Imperial

Restaurant · Ferndale

Imperial

Restaurant · Ferndale

5

22828 Woodward Ave, Ferndale, MI 48220

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Imperial by Michelle and Chris Gerard
Imperial by Michelle and Chris Gerard
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Highlights

Contemporary bar & restaurant serving creative street tacos & other Mexican-inspired bites.  

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22828 Woodward Ave, Ferndale, MI 48220 Get directions

imperialferndale.com

$10–20 · Menu

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22828 Woodward Ave, Ferndale, MI 48220 Get directions

+1 248 850 8060
imperialferndale.com

$10–20 · Menu

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Last updated

Jul 11, 2025

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@eater

"Diners and bar hoppers swear by this Ferndale restaurant's tacos. Imperial keeps its menu fresh with a selection of fillings that rotate weekly. Specials have included roasted cauliflower masala, blackened shrimp, and roasted butternut squash, complementing the menu’s standby carnitas, adobada de pollo (chicken marinated in a chile-based mixture), and beef barbacoa. Vegan options are also available, as are the California-style bacon wrapped Sonoran hot dogs and quality margaritas." - Serena Maria Daniels

22 Top-Notch Spots for Tacos in Metro Detroit
View Postcard for Imperial
@eater

"Diners and bar hoppers swear by this Ferndale restaurant's tacos. Imperial keeps its menu fresh with a selection of fillings that rotate weekly. Specials have included roasted cauliflower masala, blackened shrimp, and roasted butternut squash, complementing the menu’s standby carnitas, adobada de pollo (chicken marinated in a chile-based mixture), and beef barbacoa. Vegan options are also available, as are the California-style bacon wrapped Sonoran hot dogs and quality margaritas." - Serena Maria Daniels

23 Top-Notch Spots for Tacos in Metro Detroit
View Postcard for Imperial
@eater

"Ferndale’s hub for tacos and bacon-wrapped Sonoran hot dogs wisely keeps a late-night menu on tap for busy bar nights. On Fridays and Saturdays, diners can fill up on nachos, bacon and egg hot dogs, and Mexican-style arancini with chipotle aioli and poblano-lime cream until 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and midnight on Friday and Saturday." - Brenna Houck

17 Vital Late-Night Restaurants in Metro Detroit to Know
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@eater

"This trendy Mexican restaurant and taqueria in Ferndale specializes in bacon-wrapped hot dogs known as Sonorans. The Imperial Sonoran is slathered in stewed beans, chopped tomato, onion, poblano lime cream, salsa verde, queso fresco, and cilantro. There's also a vegetarian option. Don’t forget to order a margarita with the meal." - Brenna Houck

Detroit’s Best Hot Dogs, Mapped - Eater Detroit
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@eater

"Ferndale's taco and bacon-wrapped Sonoran hot dog slinger matches its California-style Mexican food menu with a wide selection of tequilas and a excellent margaritas. The restaurant offers two styles of the cocktail that can be modified with jalapeño, hibiscus, or pineapple-infused tequila." - Eater Staff

Where to Sip Margaritas in Metro Detroit
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Amanda Kilroe

Google
We had a great time here, good drinks and tasty nibbles. Our waitress was a true pro, attentive and knowledgeable and always with a smile. My only complaint is the price. Seemed more like LA prices to me, but my husband disagreed, he said that’s just how much craft drinks cost now, and that the tacos were tasty enough to warrant the $4-5 price tag. We’ll definitely try this place again!

Joseph Sanchez

Google
A hip bar with great food in downtown Ferndale. We came with a friend before a show after hearing nothing but great things about this place. It did not disappoint. The atmosphere is a bit cramped and too modern for my taste but the place is nice. The service was good and the staff were friendly. The menu is small but everything sounded amazing. We ended up with a do and some tacos and a salsa flight app. Everything was amazing. The cocktails were really good too. I can't wait to come back and try other dogs and maybe a few other things from the menu. Recommended for the food.

Delarosa Financial Inc

Google
Andrew is the reason I keep coming back to Imperial. His energy is unmatched. Always cheerful and positive. You can tell he really cares about the customer experience. He brings such good vibes every time and makes the whole place feel even more welcoming. He honestly compliments the food perfectly. I’ve been eating at Imperial in Ferndale Michigan for years. The food has always been consistent and flavorful. I highly recommend the Bakersfield and the Sonoran. The fish taco is also amazing. And the Jalapeño Margarita is spiced to perfection. Great food great drinks and great people. Andrew you’re a star and this place wouldn’t be the same without you.

Matt

Google
We visited Imperial on Friday night while barhopping in fashionable Ferndale and had a great time. They have excellent cocktails and all the food looked delicious however we did not dine on this occasion. The bartender was friendly and attentive. The decor is very modern and hip. We will be back to dine soon.

Kaedyn Robertson

Google
Came out as a group of 6 last night Friday. I got the notification my table was ready but there was a party with a similar name who thought the host said their name so they were sat instead of us. The host quickly realized what happened and had told them they were not the correct party and they got up. That was such a nice thing and quick thinking of the host’s part. Also the lights had dimmed a LOT around 9:30 (please stop dimming it that much. We all had to use our flashlights to read the menu) and the same host had came around and lit the candle for us. He was so nice and friendly but still quick at his job. The reason we came out was to celebrate one year sober. We all had mocktails and they were delicious! Pictured is the Early Bird. The food was kind of confusing being family style on platters and we had to figure out who had what. But it was delicious nonetheless. The vegan potato taco was amazing. Our server Jackie was super nice, friendly, and knowledgeable by answering everyone’s questions. I loved how the booths (not much of a booth because there’s no cushion just wood) had basically a wood shelf against the wall for all of our purses and stuff so we had more room. Overall the food, drinks, and service were amazing and a great place for a night out!

Garry Kepes

Google
Very Ferndale type of atmosphere and style. There is a very large selection of drink types. The chicken nachos were good. Public parking in the rear. No kids or happy hour menus.

Ruth Mella

Google
Food: I enjoyed the food from here! Lots of flavor on those hot dogs & the cheese with the chips taste soo good! I enjoyed the hotdog with the lime, cilantro, cheese, salsa verde! Very unique type of food combination and it was filling! My friend had the nacho and it was so big, definitely two people can enjoy that one meal, which i love! I also enjoyed the drink I had, it was a strawberry banana margarita but it tasted like a starburst drink! I love that! Sugguestions: More flavor on the steak for the nachos! The Jalepenos starter should be individually cut up jalapenos and served with the cheese in middle, the whole jalapeno didn’t look so appealing or taste as good. Service: Very quick with the food and servers are nice! Atmosphere: Very cute spot, theres a bar with lots of seating and its a spacious place! I didn’t look at the place whole but when you first walk in it would look better as a sport bar!

Victoria Ann

Google
This place was super fancy with the food and we enjoyed every bite of it! Our waitress was super helpful and friendly. Will definitely be coming back again!

Shannon C.

Yelp
Well I can't say enough good things about Imperial... I just love it!! Food is great and reasonably priced. I definitely recommend the salsa trio and guac to start, they kill it. There is something for every appetite and dietary restriction on the menu. Drinks are super creative and service is always amazing... kind people work here! Perfect place to bring any size group and with the weather getting warmer they have the front and back deck open which is cool for either watching the cars on Woodward or chillin at the back garden in the fresh air ily Imperial, I'll be back soon!!

Noah B.

Yelp
The food and service here are both fantastic, quality tacos that have consistently been good in my many times eating here over a number of years. I have one comment about the setup of the restaurant though, specifically with regard to the noise and acoustics. It is extremely difficult to hear people sitting directly across from me in the front section of the restaurant, the music volume is always just a bit too high, and the ceiling design must amplify it in a way that makes hearing others close to you so difficult. I highly suggest that imperial looks into solving this problem, it would make eating here so much easier, and I would feel encouraged to bring more people here too.

Ned I.

Yelp
Imperial is a hip and trendy place to check out. The service is friendly and sufficient. The seating arrangement is a tad congested. The chips and queso was decent. All 6 tacos I tried were delicious, to the point where I didn't necessarily have a favorite. If you love coney dogs like me, you'll love the chino Sonoran hot dog too, as it's their take on it. It was my first time here and I will definitely be back. This has the potential to be a 5 star establishment. P.S. Make sure to pay for parking. Backing into the parking spot is apparently prohibited. Pay for your spot and park normally to avoid receiving a ticket.

Bridgette Z.

Yelp
Love the food here! I don't love that there's always a wait for a table and the communal style seating but otherwise a great dining experience. We started with chips and guac and chorizo queso. The chips were fresh and warm. The Bakersfield hot dog is always my favorite. The potato and chorizo taco was just ok.

Michelle W.

Yelp
My friend was craving tacos so she wanted to come here. I have never been here before, but I was willing to try the food. We had to park in the back and pay the meter but we were quickly seated. This restaurant had plenty of seating for large groups and a full bar. it was just the two of us so they set us at one of their shared tables. Our waitress came by and explained the menu since it was my first time there and offered a few suggestions. I ordered the pineapple margarita and it was very, very good. For a Mexican theme restaurant to sell hotdogs was crazy to me but the Bakersfield Sonoran is how all hotdogs should taste lol. So much flavor in a bacon wrapped hotdog. my friend tried chicken vegan taco. And she said it tasted juicy like chicken. I will definitely return to try more menu options next time!!

Christian C.

Yelp
A real staple in Ferndale. Imperial has always been great and seems to have stood the test of time over these many years. The food, service, ambiance, all 10/10. You can't go wrong with almost any taco. Last time I was here I had the shrimp nachos and chips with salsa, queso and guacamole. For drinks I go to the pineapple margarita and ask them to make it spicy where they'll usually add a few jalapeños. Everything is super appetizing! My only gripe is the seating. In the front of the restaurant it's very much school lunch room style tables meaning if it's very busy you and your party could be sitting right next another party at the table. This doesn't stop me from coming though as you can always ask for a booth or separated table in the back. They have bar seating as well. But overall well worth the visit if you're in Ferndale.

Karley M.

Yelp
This spot is frequently on 45+ minute waits for a very good reason. The menu of tacos and hot dogs is so unique with tons of great vegan and vegetarian options. Don't miss out on the salsa trio appetizer and the amazing cocktails. There's a vast selection of tequila drinks and I had an awful time choosing. I wasn't disappointed with the original margarita. Staff was super friendly and prompt with great recommendations. Seating style is communal, so be prepared to be social if you want!

Betsy K.

Yelp
I was here in December for the first time with a group of friends. I can't believe I did not leave a review because I absolutely loved it!!!I know we had a "special ". I believe it was either a fish or a shrimp taco. Quite a few of us had it and it was amazing!!! The place wasn't real busy- only a few tables- we had a great server. Especially, considering there were seven of us. Great service. I will remember to post what I had next week because I also had a cocktail- I believe it was with bourbon- that was also amazing. Maybe I can blame my bad memory on that bourbon! EDIT: Just looked on their drink menu, and what I had was called a lavender sidecar!!! Try it!!!

Jenna B.

Yelp
Imperial always makes me happy. Their food is amazing - packed with flavor and freshness. They serve street tacos, elote, nachos, chips and salsa, margaritas, and so much more. Since the tacos are on the smaller side, it's a great place to try a little bit of everything. The atmosphere at Imperial is great too! They have plenty of communal seating, but they also offer private tables and booths for a more intimate experience. Even if there's a wait, it never seems to take too long. I've been here so many times, and the service is always top-notch. It's the kind of place I love bringing my friends to, because I know they'll have an incredible time.

Danielle B.

Yelp
The Imperial had some of the best food I had while visiting Detroit. They had so many vegetarian options! We ordered guacamole and chips to start, which were very fresh. I ordered the Taco de Papa upon recommendation from the server on the best veggie taco and the vegetarian sonoran because I had never had anything like it before. I also ordered the elote as a side. Everything was delicious. My friends also ordered a cocktail and mocktail, which I tried, and both were very good. Our server accidentally threw away our order and had to come back to get it again after we had been waiting a while. Then he forgot my elote and it came out way after we had finished all of our other food, but he was very nice and ended up taking it off the bill, which we appreciated, so it was still a 5 star experience. The food was also so good that we didn't mind the small snafu. The ambiance was fun, and it's clearly a popular spot. There's paid parking on the street or the lot behind the building. Afterwards, we walked around outside because it's a nice area.

Aditi Y.

Yelp
Food is great here, their specials were nice.. drinks were great too... There is always a bit of a wait here. We had about 22 parties before us but we were still seated in less than 30 minutes on a Saturday evening. That was also because they have some picnic style seating that is shared between the parties. We came in at a very busy time and also that the place was short staffed that there was a delay in the service but we had patience to deal with it.. I'll mostly come here again with friends.

Delvis L.

Yelp
I ordered nachos and boy what a delicious treat! You have the options of protein, or without. I added shrimp. They were the perfect size and they weren't stingy with the portion. My server Jackie (her name) was absolutely the best. She was personable, quick and friendly. I'be always liked the ambiance of the place. I chose to sit in the back entrance. The open seating is nice and non confined feeling. The open selection of music was cool too. A genre for all ears.

Jayman J.

Yelp
Great food, atmosphere pretty nice, staff were extremely helpful and knowledgeable about menu. Good for large groups

Danielle M.

Yelp
Imperial is falling off.... The last few times I've had food here it's been MID at best. Today I got chicken nachos.. which used to be my favorite spot to get them , now I'm good. There is literally no nacho cheese on here the little guac that I did get didn't come on the side as it normally does, but instead it was all stuck at the top of the box and the MEAT tastes like DOG food....the waitress asked if I was ok with leftover blackened chicken because they didn't have anymore chicken???? so disappointed.

Priya K.

Yelp
Imperial is one of my favorite restaurants in the area. Their service is always friendly and fast, the ambiance is casual but fun and the food is always amazing! The menu mostly consists of bacon wrapped hot dogs and street tacos. My favorite is the chino Sonoran (their take on a coney dog) and the chorizo, bean, al pastor and potato tacos. Their trio of hot sauces costs $1 but is well worth it if you like a flavorful kick to your food. We almost always start with a salsa flight and chips and end with the fresh churros too. Give the place a try, you won't be sorry!

Kitty K.

Yelp
Imperial is the perfect spot for a delicious cocktail & a fresh taco. The whole menu is yum. The tacos are fusion, my favorite! The margaritas are unique & tasty, with a seasonal menu changing monthly. The seating is cafeteria style, which makes it fun- you just may end up besties with the people sitting next to you! Imperial is great for large groups, date night, or girl's night! The staff is on point, friendly & upbeat. I love hitting up Imperial while in Ferndale. Go check them out! Located on Woodward & 9 Mile.

Justin H.

Yelp
Food is decent and always has been. But we waited 15-20 minutes at the table without any service. A party that arrived after us was seated, brought water, and ordered before any wait staff came by. Regardless of how busy the staff was from the weekend before or however hung over, doesn't really excuse the shitty service the Monday after.

S L.

Yelp
Great service, our waitress who was really the hostess was very attentive and friendly. She checked in on us just the right amount. The kid's hotdog is a great deal for $2 with bacon wrapped around it. My partner got 2 of them and they were tasty. The chips and guac were good, although some chips were stale. The street tacos were alright. I got the carne asada and carnitas. The carne asada has a strange marinade on it that I wasn't a fan of. The carnitas had huge pieces of meat on it that really should've been broken up into smaller pieces.

DeMario M.

Yelp
Went to the Royal Oak taco festival today and Imperial was one of the featured taco trucks. Hands-down, the best tacos at the entire festival. I am not a huge pork fan; however, I tried the Al Pastor tacos - OMG! The pork was super tender and a little spicy with the added sweet pineapples on top. I would go back just for those tacos. They have a physical location in Ferndale-- check it out!!!

Ben V.

Yelp
The tacos here are amazing and they have weekly specials which are also fun. I would recommend getting here early if going on a Friday or Saturday night as they get pretty busy. The atmosphere is always fun and energetic. They have a few communal style tables in the main room which makes for a more family style approach.

Heather G.

Yelp
Noisy and overrated. The food is fine, but not anything special. One of my tacos was inedible. The concept is cool and staff were nice.

Julia B.

Yelp
Came in with four friends the other night for margs and tacos and we had such a great time here Menu had something for everyone and everything we ate was good, especially the guac. Our waitress, Katie was AWESOME. So patient answering all of our questions and just overall very cool. She didn't make us feel like we needed to rush and was very attentive to our needs, especially to my friend who has dietary restrictions. We plan on making dinner at Imperial a regular thing for the spring/summer season! Love it here

Bryan L.

Yelp
We started with the trio of Salsas and could not decide which was best as they were all great. Next time is queso and Guac. The chips were cooked perfectly and were nice and thick. Our server did a great job explaining the menu and helping us decide on the selections. The entire buildings decor is wood and was warm and inviting. You will be sitting on wood too so not all that comfortable. Our selection of tacos and drinks were also very tasty. We will definitely going back with friends over the holiday. This would be a great location for a work party lunch if not too large of a party.

Shala R.

Yelp
This used to be my favorite restaurant to literally pig out at went there last night. The corn was tasteless and nasty. The jalapeños weren't even cooked. They were crunchy sent them back and they were nasty. Everything is bland. They need to bring back the cooks that they had from the beginning of the business. Now it shows that the cooks in there don't care which leads me to believe that something is wrong

Lexie V.

Yelp
This place is a real gem! The chorizo queso, the chips, the guacamole are SO good and flavorful. The margaritas are good and the bar is large and stocked! I preferred the Imperial Margarita over the Jalepeno one because of the tequila used but it was still good with the right amount of kick without burning your mouth. You cannot go wrong with any of the tacos but lets talk about the Sonoran! I had never heard of these amped up hotdogs before and the Bakersfield is to die for! I ordered it for my daughter and I to split and had to get another because we both wanted more! The Bakersfield is a bacon wrapped hotdog, bbq chicken, pineapple, jalapeño relish, chipotle aioli, queso fresco and cilantro. You can order these as a veggie dog substitute too. We also got the elote but it wasn't anything to write home about. I would have loved if it was like elote in a cup, you know that sloppy flavorful cup you get from a stand on the side of the road. This came on the cob and was not juicy corn kernels and rather messy and hard to eat on the cob. And because it was my birthday the server surprised us with churros! They were so good - crispy and fried on the outside but squishy on the inside. Perfection. And the warm caramel sauce it was served with...mmmm i could have drank that stuff! They have weekly and monthly specials on the menu to check out too. We had just missed the Chickpea tostada but we won't sit on these specials again. Definitely go check this place out

Alfredo F.

Yelp
Great food and beer. Nice place to go after work with friends. Tacos are amazing. Very recommendable!

Alex K.

Yelp
The place is very impressive. Their food and drinks are excellent, but a bit overpriced. While the restaurant itself offers a great experience, the staff is what detracts a couple of stars. The hosts and hostesses tend to openly display displeasure when customers engage with them in any way. The staff all seem off for some reason. Like the manager or owner of the place creates a terrible work environment. But hey! Who am I? Anyways, our server was rude and so was every other interaction I've had here. Hopefully that's not the case and the employees only reflect the preppy culture in the area. I will come here again. But I probably wouldn't tip much if staff act so arrogant again. 6/10

Karl L.

Yelp
I've always loved the Al Pastor tacos. Sonoran dogs, especially the Bakersfield, most excellent. Great, fast service. Picnic tables and stuff.

Tony O.

Yelp
Amazing food, service, and ambiance. Will be back soon for those delicious tacos. Highly recommended!

Alicia M.

Yelp
I love imperial! I come here pretty frequently and it never disappoints! This isn't your typical taco joint, but I love the fusion of flavors on their menu and wouldn't have thought to put them on a taco or a hotdog. I always get the Al pastor and Adobada De Pollo Tacos and the Bakersfield Sonoran. I'm not a hotdog girl, but let me tell you the Bakersfield Sonoran changed my life and everyone else I told to try! I would say the only down side about this place is that it can get pretty busy in the evenings and they don't do reservations unfortunately.

Jeffrey R.

Yelp
Unassuming but this place delivers! Get the Chips and salsa flight; delicious chips and perfectly seasoned salsas: salsa verde, roasted and chipotle salsa was on point where it could easily have been overwhelming. Tacos were also filling and delicious. Barbacoa is roasted beef, not mejillas but still soft and tender. The papas and rajas taco flavorful as well. But the Hot Dogs! Both then Imperial and the China, bacon wrapped and delicioso! The flavor brought me back to Tucson, Arizona. The perfect combo of toppings each balancing the other!!!

Emma G.

Yelp
Great place for tacos, hot dogs, queso, and margaritas! Our group especially enjoyed the carne asada and papas con rajas tacos. We also ordered chips, salsa, and queso and were happy with the portion size. Service was speedy and attentive. The vibes were good and there is also nice outdoor seating. I am already excited to go back!

Richie R.

Yelp
Rude hostess. Tried to put us in seats with no backs, dimly lit room & we have 2 kids with us. Didn't want to accommodate us with better seating in the main part of the restaurant so we left. And will NEVER return there. Shitty unprofessional service and mid tacos.

Caroline B.

Yelp
Imperial is my and my husband's go to for date night. Large community style seating, private booths, or first come bar seating. Usually a wait for the private booths. Unfortunately community style seating has benches without backs, I dont mind them but some people may find them uncomfortable. My go to entree is the torta and elote. So good with a side of apple jalapeño sauce. Tacos are small on corn shells. I usually try one, but I feel like the meat is always under seasoned and on the tough side. My husband LOVES the tacos, al pasor or carna asada. Salsa flights or guac to start. Great atmosphere. Don't forget to try the senoras. Bacon wrapped hotdogs. So good.

Kassy K.

Yelp
Great place to stop in and get some tacos and Mexican hot dogs. They have the classics as well as their weekly specials that are usually funky but interesting and good. Their waiters are kind and attentive and they have personality and their vibes match the vibes of the place: trendy and hip. My one and only complaint is that they do not have any agua frescas at this Mexican restaurant but otherwise a great find

Mary Z.

Yelp
It has been several years since I'd been back but it's just as tasty as ever. Nice chill place to go with a group of friends or just your significant other. Their Al pastor tacos are the best and their imperial Sonoran hotdogs will make you question how can a hotdog be so delicious and packed with so much flavors! Their chips and salsa flight is great and comes with 3 different salsas. I have to force myself to stop eating them so I don't fill up on chips alone!

Mark R.

Yelp
Beer in cans . Sloppy hot dogs wrapped in bacon . Taco special with 3 small breaded scallops . Underwhelming food best for after bars close ?

Dmitriy N.

Yelp
Came to this joint with old friend we see in Michigan when we visit. They said this place is good for drinks and food. We were not expecting it to be this awesome. The atmosphere is dark and cozy. Perfect for a date or group gathering. The cocktails are what I call fancy or top notch. They don't skimp out on alcohol or garnishes. The food is perfect and fresh. The freaking Hotdogs are supreme. Just everything is so good here I would highly recommend it. It's a bit loud like a live bar rather than a small quiet joint which I like. This place is so good it will be a must for every Michigan visit. This will probably now be the outing spot must when traveling here and it's worth it.

Suchita S.

Yelp
Came here with a friend when we were visiting. It's more of a bar that has food available. Also found it odd that when we entered they told us that we only had 90min to eat if we wanted food (which is fine but strange to be greeted like that). We both goth margaritas. The pink one had a hibiscus flavor and the other one was agave/aloe? and was more "refreshing". Both were delicious and definitely packed a punch. We split the grilled jalapeños. The server said the spice level ranges depending on the jalapeños but these were virtually inedible because of how spicy they were (and I can usually handle spice pretty well). I ordered the vegetarian Sonoran hotdog and one of the potato taco. I preferred the potato taco to the Sonoran hotdog but in general I'm not the biggest fan of veggies dogs. The toppings on the hotdog were fresh and crunchy which masked the hotdog taste (which I prefer). The taco de papas was delicious with a crispy potato and creamy avocado. I'm not sure i would come here for the food specifically. If I were meeting someone for drinks and we wanted some snacks I think this would be a good place for that.

Amanda L.

Yelp
Absolutely love Imperial - SPECIFICALLY THEIR SONORAN HOT DOGS! I have dreams about them and often find myself craving them. Not too long ago, Imperial was in some seriously hot water because it came out that their management had been sexually harassing their employees on multiple instances, so I boycotted Imperial for a very long time because it did not matter how good their food was. I was happy to hear from friends in the Ferndale service industry recently that Imperial has since gotten entirely new management, so the boycott can now lift, while maintaining a close eye on them. I really had missed their hot dogs and I'm glad to see (read: taste) that the quality of their food has not diminished. Got their taco of the week special, which was actually a whole ass torta (delicious) and their sonoran hot dog of the month, which was essentially a mole-based chili dog (also YUM). Thanks for believing in your hard working employees and for ushering in a new era of change and growth. A great step in the right direction, Imperial. Appreciate y'all.

Paul F.

Yelp
Excellent Mexican Fare! Our motorcycle group had our 2023 Tacopacolypse Taco Run Battle of the Champs ride this past Saturday and made our first stop the 2021 Winner, Imperial in Ferndale. We arrived shortly after 11:30 am and the 10 of us were seated quickly and had beverages, fresh chips and a fantastic arrangement of salsas served as quick. The smoky salsa seems to be the group favorite, but all were the favorite on the day. Jacklyn was our server and she was ambitious and friendly and did not let us down when we asked for their very best taco to enter the competition. She served up a spicy barbacoa that did not disappoint! Arguably, the best tacos in the area and a fun place to enjoy the feast. Thanks again to Imperial and especially Jacklyn for a great start to our quest!

Kyle R.

Yelp
The hostess Ellie made me feel very welcome! Her out going personality was very refreshing and I can tell she has a gift for engaging!

Hannah M.

Yelp
I actually liked this place a lot and I would go back frequently if I lived in the area. First and foremost, service was great. We absolutely adored our waitress who was helpful, honest, kind, and knowledgeable about the menu. She also stopped at our table the perfect number of times (like was exactly the right amount of attentive) which I feel is very difficult to nail. Any of the tequila cocktails are great but I would recommend going off menu. My martini was not good. With that said the other drinks were excellent and strong. Chips and salsa trio is a must - everything is phenomenal. Salsa def has a kick. Grilled jalapeños were gnarly - they didn't take out the seeds and the big bites we took almost killed us. I would skip personally. Sonoran and tacos were outrageously good. We got the Bakersfield Sonoran and it was like the best bite of food I've ever had. Tacos were great but a little overpriced ($4-$5 per) and I think there are better in the area. Overall though I'm really glad I went - great dinner for the price.

CJ M.

Yelp
Interesting spot for hotdogs and tacos. The chips and (fill in the dip) are great for starters! The food has great flavor and never seems to disappoint! The only negative is the size of the tacos. I feel they have gotten smaller... disappointed! The service is always great and the venue is great. ** only bottle iced tea... disappointing!

Latanya W.

Yelp
Where do I start? The hostess was friendly and she helped point out open seats at the bar. The vegan nachos.... Yummy!!!! Very good taste and a nice portion! Cheese and the walnut meat... very good!!!! The vegan Elote corn.... Very good!! Our server was the bartender; he and the other bartenders were very nice although we weren't buying drinks, just food. This experience was very good!!! I'm so glad that we tried them!!!

Cam R.

Yelp
Went for an earlier lunch on a Saturday and yes I would go back but maybe order differently. It was all very good but for the cost, we'll it wasn't that good. We both did have a house margarita and a side of quac and queso but I thought it wasn't worth over a hundred. I guess my point is with a completely ala carte menu it adds up quickly, so in the future I'll pay closer attention. I thought the food was pretty good. The service was very attentive, the place filled up quickly after we got there but she still made sure we were good throughout the meal. I liked the decor. I'll come back next Spring / Summer to get that patio vibe. You can't go wrong going here - like I said I'll come back, they just aren't getting all my money

Tyler L.

Yelp
Outstanding modern taco spot in Ferndale. The cafeteria style seating is relaxed, maybe a bit too relaxed with the glass bottles of water becoming warm within minutes for the mandatory self serve. However servers have always been helpful every time I've been, assuring I don't forget to ask for cilantro on the side and informing about any specials. The hotdogs are intriguing but I go to imperial for tacos, there's a few options for em in ferndale. But imperial stays at the top of my mind for its casual atmosphere ready for any mood and attire I'm in. There's original taco takes and some creative ones that I enjoy as much as the OGs, the original reason I go.

Ashley N.

Yelp
Tried to come here a few months ago and they said they couldn't seat us. We came within 45- to an hour before closing. Tables were available but they said they stopped serving food so I understood. Called imperial tonight at 9:48 because I didn't want the same thing to happen again. I was advised that they stop serving food at 10:30 by the woman on the phone. Two of us arrive at 10:01 and the hostess said they aren't taking anymore tables. I asked why and she said the manager told her to stop accepting tables. They close at 11 and there were empty tables. I asked why I just called and they told me they stop serving food at 10:30 and are open till 11. She said she didn't know. Well I don't know either. I know one thing though and that this isn't acceptable. I should have asked to speak with the manager but I'm not Karen. We didn't need to go there but why didn't someone just tell me on phone rather than waste our time? I should have been told on the phone and we wouldn't have went. Also, she could have offered carry out since their kitchen was supposedly open until 10:30 but she didn't seem to care. She was doing as the manager told her.

Tara E.

Yelp
Ate here on 4/23 for dinner. It was packed but we were able to find a spot along the wall that was perfect! We ordered tacos de carne asada, barbacoa and carnitas. Omg soooo good! The meat is so tender! Also ordered the Bakersfield Sonoran which was different but very yummy! Would love to come back and try more menu items!

Autumnn G.

Yelp
Stopped in here for a super quick bite! I've been hearing about their hot dogs, or as they call them Sonoran's, for years and figured this was the perfect time to try one out. I sat at the bar and the bartender was friendly and prompt. Took my order expeditiously and I had food in hand probably 15 minutes later! They had August specials and I had the August Sonoran special and the August taco. I really like that they had weekly options to choose from for the August taco specials. My food was hot and delicious. The flavors of the Sonoran melded together perfectly and I kind of wanted another one...not because I was hungry but because it was so good. I had the pork belly bulgogi taco and it was delectable. I plan to go back to try some of their other menu items and also a cocktail...or two!