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Eating and Drinking in Downtown Detroit

By | August 03, 2016
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purple kid sandwich by rubbed
Purple Kid Sandwich by Rubbed

Since 2013, 77 new restaurants and 41 new retail locations have opened in the collection of neighborhoods that make up Downtown Detroit, according to the 7.2 Square Mile Report.

The report estimates that these 7.2 square miles of the city are creating an economic recovery surge. Realizing this only represents a small slice of the 139-square miles that makes up the geography of Detroit, it’s still an exciting and positive direction. As an editor of a food magazine, this provides me with significant opportunity to participate and share in the Detroit food experience.

It’s fair to say that we could spend weeks at a time eating our way through Detroit. Though, with only the few hours we had, we stopped at three different establishments for a mid-morning snack, a beverage education and a satisfying lunch.

Previously, we spent some time at the Fisher building having coffee and baked items at Stella International Café. This time we went to the Guardian Building to admire the fabulous architecture and visit the second location of Stella Good Coffee. A smaller, quick-serve type coffee shop, this location has only one small table outside the shop. I highly recommend taking your drinks and snacks to the more spectacular seating just up the stairs where you will also find some additional retail locations.

Next we had the pleasure of meeting with Nailah Ellis-Brown of Ellis Island Tropical Tea at her new production facility on Clay Street. Founded in 2008, Ellis Island Tropical Tea was inspired by Ellis-Brown’s family recipe and desire to be an entrepreneur. This fully flavored hibiscus tea made with fresh fruit, citrus, rose hips and peppermint leaves is a 100% steeped tea unlike other tea flavored drinks on the market. With relatively quick success, this bottled iced tea can now be found all over Southeast Michigan as well as Chicago and New York City.

Finally for lunch we drove over to Rubbed in Corktown. Rubbed is a sandwich and charcuterie shop in a friendly, yet somewhat industrial-like, setting. I had a sandwich called the Purple Kid that had smoked turkey, chevre spread, Swiss cheese and a house-made beet slaw on a hoagie style roll. While, my executive editor had the Meat Hater with smoked mushrooms, cheddar cheese, facon-herb spread, lettuce, tomato, onion and sweet peppers on that same well-made roll. While there are many great sandwich choices, I’m hoping to return and linger over a charcuterie board. Take home some of the tempting donuts by Dilla’s Delights on the counter delivered fresh daily.

Food continues to be the bridge that joins a community. I’m looking forward to celebrating continued food successes throughout Detroit.