Largest Buffalo Wild Wings in Detroit

Last month, Diversified Restaurant Holdings announced the opening of its largest Buffalo Wild Wings franchise in none other than downtown Detroit!  Ordinarily, chain restaurants and wings aren't really our scene (Well, Scottie probably would disagree on the latter); however, we made an exception tonight to experience NFL Playoffs in what is probably going to be one of the more popular sports bars in Detroit.  We can't really complain either as Detroit is certainly lacking in the "sports bar" category.  Let's dial them up according to Yelp:

1. Rub BBQ and Pub: 
2. Detroiter Bar
3. Hockeytown Cafe
4. Bookies Bar and Grille
5. Detroit Pub 
6. Pappy's Bar and Grill
7. Cheli's Chili Bar
8. State Bar and Grill
9. Coaches Corner
10. TAP at MGM Grand

There are definitely some popular ones missing like Nemo's, but if you take a stroll through any of these except TAP at MGM Grand (which is relatively new), you would find only a handful of televisions, average food, and a laid-back atmosphere (unless it's the World Series, Stanley Cup Champions, Super Bowl, etc) with some sports paraphernalia adorning the walls.  It would be your suburban dream because the places aren't altogether crowded, thus, you're assured a table!  A handful of these bars have been updated, but most still have the stale smell and looks of the 90s, maybe early 2000s in them.  They need major updating to call themselves a true sports bar and Yelp should probably classify them just under "bar" and not try to oversell them.

But the moment you walk into the latest BWW, your senses start churning in overtime.  It's as if you forget for a second that you have just walked in with a bunch of your closest friends or family.  Your eyes are immediately mesmerized by the eye candy before you and I'm not talking about people, but the   plethora (95 in total according to this article) of popular-branded flat screen televisions.  As your eyes adjust, you start peeling through the chatter sounds to hear the actual broadcast of whatever popular event is on the majority of the televisions.  But then your stomach starts growling after taking in a waft of their specialty, flavorful wings.  Lastly, you remember you can actually speak, ask to reserve a table only to find that there is potentially a 140-minute wait.  We cackled at the precise estimate that was given, but luckily knew that our friends luckily located a table at the first-come, first-serve spacious bar seating area.  Oh, thank heaven!

While all the talk in the city is about Illitch building a new hockey arena, Gilbert buying up Detroit real estate, and Bing launching the Detroit Works future city plan for Detroit, it is refreshing to actually get into Detroit and experience some of the change that has already happened.  Diversified Restaurant Holdings remodeled this historic Temple of Odd Fellows Building built in 1874 located just footsteps from the Greektown Casino!  What a perfect location with not only the casino nearby, but Comerica Park, Cobo/The Joe, and The Fox/Fillmore Theaters are also just a stop or so away on the People Mover (if you don't feel like walking!).  The restaurant is two floors, including a balcony that I can only imagine will be perfect for baseball in the city.  

We settled in for a long night of NFL playoffs, but certainly enjoyed our Asian Zing boneless, all-white meat wings and even the Mango Habanero ones I ordered without really thinking about the fact that those would burn our mouths!  This place has everything to offer a sports junky and it's going to be a big hit as our Detroit sports teams get better and better.  We're also looking forward to the Bagger Daves that will be opening next door and is also affiliated with Diversified Restaurant Holdings.  I suppose chain restaurants sometimes can surprise the doubters in all of us!

Cheers!