When you become weary of Ann Arbor’s restaurants, nearby Detroit summons.  The Motor City is a more-than-viable alternative with numerous dining spots. SHEI highlights the best of these in the first installment of a four-part series.

Traffic Jam & Snug (Midtown – Cass Corridor)

This local favorite has been around for decades (since 1965 to be exact), and if you ever happen upon the Traffic Jam & Snug, you’ll know why. Comparable to – but definitely not a replicate of – Arbor Brewing Company, “TJ’s,” as true Detroiters refer to it, brews its own alcoholic beverages on-site and features a full menu with plenty of vegetarian-friendly options. The Cass Corridor has been relatively free of drug dealers and prostitutes for a while so hitting up the Traffic Jam & Snug is simply a wholesome affair. Unless you head North on Cass over the i-94.

Avalon International Breads (Midtown – Cass Corridor)

Another Cass Corridor establishment, Avalon International Breads sells goods (of the baked variety, in case you couldn’t tell from the name) that can be found at nearby locations like the People’s Food Co-op and the Ypsi Food Co-op. This can probably be explained by the awesome fact that they are a cooperative themselves, meaning you’ll get a share of the profits if you become a member. It’s basically a tasty, non-douchey version of Wall Street. Financial analysis aside, Avalon not only bakes goods but also turns them into sandwiches and sweet treats, including a bunch of vegan options.

Lafayette Coney Island & American Coney Island (Lafayette Blvd)

When I arrived upon the shores of the great state of Michigan, I was a fresh-faced British youth eager to experience the American way of life. No longer would I indulge in tea and biscuits after mass in the church hall. Instead, my family and I would drive five minutes to a coney island to chow down on some artery-clogging omelettes and fries.

Although nobody knows for sure where the coney island originated, a good deal of the “We did it first!” calls come from W. Lafayette Boulevard in Detroit, MI.  There, rival (and next-door neighbor) coney islands Lafayette and American both claim to sell the original and best coney dogs. Their rivalry is so deep, in fact, that it was featured on the Travel Channel’s “Food Wars.” So which one is better? Although Lafayette is dingier and doesn’t accept credit cards, everyone I know swears by their chili dogs. And if you’re going to a coney island, let’s face it – ambiance probably isn’t your top priority. But the only real way to determine who is top dog is to check out both Lafayette and American for yourself. Just don’t order too many coneys at either one.

Words: Rhiannon Haller

Photos: Chelsea Brown, SHEI Photography Editor