Daily Detroit

How To Find Great Sandwiches (and New Friends) in Detroit

Today's episode is all about Detroit sandwich culture, community, and the power of sharing good food with good people. I'm joined in studio by Carlos Parisi, the mind behind Sandwich Week, for a wide-ranging conversation on where to find great sandwiches across the region – and how those places help you make real-life connections, not just grab lunch and go.​ 02:24 - Honoring Greg Mudge We start by remembering the late Greg Mudge of Mudgie's, whose new honorary street sign that went up over the weekend recognizes just how much he did to shape Detroit's modern restaurant and bar scene. Carlos shares personal stories about Greg as a mentor, community builder, and straight shooter who helped countless businesses get off the ground and pushed people to be better.​ 05:55 - 10 Rapid-fire sandwich takes Then I put Carlos through 10 rapid-fire sandwich questions, starting with the eternal "Is a hot dog a sandwich?" (he says no, emphatically). We get into toasted vs. untoasted bread, mayo vs. mustard, pickles, diagonal vs. straight cuts, fries and chips on the sandwich, bologna nostalgia, and why texture, temperature, and proper "shredduce" (shredded lettuce) make or break a great bite.​ 15:37 - Sandwich Week 2025 preview and schedule From there, we dig into Sandwich Week 2025, running December 26–31 in its 12th year. Carlos walks through the schedule: Friday, Dec. 26 – Mudgie's (12–3 p.m.): Kicking things off where so much started, with the Uncle Carlos sandwich back on the menu.​ Saturday – Vesper Books & Wine (12-3 p.m.): A first-ever Sandwich Week pop-up with Ayiti Spaghetti​ Sunday – Ladder 4 (12-3 p.m.): Wild, creative sandwiches from one of the top spots in the country, plus that off-the-beaten-path wine-bar vibe.​ Sunday night – Dakota Inn Ratskeller (ticketed dinner, 6 p.m.): A 15-foot sandwich built on a giant table in the newly revived basement German wine bar! Plus sides, Aunt Nee's chips and salsa, and two drinks with your ticket.​ Monday – Rocco's (12-3 p.m.): A must-visit Italian market stop with art between two slices of bread.​ Tuesday lunch (12–3 p.m.) – Tall Trees: Ferndale's small-but-mighty cafe, with obsessive attention to thoughtful sandwiches.​ Finale – Batch Brewing (6 p.m.): Closing things out under the big tent with a special smoked-meats sandwich lineup and a big community raffle with concert tickets, gift cards, and more from businesses across Metro Detroit. There are also a number of sidequests with deals at Gonella's, Pietrzyk Pierogi, JP's Makes and Bakes, Last Chance Saloon, Bev's Bagels. Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/DailyDetroit Follow us on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-detroit/id1220563942 Or Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Yhv8nSylVWxlZilRhi4X9?si=df538dae2e144431

Predictions! For Detroit (and Michigan) in 2026

Jer and Devon cue up our annual mild, hot, and spicy predictions for Detroit, Metro Detroit and Michigan things in 2026! From fun, to development, to automotive, to transit, to politics - we cover all of the bases. If you've got your own predictions (or agree or disagree with ours!) let us know.  It's one of our must-listen local podcast episodes of the year.  Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/DailyDetroit  Follow us on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-detroit/id1220563942  Or Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Yhv8nSylVWxlZilRhi4X9?si=df538dae2e144431  

Street Soccer as Sunday Service: Inside Detroit's Urban Football League with Maxwell Murray

Show notes to come   Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/DailyDetroit Follow us on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-detroit/id1220563942 Or Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Yhv8nSylVWxlZilRhi4X9?si=df538dae2e144431  

Innovate or Be Left Behind: Michigan's Auto Crossroads ft. Glenn Stevens

Michigan's auto industry is still a global leader, but Glenn Stevens of MICHAUTO argues in this episode that "innovate or be left behind" is no longer a slogan — it's the stakes of the moment for the state's economy. Glenn walks through the forces reshaping the industry — rapid technology shifts like automation, AI, and EVs, fierce global competition from places like China, and whiplash in trade and domestic policy that makes long-term planning harder. He explains why the real battle is for talent: from skilled trades to high-end software and digital jobs, Michigan needs better K–12 outcomes, clearer career pathways, more counselors, affordable housing, and reliable transit if it wants people to build their lives and careers here. Here's the full report if you want to check it out for yourself: https://michauto.org/michauto-report-michigan-must-innovate-or-be-left-behind-amid-rapidly-changing-automobility-industry/ Feedback as always: dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com Thanks to City Bird for their support. Get grat local gifts this holiday season: https://www.citybirddetroit.com/ Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/DailyDetroit Follow us on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-detroit/id1220563942 Or Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Yhv8nSylVWxlZilRhi4X9?si=df538dae2e144431  

Michigan Just Broke $645 Million in Promises

State House Speaker Matt Hall's move to cancel $645 million in already-approved state funding is the political equivalent of a rug pull, and it has real consequences for projects and people across Michigan. This episode digs into what happened, why it matters, and what comes next for cities, nonprofits, and everyday Michiganders. This wasn't theoretical money on a spreadsheet. It hit projects that were already underway with contracts signed and local dollars already spent on the promise of state reimbursement. The cuts touch everything from Motown Museum improvements and the BAMF Cancer Center in Detroit to an emergency shelter in Sault Ste. Marie, RX Kids cash support for new parents, police infrastructure in Dearborn, Detroit Zoo funding, and Detroit's right-to-counsel program. To break down the facts, impacts, what could be next and what you could do about it is Steve Watson. He is a Partner and COO at Watson and Yates, a consulting firm here in Detroit that serves public sector and non-profit clients.  He knows his stuff. Formerly, Steve was budget director for the city of Detroit. His post, "Speaker Hall's How the Grinch Stole Christmas" took what I had seen in other outlets to another level with his in-depth understanding and I knew I just had to talk to him. https://watsonyates.substack.com/p/speaker-halls-how-the-grinch-stole Support the show on Patreon, get stickers: https://www.patreon.com/c/DailyDetroit Follow us on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-detroit/id1220563942  Or Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Yhv8nSylVWxlZilRhi4X9?si=df538dae2e144431