Imperial
Restaurant · Ferndale ·
Creative street tacos, Sonoran hot dogs, and unique margaritas
Creative street tacos, Sonoran hot dogs, and unique margaritas
"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
"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
"This downtown Ferndale tavern was at the center of a social-media firestorm after a caller on June 25 reported a possible COVID-19 infection following a visit; management says the report prompted a deep clean (an Eganix invoice for $325 was later dated June 28), a temporary closure while contacting health authorities, and that investigators now suspect the call may have been a prank by a disgruntled former employee whose number allegedly matched the caller’s. The venue’s social accounts were taken down as allegations escalated that the restaurant group fostered a toxic work environment—claims include racial favoritism, unwanted sexual advances by a co-owner, and ignoring employee concerns—which spurred at least five bar staff to resign in protest and led a co-owner, Jeff King, to step down from his role as operations manager. Management says it is evaluating the accusations, exploring outside consultants, and has previously provided sexual-harassment training and a confidential reporting channel overseen by an acting HR representative; police were also involved after an unrelated incident in which a patron allegedly removed her mask and spat on a hostess." - Brenna Houck
"This taco spot sells margarita and Detroit Tart cocktail kits packaged in plastic shakers with written instructions for adding spirits and mixing at home, with each kit priced at roughly $10." - Brenna Houck
"I also note that Daiza helped found Imperial in Ferndale, though he no longer has a stake in that restaurant." - Brenna Houck