Mezcal Mexican Bar & Kitchen
Mexican restaurant · Ferndale ·
Tacos, mezcal flights, vibrant murals, live mariachi
Tacos, mezcal flights, vibrant murals, live mariachi
"Mezcal Mexican Bar & Kitchen has quickly expanded its footprint in metro Detroit, with locations in Ferndale, Dearborn, and Midtown. Diners can expect traditional Michoacán-style carnitas, torres de mariscos, birria, and aguachile de rib-eye at the Midtown spot. The vibes here are punctuated by vibrant murals of alebrijes painted by 2023 Kresge artist Elton Monroy Duran, Talavera tiles in an intricate blue and white pattern, and weekly live mariachi performances. As the name implies, the cocktail menu leans heavily on agave-based spirits like flights of mezcal — many of which are sourced from smaller, craft distillers — as well as margaritas, piña coladas, and Moscow mules made with mezcal. There’s also an Instagram-worthy La Mezcla Perfecta — a giant cantarito that serves four and that uses a full bottle of tequila, grapefruit, lemon, orange juice, and soda." - Serena Maria Daniels
"The Mexican restaurant is one of three locations, with the other two in Midtown and Dearborn. The food menu draws inspiration from Mexico City, the state of Jalisco, and the owners’ home state of Guanajuato in central Mexico. For those looking to explore the complexities of mezcal, the restaurant offers four different flights, each featuring three spirits, seasonal fruit, a choice of smoky worm salt or Tajín, an orange seasoning made with salt, chile peppers, and lime. The menu has house tacos as well as basic street tacos with cilantro, onion, and lime. There’s even a keto taco offering with a cheese shell. Online ordering and delivery are available." - Courtney Burk
"Mezcal Mexican Bar & Kitchen is Ferndale’s newest option for tacos, ushering in a much-needed boost to Oakland County’s Mexican food world. While the bar emphasizes 30 different types of agave spirits, the spot also features an impressive lineup of tacos, including birria, fish, campechano (a blend of chorizo and carne asada), and alambre — with bacon, chorizo, melted cheese, and choice of chicken or steak." - Serena Maria Daniels
"Opened last year in Ferndale and expanded to Midtown Detroit on June 28, this casual taqueria and agave-centered bar was transformed by Guanajuato natives Sandra Haro and her brother Jose Granados into a modern, sit-down establishment at 51 West Forest (formerly Savant). The space is punctuated by vibrant alebrijes murals by Elton Monroy Duran, intricate blue-and-white talavera tiles, and weekly live mariachi performances, creating a lively backdrop for a menu that showcases regional Mexican specialties. Chef Jaime Flores from Mexico City builds on hits from the Ferndale location—tacobirria and quesabirria on flour tortillas, California-inspired burritos, and esquites—while adding dishes like sopa de lima, torres de mariscos with shrimp, octopus, fish, avocado and citrus, dumplings filled with Michoacán-style carnitas, and crispy chicharrones de ribeye atop guacamole. Flores’s pastry background shows in desserts such as house-made ice creams (avocado, sweet corn), tres leches cake with bits of pretzel, and pan de elote topped with house-made whipped cream, mazapán crumble, and caramel popcorn. Agave-based spirits are a major focus—flights of mezcal often from small craft distillers, mezcal margaritas, piña coladas, Moscow mules made with mezcal, and the Instagram-worthy La Mezcla Perfecta giant cantarito (using a full bottle of tequila with grapefruit, lemon, orange juice and soda) are all featured. As Haro says, they do “traditional Mexican with a little bit of a twist of cultures as well,” and the Midtown location’s expanded space allows the kitchen to more deeply explore the country’s geographic and cultural nuances. Hours are 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Tuesday–Thursday, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Friday–Saturday, and 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Sunday." - Serena Maria Daniels
"Mezcal Mexican Bar & Kitchen is Ferndale’s newest option for tacos, ushering in a much-needed boost to Oakland County’s Mexican food world. While the bar emphasizes 30 different types of agave spirits, the spot also features an impressive lineup of tacos, including birria, fish, campechano (a blend of chorizo and carne asada), and alambre — with bacon, chorizo, melted cheese, and choice of chicken or steak." - Serena Maria Daniels
