Whether you're going out on a fishing trip, discovering new hiking spots, or heading out for a weekend of camping, the Trailblazer is an ideal companion for your active lifestyle.
If there’s one thing the holidays are all about, it’s family togetherness. If there are two things the holidays are about, it’s family togetherness and food. Now is the time of year when it’s socially acceptable to eat your own weight in cookies and worry about the gym later, because hey, everybody’s doing it!
But before you dig into those treats, it’s still important to eat a well-rounded meal. We may eat a bit more than usual around the holiday season, but we can still stick to the order of things, right? This weekend, if you’re heading out with a group of friends, your family or a date, head to the following restaurants in the D where you’ll find the best French onion soup, French dip sandwiches and french fries: the complete (and perhaps not at all) French, but entirely delicious, meal.
One Eyed Betty’s, 175 W. Troy Ave., Ferndale, allows you to start off with a bowl of French onion soup, then move onto the Fwanch Deep “handwich.” It’s made with braised beef, sharp Cheddar cheese and horseradish sauce, and served with au jus for dipping.
Fortunately, One Eyed Betty’s has 44 different rotating craft beers on tap, meaning you can try out a variety of Michigan-made brews each time you visit!
R.P. McMurphy’s, 2922 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte, is family owned and operated and has been around for 35 years. I’d say that’s a good amount of time to perfect some secret family recipes, ‘eh?
The French onion soup is served in a tiny crock and is topped with Provolone cheese. After your hearty starter, the French dip will surely satisfy for either lunch or dinner: it consists of thinly sliced roast beef topped with sautéed mushrooms and Provolone cheese. The sandwich is served on a baguette with a side of au jus and fries.
Detroit Beer Company, 1529 Broadway, Detroit, unfortunately doesn’t have any French onion soup on its menu, but the French dip sandwich and french fries more than make up for that. The French Dip Panino is a ritzy version of the usual, with thinly sliced Certified Angus roast beef topped with caramelized onions, Gruyere cheese and horseradish cream sauce. It’s grilled to perfection and served with a side of au jus.
Sandwiches are served with your choice of french fries, bistro chips or coleslaw, but we all know what the correct decision is here. Don’t miss out on grabbing a brew (or two) while you’re here, either.
Red Fox English Pub, 100 S. Main St., Royal Oak, is located above Cantina Diablos and doesn’t have any French onion soup, either, but the French dip sandwich is high class. It’s got slow roasted New York Strip on it, complete with horsey sauce and au jus.
It’s a little pricier at $14, but for a French dip with New York Strip, that seems reasonable, doesn’t it? The sandwich is served with proper chips, not any plain ol’ french fries, so you’re getting the real authentic English pub experience here.
Clubhouse BFD, 2265 Crooks Rd., Rochester Hills, calls itself a “craft beer shrine and juried gallery exhibit of the brewing arts,” which is a beautiful way of saying it’s a restaurant with a great craft beer selection. Before we get to that, let’s focus on the soup: French Onion Ale Gratin topped with Swiss Gruyere. So much cheesy, oniony goodness, you can hardly wait, right?
The sandwich is another “not your average French dip.” Le French Philly Dip is made with shaved prime rib, peppers, caramelized onions and Provolone cheese on a toasted baguette. It’s served with au jus, of course.
The beer menu is updated frequently online and lets you know not only what’s on tap, but the price per pint and size of the draft. Clubhouse BFD has 51 beers on tap and great food—what more could you want?
The Plymouth Crossings, 340 N. Main St., Plymouth, offers traditional French onion soup and French dip sandwiches for both lunch and dinner. Start your meal off with a crock of soup, and follow things up with a sandwich of tender roast beef and Provolone cheese served on a homemade sesame herb bun. It’s served with au jus and seasoned chips, but those can of course be substituted for french fries.
Perhaps you’re not exactly a French dip guy or gal and are only interested in the French onion soup or french fry aspect. Well, I certainly won’t stop you from visiting any of the above establishments for just the sides! Also, consider heading to The Earle, 121 W. Washington, Ann Arbor, for a traditional bowl of French onion soup, complete with shallots and chives and broiled Gruyere cheese. If it’s just the french fries you’re looking for, I would highly recommend The Burger Spot, 550 Forest Ave., Plymouth, and their Garlic Parmesan Fries, which are simply otherworldly.
French onion soup, French dip and french fries are the perfect trifecta, and there are plenty of great restaurants where you can find them in the D. Enjoy!
