Food-tresting areas north of Detroit

[luniz]

I'm looking for areas between say Ferndale and Auburn Hills that are interesting to any chowhound. Whether a neighborhood, strip mall, or whatever, any place that's worth driving to and exploring. Also interested in hearing about the farmer's markets (done soon I know) or anything else I should know. Been driving around aimlessly so far without too much success.

[luniz]

Thanks so much to everybody who posted. I have already added Rangooli to my lunch rotation and look forward to checking out the rest of your suggestions asap.

[BobRe]

My favorite dishes at Rangoli are the Lamb Saagwalla, or Jingha (shrimp) Saagwalla. My recommendations.

Bob

[gan911]

definitely madison heights for ethnic food...trizest (sichuan), vietnamese, and indian all within 5 mi of each other on either john R or dequindre between 14 and 11 mile.

cafe muse and pizzeria biga are the only restos worth visiting in royal oak

Ferndale is a goldmine of places to visit - imperial, black eyed bettys (beer better than food), local, chazzanos coffee, places for brunch (flytrap/toast), ice cream (treat dreams - inventive flavors)

birmingham - decent places, though all overpriced...tatulas and forest grill are probably the best options

I guess I need to keep eating my way upward. Though I just had dimsum at east lake on rochester and north of wattles - decent but nothing exceptional...would be below average in a real city with more than 2 dimsum joints

[coney with everything]

bummed to hear about the dim sum at East Lake, we were planning on doing that as a work lunch at some point.

[gan911]

its not bad, but compared to joints i've been to in HK, atlanta, philly, seattle, LA, it doesn't compare. I haven't had a chance to goto windsor yet.
most ethnic places in detroit needs to be take with a large grain of salt....being 1 of 3 options doesn't necessarily make it a great option. I've cut back on my eating at places just because they don't hit the spot that I think they ought to.

[VTB]

A couple miles from there is Cheng's on Rochester Rd. Several of their dim sum offerings are good.

[christyar]

I agree with fly trap in Ferndale (green eggs and ham, fries, swat sauce), la mexicana3/carnival market in pontiac (yummmm, chips/salsas, california burrito), que hung for bahn mi and avacado milkshake...

If you won't go to eastern market, then royal oak is your best bet for the farmer's markets...make sure to check out mcclures, corridor sausage, slow jams jam (tomato curry)

Nice local markets are Plum, Nino salvaggio, papa joes

I would add qq bakery for boba, 10/21 midwest buddhist meditation's last food market, el guanaco in troy for pupusas, Emart in Troy, clarkston union (clarkston-north of AH), union woodshop (clarkston -north of AH), red coat (royal oak) for burgers...

stop by torinos for the platter, espresso, cocktail in ferndale
valentine vodka (ferndale) for MI made vodka
Oakland is a new craft cocktail place that was on my radar

Hit a cider mill (Yates in rochester, Franklin in Franklin)
Rock city pies in the rust belt market in ferndale
Treat dreams for a crazy ice cream flavor in ferndale

Buddys pizza and Olgas Kitchen- chains yes, delicious yes, michigan specific-minus a few olga's kitchens in CA

Thai taste in Troy
Phulkari punjabi in madison heights is new to the indian scene and popular
Megha's is also good Indian
Someone mentioned rangoli, which is soso, it is nice you can view what is on the buffet online every day and they offer cooking classes, but there is far more flavorful restaurants around....but it is in AH and there is an indian market in the same plaza
royal sweet in troy has some cool chaats and a sale 10/17-27

[MichiganShal]

I am from SoCal originally and it's true that East Lake isn't as fantastic (especially the amoutn of variety) as the dim sum that you get in the San Gabriel Valley area (aka Dim Sum Heaven). :)
However, it is decent.

I have also heard good things about dim sum at Shangri-La in West Bloomfield, although I haven't had a chance yet to go there.

[rainsux]

If you make it as far north as downtown Rochester; consider the almond croissant at Give Thanks
Bakery.

Hint: The entrance & parking are both in the back (inspite of the Main St address).

[MichiganShal]

I soooo agree! Give Thanks is wonderful - true artisan, Euroean-style bakery. The almond croissants are insanely delicious! In fact, I think I might have to go there this weekend now......

[BobRe]

If Indian interests you, I would mention Rangoli in Auburn Hills.

http://www.detroitrangoli.com/restaur...

Bob

[syrup09]

Since I got a car I've be going to La Mexicana 3 in Pontiac. It's on Perry near Pontiac next to the Secretary Of State Ofice.

[rainsux]

Carnival Mkt is another good choice for eating in.

[MichiganShal]

We are in Troy and love Indian food....Rangoli in AH/Rochester HIlls was our go-to restaurant for several years....BTW they also offer cooking classes.. However, all the Indian families in my son's elementary school recommend Ashoka or Royal Indian - both on Rochester Road in Troy.

[coney with everything]

Kind of east of your preferred area, but I'd say take the trip to Dequindre between about 14 Mile to 17 Mile

Polish market? Check
Korean market? check
Indian market? check
Middle eastern market? check

various other ethnic restaurants/bakeries/markets? check

Swing over to John R for a couple of Vietnamese restaurants and a Vietnamese market, plus a Japanese bakery

Closer to AH, Carnival market on Walton and Giddings is great for Mexican stuff, both groceries and prepared.

Royal Oak and Oakland County Farmer's Market are year round.

[Jim M]

Also John R between 12 and 13, and a bit on Dequindre, is Little Vietnam. I personally like Que Huong.

[RedTop]

In the block north of Nine Mile, on the east side of Woodward are Howe's Bayou (Cajun, Creole), and The Imperial (Tex-Mex). Both terrific. This should give you a start.

[rainsux]

You have gotten some very solid recommendations ... I will add:

Royal Oak has a farmers' market. Dunno when it closes for the season.

Italian: Due Venti (Clawson)
Breakfast: The Fly Trap (Ferndale)
Breakfast: Frittata (Clawson)
Breakfast & Lunch: Chocolate Gallery (Warren) (very odd hours, check before going)
All meals: Cafe Muse (Royal Oak)
Greasy spoon/diner: Monty's (Royal Oak)
Chinese: Trizest (Sterling Heights)
Coneys & Italian Beef: Hippo's (Troy)