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Honest John’s

Midtown restaurant thrills with a unique menu and edgy décor.

STEFANI CHUDNOW SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

W

The moment you pass through the saloon doors into
hat makes a good bar? Is it the welcoming
Honest John’s, it’s like you’re in a different universe.
bartenders and a warm, unique environ-
ment? Or is it the creative drinks, a wide
Multicolored Christmas lights dangle from the ceiling
variety of draft beers and tasty appetizers to go on the
and edgy neon signs (such as “Men Lie,” “Sobriety
side? To be honest, a good bar is all the above.
Sucks,” among others) adorn the walls. Its unique atmo-
Honest John’s is not a good bar. It’s a great bar for
sphere even extends into the restrooms, which are cov-
one reason: It’s not only a bar; it’s an
ered in so much customer graffiti that
experience.
you can barely see the walls.
Located on the west side of
As for dinner, fellow Michigan State
Honest John’s
Midtown Detroit, Honest John’s is a
grad
Emma Morris and I decided on
488 Selden St., Detroit
bar and restaurant popular with locals
a
Caesar
salad, chicken tenders and
(313) 832-5646
as well as visitors. The original Honest
the Impossible Burger (a vegan burg-
honestjohnsdetroit.com
John’s, located by the Belle Isle Bridge,
er that tastes like a real hamburger)
was demolished 15 years ago. The
to split. Though this seems relatively
new one is owned by businessmen
basic, Honest John’s menu is anything
Dave and John Kwiatkowski. Honest John’s is the type
but. From Fruity Pebble French toast to classic bar fare
of place to bring your family; however, it’s probably best like fish and chips, Honest John’s extensive menu will
delight anyone who walks through its swinging doors.
for date night or a night out with friends. Though its
menu reads like a diner, the atmosphere is bar-like.
Though it took our waiter a long 20 minutes to tell

us the Impossible Burger was sold out, he made up
for it by offering us a black bean burger on the house.
Crunchy and refreshing, I have no doubt it was one of
the best black bean burgers I’ve ever had. The Caesar
salad, chicken tenders and fries were also yummy, but
pretty much what you’d expect from a bar. If you visit
Honest John’s, I’d recommend getting something you
can’t get anywhere else. The memory of the Fruity
Pebble French toast is still floating around in my head
and enticing me to go back.
Even if you’re not in the mood to drink, I recom-
mend sitting at the bar during your visit to Honest
John’s. Although our waiter wasn’t in the best groove,
our bartenders Jeremy and Maxwell more than
made up for it with their great service. Maxwell
whipped us up a Spanish Coffee, the most popular
drink, using fire, coffee liqueur, brandy, Cointreau,
RumChata, whipped cream and a blend of cinna-
mon and sugar. Normally I’m not a fan of this type
of alcohol, but this delicacy smelled like a cinnamon
roll, tasted scrumptious and was super fun to watch
him create.
My experience at Honest John’s came with some
bumps along the way, but it is definitely worth at
least one visit, if not more, so you can try its intrigu-
ing menu items.
While I might not go for their Oink Omelet, I’d
go back for the Spanish Coffee and the Fruity Pebble
French toast alone. ■

jn

December 6 • 2018

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