How many BBQ joints does it take to make a good entrtmnt district?

[Conan71]

And FYI, there is a thread started on Back Alley under restaurant reviews for people to detail their experiences at BABBQ.  I thought this thread was on the topic of BBQ downtown more specifically.

[nathanm]

I saved some of the sauce from my visit last week for FMC to try.  Between us we figured out the mystery spice was rosemary.  It was such a familiar taste, but I simply could not figure it out.

That has some serious deliciousness potential. Rosemary + meat = win

[Conan71]

That has some serious deliciousness potential. Rosemary + meat = win

Unusual for a BBQ sauce, but a nice surprise.

[Red Arrow]

What is "Texas Toast?" It sounds disgusting.

Flavorless carbs.

[Kenosha]

Looks like a zoning change request has been initiated at the old Met facility (from IL to CBD), where Rib Crib is supposed to open.  Seems like a sign of progress on this project.

[Red Arrow]

Looks like a zoning change request has been initiated at the old Met facility (from IL to CBD), where Rib Crib is supposed to open.  Seems like a sign of progress on this project.

Let's hope it's not to surface parking.

[Hoss]

Let's hope it's not to surface parking.

Just wish it could have been something other than Rib Crib, which IMO is essentially the Applebee's of BBQ.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Geez, Hoss!  All your taste in your mouth??  As bad as Applebee's is, Rib Crib still doesn't come close to that good....(LOL!)

[Hoss]

Geez, Hoss!  All your taste in your mouth??  As bad as Applebee's is, Rib Crib still doesn't come close to that good....(LOL!)

Wasn't necessarily referring to the taste so much as the business model...but I don't care for most of their offerings, either.  I like my BBQ joints to sell BBQ.  I don't want to see some sort of BBQ burrito, or a BBQ Philly on the menu.

That's just how I roll....

[RecycleMichael]

I like the brisket from the Rib Crib. We get it for catered events all the time. I also like Elmer's, had a good meal at Blue's Alley last week, and love to go to Stutt's for lunch.

The Rib Crib is also a great supporter of community events. They give discounts or donate food to many causes over the years.

My old warehouse will make a decent small restaurant, in my opinion. If another restaurant appears on Detroit to accent what is happening on Elgin, suddenly we have a district.

[TheArtist]

   I would love to see more shopping over there. Now that would help it feel like more of a district.  Drove by the other day and was looking at some of those small store fronts and noticed that they said "cvered parking". Can those small spaces really make more as covered parking in that area than they could lease the space for retail?  I wonder what they do make per month and if one could make them an offer for more to open a shop?

btw. I am tired of doing murals all over gawds earth, never knowing where I am going to be one week to the next, setting up and tearing down scaffolding and climbing all over ladders, stairs, straining to paint ceilings, etc.  It was fun for 20 or so years but am ready to do something else now.  Never thought I would say it, but the idea of going to one place every day thats mine and where I could be creative, is starting to seem quite appealing. 

[Red Arrow]

 Can those small spaces really make more as covered parking in that area than they could lease the space for retail?  

Presently they probably do when the money to fix a place up for retail and the perceived parking problem along with lack of a really usable transit sytem is considered.  Hopefully that will change.

[rdj]

Artist, do you mean the buildings on the west side of Detroit Ave south of Enso?  If so, I wouldn't park my car in them because they are about to fall down.  An American Parking employee told me the cost to rehab and bring to code is too high for a reasonable return.  It's too bad because they're cool looking buildings.

[TheArtist]

Presently they probably do when the money to fix a place up for retail and the perceived parking problem along with lack of a really usable transit sytem is considered.  Hopefully that will change.

They look perfectly fine inside for me.  Cement floors, exposed ceilings and walls... beautiful. Fix up? Fix up what lol?  I have got about $30,000 worth of antiques I am tired of looking at and could mix in some contemporary furniture/decore/gifty items along with that, could do some artwork while I am there, have some friends who also want to do the same thing and could partition the space, and I am off tomorrow and could do it then lol.

Perceived parking problem....I don't see it and I don't give a F about the kind of freakish idiot that would.  And we are not going to have good transit worrying about parking more than worrying about having concentrations of pedestrian friendly shopping/living/business/entertainment.

[TheArtist]

Artist, do you mean the buildings on the west side of Detroit Ave south of Enso?  If so, I wouldn't park my car in them because they are about to fall down.  An American Parking employee told me the cost to rehab and bring to code is too high for a reasonable return.  It's too bad because they're cool looking buildings.

Ugh, what a shame.