Is there anything more wonderful than biting into a perfectly prepared burger? This tasty option offers so many fantastic variations, from juicy beef to tangy mustard to deliciously melted cheese. No matter what you choose to top your order with, it’s hard to beat the satisfaction of a burger-filled belly. There’s one spot here in the Great Lakes State where you’ll find incredible burgers and an awesome atmosphere.
The Raft is located at 7707 Dyke Rd in Fair Haven.
Generations of Michiganders have enjoyed the cozy, welcoming vibe at this quaint restaurant, which offers some of the tastiest American classics around.
Situated just steps away from Anchor Bay within Lake St. Clair, the Raft offers a delightful dining experience for Michiganders of all ages. Prepare to be charmed.
The restaurant is decidedly small, but don’t let this keep you from stopping by. You’ll encounter friendly service, an impressive menu, and a cool nautical theme.
Of course, the food here is half of the appeal, and the Raft is frequently lauded for its famous Raft Burger. When hunger strikes, this burger belongs on your must-try list.
Whether you top your burger with cheese, mushrooms, onions, bacon, or a combo of these items, you’ll quickly realize why customers return time and time again.
Other fantastic options include fish and chips, a delicious B.L.T., various sandwiches, homemade chili, hot dogs, soup, and so much more. Your mouth will water in no time.
Whether you’re a longtime hometown fan of the Raft or a brand new visitor, you’ll surely be back for another burger at this neighborhood gem. What’s not to love?
For more information about the Raft, click here. Do you have a favorite local burger joint here in the Great Lakes? We want to hear from you, so share your recommendations in the comment section below!
This Michigan Dining Experience Has Been Called One of the Best Restaurants in the U.S.
This Detroit, Michigan restaurant has been named one of the top restaurants in the United States. With a menu full of seasonal, fresh, and always changing ingredients, we can understand why.
Since moving to Michigan a few years ago, I’ve been amazed by the variety and quality of restaurants. Want to eat a Polish meal that feels like it’s been cooked by your long-lost grandmother? The Mitten State has you covered. Want to eat one of the fanciest meals of your life in a building that used to be a bank? Come to Michigan; we have what you’re looking for.
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Well, one of our Mitten State eateries has recently been chosen as one of the 47 best restaurants of the year. Let me introduce you to the incomparable Selden Standard. From the exterior, this incredible dining experience in Michigan doesn’t look like much. The restaurant is housed in a simple, square building with an equally simple sign adorning it.
Don’t let the plain exterior fool you, though. Once you walk through the doors, you’re in for an absolutely delectable Michigan dining experience.
The interior of this Detroit restaurant is clean and modern, with both bar and table seating. No matter where you sit, you’ll eat one of your life's best meals.
Selden Standard is a restaurant that focuses on local, seasonal flavors. This means the menu will likely be different on each visit.
When restaurants create a menu using local and seasonal ingredients, their chefs are passionate about flavors. When chefs truly know their craft, they can create new and surprising bites that surprise diners every time.
The dish pictured above is a perfect example of a dish like this coming to life. A mashup between a crispy Korean potato dish and traditional roasted potatoes, these potatoes are roasted in a wood oven with soy glaze, togarashi, and crispy garlic.
I have to taste these potatoes—they sound mouthwatering. You could say that about almost any dish served at Selden Standard in Detroit, Michigan.
Even what would be a standard pasta dish at another restaurant sings with unexpected flavors at Selden Standard. The orecchiette is hand-formed, the mozzarella is hand-pulled, and the dish is dressed with anchovies and rapini.
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It looks gorgeous, and I want to eat it. This restaurant offers so many dishes that showcase humble ingredients and make them the star of the dish.
The plating at Selden Standard in Detroit, Michigan makes each dish look like a true work of art. The oblong plate above features a whole grilled Eagle Creek trout with fennel, potato, salsa verde, and grilled lemon.
When I say you’re in for one of the greatest meals of your life, I am not exaggerating one bit. You can get a steak and a baked potato almost anywhere, but where else could you order a grilled octopus or beef tartare topped with a smoked beet puree, crème fraîche, and trout roe?
Not only can Selden Standard tell you which state its meat, seafood, and produce come from, but in some cases, they can tell you the name of the farm! For example, the beef tartare pictured above is crafted with the eye of a round from Moraine Park Farms in Zeeland, Michigan.
In fact, if you visit this Detroit restaurant’s website, you’ll find a list of the local farms and producers providing its food. I don’t know about you, but knowing this information makes me feel so much better about the food I’m putting in my body.
And even though you’re going to want to fill up on all the savory dishes when you’re eating your meal, do not skip dessert. Go with something like this light-as-air strawberry shortcake (made with local berries of course).
Or go out of your comfort zone a bit to try something new. I spied a buttermilk panna cotta on one of Selden Standard’s seasonal menus, which I hope I get to taste one day.
Plus, if the weather is nice when you visit Selden Standard in Detroit, Michigan, you can sit on its gorgeous outdoor patio. No matter the time of day, it looks like a beautiful space to enjoy an equally beautiful meal.
For all of these reasons and more, this Detroit restaurant is a perfect choice for one of the top restaurants in the country. From the atmosphere to the mouthwatering dishes, the Selden Standard is an excellent place to enjoy a meal of a lifetime.
Dining experiences like the one at Selden Standard are just one of the reasons why I love living in Michigan so much. I’m a Michgander, and I’m proud of it.
What are some of your favorite things about living in Michigan? Tell me in the comments!
Did you know that Michigan claims to be the birthplace of the coney dog? It’s true and there is no better place to enjoy this iconic staple than a small shop on Lafayette Boulevard in Detroit: Lafayette Coney Island. This hot dog joint is a must-visit destination when in this part of the city and a true treat for your taste buds. You’ll want to check it out. After learning more about this hot (dog) spot, you'll be packing your bags and planning a trip to Michigan.
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Coney dogs are a Detroit icon, yes, but they're so much more than that. This isn't just any plain hot dog with some ketchup and mustard squirted all over it though, but more on that in a minute. While "Coney Islands" are what most diners in the Mitten State are called, a "coney dog" is an entirely different item that you often can get from a "coney island," but not always... and certainly not as delicious as what you'll get at Lafayette Coney Island.
Just as not all coney islands are the same, neither are all coney dogs. In fact, Michiganders often gave a very passionate allegiance to their favorite spot. Lafayette Coney Island is a perennial fan favorite - but it's as polarizing as its story. Lafayette and American Coney Island were started by a pair of brothers in 1915 - as a single restaurant. Gust Keros came to Detroit from Greece and started American Coney Island; his brother William came to help run the business. But when a storefront was available next door, William grabbed at the opportunity to open his own shop, Lafayette Coney Island.
Today, these two restaurants sit right next door to each other, making it easy for someone to try the Coney Islands at both in a single visit, but that's another story for another day. Today we're shining the spotlight on Lafayette Coney Island, a small business in Michigan nominated by numerous readers for Only In Your State's 2024 Small Business Spotlight series. While Lafayette is no longer in the Keros family, the business continues to use William's time-honored recipes, maintaining the heart and soul (and taste!) of its founder.
If you'reinterested to learn about other unique American small businesses, our Small Business Spotlight series highlights the often-overlooked work of small business owners across the country, from Maine to Southern California.
Back to Michigan... Lafayette Coney Island doesn’t appear to be much on the outside but it’s truly what’s on the inside that counts. Located in downtown Detroit, this restaurant is one you will not want to pass by and it’s a secret you will not be able to keep.
Soon this will become the spot where you bring all your friends and where you swing by after every night out. This beloved local spot is a hot dog joint where you won’t just enjoy a traditional, mediocre hot dog. Rather, you can devour a 'dog that you will crave for weeks to come.
This restaurant does not mess around when it comes to hot dogs. You may think you've had it all when it comes to dogs, but you haven't until you've been here. The signature hot dog at this Detroit restaurant is *the* classic Coney Dog: an all-beef frankfurter, steamed bun, famous chili sauce, mustard, and onions. Eating it will make you feel like you're strolling through the Coney Island theme park on a beautiful, sunny summer vacation... even on the dreariest Detroit days! The sauce is a longtime family recipe with hints of sweet and savory spices that truly make a Lafayette coney dog in a league of its own.
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If you aren’t in the mood for a hot dog, that’s not a problem. There are plenty of additional items on the menu. If you enjoy a good burger, the Coney Loose Burger is a fan favorite. These burgers feature high-quality ground beef and plenty of toppings so you can customize your burger to perfection. And that’s not all. Try a salad, chili, gyro, or soup if you want something just a little bit different. There are a lot of options on this menu so even the pickiest eaters in your party will find something to love.
Just make sure you don’t forget about the fries! Try the golden fries, chili fries, chili cheese fries, or cheese fries to really spice things up. And who doesn't love a good French fry? There are so many options to try on this menu. For dessert, consider ordering a slice of cheesecake, donut, baklava, cake, or pie. This Detroit hot dog joint has the perfect sweet treats to finish off the perfect meal. Trust us, you don't want to skip dessert at this local spot.
Lafayette Coney Island may not be on your radar of the best places to eat in Detroit, but it should. In fact, we recommend you place it near the top of your Michigan dining bucket list.
Sometimes it's the most unexpected restaurant concepts that deliver the best food, and this is certainly one of those times.
Have you ever eaten at Lafayette Coney Island in downtown Detroit? What are your favorite items on the menu? Let us know in the comments below. We love hearing your firsthand accounts of these unique and exciting experiences.
Of course, Lafayette Coney is part of a great community of small businesses in Michigan; please nominate your favorite attractions and businesses for a chance to be featured in an upcoming Only In Michigan article. And be sure to follow Only In Michigan on Facebook and Instagram to learn about the Great Lakes State’s most incredible places, attractions, and events.
If you are looking for even more places to explore and enjoy in Detroit, check out several of our favorite attractions in the city. And, if you want a one-of-a-kind experience after you fill your belly with pure deliciousness, visit Viator for some inspiration!
