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Detroit Local Customs

Learn the local customs of Detroit. Tips and photos posted by real travelers and Detroit locals.
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Say nice things about Detroit
  • Tip Rating:
    • GottaTry
  • Updated By GottaTry on April 28, 2005
  • Detroit Page by GottaTry
    • Joe Louis Fist - Detroit
    Joe Louis Fist
    by GottaTry
    Detroit bashing is a popular national sport. No matter where you go, mention Detroit and people seem to feel it is their job to tell you what an awful place it is. Most have never been to Detroit but they still want to share with you the city’s ills.

    Within Detroit and its suburbs this bashing is taken to a high art. It doesn’t matter if it is politics, the weather, crime, the poor roads, or the economy “Detroiter’s” have an opinion and are willing to share it.

    What you must remember as a visitor is not to express your negative opinion of the city. No matter how many negative things a local says to you about the place, no matter how obvious you feel the city’s short comings might be just resign yourself to the fact that a negative word from you is not welcome. The quickest way to make an enemy in this town is to be viewed as an outsider trashing the city. This goes for those of us that have lived in the city and moved away also. When you left town you lost the right to say bad things about Detroit.

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    GINGER ALE ON STEROIDS
  • Tip Rating:
    • dtownkitty
  • By dtownkitty on October 4, 2005
  • Detroit Page by dtownkitty
    • Detroit Local Customs
    by dtownkitty
    VERNORS ginger ale is the oldest soft drink in the US and it was born in good ol' Detroit City. If you have never heard of it or tried it, you should give it a chance when you're here. It's like regular Ginger Ale only a bit stronger (just like Detroit women). It will tickle your nose! Michigan mom's heated it up for us when we didn't feel good. It makes the BEST Boston Coolers! YUM!!!!!!!

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  • Website: http://www.vernors.com/
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    DETROIT CONEYS 101
  • Tip Rating:
    • dtownkitty
  • By dtownkitty on February 7, 2006
  • Detroit Page by dtownkitty
    • BETTER ASK FOR LIGHT ONIONS - Detroit
    BETTER ASK FOR LIGHT ONIONS
    by dtownkitty
    There are many restaurants in the area, including local chains, that go by the name "Coney Island" .
    They are usually little greek restaurants. The name "Coney Island" has nothing to do with the Coney Island in New York. Somebody way back probably thought it was a good marketing tool at one time....ANYWAY...

    Detroit Coney Island Hot Dogs are not meant to resemble a hot dog from Coney Island in any way (are you following?). ....Detroit Coney Island hot dogs are topped with a thick, meat chili sauce - no beans. Ideally served with mustard and onions. AND a good coney has a natural casing hot dog...None of this ball park frank business! It has a light kind of crunch or pop...Koegle brand is the best....

    Try some chili fries, too and a big, cold glass of coke.

    For more confusion, check out this wikipedia page, which also touches on Cincinnati chili. The only mistake on this page is that it says coneys in Detroit have a cinnamon flavor....This is WRONG...Everyone knows that it's Cincy chili that includes cinnamon! Right??

    Directions:
    My favorites are the American, Lafayette and Kerby Coney Islands. I'm not very fond of National Coney Island.

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  • Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coney_Island_hot_dog
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Call it pop
  • Tip Rating:
    • Juice183
  • By Juice183 on January 19, 2005
  • Detroit Page by Juice183
    • Detroit Local Customs
    by Juice183
    In Detroit, as well as most of the Midwest, we say pop instead of soda. I almost cringe when I hear pop referred to as soda. And while I'm on the subject, Faygo (a Detroit company) Red Pop is one of the best things on earth.

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    GIVING DTOWNKITTY GIFTS
  • Tip Rating:
    • dtownkitty
  • Updated By dtownkitty on August 17, 2005
  • Detroit Page by dtownkitty
    • Detroit Local Customs
    by dtownkitty
    It is a local custom to bring dtownkitty gifts. It does not have to be a special day, either. Just gifts anytime. You don't have to live here to honor this tradition! Cash gifts are always acceptable, too. : ) Failure to do so could anger the gods. }: \

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    It's Naht An Aaccent! It's a sInis KINndishin!
  • Tip Rating:
    • dtownkitty
  • By dtownkitty on August 22, 2005
  • Detroit Page by dtownkitty
    • So we like to say...Most Michiganders, as well as some other midwesterners have an accent that sounds somewhat nasally. Is that a word? Any way, here in MI it sounds like a hybrid of a mild boston accent with a good dose of Canadian, eh? If you walked around with a broad smile while you talked that would be close.

    Yes, everyone I know has a sinus condition (sInis candishin), but that's really no excuse!!! : . )

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    Stick to Coney Islands for outside dining.
  • Tip Rating:
  • By pozole on January 16, 2007
  • Detroit Page by pozole
    • Coney Islands represent the finest of Detroit cuisine. Stay away from any big name local joints and avoid "ethnic" food at all costs (With the exception of Detroit's fine soul food restaurants). You may be enticed by a local to check out the fantastic and authentic Mexican food in Mexican Town, but avoid, unless you think "Authentic" Mexican food calls for ground beef burritos and salsa made with ketchup. Remember this, a well known chain of Mexican restaurants in Detroit is named "Chi-Chis", which is in fact a Mexican slang word that means "Titties". Ditto for arabic food. The late "LaShish" was the best that the large arab population could produce and it would be considered third rate on either coast.

    Stick to the Greek food in greektown, Soul Food and any local Coney Island and you will be just fine!

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    Also a must is the Cranbrook...
  • Tip Rating:
  • By gakman on August 26, 2002
  • Detroit Page by gakman
    • Detroit Local Customs
    by gakman
    Also a must is the Cranbrook Institute of Art and Science (www.cranbrook.edu). I haven't been there in a while, but the last time i went it was awesome! They have laser light shows to music, an observatory and great exhibits.

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    BURNING DOWN NEIGHBORHOODS
  • Tip Rating:
    • CoolMercedes
  • By CoolMercedes on May 6, 2003
  • Detroit Page by CoolMercedes
    • Detroit Local Customs
    by CoolMercedes
    In 8 Mile, Eminem and his buddies performed one of Detroit's most famous customs! House Burnings!!!! What better way to top off a fun night than burning down a run down Victorian house!?!?!?!?

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    There is a lot of angery...
  • Tip Rating:
    • origin360
  • Updated By origin360 on August 25, 2002
  • Detroit Page by origin360
    • Detroit Local Customs
    by origin360
    There is a lot of angery people in Detroit. With the differences between white and black being a point of too much conversation, it is easy to get the impression that the civil rights riots never really ended... they just took a break. - My recommendation... forget the baggage of the locals and go to a soul food cafe. It's the mix of black and white that gives Detroit it's best character.

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