An annual rite of spring for decades is Sunday’s Flower Day at Eastern Market. Thousands of people are drawn to the market to buy flowers and plants.
Flower Day is one of the most popular annual events at the historic Detroit market. It’s a showy display of flowers and plants by the flats and baskets for people to peruse and buy.
And all that walking around the market checking out the flowers, plants and just enjoying the market can make you hungry.
Amid the plethora of flowers, there are plenty of food offerings around the market and at nearby restaurants.
Restaurants like Vivio’s on Market Street and Bert’s Marketplace on Russell street at the north end of the market are longtime market staples.
If you can’t make it to Sunday’s Flower Day or you’re not a big fan of crowds, the market offers its Flower Tuesday markets from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 19 and May 26 in Sheds 5 and 6.
Bert’s Marketplace
Bert’s is well-known for smoked barbecue ribs slathered with its signature barbecue sauce cooked on outdoor grills. Chicken is another star at Bert’s. On its menu are tender and juicy varieties of chicken like the restaurant’s signature chicken, the Aretha Franklin World Famous fried chicken. Other chicken dishes are named after celebrities from Louis Armstrong fried chicken wings, Nat King Cole baked chicken and Ray Charles Bar B-Q chicken. Bert’s also has a variety of entertainment from bands performing on the patio to karaoke.
Cutter’s Bar & Grill
Cutter’s is known for its 100% ground chuck, hand-pattied burgers available as 8 ounces or 12-ounce size, according to its online menu. Choose from its regular burger menu offerings or Cutters’ stuffed burgers. There are also appetizers, salads, soups and sides like hand-cut fries. Doors open at 10 a.m.
Detroit City Distillery
This Eastern Market Distillery brought back its limited edition Flower Day Vodka. The vodka, $35 per bottle, is infused with lavender and lemon and features a label design by a local artist.On Flower Day, the distillery’s Eastern Market tasting room is open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. with its Garden Party menu collection of cocktails.
Farmer Frank’s
Serving breakfast, Farmer Frank’s is open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays. Its menu features a selection of breakfast dishes, many with ingredients sourced from Eastern Market vendors, according to its website. There are breakfast combos, breakfast sandwiches, omelets, skillets, crepes, waffles and pancakes.
Fred’s
At Fred’s on Gratiot Avenue breakfast is served all day featuring a variety of toast to egg sandwiches, breakfast burritos and bowls. Lunch features a variety of bowls, sandwiches and salads that include a chopped kale and Brussel Sprouts to papa and ginger salad, according to Fred’s online menu.
Jose’s Tacos
The restaurant will be open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday with its full menu. There are build-your-own taco dinners or individual tacos, burritos, fajitas and enchiladas. Quesadillas and a la carte items are available.
Marrow in the Market
Touted as a “Butcher’s Brasserie,” Marrow in the Market is 14,000 square feet of space that houses, under one roof, Marrow Detroit Provisions’ meat processing facility and butcher shop, two bars, a dining room and a private event space, all while highlighting Detroit’s and Eastern Market’s vibrant food culture. It’s a dining spot where craft meats, butchery and cuisine come together in one space. On Sunday brunch is offered with a selection of salads, frittata, French toast and its brunch burger. Sunday hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Marybelles Cache
Located adjacent to Eastern Market, Marybelles Cache offers a wide variety of comfort food dishes withe a home-cooked feel. Start with crispy, salty fried green tomatoes or crumbly biscuits and butter. Then, work your way up to more elaborate offerings. At Marybelles, grits are not mere sides, but rather full entrees paired not only with shrimp, but also catfish, salmon croquettes or lambchops. And unexpected dishes abound, like a seafood omelet filled with shrimp, ladled with a spicy cream sauce and served with the option of dirty rice; or a sizzling skillet with fried salmon bites as the protein. Don’t leave Marybelles without trying an order of the restaurant’s popular sweet potato pancakes.
Mitsos
This small spot is on Riopelle on the corner of Adelaide Streets. You will find a variety of gyros with traditional tzatziki sauce and served with fries. There’s also the Mitsos Souvlaki pita, salads, burgers and a selection of sides. Breakfast pitas, according to its menu, are available until 11 a.m.
Thomas Magee’s Sporting House
Located on the corner of Russell and the Fisher Freeway service drive. Thomas Magee’s opens at 8 a.m Sunday offering its loaded Bloody Mary’s and Irish coffees.
Supino Pizzeria
This pizza spot is known for its thin-crust East Coast-style pizzas with traditional and unique toppings. Pizzas are red (with sauce) or white (no sauce). Hours on Sunday are 11 a.m.-9 p.m.Supino has garnered much attention and success since its 2008 opening. A year later after its opening its pizza got the Free Press’ nod as metro Detroit’s best pizza. Supino is known for its thin-crust East Coast-style pizzas with traditional and unique toppings.
While the menu is pizza-focused, Supino’s also offers some classic Italian fare and pasta dishes. There’s seating inside including a bar area.
Vivio’s
An Eastern Market mainstay since 1967, Vivio’s is still family owned and operated. Open Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Vivio’s is well known for its selection of Bloody Marys with its own house mix and garnished with a variety of ingredients from bacon to shrimp cocktail to pierogi. It is also known for its mussels served in a variety of styles including the original in wine, butter, celery, and garlic or spicy with house Cajun spices.
Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @SusanMariecooks. Subscribe to the Eat Drink Freep newsletter for insider scoops on food and dining in metro Detroit.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Eastern Market’s Flower Day is here. Here’s where to eat
Reporting by Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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