Daily Detroit

Dear Restaurants: Here's Why We Don't Come Back

We LOVE going out. We love a great time at a great restaurant - and it doesn't have to be fancy to be great. But in recent years, we've seen some doozies and instead of calling out specific places, this is our combination love letter and grievance list for hospitality in Metro Detroit. Me and engineer of alcohol and audio Randy dig into the real reasons diners don't come back to restaurants, bars, and shops, from missing addresses on social to chaotic hours and confusing menus. We share practical, low-cost fixes businesses can make right now, including clearer parking info, better web and map listings, sane gratuity policies, and dialing in music and TVs for actual conversation instead of noise. Whether you run a spot in Detroit or the suburbs, or you're just tired of stunt dishes and bad vibes, this conversation is full of specific examples and ideas to make going out feel worth it again. Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts.  Thanks to our members on Patreon for keeping us going! https://www.patreon.com/c/DailyDetroit

Lion Cubs, Lost Pints, and a Billionaire Belle Isle Boondoggle

Welcome back from the weekend! Norris and Jer dig into: The names of three new lion cubs at the Detroit Zoo We unpack the quiet closure of Midtown's Jolly Pumpkin, what it meant to the neighborhood, and what to expect from the new concept coming in. There's a viral $50 billion "Freedom City" plan to turn Belle Isle into an exclusive enclave. But in their view, it's hype, not hopeful. And we close with the suddenly controversial parking rules facing Stellantis workers who don't drive company brands — but this is the way it's been at factories and facilities for many years.  Feedback as always - dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or leave a voicemail, 313-789-3211. Make sure to follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get shows. 

Trying Medusa + Tuhama's; MI Senate Primary Poll Talk; Data Center Questions

Jer and Devon talk the issues of the day: 01:55 - Trying Medusa in Detroit (Where we've been) 05:55 - Trying Tuhama's in Dearborn (Where we've been) 11:44 - Metro Detroit's economic concerns; and AI Data Centers need to make their case to local communities 27:44 - Michigan Democratic Senate Primary Poll Talk (it's a tight race)

Apathocracy, New Detroit Zoo Stuff, Jack in the Box coming + More

Hey friends! Your Daily Detroit is here with Jer and Norris, talking all things Metro Detroit. The Rundown: 04:55 - ICE Facility Fight is hot in Romulus 12:30 - Jack in the Box coming to Metro Detroit, with Westland first 15:51 - The Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak is getting new adventure trails 19:52 - Old Comerica Building sold: Speculation on what's next? Plus a little history 25:55 - GM will have more semi-autonomous vehicles on Michigan's streets 30:23 - Apathocracy - the idea that more people need to be plugged in and care (and the down mood on jobs in a Gallup poll) If you don't already, make sure to follow Daily Detroit in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get shows. 

Dan Austin on Detroit's Past, the Austin Fund, and Fighting for the Future

Today I sit down with HistoricDetroit.org founder Dan Austin for a candid conversation about Detroit's lost landmarks, from the Statler and Madison-Lennox hotels to the Lafayette Building and beyond. We talk about how preservation battles have shifted over the last 20 years, why the Austin Past and Future Fund aims to both safeguard Detroit's stories and support Detroit students, and what it means to plant seeds for a future you may never see. Dan also opens up about his terminal colon cancer diagnosis, the urgent need for earlier screenings, and how listeners can help by supporting the fund and taking care of their own health. Support the fund: https://austinpastfuturefund.org/