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OT: Slows Bar BQ & Charity Beer Garden: anybody been there yet?

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September 20th, 2016 at 10:55 PM

#1

MGoPatio's picture

Joined: 07/31/2012

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OT: Slows Bar BQ & Charity Beer Garden: anybody been there yet?

We all have our gameday routines, right, but what do you do when you're already on your way to the Big House and you feel a sudden urge for great barbeque or a cold pint? Head to the south end of Elbel Field and visit Detroit's own Slows Bar BQ food truck and a Charity Beer Garden hosted by the local Cancer Support Community (100% of beer revenue goes to the CSC).

Closest beer to the Big House...and for a great cause!

Find it at 327 E. Hoover Ave., adjacent to Elbel Field and immediately east of the railroad tracks.

What to expect when you arrive:

Slows Bar BQ, a Detroit destination, parked a block from the Big House

10 taps flowing with local craft beers (bottled water if you need a non-alcoholic thirst quencher)

indoor seating in a warehouse converted into a yard bar: LED string lights, ceiling fans, community tables...you know the deal

two big screen TV's showing College GameDay, the early game, the Michigan game, and the late game

an atmosphere welcoming to home and visiting fans

family-friendly--yes you can bring your kids

don't want to carry too much cash--yes, you can use credit cards

open before, during and after the game

and yes...bathrooms

Eat and drink for charity!

September 20th, 2016 at 11:00 PM

#2

Joined: 07/07/2012

MGoPoints: 14734

Oh a food truck

reading helps. spent a few minutes in total confusion as to where on hoover there could be a restaurant. Looks delicious though!

September 20th, 2016 at 11:39 PM

(Reply to #2) #3

MGoPatio's picture

Joined: 07/31/2012

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Yup, Slows food truck

Yup, Slows is trucking it into A2. I tried to convince them to open an Ann Arbor location. Still working on that...

September 20th, 2016 at 11:39 PM

(Reply to #2) #4

MGoPatio's picture

Joined: 07/31/2012

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I'd share a photo of the setup but...

I'd share a photo of the game day setup so you know what to look for but I can't figure out how to attach a photo.

September 20th, 2016 at 11:01 PM

#5

MGoPatio's picture

Joined: 07/31/2012

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Full disclosure

Full disclosure: I am a sponsor of the charity event so my interest is not just in who knows about the place and who has been there. I'd like to spread the word to raise awareness and, yes, more money for the charity. That only happens if more people drink their beer, something I know this crowd can get behind.

Hope to see you there on Saturday.

Thanks

September 21st, 2016 at 10:38 AM

(Reply to #3) #6

MGJS SuperKick Party

Joined: 08/04/2010

MGoPoints: 13570

Ok - sponsor - I got a few

Ok - sponsor - I got a few questions because I saw it this past week and it interested me...

Is there a cover charge? And then are Slows and Beer pay as we go? My buddy I go with doesn't BBQ, if we buy some food from the outside street can we bring it in?

Most of my questions relate back to making sure I bring enough money

September 21st, 2016 at 10:57 AM

(Reply to #21) #7

Chunks the Hobo

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Joined: 07/22/2008

MGoPoints: 4065

You buy tickets (bring cash)

You buy tickets (bring cash) and use tickets to get beer. (It's a stupid liquor control code thing.) Beers were $6 apiece, which I thought was a little steep, but cancer and all that.

September 21st, 2016 at 11:12 AM

(Reply to #23) #8

MGJS SuperKick Party

Joined: 08/04/2010

MGoPoints: 13570

Perfect, and food is separate

Perfect, and food is separate line?

September 21st, 2016 at 12:29 PM

(Reply to #24) #9

MGoPatio's picture

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Two lines

'Chunks and 'Stamos: Yes, two lines.

Slows has the food truck set up for food and bottled water. The charity has the bar set up separately to dispense beer. The beer garden is the only State-approved special event license granted in A2 on game day and it comes with some hoops to jump through but it's a great opportunity for fans and the non-profit org. The $6 drink ticket covers all the different beer options so it's simple and fast (and, yes, goes to a good cause). It also helps cover the cost of bathrooms, trash pickup, cable, etc.

Cash is good but credit cards are accepted too.

I hope you stop in and enjoy yourselves!

September 21st, 2016 at 1:38 PM

(Reply to #26) #10

MGJS SuperKick Party

Joined: 08/04/2010

MGoPoints: 13570

I'll be there on Saturday my

I'll be there on Saturday my man. Thanks! I usually head downtown, but this makes more sense for me! I'll be there every game

September 21st, 2016 at 4:40 PM

(Reply to #28) #11

MGoPatio's picture

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See you there

Make sure you say hi (ask for Martin). Always good to meet the MGoCrowd!

September 20th, 2016 at 11:03 PM

DrMantisToboggan

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Slows is very overrated as

Slows is very overrated as far as BBQ quality goes.

Beer for charity is the best.

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September 20th, 2016 at 11:15 PM

(Reply to #5) #13

erald01's picture

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I agree 100% went there once

I agree 100% went there once because everyone made it seem like the best bbq in michigan and was very dissapointed. Not bad food but by far the best

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September 20th, 2016 at 11:28 PM

(Reply to #5) #14

MGoPatio's picture

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Then, by all means,

Then, by all means, concentrate your efforts on the beer!

September 20th, 2016 at 11:55 PM

(Reply to #9) #15

DrMantisToboggan

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will do, patio

will do, patio

September 20th, 2016 at 11:28 PM

(Reply to #5) #16

TheRonimal's picture

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GR

I went to the one in GR last year. It was pretty solid, but nothing too crazy. One of those places that gets overhyped because of the atmosphere/style I think. I was rather hungover when I went, so it was pretty awesome for that.

September 21st, 2016 at 6:57 AM

(Reply to #5) #17

SagNasty's picture

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Slows BBQ is very good. Have

Slows BBQ is very good. Have only been to the one in Grand Rapids but I love their food.

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September 21st, 2016 at 8:09 AM

(Reply to #5) #18

kevin holt's picture

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I've lived in two BBQ capitals (St. Louis and

I've lived in two BBQ capitals (St. Louis and Kansas City) and I still enjoyed Slow's. To each their own.

September 21st, 2016 at 3:05 PM

(Reply to #15) #19

DrMantisToboggan

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STL not a BBQ capital in my

STL not a BBQ capital in my mind because it's not its own distinct style. You've got Memphis and KC (Memphis is better because KC has taken styles from different regions, combined, and perfected whereas Memphis has always been doing their brand of bbq), then you've got Texas and Carolina. STL is just KC east.

Slows ribs are Memphis imitation and their pulled pork is western carolina imitation and both are just "meh" to me.

September 21st, 2016 at 9:40 AM

(Reply to #5) #20

laus102's picture

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you know

I used to think that. I still do think Ron's Roadside in Dexter is better. But the last time I was at Slow's I got their chicken sandwich, but with pulled pork instead, and it was damn good (coffee)! and hot!

I think certain parts of their menu are overrated. Hell, I make better ribs than they do. But their pulled pork is damn good, and their chicken wings are pretty good as well.

September 21st, 2016 at 10:02 AM

(Reply to #18) #21

DetroitBlue's picture

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Minor nitpick, but Ron's is in Ann Arbor Township, not Dexter

Minor nitpick, but Ron's is in Ann Arbor Township, not Dexter

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September 21st, 2016 at 2:53 PM

(Reply to #18) #22

DrMantisToboggan

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Ron's is better, I agree.

Ron's is better, I agree.

September 20th, 2016 at 11:24 PM

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Thanks for the heads up

We tailgate every week but I'll make a point of getting by there and doing my best to contribute to the cause.

September 21st, 2016 at 1:54 AM

BruinWolve's picture

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Great post timing...first visit in 9 years

Coming from Portland OR to see this weekend's game. Last game we saw before moving to OR was the 2007 Oregon game; and that was not a fun game to attend (39-7 Ducks). Will definitely stop by as my wife is a 5+ year breast cancer survivor and I want to compare the Michigan craft beers to Oregon's which I am quite fond of!

September 21st, 2016 at 9:49 AM

(Reply to #12) #25

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Congrats to your wife

Glad to hear she's doing well. I'm also a member of the survivors' spouse/partner club. It's one of the reasons this particular charity is the beneficiary of these efforts.

I was also at the '07 Oregon game (on-field photographer). Strange thing is, I have no memory of the first two weeks of that season. My doctor says I may be repressing traumatic memories of the first two home games.

September 21st, 2016 at 8:02 AM

Joined: 07/13/2008

MGoPoints: 17

This will be my first game

This will be my first game since '06 and since it'll be just the wife and I we may not do to much tailgating. I think we may definitely hit this up.

September 21st, 2016 at 9:05 AM

Joined: 11/24/2008

MGoPoints: -104

I was standing right in front

I was standing right in front of this Slows parking lot type thing Saturday. Not too many people there. It was about 30 minutes before game time though so...

September 21st, 2016 at 9:40 AM

(Reply to #16) #28

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Marching Band and signage

Yeah, the crowd thins out a bit after the Michigan Marching Band leads everyone into the stadium. Approaching kickoff, ticket holders are on their way in and everyone else (eating, drinking, or without tickets) is in the warehouse beer garden watching the pre-game.

We've also learned over the past three weeks that better (higher) signage is required. Everything hung at or below eye over is blocked by the throngs of people on the street.

DOES ANYONE HERE HAVE CONNECTIONS INSIDE A BANNER/SIGN-MAKING COMPANY? Maybe someone willing to offer a charitable discount on a large (we're talking 10x20 foot) outdoor banner to hang on the building on football Saturdays?

September 21st, 2016 at 1:23 PM

(Reply to #17) #29

Joined: 11/24/2008

MGoPoints: -104

I'm not sure if they are

I'm not sure if they are still in business, but Ace-Hi in Grand Rapids used to do all the product marketing signage for Meijer, etc.

Maybe they could help you out with a donated sign.

September 21st, 2016 at 5:16 PM

(Reply to #27) #30

MGoPatio's picture

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Thanks for the tip

Thanks, but it looks like they may be out of business (as you said). Much appreciated though!

September 21st, 2016 at 10:40 AM

123blue's picture

Joined: 10/02/2014

MGoPoints: 3309

I think I learned about this

I think I learned about this via someone's RT on Twitter and, otherwise, never would have known. I always like to walk down Hoover toward the Stadium, and the lack of options for a beer along the path has been a drag....until now!

I was really excited for some Slow's before the game as well, but (and I'm a fan of Slow's) it wasn't great. The choices were super limited (even for a food truck) and food wasn't great...but it was a hell of a lot better than a hot dog or slice of pizza. The folks working the event are super nice and there are plenty of beer options.

This is the type of thing that should be packed, but wasn't. You can get a beer with little to no wait. I didn't even notice televisions, bathrooms, etc. I'm sure I'll be stopping in here again before PSU (and/or every game). Almost hope it doesn't get too crowded, but that wouldn't exactly be great for the charity benefitted...so folks, get in there, enjoy a beer and do some good at the same time.

September 21st, 2016 at 12:12 PM

(Reply to #22) #32

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Glad to hear the feedback

Slows and the charity wanted to take small steps at the beginning to make sure the experience was a good one for both fan and vendor. There was little publicity until everyone got into a rythm and even the menu was controlled to meet demand without overpreparing.

As the crowds grow, so will the food options I imagine. Tell the staff (one or both of the Perrone brothers are there each game day) that you'd like to see a few more menu items. Bring your friends so they see that there are customers to justify the extra output.

As for where to sit and watch the game, better signage is required to let people know that the warehouse (open to the back of the property) can seat 50-75 people easily.

Glad you enjoyed the beer. There were a few new brews available last Saturday. Stop in and try them out this week!

September 21st, 2016 at 4:35 PM

(Reply to #25) #33

123blue's picture

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Maybe I overstated the

Maybe I overstated the downsides as I selfishly don't want it to get too crowded. :)

I'll likely stop by this week and chat with Brian if I see him, but they know what they're doing. The televisions are a bonus as it's just nice to be able to hang out on gameday and have a beer for a good cause.

(I might be in the minority here, but I'd pay more for the beer given the perfect location and the charity)

September 21st, 2016 at 4:38 PM

(Reply to #31) #34

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Or you could

Or you could just buy another.

September 21st, 2016 at 8:00 PM

Joined: 09/26/2009

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We swung by before the

We swung by before the Colorado game. No lines! I think $6 for a craft beer two blocks from the stadium is a great deal. We watched a quarter of the Louisville- FSU game in the "beer garden", sheltered from the rain. My wife commented: "why tailgate if this is an alternate option?" We'll be back.

September 21st, 2016 at 9:28 PM

(Reply to #35) #36

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See you Saturday!

See you Saturday!

September 25th, 2016 at 12:02 AM

Joined: 06/03/2011

MGoPoints: 2079

Thanks Again

My family and I stopped by after the game today for some grub and a few beers. Whether or not you love Slows (I do enjoy it), the beer was good and the cause even better. See you next week.

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