began right away with breakfast at Eastern Market. This puts the Des Moines farmers market to shame even though I'm proud of our market. Eastern Market is the most ethnically diverse outdoor market I think I have ever been to in the US. There are 5 main sheds that make up the majority of the market, though the outer parameters also have individual shops that are considered to be a part of the market. Beginning by shed 5, we started off our morning with beignets from Beignets, and a brisket burrito and a pork belly taco from Elguapogrill.Com. I found the pork belly to be on the bland side, but the brisket burrito had a wonderful array of flavors.
Now onto Shed's 4-1. Each shed has its own unique dynamic and appeal, literally hundreds of vendors scattered all over these city blocks. We ventured through the sheds fairly quickly and across the highway to Gratiot Central Market, an indoor meat market of every possible cut of animal you could imagine. We purchased 1 pound of gizzards, deep-fried in salty/peppery batter right on the spot. Words cannot describe how fabulous these gizzards were, something I don't get to eat very often. As we tracked our way slowly through the meat market and then back through eastern market, we snacked on gizzards all the way until we reached Eastern Market Seafood Co, just off the beaten path from Shed's 1-5. Inside we found ourselves ordering an Old World Sandwich, filled with 3 kinds of sausages, shredded lettuce, sliced onions, tomatoes and yellow mustard all inside a flat pita . Everything was delicious except for the pita, which was more like thin sliced cardboard. No harm, no foul, we simply picked out the meat inside for a spicy delight.
Then, onto DeVries & Company 1887 market. Three floors of unique vending experiences, everything from Ghana woven baskets to dish towels with awesome, funny little quotes such as "according to this box of mac & cheese, I am a family of 4." As in line with my World War II obsession, I purchased a World War II and Detroit influence book and another cup of coffee, but not without tasting samples of 15-year-old aged balsamic, white vinegar and cucumbers, pasta sauce that deserves restaurant level praise, and an array of crackers. I want to vomit I'm so full but I keep on powering through.
At the opposite end of the market, other side of the road, is another row of vendors, restaurants and shops. We found ourselves inside Mike's Coney Island getting a gyro, and outside Bert's Entertainment Complex-Detroit at a half block wide outdoor grill getting barbecue. The gyro was made to order, the ribs were grilled right in front of us, and both were excellent! Can not possibly fit more food in but we're Buddha belly happy.
As we tearfully leave Eastern Market, we get a great tour of downtown Detroit. Aaaand why not stop for another bite to eat? Pegasus Taverna in Greektown is where we landed for sakagaki (OPA!), a Cheese lit on fire and served with bread. And a chilled beer to wash down meal 87 of the day. It's not even 2pm yet and we've eaten more than enough. This was the perfect cap for a food-coma nap