OT: MAC Championship Game
Being a BGSU graduate, I'll be traveling north to watch them take on NIU in the MAC Championship game. The game is at Ford Field and I was wondering if anyone here knew of any shenanigans that I could get into before/after the game around the stadium. The only times i've ever been to Detroit was when I was driving through to take the bridge to Windsor so I'm not real familiar with the place.
Bars? Casinos? Good places to eat? Anything fun?
Go Falcons! (Can I say that here?)
December 5th, 2013 at 9:46 AM ^
I want NIU to win - but solely because I want them to bust the BCS party (and totally NOT because I played for Toledo :P ).
Seriously though - MAC championship games are underrated experiences. Lots of fun! I went last time Toledo was there and there were a ton of tailgates to wander into assuming you had the right colors on as well as some tents/activities right outside the stadium. There was something for kids too, but since you're trying to get into shenanigans I am guessing you won't be having kids there!
Have fun!
December 5th, 2013 at 9:53 AM ^
I went to the game last year, however our 3 month old baby will prevent that from happening this year. Me, my wife and couple friends went to Nemo's Bar and Grill before the game to get some drinks and food. They have plenty of free parking, cheap beer and then a shuttle for a few bucks that drops you off at Ford Field (and picks you up afterwards of course). After the game, Nemos is quite close to MotorCity Casino, so you can take a 2 minute drive and try out your luck there.
December 5th, 2013 at 9:59 AM ^
I'm almost positive I'm going to waltz into the casino at some point for some Craps. I let the woman throw the dice. She seems to be luckier than I am.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:43 AM ^
Seems like the less you know about what you're doing when gambling, the luckier you get (not to say women don't know how to gamble, of course). If you haven't been there, I enjoy MC casino. I've had decent luck there and even had my bachelor's party there. MGM Grand Detroit is a little too tight for my liking and I've never been to Greektown, so I can't speak for that one.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:00 AM ^
I like going there. Usually really easy to get in and out of Detroit in a hurry. You don't have to deal with any traffic after the game, which is a huge plus.
December 5th, 2013 at 9:53 AM ^
Greektown area has plenty of bars/restaurants. I would reccomend Fishbones to eat and maybe the Old Shillelagh for drinks and debauchery. Fun can certainly be had in Detroit.
December 5th, 2013 at 9:54 AM ^
Also, if you are willing to bundle up a bit and drink beer in the parking lot, it can be an enjoyable tailgating experience. Nothing like drinking beer in an empty parking lot adjacent to vacant old buildings.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:05 AM ^
So you're a Browns fan too?
December 5th, 2013 at 10:09 AM ^
No, but I did have a great time tailgating in Cleveland for the Detroit game after the PSU debacle. The parking lot was full and it was next to an occupied building, so a bit different.
December 5th, 2013 at 1:51 PM ^
Classic comment string right here.
December 5th, 2013 at 9:57 AM ^
Nice! Thanks for the help!
December 5th, 2013 at 9:53 AM ^
Also, typically games like this at Ford field arent packed at all so u can sit just about anywhere usually and the seats are far more comfortable than what youre stuck with at the big house.
December 5th, 2013 at 9:57 AM ^
Grab a bite to eat in Greektown (Monroe Street). My favorite place is a hole in the wall called "The Golden Fleece." Food is amazing. As far as bars, I like going to The Baltimore, The Old Shillelagh (both right near Greektown), and the State Bar (next to The Fillmore Theater). All of these places are an easy walk from Ford Field. Enjoy!
December 5th, 2013 at 10:00 AM ^
I should add that, although I don't prefer these places, Cheli's Chili and Hockeytown Cafe should have a lot of fans and are a bit more "touristy," if that's what you're looking for.
December 5th, 2013 at 1:26 PM ^
I can vouch for the Golden Fleece. Plaka (I believe that's what it is called) is next door and was superb drunk food.
December 5th, 2013 at 9:58 AM ^
December 5th, 2013 at 10:00 AM ^
is the place to be! Great food, and a great beer selection on tap.
December 5th, 2013 at 9:58 AM ^
I want to actually go to see this game. I think Jordan Lynch is a bad ass. Seeing him live would be awesome.
But when I go downtown, I go to Greektown. It has everything you need in one small place. Numerous bars (Old Shillelagh, The Well, The Baltimore, & the Deluxe are all next to each other. It is a 5 min walk to Ford Field. Some pretty damn good food. The casino. There is a safer feel there too IMO.
I usually park right by the Old Shillelagh when I am going to Ford Field, but there may be free parking in the Casino parking structure right off 375. You don't have to get it validated. If they are charging, finding a place between Greektown & Ford Field to park is not a difficult task. Usually pretty cheap too.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:05 AM ^
Thanks for the helpful hints!
And I couldn't turn down a $10 ticket for this game. Getting to watch Jordan Lynch AND root for the alma mater for that price is absolutely a steal.
December 5th, 2013 at 9:58 AM ^
Greek town, MGM Grand, and Motor City casino's, hockeytown, Bucharest grill has good shawarma's. So many activities! ps GO ROCKETS!
December 5th, 2013 at 10:01 AM ^
December 5th, 2013 at 10:02 AM ^
Although the wait can be a wee bit long during events, the Pegasus Taverna in Greektown has pretty good Hellenic food at reasonable prices, if you're into this particular cuisine. A little closer to Ford Field, there is always the Elwood - I've never had a bad experience there either, but again, it can get pretty cramped when there is a game or event nearby.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:02 AM ^
There are no shenanigans in Detroit.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:05 AM ^
Go Falcons!
December 5th, 2013 at 10:08 AM ^
Wait...I'm an Air Force grad. Wrong Falcons.
Sorry.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:07 AM ^
and if you're going to Detroit, you have to have an iconic Coney Dog. I personally am a Lafayette Coney guy, but next door is the American Coney and has its merits as well. I don't want to start a civil war about it, so I'll leave the decision to you.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:09 AM ^
December 5th, 2013 at 11:18 AM ^
Seconded on DBC. Always a top choice for me. Good food, and fine beer.
December 5th, 2013 at 1:35 PM ^
I think that the Brigand steak may be the best thing I've eaten all around this area. Then again, I am a big steak person so maybe I'm biased. The DBC has awesome beers as well and are very competitively priced. So, all in all, I'd like to 3rd the notion of going to the DBC. In addition, the location to the stadium is ideal in reference to the Ford Field location.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:18 AM ^
Go to Windsor. Higher content beer, real strip joints, your dollar is worth more, Casino in Windsor as well. Don't forget to pack saran wrap, just in case.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:24 AM ^
Why would you need saran wra....
Ohhhhhhhhhhh...
#married
December 5th, 2013 at 10:47 AM ^
My daughter is a grad student at BG, and I've got a BG t-shirt on right now.
They've come a long way since 2010. I watched the Kent St. game at Doyt Perry, and BG was not very good, to put it mildly.
December 5th, 2013 at 11:01 AM ^
December 5th, 2013 at 11:16 AM ^
Brady will be inducted in the Ball State HOF on Feb. 14 at a Men's BBall game. Big deal for this program and were pulling for a bowl game against ND to fully establish our state dominance and open up recruiting.
December 5th, 2013 at 11:43 AM ^
Why would BGSU want to forfeit the game? NIU already beat Ball St this year 48-27. It will be nice seeing NIU against some good MAC East competition since the teams they played in the East this year weren't that strong. I think it will be a tight game just like the last 3 MAC championships that NIU was in. I'll be there tomorrow for NIU. Can't wait! Those games are always a lot of fun. I hope Jordan Lynch has another great performance and gets his invite to New York.
December 5th, 2013 at 12:26 PM ^
December 5th, 2013 at 1:48 PM ^
For food + drinks:
- Bucharest Grill on Park Ave. (it's a bit out of the way, but the best shwarma ever, order the Bucharest Shwarma if you go!), it is a hole in the wall inside Park Bar, a great place for drinks. This is one of the cheapest places to dine out downtown, as a large (and absolutely delicious) shwarma and fries (get curly ones!) will run you $6.95 before tax.
- Buffalo Wild Wings is in Greektown (on Randolph) and always a good choice, but definitely chain (obviously).
- The Detroit Pub (on Brush) has a sports bar feel but is also very local, if that's what you're interested in. Watched the Final Four game vs. 'Cuse early this year and enjoyed the atmosphere.
- The Grand Trunk Pub (on Woodward) has superb food and drink, and is one of my favorite bars downtown. Beer is a bit pricey, but the selection and atmosphere are great.
Additionally, if you want to hang out in Greektown which combines restaurants, bars, and the casino in one easy location, I would highly recommend dinner at Redsmoke BBQ on Monroe. This place and Slows BBQ are duking it out for best BBQ in town. A new tavern called Firebird just opened up a couple months ago and is also on Monroe Street, and that's a pretty good time as well.