The Summer of 2016 Drive Across the USA - Part Three: What We Ate (the local places)

Thanks for dropping by to read mmm-yoso!!!, a blog about food.  Cathy is writing about her summer drive back East-not a vacation, not planned.  After all the hubbub, there was time to eat out at places which were not chains. 

This third part of the 2016 foray out of California will not contain places or foods one might typically associate with the Detroit area.  (Since this wasn't a vacation, there were time restrictions; I will get to three places in particular on the next trip).  All of the restaurants in this post have familiar foods and are places where special meals occurred when I was growing up.   

 The Midwest. Beef.  Sign of the Beefcarver, where we went for Sunday meals out. 

   

Cafeteria style with waitresses who take your tray, seat you and refill your beverages.  (The first small photo is where you can hang your heavy winter coat when you walk in; it is Michigan). There are only two locations left, but beginning in 1957, this was THE place to go, with many locations. 

Known for hand-carved, slow roasted beef, which is and has always been my choice (and a comfort food) The hot beef sandwich (top on white bread, bottom on pumpernickel) shown with various cafeteria chosen sides and the condiment bar selections of pickles, beets, horseradish and sour cream.Then there is the chopped round steak plate, which my brother chose.  Also very good, because...meat (along with mushroom gravy).

There are many Coney Island restaurants in Detroit, with people having a favorite one close to home and another favorite close to work (similar to taco shops in San Diego).  Leo's Coney Island is a nearby, local chain.  It's been around since 1972. Most coneys also have Greek selections on the menu, like this wonderful avgolemono (chicken/egg/rice/lemon) soup. 

But of course the actual 'coney' (on the right- a smokey, natural casing hot dog) topped with beanLESS chili, onions and mustard, along with a 'loose'-(loose hamburger in a hot dog bun, topped with the same) is a typical order.

Long ago, there were Polish restaurants in every neighborhood in Detroit city. Those are now in the suburbs.  I went to three differentPolish restaurants this trip and these photos are typical meals.

 

As soon as you are seated, a basket of breads, crackers and butter are brought to the table.  Two slices of each flavor (marble, white and rye) in plastic lunch bags.  

Soup is also served at every meal.  This one, dill pickle soup, is my favorite. Each restaurant has a 'Polish Plate"which includes everything seen here: kraut, kielbasa, pierogi and Gołąbki (gah WHUMP key)-stuffed cabbage.

 

Here's a cross section of some pierogi - with mashed potato, cottage cheese and sauerkraut fillings.

 

Chicken dumpling, chicken noodle and creamy mushroom soup were also consumed at various meals this trip.
 

Another common food on a 'Polish Plate' is City Chicken, which I wrote about in 2014.  I was slightly disappointed in this version, because it was made of chicken (!) instead of the traditional veal and pork...because real chicken is now cheaper, defeating the whole purpose of 'city chicken'.

 

There are also 'family style' places in the suburbs, similar to Jimmy's, Perry's  and other 'diner' type establishments we have out here. comfortable, with comfort food.

Yes, omelets and liver and onions type of comfort food, along with cabbage soup.

Of course, there are the 'Dairy XXX' type places on every street corner.  Soft serve, sundaes, flurries, treats.

Interesting factoid- these all open on Memorial Day weekend and close on Labor Day.  One of the reasons Michigan public schools don't start until after Labor Day- so that seasonal employees/students can finish up their summer jobs.  

Thanks for reading!  Hope your weekend is good.

Comments

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Cool food tour! That's interesting Detroit has a bunch of Coney Island restaurants. What makes for a Coney Island restaurant? I went to Coney Island earlier in the week...

[caninecologne]

Great post Cathy! Quite ironic about your recent version of "city chicken". Coat hooks are pretty rare here too. Interesting to see the Polish "spelling" versus the pronunciation.

By the way, thanks for putting in links about these places and the origins of these dishes (very helpful). I always enjoy learning about regional foods.

[Cathy]

It's sort of mentioned in the wikipedia link, Soo...in general it's a restaurant that almost always has a counter, where most people sit first (I've seen so many empty tables and people waiting for the counter) serves Loose and Coney and where most people sit, eat and go. Not very fancy.

I was sad about the City Chicken, cc, even though it tasted good. Tobey's 19th Hole has hooks for coats (or maybe hats?) at every booth. It is odd to try to explain some foods or regional specialties; I know people look at me funny when I say I like fish tacos.

[Ed (from Yuma)]

Great post. I thought schools began in Michigan on Labor day because it's the first day of winter up there.

[Dennis]

Another nice one Cathy. Comfort food at its best.

[Cathy]

Thank you, ed. Between Labor Day and middle of September, it does get very cold...we put away summer clothing, pull out sweaters and sweatshirts and then for about three days, "Indian Summer" happens and it's a miserable heat. Memories of the way I grew up...always keeping additional clothing and an umbrella in the car.

Thanks Dennis. Typical foods for me (other than showing boiled pierogi and fresh kielbasa). There are a couple of other places to eat that were special; I hope to go back on a real vacation and be able to share those.