Thursday 1 May 2014

FOOD: Fish n Chips at the Grand Trunk Pub

Grand Trunk Pub Detroit

Finding decent fish n chips that live up to the expectations of a Brit living in the US isn't an easy task, it's certainly enjoyable trying to many versions, but not easy. Finally after two years of searching, I've found some that makes me and my stomach, happy. 

Down in Detroit there stands the Grand Trunk Pub housed in a building which if the walls could talk, could probably share some interesting tales. Built in 1879, the buildings first occupants was the Traub Bros jewellery store, but by 1911 it became a ticket office for the Grand Trunk Railway. The company removed the second floor and installed 25 foot high vaulted ceiling, reminiscent of the Railway Stations the passengers would come across on their travels. While it ended it's days as a ticket station in 1935, it began it's new life after the Metropole Hotel turned it into a bar, which it has remained to this day, now with a railroad theme.

Being a fan of all things railway related, eating inside of a railway themed pub has always been on the cards and I'm glad to say we finally got to try it ourselves. Arriving just a little after 5pm, we certainly saw just how quickly the pub fills up on a Friday evening, city workers, students and young couples & friends drinking, eating and being merry. While the menu is small they have a great selection of burgers, sandwiches to main dishes, they and also serve 170 bottled craft beers, with many Michigan varieties to boot.

Grand Trunk Pub Detroit Grand Trunk Pub Detroit

We started with the crab sliders comprising of a lovely thick rich crab cake which had a delightfully spicy after-taste from the habanero and lime sauce. While Joe went for the Rock 'n' Rye Pulled Pork sandwich (Faygo barbecued pork served with cheddar on Texas toast and served with coleslaw and chips (oh see I'm turning American calling crisps chips again ...) which I have on very good word that it was delicious, I opted for the fish n chips. The Ghetto Blaster beer batter was lovely and crisp, the fish so flaky and delicate, and while the fries were of the skinny variety (rather than you know good thick British style) they were seasoned and set the meal off perfectly. We were still on the hungry side and after hearing great things about their desserts, we finished the meal off with a slice of the Mud Pie - the best brownie pie I've eaten, ever. Made of a Ghiradelli brownie, Michigan's Guernsey ice cream and topped off with Detroit's own Sander's hot fudge, I could of licked that plate clean.

Grand Trunk Pub Detroit

This place is all about the details - everything is served on enamel dish ware, old trunk carts divide the eating area, chandeliers hang, railroad memorabilia and history surrounds you. The pub is narrow, it's not overrun with seating and it fills up fast but its certainly worth stopping at whether it's for a drink or a piece of that Mud Pie. I'll certainly be back for those fish and chips.


 
Grand Trunk Pub can be found at;
612 Woodward Avenue,
Detroit, Michigan, 48226

Where's your favorite place to grab fish n chips?
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19 comments:

  1. This looks SO good!

    Come by soon!

    xx

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  2. I will totally have to go check that place out!! Looks cute and delicious!!

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  3. Wow this does look really good,and exactly like the fish & chips you get at a chippy.I thought that maybe on the East Coast of the US there maybe more chips shops because there's more of an English background there.xx

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    1. Possibly - I'm in the Midwest though which is a far way from the east coast and the first settlers in Detroit were French, with some Poles, Germans, Irish all thrown in for good measure afterwards so not too many Brits for proper fish n chips that's for sure!

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  4. I've found the authenticity of the fish and chips varies quite a bit, with the small hole in the wall places getting closer to the original than the chain restaurants do. There's an Irish pub around here that supposedly makes decent fish and chips. While I don't go for fish, I'd have enjoyed that mud pie! Ghirardelli brownies are great. : )

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    1. I find the local independent places can certainly whip out a better fish n chip dish then some of the chains. But yes, anything Ghiradelli is hard to resist!

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  5. Would I get disowned as a Brit if I told you I'm not a fan of fish and chips, or sunday roasts for that matter. Very happy that you've managed to find a place that lives up to your expectations though! Must be nice to stumble across things like this!

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    1. I dislike Sunday Roasts big time, urgh and Yorkshire Puddings, which being a Yorkshire lass i'm sure is some sort of crime. It's nice to find hidden treasures especially when you find places that go great food for a really decent price too.

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  6. Woohoo! Glad you found a place to get your fix! And the rest of their menu sounds delish too!

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    1. Yeah I made a straight line to the fish n chips but there's certainly some other goodies on their menu i'd love to try in the future!

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  7. Looks great - I rather like a themed pub!

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    1. "Pubs" in the British sense are rather sparse around here so it's great to finally find one that looks like what i'm use too!

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  8. That looks so good...although the chips are a little on the slim side and the coleslaw should be mushy peas! ;-)

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    1. Yeah I thought that about the chips too, although they had a super tasty seasoning on it them I'll forgive them. I actually don't mind the coleslaw as a side, and as a much as a I love mushy peas I can't say I've ever had them with fish n chips!

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  9. Fish and chips just don't look right served with coleslaw!

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    1. But it tastes so good!

      Coleslaw is a big deal in the US methinks haha!

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  10. Aww yay! I do love Fish and Chips, it's nice to see that there's somewhere that you can go to as well. I love the sound of that crab slider x

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  11. My favorite place to grab fish n chips?! I don't know now that I think of it. I guess I'm not too picky about my fish n chips, but that I should be? But this place looks like a spot that I'd love to hang at and eat at, of course, while my husband drinks and tries all the beer. I love the way it looks from the outside as well. -Jess L

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