We've been wanting to give Vinsetta Garage a whirl for quite a while now, but the chef-husband has a vehement mantra of I DON'T WAIT!!! So I patiently bided my time until an opportunity for lunch came up with family from in and outside of town, and then made my casual suggestion. Off to the Garage we went! We arrived at about 12:45 on a Tuesday afternoon, to be told immediately there would be a twenty-minute wait. Cue the chef husband's meltdown but...HA HA, our buzzer went off well before twenty minutes (so what others are saying about VG overestimating your wait time is definitely true). We'd barely ordered our drinks at the bar before we were being escorted to our table! Atmosphere: Yes, it's loud. That's not necessarily a BAD thing, just a product of the architecture's acoustics. I wouldn't recommend it for a first date or hammering out an important business deal, though. Everything was very laid-back-casual, from the paper tablecloth to the pilled mechanic/kitchen rags as napkins. There were a lot of fun little details to observe in the decor here, and for the most part, the staff was very friendly. Menu: Interesting, but a wee bit overpriced for what you get. One of our party has visited the Union Woodshop on multiple occasions and she was underwhelmed overall by Vinsetta. I can't remember the exact prices (although some of my fellow Yelpers have kindly posted them) but my burger was in the $12-range, and I'm giving it a squinty side-eye at that price. The menu itself was so limited in apps that we skipped over them altogether. Service: Front-of-the-house: very friendly and on top of it. Bar: friendly, but a little slow. Waiter: Not quite as on top of it as he should have been, I had an empty drink glass for a while and finally the chef-husband had to break the sad, sad news to me that I would not be getting another Screwdriver on this visit. The food runner gave me a serious grumpy-face, though...she brought out everything for three of us, and nothing for my husband, not even a "Your food is ready, I'll be right back with it!" She literally didn't even acknowledge that there was NO FOOD TO SET DOWN IN FRONT OF HIM. So we all sat there in silent protest, not eating, until she finally wandered back over and said something along the lines of "Yeah, yours will be right up, I'll be back." I can honestly say I've never experienced anything quite so rude and unprofessional when it comes meal delivery. I don't care if your venue is a converted garage or some hoity-toity 5-star joint...there was no excuse for this. Food: I got the Vinsetta Burger sans cheese, natch. It was...unremarkable and a bit overcooked. I mean, it was GOOD, but there wasn't anything that stood out, aside from the pure sloppiness of digging into the thing. I always cut a burger in half so I can chow down with a modicum of elegance, but the pretzel bun was so...dense?...I could barely do that. Yes, the sauce (which involved mayo and chipolte and was tasty but again, unremarkable) is served on the side so you can dial your sloppiness gauge up or down but...DANG. Ladies, even if you are a burger-lovah like myself, do not order this on a first date. My poor mechanic's rag/napkin took a beating on this one, and there is absolutely no way to eat this without sauce and grease halfway to your wrists. Was it tasty? Again, yes, BUT...unremarkable. We may as well have gone to Smashburger. I substituted the included chips for house fries and those were indeed YUMMY...greasy and salty like you wouldn't believe, but yummy!!! I strongly recommend the upgrade, even at the choke-on-'em cost. The restaurant-GM-BiL got the Chop Salad with great anticipation about the dried cherries to compliment his glass o'wine, but ended up a bit "meh" about the whole thing. Our other dining-guest got the Grilled Chicken Sandwich and enjoyed it, but ended up eating it with half a bun, a knife, and fork, because (see above) there is no way to eat what they cram between the buns neatly! The chef-husband got the Sy Ginsberg Press and was underwhelmed...the bottom was soggy, which led us to believe it and my soggy-bunned burger had sat in the window for a while. Overall...good fun vibe, I'd recommend every Yelper visit it at least once to say they did. Apparently there is now complimentary valet (we were lucky enough to score a spot right in front!). But overall? There is no way in hell I'd wait an hour for the privilege of dining here...there are too many other great spots to hit up for better food.
(3)
Dale L.
Allow a few minutes for wait excellent food excellent atmosphere
(5)
Chrystal M.
One word- Lamburger!
(4)
O H.
Awesome setting and finger licking good food. Must go!
(5)
Alyssa R.
Nostalgia is a powerful thing... and since my family had taken our cars to Vinsetta Garage for years for top quality, family-owned service, I was beyond excited to see the transformation that became 'Vinsetta Garage: The Restaurant.' And they lived up to my expectations, originally. Still set in the original garage theme, it's industrial meets hipster. A cool place to meet friends (though the acoustics leave MUCH to be desired. The menu is creative, as the place is owned by the folks who own Union Woodshop. Same great Mac n' cheese, quality meat, inventive sides and unique flavor combinations. At first, I even braved the long lines to eat here and just couldn't get enough. And then, for some reason, I maxed out a bit. Why? I can't really put my finger on it. It just became a bit... 'je ne sai quoi...' I don't know how to put it in words. Unique, but not enough- quality ingredients and flavors, but not enough to make it the experience I thought it was at first. It's not like the quality lowered (though I have had a few overcooked burgers, which is a burger killer), but when the newness wore off I find myself going elsewhere for 'that great burger.' You will find better burgers that don't hide behind the mask of the many toppings and actually stand on their own. You won't regret stopping in, and you'll probably like it a lot- as I did for a while. I'm also quite sure I'll be back at some point even if it's not a hurry. So take it for what it's worth- it's a great concept with a good execution that I just don't crave.
(4)
Courtney M.
YUM. My friend and I came here on a Saturday for lunch. The wait wasn't bad, about 20 minutes. We had some wicked delicious margaritas at the bar while we waited. For lunch we ordered disco fries, a side of their Union Mac, The Pedro, and a Yeti Dog. Everything was positively tasty, including the homemade chips. Portion sizes are quite large for the price you pay. I'll definitely be back!
(5)
Huston M.
Why have a burger here when red coat is down the road? In fact, if you desire a truly good burger I recommend driving to Oxford to a quaint Irish pub called Sullivan's where they have a real chef and burger. The ambiance is eclectic and fun but the service and food is average. To ice the cake, I witnessed a waitress spill a whole beer on a baby. The ev1 veggie burger was as thick as the overwhelming goat cheese on top of it. Wtf? As for The 3am burger? Overcooked as well as the chips it came with. The side Union Mac-n-cheese was cold in parts but hot on top... Meh. Wouldn't come back.
(3)
Varun B.
This place is THE most busiest restaurant in Berkley. I live just a couple blocks away, well within walking distance, so I pass it nearly every day. There hasn't been a single time I've been by either during lunch or dinner where there hasn't been a wait out the door, despite the outdoor seating being open. Somehow, they have managed to make this place constantly pouring with customers. The food itself is pretty good as well. They have a great selection of burgers and pizzas, as well as some full entrees. I don't eat beef, but I do eat all other meats. I don't usually prefer a vegetarian patty, but their vegan patties are amazing. They also have shitake bacon. One thing I am a huge huge proponent for is real bacon, but their impostor veggie bacon does a great job. I've had their fried cheese curds...these can get a little oily sometimes, so consider this your warning if you're not looking for that kind of item. They also have a pretty good beer selection.
(4)
Alex K.
For a second visit, I got the Tikka fries, 3am burger, and a side of mac and cheese (again). Came in at about 3pm on a Saturday. We (six people) were told there'd be a 45 minute wait, but it was about 20. Service was good. Food was good. It was all fine. Mom's Vinsetta Burger was dry and crusty, so it got taken back, but a new one was back within maybe five minutes. 3am burger was really good, but I don't know if it was better than the Macon Bacon one. The Union Mac was as good as ever, as well. The Tikka fries would have been AWESOME, but the fries themself were WAY over-salted -- regardless, I'd get them again. The Rock 'n Rye shake is better than the ice cream, I think, just because of the texture. The liquid nitrogen gives the ice cream a freezer burn sort of feel because of the ice crystals. It's almost like eating an ice cream/sherbet hybrid. Good, but not great. The shake is better. Both of them (understandably) taste like Blue Moon. Overall, another good experience with a nice menu with a bunch of options, but knocked it down to four stars just because as good as it is, I'm not too sure it's worth the wait on a busy night. A fifteen minute wait today wasn't bad at all, but dinner time would certainly be a disaster. Not many places are quite worth waiting an hour to eat at. Vinsetta Garage is close, but not quite. Still a place I'd love to visit again and again, just preferably at an "off" hour, even though they truthfully don't have one.
(4)
Gerard G.
The only reason I give Vinsetta Garage four as opposed to five stars is consistency. Vinsetta Garage is one of my favorite restaurants in the area. The Erich Press is probably one of the most perfect lunch sandwiches I've experienced. Serving up great burgers, pasta dishes and boozy ice cream shakes, you really can't go wrong at this spot. Nine times out of ten you'll have an amazing experience. The four star rating only comes from a touch of inconsistency, which is bound to happen when you're doing such high volume service. Every now and then you may catch a new cook who doesn't do your sandwich the way you had it last time-but it'll still be good, no worries. The slight inconsistency is worth noting, though I wouldn't let it dissuade you from visiting this unique restaurant that has one of the coolest atmospheres of any restaurant in the greater Detroit area. The salmon kale salad? Two thumbs up. The Pedro? Phenomenal turkey burger. Check it out, you'll be glad you did.
(4)
Meghan K.
Was really let down with the quality of the food and service from just a year ago. I think it may have gone to the heads of everyone there. We got our appetizer within five minutes which would have been great if it hadn't been just a bowl of oil and a bunch of cheese all stuck together (supposedly cheese curds). It was rather disgusting. Brought our parents with us for dinner and no one liked their meal...which didn't come for another 45-50 minutes after our "appetizer". Not that the server seemed to care, she and other staff were more concerned with socializing near computers and being on their phones. Sad. Won't be back.
(2)
Wm H.
Elsewhere in the country, Detroit and its surrounds are thought of as the center of the rust belt, for car enthusiasts, it is the center of the American automotive fatherland. Be it tours of automotive factories, or car enthusiast events like the Woodward Dream Cruise or Concours of America at St. Johns. So as an auto enthusiasts it was on my to-do list, and while I have been traveling to Detroit over the past few years it did not get to the top of the list due to time allowed. This year with the North American Auto Show, there was some time to attend. They have free Valet Parking, and if you bring a really HOT American Car, it gets parked up front, the everyday hoopties get parked in the back lot. Inside is very well designed as a restaurant, while it feels like a theme restaurant, it is not kitschy like the 1980's TGI Fridays or Applebee's is, this one feels very real and one of a kind. Large open space, tall ceilings, as once it was an actual automobile repair shop with lifts. The design has been done tastefully but still well scripted. Check out the pennies used as floor tile in the rest rooms. Staff you will notice is quite the hipster team, and the word team is very key because if you watch them you will see they all work very well together, like a finely crafted machine. A good team is not easy to find in the hospitality industry, but this one is well trained, and know how to take care of their customers. High marks in my books for that! Food was not anything extreme, but good quality food that is fresh and well served. Drinks are your modern bar staples, though don't expect anything the hipster community would not order. Beer, wine and today's choice of high octane alcohol. For sure this is on my list to revisit when I return to the Motor City.
(5)
Andrew P.
It's hard to look past the amazing dining room and bar design, really fantastic post-industrial charm. The food is really good pub food. We are huge fans of the lamb burger on pretzel roll. I don't prefer the house-made chips: too greasy and too "loaded" for me. The beer selection is great too, but that is becoming 'table stakes' at most local restaurants. I enjoy the wide selection of IPAs in particular. For the price, this is a great weekday dinner place as evidenced by the long waits especially in the summer. But don't over-think it, this is no fine dining establishment! Take advantage of the free valet parking, because otherwise you are going to search for a spot on the neighborhood streets.
(4)
Michael A.
Yummy food, delicious drinks, hot crowd. It's got everything. Skip the coney pizza. Get the salmon. Mac and cheese is hot and spicy. They have ginger beer. Eating at the bar is where the action is. Lots of hot people. Good times!
(4)
Katie W.
Goodness gracious, this place far exceeded my expectations despite the 1hr and 15 min wait. It was only a Monday night, but maybe it was the holidays, or maybe it's always just that busy. Once we seated, I had a hell of a time deciding what to order because everything looked so damn good. I ended up deciding that if I was gonna get something greasy and delicious, I would go ahead with the 3pm hot dog. The only thing better than a hot dog is a hot dog with onion strings and a fried egg on top. And I was pleasantly surprised with not 1, but 2 dogs! As a last ditch effort to order something nutritious, I subbed the chips for some broccolini. Yes, they were smothered in oil, but they were still green and tasted great. We also started with the Tikka fries, which were phenomenal. Must find some way to get back to this place...
(5)
Grace L.
We came in on a Sunday evening and had to wait an hour until we were seated. Luckily, we were given the biggest booth for three people! I was very impressed with the restaurant ambience and decor. It's totally family-friendly but also edgy and hip. The draft beer list is quite extensive and the appetizer list was quite full of mouth-watering goodies. Unfortunately, I wasn't hungry enough to order a ton of extra food. Me and my friends ordered the Faygo ice cream (which they made into a milkshake that came with two extra little cups for the rest of us), the Macon Bacon burger, the tuna casserole, and the roast beef sandwich. We all opted out of the housemade chips for a side of mac and cheese. The bacon burger was LOADED with bacon and was the best that my friend ever had. The tuna casserole looked delicious. My roast beef sandwich was a perfect combination of savory, spicy, and crunchy with the pepper jack cheese, the perfectly toasted bread, fried onions, mustard, and tender roast beef. The mac and cheese was not as heavy as I thought it would be (which was a good thing!) and the crust was perfectly crispy. It was so delicious and the portion size was huge! Our waitress was awesome - super friendly and helpful. We didn't mind the wait too much because there were some nice chairs and couches to sit in while waiting. This place doesn't take reservations so be prepared for a wait! Apparently an hour was a short wait...! Definitely coming again and taking more friends here! There are a ton of gluten free options and the pasta dishes sounded amazing.
(4)
Jay Arra M.
IG account: @motorcitymunchers Had cousins from out town visiting us so I had to take them here. The ambiance of the place just screams fun with a very casual feel to it. Awesome decor of industrial pieces is something that I've always loved. The Noodle Burger was a perfect blend of ground angus, smoked cheddar, elbow macaroni, and Woodshop MI maple bacon! Almost like an upgraded hamburger helper for adults and YES that's the UNION MAC in the background - IG Poster: @jayarra
(5)
Kimberly M.
I LOVED Vinsetta Garage. Came here for a team dinner with about ten coworkers. The cheese curds were arguably everyone's favorite. The tikka masala fries were a close second as far as appetizers go. My salmon was cooked perfectly and came in a HUGE portion size. For dessert I went with the Rock and Rye Ice cream and was pleasantly surprised by the flavor (I've never had Faygo before). I was equally impressed by the perfection in the Old Fashioned (cocktail) I ordered to start off the evening. Service was quick, friendly, and efficient considering the size of our group. The atmosphere was also very unique.
(5)
Jenny S.
I've been here three times and the service ranges from mediocre to godawful (how long does it take to fry up hamburgers and hotdogs??). Almost always busy, but never busy enough to prevent the bartenders and waitresses from standing around and gossiping. Food (simple order has been screwed up once) usually arrives lukewarm and you'll need to find your own condiments if you're at the bar b/c the waitress won't bother to ask. To say a trained monkey could provide better customer service wouldn't be an exaggeration. The only reason why I gave VG two stars is b/c "The Dude" milkshake, while overpriced, was excellent. Whatever though...I can get boozy milkshakes, better homemade chips, and much better service at Public House.
(2)
David O.
Where can you go for the waitress with the Eidetic memory? Vinsetta Garage, apparently! Our waitress took all of our orders (a party of four) without note taking and then when on to another table and did the same thing. Of course, this was only a proven skill when she returned and got everyone's order correct! I had the Vinsetta Burger and I have to say its easily one of the best burgers I've had in Detroit. I would go so far as to say it is better than Red Coat Tavern, which is well known for its burgers. It tasted like that delicious burger that someone makes on a grill at a Picnic. The highest praise I can think of for a burger. Without a doubt, it is busy, and without question, parking is an issue. But because it is so good I can't really subtract ratings for this reason. I look forward to the next time i'm in the D so I can go back!
(5)
Andrea S.
Best burgers in town! Everything is homemade and you can taste the difference. You can tell the care that goes into crafting this amazing menu. The Duck burger is awesome! I always get the fresh cut fries instead of chips just because I love them so much and the dipping sauce you get with them is absolutely awesome! If you want an appetizer, try the Breadsticks. They're not only delicious, but shareable and not too heavy. The portion sizes are quite large so you must save room for the main entree's!The salted Carmel shake is amazing as well. Pretty much everything...everything's great! My greatest dilemma when dining at Vinsetta's is not ordering the entire menu!
(5)
Jake A.
Is it time to take your taste buds in for a tune up? Is your stomach running on E? I'm always cautious when trying a place that is universally adored by the community. Vinsetta has always been "that really crowded place" that I pass on Woodward on my way home from work. How novel, to turn a garage into a restaurant! It catches your attention but don't let it guide you blindly. It's what's inside that determines a restaurants worth, and Vinsetta is doing it right. They've tried to keep the aesthetic of a dark, dirty garage intact which oddly works in this setting, save for a few spots of kitschy clutter that doesn't seem to fit like those awful corporate chain restaurants with accordions and the like hanging from the ceiling. We had dinner on a Thursday night and we came fully prepared to wait. Waiting for a table has never been a huge bother for me if I know ahead of time that it's that kind of place. In just under 20 minutes though we had our table for two. Their waiting room is a decent size and has long wooden benches, which is a plus. The noise factor in here makes this a place better suited for groups than an intimate dinner, it was slightly difficult to hear the conversation at my table. Almost always standing room only at the bar. They have an impressive beer list, though my first three choices were sadly and to my mild annoyance out of stock as the waitress kept consulting the bar back with each selection before I resigned myself to a selection of one of the "Lawnmower Beers". When it came to food, after hearing so much about it and it being a staple of this establishment, I ordered the Union Mac. A colossal baked macaroni and cheese, while a tad overpriced was nonetheless one of the heartiest, gooey, downright delicious mac and cheeses I have ever tasted. This dish could easily be shared between two people. You can order it with ham mixed in, though I couldn't imagine adding anything more to this tasty brick of a dinner. I was ready for a nap afterwards, rest assured. The knockdown in the rating stems from their chronic drink outages and the service ranks just slightly below stellar. But rest assured, this place is busy for a reason and I don't foresee that changing any time soon. This is one place that is certainly not storing junk in their garage.
(4)
Ellen A.
Had the 3 am burger and the Mac n cheese. It was an amazing burger. The Mac and cheese had a hint of nutmeg so good. Service was great. Definitely a do over. Loved the penny floor in the bathroom very cool idea. My burger was exceptional
(5)
Patricia M.
My sister-in-law has talked about taking me to Vinsetta Garage for a few years now when I have visited her and we finally got to go today! We went early so had no wait perfect time because the place filled up fast! This place is so good we had great service and the food was great! We started off with deep fried cheese curds and disco fries. Both great I loved the gravy that came with the disco fries everything blended really well to make it work. The cheese curds are beer battered and it adds to the flavor of the curds very yummy. My main dish was the Macon Bacon burger with a side of Union Mac. The burger was perfect and juicy, the bacon jam that comes with it is awesome (ask for a side of that with your burger you won't regret it). The Union Mac was very nice perfectly seasoned Mac and cheese I really enjoyed it after it cooled down. For dessert we enjoyed Mi Pecan Tart and Fried Pie. The fried pie was great the blend of the cherries and cheesecake was yummy. The Mi pecan tart was perfect. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Sophia K.
Vinsetta Garage is sooooo Detroit. Like if you've never been to Detroit and you pull up the mental image you already have, this is what it is. Old auto shop converted into kick-ass burgers and pasta place, with one of the best milkshakes I've ever had, and y'all know I love a good milkshake. A SALTED CARAMEL CUSTARD milkshake. Beat that! I'll give you your entire Michigan itinerary right here: Go to UMich in the morning, eat a snack (A SMALL SNACK). Drive to Detroit; it's not that far. Spend the afternoon at the Detroit Institute of Arts gettin' your culture on, and then go undo it all with a burger, milkshake and mac&cheese at Vinsetta. Done. You're welcome. But honestly, if you're going to eat somewhere in Detroit, go here.
(5)
NunYa B.
Underwhelming food. Great fun ambience and decor. My burger lacked seasoning and the bun size overshadowed the lack luster meat and fillers. Side of ( mushy) quinoa. Would make a cool place for happy hour with friends.
(2)
Larry F.
Expect long waits on the weekends, but their food is so good it's worth it!
(4)
Jesda G.
Nice selection of local beers, tremendously satisfying burgers. Great atmosphere for casual socializing. Parking is tight so expect to walk a block.
(5)
Ashliegh M.
I really really like this place..the atmosphere, the staff, the food, the drinks and even the website carries this 'bad ass' appeal and I can't wait to continue to come here and try everything! Only problem is the parking, but the place is huge and in the summer their outdoor seating area is nice. The entire appeal is garage (hint the name) and if you're like me, I instantly want to look cool coming here. I want to have many arm tattoos, slicked back hair or just look like Rizzo from Grease. The bar staff and waitstaff have been extremely friendly even when the place is packed and they're super busy. If you have to wait for a table and the bar is open.. take advantage and order a signature cocktail and become friends with the bartender. You can never have too many bartender friends. I have tried the deep fried cheese curds (so good) their chop salad (eh.., but i really hate ordering salads.. ) the Pedro (yummy) and the faygo ice cream with pop rocks (Yo! What did you say?! Yes, pop rocks.. bringing back the childhood favorite) I have heard all good things about their burgers so I'm excited to keep coming back to try them all. Look out Vinsetta.. you're getting a regular.
(5)
Anthony B.
Vinsetta Garage was the crown jewel of my Detroit culinary experience. The burgers were great, well thought out and composed. And surprisingly even better reheated. The mac and cheese was heavenly, gooey with a perfect breadcrumb crust. But really the Rock n Rye ice cream was supremely amazing. Typically ice cream is low on my list but the perfectly creamy texture and the interesting twist of the pop rocks forced me to eat every last drip. The only low point was the Tikka Masala Fries, it neither looked or tasted anything like any Tikka Masala I've ever had wihch was a big disappointment. Vinsetta Garage was full of hard working people, much like the original garage probably was. The service was spectacular despite being stuffed to the gills with hungry people. If the rest of the Detroit renaissance can be as successful as this pointed example then one day soon the city will born again on the backs of hard work and creativity.
(5)
Nykol M.
I had shamed myself for being a native Detroiter who lives less than five miles from this place, but never to have dined there. Until now. This place is NOT a victim of the hype people have been giving it. You probably already read that it's a converted auto shop.... can't bring myself to apply the overused term "hipster", when describing this place. Think more like blue-collar chic. Think Betty Page meets Bad Suns or Kings of Leon. That's how I felt anyway. Enough about the decor. What you're really wanting to know is, "what's the food like? " Delicious, divine, flavorful. American fare turned on its head. My foodie bf ordered the ribeye with broccolini. I had the duck burger with farro hash. The waitress accidentally came out with mac and cheese, so I had to wait on the farro. During my wait (which ended up being all of two minutes) I sampled his steak, which was slightly smoky and juicy. I almost regretted getting the burger. However... ...when I bit into that duck, I felt pure joy. Who there knew how much I love Le Gruyer cheese and caramelized onions--and to put it on that burger, and use a pretzel bun at that?? How did they know that my eyes would roll to the back of my head like I had a gastrointestinal orgasm? And who would know to create a gourmet farro hash that I could eat at least three times a week? VINSETTA, that's who! We feasted in appreciation, chasing down our dishes with glasses of Goolden Draak ale (forgive my misspelling the name): yes, they have fancy beer available. Don't shy away from them either. They pair exquisitely well with any dish. Our final thoughts: we give this place two "hell yeahs"
(5)
Ashley H.
I loved this place! I'm sorry that others have had issues with waiting for a table or with their service, but both were good for us. I guess we went into it knowing it would be a long wait, so we put our name in and headed to the bar. Just wear your patience pants and deal with it. And yes, it's a bit loud. It's an old garage, what do you expect?! Let me guess, you'd like the nostalgia preserved while sitting in a nice, quiet restaurant. Ugh. Know that there will be a long wait, people will be standing on every square inch of spare real estate, and it will be loud and lively. Their beer selection alone is worthy of five stars! There were so many Michigan breweries represented. The decor is another five stars. I love that they did such a great job preserving the old garage. The menu is great and aside from the mac and cheese, I found it to have mostly original items separate from their other restaurants. I need to get around to trying one of their good-looking pizzas but I always get distracted by the burgers. I had mine with a pretzel bun and while tasty, I feel it didn't absorb as much of the juices and sauce as a sesame bun would. Instead the juices and sauce ran down my hands and made for a messy experience. It sure was a tasty mess though! One thing that always strikes me about the Union restaurants are their prices. I always find them to be reasonable and never feel like they are taking advantage of popularity. I feel they are on par with the competition and always offer a quality product.
(5)
Valerie K.
First things first: yes, they have the mac and cheese. And I guess it's the same deliciousness that you're used to from Clarkston Union. I'm not a mac and cheese fan but sure - it was good. My boyfriend said it was amazing so I guess you'll just have to take his word for it. On to the rest of the review. This place is pretty cool. I was super excited for the opening and visited on their first open-to-the-public Friday. I was concerned about service, crowds and long wait times, but I was surprised; no trouble with any of these. The huge issue is parking. The lot that wraps around the building is miniscule. You'll likely have to park in front of someone's house (they're gonna love THAT!) on one of the side streets: Oxford or Eaton. The entrance is poorly marked but you'll figure it out. You give your phone number to an attendant who will text you when your table is ready. There's a full bar where you can pass the time. The bar tenders are pretty standard; not overly friendly but not rude, either. Most of them are women which might explain why I, also a woman, wasn't "noticed" right away. But no complaints; I got my drink. I paid. Let's move on. The restaurant has a really open layout. There's a wood burning pizza oven, the bar and the seating area, all in one open space. There's also an outdoor patio, which they weren't utilizing on a Friday night--weird. A garage door looks like it would be functional and open to connect the space between the bar and the outside patio but not on this Friday. If they do open that up it'd be super cool. For being the first open Friday the wait wasn't terribly long, nor was the place really packed. We were quoted an hour wait. Our actual wait time was 25 minutes. The owners have stayed authentic to the theme. Napkins look like greaser towels, burger and pizza order menus are named "work order." The windows look original and are covered in butcher paper. It's consistent. There's a common area outside of the bathrooms where you can wash your hands in a trough sink (there is also one individual sink inside the women's room, which is very small: two stalls). This common area is interesting: a cabinet with toilet paper and the trough sink, and a hand dryer. I guess it's cool that you don't have to open a door after you wash your hands. And of course, the floor: inlaid pennies. Cool. The food was good. We shared a pizza. Two of my favorite pizza toppings are not available here: mild peppers or sundried tomato so we went with traditional pepperoni. It's thin bottom crust, dough-y, puffy crust. Satisfying. The absolute BEST part, though, was the dessert. They were out of dessert menus so I'm going on memory: there's the Rock and Rye ice cream with pop rocks, peach cobbler, molten fudge cake and salted caramel ice cream with crushed Cap'n Crunch cereal on top. O. Em. Gee. The salted caramel ice cream is AMAZING. I'm still thinking of that stuff two days later. Vinsetta is cool. The food is good. But that ice cream is what will have me coming back for more. Overall it's a cool place that you should check out. Prices are average. For our pizza, three beers and the crack-laced ice cream we paid about $47, including our waitress's gratuity. I'll definitely go back and hope to sit outside on the patio (with my salted caramel ice cream).
(4)
Jonathan B.
Phenomenal! Cheese curds, pies and more importantly attention was paid to all the ingredients. You have to eat here!
(5)
Mark S.
Always a wait even at odd times. Parking is a challenge. Atmosphere is cool, but noisy. Salads were good, but pizza was just so-so.
(3)
Jerrice D.
So, once again the love of my life picked the chow spot and this one, like most of his choices was A-1. Besides the great garage decor and outside/inside ambience, it was cool as heck. For starters, I had a half lemonade half beer something like a Summer shanty that was awesome. Next, we had the Tikka Fries which was their unique take on chili fries that would put my favorite coney spots to shame. It had REAL pieces of chicken breasts! curry! and I tasted a hint of either cinnamon or nutmeg. For our main course, which after the fries we were pretty much done, my plus one had the EV1 with turkey burger and I had the Vinsetta with turkey also. The Dagon things came out in what looked like a sheet cake pan filled with fries and the burger...oh, the burger, on a pretzel bun, open faced with the fixings, was. Absolutely. De. Lic. Cious! When I say good, I mean, the best turkey burger BY far. Let's go over the turkey burger, shall we? Moist, not mealy or dry, had flavor, almost thought it was a turkey breast who somehow escaped thanksgiving. And, my heart beats burger was just as good. Shiitake mushroom that looked like bacon, pretzel bun, just so good. Couldn't eat it all. And the microwave reheat? Let's just say like Celie and Nettie playing patty cake and singing on mister's porch that not even bad parking would keep me from it because this place burgers make the magic happen.
(4)
Mike S.
Cool interior and motif. Service was really mediocre.. Servers seemed too cool to be there. Food was good. Comfort food from my perspective... Prices were to be expected.
(3)
Lauren M.
I might have to say this is my favorite restaurant ever. The atmosphere is so unique and the food is definitely 5 star. While it is crowded and the wait is long, I'm not surprised because their food is worth it. The Mac and cheese is absolutely amazing. The service I experienced was great and I love how casual it is. I had one of the burgers and wow..so much more than a burger.
(5)
Adrianna S.
They have a unique menu. Definitely pay attention or you might order something thinking it's a burger but it's really made with a hotdog. Haven't found anything that I'm crazy about there other than there Salted Carmel milkshake which is amazing. I did enjoy their salmon but for the price and portion, not worth it (I want to say it was $30.) It's a casual setting. The workers and wait staff wear Detroit sports apparel which is cool. You're forced to do their valet which is complementary because their lot in the back only has 6 spaces. I would call ahead before you go because sometimes the wait is 1-2 hours.
(3)
Kevin B.
I love the atmosphere and the staff if really friendly. Lunch time during the week there is no wait.
(5)
Richard A.
If we could have given this 4.5 we would have. The only thing stopping it from being a 5 was the wait. It was about an hour, but on the upside they offer complimentary valet parking. The place is cool inside, good music, and an easy going environment. Not a place for a first date, because it is pretty loud, but really cool place nonetheless. Food- we had deep fried cheese curds for and App. They come with "red-hot bleu cheese" which was awesome. Entree's- We had a "3am burger" which comes with their excellent home-made potato chips. Additionally, we had the pesto pie (pizza), also very tasty. Service was prompt, and we didn't wait long for our food. Definitely a unique experience and we recommend it!
(4)
Amy H.
Everything I put in my mouth here was delicious, portions were very generous and the staff was very friendly and accomodating. Will be going back with a group to share the love very soon!
(5)
Shanita M.
I really like this place. It's in a super cool space (especially if you're a car fan) and the staff was super nice. It was a little loud, so I wouldn't come here for a romantic night, just a regular one. Rachel was our waitress and she was really friendly and helpful. We went at about 8:30pm on Sunday and there was no wait, plus parking was easy in their lot. I wouldn't come during peak times though, I could see it being crazy. I got the salted caramel milkshake (yum) and the mac and cheese. Both were really tasty! My BF fell in love with the mac and tried to steal it, eventually he did get the leftovers. He got the chicken/asaigo meatballs and pasta and those were good too. We will definitely be back. :-)
(4)
Catherine H.
Always a long wait when I go, which should be a good indicator of the food. Love the atmosphere, but the food is okay, typical oversized portions, not overly inspired or flavorful, but decent. Will return for the experience, but not craving anything on the menu.
(3)
Mike H.
meh...underwhelming food. overpriced and overhyped. beer selection was the one saving grace. patio is for drinks only in the summer, no apps allowed
(2)
Michael R.
Been here twice before reviewing. Walking into the place I found to be a very casual atmosphere which isn't always a bad thing. Sat at bar because dinning room was full even at 3pm. Food was good if you like high card, fat loaded cardiac arrest food. I ordered a gluten free pizza with 2 veggies and one meat. I must say crust was stale and overly sauced. Disappointment but I guess if your coming here go for the burgers or the Mac n cheese which I have tried and enjoyed very much when I'm having one of my fat days. I will not visit this place frequently but will revisit when I'm feeling down and in need of comfort food.
(3)
Amanda K.
I typically hate waiting for tables; I have zero patience. So, when we stroll up to Vinsetta the first time on a Wednesday early evening and were told that it was going to be 2 hours for a table, I kind of just looked at them. What kind of joke is this? 2 HOURS? No f-ing way, I say. So we head down the road to Betty's. Repeat this scenario two more times until I finally cave in, and wait the alleged 2 hours. I will say that it may be the nifty little lounge area where you will always find your beer glass full, but the time flies. In fact, I have come to suspect that they overestimate your wait, just in case of some sort of dining emergency. My conclusion: this is so worth the wait! From the copious amount of Michigan beers that they have on tap, to the amazing food, to the really classic Motown decor, Vinsetta is the real deal. I have been there a few times, and my favorite thing probably in the entire world is the Erich Press sandwich: roast turkey breast, cheese blend, cilantro and avocado all in one. This is heaven. And the house made chips? AWESOME. I'm not a burger fan, but I had a bit of beau's burger and it was pretty tasty. We've had the cheese curds, we've had the desserts (FAYGO ICE CREAM, yes, please!), and honestly... this food is just fantastic. For some reason, I'm obsessed with the house salad. It's a house salad, I don't know what makes it so special to me, but I just love it. They're known for their mac and cheese, and for good reason; it's like virgin angel curls spun in a heavenly cheese sauce with a halo gently placed atop the baked cheesey goodness. No exaggeration. The decor just feels like pure Michigan; it's got that garage feel, but it's not done in a gimmicky way. Very tasteful. Probably my favorite part of the entire joint is the mechanics styled wash up area by the bathrooms. I'm an obsessive hand washer, and it's just cool to have it right there, with nod to the garage's past. Definitely wait the wait... you will not be disappointed!
(5)
Wendy C.
Good burgers, it's obvious they use quality meats and know how to grill a patty properly. There are a few interesting combinations and toppings (goat cheese, pretzel bun, ...) to experiment for those who like a little culinary exploration, but in the end you get pretty solid burgers whether be beef, lamb, or veggie; this is s good thing. Other items on the menu didn't work for us as well. Chicken-Asiago meat balls have the texture of crumbled cardboard when hot, and are utterly tasteless except for the marinara-like sauce that's poured over. Mac and cheese tasted a-okay, but does not compare to the same dish that's offered in the owners' other restaurant (Union Woodshop) which we recall being more flavourful, cheesier, and creamier. Overall, it's an okay place to grab a bite of comfort food if the waiting line is tolerable. Too much hype.
(3)
Alexis S.
My bf took me here last week and we had a lot of fun. We sat at the bar since the wait time was quite long, but we didn't mind. They have a creative drink menu which is always fun. My bf had the lamb burger with mac n cheese and his burger was amazing. I'd probably order that next time. I had pasta and it was ok. We also ordered a side of onion rings that I'd recommend. For dessert I tried the banana pudding which made for a cute pic on instagram but I wasn't blown away:) I rated the place highly because i think the food is really good, but that i ordered the wrong thing. The ambiance is fun and i like how it's open due to them being able to open the "garage" doors.
(5)
Mike B.
Excellent start for a new place in an old place. The preserved venerable old garage is a unique, cool and charming homage to a Woodward landmark. As already mentioned, parking and wait times might be challenging, but these details will be smoothed and improved moving forward. I found hanging out by the bar an acceptable diversion to soften the wait. The hostess is exceptionally friendly and accomodating. Now for the food. I've visited 3 times so far and have been very pleased with everything I've tried. My biggest challenge has been deciding what to sample from the eclectic and varied menu offerings. The Maple Bacon Burger was a delicious indulgence, and after my next Cardiologist visit will likely treat myself again. The Lamb Burger was equally delicious complete with beets and feta. The pretzel bun is a perfect alternative to the usual bland burger wrap. My last trip I sampled the noodle dish choosing sweet Italian sausage balls, sun dried red pepper sauce on penne with tomatoes...Delicious! Also sampled the tasty Chop Shop Salad, the house made chips, Disco Fries, all excellent. I see the Vinsetta only getting better as time seasons the staff, the team and as the menu matures. Excellent opening act. I'll be back there soon!
(5)
Aaron B.
Not bad, but I wasn't blown away. Had the lamb burger, which had WAY too much compote on it, although I liked the use of arugula.
(3)
Glen H.
Vinsetta Garage is an experience -- the whole restaurant group has been featured on the food shows, and if you live in the area, it's something you can't miss. That said...I think they're slipping overall. I would go 3.5 stars but I rounded down, which is unusual for me. It might have been 4 stars in the summer...read on. The Macon Bacon burger is consistently good. So is the Union Mac. If you focus on burgers and mac, you can't lose with this place. Don't forget to order cheese curds or tikka fries, both are excellent. The atmosphere definitely has that hip energetic vibe they are going for, with the garage theme and outstanding decor. It's lively and fun, a place you truly want to be. Most everything else on the menu was "meh." Not bad at all, but no wow factor. Both soups were uninspired. The salads also. I've talked to more than one person who had trouble with the duck burger -- it's just too much. Desserts are not a wow. Liquid nitrogen is no longer a wow. We've watched Top Chef. We get it. The parking is atrocious. The valet does help, but that lot can fill too, and if the street is full too, you're in trouble. Detroiters HATE having to worry about parking, and that's what I worry about when I go here. The waiting area is unacceptable in the winter. They need to cover over their patio and heat it so there is more space to wait, and maybe even to eat! With two hour + waits on weekends, it's worth the investment. You can't get to the hostess, you can't even get out the door. This is something you can fix, Vinsetta. Again, I rate it as an "experience." There are a few menu items you shouldn't miss, and you have to say you've been here if you are a Detroit restaurant expert. It's not a regular hangout, and it's not something I crave. Take it as you will.
(3)
Phung L.
An old auto shop converted to a restaurant. I really like this place! Think of...gourmet bar food. Sounds like an oxymoron but it's really good. The mac and cheese is good, but I've had better. Everything was pretty tasty from the pizzas to the hotdogs.
(4)
Leslie K.
I finally made it here last week. When I really needed takeout, they weren't able to do it, so I had to wait until my kids were almost 2 and could be occupied without causing too much ruckus. The interior is spacious & industrial, and has lots of cool things for that were keeping the babies quiet. My boys were so busy looking around that I didn't need to get out any toys for at least a half hour. I ordered the loaded french fries as an appetizer, which were great. They had cheese curds on them, and some delish sauce that my one son said was too burny for his tongue. My tongue like it. The kids menu is 4 items on a paper where the kids can color. But the table cloth is paper, so we made a mural with their crayons and nobody seemed to mine. My boys ate hot dogs with a side of sliced apples. It was nice to have a healthy option as a side for the kids. Especially when the main course offerings are hot dogs, chicken tenders or mac & cheese! I ate the vegan burger on a pretzel bun. It was amazing! The pattie was moist & flavorful. So often a place that makes its own veggie burger will over cook or dry out the pattie. But this was perfect. And the mushrooms on top tricked everyone (my kids, my mom & myself) into thinking it was bacon! In fact, my more adventurously palated child ate some of it and was asking for more! My friend ate the turkey burger with avocado on it and she said it was wonderful as well. We had bread pudding & key lime pie for dessert. Well, we ate some, but my boys ate most of it. The key lime pie was just like in the Keys, and the were both served in small glass jars. I suppose it was worth waiting for, but I really wish I hadn't waited so long!
(4)
Kevin S.
Holy crap. Rock and Rye ice cream is unbelievable to say the least. Amazing burgers and a crap ton of good options. Will definitely be going back real soon. I absolutely love the atmosphere. Beware though..weekend wait times can be up to 2 hours however you can hang out at the bar and drink. Overall wonderful experience. Also...if you have gluten issues they have a huge gluten free menu.
(5)
D R.
Good food, waiter was great and decor was very cool. Only reason I'm holding back a star is because they sat us in the only friggin table in the dining room with no garage decor or view of the rest of the dining room. This is the ONLY reason I wanted to check out the garage themed restaurant and purposely came at 3:00 on a Sunday- to avoid a wait and get a decent table. Food and service was good enough to try again. Got the 3 am burger which was so good, I didn't mind the juices getting all over my hands. Mac and chz was also excellent.
(4)
Donna M.
On my second try here, I waited 5 minutes to be acknowledged at the bar by the female bartender who was more interested in chatting with her co-workers. Only 6 people at the bar in total! Like the location but the service here has turned me off twice now!
(2)
Heather W.
Delicious!! A friend and I went to Detroit to watch a Tigers vs Minnesota Twins game. Go Twins! We stopped at Vinsetta Garage for dinner before the game. My veggie burger was DELICIOUS!! My side was their mac & cheese....cheesy amazing goodness!! The building use to be a car garage. Huge fan of the building! The staff was very friendly. There was a little wait on the food but the place was PACKED.
(5)
Edward L.
Like waiting for a new iphone. Long wait time, lots of anticipation, receive great product. Luckily we found seating at the bar after our first beer. Like a shark, don't turn your head...just scan left and right very quickly until a warm seat is left open and pounce. Disco Fries were fantastic. A little spicy with artery clogging gravy, green onions, and cheese. Great plate to start the evening. Duck Burger was delish. I have since opened my own duck farm and will be consuming Duck Burgers on a semi-regular basis. Usually I only eat Duck at my favorite City Wok aka Dragon Dynasty aka China One joint, but the Duck was served up right. Don't forget the PRETZEL BUN. The lady got a veggie burger...I'm sure it was delicious...I just don't eat rabbit food. Excellent atmosphere, trendy vibe, hipster setting. Wait times are the only detractor. Expect to pay $12-14 per burger, $4-8 per beer, $5-7 per app.
(4)
Lauren S.
This place is always amazing! I've tried almost every salad and appetizer, all of which are incredible. Also, I'm a big fan that they offer sparkling wine on tap!
(5)
Monica W.
So. Many. People. I can't tell you how many times we saw people try to swoop into assigned seating tables while we were waiting at the bar. Am I the only person that asks when I come in if the bar area is open seating?? Who are these animals with delusions of omnipotence? Despite my relative dislike for places crowded with pushy weasels I would totally come back to Vinsetta Garage but probably not around 5 o'clock (when we got there) or a few hours afterwards. Or, maybe I would just not sit at the bar where I want to start policing the place and screaming "CUTTER, HE CUTTED!" I mean they catch everyone but, ew. We were quoted forty five minutes to an hour and they called us right around 40 minutes in, nice. Our server was awesome and they let me put the garlic butter sauce on my pasta even though it wasn't an option on the menu. Our appetizer of the loaded chips was pretty traditional and unexciting yet still tasty. Entrees were delicious. I created my own bowl with previously noted garlic butter, spaghetti, broccolini, prosciutto, fresh tomatoes, and goat cheese ($11.50) and the beau had the Ann Bowl ($12.75) which included vegetarian meatballs and shiitake bacon. I should have guessed bacon made out of mushrooms would still be good since after all it is (kinda?) bacon, but I couldn't help but be surprised. I may just buy it by the pound and have those crispy little flakes as cereal for breakfast sans milk. I like the setup and the openness, even the elevated volume due to what seems like hundreds of conversations going on. It was.. fun, and different. Missing half a star for the weasels, and another half for the cook with a viking beard who wasn't wearing a beard net. I wouldn't want one of those barbarian hairs falling into my delicious pasta.
(4)
Roab P.
What a cool place, old garage turned restaurant with original name! Gastropub with lots of MI beers including Kuhnhenns. Service was meh but the food was incredible. The burgers and Chilli rubbed hanger steak are to die for. Everything was a bit pricey but worth it. A 12oz pour of Rodenbach grand cru was $12!!!!!! Where do you get that pricing??? A 750ML cost only $10 at the store. Come on! besides that keep up the good work!
(5)
Elizabeth K.
Vinsetta Garage is some kind of phenomenon. People love it. Waits are super long, despite the place being large. The food is unapologetic, and not for the faint of heart. But you have to love the place for really going all the way. The restaurant was recently renovated by local architecture office McIntosh Poris and is a great space. The owners wanted to preserve as much of the atmosphere of the original garage, and - mission accomplished. The main dining room is a big open space with a long bar to one side. There is a quiet backroom, which I imagine they may use for large private parties. The bathrooms have a beautiful copper penny floor, and the coolest wallpaper I've ever seen. Break the seal - you'll be glad you did! The food is heavy, rich, decadent. Yes, they have a couple of salads on the menu, but the are besides the point. Order the wings, they're very nicely done with the sauce on the side. Go a little crazy - order the coney dog pizza, it actually works. If you're feeling ambitious, order the 3AM burger: with fried onions and a sunny-side up egg on top, it'll feel like an accomplishment when you finish it. The onion rings were great, and the truly transcendent mac and cheese comes in both entree size and as a side. This is the kind of place I can go to once a year, and after which I cannot eat the whole day after. You may die a little after eating here, but it's worth it.
(4)
Vineet K.
A few friends of mine were going here a few weeks ago and asked if I wanted to join. Given my last, pretty much 'meh', experience, I was slightly hesitant. But I was also very hungry and more importantly they already had a table! I think we can all agree that not waiting 2 hours makes the food much more enjoyable. And if you don't know, 2 hours is not an exaggeration for this place. I had to try the Macon Bacon burger again. Burger tasted much better this time and I didn't feel as though the bacon overwhelmed the taste, as it did last time. Ambiance, of course, is nice. So to summarize..good food, not the best in my opinion. Great ambiance. I don't think it's worth the wait, but if it's a nice day and you got nothing else to do, might as well sit on the patio and have a few drinks while you wait it out.
(4)
Nina C.
All I need to say is Coney Pizza! Milkshakes and burgers! PHENOMENAL!!! The staff, atmosphere everything is AWESOME!!!
(5)
Joel U.
We went for my wife's birthday and got there about 6:00 pm on a Saturday night. We had to wait an hour to be seated but as they had outdoor waiting area with seating and it was a beautiful night we didn't mind all that much. The decor is great - they kept the flavor of the auto garage that it used to be and it is full with wonderful Art Deco accents and pieces. It is loud and I had difficulty hearing my wife. The food was great. I had a Kale bowl with brown sugar glazed salmon, pesto, cheese and I forget what else. Have never been a big fan of Kale but this was excellent. My wife went old school and had a tuna noodle casserole that she devoured. Was very impressed by a full gluten-free menu. The server didn't know what the gluten-free pizza dough was made from, which disappointed me, but there was plenty of other food to choose from. Prices were very reasonable. Two meals, a glass of wine and a Michigan craft beer we were out the door for under $50. Looking forward to going back.
(4)
Tricia H.
This place really gets a 2.5 review - The service was fantastic. We had a party of about 25 and our waiter was brilliant. His memory was amazing and every meal and drink was perfectly delivered and he rarely wrote anything down. He even split the bill out for every single person - not MY request which I thought was a bit tacky from our group - but he was great about it. The decor and interior design was well done. Kitschy and fun. However - of the 25 people more than half complained their food wasn't good. I had the the whole grain pasta with chicken meatballs and the marinara sauce. The sauce was very dry - like left over pasta you reheat the next day. The meatballs had way too much filler (breadcrumbs?). The whole wheat pasta was good - usually because of the whole wheat, it tastes under cooked. But theirs was very good. Not a lot of healthy options - even the salads have deep fried things in them. I know it's kinda new-er so I will give it another shot in a few months.
(3)
Emil N.
The old garage is what makes this place good. The food is also good, but it is your typical roadhouse style selection. I have been waiting to write about this place after several visits, however the last few times I tried to eat there I was told the wait would be over 1.5 hours. Their food is good, but that that good. The lack of reservation booking is an inconvenience.
(3)
Scott L.
Good food. Terrible hostesses. Service can be quite slow once seated. Nice comfort food...burgers, pizza, pasta. It's all good but not amazing. Great beer selection that changes regularly. Fun, but very loud, atmosphere.
(4)
Tom S.
How big should a "glass" of wine be? Most places it is 6 or 7 ounces. Here it is exactly 4 ounces. Very very small pour in my opinion, and I felt ripped off. Would never go back. Expensive and overrated in my opinion.
(1)
gregg h.
My experiences eating in converted garages has been pretty terrible (Doc's). But this being Detroit, I think these folks nailed it. Vinsetta Garage is the perfect joint for the area. Turning a garage into kickass pub is exactly what I hoped to see. The building and atmosphere is perfect, and the local beers are dead on. Maybe some are a bit more pricey than expected, but who really cares. I can see from other reviews there are regular long waits, but we got right in and had coneys and awesome beer.
(5)
Calvin D.
When we heard that VINSETTA And union wood shop were the same owners we had to give it a try! But the waits were always and hour plus so it took awhile... Well the wait is over and sad to say... I am kinda underwhelmed. Do coney dogs need improvement? Give it shot just to say you've been....than go back to the Fly Trap :)
(3)
Casey N.
This place is awesome, if you live in the area you should definitely go. I grew up in the Clarkston area where the owners have 2 other restaurants with similar menu/cooking styles, and I will always support their restaurants. The mac and cheese is worth the hype. [Order the kids portion if you're dieting :) ] I ended up going on a Sunday afternoon, when there was only a 20 minute wait, so I suggest you do the same. It didn't seem as long of a wait after sipping on one of their house cocktails-the "Sucker Punch"-was good....def felt the alcohol after just one. This place is priced very fairly compared to surrounding restaurants, great place for a cocktail/first date/even families. Awesome atmosphere, spacious and comfortable-nothing how I expected-Think of the chill/modern/casual vibe of Pizzeria Biga only BETTER. The hot dog with tomatoes and avocado was awesome! (And I'm not typically a hot dog person) As was the banana toffee pudding. My bf had the famous burger, which was good, but the fries were disappointing. If you're gonna do homemade fries and have an up charge on them (chips otherwise), they need to be perfect. Stick to the mac and cheese if you want to be guaranteed a good meal. Service was ok...could be better, but I'm assuming its because its still fairly new. They seem to have a niche of who they hire-whether its done on purpose or not (everyone I saw around me had plastic rim glasses, piercings, or tattoos)...nothing negative just an observation. I don't understand the whole no call ahead and no reservations tactic...I know that's the same type of thing at their other 2 restaurants, but it just doesn't work for me. There's gotta be a better solution other than casually telling people the wait is 2 hours. And if I wait 2 hours for your restaurant, your servers better be damn ready to be on point and ready to impress! Management-emphasize this with your servers and maybe the wait will seem more worth it. I will definitely be back, but only for lunch time, when I don't have to wait 2+ hours. Personally, I can't wait until 6 months from now when hopefully this place won't be constantly busy-or they implement a reservation policy. I think they need to allow patio seating at all times-they only offer it for dinner I believe, and I saw multiple parties walk out after getting their hopes up to sit outside, and then be turned down by the hostess Maybe allow a certain # of reservations per day? One last negative, but please don't get me wrong, I loved my experience here! The napkins they give you are just like the rags auto places use-so don't wear black pants. I know this isn't a restaurant nice enough to offer black linens to everyone wearing dark pants, but when my boyfriend ends up with white napkin residue on his face, and I feel almost embarrassed to stand up from the white napkin residue getting all over my black pants, I think paper would be a better/cheaper solution. Parking isn't a big deal to me. They're doing the best they can with the location they've got, but yes-its crowded.
(4)
Karl L.
I'm lost with the hype. I've been here several times and each time I'm disappointed. The meatballs are ok, nothing special. Their tomato basil is also average and a bit spicy for tomato basil sauce. Vegan meatballs are pretty spicy, wife couldn't eat them. Burger average and on the small side. I tried takeout a couple of times. Both times they forgot an item - check your order. Extremely FRUSTRATING. I just don't think this place deserves more than two stars. I wish it was good, it's right down the street. bummed..
(2)
Phillip B.
Its got good food and lots of great beer. Best time to go is lunch.
(3)
Mike K.
My wife and I arrived about 5 pm last Saturday expecting a wait. We were seated immediately. We decided to share the tuna cassarole with onion ring appetizers. The rings were perfect, good flavor, crunchy, and the onion didn't separate from the breading as some do. The tuna was better than my mother made, tasted great. Our desserts were chocolate volcano cake and a trio of cookie like things, both satisfied our sweet teeth. Service was perfect, our server checked back occasionally to see that all was well and happily boxed up our leftovers when we left. The place was a bit noisy from all the hard surfaces, but its a big room and the background music was thankfully not too loud. All in all, we had a great meal in a very unique and inviting place. I use a yard stick consisting of 5 elements in rating a restaurant: 1. Clean 2. Good ambience 3. Good food 4. Good service 5. A good value. An eatery might succeed with 4, 3 is pretty shaky, and anything less will fail. Vinsetta Garage had them all !
(5)
Dr. J.
Trailer park food disguised by Cadillac prices. I would like this place more if the wait wasn't over 3 hours and they took reservations. This joint is a metaphorical temporary tattoo for nostalgic Michiganders that were born in trailer parks but now live in places like Birmingham and West Bloomfield. The food is prepared by grungy guys in a garage jumpsuits, but your martini will still be served in a crystal glass and you car will be parked valet. The menu is full of gourmet trailer park options. For example, you can order hand made liquid-nitrogen Faygo Pop ice-cream that is topped with that timeless trashy treat, Poprocks! Or, it's nothing like gourmet ice-cream and a dash of Cap'n Crunch to bring back memories of an after school snack in your double-wide.
(3)
Brian P.
The Good: The Vinsetta Garage has a lot going for it. It has the location on Woodward, the heritage that goes along with renovating an old car repair shop, and the unique mix of great food and beer that carries inspirations from the same owners of Clarkston Union and Clarkston Woodshop. These are all great things, however.... The Bad: Parking can be a nightmare and requires valet. Waits can exceed 2 hours any night of the week after 6. The bar fills up quick and doesn't provide a quick spot to avoid the wait. The Summary: Aside from the negatives that go along with an extremely popular place, the mix of people, one of a kind classic automotive inspired atmosphere, and great food+drink are worth the wait on a special occasion if your prepared to stick it out.
(4)
Matt K.
We had 3AM hot dog, Mac/Cheese and Burger. Everything was good. Unique interior. Service was great. Will definitely go back soon.
(4)
Ivy S.
This is hands down the best hamburger I've ever eaten. The end. No argument.
(5)
Wendy B.
Told 20 minutes; waited 45. Waited another 40 or so for food. However, the food was great and our server couldn't have been nicer. Busy and fun, but not together on the waiting situation. Oh....... and had to wait 20 minutes for the valet!
(3)
Fred S.
I had the 3AM burger. Wow, really good. Decent beer list too. Go early. Shorter or no wait.
(5)
Christie M.
We met up with our friends to celebrate his bday here. Only one couple in our group of 8 had been here before, they loved it. So we showed up around 5:30ish... Was told it'll be 2 hrs! Omg. We made our way over to the bar to wait with drinks to tie us over. Love love the sucker punch drink. Had 2 and some disco fries while we wait. Yum... So far so good, minus the long wait. Btw, did I mention this place is PACKEd??!!! Oh my! I can see why. The decor is unique. Old garage turned restaurant. I get it. Retro chic feel. Oh yes, i did loved the bathroom floor covered in pennies... artsy! Food was good. New twists to classic foods, burgers, dogs, pizza, etc. I had to try their house salad with fried chickpeas. It was good but I wished the chickpeas were seasoned. The wings from the apps were yummy. Loved that the sauce was on the side. I do love dipping. I took a bite from my hubby's 3AM burger... Was good and moist. The negatives? It did get really loud, I had a hard time hearing my friend sitting across from me at the table. Long waits would be my other gripe. I was starving when we finally sat down. My taste buds might be a bit generous due to hunger.
(4)
C B.
Let me tell you how good the food and drinks were. I was not expecting the bar to be good but I was surprised. My BFF and I had 6, yes I said 6 and I don't care if you judge us, Lemon Drop Martini between the two of us. Usually by the second drink, the drinks become horrible. Not in this case. The drinks got better. Oh and we did eat. I had a well done Vinsetta Burger which was surprising juicy and not dry. The homemade chips were nice, crispy, and salty and went well with the burger. Didn't miss the fries. My friend had the 3 am Burger. It was obvious that she enjoy it as her plate was so clean it could have been used again. The parking is a challenge but the complementary valet made up for the challenge. Gotta go and sleep off the wonderful Lemon Martinis I had.
(4)
Jennie E.
Love everything about this joint, but the long wait times, but I've never had it not be worth it (and typically it's much less than you are told). Extensive gluten free menu, which is fabulous - try the cheeseburger, margherita or Tasso ham pizzas and you definitely won't regret it. Great and different cocktail menu, extensive cider/gf beer list and the bathrooms have the coolest floors I have ever seen. All and all, big fan and it's great for a date night, happy hour or dinner with friends.
(4)
Caroline K.
We've gone a couple of times here and it's fun. The environment is fun-homey with a bit of an ironic flare with the style of the chairs at the bar. The burgers are delicious. The 3 a.m is a a bit of a meal inspiring mess for your hands but a whirlwind for your taste buds, yum! The duck burger is also worth trying. I love quinoa salad but theirs was a bit bland. They do have an array of other choices though. It is a fun relaxed place to go. Parking is probably best with valet as your only other choice is street parking which can be congested. It is worth a visit though :) Have fun!
(4)
Gwen D.
The food was just average, nothing special but not bad. The atmosphere is fun and the service was great. What was disappointing was finding croutons at the bottom of my salad after explaining to the server what "celiac disease" is and how I could get sick if they touched my food. The kitchen's explanation was that they changed preparers in the middle of my salad so he "picked them out"...WHAT?!
(2)
Paul C.
We had heard good things about VG since it opened, but have stayed away waiting for the crowds to die down. The crowds are still there, but it is inexplicable why. The restaurant does not take reservations, and there is no parking at all except by valet - so you're already pretty much committed to toughing out the wait once you've handed over your car. And wait we did - for an hour, on Monday night, in a cramped vestibule of a waiting room that probably holds 10 comfortably, but was packed with upwards of 30 customers. The hostess took my name, told me how long we would be suffering for (to her credit, her estimate was pretty accurate) and shoved a pager in my hand, neglecting to mention that we could have gone inside and stood at the bar for drinks and appetizers. Excusable, I guess, because she was constantly on the phone during the entire wait time - again, inexplicably: what does a restaurant that doesn't take reservations have to say to a caller in person? While we were waiting, we noticed that several people came in the front door - flooding the vestibule with frigid air every few seconds - and proceeded straight to the dining area. It turns out VG has no policy that your entire party must be present before seating, and there were several tables decked out for 6 or 8 diners with one or two people planted, sipping the drinks and appetizers we might have had if we have been told about the bar, but otherwise just gumming up the works waiting for the rest of their party to arrive. This is murder on turnover, and management needs to fix this. They also need to take reservations. I don't mind being told I won't be seated until late, as long as I don't have to arrive until the appointed hour and cool my heels for an hour, waiting. Service on the floor - after an hour wait, we were planted at a high top - was prompt, but poor. Our waitress took two of our drink orders, then left without even acknowledging our third party member. Came back with a single drink, and said the beer I had ordered was no longer stocked - then spun around and left without taking my alternate selection, which I had already picked out. Very bad training, which set the tone for the entire evening, and adds even more to the poor turnover, as each individual diner gets an individual round-trip to the bar or kitchen, if not more, instead of placing the entire table's order at once. Beers were served straight out of the bottle. No glass was offered. Our third member, who ordered a pop, had a hair in his glass. The burgers aspire to the gourmand realm, but fall somewhat short in execution. My Macon Bacon Burger was pretty good, but very heavy on fat; I really longed for some lettuce or something else to lighten it up. The onion rings were atrocious - they were literally soaking in a puddle of oil when they arrived, and the slick continued to grow and spread throughout the meal, reaching Exxon Valdez proportions quickly. A bite was all I could manage. It seems that this restaurant is, first of all, owned by a chef - not a restauranteur - and the front of the house has receive no attention at all. There was not a floor manager in sight, and the staff was very poorly trained. They seem to be coasting on their reputation, but that is not going to last forever, and I suspect that customers will find alternatives in the burgeoning Royal Oak market before much longer. I really wanted to like this place, but that was not to be. We will not be returning, and cannot recommend it to anyone else.
(1)
JC Z.
Great atmosphere at the bar. Best veggie burger in the world. Im not a vegetarian but someone said to try it, it is amazing. If you like something different and spicy Terri the Heist Martini. Patron basi jalapeño.
(5)
C F.
this place is great. They take old classics like burgers, mac and cheese, and pizza and put their own spin on it The duck burger was cooked perfectly and all the sweet, sour, and savory elements just meshed into something i would never expect. The white bean chili verde soup is really good. Solid mac and cheese. Friend ordered a custom all meat pizza with different kinds of cured ham and peperoni. just a bit spicy but very flavorful with a nice chewy crust. Had the roasted chicken once, and it was cooked perfectly. The ambiance is awesome. They put a ton of work in transforming this old auto repair garage. Price is a bit pricy but I also realize I'm paying for better ingredients. So not some place I can eat everyday. Plus its not diet food. Every visit i have had has been very good. Even when they first opened, which seems most places always have a few bumps to smooth out when first opening. Not here. Don't let the parking stop you from eating here. Which can be hard when they're busy. Run by the the same people who own Union Wood Shop which I hear is awesome too. Bottom line... eat here.
(5)
Paul T.
Lots of hype, big crowds... Was slightly disappointed It was "just ok"
(3)
Jenifer T.
Holy mac and cheese! This place is always super packed, amazing to dine in on a nice summer day, horrible to park at but will leave you wanting to plan your next trip back. It's worth it- whatever you heard it's most likely true- this place is amazing and delish and infuriating all at the same time. Go there, you won't be too mad but you will be full and possibly buzzed on what I hear are some great brews!
(4)
Lisa B.
Fun location - loved the ambience, especially that they have left up so many of the bones of the old auto shop. Check out the flooring made of pennies in the bathroom area, but go for the food and beer. Pros: Good selection of beers and amusingly titled by "auto genre." Loved their description of the traditional American generic beers (think it was "Packards"). Nice selection of Michigan microbrews and some of the good national microbrews. Great pizzas and nice separate brick-oven pizza area. We had the "baked potato" pizza and it was great. Fried kale salad and some other nice touches in what is otherwise a kind of traditional menu. Good range of desserts and really great, fun service. Chatted with several of the bar and kitchen staff while waiting. They all seemed to like working there, which helps make it a good atmosphere. Cons: the wait. We went it to grab drinks, which made the time go fast. Don't recommend going there if you're already hungry. Thank goodness for my hipster friend for getting me here on my last MI visit instead of the Moose Preserve.
(4)
Chris P.
Amazing food. Great service. Pretty loud. Very cool kids menu. Totally recommend. I had the 3am, wife had the Lamb Burger. Both were completely amazing. Tip: The Union Mac, while amazing, is totally trumped by the Noodle Burger.
(5)
Karol C.
While driving down Woodward, we noticed that Vinsetta Garage didn't appear to be crowded on this cool Sunday afternoon. We sat for a quick 5 minute wait for a table. The decor is cool. Seating is comfortable. We actually enjoyed our meal quietly, though the place was almost full. The menu is awesome. Lots to choose from. You'd wanna go at least five times to get a really good feel for everything. So many delish options. I am absolute crazy about onion soup. Vinsetta's comes with a twist...picorano cheese mixed with the usual gruyere...tasty. I tried the Disco fries (basically poutine), quite good. For my entree I choose the Noodle Burger. It didn't really remind me of cheeseburger macaroni, like I thought it would, but it was decent nonetheless. The waitress and other staff were very friendly. Prices are reasonable. Super cool atmosphere. Diverse staff and patrons. Free valet parking.
(4)
Jennifer P.
Amazing atmosphere, sit at the bar for more of a happening feel! We got right in and sat down at the bar, we were in and out in an hour. It wasn't the 1.5 hour wait they said thankfully. The bar stools are super comfy with back support too. We started with the disco fries, their version of poutine. We aren't huge mustard fans so we were skeptical of the "mustard" gravy, we got it on the side and end up pouring it on. Delicious. We wanted to try and split a little of everything being our first time, glad we did. Mac & cheese - meh, skip it and save the $3.50 Vinsetta burger- good but overcooked and unfortunately they don't know how to make the bacon crispy. Both me and the girl next to me ordered crispy bacon, mine was burnt black asks hers was practically raw. Too much bun, they could downsize the bun. I took the top bun off and it was perfect. Excellent burger sauce. Onion rings- great, they give you about 6. Coney dog pizza (not the name but you get the pic)- it was our gold find at this restaurant. We asked for mustard on the side and it came on it. TG there wasn't too much! It was burnt on the bottom. Bummer. Faygo Rock n' Rye Ice cream with pop rocks- Hubby says "amazeballs!" His favorite ice cream ever. They also make milkshakes with it. Molten Cake with vanilla ice cream and captain crunch crumbs- good but skimpy on the vanilla ice cream, a rich dark chocolate cake deserves 2 scoops! Super duper sweet, be warned. This is an experience but by looking around the service is a bit spotty. My bacon and pizza was wrong and the bartender/waitress said "sorry"... uh, I feel better now thanks! Lol. Whateves. Overall a good experience, if in the area at an off peak time we'll be back for a second try.
(3)
Kevin S.
Loved the atmosphere! The original food was a plus but the execution could use some work. Service was very much lacking. Macon bacon burger WAS 16 BUCKS! This was NOT a sixteen dollar burger by no stretch of the imagination. Loved the experience but sadly it won't be repeated. The reviews and recommendations I received for this place left me with high expectations that where not even close to being met.
(2)
Charity F.
Came here sunday evening at 5:50pm. My only negative is the wait time to actually get a table. The wait for two people was 40 minutes to an hour. We actually did wait a full hour for two people. And I have heard of wait times of 3 hours for this place. With waits like this I came with high hopes and they were met. Now this place has an rustic, hipster vibe going on. At one point they were playing slick rick lol. Its not your average restaurant and you're definitely not getting average food here. I ordered the Vinsetta burger with vinsetta sauce on the side and upgraded my side of house chips to union mac. Now to be honest I thought this was going to be your typical burger you can get at a restaurant. This one threw me for a loop it was such a flavorful burger. Not sure if the meat was marinated or it was cooked over an open flame grill. However Vinsetta is cooking these masterpieces please continue because you just gained a lifelong customer with this burger alone. Everything tasted fresh and like it was made with love and time. This would be in my top 5 burgers of all time. Now on the other hand the union mac. Now I'm a big fan of mac and cheese and I really do love it but this one I was not impressed with. It could have had more flavour and cheese.But many people rant and rave about the union mac like it's a pot of gold so it does work for many. Just in my personal opinion I would opt for the french fries or another side instead of upgrading to the mac. I would definitely recommend this place to my family and friends. It is most definitely worth the long wait for a table. I look forward to exploring more menu items in the future.
(4)
Michelle D.
This place gets crowded pretty quickly for the dinner rush. They have valet parking but you can park on the side street near the restaurant. The tikka fries were tasty with a bit of heat. The chicken was a tad dry but it was good with the paneer and green onions on top. The union Mac and cheese was very cheesy and delicious. The crunchy top added great texture to the soft noddles. The chop salad was a nice mixture of blue cheese, dried cherries, cucumber, tomato, ham, and fried onion strings. I loved the most unhealthy thing about the salad, which were the onion strings. The Margherita pizza was very good too. The pizza was 12 inches and the crust was great. The tomato on top were in big chunks so when they were cooked in the oven they released a lot of their juices, making some spots on the pizza soggy. Overall, great food. It's well worth it if you beat the dinner rush. In the future, I would want to try one of their custard milkshakes.
(4)
Lisa W.
What a great neighborhood gem!! Wanted to find a place to eat before we hit the road, and we were so happy to find this place!! Started with yummy Mac n cheese, delicious!! So many yummy choices, will have to go back when we visit our son, this is a definite restaurant to go back too many times!! The burgers were great! Need to try the pasta bowl next time! Even have a lot of choices for my gluten free daughter in law!!
(5)
Henry R.
Phenomenal
(5)
Annette J.
I've figured out the key to coming to Vinsetta Garage and filling up on deliciousness without a wait--LUNCH. I've now gone twice in the last couple of weeks, once for a lunch meeting around 1pm and another for a pre-wedding dress fitting meal around 2pm (maybe not the smartest of moves considering the food here is a bit rich but NO REGRETS) and have not had a wait either time. As someone who is impatient and prone to hangry rages, this pleases me. You still get the full menu and the cool ambiance without the crowds that can sometimes fill this place up in the evenings. The last few times I've come I've stuck to sandwiches. I cannot give enough praise to the THE EV1 (house-made vegan patty, coal fired tomatoes, arugula, broccoli sprouts, goat cheese, shiitake bacon, roasted garlic balsamic mayo). I'm not vegetarian but I've been craving this sandwich ever since I got it. The shiitake bacon is delicious and it's even made my hardcore meat eating Polish grandmother a believer in the veg way. I also quite like the grilled chicken sandwich (a juicy marinated chicken breast, mushroom smother, Woodshop MI maple bacon, pepper jack, Vinsetta Burger Sauce). Also, props to the 3AM Burger, the mac & cheese, the tikka, disco, and regular ol' hand cut fries as well. Basically I have not had anything here I did not like. It's all delicious, fun, and expertly prepared. The space, an old garage, is also a huge charmer. Everyone I bring there marvels at how cool the space is and how neat it is that they've retained some of the "garage" feel without it feeling dirty or too gimmicky. Also props to all the gluten free options. I'm lucky enough to not have that issue but I have a few friends with celiacs or food allergies and I love being able to recommend this place to them. Basically I super love this place and can't wait for my next visit!
(5)
Carolyn E.
I forgot how much I loved this place, what with all the downtown buzz. We both ordered burgers again - the macon bacon for him, and the duck burger for me. (I just couldn't bring myself to order something else, it's so good) The duck burger was so juicy, it ran down my arm, no lie. It's the juiciest burger I've ever had. Stupid good. The smoked chicken wings were also perfect - well seasoned and served with a delicious tangy hot sauce. New for us was the chips n' dip, which is a homemade version of french onion dip and potato chips. The dip was awesome, but if I'm honest, I had a couple of chips that were on the chewy side. That didn't stop me from eating every last one, though. Lol The beer selection was excellent as always, and it's beautiful here. I look forward to the next time.
(5)
Kelly S.
This was a fun place to dine. I liked the waiting area with the penny floor that continued on into the restrooms. The menu's were cute and there were oil cloths to use as napkins. The food was good with generous portions. The pizza was very good. I loved the dough but I thought the sauce tasted too much like tomatoes or cheap spaghetti sauce but overall it was very good. The spinach salad was huge with roasted corn and grilled mushrooms. The onion rings were huge and very greasy but they had a thick tasty batter. I ordered the 'cheap ass red' wine that was listed in the Yugo (cheap car back in the '80's) section and found that the taste of the wine lived up to the name, I couldn't even finish 1/2 glass. Next time I'll upgrade to the Oldsmobile vs. lol Be prepared to wait in line and pull your hair out trying to find a place to park.
(4)
Johnny L.
Vinsetta Garage was a pretty hip and cool place in the middle of nowhere. The place itself was built in this industrial warehouse looking thing on the street with some odd parking. The place was packed and the wait time was supposed to be more than an hour. We stood by the bar and ordered some drinks. As the food kept coming by, it made us so hungry that we eventually gave in and grabbed some food to go. I ordered the coal fired bread sticks and the duck burger (of course). I definitely came to try the duck burger, but the coal fired bread sticks came into my mind based on all the people walking by. My buddy got the basic burger and we couldn't wait to eat very long so we actually parked on the street and ate in the car. The duck burger was done fairly nicely. I was disappointed in that I could not taste any of the duck, but the meat was tender throughout and the cherry compote with the arugula and gruyere made the burger much better as a whole. I'm unsure if they take reservations or not, but if they do, please make them. The wait here can be incredibly long but you definitely want to be able to check this place out. There is also valet parking available out front that was not bad at all.
(4)
Dave H.
This is just s good spot with a great environment if you can stand the hour plus wait time for a seat. I stopped in here for a few beers while waiting on a friend to meet me in Berkley and had an array of different tastes. Had the Hideout Pb and chocolate stout, then the Laguinitas IPA, followed by reds rye. All very good. I actually ended back here that night for dinner since Republica in Berkley was not my cup of organic bohemian tea. Had to wait about an hour for a table but we sat outside with a beer and talked. Once seated we were quickly greeted and ordered the loaded potato chips. Very good. For dinner I got the tuna casserole topped with jalapeños with broccolini and it was very good. It's all the same food as Union so I was familiar with their offerings. I would definitely recommend the garage as its a very cool place to entertain people looking for a different flavor than Applebee's or some burger joint.
(4)
Roxanne I.
Came here again to try a couple different menu items! Per other reviews I tried the disco fries and I'm honestly still dreaming about them! I also got the 3am burger, which I definitely could not finish after the disco fries. I substituted the chips for the mac and cheese were I discussed in an earlier review, but surprisingly I didn't find them to be as impressive as I thought. I also got the Faygo Rock and Rye ice cream with pop rocks which was awesome, I only wish it was a little bit more creamy! Definitely will continue to come here time to time. The food does not disappoint!
(5)
Chris H.
Love this place! It has a great vibe and unique & excellent food. They also have a great beer selection. The prices aren't bad - they're comparable to Ruby Tuesday or Applebee's but you get a lot more for your money. I definitely recommend checking them out if you haven't already.
(5)
Kirsten B.
Great food, great drinks, and great ambiance. Everyone knows to come early and expect a wait. Burgers are our go-to at this restaurant. They offer interesting topping combinations and a vegan patty. Pizza is also good and beer list is relatively large.
(5)
Li S.
The nice thing about this place is that they are consistently inconsistent. Food is all over the place in terms of quality (it's never been flat-out bad, but I have not been able to get the same quality of food from visit to visit), but consistently slightly more expensive than it's worth. Service has always been friendly- when they can be found... Things seem to get a little more chaotic the closer you get to the lunch or dinner rush. Understandable, but I would have thought that they would have worked this kink out by now? The one thing that remains consistent is the atmosphere- though it sometimes gets loud, it's always pleasant. My first visit here was phenomenal. I was in love. My second visit left me confused. My third visit was better than the second, but still not as good as the first. Maybe the fourth time is the charm? All in all, I'd still recommend this place; It really is worth a visit.
(3)
Philip S.
Great food love their burgers, their duck burger is my all time favorite. Alcoholic milkshakes are also really good!
(4)
Eddie A.
This is an amazing experience. The classic garage, in the motor city. Turned into wonderful flavors, like the Nitrogen Shakes... The salted Carmel Shake has to be one of the best shakes I have ever tasted in my life. The mac and Cheese is huge, no kidding you could share it with someone. The flavor of the mac and cheese is just unbelievable. The look inside of the place is stunning, with the carburetors as light fixtures, the pull down air hoses from the original garage, the funny car on top of the entrance and the original garage doors that can be opened for a nice breeze. All in all the smell, the taste and the atmosphere are worth the trip from the east side to this location. Has to be one of my favorite places we have eaten.
(5)
Elizabeth M.
I've been here 3 times and trust me, this is a place you'd come to over and OVER again! The variety is great. always fresh, different, awesome portions! The staff's great too. I'll be back again and AGAIN!
(5)
Sagar B.
The experience created in this place is simply amazing. And the burgers are awesome too. Went for the special burger of the day, don't recall the name.
(5)
Jim I.
Pretty cool joint... An actual former automobile repair facility. A unique atmosphere to say the least. We were up from Dundee visiting Royal Oak and had to check out all the fuss about this place. My wife had the Macon Bacon Burger and reported it to be one of the best she has ever had. I had a Pizza and thought it was just Ok. Its not my style of Pizza ( the pepperonis were HUGE though) and the Mac and Cheese was not my style either. The wife loved them though (we always share) and I tried her burger and YES that was damn good. We arrived on a Friday at 2pm and it was crowded. We wanted to avoid the 1-2 hour wait that this place is famous for in the evening hours ... and we succeeded. Check out the buku photos posted for this place. Great concept..The cooks behind the grill were in mechanic uniforms with their name on them. Whoever thought of this... well buy that man a Cigar! The Wifi is fast and stable too!
(4)
Sara B.
Ah how the mighty have fallen. I've been here on several occasions, and used to love it, but it seems like the food and service get worse each time. On this particular occasion we were seated promptly and greeted by our waitress. We ordered 2 different adult milkshakes and waited....and waited. Finally when 20 minutes had gone by with no sign of water, drinks, or being able to order I tried to flag someone else down. Apparently they were able to find her and she brought us water and explained that she was trying to figure out how to make our drinks... wait, what? That should have been my indicator right there to just cancel that order, but I was optimistic. She finally took our order for a pizza with green peppers, ham, and mushrooms. The drinks finally made it to the table after 30 minutes and they were so bad that we sent them back. Now we've been waiting for a grand total of an hour for pizza and bad drinks, and when the pizza finally comes to our table there were no green peppers on it. Admittedly I just assumed they had them, and if they didn't the waitress would tell me when I ordered them. Well, they didn't have them, and instead of telling me she just put the order in sans peppers. A bit more communication would have been helpful here. The pizza was ok, but it was cold by the time it hit the table and quite greasy. At this point I'm just over all of it and ask for our bill. When I looked at it there was food on there we never ordered. So from top to bottom there wasn't a single smooth aspect about this experience. I'll chalk most of it up to our bad waitress, but there's obviously some issues if this is happening.
(2)
Rajan B.
This place is a garage converted into a restaurant and has a great vibe! We stopped by for lunch and the prices were reasonable. Nice crowd and nice staff! Portions were too much! Their 3AM burger is yummy, sadly I couldn't finish it cuz of their tikka masala fries! That was delicious! I will come here again the next time I am in town!
(4)
Jim M.
Took the wife to dinner on Sunday September 8th around 5:00 pm, wait time was 30 minutes...not bad at all. We were seated in the front of the restaurant by the glass door garage, waitress was pleasant. Disco fries were the bomb and the burgers took a little longer then expected. I order the greek burger and the wife order the bacon burger, both tasty, but the one thing I couldn't get past was the massive amount of FLIES. They were buzzing everywhere, when I counted the glass garage door I must have counted 12 to 14, way too many for a stand out place too eat.........get it together guys, I don't like sharing my meal with bugs....
(2)
Laura B.
I've been here twice now - first time was a couple years ago, the second was this past weekend during the Dream Cruise. We were shocked to find out that there was only a 30 minute wait on Cruise weekend and couldn't believe our good fortune. Even better, the garage doors were open and our table was close enough to be able to watch the cars roll by as we ate and drank. And free wi-fi, too! Our server was upbeat, enthusiastic, attentive, and overall everything you'd hope for in a waitress. Vinsetta's has a great beer menu with a wide variety of local options. I had the Vinsetta Burger, which was great, and upgraded my side to a helping of their Union Mac, which was just as phenomenal as I remembered. Seriously, their mac & cheese is out-of-this world. Overall we couldn't have asked for a more perfect Dream Cruise lunch!
(5)
Erica D.
I should have ordered a burger, damn it. So, Vinsetta is grungy in a great way, and serves up a pretty interesting menu beyond your average burger and fry joint. There were a handful of things I wanted to have, but I opted for a blacked chicken sandwich on a pretzel bun with a side of seasoned broccolini since I am trying to eat less fat/fried foods. The sandwich was very dry, and pretty boring. I immediately regretted my decision - the burgers all around me looked amazing. The broccolini was good, surprisingly spicy. I liked the metal serving trays the food came on, a small vintage touch. I was pretty underwhelmed given all the hype but I'd definitely try Vinsetta again. Finally, the place is extremely popular. Parking is more or less nonexistent and there can be a wait at anytime. Come if you aren't strapped for time and don't mind a bit of a hike.
(3)
Jeff K.
Worth the wait. Amazing food all around. Getting seated was annoying but like I said, well worth the wait. The service is remarkable and so friendly. She took our order with no problem and advised us on what was good and what wasn't a "hot" item. Food came out amazing and cooked to perfection. Our cups were never empty and we didnt have one complain. Love coming here and would go again And again.
(5)
M. K.
I live right around the block from this place so I go here often. The idea of building a restaurant in a garage is just the coolest thing and the way they went about it was PERFECT! They have thought of everything to include a garage theme. They use car rags as napkins and tool trays as plates. It is honestly beautiful there and definitely worth a visit! I gave it a four out of five for a few reasons. This place is always packed on a weekend or even a weekday around dinner time, so expect to wait about an hour to an hour and a half. It's that popular!!! That also makes parking nearly impossible. I never have that problem because I live so close I usually just walk over but I've heard complaints about parking from friends. The other reason would be the burgers. Every burger I have ever gotten there has been really good but VERY greasy! The bottom bun gets so soggy it's inedible. But the flavor is delicious, just difficult to eat like a lady.
(4)
Christina G.
Great atmosphere. Would order everything again! Disco fries A Chop shop salad A Potato pizza B+ (not for every time) Fago ice cream A++++ loved it would love to have at home
(5)
Kirsten G.
Vinsetta Garage is awesome - if it didn't have such a long wait! Always great food and drinks, just not sure it's worth a 2 hour wait. I'll always be a fan of their mac & cheese (adding jalapeno's of course :)) and their amazing draft beer selection. Someone needs to open a bar next door like Sugar Shack did for Slow's for the long waits!
(4)
Wilma D.
I like it when juices explode in my mouth. Now that I've gotten the attention of all the perverts in the room, I'd like to introduce you to Vinsetta Garage's burgers. They come to you laden with fatty (and I MEAN fatty) toppings, perched on dense pretzel buns, ready to ruin whatever hapless shirt you wore that day. Be warned, this place's national tv publicity paid off and now most days, but especially weekends, it's swamped. I had trouble getting a seat for one at the bar, and it also does slow down how fast your food comes out. Space: A large open airy industrial building, that melds the inside and outside. Perfect for the summer, but I assume it would be very difficult to heat in the colder months. Crowd: Hip and young, not especially diverse. One younger chick at the bar was pulling off a black crop top bralette with ripped jean shorts in the way only twenty somethings can. Wherever she is, I salute her and her fashion moxie. Food: This place takes nutritionists out behind the barn and shoots them in the face. And then kicks them just for good measure. While the menu reads quite chef-ified and trendy, this place really just has bar food classics with an added pizza oven. The fare is a bit aggressively fatty plus buttery plus a side of fried, even for me. But when in Rome..... I ordered: * THE 3 A.M. -- Angus patty, Swiss, Woodshop MI maple bacon, topped with a fried egg & crispy fried onion strings, Sriracha mayo -- 12.95. This patty was insanely juicy, and left a literal puddle on my wide metal serving tray. While that made the burger tasty, the toppings were a bit ungainly to shove into my piehole, and the exploding burger issue did not help matters. Plus, the onion strings fell off, and the egg yolk dripped everywhere. You've been warned: wear nothing you like to this place, it will be victimized by burger bombs. As for the taste, I found the patty a bit under seasoned, and the packing of the patty to be a bit too loose. Also, pretzel buns are not my favorite. I would really love if there was some fresh flavor on this burger to cut through all the fat. * UNION MAC side portion -- 3.50. Completely unremarkable in every way. Better than that fluorescent orange Kraft stuff my parents made me out of a box, but worse than plenty of other mac and cheeses I've had, especially in the south (southern bbq joints can do some mean mac and cheese) * FAYGO ICE CREAM -- House-made liquid nitrogen churned Faygo Rock N' Rye ice cream dusted with Pop Rocks -- 2.95. Very disappointing. The ice cream tasted a bit sour and flavorless, and the pop rocks did not help when sprinkled over top. I felt like this dish was missing something. * MILKSHAKE. Thick and creamy, but minus points for using those awful paper straws that disintegrate with saliva. It lends an odd unpalatable mouthfeel. If you want to be environmentally friendly, use metal straws you can wash and reuse. TL;DR: While the burgers here are extraordinarily juicy, that alone is not enough to make the place quite as good as the hype. Sides and desserts could use some work, and wait times can be a hassle.
(3)
Ryan L.
I was so glad to try Vinsetta Garage when visiting Detroit. The food here is great. The menu is interesting. The ambiance is nice and doesn't feel like the Detroit area. The parking is a little ridiculous but we went late at night so it wasn't bad. The food was good. I got a "press" or a panini and onion rings. Both were great. We got dessert as well. I didn't care for the Faygo ice cream and the fried apple pie tasted like Cheez-its. Overall, this is a great spot in the Woodward area.
(5)
Michael B.
Cool atmosphere but service is always subpar. Every exchange takes at least an extra 5 minutes.
(3)
Chris G.
I went there on a Wednesday afternoon for lunch and it was pretty busy. As everyone knows, the parking is not great. I was lucky to park out front, but my buddy had to park next store at Westborn market. They have a very good beer selection. But since I was on my lunch hour at work, I did not order a drink. But there were plenty of craft brews available. I ordered the 3 AM burger, an order of fries, and a side of Mac and cheese. This was an enormous amount of food for one person to eat. I could only eat half of it. In the future, I would have only ordered one side instead of two. I also tried another one of my friends sides as well. It was some sort of french fry order with cheese curds possibly? Overall, the food was pretty good. The burger was delicious, but heavy. The french fries were average. The mac & cheese was very good. I ordered this burger and Mac and cheese because they were recommended by the server. It seems that all restaurants that serve mac & cheese claims that theirs is good. However this was the real deal. It was a little pricey for lunch considering that I did not order a beer. However, I have been there twice and would go back again.
(4)
Craven M.
Great food and great service!! I've never had a bad dining experience here. The food and service is consistently good. Definitely worth the wait for a table.
(5)
Guy D.
If you're going to fall off your diet and crash big time... Vinsetta Garage is the place to be. Had a couple of crazy dressed up hot dogs with an egg on them and they were excellent. Friendly staff and good service.
(4)
Christopher F.
I love this place, you can smell the wonderful charcoal/broiler as you walk into the restaurant. Very cool decor inside looks like an old mechanic garage. Their beer selection is absolutely wonderful. For starters we tried some green chile tortilla soup absolutely wonderful, great flavor. For entree, I had the maple bacon burger, my wife had he 3am. Everything was absolutely great. The vinsetta sauce is great, the bacon is house made and absolutely wonderful. Afterwards we split a chocolate malt shake, which was really good.
(5)
Nate H.
Cider beer on tap....chips and dip... 3am at 6pm. The burger was awesome. Wife and I's first time..it was great!!!! Will be back!!!!
(5)
Rodrigo T.
Have you ever sunk your teeth in a burger and it literally made the world stop? Order the Vinsetta Burger and you'll understand exactly what I'm talking about. Don't get snooty either and ask for medium rare. Tell them, "however the chef prefers" and they will hook you the "eff" up! Burgers aren't the only thing that's good here. There are the fries that's smothered in good stuff like the Disco Fries and the Tikka Fries. Yep,,, Tikka Fries dude. If you like chicken tikka masala, not to be mistaken for chicken "marsala", you will go completely bonkers for this one. Potato sticks smothered in Chicken tikka,, yea,, imagine that. There's a word for that dish... ummmmm... "Euphoria" Finish it off with their Faygo Ice Cream and watch yourself spontaneously combust. Just listen to this,,, Rock and Rye ice cream, then take pop rocks and generously apply on top. Yea... that's right,, spontaneous combustion. Anyways,, come eat here cause it's a restaurant that is truly sublime. Life is awesome when the glass is half full. Follow me on instagram @rodtorres3 Weeeeeeeeeeee!
(5)
Katie D.
This place is awesome. First off, the decor and ambiance are just cool. As other people have shared, it's an old service station/repair garage converted into a restaurant. They kept a majority of the old decor, so it really does feel like you're walking into a place to get your car fixed. It's so well done, I'd definitely recommend taking friends here that visit from out of town, just for the "cool" factor. Luckily, the food is also excellent. The mac and cheese is award winning, their burgers are delicious, and in general, their menu is creative. They add bacon whenever possible it seems (win!), and throw in some fun stuff like Faygo ice cream with pop rocks. Everything our party had (disco fries, bread sticks, deep fried cheese curds, mac, coney dogs, tuna casserole) was excellent. They also have some pretty creative cocktails, but they start at $11 and go up to $14. Tasty, but not worth that much! They do have an excellent gluten free menu, too. The burgers can be wrapped in lettuce, or fixed with a gf bun for an extra 1.99 that ended up being very tasty. They also have gluten free fries that aren't cooked in oil that's shared with all of the breaded, fried entrees. We run into that problem a LOT in most restaurants. I ended up getting takeout for my partner who couldn't join us to eat in. They packaged everything in 3 boxes, wrapped it all up in a big shopping bag for me, and made the take out process very easy. Overall I was very satisfied with our evening here, and I'd definitely come back again!
(5)
Michelle J.
We've been going to the garage ever since it opened and regularly make the effort to bring folks with us. First, the menu is very unique while still being Detroit. The Kale salad with shiitake bacon is amazing. The pizzas are good and peer my husband the burgers are awesome. Factor in a great and always changing beers on tap but with some creative adult shakes and this place is a definite hotspot for happy hour. The service has been consistently good which is no small feat. The decor is garage chic and personifies Motown and cars. The only word of caution, I would not suggest trying to go the weekend of the dream cruise (usually around mid-August), you will wait a long time for a table!
(5)
Mikhaelah O.
I went for my first time last night- i had no idea this place was so bustling! Newcomers, make sure you make a reservation if you dont want to wait an hour and a half for a table. The food met my expectations, the enviroment was fantastic. And the bartender was able to select a wonderful bottle of wine for us to share while we waited. At my table we ordered the Baker bowl, the vinetta burger, and the glazed salmon. We also had the Tikka fries, which I adored! After all that food we split a key lime pie- the best ive ever had.
(5)
Lisa N.
If you're looking for unique burgers, then this is the spot to go to. Expect a long wait but it's worth it...trust me! There's a bar area and outside patio for you the hang out while you wait. Our dinner of 10 wait yesterday was over 2 hours. They definitely underestimated our wait time. Wait time is definitely hit or miss. On past visits, I've been told 1-2 hours but it was usually half the time I got the burger pizza with vegan cheese which was delicious! The disco fries and potato salad. Talk about carb overload! The subsequent food coma was divine. The potato salad and fries were extra salty last night, but after waiting over 2 hours...your hunger pangs just overtakes the saltiness. All in all, I love this restaurant!
(4)
Kathy B.
Instantly fell in love with this place. We've passed this place time and time again on our way to work out and everytime we passed by it was always so busy. And rightly so, because their food is awesome. It is a great spin on so many classics. From adult shakes to tikka masala fries. Or their bloody mary's that come with a mini cheeseburger! There are time when you come across a restaurant that tries to put a spin on dishes and it is a flop. Vinsetta Garage is not a flop. I'm sure you can tell some of the things we ordered via the intro. Most of the apps and drinks we got were good. The tikka masala fries are interesting, but I think when I want Indian food I'll just go get Indian food. It wasn't bad, but when you've tasted the real thing the fries just don't cut it for our taste buds. For our mains we had the duck burger with a side of bacon jam and the....errrr....some sort of take on a hot dog that had lot of diced tomato and lettuce on it. Maybe something like a BLT hot dog. Sorry I forgot. My husband thought the hot dog was alright and wished he had some sauce to go on it in his opinion and for me my pretzel bun duck burger was so heavenly. And then when you add on the bacon jam... How do you go above heavenly? They say their bacon jam is made in house which is great! They must have gotten their recipe from skillet street food cuz it is dead on like theirs. Both of us weren't able to finish our foods because they give you a good sized portion of most everything. Often times when you take leftover burger, fries, and hot dogs home, they tend to not reheat well. But these did. Even the pretzel bun reheated well. So I definitely applaud Vinsetta garage for making their food leftover friendly. I will be back many many times...if I can stand your wait time.
(5)
Gladstone P.
Fun, fun, fun! From the quirky, obviously garage-themed, open space with just the right amount of TVs and tchotchkes, it's a great place for lunch with friends and family. I have not been there at night and could see it losing some of its charm when crowded, but that goes for every place doesn't it? I had the double hot dog combo which was great - just enough a stray from a traditional Coney to make the grade. I had it with a Caesar Salad since we split the ooey-gooey fries with mustard gravy and curds which was delicious. Everyone loved their food - the signature burger made me just a wee bit food envious of my brother and my wife really liked the turkey sandwich. The desserts killed it. As a Detroit expat, the Rock and Rye shake is the best thing I have ever had for post meal sweets. I do not lie and no hyperbole - that ess is the bomb. The fried cherry pie is as good as it sounds. All-in-all, this was a fun lunch in a fun place. We were on vacation and maybe that plays into it, but man, was that good. Great server and excellent cocktails. Love this place.
(4)
Caroline A.
Despite our 2 hour long wait on a Friday night, their Mac and cheese were to die for !! I would stay away from their appetizer , the chips we had was so salty that it was almost inedible ! We got two different appetizer and they were both bad . The pizza was kind of dry but the Mac and cheese is something I may come back for when the line isn't that long!
(3)
Patrick N.
My girlfriend and I tried this place out a few months ago and we were pleased. The renovated garage had a real blue collar moxie to it. The place is usually crowded and a bit loud, but that did not subtract from our experience. We started off with the tikka masala french fries. We thought it a bit bizarre to have an indian dish (or their take on one) at a burger/all american establishment so we had to give it a go. Totally worth it. I had the yeti dogs which were good, but the charred bun was a bit dry and perhaps a bit over sized considering the dimensions of the bacon wrapped dog that filled it. My girlfriend had the 3 a.m. burger which she really loved despite some difficulty keeping it together while eating it. We also enjoyed a boozey shake called "the dude" which was essentially a white russian milkshake. To be honest I'll consume anything edible if it's adorned with a big lebowski reference. All in all I would recommend the place, but try to hit it when it's a tad less busy for parking is kind of a bitch.
(4)
Emily S.
If you haven't gone, go, what are you waiting for? The atmosphere is fabulous, old auto shop turned eatery. It gets busy around dinner so you may have to wait but it's so worth it. The burger with the egg is like heaven but messy, which is expected because of the egg. Mac N Cheese is something else I'd recommend to try, get an order and have the whole table enjoy. Finally, you have to finish off your meal with the Faygo ice-cream with poprocks. If you don't have room, take some home. Trust me.
This place is wonderful! Yes, long waits, but I understand why. The food is delicious and the place is awesome. They have a great atmosphere being in what looks like an old car garage, very industrial and fun place. Service is great, very attentive and on top of it. I love the chop salad here, Steven usually opts for a burger. Loves the 3am one and the lamburger. Great beer and drink selection too! The parking situation is not their fault-but thankfully they offer valet if you can't find a spot.
(5)
Jim E.
The return visit was better then the first! Nothing beats sitting in the Vinsetta Garage with the doors open and the traffic beaming up and down Woodward....classic Motor City and one of the best feelings in the world! Great eats, delicious Pizza and food cannot be beat! One of my favorite restaurants I have ever been to!
(5)
Albert K.
3.5 Stars - I have been here four times and I am still mystified. I think they have a great beer selection and decent food (good portions). However, I do not get why this place is so popular. Other than walking in at off peak hours, I have only seen this place packed. If the food were obscenely good or the only good place in town, I would totally understand the popularity, but neither of these apply. this place is not without its charm. Beautiful decor, hip vibe and awesome people watching, but the parking situation and the inevitable wait you will have to endure to get a table are simply too annoying. This place is one that a local foodie should make a point of trying once, but I would recommend going to a late lunch or early dinner to avoid the rush. In my humble opinion, when it comes to Vinsetta Garage, the juice is not worth the squeeze.
(3)
Daniel H.
I drive by this place every day during my commute back from work and it is packed every night. Was turned off by the line, always "we'll go for an early lunch or dinner to beat the rush," which never happened. But with a friend visiting from back home in Socal, well, the local Jimmy John's wasn't gonna cut it. Happy to say we weren't disappointed. Ordered the MacnCheese, wings, and bacon macon burger. The burger had a pretzel bun and the patty was cooked to perfection. The chips that came with it were also addictive. The macncheese was a bit on the heavy side, but flavorful nonetheless. The wings had just the right amount of crisp on the outside and was tender and moist inside. Definitely worth going back. Complimentary valet.
(4)
Lindsay Lou L.
Not bad for a first visit. Trying to eat a little cleaner; I opted for their salmon and broccolini. I've heard their burgers and pizzas are what they're known for, but after a workout had to go with a leaner protein. Either way - the food others ordered (pizzas looked delicious and rustic) seemed quite enjoyable; the food I ordered was meh. The salmon was very oily and I so wanted there to be more flavor in the seasonings. Prepared well other than that. The broccolini on the other hand was superbly disappointing. Al Dente? More like break my dente - the broccolinis were soggy and raw at the same time, didn't understand how that could happen, but it was not at all pleasant to chew nor did it have flavor for the description that accompanied the dish's menu. The good news is that the flavors and preparation of both the salmon and the veg, with some tweaking, could be pretty great. The atmosphere and service were what saved this review from a 1 star initial impression - servers were AWESOME and the atmosphere had a great mix of groups/couples/after work colleagues/friends. They have a patio and a large 'garage' style place. Clever designs. Parking could be an issue but they provide a complimentary valet. Tip them well they work hard! Next time I'm in town I would certainly give this place another go - they have quite a robust GF menu which makes eating out a pleasurable experience for someone like me who's living with stupid Celiac disease. I won't be trying the salmon again anytime soon though. :)
(3)
Kelly S.
Soooo, the 3am burger was calling and I HAD to answer! It was so delicious and the mister got the smoked wing appetizer, YES, ghost pepper sauce was hawttttt (spicy) but oh so good. Christiana helped us again, sweet gal and gave great service (again). The only minus were the onion rings, a bit too much batter for my liking but their fries more than made up for it. I'm a fan!
(5)
Don J.
I live right in the neighborhood and have probably been here 20+ times since it opened to much fanfare. The atmosphere is great and - along with its draft beer list - is probably its biggest strength. The service, too, has always been top-notch. The food unfortunately hasn't kept up with all of the other great things going on here, and it really boils down to one thing: extreme greasiness. When I first started patronizing V.G., the food was really well-prepared. Burgers, pizza, mac and cheese, pasta, sandwiches, dessert... I had it all and liked it tremendously. But in the past year, I've noticed the food become increasingly greasy, even to the point where it's difficult to eat. About two weeks ago, my wife ordered a pasta dish that was swimming in oil. After eating about a third of the pasta, what was left was submerged in oil and grease. Not exactly appetizing. I went back today with a buddy to grab lunch and couldn't even eat half of my burger because it was so bad. When the bottom bun is gray and mushy and completely falling apart, there's a problem. I think it's time to take a break from Vinsetta Garage.
(3)
Di Z.
Okay my previous three star review was kind of harsh. I tried Vinsetta twice afterwards. Thoughts...pizza pies are awesome, highly recommend Meatball and the Chili dog ones, not a fan of the Massachusetts one. And as for burgers, the lamb burger is pretty interesting with tzatziki sauce. The line sucks a lot and service can be sloww but our waitress have always been great.
(4)
Jessica V.
If you want to have a better experience than I did at Vinsetta Garage, follow these tips: Don't go when it's 90 degrees outside. It felt about 85 degrees inside. Our table was near the door, so maybe other sections are better. Don't bring little kids. We thought there wouldn't be much of a wait because we got there before 5:00. The wait was 40 minutes, which was ok, but our food took FOREVER. My kids are really good at restaurants, but it was work keeping them happy there for two and a half hours. There was a little kid at another table who lost it and started screaming, and the dad had to carry him out. I'm surprised there weren't more kids being carried out. Don't order the noodle burger. It sounded good--noodles, cheddar cheese, ground angus, and bacon--but it was bad. It had an overwhelming smoky flavor and was really greasy. My husband really liked the mac and cheese. Our server was nice, but we hardly saw her. The cocktail waitress outside was not friendly and seemed annoyed with everyone. Even if I didn't have kids, I don't think I'd come back. It just wasn't worth all the waiting.
(2)
Amanda B.
We are fans of Vinsetta Garage. Their gluten-free options are great. You can get a bun on your burger and have hard ciders or other mixed drinks. The drawbacks holding it from having 5 starts are.... Parking can be an issue. There is a "donation" valet option that has some quirky rules because of the city of Berkley. We've parked on the street in the area and been harassed by the neighbors because they feel the business is a nuisance. Vinsetta's can get busy and there can be a wait. They do not take reservations for large parties. ....Take your "patience pants" because there may be a wait. #glutenfreemetrodetroit
(4)
Ann W.
This restaurant retains much of the structure of its predecessor: cinder block walls, wood rafters, dirt-smudged skylights, and mid-century lighting fixtures. A bar with tufted bar stools sits to the left with tables spread out in the spacious room. Despite the size of the space, there was a wait before lunch on a recent weekday. The starter, Disco Fries, was amazing. The fries were crisp and the cheese, melted to perfection - poutine perfection. There was a hint of heat from the chili flakes that added another dimension to the dish. The portion size was just right for sharing. I also liked the Macon Bacon burger - a lot. It was incredibly juicy and flavorful with the Canadian bacon, smoked bacon, and melted cheese. The sauce added zing to the savory burger. Parking is a challenge. Expect to find street parking.
(4)
Alyson H.
I have been wanting to come here for like a year. I finally conned some people at work to come right when they opened at 11, and we got in no problem. No 3 hour wait for us! By Noon the place was completely packed. We were seated right near the front window, which was nice because the sun was shining. It was very cold in there, plan to bring a sweater. We ordered the cheese curds, which were fabulous. The ranch they give you is so tasty. FB4 ordered the Macon Bacon and the hash. He says "it was super good!" I ordered the create your own pizza. It was DELIC! Garlic butter, house cheese, spinach, caramelized onion, and prosciutto. The other lady we went with ordered the Mac and cheese. I tried it- it was just ok. I added some salt. I really wanted try the adult milkshake, but we were on lunch break from work. I would definitely come back for lunch right when they open, but I don't think I would rush back to wait a few hours. The atmosphere is cool, but the prices are pretty high.
(3)
Charles S.
After riding past there for the last century, I finally had lunch there and was beyond surprised. I love classic and muscle cars so the idea of eating in an actual garage was cool. On top of the food and bar being one of the best in the area, the level of customer service is top-notch. Our waitress was Christina who made excellent suggestions for beer and burgers (the 3am is awesome). I will be back for sure!
(5)
Melissa M.
We had a large party on several checks and the service was impeccable. The server was on top of everything. Food came out hot and together and the drinks were always refilled on time. Hubby and I ordered the lamb burger and the 3 am. We had a side salad - which was a steal - it was a huge portion. Kids meals were also huge for under $4. The drink and beer selection is very good - I wish I could have tried them all (including the shakes)!
(5)
Hanna N.
Not impressed. The only thing I enjoyed was the atmosphere. Food was mediocre. Nothing special. I had a side salad and a pizza. Tried my sister's food as well. It just didn't excite me. It could have possibly been our horrible server that left a bad taste in my mouth though. She was awful. She acted as if she wanted to be anywhere else, but there. Kept rolling eyes and had a major attitude. She made our whole dinner so awkward. May go back if the food was great, but it wasn't. I have no interest in returning.
(1)
Heather J.
Reviewing Vinsetta Garage with less than five stars hardly makes me an iconoclast. I feel vaguely like a traitor to the People's Republic for this, undoubtedly, is one of the hot spots. Three years and counting since its opening, I've been here only a handful of times. Why? For the answer, look at the parking lot and the queue at any hour they are actually in business. Like the Dream Cruise, I like the idea in theory and find the execution maddening to the point of utter frustration. Simply, Vinsetta is a victim of its own success. There's never a quiet night the beau and I can slip in for a pot of delicious, cheesy macaroni oozing with pure happiness and the souls of sacrificed noodles. When a hankering for a juicy burger strikes, we know that first pass down Woodward at Catalpa -- mere blocks from our house -- will more likely than not kibosh any plans unless we feel like sitting around for 45 minutes. Due to a lack of reservations taken here, it's pretty much a guarantee you will sit. Ever since Berkley squashed a request for parking lot expansion, Vinsetta Garage has to accommodate the crowds on a narrow, hazardous strip beside Westborn Market. Valet parking is popular for the must see muscle cars -- on a recent visit, the red Lamborghini owner in a popped collar blue polo was fooling absolutely *no one* about his statement. Seriously, he was giving the car looks through half his meal, and nodding fellow tables including ours to his car. No one was paying him the time of day with a party of adorable little girls celebrating Daddy's birthday. So expect to wait. In warm weather, not so problematic. In the wet or the cold, the little waiting area is usually crammed and you probably parked 8 blocks away where it's actually legal so trudging to the car is no option with that tiny electronic shuriken they summon you with. Its range is what, two feet? Is it worth the wait? Yes and no. The food is great, prepared well and a pretty diverse variety. The burgers are definitely enjoyable monsters, a juicy patty adorned by all sorts of delish condiments and some ones you might not expect. My husband loved the one with the fried egg, though he promptly wanted a nap after eating half of it. The Mac and Cheese is really very good though almost too creamy, it's so rich. Bear in mind the bacon soaks up the cream so you need lots of bacon. This from a Canadian without a real taste for that magical mystery meat -- trust me on it. Prices are a bit higher than average, and service can be especially spotty whenever the crowd thickens, which is practically always. We see our server basically in time for refills and thirty minutes later when the kitchen spits out our meal. This is especially inconvenient after waiting an hour to get in, and probably another hour of eating, ordering, and waiting for someone to take your credit card/cash/origami art. Again, the place is the victim to its own success. The concept is great and the garage is a great deal of fun. There are simply too many people dining here, too long a line, too much of a wait to sit down, too little space to tough out the wait. Reservations would probably help a little, but not by much. It's a chance day when we can get inside, and weekends are near impossible. But if you can, the ambiance is relaxed and the food very good.
(3)
Nicole M.
If you live in the area this place it's an absolute must to go here. You may have to wait but the food is absolutely amazing. They have a diverse menu with some unique options. They have everything from upscale burgers and coneys to salmon and pastas. You read the menu and want to try everything- and you should! The real star of the show though, is definitely the fries and union mac. The fries are always cooked to a crispy perfection and come with the best aioli sauce to dip them in. The union mac is everything you want from mac and cheese and more! I always make my boyfriend order whatever side I don't so I don't have to miss out on either. If you're looking for a drink this place has a pretty solid beer selection. I am a newbie to the beer scene and the staff was super helpful in finding something that I would like. They have a range of light and dark beers so everyone can find something to wash down their food. Okay, now to dessert. Rock and Rye ice cream with pop rocks. Wow. Just wow. This dessert literally causes sparks to fly in your mouth with each delicious bite. If nothing else stop in here for this treat. It's like nothing you have ever had before.
(5)
Brittany R.
finally got to experience this place last sunday with my family. i love the atmosphere here! we were told we would have to wait about 20-30 mins for a table, however as soon as we got a pager it went off so that's always good! we sat in one of the big booths, near the front of the restaurant. our server was suki, who was awesome! she made it clear that she was very open to answering questions since this was our first time there. everyone ended up ordering burgers, except for me, i wanted to try their coal oven pizza. the pizza was good, not amazing but good. their pepperonis are fresh, and very spicy. i got the spicy tasso ham and bacon on the pizza as well. the only thing was that i wanted half ham on one side and bacon on the other half, however both came all over the entire pie. suki offered to have another one remade, but i chose not to. i did not want to wait because i was hungry and it wasn't that big of a deal. the burgers are the way to go when you're here. my boyfriend ordered the vinsetta burger and opted to get one patty since he likes his burgers cooked medium. i had a bite and was sad that i didn't choose to get a burger! they were perfectly grilled and the burger sauce on the vinsetta burger was great. everyone got mac and cheese as a side, which was just okay. in my opinion it was bland, and i did not like the garlic taste that came with it. i know they are known for their mac and cheese, however i would not try it again. next time i go i'll definitely be getting a burger!
(4)
Ken S.
seriously, how have I not reviewed this place? Hands down one of my favorite places to take friends from out of town. The one issue here is make sure you are not in a hurry if you want to eat around dinner time, waits can be as long as 3 hrs. A great tip is to put your name on the list and then go for a cruise down the historic Woodward Ave. I can't recommend the cheese curds any higher and order them every time, it's such a treat. My favorite meal is the Noodleburger, which I order every single time. Love this place and so will you.
(5)
Joe G.
I wanted to give Vinsetta Garage 4 stars really bad. Ambience is super cool. I like the theme and it's a scene for young professionals in the area which is fun. Bar is huge and place is always packed. Couple issues I had with it though... First, the menu is very heavy. I'm trying to eat cleaner in the spring and this is not the place you want to go to start that. Even the salads are extremely fattening. Burgers, Mac n cheese, pizzas, pastas, the menu has a lot of fatty American favorites. If you want to go light and healthy there aren't many options at all. Second, place is so packed that it impacts service. What I mean is, often it took a while for our waitress to dodge people standing around just to get our order or refill our drinks. Food quality is good but not great. Overall as long as you know what you're in for I think you would really like coming here. Probably the coolest ambience I've seen in the area. Come for a good drink, a game on TV and a good crowd and you won't be disappointed. If you are looking to go more of the food route I would check out other restaurants on the strip.
(3)
Jim S.
Awesome joint and always crowded. Good old school beer for us oldies. And food is good. I usually get a salad with chicken but whatever. The 3 dollar schlitz is my choice. In the old can. Love it. Parking is tough but we all could use a little walk. Try it out
(4)
Nathasja T.
Swoon. I don't know where 'they' get their interior decorators from, but between the Woodshop and Vinsetta Garage- the quaint levels are high! I am literally entertained just looking around while waiting for my food.. there's little details, everywhere. Having very specific cravings lately (sushi and 'soggy' fries - don't ask) the Disco Fries immediately caught my attention. House cut fries, whole grain mustard gravy, chili flakes, cheese curds and scallions.. this 'Vinsetta poutine' was pretty amazing. The fries were crispy, the curds delightfully salty, and the gravy nice and rich, which was cut by the sharp onions. Yeah, buddy! Honey got the 3 am burger which he thought was utterly delicious. Fat and juicy, topped with inhouse smoked bacon and egg with sriracha mayo - really, you can't go wrong. I had the 'turkey' burger (patty swapped for their homemade veg) with pickled peppers, avocado spread and onions, on a sesame bun. My bun to patty ratio was a bit off, which made for several very bread-y bites. The pickled peppers are usually good, but this time around they lend a very sour note alongside the avocado cream. It was a bit odd, really. That being said, we will for sure return and I'll just try something else. Thats the beauty of this place, most things on the menu sound really, really good!
(4)
Hilary S.
Vinsetta Garage is bomb. You are going to have to wait for a table no matter what time you arrive, but it is worth every minute. I have tried a variety of things on the menu and love everything. The baby kale salad is my go-to when I'm trying to steer clear from greasy fatty food. It is so flavorful you don't even miss the fried food. Adding the brown sugar glazed salmon to the salad is a must. The "shiitake bacon" is so inventive and adds a really nice crunch to the salad. When I am craving a burger, the 3 am is where it's at. If you're feeling really naughty, the cheese curds are a must. Like, I dream about those little fried gems..
(5)
Jon G.
Vinsetta Garage is one of those awesomely-trendy restaurants that Millenials talk about. The talk becomes so loud that the expectations outweigh the experience. As a result, lines are out the door, parking spots are not to be had and crowd is almost unbearable. As such, I've only been two Vinsetta Garage once. Once for lunch and once for a private party. Both times I struggled to get a parking spot. Of course, they offer valet, but I'm here for a beer and a cheeseburger, not for someone to drive my car wrecklessly from point A to point B. The food itself is good. Lots of meats, interesting sandwiches, great macaroni and cheese, small plates and good beer selection. Definitely worth trying, but don't let your expectations get you too hyped. It is still just a restaurant.
(4)
S T.
The lamb burger is soooooo amazing I cannot bring myself to order any other item as my entree. I usually order my lamb delight medium well and bunless (to keep space for other menu items, keep reading). The must have side is the Union Mac which I usually get to go (gotta save room). The broccolini is great especially with the sliced garlic and red pepper kick but I still vote for take home mac. The beet on this burger is the *only* beet I've ever tried and enjoyed probably since it is very thinly sliced and pickled. The homemade tzatziki is wonderful and the fried pickled chili could be a menu item all on its own. Cheese curds app and the dip they are served with (franks red hot+blue cheese dressing) are a must. Round out this fantasic meal with the Faygo rock n rye ice cream and extra nerds. So popular you will wait and plan on walking a fair distance, parking is a disaster.
(5)
Bethany G.
I absolutely love this place. Great food, great service, great atmosphere, great branding. We skipped the wait that we've always been able to see when driving on Woodward and went at 3pm. We got a nice bar-height table on the south end of the restaurant which seemed like it was in it's own quieter private section next to the open garage doors, giving us a taste of the gorgeous weather outside. We got to watch muscle cars drive down Woodward as we ate which only added to the awesome experience. We got the disco fries, yeti dogs, Mac and cheese burger and a side of Mac and cheese. All of it was way good, in fact, the yeti dog blew my mind. The service was great- drinks stayed full and our waitress was helpful and pleasant but unobtrusive. I can't believe it took us this long to go there! I sincerely regret not going sooner as we only got to go once before we moved away from Detroit. But I will be back to visit and Vinsetta will be the first restaurant we go to.
(5)
Ornella B.
Great burgers, pasta, salads (house salad is amazing, comes with toasted garbanzo beans and roasted tomato vinaigrette) and natural cut fries..the skin is still on so they're legit. Massive portions with above average prices. They don't take reservations and the wait is almost always at least 45 mins :/
(4)
Ingrid S.
I had no idea what I was in store for before heading over with my oldest sister and niece when I was home visiting for Easter. I had my choice though of this and/or Slow's BBQ in downtown and thinking that I didn't have enough time to drive all the way out to Detroit, we stuck to the suburbs. This restaurant/bar used to be a legit garage though. You'll find the place decked out with old car parts, steel iron beams from the ceiling, long broad picnic style tables in the center with a full bar off to the side. The bathroom floors are covered in pennies. Empire Records anyone? A motor tune up machine in the lounge area. It's even a little hipster chic with plaid couches and a nook with some sleek old car photos. The tables are laid out with parchment paper so that the kiddies can color to their endless delight. Oh, we colored the hell out of that table. The food and the beer selection though is what grips you by your heart strings. If this existed in New York, I would live here and also be insanely fat. For beer, the options are endless, check out that picture of just the board of everything on tap. Most of which does not exist on the Eastern coastline at all. Then there was a plethora of additional bottles of beer, wines (several fermented from upstate Michigan), and a decent selection of martinis and cocktails. I've died. I finally settled on trying a Dark Horse Raspberry Ale and a Jolly Pumpkin Calabaza Blanca (one of the most solid Belgium Witbiers I've possibly had to date). The sister had wine because she doesn't believe in beer and was content. The baby had diet soda because there is nothing like having a hyper kid to go home with after she insists that her Mother buys her a baby bottle pop (same thing as pixie stix). GOOD LORD. The most amusing thing here: they have disco fries. I've only ever heard of this on the East Coast and naturally assumed that it was invented somewhere in New Jersey one dark and stormy night. Michigan now has disco fries?! What on Earth is happening?! My sister kept going on about how amazing it was and that we needed to order it and I pretty much was all, "shut up, I know what disco fries are!" These are different though. This is more like poutine disco fries so now I totally get it. Michigan and Canada have always had poutine and now they're jumping on the 'disco fries' name. BUT these are definitely better than melted American cheese. Fresh cheese curds, a mustard gravy, scallions, AND chili flakes. BOLD MOVE with the chili flakes. I APPROVE. It makes them FANCY DISCO FRIES. Send the melted American cheese crap back to Jersey. We also went a little crazy. Trust in that we had 3 boxes to take home for leftovers. But we also split a 3 am Burger: Fresh cow cooked medium rare, swiss cheese, Woodshop Maple Mother Fucking Bacon, topped with an oozing fried egg, crispy fried onion strings, and Sriracha Mayo. It's a holy hell heart attack inducing meal that you need to have at least once in your life. They also have a duck burger I was so tempted to try. Coney dogs, fresh pastrami and roast beef. So many exciting things. They even have a wood brick burning oven for their own pizza. Also, a plethora of Gluten free options. You know, for you Gluten free people. See, they're healthy too! Another thing, that did not escape us was splitting a hot dish item. They call everything in Minnesota 'hot dish' and I've never experienced it before. I had to. I've heard way too many things about hot dish that I just cannot ignore it for any longer. We split the Noodle Burger hot dish: Casserole-baked ground Angus, smoked cheddar, elbow macaroni, Woodshop MI maple bacon, crispy top. It's exactly what it sounds like. Wasn't my favorite item actually. It just seemed too intense. I was actually more partial to the regular Mac and Cheese, which we also tried to eat. Their Union Mac has Vermont sharp cheddar, Pinconning, penne rigate, bechamel, and parmesan cheeses. It's more rich and creamy than the other hot dish. Thinking about this, granted we sampled over 3 dishes and the kid's French fries at this point so we probably shouldn't have ordered a desert. But my sister is a legit pig and so we did upon her insistence. THE MALTED MOLTEN CHOCOLATE CAKE (It deserves all caps) -- Warm, gooey chocolatey goodness in the form of a cake, saddled with their house-made liquid nitrogen churned vanilla custard, topped off with crushed Cap'n Crunch Cereals. What the fuck. I'm sorry for the expletives. But jesus. Okay. Inserts female orgasm. I don't really need to say anymore because you now know. If you live anywhere near here, I'd go immediately. And then hold off eating for a couple of days after. There is a bit of a wait but the wait is so well worth it. Grab a beer at the bar and hang out for an hour.
(5)
Kate S.
My mother was having car problems and decided to take her car to "that shop down on Woodward" only to discover that something smelled awfully yummy there. After that snafu I *had* to take my parents here, lol. I'd been here before just for drinks and appetizers but I gotta say - their food is pretty fantastic. Some of it is a little ... odd. But everything I've had so far was pretty good. My parents are the anti-adventurous and both got the Vinsetta Burgers with the chips. First of all - I wish I hadn't ordered the onion rings in substitution for the chips with my food because they're the homemade kind and are cooked *perfectly*. The burgers themselves were a bit messy and I would definitely ask for the "special sauce" on the side. I ordered the 3am burger. I have a weakness for fried eggs on burgers - I just love the richness that the yolk brings to the party. It has a Sriracha mayo on it which I expected to love but it wasn't my favorite I've ever had. I think I would probably ask that to be taken off if I ever ordered that again. But I'd probably opt for the Vinsetta burger - I had a bite of that and it was so delicious I ordered one for takeout lunch the next day! And as mentioned, I subbed out the chips for onion rings - which were just okay. A little soggy and not the best I've ever had. I'd probably give them a 2-2.5 on a scale of 1-5 - Redcoat's onion rings are way better. We also had the french onion soup. The broth itself was decent. But wow it had some onions in there. And what felt like a loaf of bread. It was almost like an french onion chili it had so much stuff in there. I couldn't finish mine just because the flavor, while a touch on the bland side, was also a bit overwhelming after a while. Cheese curds. My god the cheese curds. I used to live in Madison, WI and you cannot truly appreciate a fantastic cheese curd until you've experienced Wisconsin's - but these are the closest I've ever come across outside of America's Dairyland. Soooo good. Haven't had the chance to try some of their whacky desserts yet - but definitely looking forward to the next trip! :)
(4)
Michael C.
Where to start. I luckily came in the middle of the afternoon so it wasn't too busy. Ordered a Vinsetta burger, it was awdsome.....sloppy, but awesome. The service was fantastic and the whole look of the place was great. The beer selection is what you'd expect from a place on this side of town and there is something for everyone. Burger was pricier than most but you could taste why.
(5)
Carly H.
I've been here on a number of occasions and have been really happy with the whole experience. Even on busier evenings, we haven't had to wait long, and the staff is very friendly and accommodating. The food is excellent! Sandwiches, pizza, and of course the mac and cheese are all great.
(5)
Nicholas W.
Ordered the elusive Maple Bacon Burger with four types of meat. For the price, my girlfriend and I weren't really impressed. The patty was pretty small, the meat overcooked and overall, I just thought it lacked flavor. The Union Mac and EV Veggie burger were fantastic however. Really delicious, creamy and hearty cheesy goodness with the mac and the Veggie burger had EVERYTHING going on. Delicious! AND for the real star of the show, the ROCK N RYE ice cream covered with Pop Rocks candy. DO NOT PASS this up! I heard the shake is the way to go and will be trying this next visit.
(4)
Allison K.
This place has awesome food. Wish it wasn't so crowded all the time. However, it's perfect if you go there earlier in the day/afternoon... Usually. They open up garage doors to the outside when weather is nice. Sometimes sucks because there will be tons of bees flying around. But not that big of a deal. Love the desserts here too! Sooooo good! Usually offer free valet but still have to tip. Also can park down side street as well.
(5)
Corey C.
Okay so I will start by saying that I look forward to trying this place again so I can get an even more well rounded experience. But there was a little bit of disappointing mixed with a good dose of tasty. First off, our waitress did her job but was not very personable, which is the only negative about service. But she was attentive and accurately took our orders. We got the wings which were spot on crispy and juicy. For my meal I ordered the Yeti dog. Which was a bacon wrapped hot dog with melted pepper jack, mayo shredded romaine and tomatoes. Sounds good, right? Boy was I let down. Now let me preface by stating how much I love a good hot dog and since we were at the VG I assumed these dogs would be top notch. I was sadly disappointed to find the hot dog tasted like the cheapest kind of boiled hot dog you'd feed to a three year old. You know the kind all cut up in pieces with ketchup to dip it in. I was expecting a high quality frank in some kind of natural casing and that all important snap when you take every tasty bite. It was so bad I could barely finish one of the two hot dogs that came with my order. I also ordered a house salad which was fresh and tasty, filled with beautiful mixed greens. The person I was out with ordered the margarita pizza which was made beautifully. And I was told tasted great. We finished our meal with chocolate lava cake with vanilla custard ice cream and cap'n crunch crumbled on top. Very fresh and very tasty. It all worked together well. Overall we had a grand time. A lot of fun and will be sure to come back. I will be sure to updated after my next visit. Give this place a try and I'm sure you'll have a blast.
(3)
Jeremy S.
Over memorial day weekend I got to check out the Vinsetta Garage. My first impression was a good one. The place looks amazing. It's a vintage garage that has been turned into a restaurant. The atmosphere was awesome and I really enjoyed just sitting there and looking around the place. Unfortunately this is where all of the positives stop. The service was slow, though it was relatively busy, so I will cut them some slack on that. I decided to try the 3A.M. burger and this burger was disturbingly disappointing. It was one of the most bland burgers I have eaten in a long time. It was big and filling, but being filled up on disappointment isn't desirable. I now know why you will find Kid Rock at the Waffle House instead of Vinsetta Garage! I give The Vinsetta Garage 2 doubledays purely for the fact that the restaurant is a restored garage. Other than that I'd say save your money and go to a place that knows how to cook flavorful burgers.
(2)
John W.
First time here and the food was great. The atmosphere is really fun. Definitely coming back.
(5)
Brit M.
This place was bitchin, start to finish. Beers: great variety. My husband had a seasonal brew that was freakin sweet. Slightly sour and fresh Specialty cocktails: inventive and more expensive tasting than they're charging. I had "The Late Model" and it was swanky as shit. Apps: we had the chicken wings. So bomb; excellent outer crisp but succulent inside with an awesome sauce on the side Main: the 3am burger is everything you want it to be. Get it with a side of Mac and cheese and be prepared to eat more than you intended. Dessert: OMG. S'mores trio was so perfect and delicious. Even if you're full, GET DESSERT.
(5)
Tony B.
Loved the outdoor waiting area. The menu was one of a kind.
(5)
Caitlin K.
Vinsetta Garage sure does get a lot of love (except for their residential neighbors- drama has ensued about people taking all their street parking!!). I love the idea of a restaurant that has been converted from an auto repair shop. It has a trendy vibe, and the decor matches that sensibility. Have you checked out the penny floors in the bathrooms? Hipster cred aside, I would say the food is pretty good! Vinsetta Garage is owned by the same folks that own Clarkston Union, Union Woodshop, etc., and actually serve's the Union's raved-about mac and cheese. I also appreciate their selection of craftbrews. And, during the summer, garage-style doors are open, you can eat al fresco, and enjoy the warmer months! A few gripes: this place is the hip place to be, so anticipate that it will be packed. If you are waiting for a table, you are actually sitting in the garage's old waiting room, so if it's winter, you have absolutely zero buffer from the winds whipping in through the open door. If the waiting room is packed, and you try to stand in the dining room, you will realize that that was a terrible idea, because the tables are packed in, and servers are running around, hosts are seating tables, and its a bit of a frenzy. You might wait for your food. If you are like me, and you hate to ask people into your mess of a car, you will hate that the only decent parking option is valet (I am still not in the tax bracket where I can afford or justify paying someone to park my car). Of course, these complaints are minor, and didn't stop me from giving Vinsetta a 4-star review. Give it a try- but show up at odd hours if you hate crowded restaurants and waiting for your table.
(4)
Jeph W.
Decent food, but I was disgusted by the menu! I found myself having to build my own sandwich, which many of the staff commented looked and sounded really good :)
(3)
Derek F.
Oh yea finely made it back to Vinsetta Garage,, the place is always packed, why ? well cus the place has some good solid food. The choices are interesting and cooked great, every time I've been I left full and satisfied. They have some great choices in food and drinks. Try the tikka frys, I love them. If you don't mind waiting give it a try. But the parking is a pain.
(4)
Lindsey L.
Very delicious burgers maybe the best in town! Their sriracha mayo is amazing! Try the onion rings and dip them in the siricha mayo... mmmm so good!
(4)
Keshia W.
I'm giving this review based off the 3am dog and the customer service. Both were amazing. However, be weary of the wait time.
(5)
Tyson R.
Food was good. We had the farro hash, pesto pizza, and vinsetta burger with house made chips. Burger was the best part of the meal by far! Amazing in every way. Pizza was delightful, nice and flavorful, could have been cooked the slightest bit longer to get the crust right. Farro was a little dry but hey it tasted good and I've never had it before. Prices are reasonable, at first I thought the burgers were pricy but then I tasted it. We will be back for sure! Four stars for bar service, we sat at the bar and it took almost 10 mins for us to get a drink order at 3pm, we were the second party at the bar although they were obviously busy handling table orders.
(4)
Kirsten V.
Excellent beer and food selection. I have had the baked potato pizza and salmon which was great. The only con that I can think of is that parking can be an issue, they have very few parking spots and street parking can be difficult.
(5)
Nick M.
Yeah, there's a lot of hype surrounding Vinsetta Garage these days -- and I think it lives up to the hype. I FINALLY got to enjoy an afternoon there after numerous attempts of trying to eat there and hearing about 80-minute waits. (I will never wait an hour and twenty minutes to eat anywhere.) On a Saturday afternoon around 4 p.m., the wait was 25 minutes. Our buzzer went off before 15 minutes passed. The place just looks cool. It's reminiscent of a diner you would see in the 1950's, but composed out of the remnants of an old car garage. The tables are covered in brown paper, the chairs look cool aesthetically and feel nice, and numerous booths surround the exterior. The bar is good-sized too. The beers are aplenty, boasting IPA's, lagers, porters, etc. in bottles or on draft. If you want to drink beer, this place will satisfy your intentions. Okay, okay. Now on to the good stuff. The food is great. Really, it's very good for the price and just the general filling up of your hungry self. The significant other and I shared a small salad and it was not even small at all; it was pretty large and very good. The house dressing tasted awesome. She also got the broccoli stalks and the Union Mac 'n Cheese -- which, if you have visited Union Woodshop in Clarkston, you understand how good there mac tastes. I got the Mac as well, but I used it as a substitute for a side with my burger. Burgers come with chips as sides, but you can swap sides (Caesar salad, mac, etc.) for $2. I ordered the 3 A.M. burger because I saw peopel boasting about it on this very site, so I had to get it. I had never previously eaten a burger with a fried egg on top of it, but H-O-L-Y C-R-A-P -- this burger was amazing!! It's an Angus patty, Swiss, Woodshop MI maple bacon, topped with a fried egg & crispy fried onion strings, Sriracha mayo for $12.95. The Sriracha mayo is so damn good, too, as it's not overly spicy but provides a very great kick. I got everything on a pretzel bun, which was the right choice. Once you put that bun on top and crush that egg yolk, it's just something great that is about to unfold. The burger was in my top five of best I have ever had. Just completely filling and scrumptious. The beauty of the mac goes without saying, and the ambiance of the overall garage-turned-restaurant is a hit in the area for a reason: it has that 'feel' to it.
(5)
Pom S.
What a unique place to have a great lunch. The renovated auto repair shop definite works for this place. I had the 3AM burger and mac and cheese. The burger was amazing. Very savory and flavorful first bite and the slightly spicy shoestring onions rings with the friend sunny side up egg complemented the burger delightfully. Crispier bacon would have made this burger perfect. I would definitely choose the 3AM over Umami's truffle burger in LA if given the choice but both are solid choices. Definitely one of the surprise highlights while on a business trip in Detroit.
(5)
Amy R.
I went here for my birthday and loved it! On a Sunday night, it was packed. We waited about 30 minutes for a table. But they gave us a buzzer and let us sit at the bar. I had a Northville Winery cider, which was strong for a cider and delicious. It almost tasted like a wine. For dinner, I got the macaroni and cheese, which definitely lives up to the awards it was given. It was so big I took the rest home and had it for lunch the next day. Service was good and the decor was really awesome. There is definitely a garage theme and the food comes out on metal trays, which is a cool touch. They had some delicious looking adult milkshakes, which we wanted to get but we were too full after our meal. Next time! The only thing that was a little difficult was the lack of parking, we ended up having to park on a side street in front of someone's house, which was awkward and made us worry about getting a ticket. Luckily, there was no ticket when we got back to the car, but it was still a little confusing.
(4)
Kristen R.
Lamb burger was amazing. Topping was battered, deep-fried banana peppers stuffed with feta, all on a pretzel bun. Great atmosphere. I recently went for an early dinner with my 8 year old. He ordered off of the kids menu, which was a really neat interactive toy like menu. I found myself seeking bites of his chicken strips because they were so good. the atmosphere is really cool. The time before, we had a dessert with crushed up Captain Crunch and ice cream. The mac and cheese is always outstanding.
(4)
Amanda S.
Worth the wait. This place is always bumpin! Amanda was a fabulous server. The Vinsetta Burger is Awesome, along with all of the food. Drinks are great, atmosphere is cool.
(5)
Karl G.
This is a great place, :). Unique menu, great ambience, location, concept, food, service, et ... Place gets extremely busy, so I shoot for the off-peak hours but will stand in line for my 3 A.M. Dog/Loaded Potato Chips fix if necessary. Never have a bad meal/experience here. Recently featured on Fox2 Morning, this is one of the places I like to take out-of-town friends when they visit. :) Two thumbs up!
(5)
Emily M.
Wow! This place is sooo cool! With the garage setting and cars parked out in front ....the ambience just screams Detroit! Dessert and/or drinks are the things to get here! We just ordered a side of Mac and a Cesar salad....both delicious! But....what makes this place unique is the liquor shakes and desserts! The banana pudding and bourbon shake are a must! Will definitely be back!
(5)
Arley K.
Love Vinsetta garage! Not to be confused with Vinsetta grill down the street. The duck burger and the 3am are my favorites. Chase it with their IPA and its a perfect meal.
(5)
Dre S.
First of all the service was HORRIBLE. We went around 2pm on a Monday and it wasn't super busy so I expected the service to be better. I wanted to order the french onion soup but they were out so I ended up with some sort of chicken chilli which was pretty decent but not really what I wanted. The waiter was barely around and we had to beg him to refill our water and ice tea and when he did he would only refill one persons then leave. We ordered dessert and he comped them for us, sensing we were displeased with our experience. The menu is way too small and the service drove me away.' I've worked in the hospitality business for over 9 years and i simply cannot stand poor customer service. I would probably go back and try the food again, but my experience with the service was so bad I will not recommend this restaurant to anyone. too much hype - not enough delivery Side note: the pretzel bun sucks
(2)
Barb R.
Good food and cocktails. Wait it crazy long. Put your name in, leave, and come back. Ok with kids because its pretty loud. Kale salad and chili is great
(4)
Kelly K.
Ugh...can I just tell you how disappointed I am in this place?? My fiance (B) and I love this place. We followed all of the updates and patiently waited for it to open. We were there on opening day and we loved it. However, this last visit for B's birthday was just absolutely horrible, and I don't even know where to begin. I guess I'll just begin at the beginning!! I called at 6:45 to see the wait for 5 people. We had some stuff to do before we got there, so I wanted to make sure we had time. They said 2.5 hours - I'm cool with that. I asked if that's a "solid" estimate and she assured me it would be 2.5 hours. So I went in and put my name on the list. ONE HOUR LATER I get a text saying I have 3 minutes to get there! Now I get trying to surprise and delight your customer, believe me I do, but when you give a wait time that is more than 1.5 hours WRONG, it does not surprise me, nor does it delight me. It infuriates me. Luckily we were headed there anyways, but we were only on our way because I felt like they vastly overestimated their wait time and I didn't want to miss our table. The worst part about our dinner, though, was our server. She was the worst. I forgot to catch her name, but she had black hair with her bangs cut straight across, kind of page-boy style, and she wore her hair in a ponytail. She was the rudest, laziest server - she clearly did not want to be there and I really don't know why she got a job in the first place. Let me go over some of the highlights: 1. I asked her what she recommended for a sour drink. She looked at the menu and pointed to something with JALOPENOS in it. When I mentioned that she said, "Oh, I don't think it's that hot." I asked if she could have the bartender whip up something that they liked and she said no. Just no. So I ordered an Amaretto Sour. 2. My SIL wanted to order a side of meatballs and a side of mac. The menu has a side of meatballs on it. When she ordered it, the waitress said they "couldn't do that" and forced her to order a noodle and meatball bowl. Like, they literally couldn't take 3 meatballs, put them on a place and put some sauce on them. Even when they pointed the "meatball side" to her she refused to do it. So my SIL ended up with a bowl of noodles, meatballs and a side of mac. She never even touched the noodles in the bowl. (Although the meatballs were still very good). 3. I ordered another Amaretto Sour and when she went up to the bar, I went up there - it was B's birthday so I asked if she could put a candle in his dessert or do something small. "No." That's it. Just No. Could she have written "Happy Birthday" in sauce on his dessert plate? Could she have simply said, "Happy birthday!" Yup...but did she? No. She just said No and turned around and that was that. 4. We were joking around about the wording of Steak Frites and we asked her why it was called that. She LITERALLY said, "I don't know. Usually when someone asks me something I say I can't do it because I'm not a manager, but that doesn't apply here." And she walked away. I wish I was making this stuff up but it's true!! We spent over $200 that night celebrating my fiance's birthday and she totally ruined it. I was so pissed off at her horrible attitude all night that my I couldn't even taste my burger, I just wanted to leave. That brings me to the food. Everything was pretty good. We all had burgers (except SIL with the noodle bowl AND mac - since, you know, you can't order a side of meatballs) and the cheese curds were excellent. I think they put crack in the bleu cheese dipping sauce! However, the desserts were disappointing. Apparently VG still hasn't figured out how to heat the peach pie in a jar. That, or they've given up all together. BIL and SIL ordered one to split and it was ice cold all the way through. Good thing our waitress never checked on us to see how it was. I got the cookies & blondie - the cookies were DELICIOUS but the blondie was not good. I say just put 3 cookies on the plate or nix the blondie and go with 2 cookies. It was just mushy and flavorless. B had a chocolate milkshake and really liked it. My FINAL peeve is the management. We were considering having our rehearsal dinner here since we were such big fans. On opening day I spoke to Greg (I think that was his name) about how to go about setting this up. He told me to write a note to them on FB. I did, and through FB they told me to email a certain address and they would help me set it up. Well, I did - TWICE - and I still haven't heard anything. I'm fine witht his. I'll take my $1500 somewhere that it is wanted, but don't tell people to go through all this trouble to contact you when you have no intention of answering them. I know you're busy, but it's called CUSTOMER SERVICE. It's how you keep people coming back. Very disappointed, VG...
(2)
Sarah F.
Love this place. Great pizza and great atmosphere. Good desserts and drink variety. Had one experience with a waitress that seemed like she was bothered by my telling her I received the wrong burger. But other than that the service has been great.
(4)
Kate R.
Oh, Vinsetta Garage, you kind of complete my foodie soul. I wished I could have gone earlier in their opening - I'm a HUGE fan of the Union and the Woodshop and I was exceptionally excited when I heard the Garage was opening close by. I had the fabulous pleasure of having my birthday dinner here with my family. ... and I can honestly say we came close to trying a large majority of the menu. My dad ordered just about every appetizer on the menu. Disco fries amazingly delicious, bread sticks were VERY good... not super impressed with the loaded chips but, eh, you can't win em all. I had a very hard time choosing from their burger/meatball menu. I settled on the 3 A.M. burger and it has to be THE BEST burger I have ever had. ...perhaps even my new standard. And that pretzel bun just tipped the scale. Was also able to try the Vinsetta burger, also tasty, and some of the pies. Our waitress was VERY patient and accommodating while we waited for my brother meet us and she was really gracious when there was a mix up with one of the beverages. Add that with the decor and chill attitude - all in all, a great experience!!! LOVE. THIS. PLACE.
(5)
Jonathan B.
I've been here a couple times for lunch and dinner. I've never gone on a busy night so each time I was seated quickly, if I had to wait over 35 minutes I don't think it would be worth it. This place serves comfort food, and they serve it well! I've never had a bad meal there yet. I've had two of their burgers and the Mac n cheese all of which were great. Although I would say the Mac n cheese was over hyped. I really love their onion rings, but I would try to get the sirachi mayo from the 3am burger to go with them, it's awesome! Cool place with great food!
(4)
Stephanie G.
Delicious! A bit of a wait but worth it :)
(5)
Cathy O.
Minus one star today because: 1) the hostess rolled her eyes at me when I asked when they stopped using text messages to notify guests their tables were ready. Lady, they did it on opening night and I thought it worked well. I'm sorry you think it's more reasonable for me to wait at your restaurant with a buzzer for two hours before my table will be ready. No thank you, I'd rather go home for an hour and watch the Tigers. 2) the obnoxious valet person cut off my husband as he was trying to get into the valet area, then parked the car she was driving so that we couldn't pull into the driveway. 3) the menu is different from when we first visited, and now it's one that features no vegetable sides whatsoever (I was really looking forward to trying out that broccoli rabe). 4) the staff came as soon as the last bread stick was picked up from the plate so that they could clear the table as soon as possible. I understand that you're busy and the higher the turnover, the more money you make, but it's nice to eat without someone waiting over you like a hawk to take your plate. The food is still quite good (those bread sticks... delicious, seriously), but tonight's experience made me wish the customer service was better. Parking is still an absolute headache, by the way. Those poor, poor neighbors.
(4)
Brad R.
I have been here many times, and they must be doing something right because they always have a line. I keep telling myself when I go in I will try something new, but the 3am burger is so good I find myself getting it almost every time. I have also had the meatballs and mac and cheese for diner, all very good. The disco fries are also a great appetizer. Last but not least, the beers and cocktails are very good. Highly recommend
(5)
John L.
No doubt. It really is the place to see. The owners have done a wonderful job in capturing, of restoring, the essence of a 50s/60s era mechanic's garage--with a few modern twists sprinkled throughout. But if you want a great burger or a craft pizza, which makes up most the menu choices, there are places just down the road serving superior food. Grant you, their mac-n-cheese is outstanding, but let's face it: Nobody drags their fanny off the couch for a great mac-n-cheese, unless it's to your own kitchen. No, you're going to Vinsetta Garage for...err...the garage. To be seen in the place trendy to be seen in, To say you've experienced the penny-tiled rest room floors, the art-deco period signs, and the waiting area wallpapered in old mechanic's work orders. Really, that's it. It's okay and you should go. But it could be better. Parking is non-existent. Their postage stamp parking lot was originally meant to be the place to keep the cars yet to be worked on during its hayday. You'll likely have to park in front of someone's house along an adjacent street and hike it to the door. Once there, you'll be greeted with an hour wait. Once seated, expect another 45-minutes before any food touches your lips, so bring along a good conversationalist or make sure your smart phone is charged for gaming.
(3)
Les O.
Middle of the run-up to the Woodward Dream Cruise, and we got a table within 30 min after getting there at 5:30pm or so. Our waitress was incredibly responsive and helpful, despite the crowds and noise. I can only imagine the place would be even better in calmer times. We started off with the Disco Fries. These are basically Canadian Poutine - fries with gravy, topped with cheese curds - with the addition of green onions and red pepper flakes. Good all around, with nicely crispy fries and (dare I say it) squeaky curds. They have a good list of Michigan beers, and I had two - bottled, not draft. Still, nice to have such a selection. I had a 3AM Burger, and it was great. Pretzel bun, perfectly-cooked sunny-side-up egg, burger cooked just to medium like I asked. The girl had a Baseline Burger, and she seemed pretty pleased with it. For dessert, we had milkshakes. Mine was the Faygo Rock & Rye with pop rocks, and hers was the salted caramel. Also both great. Very happy to have this place such a short distance from our house!
(5)
Julie K.
Hearing about the crazy wait times (apparently Chris Chelios couldn't even get in) has deterred me from exploring the culinary offerings of Vinsetta Garage, but going on a late Thursday afternoon, there was no wait. Huzzah! So go there at the old people dinner time if you want a table right away. The decor is slightly confused. Digging what they kept from its former life as a garage. I guess I expected to feel more cozy, it looked sparse and cold somewhat, a little too industrial, a little too much like Union Woodshop. Do yourself a favor and go to the bathroom for the penny floor and cute classic car wallpaper. Ah yes, the menu. My friend ordered us the cheese curds. This was my first experience ever with curds. The first few were delicious gooey pillows of heaven, but then they started to taste tangy in a sour, spoiled milk way. The ranch sauce didn't help the situation, but adding malt vinegar made them delish again. Get a burger, it'll be amazing. I ordered the Lambburger, with its feta, beets, red onion, tzatziki and some fried pickled chiles on top...mmm I want to eat that once a week for the rest of my life. For dessert, I tried the salted caramel custard. It was ok, missing the salted flavor. MY friend ordered the Rock n Rye Shake....which was SO MUCH BETTER! I'll go again, you should too!
(4)
Joshua B.
If i could give 1.75 stars I would. I will give the benefit of the doubt and give 2 since the place is new. Maybe it is because of my fondness for the Woodshop, but I doubt it. The food. It is just not that good. Service was pretty rough. Maybe because the hostesses and servers are new. I understand. The food was slow and not fhat great. Both burgers I had were drenched in grease and not even close to Duggans or Red Coat down the street. The pretzel roll is a nice touch though. Onion rings were also super greasy and soggy. Dessert. Had the Faygo ice cream. It wasn't bad but where was the cream? Didn't notice the beer list, as our service was terrible and there was no list at the table. Had the old standby PBR. Tall boys are cheap at least. I will make the drive from my hometown of Royal Oak To Clarkston anyday. I will give this place another try in a few months but I don't have high hopes unless things change. Decor is cool. I expect Crane to be the weak link in this construction diaster. Also, please take your lame motown/white stripes CD off repeat. I do not need to hear the same song three times at dinner.
(2)
Jason A.
I'm not one to just hand out 5 star reviews like they are going out of style but after the experience at Vinsetta just 3 days after they opened, they deserve it. When I go out to eat I really don't ask for too much. Just good service, good food, and a cool environment. Vinsetta delivers in all areas. Vinsetta Garage is the place that completely crushes all those people out there making excuses for new businesses with lacking service and or crappy food. The excuse that "you need to give a new place time to get the kinks out", should be forbidden from here on out. After only being open 3 days, everything ran like clockwork. From the moment you walked in, to the moment the check came at the end of the meal, the experience was flawless. The staff was well trained, the sections were perfect size so that nobody seemed overwhelmed, and the attention that you get throughout the whole meal was amazing. You can tell that the level of care, respect for their customers, and the planning that went into getting this place ready to open is top notch. Not only was the service excellent and the atmosphere super cool, but the food was also great. I had some wings as an app and they were crispy and juicy and came to the table extremely quick after ordering. The beer selection, while a little on the smaller size, was great. MI craft brews only. A unique signature cocktail list was available too. I also had one of their burgers, which was very good. Served on a pretzel bun (other options of buns if you don't want that). And there are some creative options for those wishing to raise their cholesterol levels a few notches. Overall, they did an amazing job with this place. Looking forward to many return trips.
(5)
Ken Z.
With 130+ reviews, everything has probably been said so this is more for preserving my memory of my dining experience at Vinsetta Garage. Tried to go once at regular dinner time - pulled up and valet said 2 hour plus wait so we didn't even get out of car. Next attempt - a Monday, about two weeks ago, at 9 pm. Valet let us self-park in the lot. Immediate seating. Cool atmosphere. Intrigued by the old mechanic tickets used as wallpaper in the washroom; I saw one that said "polished cigarette lighter" or something odd like that. Went with a small house salad ($3) and a side of macaroni and cheese ($2.95). Generous sizes for the price. Both very good and well worth more than $6. It was late so I didn't go full meal. Companion had meatball supper ($10.50) which came with a salad and was happy. Dessert - I may never forget it. "House made liquid nitrogen churned Faygo Rock-N-Rye ice cream dusted with pop rocks". Receipt simply says "Faygo custard". They nailed the flavor. Texture smooth. Pop rocks light up the sinuses... in a great way. Wow. Terrific. Definitely would have paid more than $2.75 for. Service excellent. Water glasses continuously filled. The ice cream put it over the top and I am daring to rate VG 5*. If I had waited two hours, who knows if I would still feel the same.
(5)
Chris M.
ummm - NO!!!!! I'd suggest waiting until this place understands how to become a restaurant. before stopping by to sample their goods. I got there and the place was packed - sweet - I love to see that in a restaurant. It took about an hour to get a table - again - no issues as the bartender chic was very helpful. Once we finally got to the table the disaster started to unfold. The waiter was less than personable and was trying too hard to 'bond' - unsuccessfully. We asked for a build-ur-own burger and were told the restaurant CANNOT offer that tonight as it takes too long. There were honestly - leterally - 7 or 8 cooks behind the line in a restaurant that only NEEDS 3 cooks - I was a chef at TOP restaurants - I know how this works. OK - so no build your own - can i have a 3 AM burger with cheddar instead of Swiss?? NO!!! we can't substitute cheese.... ummm - wtf!?!?!?!?!?! ur kidding right? Ok so we order - STRICTLY off the menu... 1 hour later.......... the Mac and Cheese was crusty and just short of burnt... the pizza (with only cheese) had the cheese BURNT!!!!!! seriously - the cheese was burnt!?!?!??!!? and my 3 AM burger - ordered medium rare - was medium well. I hope they learn how to do things better - they have the possibility to be a good restaurant - but seemingly the management has no clue as to the lack of quality of the food being sent to the tables. I'll give it a few months and try again - but so far - I give it a pfffffffffttttttttttt.
(1)
C B.
wow. everything we ate was amazing, and we ate a bunch. we felt compelled to try many different eats and were not disappointed with any of them. the tuna casserole, mac and cheese, fries with tomato aioli, farro hash, rock and rye ice cream, the disco fries, and the vinsetta burger-all 5 stars! we will be back and ready to try more great food! the service was also excellent, we had a wonderful waitress who did not care at all that we were pretty much dining European style-AKA taking our sweet time sampling, talking, and drinking. an overall experience that will keep us going back.
(5)
Drew H.
After about a year of so many people talking about this restaurant we finally decided to give it a whirl. It was horrid! Really bad. Granted, didn't have a burger or pizza, but if you can't do soup, salad and rings, well, I'm not going back to try the other stuff. White Bean Chili Verde was supposed to have spicy pork sausage, they must have run out 'cause it wasn't in mine. It was like smashed beans pureed and dumped in a bowl. House salad, boring to death. And why do you fry a chic pea? Or what was that? And Onion rings are easy and so many places do them well, but these were served in a container filled with an inch of grease at the bottom and an old tasting batter, Not much onion there for sure. With great Royal Oak eateries next door like Lily's, Town Tavern, Da Luigi & Andiamo to name just a few, why on earth would one wait for an hour to eat here. Simply terrible food. Must be a hip place to go because they were crowded but you sure as heck don't go there for the food.
(1)
Betsy A.
There aren't enough restaurants on the 11 Mile - 14 Mile stretch of Woodward so I was excited to hear about Vinsetta Garage. We went at 4pm on a Friday, right when they opened. There were a fair amount of people already waiting when we got there and had to wait 5-10 minutes for a table. I liked our server, he was pretty good overall. He had knowledge of their extensive beer list and when I asked a question he didn't know, he checked with the bartender and quickly came back with an answer. My 1.5 yr old daughter kept spilling her kids cup of water everywhere, so he found a different type of cup with a lid for her. My big issue with the service aspect was that I asked the hostess and our waiter for a high chair two or three times and never got one, luckily we were sat a booth/table combo that had a wall on one side and she was able to sit on the booth side and stay contained. The hostess also said she'd bring some crayons and I ended up having to go ask for those from the hostess stand as well. Obviously not big issues, but when you're trying to keep a kid entertained and not piss off everyone else in the restaurant, it was high on my priority list. The beer was awesome - huge list of microbrews and fairly priced, $5-6 for a pint. There were also some tasty sounding cocktails that I will have to try next time. The food was great (though our meals took a while to arrive - but I was expecting that). We started with deep fried cheese curds - which were delicious and better than any type of cheese curd I've had in Wisconsin - home of all things cheese. I got a plain hamburger but on a pretzel bun and it came with homemade chips. My husband got some fancy burger (I don't recall which, maybe the Macon Bacon?) and a side of mac. One of us probably should have gotten the mac and cheese for dinner - it was fantastic and the side wasn't enough to go around. Our burgers were very good, but the mac & cheese was better - I would say it's better than Slow's and my husband would definitely say that it was better as well. There is a kids menu with the usual items - hot dog, mac & cheese, chicken strips, etc. and it was reasonably priced - I think less than $5 for the hot dog, which I appreciate. I hate spending $6+ on a kids meal. The desserts also seemed good, but we were too full to try them. I loved the decor and ambiance of the restaurant. There is a giant skylight that lets a lot of light in. There's all sorts of fun stuff on the walls and the whole place just has a nice feeling. I will definitely be back in the future (maybe a date night and we'll leave the munchkin at home).
(4)
Marian H.
Yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum A couple mistakes were made on our order, but everyone makes mistakes. The atmosphere is super charming cool but it was kind of loud...the acoustics of the large, cement/steel/brick room don't mesh well with lotsa people and loud music. But, yum yum yum!!! This place made me think I really DO want to move back to Detroit.
(5)
Amanda A.
I am so proud to have Vinsetta Garage right down the street! This place was an iconic garage on Woodward since 1919, when it was tragically closed a few years back a little piece of Motor City history died with it. Having this landmark reinvented into an awesome place to grab a brew and bite is AMAZING. The atmosphere is laid back with decor that is eclectic but still very true to the original garage. Outside the garage has charging stations for electric vehicles. The menu has customizable meat balls, and burgers, higher end items like steaks and even options for vegan/vegetarians. The Macon bacon burger was super savory and even had bacon jelly. Fries are served with a tomato aioli !!! and they had these little cheese fritter deals that were super good! The beer list was full of Michigan Micro-Brews and there is a full bar as well. And the kids menu comes in the form of a classic cootie catcher! How cool is that? The wait was long, I'm assuming due to a. all of the hype about the restaurant opening bringing with it droves of hungry patrons. and b. new staff, new kinks to work out. our first visit we went at 7:30 pm and did not get our Conformation text until 9:00 pm. so the wait is usually about an hour and a half. but totally worth it. We live within walking distance so we just came home while we waited. I did NOT go into this joint over criticizing how the menu was worded, the music ( from classic MOTOWN to Black Keys btw), or the paper on the windows. (which i asked about and it was temporary to keep the opening quiet) i was not looking at the dates on the pennies in the bathroom, because who wants to get that close to any bathroom floor I went, I waited, and I enjoyed myself thoroughly! I will Defiantly be back : ]
(4)
Tara L.
Best burgers ever!!! Everything was delish! Only disappointment was our waiter was super slow and didn't bring out food together.
(4)
Dave D.
Not much else that needs to be said about Vinsetta. Will you have to wait for a table? Yes. Will the wait be totally worth it? Absolutely.
(5)
Shelby H.
The ambiance of the place is great! The food was good, but not so good that I'd wait an hour plus to get in. We went around 4 PM on a Friday and were seated right away. By the time we left, the wait was over an hour. I had the salmon which was amazing. I got a side salad with it which was just your average side salad; I didn't think there was anything special about it. The people I was with all got burgers which they said were good but not crazy good. They came with chips, which I thought was kind of cheap considering that the prices are on the expensive side. They have a menu of adult milkshakes that I'd like to try sometime. I'd go back, but not if I have to wait more than 45 minutes.
(4)
Gordon G.
For my first time at this place I have to say that I was impressed with the food and atmosphere. This is a hipster type joint, so not a lot of fuss, not a lot of fluff. Just a cool spot to eat, drink and share some laughs. I think that is what appeals to me about this establishment. Be warned that there is an average of an hour to two hour wait time. To accommodate, they do have waiting area where you can sit and order a drink. They also have free wi-fi for those with smartphones surfing yelp ;) Bottom line: try it.
(4)
Amy S.
I have been to VG 2x now. 1st time: The service was fine. I ordered the burger. But I could not have it cooked to order as the waiter told me it was 2 thin patties. I was in the mood for a thick juicy burger. This is not the place to go for that. One Eyed Betty's is still consistently the best "Bar Burger" in the area. 2nd time: We had a group of 8. Friends wanted to go based on the hype as well as the vegetarian options. The food was overall OK. Service was terrible, for all the hype and the cost, the servers should at least have the basics down- Empty water glasses, flat pop, cold/old fries, cold chili, 2 screwed up orders. (Excluding ingredients, bread choices, choices of sides) All wait staff issues. My Mac and Cheese was 16 freaking dollars! Huge portion, however it gave me a stomach ache both times I at it. It was something like 4 or 6 bucks to add ham. I expected more ham, with more flavor. I love mac and cheese, and I like it when the menu gives more options for additions. For that price I expected more. Overall we will NOT be back. It is a nice addition to Woodward. Hopefully the management/service staff can get it together.
(1)
Kevin W.
Overall, this isn't my kinda food-- Heavy on the calories, huge midwestern portions, fried up and sauced up... BUT--- The garage itself is a wonderful space. It's beautifully designed and a fun, vibrant space. Wait staff are a delight, particularly the energetic and personable young lady who served our table-- what a pleasure. I ordered a couple side(car)s and enjoyed them. Bold flavors, fresh ingredients: these things make me happy. What I tasted from my dinner companions' dishes seemed alright too- though the stuffed poblano was painfully bitter and lacking in seasoning. The drink menu was a real highlight: plenty of beers and lots of cocktail concoctions ready to help you slide out of your week into the weekend. If the garage can't get you there, you should probably just work an extra day. If there is enough for ME to enjoy here, most people should also be able to find something they like too!
(4)
Brad S.
I went to lunch with friends, we arrived at 11:30 and had no wait. The food and service were great. I had the Baked Potato Pizza and it was great. Our server was prompt and always had a smile. But, the best part of the old Garage is the environment. Inside are some great old Detroit pieces, like a full dragster. The wall paper in the entry is made from old write up slips from the garage. Nice!
(5)
Emily E.
I loved this place. I went with a friend on sunny Sunday evening and the restaurant was insane. We were told there would be a two hour wait for a table at 6:15 which was a little dismaying. I was, however, able to get two spots at the bar right away. The full menu is available at the bar and everything we ordered was supreme. We tried the Mac n' Cheese, a make your own pasta, and a pesto pizza all of which were super delicious. The place turned around food fairly quickly for how busy it was and the portion sizes were very generous. Drink-wise, the draft beer selections were impressive and the cocktails looked adventurous. To further "put a cherry on top" of the night, the restaurant itself is a visual experience. The decor is very well thought out and the place just feels warm and friendly. I'd return in a second...just hopefully without a two hour wait.
(5)
Vince K.
Went on a Friday night expecting a long wait due to its popularity. Host said 1.5 hours, and we were pleasantly seated 15 mins into our wait. (surprised, but not complaining since every table was filled) The decor of this old garage is certainly different. Being an Automotive enthusiast, I surprisingly didn't feel as connected as I thought I would be. No big deal, as I still enjoyed the ambience and feel of the restaurant. The staff and building gave me a very upbeat feeling. Food we ordered was a grilled chicken sandwich, 12 inch hand tossed pizza, and their mac and cheese with ham. The sandwiches are hard to mess up, so there isn't much talk about, it was great, the bun was crisp. The pizza was wonderful...the dough was light and crispy, and the ingredients appeared fresh. The Mac and Cheese is where it really shined, it was definitely one of the better places I've had it, and I'm a pretty big mac and cheese whore. I'd recommend that dish for sure. Service for us was great granted how busy they were. Server and Bar tender was quick and attentive throughout dinner service. If they keep up the quality of service and food, I'm sure this place will stay busy.
(4)
Christopher D.
Absolutely blown away. The atmosphere was amazing, but the food and beer list were the best I've had in a long time. Started with the Disco fries and loved them. The cheese curds and gravy were perfect. I got the lamb burger, tasted great and cooked perfect. My wife got the Salmon and again, cooked perfect and tender and the side of the tarragon carrots were a nice surprise. One of the better things we've tried anywhere. Got a pizza to go for the baby sitter (grandma) and she loved it. The sauce and cheese combo were great. It was busy for an opening night, but they managed it like old pros. We'll for sure go back often. I can't wait for summer and drinking beer during the day while Woodward rolls by. Going to need to get us a cab on speed dial.
(5)
Jenny T.
Great environment! Wonderful staff! The food was AMAZING!!! Disco fries, Mac & cheese, hello MACON BACON BURGER!!!! Wow! Well worth the hour drive from Fenton! Will be going back soon!!!
(5)
juston m.
i have avoided vinsetta simpy because its always busy and the parking makes me mad. but, i had a macon bacon slider by them at pig and whisey that was either heavenly or one of those "i was drunk and foods tastes amazing" experiences. i had to make sure the food was as good as my beer soaked brain remembered. first of all, i was really impressed with the decor. i love the mid-century lighting fixtures. and even though its really quite large and open, it felt warm and cozy inside. for dinner we had disco fries, the tuna casserole, flank steak and sides of broccolini and onion rings. the disco fries (basically a poutine) were really good and the chiles made it a surprise. i thought the tuna casserole was amazing and i wish i could make it like that at home. the flank steak was perfectly cooked and spiced. the two sides, did not disappoint. i was happy to see broccolini on a menu. i thought it disappeared with the early 2000's. one last thing the tuna casserole came with a salad and these crunchy little baked or fried chickpeas that somehow became like peanuts, also really good. i only wish i had room for one of their bourbon milkshakes. each sounded to die for. love, juston
(4)
Vena B.
My Husband and I visited Vinsetta Garage last weekend and we were both extremely happy with the food and atmosphere. We arrived on Sunday around 3:30pm to wait for the doors to open at 4 and it seemed to be perfect timing. By the time the doors did open, there was a line around the building, but we were happy to be 5th in line. We ordered some cocktails ( I think my husband had something off the huge beer list, and I went with a craft cocktail) and we ordered the Disco Fries to start. The appetizers and drinks came out quick and we were quick to eat it all up. The fries were gooey and messy and all deep fried goodness and the drinks were good as well. My husband ordered the Margherita pizza and I ordered the Lamburger with the side of mac and cheese. We could not believe how delicious they both were! My husbands pizza was PERFECT. He is a huge pizza lover and hard to please most of the time, but not at Vinsetta! They did it right. My Lamburger was mouthwatering and I loved the touch of the deep fried mild pepper. My only complaint was it was a bit messy, but sometimes....good food IS messy food lol. We cannot wait to come back and bring some friends!
(5)
Lindsey H.
Awesome experience all-round! I'll be back and will be requesting Christopher's section as he gave the best service I have had in awhile!
(5)
Denice B.
My friend and I are vegetarians. So we had the EV1 Burger. The bun was pretzel bread. And the veggie patty? It was so good! It's made in-store and is full of good stuff! Brown rice, black beans and great flavor! It even comes with shitake bacon! Smoked and sooooo delicious! Fresh cheese, leafy veggie topping and home-made tomato 'chutney'. This is the best vegetarian burger in TOWN!!!! I love their Mac and Cheese too. I encourage all veggie fans to get this burger! Big taste! We left full and satisfied!!!
(5)
Kirk P.
Interesting twists to a typical bar menu. Great space and design! Can't wait to get back to try more !!
(4)
Barney C.
Delicious beer and Awesome food. The decor is pretty sweet too. I love grabbing grub here. Definitely try the Adult Milkshake
(5)
Heather F.
Hip, quirky vibe and terrific food. Enjoyed the pesto pie and the onion rings are to die for!
(5)
Jennifer C.
There is a good reason why there is an hour wait to be seated here. It is phenomenal comfort food! The 3am burger is one of the best burgers I have ever had! Melt in your mouth burger with egg on a pretzel bun. I also have had a delicious Brown-Sugar Glazed Salmon with Farro Hash. The Faygo Pop Rock ice cream made me feel like a little kid again. The ice cream tastes similar to sherbert. I thought it was fun to order once, but it isn't something I would order again. The place has a funky retro vibe and lots of TVs to watch sports on. I have had great service here. While you wait to be seated, there are servers outside that will get you a drink. I thought the beer selection was pretty good. I will definitely be back.
(5)
Kevin S.
Great food! Great atmosphere! Reasonably priced high quality product but waited 1 hour on a Saturday night at 9:30pm.....but it was well worth it!
(5)
Amy P.
So far I've only visited this place once and it was a good experience for still being a new restaurant. We got there at 430 on a Thursday and was quoted a 30-45 minute wait and we were seated at 515. I think it would have been closer to the 30 minute mark because I believe they missed our name/buzzer since people that walked in nearly 10 minutes after us were getting seated. I had to walk up to the hostess stand to ask for our place and they couldn't find our name but then seated us right away. Oh well. I'm sure they are still working out a few bugs, and things happen and it wasn't that big of a deal. After that everything was great. Our server was awesome through out our meal and even brought us 2 waters right away. I asked him a couple questions when I had trouble deciding between 2 drinks, and then with 2 dinner entrees and he just kept saying how wonderful all the things are, so not too much guidance there, but it could also mean that everything is just that good. They have a really really really good beer selection, and a nice list of cocktails, although those did seem a little pricey. I had a cocktail beverage on their menu and it was $9. It was delicious, but they also sell 16oz PBRs for 3 bucks. Pick your poison. The atmosphere is really fun and my bf and I had a great time looking at all the different things within the garage. They really decorated well and the place just has a really nice, causal, hometown vibe. The food was also great! We ordered the fried cheese curds which came out in a reasonable time and they were piping hot and delicious. I ordered the flank steak for my meal and it was cooked a perfect medium rare and served with housecut french fries. They have all available condiments already at the table like malt vinegar, Franks and Siracha, pretty much everything. My boyfriend got the vinsetta burger which looked delicious. He ordered the onion rings instead of french fries, although the onion rings are nothing spectacular. I'm pretty sure they aren't homemade (a restaurant I used to work at served frozen onion rings that looked and tasted exactly like these) and I actually preferred my french fries to the onion rings. We also ordered a side of mac n cheese and it was delicious. It wasn't dry and flavorless like most mac and cheeses are. This was moist, cheesy, and had a great crispy topping. The only thing is I wish they would use a noodle other than penne as I find penne noodles break very easy in a mac and cheese and don't hold up as well as other noodles. But that's just my personal preference. Last but not least we had the faygo ice cream. My bf enjoyed it much more than I did. It didn't have much flavor, and the only good thing about it was the pop rocks on top. It basically tasted like frozen sugar water to me. The other desserts looked great and I will definitely try those on my next visit. In summary, if going to try Vinsetta Garage, come prepared to wait unless you show up between 4-445. We showed up at 430 and even by 445 I heard the hostess quoting an hour to an hour and a half. By the time we left after 6 the wait had to be over 2 hours! Also, the parking situation pretty much sucks. The traffic around this place is pretty much a zoo when starting to get busy, which seem to me it happens pretty much immediately upon opening. The valet was completely backed up as well. Lastly, I appreciate the reasonable prices and portions on the menu. Everything just seems so well priced (except the cocktails) but everything else was spot on. Portions are very reasonable for the price you pay. Overall we had a great experience and found so many things on the menu to try that we cannot wait to go back!
(4)
Denise C.
I dig the space but didn't really like my meal. It's always super packed and I am glad that it's doing so well.
(3)
Al Z.
Went there for my second time tonight with family from out of town and waited an hour and forty five minutes to be seated on a Monday night! I am happy for them that they are busy all the time but waiting that long builds up a very high anticipation for dinner. While waiting, I went to the bar and got some drinks, the first bar tender was not friendly at all for no reason, if you are not happy working, you shouldn't be there! After finally being seated, we ordered burgers that came out very soggy on the bottom for all of us but it wasn't bad tasting. The mac n cheese was good and I am not a huge fan of cheese. If you plan on going there, plan on waiting for a looong time or get there after dinner time... Like 10pm :)
(3)
Todd S.
Went to the Garage last night for my girlfriend's birthday. We weren't disappointed. The menu was interesting with many choices of pizza, sandwiches, and pasta. We started with the disco fries (poutine?) then split a house salad and pizza. The beer selection was above average but I was disappointed not seeing any city of Detroit beers on the list. Motor City Brewing's muscle series (e.g. Old Gear Oil) would have been a great fit for the theme. We spoke with friends afterwards who were also there. Their service was below average, so apparently there are still some growing pains. Overall, the garage theme and solid food puts this restaurant on the "must do" list for this area. We'll be back, but we'll pick a time when the wait won't be too long.
(5)
Michigan H.
The best two burgers I've ever had were both from the Vinsetta Garage. And as my name implies, I've had a lot. The 3AM burger is out of this world. The combination of smoky bacon, a fried egg and a spicy mayo was ridiculous. The more traditional Vinsetta burger wasn't as bold, but it was just as delicious. Messy, like all burgers should be, and oh so tasty. Appetizers were top notch, but the fried cheese curds were the biggest hit at my table. The mac and cheese, as advertised, is a cut above any other you've had. And you will fall in love with any dessert you order, but my favorite was the banana toffee pudding. It's my favorite restaurant in Michigan right now.
(5)
Robert L.
Service was good and waitress was friendly. I had the Duck burger which was rare and I mean sushi, poultry is not served RAW,the other 2 guests had the bacon burger and were rare as well and were ordered medium. The fry's were grease sticks and the appetizer chips were greasy as well and the 1.75 added bacon was almost none existent and the order was small. The kitchen is not watching there temp on the oil. I sent half the duck back to finish cooking which made it better. Make sure when you order medium is Rare! Onion rings are coated with lite pancake batter which could use some work. The owners need to watch there product consistency and portions because they might find themselves on Restaurant Impossible.
(3)
Mim M.
we got here at 8pm on a weekday and it was packed. the wait was supposed to be 90 minutes, but luckily we were able to snatch a seat at the bar in a matter of 10 minutes. the bartender was very nice, and was very attentive, given that it was so crowded and busy. we tried the duck and 3am burger, which were both made very well (it has been awhile since we last ordered medium-rare, and actually had it come out medium-rare!). the hand cut fries and mac and cheese were also amazing. i would definitely come back!
(4)
Brandon B.
I am so happy I waited the hour and a half on their opening weekend to test out this place. It lived up to my expectations completely. The decor is hip and non-pretentious. Every little detail has been thought through, and it all works. Very kitschy-garage-chic. The private room is especially neat. I would host a party in there in a heartbeat. Also was a huge fan of the helpful bartenders who were not bad to look at, either. In fact, the entire staff is pretty good-looking in general. I had the grapefruit-gin cocktail. It was ok. I think overall the cocktails could be a bit stronger, and if not stronger, then cheaper... 11 bucks for a somewhat bland martini is a bit stiff in my opinion. The sucker punch which my friend ordered was fantastic, as well as that plum cocktail. Great beer selection the Unibroue Blonde was superb! I would not have waited for a table had I not seen and smelled the divine food crossing my nostrils from the open-air kitchen as I waited at the bar. I literally wanted to try everything. The breadsticks appetizer with a garlicy cheese spread were so good. I could eat two orders on my own. Next time I will try the fried cheese curds and disco fries. For my meal, I ordered the meatball supper with mac and cheese and broccoli. The meatballs were melt in my mouth delicious, the mac and cheese was sent from heaven, and the broccoli's flavor was punched-in-my-face spicy goodness. My friend had the 3AM burger and it was one of the best burgers I have ever tried. I am still wet over the mac and cheese. I want to order everything on this menu. Literally. Pizza, Burgers, and Meatballs make me a very happy boy. Our server George was charming, prompt, and helpful. His suggestions all paid off. This place is going to be on a loooonngggg wait for awhile as I just see the word of mouth is going to make it hugely successful. This establishment fills a void in Berkley-Royal Oak-Ferndale dining that was much needed. Go. There. Now. You will be happy in mind, body, and soul... and very full, I took half of my meal home. :)
(5)
Leigh W.
I really wanted to looooooove this place - but it's not quite 5 stars. We had a large party (10 adults + 2 kids) and got there at 4pm on a Friday and were seated right away in the "back room" - it was perfect (5 stars for that! The trick is to get there at the off hours.) The service was great at the beginning, then tapered towards the end of our time, but that could have been because the restaurant was filling up. The disco fries = AWESOME, essentially they're the equivalent to Canadian poutine - 5 stars. Unfortunately, the main courses did not live up to expectations, I had the chili rubbed flank steak with onion rings - steak was cold and not much flavor and the onion rings were not very good. One person at the table had the noodle burger, it didn't have much meat in it. I had the molten chocolate cake - it was ok, I would have hoped for a bit more cake and a little less "goo." Maybe they're still working out some kinks - love the food at Clarkston Union & Woodshop so I'm sure they'll get there. The restoration/architecture is amazing - love reclaimed spaces and they did an awesome job.
(4)
Pete K.
Amazing. I got the 3am burger and it was perfect. The ambience is great too. It's busy so you have to wait a little but it's really not that bad, and well worth it.
(5)
Kristen D.
My boyfriend and I came in the afternoon to avoid the rush. It was still super busy but we got a seat at the bar. The burger was AMAzing! One of the best. We also had the coney island pizza. It was good. Can't wait to go back.
(4)
Michael C.
On my most recent visit to Michigan, we decided to try something new. We dropped by the Vinsetta Garage in Royal Oak because we've heard some buzz about it. Here are some highlights: - Cool retro garage architecture...due to the fact that it was once an actual garage. In fact, it looks so real, I was hoping they cleaned the beams and roof well. There's nothing worse than some 20 year old car grime landing in your plate. - Great indoor/outdoor set up using what else, the old garage doors. - Nice simple menu offering pizzas, burgers, and sandwiches. It is easy to navigate and instills confidence that the kitchen has actually mastered these limited items. - I was planning a burger, but I took a detour with the meatball sub. It was a good decision. After this experience, I must say that Vinsetta Garage is a nice addition to the neighborhood. I will hopefully make my way back here someday.
(4)
Jimmy P.
Fab, waited 20 minutes to seat on memorial day. Restaurant reps the D and maintains that vibe by operating in an old repair garage, very rugged and lifting environment. Good selection of crafts and mi brews. Pesto pizza was off the hook! Also tried the borcollini sidecar- good blend of borcolli/asparagus, garlic city. Farro hash was most delish, perfect ratio of cheese and quinoa and creamy delectable.
(5)
Dan W.
2 hour wait. Parking is a joke. Food looks amazing but lacks flavor. The place looks awesome, but lacks the flavor to match the visuals. I went. Most likely wont go back.
(2)
Johnny S.
Once you get past the wait and the parking, there is really not much else to complain about here. Service has always been good, the place itself is really cool, and the 3 AM is one of the best burgers around, bar none.
(4)
k a.
Good burgers, great ambience.... try out their bacon jam... mmm mm good
(5)
Wendy S.
First, the wait. I have developed a sudden aversion to waiting for 1-2 hours for food. We decided to try VG on a Friday night anyhow. We were told 1.5 hours for a table of 4... And we're seated after 20 minutes. Lucky us. However, this did make me leary of their actual ability to gauge wait time correctly for our next visit. It took 15 minutes to get a drink at the bar. Seriously? The food was good. Not quite the caliber of the Woodshop, but I have no doubt that it will get there. The Mac-n-cheese was outstanding, as was the chicken. And the interior? A slam dunk. Killer. Terrific. Finally, the waitstaff was good. And the manager was all over the place, chatting up the patrons, helping out his staff, and just generally making sure folks were happy.
(3)
Jennifer P.
AWESOME. Love the kale salad! Disco fries are pretty tasty too!
(5)
Nicole Y.
I'll dream about this place until I go back again. From the loaded chips to a burget with a fried egg, this place has got the goods for any foodie. Awesome ambiance and cool staff. If you don't make this a stop in your tour-de-deliciousness you're totally missing out.
(5)
Mitch A.
Really liked my lunch at Vinsetta. I'd been wanting to go since before they opened because I was so glad a Taco Bell didn't get the real estate. We went at 12:15. The lot was full and no valet, so we parked (way) up the street. Not a problem for such a beautiful day. Got right in. No waiting since a "high top" wasn't a problem for us. Love how they kept the garage feel. Chairs are comfy. Little loud, but we were seated in a smaller area by the bar, so it wasn't as loud as the main dining room. Most of the prices are a bit on the high side for the offerings, but were doable. ($13 for a burger with chips seems kinda expensive to me). I ended up ordering a pizza. ($7.50) with roasted garlic (.75) and grilled pineapple (.75). You get to also pick your cheese (I picked the house blend) and your sauce (I went for a white one instead of red). Toppings range from .75 for produce to $3.50 for meatballs. If I were a meat pizza person, each type would have put me back a couple of bucks. I also ordered a side Caesar ($3.50). The Caesar was substantial, and fresh. dressing has a bit of a kick to it. Liked it a lot. The pizza was much larger than I had anticipated. 2 people could easily split the pizza if they each had a salad. I ended up bringing home half. The crust was thin. Wish it was a tiny bit crispier, but it was still very good. Really liked the toppings I picked. My lunch partner had a 3am burger without the egg. ($12.95) (I thought I read somewhere that you couldn't get a 3am burger at lunch time...but not true, now at least). She substituted her chips for broccolini ($1.95). Her burger was big, but $15 for a burger and veg seem a bit high for me. She had initially cut her burger in half, hoping to take half of it home, but it was so delish she couldn't stop till it was done. She ordered it medium well, but it looked like it was cooked more medium. (of course I'm a medium rare burger person, so the less the better for me anyway.) Neither of us ordered beverages besides water. (I rarely do so anyway). But the adult milkshakes looked yummy. ($9) Had I had room I may have gone for a desert. But I was stuffed. I'd go back again. Not often, since they're a bit pricey, but definitely as a treat every now and then.
(3)
Rob W.
First off, any of these early reviews have to be tempered with a healthy dose of "they haven't even been open for a week yet." Secondly, this is NOT a place that's going to rival Joe Muers or The Whitney - this is a "joint", and proud of it. Menu items you're going to find at Vinsetta Garage fall into three categories: burgers, "balls" (meatballs), and "pies" (pizza). Vegetarians and vegans rest assured, there are vegan burgers (made with quinola) and vegan meatballs, but for the carnivores there are burger options including pork, duck, lamb and chicken, as well as the usual beef. Ditto for the meatballs. There's also a rendition of the Woodshop's mac and cheese (shared ownership with the Clarkston restaurant) ... plus salads and other appetizers. On our first visit, we tried a 3AM burger (completed with bacon and fried egg - delicious!!), a veggie burger (with 'bacon' mushrooms) and a mac and cheese. There was a LOT of food for the three of us. These are big burgers, campers. We also had the "breadsticks" which were also delightful. We topped it off with Faygo Rock N Rye 'custard' which was dusted with pop rocks (don't dwell on it, just try it!). The place is crowded and loud, but joints are supposed to be, aren't they? Service was attentive, if a little overwhelmed. For a first week in business, I think they did really well. We'll be back!
(4)
Penny M.
Live nearby and watched the transformation..finally got around to trying it out. Renovations were great. Lots of attention to detail. Overall impression was noisy and crowded. We were seated in a reasonable amount of time. We ordered french onion soup and burgers. Soup was ok warm but the cheese was a huge cold lump on top and actual soup tasted metallic. Burgers were flavorless and pretzel bun tasted burnt and overpowered the toppings (we had grilled onions and swiss..mushy and greasy). I didn't eat much of either. Saw the waitress once when we got our food. She refilled our water when she brought our check. Great timing. Nobody asked how our meal or service was..so i am assuming they don't care, especially given i didn't take a doggy bag and left most of my food.
(1)
Vanessa W.
I have to say that I was a bit underwhelmed by Vinsetta Garage. The food was great, by itself I'd give it 4 stars but a 50 minute wait at 6:15 on a Thursday, the food wasnt that good. It was reasonably priced so I give them a thumbs up for that, gotta love a place with a great ambiance that doesn't hurt your budget. The selection of food was pretty extensive so if you have people in your group that are picky but want to stay casual, this could be a good bet for you. I just had expectations after reading reviews and waiting for an hour that it was going to be the best comfort food I'd ever eaten. Sadly I was disappointed.
(3)
Danielle P.
Good restuarant, but the wait times are awful. You can go in on a Monday at 5 and still have to wait an hour for a table. The food is pretty good, but I've never been blown away by anything. The waitstaff is very friendly and attentive, and the ambiance and decor are great. Good place to go on a night out with friends.
(4)
Jason H.
Everything here is delicious. Ingenious and delicious desserts. Only drag is how busy it gets, causing long waits for a table. But it's worth the wait.
(5)
Sol C.
Enjoyable interior space but mediocre food. Basically this place offers upscale, fat -o-rama, over glorified bar food. The food can sometimes be made well here but the service tends to lack. For instance, I tried to order a rare bourbon and the bartender told me he drank it all the night before and then preceded to serve me the wrong food - I ordered a lamb burger and got a chicken sandwich . I love when hung over people wait on me. Really, Vinsetta should give a 25 percent discount for that. Definitely not comparable to the Union or the Wood Shop. Wished this place served greens as well. Once, I order the chicken dinner and had the option of either fries or chips. Without doubt this place would be much better if there was a carrot or two somewhere - seriously they need to lighten up!
(3)
Heidi S.
Very good! I love the thought put into the menu and the variety. Great service and kid friendly which is semi hard to find these days. The Mac n cheese.... Mmm mmm good.
(4)
Sean G.
So I'm jumping on the bandwagon with this one. Sue me. I visited Vinsetta Garage with my mother the other night, and our experience was nothing short of fantastic. We were fortunate enough not to have to wait for a table, which was a plus, but now that I have sampled the food I have no doubt that I'd be willing to suffer a reasonable waiting time to eat here again. Where to start? We were interested in so many dishes on the menu that we ended up ordering a wide variety of items and sharing them. We opted to start with appetizers in the form of Loaded Chips with ground turkey, maple bacon, and sour cream added, as well as the Disco Fries. Both were great. The chips were the perfect thickness with just the right amount of crunch, and bore the weight of the generous toppings without breaking or becoming soggy. Hot tip: do NOT pass up on the bacon if you're ordering the loaded chips, because that little addition truly kicked the dish up a notch. As for the fries, they were surprisingly addicting. I was intrigued by the prospect of mustard gravy, but since I don't care for more traditional gravy I insisted that we order it in a cup on the side. Suffice it to say that I enjoyed it enough to order a second cup once we had used the first one, just to make sure the fries were properly coated. The fries themselves were thin cut, just the way I like them, and since they weren't loaded with salt I could actually taste the deep potato flavor. The melted cheese curds were almost completely melted, and formed a gooey layer of goodness over the dish. I do wish there had been a few more of them, but that's just me. When it came time to order entrees, my dining companion opted for the famous Mac and Cheese with smoked ham and the salted caramel milkshake, while I went with the Duck Burger after hearing that it is the head chef's specialty. I also tacked on some French Onion Soup and a sidecar of Farro Hash. The soup was good. Not the best I've ever had, but good nevertheless. As another reviewer or two has mentioned, the soup does taste a bit sweeter than most other French Onion offerings that I've had, with very little saltiness to the broth. Personally, I wasn't bothered by this, and found it to be a nice change of pace. The farro hash was a pleasant surprise, and deceptively hearty in spite of its size. The roasted vegetables and thick, crusty cheese coating worked perfectly with the farro to create a complex combination of flavors that left me wanting more after I cleaned out my bowl. As for the Duck Burger...the chef is absolutely right to be proud. It was one of the juiciest, most succulent burgers that I've ever eaten, and the sweetness of the cherry jam and caramelized onions complimented the savory notes of the duck, gruyere, and the arugula perfectly. The pretzel bun tasted exactly like a soft pretzel from your favorite concession stand in roll form, and nothing like those dried out nightmares you sometimes find at the store. My mother couldn't finish her Mac and Cheese, so I was fortunate enough to get a taste of that as well. My opinion? Worth the hype. They don't use traditional elbow macaroni (which was an interesting choice), but the pasta is absolutely loaded with gooey cheese. This alone would have made it a good, but not great dish. What really sealed the deal for me was the cheese and breadcrumb crust baked over the top. It reminded me of the caramelized cheese at the edge of a Detroit Style pizza, and that is a beautiful thing. Note: the portion for this is genuinely huge, and the heavy application of cheese makes it plenty filling. If you don't want to commit to that much mac, a side portion is available. We finished off with a couple of desserts, which I ate most of. The S'More Trio took me by surprise. It sounds very bland on paper, but their housemade marshmallow has a nice consistency to it, and the cookies they used to sandwich it were absolutely mouthwatering. Frankly, I'd buy those as a separate item if they offered it on the menu. The Molten Chocolate Cake was rich and fudgy, and the dollop of vanilla custard that came with it served as a nice contrast to its powerful flavor. The crushed Captain Crunch was actually a very nice touch, and gave the dish some mild buttery notes in addition to the traditional chocolate and vanilla combination. I have absolutely no complaints about our service. The waitress was very friendly, attentive, and more than willing to work with us on our special requests like having the gravy on the side for the fries. Our drinks were refilled frequently and we never had to wait long for her to stop by. The only thing keeping me from giving this five stars at the moment is the lack of full carryout service. I can understand not taking reservations, but it would certainly be nice if I could order a burger and enjoy it in my home even if the restaurant is filled to the brim.
(4)
K G.
"Fan tastic meal wonderful service brandy is the best server in the garage go to the garage ask for Brandy and have an absolutely fabulous meal"
(5)
Renee H.
I tried this restaurant for the first time today. I almost didn't go because the parking situation is so horrible. I had the vegan burger which was great and a side of Mac and cheese. That Mac and cheese is to die for. I would have given them a 5, but the parking is simply horrible.
(4)
Geoffrey J.
Love this place! The wait is usually much shorter than they tell you. Both the atmosphere and food are very comfortable. I could eat here every night!
(4)
Nickie P.
The inside of the place is soooo amazing. They've kept so much of the original structure intact, and the decor gives it a lot of flair. The reason I'm only giving it three stars is that I was disappointed with what I ordered. I had the Noodle Burger, which is basically macaroni and cheese with hamburger meat and some bacon. I know, sounds amazing...but for some reason it just didn't come together for me. Next time I go back I will definitely try a burger, because they all sounded delicious. Also, since its still pretty new be ready to wait. We came at 9:15 pm on a Wednesday, and still had to wait half an hour for a table.
(3)
Crimson T.
Since my first review, I have visited multiple times. The lamb burger is amazing, although the fried green tomato on it was too thick for burger handling. But the flavor combinations - delish! The mac-and-cheese is stellar! It's creamy with a tiny hint of nutmeg. Service is usually excellent, but i had one guy who wasn't the most attentive to the experience. The decor is cool, especially the penny floor in the bathroom. One time I managed to spill not one, but two glasses of water. Busboy was very cool and nonchalant about it.
(4)
Rachel B.
Unbelievably good. Great beer, service (we sat at the bar) and amazing food. Mac and cheese will blow your mind.
(5)
Kevin C.
I love Vinsetta Garage and everything about it. The food is awesome and the decor is unique to the history of the building. Their burgers are phenomenal and the pizza is a close second. They have small but good beer selection to choose from. The prices are fair especially for what you get. If I wanted to be really picky I would say they're maybe a dollar overpriced but don't let that stop you from trying this unique place. I would recommend going to this place on off hours and try to avoid this place during lunch/dinner hours and especially on the weekend. Usually during those times the wait can get up to 2 hours.
(5)
Eddison B.
The service is a little delayed, but understandable- they're a bumping restaurant with great food- from burgers to pizza to mac & cheese, you can't go wrong! I've been here several times and have been more than satisfied! Fun vintage atmosphere with a lively amount of people almost every time I go. Must Go! Its a great place.
This place has the worst sound system. It's so loud you can't hear what's being said. Plus the waiters can't hear you either. No one wants to eat and have to talk loud.
(1)
Jessica A.
This used to be my favorite in the area. However, after living rather than visiting Detroit -- I've lost a bit of my love. The atmosphere is truly stellar and the service tends to be fair. The waitress who served us the first time we visited was incredible, but since then I've only felt alright about the service we've received. I typically get a salad and add their delicious salmon. The first time I had it I was amazed, but every time since it just hasn't been anything special. I get the feeling that some of the cooking here is inconsistent. Having said that, I'd recommend trying it out & I'll certainly end up here for lunch again sometime I'm sure..
(3)
Anna V.
This place is a must-see. The decor and general aesthetic are off the charts. You can tell they paid special attention to every detail. The food is fantastic and the menu is expansive. My only complaint is that there is normally a long wait, since everyone loves it so much. There is no non-valet parking, so prepare to find street parking and walk if you don't want valet.
(4)
Mary B.
This place is one of the best restaurants in Royal Oak. It was on my list to try for months and finally I did! The atmosphere was great lots of really cool touches. The wait staff was helpful and friendly. The food was amazeballs. I had a chicken sandwich and salad. My boyfriend had a burger fries and Mac and cheese. So delish. Oh and the best part was the pumpkin cheesecake!
(5)
Sara K.
Love this place ! Went with a group of friends. The guys loved the authentic garage interior. The food was great, service was fast. We had a fantastic time there!! Will definitely be going back again.
(4)
Nikki H.
Good drinks and a carb fest any girl with hips can appreciate in their macaroni bowls!
(4)
Will B.
Went here today for lunch for the first time, and I'll definitely go back. Good food, the prices are good for what you get, and the place is pretty cool inside. I got the cheeseburger pizza and it was pretty good. Nice crust, great flavor, good toppings, I liked it a lot. I've had better toppings on a pizza, but the pizza itself (crust and dough) was excellent. My friend got the pesto pizza. Again, it was pretty good, but not great. I'd like to see them make a BBQ chicken pizza with cheddar cheese, bacon, and red onions (yea, pretty standard, but damn good) or maybe a pulled pork something or another, which mac and cheese (like, the whole BBQ works) on a pie. Something more original than classic sandwiches (cheeseburgers and coneys) on pizza dough. A couple small complaints: I don't know if it was just because it was lunch, but I wanted something more substantial. I wanted a... steak or something, something delicious. Good steak sandwich, served open face, medium rare, caramelized onions, spicy horseradish sauce, something, but they didn't really have anything like that on the menu. The burger sounded ok, but they were all served on pretzel rolls. I didn't want anything that doughy. They do have a few entrees and one of them is a flank steak, but it's not what I was looking for. A few pieces of chili dusted flank steak, cut up for me prior to coming to the table, just wasn't going to cut it. A nice, full sized Prime rib, ribeye, NY strip, something... something tender and juicy, and they just fell short there. The service was less than stellar as well. We sat at the bar. Cute bartender, but she took forever and wasn't very personable. Very sparse with her communication with us (and everyone else), took quite a while to get food menus out of her, and she took forever to run our tabs. She was preoccupied with doing remedial tasks like filling the bloody mary containers. Don't they have a bar back or something for that? Seems kind of silly to detract from patron service for something that anyone could have been doing.
(4)
Anthony S.
The food was amazing!! And the setting can't get any better! Highly recommended!
(5)
Rena S.
I went here specifically because I had heard they have amazing Mac'n'Cheese, and as I consider myself somewhat of a connoisseur of all things Mac 'n' Cheese, I have been itching to try it! Let me tell you, I was not let down! Their "Noodle Burger" is delicious, the only thing that could have improved it is a few mushrooms! I also had a pizza, it was pretty good, it may have been better had I chosen different toppings, can't really blame them for that one! I had Canadian Bacon, Mushrooms, and Prociutto. It was good, but not great. We also enjoyed their onion rings, which are amazing, though they may also cause heart disease! They were very greasy, but in the most delicious way! The only reason they got 4 stars (and I know they are an old garage) is I hate looking up in a restaurant and seeing several inches of dust hanging above me. Other than that the decor is awesome, and the food is AMAZING! I will definitely go back, and would suggest everyone try this place immediately!
(4)
Tara L.
So this was the only place we hadn't been to out of all the Union restaurants. Truthfully, we had driven by it countless times, but each time we did, we either weren't in the mood for it, or it just looked way too busy. However, one evening, and in this case, it was a Friday, we along with a friend, decided to pay a visit. We arrived around 7:30pm, and surprisingly, didn't have problems finding street parking. As we walked up, I noticed the grungy exterior design, and I like that they utilize it as valet. Once we stepped in, we were quoted for 1:15-1:20 hour wait. Since we are patient folks, and although we were pretty hungry, we all agreed to wait it out. Being hopeful that we wouldn't have to wait the full time, we perused the menu and chatted the night away. We ended up waiting 1:45, and were excited to eat!! Our seating arrangement was right behind the bar, and was pretty tight. We quickly placed our orders, and waited about 20 minutes for our food. I went with the 3AM burger ($12.95), Husband with the chili-rubbed flank steak ($15.95), and our friend with the Pesto Pie ($12.95). My burger had good flavor with the angus patty, MI maple bacon, fried egg, crispy onion strings, and sriracha mayo. I would have liked it spicier. Loved the pretzel bun, though it wasn't toasted enough. For the price, it was small, and very greasy. I didn't like that the bottom half of the bun was so thin that it disintegrated into mush. The chips that were served with it were cold, stale, and partially burnt (if that's even possible). Husband's flank steak had a nice cumin sugar seasoning, and cooked to the right medium rare, but the portion was skimpy. 6 4-5" pieces of meat for $15.95 is steep. Plus, you only get 1 sidecar item, instead of 2 at the rest of their restaurants. Union Mac was consistently delicious, but we were boggled over the 1 sidecar item that they give you. Each additional is $3.50. Our friend's pizza was a good 12" size pie, and probably the only thing that looked price appropriate. Our friend gobbled down 3 slices, and looked happy. Perhaps their pizzas are the way to go. Overall, as much as I like supporting local businesses, and I like the rest of the Union restaurants, I don't see us coming back here anytime soon. The seating of this place is also awkward, and poorly laid out. Surprisingly not a ton of seating for the size of the place. If we come back, maybe next time we should come back during off hours. Preparation and quantity might be better when they are less slammed. It's a shame because the decor and vibe is cool.
(3)
Kristina L.
This place is really cool looking, and the atmosphere is cool. It's a different experience and something to try once in your life, as far as the food, I really wasn't impressed. I have tried the burgers, Mac and cheese and a pasta with bacon.. Can't say I was impressed by any of them, but maybe if I had a reason to I would go back otherwise I wouldn't necessarily choose to eat there.
(3)
Anomid V.
Vinsetta Garage is beautifully decorated and just has a very Detroit vibe to it. It was my first time there and even though it was extremely crowded the lady who served us was on too of things and greatly helpful. For dinner I ordered their make your own pizza which was thin crusted to my liking smothered with mushrooms and fresh arugula, delicious it was! My only concern was that it was too greasy. Needless to say it was my first time and need to visit here more often to get a more consistent feel for their food. Also, on a Thursday at around 8.30 there was a 1 hour wait.
(4)
Ejk E.
Atmosphere was great, so was Food and Beer selection........But ( there has to be a But !) The Wait was terribly long, I can accept that ,But there was no place to wait except outside, they had two or three patio heaters---With no gas!!! Couldn't they send someone to a 7-elven to get some. there was 30 plus people freezing in 30 deg. weather !! And everyone was bitching about it, But did no good!
(4)
Christopher G.
Place is rockin! All the food is great. The 3AM burger is a must.
(5)
David D.
First off this place is one of a kind. This restaurant used to actually be a Auto shop. It has a very cool look inside. Every girl that worked here was pretty and apparently they have them all wear skimpy clothes. So if you need to have that while you eat this is the place for you. That had TVs everywhere with sports on which was cool. The server was very cool. The food was very good and worth the price. It was busy there but I believe it was because of a car show that weekend.
(5)
Andrew Arthur D.
My partner and I ventured up to the Royal Oak, MI area today to enjoy a movie that was showing only at the Main Arts Theater (Foxcatcher). After it was over we thought it best to grab a bite to eat at one of the local fare that was not your average type of place. We both tend to eat out quite a bit but have grown weary of chains and fast food flare. So much to our delight we found Vinsetta Garage just a few miles from the theater. Upon arriving, my partner wondered if we had actually found the right place because from the outside it appeared as if we were pulling up to a car repair shop. Even the parking lot felt as if we were waiting to get our car tuned up. I was rather excited upon walking through the front door where the decor immediately felt like a vintage station from the early 1900's. After grabbing a seat and ordering two of the Vinsetta burgers, we spent the next hour taking to each other in the nice ambience, listening to the groovy music, and enjoying our conversations with our waitress Jessica. We both agreed that our burgers were far better than what we've had at many other burger joints. The sides of mac and cheese for my partner and the homemade chips for me were both extremely tasty as well. I have to say that for what you pay, the portions were overly plentiful too. The experience ended for my partner as he indulged in the fried apple pie and vanilla ice cream and I have to say, it was incredible. I wanted to try the chocolate cake, but I honestly was way too full. Thus, we both agreed to return soon as there were many other menu choices and desserts we wanted to try on our next visit. Thanks Jessica and thanks Vinsetta Garage for a truly unique dining experience today. And thank you for having such an eclectic establishment in a world that's filled with a glut of many boring restaurants that line our streets... PS - We went at a great time (between 3 and 4pm), which made for a very quiet and peaceful dinner. I'm not sure how it would be at dinner but I was told that it could be kind of noisy and maybe a wait around the evening hours.
(5)
Stephanie W.
Went there a few days ago and they told us we had 5 minutes until the kitchen closes and we rushed to order. (Online it says it's open till 2). The baby kale salad was an amazing salad. Our waitress asked us for last call and we looked at the clock and it was only 1140 and she told us that she knows that it says 2 on the website but when it's slow they close early. There were 3 tables besides us, and a full bar. We felt rushed the whole time. We left and went to another bar down the street.
(2)
Evie B.
Nom Nom Nom.... Soooooo good! Started with a round of tap beers ( can sample if not sure of what to pick) Our lil group shared a couple orders of 3 a.m. Dogs, entree size Mac ( huge!! Enough for 3-4 meals), broccolini , onion rings and disco fries The dogs were yummy!! Eat with fork. Mac cheese is absolute heaven. Cheesy- creamy yummy flavor Broccolini was yummy but the stalks were too hard to eat. Onion rings were mmmm good along with the yummy dipping sauce. Disco fries were good if you like poutine with yummy melted cheese. Service was top notch. We arrived at 4 on a Thursday and had no problem getting a seat. By 5:30 it was a full house.
(5)
Rivo H.
Loved the atmosphere of this place! Very hipster... My friend and I shared the Vinsetta's burger, fries, and the union mac! Huge proportion so we ended up very full. DO NOT GET THE FRIED APPLE PIE. There was slices of american cheese and it grossed the both us out.
(4)
Jess K.
I have experience working in a restaurant and my first impression from the host is that she wanted to get away from us. We were seated by the front door and then when moved next to a trash can and busser tray. Our server was terrible and inattentive although on the occasion he did come by he was polite. Not to mention our silverware appeared to be dirty... As for the food I got the noodle burger. I wasn't aware it was macaroni with hamburger in it. It was extremely oily and I hurt my tooth on something hard in the dish. My overall impression is that this place is a gimmick. I would not suggest this place to my friends and family.
(1)
Danielle W.
Yum yum! I came to visit a friend in Detroit and she took us to Vinesetta Garage for a late night dinner after my husband and I flew in. We got seated right away, which was very nice after the valet told us it was going to be a 45 minute wait. We ordered the wings to start, and they were great... However, they were naked with sauce on the side. So we had to dunk to get a bunch of spicy flavor on the wings... The wings naked were actually very good though. The four of us all ordered the 3AM burgers... I had the fries and the rest had mac n cheese as their sides. Basically every burger and side was devoured. The french fries with the dipping chiptole mayo was awesome. My husband couldn't stop eating off of my plate. The 3AM burger was also AWESOME, it was huge... smothered in sauce and other delicious things. I had the Gluten Free bun and it was really a good GF bun - I was impressed. My husband turned to me to tell me that if he could eat this burger every time he had a burger he would be in heaven - so basically... the burgers were killer!
(4)
Max J.
Just went here to try the poutine (disco fries) and ended up also trying the tiki Marsala fries [my girlfriend and I love fries]. Both plates were absolutely delicious - really excites me that there is a place near me that serves such a high quality version of the Canadian classic. The music playing was a bit too loud for me- but that may just be my personal opinion as my girlfriend did not seem to mind it one bit. The rest of the food sounded good and I will more likely than not come back to try some of it! Another cool thing about this restaurant was that they did a great job of making the decorations the focal point of of the atmosphere (other than the food of course) rather than the large flat screen televisions. It always bugs me when the flat screens are too pronounced and take away people's attention. A wonderful setup!
(4)
Shirley R.
I love this place, everything they do is just right. Rotating menu that is always delicious. Great great draft selection. Love the keeping it local trend. Everything we ordered was delicious. Courteous and knowledgeable staff. Excellent decor. Definitely a fav spot.
(5)
Tacarra L.
I try not to review a place until I've been on more than one occasion, but I think this place needs an honest review from a first (possibly last) time customer. First impression upon approach - nice, open air atmosphere, and very laid back. Then, I get inside on a 90 degree and humid day to find that the "garage doors" are open. Why??!! It was hotter than the devil's toenails outside, why would the air not be on full blast. So, it was a little uncomfortable and sticky inside. Then the smell...the smell of burned food, Parmesan cheese, and roasting animal fat. Well...if you can get passed the smell then have a seat and stay for a while. The server was nice, but inattentive. I ordered a chop salad that was overpriced, and had very few dressing options. The dill vinaigrette was good, but, like the restaurant, was warm. My fiend ordered the Mac n cheese, which was good, but peppery. In all, my impression was "blah". I can see how this may be a decent neighborhood bar, but the food is overpriced for "bar and grill" food and is somewhat overdone (in the sense that they're trying too hard). We waited an eternity for a salad and Mac n cheese and ended up spending 2 hours of our 1 hour lunch break sitting in a muggy restaurant.
(3)
Irina O.
I now understand what all The hype is about! My bestie and I went here on a Saturday evening to finally try it our; the typical wait time is about an hour or an hour 3min. We both split the breadstick appetizer which was good but nothing wild. We also split a side of the Mac and cheese ... 1 word: heaven! We both ordered the Macon bacon burger, She got fries and I did onion rings - Both choices were great but we couldn't finish the onion rings or fries - we barely finished our delicious, juicy burger. And I quote my best friend "now I see why they give you a towel as a napkin" .
(5)
Maryann D.
This place was so cool! The ambience was amazing. Love the way they kept the integrity of the original place. Bartender was a great help and our server was pleasant. Everyone says the food is great, however my clam pizza was a bit tastless to me. I had a bite of my husbands burger and that was really good. I heard the meatballs were good too.
(4)
Jason W.
I like this place a lot. The decor and history are both a big draw, of course. The food is excellent. I've tried a couple of burgers, the lamburger and the pedro. A bit on the messy side, but really delicious. The waitress recommended pineapple on the pedro, which was a good call. Nice place to go on a summer night when the garage doors are open and there's lots of people.
(4)
Carrie P.
We happened to be road tripping in Detroit and a friend of mine really wanted to try this place. We arrived in the evening on a Wednseday night. We were told it would be about an hour wait. It was pretty much about an hour wait. I was starving by the time we arrived at the table. However, if I had to do it all over again, i would wait another hour! The food was THAT good! We had the deep fried cheese curd and wings for an appetizer and both were absolutely perfect! The cheese curds were golden, hot, and melted in your mouth! The chicken wings were large and cooked to perfection. Absolutely delicious. I ordered the vinsetta burger. OH MY GOD. Truly, the best hamburger that I have ever had, anywhere. It was served on a delcious pretzel bun. My mouth is watering just remembering how great it was! It was so huge, but I managed to stuff it all in. I would go back to Detroit, just to have this burger!
(5)
Alex M.
Showed up and was accosted by the valet parking guy for pulling up two feet past his designated spot. We were previously warned about probably having to wait an hour for a table, but he told us after yelling at us about where our vehicle was, that it was a 2 hour wait for 2 people and that if we weren't up for that, that we should go elsewhere. Sorry Vinsetta Garage, but we couldn't get out of our car before seeing what you had to offer.
(1)
Roger L.
So after many trips visiting family and friends in Detroit I finally get my chance to visit this place and oh how I was not disappointed. I ordered a pizza white pizza with extra cheese and clams. I normally don't eat clams or even like them but I was feeling adventurous and ordered a simple pizza with a non simple ingredient. Let me continue on telling you I am no stranger to pizzas, I have literally traveled the states eating pizza everywhere. I may be going pretty bold here but this was one of the best pizzas I've ever had. The taste was amazing, the dough was perfectly cooked and airy with just right amount of crunch. Even with minimal amounts of ingredients it did not lack in flavor. My only complaint is that we do not have this place in Houston, although I'd probably be borderline morbidly obese if we did. Honorable mentions: cool decor and from a not so much Mac N Cheese fan I could eat their Mac N Cheese daily.
(5)
Brooke N.
This place is a must if you have time to wait! There is ALWAYS a long wait, but it's worth it! They are famous for their burgers, but their pizza is actually amazing! I got the chicken pesto and it was very fresh, cooked in a fire pizza oven. Their fries are fresh cut too and delicious!
(4)
Daniel D.
Used to be a frequent place for lunch for me, great place to eat! Everyone talks about their mac and cheese but I wouldn't say it's worth the money for it. Parking is horrible for availability, but valet is there.
(4)
Diane W.
It's too bad the food doesn't match the atmosphere. It's a very popular place and i can't understand why. The food looks good and the service was good . I had the onion soup. That was ok. Not great. The union mac and cheese. .. why do people rave so much about it? Maybe I'm spoiled by my mother's. I also had the coney dogs. I got 2. Didn't know or need that. They came out cold. The dogs overdone and the chilly dark colored and too thick. I wad looking forward to a traditional coney as the menu stated. I'd better stick to National, Leos, Lafayette or American etc. I might come back for a drink but not the food. Different is not necessarily better.
(2)
Bryan W.
Solid food and drinks. We split two pasta bowls and pizzas between the 5 of us. It was more than enough food. Get the disco fries, you won't regret it. Expect a wait, this place was packed.
(4)
Martha V.
Love it. The Vinsetta Garage has a great buzz about it and I like my restaurants with buzz. My husband and I have met here after work for dinner (and to let the traffic die down) before heading home. There is a great selection of beer (including several local varieties) and cocktails and a terrific menu. Groovy tunes in the background add to the vibe of the place and it can get a little loud, but that's ok. I can vouch for mac and cheese and pizza - both outstanding. I have a hard time picking what to eat because everything looks so good, but those two are definite winners. As other reviewers (and the name of the place) have said, the Vinsetta Garage is a converted garage - there is amazing light that comes in through the windows. There is seasonal outdoor seating and a few benches inside by the host area if you are waiting for a table. And if you are there for dinner after work, you will probably have a bit of a wait. It's worth it, though. Service is great, food is excellent - great stuff over all. Valet parking is available. There is no lot parking otherwise. We've never used the valet parking because the side street right next to the restaurant has street parking available - and hey, after eating dinner here a little walk can't hurt!
(5)
Amanda C.
Love it ! we pretty much always sit at the bar and always have great service ! Love the kale salad and burgers on the gluten free buns! You Absolutely must try rock n' rye ice cream for desert (faygo red pop ice cream with pop rocks on top) !! You will be so full but it's a must ! Always come here on a Sunday or late at night so we beat the crowd and we don't have to wait for 3 hours.
(5)
Fernella S.
Ate here in winter. The place was cold, the food was cold and the service was just as cold. Not going back.
(2)
Chris L.
I've driven past this garage so many times. I had no idea this former mechanical garage was a factory of delicious eats. The food here is unique and interesting. Especially the hamburger. I ordered the baby kale salad. She had the 3am dog. The baby kale salad featured kale baby kale, grilled corn sliced off the cob, onions and i opted for the flank steak. One can also get their salmon with the salad. The salad was pretty tasty and on the acidic side. She had the 3am dog. It's a hotdog served with a crisp outside with a fried egg and onion rings. The hot dog is covered in bacon jam. It's served with a side of homemade chips that are fried and extra cripsy. Service was pretty good. No point rewriting what others have written.
(4)
Cristina T.
I've come on a Monday and a Sunday night, and STILL busy. I've had the 3 a.m. and Vinsetta burger, both were fantastic. Mac and cheese and the Faygo pop rocks ice cream were both good and worth a try. I also love the beer selection and the decor. The only thing I wish for this place would be to have less of a wait, or some sort of way to reserve a spot (and parking too!).
(4)
D H.
What a neat place with a very unique atmosphere! An old garage, in Detroit, on historic Woodward Ave - perfect! The service was great. Not only was our waiter knowledgeable about a huge menu of items, he was very knowledgeable about the history of the garage. The food was extremely good. I was with a large group and we tried a sampling of every appetizer - the grilled wings were the best I have ever tasted! My burger was awesome; it was topped with bacon and a fried egg! Different and tasted great! Dessert was served in small mason jars. I especially liked the key-lime pie. Great place, lots of atmosphere, great food, in a vintage setting. You need to visit
(4)
Brian M.
Some folks might think I give out 5 stars to everyone. No, I'm just hitting my fav places first. Ok, Vinsetta Garage is best appreciated by a car guy. This used to be a repair shop in the 40's. The nostalgic interior is fantastic as is the service. The bar is well stocked and a fun place to hang. This is the place to bring a car club but do it on a week night or arrange ahead of time. Valet parking solves the lack of parking issue. Food, finally. Everything ... Read everything is great. The stone pizza oven cranks out masterpieces. We tried a pizza goat cheese tomato carmalized onions bacon and shitaki mushrooms. I had the usual. A Vinsetta burger served on a vintage style aluminum drip tray like what would have been used here 80 years ago. Car guys, this is a must do on Woodward but don't wait till the dream cruise in August.
(5)
Valerie B.
Except for the parking nightmare, this place is really special! Went there with extended family and was really concerned about my handicapped father -but there were tables to sit at while we waited and they were so accommodating with his walker - gave us an easy access table! Great waitress who handled Dad's endless questions with patience. Great dirty martini, too! The deep fried cheese curds and disco fries were too delicious. The lamb burger and duck burger were amazing - cooked perfectly. The mac and cheese was better than my homemade and I absolutely loved the pizza - the crust is amazing. I thought the salads at the table next to us looked great, too. Can't wait to return!
(5)
Sophie M.
I had a pick your own pizza with pesto and feta and chicken, my boyfriend had the lamb burger with fries. The pizza was tasty and more than enough for one. There was a large selection of toppings to choose from, and it was incredibly reasonably priced. The lamb burger was completely new and delicious and amazing. The toppings while strange and different came together in amazing ways. And the tomato aioli for the fries was crazy good. Rock 'n Rye ice cream with Pop rocks on top really sealed the deal. Fun atmosphere, friendly service.
(5)
Amber M.
Vinsetta Garage really is one of the best restaurants in the area by far. The atmosphere is really, really cool. Being an old garage turned into a restaurant, while still keeping the feel of a vintage car garage is one of the reasons why I love this place so much. It can get a little loud at times, but really overall this place has a good vibe. As far as the important part (the food), everything I've had on the menu is incredible. The cheese curds as well as the mac and cheese are a must! They always have an excellent beer selection. Plus, the Faygo ice cream is really good too. They make their ice cream/desserts in house, which is really cool. The wait staff is always super helpful and friendly. Sometimes the people working at the hostess stand aren't always the friendliest, but I've never really had a problem besides having to wait close to two hours for a table sometimes. Of course, that's not anyone's fault though....it's a popular place! If you haven't been to Vinsetta Garage yet, you really have to go. It's a truly great experience!
(5)
Christopher K.
Cannot understand what the hype is all about. Fries were good, Mac and cheese was ok. Ordered a hot dog dish and had to send it back. Ordered a burger instead. Juicy and flavorful. Above average burger. Not sure I will return as the wait isn't worth it.
(3)
Dave W.
Great vibe. Worth the wait. More than a burger joint. But the burgers were very good.
(4)
Chef R.
It's really about the atmosphere. Its fun and different. Adult milkshakes are good. I enjoyed my duck burger. We have eaten there a few times when meeting friends. It's definitely an experience to have. The food doesn't bring you back.
(3)
Kayla K.
Where to begin? Every detail about this place is perfection. They really hit the nail on the head. The food, the music, the atmosphere. This is the only place that somehow makes a 2 hour wait for a table into a fun time.
(5)
Jas J.
I have been here twice and I am still in awe each time that I went! I went during lunch on a Saturday and during a weekday and it was not too busy! This place used to be an old car garage and it's so awesome that it still has that same feel! The food was delicious and the waitresses were friendly and attentive! The only downfall is that there is limited parking! :(
(5)
Jon L.
There's a reason that waits can get up to 2 hours over the weekends. This place is a must try in Michigan. If you're a fan of burgers or beer or faygos rock and rye then vinsetta is the place for you. My personal favorite is the duck burger. You can't go wrong with the Macon bacon burger either. Be sure to order a side of Mac and cheese and order up a plate of their cheese curds.
I feel like Union Joints restaurants aren't trying that hard the last year or so. Lazy execution and the experience isn't what it could be. Caesar salad had almost no dressing on it and we were charged .75 for more dressing, which is lame considering the place mints money. Also the onion straws on my otherwise delicious burger were cold and dense and hard. I was informed they don't cook the fried items to order...my response was "that's pretty obvious." Fried onions 1) are incredibly easy to make to order and 2) should elevate a burger, not drag it down. I was also told that it was impossible to get me replacement onions. This has been really typical for Union Joints restaurants. Overlooking really simple things that mar an otherwise good experience. My experience has been that they are making so much money, they just couldn't give a darn. I always go back tho, because when they are on, these places are darn good. Except the Fenton Fire Hall. That place blows.
(3)
S M.
Food is good. The restaurant is very loud though, very difficult to carry on a conversation. I met an old friend I hadn't seen in years and we were so excited to catch up, but could hardly hear each other.
(3)
Jimmy W.
Well tonight was a real downer. Had the visetta burger pizza - house special. Really greasy, too much thousand island dressing, no actual pizza sauce; very weird.
(2)
Amy Z.
Get the Kale salad with the grilled Salmon. That is all I have to say. Oh and a "Heist" martini. Only complaint is that I hate waiting and there always seems to be a wait. Oh and the chicken wings are yummy. The service is always pleasant and efficient. Oh and the Mac & Cheese. Now I'm hungry. So I live in Chicago and spend three days in the Detroit area each week. This is my favorite place. Feels authentic - if you are looking for a non-chain and a few brick walls - this is your spot. Good people watching. Great drinks. Comfort food with a little bit of a twist. Love this place, would eat here every night if it weren't so far from my hotel. Super awesome.
(5)
Tia K.
Get the mac and cheese! You can't go wrong with anything here. It can be a bit spendy but it's a good place with a fun hipster atmosphere.
(4)
Carl O.
The 3am dog and fries is fantastic and delicious. The reason I visited was for the Rock n rye ice cream. Many people had mentioned this to me. The actual ice cream however tastes less like rock n rye and more like a sweetened milk. Not even a vanilla flavor. They cover the top in unflavored pop rocks to make it a "molecular gastronomy" dish. But it is not. It's more plain than vanilla. It should be called sweet milk ice cream with unflavored pop rocks. But I suppose it's got less of a draw than rock n rye ice cream. If I were Faygo, I'd sue them for defamation of character.
(2)
Ron C.
Being a fan of The Union & The Union Woodshop, Ive wanted to get here since they opened. Today on the way back from DTW it was a logical pit stop, especially at 5:15 pm ::DISCLAIMER:: 1st of all, I'm a dolt as I saw the valet but traversed 2-3 blocks & ended up parking in the lot in front of WestBorn Market ..As I walked up to the Vinsetta I now noticed the sign complimentary valet 'doh' Anyways we were warmly welcomed by 3 great hosts in the booth as soon as you enter, a very sweet hostess, walked us to a 2 topper table & chairs. Although it has been talked about in multiple posts, the place does have quite the positive vibe & feels energetic! Not sure if its by design or the feeling of sitting in a former garage that has been retrofitted so nice & pulls off food very Very Well!. Greg was our point man, and made everything happen as it should, gave us plenty of time to choose wisely as we both did not want buyers remorse. Also noteworthy is many of the staff/runners/servers shot a smile as they passed by or thru, personally I think Mr. Curt Catallo / Mr Erich Lines hit home runs as they have talented staff at all 3 places. IMHO. To the food! The bride chose the: Noodle Burger -- Casserole-baked ground Angus, smoked cheddar, elbow macaroni, Woodshop MI maple bacon, crispy top, salad alongside -- 10.95 Which to her was the best of both worlds, that mac& Cheese & plus some protein, served beyond piping hot! And the salad alongside was so much more than an afterthought , it was a very large portion, many varied greens & the tomato balsamic was spot on , not overkill at all . I was craving meatballs & there were multiple choices, mini, large ,add -on to a pasta bowl & a meatball dinner, I asked Greg what the gentleman at the table beside me had? Meatball Supper -- Your choice of our Custom Angus, Chicken Asiago (GF), or our house Vegan Blend in tomato basil sauce -- 11.95 I chose the Custom Angus, which was wonderful! Which was 3 large meatballs, cooked perfectly in a very robust sauce, piping hot & some reggiano cheese, & I got to choose a side..& of course I chose the famous mac I could only eat 1/2 of my mac & 1.5 meatballs, as we were both desiring dessert ,as the desserts are always fabulous at all 3 places. The Faygo Ice Cream -- House-made liquid nitrogen churned Faygo Rock N' Rye ice cream dusted with Pop Rocks -- 2.75 We asked for the pop rocks on the side...to truly enjoy the Rock & Rye Ice Cream, it was far lighter than expected but Oh So Good! It took us well over a year to get here, but so glad we finally made it!
(5)
Nina C.
Great food. Great service. Everything is worth the wait in my book. I love the pop rock ice cream. It's so awesome.
(4)
Debbie K.
Pulling up to this place can be confusing, they offer valet but are no longer able to greet you out front due to a city ordinance. I had to drive around the block once before I was able to flag the valet down to ask where exactly I needed to be in order to get valet, he suggested I drive around the block(again) since once you pass through the front drive the alley is one way...ugh! I'm just trying to have a nice brunch with mom.. get me parked please. Service was very good from the second we finally got in the door. Love that they have Shorts beer, burger was average, same with the hyped up Mac. A little pricey for what you get. I can say I've been there and done that. Not sure its anything I would crave. Love the ambiance though.
(3)
Kevin L.
It is really a garage! I love the theme Vinsetta Garage has going on. I'm all about the automotive history in Detroit, so, this is right up my alley. Their 3 A.M. burger is the Cadillac of burgers. It is officially the best hamburger in metro Detroit since the demise of Chapman's Mill and their Red Eye burger. This is one tasty burger. Juicy, too. In fact, all their burgers are juicy even when they are cooked well done. The Sriracha mayo is delectable. It appears to be made in house. Even if you don't order the 3 A.M. burger, get some Sriracha mayo. Trust me. The burgers aren't the only thing on the menu to get your motor running. Every dish they offer sounds and looks amazing. From mac and cheese to steak, they have it. Just a glimpse of the Union Mac will cause you to drool. So will the pizza. I appreciate that for $1.95, you can substitute any of their Sidecars (side dishes) for their house made chips. I would opt for the Caesar salad. It is solid and even comes with real anchovies. Don't worry, they have a quinoa salad for those repulsed by anchovies. Vinsetta Garage's Grown-Up milkshakes will put Mrs. Mia Wallace's Five Dollar milkshake to shame. However, after tasting one, you will quote Vincent Vega and say, "Goddamn, this is a pretty fricken' (it was actually a different F word) good milkshake!" A few notes: - Shop Towel Napkins: I love how Vinsetta Garage adheres to the repair shop theme down to the smallest detail. However, these white towels are murder on dark colored cardigans and slacks. Bring a lint roller if you're heading to the opera after dinner. You've been warned. - Parking: I'm not keen on the parking situation at Vinsetta Garage. Rumor has it that they have a small parking lot. I don't know, I've never been able to get in it if they do. Valet parking is an option. However, not everyone wants their neighbor's kid wedging their pride and joy in a spot that they personally would walk a half mile in a blizzard to avoid. Based on the amount of cars lined up on the adjacent residential streets, it appears that others agree. I'm sure the neighbors just love it. I would patronize Vinsetta's more if it weren't for the parking.
(5)
Kadian M.
So, I'm a little torn here... I'm giving 3 stars because I have had an absolutely fantastic food here. The baby kale salad, the stuffed poblano... BUT they say their burgers are what they're known for, the burgers are completely lack luster and definitely nothing to brag about. Hmmmm The setting is pretty cool, place is always super busy, and parking is nearly impossible. Staff is always super nice, but pretty flustered. Probably due to high volume. I guess we don't make it a point to come here on our own accord, but have visited several times with groups.
(3)
Jacqueline A.
Love this restaurant. Great ambiance. Cozy and quaint - the only downfall is be prepared to be creative with parking and be prepared you might need to wait a little.
(4)
Ryan C.
Love! Love! Love! Food was excellent. Staff was great. Love the aestethic of the place. Luckily I had a handicapped member of my party so used a handicap tag to park, but parking looks like trouble for regular guests. Definitely a must try if you haven't been before.
(5)
Kiran P.
My husband and I get the same order every time because it's amazing. Tikka fries, side of mac and cheese, and chicken pesto pizza. You can't go wrong with the food here.
(5)
Jenne E.
Awesome restaurant. I went for a lunch to vinsetta's garage on a Wednesday. I absolutely loved the whole theme of this place. An old garage literally was awesome and I loved the decor. The food was great, I had the French onion soup and a side of the veggie hash! Both very good and the prices extremely reasonable! I will be dinning in again!
(5)
Ken M.
Best restaurant in town ...no weekly specials but what they make is perfect and never had a bad meal Ever ...there is normally a hour and half wait on weekends. ..but their bar has a great staff and we sometimes eat at there
(5)
Melanie M.
Great atmosphere....awesome food and fabulous drinks... What else could u want? Lol- top pick
(5)
Jennifer E.
Awesome food but some serious annoyances at this location. First, the location is amazing, garage theme that's not gimmicky, lots to look at, etc. We like to bring the kids here rather than the Clarkston locations because it's much more affordable. That is, if you skip the cocktails, which are very very good but holy cow get a mortgage first. The food is fantastic as well. I can't say enough about the 3am burger, it is THAT good. Get it medium-rare on the sesame bun and you'll think you'd died and gone to heaven. They apparently grind their own beef from brisket etc. and it shows. The food is solid, the desserts are novel AND tasty, something so many local places get wrong. (The big-ass brownie drowned in bucket vanilla is so 1985 guys!) I wasn't thrilled with the rock'n rye ice cream, but the salted caramel was pretty awesome. The kids mostly ordered pizza. The burger pie tasted more or less like a big mac. Not bad. The loaded potato was *amazing.* I had never seen or heard of shiitake bacon before, but I will say it is damn tasty. The caveats, and these are pretty bad. This would be a five star all the way spot otherwise. First, there is no parking except via valet. There is a tiny rear lot that fits maybe five cars, and zero street parking. So be prepared to hand your car over to be taken who knows where, or taxi in. Second, the horrific wait time and lack of reservations. Unlike the Clarkston location, there is no lounge or neighborhood stroll to occupy you during their 90-minute to TWO HOUR wait. Just a hard, slippery bench in a cold lobby. This is unbearably boring and they do not take reservations. Ugh.
(4)
Kyle Martin D.
My friends and I eat like absolute shit. None of us have any regard for our caloric intake and you'll find us drinking anything from Glenlivet 18 to cans of Hamms beer. But we still hold ourselves to a somewhat higher standard than the typical Johnny Sweatpants you're accustomed to spotting waddling down any street in SE Michigan. So, instead of stuffing our fat faces with standard diner fare, we go to Vinsetta Garage -- not because the food selection is that much better, but because the atmosphere gives us a false sense of how the world perceives us. "Yeah, I'm eating a half-pound hamburger with two slices of cheese on it along with a hearty helping of macaroni and cheese served inside a vintage oil can while using a hollowed-out french fry to suck down a booze-filled milkshake, but I'm doing it at a place that plays the Smiths and has a decent bar selection. It's way different than eating at Denny's, you asshole."
(3)
Amy B.
I came here last night after having been to the Union Woodshop in Clarkston, and I had such a good time. When we got in, we put our name in with the hostess, and were told it was going to be a 45 minute wait. We only sat for about 20-25 minutes, which isn't to bad for a Friday night. When you first enter, the initial wait area is kind of tight. They have an overflow lounge by the restrooms in the dining portion of the restaurant. We were offered drinks, but were seated shortly after, so we passed. The set up in here's really cool. Huge place, with a bar area, an open style kitchen, and plenty of seating. Despite being busy, our server was awesome, and our food was delicious. I personally went with the lamb burger on a pretzel bun with the chips. My friend went with the flank steak and mac and cheese as a side. I tried his mac n cheese and it was awesome!!!! They seem to have a great beer selection here, but I passed on the booze. Overall, they seem to have a real great thing going on here, and I WILL be back. Complimentary valet, with tons to offer. I love their menu, and everything about this place. Go check it out if you can!
(5)
Kelly A.
Vinsetta Garage Hip concept, especially when you're in northern Macomb County where everything place seems to be lame, lacks imagination and is big business.. It's a fun experience to take the kids or out of town family and or friends. Keeps true to the area's trendy appeal. Staff was friendly, helpful and on point. I try and go in weekdays when it first opens, when I'm able to. No wait. Waitress recommend Macon Bacon Burger...I took her word and ordered it with a side of Mac & cheese. Low down on the Macon Bacon Burger... Angus beef, woodshop MI maple bacon, pancetta, grilled Canadian bacon, house-made bacon jam, smoked cheddar. This is the best burger I've ever had! Words cannot describe how delicious it was. The waitress did inform me prior to ordering it, this burger was featured on Destination America.. United States of Bacon was the title of this particular episode; I had to google it, because after tasting it, my mind went blank from all the amazing flavors rushing my taste buds.. Now, I'm not a Mac & Cheese lover, but, I ordered it figuring my daughter would eat it anyway, since she ordered a caesar salad. And has a habit of plate robbing me every time. ( Teens!) Well, it looked so good I launched my fork into it, despite my opinion on Mac & Cheese. It was so good it was hard to believe it was my enemy, Mac & Cheese. This place has it going on! Must go, and absolutely must try the Macon Bacon Burger! Vinsetta Garage, will dazzle your taste buds! Grab someone and get there.
(5)
Virginia M.
I love this place.....great drinks and some unique food choices. I have one point of contention.....paying $12 for two coney dogs and onion rings. Seriosly, the chili was terrible. It was totally my fault.....the burgers are amazing; I should have stuck with that. Leave the chili dogs to National. Their alcoholic shakes? OMG.....delicious. Nice choice of draft beers, as well. I think with a little effort, this place could be great.
(4)
Matt W.
Probably the best meal I ate in the Detroit area, both for atmosphere and food. Their building really was an old service garage, and there's lots of little touches on the walls and in the fixtures left "as-is". It gives the place a really neat, lived in character. Something old and a little bit neglected that's come back and found a new purpose. I liked that a lot. The "Macon bacon" burger and house made chips were awesome, particularly with the bacon jam and smoky cheese against the pretzel bun, and I ended up getting their s'more trio for dessert, which featured a "creamsicle" flavored sandwich (house made orange marshmellow against vanilla cookies) and an amazing dark chocolate and cappucino treat to go with the standard chocolate chip s'more. Staff were great, I really didn't have too much of a wait, and the place lived up to the hype around it. My only regret is that I should have gone back again to try more of the menu!
(5)
Anna A.
The lamb burger is the best burger you will ever eat. Bring your friends and family to Vinsetta Garage for a delicious meal- they're gonna love it!
(5)
Greg Y.
Hoaky, cheesy, gimmicky .... all come to mind. Came in for lunch the other day with my buddy. I have been meaning to try this place for a long time but every time my wife and I drive by the line looks really long so we keep going elsewhere. This really is one of those places all Yelpers seem to really love and eat up. Lots of hype would be an understatement. I hear they have been on lots of different tv shows as well as featured in many magizines and papers. So being 2:30 on a Saturday afternoon the place was pretty packed with a little wait but luckily we found two stools at the bar. I tried some overpriced pilsner and my friend got a PBR. We both agreed that they looked and tasted pretty much identical. Looking over the menu I quickly found the much coveted disco fries and decided we needed those. I forget who it was but recently a Yelper challenged me to try a burger here because they thought it was better than my favorite "redcoat burger". So I ordered the namesake VG burger and my friend ordered a boring chicken sandwich. The bartender tried to up sell us some fries and I was thinking "we just ordered fries, why would I want more with my sandwich?" So we stuck with the salt and vinegar chips that come automatically with sandwiches. Disco fries are what I would expect, cheese, gravy etc... I didn't particularly love the actual french fry itself, I would have preferred a different cut. They seem like typical commercial fries like found at Burger King to me. Out comes our burger and sandwich and first thing I noticed was there was no vinegar on these chips. They were alright chips but I wished the bartender hadn't mentioned the vinegar because now I missed it. I then went in to cut my burger in half and I kid you not it was like sawing through a well done skirt steak. I don't know if it was the silly pretzel roll or the extremely well done beef, nobody asked how I wanted it prepared but I didn't expect hockey puck. Let's just say I'm glad I had my steak knife. As I'm eating my burger I couldn't help thinking how I would have preferred a classic Big Boy burger over this VG burger. It was two tough patties stacked, not sure if it had sauce on it, I couldn't tell. At one point I pulled a quarter sized piece of burnt up griddle dirt or coal out of my burger as I raised it to my lips. I'm glad that never made it into my mouth because it looked like it could have broken a tooth, certainly wouldn't have tasted good. As I'm writing this review the stars are decreasing. ... My friend's chicken sandwich was a chicken sandwich, not sure why he ordered something so boring, I was about to ask if his roll was tough as nails like mine but he had only eaten the bottom of his for some reason. On to the theme. VG is a neat building. I liked that part but I think they go a bit far with the garage towels and staff wearing greasy Bubba blue collar mechanic's cover alls and jackets etc... seemed like I was in a Disney Land garage or something. I have to admit though that I thought the bathroom was pretty cool with the pennies under the laminate flooring. I didn't pick up the check this time but my friend said something about not worth $60 after tip. Wow, how much were those PBR's anyways? Ps: I had to go to their web site and look this up. (VENSETTA BURGER -- The classic double, two 4 oz. Vinsetta blend patties cooked through, stacked with two slices of American cheese, L.T.O. (lettuce, tomato, onion), sliced McClure's pickles, Woodshop MI maple bacon, Vinsetta Burger Sauce -- 12.95) Hmm, what I ate was nothing like that. I didn't taste any pickles, bacon or sauce on mine. It might have been on there but over shadowed by the burnt patties or something.... Also I couldn't find any mention of salt and vinegar chips so perhaps the bartender was just confused?
(2)
Kari G.
I dream about this place. I wish I could go there every day... it's fantastic. I live right down the street from Vinsetta so I was so happy when I heard they were opening! I always been able to walk to the place so I have never had to deal with parking (although now that it's getting colder outside I might have to rethink that!). Sure the wait is long, but let me tell you-- it's worth it. Me and my husband have been there 3 times now and every time we put our names in for a table and we always end up sitting at the bar. We seem to get a spot almost immediately and the service at the bar is phenomenal. This place has amazing food and an extensive beer list-- lots of Michgan-made products which I am a huge fan of! Every time I go I get the Vinsetta Burger with avocado spread (YUM!) and the side chips that come with it. I love everything about this burger, IMO it is better than any burger I have ever had (even from Redcoat) Yes, its huge (a double patty) and it gets everywhere-- but it is amazing and I devour every bit of it! I love the Vinsetta Burger sauce that comes with it.. its great to dip your chips in :) My husband has ordered a burger as well as their Chili Rubbed Flank steak and he has been equally satisfied with both selections. Each time he gets the Mac and Cheese with his order. While it's not as good as Slow's, it is still delicious! We have shared the Malted Molten Chocolate Cake (which they gave to me for free on my birthday!) and like everything at this place, it was excellent. I highly recommend this place. When you go, don't be turned off by the wait, if you have a party of 2 try to find a spot at the bar, order a burger and a Michigan beer and you'll walk out very happy!
(5)
Brianna T.
I was browsing yelp a while back and came across reviews for Vinsetta Garage and decided I had to try it. My boyfriend and I have now been working our way through the menu over the course of several visits and have always been wowed by the delicious food. We both highly recommend the French onion soup. It is SO good. Just don't try and order it late on the weekends because the last couple times they were out. We've tried the 3am burger, Vinsetta burger, duck burger, and the Macon bacon burger as well as the Erich panini sandwich. They were all delicious and so were the sides. We've had sidecars of the fries, onion rings, and Mac n cheese. You MUST get the tomato aioli with the fries. It's awesome! I also recommend the adult shakes, especially the bourbon stout shake I think it's called. It's the one with the caramel ice cream. If you don't want to wait, go during the week later in the evening. We've never had a wait on weekdays. Enjoy!
(5)
Amy B.
Order the potato chips. Then order anything else. It's all good and housemade which means that you'll be there for a while. A few notes for anyone planning to go. 1. parking is all free valet so don't fret 2. you will wait for an hour in the bar even when tables are available. Seems to be the policy of the place. 3. It's loud 4. Check out the bathroom floor! I'm so stealing that idea. 5. Order the potato chips - opps I already said that didn't I. It's worth repeating 6. Probably not a place for kids. See #2. After you have a table you'll wait there too
(4)
Joe B.
I should start off by mentioning that me and a lady friend came for lunch around 3 and it was dead...so if you've had trouble getting in here, the off peak hours are a brilliant work around. That said, you have to deal with the lunch menu which seemed far less comprehensive to the dinner menu selections I saw on-line. I started with a Detroit Locker cocktail - Maker's Mark & Detroit Sparkling wine served in a flute (or a rock glass if you prefer). I liked the drink but at $11 a round these were hella overpriced! For the app we tried the Loaded Potato Chips with bacon, which were really tremendous, covered in cheese, scallion and the addition of the bacon put these over-the-top and reasonably priced at around $7. My friend had the Yeti dog and I opted for the Pesto Pie both of which were pretty good! The Yeti comes bacon wrapped and deep fried with romaine and tomato, jack cheese and most importantly MAYO, which may offend some of you but it's something I'll need on all my future dogs being as decadent as it was. The mac and cheese that came with the Yeti (an add on for around a $2 up-charge) was really creamy and cheesy and the penne is a nice touch when covered in their breadcrumb/cornflake mix...it was a little bland but the right amount of sauce to cheese. The Pesto Pie has coal fired chicken, thinly sliced shallots and red peppers laid over their cheese blend and then it's fired in their coal oven until slightly charred. I'll say this....their dough and crust is pretty good while maybe on the chewy side for my tastes but still a really good flavor! The pizza itself could've used a lot more pesto to make it saucier...it was a little on the dry side albeit a nice mix of flavors. What I loved: the space is enormous and has a great Detroit feel to it. The lay out is pretty cool and the overall consciousness of this places gives way to it's trendy beginning. Service was solid. Our server took care of us and checked in regularly, but I can't speak to what it's like at peak hours. Also the dog selections come as a set of two dogs which I think is a wise presentation especially at almost $8 for the two. What needs work: The prices here are all over the map. The pizza was very reasonable considering the toppings but the dogs were fairly steep. The cocktail prices seemed a little ridiculous for the proportions and ingredients used. The parking is a limiter here but I've heard they may expand the lot. What they need to address today: What's up with the fruit flies...this is a problem although it may just have been in our vicinity and it may not be noticeable at peak hours but take note...this will kill a restaurant's appeal. All in all I wasn't as impressed as I had hoped to be, but given it was lunch and not dinner the food may not have been as amazing. Secondly the 3 cocktails we ordered at $33 were a huge portion of an $85 tab which still seemed really steep for LUNCH! This place has been really hyped and maybe it's as good as they say but on this day, sadly, it wasn't.
(3)
Kevin O.
Delicious food. Fabulous atmosphere. I had heard you wait forever to get a table but we only waited 10 minutes. Will definitely be returning.
(5)
Kevin M.
Good atmosphere terrible service. Bartenders service was so bad we decided to have dinner somewhere else.
(2)
Karen D.
Food and atmosphere is awesome! We waited a long time to get our table but the food definitely made up for the wait. I'll be going back soon! The 3am burger was awesome and my husband ordered Lelio, a pasta dish. Both we're delicious!
(5)
Wendy G.
With all the hype for the last 2 years, I had high expectations. First things first, if you happen to go when they do not have valet parking, good luck finding a parking spot! Took us about 10 minutes to find a place to park that was down the street into the subdivision. We went on Labor Day and they seemed to be short staffed, even telling people it was a 20 minute wait when there was open tables. Our server only came by a couple times during our visit and we had to ask for everything including silverware, napkins and appetizer plates, once from another server when ours was not around. Being a fairly small place, the tables are packed in there and I didn't like feeling crowded being so close to the table next to us. I know they are going for the vintage theme and all, but I didn't really care for old concrete floors and brown paper runners on the tables. The shop rag napkins are stiff and rough. The cocktails menu could use some serious influence from the ladies. On a hot summer afternoon, I was hoping for a fruit cocktail of some sort. Their cocktails menu was something along the lines of gin, gin, gin, tequila, tequila, bourbon. Not even one "girly drink" option. I ended up ordering a mai tai (not on the menu) with substitutions because they were lacking ingredients. It was just okay (light on the liquor content). They do have a lot of beers to choose from though. On to the food, I liked the loaded potato chips appetizer thing and the caesar salad was good. For entrees, one person got a burger and onion rings, both of which were very greasy. Another got the hamburger casserole that they said was really good. I got one of the pasta bowls that I thought was just okay. I've definitely had better pasta dishes elsewhere. The pasta portion size was HUGE. I barely ate 1/4 of it after sharing an appetizer and a side salad, and had plenty leftover for 2 more meals. Price wise - Some items are little overpriced. Our bill was $72 for 1 beer, 2 mixed drinks, 1 app, 1 side salad and 3 entrees (none of which were their more expensive dinner entrees). Overall, I wouldn't put up a fight if someone else really wanted to go here, but if I were the one choosing, chances are pretty unlikely I would pick this place.
(2)
Erica R.
Went for lunch this past weekend I ordered a pizza (so delicious and flavorful) and my date ordered the pastas. Both we're build your own. We also had drinks and rock and rye Ice cream! The atmosphere was really cool a fun place to go out if you want to stay local and our server was genuinely nice. The food was worth the price!
(5)
Michelle D.
Food is so, so, so, so good! Unique choices without being way out there that you don't recognize what's on the menu. The lambburger is my FAV! (just don't count the calories). The only reason I wouldn't give a full 5 stars is the wait. There is ALWAYS a wait it seems, and parking is not the best if you don't valet.
(4)
Rachel F.
I had heard a lot about this place and was really pumped about trying it out when I was finally in the area. We walked in around 5pm and there was a 45 minute wait for a table of 4. Anticipating that we headed to the bar, to grab a few pre dinner drinks. After waiting for maybe 5 minutes the bartender finally noticed us and said you want a drink? then stared at us blankly. Seeing Jameson on draft we ordered a round of shots, but by the time we got them it our little buzzer went off. We maybe waited 15 minutes for the table that was supposed to take 45. WIN! Our service at the table mimicked that of the bartender, a little too cool for school attitude. We ordered a wide variety of food. I personally got a you choose pizza & a side of mac. Everyone else opted for burgers. The pizza was just kinda dry, homemade sausage was super dry, the homemade chili's seemed like banana peppers & the mushroom smother was barely there. The only redeeming quality is that the crust was pretty good. I had a bite of my friends burger and it was ok, they were all impressed. & I'd have to say the Mac was rather tasty. Maybe I ordered wrong, but even if I had nothing really blew me away Vinsetta. This was definitely a case of a something that was a bit over hyped, and the staff acted like they knew that too. *prolly a 2.5 stars but alas yelp makes you choose.
(2)
Mary D.
Went last Tuesday with another couple. Waited one hour, which wasn't too bad, but when we got seated, they were out of many of the craft brews we wanted. Food was good, and manager gave us comps on more beer samples so we were good. Came back on Sunday afternoon, waited 1/2 hour to be seated-not that bad. After we sat-we waited over an hour for one burger and one salad! The table next to us waited over an hour for a hot dog. Manager came over and said many people didn't show up for work, and we didn't have to pay for our meal-but what a waste of a beautiful Sunday afternoon. No WOW factor-atmosphere is great, but food is just so-so.
(1)
Dani H.
I love the location of this place and the decor is amazing. You actually feel like you are in a garage. I am obsessed with their mac and cheese and I love that I don't have to drive all the way to Clarkston to get my mac and cheese fix. Great addition to the area.
(5)
Justin W.
My new favorite restaurant in the area!
(4)
M V.
Great food and beer selection. The menu seems simple at first glance, but each item has its own unique spin. For example, the Loaded Potato Pizza. Instead of bacon, they throw on Shitaki bacon, which is crispy shavings of shitaki mushrooms; takes the place of bacon nicely. The wait can be a bummer sometimes, but I am always seated ahead of their expected wait time. The parking is also a bummer (the reason for the last star missing). My favs: Cheese curds (as an app, or on anything), Loaded Potato Pizza, Macon Bacon Burger, Faygo Ice Cream!
(4)
Bob M.
I had the pizza and the 3 AM burger. They were both phenomenal. I really enjoyed how this restaurant embraces the heritage of the Detroit metro region. The value for the food was EXTREMELY worth it. The only issue that I had with this place is the fact that there was a wait but, in general, waits mean desirability and I don't really mind at all.
(5)
William R.
My fiance and I just recently moved to Birmingham and have had a fun time trying out various restaurants in the area. After hearing so much positive feedback around Vinsetta Garage, we knew that we had to try it out. As a quick summary before I get into my review....we were not disappointed. The first thing you notice about Vinsetta Garage is that the decor stays true to the actual Vinsetta Garage body shop that was once functioning under the same roof back in the day. The modern look/feel is very inviting to patrons who are coming to the restaurant for the first time. They also seem to maximize this space by adding as many tables as possible to be able to seat everybody in an expeditious manner. We noticed that although our wait was expected to be 45 minutes, the actual time was probably around 20 minutes and that is definitely something you can appreciate. On to the food and the service. Both have to be rated a 6/6 if possible. We ordered an appetizer called Disco fries and they were AMAZING! So addicting. These are basically fries, smoothered with a spicy gravy, topped with cheese curds. I probably could have just eaten a giant plate of these for dinner and would have been satisfied. For my entree, I ordered the State Fare burger with a side of the mac and cheese. The mac and cheese is also a ridiculous little side as it too is amazing. I had to get that to go as I wanted to have a delicious treat for the next day. Now the State Fare burger......I don't want to be verbose in my reflection of my eating experience with said burger but it was probably the best burger I have had in a long time....no joke. I am a huge fan of 'the burger' too, as I will always sample a burger if its my first time at a restaurant. So, from my POV, this is actually a substantial compliment. On paper it sounds a little different: Pork patty, grilled split hot dog, deep fried cheese curds, S.C. mayo, red onion, pickled chilies, but all the flavors combined (almost Captain Planet-ish?) make for an unbelievably, flavor-packed meal. As in my other reviews, you will know how important good service is to me and how it usually will tie into my rating of the restaurant. Vinsetta Garage is no different. My fiance and I decided to sit at the bar area, and everyone was so friendly, taking time out to talk to us and make sure everything was satisfactory. That type of stuff is very important to me and is basically something that can easily push a 4 star restaurant over to a 5 star. I actually can remember one of the guys who brought our food out, I believe his name was Vince. He was a friendly/funny guy who seemed like he was really busy but still decided to take some time out and make sure everything was OK. He seemed like he was running the show in the back but he still managed to mingle with the patrons....that is cool. When you are visiting a place for the first time, you appreciate people like that. If you survived reading this whole thing, give Vinsetta Garage a try....its worth it!
(5)
C L.
Atmosphere was great and so was the decor. Food was not very good, had a pasta bowl: shrimp & very runny pesto. My friend had a less than impressive squash soup and the house salad was weak. Unfortunately she fell ill later that night. She called to inform VG the next day what happened to her as maybe others may have become sick. The person who answered did not seem to care, she was rude and didn't even ask what she had eaten. We should have ordered the burgers or something basic.
(3)
Rosie P.
Totally came back here today to eat the pasta bowl that comes with vegan meatballs. Well, they were discontinued so I added the vegan burger party to the pastaw, which was an extra $5. Even though the dish ended up being $5 more than usual, it was worthbit since it was very delicious. Our server was very good and nice. The problem, however, occured less than 1 minute after I left. I am 8 months pregnant, so I am forgetful. I forgot my leftover box, which housed more than half of my meal. We were sitting at the first table next to the open patio, so we walked out straight to the valet. Less than one minute after leaving I realized that I forgot my leftover box. My fiance ran back to get it and the busser had already thrown it out....it was less than ONE minute! I used to work in the service industry and would never throw out a leftover box after such a short amount of time. In fact, I'd attempt to catch up with my customer to give the box back. It is well know that most customers valet at this restaurant as it is complimentary, so the busser could've peaked out the patio to see if we were there. Also, it wasn't a busy time period, so I can't imagine why the busser couldn't have taken 30 seconds to catch me :/ Yes, it was my fault for forgetting it, and I'm totally beating myself for it. However, we also went back to get it less than 1 minute later. What if I went to the bathroom and didn't want to take my food in and left it at the table? I'm just super dissappointed that no one made the small attempt to grab me in that minute.
(3)
Heather F.
To quote my late father, "The messier the burger, the better it tastes." This quote rang true when I ate the Vinsetta burger my hands and napkin were a complete mess and I loved every minute of it. Our server was really friendly and asked if this was our first time, which it was, and started to explain how the breads, pastas and burgers are all hand crafted on site. We were impressed. On to the food. As I said messy but Delicious. My only complaint was our burgers were really greasy. Has anyone had this problem? This didn't take away from the taste of the burger at all. My husband and I couldn't stop talking about how good the actual meat on the burger was. What's in it? Whatever it is please don't change it, it's perfect. The mac & cheese was really good, cheesy and peppery goodness. Our wait time wasn't that bad, we were told 45 minutes and seated within 20. I think that was pure luck, but we were happy. As far as I'm concerned this place houses the best burger I've ever had. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Poorna R.
I LOVELOVELOVE this place. Did I mention I love this place? My friend and I have gone here multiple times. The only downside to this place is that the wait can be long and they don't take reservations...so if you're coming Friday or Saturday night, come 30-45 min before the time you want to eat. The upside is you can order drinks and appetizers in the couch area while you're waiting. Now...on to my FAVORITE dish ever at VG. The 3 AM Burger. Pretzel bun, topped with fried egg, bacon, onion straws, and slathered in sriracha mayo (which I always order a side of). I usually get the fries, which are also seasoned perfectly and come with a roasted tomato aioli that is also delicious. I am also an avid Mac 'n Cheese eater...and their mac 'n cheese is off the hook. Burned crust on the top, creamy delicious macaroni and cheese in the inside. Need I say more? This is officially my favorite burger place in the area.
(4)
Chuck G.
Dinner on Tuesday. Was told a "one-hour wait" that was only 30 minutes. Free valet parking. Tables outside are for drinks only -- no food (Berkley regulation) and you'll have to find someone to get drinks. Do NOT confuse this with the Vinsetta Grill, one block north and across Woodward. No reservations. There are two Eaton auto electric charging stations in place of gas pumps. This place is NOISY !!! Not recommended for first date, business meeting, kids, etc. All walls, ceiling and floor are hard, solid, flat surfaces. Decor is off-the-charts industrial. As a converted gas station/garage (probably built in the 1920's) much of the "decor" is clean concrete floors, a few garage leftovers, bare brick walls, giant skylights, all original. An actual rail (super-fast race car) sits on top of what used to be the office. A few photos of 60's muscle cars and other antique oddities round out the ambiance. There's a modest bar and a pizza oven in full view. Kitchen is tucked away. Prices and food: The $5 milkshake was ridiculously undersized with a 1950's- style paper straw that collapsed on me. Food portions were moderate. Prices ranged from $7 for a pair of high-quality (but overcooked) coneys, to glazed salmon ($16) and flank steak strips on a salad ($17). A large, high quality steak dinner could be had for $36. 12" pizzas are about $10 for one meat and two veggie toppings, all a la carte (there are quite a few to choose from). Napkins are little white shop towels (don't wear black) and tables are covered with fresh butcher paper. A metal basket on each table holds ordinary and exotic condiments. Service was slightly above-average, staffed by attractive youngsters. It was a fun experience, but I don't see us returning any time too soon. Long wait, loud atmosphere (we literally could not talk to each other), and the prices are just a little high. We still prefer the Roadside Bar & Grill on Telegraph north of Square Lake for a similar, but quieter and classier, experience.
(3)
Danielle P.
Attentions Vegetarians, the EV1 is AWESOME! I usually shy away from ordering the veggie burger at resturants because I am always disappointed. This is not the case at the Garage. I was in heaven and I can't wait to go back. This might be a weekly craving for me. Plus they make it there with high quality ingredients. For a side order the Broccolini. It has a hint of spice to it and is plentiful. The EV1 -- House-made vegan patty, coal-fired tomatoes, arugula, garlic sprouts, goat cheese, shiitake bacon, roasted garlic & balsamic mayo.(Opt for no bun and cheese to make it vegan) The atmosphere is cozy and check out the bathing floors. Very cool. They offer complimentary valet parking. The only way to go. Enjoy!
(5)
Juliana S.
So this is my first yelp review, it was that incredibly amazing I had to get on here and share it. It was well worth the hype- I've been hearing about vinsetta garage for a few weeks from different people- and the wait (about an hour and a half on a Saturday night). We were able to order drinks while waiting outside, I ordered the Dino and it was outstanding. Once seated we ordered the wings, which were great. I ordered my second drink, the Belle isle which was equally delicious. Now to the part that I really want to talk about: coney pie with mclures pickles. I am literally still thinking about this pizza and it's impact on my life. For dessert I got the faygo ice cream. Someone took a pic of me eating it and posted it, and friends and family commented that they had not seen me smile that big in years. Need I say more? Go to vinsetta garage. Go now, thank me later.
(5)
Jeff W.
Met some friends there for dinner on a Monday night, since I had never heard about this place and it was a Monday I didn't think that we would have to wait for a table but I was wrong. We got there and the place was packed and there was about an hour wait which I didn't care about because this gave me time to catch up with friends over some beers at the bar. The first thing I liked about this place was the beer selection, there are tons of local beers to chose from as well as the traditional favorites. Before I knew it the buzzer thing was going off and we were seated at our table and looking through the menu. There is a great selection of food on there but my eyes went to the burgers, my buddy who had been there before suggested the 3AM burger and that the mac and cheese was good too. So that's what I got, I was a little nervous because I have never had a fried egg on my cheese burger nor have I had sriracha mayo on one. But let me tell you this was the best burger that I have ever had in my life!! To be honest this place would have received 5 stars if it wasn't for our waiter being snobby. The mac and cheese was also very good but just like my buddy said "get it as a side because it's rich". I will definitely be returning to this place the next time we're in town!!
(4)
Kristie L.
It is a crowded noisy room whatever time you go. But the food is the same as the awesome union woodshop in clarkston. The mac and cheese! The hamburger I got with egg and peanut butter i believe was good. You would think the flavor choices odd but it worked! I am glad they didn't tear down this vintage building!
(4)
GJ T.
Great environment, helpful service, and the best burger I've had in a long time. The Macon Bacon burger was delicious and you can't go wrong with a side of the Union Mac.
(5)
Diane H.
good food cool place, but very loud
(4)
Michael S.
Get the burgers or the pizza or one of them many beers on tap. Turned an old abandoned garage into a great spot to meet friends off Woodward for a bite to eat. Always busy, do expect a wait but worth it. Casual atmosphere, comfortable spot to relax.
(5)
Hannah S.
Finally tried this place after living down the street from it for the past 6 months! From firsthand experience, the parking SUCKS! You have to play road chicken with everyone trying to snag a spot on Eaton, or utilize the free valet service. I decided to come on Halloween because I figured the hip, young parents wouldn't be out to dinner...and I was right! The decor is cool, but it is fairly loud inside. The place is on the smaller side and feels sort of intimate but super noisy. Me & my friend both ordered the 3am burger. I got a side of mac and cheese and she got the veggie side. The burger was good (THICK slices of bacon, fried egg, spicy sirachi mayo, fried onion strips and cheese) but the mac and cheese made me feel a little sick. It was good, but so rich. Like 2 bites and you feel disgusting rich. I'm not sure how someone could order a full plate and not want to throw up. After all is said and done, I'm a little disappointed with the food. Probably because people have been building it up so much and I was waiting to have my mind blown...and didn't. If you're looking for the best burger, head up to Mt. Chalet....I liked their burgers better.
(3)
Lori D.
So we've waited all Summer for the crowds to die down a little so we could try it and boy howdy are we glad we did!!! I really was wary of the 1 )parking 2) wait 3) some not-so-great reviews on yelp that I read about cold food and bad service. Well, put ALL that bad stuff to bed Sally--this place is is one Woodward GEM of an eatery!!! ---Valet park your car-no worries! ---The hostess said our wait would be 1.45 hours--NO WAY! It was 2 of us and we waited maybe 20 minutes on a Friday evening at 6:00---not bad at all! While we waited, it was fun looking around and experiencing some of the history of the building. It is a renovated garage, and very very cool inside. ---Our waiter, George, was the VERY BEST a diner could ever want. He made some great recommendations. ---And the food---oh my my, it is a gastronomic festival to say the least! My son had the Macon Bacon burger and it was fabulous! It was cooked to perfection and that pretzel bun really put it over the top as burgers go. It came with a side of chips that were homemade and scrumpdillyumptious! Since we had split the Disco Fries (way more than enough for 2) as an appetizer, I decided to get the Chop Shop salad. It was just excellent! Again, that bowl was big enough for 2 to share, even three if you are having a burger or mac and cheese. My very favorite thing on the menu is the Mac and Cheese. It is heaven. The dinner portion is HUGE. I got a side and was way satisfied with it's portion size. If you order the dinner portion, be sure to have some friends to share, unless you are a very big eater. We were so surprised at how fast the food arrived from the kitchen! And our server, George was MAGNIFICENT!!!! He anticipated our drink refills perfectly. He checked on us when we needed to be checked and he was upbeat and pleasant. (No, he was not a friend or relative, just a tip-top server) We will ask for him every time in the future for sure!!! Note: I certainly won't downgrade for this, but the restaurant is loud. There's blaring music that could be turned off or at least down and a lot of loud din. It is hard to hear the person across from you talk. Kids may be bothered by the loudness of the place. Will we return? YOU BET YOUR SWEET BIPPY WE WILL!!!
(5)
Heather M.
I had the noodle burger, which was pretty good and filling (I took some home). I liked the atmosphere here, but I don't think I would wait 1.5 hours at 8pm on a Wed again.
(4)
Chanell S.
I'm just going to say it: their vegetarian sandwich, the EV1, is a serious contender for the the best veggie burger in the area. I was very impressed with the depth of flavors and textures going on between that pretzel bun. So many veggie burgers at carnivore establishments are those previously-frozen veggie-biscuits; or even worse, patties of homemade black bean pastiness. No thanks! I had the Union Mac on the side. It was...pretty darn good for mac n' cheese that doesn't come from the kitchen of my dear grandmother, great aunt, or mom. My man started with the onion soup and loved its unique hearty richness. He also proclaimed that he needed to know the seasoning on the flank steak because he must have his made that way from now on. My server was also great. Host staff: not so much (teens staring back at you like you just asked them an AP Calculus question). I did love how well the theme was executed, just enough without being goofy. All in all, a most pleasurable experience.
(4)
Jenni H.
Pretzel buns for their burgers. I mean, that's really all you need to know, right? Ok ok, so not surprisingly, the burgers themselves were also delicious. Well, the vegan burger was, I can't say anything about the ones made from cows :-) I am often skeptical when places like this offer "vegan" burgers, because it's usually just a half-hearted attempt to mash up some veggies and grains and hope it sticks together. But this burger was delicious, and you could tell it was made in-house. The fries were also my style--nice and crispy and not soggy at all. If I had a complaint at all, it would be that it took a while to get our food, even though my co-workers and I tried to come after the traditional lunch rush (it was a Thursday afternoon). It wasn't unreasonably long, but I wouldn't recommend coming here if you need to get in and out quickly. Our waitress did do her best to bring us our checks and keep everything moving quickly, but I would have enjoyed lingering over my food a bit longer. Oh! And since I didn't think it was appropriate to drink in the middle of a workday, I will definitely be coming back for the "adult milkshakes." Liquor and ice cream? Yes, please.
(4)
Dante G.
Everything was GREAT!! The Roasted chicken was amazing.... The create your own pasta dish was amazing.... All the Hamburgers from the Vinsetta burger to the Bacon burger to the 3am Burger were Incredible we will definitely be back!!!!
(5)
Kristin D.
This. Place. Is. Great. I have been dying to come here ever since they opened as I'm a HUGE fan of Union Woodshop, but wanted to wait for the lines to die down. I came here tonight for dinner with a girlfriend and Annalisa B. was not joking when she said a GLUTEN FREE DREAM! They have gluten free buns, gluten free beer, and gluten free pizza! SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!!!! I ordered the Vinsetta burger with the GF bun and a GF brew (I'm a classy burger and beer broad) with a side of fries.... HEAVENLY. The patties were well seasoned and juicy, the cheese was soft and melty, the burger sauce was flavorful and really added another delicious component to the burger. My only gripe about the burger is the thick cut bacon was a little tough to bite through (that's me being picky). The fries were crispy, well seasoned, and served with a tomato aioli. DELICIOUS. I might even go a bit further and say that THIS burger is better than Red Coat Tavern. Oh yeah. I went there. And YOU should go HERE.
(4)
Stephanie C.
Your Vinsetta Garage curious questions answered: Yes there will be a wait. Want to avoid it? Try for an off night - early in the week, early in the evening. Then wait it out at the bar and if you're party is small enough you might luck out with seats there in just minutes, instead of the hour to 3 hours they've been quoting. Yes, the mac n' cheese is that good. It rose to fame at The Clarkston Union and it's bubbly, cheesy comfort food you don't want to skip. Get a side order. Yes, they have burgers, they have pretzel buns and they have veggie options. They're good. Worth a 3-hour wait? Well that will be up to you. Remember you have a lot of amazing burger options on this stretch of Woodward. Yes, the garage theme is everywhere. Some might say it's a little overdone. I've heard the term amusement park. I couldn't argue. Yes, save room for dessert. Seriously. Trust me on this one. They are worth it. Get more than one and share. You will thank me. No, they don't take reservations.
(4)
Jonny P.
Ummm yeah... Took the opportunity during Arts, Beats & Eats weekend to finally sneak in for a late lunch. I'm sad to say that I wasn't really impressed with what we decided on. We ordered a small house salad to start alongside a cup of their chilli. I also ordered the Vinsetta burger and also the mac & cheese that I've heard so much about. Generally the good was prepared well but it just lacked flavour. In regards to the burger what's the purpose of stating you have 'angus' beef when you well done it. The service was good, everyone was very polite and accommodating. From what I understand the dinner menu includes quite a few additional offerings, I'll update this review later on.
(2)
Matthew M.
Typical bar food fairly well disguised by a unique dining experience. Vinsetta Garage is literally that - a converted mechanic's garage. So much of the original garage remains that it truly never feels like a restaurant. For a true "Motor City" experience, the place is a great spot. So why 2 stars? Because the food is mediocre. Definitely not worth the 1-2 hour waits that commonly occur here. I've been 3 times now, and Saturday afternoon seems to be the best time to try it out. You can forget it most evenings if you're on any kind of schedule. I'm convinced that most of the reason this place is so busy is because its a Woodward Ave address, and the Vinsetta Garage that preceded it was pretty famous in the area. Mac N' Cheese is "meh". Their "gourmet" hot dogs are forgettable. Pizza are "blah". Burgers/Chicken sandwiches are pretty good. If you're looking for a great "theme" restaurant to take out some out-of-towners, or looking for a different experience, give it a whirl. If you're looking for great food, keep on motoring down Woodward Ave to something else. I'd give it 2.5 stars if I could, but it's closer to 2 than 3 for me.
(2)
Gerry M.
I called to make a reservation for six, was told they don't take reservations. When I asked how long I could expect to wait, was told there's no way of knowing. When I asked if I could at least call in our names ahead of time that evening, was told they only take names in person (I don't live within walking distance). We're going to Town Tavern in Royal Oak instead. If a restaurant wants my business, they have to work a wee bit harder. Incidentally, the six of us going to dinner are well-known local influencers. Too bad we won't be recommending Vinsetta Garage.
(1)
Nikki S.
Really nice atmosphere and wait staff was very attentive and helpful since this was our first time here. Burgers were decent but I was not a fan of the spices they used in the burger. Mac and cheese was really good. Little pricey but that is typical these days. Average food with neat atmosphere.
(3)
Jay B.
Definitely not worth waiting 45 minutes for. The interior is cool and worth seeing, but food is mediocre. Had the Macon bacon burger and I thought the meat was kind of thin and greasy. The Red Coat Tavern has way better burgers. The onion soup was run of the mill. The thing that got this a two star was the drinks: $11 for a glass of ice and mixer. My wife's martini glass was half full and it tasted like there was no alcohol. They did a nice job on the interior and it is worth stopping in to see it, but wait for the novelty to wear off and don't order cocktails.
(2)
Em D.
Alright, so you've already heard about Vinsetta Garage from your coworker, friend, sister, cousin, etc. You know the food is good (especially if you've already visited The Clarkston Union and the Union Woodshop). You know the wait is long (but TOTALLY worth it). But do you know that the Duck Burger is heaven sent? No, truly, it is. We frequent this place, more times that I really want to admit to. Fortuantely for us, VG is right in our stomping grounds so we can easily run over here for dinner when we're playing the "what's for dinner" game. We've never had bad service and the food is always delicious. I've tried several things on the menu, but they always leave me wishing that I ordered my absolute favorite - the Duck Burger. Oh, so you don't like duck? Just order it - and thank me later. Still refuse to order the duck? My dining partner loves the 3AM - but maybe he only orders this because he knows he'll always have to finish off the rest of my duck burger. Confession time: I'm not a huge fan of their most famous Mac and Cheese (GASP!!) yes, it's true. But then again, I'm not a "heavy sauce" kind of person. I've taken friends here who LOVE mac and cheese and they've said..."yeah, it's good." But they've had better (why do I feel guilty even writing this??) *If you ARE a fan of mac and cheese, you can have the best of both worlds. The Duck Burger with a side of mac.* I noticed that Vinsetta Garage previously had two different menus - a lunch menu, and a dinner menu. Certain items were only available at certain times. I found this somewhat annoying. However, it looks like they have now opened up the menu for both lunch and dinner. Some apps that are a must try: - Cheese Curds: I don't like mozeralla sticks, or other cheese curds I've tried. However, Vinsetta Garage soaks their cheese curds in angel wings. And thus, they taste heaven sent. - Coal-fired Breadsticks (or something like that): It's bread. It's some buttery, garlic spread. So, of course, they rock. Try 'em. Hot dogs (?): We've tried the hot dogs and they aren't spectacular - then again I compare everything to the most sacred Duck Burger. The only dessert that matters: Rock 'n Rye Ice Cream. Seriously, genius. Who ever thought of this deserves a Nobel Peace Prize. Apparently they give those things to just anybody. But this dish is well deserving of it.
(5)
Annalisa B.
GLUTEN FREE DREAM! Amazing gluten free beers, gluten free buns for all sandwiches and hamburgers and a gluten free pizza. I had a burger with a bun for the first time in YEARS. it was incredible! You lie to yourself when you order a bunless burger...you say may even say "I don't even miss the bun". it's an illusion. of course you miss the bun. It's not so much the deliciousness that is bread, it's the fact that little heel of a bun is working overtime sopping up the incredible juices oozing out of that delicious burger - just waiting for you to take a bite then BOOM!! Taste explosion. That's what you miss. that little extra yum. But not at vinsetta. at vinsetta you get every tasty bite. I don't know what they put in the hamburger meat - but it is extraordinary. and the bacon was cooked perfectly. You win, Vinsetta. So yes, i will come again. Yes, it is worth the wait. Thanks, vinsetta for having an awesome menu and featuring a number of gluten free options.
(5)
Jen S.
My favorite restaurant. Been here 3 times now and can't wait to go back. I must say it does get busy but getting there a little early helps. The vinsetta burger is the best burger I've ever had and is what I get everytime. Beer lineup great.
(5)
Charles L.
This place was hoppin' when we arrived. We waited nearly 2 hours before we were seated. The wait isn't so bad thanks to their extensive selection of beers and cocktails. Time flew by as good friends chatted and blood alcohol levels elevated. Before we knew it, we were seated and ordering food. The service was good and the food was hot and cheesy. Don't recall too much from the meal, but definitely remember it being delicious. It was worth the wait to experience, and I'd be willing to go again.
(4)
Crystal H.
I had the turkey burger and I absolutely loved it. They give you more than enough food for. I'd go back.
(5)
Kristy A.
I went on a first date to the Vinsetta Garage. I have since attemtped to go, but there has been a 1.5 - 2 hour wait. The staff was very fun, and very knowledgable. Its a place that you can dress up or down for, I loved the mechanic jumpers that the cooks and bar folks wore.. Our waitress was PHENOMENAL, she was witty and smart with helping me choose my Duck Burger(there was a fancier name, I don't remember it though, it was a month ago). There was not a long wait for our meal, and it came out pretty hot. I don't mind parking on the side streets, or waiting for 20-30, but it is a bit to long to wait for 1.5 hours. I wish they had call ahead or some type of reservation process. They have a pump for electric cars, hopefully they catch on to the online reservations soon! I want another duck burger :)
(5)
Joe B.
This place is trendy and will not make the cut. Excessively long waits to get seated, mediocre food and average service will result in the demise of Vinsetta Garage. And whatever you do, don't order the ribeye. $24 and I have had better with my eggs at a local Denny's. Yes, the Mac and Cheese is good a
(2)
Raj R.
Went there yesterday (03/07) for dinner, there was 50 minute wait time. Food was good. Kids liked the Union Mac and Onion rings. My salmon was good. I will go again to try the burgers. They should take reservations. The waiter was happy to get our burnt pizza remade.
Had not been to the new Captain Jack's in St Clair Shores so tried it this weekend. Went with another couple and all had a good time. Food was very good, especially the fried pickles. Was glad to see the prices were very reasonable for food and drink. Was not very crowed when we arrived around 7:00 but was picking up when we let around 9. I would recommend you give this place a try.
(4)
Chris S.
I don't get the hype about this place. Finally was able to get in there after two previous attempts of avoiding a 2+ hour wait. Sorry, no restaurant should take 2 hours to seat their customers. Service was meh, ok. Could have been a little more attentive, especially seeing that I was there for a late lunch and there weren't many people there. Anyway, menu is limited and the food is bland and boring. The beer menu is good which is great to help wash down the charred dry burgers they serve. Oh, and the potato chips are horrible. Parking is a JOKE!!! Oh well. Glad I went to try it out but will definitely not be going back or recommending to others.
(1)
Jill C.
Excellent! Wanted The Detroit Coneys for lunch, but were out of the chili. But, there was enough to do the Coney Pizza. $9.95 for it. Great pizza! Chili was the sauce, red onions, sliced hotdogs, cheddar cheese and some yellow mustard. Was fantastic. Waitress was wonderful. Hope to get back for dinner. Don't forget to check out the restroom....the floor is a layer of pennies.
(5)
William A.
We have been to the Vinsetta Garage a few times, but waited recently to go with an out-of-town friend who was visiting. We felt it would be a quintessential Detroit area experience to have dinner in a remodeled garage, and thus a great place to take a visitor. We were not disappointed. We did have a long wait because they were very busy, but we know the secret. Well I guess it isn't a secret anymore: instead of waiting in the crowded vestibule, if there are no seats at the bar you can sit in a comfortable area near the restrooms where there are several couches and easy chairs. Some of that area has always been available when we've been there. Attentive but non-obtrusive servers come through the area to serve appetizers and drinks. I had a locally brewed beer (I have no idea which one, but it was great) and my wife and guest shared a bottle of wine. After a lazy 90 minutes, we were shown to our table next to an old garage door. We had delicious salads, and for our main courses we had the salmon, the flank steak and the rib-eye. All was great. I had the rib-eye, and it was especially delicious. I suspect the secret ingredients were salt and butter, but whatever they put in it was great. My mouth is watering now just thinking about it a month later. We finished with their salted-caramel ice cream. Don't go to the Vinsetta Garage without trying the ice cream, which they make themselves in an out-building across the tiny parking lot (which reminds me: use the valet parking, because otherwise there is no place to put your car; it's free except whatever you tip the valet). We sat right next to the old overhead garage door on a cold January night. Either the door was originally insulated or they did something to insulate it, because we didn't feel the piercing cold from outside. We watched the traffic go by on Woodward Ave., and enjoyed our dinner.
(5)
Susan R.
Mac and cheese is as incredible as everybody says! And the Faygo ice cream with pop rocks....yes. And kudos to whoever laid all those pennies into the floor in the bathroom. Be prepared to wait in line here.
(5)
Tiffany H.
I didn't think the burger that I had was worth the hour+ wait. But I've heard so many good things I think I should go back to try it again when it's not so busy.
(3)
William M.
Worth the wait!!! We visited last Saturday evening We called en route and was told it was a two hour wait, when we arrived it was 1:45 wait. We were able to stand near the Pizza oven and were able to have a beer and pounce on a couple bar stools as they became available. We order the Mac-n-Cheese side and a Pizza. Excellent Pizza with what appeared to be a custom pan that it was served on that kept the crust ideal condition. Great Michigan beer selection. We are looking forward to returning.
(5)
maria f.
I waited over an hour on my first visit and it was totally worth it. Fantastic food and service. I have been back three times and have had nothing but great experiences!!
(5)
Rob W.
There is usually a long wait here (40 min for us) but once we got in it was good. I have never got my food faster, even our server was surprised how fast it came. Everything was good. We got 2 burgers and pasta.
(3)
Phil H.
What a great restaurant! Overall we were impressed with the food, service and decor of the place. Is Detroit known for their burger joints yet?? Should be. First, we went there on a Saturday night expecting a long wait...we were quoted a 2.5 hour wait time at 8 PM. No problem...headed off to Somerset to do some quick shopping. Got back to Vinsetta a little after 9, had a drink at the bar, and were seated by 9:25...so about an hour and a half wait. They did text you...seemed like that's how they do it instead of buzzers. We were quickly met by our server and a trainee..no problem. Both were attentive and informative. First up: smoked wings. They were great! Juicy, perfectly smoked and a great sauce with a good kick. Then came our 'specialty' drinks...a red wine/black berry, cachaca (that Brazilian liquor) (delicious) and a tequila, white wine something..pretty good. We ordered a the Vinsetta Burger and 'plain' burger with the chips and onion rings. The Vinsetta burger was excellent! Beefy, juicy, great flavors and the pretzel buns was tops. The 'plain' burger (with just lettuce, tomato, onion) was excellent as well, perfectly cooked and flavorful..a prime burger. Onion rings were crispy and the chips nice and thin and light. Overall a great atmosphere and food, and looking forward to going back!
(5)
Samir N.
Is this place trendy and superhyped? Of course it is, but this place actually deserves its accolades. The mac and cheese is awesome, as advertised, and the burgers are solid. The Macon Bacon is particularly special. What is surprising is that the healthy(ish) stuff is also awesome. The salmon and broccoli blew me away with their flavor. Just do not try to go there on a Friday or Saturday night, unless you like waiting a really long time for a table at an uber crowded bar.
(4)
Danielle P.
Excellent food and atmosphere. Whenever I have family in town, I go here. Get the macaroni and cheese, it's amazing!
(5)
Michelle C.
I wouldn't mind going back and trying one of their pizza's. I got the macon bacon burger, which I could only eat half of. My husband got an adult milk shake, the Cherry bourbon, which was yummy. The fries are typical fries, my husband liked the union mac (mac and cheese). It's an old garage made into a cute restaurant and is good sized. The wait was not bad, but get there early because when we left just before 6 pm, there was a 30-45 min. wait on a snowy Saturday night. I got a coffee drink with Amaretto and kahlua and it was not too spendy. Wait staff was nice, but service was a bit slow. They were steadily busy the whole time we were there.
(4)
Josh S.
Great spin on traditional American. Atmosphere is quite possibly the best in the area. Great local brews on tap. Vinsetta Burger comes highly recommended. Easily one of the best spots in metro Detroit
(5)
C M.
Must have had an off night. Everything meh. Tuesday night about 7. Maple salmon, Union Mac side and Baker Bowl pasta. Ho hum. We waited a bit before being seated and at the table for drinks and food to arrive (no water/bread/snacks). Drafts we chose were good but not outstanding - large list of Michigan beers posted high on the wall but no descriptions to review. Tables tight. Service was fine.
(2)
Julie C.
This is truly a gem. I stumbled upon this place when I was talking to a random person about great restaurants. He indicated to me that he was a cook at this restaurant and suggested that I try it. Boy am I glad that I did. Our service was fantastic, food fresh and well flavored. I enjoyed the decor since most of it resembles the previous use as an auto shop. The Rock and Rye ice cream was to die for! This is one of the best places that I have been in a while and plan on going back!
(5)
J O.
Bartender Kipp made specialty manhattans that were excellent, the app potato skins were yummy too. Ate at the bar....really nice.
(4)
Andrea' R.
Worth the wait! Defiantly lives up to the theme. A bit of a wait, but the food was delicious, moist n juicy, full of flavor. Great beer selection. Having sensitivity to gluten loved the gluten free beer options. Would like to try the alcoholic milkshakes next time
(4)
Joe B.
I have always wanted to try this place simply because you can't drive by after 5 p.m. without seeing a string of traffic and a line out the door. We decided it would be best to go late night and arrived at 10 and we were seated immediately (kitchen closes at 11). There was a DJ spinning Pharcyde on vinyl in the entrance which immediately made me like it. Our server was very nice and told me about some of the craft beers I was unfamiliar with, she knew what was up. I had the Vinsetta Burger which is really just a glorified Big Mac with fries and a side of Mac and Cheese. While everything was tasty none of them blew me away. I was really digging the music, atmosphere and beer the most. I heard more hip hop cuts from Del, something that sounded like Cut Chemist and acouple deep house bangers. I wouldn't order the Vinsetta burger again as it was a little dry but there were several other items I would like to try and I thought it was worth it for the good beer selection and music. FYI this was a Friday night, not sure what the atmosphere is during the week.
(4)
L R.
We've eaten here several times and I'm over it. It's not worth the 45 minute waits and parking frustrations. I'd rather drive downtown Detroit and support the city. $16 for a vegan burger and side salad is robbery Especially when the burger is subpar. The Mac and cheese is good and my husband enjoys the burgers, but we can get better elsewhere. I'm not into trendy structures as I'm not going for the scenery. Some of the best food is in the most inconspicuous of places. Sorry Vinsetta, the hipsters can have you.
(3)
Brittany C.
This has become one of my favorite restaurants I absolutely love the food here and have constant cravings for it. I love the burgers there I think the 3am burger is the best. The mac and cheese maybe one of my favorite items on the menu if you pass up on this you are missing out. The desert is fantastic too. The atmosphere is laid back.....jeans type place. The only downfall is the wait but its worth it!!!!
(4)
Andy W.
Very good. Glad I saw this on US of Bacon. Well worth the calories, very flavorful and loved the environment and service. Megan definitely guided us to great choices. Highly recommend.
(5)
Haroun K.
As far as restaurants in Royal Oak go, Vinsetta Garage really is as good as it gets. It is a shame that there's not more going on in the neighborhood, like in a real city, where you can put your name down and go for a walk or shopping. But after a few more visits, this has become one of those places that gives me cravings. The veggie burger, as I explained to the vegetarian server who touted it as the best around, is wonderful, though the patty itself is not as good as Pete's (I'd say, 2nd best around). The beauty, however, is in the construction of the burger, with the sauces and other ingredients, which have no equal around these parts. While the chips, onion rings, and fries are fine, I think the burger goes best with a side of mac and cheese (which will melt you and make you make embarassing sounds of approval) or a side salad which uses crispy chickpeas in place of croutons. The key lime pie is sublime. The portion is on the small side, but this is reflected in the price. While it's still not worthwhile to wait hours to eat here, it is a great place for lunch, or if you have a friend who can get there early enough and will wait for you, it's a great place for dinner. Service is very good, and friendly, though the hosts are more inaccurate than weathermen in their prognosticating skills. Valet parking is fine, but if you live within 1-2 miles, it's totally worth walking or biking down here. The hours have since been expanded, though the kitchen still closes at 11. The beer list itself justifies coming here after then, though. 5 Royal Oak stars for Vinsetta Garage!
(5)
Jess B.
I was really disappointed in this place! My husband and I have been trying to go here since it's opened. The waits are always long (2 hours on a Tuesday evening, no thanks) so we figured it's gotta be good. On New Years Day we went for brunch, but the place we chose to go to was closed, so we gave Vinsetta Garage a try and for once there was no line. Let me say, the staff was friendly. We had a nice waitress. The menu, I was not impressed with it. Burgers, pasta, pizza, and a few originals. I expected a lot more from the menu. My husband created a pasta and he said it was good, but it was similar to something he's had at other restaurants. I tried the Detroit Coney's and onion rings. The onion rings were extra greasy and bland. I can get a better Coney for $1.75 downtown. I just don't know what the hype was all about. The atmosphere is different, but was not comfortable to be. I'm glad I went and experienced it, but I'm ok never going back.
(2)
Abby M.
Terrible service. They told us it would be an hour wait and we waited over 2 hours to be seated. Had our parents not been from out of town and insisting on waiting to eat there, we would have gotten up and left. The food is okay - nothing to go crazy over. But to allow your customers to sit there for two solid hours and not walk over and offer a glass of water or an update as to why it's taking so long is disappointing. Not to mention we saw friends of the managers come in long after we came in and were seated well before us. If you are going to play favorites and allow the staff to seat their friends first, at least be less obvious about it.
(2)
Heidi S.
We dined there for lunch today, sadly this was not our first time. When we arrived the restaurant was mostly empty and the host seated us at the worst table possible. The server came over quickly, we ordered drinks and disco fries the fries took about 10 minutes. Additionally my fork had food stuck to it from last it was used. The entrees came the kale salad was good, ( but fresh dill would make it better) the pizza was burnt and bland. The staff dosent have a uniform so you can never tell who works there or even if a manger is present. On the way out there were about 5 people at the host stand, not one of them said good bye.
(2)
Jared C.
This is my new favorite for burgers and fries. The atmosphere is cool and will eventually be giving Red Coat a run for their money. The converted garage makes Vinsetta a truely unique dining experience.
(4)
Marc C.
Went for lunch last Saturday around 12:30pm. No wait and food was great as usual! Our server was absolutely fantastic, made tons of terrific recommendations, and was present without being all over us. Had the Sy Ginsberg Press sandwich, which was spicy and delicious. The Bloody Mary's here are first rate as well. Don't miss this gem!
(5)
D M.
Went on a Sunday around 7 at night, only had to what a half hour for a table and parking wasn't to bad. The wife and I had burgers, mac & cheese, and onion ring. The burgers were good, but not great. Onion rings and the mac & cheese were really tasty. The adult milk shakes they had were something different and went well with the burgers. All in all, don't know if I would wait an hour or more for food of this quality.
(3)
Jennifer H.
The vibe in here is awesome. All Detroit and all cars. I am not so much a car person, but I can appreciate the theme. The menu is great I have been for lunch and dinner. The pizzas are wood fired and amazing. The burgers at dinner time are so good, but huge. I can usually split with my husband and be satisfied, the Macon Bacon and 3AM are both really good. They have a great beer selection too. Update: Since this post, I have went Gluten Free. They have a great gluten free menu with burger buns available, notices about what might have cross containmination (French Fries are cooked in oil with Gluten products etc.) The Gluten Free Pizza is the best I have had, I actually had to confirm with the waiter that it was indeed Gluten Free after taking a bite it was so good.
(5)
Bryan V.
Best fried cheese curds 've ever had; and they are very good in Wisconsin. The rest of the menu is delicious as well. The atmosphere is just right. That's why the place always has a wait at dinner time.
(5)
Mark N.
Absolutely loved this place. Only reason it didn't get a solid 5 was on account of the hostessing crew. Little irritable and unfriendly.
(4)
Jim W.
My new favorite restaurant. Cool vibe and even better food.
(5)
Caryn W.
A group of 4 of us went here a week ago for a birthday dinner. I know this place is crazy busy all the time so I called to see if they do reservations or call ahead seating which they dont. No big deal.. We wanted to eat around 8:15-8:30 so I went up there around 6:45 and they said it was an hour and a half wait which was perfect for us so I put my name on the list and said I would be back around 8. Got there at 8pm and only had to wait a few minutes for a table to be cleared off. We got the cheese curds as an appetizer and they were good, greasy but good, and the dipping sauce was fantastic! This place has a great beer selection featuring a good amount of Michigan-brewed beers. I got a Bell's 2 hearted and a Dragonmeade Final Absolution. I got the Baseline burger and it was great, cooked the right way, and juicy to the point of being slightly messy. One of the guys ordered a Duck Burger and he said he really really liked it. We all had some sort of burger and no one had any complaints. The service was good considering how busy they are all the time. We never really ran out of anything or had to wait too long for our server to return. The place itsself is awesome. Very cool decor and still gives you the feeling that you are eating in an old car garage without the dirtyness. I also like how the waitstaff wears all Detroit-themed clothing (Lions, Tigers, Made in Detroit shirts, etc) It gives a very hometown-y feel. To the crabby/prissy yelper who complained about the 2010 pennies in the bathroom floor.. REALLY?!? You are complaining about the date on the pennies on the floor of the bathroom? How does that have anything to do with the dining experince? Get real. And also to the person who complained about the menu where it says "Please don't put ketchup on a coney" "or no-meat balls hippy" and compared it to them making fun of gays?!?! Are you kidding me? Its called having a sense of humor which you clearly know nothing about. Let's not be so over-sensitive. The whole atmosphere is very fun and laidback.. maybe not meant for an uptight person such as yourself. I have no compaints about this place what so ever. People just need to know ahead of time that there is always a long wait so the best idea would be to put your name on the list and try to find a spot at the bar or go somewhere nearby to kill about 45minutes, but the menu and the atmosphere is worth the wait. I have heard great things from other people about other menu items and I cant wait to go back and try something else. I think the Noodle & meatball bowl is next.
(5)
Kari C.
Came here in the afternoon and we got some cheese curds- oh my they are the best I've had. Loved the atmosphere and the other food and menu looked delicious!
(5)
Frequent T.
This place does not take reservations and has long waits. Even if I drive 10 miles to put my name down, they cannot promise me seating!!! The hostess is not accomodating and believes this is still 1980. I am sure that business might be good but it won't last. I have tried twice and do not plan to try this place ever again.
(1)
Lara W.
Worth the 1 hour wait. White bean chili verde was awesome. The meat on my Vinsetta burger was very tasty and the homemade potato chips were some of the best I've had. My husband had the mac and cheese and it was delicious; lived up to the hype. The place was super crowded and very noisy but our waiter was attentive, friendly and efficient. I will go back to try the pizza, pasta and desserts!
(5)
Nate M.
The burgers are amazing, I'd say even better than Red Coat's- eh, maybe not better than... But they're really good:) The wait isn't bad if you grab a beer from the bar and sit at one of the patio tables while you wait. Of course, this only works when it's too cold for people to be eating out there, but that's what we like to do. I'm not a fan of valet parking, so I just park on the first side street north of the restaurant. The wait staff's always good, and they do have some gluten free options. They actually use a different kitchen to cook the gluten free stuff.
(4)
Pete D.
A very cool place, a feast for your eyes and open for fun. The food is ok not " all that" but you will a good place to bring your friend and have some drinks. Oh if you plan on parking some place close get there early or plan to get a little exercise.
(3)
Jim A.
If I went there to relish in the Detroit flair and celebrate the city's style....it would be great. Unfortunately they serve food there which is nothing great.
(2)
Nicole D.
This place is crazy pants popular. I've come early hoping to beat the rush and been surprised at finding a packed house. It makes sense that this is instantly successful: the provenance is strong (Clarkston Union, anyone?), the location is golden on Woodward, and the food/bev, while not inventive are solid. And maybe having a State Fair Burger with a pork patty, hot dog, cheese curd and pretzel bun does qualify as inventive, I don't know. Good greasy spoon fare elevated to a family-friendly, highly energetic environment.... can't really go wrong unless you don't like to wait for a table. I should also mention that the decor is really cool. The garage motif is played to the hilt but isn't cheesy, just right.
(4)
Edward M.
FUN! No waiting for Brad and I. We went around 4-ish on a Monday. Walked right in...into the Garage doors and then had to ask where the Hostess stand was? LOL! We were so busy looking around at the fun interior and details of the place we somehow completely over-looked the actual entrance. I'm so glad they saved the garage, very utilitarian of them. So the food.... Totally a comfort food with a twist kinda place. I had the U. Mass Pie, a creamy, cheesy, Clam (Ha! See! Some gay men do like the clam!) pizza with red onion and capers. Super yummy! Loaded potato chips with pickled chilies, scallions and cheddar. Also yummy! Brad got the Caesar salad and had them put fried chick peas on it, he also ordered the union mac side. Thought both were great! coal fired bread sticks came with some really tasty dip. Tasty drinks. Service was good. Pricing was totally reasonable. Totally a chill with laid-back friends kinda place. All in all we had a great time!
(5)
Kameron P.
Food was really good, but the service is way below par. It seemed like they sat us down and then forgot about us. When the food finally came after 35 mins my friend had to wait another 10 for his. Once we were done it took about 45 mins to get our checks and pay for them. We had a 9 person party but it should never take that long. If you want to go... go during dinner and go for the food not the service.
(2)
Alize C.
I am so very excited for this instant classic. They just need to work out the kinks of just opening. Food is exciting and delicious. Atmosphere, choices, restrooms and waiting areas are different and fun. Im going to be a regular.
(4)
Fern G.
This place is Paula Deen on steroids! I went here for lunch the other day so I can only comment on their lunch menu. First of all, if you are trying to eat healthy good luck to you. Besides a soup or the white bean chili or salad with grilled chicken, you're not going to find much healthy fare here. I am not a health nut at all so I was in hog heaven when I saw deep fried bacon wrapped hot dogs with cheese and mayo on the menu. If I understood the menu correctly, they serve 2 hot dogs not just 1. My sister ordered the ham & pineapple pizza and liked it. I don't like pineapple so I just had a quick taste but didn't care for it. Warning if you don't like or can't have spicy foods DON'T get this pizza! The ham has some kind of pepper crust on it and it's got some serious kick. (enough to grab the back of my throat) I like spicy food so it wasn't an issue for me but my mom couldn't eat it at all. We then ordered the mac and cheese and it was awesome. Ooey gooey cheesy greasy goodness! It's very rich and creamy and the portion is large. I also tried the white bean chili and it was good but needed a bit more flavor so I added the hot sauce on the table and some salt and perked it up a bit. Maybe they could add more cumin and salt to zshush it up a bit. The parking here flat out sucks so just get over it cause the food is worth the hassle.
(4)
Jessica Y.
This place was definitely half and half for me. The herd crowded around the door yesterday waiting for the place to open at 4pm. I think it would be a good idea to get some ropes and have people line up as opposed to the crowd and the poor seating hostess just going around trying to remember who she asked. Once we got in our waitress was lovely, the ambiance is a great fusion of classic details with modern style, beautiful kitchen, classy bar chairs, and the lighting was perfect. However the seating concept is really open. Uncomfortably open. There are just a few large booths against the wall and a partitioned room in the back while the rest of the establishment is tables and high tops. It's spacious, but on my date I felt like I was sitting in a mall food court. Definitely not somewhere for a romantic evening. I had a veggie burger with pesto, arugula, sundried tomatoes, and shittake mushroom "bacon" on a pretzel bun with a side of the famous mac and cheese. Now the food was to die for. It was the best veggie burger I ever had combined with the 2nd best mac and cheese I ever had. I am still mouth watering over that crunchy top of the pasta. While we were eating though, we noticed about 5 bus people just standing over us waiting for people to get done eating so they could take their plates away. Like vultures. Literally, when my boyfriend was boxing up his leftovers, the guy was like 1 foot behind him, just waiting. So all in all, a good place to visit, definitely going to get carry out again, amazing food, but dreadful seating set up, and the creepy bus boys ruined my boyfriend's plans to propose. He ended up doing it last night at home instead!
(3)
Kevin W.
decent food, nothing special, the poblano was hardly cooked, stuffing tasted like tofu chunks and corn... nothing like union woodshop which I love.... the atmosphere is pretty cool and its a cool place to grab a local brewed beer.
(3)
Mark L.
We've tried to go here multiple times, however with two small kids the wait was just too long. Sunday at 3pm, and we walked right in (and sat in the "last resort" table, right by the kitchen, obstructed view, etc). I can't knock a place for being popular! The beer selection is very good, and the food was great. I had the 3am burger, the wife had the stuffed pepper thing. Both didn't disappoint. The kids had the burger and the mac and cheese. Typically upscale mac and cheese gets booed by the kids in favor of kraft or velveeta, but they loved this stuff. Also, do not skip the Rock and Rye ice cream with Pop Rocks! I hope this place opens up more seating, because although it's a little pricey, it's not like they are having trouble filling the place.
(5)
Jessa B.
This place was AMAZING. As a vegan, it was so cool to see the vegan options on the menu! I got the veggie burger and it was killer. They had vegan meatballs too, which I will try next time I come back. And I for sure will be back. The atmosphere matched the quality of the food. From the electric car charging stations out front, to the roll up garage door in the dining are and the penny lined bathroom floors, this place place was so cute and funky!
(5)
Sherri J.
Love this place. The wait is always long, but the food is great. It's greasy, fattening, flavorful deliciousness. Plus it is gluten free friendly. They have a whole separate gluten free menu with LOTS of options. Most gluten free menus are just a few things picked off of the regular menu and changed slightly. I had the macon bacon burger which was three different kinds of pork on top of beef with bacon jam. There was like 6 slices of thick cut bacon. mmmmmm As far as gluten free buns go, it was pretty good. Oh and you HAVE to try the fried cheese curds. not gluten free friendly but delicious served with homemade bleu cheese dipping sauce. Oh and you definitely need to upgrade from the chips to a different side. The fries are the best fries I have ever had, fresh cut and served with a tomato aioli to mimic ketchup. The aioli is delicious and great on everything. Must try place. If your a beer lover, huge selection in bottles and on draft plus a full bar, a decent cocktail list and adult milkshakes mmmmmm
(5)
Dan B.
After being told there would be a FOUR hour wait, we decided just to have a drink or three outdoors. The drinks were REALLY watered down. On the upside the staff was pleasant. I can't comment on the food, but the menu looked sparse.
(1)
Rose S.
Great food, great service, and great atmosphere. We went on a Friday afternoon and were seated immediately. Obviously if you go during busy times you should expect wait. So just be mindful of that.
(5)
Richard W.
I gave this place 3 chances. The service is inept. The food doesn't warrant the high price. The parking nightmare and the long wait would be worthwhile for a great experience but after 3 times they don't seem to be able to get it right. Maybe I'll try them again next year but not anytime soon.
(1)
Michele G.
I'm not going to repeat everything else that everyone has already said but rather I would just sum up using pros and cons. Here it goes: At my table we shared: Chicken wings- from the app. menu White bean chili w/Pork and salsa verde Tuna casserole w/side salad VInesetta Burger and fries- yummy Baseline Burger w/side of the mac and cheese Pros Broad menu selection Friendly accommodating staff Michigan focus though not entirely Good presentation Nice ambiance and vibe- be prepared to wait Good burgers- I recommend the Vinsetta Burger Yummy fresh hand cut fries Good portions Prices were reasonable Cons No Verners or Faygo- Michigan staples?! The macaroni cheese was good but too rich and not creamy- a side serving was plenty! Tuna casserole could have been creamier The white been chili with Pork and salsa Verde-needed more flavor. I would not order this again Drinks sounded good on the menu-but the flavor and alcohol were weak. Ordered the bannaoffee pudding- small portion but the right size after eating the apps and the main meal. Almost ordered The 3a.m. Burger but changed my mind when they would not break and cook the yolk of the egg- The server said "The cooks say they are not a breakfast house" whatever! All in all I would recommend the place and would go again just for the VInsetta burger alone. Job well done...just stay consistent on the quality of food and service
(4)
Dawn L.
This place knows what it is. I love that they call the old style domestic beer "Lawnmower" It's been fun every time I have been there. Love the home style chips. Plus Sriracha is part of the condiment tray.
(4)
Bill R.
I so very much want to like this place, as the decor is so very cool. I love the concept. Unfortunately, so much effort has been spent on the cool decor, that any form of customer service has been overlooked entirely. This is my third visit, and each time, the food has been borderline par, even cold the first time. (The waitress blamed it on the cook, as the buns were cold and hard) This last time was probably my last attempt. The waitress was somewhat bothered by us, and was completely inattentive. If you can get a bartenders attention, this may be a good stop for some cool beers, but do not expect anyone to make you feel welcome. Good luck.
(1)
Anna H.
I've been here a few times and I love this place. I really like the old garage and I like the look and feel to it. It's something different that you don't see often. The food is wonderful every time I go here. The taste is on point and the staff are nice and helpful. I would have to say my favorite dish from here is the duck burger. It has caramelized onions, arugula, and cherry compote which is amazingly tasty! My boyfriend like the Macon burger and the 3 am burger. They as well are very delicious. My favorite side dishes would have to be the union mac and the brocollini. Overall, I would say their food is really good. The only reason I'm giving VS a 4 star instead of a 5 star because the server don't check on my table often as I would like. They only check in once and they're gone until I wave them down for a refill on my drink or to cash out. Although, it's not a big deal because the server is still nice and got us everything we need. My experience here is great every time and I would definitely come back.
(4)
Amy K.
I was so excited to try out this new & exciting restaurant in this old neighborhood landmark, yet I was disappointed in a few ways. The place itself is awesome. The building is cool both inside and out. We were immediately greeted when walking in by friendly hosts who sat us right away(I was expecting a huge delay). The staff is buzzing around and there is always something to look at. While we were there, Channel7 was doing a piece on the place/chef and there was a camera man filming several different vantage points. Our surly server(i'm not saying names, as i dont want to get anyone in trouble)came to our table and right away seemed to be annoyed and grouchy. She literally rolled her eyes while taking our order. We ordered the Mac & Cheese as an app and it came out about 30 seconds before our lunch, which was slightly annoying. Also, my turkey burger was missing an ingredient(avocado spread) & when I asked our server for it, she again rolled her eyes. My boyfriend didn't care for the iced tea and when he reported that to our server she literally said "well you ordered it, so..." and walked away without taking it off the table(and it was still on our bill, even though he did not drink it). Lastly, once the food was on the table, we only saw our server when we asked for boxes and the bill. Now, all negatives aside, the food was good. I would have my turkey burger again, and I'm sure my boyfriend would get his burger again too. The Mac & Cheese was yummy. And, as previously stated, the place itself is cool. All staff members had different Detroit themed shirts on, which was a nice touch, The cocktail/beer lists were very inviting as well. Bottom line - tighten up the service ! Who wants to eat at a place where the server seems like they don't want you there ? Every question was met with a sigh or an eye roll, including asking for a simple water refill !! I look forward to trying the dinner menu and am hoping for better service the next time around.
(2)
Raymond B.
Excellant comfort food for a reasonable price!! Great atmosphere & very cool place.. Awesome job of saving a classic building & giving it a hip new vibe,but still keeping the old garage feel...Thanks for giving the Motor City a restaurant that is unique & a place you can take out of town guests to that is different and has GREAT food!!!!!
(5)
Marcus C.
Phenomenal ambiance but I don't know if it was worth the wait for just OK food and poor service. Good list of beer on tap.
(3)
Jake H.
Having heard all the hype, I finally wanted to check out Vinsetta Garage for myself. My girlfriend and I arrived for lunch at noon on Saturday, and were able to park out front and get seated immediately. Friends have warned me, however, that it's not uncommon to wait two hours at peak times. The main attraction is the decor. You get the feeling of being in an old-fashioned garage without and grossness or grimy feelings. It's pretty loud, but not annoyingly so. I had the Vinsetta Burger and fries, both of which were delicious and full of flavor. My girlfriend had the Dig Dog, a sort of gourmet hot dog with cherry compote, which had a zany but sweet flavor. Serving sizes are very generous and we were both stuffed! The food and service were great, but ultimately we went for the ambience. It's such a cool place to go for lunch or dinner, and I'll definitely go back.
Great! I miss this place! Classy and the action is great. I probably miss this place the most.. cant wait to come back! Shout-out to allie for her great service!
(5)
Kelly S.
Got there at 5:30 was told one hour and pager beeped at exactly that. Service was pretty good and food was good, but not anything too exciting. Here's the rundown of what everyone ordered and opinions. Breadsticks - like the original way (without adding cheese) Meatballs - Good, but not my mom's Clam Pizza - very good Burgers - only 1 out of 3 was cooked properly, a little salty, unfortunately it wasn't the best burger for any of us Had some bumps with our order and they offered us two desserts as a peace offering which was very kind. Milk and cookies - didn't taste fresh, not much flavor Banana Toffee Pudding - absolute heaven - the best thing in this restaurant! I absolutely loved the Union Woodshop and was excited to try Vinsetta, but all it did for me is make me wish we would have made the trip out to Clarkston.
(3)
Naveen N.
Ordered a vinsetta burger which was delicious. Came with a side of chips which were decent. Liked the garage theme.
(5)
Tony F.
Dined at Vinsetta for the first time last night. We had about an hour wait on a Tuesday evening at 7:30 but that's because anytime a new restaurant opens in the area (Royal Oak, Birmingham, etc.) everyone flocks there because we are are so desperate for something new. The service was great and the food was fantastic. Try "The Pedro". You won't be disappointed. Parking is limited but I parked on a residential street less than a block away.
(5)
Matt C.
The only thing I don't like about this restraunt is the wait. Other than that it is great, all of their burgers are awesome and of course the mac and cheese is to die for. Love the atmosphere and I am glad they kept it as close to a auto shop as they could.
(5)
Michael L.
First time there stopped by Wednesday for lunch. I had heard great things about the food, the atmosphere etc. Unique and interesting building, nice layout. Best part of the place. I had the Loaded Potato Chips with Woodshop Maple Bacon ($1.75 EXTRA), and a roast turkey sandwich with spinach and feta on multi-grain bread, along with a Bell's Two-Hearted ale. Glad I had the beer, that made the meal. The homemade thin cut potato chips were crispy, but had no flavor. The chips were overloaded with a bland/mild cheddar cheese, the green onions were not flavorful, and the bacon was both sparse and not memorable. Sour cream would have been a welcome addition to that, simply to give it some type of flavor. Will say this - the presentation was beautiful. However as they say, looks can be deceiving. If you are going to make a 1,500 calorie appetizer loaded with fat, it needs flavor. A sharp pinconning would have given this a zip it was decidedly missing. The sandwich was OK - I could not taste the feta at all, which was the reason I selected that particular sandwich. The roast turkey was savory, I'm sure some people would like that. I saved 1/2 the sandwich and ate it the next day cold, and it was far better than when it was originally served, perhaps I just don't like turkey that much. Overall, for the chips, sandwich and a pint of beer, total damages with tip was over $20 for a lunch. Will not likely return unless someone else is buying. Positive note: Service was great. Sat at the bar.
(2)
Paul B.
I live very close to this place and have been itching to try it. I had heard good things and the buzz around town is that this place is special. There are always people waiting outside it so I decided to try it. When we got there at 8 pm the hostess stated the wait would be 2 hours 45 minutes! Wow. We drank at the bar (many great beers on tap) and were seated about 1.5 hours later. The place inside is rustic and cool. The garage theme works. Service was fast once seated. Had chicken wings, cheese curd fries, mac and cheese, and the 3 am burger. Wings were awesome, Mac and cheese was bland and sort of dry (not as great as I had hoped), and the 3 am burger was a bit undercooked but would have been money if done right. The pop rocks Faygo rock and rye ice cream was very good for dessert. May try again and re-review after the hype dies down.
(3)
Stacey D.
Vinsetta Garage... tons of hype, complete failure to measure up. We finally managed to find a time when there wasn't a 2 hour wait, and we were eager to try it out. Let me put it this way, the best thing about the place for me was the bathroom floor made of pennies. Yup. It was overpriced and just not special. We've had better burgers, the homemade chips tossed with cheese were too salty (and I love salt!) and the menu is limited. Glad I tried it, won't go back.
(2)
jim s.
I'd been anticipating a trip here since I heard the old garage was reopening as a bar and grill. I used to bring my '68 GTO here for repairs years ago, and even then there was a famously long wait. But not this time for my wife, son, and I. We popped in on a Wednesday evening about 5:30, managed to find parking in their lot just before the valet parking began, and were immediately seated at a 4-top. My first impression was overwhelming nostalgia from all the times I'd been in this place getting vehicles repaired. There are still old oil stains deep into the concrete floor! Some may have even been my own. There is wallpaper composed of old repair receipts, and automobilia everywhere, including a vintage dragster. Yet they've done a fantastic job integrating in a modern bar and open kitchen zone. I drank off their lawnmower beer selection, with a Stroh's and a Blatz. I'd forgotten how good Stroh's is. My wife had a Black Label. For a starter, the battered cheese curds were wonderful. I ordered baked Angus Meatballs with a bacon creme sauce, and they were excellent as well. And the next day while eating the leftovers at lunch I was again reminded how good they were. My wife enjoyed her Sweet Italian Pork meatballs over pasta, and my son liked his Hawaiian pizza, though they did forget to delete the red onions as he'd requested. Service was friendly and prompt. We will be back for sure. I've already been telling friends about this new gem.
(5)
Matthew M.
The lunch menu was basically burgers and pizzas. Wife ordered a burger, I ordered a hot dog and was not too impressed with either. The pizzas looked good...though I did not try. The beer selection will definitely bring me back. They have a huge selection of local craft beer. Kuhnhenn's D.R.I.P.A. is well worth the trip. They have homemade Faygo ice cream...but no Faygo pop for sale...go figure...
(4)
Rick W.
Awesome food and awesome atmosphere
(5)
Ashley B.
Yum! The valet parking suck though.
(4)
A B.
We went during the week, and it was busy. We had a 35 minute wait, but we enjoyed cocktails outside in the waiting area. Our dinning experience was decent. The service was slow, and we had to ask multiple times to get things we needed: silverware, water, etc. Also, my husband's food came out 10 minutes after mine, and his burger came out with fries instead of onion rings. The server apologized, but it was another 25 minutes to get onion rings. By this time, we had filled up, so we took them to go. Additionally, for our first time, I wish the waiter had been less busy to recommend things. He approached our table and said. "what do you want" I had questions, but didn't ask at that point. Overall, the food we tried had good flavors. We had the disco fries for an appetizer, the 3AM burger, and the coney pie. We also ordered the mac and cheese, which we have had at the Union, very good. I wish our food would have came out all together, and I wish our service would have been better. I felt that for a Wednesday night, we still had to wait a long time to get our food, and there were still mistakes with our order. We will go back, but we won't rush back until the hype dies down. Hopefully then the service will be better, food will come out at the same time, and mistakes will be avoided.
(3)
Michael S.
Went there for a Sunday brunch and the food was really good. I had the Macon Bacon Burger.. loaded with bacon, bacon jam and I think the bread was made of bacon too.. lol. Also had the homemade potato chips that were equally good. One piece of advice.. go early. We got there around 1115/1130 and got a table. When we left there just before 1 the wait was over an hour.
(4)
William C.
Very cool atmosphere. Food was awesome!! I had the 3 am burger and it was great. The cheese curds appetizer and the rock n rye ice cream were really good too. Definitely worth checking out.
(5)
Jeffrey B.
Once upon a time people would talk to each other, mingle with a stranger, and not rush through life. Unfortunately with the advent of technology that time has passed. However, the new Vinsetta Garage is striving to remedy that. Currently you should not try this restaurant if you are in a hurry. Its popularity means the wait is long, sometimes very long. But the silver lining is the bar is very well stocked and the company is good. The owners did a great job of keeping the location true to its roots while maintaining health standards. The wait can be attributed to the limited amount of tables; however this is a plus as they do not pile tables on top of each other like so many small restaurants do these days. I've had the pleasure of trying their pizza, hamburgers, homemade chip appetizer, mac and cheese, and several bourbons. All were fantastic. If you're not on a diet get the Macon Bacon burger, Damn Gina it's good. Well done Vinsetta Garage!
(5)
denise m.
Went on a Tuesday night at 9:30. No wait, slow service. Waited at least 12 minutes for a drink. It looked like the server was trying to get out of there, he was busy rolling silverware to give proper service. I have heard alot about this place since it has opened, I just dont get it...The house salad is big enough to split, but sadly the dressing has no flavor. The burger pizza arrived luke warm, and it had 5 pieces and was just ok...Again, the flavor...My son and I left the salted carmel custard on the table because it was inedible. It tasted like cold salt. The place has a cool vibe to it, and luckily the prices were decent, but there are plenty of other places in Royal Oak nearby.
(3)
Geoffrey V.
They make a great burger here. I really like the wide variety of ever-changing-beers on tap too. The last visit I was offered dessert and encouraged to try a milk shake. I let the server know that I had one a few months back and it was quite possibly the worst shake I ever had. He confidently said, " well you haven't had one made by me" I agreed, I had not. Some my kids ordered a couple desserts. When they arrived their dessert was accompanied by a complimentary chocolate shake. This one was outstanding! Great customer service, great atmosphere and the food is very good. I wish they did late night menu though. on another visit my Wife and I showed up unable to decide on a drink at the bar. after a 10 mins or so of contemplating we had come to a decision. at this time we ordered a small Pizza as well. We were told though, that the kitchen closed at 10 and we would be unable to get the pizza. at this point it was 10:05. for this reason I can't give the full 5 stars but they are pretty darn close.
(4)
Andy O.
Holy Crap! This place is awesome! 3AM burger was the best burger I ever had. Brought my kids and they were fine (even with 1 he wait). Jim Schwartz just walked in (Detroit Lions head coach). Dessert (tried 3 different items) was amazing.
(5)
Lyuba S.
I absolutely love this place. Their food is delicious (especially the duck burger) & I love the ambiance of this building. My favorite places are the ones with a lot of character & Vinsetta Garage is definitely one of those places. To think, so much history took place in this very building & the new owners kept that history going but with a twist. & what a wonderful twist it is. From the glass penny bathroom floor to the vintage vehicle decor, it's so hip & antique at the same time. Like I mentioned earlier, the duck burger is absolutely amazing. I've also had their pizza pies which are also delish. I do have to mention that they're written as just pies & seeing as how unique this place is, I thought they would really be pies filled with the ingredients listed. Probably just my mishap but I do still think it would have been a lot cooler if I were right. Just a thought :) Their ice cream is amazing! Housemade with the most unique flavors, not to mention I haven't had PopRocks on a dessert since I was a kid. Very Detroit, very reminiscent. If someone asked me for a very Michigan restaurant, I'd recommend this place. Although, it's fairly new its quickly become an institution & I hope it stays that way for awhile.
(4)
Renee K.
I have been waiting for someone to make use of this historical building. I am happy to have a restaurant that is owned by two people that truly love cars and Michigan. Food was great, service will improve with time. Cool bar!
(5)
Hannah G.
I liked it. The atmosphere is great -- the integrity of the garage makes for a unique venue and something a little more interesting than your average restaurant along Woodward. Our group shared a few offerings. I've never been a big fan of meatballs, but theirs were positively yummy! The only negative was the tomato sauce, which I wish was a little less bland. The pizza was fine -- not earth shattering, but fine. The mac n' cheese was of course decadent and delicious. We finished with the key lime pie (in a jar), which was a refreshing end to the meal. We lucked out with a short wait, but the meal may have not been worth it had we waited over an hour like some reviewers have written.
(4)
Dominique K.
The cool retro exterior and lot that's often full of vintage vehicles are just a couple of outward indications this venerable garage's 90-year history. Fussy classic car owners trust their show cars to Vinsetta Garage, and local police departments have their vehicles serviced here--two groups you know would not trust their rides to just anyone. Jack Marwil and the Vinsetta crew seem to greet most of their customers by name, and many of those customers have been trusting their vehicles to Vinsetta Garage for years. This may not be the cheapest place to have your car serviced, but I've always felt I could trust Jack and his staff to do right by me and not oversell me. Customers receive a detailed bill each time they get their car serviced, and Jack is particularly good about explaining what -exactly- was done to your car, without making you feel like an idiot because you may not be that car-savvy.
(5)
David C.
I had high hopes for this well reviewed place but after several meals there I won't be back. The food is simply very bland and there is nothing special about it at all. It is cool building and has great ambiance.
(2)
Gianna G.
I hate to give any restaurant 1 star, but I just have to because it was such an uncomfortable dining experience. The restaurant was not air conditioned so for the entire dinner I was sweating and uncomfortable. I felt I couldn't order anything hot so I ordered caesar salad that was really mediocre and salted Caramel custard that was ok (treat dreams is better). I'm not returning.
(1)
S L.
Oily versions of the same kind of 'new' American bar food you can find at lots of places in lots of cities, served in an auto shop-themed garage that could just as easily be sports-, rock-n-roll-, or rain forest-themed--but auto shops are in garages, and that's what this is. The beer selection is surprisingly disappointing considering that there is too much to choose from--curiously not one German beer, even in October. Lots of sweet, soupy American micro-brews and tasteless hipster canned fare. Not my thing. The cocktails were 'meh' and priced about four bucks more than they are reasonably worth. If you're a wine person, you'll have to compromise. We made up our minds about the joint about fifteen minutes into the experience, but in the interest of full disclosure, my dinner companion didn't feel well the rest of the night after her meal and had to turn in extra early. Read that as, 'got sick'. We won't be going there again and will probably discourage our people from choosing it on nights out. *urp*
(2)
Nancy g.
What happened? This may be the "in" place to go but the service and quality have declined since my last visit. The trendy ambiance only works for the first time you go. My friend ordered an appetizer was just blah bread. Was brought to the table without plates. We had to go up and get them. Grilled sandwiches arrived his was half grilled and my was soggy. The sandwich my friend ordered he did not like and the wait staff said, "Oh well now you know what not to order next time." Chips uneven, very inconsistent. Many way to oily. This was his first visit and I won't be in a hurry to go back. Sorry to say.
(2)
Dlle S.
My husband and I were dying to try this place out. It is a really cool place, decor and atmosphere wise. The food was so-so. I had gotten the chicken and my husband got the flake steak. Both were tasty, but the sides were nothing to write home about. The potato salad was not available, which I found odd. Why is it on the menu then? I got the broccolini. It tasted like plastic. My husband got a salad...nothing special. I felt like both plates needed something else. We wanted to try dessert and the choices were just odd. One was a cake with caption crunch on top...odd. I guess I was expecting more, especially for the prices. It is trendy and a neat place but that was about it for us.
(3)
Beth B.
We waited 2.5 hours for a table of 8. The hostesses were nice and were spot on with the time. We hung out at the bar, the bartender seemed like he had better things to do than wait on us. Once we got to our table the waiter was pretty nice. For appetizers we had disco fries, very good but tiny and Loaded Potato Chips, also good but small. When I tried to order the 3am burger (has a fried egg on top) the waiter said the cooks wouldn't make the egg over medium, that is had to be cooked sunny side up. I hate sunnyside up, but I am the customer so why won't they do what I ask? So, I ordered a pasta bowl. Make your own, I chose the tomato basil sauce, pancetta, spinach and cheese. First the pasta came out cold, second the sauce tasted like jar sauce and third the pancetta was burnt, fourth, the spinach was not cooked. My 5 year old could have made better pasta. My husband had a pasta bowl also, he got the rocket pesto sauce, he also said his was cold and wasn't great. The key lime pie was delicious. I had a bit of my friends mac and cheese and it was also delicious.
(2)
Jenny F.
Don't believe the Hype!!! it's over rated. The only reason i added a star above two is for getting decor right and making the place cool looking. So here is my story. After much hype and long lines and everyone screaming about how amazing this place is and couple attempts of going and not wanting to wait for an hour I finally made it on Saturday. Got there about 3:40 p.m. the place was pack but we found some seats at the bar. After we set down the flustered bartender informed us that we can't order anything but pizza until 4 p.m. because they were changing shifts. After waiting for 20 min we tried to place and order he proceeded to tell us that we now have to wait for the night shift bartender to take it, he did eventually take our order. So the food was completely below my expectations. Cesar salad had no flavor whatsoever, I ordered the Vinsetta Burger which was so beyond greesy it was dripping everywhere, the french fries was way over salted and almost uneatable. The over all experience wasn't great at all i don't get the hype there way better burger joints in town. If you are paying to look at the decor and feel like waiting around for it then this is the place.
(3)
Jason D.
Pretty good place. The Macon bacon burger has to be 1 million calories but it is very good.
(4)
Heather B.
I was underwhelmed with this place for a few reasons. Parking was terrible. We were here at lunch time on a Sunday so it wasn't even busy and there is NO PARKING at that time. (I feel bad for the poor saps who try to come here at night on the weekends....). Ridiculous. Tip: Don't expect to park right near the restaurant--keep a lookout for Woodward-side parking before you reach the restaurant. Everything that we got that was cooked (ie not salads) were OVERcooked--too browned (mac and cheese and housemade potato chips) or blackened on the edges (in the case of a vegan burger and a regular burger). We mentioned it to the waiter, but he said that it was supposed to be like that. Hmmm, no. The service was a bit casual for my taste--nothing to really complain about, but I almost felt like we were getting served by a friend of my younger brother's. The good: really fun atmosphere and the decor is interesting--Detroit/car/vintage. :) The grownup milkshakes were yummy and the friends of mine who got salads were happy. My advice? Maybe go sometime, but DO NOT wait for hours. You will probably be disappointed that your food experience doesn't live up to your expectations for waiting for soooooooooo long.
(3)
Heather L.
I am a little behind in reviews, but wanted to get in my 2 cents on my two visits to Vinsetta Garage this summer. First, this is my kids new favorite restaurant. I LOVE the unique menu and decor. Our first visit was just myself and my girls, we only ordered disco fries and the Mac n Cheese. I have had the Clarkston Union Mac n Cheese (and sorry I did think it was better at CU-but mostly because the cheese was not completely melted on ours at VG). My girls LOVED it! We ordered dessert, the rock n rye ice cream, which was YUUUUUMMY, really, I did not anticipate liking it as much as I did. We also ordered the molten chocolate cake (complete with captain crunch) again my oldest daughter loved it. We visited less than a week later with grandma, grandpa and my husband and again everyone loved their meal-I split the 3 am coney (the one with the fried egg) with my (hesitant) mother and she LOVED it. My only complaint was that the lunch menu was limited (really wanted the 3 am burger but not available at lunch) and my kids were disappointed they could not get dessert with lunch (well they could, but not their two favorites!). The only bummer is the wait (after 5 pm)-but it is worth it.
(4)
adam J.
First things first, neighborhood parking PSA. The City of Berkley needs to get on board and put proper signage etc. This area isn't like Royal Oak where you have meters, lots, and permit parking; it's a free for all right now. Please don't do the following. It's pissing the neighbors off and you look like an A-hole when you do it: -Don't plug your e-car in by pulling the cord over the sidewalk so as to hinder pedestrians. Why they put those there is beyond me. You either have to pull in the wrong way or stretch the cord across the sidewalk! -Don't park across the sidewalk that is in front of the businesses on Woodward there so as to hinder pedestrians. -Yes you drive a LamBROghini/Ferrari. Don't squeeze into some corner parking spot blocking, you guessed it, pedestrian traffic. -Now that they have valet parking don't block the side street waiting for your car to be valeted. Drive around the block and try again. -Don't turn around in someone's driveway, go around the block. You are blocking the flow of traffic as you try to do a 5 point turn in the already crowded street. -There are several streets to park on in the area. Drive around and spread the love instead of jamming into one block. An extra 500 foot walk won't kill you and guess what? The wait will still be an hour no matter how close you park! Ha! Remember, the neighbors were there first, Vinsetta Garage 'the restaurant' came second. They didn't ask for this congestion. When you pull on to the street and say, "Oh shit it's packed!" we neighbors get to see and say that on a daily basis! We are all happy to have a great restaurant here, but the customers parking and driving a little more respectfully will go a long way in making all people happy! Anyways, the place is great! Awesome beer list, great service. Chicken meatballs were moist, Disco fries (poutine) were an awesome appetizer. My flank steak was perfectly seasoned and perfectly grilled medium. Will spend much money and time here. Get there around 3:30-3:45 for first seating or go during lunch or sit at the bar. Again, very happy to have this restaurant here, but please if you are visiting, do so with these poor neighbors in mind! Thank you!
(4)
Lisa S.
We came at 3:30 and the hostess took 10 mins to get us to seats. A line started shortly thereafter. Very packed by the time we left at 5 pm. Cool atmosphere, which you enjoy as you wait awhile for your food. Good food, I had a veggie burger. I am sort of puzzled by pretzel bun, it is a little too dense for my tastes. My husband had the macon bacon burger which he said was good, but also $15.
(3)
Kim G.
Waited months to get there and had a bad experience. We had to wait over 2 hours for a table. We continued to check with the hostess stand on what was taking so long and they never had a good reason. Finally after 2 hours, we learned that their pagers weren't working and they never let anybody know. When we were finally seated, the server was great, the food was ok, but we wanted to let the Manager know our unhappiness with the wait. He came over and he could have cared less. The server actaully appologized for the Manager. 5 of us will never be back.
(1)
Enrique B.
Ya know what? I'm going to revise my review. Back then I complained about waiting and parking. I've learned just to walk there from home. The wait is reasonable unless you go during prime time. The food is tasty, Made like I'd make it if I wanted to make it. I always look forward to the next time I'll go there.
(4)
Susan J.
I went to this place last night and boy was I glad I did! It was an hour wait but it wasn't too bad. If I had one suggestion to make, it would be to put in a second bar for all of those waiting patrons. Our waitress was great - just the right amount of attention and she had great recommendations. I started with the Detroit Locker cocktail - who knew bourbon and sparkling wine (along with muddled honeycomb) would taste so good! I got the chili rubbed flank steak, medium rare and it was delicious! Cooked perfectly. And I got the Union mac and cheese as a side - again delicious. My friend got the salmon - again very tasty. There's enough variety on the menu to warrant multiple visits. And the menu prices are not outrageous (except for the Wayghu steak special). The only thing that did not wow us was the banatoffee pudding. Not enough banana or toffee flavor for either of us. The cookie crumbles were good though.
(4)
Donna Z.
Pizza was good, mac n' chz was awesome, but a bit pricey. Hot dog with an egg was tasty and the grilled chx sandwich was good. All good - but nothing outstanding. If I was nearby and wanted some upscale bar food, I would go back.
(3)
Cari M.
Love this place. Really cool atmosphere, great service. Always PACKED!! We usually hover over a couple at the bar until they move and have dinner there just to save ourselves from the usual 1.5 hour wait. Both the duck burger and lamb burger were amazing. Caesar and chop salad were also good.
(5)
Nick P.
We had to wait for over an hour and a half but let me tell you it was well worth it!!! Such a fun place with great atmosphere. They also had the coolest bathroom the floor is covered with pennies deff have to check it ouf if you go. A+++++++ will be back soon that is for sure.
(5)
Laura B.
The atmosphere was awesome as soon as you walk in the door, from the retro lights, and the open concept kitchen in the back. I love that they were able to preserve the history, yet add the touches of a modern restaurant that's perfect for the concept.cocktails and craft beer selection were very large, i love that fact that they were mainly all Michigan brewery's!!!! The food was delicious, and the deserts were unique and tasted absolutely amazing!! Highly recommend the Faygo rock n' rye Ice cream with pop rocks!!! All in all, my family had a great time.. the staff was very friendly and helpful, the food was delicious!!! I can't wait to be back to Michigan to come visit Vinsetta Garage again!! What a great spot to add to the history of Woodward Avenue!!!!
(5)
Emma L.
To be honest, I was really iffy when we pulled up. The outside looks really old and grungy, and I had a "oh God, what did I just get myself into" moment. We had to park on one of the adjacent suburbs. I went in regardless, and I absolutely loved the inside and the decor. It was beautiful, they had a lot of vintage decor and lighting, and I really really liked it. We were presented with a wait estimate of 2 hours and 45 minutes, they'd ran out of buzzers so they told me that they would text me when a table was available. We ordered drinks and sat outside at a few of the tables (I don't believe they have their outdoor seating license yet). We ended up waiting for about an hour and twenty minutes. Our food took about a half-hour to arrive, and it was great. I got a Margharita pizza, and if you order a pizza, I recommend sharing it, they're a bit much for one person. The only complaints I have were that our waitress showed up at are table to ask how we were every five minutes, it was a bit much.
(4)
Melanie S.
Visited last Friday night and it was hopping with people waiting for tables, lounging at the bar and milling. Plenty of young people. Folks with children too. Waited the anticipated 1.5 hours. Had a good white Michigan wine. They have a good variety of beers listed and a full bar too. Once we were seated, our table had a lamb burger which was very good along with an order of onion rings-also tasty; a veggie burger and the customer seemed happy with her choice; my husband had chicken meatballs with asiago cheese and pasta which was great and a large enough portion for leftovers too. You can create your own pasta and meatball dish from a number of choices. They also make individual pizza that seemed to be popular with the crowd. The noise level is high so conversation requires a strong vocal presence. Currently there are tables outside but no alcohol is allowed so people are pressing indoors. There is a small area to sit and wait for your table with bar service. You can also request a table on line so many of the guests are not present but show up when their table is ready. This can give on site diners waiting for a table a false sense of timing as to when their table will be available. Trust the anticipated wait they give you. it is a fun place especially on a nice summer night.
(4)
Jullie C.
The food was great and the price was about right. The drink I had, which I can't remember right now, was pretty good: tequila, cucumber, agave, etc. I was visiting a couple of friends and this place was on my list and I was really glad I got to go. The one thing I was surprised about was when I ordered the duck burger and they asked me how I wanted it cooked.. I thought all poultry had to be cooked all the way and was a little skeptical. I got it done medium well and it was great, the sides are great but the service can be a little slow since it's so busy. Solid 3.5 stars!
(4)
Pat K.
Simply fun, and good food., One small issue is the wait sometime but that is only because they are so popular
(5)
Rachel V.
I'm sorry, but I just don't understand what all the hype is about. Maybe it's the Chicago snob in me, but I really want there to be great places in Detroit, so I was excited to check out Vinestta Garage. But where to begin... First off, I called to ask if they accept reservations. The hostess was snotty as she informed me that they do not. Like it was some ridiculous question! No problem, lady, just don't be a snit about it. So, I arrived about a half hour earlier than the rest of my party so I could start the wait for a table. I was told, after the hostess did me the favor of taking my name down on her hot shot list, it would be approximately a 1 hour and 45 minute wait for 3 people. Again, fine, since I'd heard such wonderful things, but this brings me to my first point. Why the heck don't you take reservations??!!! Does the manager get some sick pleasure out of making people wait for over an hour?! It's just stupid. Eventually, the novelty of this place is going to wear off and ain't nobody gonna wait that long! Next up, I scooted off to the bar to have a drink while I waited for my peeps to arrive. Talk about craptastic service. I've never seen a bartender move more slowly. It was like someone hit rewind and slow-mo on the DVR, and I was living it in real life. It took almost 15 minutes for me to get one stinkin' beer. I also think that while the bar stools are cool looking, they make it really, really difficult for anyone standing at the bar to nudge up and get the bartender's attention. One point for cheap drinks, though. We ended up getting seated (after only 50 minutes) at one of those half booths which was super awkward for our party of three, making it difficult to have a great conversation. Finally, the service was stepped up a bit by our waitress. As far as food, we all ordered lamb burgers (a table of adventurers!) and they were good, not great. Like I said, I guess I just don't get what all the hype is about. And I definitely don't understand why the make-your-own pasta is so expensive. Get a grip. So, Vinsetta...get over yourselves, start taking reservations, and hire a bartender that puts forth a little effort, because you've got a cool D-town atmosphere goin' on and Detroit needs you to not suck.
(3)
Jeremiah J.
Great atmosphere especially for the car lover. They kept most of the original garage intake for an authentic feel without the smell of gas and oil. The wait can be very long on a nice weekend... or any weekend for that matter so don't expect to be in and out in an hour. More like 2 1/2 hours if lucky. Food pretty much matches Clarkston Grille with the house Mac & Cheese as a main staple.
(4)
Christopher S.
This place is the cats a$$! Union Mac & cheese, phenomenal burgers, even their hot dogs will blow you away. Try their Bloody Mary's, a little expensive but they have bacon and a mini burger in them! If your a craft beer drinker, they have a ton!! It only looses a star because of the wait time (you may never get in on a busy day), and the cluster of dealing with parking (they do offer valet though) that of which usually prevents me from going.
(4)
S P.
I needed to know why people stood in line for hours for a meal at this place. The ambiance was great! The menu was limited and the food mediorce. I'm sorry for 1 plus wait I expect a culinary experience! They attempted to do some things with food and flavors but that fell flat. Their Quinoa salad taste like someone sprinkled Domino sugar in it. The casserole bowls taste like CASSEROLE...Like bland cafeteria food. Meh! I'm very disappointed! I have a bag full of barely touched food sitting on my kitchen counter that I will be dumping. To add insult to injury the waitress didn't get the memo that when your customer shoves the plate away... Go get your manager and remove it from the bill. Yes my passive aggressive family paid tab and in protest we'll never return.
(1)
Natalie C.
This place was amazing. My brother took me here while I was visiting MI and I actually can't wait for my visit next year and I am going to make him take me back. I loved the gluten free options and fresh food. It was amazing! I had a burger that was just to die. I wanted soooooooooo badly to try tikka masala fries but I was going to get on a plane ride right after and I wasn't sure how something like that would sit with my stomach since I get a little motion sick. I CANT WAIT TO GO BACK!
(5)
Charles W.
This is a 5 star review because there is a 5 star burger. I'll start with the best and that's the 3am burger. It's absolutely phenomenal. Angus beef with fried onion straws, smoked bacon, an egg, siracha mayo... I don't particularly like eggs, I could do without bacon, and mayo alone is disgusting, but they come together to form a perfect storm that is the 2nd best burger I've ever had. It was juicy and delicious. The yolk breaks and adds a richness. There is a bit of a bite because of the amazing siracha mayo. (If you don't like mayo alone, don't deprive yourself from this sauce because it is a perfect base and you won't really taste it.) You get the smokeyness of the bacon and then the onion straws complete the taste. I highly suggest switching from swiss to cheddar. I feel the cheddar adds to the flavor, where as the swiss would get lost in the mix. Again, amazing burger. I'd have to ask my wife but I'm pretty sure I repeated "This is so good" with a swear word mixed in between at least 15 times as I indulged in this meal. Next best, upgrade your meal to have french fries. They are freshly prepared there and loaded with salt. Definitely a kick in the sodium sack, but you shouldn't be worrying about that if you've ordered french fries. I never understood the diet soda/water with a fattening meal mentality. Now the star of these french fries is that damn tomato aioli. It was the best dipping sauce that has ever been paired with fries and that is including fry places like pomme frittes in NYC. As someone who buys their bbq sauce, hot sauce, and ketchup by the gallon, I did not use any of these condiments once with my meal. (Though I do admit to dipping the 3am burger into the tomato aioli, and it was just as good as it sounded) Alright, now for the rest of the review... Atmosphere is great. Love the Vox speakers, trendy light bulbs, workers in mechanic shirts, schlitz lights, and various car/bike flare hanging on the walls without being obnoxious. It was definitely designed by a hipster, but many people have to just wave the flag and come to grips that if you can't beat em, join em. There is an odd smell in the small waiting room, which unfortunately many people will have to use as there is usually an obnoxious wait. Before I had the 3am burger I said I wouldn't ever wait over 45 minutes for their food, but I take that statement back now. The beer selection is great and they make decent cocktails. I love how they have the cheap beer "lawnmower beer." As it encourages me to not watch my wallet when I order my food. "Hm, rather than have the craft beer, I'll order a hi life and then upgrade to onion rings" They also have adult milkshakes, but these things really aren't my bag. I still haven't learned how to pace myself so I can enjoy the adult milkshake, that's my problem. The Negatives would be... The long wait, but it's hard to blame them for being popular. Their Mac and Cheese is overrated. They need to cool it on the bechamel sauce. It is how the french give a nice rich flavor, but the nutmeg in it completely over powers this Mac and Cheese. It's okay, but you may find yourself put off by the bechamel. Their pizza is also just okay. I'm a really tough critic of pizza. I've had various toppings and I do enjoy it, but it doesn't wow me. I have high standards being from NY. The crust is perfectly cooked with a nice black on the bottom. The sauce is decent, but I prefer it to be a little more robust and flavorful. Be careful on your cheese selection too because if you don't choose the basic cheese option it will have this overwhelming vomit esque flavor. I make much better pizza than this in my oven; therefore, I would never order it again. If you are coming for these two things (which a lot of people do) then you will find yourself waiting in line, by the time you get your food you'll have set high expectations and it will fall far short. Go to pizzeria biga, much better. I assume a lot of people have already made a joke about the parking situation and the fact the restaurant is aptly named after a "garage;" therefore, I will refrain from being a spoke on the wheel in that regard. Parking really isn't that bad though, there is a street where you can really piss of the neighbors by stealing their parking. They complain about it and say there is garbage/liter. While I bet is upsetting to have your spots constantly nabbed, the clientele coming isn't really of the variety which would liter. In closing, stick to what this place does well and it is a homerun and totally worth the time you will have to wait. It's got a great atmosphere, great food, great drinks... that's a recipe for success.
(5)
Kelli S.
Usually when a place is hyped up, you're stressed about the parking situation, the long waits, and the near-impossibleness of being able to enjoy a beer while you wait for a table. (And yeah, okay, the douchey hipsters that probably frequent AND work at the joint.) Not the case at Vinsetta Garage! We arrived last night around 6:45 and were greeted by friendly valet service. Don't have to even attempt to park our car in a busy lot? Sweet! There was only a 45-minute wait (which to us, seemed more than fair given that it was a Friday night) and were able to find a little cove to stand in where we could hang and drink a yummy brew (decent beer list, by the way). And the food was PHENOMENAL! The burgers were cooked perfectly, seasoned well, and had the best topping combinations (bacon jam? Yum!). One of my favorite parts of the night was sharing the Faygo ice cream dessert (rock 'n' rye ice cream with pop rocks). It was refreshing and addictive! This place exceeds its hype (in a good way); and it's not pretentious or trying hard to be something it's not. Bravo, Vinsetta.
(4)
Andrew M.
Excellent food. I keep trying something new every time I come back without disappointment. There is almost always a wait, although the wait times typically given seem exaggerated. Interesting interior/atmosphere and noise levels run pretty high
(5)
Jeni H.
Oh my god, amazing food. The interior is just insanely creative. Definitely one of my favorites
(5)
Kyle W.
Was in town for a business trip. Glad we decided to stop by this awesome place! Great staff, friendly as can be. The food was fantastic. I enjoyed a nice burger with some of their mac and cheese, which was some of the best I've ever had. Don't forget to enjoy the great music selection while dining as well!
(5)
Randy G.
Since my original update, the largest change to their menu has been eliminating the "build your own..." burger, pasta, etc... Finally they got the point that I'm not an expert on what compliments each element perfectly. Now you can get what they recommend and it's worth it. The duck burger and the lamb burger are two that you should not pass up. The duck burger goes the sweet route with a cherry compote and not overly greasy that duck usually has. The lam burger on the other hand is more savory. Both are fantastic to try. I love the improvement to their menu.
(4)
Mike M.
I know everyone loves this restaurant, but I have to disagree. It's an old, filthy auto mechanic garage that they converted into a restaurant, and everyone thinks it's "hip". I just think it's filthy. Food was overpriced and not that great. My wife had a veggie burger that she said was the worst she's ever had. The garlic fries were awesome. Decor is unique for sure but an old garage is not my first choice to house a restaurant.
(3)
Russ H.
I've been here a few times now. Each time I have left satisfied! First off, the decor and appearance of the place is pure genius. I live right near here. Vinsetta Garage was a llandmark on Woodward for decades, with it's classic 50's style building. When it closed and was bought people were sad, thinking it was about to be torn down for another office buiding or such. Instead it got a facelift and was turned into a restaurant. This was good, as it kept a charming piece of Woodward alive. When they kept the name Vinsetta Garage and went with a retro auto shop decor, it was wonderful. A lot of the old equipment on display as decor was actually from the original garage. They really pulled it off. It looks like an old, worn garage, without seeming greasy or dirty. The food is worth the trip. Great pasta dishes, pretty good burgers with a killer pretzel bun, and mac & cheese to die for. And the portions are big! I thought it was pricey at first until I saw the size of the portions. Good bar and bar service as well. Dirks are balanced and done well. Staff is always friendly and attentive. When it first opened you could not get near the place with the crowd. It has pulled back some now that the new-place glow is gone, but I am gratified to still see a nice crowd for lunch and dinner. I was there last week and everything is still at the level they set. If I had to criticize one thing? This is not a place to go if you are looking for something 'light'. I love the food but it is heavy! That does not bother me though. I know what I am getting when I am here. Hopefully Vinsetta Garage will be here for a long time to come. The owners, Curt Catallo and wife Ann Stevenson, own two other local restaurants (also very good), and are partnered with AutoWeek published KC Crain. For those who like to support locally owned business, you can't get more local than this.
(4)
John K.
I live in Berkley and have seen the greatness of this place and felt the crap storm of the neighborhood. I even got a flat tire from ass hats breaking glass in the street. All I know is that this place is awesome but if I lived near here, I would be pissed about all the hipster tools and yuppie pole smokers driving and parking like complete douche nozzles. There has been a Big dust up over an expanded parking lot with the Berkley brethren that went south as far as I know.... That being said, our whole family loves this place, happy to have it in Berkley. I thought the design was brilliant. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall when they were designing the place....what to keep, what to update,etc. that old school gas station must have been a true designers turgid dream. I think the estimates/numbers penciled on the gas station/body shop from years ago really takes the cake....well maybe the "yeti bowl" takes it as well.....couldn't even talk, just put my face in that $#!+ and growled like a crazy banshee till there was no more. This is another installment of the Clarkston based Wood shop so you can expect the same wicked mac and cheese(totally endorsed by Bob (you dicks who are not from Detroit City call him, Kid Rock) on Food TV, smoked meats (you can see the cats out back with the smoker), great burgers and inventive desserts. Servers get to dress like hipsters as well....nice I HIGHLY recommend visiting early or during off hours, the wait here can really suck a monster dong.
(4)
Brooke S.
I LOVE IT HERE! Totally worth the wait and sure it may be a little loud , but i love it because i can't hear the shrieking of my kids wanting more milkshakes and pop rock ice cream. best burgers , tikka fies are amazing! Great beer selection , good music!
(5)
Corinne T.
I've been to Vinsetta dozens of times. Luckily, my boyfriend lives around the corner so we usually run up and put our name in and head back to his place - because let's face it, that wait can be brutal. However, if you are brave enough to stick it out, Vinsetta does not disappoint. No matter what I'm ordering for my meal, I always start with the Disco Fries. The whole grain mustard gravy adds a nice taste to traditional poutine. With the toppings, the fries can get soggy, so I always ask for mine well done. It's a game changer. If you are bold - definitely try the Lamburger or Duck Burger. They are two of the best burgers on the menu and typically when I ask the server for a suggestion, they reply with one of those two. The Noodle Burger is also AMAZING. Not sure what prompted me to try it (not usually my style), but I'm so glad I did. The best part? It's easy to take home and tastes just as good re-heated. The only meal I had that I didn't love was the Sire Shakes' Coney Pie. It wasn't my choice and I don't think I'll ever eat hot dogs on pizza again. Two of my favorite foods - not great when put together. Make sure to try the seasonal quinoa salad as a side. It's tempting to always get the mac n cheese, but this light side dish with grilled veggies is too good to pass up. It also wouldn't be a trip to Vinsetta without ending the trip with either Faygo Ice Cream or one of their many milkshakes!
(4)
Adela B.
I was so excited to try Vinsetta Garage, as I had heard so many encouraging things about the menu. We ordered disco fries, a regular cheeseburger, a duck burger, a side of macaroni and cheese and a banana pudding. Overall, I am not in a rush to come back. Something about the food was just too much for me. Here are my impressions regarding the different menu items we ordered: Disco Fries: Although the fries looked promising, I found that the fries were not salty enough and even with the gravy and cheese, I found myself dunking the fries in ketchup and dousing them with salt for flavor. I do not salt my food to excess at all, so I found it disheartening to have to do this with something already covered in cheese, gravy and green onions. Cheeseburger: The burger was pretty tasty. It was sloppy, melty and served very hot. This was probably the best thing I ate there but there was a sauce on the burger that had horseradish and it wasn't the best compliment to a rich, traditional cheeseburger in my opinion. Duck Burger: This burger was ordered medium well and came to the table with a soft, pink interior. I ended up trading with my dining partner because I can handle more undercooked meat, but this was definitely medium rare. The sauces on the burger were a little sweet but I could see the flavor profile they were going for. Something about this burger just didn't work, even though I like duck. Macaroni and Cheese: Macaroni and cheese is supposed to be greasy, cheesy and rich. This macaroni and cheese definitely fits the bill. I enjoyed the flavor but found it to be just a little heavy for my taste. For true macaroni and cheese connoisseurs, I think you would be pleased with the flavor, texture and crunch of the dish baked with a crispy gratin top. Banana Pudding: The banana pudding was served very cold and had no hint of refrigerator flavor, which was excellent. It was pretty tasty and you could tell that real bananas were the number one ingredient. After a few disappointments during the meal, I was glad that I finished up with something that was tasty, although not exactly mind-blowingly amazing. Overall, I definitely would not wait in the massive lines I have seen for this establishment. We were fortunate in that we came at a low time and were seated instantly and the food came pretty quickly. I would probably only give this place another try if someone else was footing the bill.
(2)
Robyn C.
Good Food. Customer service lacking. Knowledge ok of menu and drink list. Not enough seating.
(4)
Mickie S.
The Faygo Rock N Rye Ice Cream with Pop Rocks is to die for!!! I felt like I was in a time warp and old memory of the days when we used to go up to the Faygo store on Dequindre & 9 mile and pick out our glass bottles of Faygo Rock N' Rye & my other favorite Cream Soda. Ahhh. Vinsetta Garage made this Faygo Rock N' Rye Ice Cream PERFECT!!! You must try it and if for SOME reason you don't like it (I don't think that will happen) then call me up and I'll finish it for you! ; ) It's so yummy!!!
(5)
Victor T.
The food is great and so is the beer! Good selection. I really like there Burgers. It's clean and friendly.
(5)
Nicholas S.
I eat here a couple times a month, and I have yet to find anything on the menu that doesn't make me weak in the knees. I try something different on the menu every time I go there. My Girlfriend doesn't like going to eat here with me because the whole time we are eating, my eyes are rolling into the back of my head and I am moaning because the food is sooooo damn good. If you are going for dinner and drinks, you are probably going to have to wait for a table. The wait can be anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the time you go but it is well worth it. If you decide to wait, go to the bar and order a specialty drink from a bartender with combed over hair and hipster glasses. His name is Kip, and his specialty cocktails (Manhattan) will require you to change your underwear. Everyone complains about parking, but they have a free valet service and you can just throw the guys a $5 spot when you leave. If you have a nice car, definitely valet it because the guys will park it right out front, and every girl in the place will eye F**K you when you are leaving the restaurant. If you have a peanut allergy or gluten allergy, you are in good hands at Vinsetta Garage. To give this place less than 5 stars would be crazy. I plan on looking up everyone who gave less than 5 stars, and slapping them in the face. Cappppssssh!
(5)
Kimberly D.
Unique, lively atmosphere. As the previous reviews state this was an old service station renovated into a restaurant. They kept the vintage look and feel. Came here for lunch in the mid afternoon so it was pretty empty. Our waitress was very efficient and friendly. She recommended several of the popular dishes. I had the lamburger and it was good. Had beets, feta cheese, red onions, and a deep fried chili pepper on top. I got my burger cooked medium and it was a little more like medium rare but that's okay. I'd rather have my meat on the rare side than overdone. It came with homemade potato chips and a French onion dip. Both were very good. My mother got the Vinsetta burger on a pretzel bun with their homemade onion rings. She enjoyed her burger and onion rings very much. Didn't have a chance to drink here as it was early in the day but the bar area looked fun. Loved the bar chairs. The food was above average, not the best I've ever had, but definitely more than adequate. I'd come back here for the nostalgic ambience and a cocktail.
(4)
SayItStraight M.
I have to admit that the food was pretty good however pricey. I would prefer to pay less money and get less food - I don't really want to keep leftovers. I'm not convinced that the one and a half hour wait was really worth it. Our waiter seemed like an extremely disinterested hipster who couldn't get his act together. You would think that he would want to be more attentive and get us drinks and not make us wait 10 minutes to get any since that would increase the price of our bill and earned him more tip! The long waits are probably because they let people sit there well beyond dinner and have drinks for hours. Unless I plan to go at an off time where I don't have to wait I can't see myself going there again and waiting that long. I'm only giving them four stars because I know they are affiliated with the Clarkston Union and I really like that place!
(4)
Kent M.
Interesting presentation. This is obviously an old service station, probably even a dealership. At the corner, you can tell where the filling pumps used to be - now set up for outside dining in warmer weather. The front entrance is where the cash register and waiting room were - now a hostess reception station and waiting area. Step back into the dining area - old shop service areas and front show room. The menu was adequate - I ordered pizza with cheese curds as an appetizer. The food was fine, service was great. As was to be expected, it was busy on a Sunday afternoon. I was able to park in the alley directly in back. I'm not too much into crowds, so when I return, it will probably be on a weekday when they aren't so busy.
(4)
Candice K.
Vinsetta is great if you're able to find a table as they always seem to be busy, and I mean always. Very rarely have I come in there and I didn't have to wait. Be sure to call ahead before you go to see how long of a wait there is, also you cannot make reservations or call ahead. The place itself is really neat, don't we all just want to eat in a garage every once in awhile?? I've had the mac and cheese, and lots of their burgers. I really appreciate things like the mushrooms that taste like bacon (apparently a lot of things can be made to taste like bacon these days) and their homemade veggie burgers. There are so many signature dishes there. As much as I appreciate homemade stuff that is different than the rest, this place is really overrated. Its nothing i crave. Its more of a "oh redcoat is stupid busy and I don't want peiwei or pasquales so lets just wait at vinsetta." Yeah that was kinda rude, but its how I feel. If you have yet to go, try it yourself. Don't take my word or any other yelpers words for it. The food is good and I found the service to be pretty good too.
(3)
Sir Poop A.
Always decent selection of food, but the wait to get a table in unreal. And usually never seating at the bar. Maybe they need to expand, but better you go at off hours or don't mind waiting 45 min.
(4)
Michele A.
Love the historic setting. They did a great job keeping with the vintage theme. The food is good however service is slow and wait times are long. I had a pasta which was ok nothing to holler about, however the shake was amazing! Love the adult milk shakes they taste like heaven. The cheese curds were also tasty. The wine list is not to bad, they have some good wines from my home state CA which I enjoy and am happy to see that they serve them. Also portions are large so sharing or leftovers is a given.
(4)
Tina B.
Love Vinsetta's. I can always count on a good time at this restaurant. Whenever I have friends or family asking for a suggestion this is the first place I recommend. Delicious food and very cool hang-out. I recommend any of the burgers and the spicy cocktail (cannot remember the name but the bartender will know).
(5)
Kori Y.
Great Fun place, but be prepared to wait. Excellent Burgers, and fun topping choices. Pizzas always look good but I've yet to try one.
(4)
Christina L.
We stopped by here for a late lunch last Friday; and we weren't disappointed. I enjoyed a halfway decent bloody mary, and devoured 2/3 of a delicious Pineapple & Tasso Pizza Pie. I liked the little spicy kick along with the tasty bits of ham and pineapple; like a fancy Hawaiian pizza. I asked for extra sauce, and it was perfect for me, since I like things saucy! One pizza is probably sufficient for two not starving people that ordered and shared an appetizer, or one pizza would be a good appetizer to split between 3-5 folks along with other appetizers. Our waitress was attentive and provided excellent service. I imagine if I lived in the area, I would be there often.
(4)
Molida K.
I was here last night, Monday at 7:30pm for a birthday dinner for a friend. I could not believe how insanely busy this place was. It took us until 9 o'clock to get a table. Granted we had 10 people in our party, but still 1 and a half hours, on a Monday night at that. At least you could pass the time up by getting sloshed from drinks at the bar, but good luck trying to find a seat. We ended up placing our drink orders and someone brought it to us outside. After we were seated, I was immediately drawn to ordering the Duck Burger with a side of onion rings and The Low Rider drink. Hubby ordered the Chop Shop Salad and a side of Union Mac for kicks. I also could not pass up the Faygo Rock 'n Rye ice cream dessert with pop rocks. Even though it took forever for us to be seated, the food came out quickly and very hot! The Duck Burger is on the sweet side, covered in cherry compote, cheese, and caramelized onions on a pretzel bun. However, it was cooked perfectly. Just a tad pink in the middle. I did not detect any gaminess or greasiness at all which is amazing for duck meat. The onion rings were perfectly fried and the tomato aioli was delicious. Hubby's salad was huge, fresh, and also delicious. The Union Mac was good, but I wasn't floored by the taste. The Low Rider drink was perfect, not too sweet, but plenty of lime and cucumber flavor, and slowly built up a buzz. The Faygo ice cream was on point! Creamy, flavorful, and fun with crackling pop rocks. All in all, we had a lot of fun (probably because we were buzzed/drunk) and had great service. Also, kudos to complimentary valet but don't forget to tip! Or you can be like me and park on the side street and walk :-)
(4)
Falon K.
Perfect summer spot! The atmosphere is amazing and I love the openness. The food was spectacular. We had the pesto pizza which at first I didn't think I would like but I really enjoyed it. We ordered the tikka fries as an appetizer which was phenomenal. The Mac and cheese was up against stiff competition being that I get a side of Mac and cheese everywhere I go but it definitely held it's own. The prices were extremely reasonable for quality food. The only problem I have with vinsetta garage is the parking. It's almost like you're forced to valet. Overall, I would go back because I want to try everything!
(5)
LaLenia G.
It was a really cool place with cool drinks. Much like the Woodshop, Fenton fire hall & Clarkston Union. Some different food items from the others but close to the same. Out of all I like Fenton fire hall best then here second. I had the Mac n cheese w/ hamburger...it was ok. I tried the hot dog wrapped in bacon and deep fried- yeah that was good! The pasta bowl was really good, very flavorful and tasted fresh. The fried cheese curd appetizer was the best. The Faygo Rock & Rye ice cream with pop rocks was fantastic. I would have tried the Macon bacon burger but my husband scarfed it down too fast, he loved it.
(4)
Geoffrey C.
This place is fantastic! Have gone here four times in the last couple months - all during lunch - and I'm sure it would be more if I lived closer. Here's what I've had and it's *all* been delicious: - Tikka Fries - just the right fry-to-chicken-to-sauce ratio and flavors are spot on. - The 3 A.M. burger - outstanding...best burger with an egg on it I've had. Love the Sriracha mayo. - The Duck Burger - nice! - Macon Bacon Burger - yum - The Sy Ginsberg Press - while not my favorite from the burger/sandwich menu, it was still very good. Really liked the pickled chilis and the multigrain bread. - Onion rings - I've had better - Broccolini - YES! only thing I've had twice here (there's obviously some nutritional value, but it also has a lot of butter and oil) - House-made potato chips - pretty good house-made chips - S'more Trio - these were okay...a big hit with my 3-year-old - Banoffee Pudding - also okay I also tried a bite of my wife's EV1 vegan "burger" - it was delicious. And she swears by the key lime pie-in-a-jar (it's not on the menu but ask in the spring/summer months). Of the burgers/sandwiches I had, this is how I would rank them: 1. The 3 A.M. burger 2. The Duck Burger 3. Macon Bacon Burger 4. The Sy Ginsberg Press I'm looking forward to future visits and trying the pizza, lamburger, yeti dog, etc.!
(5)
Erica E.
HELL YES!!!!! For my first visit to Detroit, my hosts decided to take me to Vinsetta Garage to enjoy the awesomely legit environment of a converted garage. The food is pretty classic American style- with burgers, pizzas and gluttonous side dishes including on of the best sides of macaroni and cheese I have had the pleasure of eating! I got the 3AM burger and let me just say that I will admit to eating half of it at the restaurant, along with the famed mac and cheese but I will NOT admit to devouring the other half of the burger when I got back to my hotel room. They had a great selection of beer, actual (not fake) candles that were lit (I don't know why that's cool, it just is), good service and a bathroom floor that is covered in HEAD'S UP pennies. R-A-D, rad.
(5)
Kooky M.
My husband and I had a meal here recently. I got the flank steak and quinoa salad. It was absolutely delicious. The flank steak was cooked perfectly, and I loved how balanced the salad was. I have no complaint about the food at all. Our wait person was fantastic. I have no complaint about her either. She was friendly and attentive. The only thing I did not like about the experience was how noisy the restaurant was. My preference is always to be able to talk at a comfortable speaking level and be heard. I had to shout to my husband, who was across the table from me, and he still missed a quarter of what I said. So, for that reason, and that reason ONLY, I highly doubt we'll be back. It's a shame too, because like I said, the food really was delicious.
(4)
Vic N.
Vinsetta Garage is a fantastic place to hang out with your friends and watch a game, or eat comfort food with a kick! The garage itself has been preserved, hence it looks like you are walking into an old fountain and burger shop from the 1950's. Every server that I have met has been very nice and knowledgeable about the drinks and food! I have never turned down a great recommendation from a waiter, and their recommendations have been top notch! You can't go wrong with anything on the menu! Vinsetta's burgers are some of the best in Michigan! Fresh buns, fantastic homemade sauces made from scratch (just for the burgers), and of course, a burger that is grilled to absolute perfection! My recommendation? Try the 3 a.m. burger. The smoked bacon, onion straws, egg, and siracha mayo go together like a symphony in your mouth! Just writing this review is making me crave a burger! If you want to take a step on the wild side, get their ground venison burger. It tastes much different, the testure is exceptionally coarser, however, the condiments provided compliment the burger quite well. The pizza here is off the hook too! Go for the loaded potato or the burger pie! These pizzas are baked to perfection and come out steaming hot! Other favorites that I enjoy include the tikka masala fries-An Indian chicken masala dish that is rich and creamy, smothered all over crispy French fries, and the char baked bread. Ordering the bread as an appetizer is a must! It comes with a rich buttery cream cheese that goes very well together with the bread. The only reason I have not given this place 5 stars is because of the very long wait in line (on weekends it can be up to 1 and 1/2 hours!), and the difficulty with parking. I recommend that you go valet if you are eating here on the weekend. If you can, try and stop by on a weekday to avoid the ridiculously long lines.
(4)
Thomas P.
What a spot! I just moved to Michigan last week, and was taken here by my roommate. We got there for lunch on a Saturday, and walked right in to a table in teh corner. First off, the decor is fantastic. It is a converted garage, with great auto-themed art and naked rafters etc. The ambiance is great for what it is, a gastropub in Detriot. We sat down and had a very attentive waiter take our drink orders immediately. The beer list is fantastic, I had a Coronado IPA from my hometown in San Diego, and it was great. There is a large selection of local beers too, as well as adult milkshakes that looked fantastic. Everyone ordered sandwiches, I ordered the Macon burger, which I feel is a must have. It has two types of bacon, a thinner crispier type, and a larger type that is more like a slice of ham, with bacon jam (fantastic) and cheese. It was amazing, I would definitely return and order it again. All the sandwiches came with house cooked potato chips on the side, a generous portion, which was nice because a good potato chip one of my favorite foods. The other burgers looked great as well, but I forget which ones they were. Sorry Yelp. In the end, it was great food. Not the cheapest spot, but I think great for a night out or lunch if you can afford it. The interior decor is fantastic, waiter was friendly, beer list extensive, and food was superb. Vinsetta was great.
(5)
Lauren B.
Wow, Vinsetta Garage, you are a great addition along the M-1 stretch of restaurants in Berkeley/Royal Oak. One quick note, you CANNOT eat on the patio :( First, the bad... When we arrived the hostesses did not seem very glad to be there and when we inquired about the patio she told us about the no eating rule, which was no bueno for us! So we said inside is fine somewhere close to the doors. They open those big garage doors so sitting next to those is the next best thing! Well, the place was pretty empty and she proceeded to lead us to a back table when I just said "um excuse me, could we please sit up by the front as requested?" no response, she literally huffed and turned around and led us to a 6 top and yes, we were only 4. Now, I would not have asked to do this if it were packed, but with only a handful of tables filled, mostly in the bar, I really couldn't understand. Even by the time we left there were still open tables throughout the place. Luckily for us, and you, that's where the bad ends! Queue our waiter, who was attentive, nice, and full of recommendations the entire time. The food hear is amazing and probably their standout is the pizza and burgers. We had the bread sticks, which were oh-so-yummy and served with an herbed cream cheese. For mains, my lamb burger was a home run, one of the best I've had and PERFECTLY cooked. Also, the burger pizza is a true stroke of genius. The reason for minus 1 star is for the initial hostess rudeness and because my onion rings were a hair shy of being nice and crispy. Otherwise, will be back and will be hungry for more!
(4)
Alexandra Z.
It was good but really heavy! I went with 3 people and we split the following: 3am Burger - has a spice kick to it and amazing! Lamb Burger - BEST EVER, getting this again. Ground lamb is good and Vinsetta makes it even better. Juicy, flavorful and cooked perfectly. Macon Bacon Burger - it's too much. I eat bacon almost every morning for breakfast. Our household loves bacon but it was an explosion in my mouth. Not a bad one but not one I want again. Deep Fried Cheese Curds - insane. Get them. Lightly battered. PERFECT DISH. Def go. Worth the experience. For these 3 meals and 2 beers we spent $85 with tip. Service - Great. Friendly.
(5)
Andrew C.
I've been here several times before. Stopped in for lunch; had the lamburger and farro hash, and a coffee. I got here just as it was opening, so I pretty much had the whole place to myself. The lamburger was delicious, but I ended up eating it with a knife and fork, because it was kinda big, and I didn't wanna end up festooned with beet juice and feta! The farro hash was hearty, and great - tasting! They serve their coffee by the pint, just like their beer, which is a plus. It's also surprisingly warm in here, given that it still has the old "concrete garage" feel to it.
(5)
Lori Z.
One of our favorite places...great food (mmmm...the burgers!), great drinks and great staff. There's often a wait, but it's worth it.
(5)
Lyndsi W.
Another top burger joint! All I'm gonna say is MACON BACON! Get it! A delicious gourmet style burger with some amazing toppings that will keep you thinking about this burger for some time to come. I first had a Macon Bacon slider at a street fest the WAB had put on in Ferndale. This was all they had left at the Vinsetta Garage booth due to huge popularity and once I tasted it I knew why everyone loved this place. It prompted me to go down to their location one night and have dinner. I love the darker relaxed environment and more recently my BF's mother stopped in here with friends and went on and on about her experience here. I really do think they have what it takes to keep things alive in the Metro D! Grab a beer and a burger and just enjoy the delicious food and relaxed environment here down by Detroit!
(5)
Tim K.
We stopped here after touring the Henry Ford museum. Great beer selection. Food was very good and filling.
(4)
Ricky M.
I actually stumbled across the place by getting lost looking for another resturant and thought this place looked really cool only to come find out that it has extremely good food and beer! I came here on a Weds. night and this place was packed! After an hour wait we finally got seated we ordered some Disco Fries and Wings to start and I have to say both were really good. Disco fries were a tad bit better either way you cant go wrong with either. For my main meal I got the 3am burger which I have to say might just be one of the best burgers I have ever had well at least in my top 5 for sure! If you haven't tried this place I highly recommend it!
(5)
Becki W.
We arrived in a Tuesday night around 6:30 and had no wait for our party of 4. Lauren our waitress was awesome and very attentive. We started the night with the disco fries. Good but very salty and had a little kick Which you may or may not like. The kids didn't seem to mind. My husband got the 3 a.m burger and I got the Vinsetta burger. Both were delicious but very messy. My son got the kids Mac and cheese which is just a smaller version of the adult Mac and cheese. It came with fresh apples or baby carrots and a pop. My daughter got the kids burger which was huge for a kids size. They both devoured their meals. We split the Fargo Pop rocks ice cream which was different but nothing too outrageous. I'd go here again.
(4)
Sara C.
Fun, casual atmosphere. Excellent service. Creative menu with lots of options for veg. and GF. The most notable part of our meal was dessert: house-made liquid nitrogen churned Faygo Rock N' Rye ice cream dusted with Pop Rocks! WOW. :)
(4)
T W.
Can switch out pasta for kale so that's a win for me. Although there are plenty of greasers that still allows husband to enjoy as well (lamb burger - go light on stinky cheese). Onion rings pretty average. Wait time can be ridiculously long though on Fri/Sat night, not quiet worth the wait.
(3)
Stephanie C.
Love the atmosphere! Their gluten-free pizza is amazing :)
(5)
Allan R.
Awesome dining experience! Top beer selection. Burger was huge and flavorful. I appreciated the classic decor. Coming back again!
(5)
Jason M.
While certainly a decent choice for an evening out, the consistent, long wait times combined with culinary shortfalls make Vinsetta Garage a little too much work to make the trip worthwhile. The draft beer selection is probably the high point, having a solid 15 or so tap options, many of which are local selections. What's unfortunate is there's no description beyond the name, so when you have such obscure nano brews it's hard to determine what the best fit is for what you want. Surely you aren't going to ask your cocktail waitress what each beer is like. Because the waits are so long (our hosts hadn't heard of a wait less than 45 minutes - ours was 50 and we arrived at 5pm for the early bird dinner), there's a bar waitress dedicated to serving drinks. That's nice but might benefit from having drink menus circulating in the waiting areas. As a first timer, I had no idea what the specialty cocktail menu or beer selection was. And now the main course. Our waitress talked me into the Macon Bacon burger, which she said was on the Food Network and is their most popular burger. I ordered it medium-rare and it came sinfully well-done. That ruined the experienced from then on out. Heck, I ordered med-rare at Max and Erma's a weekend ago and to my surprise it actually arrived cooked properly. And this place specializes in burgers? Level of doneness is the absolute MOST basic thing to get right. And it's not like it arrived medium. Or medium well. It was charred, chewy beef all the way through. So I really feel like I can't comment on the burger fairly, as it did not taste good being cooked that badly. It was really drippy with some sort of black sauce that wasn't on the menu. My wife's duck burger was the same way. Not sure what it was but it kept our hands very wet. The 8oz burgers also all come with a side of chips (or a small cost for an upgrade to a premium side) and a very trendy pretzel bun, which I prefer trendy or not. For the sides, my wife and I both upgraded to Mac n Cheese and Onion Rings, respectively. The Rings were really good. Not breaded so a little lighter and leave you wanting more than the 5-6 they give you. My wife got the mac and cheese which was absolutely terrible. She took 1 bite, I took 1 bite and that was all it was touched before the waitress took it away. The cheese sauce was soupy and diluted, as if they were trying to hard and messed it all up. If you've ever had mac and cheese at a soul food restaurant, that's probably the best you're gunna get. But I've had stuff from a box (or as a side at Boston Market) that was better than this - and that's supposed to be one of their most demanded items? We didn't get why. We also had dessert, with myself getting pumpkin cheesecake and my wife the sea salt and caramel homemade ice cream. The waitress described the latter as custard, but it surely wasn't. My wife and I both agreed that it was heavily over-salted. To me, I couldn't taste any caramel at all. Just like licking a frozen salt block. My pumpkin cheesecake was better, though being served in a mason jar sacrificed delivery for cuteness, as the pie crust built up a little too high on the bottom ruining that cheesecake-to-crust ratio in each bite. Otherwise it had a good taste and I'd recommend giving it a try. In short, Vinsetta Garage is decent, but as a burger joint doesn't set itself apart from most others in the area. It's a loud restaurant with forgettable cuisine. The large wait and lack of reservations is the nail in the coffin that makes this place fall flat and likely become an establishment I'll never visit again.
(3)
Jeffrey B.
I can't believe it took me as long as it did to get here, and now I can't wait to go back. This was probably the best dinner I have had in Royal Oak in a long while, if not ever. Actually, wait, this is Berkley? Who's counting? Vinsetta Garage has been open now for a year? Maybe more? And surrounded with buzz and hype and I can now attest to all the high praise. For years I drove past VG when it was a garage. Who would have thought it would become a source of edible amazement? Tuesday night Michelle M. and Madelyn S. and I ventured to VG for a later night dinner. We were able to park on the street avoiding valet parking--I secretly hate valet parking--and walked right in and were sat at a central table. The staff was very courteous and friendly, and my friend Stacey H. who manages VG even stopped by to greet us and offer her recommendations. All of the beer on draught ware from Michigan and were wildly varied. I decided on the Empress Catherine from Short's because it has a great name. As for the eats, Madelyn and Michelle started with the Chicken Tikka Masala fries as a starter, which marries the greatness of fresh crispy french fries with the exotic magic that is Indian food. I did eat a few of the fries on the periphery that were sans chicken and I can say I wanted more. For dinner I ordered the Loaded Baked Potato Pizza (garlic butter, smoked cheddar, cheese blend, redskin potatoes, shiitake bacon--which was beyond heavenly to this vegetarian--, chives, and served with sour cream. I also added McClure's pickles because it just sounded like a quirky addition. This pizza was so good. So, so good. I ate almost all of it--and we're talking a 12" pizza. I would definitely order it again--perhaps with even more additional toppings. For the curious, the pickle totally worked. Michelle and Maddy split the Vinsetta Burger as well as the macaroni and cheese and broccolini. The mac and cheese was a little heavy on the nutmeg but was so comforting and creamy. The broccolini could have been cooked maybe a tad longer, but it even so, it was fresh and spicy, and hell, it's broccolini! For dessert, I resisted the urge for the pumpkin cheesecake and instead we split the Banoffee Pudding and the Malted Molten Lava Cake. Both were exceptional. The Lava Cake was served with homemade vanilla ice cream and Cap'n Crunch--I suggested they try it with PB Cap'n, or perhaps a sampler of original, PB, and Brunch Berries--but I may just be easily excited by a man in uniform. The Banoffee Pudding I found delightful, which really surprised me since I'm not one to be enthusiastic about anything banana flavored. I really cannot think of a better place for a date, though probably on a week night since I think there's still a huge wait on the weekend. The ambiance is fun and retro but modern with the original floors and Edison light bulb accents. There's even a group room in the back for bigger parties. Side note: I think we need a UYE in that back room so I can have another meeting with shiitake bacon. Stacey said we could make that happen. Go here. Eat it all. Be happy.
(5)
Matthew C.
Some of the best food and atmosphere in Metro Detroit. Absolutely delicious, with unique combinations of ingredients and great attentive service.
(5)
Patrick A.
The place looks like an old style mechanic's garage from the 50's on the outside, and has a similar look on the inside. As soon as you walk in, you're greeted by a hostess in a small entrance area. You'll likely have to wait a while for a table, so they have a small seating area, or you can venture outside to hang with friends. Once seated, the servers are attentive and quick. They have specials that are described in detail, and a full daily menu with plenty of great choices. The pasta bowls are great options, and vary widely in taste from one to another. The pizza is made on site in a brick oven and is amazing (so I'm told; I've never actually tried one!). This is a great lunch spot or a nice place for a casual sit-down dinner. Again, expect to wait to be seated! They also won't take reservations or offer call-ahead seating. All in all, great little place to come for a meal with friends. Enjoy!
(5)
Ceaser D.
Food is always on point here! I'm a big fan of their burgers, they are juicy and cooked to perfection. Best onion rings I've ever had, the Mac 'n cheese rivals my great Aunt's and I can't help but get a milkshake every time I visit. Cool place, a favorite of me and the Mrs's.
(5)
Dan W.
Food is halfway decent, I don't necessarily think that everything here is to die for. However the staff is just so damn arrogant its incredible. I've been here a few times and every hostess I've dealt with is rude. I asked for ranch dressing on a salad and you would have thought by the reaction that I insulted the waitress. "Um we don't have ranch because we can't make it ourselves". A simple "I'm sorry we don't have ranch" would have been sufficient.
(3)
Dee L.
Great place to eat with a wide variety of options both for food and beverages. I was impressed with almost everything that came from the kitchen as I sat at the bar and drink a Michigan craft brew! I will be back.
(4)
Rebecca B.
Went there again today for lunch - still a solid four stars. This time I had a "burger" that came with diaya cheese, crispy chips and a quinoa salad. I really like that they have vegan options. And they are good vegan options. I don't know if the kitchen is vegan (like how some people don't want them to use the same spatula EVER) but I think if you want to eat out and are vegan, you need to be a little flexible. Overall fairly good.
(4)
Sarah P.
I went here with my father and we had a blast. The entire restaurant is designed so well and it's a really good environment. My father ordered some sort of noodles and I ordered the Chili Rubbed Flank Steak. The dry rub on the steak was quite delicious, but the cut was not. I have never had flank steak before, so I was quite surprised when the steak had the texture of pork. For dessert, ee ordered the faygo ice cream as well as the chocolate cake and were quite pleased with it. The pop rocks on the ice cream was pretty fun. The beer selection is good, but I was surprised that there was not more. As well as that, their cocktail house recipes were quite limited. Even though I did not enjoy the main meal too much, I was still severely impressed with Vinsetta Garage and will go back if the opportunity arises.
(4)
Andi O.
Five stars for the food, and one star for the service. We brought guests visiting from out of town to Vinsetta, and we all loved our burgers and side cars of mac n cheese. However our service was non-existant. Our server was was very short with us when we asked a couple of questions. We ordered a round of drinks and waters. She took our dinner order when she dropped off the drinks (but no water) and never came back. We were finished with our drinks before the food came out. A food runner dropped off our entrees, but our server never came back to see if everything was okay or to check on beverages. She disappeared. We ended up joking with the table next to us because they were experiencing the same thing. It's a shame, because fantastic food will only get you so far.
(3)
Cookie W.
Unique atmosphere. Some community tables. Generous portions. Friendly, Happy Servers. Good Food. Only once did I order something I did not are for - the Lamb Burger. Doesn't mean it wasn't good, just not to my taste. Worth the short wait for a popular place.
(4)
Jared W.
The food was fantastic and unique which is something that is hard to find in the age of chain restaurants. The wait was two hours yet the staff was friendly, accommodating, and efficient. We drove to the mall to get some shopping done then returned with only 30 min left to wait. The restaurant is in a converted auto garage so the environment was refreshingly different as well. Finally the prices were fantastic for the level of service and quality of the food. I will definitely be back here as soon as possible.
(5)
Kara B.
Great restaurant with unique food. Loved decor and check out the bathroom floor. A must visit!
(5)
Andrea C.
We are big fans of Vinsetta garage! From the decor to the amazing food- we love it all. We usually come for lunch (followed by a food nap)- but last night was the first time we tried it for dinner. We got in around 530, they had free (tips accepted) valet parking (a first I've seen? Not sure if this is dinner only or a trial thing?) it worked out since finding parking can be troublesome. Our server was friendly and quick to keep our drinks full. We ordered the disco fries to start- which are very much like a Canadian poutine, cheese curds and all. The chili peppers give it the disco kick, loved it! We both ordered the 3am burger, the pretzel bun looks delicious- I get mine gluten free, and I will say- they have the best gluten free buns. (The first time I ordered extra buns to take home). We never have room for dessert - I always have leftovers. We love this place!
(4)
Mike B.
Great atmosphere. My first pizza was burned, I was suprised the waitress even brought it out to us. She did return it for one that wasn't burned after I complained. So service was pretty good, just not proactive on this visit. The 2nd pizza and cheese curds were outstanding! We will be back!
(5)
Sarah C.
I have been wanting to try this place for a couple of months now. I showed my bf the yelp reviews and we were both super excited to try this place out. We came here Sunday after Thanksgiving and came shortly after they opened at 11am. They have their own little parking lot and also some more parking in the back. I love how invested they were into their garage theme decor. We loved it. We were seated promptly. There were a couple other parties there when we arrived. Our waiter came and took our orders pretty fast and I thought he did a great job and was very friendly. Another thing I liked about this place is that there are sinks outside of the bathrooms for you to wash your hands. Love that. I ordered a pizza so I felt like I had to wash my hands before I started eating. My boyfriend ordered the Angus patty, Swiss, Woodshop MI maple bacon, topped with a fried egg & crispy fried onion strings, Sriracha mayo -- 12.95: He thought it was very good and was really full afterwards. He didn't think he would be. Side of Union Mac- We saw that this is a popular item so we got it. The side portion is still pretty big. I didn't really like it. I like slo's mac n cheese more. I got the Loaded Potato Pizza - It was huge! I think I ate three slices without eating the crust and my boyfriend ate one slice with two slices to go. This is probably a 2-3 person pizza. Came with cheese with garlic butter, potatoes, and these amazingly good fried onions with sour cream on the side. I enjoyed it! We got Faygo milkshake - not bad! I wouldn't mind coming again.
(4)
Louai S.
They have a decent burger patty, a decent Pizza, love the fried cheese curds and Faygo ice cream. Pastas and sauces really suck, salads need serious help, sides way more help. Some of the servers, need to get another profession. If it is raining, the place stinks like sewers, when I asked server why, he basically told me "well it used to be an auto repair shop you know". Can be awesome *****, has great down to earth atmosphere.
(3)
Tom R.
What a fun place with great food and beer. I have been there over 12 times on the last 6 months. The staff is friendly and if you are stuck on a beer, they can help. Burgers RULE - 3 AM, Duck and Macon Bacon just rule. The Mac and Cheese is excellent as are the pizzas. If you go on a weekend night, expect a wait (most nights actually), but it is worth the wait. CHEERS!!!
(4)
Maria E.
The Duck burger. It was a transcendent experience. Got it with a side of Mac and cheese and it was all amazing. The sweetness mixed with that juicy burger got me...and because we went Sunday early afternoon (during a snowstorm) there was none of the normal waiting. Just sublime.
(5)
Rich B.
They a run a great and unique place with Vinsetta Garage. From the Valet to the wait staff to the kitchen, I have never had a bad experience at Vinsetta. Over my various visits I have had the hot dogs, burgers, pizza and pasta. All of the food is top quality and delicious. Yes, the wait times can be a bit very long, and especially when you want to bring friends it's a bit of a letdown that they do not take reservations. But in the end that's all part of the experience. Time your arrival before or after the rush or just hang out and enjoy the view of Woodward sitting out front. Always a great place to go to!
(5)
Rebecca B.
I can't believe it took me so long to try this place! Pull your car right up front to the complimentary valet and step inside to this fabulously repurposed garage turned restaurant. We arrived around 4 on a Saturday hoping we'd miss the dinner crowd. Wrong!! This place was packed. We were immediately greeted by the hostess with a warm smile. She advised us that there would be a 45 minute wait, boo!! But we were determined to dine here, so we helped ourselves to the seating area in the back corner by the rest rooms. A waitress stopped by and was taking drink orders while patrons waited. Just before we gave our order, our table was ready, maybe an 8 minute wait! Woo hoo!! We were escorted to the exact opposite end of the restaurant to what I felt wasn't the greatest seat in the house, but I was over it after five minutes. What a menu! I'm going to have to come back here like at least ten more times to try all the goodies listed. They offer a huge variety of burgers, noodle casseroles, and salads. I opted for the duck burger. Having had duck before and liking it, the combo of fixins that top the duck sounded delish!! Cherry compote, gruyere on a pretzel bun? Yes, please!! My fabulous waitress advised that it is gamey, I still wanted it. I ordered a side of the mac and cheese, aka a crock of heaven!!! I was so pleased to hear that they have ginger beer and make Moscow Mules!! yummy!!!! So, I'll admit the duck was a bit gamey, but so glad to have tried it. I can't wait to try their pizza with the endless selection of toppings offered, including goat cheese!!! So, I advise you to save room for dessert...My mom ordered the salted caramel ice cream and was nice enough to offer me a taste.. highly recommend!! I chose the Faygo Rock and Rye nitrogen ice cream topped with pop rocks. I was afraid the pop rocks may interfere with the rock and rye, but no..it was amazing!! I am sooooooo getting this next time I visit.. Until next time...
(5)
Tyler K.
This place, among the rest of the owner's locations, is fantastic. Great place for good food and good drink. The detail into the restaurant's location and the selection of food is enough to bring you back to want to try everything while just flat out enjoying yourself and the company that you bring. If it is just two of you, put your name in and immediately head to the bar looking for a libation and an empty couple of seats...
(4)
Kamran B.
What: [Not to be confused with Vinsetta Grill down the road and managed by different owners.] Swank with grit, cool with chrome, and large but intimate. This literal garage joint oozes inviting with hip seating and polished tables. Imagine a 1950s aviation mechanic shop cleaned up with a top-shelf bar spirits and full-service late-night kitchen. Burgers, steaks, cocktails, and macaroni. Where: On Historic Woodward Avenue in Berkley. How: Smile at the hostess on your way in and walk straight to the bar. Order a Wild Turkey Bourbon on the rocks and a menu. When: This is hard to say, as they take no reservations like most Michigander joints. 9p gets an hour wait. Yelpers recommend 3p for short to no-wait times. Parking: Skip the mandatory valet, and park along the residential side street! Must: Although everyone advocates for the Union Mac N Cheese, 3a.m. or Macon Bacon Burger (all of which are fantastic-- pretzel buns!), I strongly recommend a medium-rare 8 ounce chili-rubbed flank steak with the vinegary quinoa salad sidecar. Appetizer: The peppered broccolini is the perfect texture of nutrition and deliciousness. For true taste-bud delight, try the Chicken Tikka Masala Fries. Cocktails: yes. #RajivRecommends80% #DetroitCity #FoodReview
(4)
Lauren C.
This place is beyond amazing. Their mac and cheese is to die for. A little pricey depending on what you get but so worth it. We went on a sunday at 1 pm no wait. I hate the parking tho
(4)
Jae K.
I'm gonna keep it simple. Get the chicken tikka masala fries
(5)
Keith B.
First time here and I was really digging the setup. Great place to entertain peeps from out of town EXCEPT its so loud you'll have to converse really loudly. As far as the eats, the onion rings and fries were the awesome but I made some less than favorable choices on the other selections. I had the veggie burger not a fan. It was cold and lacked flavor which was a shock because it came with fire roasted tomatoes and goat cheese (my fav). I also had the farro (spelling??) hash app NOT a fan. It also lacked flavor to me. My boy tasted it and said it wasn't bad BUT he could have done more with it.
(3)
Ray C.
First time to Vinsetta Garage on Woodward. It is a classic place set in an old vehicle garage and is really cool inside. Parking at lunch is tricky due to the lack of valet or any kind of a lot, but I know they are trying to address. There were 4 of us and we all tried something different from Detroit based coneys, turkey burger and 2 typed of burgers. We all enjoyed our food for sure and left very full. The places is noisy as it is an old garage after all with no acoustic treatment. Would go back for sure.
(4)
Frank A.
Had a lamb burger with goat cheese. Simply spectacular. Long wait but worth it. Good service good atmosphere. Great beer selection on drafts too.
(5)
James K.
My coworkers and I came up to this place for dinner. The atmosphere is really unique and different, but in a good way. You can tell right away that its going for a trendy vibe and it mostly works. Its a little dark in places which can make it hard to see the menus, but its not terrible. They do have some TVs higher up in the main room that will allow you to see a game, but I wouldn't recommend it. I had the bacon burger (I forgot the actual name on the menu) and it was excellent. A little great but otherwise great and I destroyed it pretty quickly. The fries were also really good. Overall even though its not my type of vibe I really enjoyed my food and would recommend this place to anyone.
(4)
Michael A.
I have been looking forward to eating here for months and it was worth the wait, started with the fried cheese curds as an appetizer , then I enjoyed the Duck Burger and my friend enjoyed the Lamb Burger, both were exceptional, we also enjoyed a side of the famous union Mac n cheese and. Side salad, for dessert we have the Faygo Rock n Rye ice cream topped with pop rocks and then also a chocolate molten cake served with vanilla ice cream atop crushed captain crunch
(5)
kevin g.
I can only assume the reason this place does not have 5 stars is that you have to wait for a long time to get in. For spectacular food and truly attentive service we did not mind the wait. (No reservations or call ahead) We arrived to a 1 hour and 45 minute wait since we had a big lunch and had anticipated it this was not a big deal. We had some drinks and enjoyed the atmosphere of the waiting area and the seriously well mixed tunes coming through the speakers.Did I mention the other 2 in my party were sound engineers? So them being impressed was a big thing. Once we did get in the place continued to set the bar high. I assumed in a trendy and busy place like this service would be OK but a bit stuck up. This was not the case at all, our server (Brandy - it was here 30th B-Day BTW) was sweet, funny, and very good with all of our questions. We settled on some more drinks from the bar and then commenced to studying the menu, 2 of us in the group had done our home work so we had some ideas of where to go but its always good to see whats on the tables around you. for the App course we went beer battered cheese curds, and the house-made chips with everything, including turkey, bacon, and beef. Both of them were awesome, the other mega foodie in the trio is originally from Wisconsin so if the curds were passing muster with him then you know they were good. The chips were perfectly fried and the stuff on them just made it all better; they held up to the massive load of goodies we heaped on them as well. For the main course I chose a build-your-own pizza with gluten free crust, house cheese blend, tomato sauce, gruyere, ribeye tips, caramelized onions, red peppers, and garlic. Other than I should have had them give it another minute in the oven (Gluten free crust always need a bit more heat) it was top notch and even with the slight moist crust it was still a mighty fine pizza GF or not. My dining mates ordered the duck burger ( a must have I'm told) and the Union Mac and Cheese which was not only huge but came with what appeared to be a small garden trowel to serve it. I did not personally taste is because of the noodles but it smelled awesome and the others raved. The dessert menu is diverse as well, they have "Grown Up Milkshakes" as well as frozen custards, regular milkshakes, and other sweet goodness. I had the salted caramel milkshake and the Banoffee Pudding (Banana and Toffee) I think one of the best parts about the place is the fact that even after all of that awesome food the bill was VERY reasonable, I think my portion came to $45, which given there were, apps, drinks, custom dishes, and desserts is in my opinion more than acceptable all day long. To sum up, if you are in a hurry don't go here but if you want to make a night of a culinary and pub experience with a great atmosphere, great service, and awesome value, then PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE go here. I hope that everyone has the same fabulous trip we did.
(5)
Krisitn M.
Five stars for the veggie burger. Seriously, best veggie burger ever. It makes me so sad that I live in CO and can't have this more often. I wasn't overly impressed with the loaded potato chips. Faygo ice cream was fun to try but more novelty than something worth ordering regularly. Didn't care for the s'more trio. It just didn't really work. The salted caramel custard is amazing.
(4)
Cathleen B.
really good, amazing atmosphere as well! I'm a vegetarian so they have lots of choices. so busy all the time, so I recommend going on a off day at off time. and get the sides, always a win!
(4)
Clark D.
Have tried to come here for a year, but my aversion to waiting in lines has until recently kept us away. The place looks cool inside, and old service station, vintage junk and signs and motorcycles and hot rods... Yeah, it's kinda cute, but it's basically one large room, which made us feel like we were eating in a cafeteria. Each of us had one of their signature drinks, all of which were overly sweet "panty-pullers". This must be the reason so many reviewers come away from here with such glowing reviews ('hic'). I had the duck burger, which was swimming in glop. Had to scrape away this crud to taste the burger, which was overcooked, dry and tasteless. Accompanied by a city block of burnt homemade chips. My wife had two of the vegetarian dishes she could find, both of which were forgettable globs of glop. Really disappointing - couldn't leave fast enough.
(2)
Kristin C.
The mac & cheese at Vinsetta is truly the gold standard. I've tried mac & cheese all over this town and nothing beats this one. The portion is huge - at least 3 meals worth. Lelio pasta bowl, tuna noodle casserole and noodle burger casserole are also tasty - but I'd say stick with the mac & cheese if you are going to do a pasta dish here. Burgers and chili were also great! Don't come here on a diet - it's definitely not healthy! Good drinks, affordable kids menu, great re-purposed space. Love this addition to Berkley & the Woodward Corridor!
(4)
Donovan B.
Service: the staff here is very helpful especially when it comes to helping you decide. They are quick with re fills and dont rush you out of there. Food: like it needs a review.. their food is so filling. Ive never left NOT feeling like I was goimg to pop. Their burgers are so juicy and their desserts are honestly wierd and tasty. Pop rocks on my dessert.... hell yea. The mac and cheese was no surprise since they are using the union recipe. The chips could come out a little less burnt but thats my preference. Overall: always going to be a fan of this place. The place is so chill and everything about it is unique in its own way.
(5)
Grace W.
I really liked Vinsetta Garage when I visited this past Spring. The main reason I came here was for the Poutine aka Disco Fries. Let me just say they were delicious! I ate light because we were supposed to be doing dinner with another couple that day - so I only had the fries and a House Salad. My nieces ordered pizza and really liked it, but I do remember my one niece complained the pepperoni was spicy. Kids. Pfft! I thought this place was so cool though. The exterior was awesome! The interior was awesome! Shop towels for napkins? Yes! I love it! Our waitress was very helpful and super nice! The pizzas were served on cool screens. I don't know, growing up around cars as a child I guess I'm just a sucker for the Automotive decor/theme. It's pretty rad! I'd love to go back and have more than just fries and salad. Next time.
(4)
Jennifer R.
What's not to love?! Food is creative and fresh. Great service. One of my favorite restaurants!!
(5)
Victor G.
Long wait times no matter the day or time. Excellent food, sometimes not worth a 2 hour wait.
(4)
Tim S.
Good food. Busy as bear
(4)
Erin Q.
I was a bit nervous to try this place out on a Friday night due to all the reviews for the wait time, but we got stuck in traffic and some of our family made it there before us and only had to wait about 30 minutes, completely reasonable for a Friday night. Our waitress, wish I had her name, was so awesome! She was on it! We started with the loaded disco fries and they have Wisconsin cheese curds on them. So good! I decided to go for the Vinsetta burger with the burger sauce on the side, just so I could see what it was about, but I ended up adding it. It tasted like a mix of mayo and ketchup to me. I had the house made chips with it and they had malt vinegar on the table, a perfect compliment to the chips. I ordered the burger with the pretzel bun because duh, why wouldn't you? It was deliciously messy! I wish I could have eaten all of it! We got to try the rock and rye ice cream with pop rocks. Man, I was brought back to my childhood with that dessert. Creamy and smooth and then the shock of the pop rocks hit you and you can't really have a conversation, but it is completely worth it.
we've waited to eat there three times in three years. still haven't gotten in. i was trying to get the family (a group of 14) in for an early dinner for my husbands birthday and still no chance of reservations. seriously disappointed. too much hype. not enough effort on the business part of allowing families to give them a try. there is no way we can wait 45 to sit, plus the additional 45 people are reviewing to wait for food.
(1)
Tamara K.
Good food! Service for carry-out is just ok. Salads are wonderful!
(4)
Jessica C.
My hubby and I went here on a Saturday night. The location is set in an old garage and all the lighting fixtures look like something from a restoration hardware catalog. I adored the tufted leather barstools and the place was packed! There was almost a 2 hour wait. We went up to grab drinks at the bar and luckily two seats opened up. The beer and wine menu is decent with the non draft options broken out by state. That was nice for me since I was set on ordering a local brew. We went with two founder's pale ales. The bartender was really friendly and kept my glass full, like they should. When it came time to order, I went with the chopped salad which I know was a mistake but I couldn't stomach the idea of eating a greasy burger. My husband went with a margherita pizza and added pepperoni. It was awesome!! My salad was really tasty too but again I know people don't venture here for the salads. If you're debating whether to go here or anywhere else, don't! This was totally worth it and we'll be back!
(5)
Katie B.
Great atmosphere for a date night or a group night! Love the food and atmosphere! What a great place to take visitors from out of town too! Will be going back soon!
(5)
Rita Y.
The only complaint I have is the wait. They consistently give a time that is WAY over the actual wait time. For example this past weekend we were told an hour and a half and we waited a half hour max. Otherwise I had the Ann Bowl and it was phenomenal. Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Shelley Z.
Awesome place - it's good every single time I go.
(5)
Maureen M.
Vinsetta Garage has been on my radar since it opened. I've avoided it due to the ridiculously long wait times. Fortunately, I've had a couple of opportunities to go during off peak times & took full advantage. There was still a wait for tables (maybe 20 min), so I've only sat at the bar simply because it was open. The atmosphere is pretty cool. I'm sure that's already been covered in many reviews, so I won't go into detail. As a gear head, my husband really appreciated what they kept from the old garage, especially the old explosion proof light fixtures (I think that's what they are). I really like the bar, which is why I went back the 2nd time. The chairs are very comfortable! I've sat at many bars, and I think these are my favorite so far. The beer selection is pretty good, although I always get Kuhnhenn's DRIPA. The menu is amazing and drool-worthy. So far, I've tried the Chopped Salad, Disco Fries, the 3 A.M. burger, and an amazing dessert (which I have no clue what it was). All of it was amazing. The 3 A.M. burger was pretty fantastic and huge. The sriracha mayo added just the right kick. As for the dessert....it's not on the menu. My friend ordered it because we were celebrating my birthday. It was a chocolate custard covering chocolate cake in a little jar perfect for sharing, although I didn't want to. It was to die for. My husband also gives the burgers a big thumbs up. He was not overly impressed with the Union Mac though. I'm not a good judge because I'm never impressed with mac & cheese. We both love the shoe string fries. The downside to sitting at the bar at a very busy restaurant on a very busy night, is that people start to crowd you & personal space no longer exists. It got annoying really fast. I don't hold this against Vinsetta. People are just jerks. They want their drinks & apparently we were in their way. If you get up to go to the restroom, you have to fight your way back into your seat. Again, apparently I was in THEIR way. My bad. Service was good both times. We really liked our bartender during our last visit. Valet has also been nice both times.
(4)
Brian K.
Very unique lunch experience eating in an old gas station garage! You need to see it for yourself to experience it. Ordered the maple bacon burger with sharp cheddar on a pretzel bun. Asked for it to be cooked medium, and that's exactly how it came out. Excellent quality and taste in this arena. The tikka masala fries were okay. A bit salty and monotonous, but worth trying. As for dessert: Banana cream pudding needed some help in the sugar department. It was obvious the chef forgot to add sugar to the base because it wasn't flavored and tasted like baby food topped with nilla wafers. I get what they were trying to accomplish with it and it would of been good had the appropriate amount of ingredients were added to it. When brought to the waiters attention, she notified the chef and he seemed defensive about it and said, "the sugar was not forgotten and that's how it's supposed to be." That's my only reason for 4 stars was their unwillingness to admit maybe something was wrong with it and accommodate the customer. Oh well, I'd still go back and have the pizza or a burger and beer.
(4)
Tamara K.
Deliciousness worth every minute of our wait!! Love the Northville cider. Lamb burger was extraordinary!! Also pasta bowl with chicken and bacon was spectacular -- the Lellio!!
(4)
Molly C.
I've had very pleasant experiences here. I love that they have a vegan option too. I would NOT recommend the side of Quinoia. It's cold and does not taste good.
(4)
Jeffrey S.
I love the atmosphere. I'm never disappointed here. The food is great, and I love how they turned an old garage into a quality restaurant. 5 stars!
(5)
Andrea E.
We went here for my birthday last Sunday. We ended up going around 4 because we heard about the 2 hour waits, and I like eating dinner early anyway. We only waited for about 10 minutes, and they seated us in this separate little nook. If we weren't in the nook, I think it would have been a little too loud in there, but in the nook it was fine. I liked the decor - my grandma kept saying she's got stuff in her basement that looked just like the stuff in the restaurant and she should sell it to them. It was pretty Grandma's basement-y, in a good way. I had a really hard time deciding what I wanted but I ended up getting an Erich Press with turkey, cheese, broccoli sprouts, tomato, cilantro and guacamole. It was delicious! I wasn't a huge fan of the disco fries, but the cheese curds and onion rings were delicious. My favorite thing was the Rock and Rye ice cream. It really tasted like rock and rye. I kind of thought it would be too creamy and wouldn't taste like rock and rye enough, but it was awesome. Their drink selection was pretty good too.
(4)
Deedee Y.
Great experience. ..unique place...food was exceptional....service could have been a little better though.
(4)
Jon B.
Awesome Burger and the appetizer of home made chips with cheese and other toppings was very different but amazing
(5)
Rachel S.
Great food and drink menu. 3 am burger was super juicy and the cooks are good about cooking the meat the way you ask. The "cruise control" drink was a bit too minty but the "low rider" was super refreshing. The whole restaurant was very interesting as it used to be an actual garage. Happy that it was nice enough for them to open the garage doors!
(5)
Heather R.
Great service, awesome food! The restaurant serves MI beers and wines, as well as other known beverages. Be prepared to wait when attempting to eat here for dinner. The restaurant doesn't take reservations (that I know of), and the dinner crowd tends to be large. The parking is a little tricky, as there is both self-parking in the neighborhood, as well as valet parking out front. Valet parking is easier, as the surrounding self-parking area is small.
(5)
Anna V.
Gotta give these owners a lot of credit. They thought out every detail. My friend, Ron, and I sat at the bar and each had a glass of red wine, which was very nice. Then we ordered a few small plates to share and we were not disappointed. The mac - n - cheese is really yummy! The farro has was much better than I had anticipated and the onion rings were also great! The place has a great vibe!
(5)
Fredric S.
I really wanted to like this place . . . I am a big fan of Union Woodshop. I stopped in for lunch and ordered the signature Vinsetta Burger with the Yukon Gold potato salad. The meal was, in a word, disappointing. The two 4 oz patties were over cooked to the point of being burnt. The house smoked bacon was as well. It made for a rather unpleasant eating experience. As for the potato salad, imho, the potatoes were undercookedwith too much dressing. I will return . . . it could have just been a bad day. The service was outstanding and the place was very high energy, even at lunch. I will revise if this review if warranted.
(3)
Arturo F.
I've been to Vinsetta Garage about 10 times, and have always had a great meal. Their 3 AM Burger is my favorite burger anywhere in the world, and the chicken tikka masala fries are amazing. The drinks are pretty good, too. The only reason this place doesn't get 5 stars is the long wait on most nights (on the weekends, it's damn near impossible to get in for dinner) and the fact that they don't offer reservations.
(4)
Jim M.
One of the few places I have eaten at that can make a steak as well as I do Service was great Atmosphere is cool as hell
(5)
Phillip T.
Trendy upbeat restaurant right on the main drag. Loud. Full bar. In an updated auto garage/service station, with electric charge stations where the gas pumps used to be. An actual super-fast rail car hangs above the entrance. Service is good, staff was fine. Finding what you'd like on the menu might be tricky, but hopefully rewarding. Think 50's-ish, alongside modern salads and sides. Gets very busy at peak times. Park with valet or side streets. Be sure and wander around to see all the memorabilia, hardware, photos -- sort of like a trip to a small museum. Try it just to check it out (but not on a Saturday night).
(4)
Karina K.
This place is loud and does not take reservations and always has a tremendous wait. But for some reason it's worth it. The menu is very interesting. And even more interesting to eat inside of a renovated old garage. My husband and I both ordered the flank steak and also the chicken tikka fries which were unbelievable. I can't wait to go back again and try more, maybe during the day when there's not over an hour wait.
(4)
Bernard H.
Finally stopped in and glad I did. I had the burger and mac and cheese. The bomb! Outgoing and friendly staff including the customers..
(4)
Will D.
Authentic modern atmosphere with cool vintage relics. Loaded chips have the right amount of kick and deep-fried-ness. Sour cream is a must. Vinsetta burger is solid, finishes strong. Union Mac satisfies the craving. 3 am burger has perfectly cooked beef and pairs well with the onion strings, egg, and sriracha mayo. Will be going back for pizza and dessert!
(4)
Dan O.
Saw this joint on the US of Bacon and had to try it. Neat little bistro located less than 5 miles away from my new place. "Free" (no suggested tip amount) valet parking, lots of tables & bar space. Saw a lot of good things on the menu, but had to try their triple pork Macon Bacon Burger. Home applewood smoked bacon, pancetta, & Canadian bacon on top of a delicious beef patty. Had a side of loaded home cooked potato chips & potato salad. Deelish! I was in such a food coma going home. Had a hard time finishing half, so I had a lot of leftovers to take home and enjoy the next day. Definitely recommend and repeat!
(4)
Chris J.
HIgh expectations, long wait time, food is Ok 3 stars for food 4 stars for ambiance / creativity If you could just pop in and have a quick bite to eat, this place would be fun. But the food is nowhere good enough to take 3 hours of your evening from time of arrival to departure. Not only a long wait, but every bite of food was painfully slow to arrive at our table. Everything was decent, good - but nothing that you can't find at several other places around town that come without the hassle.
(3)
Michelle N.
Not impressed AT ALL. My party of 6 came at 8:30pm and was told there'd be a 2-hour wait. It ended up being a little over an hour, but I was also told by someone in the party that Vinsetta Garage tends to overestimate the wait. Our waitress was terrible. She was nice enough when we were seated, but it qiuckly went downhill. It took her F-O-R-E-V-E-R to get our orders. She was missing for most of the meal, extremely inefficient (we split the check in 3 - she made 3 diff trips to collect the 3 checks), and didn't bring refills of water even though we asked multiple times. To add insult to injury, she was rude to one of the girls in my party..like noticeably ruder than the way she treated the rest of us. The food itself was meh. - Smoked chicken wings: extremely burnt..maybe it was the piece I had, not sure. All I tasted was the char. - Disco fries: I heard people raving all day long about this, but I was bummed when the order came out. It was tiny, and the cheese covered maybe 50% of the plate (not all of it). It was good, but seriously, I felt like I got jipped on the disco fries. - 3AM burger: meh.. it was good, but not good enough to offset the terrible service and the fact that it was already like 11pm by the time we got our food. Also, the chips were strangely stale and tasted like this weird chemical/plastic thing. Over all, 3 stars for what is possibly the worst service I've encountered in Detroit. I am in no hurry to return.
(3)
Sarah W.
Wait... the kid's menu is a cootie catcher? Dang, now I want to eat off the kid's menu. I'm thinking the super adorable menu is probably item #647 on the "Vinsetta Garage wins at attention to detail" list. Item #646 was putting pop rocks on the Rock and Rye ice cream. (Having Rock and Rye ice cream in the first place was item #623) Why doesn't all ice cream come with Pop Rocks?
(4)
Amanda H.
Eaten here a few times and never been disappointed. Great atmosphere, excellent food, variety of drinks and friendly wait staff and greeters.
(5)
James T.
Me and the wife shared the smoked chicken wings and we each had a burger, she had the Vinsetta and I had the 3 am burger. Both excellent. Parking can be tough but the food and atmosphere make it worth it. Be sure to try the homemade potato chips, sublime.
(5)
David K.
First time at this place but was not disappointed! Friend have raved about this place and it is all the hype. I had the Macon Burger bunless with an egg on top medium rare. So tasty and juicy. I also had there smoke wings. it's was so good that I wish I had order another order. To top it off I had the adult milk shake. The dude. So good! Can't wait to try the other flavors. I will definitely hit this spot every time I am in Detroit.
(5)
Sara E.
I've been to Vinsetta Garage a few times now and it is really good! They always have an excellent beer selection, lots of local breweries, and they also have delicious cocktail drinks. The cheese curds are a must have, and if you're a fan of the Clarkston Union you need to get the mac 'n cheese. I also love the setting and decor. There is a very cool industrial look to the interior. I'm a sucker for an Edison bulb. :) They also have complimentary valet during peek hours which is great because the parking is kind of nuts. I have two complaints though: 1) The wait. Good lord the WAIT!!! Haha! Sometimes you'll go in on a weekday night and it's 2 hours for a table. WTF? By the time I go there I'm ready to eat my hand. Pretty sure if I waited for 2 hours that I would pass out from low blood sugar. I know that they only have the space they have, but 9 time out of 10 my reason for not choosing to go there is the wait. I wouldn't take a large group without trying to get a reservation first. On the plus side you can wander to the bar and get a drink while you wait. 2) I love the burgers. They are great. However, they are really messy. The bottom half of the bun is usually really thin. So it ends up being pretty soggy by the time the burger rolls out of the kitchen. By the time I take two bits the insides of the burger have slipped out the back and made their way to the door. I guess I wish the buns were a little more substantial, because maybe that would help keep it all together. Or it would be nice if they put a couple toothpicks or something through the burger to keep things locked in place. I just always feel like a slob-kabob by the time I'm done. Aside from those two things though I do love this restaurant and I recommend it to anyone looking for a good place to get some beers and burgers or whatever.
(4)
Joe M.
Very good, great rotating beer selection and the burgers and pies (pizza) are very good as well. The parking can be a hassle but valet is pay what you will.
(5)
Michael M.
Second visit inside three weeks. Same great spot. Beer menu is stellar. Only knock is that burger was pretty overbooked. I ordered medium and well was sent. I should have sent it back but the kids were with me and couldn't afford to wait. If still go back.
(4)
v g.
Love love love this place! The decor and atmosphere is fantastic! The staff is super awesome and very helpful! The food is amazing every single time we go! The have a wide variety of beers and nice selection of delicious cocktails. The only problem is the wait... Yep you can spend over an hour waiting for a 2 person table! Make sure you show up early and be ready to wait!
(5)
Michael S.
We finally made it to Vinsetta's. It was worth the wait. What better place to go after the Auto Show than a converted auto repair facility. The transformation is amazing with seemingly just enough alteration to make the place into a restaurant. The happiness does not end there, though. The menu is very nice. All the food I saw looked wonderful. My SO had a couple of coneys with the hand cut fries option. She loved them. T had the best stock turkey burger I've ever eaten along with the fries. Dessert, which I rarely have, was the ice cream made with Faygo Rock and Rye pop. Are you kidding me? It was great, especially with the pop rocks on it. It's actually more of a sherbert, but I'm not complaining. The bar looked fully stocked and they also had a fantastic beer selection. The range was from macros, including some old timey ones, to Michigan micros, national micros and some international brews. I want to eventually try some of their adult milkshakes. We were happy to go at a time where there were a few seats left. Service was quick and friendly. Food was served on aluminum trays or those hefty diner plates. Napkins were shop towels. A lot of though went into this place. Bring some money as it's not rock bottom coney island pricing, though you do get what you pay for. We can't wait to go back.
(5)
Ernesto V.
I've been to Vinsetta's about 4 or 5 times, and it's never failed to please my high-expectation palate. I've had their pizzas, burgers, salads, mac and cheese, quinoa salad, fries, and their "adult" shakes... it's always a wonderful experience particularly in the summer when the doors are open and the restaurant breathes comfortably. I love that they kept the original feel of the garage that it used to be for the longest time, and it still feels that way when you go in... like if you're gonna leave your car to get worked on, but in reality you're sitting down to have awesome food and drink. Speaking of, they have a very respectable selection of craft beer and ciders, many from Michigan =) Food is a tad pricey but again I'm a firm defender of price when it comes down to food. If the food is good enough to earn it's price, then darn well it should cost what it does. I love this kind of hip place with fun artsy people serving, with menus that are adventurous, and cooking that you would usually only find in a more upscale restaurant. I would recommend this place to anybody in the area =)
(5)
Zachary F.
The decor of this place is bad ass. Definitely a place to go if you like a different type of eating atmosphere. I got the 3am burger which was excellent. I love egg on my burger...haha.
(5)
Tim W.
Vinsetta Garage was a suggestion from a chef friend so I obliged. Upon entering the restaurant I was pleased by the literal garage atmosphere from metal trays, to old country tunes, and the very lax aura! For dinner I had 'The Pedro' which is a pretty tasty turkey burger. Instead of chips as a side I got the Union Mac which may have been the best decision I made that whole day. That Mac & Cheese is definitely the star of their show. We finished our meal with liquid nitrogen infused 'Rock & Rye' Ice cream topped with Pop Rocks! It was a taste bud explosion to say the least, lol! This place is a must-dine and I will return sooner than later.
(5)
Chelia S.
Very cool spot! Let's get right to the grub: I had the brown sugar glazed salmon. Simply delish! They were not at all skimpy on the portions & the salmon was prepared just right. Initially I was a skeptic about the combo of brown sugar with avocado flavor, but It honestly was really good. A bit spicy, but that coming from a spice-wimp. It was a week nite and we were seated at the bar to avoid a ridiculous wait for a table as it was a full house. The bartender was very attentive and friendly, never felt rushed. Overall, the environment is very relaxed and welcoming, perhaps part of the whole garage theme ;-) I was amazed that it was actually a garage at some point and was peeping for cobwebs (no such luck, very well kept ;-) My only fuss is the parking: valet or good luck on finding your own spot elsewhere. Still, This is minor. Great place!
(4)
E K.
This place is neat-o. Cool garage scene, nice staff, and great burgers! They also have a decent beer selection and milk shakes. I really enjoyed lunch here after visiting the zoo.
(4)
An V.
This place is so cool! I love the theme, I love that your food comes out on an aluminum tray and I love the decor. The staff is friendly and pretty cool, they're the kind of people you'd like to hang out with on the weekends. Vinsetta doesn't take reservations, so be sure to call ahead to check the wait. There is complimentary valet which really takes some stress off. Every time I've been here though, I've never waited less than an hour and a half. Usually during this time I'll go to the bar, grab a few drinks, and hang out in the waiting area. The waiting area really feels like you're waiting on a mechanic, again, the atmosphere is great. The drink menu is pretty extensive. There are a lot of beers and the prices aren't bad, the bartenders are really great. The food is where I find a problem, though. Don't get me wrong, the food is excellent, but it didn't WOW me, especially since everything else did. They are really creative with the menu and it's all great, but when I consider the price and the wait time, it leaves me wanting more. However, the atmosphere and the service are brilliant, and the food is good. This is somewhere you should definitely try!
Who knew an old auto shop turned restaurant could be so cool? The best way to describe the inside is that It's grungy without it feeling dirty. I mean that as a compliment. They kept the character of what it used to be while keeping it clean and kept, which is what you'd expect from a restaurant. It's a huge open space that has a side room for a more private party and a full bar. I didn't expect there to be such a family atmosphere, but it might've been because it was early Sunday afternoon. We also didn't have to wait at all, which I had been worried about after reading the reviews. Although there were many menu items that sounded appetizing, my friend and I split two pizzas: pineapple tasso (with red onions, cheese blend, sauce, grilled pineapples and ham) and the meatball pie (mini meatballs, mozzarella, oregano, olives, chili flakes, crushed tomatoes, olive oil). I preferred the pineapple over the more traditional meatball pie. Tasso, which is the ham, apparently means super duper spicy. It was SO hot, almost peppery. I guess it would've been nice to know that beforehand. Apparently it's more of a Southern specialty. I liked the burst of juiciness the grilled pineapples provided. The meatball pie's ingredients could've been more even on the pie, as they were all packed in the middle. Also, I would've liked the meatballs to not be so big, but I guess that would then defeat the purpose of a "mini meatball." But there was only one on each slice, and the smallest one didn't even have any meat on it at all. I loved the dough, which reminded me of East Coast style that's thin but not flimsy so your toppings fall off. We also had great, attentive service. I did find it odd that they serve coffee in a glass cup, same as water. At least it comes with a sleeve. I'm definitely excited to go back to try other things, including their adult milkshakes. One tip for parking: While there are spots in the front, it's limited. Save yourself the hassle and park on the side street right right before the restaurant.
(4)
Olivia P.
Love it! This is on the top 5 list in our family for the area. W know the food will always be A-mazing. You can expect long waits so prepare your self for evening and night time. If you show up for lunch when around the first 1 hour the wait is usually nil. Always good beer selections, healthy options, heart attack inducing burgers and the pizza is to die for! always get the bread with cheese on it pair it with the dipping sauce and you will think you have died!
(5)
Erin D.
'Twas my first experience here last night for a birthday & the entire party was satisfied! Cannot wait to go back. Highly recommend the leilo bowl (spelling)!
(5)
Terry C.
The burgers and dogs can't be stopped. Wait was long and well worth it. I had one of the best burgers of my life here. You have to try it if you're in the area.
(5)
K P.
I ordered the Vinsetta burger, cheese curds and salty caramel shake. The overall quality of the food was excellent. I had lunch on the weekend and it was still very busy. Even trying to get in on the weeknights for dinner is challenging so don't be surprised about a wait of 30 minutes or more. This speaks volumes to the deliciousness of their food. They have a pretty wide selection of beers on tap. Overall the staff is very helpful and friendly regarding their menu selections. I love going to this place but waiting is the biggest problem
(5)
John M.
The burgers here are top notch and just about the only thing i can recommend. I attempted a pressed sandwich the other day and the pastrami must've been not properly cooked or cut, as first bite brought the whole thing with me. If you go, stick to the burgers. The sides are good as well. Can get a little loud.
(4)
Jennifer C.
I love this place!! It's a cool atmosphere but family friendly. The veggie burger (EV1) is my personal favorite. My kids love everything on the kids menu, and the fact that kids menus are cootie catchers.
(5)
Crystal S.
-Put your name down and start with a drink, my favorite is "The Low Rider". -The estimated wait time is always much longer than the actual wait time. -Order the poutine fries as an app. Coming from someone who did a Poutine Crawl around Toronto, these are
(4)
Jim B.
Just like any garage, you got charged too much for something you can do at home if you wanted to anyway. $14 for mac & cheese? C'mon, it's macaroni and cheese! I don't care how good it is, it's still macaroni and cheese. I had to give this place two stars, which in all honesty may be a bit unfair however, it seems there needed to be a counterweight for the scores of mindless 5 star ratings for this establishment. I agree with a previous comment in that if you serve Angus beef and cook it to a charcoal briquette, what's the point. Might as well serve Kroger hamburger in a roll. I asked the server for the most popular dish, since it was our first visit, she said the Vinsetta Burger and I gave it a try. This burger exemplified almost everything I hate about poorly prepared hamburgers. Overcooked beef, yet greasy. The grease was dripping down into my hands and then onto the plate. The construction was poor and the burger disintegrated into a sloppy mess almost immediately. I got the pretzel roll bun and as expected, I had a dense, chewy, overcooked hockey puck in my hands. Small burgers, piled high, do not fit into the human mouth. Who likes these things? A true burger connoisseur cannot appreciate such a gastronomical disaster and this is the signature dish that people wait in line for hours for? One of table companions got the pastrami sandwich and it was OK but, there couldn't have been more than an ounce or two of meat on the sandwich and I believe it was north of $10. Very disappointing. My wife had a turkey panini and said it tasted like it was not fresh, kind of sour. The fries were limp, not crispy. The decor is classic ghetto garage. The ceiling is all original rafters and beams with rusty plumbing and conduit. How do I know some soot encrusted timber fibers haven't fallen into the food somewhere? Brown paper table covering that looks like butcher wrap. Every drink leaves a dark ring on the table...disgusting. I hate the feel of paper when I eat. Instead of napkins, they use what appear to be shop towels. The towel I kept on my lap left white specks of lint all over my dark blue tactical pants and left me swiping my clothing for about 10 minutes to get the fibers off. I could go on but, what's the point. The taste of the food is always a highly subjective matter. This place proves my point about popular restaurants, charge too much for so, so food and people will think they are getting something special, especially when the owner spent a million dollars on decor. People seem to love this place. Make your own choice but, there are better choices and not far from this "garage".
(2)
John R.
The food was EXCELLENT! This is a great place for good food and fun with a small group of friends. My wife and I went together and it's not ideal for an intimate setting but more for a small group. Perfect place if your looking to splurge on a greasy burger and fries. My wife ordered salmon and quinoa for a healthier option.
(5)
Natasha P.
We went there as a large group, 8 people, and didn't make a reservation. We were told that there would be a 1 hour wait. While we were discussing whether we should stay there or go eat elsewhere, the hostess told us that we should have a table in about 5 minutes, so our wait time was only 20-25 minutes. The waitress was really busy but very helpful. I ordered the chocolate and rum shake, which was very very strong, so strong I had to ask for it to be taken back, instead they brought out some extra plain chocolate milk shake and I added the rummy one too it. It was very nice after that. I also tasted the salted caramel vodka one, it was excellent. My husband says that they had a very nice selection of beer. We ordered the Disco Fries for the table, they were tasty but not great. The next time I think we'll try the cheese curds instead. For the main course I made my own pizza - with pineapple, pepperoni, smoked cheddar cheese and Pecorino Cream. It was nicely made, not too greasy. My husband had The 3AM burger. It was delicious but extremely greasy. The house-made fries, that came with the burger, were excellent. A couple of friends ordered dessert and I had a couple of bites. The molten chocolate lava cake was excellent, the faygo ice cream was interesting but not my kind of dessert. I would definitely go back to Vinsetta Garage.
(4)
Rebecca T.
So after having eaten here a few times it was time for an update. The food is good stuff. Great stuff, in fact. Yeah, it's a bit of a drag if you are stuck with a long wait, but I've never had that problem (perhaps because I go at off times?). Yeah, the parking situation kind of sucks, but when it's cold outside, I'll happily tip the valet (which is complimentary) not to have to park 3 streets over in a residential neighborhood. Tonight's epic meal time consisted of the disco fries (fries with a mustard gravy, cheese curds and some garnishments), loaded chips (more cheesy goodness), 3AM burger with a side of mac and cheese and for dessert the s'mores cookies and molten chocolate cake. The biggest downer of the meal was the s'mores cookies. The homemade marshmallows were great, but the cookies were a bit underwhelming. The lava cake more then made up for it though, and the disco fries had me wanting to get up and do the hustle. Okay, maybe not, but they are amazing and not to be missed. We were told our wait would be 30 minutes but I'd say we got buzzed and were seated in under 10, so don't let a wait deter you. Mosey up to the bar and wait it out with one of the extensive draft selections.
(5)
Josh G.
This is definitely one of my favorite places to get a burger and beer. The only challenge is the wait which they can't control since they are so popular.
(5)
Don O.
Excellent food, good service. I've eaten here a number of times and never been disappointed. Great place for a burger and beers. The only two downsides in my opinion is that it gets really loud sometimes, and also the parking situation can be pretty bad. But overall, this is a great spot with great food.
(4)
Casey F.
Large portions, good burgers. Get anything with the pretzel bun as it adds a lot of great flavor to a burger. and the chicken masala fries were very tasty
(5)
Joey J.
At my place of employment, we've been working on a new campaign where we contemplate what Detroit might be like in 2030. Upon review, let's hope this future includes more Vinsetta Garages. To an extent, the Vinsetta Garage is a theme restaurant, and that theme is evolution. The menu pretty much reflects what would happen if a Coney went to Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. You'll see the dishes that have defined Detroit cuisine for years served up in new ways. The coney dog gets chopped up and put on a pizza with a wood-fired crust. The gyro becomes a perfectly cooked burger, with all the components on the bun with it. The chili cheese fries take on a poutine-twist, The usual choice of Labatt's or Miller has been replaced by an assortment of microbrews with an emphasis on Michigan ones. In short, this is an imaginative take on Detroit cooking, and is the reason for that long and winding line out the front. What sets it apart is the attention to details in the cooking. The onion rings may well be the best onion rings on the planet, as you can taste the bitterness of the beer batter counterbalancing the sweetness of the onion. The aforementioned lamb burger was cooked to perfection, with the meat being juicy and flavorful despite being well-done. The key lime pie tastes as if it were made from actual key limes and not much more. The Vinsetta Garage could very well be the future of Detroit cuisine. If you get the chance to eat here, enjoy it.
(5)
Rebecca C.
I had lunch at Vinsetta Garage today with a friend. I was really excited, as I've wanted to try this place out for a while, but was deterred by the long lines and apparent lack of parking. When he suggested Vinsetta for our lunch outing, I agreed immediately. The good: I love the inside of Vinsetta - it's very open and airy. The pizza cooks have their own station where you can watch them take the pizzas in and out of the oven. The kitchen is semi-open too, behind the bar. The restaurant was busy and loud (on a Friday afternoon), and had a happy vibe. I ordered the cheeseburger and fries. It came on a pretzel roll. The pretzel roll was so, SO good. Seriously. My friend and I couldn't stop talking about it. The burger was well prepared, and the fries were good - not amazing, but solid. The waitress was friendly and attentive, and somehow made the fanny pack she was rocking completely work for her. Both their drink and dessert menu looked appealing. (hello, salted caramel custard!) I didn't have either, but I'm sure that will change in the future. The bad: Parking. I ended up parking at the apartment complex next door, and walking over. They have a VERY small parking lot (about 8 cars worth or so), as well as street parking. I didn't see any open spots on the street. My burger was a mess. A delicious mess, but still a mess. I cut it in half, and the whole thing fell apart. I still ate it. The menu seemed a little limited -but maybe they're one of those restaurants that do a limited menu very well. I'm not sure; I'll have to eat there again. The prices seemed a little much - for 2 people who ate cheeseburgers, fries, and soda, the bill came to $28, at lunch. Overall, I enjoyed it. I'll definitely be back!
(4)
Alison S.
Great food, and I liked they had local craft beers and cider. The interior looks like a garage which is really cool. I gave only four stars though because it was really crowded and kind of slow service- ok if you aren't in a hurry.
(4)
Dennis L.
I am definitely a big fan of Vinsetta Garage! Having visited twice in 30 day period, I can speak to a consistent enjoyable experience. On my first visit, I ordered the Union Mac w/ Ham. It really is excellent cheesy goodness. It is also huge, so it might be best to split it or order as an app to share with the table. I honestly could not finish the dish, and I am pretty big eater. For dessert, I tried the Rock n' Rye Ice Cream with Pop Rocks. What a unique and satisfying dish! On my second visit, I went vegetarian by ordering the EV1. I seriously loved this veggie burger! I typically would never order a veggie option, but I was trying to eat at least one healthier meal during the holidays. The EV1 was so good, I would order again in a flash. Overall, I love the atmosphere and food at Vinsetta Garage. I will definitely be back.
(4)
Regan L.
visited for the first time this evening. extremely and immediately impressed with the warm, friendly staff and the casual atmosphere. our waitress was very welcoming and attentive, and appreciative of courtesy in return. disco fries were terrific (my only complaint: i could have stood more of that heavenly mustard gravy on top. a unique and delectable take on poutine)! for an entree i ordered the chop shop salad, which contained a few of my favorite things (bleu cheese! dried cherries! beer battered onions! ham!), but all of the aforementioned savory items put together in a salad i found to be overwhelmingly salty for me. still, it was a very pretty plate and everything tasted fresh, so i wasn't terribly disappointed. overall i'd say the quality of the food and service was top notch. i will definitely be back to try the lamb burger!
(4)
Kate B.
Great food, great service. Parking is not easy. If you don't like to be cold, don't sit by the big garage window.
(4)
S R.
Been to Vinsetta Garage twice and we like this spot a lot! Food is pretty good, enough classic eats like burgers, sandwiches, fries, etc. that they have put their own original twist to. The draft and cocktail list is what we enjoyed the most. Cool ambiance and great location off of Woodward. Highly recommend!
(4)
Bonnie W.
I honestly am not sure what all the hype is about. The atmosphere/setup of the place was pretty cool. I felt the food was only okay though. Service was pretty slow but seeing as we weren't in a huge rush that wasn't to much of an issue. Parking was a pain. I would go there again if friends wanted to but I wouldn't go out of my way for it. All in all, it was okay.
(3)
Nick V.
Love it. Love it. The unique Ambiance and great food make this a must. This place is quickly becoming a Detroit icon. The beer, wine and cocktail selection are great and the menu is a great update on Americana. If you are looking for a unique experience and a lot of energy...this is your place
(5)
Alexandra K.
I came here after a long, depressing day where comfort food would prove key to my happiness. I was thrilled to see that they had canned Strongbow on their drink menu, and even more thrilled when my friend decided she didn't like Strongbow, so I soon had two cans in my possession. I ordered the veggie burger, but would have preferred a custom burger. I did customize it a bit -- no shiitake bacon, no mayo with some avocado spread and a slice of gruyere instead of goat cheese -- but would have preferred it without the bun, a simple slice of gruyere, tomato, onion, and some grainy mustard. Each member of my dining party seemed quite happy with their choices -- proud members of the clean plate club -- and I would most certainly pay another visit to Vinsetta. The one down side was the price, and mostly as it relates to the drink menu. Strongbow in a can for $7.50? Feels kind of silly to me.
(4)
Faith W.
I absolutely love this place. It my new go-to spot for great food! What's great about Vinsetta Garage? The service, the atmosphere, the food and the prices. What's not to like? Maybe the parking but... I don't mind to valet or parking on a near by side street. They did have a little bit of a wait but that's to be expected on a Saturday night... We just grabbed a drink at the bar, no big deal! The food was totally worth the wait! I really want to try everything on their menu now. My friend and I wanted to have a good sampling of their food so we decided to try a few things on the menu. We had the cheese bread, pasta, pizza... And yes you guessed it even dessert. The Rock & Rye ice cream with Pop Rocks on top was AMAZING! It rocked my sock off! :o) I can honestly say that everything we had there was delicious!
(5)
Tyler R.
Can't beat their burgers and mac and cheese! Plus the atmosphere is really cool too!
(5)
Erin M.
yay!! it's all come together! The staff seems to have settled in, and although there is still a wait, often, if after 2 years+ of being open you're still on a wait on a Tuesday night....cheers to you! The bar staff has gotten it together, and are way better than in my first review. The food is still just as good as it was when they first opened, and the available beverages are unmatched. Parking is still a pain in the ass, but just cough up the couple buck and valet.
(5)
Kara D.
I am a fan of the Clarkston Union and the Union Woodshop. Vinsetta Garage is similar to those two spots and each share some of the same dishes. I went for lunch. My table ordered a meatball sub, a 3AM burger, the Vinsetta burger, and the Erich pressed sandwich. All were quite large and also delicious. The service was great; ambiance was fun and unique. I would recommend Vinsetta Garage.
(5)
Jessica M.
I don't give five stars lightly...but this place deserves it. We went on a Sunday at about five and the place had a substantial crowd, so I imagine any time during the evening is an absolute zoo. The restaurant certainly runs with the garage vibe, and any restaurant playing the Clash on a loop wins points with me. I started out with the chocolate "adult" milkshake. It uses chocolate malt ice cream from Treat Dreams down the road and dark rum. If you do nothing else, start with the shakes. Especially if you're in the mood for dessert because chances are you will be too full by the end of dinner. Our appetizer: PBR battered cheese curds with a Frank's red hot bleu cheese dressing. You can't go wrong here...but my Wisconsin-native boyfriend was especially impressed because they used real cheese curds (whatever that means). The dressing was creamy but the vinegar kick from the Frank's cut through all of the richness surprisingly well. For dinner, my beau had the duck burger with mac and I ordered the 3am dog with onion rings. His burger was out of this world, it had this cherry compote, gruyere, and caramelized onions...I was kind of jealous I didn't get his burger. Then the mac side was the same mac they make at the Clarkston Union. It's an institution for a reason -- the best restaurant mac I've ever had. My 3am dogs (you get two of these monsters) had bacon jam, sriracha mayo, crispy onion straws, and a fried egg on top. Just go back and reread that last sentence and really let it sink in. I don't have words for how heavenly these things were. And I know you're thinking, "yeah but it's a hot dog, so what?". First of all, shut up hot dogs are great. Secondly, these aren't just any hot dogs, they are Winter's 901-L dogs...they are naturally cased and have quite the kick to them. Hands down best hot dog I've ever eaten. And it's made in Michigan! The onion rings were thick cut and expertly battered/fried and it was accompanied by a coal fired tomato aioli...which I would gladly slather on all foods from here on out. And again...way way way too full for dessert. If you are in the mood for comfort/bar food cranked to 11...and seriously why WOULDN'T you be...this is your place.
(5)
Jon L.
I've been here a few times (for both lunch and dinner) and overall I like it. On the positive side, its a cool venue and they have a bunch of craft beers on tap. Salads are very fresh - top notch for sure. Meats are not terrible, but not the best (I guess for a $20 entree I shouldn't expect USDA prime...). Valet is offered, but I usually just park on the side streets as the lot in back is always full. They don't take reservations but the bar is first come first serve. I've heard the mac & cheese is great and plan to try it next time I go to Vinsetta.
(3)
Jaccob D.
Loved it! One of the best experiences I've ever heard. Fantastic wait staff, great food and atmosphere. Long waits, but that's only because of how good it is, and you can always grab a drink and sit outside or stand while you wait. We will be going here on a monthly if not bi-weekly basis!
(5)
MICHELLE F.
The atmosphere here is unique and relaxed. Love the roll up doors letting the breeze in during the summer months. Our server was great but the food was just so-so. Although I will say that while our pizza was burnt a new order was immediately put in without our having to ask and we still got to take the burnt one home.
(4)
Suzanne M.
We love this place. Food is great, service is good, awesome beer selection.
(5)
Rick S.
I've been to the garage twice. The first time, we had some issues with the service. The second time, however it was fine. Everyone can have an off day. I had the Macon Bacon burger. I learned of the garage on the United States of Bacon show, and this was the featured burger. It is as delicious as it looked on TV. It even comes with bacon jam. I ordered it on the side the first time, and our waitress explained that it wasn't a good idea to do, so I had 'em put it on. FANTASTIC I will eat there again, again, and again. I want to eat there now dammit. The atmosphere is just cool. I'm a wrench by nature, and I can still smell the old, musty, grimy, smell that old garages have. Now you'd think that's bad, but not to me. The only thing that blows is the parking. I hate valet parking and have to search to find a place to park. Other that that, I like this place. Give 'em a try.
(4)
Peter H.
If it had been built from scratch in New York or Chicago, it'd be cheesy as Hell. But the place has legitimate history, and the design touches accentuate the cool architectural features, rather than exploit them. I won't say too much about the experience, since the other reviews already give a pretty complete picture. Unlike many others, though, I won't deduct a star for the long wait. They don't keep tables open to build hype for the place, and they work their butts off to get people in and out. They're busy because what they do works; I won't hold that against them. To cope with the wait, a simple tip: put your name in a couple hours before you want to eat, get an estimate of how long it'll be (they're usually pretty accurate), then disappear. Get some housework in, run some errands, grab a drink someplace, hit some of the shops in Berkley, Royal Oak, or along Woodward, or just hang out in one of the nearby parks. Show up around your scheduled wait time, then be seated within 5 or 10 minutes. Perfect. The food is simple yet fantastic, but it's also been well covered. One recommendation: get the duck burger. I thought the 3 A.M. was a powerhouse of flavor, until I tried my gf's duck burger. Juicy duck, creamy gruyere cheese, and a cherry compote that had all the best features of cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving. EDIT: The Macon Bacon burger is also a juice/fat dripping dream. And the "disco fries" are a great poutine alternative (order them minus chili flakes if you're sensitive to spice). Give it a shot, despite the wait.
(5)
Cristina C.
The food is AMAZING here! The wait was a little longer than I liked but the food made up for it! Our waitress was really off putting at first but once she warmed up to us, the experience was awesome. Best place I've eaten at in the Detroit metro area.
(5)
Natalie M.
I love this place and can't wait to go back again and again. Awesome ambiance, food, and service. Love all the details in the decor, which is a hip mix of vintage, rustic industrial and modern touches. Juicy burger and great beer selection. I am telling all my friends about this place. Also, love the cross branding and food options from the Woodshop and Clarkston Union. Way to leverage your best assets!!
(5)
Stephanie B.
I thoroughly enjoyed my experience eating at Vinsetta Garage. The atmosphere is relaxed and unique; a former automotive garage converted into a quirky, "hipster-esque" restaurant makes for an aesthetically-pleasing experience. My husband and I attended the restaurant around 3 pm on a Thursday, and we did not have to wait for a table. Finding a parking spot was a bit of an issue, so I would not be surprised if locating parking would be problematic during prime hours. Nevertheless, we were pleased. The food really was quite good. I am a vegetarian and my husband is an omnivore, and Vinsetta's menu amply accommodated our broad spectrum of culinary desires. We started off our meal with the Coal-Fried Bread Sticks. They were phenomenal. The warm, buttery bread paired with the creamy, tangy Pazzo dip (herbed cream cheese, I believe) was one of the high points of the meal. I had to actively force myself to stop eating the bread and dip so I would be able to consume the rest of my meal. You really need to try this appetizer! For our entrees, my husband and I chose meals that were on opposite sides of the culinary spectrum. I sampled the EV1 burger, vegan style. I enjoyed my burger. It wasn't the most groundbreaking vegan patty I have ever had, but I did enjoy the flavor. It was a touch dry, but that could be because I opted out of the roasted garlic balsamic mayo and the burger was not topped with Daiya cheese as one could order it. I enjoyed the shiitake bacon, but I didn't taste its full flavor until I sampled it outside of the burger. The next time I order the EV1, I will make sure to request the vegan cheese, as I'm sure it would up the ante. For my side, I chose the seasonal quinoa salad. I ended up taking some of it home, and I'm glad that I did. The simple tangy flavor of the vinegar paired with the taste of the fresh veggies hit the spot. I didn't leave the restaurant feeling overwhelmingly full due to the simplicity of my entree choices. My husband chose arguably the meatiest burger of all time: the Macon Bacon Burger. According to him, "the burger was a delicious meat-stravaganza and a celebration of porky delight." He really enjoyed the various types of bacon piled on the Angus beef patty. He also chose the mac and cheese as his side, and "it was good. It had a nice crust baked on and had a creamy blend of cheeses." We would review the dessert menu, but we didn't have room! Trust me, you won't be disappointed with Vinsetta Garage!
(4)
William K.
I actually live 2 blocks from the Garage. If it wasn't so close, I'd give it 2 stars (the buzzer works from our house, nice perk). The food is ok, but its not great. The pretzel burger is a great idea, but the last 2 times the buns a little stale, and its so sloppy it just falls all over the tray. If you want a place to go with friends, have a few drinks, its great. Nice and loud, and as a car guy, I love what they did with the building. But as far as the food goes, nothing stands out. Frankly, if we want really good food, we go across the street to the Grille. This is a great "Theme" restaurant, and it works since its on Woodward. Anywhere else, and it wouldn't be nearly as popular. Redcoat (heck even max and ermas before they closed) have better burgers. Their pizza's aren't all that great, and the mack and cheese is good, but for some reason I like it better at their original location (Clarkston Inn is same owner) There's a reason most people on here tout the beer and drink choices more then the food. Check it out, but its not a regular "go to"
(3)
Erica C.
Okkkk I am going to try to hit on every point... Parking... Valet or Street, street meaning side streets, yes in front of peoples homes down the entire block and around the corner. Didn't bother me a bit. So be prepared to look and look and look for parking. Building... Can you say, Awesome! very nice restoration of the old garage that was there. Outside seems to be a waiting area until you get your table. No one ever clarified this but all the tables outside had people sitting there with only drinks and I didn't see food on the tables. (Not sure why they don't make that a food area if it isn't one, its a pretty big area and would cut down the wait time tremendously) Check In... No reservations accepted, its not that type of joint, its nice don't get me wrong but its not what many people may be thinking that its a dress up sorta place. Its really casual but yea... no reservations. 1:45 minute wait on a Wednesday at 6:45pm so yes probably no matter what day you go... you will wait. But its was OK I was expecting it. I drive by this place everyday and see the crazy parking and line so it was expected. Wait staff... I love that everyone wears what they want, but seems as though it must have something to do with DETROIT because everyone had on their on Detroit item whether its Pure Detroit tee, Made in Detroit tee, Detroit Tigers tee, you get the point, I loved it very cool. Our waitress was nice. No overly nice but just right. Menu... I really wanted BBQ something and I swore I smelled BBQ but to no avail- I was hallucinating. So i was a little bummed but ok whatever. The menu had pretty much pizza and burgers on it. I was a little disappointed but heard the mac and cheese is great so I ordered the Vinsetta burger with the mac. I really hate to be a Debbie Downer but I did not like the burger it was a double patty burger on a kinda small too thick bun... The burger was extremely greasy it reminded me of a gross greasy double comet burger. I love love loved the mac and chz next time I will get a carry out of a full order of the mac and chz! My hubby had the Macon Bacon burger and seemed to enjoy it. I will go back- just wont get the same burger though. Really good selection of beer if you like beer. Oh one thing I will say is that I will definitely get desert or a milkshake next time! Great place for the entire family.
(4)
Jason R.
the wait is ridiculous but love vinsetta
(5)
Amy H.
Believe the hype - Vinsetta Garage is truly a gem from the unique vintage exterior/interior, to the exceptional selections they offer on their menu. I ordered the Vinsetta Burger on a pretzel bun. Best decision of my life. I highly recommend making a trip out solely for their burgers! It was juicy, and filled with fresh ingredients. It was served with their homemade chips which were excellent. They were very thin and crispy, and went great with the burger. (Tip: try putting vinegar on them, it makes them even yummier!) My boyfriend ordered the Vinsetta dogs. The actual hot dog was cooked to perfection and had a nice snap to it. The cheese was creamy, and the onions had a very distinct flavor. He was pleased. Shane (the owner, I believe?) Was walking around and making sure everyone was having a good time. It was a pleasure meeting him and talking with him. He ended up sending over a free dessert to us (faygo ice cream with pop rocks on top.) HOly COW. What a treat. Overall, great atmosphere, nice staff, excellent food. Can't wait to come back and try more.
(5)
Kerrie M.
Finally, we made it here! We had been wanting to try this place out forever ago! And it was definitely worth the wait! First, we ordered up the Loaded Potato Chips for our App. They were made from scratch chips loaded in cheddar, chilies and bacon. Yum! I went and ordered the EVI vegan burger. OMG..... It was AMAZING!!! It is a house made patty topped with goat cheese, arugula, tomato and balsamic mayo. Those flavors together were a hit. I would order it again in a heartbeat. The best. My husband ordered the Sy Ginsberg Press. He raved. We ended up ordering the Malted Molten Chocolate Cake for dessert. Ehh. I think it was over baked. Only a tiny bit of chocolate lava and the edges were hard. Oh well. We will be back for sure! I want another EVI!!!!
(4)
Corey C.
If you're a Hipster, this is your Graceland!! Great food, great beer, great tattoos!! Enjoy this vintage garage feel with exceptional grub!
(5)
Jesse S.
Between the homage to all-things Detroit, the variety of eclectic yet delicious food and the unique atmosphere, this place is a must stop. The milkshakes are delicious. The burgers are huge but good. I haven't found an item I didn't like. There are vegan and gluten-free options, too.
(5)
Jesse P.
The food here is great and so is the atmosphere. They have plenty of gluten free options too. Try any of there burgers with a gluten free bun cause they are all pretty great!! The loaded potato chips are my favorite!!
(5)
Tamara Y.
Vinsetta Garage, take 2. This time I ordered the Macon Bacon burger, cooked medium. Guess what? It was actually cooked medium! And it was tasty as hell!! Much better, Vinsetta Garage. At this rate, you and I will be BFFs in no time.
(4)
Lori B.
What can I say that is different from all the other 4-star reviews, except that I find going to this restaurant for lunch terribly enjoyable. It's easy to find street parking, and though the place is full and bustling, there always seems to be a table for me. And of course, the food is fabulous. Finally tried the EV1 on a pretzel bun and it was amazing, huge and lived up to every review I'd heard about it. The side Caesar was soggy, sadly. I usually get salad dressing on the side, but not when it's a Caesar. Next time I will. The Rock-n-Rye ice cream was plentiful and tasted great.
(4)
Viral S.
The best chicken wings. Has that smokey flavor, meat falls right of the bone. Get the wings with the Ghost Pepper dipping sauce , it's not that spicy. Delicious!
(5)
William S.
Great vibe! Great service! Great menu! Started out with fried cheese curds, then I enjoyed the Macon Bacon Burgerwith house made chips, my wife had a chicken sandwich with a side of union Mac and cheese, all top notch. Saved room for the Faygo Rock & Rye ice cream topped with pop rocks. Will definitely be returning!
(5)
Jeremy G.
I've been wanting to go here for quite some time, and maybe it was the expectation of something amazing that made this place fall flat. Here we go: Went on a Monday to try and avoid a huge crowd, and got seated within about 20 minutes. The space is cool, but acoustically dreadful. Noisy and echoey, I felt like I had to shout across the table. Our server was prompt, friendly and for the most part attentive. The menu was a bit hard to navigate, but we ultimately ordered some Disco Fries and my better half got a bowl of chili. We went back to perusing the menu, and it seemed like our apps came out right away. I'm all for effective service, and there's no doubt I was happy to have food in front of me quickly, and it made sense for a place that is usually very busy. however, I think that getting our food TOO fast indicated that in order to expedite the normal wait times, a lot was pre-prepped. The fries themselves were limp and bland, and the cheese curds were the best part because cheese curds. My lady's chili was lukewarm and blllaaaaaand, but edible. I finished it only after dousing it heavily with hot sauce, which improved the flavor a bit. We ordered the Burger Pizza for the kid, because he loves burgers and he loves pizza, so why not both at once? Again, the pizza came out too quickly, and he wasn't terribly interested in it. I tried some, and thought the sauce was great, but the dough was chewy and the rest tasted a little stale. I ended up going with the 3AM burger (Angus patty, Swiss, Woodshop MI maple bacon, topped with a fried egg & crispy fried onion strings, Sriracha mayo) and she got the Leilo Bowl (Macaroni, bacon Pecorino cream, chicken, coal-fired tomatoes, red onion, chives, smoked cheddar). Both arrived in record time, and both were just really, really heavy and not quite as delicious as they could have been. Both were lacking something (diversity in texture? more complex flavor?) and too laden with other things (fat, salt). We didn't finish anything, but took home only the remaining pizza. We also ordered dessert -- a Banoffe Pudding and a S'mores plate for the boy. We had no idea what the S'Mores actually were, but tasted like pure sugar. The Banoffe Pudding was likely the worst pudding I've ever had, and it tasted like a refrigerator and had the consistency of melted ice cream. A truly lackluster end to a mostly disappointing meal. Luckily, we didn't break the bank on dinner, but it was far less than satisfying. I'm in no hurry to get back to Vinsetta Garage, but I'm glad I went and quash my curiosity of all the hubbub.
Being a fan of Union Woodshop and Union in Clarkston, I loved Vinsetta Garage! The absolute best in the world onion rings! Unreal! The rest of the food is nicely done a well! Atmosphere is relaxed and fun, and the beer selection is large, local focused and wonderful! One thing that made me give this place 4 instead of 5 stars, is the service, we felt so rushed! I understand this is a busy place but... The server never asked if we had question about the menu, or if we wanted more drinks, or maybe explained some of the items on the menu (deep fried cheese curds, we could have been convinced into??). He acted as if we were there every day and ordered the same thing every day.... other than that we had a great time! Will definitely be back for, hopefully, better service!
(4)
Matthew D.
This self-described "joint", has one of the best interiors for a restaurant that I have been to. An old garage repair shop founded by the Kurta and Marwil families a life time ago, the restaurant has done an amazing job of keeping the look and feel of a walk back in time mixed with restaurant and bar that blends right in. The menu has a lot to choose from, so here are a few of the stand outs for me are: For Apps the gold medal goes to Loaded Potato Chips (share with 2-4 people) -- Scratch chips, house-smoked cheddar, pickled chilies, scallions (add ground turkey, ground beef or Woodshop, MI maple bacon if so desired). I have a few friends that swear by the Disco Fries, but like I tell them, it is OK to be wrong, the Loaded Potato Chips are where it is at. :) Soups: White Bean Chili Verde -- House spicy pork sausage, great northern beans, roasted tomatillo, jalapeño, onion, garlic, cilantro, crispy tortilla strips, sour cream. A nice spice to it, a lumchtime meal for me more than once. Chop Salad -- Romaine lettuce, grilled chicken breast, spicy tasso ham, Amish blue cheese, MI dried cherries, cucumber, fresh tomatoes, chopped egg, spicy fried onions, honey mustard vinaigrette. It is like a Michigan Salad kicked up a notch. The Baby Kale Salad comes in a close second. Union Mac -- Vermont sharp cheddar, Pinconning, penne rigate, bechamel, parmesan, crunchy crust, served with or without smoked ham. At this point, trying to shave a few calories off by excluding the ham is akin to not getting whip cream on top of your 1,500 calorie mocha. Just get it and enjoy the swine. The Yeti Bowl -- Penne, tomato basil sauce, house Italian sausage, pepperoni, house-pickled chilies, red onion, Ellsworth cheese curds. CHEESE CURDS. 'nough said. The Signature Pizza Pies are show stoppers as well. The Good: Coolest atmosphere in the area, day or night the vibe of the place can't be beat. You can valet, if you can't find a spot. The Bad: The menu is pretty heavy, I always leave here ready for nap... I could just be getting old though, I am also starting to hate wearing pants. The Restaurant This Restaurant Most Resembles: The Cars. An American classic!
(4)
Catie D.
Always delicious! Worth the wait. If they say the wait's an hour, I can usually cut that in half. Service is always good. Valet parking for free is very convenient!
(5)
Eowyn K.
The first time I went to Vinsetta Garage was to have a tire fixed. After it was turned into a restaurant I was intrigued to try it out (the reviews did not hurt either). Initially it was really hard to get in as the wait time was always long and they do not take reservations. The wait seems to have become better as it is not the newest-shinniest place in RO anymore. I like the decor, Americana with some leftovers from the actual garage days. The menu has a good variety. There is a build your own pasta or pizza option.The first time I went I had the pasta with the bacon-cream (mmm) sauce and the chicken meatball. Delicious. The 3am burger and the mac and cheese are also great. They have both booze and milkshakes or a combination of both. I'm a big fan of anything salted caramel so I recommend this one. They do not take reservations. I suggest calling ahead and seeing what the wait time is or going at an odd time. Vegetarian and gluten intolerant friendly.
(4)
Jaclyn S.
This place totally lives up to its hype. No really, it does. You'll read tons of reviews about the food, so I'll spare you the details: it's good, y'all. Complainers about parking, hush. Clearly parking in the front of the restaurant is limited, there's like 3 spaces. So do what I do, and park on a side street and walk a block. You'll be glad you did after your meal. If you don't mind a wait, check it out whenever you'd like. If you prefer not to wait, I'd stop by later on in the afternoon - after the lunch crowd and before the dinner rush. All in all, VG is a solid spot. The atmosphere is awesome (I'm a sucker for edison bulbs), the staff is super cool, the food is delicious at a really decent price. Go.
(4)
Jenn A.
Was our hour plus wait worth it on a Tuesday night? YES. That's why we keep going back again and again. Everything we try is amazing, and they make great drinks. What more can you ask for? Every time we go, we get friendly waitstaff. And we have never been disappointed. The wait is worth it!
(5)
Brian M.
First let me say I have eaten at Vinsetta before. It's been a year since my last visit. Good Friday not nearly as packed as usual. 2pm the tail of lunch. Food should be excellent right?? Cher's first visit I was excited to show off a favorite find in the place my children grew up. I decide on the Ginsberg a pastrami on 9 grain with spicy brown mustard. I added the dinner salad which consists of spring mix- greens, feta, snap peas, red onion, fresh tomatoes, fried chickpeas and I sub blue cheese dressing. Feta cheese non existent, dressing thin and mediocre. (I know they suggest the roasted tomato inveterate). My sandwich the pastrami thick and tough. Omg tip #1: here order the mustard on the side. First I will tell you I like Wasabi but this was so thick on both sides of my bread it took my breath away. It over powered the fight I had to get my pastrami off the sandwich. You know that feeling where the meat is hanging from your mouth, your losing your breath from mustard? The meat has to be spit back on your plate because yourv choking. Tip #2 eat this sandwich with a knife and fork so you can cut the pastrami in little chewable pieces. Squeezing the sandwich hard just makes the 9 grain fall apart. Im not even going to comment on Cheri's food she wanted to send it back. Overall I would wonder what changed here? Bad menu picks or bad day to eat here. I did not impress Cher. Oh well....
(2)
Mande B.
The food was great - awesome variety to pick from. If you're in a hurry though, this is not the place to go.
(4)
Jackee M.
Best place in the area. I come from Chicago to eat here. Great food and drinks. Good service. Cool look. I got barfed on in the bathroom once by a drunk patron and it was still a great dinner. Go and you'll come back. Hear the pies aren't the best but if you want pizza go to a pizza place.
(5)
Abi J.
I have yet to be disappointed by this place. I have come for lunch twice and dinner twice. I think I like the lunch menu better because they offer a ton of different hot dogs. The MAC and CHEESE is where it is at. Share it with someone. I know mac and cheese and there's it great. It is heavy though- I wouldn't recommend it if you are sensitive to dairy. The chopped salad is tasty and I love their homemade chips. I tried a balsamic sandwich. It was good... For dinner I have had the quinoa salad and the vinsetta burger. Burger was delicious. They put topars pickles in them which are my favorite. Interesting drink menu and I love the ambiance. I have heard of vinsetta garage having terrible waits but I have always been seated pretty fast.
(4)
Adam O.
I usually hold off on reviewing places like this until at least 2 visits in to get a better feel for the place but I'll go ahead anyway. Went Tuesday night (630ish) and was quoted a 2 hour 15 minute wait time. Wow. Grabbed the pager, went up to the bar and scored 2 stools just as a pair were leaving. Do not expect this to be the norm. Bar was about 2-3 deep. Atmosphere inside was great. Kept the old charm, love the skylights, and that you can just open the old garage doors to let the outside in. The menu is pretty straightforward but with a lot of options to choose from. Basically youre eating a burger, pizza, or meatballs (or a mammoth entree portion of the great mac and cheese). Since I wanted to try way too much to encompass one meal I opted for a side mac and cheese and the macon bacon burger. Mac and cheese is great. Dare I say just as good as Slow's? Burger was juicy, cooked properly, tasty, loaded with bacon. Not sure how enthralled I was with the maple coating on the bacon as the burger had a very sweet taste as a whole. I added some sliced red onions from the GF's and that helped. It could use something, spicy/acidic to cut through the sweet. Banoffee pudding was perfectly tasty if not mind-blowing. Great beer list. Would definitely spring for the fired cheese curds and some kind of meatball next time as both looked great. Perhaps my biggest praise can be left for the service. Quite honestly, it shocked me at how good it was which says a lot about what we've come to expect from the casual, hipster, foodie oriented spots. Maybe it was because we were at the bar, but wonderful service all around. Friendly, prompt, knowledgeable, etc. One downside is that the outside area doesn't yet have a liquor license but I'm sure one is in the works. Note: the pager went off after about 50 minutes, not the 2 hours 15 as stated. So don't be turned off by the wait and you'll be rewarded. if the meatballs/cheese curds are as good as they looked and the outside area gets a LL.......definite 5 star material.
(4)
Brian W.
Wife and I finally made it to Vinsettas on a Sunday afternoon and so glad we did. My wife had the bunless Turkey burger and I the ground lamb burger. For sides, we both ordered the Mac n cheese. Wow. Both meals were incredible, lots of flavor and we left looking forward to our return visit. Did I mention its a one hour drive to get there from home? The Craft Beer list? Too many to list and many to choose from, no matter your preference. Turn around on Woodward and go. You'll be glad you did.
(5)
Kristin G.
Vinsetta, a Woodward staple for years as a garage has been reclaimed and made into a restaurant. It's a beautiful thing when such an important part of the area's history is preserved, not torn down. I couldn't be happier with it's new identity. The garage feel is very much still present. There are all kinds of little remnants of the garage that once was without it being to "themey" or gimmicky. The atmosphere is casual but with character and a nice nod to the days that once were. The menu has lots of custom options, sort of catering to the idea of the custom shop. I got a custom burger with a pretzel bun (YUM) and what I consider "classic" burger toppings- Cheddar, Lettuce, Onion, Tomato & Mc Clure's Pickle slices. (I love that they use McClure's pickles, supporting the locals is always good in my book!) The burger was cooked to perfection and is enormous! The meat was so juicy and fresh that I couldn't stop eating it, despite how messy and huge it was. This left me to think that I've got another contender for best burger in town here. The burgers come with fresh Vinsetta homemade chips, they were thin & crispy & just right. For a side, I couldn't resist the Woodshop Mac n Cheese. It's exactly as I remembered, just minus the hot sauce I had dumped on it when eating it with BBQ, still good just not as punchy. ;) We started with the Disco Fries. I'd say they were wise to not name this Poutine, for obvious reasons that would beg comparisons...but it consists of the the basic ingredients that are characteristic to the quirky Canadian classic...fries, gravy, chives, cheese curds. I really enjoyed the Disco Fries, they were just enough to start out with and really had a nice combination of flavors. Needless to say, there was little room for any sweet treats after the delicious burger & fries & mac n cheese. We will be back to sample though, that's for sure. I am so beyond thrilled to have this establishment so close to home and in such a historical building. It really lives up to the Vinsetta Garage name and I expect it will become a new kind of Detroit Classic :)
(4)
Kimberley S.
My hubby and I went here after we went and seen Skylar Grey. The atmosphere there was pretty cool, and the food was wonderful! The reason I gave it only 3 stars was bc the server never checked to see if we needed anything after we got our food, and it was so loud, and I mean LOUD! I couldnt even hear anything my husband was saying. It was WAY to loud. (MUSIC I MEAN) But the food was great.
(3)
Kelly H.
Been here twice now and today I was less than impressed. The atmosphere is cool and the Faygo Rock and Rye milkshake was fantastic, but the rest of the meal was mediocre. I ordered the Detroit coney dogs which would have been WAY better at a local coney joint. The hot dogs themselves were good, but their homemade chili was salty and not good. The chips that come on the side were salt-less and tasteless. I would have loved to try the 3am dog or burger because I've heard good things but I'm allergic to eggs. Bummer. I'd def recommend going at an odd time to avoid long wait times. Service was decent. Next time, I'll def order something different. Coney dogs belong in Detroit coney islands, not hipster restaurants.
Brand new place - lots of hype....I'm usually disappointing. Hip Hip Hip Hip Hooray, I wasn't disappointed. It was cool. Hands down the best Macaroni and Cheese I've ever had. If you don't like this, Kraft called and wants you back. I had a burger - it was huge. Tasted sensational!!! Biggest problem - it's a big ol mess. Juice drippin out all over the place.....everything about the decor and the stylings was really neat. If you don't love that, well I'll, I'll, drink some beige paint. The onion rings were huge and tasty too. Our waitress was new and had a cool rockabilly look about her. The service was good - they were trying hard, but the food was slow in coming. We showed up about 4:30pm on friday and they had a good sized crowd. By the time we were done there were people standing around all over the place and there was a long tine. This place is the hottest thing going right now....and rightfully so. My group was delighted with everything the place had to offer. The price are a little high, but the food quality is better than 99% of any other places around. It may not be the type of place for everyone, but I suspect anyone with a heartbeat would like it. We'll definitely be back. One other back thing - it's LOUD in there. The noise factor is intense. High ceilings and everything is hard...so the sound just echoes and carries.
(5)
Adam W.
Good food. Fun atmosphere. Very different from what I am used to back home. Fantastic Lamb Burger and fried cheese. Fast service and I ate way to much food.
(5)
Nick Z.
Love the look and feel of this place. Who wouldn't love carburetors retrofitted into wall sconces? The staff is attentive, beer selection is good, and they push for local selections. We had to wait for a table to clear up but that's to be expected when you're in the middle of lunch rush at a popular restaurant. We were able to lounge on some comfortable couches and enjoy bar service in the mean time. The menu is fantastic. I'm a major fan of lamb dishes so any time a menu has options that make me reconsider the lamburger is a huge boon to me. That said, the duckburger was delicious. I was worried that duck paired with Gruyère and cherry compote would be overly sweet but it really was fantastic. Parking is limited, as others have said so be prepared for a hunt for a space and a wait but both will be rewarded with delicious grub.
(5)
Mike S.
The Vinsetta Burger is one of the best burgers I have ever had. I am not a sauce guy at all but i heard this burger had amazing sauce so i tried it. Adding the aioli for the fries to the Burger also added a unique taste i have not experienced in my life. Everyone should have this burger.
(5)
Paula D.
Really nice reclamation of this historic garage. Food we had for lunch (salads) was good, but the noise level is really something else, and this was at lunch! I heard dinner din is way worse. Id even forgive the stupid parking situation if it wasn't for the noise
(3)
T W.
Food was ok, waitress Amber was amazing! We will return because of her. If they ever fire her or disrespect her ill tell the entire Asian community to disregard this establishment completely!!!
(5)
Julia M.
I thought this place had stellar food. I noticed that most of the negative reviews had complaints that are completely out of the restaurant's control: Yes, they are loud, busy and there is a super long wait. But that's sort of what happens when a restaurant has good food and becomes popular. Don't knock the restaurant for that! Considering how insanely busy this place is, I still thought all the employees I encountered were polite and stayed on top of the service. Sure they seem to rush you a little bit but at a crazy busy restaurant it's not the type of place you can linger. As everyone else on Yelp has stated, the burgers are giant and essentially perfect. I love the pretzel bun as I have never had that at any other burger joint. Good beer selection too which is always important. I really like the building itself and how it remains true to it's original purpose. It's an old car repair shop and you definitely feel that vibe here. As a recent transplant to the area from Denver, this is the place where I will take my family and friends when they come to visit that will scream "Detroit" without being touristy and cheesy. It has the super fatty and super delicious food you would expect. As a non native Detroiter (or Midwesterner for that matter) it has the food and ambiance/decor that restaurants back home try to replicate but is just so much better done in Detroit. GREAT place for out of towners and locals who don't mind the wait.
(5)
Marisa S.
This place takes the cake. What amazing decor! I find something new to look at each time I am here. Great food. Hot dogs are out of this world- love the unique combinations they offer. The 3AM dog is my favorite. The duck burger is also delicious, as well as the beef burger. Mac and cheese is so yummy! The service is so-so but it's worth putting up with for the great food!
(4)
Brittany S.
Don't order a ceasar salad with the flank steak. Definetly not worth the money. I hear the burgers are good. That will be my next visit.
(3)
Matthew B.
My new favorite Detroit metro restaurant. The portions are perfect. The flavors wonderful and all of the food is made in house. There was a bit of a wait, but a comfy waiting area where they'll serve you alcohol. This place had the best mac and cheese that I've ever had. I'd come back here just to have that!
(5)
Cindy C.
Very anti-climatic. For all the musings about this place, I was expecting something really great and tasty. I give them points for the decor though. I won't be returning.
(2)
Henrietta C.
Went to vincetta garage on my birthday today Sept 11. Service was very good, food was ok. Burgers and onion rings were a Lil greasy. Drink was very good and refreshing. Spacious layout of restaurant. Would visit again.
(3)
Greg M.
What anawesome place. Great food and atmosphere. I had the salmon. You have to try the wings appetizer. Service was awesome.. I would surely go again.
(5)
Rob B.
I had lunch at the Vinsetta Garage last week. This was my first time to eat there and I don't understand all the buzz. The decor is certainly unique, however, I go to a place for food and service. Unfortunately neither the food or service is anything to write home about. I had lunch with two colleagues we had burgers and a chicken sandwich. I found the burger overcooked with almost an over powering charred flavor. My colleague who had the chicken mentioned it was pretty bland. During lunch the place is about one half full which brings me to the service. We were seated promptly and greeted by our server almost immediately, but it went down hill from there. We sat for about 15 to 20 minutes before the server came back to take our order. This doesn't make sense when the place is only half full. Then after about another 20 minutes someone elses order showed up. This was promptly returned and another 15 minute wait ensued before our food showed up. Even worse our food temperature was tepid at best. By the time we finished we had spent an hour and a half to have a mediocre lunch at best. The last comment is regarding pricing. $11.95 is pretty steep for a burger especially when the size and quality isn't anything special. Our total lunch bill was almost $40 with no alcohol. I don't believe I will be returning to Vinsetta Garage.
(2)
Todd J.
This place is a revelation. Draft hard cider. Incredible burger with a fried egg on it. Delicious dessert. Pop rocks on Faygo Rock n Rye ice cream??? Seriously, how is that not awsome? Unique setting. Complimentary valet. Must do again.
(5)
Kathryn G.
I have been wanting to try this place for months and finally got the chance to. The hosts said the wait would be about an hour so we took a seat at the bar to have a drink while we waited for our buzzer to go off. The atmosphere is nice and I assume it is always as crowded as it was the night we went. The decor is fun and the atmosphere was appealing....Bad news is that we waited over an hour and our buzzer never went off. :-/ We decided to grab dinner at the bar. The food was very good...I got the Shop salad (I think that's what it was) and we ordered the mac -n- cheese. I cant remember what burger my date ordered but it was apparently good. The portion sizes were huge! That was a plus knowing we got what we paid for. All of the staff was friendly which is always a plus as well. I will be coming back for sure and maybe on a less busy night. aaannd Maybe my buzzer will work then.
(4)
Michael G.
This place is always slammed. We had a hard time figuring out when to get there when it wasn't a 1-2 hour wait (I've never been to a restaurant that was worth that kind of wait). We lucked out on timing as we managed to get right in on a Sunday at noon. I got the pretzel bun burger.. I recall it being made wrong once or twice... So I ended up getting my meal about 15 minutes after everyone, which, as a slow eater, means I may as well have ordered carryout. We got a chocolate Malt... which was quite overpriced for the size and taste... I may have liked the malt better had there actually been chocolate in it! The burger, once arrived was tasty... Definitely a thumbs up for the house cut fries.. Always better than precut / frozen. As far as the interior vibe... I liked the look, but it was big, open and NOISY. Don't expect to carry on a great conversation if it's busy. Overall the food was good but pricey. I'll return, but not often.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Valet, Street Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Loud Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Amby M.
We've been wanting to give Vinsetta Garage a whirl for quite a while now, but the chef-husband has a vehement mantra of I DON'T WAIT!!! So I patiently bided my time until an opportunity for lunch came up with family from in and outside of town, and then made my casual suggestion. Off to the Garage we went! We arrived at about 12:45 on a Tuesday afternoon, to be told immediately there would be a twenty-minute wait. Cue the chef husband's meltdown but...HA HA, our buzzer went off well before twenty minutes (so what others are saying about VG overestimating your wait time is definitely true). We'd barely ordered our drinks at the bar before we were being escorted to our table! Atmosphere: Yes, it's loud. That's not necessarily a BAD thing, just a product of the architecture's acoustics. I wouldn't recommend it for a first date or hammering out an important business deal, though. Everything was very laid-back-casual, from the paper tablecloth to the pilled mechanic/kitchen rags as napkins. There were a lot of fun little details to observe in the decor here, and for the most part, the staff was very friendly. Menu: Interesting, but a wee bit overpriced for what you get. One of our party has visited the Union Woodshop on multiple occasions and she was underwhelmed overall by Vinsetta. I can't remember the exact prices (although some of my fellow Yelpers have kindly posted them) but my burger was in the $12-range, and I'm giving it a squinty side-eye at that price. The menu itself was so limited in apps that we skipped over them altogether. Service: Front-of-the-house: very friendly and on top of it. Bar: friendly, but a little slow. Waiter: Not quite as on top of it as he should have been, I had an empty drink glass for a while and finally the chef-husband had to break the sad, sad news to me that I would not be getting another Screwdriver on this visit. The food runner gave me a serious grumpy-face, though...she brought out everything for three of us, and nothing for my husband, not even a "Your food is ready, I'll be right back with it!" She literally didn't even acknowledge that there was NO FOOD TO SET DOWN IN FRONT OF HIM. So we all sat there in silent protest, not eating, until she finally wandered back over and said something along the lines of "Yeah, yours will be right up, I'll be back." I can honestly say I've never experienced anything quite so rude and unprofessional when it comes meal delivery. I don't care if your venue is a converted garage or some hoity-toity 5-star joint...there was no excuse for this. Food: I got the Vinsetta Burger sans cheese, natch. It was...unremarkable and a bit overcooked. I mean, it was GOOD, but there wasn't anything that stood out, aside from the pure sloppiness of digging into the thing. I always cut a burger in half so I can chow down with a modicum of elegance, but the pretzel bun was so...dense?...I could barely do that. Yes, the sauce (which involved mayo and chipolte and was tasty but again, unremarkable) is served on the side so you can dial your sloppiness gauge up or down but...DANG. Ladies, even if you are a burger-lovah like myself, do not order this on a first date. My poor mechanic's rag/napkin took a beating on this one, and there is absolutely no way to eat this without sauce and grease halfway to your wrists. Was it tasty? Again, yes, BUT...unremarkable. We may as well have gone to Smashburger. I substituted the included chips for house fries and those were indeed YUMMY...greasy and salty like you wouldn't believe, but yummy!!! I strongly recommend the upgrade, even at the choke-on-'em cost. The restaurant-GM-BiL got the Chop Salad with great anticipation about the dried cherries to compliment his glass o'wine, but ended up a bit "meh" about the whole thing. Our other dining-guest got the Grilled Chicken Sandwich and enjoyed it, but ended up eating it with half a bun, a knife, and fork, because (see above) there is no way to eat what they cram between the buns neatly! The chef-husband got the Sy Ginsberg Press and was underwhelmed...the bottom was soggy, which led us to believe it and my soggy-bunned burger had sat in the window for a while. Overall...good fun vibe, I'd recommend every Yelper visit it at least once to say they did. Apparently there is now complimentary valet (we were lucky enough to score a spot right in front!). But overall? There is no way in hell I'd wait an hour for the privilege of dining here...there are too many other great spots to hit up for better food.
(3)Dale L.
Allow a few minutes for wait excellent food excellent atmosphere
(5)Chrystal M.
One word- Lamburger!
(4)O H.
Awesome setting and finger licking good food. Must go!
(5)Alyssa R.
Nostalgia is a powerful thing... and since my family had taken our cars to Vinsetta Garage for years for top quality, family-owned service, I was beyond excited to see the transformation that became 'Vinsetta Garage: The Restaurant.' And they lived up to my expectations, originally. Still set in the original garage theme, it's industrial meets hipster. A cool place to meet friends (though the acoustics leave MUCH to be desired. The menu is creative, as the place is owned by the folks who own Union Woodshop. Same great Mac n' cheese, quality meat, inventive sides and unique flavor combinations. At first, I even braved the long lines to eat here and just couldn't get enough. And then, for some reason, I maxed out a bit. Why? I can't really put my finger on it. It just became a bit... 'je ne sai quoi...' I don't know how to put it in words. Unique, but not enough- quality ingredients and flavors, but not enough to make it the experience I thought it was at first. It's not like the quality lowered (though I have had a few overcooked burgers, which is a burger killer), but when the newness wore off I find myself going elsewhere for 'that great burger.' You will find better burgers that don't hide behind the mask of the many toppings and actually stand on their own. You won't regret stopping in, and you'll probably like it a lot- as I did for a while. I'm also quite sure I'll be back at some point even if it's not a hurry. So take it for what it's worth- it's a great concept with a good execution that I just don't crave.
(4)Courtney M.
YUM. My friend and I came here on a Saturday for lunch. The wait wasn't bad, about 20 minutes. We had some wicked delicious margaritas at the bar while we waited. For lunch we ordered disco fries, a side of their Union Mac, The Pedro, and a Yeti Dog. Everything was positively tasty, including the homemade chips. Portion sizes are quite large for the price you pay. I'll definitely be back!
(5)Huston M.
Why have a burger here when red coat is down the road? In fact, if you desire a truly good burger I recommend driving to Oxford to a quaint Irish pub called Sullivan's where they have a real chef and burger. The ambiance is eclectic and fun but the service and food is average. To ice the cake, I witnessed a waitress spill a whole beer on a baby. The ev1 veggie burger was as thick as the overwhelming goat cheese on top of it. Wtf? As for The 3am burger? Overcooked as well as the chips it came with. The side Union Mac-n-cheese was cold in parts but hot on top... Meh. Wouldn't come back.
(3)Varun B.
This place is THE most busiest restaurant in Berkley. I live just a couple blocks away, well within walking distance, so I pass it nearly every day. There hasn't been a single time I've been by either during lunch or dinner where there hasn't been a wait out the door, despite the outdoor seating being open. Somehow, they have managed to make this place constantly pouring with customers. The food itself is pretty good as well. They have a great selection of burgers and pizzas, as well as some full entrees. I don't eat beef, but I do eat all other meats. I don't usually prefer a vegetarian patty, but their vegan patties are amazing. They also have shitake bacon. One thing I am a huge huge proponent for is real bacon, but their impostor veggie bacon does a great job. I've had their fried cheese curds...these can get a little oily sometimes, so consider this your warning if you're not looking for that kind of item. They also have a pretty good beer selection.
(4)Alex K.
For a second visit, I got the Tikka fries, 3am burger, and a side of mac and cheese (again). Came in at about 3pm on a Saturday. We (six people) were told there'd be a 45 minute wait, but it was about 20. Service was good. Food was good. It was all fine. Mom's Vinsetta Burger was dry and crusty, so it got taken back, but a new one was back within maybe five minutes. 3am burger was really good, but I don't know if it was better than the Macon Bacon one. The Union Mac was as good as ever, as well. The Tikka fries would have been AWESOME, but the fries themself were WAY over-salted -- regardless, I'd get them again. The Rock 'n Rye shake is better than the ice cream, I think, just because of the texture. The liquid nitrogen gives the ice cream a freezer burn sort of feel because of the ice crystals. It's almost like eating an ice cream/sherbet hybrid. Good, but not great. The shake is better. Both of them (understandably) taste like Blue Moon. Overall, another good experience with a nice menu with a bunch of options, but knocked it down to four stars just because as good as it is, I'm not too sure it's worth the wait on a busy night. A fifteen minute wait today wasn't bad at all, but dinner time would certainly be a disaster. Not many places are quite worth waiting an hour to eat at. Vinsetta Garage is close, but not quite. Still a place I'd love to visit again and again, just preferably at an "off" hour, even though they truthfully don't have one.
(4)Gerard G.
The only reason I give Vinsetta Garage four as opposed to five stars is consistency. Vinsetta Garage is one of my favorite restaurants in the area. The Erich Press is probably one of the most perfect lunch sandwiches I've experienced. Serving up great burgers, pasta dishes and boozy ice cream shakes, you really can't go wrong at this spot. Nine times out of ten you'll have an amazing experience. The four star rating only comes from a touch of inconsistency, which is bound to happen when you're doing such high volume service. Every now and then you may catch a new cook who doesn't do your sandwich the way you had it last time-but it'll still be good, no worries. The slight inconsistency is worth noting, though I wouldn't let it dissuade you from visiting this unique restaurant that has one of the coolest atmospheres of any restaurant in the greater Detroit area. The salmon kale salad? Two thumbs up. The Pedro? Phenomenal turkey burger. Check it out, you'll be glad you did.
(4)Meghan K.
Was really let down with the quality of the food and service from just a year ago. I think it may have gone to the heads of everyone there. We got our appetizer within five minutes which would have been great if it hadn't been just a bowl of oil and a bunch of cheese all stuck together (supposedly cheese curds). It was rather disgusting. Brought our parents with us for dinner and no one liked their meal...which didn't come for another 45-50 minutes after our "appetizer". Not that the server seemed to care, she and other staff were more concerned with socializing near computers and being on their phones. Sad. Won't be back.
(2)Wm H.
Elsewhere in the country, Detroit and its surrounds are thought of as the center of the rust belt, for car enthusiasts, it is the center of the American automotive fatherland. Be it tours of automotive factories, or car enthusiast events like the Woodward Dream Cruise or Concours of America at St. Johns. So as an auto enthusiasts it was on my to-do list, and while I have been traveling to Detroit over the past few years it did not get to the top of the list due to time allowed. This year with the North American Auto Show, there was some time to attend. They have free Valet Parking, and if you bring a really HOT American Car, it gets parked up front, the everyday hoopties get parked in the back lot. Inside is very well designed as a restaurant, while it feels like a theme restaurant, it is not kitschy like the 1980's TGI Fridays or Applebee's is, this one feels very real and one of a kind. Large open space, tall ceilings, as once it was an actual automobile repair shop with lifts. The design has been done tastefully but still well scripted. Check out the pennies used as floor tile in the rest rooms. Staff you will notice is quite the hipster team, and the word team is very key because if you watch them you will see they all work very well together, like a finely crafted machine. A good team is not easy to find in the hospitality industry, but this one is well trained, and know how to take care of their customers. High marks in my books for that! Food was not anything extreme, but good quality food that is fresh and well served. Drinks are your modern bar staples, though don't expect anything the hipster community would not order. Beer, wine and today's choice of high octane alcohol. For sure this is on my list to revisit when I return to the Motor City.
(5)Andrew P.
It's hard to look past the amazing dining room and bar design, really fantastic post-industrial charm. The food is really good pub food. We are huge fans of the lamb burger on pretzel roll. I don't prefer the house-made chips: too greasy and too "loaded" for me. The beer selection is great too, but that is becoming 'table stakes' at most local restaurants. I enjoy the wide selection of IPAs in particular. For the price, this is a great weekday dinner place as evidenced by the long waits especially in the summer. But don't over-think it, this is no fine dining establishment! Take advantage of the free valet parking, because otherwise you are going to search for a spot on the neighborhood streets.
(4)Michael A.
Yummy food, delicious drinks, hot crowd. It's got everything. Skip the coney pizza. Get the salmon. Mac and cheese is hot and spicy. They have ginger beer. Eating at the bar is where the action is. Lots of hot people. Good times!
(4)Katie W.
Goodness gracious, this place far exceeded my expectations despite the 1hr and 15 min wait. It was only a Monday night, but maybe it was the holidays, or maybe it's always just that busy. Once we seated, I had a hell of a time deciding what to order because everything looked so damn good. I ended up deciding that if I was gonna get something greasy and delicious, I would go ahead with the 3pm hot dog. The only thing better than a hot dog is a hot dog with onion strings and a fried egg on top. And I was pleasantly surprised with not 1, but 2 dogs! As a last ditch effort to order something nutritious, I subbed the chips for some broccolini. Yes, they were smothered in oil, but they were still green and tasted great. We also started with the Tikka fries, which were phenomenal. Must find some way to get back to this place...
(5)Grace L.
We came in on a Sunday evening and had to wait an hour until we were seated. Luckily, we were given the biggest booth for three people! I was very impressed with the restaurant ambience and decor. It's totally family-friendly but also edgy and hip. The draft beer list is quite extensive and the appetizer list was quite full of mouth-watering goodies. Unfortunately, I wasn't hungry enough to order a ton of extra food. Me and my friends ordered the Faygo ice cream (which they made into a milkshake that came with two extra little cups for the rest of us), the Macon Bacon burger, the tuna casserole, and the roast beef sandwich. We all opted out of the housemade chips for a side of mac and cheese. The bacon burger was LOADED with bacon and was the best that my friend ever had. The tuna casserole looked delicious. My roast beef sandwich was a perfect combination of savory, spicy, and crunchy with the pepper jack cheese, the perfectly toasted bread, fried onions, mustard, and tender roast beef. The mac and cheese was not as heavy as I thought it would be (which was a good thing!) and the crust was perfectly crispy. It was so delicious and the portion size was huge! Our waitress was awesome - super friendly and helpful. We didn't mind the wait too much because there were some nice chairs and couches to sit in while waiting. This place doesn't take reservations so be prepared for a wait! Apparently an hour was a short wait...! Definitely coming again and taking more friends here! There are a ton of gluten free options and the pasta dishes sounded amazing.
(4)Jay Arra M.
IG account: @motorcitymunchers Had cousins from out town visiting us so I had to take them here. The ambiance of the place just screams fun with a very casual feel to it. Awesome decor of industrial pieces is something that I've always loved. The Noodle Burger was a perfect blend of ground angus, smoked cheddar, elbow macaroni, and Woodshop MI maple bacon! Almost like an upgraded hamburger helper for adults and YES that's the UNION MAC in the background - IG Poster: @jayarra
(5)Kimberly M.
I LOVED Vinsetta Garage. Came here for a team dinner with about ten coworkers. The cheese curds were arguably everyone's favorite. The tikka masala fries were a close second as far as appetizers go. My salmon was cooked perfectly and came in a HUGE portion size. For dessert I went with the Rock and Rye Ice cream and was pleasantly surprised by the flavor (I've never had Faygo before). I was equally impressed by the perfection in the Old Fashioned (cocktail) I ordered to start off the evening. Service was quick, friendly, and efficient considering the size of our group. The atmosphere was also very unique.
(5)Jenny S.
I've been here three times and the service ranges from mediocre to godawful (how long does it take to fry up hamburgers and hotdogs??). Almost always busy, but never busy enough to prevent the bartenders and waitresses from standing around and gossiping. Food (simple order has been screwed up once) usually arrives lukewarm and you'll need to find your own condiments if you're at the bar b/c the waitress won't bother to ask. To say a trained monkey could provide better customer service wouldn't be an exaggeration. The only reason why I gave VG two stars is b/c "The Dude" milkshake, while overpriced, was excellent. Whatever though...I can get boozy milkshakes, better homemade chips, and much better service at Public House.
(2)David O.
Where can you go for the waitress with the Eidetic memory? Vinsetta Garage, apparently! Our waitress took all of our orders (a party of four) without note taking and then when on to another table and did the same thing. Of course, this was only a proven skill when she returned and got everyone's order correct! I had the Vinsetta Burger and I have to say its easily one of the best burgers I've had in Detroit. I would go so far as to say it is better than Red Coat Tavern, which is well known for its burgers. It tasted like that delicious burger that someone makes on a grill at a Picnic. The highest praise I can think of for a burger. Without a doubt, it is busy, and without question, parking is an issue. But because it is so good I can't really subtract ratings for this reason. I look forward to the next time i'm in the D so I can go back!
(5)Andrea S.
Best burgers in town! Everything is homemade and you can taste the difference. You can tell the care that goes into crafting this amazing menu. The Duck burger is awesome! I always get the fresh cut fries instead of chips just because I love them so much and the dipping sauce you get with them is absolutely awesome! If you want an appetizer, try the Breadsticks. They're not only delicious, but shareable and not too heavy. The portion sizes are quite large so you must save room for the main entree's!The salted Carmel shake is amazing as well. Pretty much everything...everything's great! My greatest dilemma when dining at Vinsetta's is not ordering the entire menu!
(5)Jake A.
Is it time to take your taste buds in for a tune up? Is your stomach running on E? I'm always cautious when trying a place that is universally adored by the community. Vinsetta has always been "that really crowded place" that I pass on Woodward on my way home from work. How novel, to turn a garage into a restaurant! It catches your attention but don't let it guide you blindly. It's what's inside that determines a restaurants worth, and Vinsetta is doing it right. They've tried to keep the aesthetic of a dark, dirty garage intact which oddly works in this setting, save for a few spots of kitschy clutter that doesn't seem to fit like those awful corporate chain restaurants with accordions and the like hanging from the ceiling. We had dinner on a Thursday night and we came fully prepared to wait. Waiting for a table has never been a huge bother for me if I know ahead of time that it's that kind of place. In just under 20 minutes though we had our table for two. Their waiting room is a decent size and has long wooden benches, which is a plus. The noise factor in here makes this a place better suited for groups than an intimate dinner, it was slightly difficult to hear the conversation at my table. Almost always standing room only at the bar. They have an impressive beer list, though my first three choices were sadly and to my mild annoyance out of stock as the waitress kept consulting the bar back with each selection before I resigned myself to a selection of one of the "Lawnmower Beers". When it came to food, after hearing so much about it and it being a staple of this establishment, I ordered the Union Mac. A colossal baked macaroni and cheese, while a tad overpriced was nonetheless one of the heartiest, gooey, downright delicious mac and cheeses I have ever tasted. This dish could easily be shared between two people. You can order it with ham mixed in, though I couldn't imagine adding anything more to this tasty brick of a dinner. I was ready for a nap afterwards, rest assured. The knockdown in the rating stems from their chronic drink outages and the service ranks just slightly below stellar. But rest assured, this place is busy for a reason and I don't foresee that changing any time soon. This is one place that is certainly not storing junk in their garage.
(4)Ellen A.
Had the 3 am burger and the Mac n cheese. It was an amazing burger. The Mac and cheese had a hint of nutmeg so good. Service was great. Definitely a do over. Loved the penny floor in the bathroom very cool idea. My burger was exceptional
(5)Patricia M.
My sister-in-law has talked about taking me to Vinsetta Garage for a few years now when I have visited her and we finally got to go today! We went early so had no wait perfect time because the place filled up fast! This place is so good we had great service and the food was great! We started off with deep fried cheese curds and disco fries. Both great I loved the gravy that came with the disco fries everything blended really well to make it work. The cheese curds are beer battered and it adds to the flavor of the curds very yummy. My main dish was the Macon Bacon burger with a side of Union Mac. The burger was perfect and juicy, the bacon jam that comes with it is awesome (ask for a side of that with your burger you won't regret it). The Union Mac was very nice perfectly seasoned Mac and cheese I really enjoyed it after it cooled down. For dessert we enjoyed Mi Pecan Tart and Fried Pie. The fried pie was great the blend of the cherries and cheesecake was yummy. The Mi pecan tart was perfect. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Sophia K.
Vinsetta Garage is sooooo Detroit. Like if you've never been to Detroit and you pull up the mental image you already have, this is what it is. Old auto shop converted into kick-ass burgers and pasta place, with one of the best milkshakes I've ever had, and y'all know I love a good milkshake. A SALTED CARAMEL CUSTARD milkshake. Beat that! I'll give you your entire Michigan itinerary right here: Go to UMich in the morning, eat a snack (A SMALL SNACK). Drive to Detroit; it's not that far. Spend the afternoon at the Detroit Institute of Arts gettin' your culture on, and then go undo it all with a burger, milkshake and mac&cheese at Vinsetta. Done. You're welcome. But honestly, if you're going to eat somewhere in Detroit, go here.
(5)NunYa B.
Underwhelming food. Great fun ambience and decor. My burger lacked seasoning and the bun size overshadowed the lack luster meat and fillers. Side of ( mushy) quinoa. Would make a cool place for happy hour with friends.
(2)Larry F.
Expect long waits on the weekends, but their food is so good it's worth it!
(4)Jesda G.
Nice selection of local beers, tremendously satisfying burgers. Great atmosphere for casual socializing. Parking is tight so expect to walk a block.
(5)Ashliegh M.
I really really like this place..the atmosphere, the staff, the food, the drinks and even the website carries this 'bad ass' appeal and I can't wait to continue to come here and try everything! Only problem is the parking, but the place is huge and in the summer their outdoor seating area is nice. The entire appeal is garage (hint the name) and if you're like me, I instantly want to look cool coming here. I want to have many arm tattoos, slicked back hair or just look like Rizzo from Grease. The bar staff and waitstaff have been extremely friendly even when the place is packed and they're super busy. If you have to wait for a table and the bar is open.. take advantage and order a signature cocktail and become friends with the bartender. You can never have too many bartender friends. I have tried the deep fried cheese curds (so good) their chop salad (eh.., but i really hate ordering salads.. ) the Pedro (yummy) and the faygo ice cream with pop rocks (Yo! What did you say?! Yes, pop rocks.. bringing back the childhood favorite) I have heard all good things about their burgers so I'm excited to keep coming back to try them all. Look out Vinsetta.. you're getting a regular.
(5)Anthony B.
Vinsetta Garage was the crown jewel of my Detroit culinary experience. The burgers were great, well thought out and composed. And surprisingly even better reheated. The mac and cheese was heavenly, gooey with a perfect breadcrumb crust. But really the Rock n Rye ice cream was supremely amazing. Typically ice cream is low on my list but the perfectly creamy texture and the interesting twist of the pop rocks forced me to eat every last drip. The only low point was the Tikka Masala Fries, it neither looked or tasted anything like any Tikka Masala I've ever had wihch was a big disappointment. Vinsetta Garage was full of hard working people, much like the original garage probably was. The service was spectacular despite being stuffed to the gills with hungry people. If the rest of the Detroit renaissance can be as successful as this pointed example then one day soon the city will born again on the backs of hard work and creativity.
(5)Nykol M.
I had shamed myself for being a native Detroiter who lives less than five miles from this place, but never to have dined there. Until now. This place is NOT a victim of the hype people have been giving it. You probably already read that it's a converted auto shop.... can't bring myself to apply the overused term "hipster", when describing this place. Think more like blue-collar chic. Think Betty Page meets Bad Suns or Kings of Leon. That's how I felt anyway. Enough about the decor. What you're really wanting to know is, "what's the food like? " Delicious, divine, flavorful. American fare turned on its head. My foodie bf ordered the ribeye with broccolini. I had the duck burger with farro hash. The waitress accidentally came out with mac and cheese, so I had to wait on the farro. During my wait (which ended up being all of two minutes) I sampled his steak, which was slightly smoky and juicy. I almost regretted getting the burger. However... ...when I bit into that duck, I felt pure joy. Who there knew how much I love Le Gruyer cheese and caramelized onions--and to put it on that burger, and use a pretzel bun at that?? How did they know that my eyes would roll to the back of my head like I had a gastrointestinal orgasm? And who would know to create a gourmet farro hash that I could eat at least three times a week? VINSETTA, that's who! We feasted in appreciation, chasing down our dishes with glasses of Goolden Draak ale (forgive my misspelling the name): yes, they have fancy beer available. Don't shy away from them either. They pair exquisitely well with any dish. Our final thoughts: we give this place two "hell yeahs"
(5)Ashley H.
I loved this place! I'm sorry that others have had issues with waiting for a table or with their service, but both were good for us. I guess we went into it knowing it would be a long wait, so we put our name in and headed to the bar. Just wear your patience pants and deal with it. And yes, it's a bit loud. It's an old garage, what do you expect?! Let me guess, you'd like the nostalgia preserved while sitting in a nice, quiet restaurant. Ugh. Know that there will be a long wait, people will be standing on every square inch of spare real estate, and it will be loud and lively. Their beer selection alone is worthy of five stars! There were so many Michigan breweries represented. The decor is another five stars. I love that they did such a great job preserving the old garage. The menu is great and aside from the mac and cheese, I found it to have mostly original items separate from their other restaurants. I need to get around to trying one of their good-looking pizzas but I always get distracted by the burgers. I had mine with a pretzel bun and while tasty, I feel it didn't absorb as much of the juices and sauce as a sesame bun would. Instead the juices and sauce ran down my hands and made for a messy experience. It sure was a tasty mess though! One thing that always strikes me about the Union restaurants are their prices. I always find them to be reasonable and never feel like they are taking advantage of popularity. I feel they are on par with the competition and always offer a quality product.
(5)Valerie K.
First things first: yes, they have the mac and cheese. And I guess it's the same deliciousness that you're used to from Clarkston Union. I'm not a mac and cheese fan but sure - it was good. My boyfriend said it was amazing so I guess you'll just have to take his word for it. On to the rest of the review. This place is pretty cool. I was super excited for the opening and visited on their first open-to-the-public Friday. I was concerned about service, crowds and long wait times, but I was surprised; no trouble with any of these. The huge issue is parking. The lot that wraps around the building is miniscule. You'll likely have to park in front of someone's house (they're gonna love THAT!) on one of the side streets: Oxford or Eaton. The entrance is poorly marked but you'll figure it out. You give your phone number to an attendant who will text you when your table is ready. There's a full bar where you can pass the time. The bar tenders are pretty standard; not overly friendly but not rude, either. Most of them are women which might explain why I, also a woman, wasn't "noticed" right away. But no complaints; I got my drink. I paid. Let's move on. The restaurant has a really open layout. There's a wood burning pizza oven, the bar and the seating area, all in one open space. There's also an outdoor patio, which they weren't utilizing on a Friday night--weird. A garage door looks like it would be functional and open to connect the space between the bar and the outside patio but not on this Friday. If they do open that up it'd be super cool. For being the first open Friday the wait wasn't terribly long, nor was the place really packed. We were quoted an hour wait. Our actual wait time was 25 minutes. The owners have stayed authentic to the theme. Napkins look like greaser towels, burger and pizza order menus are named "work order." The windows look original and are covered in butcher paper. It's consistent. There's a common area outside of the bathrooms where you can wash your hands in a trough sink (there is also one individual sink inside the women's room, which is very small: two stalls). This common area is interesting: a cabinet with toilet paper and the trough sink, and a hand dryer. I guess it's cool that you don't have to open a door after you wash your hands. And of course, the floor: inlaid pennies. Cool. The food was good. We shared a pizza. Two of my favorite pizza toppings are not available here: mild peppers or sundried tomato so we went with traditional pepperoni. It's thin bottom crust, dough-y, puffy crust. Satisfying. The absolute BEST part, though, was the dessert. They were out of dessert menus so I'm going on memory: there's the Rock and Rye ice cream with pop rocks, peach cobbler, molten fudge cake and salted caramel ice cream with crushed Cap'n Crunch cereal on top. O. Em. Gee. The salted caramel ice cream is AMAZING. I'm still thinking of that stuff two days later. Vinsetta is cool. The food is good. But that ice cream is what will have me coming back for more. Overall it's a cool place that you should check out. Prices are average. For our pizza, three beers and the crack-laced ice cream we paid about $47, including our waitress's gratuity. I'll definitely go back and hope to sit outside on the patio (with my salted caramel ice cream).
(4)Jonathan B.
Phenomenal! Cheese curds, pies and more importantly attention was paid to all the ingredients. You have to eat here!
(5)Mark S.
Always a wait even at odd times. Parking is a challenge. Atmosphere is cool, but noisy. Salads were good, but pizza was just so-so.
(3)Jerrice D.
So, once again the love of my life picked the chow spot and this one, like most of his choices was A-1. Besides the great garage decor and outside/inside ambience, it was cool as heck. For starters, I had a half lemonade half beer something like a Summer shanty that was awesome. Next, we had the Tikka Fries which was their unique take on chili fries that would put my favorite coney spots to shame. It had REAL pieces of chicken breasts! curry! and I tasted a hint of either cinnamon or nutmeg. For our main course, which after the fries we were pretty much done, my plus one had the EV1 with turkey burger and I had the Vinsetta with turkey also. The Dagon things came out in what looked like a sheet cake pan filled with fries and the burger...oh, the burger, on a pretzel bun, open faced with the fixings, was. Absolutely. De. Lic. Cious! When I say good, I mean, the best turkey burger BY far. Let's go over the turkey burger, shall we? Moist, not mealy or dry, had flavor, almost thought it was a turkey breast who somehow escaped thanksgiving. And, my heart beats burger was just as good. Shiitake mushroom that looked like bacon, pretzel bun, just so good. Couldn't eat it all. And the microwave reheat? Let's just say like Celie and Nettie playing patty cake and singing on mister's porch that not even bad parking would keep me from it because this place burgers make the magic happen.
(4)Mike S.
Cool interior and motif. Service was really mediocre.. Servers seemed too cool to be there. Food was good. Comfort food from my perspective... Prices were to be expected.
(3)Lauren M.
I might have to say this is my favorite restaurant ever. The atmosphere is so unique and the food is definitely 5 star. While it is crowded and the wait is long, I'm not surprised because their food is worth it. The Mac and cheese is absolutely amazing. The service I experienced was great and I love how casual it is. I had one of the burgers and wow..so much more than a burger.
(5)Adrianna S.
They have a unique menu. Definitely pay attention or you might order something thinking it's a burger but it's really made with a hotdog. Haven't found anything that I'm crazy about there other than there Salted Carmel milkshake which is amazing. I did enjoy their salmon but for the price and portion, not worth it (I want to say it was $30.) It's a casual setting. The workers and wait staff wear Detroit sports apparel which is cool. You're forced to do their valet which is complementary because their lot in the back only has 6 spaces. I would call ahead before you go because sometimes the wait is 1-2 hours.
(3)Kevin B.
I love the atmosphere and the staff if really friendly. Lunch time during the week there is no wait.
(5)Richard A.
If we could have given this 4.5 we would have. The only thing stopping it from being a 5 was the wait. It was about an hour, but on the upside they offer complimentary valet parking. The place is cool inside, good music, and an easy going environment. Not a place for a first date, because it is pretty loud, but really cool place nonetheless. Food- we had deep fried cheese curds for and App. They come with "red-hot bleu cheese" which was awesome. Entree's- We had a "3am burger" which comes with their excellent home-made potato chips. Additionally, we had the pesto pie (pizza), also very tasty. Service was prompt, and we didn't wait long for our food. Definitely a unique experience and we recommend it!
(4)Amy H.
Everything I put in my mouth here was delicious, portions were very generous and the staff was very friendly and accomodating. Will be going back with a group to share the love very soon!
(5)Shanita M.
I really like this place. It's in a super cool space (especially if you're a car fan) and the staff was super nice. It was a little loud, so I wouldn't come here for a romantic night, just a regular one. Rachel was our waitress and she was really friendly and helpful. We went at about 8:30pm on Sunday and there was no wait, plus parking was easy in their lot. I wouldn't come during peak times though, I could see it being crazy. I got the salted caramel milkshake (yum) and the mac and cheese. Both were really tasty! My BF fell in love with the mac and tried to steal it, eventually he did get the leftovers. He got the chicken/asaigo meatballs and pasta and those were good too. We will definitely be back. :-)
(4)Catherine H.
Always a long wait when I go, which should be a good indicator of the food. Love the atmosphere, but the food is okay, typical oversized portions, not overly inspired or flavorful, but decent. Will return for the experience, but not craving anything on the menu.
(3)Mike H.
meh...underwhelming food. overpriced and overhyped. beer selection was the one saving grace. patio is for drinks only in the summer, no apps allowed
(2)Michael R.
Been here twice before reviewing. Walking into the place I found to be a very casual atmosphere which isn't always a bad thing. Sat at bar because dinning room was full even at 3pm. Food was good if you like high card, fat loaded cardiac arrest food. I ordered a gluten free pizza with 2 veggies and one meat. I must say crust was stale and overly sauced. Disappointment but I guess if your coming here go for the burgers or the Mac n cheese which I have tried and enjoyed very much when I'm having one of my fat days. I will not visit this place frequently but will revisit when I'm feeling down and in need of comfort food.
(3)Amanda K.
I typically hate waiting for tables; I have zero patience. So, when we stroll up to Vinsetta the first time on a Wednesday early evening and were told that it was going to be 2 hours for a table, I kind of just looked at them. What kind of joke is this? 2 HOURS? No f-ing way, I say. So we head down the road to Betty's. Repeat this scenario two more times until I finally cave in, and wait the alleged 2 hours. I will say that it may be the nifty little lounge area where you will always find your beer glass full, but the time flies. In fact, I have come to suspect that they overestimate your wait, just in case of some sort of dining emergency. My conclusion: this is so worth the wait! From the copious amount of Michigan beers that they have on tap, to the amazing food, to the really classic Motown decor, Vinsetta is the real deal. I have been there a few times, and my favorite thing probably in the entire world is the Erich Press sandwich: roast turkey breast, cheese blend, cilantro and avocado all in one. This is heaven. And the house made chips? AWESOME. I'm not a burger fan, but I had a bit of beau's burger and it was pretty tasty. We've had the cheese curds, we've had the desserts (FAYGO ICE CREAM, yes, please!), and honestly... this food is just fantastic. For some reason, I'm obsessed with the house salad. It's a house salad, I don't know what makes it so special to me, but I just love it. They're known for their mac and cheese, and for good reason; it's like virgin angel curls spun in a heavenly cheese sauce with a halo gently placed atop the baked cheesey goodness. No exaggeration. The decor just feels like pure Michigan; it's got that garage feel, but it's not done in a gimmicky way. Very tasteful. Probably my favorite part of the entire joint is the mechanics styled wash up area by the bathrooms. I'm an obsessive hand washer, and it's just cool to have it right there, with nod to the garage's past. Definitely wait the wait... you will not be disappointed!
(5)Wendy C.
Good burgers, it's obvious they use quality meats and know how to grill a patty properly. There are a few interesting combinations and toppings (goat cheese, pretzel bun, ...) to experiment for those who like a little culinary exploration, but in the end you get pretty solid burgers whether be beef, lamb, or veggie; this is s good thing. Other items on the menu didn't work for us as well. Chicken-Asiago meat balls have the texture of crumbled cardboard when hot, and are utterly tasteless except for the marinara-like sauce that's poured over. Mac and cheese tasted a-okay, but does not compare to the same dish that's offered in the owners' other restaurant (Union Woodshop) which we recall being more flavourful, cheesier, and creamier. Overall, it's an okay place to grab a bite of comfort food if the waiting line is tolerable. Too much hype.
(3)Alexis S.
My bf took me here last week and we had a lot of fun. We sat at the bar since the wait time was quite long, but we didn't mind. They have a creative drink menu which is always fun. My bf had the lamb burger with mac n cheese and his burger was amazing. I'd probably order that next time. I had pasta and it was ok. We also ordered a side of onion rings that I'd recommend. For dessert I tried the banana pudding which made for a cute pic on instagram but I wasn't blown away:) I rated the place highly because i think the food is really good, but that i ordered the wrong thing. The ambiance is fun and i like how it's open due to them being able to open the "garage" doors.
(5)Mike B.
Excellent start for a new place in an old place. The preserved venerable old garage is a unique, cool and charming homage to a Woodward landmark. As already mentioned, parking and wait times might be challenging, but these details will be smoothed and improved moving forward. I found hanging out by the bar an acceptable diversion to soften the wait. The hostess is exceptionally friendly and accomodating. Now for the food. I've visited 3 times so far and have been very pleased with everything I've tried. My biggest challenge has been deciding what to sample from the eclectic and varied menu offerings. The Maple Bacon Burger was a delicious indulgence, and after my next Cardiologist visit will likely treat myself again. The Lamb Burger was equally delicious complete with beets and feta. The pretzel bun is a perfect alternative to the usual bland burger wrap. My last trip I sampled the noodle dish choosing sweet Italian sausage balls, sun dried red pepper sauce on penne with tomatoes...Delicious! Also sampled the tasty Chop Shop Salad, the house made chips, Disco Fries, all excellent. I see the Vinsetta only getting better as time seasons the staff, the team and as the menu matures. Excellent opening act. I'll be back there soon!
(5)Aaron B.
Not bad, but I wasn't blown away. Had the lamb burger, which had WAY too much compote on it, although I liked the use of arugula.
(3)Glen H.
Vinsetta Garage is an experience -- the whole restaurant group has been featured on the food shows, and if you live in the area, it's something you can't miss. That said...I think they're slipping overall. I would go 3.5 stars but I rounded down, which is unusual for me. It might have been 4 stars in the summer...read on. The Macon Bacon burger is consistently good. So is the Union Mac. If you focus on burgers and mac, you can't lose with this place. Don't forget to order cheese curds or tikka fries, both are excellent. The atmosphere definitely has that hip energetic vibe they are going for, with the garage theme and outstanding decor. It's lively and fun, a place you truly want to be. Most everything else on the menu was "meh." Not bad at all, but no wow factor. Both soups were uninspired. The salads also. I've talked to more than one person who had trouble with the duck burger -- it's just too much. Desserts are not a wow. Liquid nitrogen is no longer a wow. We've watched Top Chef. We get it. The parking is atrocious. The valet does help, but that lot can fill too, and if the street is full too, you're in trouble. Detroiters HATE having to worry about parking, and that's what I worry about when I go here. The waiting area is unacceptable in the winter. They need to cover over their patio and heat it so there is more space to wait, and maybe even to eat! With two hour + waits on weekends, it's worth the investment. You can't get to the hostess, you can't even get out the door. This is something you can fix, Vinsetta. Again, I rate it as an "experience." There are a few menu items you shouldn't miss, and you have to say you've been here if you are a Detroit restaurant expert. It's not a regular hangout, and it's not something I crave. Take it as you will.
(3)Phung L.
An old auto shop converted to a restaurant. I really like this place! Think of...gourmet bar food. Sounds like an oxymoron but it's really good. The mac and cheese is good, but I've had better. Everything was pretty tasty from the pizzas to the hotdogs.
(4)Leslie K.
I finally made it here last week. When I really needed takeout, they weren't able to do it, so I had to wait until my kids were almost 2 and could be occupied without causing too much ruckus. The interior is spacious & industrial, and has lots of cool things for that were keeping the babies quiet. My boys were so busy looking around that I didn't need to get out any toys for at least a half hour. I ordered the loaded french fries as an appetizer, which were great. They had cheese curds on them, and some delish sauce that my one son said was too burny for his tongue. My tongue like it. The kids menu is 4 items on a paper where the kids can color. But the table cloth is paper, so we made a mural with their crayons and nobody seemed to mine. My boys ate hot dogs with a side of sliced apples. It was nice to have a healthy option as a side for the kids. Especially when the main course offerings are hot dogs, chicken tenders or mac & cheese! I ate the vegan burger on a pretzel bun. It was amazing! The pattie was moist & flavorful. So often a place that makes its own veggie burger will over cook or dry out the pattie. But this was perfect. And the mushrooms on top tricked everyone (my kids, my mom & myself) into thinking it was bacon! In fact, my more adventurously palated child ate some of it and was asking for more! My friend ate the turkey burger with avocado on it and she said it was wonderful as well. We had bread pudding & key lime pie for dessert. Well, we ate some, but my boys ate most of it. The key lime pie was just like in the Keys, and the were both served in small glass jars. I suppose it was worth waiting for, but I really wish I hadn't waited so long!
(4)Kevin S.
Holy crap. Rock and Rye ice cream is unbelievable to say the least. Amazing burgers and a crap ton of good options. Will definitely be going back real soon. I absolutely love the atmosphere. Beware though..weekend wait times can be up to 2 hours however you can hang out at the bar and drink. Overall wonderful experience. Also...if you have gluten issues they have a huge gluten free menu.
(5)D R.
Good food, waiter was great and decor was very cool. Only reason I'm holding back a star is because they sat us in the only friggin table in the dining room with no garage decor or view of the rest of the dining room. This is the ONLY reason I wanted to check out the garage themed restaurant and purposely came at 3:00 on a Sunday- to avoid a wait and get a decent table. Food and service was good enough to try again. Got the 3 am burger which was so good, I didn't mind the juices getting all over my hands. Mac and chz was also excellent.
(4)Donna M.
On my second try here, I waited 5 minutes to be acknowledged at the bar by the female bartender who was more interested in chatting with her co-workers. Only 6 people at the bar in total! Like the location but the service here has turned me off twice now!
(2)Heather W.
Delicious!! A friend and I went to Detroit to watch a Tigers vs Minnesota Twins game. Go Twins! We stopped at Vinsetta Garage for dinner before the game. My veggie burger was DELICIOUS!! My side was their mac & cheese....cheesy amazing goodness!! The building use to be a car garage. Huge fan of the building! The staff was very friendly. There was a little wait on the food but the place was PACKED.
(5)Edward L.
Like waiting for a new iphone. Long wait time, lots of anticipation, receive great product. Luckily we found seating at the bar after our first beer. Like a shark, don't turn your head...just scan left and right very quickly until a warm seat is left open and pounce. Disco Fries were fantastic. A little spicy with artery clogging gravy, green onions, and cheese. Great plate to start the evening. Duck Burger was delish. I have since opened my own duck farm and will be consuming Duck Burgers on a semi-regular basis. Usually I only eat Duck at my favorite City Wok aka Dragon Dynasty aka China One joint, but the Duck was served up right. Don't forget the PRETZEL BUN. The lady got a veggie burger...I'm sure it was delicious...I just don't eat rabbit food. Excellent atmosphere, trendy vibe, hipster setting. Wait times are the only detractor. Expect to pay $12-14 per burger, $4-8 per beer, $5-7 per app.
(4)Lauren S.
This place is always amazing! I've tried almost every salad and appetizer, all of which are incredible. Also, I'm a big fan that they offer sparkling wine on tap!
(5)Monica W.
So. Many. People. I can't tell you how many times we saw people try to swoop into assigned seating tables while we were waiting at the bar. Am I the only person that asks when I come in if the bar area is open seating?? Who are these animals with delusions of omnipotence? Despite my relative dislike for places crowded with pushy weasels I would totally come back to Vinsetta Garage but probably not around 5 o'clock (when we got there) or a few hours afterwards. Or, maybe I would just not sit at the bar where I want to start policing the place and screaming "CUTTER, HE CUTTED!" I mean they catch everyone but, ew. We were quoted forty five minutes to an hour and they called us right around 40 minutes in, nice. Our server was awesome and they let me put the garlic butter sauce on my pasta even though it wasn't an option on the menu. Our appetizer of the loaded chips was pretty traditional and unexciting yet still tasty. Entrees were delicious. I created my own bowl with previously noted garlic butter, spaghetti, broccolini, prosciutto, fresh tomatoes, and goat cheese ($11.50) and the beau had the Ann Bowl ($12.75) which included vegetarian meatballs and shiitake bacon. I should have guessed bacon made out of mushrooms would still be good since after all it is (kinda?) bacon, but I couldn't help but be surprised. I may just buy it by the pound and have those crispy little flakes as cereal for breakfast sans milk. I like the setup and the openness, even the elevated volume due to what seems like hundreds of conversations going on. It was.. fun, and different. Missing half a star for the weasels, and another half for the cook with a viking beard who wasn't wearing a beard net. I wouldn't want one of those barbarian hairs falling into my delicious pasta.
(4)Roab P.
What a cool place, old garage turned restaurant with original name! Gastropub with lots of MI beers including Kuhnhenns. Service was meh but the food was incredible. The burgers and Chilli rubbed hanger steak are to die for. Everything was a bit pricey but worth it. A 12oz pour of Rodenbach grand cru was $12!!!!!! Where do you get that pricing??? A 750ML cost only $10 at the store. Come on! besides that keep up the good work!
(5)Elizabeth K.
Vinsetta Garage is some kind of phenomenon. People love it. Waits are super long, despite the place being large. The food is unapologetic, and not for the faint of heart. But you have to love the place for really going all the way. The restaurant was recently renovated by local architecture office McIntosh Poris and is a great space. The owners wanted to preserve as much of the atmosphere of the original garage, and - mission accomplished. The main dining room is a big open space with a long bar to one side. There is a quiet backroom, which I imagine they may use for large private parties. The bathrooms have a beautiful copper penny floor, and the coolest wallpaper I've ever seen. Break the seal - you'll be glad you did! The food is heavy, rich, decadent. Yes, they have a couple of salads on the menu, but the are besides the point. Order the wings, they're very nicely done with the sauce on the side. Go a little crazy - order the coney dog pizza, it actually works. If you're feeling ambitious, order the 3AM burger: with fried onions and a sunny-side up egg on top, it'll feel like an accomplishment when you finish it. The onion rings were great, and the truly transcendent mac and cheese comes in both entree size and as a side. This is the kind of place I can go to once a year, and after which I cannot eat the whole day after. You may die a little after eating here, but it's worth it.
(4)Vineet K.
A few friends of mine were going here a few weeks ago and asked if I wanted to join. Given my last, pretty much 'meh', experience, I was slightly hesitant. But I was also very hungry and more importantly they already had a table! I think we can all agree that not waiting 2 hours makes the food much more enjoyable. And if you don't know, 2 hours is not an exaggeration for this place. I had to try the Macon Bacon burger again. Burger tasted much better this time and I didn't feel as though the bacon overwhelmed the taste, as it did last time. Ambiance, of course, is nice. So to summarize..good food, not the best in my opinion. Great ambiance. I don't think it's worth the wait, but if it's a nice day and you got nothing else to do, might as well sit on the patio and have a few drinks while you wait it out.
(4)Nina C.
All I need to say is Coney Pizza! Milkshakes and burgers! PHENOMENAL!!! The staff, atmosphere everything is AWESOME!!!
(5)Joel U.
We went for my wife's birthday and got there about 6:00 pm on a Saturday night. We had to wait an hour to be seated but as they had outdoor waiting area with seating and it was a beautiful night we didn't mind all that much. The decor is great - they kept the flavor of the auto garage that it used to be and it is full with wonderful Art Deco accents and pieces. It is loud and I had difficulty hearing my wife. The food was great. I had a Kale bowl with brown sugar glazed salmon, pesto, cheese and I forget what else. Have never been a big fan of Kale but this was excellent. My wife went old school and had a tuna noodle casserole that she devoured. Was very impressed by a full gluten-free menu. The server didn't know what the gluten-free pizza dough was made from, which disappointed me, but there was plenty of other food to choose from. Prices were very reasonable. Two meals, a glass of wine and a Michigan craft beer we were out the door for under $50. Looking forward to going back.
(4)Tricia H.
This place really gets a 2.5 review - The service was fantastic. We had a party of about 25 and our waiter was brilliant. His memory was amazing and every meal and drink was perfectly delivered and he rarely wrote anything down. He even split the bill out for every single person - not MY request which I thought was a bit tacky from our group - but he was great about it. The decor and interior design was well done. Kitschy and fun. However - of the 25 people more than half complained their food wasn't good. I had the the whole grain pasta with chicken meatballs and the marinara sauce. The sauce was very dry - like left over pasta you reheat the next day. The meatballs had way too much filler (breadcrumbs?). The whole wheat pasta was good - usually because of the whole wheat, it tastes under cooked. But theirs was very good. Not a lot of healthy options - even the salads have deep fried things in them. I know it's kinda new-er so I will give it another shot in a few months.
(3)Emil N.
The old garage is what makes this place good. The food is also good, but it is your typical roadhouse style selection. I have been waiting to write about this place after several visits, however the last few times I tried to eat there I was told the wait would be over 1.5 hours. Their food is good, but that that good. The lack of reservation booking is an inconvenience.
(3)Scott L.
Good food. Terrible hostesses. Service can be quite slow once seated. Nice comfort food...burgers, pizza, pasta. It's all good but not amazing. Great beer selection that changes regularly. Fun, but very loud, atmosphere.
(4)Tom S.
How big should a "glass" of wine be? Most places it is 6 or 7 ounces. Here it is exactly 4 ounces. Very very small pour in my opinion, and I felt ripped off. Would never go back. Expensive and overrated in my opinion.
(1)gregg h.
My experiences eating in converted garages has been pretty terrible (Doc's). But this being Detroit, I think these folks nailed it. Vinsetta Garage is the perfect joint for the area. Turning a garage into kickass pub is exactly what I hoped to see. The building and atmosphere is perfect, and the local beers are dead on. Maybe some are a bit more pricey than expected, but who really cares. I can see from other reviews there are regular long waits, but we got right in and had coneys and awesome beer.
(5)Calvin D.
When we heard that VINSETTA And union wood shop were the same owners we had to give it a try! But the waits were always and hour plus so it took awhile... Well the wait is over and sad to say... I am kinda underwhelmed. Do coney dogs need improvement? Give it shot just to say you've been....than go back to the Fly Trap :)
(3)Casey N.
This place is awesome, if you live in the area you should definitely go. I grew up in the Clarkston area where the owners have 2 other restaurants with similar menu/cooking styles, and I will always support their restaurants. The mac and cheese is worth the hype. [Order the kids portion if you're dieting :) ] I ended up going on a Sunday afternoon, when there was only a 20 minute wait, so I suggest you do the same. It didn't seem as long of a wait after sipping on one of their house cocktails-the "Sucker Punch"-was good....def felt the alcohol after just one. This place is priced very fairly compared to surrounding restaurants, great place for a cocktail/first date/even families. Awesome atmosphere, spacious and comfortable-nothing how I expected-Think of the chill/modern/casual vibe of Pizzeria Biga only BETTER. The hot dog with tomatoes and avocado was awesome! (And I'm not typically a hot dog person) As was the banana toffee pudding. My bf had the famous burger, which was good, but the fries were disappointing. If you're gonna do homemade fries and have an up charge on them (chips otherwise), they need to be perfect. Stick to the mac and cheese if you want to be guaranteed a good meal. Service was ok...could be better, but I'm assuming its because its still fairly new. They seem to have a niche of who they hire-whether its done on purpose or not (everyone I saw around me had plastic rim glasses, piercings, or tattoos)...nothing negative just an observation. I don't understand the whole no call ahead and no reservations tactic...I know that's the same type of thing at their other 2 restaurants, but it just doesn't work for me. There's gotta be a better solution other than casually telling people the wait is 2 hours. And if I wait 2 hours for your restaurant, your servers better be damn ready to be on point and ready to impress! Management-emphasize this with your servers and maybe the wait will seem more worth it. I will definitely be back, but only for lunch time, when I don't have to wait 2+ hours. Personally, I can't wait until 6 months from now when hopefully this place won't be constantly busy-or they implement a reservation policy. I think they need to allow patio seating at all times-they only offer it for dinner I believe, and I saw multiple parties walk out after getting their hopes up to sit outside, and then be turned down by the hostess Maybe allow a certain # of reservations per day? One last negative, but please don't get me wrong, I loved my experience here! The napkins they give you are just like the rags auto places use-so don't wear black pants. I know this isn't a restaurant nice enough to offer black linens to everyone wearing dark pants, but when my boyfriend ends up with white napkin residue on his face, and I feel almost embarrassed to stand up from the white napkin residue getting all over my black pants, I think paper would be a better/cheaper solution. Parking isn't a big deal to me. They're doing the best they can with the location they've got, but yes-its crowded.
(4)Karl L.
I'm lost with the hype. I've been here several times and each time I'm disappointed. The meatballs are ok, nothing special. Their tomato basil is also average and a bit spicy for tomato basil sauce. Vegan meatballs are pretty spicy, wife couldn't eat them. Burger average and on the small side. I tried takeout a couple of times. Both times they forgot an item - check your order. Extremely FRUSTRATING. I just don't think this place deserves more than two stars. I wish it was good, it's right down the street. bummed..
(2)Phillip B.
Its got good food and lots of great beer. Best time to go is lunch.
(3)Mike K.
My wife and I arrived about 5 pm last Saturday expecting a wait. We were seated immediately. We decided to share the tuna cassarole with onion ring appetizers. The rings were perfect, good flavor, crunchy, and the onion didn't separate from the breading as some do. The tuna was better than my mother made, tasted great. Our desserts were chocolate volcano cake and a trio of cookie like things, both satisfied our sweet teeth. Service was perfect, our server checked back occasionally to see that all was well and happily boxed up our leftovers when we left. The place was a bit noisy from all the hard surfaces, but its a big room and the background music was thankfully not too loud. All in all, we had a great meal in a very unique and inviting place. I use a yard stick consisting of 5 elements in rating a restaurant: 1. Clean 2. Good ambience 3. Good food 4. Good service 5. A good value. An eatery might succeed with 4, 3 is pretty shaky, and anything less will fail. Vinsetta Garage had them all !
(5)Dr. J.
Trailer park food disguised by Cadillac prices. I would like this place more if the wait wasn't over 3 hours and they took reservations. This joint is a metaphorical temporary tattoo for nostalgic Michiganders that were born in trailer parks but now live in places like Birmingham and West Bloomfield. The food is prepared by grungy guys in a garage jumpsuits, but your martini will still be served in a crystal glass and you car will be parked valet. The menu is full of gourmet trailer park options. For example, you can order hand made liquid-nitrogen Faygo Pop ice-cream that is topped with that timeless trashy treat, Poprocks! Or, it's nothing like gourmet ice-cream and a dash of Cap'n Crunch to bring back memories of an after school snack in your double-wide.
(3)Brian P.
The Good: The Vinsetta Garage has a lot going for it. It has the location on Woodward, the heritage that goes along with renovating an old car repair shop, and the unique mix of great food and beer that carries inspirations from the same owners of Clarkston Union and Clarkston Woodshop. These are all great things, however.... The Bad: Parking can be a nightmare and requires valet. Waits can exceed 2 hours any night of the week after 6. The bar fills up quick and doesn't provide a quick spot to avoid the wait. The Summary: Aside from the negatives that go along with an extremely popular place, the mix of people, one of a kind classic automotive inspired atmosphere, and great food+drink are worth the wait on a special occasion if your prepared to stick it out.
(4)Matt K.
We had 3AM hot dog, Mac/Cheese and Burger. Everything was good. Unique interior. Service was great. Will definitely go back soon.
(4)Ivy S.
This is hands down the best hamburger I've ever eaten. The end. No argument.
(5)Wendy B.
Told 20 minutes; waited 45. Waited another 40 or so for food. However, the food was great and our server couldn't have been nicer. Busy and fun, but not together on the waiting situation. Oh....... and had to wait 20 minutes for the valet!
(3)Fred S.
I had the 3AM burger. Wow, really good. Decent beer list too. Go early. Shorter or no wait.
(5)Christie M.
We met up with our friends to celebrate his bday here. Only one couple in our group of 8 had been here before, they loved it. So we showed up around 5:30ish... Was told it'll be 2 hrs! Omg. We made our way over to the bar to wait with drinks to tie us over. Love love the sucker punch drink. Had 2 and some disco fries while we wait. Yum... So far so good, minus the long wait. Btw, did I mention this place is PACKEd??!!! Oh my! I can see why. The decor is unique. Old garage turned restaurant. I get it. Retro chic feel. Oh yes, i did loved the bathroom floor covered in pennies... artsy! Food was good. New twists to classic foods, burgers, dogs, pizza, etc. I had to try their house salad with fried chickpeas. It was good but I wished the chickpeas were seasoned. The wings from the apps were yummy. Loved that the sauce was on the side. I do love dipping. I took a bite from my hubby's 3AM burger... Was good and moist. The negatives? It did get really loud, I had a hard time hearing my friend sitting across from me at the table. Long waits would be my other gripe. I was starving when we finally sat down. My taste buds might be a bit generous due to hunger.
(4)C B.
Let me tell you how good the food and drinks were. I was not expecting the bar to be good but I was surprised. My BFF and I had 6, yes I said 6 and I don't care if you judge us, Lemon Drop Martini between the two of us. Usually by the second drink, the drinks become horrible. Not in this case. The drinks got better. Oh and we did eat. I had a well done Vinsetta Burger which was surprising juicy and not dry. The homemade chips were nice, crispy, and salty and went well with the burger. Didn't miss the fries. My friend had the 3 am Burger. It was obvious that she enjoy it as her plate was so clean it could have been used again. The parking is a challenge but the complementary valet made up for the challenge. Gotta go and sleep off the wonderful Lemon Martinis I had.
(4)Jennie E.
Love everything about this joint, but the long wait times, but I've never had it not be worth it (and typically it's much less than you are told). Extensive gluten free menu, which is fabulous - try the cheeseburger, margherita or Tasso ham pizzas and you definitely won't regret it. Great and different cocktail menu, extensive cider/gf beer list and the bathrooms have the coolest floors I have ever seen. All and all, big fan and it's great for a date night, happy hour or dinner with friends.
(4)Caroline K.
We've gone a couple of times here and it's fun. The environment is fun-homey with a bit of an ironic flare with the style of the chairs at the bar. The burgers are delicious. The 3 a.m is a a bit of a meal inspiring mess for your hands but a whirlwind for your taste buds, yum! The duck burger is also worth trying. I love quinoa salad but theirs was a bit bland. They do have an array of other choices though. It is a fun relaxed place to go. Parking is probably best with valet as your only other choice is street parking which can be congested. It is worth a visit though :) Have fun!
(4)Gwen D.
The food was just average, nothing special but not bad. The atmosphere is fun and the service was great. What was disappointing was finding croutons at the bottom of my salad after explaining to the server what "celiac disease" is and how I could get sick if they touched my food. The kitchen's explanation was that they changed preparers in the middle of my salad so he "picked them out"...WHAT?!
(2)Paul C.
We had heard good things about VG since it opened, but have stayed away waiting for the crowds to die down. The crowds are still there, but it is inexplicable why. The restaurant does not take reservations, and there is no parking at all except by valet - so you're already pretty much committed to toughing out the wait once you've handed over your car. And wait we did - for an hour, on Monday night, in a cramped vestibule of a waiting room that probably holds 10 comfortably, but was packed with upwards of 30 customers. The hostess took my name, told me how long we would be suffering for (to her credit, her estimate was pretty accurate) and shoved a pager in my hand, neglecting to mention that we could have gone inside and stood at the bar for drinks and appetizers. Excusable, I guess, because she was constantly on the phone during the entire wait time - again, inexplicably: what does a restaurant that doesn't take reservations have to say to a caller in person? While we were waiting, we noticed that several people came in the front door - flooding the vestibule with frigid air every few seconds - and proceeded straight to the dining area. It turns out VG has no policy that your entire party must be present before seating, and there were several tables decked out for 6 or 8 diners with one or two people planted, sipping the drinks and appetizers we might have had if we have been told about the bar, but otherwise just gumming up the works waiting for the rest of their party to arrive. This is murder on turnover, and management needs to fix this. They also need to take reservations. I don't mind being told I won't be seated until late, as long as I don't have to arrive until the appointed hour and cool my heels for an hour, waiting. Service on the floor - after an hour wait, we were planted at a high top - was prompt, but poor. Our waitress took two of our drink orders, then left without even acknowledging our third party member. Came back with a single drink, and said the beer I had ordered was no longer stocked - then spun around and left without taking my alternate selection, which I had already picked out. Very bad training, which set the tone for the entire evening, and adds even more to the poor turnover, as each individual diner gets an individual round-trip to the bar or kitchen, if not more, instead of placing the entire table's order at once. Beers were served straight out of the bottle. No glass was offered. Our third member, who ordered a pop, had a hair in his glass. The burgers aspire to the gourmand realm, but fall somewhat short in execution. My Macon Bacon Burger was pretty good, but very heavy on fat; I really longed for some lettuce or something else to lighten it up. The onion rings were atrocious - they were literally soaking in a puddle of oil when they arrived, and the slick continued to grow and spread throughout the meal, reaching Exxon Valdez proportions quickly. A bite was all I could manage. It seems that this restaurant is, first of all, owned by a chef - not a restauranteur - and the front of the house has receive no attention at all. There was not a floor manager in sight, and the staff was very poorly trained. They seem to be coasting on their reputation, but that is not going to last forever, and I suspect that customers will find alternatives in the burgeoning Royal Oak market before much longer. I really wanted to like this place, but that was not to be. We will not be returning, and cannot recommend it to anyone else.
(1)JC Z.
Great atmosphere at the bar. Best veggie burger in the world. Im not a vegetarian but someone said to try it, it is amazing. If you like something different and spicy Terri the Heist Martini. Patron basi jalapeño.
(5)C F.
this place is great. They take old classics like burgers, mac and cheese, and pizza and put their own spin on it The duck burger was cooked perfectly and all the sweet, sour, and savory elements just meshed into something i would never expect. The white bean chili verde soup is really good. Solid mac and cheese. Friend ordered a custom all meat pizza with different kinds of cured ham and peperoni. just a bit spicy but very flavorful with a nice chewy crust. Had the roasted chicken once, and it was cooked perfectly. The ambiance is awesome. They put a ton of work in transforming this old auto repair garage. Price is a bit pricy but I also realize I'm paying for better ingredients. So not some place I can eat everyday. Plus its not diet food. Every visit i have had has been very good. Even when they first opened, which seems most places always have a few bumps to smooth out when first opening. Not here. Don't let the parking stop you from eating here. Which can be hard when they're busy. Run by the the same people who own Union Wood Shop which I hear is awesome too. Bottom line... eat here.
(5)Paul T.
Lots of hype, big crowds... Was slightly disappointed It was "just ok"
(3)Jenifer T.
Holy mac and cheese! This place is always super packed, amazing to dine in on a nice summer day, horrible to park at but will leave you wanting to plan your next trip back. It's worth it- whatever you heard it's most likely true- this place is amazing and delish and infuriating all at the same time. Go there, you won't be too mad but you will be full and possibly buzzed on what I hear are some great brews!
(4)Lisa B.
Fun location - loved the ambience, especially that they have left up so many of the bones of the old auto shop. Check out the flooring made of pennies in the bathroom area, but go for the food and beer. Pros: Good selection of beers and amusingly titled by "auto genre." Loved their description of the traditional American generic beers (think it was "Packards"). Nice selection of Michigan microbrews and some of the good national microbrews. Great pizzas and nice separate brick-oven pizza area. We had the "baked potato" pizza and it was great. Fried kale salad and some other nice touches in what is otherwise a kind of traditional menu. Good range of desserts and really great, fun service. Chatted with several of the bar and kitchen staff while waiting. They all seemed to like working there, which helps make it a good atmosphere. Cons: the wait. We went it to grab drinks, which made the time go fast. Don't recommend going there if you're already hungry. Thank goodness for my hipster friend for getting me here on my last MI visit instead of the Moose Preserve.
(4)Chris P.
Amazing food. Great service. Pretty loud. Very cool kids menu. Totally recommend. I had the 3am, wife had the Lamb Burger. Both were completely amazing. Tip: The Union Mac, while amazing, is totally trumped by the Noodle Burger.
(5)Karol C.
While driving down Woodward, we noticed that Vinsetta Garage didn't appear to be crowded on this cool Sunday afternoon. We sat for a quick 5 minute wait for a table. The decor is cool. Seating is comfortable. We actually enjoyed our meal quietly, though the place was almost full. The menu is awesome. Lots to choose from. You'd wanna go at least five times to get a really good feel for everything. So many delish options. I am absolute crazy about onion soup. Vinsetta's comes with a twist...picorano cheese mixed with the usual gruyere...tasty. I tried the Disco fries (basically poutine), quite good. For my entree I choose the Noodle Burger. It didn't really remind me of cheeseburger macaroni, like I thought it would, but it was decent nonetheless. The waitress and other staff were very friendly. Prices are reasonable. Super cool atmosphere. Diverse staff and patrons. Free valet parking.
(4)Jennifer P.
Amazing atmosphere, sit at the bar for more of a happening feel! We got right in and sat down at the bar, we were in and out in an hour. It wasn't the 1.5 hour wait they said thankfully. The bar stools are super comfy with back support too. We started with the disco fries, their version of poutine. We aren't huge mustard fans so we were skeptical of the "mustard" gravy, we got it on the side and end up pouring it on. Delicious. We wanted to try and split a little of everything being our first time, glad we did. Mac & cheese - meh, skip it and save the $3.50 Vinsetta burger- good but overcooked and unfortunately they don't know how to make the bacon crispy. Both me and the girl next to me ordered crispy bacon, mine was burnt black asks hers was practically raw. Too much bun, they could downsize the bun. I took the top bun off and it was perfect. Excellent burger sauce. Onion rings- great, they give you about 6. Coney dog pizza (not the name but you get the pic)- it was our gold find at this restaurant. We asked for mustard on the side and it came on it. TG there wasn't too much! It was burnt on the bottom. Bummer. Faygo Rock n' Rye Ice cream with pop rocks- Hubby says "amazeballs!" His favorite ice cream ever. They also make milkshakes with it. Molten Cake with vanilla ice cream and captain crunch crumbs- good but skimpy on the vanilla ice cream, a rich dark chocolate cake deserves 2 scoops! Super duper sweet, be warned. This is an experience but by looking around the service is a bit spotty. My bacon and pizza was wrong and the bartender/waitress said "sorry"... uh, I feel better now thanks! Lol. Whateves. Overall a good experience, if in the area at an off peak time we'll be back for a second try.
(3)Kevin S.
Loved the atmosphere! The original food was a plus but the execution could use some work. Service was very much lacking. Macon bacon burger WAS 16 BUCKS! This was NOT a sixteen dollar burger by no stretch of the imagination. Loved the experience but sadly it won't be repeated. The reviews and recommendations I received for this place left me with high expectations that where not even close to being met.
(2)Charity F.
Came here sunday evening at 5:50pm. My only negative is the wait time to actually get a table. The wait for two people was 40 minutes to an hour. We actually did wait a full hour for two people. And I have heard of wait times of 3 hours for this place. With waits like this I came with high hopes and they were met. Now this place has an rustic, hipster vibe going on. At one point they were playing slick rick lol. Its not your average restaurant and you're definitely not getting average food here. I ordered the Vinsetta burger with vinsetta sauce on the side and upgraded my side of house chips to union mac. Now to be honest I thought this was going to be your typical burger you can get at a restaurant. This one threw me for a loop it was such a flavorful burger. Not sure if the meat was marinated or it was cooked over an open flame grill. However Vinsetta is cooking these masterpieces please continue because you just gained a lifelong customer with this burger alone. Everything tasted fresh and like it was made with love and time. This would be in my top 5 burgers of all time. Now on the other hand the union mac. Now I'm a big fan of mac and cheese and I really do love it but this one I was not impressed with. It could have had more flavour and cheese.But many people rant and rave about the union mac like it's a pot of gold so it does work for many. Just in my personal opinion I would opt for the french fries or another side instead of upgrading to the mac. I would definitely recommend this place to my family and friends. It is most definitely worth the long wait for a table. I look forward to exploring more menu items in the future.
(4)Michelle D.
This place gets crowded pretty quickly for the dinner rush. They have valet parking but you can park on the side street near the restaurant. The tikka fries were tasty with a bit of heat. The chicken was a tad dry but it was good with the paneer and green onions on top. The union Mac and cheese was very cheesy and delicious. The crunchy top added great texture to the soft noddles. The chop salad was a nice mixture of blue cheese, dried cherries, cucumber, tomato, ham, and fried onion strings. I loved the most unhealthy thing about the salad, which were the onion strings. The Margherita pizza was very good too. The pizza was 12 inches and the crust was great. The tomato on top were in big chunks so when they were cooked in the oven they released a lot of their juices, making some spots on the pizza soggy. Overall, great food. It's well worth it if you beat the dinner rush. In the future, I would want to try one of their custard milkshakes.
(4)Lisa W.
What a great neighborhood gem!! Wanted to find a place to eat before we hit the road, and we were so happy to find this place!! Started with yummy Mac n cheese, delicious!! So many yummy choices, will have to go back when we visit our son, this is a definite restaurant to go back too many times!! The burgers were great! Need to try the pasta bowl next time! Even have a lot of choices for my gluten free daughter in law!!
(5)Henry R.
Phenomenal
(5)Annette J.
I've figured out the key to coming to Vinsetta Garage and filling up on deliciousness without a wait--LUNCH. I've now gone twice in the last couple of weeks, once for a lunch meeting around 1pm and another for a pre-wedding dress fitting meal around 2pm (maybe not the smartest of moves considering the food here is a bit rich but NO REGRETS) and have not had a wait either time. As someone who is impatient and prone to hangry rages, this pleases me. You still get the full menu and the cool ambiance without the crowds that can sometimes fill this place up in the evenings. The last few times I've come I've stuck to sandwiches. I cannot give enough praise to the THE EV1 (house-made vegan patty, coal fired tomatoes, arugula, broccoli sprouts, goat cheese, shiitake bacon, roasted garlic balsamic mayo). I'm not vegetarian but I've been craving this sandwich ever since I got it. The shiitake bacon is delicious and it's even made my hardcore meat eating Polish grandmother a believer in the veg way. I also quite like the grilled chicken sandwich (a juicy marinated chicken breast, mushroom smother, Woodshop MI maple bacon, pepper jack, Vinsetta Burger Sauce). Also, props to the 3AM Burger, the mac & cheese, the tikka, disco, and regular ol' hand cut fries as well. Basically I have not had anything here I did not like. It's all delicious, fun, and expertly prepared. The space, an old garage, is also a huge charmer. Everyone I bring there marvels at how cool the space is and how neat it is that they've retained some of the "garage" feel without it feeling dirty or too gimmicky. Also props to all the gluten free options. I'm lucky enough to not have that issue but I have a few friends with celiacs or food allergies and I love being able to recommend this place to them. Basically I super love this place and can't wait for my next visit!
(5)Carolyn E.
I forgot how much I loved this place, what with all the downtown buzz. We both ordered burgers again - the macon bacon for him, and the duck burger for me. (I just couldn't bring myself to order something else, it's so good) The duck burger was so juicy, it ran down my arm, no lie. It's the juiciest burger I've ever had. Stupid good. The smoked chicken wings were also perfect - well seasoned and served with a delicious tangy hot sauce. New for us was the chips n' dip, which is a homemade version of french onion dip and potato chips. The dip was awesome, but if I'm honest, I had a couple of chips that were on the chewy side. That didn't stop me from eating every last one, though. Lol The beer selection was excellent as always, and it's beautiful here. I look forward to the next time.
(5)Kelly S.
This was a fun place to dine. I liked the waiting area with the penny floor that continued on into the restrooms. The menu's were cute and there were oil cloths to use as napkins. The food was good with generous portions. The pizza was very good. I loved the dough but I thought the sauce tasted too much like tomatoes or cheap spaghetti sauce but overall it was very good. The spinach salad was huge with roasted corn and grilled mushrooms. The onion rings were huge and very greasy but they had a thick tasty batter. I ordered the 'cheap ass red' wine that was listed in the Yugo (cheap car back in the '80's) section and found that the taste of the wine lived up to the name, I couldn't even finish 1/2 glass. Next time I'll upgrade to the Oldsmobile vs. lol Be prepared to wait in line and pull your hair out trying to find a place to park.
(4)Johnny L.
Vinsetta Garage was a pretty hip and cool place in the middle of nowhere. The place itself was built in this industrial warehouse looking thing on the street with some odd parking. The place was packed and the wait time was supposed to be more than an hour. We stood by the bar and ordered some drinks. As the food kept coming by, it made us so hungry that we eventually gave in and grabbed some food to go. I ordered the coal fired bread sticks and the duck burger (of course). I definitely came to try the duck burger, but the coal fired bread sticks came into my mind based on all the people walking by. My buddy got the basic burger and we couldn't wait to eat very long so we actually parked on the street and ate in the car. The duck burger was done fairly nicely. I was disappointed in that I could not taste any of the duck, but the meat was tender throughout and the cherry compote with the arugula and gruyere made the burger much better as a whole. I'm unsure if they take reservations or not, but if they do, please make them. The wait here can be incredibly long but you definitely want to be able to check this place out. There is also valet parking available out front that was not bad at all.
(4)Dave H.
This is just s good spot with a great environment if you can stand the hour plus wait time for a seat. I stopped in here for a few beers while waiting on a friend to meet me in Berkley and had an array of different tastes. Had the Hideout Pb and chocolate stout, then the Laguinitas IPA, followed by reds rye. All very good. I actually ended back here that night for dinner since Republica in Berkley was not my cup of organic bohemian tea. Had to wait about an hour for a table but we sat outside with a beer and talked. Once seated we were quickly greeted and ordered the loaded potato chips. Very good. For dinner I got the tuna casserole topped with jalapeños with broccolini and it was very good. It's all the same food as Union so I was familiar with their offerings. I would definitely recommend the garage as its a very cool place to entertain people looking for a different flavor than Applebee's or some burger joint.
(4)Roxanne I.
Came here again to try a couple different menu items! Per other reviews I tried the disco fries and I'm honestly still dreaming about them! I also got the 3am burger, which I definitely could not finish after the disco fries. I substituted the chips for the mac and cheese were I discussed in an earlier review, but surprisingly I didn't find them to be as impressive as I thought. I also got the Faygo Rock and Rye ice cream with pop rocks which was awesome, I only wish it was a little bit more creamy! Definitely will continue to come here time to time. The food does not disappoint!
(5)Chris H.
Love this place! It has a great vibe and unique & excellent food. They also have a great beer selection. The prices aren't bad - they're comparable to Ruby Tuesday or Applebee's but you get a lot more for your money. I definitely recommend checking them out if you haven't already.
(5)Kirsten B.
Great food, great drinks, and great ambiance. Everyone knows to come early and expect a wait. Burgers are our go-to at this restaurant. They offer interesting topping combinations and a vegan patty. Pizza is also good and beer list is relatively large.
(5)Li S.
The nice thing about this place is that they are consistently inconsistent. Food is all over the place in terms of quality (it's never been flat-out bad, but I have not been able to get the same quality of food from visit to visit), but consistently slightly more expensive than it's worth. Service has always been friendly- when they can be found... Things seem to get a little more chaotic the closer you get to the lunch or dinner rush. Understandable, but I would have thought that they would have worked this kink out by now? The one thing that remains consistent is the atmosphere- though it sometimes gets loud, it's always pleasant. My first visit here was phenomenal. I was in love. My second visit left me confused. My third visit was better than the second, but still not as good as the first. Maybe the fourth time is the charm? All in all, I'd still recommend this place; It really is worth a visit.
(3)Philip S.
Great food love their burgers, their duck burger is my all time favorite. Alcoholic milkshakes are also really good!
(4)Eddie A.
This is an amazing experience. The classic garage, in the motor city. Turned into wonderful flavors, like the Nitrogen Shakes... The salted Carmel Shake has to be one of the best shakes I have ever tasted in my life. The mac and Cheese is huge, no kidding you could share it with someone. The flavor of the mac and cheese is just unbelievable. The look inside of the place is stunning, with the carburetors as light fixtures, the pull down air hoses from the original garage, the funny car on top of the entrance and the original garage doors that can be opened for a nice breeze. All in all the smell, the taste and the atmosphere are worth the trip from the east side to this location. Has to be one of my favorite places we have eaten.
(5)Elizabeth M.
I've been here 3 times and trust me, this is a place you'd come to over and OVER again! The variety is great. always fresh, different, awesome portions! The staff's great too. I'll be back again and AGAIN!
(5)Sagar B.
The experience created in this place is simply amazing. And the burgers are awesome too. Went for the special burger of the day, don't recall the name.
(5)Jim I.
Pretty cool joint... An actual former automobile repair facility. A unique atmosphere to say the least. We were up from Dundee visiting Royal Oak and had to check out all the fuss about this place. My wife had the Macon Bacon Burger and reported it to be one of the best she has ever had. I had a Pizza and thought it was just Ok. Its not my style of Pizza ( the pepperonis were HUGE though) and the Mac and Cheese was not my style either. The wife loved them though (we always share) and I tried her burger and YES that was damn good. We arrived on a Friday at 2pm and it was crowded. We wanted to avoid the 1-2 hour wait that this place is famous for in the evening hours ... and we succeeded. Check out the buku photos posted for this place. Great concept..The cooks behind the grill were in mechanic uniforms with their name on them. Whoever thought of this... well buy that man a Cigar! The Wifi is fast and stable too!
(4)Sara B.
Ah how the mighty have fallen. I've been here on several occasions, and used to love it, but it seems like the food and service get worse each time. On this particular occasion we were seated promptly and greeted by our waitress. We ordered 2 different adult milkshakes and waited....and waited. Finally when 20 minutes had gone by with no sign of water, drinks, or being able to order I tried to flag someone else down. Apparently they were able to find her and she brought us water and explained that she was trying to figure out how to make our drinks... wait, what? That should have been my indicator right there to just cancel that order, but I was optimistic. She finally took our order for a pizza with green peppers, ham, and mushrooms. The drinks finally made it to the table after 30 minutes and they were so bad that we sent them back. Now we've been waiting for a grand total of an hour for pizza and bad drinks, and when the pizza finally comes to our table there were no green peppers on it. Admittedly I just assumed they had them, and if they didn't the waitress would tell me when I ordered them. Well, they didn't have them, and instead of telling me she just put the order in sans peppers. A bit more communication would have been helpful here. The pizza was ok, but it was cold by the time it hit the table and quite greasy. At this point I'm just over all of it and ask for our bill. When I looked at it there was food on there we never ordered. So from top to bottom there wasn't a single smooth aspect about this experience. I'll chalk most of it up to our bad waitress, but there's obviously some issues if this is happening.
(2)Rajan B.
This place is a garage converted into a restaurant and has a great vibe! We stopped by for lunch and the prices were reasonable. Nice crowd and nice staff! Portions were too much! Their 3AM burger is yummy, sadly I couldn't finish it cuz of their tikka masala fries! That was delicious! I will come here again the next time I am in town!
(4)Jim M.
Took the wife to dinner on Sunday September 8th around 5:00 pm, wait time was 30 minutes...not bad at all. We were seated in the front of the restaurant by the glass door garage, waitress was pleasant. Disco fries were the bomb and the burgers took a little longer then expected. I order the greek burger and the wife order the bacon burger, both tasty, but the one thing I couldn't get past was the massive amount of FLIES. They were buzzing everywhere, when I counted the glass garage door I must have counted 12 to 14, way too many for a stand out place too eat.........get it together guys, I don't like sharing my meal with bugs....
(2)Laura B.
I've been here twice now - first time was a couple years ago, the second was this past weekend during the Dream Cruise. We were shocked to find out that there was only a 30 minute wait on Cruise weekend and couldn't believe our good fortune. Even better, the garage doors were open and our table was close enough to be able to watch the cars roll by as we ate and drank. And free wi-fi, too! Our server was upbeat, enthusiastic, attentive, and overall everything you'd hope for in a waitress. Vinsetta's has a great beer menu with a wide variety of local options. I had the Vinsetta Burger, which was great, and upgraded my side to a helping of their Union Mac, which was just as phenomenal as I remembered. Seriously, their mac & cheese is out-of-this world. Overall we couldn't have asked for a more perfect Dream Cruise lunch!
(5)Erica D.
I should have ordered a burger, damn it. So, Vinsetta is grungy in a great way, and serves up a pretty interesting menu beyond your average burger and fry joint. There were a handful of things I wanted to have, but I opted for a blacked chicken sandwich on a pretzel bun with a side of seasoned broccolini since I am trying to eat less fat/fried foods. The sandwich was very dry, and pretty boring. I immediately regretted my decision - the burgers all around me looked amazing. The broccolini was good, surprisingly spicy. I liked the metal serving trays the food came on, a small vintage touch. I was pretty underwhelmed given all the hype but I'd definitely try Vinsetta again. Finally, the place is extremely popular. Parking is more or less nonexistent and there can be a wait at anytime. Come if you aren't strapped for time and don't mind a bit of a hike.
(3)Jeff K.
Worth the wait. Amazing food all around. Getting seated was annoying but like I said, well worth the wait. The service is remarkable and so friendly. She took our order with no problem and advised us on what was good and what wasn't a "hot" item. Food came out amazing and cooked to perfection. Our cups were never empty and we didnt have one complain. Love coming here and would go again And again.
(5)M. K.
I live right around the block from this place so I go here often. The idea of building a restaurant in a garage is just the coolest thing and the way they went about it was PERFECT! They have thought of everything to include a garage theme. They use car rags as napkins and tool trays as plates. It is honestly beautiful there and definitely worth a visit! I gave it a four out of five for a few reasons. This place is always packed on a weekend or even a weekday around dinner time, so expect to wait about an hour to an hour and a half. It's that popular!!! That also makes parking nearly impossible. I never have that problem because I live so close I usually just walk over but I've heard complaints about parking from friends. The other reason would be the burgers. Every burger I have ever gotten there has been really good but VERY greasy! The bottom bun gets so soggy it's inedible. But the flavor is delicious, just difficult to eat like a lady.
(4)Christina G.
Great atmosphere. Would order everything again! Disco fries A Chop shop salad A Potato pizza B+ (not for every time) Fago ice cream A++++ loved it would love to have at home
(5)Kirsten G.
Vinsetta Garage is awesome - if it didn't have such a long wait! Always great food and drinks, just not sure it's worth a 2 hour wait. I'll always be a fan of their mac & cheese (adding jalapeno's of course :)) and their amazing draft beer selection. Someone needs to open a bar next door like Sugar Shack did for Slow's for the long waits!
(4)Wilma D.
I like it when juices explode in my mouth. Now that I've gotten the attention of all the perverts in the room, I'd like to introduce you to Vinsetta Garage's burgers. They come to you laden with fatty (and I MEAN fatty) toppings, perched on dense pretzel buns, ready to ruin whatever hapless shirt you wore that day. Be warned, this place's national tv publicity paid off and now most days, but especially weekends, it's swamped. I had trouble getting a seat for one at the bar, and it also does slow down how fast your food comes out. Space: A large open airy industrial building, that melds the inside and outside. Perfect for the summer, but I assume it would be very difficult to heat in the colder months. Crowd: Hip and young, not especially diverse. One younger chick at the bar was pulling off a black crop top bralette with ripped jean shorts in the way only twenty somethings can. Wherever she is, I salute her and her fashion moxie. Food: This place takes nutritionists out behind the barn and shoots them in the face. And then kicks them just for good measure. While the menu reads quite chef-ified and trendy, this place really just has bar food classics with an added pizza oven. The fare is a bit aggressively fatty plus buttery plus a side of fried, even for me. But when in Rome..... I ordered: * THE 3 A.M. -- Angus patty, Swiss, Woodshop MI maple bacon, topped with a fried egg & crispy fried onion strings, Sriracha mayo -- 12.95. This patty was insanely juicy, and left a literal puddle on my wide metal serving tray. While that made the burger tasty, the toppings were a bit ungainly to shove into my piehole, and the exploding burger issue did not help matters. Plus, the onion strings fell off, and the egg yolk dripped everywhere. You've been warned: wear nothing you like to this place, it will be victimized by burger bombs. As for the taste, I found the patty a bit under seasoned, and the packing of the patty to be a bit too loose. Also, pretzel buns are not my favorite. I would really love if there was some fresh flavor on this burger to cut through all the fat. * UNION MAC side portion -- 3.50. Completely unremarkable in every way. Better than that fluorescent orange Kraft stuff my parents made me out of a box, but worse than plenty of other mac and cheeses I've had, especially in the south (southern bbq joints can do some mean mac and cheese) * FAYGO ICE CREAM -- House-made liquid nitrogen churned Faygo Rock N' Rye ice cream dusted with Pop Rocks -- 2.95. Very disappointing. The ice cream tasted a bit sour and flavorless, and the pop rocks did not help when sprinkled over top. I felt like this dish was missing something. * MILKSHAKE. Thick and creamy, but minus points for using those awful paper straws that disintegrate with saliva. It lends an odd unpalatable mouthfeel. If you want to be environmentally friendly, use metal straws you can wash and reuse. TL;DR: While the burgers here are extraordinarily juicy, that alone is not enough to make the place quite as good as the hype. Sides and desserts could use some work, and wait times can be a hassle.
(3)Ryan L.
I was so glad to try Vinsetta Garage when visiting Detroit. The food here is great. The menu is interesting. The ambiance is nice and doesn't feel like the Detroit area. The parking is a little ridiculous but we went late at night so it wasn't bad. The food was good. I got a "press" or a panini and onion rings. Both were great. We got dessert as well. I didn't care for the Faygo ice cream and the fried apple pie tasted like Cheez-its. Overall, this is a great spot in the Woodward area.
(5)Michael B.
Cool atmosphere but service is always subpar. Every exchange takes at least an extra 5 minutes.
(3)Chris G.
I went there on a Wednesday afternoon for lunch and it was pretty busy. As everyone knows, the parking is not great. I was lucky to park out front, but my buddy had to park next store at Westborn market. They have a very good beer selection. But since I was on my lunch hour at work, I did not order a drink. But there were plenty of craft brews available. I ordered the 3 AM burger, an order of fries, and a side of Mac and cheese. This was an enormous amount of food for one person to eat. I could only eat half of it. In the future, I would have only ordered one side instead of two. I also tried another one of my friends sides as well. It was some sort of french fry order with cheese curds possibly? Overall, the food was pretty good. The burger was delicious, but heavy. The french fries were average. The mac & cheese was very good. I ordered this burger and Mac and cheese because they were recommended by the server. It seems that all restaurants that serve mac & cheese claims that theirs is good. However this was the real deal. It was a little pricey for lunch considering that I did not order a beer. However, I have been there twice and would go back again.
(4)Craven M.
Great food and great service!! I've never had a bad dining experience here. The food and service is consistently good. Definitely worth the wait for a table.
(5)Guy D.
If you're going to fall off your diet and crash big time... Vinsetta Garage is the place to be. Had a couple of crazy dressed up hot dogs with an egg on them and they were excellent. Friendly staff and good service.
(4)Christopher F.
I love this place, you can smell the wonderful charcoal/broiler as you walk into the restaurant. Very cool decor inside looks like an old mechanic garage. Their beer selection is absolutely wonderful. For starters we tried some green chile tortilla soup absolutely wonderful, great flavor. For entree, I had the maple bacon burger, my wife had he 3am. Everything was absolutely great. The vinsetta sauce is great, the bacon is house made and absolutely wonderful. Afterwards we split a chocolate malt shake, which was really good.
(5)Nate H.
Cider beer on tap....chips and dip... 3am at 6pm. The burger was awesome. Wife and I's first time..it was great!!!! Will be back!!!!
(5)Rodrigo T.
Have you ever sunk your teeth in a burger and it literally made the world stop? Order the Vinsetta Burger and you'll understand exactly what I'm talking about. Don't get snooty either and ask for medium rare. Tell them, "however the chef prefers" and they will hook you the "eff" up! Burgers aren't the only thing that's good here. There are the fries that's smothered in good stuff like the Disco Fries and the Tikka Fries. Yep,,, Tikka Fries dude. If you like chicken tikka masala, not to be mistaken for chicken "marsala", you will go completely bonkers for this one. Potato sticks smothered in Chicken tikka,, yea,, imagine that. There's a word for that dish... ummmmm... "Euphoria" Finish it off with their Faygo Ice Cream and watch yourself spontaneously combust. Just listen to this,,, Rock and Rye ice cream, then take pop rocks and generously apply on top. Yea... that's right,, spontaneous combustion. Anyways,, come eat here cause it's a restaurant that is truly sublime. Life is awesome when the glass is half full. Follow me on instagram @rodtorres3 Weeeeeeeeeeee!
(5)Katie D.
This place is awesome. First off, the decor and ambiance are just cool. As other people have shared, it's an old service station/repair garage converted into a restaurant. They kept a majority of the old decor, so it really does feel like you're walking into a place to get your car fixed. It's so well done, I'd definitely recommend taking friends here that visit from out of town, just for the "cool" factor. Luckily, the food is also excellent. The mac and cheese is award winning, their burgers are delicious, and in general, their menu is creative. They add bacon whenever possible it seems (win!), and throw in some fun stuff like Faygo ice cream with pop rocks. Everything our party had (disco fries, bread sticks, deep fried cheese curds, mac, coney dogs, tuna casserole) was excellent. They also have some pretty creative cocktails, but they start at $11 and go up to $14. Tasty, but not worth that much! They do have an excellent gluten free menu, too. The burgers can be wrapped in lettuce, or fixed with a gf bun for an extra 1.99 that ended up being very tasty. They also have gluten free fries that aren't cooked in oil that's shared with all of the breaded, fried entrees. We run into that problem a LOT in most restaurants. I ended up getting takeout for my partner who couldn't join us to eat in. They packaged everything in 3 boxes, wrapped it all up in a big shopping bag for me, and made the take out process very easy. Overall I was very satisfied with our evening here, and I'd definitely come back again!
(5)Michelle J.
We've been going to the garage ever since it opened and regularly make the effort to bring folks with us. First, the menu is very unique while still being Detroit. The Kale salad with shiitake bacon is amazing. The pizzas are good and peer my husband the burgers are awesome. Factor in a great and always changing beers on tap but with some creative adult shakes and this place is a definite hotspot for happy hour. The service has been consistently good which is no small feat. The decor is garage chic and personifies Motown and cars. The only word of caution, I would not suggest trying to go the weekend of the dream cruise (usually around mid-August), you will wait a long time for a table!
(5)Mikhaelah O.
I went for my first time last night- i had no idea this place was so bustling! Newcomers, make sure you make a reservation if you dont want to wait an hour and a half for a table. The food met my expectations, the enviroment was fantastic. And the bartender was able to select a wonderful bottle of wine for us to share while we waited. At my table we ordered the Baker bowl, the vinetta burger, and the glazed salmon. We also had the Tikka fries, which I adored! After all that food we split a key lime pie- the best ive ever had.
(5)Lisa N.
If you're looking for unique burgers, then this is the spot to go to. Expect a long wait but it's worth it...trust me! There's a bar area and outside patio for you the hang out while you wait. Our dinner of 10 wait yesterday was over 2 hours. They definitely underestimated our wait time. Wait time is definitely hit or miss. On past visits, I've been told 1-2 hours but it was usually half the time I got the burger pizza with vegan cheese which was delicious! The disco fries and potato salad. Talk about carb overload! The subsequent food coma was divine. The potato salad and fries were extra salty last night, but after waiting over 2 hours...your hunger pangs just overtakes the saltiness. All in all, I love this restaurant!
(4)Kathy B.
Instantly fell in love with this place. We've passed this place time and time again on our way to work out and everytime we passed by it was always so busy. And rightly so, because their food is awesome. It is a great spin on so many classics. From adult shakes to tikka masala fries. Or their bloody mary's that come with a mini cheeseburger! There are time when you come across a restaurant that tries to put a spin on dishes and it is a flop. Vinsetta Garage is not a flop. I'm sure you can tell some of the things we ordered via the intro. Most of the apps and drinks we got were good. The tikka masala fries are interesting, but I think when I want Indian food I'll just go get Indian food. It wasn't bad, but when you've tasted the real thing the fries just don't cut it for our taste buds. For our mains we had the duck burger with a side of bacon jam and the....errrr....some sort of take on a hot dog that had lot of diced tomato and lettuce on it. Maybe something like a BLT hot dog. Sorry I forgot. My husband thought the hot dog was alright and wished he had some sauce to go on it in his opinion and for me my pretzel bun duck burger was so heavenly. And then when you add on the bacon jam... How do you go above heavenly? They say their bacon jam is made in house which is great! They must have gotten their recipe from skillet street food cuz it is dead on like theirs. Both of us weren't able to finish our foods because they give you a good sized portion of most everything. Often times when you take leftover burger, fries, and hot dogs home, they tend to not reheat well. But these did. Even the pretzel bun reheated well. So I definitely applaud Vinsetta garage for making their food leftover friendly. I will be back many many times...if I can stand your wait time.
(5)Gladstone P.
Fun, fun, fun! From the quirky, obviously garage-themed, open space with just the right amount of TVs and tchotchkes, it's a great place for lunch with friends and family. I have not been there at night and could see it losing some of its charm when crowded, but that goes for every place doesn't it? I had the double hot dog combo which was great - just enough a stray from a traditional Coney to make the grade. I had it with a Caesar Salad since we split the ooey-gooey fries with mustard gravy and curds which was delicious. Everyone loved their food - the signature burger made me just a wee bit food envious of my brother and my wife really liked the turkey sandwich. The desserts killed it. As a Detroit expat, the Rock and Rye shake is the best thing I have ever had for post meal sweets. I do not lie and no hyperbole - that ess is the bomb. The fried cherry pie is as good as it sounds. All-in-all, this was a fun lunch in a fun place. We were on vacation and maybe that plays into it, but man, was that good. Great server and excellent cocktails. Love this place.
(4)Caroline A.
Despite our 2 hour long wait on a Friday night, their Mac and cheese were to die for !! I would stay away from their appetizer , the chips we had was so salty that it was almost inedible ! We got two different appetizer and they were both bad . The pizza was kind of dry but the Mac and cheese is something I may come back for when the line isn't that long!
(3)Patrick N.
My girlfriend and I tried this place out a few months ago and we were pleased. The renovated garage had a real blue collar moxie to it. The place is usually crowded and a bit loud, but that did not subtract from our experience. We started off with the tikka masala french fries. We thought it a bit bizarre to have an indian dish (or their take on one) at a burger/all american establishment so we had to give it a go. Totally worth it. I had the yeti dogs which were good, but the charred bun was a bit dry and perhaps a bit over sized considering the dimensions of the bacon wrapped dog that filled it. My girlfriend had the 3 a.m. burger which she really loved despite some difficulty keeping it together while eating it. We also enjoyed a boozey shake called "the dude" which was essentially a white russian milkshake. To be honest I'll consume anything edible if it's adorned with a big lebowski reference. All in all I would recommend the place, but try to hit it when it's a tad less busy for parking is kind of a bitch.
(4)Emily S.
If you haven't gone, go, what are you waiting for? The atmosphere is fabulous, old auto shop turned eatery. It gets busy around dinner so you may have to wait but it's so worth it. The burger with the egg is like heaven but messy, which is expected because of the egg. Mac N Cheese is something else I'd recommend to try, get an order and have the whole table enjoy. Finally, you have to finish off your meal with the Faygo ice-cream with poprocks. If you don't have room, take some home. Trust me.
(5)Gregory P.
After reading positive reviews for months, I finally got the chance to visit Vinsetta Garage. I can confirm that the glowing press is well-warranted. The restaurant is in a repurposed garage and the owners have created a gorgeous space with wonderful, gritty-chic decor. I visited on a beautiful summer evening; the garage doors were lifted and the tables seamlessly merged into an outdoor patio area right along Woodward. The bar area is long and beautifully designed, with an open kitchen in the rear, contributing to the energetic atmosphere. And the food... the food! I've been there several times now and every experience has been amazing. The Farro Stuffed Plobano is delicious The classic Vinsetta Burger is wood-fired and to die for. The Lamburger and Duck Burger are also mouthwatering must-tries. Now I'm always torn on what to order! I guess that's a great problem to have. Bon appétit.
(5)Amanda A.
This place is wonderful! Yes, long waits, but I understand why. The food is delicious and the place is awesome. They have a great atmosphere being in what looks like an old car garage, very industrial and fun place. Service is great, very attentive and on top of it. I love the chop salad here, Steven usually opts for a burger. Loves the 3am one and the lamburger. Great beer and drink selection too! The parking situation is not their fault-but thankfully they offer valet if you can't find a spot.
(5)Jim E.
The return visit was better then the first! Nothing beats sitting in the Vinsetta Garage with the doors open and the traffic beaming up and down Woodward....classic Motor City and one of the best feelings in the world! Great eats, delicious Pizza and food cannot be beat! One of my favorite restaurants I have ever been to!
(5)Albert K.
3.5 Stars - I have been here four times and I am still mystified. I think they have a great beer selection and decent food (good portions). However, I do not get why this place is so popular. Other than walking in at off peak hours, I have only seen this place packed. If the food were obscenely good or the only good place in town, I would totally understand the popularity, but neither of these apply. this place is not without its charm. Beautiful decor, hip vibe and awesome people watching, but the parking situation and the inevitable wait you will have to endure to get a table are simply too annoying. This place is one that a local foodie should make a point of trying once, but I would recommend going to a late lunch or early dinner to avoid the rush. In my humble opinion, when it comes to Vinsetta Garage, the juice is not worth the squeeze.
(3)Daniel H.
I drive by this place every day during my commute back from work and it is packed every night. Was turned off by the line, always "we'll go for an early lunch or dinner to beat the rush," which never happened. But with a friend visiting from back home in Socal, well, the local Jimmy John's wasn't gonna cut it. Happy to say we weren't disappointed. Ordered the MacnCheese, wings, and bacon macon burger. The burger had a pretzel bun and the patty was cooked to perfection. The chips that came with it were also addictive. The macncheese was a bit on the heavy side, but flavorful nonetheless. The wings had just the right amount of crisp on the outside and was tender and moist inside. Definitely worth going back. Complimentary valet.
(4)Lindsay Lou L.
Not bad for a first visit. Trying to eat a little cleaner; I opted for their salmon and broccolini. I've heard their burgers and pizzas are what they're known for, but after a workout had to go with a leaner protein. Either way - the food others ordered (pizzas looked delicious and rustic) seemed quite enjoyable; the food I ordered was meh. The salmon was very oily and I so wanted there to be more flavor in the seasonings. Prepared well other than that. The broccolini on the other hand was superbly disappointing. Al Dente? More like break my dente - the broccolinis were soggy and raw at the same time, didn't understand how that could happen, but it was not at all pleasant to chew nor did it have flavor for the description that accompanied the dish's menu. The good news is that the flavors and preparation of both the salmon and the veg, with some tweaking, could be pretty great. The atmosphere and service were what saved this review from a 1 star initial impression - servers were AWESOME and the atmosphere had a great mix of groups/couples/after work colleagues/friends. They have a patio and a large 'garage' style place. Clever designs. Parking could be an issue but they provide a complimentary valet. Tip them well they work hard! Next time I'm in town I would certainly give this place another go - they have quite a robust GF menu which makes eating out a pleasurable experience for someone like me who's living with stupid Celiac disease. I won't be trying the salmon again anytime soon though. :)
(3)Kelly S.
Soooo, the 3am burger was calling and I HAD to answer! It was so delicious and the mister got the smoked wing appetizer, YES, ghost pepper sauce was hawttttt (spicy) but oh so good. Christiana helped us again, sweet gal and gave great service (again). The only minus were the onion rings, a bit too much batter for my liking but their fries more than made up for it. I'm a fan!
(5)Don J.
I live right in the neighborhood and have probably been here 20+ times since it opened to much fanfare. The atmosphere is great and - along with its draft beer list - is probably its biggest strength. The service, too, has always been top-notch. The food unfortunately hasn't kept up with all of the other great things going on here, and it really boils down to one thing: extreme greasiness. When I first started patronizing V.G., the food was really well-prepared. Burgers, pizza, mac and cheese, pasta, sandwiches, dessert... I had it all and liked it tremendously. But in the past year, I've noticed the food become increasingly greasy, even to the point where it's difficult to eat. About two weeks ago, my wife ordered a pasta dish that was swimming in oil. After eating about a third of the pasta, what was left was submerged in oil and grease. Not exactly appetizing. I went back today with a buddy to grab lunch and couldn't even eat half of my burger because it was so bad. When the bottom bun is gray and mushy and completely falling apart, there's a problem. I think it's time to take a break from Vinsetta Garage.
(3)Di Z.
Okay my previous three star review was kind of harsh. I tried Vinsetta twice afterwards. Thoughts...pizza pies are awesome, highly recommend Meatball and the Chili dog ones, not a fan of the Massachusetts one. And as for burgers, the lamb burger is pretty interesting with tzatziki sauce. The line sucks a lot and service can be sloww but our waitress have always been great.
(4)Jessica V.
If you want to have a better experience than I did at Vinsetta Garage, follow these tips: Don't go when it's 90 degrees outside. It felt about 85 degrees inside. Our table was near the door, so maybe other sections are better. Don't bring little kids. We thought there wouldn't be much of a wait because we got there before 5:00. The wait was 40 minutes, which was ok, but our food took FOREVER. My kids are really good at restaurants, but it was work keeping them happy there for two and a half hours. There was a little kid at another table who lost it and started screaming, and the dad had to carry him out. I'm surprised there weren't more kids being carried out. Don't order the noodle burger. It sounded good--noodles, cheddar cheese, ground angus, and bacon--but it was bad. It had an overwhelming smoky flavor and was really greasy. My husband really liked the mac and cheese. Our server was nice, but we hardly saw her. The cocktail waitress outside was not friendly and seemed annoyed with everyone. Even if I didn't have kids, I don't think I'd come back. It just wasn't worth all the waiting.
(2)Amanda B.
We are fans of Vinsetta Garage. Their gluten-free options are great. You can get a bun on your burger and have hard ciders or other mixed drinks. The drawbacks holding it from having 5 starts are.... Parking can be an issue. There is a "donation" valet option that has some quirky rules because of the city of Berkley. We've parked on the street in the area and been harassed by the neighbors because they feel the business is a nuisance. Vinsetta's can get busy and there can be a wait. They do not take reservations for large parties. ....Take your "patience pants" because there may be a wait. #glutenfreemetrodetroit
(4)Ann W.
This restaurant retains much of the structure of its predecessor: cinder block walls, wood rafters, dirt-smudged skylights, and mid-century lighting fixtures. A bar with tufted bar stools sits to the left with tables spread out in the spacious room. Despite the size of the space, there was a wait before lunch on a recent weekday. The starter, Disco Fries, was amazing. The fries were crisp and the cheese, melted to perfection - poutine perfection. There was a hint of heat from the chili flakes that added another dimension to the dish. The portion size was just right for sharing. I also liked the Macon Bacon burger - a lot. It was incredibly juicy and flavorful with the Canadian bacon, smoked bacon, and melted cheese. The sauce added zing to the savory burger. Parking is a challenge. Expect to find street parking.
(4)Alyson H.
I have been wanting to come here for like a year. I finally conned some people at work to come right when they opened at 11, and we got in no problem. No 3 hour wait for us! By Noon the place was completely packed. We were seated right near the front window, which was nice because the sun was shining. It was very cold in there, plan to bring a sweater. We ordered the cheese curds, which were fabulous. The ranch they give you is so tasty. FB4 ordered the Macon Bacon and the hash. He says "it was super good!" I ordered the create your own pizza. It was DELIC! Garlic butter, house cheese, spinach, caramelized onion, and prosciutto. The other lady we went with ordered the Mac and cheese. I tried it- it was just ok. I added some salt. I really wanted try the adult milkshake, but we were on lunch break from work. I would definitely come back for lunch right when they open, but I don't think I would rush back to wait a few hours. The atmosphere is cool, but the prices are pretty high.
(3)Charles S.
After riding past there for the last century, I finally had lunch there and was beyond surprised. I love classic and muscle cars so the idea of eating in an actual garage was cool. On top of the food and bar being one of the best in the area, the level of customer service is top-notch. Our waitress was Christina who made excellent suggestions for beer and burgers (the 3am is awesome). I will be back for sure!
(5)Melissa M.
We had a large party on several checks and the service was impeccable. The server was on top of everything. Food came out hot and together and the drinks were always refilled on time. Hubby and I ordered the lamb burger and the 3 am. We had a side salad - which was a steal - it was a huge portion. Kids meals were also huge for under $4. The drink and beer selection is very good - I wish I could have tried them all (including the shakes)!
(5)Hanna N.
Not impressed. The only thing I enjoyed was the atmosphere. Food was mediocre. Nothing special. I had a side salad and a pizza. Tried my sister's food as well. It just didn't excite me. It could have possibly been our horrible server that left a bad taste in my mouth though. She was awful. She acted as if she wanted to be anywhere else, but there. Kept rolling eyes and had a major attitude. She made our whole dinner so awkward. May go back if the food was great, but it wasn't. I have no interest in returning.
(1)Heather J.
Reviewing Vinsetta Garage with less than five stars hardly makes me an iconoclast. I feel vaguely like a traitor to the People's Republic for this, undoubtedly, is one of the hot spots. Three years and counting since its opening, I've been here only a handful of times. Why? For the answer, look at the parking lot and the queue at any hour they are actually in business. Like the Dream Cruise, I like the idea in theory and find the execution maddening to the point of utter frustration. Simply, Vinsetta is a victim of its own success. There's never a quiet night the beau and I can slip in for a pot of delicious, cheesy macaroni oozing with pure happiness and the souls of sacrificed noodles. When a hankering for a juicy burger strikes, we know that first pass down Woodward at Catalpa -- mere blocks from our house -- will more likely than not kibosh any plans unless we feel like sitting around for 45 minutes. Due to a lack of reservations taken here, it's pretty much a guarantee you will sit. Ever since Berkley squashed a request for parking lot expansion, Vinsetta Garage has to accommodate the crowds on a narrow, hazardous strip beside Westborn Market. Valet parking is popular for the must see muscle cars -- on a recent visit, the red Lamborghini owner in a popped collar blue polo was fooling absolutely *no one* about his statement. Seriously, he was giving the car looks through half his meal, and nodding fellow tables including ours to his car. No one was paying him the time of day with a party of adorable little girls celebrating Daddy's birthday. So expect to wait. In warm weather, not so problematic. In the wet or the cold, the little waiting area is usually crammed and you probably parked 8 blocks away where it's actually legal so trudging to the car is no option with that tiny electronic shuriken they summon you with. Its range is what, two feet? Is it worth the wait? Yes and no. The food is great, prepared well and a pretty diverse variety. The burgers are definitely enjoyable monsters, a juicy patty adorned by all sorts of delish condiments and some ones you might not expect. My husband loved the one with the fried egg, though he promptly wanted a nap after eating half of it. The Mac and Cheese is really very good though almost too creamy, it's so rich. Bear in mind the bacon soaks up the cream so you need lots of bacon. This from a Canadian without a real taste for that magical mystery meat -- trust me on it. Prices are a bit higher than average, and service can be especially spotty whenever the crowd thickens, which is practically always. We see our server basically in time for refills and thirty minutes later when the kitchen spits out our meal. This is especially inconvenient after waiting an hour to get in, and probably another hour of eating, ordering, and waiting for someone to take your credit card/cash/origami art. Again, the place is the victim to its own success. The concept is great and the garage is a great deal of fun. There are simply too many people dining here, too long a line, too much of a wait to sit down, too little space to tough out the wait. Reservations would probably help a little, but not by much. It's a chance day when we can get inside, and weekends are near impossible. But if you can, the ambiance is relaxed and the food very good.
(3)Nicole M.
If you live in the area this place it's an absolute must to go here. You may have to wait but the food is absolutely amazing. They have a diverse menu with some unique options. They have everything from upscale burgers and coneys to salmon and pastas. You read the menu and want to try everything- and you should! The real star of the show though, is definitely the fries and union mac. The fries are always cooked to a crispy perfection and come with the best aioli sauce to dip them in. The union mac is everything you want from mac and cheese and more! I always make my boyfriend order whatever side I don't so I don't have to miss out on either. If you're looking for a drink this place has a pretty solid beer selection. I am a newbie to the beer scene and the staff was super helpful in finding something that I would like. They have a range of light and dark beers so everyone can find something to wash down their food. Okay, now to dessert. Rock and Rye ice cream with pop rocks. Wow. Just wow. This dessert literally causes sparks to fly in your mouth with each delicious bite. If nothing else stop in here for this treat. It's like nothing you have ever had before.
(5)Brittany R.
finally got to experience this place last sunday with my family. i love the atmosphere here! we were told we would have to wait about 20-30 mins for a table, however as soon as we got a pager it went off so that's always good! we sat in one of the big booths, near the front of the restaurant. our server was suki, who was awesome! she made it clear that she was very open to answering questions since this was our first time there. everyone ended up ordering burgers, except for me, i wanted to try their coal oven pizza. the pizza was good, not amazing but good. their pepperonis are fresh, and very spicy. i got the spicy tasso ham and bacon on the pizza as well. the only thing was that i wanted half ham on one side and bacon on the other half, however both came all over the entire pie. suki offered to have another one remade, but i chose not to. i did not want to wait because i was hungry and it wasn't that big of a deal. the burgers are the way to go when you're here. my boyfriend ordered the vinsetta burger and opted to get one patty since he likes his burgers cooked medium. i had a bite and was sad that i didn't choose to get a burger! they were perfectly grilled and the burger sauce on the vinsetta burger was great. everyone got mac and cheese as a side, which was just okay. in my opinion it was bland, and i did not like the garlic taste that came with it. i know they are known for their mac and cheese, however i would not try it again. next time i go i'll definitely be getting a burger!
(4)Ken S.
seriously, how have I not reviewed this place? Hands down one of my favorite places to take friends from out of town. The one issue here is make sure you are not in a hurry if you want to eat around dinner time, waits can be as long as 3 hrs. A great tip is to put your name on the list and then go for a cruise down the historic Woodward Ave. I can't recommend the cheese curds any higher and order them every time, it's such a treat. My favorite meal is the Noodleburger, which I order every single time. Love this place and so will you.
(5)Joe G.
I wanted to give Vinsetta Garage 4 stars really bad. Ambience is super cool. I like the theme and it's a scene for young professionals in the area which is fun. Bar is huge and place is always packed. Couple issues I had with it though... First, the menu is very heavy. I'm trying to eat cleaner in the spring and this is not the place you want to go to start that. Even the salads are extremely fattening. Burgers, Mac n cheese, pizzas, pastas, the menu has a lot of fatty American favorites. If you want to go light and healthy there aren't many options at all. Second, place is so packed that it impacts service. What I mean is, often it took a while for our waitress to dodge people standing around just to get our order or refill our drinks. Food quality is good but not great. Overall as long as you know what you're in for I think you would really like coming here. Probably the coolest ambience I've seen in the area. Come for a good drink, a game on TV and a good crowd and you won't be disappointed. If you are looking to go more of the food route I would check out other restaurants on the strip.
(3)Jim S.
Awesome joint and always crowded. Good old school beer for us oldies. And food is good. I usually get a salad with chicken but whatever. The 3 dollar schlitz is my choice. In the old can. Love it. Parking is tough but we all could use a little walk. Try it out
(4)Nathasja T.
Swoon. I don't know where 'they' get their interior decorators from, but between the Woodshop and Vinsetta Garage- the quaint levels are high! I am literally entertained just looking around while waiting for my food.. there's little details, everywhere. Having very specific cravings lately (sushi and 'soggy' fries - don't ask) the Disco Fries immediately caught my attention. House cut fries, whole grain mustard gravy, chili flakes, cheese curds and scallions.. this 'Vinsetta poutine' was pretty amazing. The fries were crispy, the curds delightfully salty, and the gravy nice and rich, which was cut by the sharp onions. Yeah, buddy! Honey got the 3 am burger which he thought was utterly delicious. Fat and juicy, topped with inhouse smoked bacon and egg with sriracha mayo - really, you can't go wrong. I had the 'turkey' burger (patty swapped for their homemade veg) with pickled peppers, avocado spread and onions, on a sesame bun. My bun to patty ratio was a bit off, which made for several very bread-y bites. The pickled peppers are usually good, but this time around they lend a very sour note alongside the avocado cream. It was a bit odd, really. That being said, we will for sure return and I'll just try something else. Thats the beauty of this place, most things on the menu sound really, really good!
(4)Hilary S.
Vinsetta Garage is bomb. You are going to have to wait for a table no matter what time you arrive, but it is worth every minute. I have tried a variety of things on the menu and love everything. The baby kale salad is my go-to when I'm trying to steer clear from greasy fatty food. It is so flavorful you don't even miss the fried food. Adding the brown sugar glazed salmon to the salad is a must. The "shiitake bacon" is so inventive and adds a really nice crunch to the salad. When I am craving a burger, the 3 am is where it's at. If you're feeling really naughty, the cheese curds are a must. Like, I dream about those little fried gems..
(5)Jon G.
Vinsetta Garage is one of those awesomely-trendy restaurants that Millenials talk about. The talk becomes so loud that the expectations outweigh the experience. As a result, lines are out the door, parking spots are not to be had and crowd is almost unbearable. As such, I've only been two Vinsetta Garage once. Once for lunch and once for a private party. Both times I struggled to get a parking spot. Of course, they offer valet, but I'm here for a beer and a cheeseburger, not for someone to drive my car wrecklessly from point A to point B. The food itself is good. Lots of meats, interesting sandwiches, great macaroni and cheese, small plates and good beer selection. Definitely worth trying, but don't let your expectations get you too hyped. It is still just a restaurant.
(4)S T.
The lamb burger is soooooo amazing I cannot bring myself to order any other item as my entree. I usually order my lamb delight medium well and bunless (to keep space for other menu items, keep reading). The must have side is the Union Mac which I usually get to go (gotta save room). The broccolini is great especially with the sliced garlic and red pepper kick but I still vote for take home mac. The beet on this burger is the *only* beet I've ever tried and enjoyed probably since it is very thinly sliced and pickled. The homemade tzatziki is wonderful and the fried pickled chili could be a menu item all on its own. Cheese curds app and the dip they are served with (franks red hot+blue cheese dressing) are a must. Round out this fantasic meal with the Faygo rock n rye ice cream and extra nerds. So popular you will wait and plan on walking a fair distance, parking is a disaster.
(5)Bethany G.
I absolutely love this place. Great food, great service, great atmosphere, great branding. We skipped the wait that we've always been able to see when driving on Woodward and went at 3pm. We got a nice bar-height table on the south end of the restaurant which seemed like it was in it's own quieter private section next to the open garage doors, giving us a taste of the gorgeous weather outside. We got to watch muscle cars drive down Woodward as we ate which only added to the awesome experience. We got the disco fries, yeti dogs, Mac and cheese burger and a side of Mac and cheese. All of it was way good, in fact, the yeti dog blew my mind. The service was great- drinks stayed full and our waitress was helpful and pleasant but unobtrusive. I can't believe it took us this long to go there! I sincerely regret not going sooner as we only got to go once before we moved away from Detroit. But I will be back to visit and Vinsetta will be the first restaurant we go to.
(5)Ornella B.
Great burgers, pasta, salads (house salad is amazing, comes with toasted garbanzo beans and roasted tomato vinaigrette) and natural cut fries..the skin is still on so they're legit. Massive portions with above average prices. They don't take reservations and the wait is almost always at least 45 mins :/
(4)Ingrid S.
I had no idea what I was in store for before heading over with my oldest sister and niece when I was home visiting for Easter. I had my choice though of this and/or Slow's BBQ in downtown and thinking that I didn't have enough time to drive all the way out to Detroit, we stuck to the suburbs. This restaurant/bar used to be a legit garage though. You'll find the place decked out with old car parts, steel iron beams from the ceiling, long broad picnic style tables in the center with a full bar off to the side. The bathroom floors are covered in pennies. Empire Records anyone? A motor tune up machine in the lounge area. It's even a little hipster chic with plaid couches and a nook with some sleek old car photos. The tables are laid out with parchment paper so that the kiddies can color to their endless delight. Oh, we colored the hell out of that table. The food and the beer selection though is what grips you by your heart strings. If this existed in New York, I would live here and also be insanely fat. For beer, the options are endless, check out that picture of just the board of everything on tap. Most of which does not exist on the Eastern coastline at all. Then there was a plethora of additional bottles of beer, wines (several fermented from upstate Michigan), and a decent selection of martinis and cocktails. I've died. I finally settled on trying a Dark Horse Raspberry Ale and a Jolly Pumpkin Calabaza Blanca (one of the most solid Belgium Witbiers I've possibly had to date). The sister had wine because she doesn't believe in beer and was content. The baby had diet soda because there is nothing like having a hyper kid to go home with after she insists that her Mother buys her a baby bottle pop (same thing as pixie stix). GOOD LORD. The most amusing thing here: they have disco fries. I've only ever heard of this on the East Coast and naturally assumed that it was invented somewhere in New Jersey one dark and stormy night. Michigan now has disco fries?! What on Earth is happening?! My sister kept going on about how amazing it was and that we needed to order it and I pretty much was all, "shut up, I know what disco fries are!" These are different though. This is more like poutine disco fries so now I totally get it. Michigan and Canada have always had poutine and now they're jumping on the 'disco fries' name. BUT these are definitely better than melted American cheese. Fresh cheese curds, a mustard gravy, scallions, AND chili flakes. BOLD MOVE with the chili flakes. I APPROVE. It makes them FANCY DISCO FRIES. Send the melted American cheese crap back to Jersey. We also went a little crazy. Trust in that we had 3 boxes to take home for leftovers. But we also split a 3 am Burger: Fresh cow cooked medium rare, swiss cheese, Woodshop Maple Mother Fucking Bacon, topped with an oozing fried egg, crispy fried onion strings, and Sriracha Mayo. It's a holy hell heart attack inducing meal that you need to have at least once in your life. They also have a duck burger I was so tempted to try. Coney dogs, fresh pastrami and roast beef. So many exciting things. They even have a wood brick burning oven for their own pizza. Also, a plethora of Gluten free options. You know, for you Gluten free people. See, they're healthy too! Another thing, that did not escape us was splitting a hot dish item. They call everything in Minnesota 'hot dish' and I've never experienced it before. I had to. I've heard way too many things about hot dish that I just cannot ignore it for any longer. We split the Noodle Burger hot dish: Casserole-baked ground Angus, smoked cheddar, elbow macaroni, Woodshop MI maple bacon, crispy top. It's exactly what it sounds like. Wasn't my favorite item actually. It just seemed too intense. I was actually more partial to the regular Mac and Cheese, which we also tried to eat. Their Union Mac has Vermont sharp cheddar, Pinconning, penne rigate, bechamel, and parmesan cheeses. It's more rich and creamy than the other hot dish. Thinking about this, granted we sampled over 3 dishes and the kid's French fries at this point so we probably shouldn't have ordered a desert. But my sister is a legit pig and so we did upon her insistence. THE MALTED MOLTEN CHOCOLATE CAKE (It deserves all caps) -- Warm, gooey chocolatey goodness in the form of a cake, saddled with their house-made liquid nitrogen churned vanilla custard, topped off with crushed Cap'n Crunch Cereals. What the fuck. I'm sorry for the expletives. But jesus. Okay. Inserts female orgasm. I don't really need to say anymore because you now know. If you live anywhere near here, I'd go immediately. And then hold off eating for a couple of days after. There is a bit of a wait but the wait is so well worth it. Grab a beer at the bar and hang out for an hour.
(5)Kate S.
My mother was having car problems and decided to take her car to "that shop down on Woodward" only to discover that something smelled awfully yummy there. After that snafu I *had* to take my parents here, lol. I'd been here before just for drinks and appetizers but I gotta say - their food is pretty fantastic. Some of it is a little ... odd. But everything I've had so far was pretty good. My parents are the anti-adventurous and both got the Vinsetta Burgers with the chips. First of all - I wish I hadn't ordered the onion rings in substitution for the chips with my food because they're the homemade kind and are cooked *perfectly*. The burgers themselves were a bit messy and I would definitely ask for the "special sauce" on the side. I ordered the 3am burger. I have a weakness for fried eggs on burgers - I just love the richness that the yolk brings to the party. It has a Sriracha mayo on it which I expected to love but it wasn't my favorite I've ever had. I think I would probably ask that to be taken off if I ever ordered that again. But I'd probably opt for the Vinsetta burger - I had a bite of that and it was so delicious I ordered one for takeout lunch the next day! And as mentioned, I subbed out the chips for onion rings - which were just okay. A little soggy and not the best I've ever had. I'd probably give them a 2-2.5 on a scale of 1-5 - Redcoat's onion rings are way better. We also had the french onion soup. The broth itself was decent. But wow it had some onions in there. And what felt like a loaf of bread. It was almost like an french onion chili it had so much stuff in there. I couldn't finish mine just because the flavor, while a touch on the bland side, was also a bit overwhelming after a while. Cheese curds. My god the cheese curds. I used to live in Madison, WI and you cannot truly appreciate a fantastic cheese curd until you've experienced Wisconsin's - but these are the closest I've ever come across outside of America's Dairyland. Soooo good. Haven't had the chance to try some of their whacky desserts yet - but definitely looking forward to the next trip! :)
(4)Michael C.
Where to start. I luckily came in the middle of the afternoon so it wasn't too busy. Ordered a Vinsetta burger, it was awdsome.....sloppy, but awesome. The service was fantastic and the whole look of the place was great. The beer selection is what you'd expect from a place on this side of town and there is something for everyone. Burger was pricier than most but you could taste why.
(5)Carly H.
I've been here on a number of occasions and have been really happy with the whole experience. Even on busier evenings, we haven't had to wait long, and the staff is very friendly and accommodating. The food is excellent! Sandwiches, pizza, and of course the mac and cheese are all great.
(5)Nicholas W.
Ordered the elusive Maple Bacon Burger with four types of meat. For the price, my girlfriend and I weren't really impressed. The patty was pretty small, the meat overcooked and overall, I just thought it lacked flavor. The Union Mac and EV Veggie burger were fantastic however. Really delicious, creamy and hearty cheesy goodness with the mac and the Veggie burger had EVERYTHING going on. Delicious! AND for the real star of the show, the ROCK N RYE ice cream covered with Pop Rocks candy. DO NOT PASS this up! I heard the shake is the way to go and will be trying this next visit.
(4)Allison K.
This place has awesome food. Wish it wasn't so crowded all the time. However, it's perfect if you go there earlier in the day/afternoon... Usually. They open up garage doors to the outside when weather is nice. Sometimes sucks because there will be tons of bees flying around. But not that big of a deal. Love the desserts here too! Sooooo good! Usually offer free valet but still have to tip. Also can park down side street as well.
(5)Corey C.
Okay so I will start by saying that I look forward to trying this place again so I can get an even more well rounded experience. But there was a little bit of disappointing mixed with a good dose of tasty. First off, our waitress did her job but was not very personable, which is the only negative about service. But she was attentive and accurately took our orders. We got the wings which were spot on crispy and juicy. For my meal I ordered the Yeti dog. Which was a bacon wrapped hot dog with melted pepper jack, mayo shredded romaine and tomatoes. Sounds good, right? Boy was I let down. Now let me preface by stating how much I love a good hot dog and since we were at the VG I assumed these dogs would be top notch. I was sadly disappointed to find the hot dog tasted like the cheapest kind of boiled hot dog you'd feed to a three year old. You know the kind all cut up in pieces with ketchup to dip it in. I was expecting a high quality frank in some kind of natural casing and that all important snap when you take every tasty bite. It was so bad I could barely finish one of the two hot dogs that came with my order. I also ordered a house salad which was fresh and tasty, filled with beautiful mixed greens. The person I was out with ordered the margarita pizza which was made beautifully. And I was told tasted great. We finished our meal with chocolate lava cake with vanilla custard ice cream and cap'n crunch crumbled on top. Very fresh and very tasty. It all worked together well. Overall we had a grand time. A lot of fun and will be sure to come back. I will be sure to updated after my next visit. Give this place a try and I'm sure you'll have a blast.
(3)Jeremy S.
Over memorial day weekend I got to check out the Vinsetta Garage. My first impression was a good one. The place looks amazing. It's a vintage garage that has been turned into a restaurant. The atmosphere was awesome and I really enjoyed just sitting there and looking around the place. Unfortunately this is where all of the positives stop. The service was slow, though it was relatively busy, so I will cut them some slack on that. I decided to try the 3A.M. burger and this burger was disturbingly disappointing. It was one of the most bland burgers I have eaten in a long time. It was big and filling, but being filled up on disappointment isn't desirable. I now know why you will find Kid Rock at the Waffle House instead of Vinsetta Garage! I give The Vinsetta Garage 2 doubledays purely for the fact that the restaurant is a restored garage. Other than that I'd say save your money and go to a place that knows how to cook flavorful burgers.
(2)John W.
First time here and the food was great. The atmosphere is really fun. Definitely coming back.
(5)Brit M.
This place was bitchin, start to finish. Beers: great variety. My husband had a seasonal brew that was freakin sweet. Slightly sour and fresh Specialty cocktails: inventive and more expensive tasting than they're charging. I had "The Late Model" and it was swanky as shit. Apps: we had the chicken wings. So bomb; excellent outer crisp but succulent inside with an awesome sauce on the side Main: the 3am burger is everything you want it to be. Get it with a side of Mac and cheese and be prepared to eat more than you intended. Dessert: OMG. S'mores trio was so perfect and delicious. Even if you're full, GET DESSERT.
(5)Tony B.
Loved the outdoor waiting area. The menu was one of a kind.
(5)Caitlin K.
Vinsetta Garage sure does get a lot of love (except for their residential neighbors- drama has ensued about people taking all their street parking!!). I love the idea of a restaurant that has been converted from an auto repair shop. It has a trendy vibe, and the decor matches that sensibility. Have you checked out the penny floors in the bathrooms? Hipster cred aside, I would say the food is pretty good! Vinsetta Garage is owned by the same folks that own Clarkston Union, Union Woodshop, etc., and actually serve's the Union's raved-about mac and cheese. I also appreciate their selection of craftbrews. And, during the summer, garage-style doors are open, you can eat al fresco, and enjoy the warmer months! A few gripes: this place is the hip place to be, so anticipate that it will be packed. If you are waiting for a table, you are actually sitting in the garage's old waiting room, so if it's winter, you have absolutely zero buffer from the winds whipping in through the open door. If the waiting room is packed, and you try to stand in the dining room, you will realize that that was a terrible idea, because the tables are packed in, and servers are running around, hosts are seating tables, and its a bit of a frenzy. You might wait for your food. If you are like me, and you hate to ask people into your mess of a car, you will hate that the only decent parking option is valet (I am still not in the tax bracket where I can afford or justify paying someone to park my car). Of course, these complaints are minor, and didn't stop me from giving Vinsetta a 4-star review. Give it a try- but show up at odd hours if you hate crowded restaurants and waiting for your table.
(4)Jeph W.
Decent food, but I was disgusted by the menu! I found myself having to build my own sandwich, which many of the staff commented looked and sounded really good :)
(3)Derek F.
Oh yea finely made it back to Vinsetta Garage,, the place is always packed, why ? well cus the place has some good solid food. The choices are interesting and cooked great, every time I've been I left full and satisfied. They have some great choices in food and drinks. Try the tikka frys, I love them. If you don't mind waiting give it a try. But the parking is a pain.
(4)Lindsey L.
Very delicious burgers maybe the best in town! Their sriracha mayo is amazing! Try the onion rings and dip them in the siricha mayo... mmmm so good!
(4)Keshia W.
I'm giving this review based off the 3am dog and the customer service. Both were amazing. However, be weary of the wait time.
(5)Tyson R.
Food was good. We had the farro hash, pesto pizza, and vinsetta burger with house made chips. Burger was the best part of the meal by far! Amazing in every way. Pizza was delightful, nice and flavorful, could have been cooked the slightest bit longer to get the crust right. Farro was a little dry but hey it tasted good and I've never had it before. Prices are reasonable, at first I thought the burgers were pricy but then I tasted it. We will be back for sure! Four stars for bar service, we sat at the bar and it took almost 10 mins for us to get a drink order at 3pm, we were the second party at the bar although they were obviously busy handling table orders.
(4)Kirsten V.
Excellent beer and food selection. I have had the baked potato pizza and salmon which was great. The only con that I can think of is that parking can be an issue, they have very few parking spots and street parking can be difficult.
(5)Nick M.
Yeah, there's a lot of hype surrounding Vinsetta Garage these days -- and I think it lives up to the hype. I FINALLY got to enjoy an afternoon there after numerous attempts of trying to eat there and hearing about 80-minute waits. (I will never wait an hour and twenty minutes to eat anywhere.) On a Saturday afternoon around 4 p.m., the wait was 25 minutes. Our buzzer went off before 15 minutes passed. The place just looks cool. It's reminiscent of a diner you would see in the 1950's, but composed out of the remnants of an old car garage. The tables are covered in brown paper, the chairs look cool aesthetically and feel nice, and numerous booths surround the exterior. The bar is good-sized too. The beers are aplenty, boasting IPA's, lagers, porters, etc. in bottles or on draft. If you want to drink beer, this place will satisfy your intentions. Okay, okay. Now on to the good stuff. The food is great. Really, it's very good for the price and just the general filling up of your hungry self. The significant other and I shared a small salad and it was not even small at all; it was pretty large and very good. The house dressing tasted awesome. She also got the broccoli stalks and the Union Mac 'n Cheese -- which, if you have visited Union Woodshop in Clarkston, you understand how good there mac tastes. I got the Mac as well, but I used it as a substitute for a side with my burger. Burgers come with chips as sides, but you can swap sides (Caesar salad, mac, etc.) for $2. I ordered the 3 A.M. burger because I saw peopel boasting about it on this very site, so I had to get it. I had never previously eaten a burger with a fried egg on top of it, but H-O-L-Y C-R-A-P -- this burger was amazing!! It's an Angus patty, Swiss, Woodshop MI maple bacon, topped with a fried egg & crispy fried onion strings, Sriracha mayo for $12.95. The Sriracha mayo is so damn good, too, as it's not overly spicy but provides a very great kick. I got everything on a pretzel bun, which was the right choice. Once you put that bun on top and crush that egg yolk, it's just something great that is about to unfold. The burger was in my top five of best I have ever had. Just completely filling and scrumptious. The beauty of the mac goes without saying, and the ambiance of the overall garage-turned-restaurant is a hit in the area for a reason: it has that 'feel' to it.
(5)Pom S.
What a unique place to have a great lunch. The renovated auto repair shop definite works for this place. I had the 3AM burger and mac and cheese. The burger was amazing. Very savory and flavorful first bite and the slightly spicy shoestring onions rings with the friend sunny side up egg complemented the burger delightfully. Crispier bacon would have made this burger perfect. I would definitely choose the 3AM over Umami's truffle burger in LA if given the choice but both are solid choices. Definitely one of the surprise highlights while on a business trip in Detroit.
(5)Amy R.
I went here for my birthday and loved it! On a Sunday night, it was packed. We waited about 30 minutes for a table. But they gave us a buzzer and let us sit at the bar. I had a Northville Winery cider, which was strong for a cider and delicious. It almost tasted like a wine. For dinner, I got the macaroni and cheese, which definitely lives up to the awards it was given. It was so big I took the rest home and had it for lunch the next day. Service was good and the decor was really awesome. There is definitely a garage theme and the food comes out on metal trays, which is a cool touch. They had some delicious looking adult milkshakes, which we wanted to get but we were too full after our meal. Next time! The only thing that was a little difficult was the lack of parking, we ended up having to park on a side street in front of someone's house, which was awkward and made us worry about getting a ticket. Luckily, there was no ticket when we got back to the car, but it was still a little confusing.
(4)Kristen R.
Lamb burger was amazing. Topping was battered, deep-fried banana peppers stuffed with feta, all on a pretzel bun. Great atmosphere. I recently went for an early dinner with my 8 year old. He ordered off of the kids menu, which was a really neat interactive toy like menu. I found myself seeking bites of his chicken strips because they were so good. the atmosphere is really cool. The time before, we had a dessert with crushed up Captain Crunch and ice cream. The mac and cheese is always outstanding.
(4)Amanda S.
Worth the wait. This place is always bumpin! Amanda was a fabulous server. The Vinsetta Burger is Awesome, along with all of the food. Drinks are great, atmosphere is cool.
(5)Karl G.
This is a great place, :). Unique menu, great ambience, location, concept, food, service, et ... Place gets extremely busy, so I shoot for the off-peak hours but will stand in line for my 3 A.M. Dog/Loaded Potato Chips fix if necessary. Never have a bad meal/experience here. Recently featured on Fox2 Morning, this is one of the places I like to take out-of-town friends when they visit. :) Two thumbs up!
(5)Emily M.
Wow! This place is sooo cool! With the garage setting and cars parked out in front ....the ambience just screams Detroit! Dessert and/or drinks are the things to get here! We just ordered a side of Mac and a Cesar salad....both delicious! But....what makes this place unique is the liquor shakes and desserts! The banana pudding and bourbon shake are a must! Will definitely be back!
(5)Arley K.
Love Vinsetta garage! Not to be confused with Vinsetta grill down the street. The duck burger and the 3am are my favorites. Chase it with their IPA and its a perfect meal.
(5)Dre S.
First of all the service was HORRIBLE. We went around 2pm on a Monday and it wasn't super busy so I expected the service to be better. I wanted to order the french onion soup but they were out so I ended up with some sort of chicken chilli which was pretty decent but not really what I wanted. The waiter was barely around and we had to beg him to refill our water and ice tea and when he did he would only refill one persons then leave. We ordered dessert and he comped them for us, sensing we were displeased with our experience. The menu is way too small and the service drove me away.' I've worked in the hospitality business for over 9 years and i simply cannot stand poor customer service. I would probably go back and try the food again, but my experience with the service was so bad I will not recommend this restaurant to anyone. too much hype - not enough delivery Side note: the pretzel bun sucks
(2)Barb R.
Good food and cocktails. Wait it crazy long. Put your name in, leave, and come back. Ok with kids because its pretty loud. Kale salad and chili is great
(4)Kelly K.
Ugh...can I just tell you how disappointed I am in this place?? My fiance (B) and I love this place. We followed all of the updates and patiently waited for it to open. We were there on opening day and we loved it. However, this last visit for B's birthday was just absolutely horrible, and I don't even know where to begin. I guess I'll just begin at the beginning!! I called at 6:45 to see the wait for 5 people. We had some stuff to do before we got there, so I wanted to make sure we had time. They said 2.5 hours - I'm cool with that. I asked if that's a "solid" estimate and she assured me it would be 2.5 hours. So I went in and put my name on the list. ONE HOUR LATER I get a text saying I have 3 minutes to get there! Now I get trying to surprise and delight your customer, believe me I do, but when you give a wait time that is more than 1.5 hours WRONG, it does not surprise me, nor does it delight me. It infuriates me. Luckily we were headed there anyways, but we were only on our way because I felt like they vastly overestimated their wait time and I didn't want to miss our table. The worst part about our dinner, though, was our server. She was the worst. I forgot to catch her name, but she had black hair with her bangs cut straight across, kind of page-boy style, and she wore her hair in a ponytail. She was the rudest, laziest server - she clearly did not want to be there and I really don't know why she got a job in the first place. Let me go over some of the highlights: 1. I asked her what she recommended for a sour drink. She looked at the menu and pointed to something with JALOPENOS in it. When I mentioned that she said, "Oh, I don't think it's that hot." I asked if she could have the bartender whip up something that they liked and she said no. Just no. So I ordered an Amaretto Sour. 2. My SIL wanted to order a side of meatballs and a side of mac. The menu has a side of meatballs on it. When she ordered it, the waitress said they "couldn't do that" and forced her to order a noodle and meatball bowl. Like, they literally couldn't take 3 meatballs, put them on a place and put some sauce on them. Even when they pointed the "meatball side" to her she refused to do it. So my SIL ended up with a bowl of noodles, meatballs and a side of mac. She never even touched the noodles in the bowl. (Although the meatballs were still very good). 3. I ordered another Amaretto Sour and when she went up to the bar, I went up there - it was B's birthday so I asked if she could put a candle in his dessert or do something small. "No." That's it. Just No. Could she have written "Happy Birthday" in sauce on his dessert plate? Could she have simply said, "Happy birthday!" Yup...but did she? No. She just said No and turned around and that was that. 4. We were joking around about the wording of Steak Frites and we asked her why it was called that. She LITERALLY said, "I don't know. Usually when someone asks me something I say I can't do it because I'm not a manager, but that doesn't apply here." And she walked away. I wish I was making this stuff up but it's true!! We spent over $200 that night celebrating my fiance's birthday and she totally ruined it. I was so pissed off at her horrible attitude all night that my I couldn't even taste my burger, I just wanted to leave. That brings me to the food. Everything was pretty good. We all had burgers (except SIL with the noodle bowl AND mac - since, you know, you can't order a side of meatballs) and the cheese curds were excellent. I think they put crack in the bleu cheese dipping sauce! However, the desserts were disappointing. Apparently VG still hasn't figured out how to heat the peach pie in a jar. That, or they've given up all together. BIL and SIL ordered one to split and it was ice cold all the way through. Good thing our waitress never checked on us to see how it was. I got the cookies & blondie - the cookies were DELICIOUS but the blondie was not good. I say just put 3 cookies on the plate or nix the blondie and go with 2 cookies. It was just mushy and flavorless. B had a chocolate milkshake and really liked it. My FINAL peeve is the management. We were considering having our rehearsal dinner here since we were such big fans. On opening day I spoke to Greg (I think that was his name) about how to go about setting this up. He told me to write a note to them on FB. I did, and through FB they told me to email a certain address and they would help me set it up. Well, I did - TWICE - and I still haven't heard anything. I'm fine witht his. I'll take my $1500 somewhere that it is wanted, but don't tell people to go through all this trouble to contact you when you have no intention of answering them. I know you're busy, but it's called CUSTOMER SERVICE. It's how you keep people coming back. Very disappointed, VG...
(2)Sarah F.
Love this place. Great pizza and great atmosphere. Good desserts and drink variety. Had one experience with a waitress that seemed like she was bothered by my telling her I received the wrong burger. But other than that the service has been great.
(4)Kate R.
Oh, Vinsetta Garage, you kind of complete my foodie soul. I wished I could have gone earlier in their opening - I'm a HUGE fan of the Union and the Woodshop and I was exceptionally excited when I heard the Garage was opening close by. I had the fabulous pleasure of having my birthday dinner here with my family. ... and I can honestly say we came close to trying a large majority of the menu. My dad ordered just about every appetizer on the menu. Disco fries amazingly delicious, bread sticks were VERY good... not super impressed with the loaded chips but, eh, you can't win em all. I had a very hard time choosing from their burger/meatball menu. I settled on the 3 A.M. burger and it has to be THE BEST burger I have ever had. ...perhaps even my new standard. And that pretzel bun just tipped the scale. Was also able to try the Vinsetta burger, also tasty, and some of the pies. Our waitress was VERY patient and accommodating while we waited for my brother meet us and she was really gracious when there was a mix up with one of the beverages. Add that with the decor and chill attitude - all in all, a great experience!!! LOVE. THIS. PLACE.
(5)Jonathan B.
I've been here a couple times for lunch and dinner. I've never gone on a busy night so each time I was seated quickly, if I had to wait over 35 minutes I don't think it would be worth it. This place serves comfort food, and they serve it well! I've never had a bad meal there yet. I've had two of their burgers and the Mac n cheese all of which were great. Although I would say the Mac n cheese was over hyped. I really love their onion rings, but I would try to get the sirachi mayo from the 3am burger to go with them, it's awesome! Cool place with great food!
(4)Stephanie G.
Delicious! A bit of a wait but worth it :)
(5)Cathy O.
Minus one star today because: 1) the hostess rolled her eyes at me when I asked when they stopped using text messages to notify guests their tables were ready. Lady, they did it on opening night and I thought it worked well. I'm sorry you think it's more reasonable for me to wait at your restaurant with a buzzer for two hours before my table will be ready. No thank you, I'd rather go home for an hour and watch the Tigers. 2) the obnoxious valet person cut off my husband as he was trying to get into the valet area, then parked the car she was driving so that we couldn't pull into the driveway. 3) the menu is different from when we first visited, and now it's one that features no vegetable sides whatsoever (I was really looking forward to trying out that broccoli rabe). 4) the staff came as soon as the last bread stick was picked up from the plate so that they could clear the table as soon as possible. I understand that you're busy and the higher the turnover, the more money you make, but it's nice to eat without someone waiting over you like a hawk to take your plate. The food is still quite good (those bread sticks... delicious, seriously), but tonight's experience made me wish the customer service was better. Parking is still an absolute headache, by the way. Those poor, poor neighbors.
(4)Brad R.
I have been here many times, and they must be doing something right because they always have a line. I keep telling myself when I go in I will try something new, but the 3am burger is so good I find myself getting it almost every time. I have also had the meatballs and mac and cheese for diner, all very good. The disco fries are also a great appetizer. Last but not least, the beers and cocktails are very good. Highly recommend
(5)John L.
No doubt. It really is the place to see. The owners have done a wonderful job in capturing, of restoring, the essence of a 50s/60s era mechanic's garage--with a few modern twists sprinkled throughout. But if you want a great burger or a craft pizza, which makes up most the menu choices, there are places just down the road serving superior food. Grant you, their mac-n-cheese is outstanding, but let's face it: Nobody drags their fanny off the couch for a great mac-n-cheese, unless it's to your own kitchen. No, you're going to Vinsetta Garage for...err...the garage. To be seen in the place trendy to be seen in, To say you've experienced the penny-tiled rest room floors, the art-deco period signs, and the waiting area wallpapered in old mechanic's work orders. Really, that's it. It's okay and you should go. But it could be better. Parking is non-existent. Their postage stamp parking lot was originally meant to be the place to keep the cars yet to be worked on during its hayday. You'll likely have to park in front of someone's house along an adjacent street and hike it to the door. Once there, you'll be greeted with an hour wait. Once seated, expect another 45-minutes before any food touches your lips, so bring along a good conversationalist or make sure your smart phone is charged for gaming.
(3)Les O.
Middle of the run-up to the Woodward Dream Cruise, and we got a table within 30 min after getting there at 5:30pm or so. Our waitress was incredibly responsive and helpful, despite the crowds and noise. I can only imagine the place would be even better in calmer times. We started off with the Disco Fries. These are basically Canadian Poutine - fries with gravy, topped with cheese curds - with the addition of green onions and red pepper flakes. Good all around, with nicely crispy fries and (dare I say it) squeaky curds. They have a good list of Michigan beers, and I had two - bottled, not draft. Still, nice to have such a selection. I had a 3AM Burger, and it was great. Pretzel bun, perfectly-cooked sunny-side-up egg, burger cooked just to medium like I asked. The girl had a Baseline Burger, and she seemed pretty pleased with it. For dessert, we had milkshakes. Mine was the Faygo Rock & Rye with pop rocks, and hers was the salted caramel. Also both great. Very happy to have this place such a short distance from our house!
(5)Julie K.
Hearing about the crazy wait times (apparently Chris Chelios couldn't even get in) has deterred me from exploring the culinary offerings of Vinsetta Garage, but going on a late Thursday afternoon, there was no wait. Huzzah! So go there at the old people dinner time if you want a table right away. The decor is slightly confused. Digging what they kept from its former life as a garage. I guess I expected to feel more cozy, it looked sparse and cold somewhat, a little too industrial, a little too much like Union Woodshop. Do yourself a favor and go to the bathroom for the penny floor and cute classic car wallpaper. Ah yes, the menu. My friend ordered us the cheese curds. This was my first experience ever with curds. The first few were delicious gooey pillows of heaven, but then they started to taste tangy in a sour, spoiled milk way. The ranch sauce didn't help the situation, but adding malt vinegar made them delish again. Get a burger, it'll be amazing. I ordered the Lambburger, with its feta, beets, red onion, tzatziki and some fried pickled chiles on top...mmm I want to eat that once a week for the rest of my life. For dessert, I tried the salted caramel custard. It was ok, missing the salted flavor. MY friend ordered the Rock n Rye Shake....which was SO MUCH BETTER! I'll go again, you should too!
(4)Joshua B.
If i could give 1.75 stars I would. I will give the benefit of the doubt and give 2 since the place is new. Maybe it is because of my fondness for the Woodshop, but I doubt it. The food. It is just not that good. Service was pretty rough. Maybe because the hostesses and servers are new. I understand. The food was slow and not fhat great. Both burgers I had were drenched in grease and not even close to Duggans or Red Coat down the street. The pretzel roll is a nice touch though. Onion rings were also super greasy and soggy. Dessert. Had the Faygo ice cream. It wasn't bad but where was the cream? Didn't notice the beer list, as our service was terrible and there was no list at the table. Had the old standby PBR. Tall boys are cheap at least. I will make the drive from my hometown of Royal Oak To Clarkston anyday. I will give this place another try in a few months but I don't have high hopes unless things change. Decor is cool. I expect Crane to be the weak link in this construction diaster. Also, please take your lame motown/white stripes CD off repeat. I do not need to hear the same song three times at dinner.
(2)Jason A.
I'm not one to just hand out 5 star reviews like they are going out of style but after the experience at Vinsetta just 3 days after they opened, they deserve it. When I go out to eat I really don't ask for too much. Just good service, good food, and a cool environment. Vinsetta delivers in all areas. Vinsetta Garage is the place that completely crushes all those people out there making excuses for new businesses with lacking service and or crappy food. The excuse that "you need to give a new place time to get the kinks out", should be forbidden from here on out. After only being open 3 days, everything ran like clockwork. From the moment you walked in, to the moment the check came at the end of the meal, the experience was flawless. The staff was well trained, the sections were perfect size so that nobody seemed overwhelmed, and the attention that you get throughout the whole meal was amazing. You can tell that the level of care, respect for their customers, and the planning that went into getting this place ready to open is top notch. Not only was the service excellent and the atmosphere super cool, but the food was also great. I had some wings as an app and they were crispy and juicy and came to the table extremely quick after ordering. The beer selection, while a little on the smaller size, was great. MI craft brews only. A unique signature cocktail list was available too. I also had one of their burgers, which was very good. Served on a pretzel bun (other options of buns if you don't want that). And there are some creative options for those wishing to raise their cholesterol levels a few notches. Overall, they did an amazing job with this place. Looking forward to many return trips.
(5)Ken Z.
With 130+ reviews, everything has probably been said so this is more for preserving my memory of my dining experience at Vinsetta Garage. Tried to go once at regular dinner time - pulled up and valet said 2 hour plus wait so we didn't even get out of car. Next attempt - a Monday, about two weeks ago, at 9 pm. Valet let us self-park in the lot. Immediate seating. Cool atmosphere. Intrigued by the old mechanic tickets used as wallpaper in the washroom; I saw one that said "polished cigarette lighter" or something odd like that. Went with a small house salad ($3) and a side of macaroni and cheese ($2.95). Generous sizes for the price. Both very good and well worth more than $6. It was late so I didn't go full meal. Companion had meatball supper ($10.50) which came with a salad and was happy. Dessert - I may never forget it. "House made liquid nitrogen churned Faygo Rock-N-Rye ice cream dusted with pop rocks". Receipt simply says "Faygo custard". They nailed the flavor. Texture smooth. Pop rocks light up the sinuses... in a great way. Wow. Terrific. Definitely would have paid more than $2.75 for. Service excellent. Water glasses continuously filled. The ice cream put it over the top and I am daring to rate VG 5*. If I had waited two hours, who knows if I would still feel the same.
(5)Chris M.
ummm - NO!!!!! I'd suggest waiting until this place understands how to become a restaurant. before stopping by to sample their goods. I got there and the place was packed - sweet - I love to see that in a restaurant. It took about an hour to get a table - again - no issues as the bartender chic was very helpful. Once we finally got to the table the disaster started to unfold. The waiter was less than personable and was trying too hard to 'bond' - unsuccessfully. We asked for a build-ur-own burger and were told the restaurant CANNOT offer that tonight as it takes too long. There were honestly - leterally - 7 or 8 cooks behind the line in a restaurant that only NEEDS 3 cooks - I was a chef at TOP restaurants - I know how this works. OK - so no build your own - can i have a 3 AM burger with cheddar instead of Swiss?? NO!!! we can't substitute cheese.... ummm - wtf!?!?!?!?!?! ur kidding right? Ok so we order - STRICTLY off the menu... 1 hour later.......... the Mac and Cheese was crusty and just short of burnt... the pizza (with only cheese) had the cheese BURNT!!!!!! seriously - the cheese was burnt!?!?!??!!? and my 3 AM burger - ordered medium rare - was medium well. I hope they learn how to do things better - they have the possibility to be a good restaurant - but seemingly the management has no clue as to the lack of quality of the food being sent to the tables. I'll give it a few months and try again - but so far - I give it a pfffffffffttttttttttt.
(1)C B.
wow. everything we ate was amazing, and we ate a bunch. we felt compelled to try many different eats and were not disappointed with any of them. the tuna casserole, mac and cheese, fries with tomato aioli, farro hash, rock and rye ice cream, the disco fries, and the vinsetta burger-all 5 stars! we will be back and ready to try more great food! the service was also excellent, we had a wonderful waitress who did not care at all that we were pretty much dining European style-AKA taking our sweet time sampling, talking, and drinking. an overall experience that will keep us going back.
(5)Drew H.
After about a year of so many people talking about this restaurant we finally decided to give it a whirl. It was horrid! Really bad. Granted, didn't have a burger or pizza, but if you can't do soup, salad and rings, well, I'm not going back to try the other stuff. White Bean Chili Verde was supposed to have spicy pork sausage, they must have run out 'cause it wasn't in mine. It was like smashed beans pureed and dumped in a bowl. House salad, boring to death. And why do you fry a chic pea? Or what was that? And Onion rings are easy and so many places do them well, but these were served in a container filled with an inch of grease at the bottom and an old tasting batter, Not much onion there for sure. With great Royal Oak eateries next door like Lily's, Town Tavern, Da Luigi & Andiamo to name just a few, why on earth would one wait for an hour to eat here. Simply terrible food. Must be a hip place to go because they were crowded but you sure as heck don't go there for the food.
(1)Betsy A.
There aren't enough restaurants on the 11 Mile - 14 Mile stretch of Woodward so I was excited to hear about Vinsetta Garage. We went at 4pm on a Friday, right when they opened. There were a fair amount of people already waiting when we got there and had to wait 5-10 minutes for a table. I liked our server, he was pretty good overall. He had knowledge of their extensive beer list and when I asked a question he didn't know, he checked with the bartender and quickly came back with an answer. My 1.5 yr old daughter kept spilling her kids cup of water everywhere, so he found a different type of cup with a lid for her. My big issue with the service aspect was that I asked the hostess and our waiter for a high chair two or three times and never got one, luckily we were sat a booth/table combo that had a wall on one side and she was able to sit on the booth side and stay contained. The hostess also said she'd bring some crayons and I ended up having to go ask for those from the hostess stand as well. Obviously not big issues, but when you're trying to keep a kid entertained and not piss off everyone else in the restaurant, it was high on my priority list. The beer was awesome - huge list of microbrews and fairly priced, $5-6 for a pint. There were also some tasty sounding cocktails that I will have to try next time. The food was great (though our meals took a while to arrive - but I was expecting that). We started with deep fried cheese curds - which were delicious and better than any type of cheese curd I've had in Wisconsin - home of all things cheese. I got a plain hamburger but on a pretzel bun and it came with homemade chips. My husband got some fancy burger (I don't recall which, maybe the Macon Bacon?) and a side of mac. One of us probably should have gotten the mac and cheese for dinner - it was fantastic and the side wasn't enough to go around. Our burgers were very good, but the mac & cheese was better - I would say it's better than Slow's and my husband would definitely say that it was better as well. There is a kids menu with the usual items - hot dog, mac & cheese, chicken strips, etc. and it was reasonably priced - I think less than $5 for the hot dog, which I appreciate. I hate spending $6+ on a kids meal. The desserts also seemed good, but we were too full to try them. I loved the decor and ambiance of the restaurant. There is a giant skylight that lets a lot of light in. There's all sorts of fun stuff on the walls and the whole place just has a nice feeling. I will definitely be back in the future (maybe a date night and we'll leave the munchkin at home).
(4)Marian H.
Yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum A couple mistakes were made on our order, but everyone makes mistakes. The atmosphere is super charming cool but it was kind of loud...the acoustics of the large, cement/steel/brick room don't mesh well with lotsa people and loud music. But, yum yum yum!!! This place made me think I really DO want to move back to Detroit.
(5)Amanda A.
I am so proud to have Vinsetta Garage right down the street! This place was an iconic garage on Woodward since 1919, when it was tragically closed a few years back a little piece of Motor City history died with it. Having this landmark reinvented into an awesome place to grab a brew and bite is AMAZING. The atmosphere is laid back with decor that is eclectic but still very true to the original garage. Outside the garage has charging stations for electric vehicles. The menu has customizable meat balls, and burgers, higher end items like steaks and even options for vegan/vegetarians. The Macon bacon burger was super savory and even had bacon jelly. Fries are served with a tomato aioli !!! and they had these little cheese fritter deals that were super good! The beer list was full of Michigan Micro-Brews and there is a full bar as well. And the kids menu comes in the form of a classic cootie catcher! How cool is that? The wait was long, I'm assuming due to a. all of the hype about the restaurant opening bringing with it droves of hungry patrons. and b. new staff, new kinks to work out. our first visit we went at 7:30 pm and did not get our Conformation text until 9:00 pm. so the wait is usually about an hour and a half. but totally worth it. We live within walking distance so we just came home while we waited. I did NOT go into this joint over criticizing how the menu was worded, the music ( from classic MOTOWN to Black Keys btw), or the paper on the windows. (which i asked about and it was temporary to keep the opening quiet) i was not looking at the dates on the pennies in the bathroom, because who wants to get that close to any bathroom floor I went, I waited, and I enjoyed myself thoroughly! I will Defiantly be back : ]
(4)Tara L.
Best burgers ever!!! Everything was delish! Only disappointment was our waiter was super slow and didn't bring out food together.
(4)Dave D.
Not much else that needs to be said about Vinsetta. Will you have to wait for a table? Yes. Will the wait be totally worth it? Absolutely.
(5)Shelby H.
The ambiance of the place is great! The food was good, but not so good that I'd wait an hour plus to get in. We went around 4 PM on a Friday and were seated right away. By the time we left, the wait was over an hour. I had the salmon which was amazing. I got a side salad with it which was just your average side salad; I didn't think there was anything special about it. The people I was with all got burgers which they said were good but not crazy good. They came with chips, which I thought was kind of cheap considering that the prices are on the expensive side. They have a menu of adult milkshakes that I'd like to try sometime. I'd go back, but not if I have to wait more than 45 minutes.
(4)Gordon G.
For my first time at this place I have to say that I was impressed with the food and atmosphere. This is a hipster type joint, so not a lot of fuss, not a lot of fluff. Just a cool spot to eat, drink and share some laughs. I think that is what appeals to me about this establishment. Be warned that there is an average of an hour to two hour wait time. To accommodate, they do have waiting area where you can sit and order a drink. They also have free wi-fi for those with smartphones surfing yelp ;) Bottom line: try it.
(4)Amy S.
I have been to VG 2x now. 1st time: The service was fine. I ordered the burger. But I could not have it cooked to order as the waiter told me it was 2 thin patties. I was in the mood for a thick juicy burger. This is not the place to go for that. One Eyed Betty's is still consistently the best "Bar Burger" in the area. 2nd time: We had a group of 8. Friends wanted to go based on the hype as well as the vegetarian options. The food was overall OK. Service was terrible, for all the hype and the cost, the servers should at least have the basics down- Empty water glasses, flat pop, cold/old fries, cold chili, 2 screwed up orders. (Excluding ingredients, bread choices, choices of sides) All wait staff issues. My Mac and Cheese was 16 freaking dollars! Huge portion, however it gave me a stomach ache both times I at it. It was something like 4 or 6 bucks to add ham. I expected more ham, with more flavor. I love mac and cheese, and I like it when the menu gives more options for additions. For that price I expected more. Overall we will NOT be back. It is a nice addition to Woodward. Hopefully the management/service staff can get it together.
(1)Kevin W.
Overall, this isn't my kinda food-- Heavy on the calories, huge midwestern portions, fried up and sauced up... BUT--- The garage itself is a wonderful space. It's beautifully designed and a fun, vibrant space. Wait staff are a delight, particularly the energetic and personable young lady who served our table-- what a pleasure. I ordered a couple side(car)s and enjoyed them. Bold flavors, fresh ingredients: these things make me happy. What I tasted from my dinner companions' dishes seemed alright too- though the stuffed poblano was painfully bitter and lacking in seasoning. The drink menu was a real highlight: plenty of beers and lots of cocktail concoctions ready to help you slide out of your week into the weekend. If the garage can't get you there, you should probably just work an extra day. If there is enough for ME to enjoy here, most people should also be able to find something they like too!
(4)Brad S.
I went to lunch with friends, we arrived at 11:30 and had no wait. The food and service were great. I had the Baked Potato Pizza and it was great. Our server was prompt and always had a smile. But, the best part of the old Garage is the environment. Inside are some great old Detroit pieces, like a full dragster. The wall paper in the entry is made from old write up slips from the garage. Nice!
(5)Emily E.
I loved this place. I went with a friend on sunny Sunday evening and the restaurant was insane. We were told there would be a two hour wait for a table at 6:15 which was a little dismaying. I was, however, able to get two spots at the bar right away. The full menu is available at the bar and everything we ordered was supreme. We tried the Mac n' Cheese, a make your own pasta, and a pesto pizza all of which were super delicious. The place turned around food fairly quickly for how busy it was and the portion sizes were very generous. Drink-wise, the draft beer selections were impressive and the cocktails looked adventurous. To further "put a cherry on top" of the night, the restaurant itself is a visual experience. The decor is very well thought out and the place just feels warm and friendly. I'd return in a second...just hopefully without a two hour wait.
(5)Vince K.
Went on a Friday night expecting a long wait due to its popularity. Host said 1.5 hours, and we were pleasantly seated 15 mins into our wait. (surprised, but not complaining since every table was filled) The decor of this old garage is certainly different. Being an Automotive enthusiast, I surprisingly didn't feel as connected as I thought I would be. No big deal, as I still enjoyed the ambience and feel of the restaurant. The staff and building gave me a very upbeat feeling. Food we ordered was a grilled chicken sandwich, 12 inch hand tossed pizza, and their mac and cheese with ham. The sandwiches are hard to mess up, so there isn't much talk about, it was great, the bun was crisp. The pizza was wonderful...the dough was light and crispy, and the ingredients appeared fresh. The Mac and Cheese is where it really shined, it was definitely one of the better places I've had it, and I'm a pretty big mac and cheese whore. I'd recommend that dish for sure. Service for us was great granted how busy they were. Server and Bar tender was quick and attentive throughout dinner service. If they keep up the quality of service and food, I'm sure this place will stay busy.
(4)Christopher D.
Absolutely blown away. The atmosphere was amazing, but the food and beer list were the best I've had in a long time. Started with the Disco fries and loved them. The cheese curds and gravy were perfect. I got the lamb burger, tasted great and cooked perfect. My wife got the Salmon and again, cooked perfect and tender and the side of the tarragon carrots were a nice surprise. One of the better things we've tried anywhere. Got a pizza to go for the baby sitter (grandma) and she loved it. The sauce and cheese combo were great. It was busy for an opening night, but they managed it like old pros. We'll for sure go back often. I can't wait for summer and drinking beer during the day while Woodward rolls by. Going to need to get us a cab on speed dial.
(5)Jenny T.
Great environment! Wonderful staff! The food was AMAZING!!! Disco fries, Mac & cheese, hello MACON BACON BURGER!!!! Wow! Well worth the hour drive from Fenton! Will be going back soon!!!
(5)juston m.
i have avoided vinsetta simpy because its always busy and the parking makes me mad. but, i had a macon bacon slider by them at pig and whisey that was either heavenly or one of those "i was drunk and foods tastes amazing" experiences. i had to make sure the food was as good as my beer soaked brain remembered. first of all, i was really impressed with the decor. i love the mid-century lighting fixtures. and even though its really quite large and open, it felt warm and cozy inside. for dinner we had disco fries, the tuna casserole, flank steak and sides of broccolini and onion rings. the disco fries (basically a poutine) were really good and the chiles made it a surprise. i thought the tuna casserole was amazing and i wish i could make it like that at home. the flank steak was perfectly cooked and spiced. the two sides, did not disappoint. i was happy to see broccolini on a menu. i thought it disappeared with the early 2000's. one last thing the tuna casserole came with a salad and these crunchy little baked or fried chickpeas that somehow became like peanuts, also really good. i only wish i had room for one of their bourbon milkshakes. each sounded to die for. love, juston
(4)Vena B.
My Husband and I visited Vinsetta Garage last weekend and we were both extremely happy with the food and atmosphere. We arrived on Sunday around 3:30pm to wait for the doors to open at 4 and it seemed to be perfect timing. By the time the doors did open, there was a line around the building, but we were happy to be 5th in line. We ordered some cocktails ( I think my husband had something off the huge beer list, and I went with a craft cocktail) and we ordered the Disco Fries to start. The appetizers and drinks came out quick and we were quick to eat it all up. The fries were gooey and messy and all deep fried goodness and the drinks were good as well. My husband ordered the Margherita pizza and I ordered the Lamburger with the side of mac and cheese. We could not believe how delicious they both were! My husbands pizza was PERFECT. He is a huge pizza lover and hard to please most of the time, but not at Vinsetta! They did it right. My Lamburger was mouthwatering and I loved the touch of the deep fried mild pepper. My only complaint was it was a bit messy, but sometimes....good food IS messy food lol. We cannot wait to come back and bring some friends!
(5)Lindsey H.
Awesome experience all-round! I'll be back and will be requesting Christopher's section as he gave the best service I have had in awhile!
(5)Denice B.
My friend and I are vegetarians. So we had the EV1 Burger. The bun was pretzel bread. And the veggie patty? It was so good! It's made in-store and is full of good stuff! Brown rice, black beans and great flavor! It even comes with shitake bacon! Smoked and sooooo delicious! Fresh cheese, leafy veggie topping and home-made tomato 'chutney'. This is the best vegetarian burger in TOWN!!!! I love their Mac and Cheese too. I encourage all veggie fans to get this burger! Big taste! We left full and satisfied!!!
(5)Kirk P.
Interesting twists to a typical bar menu. Great space and design! Can't wait to get back to try more !!
(4)Barney C.
Delicious beer and Awesome food. The decor is pretty sweet too. I love grabbing grub here. Definitely try the Adult Milkshake
(5)Heather F.
Hip, quirky vibe and terrific food. Enjoyed the pesto pie and the onion rings are to die for!
(5)Jennifer C.
There is a good reason why there is an hour wait to be seated here. It is phenomenal comfort food! The 3am burger is one of the best burgers I have ever had! Melt in your mouth burger with egg on a pretzel bun. I also have had a delicious Brown-Sugar Glazed Salmon with Farro Hash. The Faygo Pop Rock ice cream made me feel like a little kid again. The ice cream tastes similar to sherbert. I thought it was fun to order once, but it isn't something I would order again. The place has a funky retro vibe and lots of TVs to watch sports on. I have had great service here. While you wait to be seated, there are servers outside that will get you a drink. I thought the beer selection was pretty good. I will definitely be back.
(5)Kevin S.
Great food! Great atmosphere! Reasonably priced high quality product but waited 1 hour on a Saturday night at 9:30pm.....but it was well worth it!
(5)Amy P.
So far I've only visited this place once and it was a good experience for still being a new restaurant. We got there at 430 on a Thursday and was quoted a 30-45 minute wait and we were seated at 515. I think it would have been closer to the 30 minute mark because I believe they missed our name/buzzer since people that walked in nearly 10 minutes after us were getting seated. I had to walk up to the hostess stand to ask for our place and they couldn't find our name but then seated us right away. Oh well. I'm sure they are still working out a few bugs, and things happen and it wasn't that big of a deal. After that everything was great. Our server was awesome through out our meal and even brought us 2 waters right away. I asked him a couple questions when I had trouble deciding between 2 drinks, and then with 2 dinner entrees and he just kept saying how wonderful all the things are, so not too much guidance there, but it could also mean that everything is just that good. They have a really really really good beer selection, and a nice list of cocktails, although those did seem a little pricey. I had a cocktail beverage on their menu and it was $9. It was delicious, but they also sell 16oz PBRs for 3 bucks. Pick your poison. The atmosphere is really fun and my bf and I had a great time looking at all the different things within the garage. They really decorated well and the place just has a really nice, causal, hometown vibe. The food was also great! We ordered the fried cheese curds which came out in a reasonable time and they were piping hot and delicious. I ordered the flank steak for my meal and it was cooked a perfect medium rare and served with housecut french fries. They have all available condiments already at the table like malt vinegar, Franks and Siracha, pretty much everything. My boyfriend got the vinsetta burger which looked delicious. He ordered the onion rings instead of french fries, although the onion rings are nothing spectacular. I'm pretty sure they aren't homemade (a restaurant I used to work at served frozen onion rings that looked and tasted exactly like these) and I actually preferred my french fries to the onion rings. We also ordered a side of mac n cheese and it was delicious. It wasn't dry and flavorless like most mac and cheeses are. This was moist, cheesy, and had a great crispy topping. The only thing is I wish they would use a noodle other than penne as I find penne noodles break very easy in a mac and cheese and don't hold up as well as other noodles. But that's just my personal preference. Last but not least we had the faygo ice cream. My bf enjoyed it much more than I did. It didn't have much flavor, and the only good thing about it was the pop rocks on top. It basically tasted like frozen sugar water to me. The other desserts looked great and I will definitely try those on my next visit. In summary, if going to try Vinsetta Garage, come prepared to wait unless you show up between 4-445. We showed up at 430 and even by 445 I heard the hostess quoting an hour to an hour and a half. By the time we left after 6 the wait had to be over 2 hours! Also, the parking situation pretty much sucks. The traffic around this place is pretty much a zoo when starting to get busy, which seem to me it happens pretty much immediately upon opening. The valet was completely backed up as well. Lastly, I appreciate the reasonable prices and portions on the menu. Everything just seems so well priced (except the cocktails) but everything else was spot on. Portions are very reasonable for the price you pay. Overall we had a great experience and found so many things on the menu to try that we cannot wait to go back!
(4)Denise C.
I dig the space but didn't really like my meal. It's always super packed and I am glad that it's doing so well.
(3)Al Z.
Went there for my second time tonight with family from out of town and waited an hour and forty five minutes to be seated on a Monday night! I am happy for them that they are busy all the time but waiting that long builds up a very high anticipation for dinner. While waiting, I went to the bar and got some drinks, the first bar tender was not friendly at all for no reason, if you are not happy working, you shouldn't be there! After finally being seated, we ordered burgers that came out very soggy on the bottom for all of us but it wasn't bad tasting. The mac n cheese was good and I am not a huge fan of cheese. If you plan on going there, plan on waiting for a looong time or get there after dinner time... Like 10pm :)
(3)Todd S.
Went to the Garage last night for my girlfriend's birthday. We weren't disappointed. The menu was interesting with many choices of pizza, sandwiches, and pasta. We started with the disco fries (poutine?) then split a house salad and pizza. The beer selection was above average but I was disappointed not seeing any city of Detroit beers on the list. Motor City Brewing's muscle series (e.g. Old Gear Oil) would have been a great fit for the theme. We spoke with friends afterwards who were also there. Their service was below average, so apparently there are still some growing pains. Overall, the garage theme and solid food puts this restaurant on the "must do" list for this area. We'll be back, but we'll pick a time when the wait won't be too long.
(5)Michigan H.
The best two burgers I've ever had were both from the Vinsetta Garage. And as my name implies, I've had a lot. The 3AM burger is out of this world. The combination of smoky bacon, a fried egg and a spicy mayo was ridiculous. The more traditional Vinsetta burger wasn't as bold, but it was just as delicious. Messy, like all burgers should be, and oh so tasty. Appetizers were top notch, but the fried cheese curds were the biggest hit at my table. The mac and cheese, as advertised, is a cut above any other you've had. And you will fall in love with any dessert you order, but my favorite was the banana toffee pudding. It's my favorite restaurant in Michigan right now.
(5)Robert L.
Service was good and waitress was friendly. I had the Duck burger which was rare and I mean sushi, poultry is not served RAW,the other 2 guests had the bacon burger and were rare as well and were ordered medium. The fry's were grease sticks and the appetizer chips were greasy as well and the 1.75 added bacon was almost none existent and the order was small. The kitchen is not watching there temp on the oil. I sent half the duck back to finish cooking which made it better. Make sure when you order medium is Rare! Onion rings are coated with lite pancake batter which could use some work. The owners need to watch there product consistency and portions because they might find themselves on Restaurant Impossible.
(3)Mim M.
we got here at 8pm on a weekday and it was packed. the wait was supposed to be 90 minutes, but luckily we were able to snatch a seat at the bar in a matter of 10 minutes. the bartender was very nice, and was very attentive, given that it was so crowded and busy. we tried the duck and 3am burger, which were both made very well (it has been awhile since we last ordered medium-rare, and actually had it come out medium-rare!). the hand cut fries and mac and cheese were also amazing. i would definitely come back!
(4)Brandon B.
I am so happy I waited the hour and a half on their opening weekend to test out this place. It lived up to my expectations completely. The decor is hip and non-pretentious. Every little detail has been thought through, and it all works. Very kitschy-garage-chic. The private room is especially neat. I would host a party in there in a heartbeat. Also was a huge fan of the helpful bartenders who were not bad to look at, either. In fact, the entire staff is pretty good-looking in general. I had the grapefruit-gin cocktail. It was ok. I think overall the cocktails could be a bit stronger, and if not stronger, then cheaper... 11 bucks for a somewhat bland martini is a bit stiff in my opinion. The sucker punch which my friend ordered was fantastic, as well as that plum cocktail. Great beer selection the Unibroue Blonde was superb! I would not have waited for a table had I not seen and smelled the divine food crossing my nostrils from the open-air kitchen as I waited at the bar. I literally wanted to try everything. The breadsticks appetizer with a garlicy cheese spread were so good. I could eat two orders on my own. Next time I will try the fried cheese curds and disco fries. For my meal, I ordered the meatball supper with mac and cheese and broccoli. The meatballs were melt in my mouth delicious, the mac and cheese was sent from heaven, and the broccoli's flavor was punched-in-my-face spicy goodness. My friend had the 3AM burger and it was one of the best burgers I have ever tried. I am still wet over the mac and cheese. I want to order everything on this menu. Literally. Pizza, Burgers, and Meatballs make me a very happy boy. Our server George was charming, prompt, and helpful. His suggestions all paid off. This place is going to be on a loooonngggg wait for awhile as I just see the word of mouth is going to make it hugely successful. This establishment fills a void in Berkley-Royal Oak-Ferndale dining that was much needed. Go. There. Now. You will be happy in mind, body, and soul... and very full, I took half of my meal home. :)
(5)Leigh W.
I really wanted to looooooove this place - but it's not quite 5 stars. We had a large party (10 adults + 2 kids) and got there at 4pm on a Friday and were seated right away in the "back room" - it was perfect (5 stars for that! The trick is to get there at the off hours.) The service was great at the beginning, then tapered towards the end of our time, but that could have been because the restaurant was filling up. The disco fries = AWESOME, essentially they're the equivalent to Canadian poutine - 5 stars. Unfortunately, the main courses did not live up to expectations, I had the chili rubbed flank steak with onion rings - steak was cold and not much flavor and the onion rings were not very good. One person at the table had the noodle burger, it didn't have much meat in it. I had the molten chocolate cake - it was ok, I would have hoped for a bit more cake and a little less "goo." Maybe they're still working out some kinks - love the food at Clarkston Union & Woodshop so I'm sure they'll get there. The restoration/architecture is amazing - love reclaimed spaces and they did an awesome job.
(4)Pete K.
Amazing. I got the 3am burger and it was perfect. The ambience is great too. It's busy so you have to wait a little but it's really not that bad, and well worth it.
(5)Kristen D.
My boyfriend and I came in the afternoon to avoid the rush. It was still super busy but we got a seat at the bar. The burger was AMAzing! One of the best. We also had the coney island pizza. It was good. Can't wait to go back.
(4)Michael C.
On my most recent visit to Michigan, we decided to try something new. We dropped by the Vinsetta Garage in Royal Oak because we've heard some buzz about it. Here are some highlights: - Cool retro garage architecture...due to the fact that it was once an actual garage. In fact, it looks so real, I was hoping they cleaned the beams and roof well. There's nothing worse than some 20 year old car grime landing in your plate. - Great indoor/outdoor set up using what else, the old garage doors. - Nice simple menu offering pizzas, burgers, and sandwiches. It is easy to navigate and instills confidence that the kitchen has actually mastered these limited items. - I was planning a burger, but I took a detour with the meatball sub. It was a good decision. After this experience, I must say that Vinsetta Garage is a nice addition to the neighborhood. I will hopefully make my way back here someday.
(4)Jimmy P.
Fab, waited 20 minutes to seat on memorial day. Restaurant reps the D and maintains that vibe by operating in an old repair garage, very rugged and lifting environment. Good selection of crafts and mi brews. Pesto pizza was off the hook! Also tried the borcollini sidecar- good blend of borcolli/asparagus, garlic city. Farro hash was most delish, perfect ratio of cheese and quinoa and creamy delectable.
(5)Dan W.
2 hour wait. Parking is a joke. Food looks amazing but lacks flavor. The place looks awesome, but lacks the flavor to match the visuals. I went. Most likely wont go back.
(2)Johnny S.
Once you get past the wait and the parking, there is really not much else to complain about here. Service has always been good, the place itself is really cool, and the 3 AM is one of the best burgers around, bar none.
(4)k a.
Good burgers, great ambience.... try out their bacon jam... mmm mm good
(5)Wendy S.
First, the wait. I have developed a sudden aversion to waiting for 1-2 hours for food. We decided to try VG on a Friday night anyhow. We were told 1.5 hours for a table of 4... And we're seated after 20 minutes. Lucky us. However, this did make me leary of their actual ability to gauge wait time correctly for our next visit. It took 15 minutes to get a drink at the bar. Seriously? The food was good. Not quite the caliber of the Woodshop, but I have no doubt that it will get there. The Mac-n-cheese was outstanding, as was the chicken. And the interior? A slam dunk. Killer. Terrific. Finally, the waitstaff was good. And the manager was all over the place, chatting up the patrons, helping out his staff, and just generally making sure folks were happy.
(3)Jennifer P.
AWESOME. Love the kale salad! Disco fries are pretty tasty too!
(5)Nicole Y.
I'll dream about this place until I go back again. From the loaded chips to a burget with a fried egg, this place has got the goods for any foodie. Awesome ambiance and cool staff. If you don't make this a stop in your tour-de-deliciousness you're totally missing out.
(5)Mitch A.
Really liked my lunch at Vinsetta. I'd been wanting to go since before they opened because I was so glad a Taco Bell didn't get the real estate. We went at 12:15. The lot was full and no valet, so we parked (way) up the street. Not a problem for such a beautiful day. Got right in. No waiting since a "high top" wasn't a problem for us. Love how they kept the garage feel. Chairs are comfy. Little loud, but we were seated in a smaller area by the bar, so it wasn't as loud as the main dining room. Most of the prices are a bit on the high side for the offerings, but were doable. ($13 for a burger with chips seems kinda expensive to me). I ended up ordering a pizza. ($7.50) with roasted garlic (.75) and grilled pineapple (.75). You get to also pick your cheese (I picked the house blend) and your sauce (I went for a white one instead of red). Toppings range from .75 for produce to $3.50 for meatballs. If I were a meat pizza person, each type would have put me back a couple of bucks. I also ordered a side Caesar ($3.50). The Caesar was substantial, and fresh. dressing has a bit of a kick to it. Liked it a lot. The pizza was much larger than I had anticipated. 2 people could easily split the pizza if they each had a salad. I ended up bringing home half. The crust was thin. Wish it was a tiny bit crispier, but it was still very good. Really liked the toppings I picked. My lunch partner had a 3am burger without the egg. ($12.95) (I thought I read somewhere that you couldn't get a 3am burger at lunch time...but not true, now at least). She substituted her chips for broccolini ($1.95). Her burger was big, but $15 for a burger and veg seem a bit high for me. She had initially cut her burger in half, hoping to take half of it home, but it was so delish she couldn't stop till it was done. She ordered it medium well, but it looked like it was cooked more medium. (of course I'm a medium rare burger person, so the less the better for me anyway.) Neither of us ordered beverages besides water. (I rarely do so anyway). But the adult milkshakes looked yummy. ($9) Had I had room I may have gone for a desert. But I was stuffed. I'd go back again. Not often, since they're a bit pricey, but definitely as a treat every now and then.
(3)Rob W.
First off, any of these early reviews have to be tempered with a healthy dose of "they haven't even been open for a week yet." Secondly, this is NOT a place that's going to rival Joe Muers or The Whitney - this is a "joint", and proud of it. Menu items you're going to find at Vinsetta Garage fall into three categories: burgers, "balls" (meatballs), and "pies" (pizza). Vegetarians and vegans rest assured, there are vegan burgers (made with quinola) and vegan meatballs, but for the carnivores there are burger options including pork, duck, lamb and chicken, as well as the usual beef. Ditto for the meatballs. There's also a rendition of the Woodshop's mac and cheese (shared ownership with the Clarkston restaurant) ... plus salads and other appetizers. On our first visit, we tried a 3AM burger (completed with bacon and fried egg - delicious!!), a veggie burger (with 'bacon' mushrooms) and a mac and cheese. There was a LOT of food for the three of us. These are big burgers, campers. We also had the "breadsticks" which were also delightful. We topped it off with Faygo Rock N Rye 'custard' which was dusted with pop rocks (don't dwell on it, just try it!). The place is crowded and loud, but joints are supposed to be, aren't they? Service was attentive, if a little overwhelmed. For a first week in business, I think they did really well. We'll be back!
(4)Penny M.
Live nearby and watched the transformation..finally got around to trying it out. Renovations were great. Lots of attention to detail. Overall impression was noisy and crowded. We were seated in a reasonable amount of time. We ordered french onion soup and burgers. Soup was ok warm but the cheese was a huge cold lump on top and actual soup tasted metallic. Burgers were flavorless and pretzel bun tasted burnt and overpowered the toppings (we had grilled onions and swiss..mushy and greasy). I didn't eat much of either. Saw the waitress once when we got our food. She refilled our water when she brought our check. Great timing. Nobody asked how our meal or service was..so i am assuming they don't care, especially given i didn't take a doggy bag and left most of my food.
(1)Vanessa W.
I have to say that I was a bit underwhelmed by Vinsetta Garage. The food was great, by itself I'd give it 4 stars but a 50 minute wait at 6:15 on a Thursday, the food wasnt that good. It was reasonably priced so I give them a thumbs up for that, gotta love a place with a great ambiance that doesn't hurt your budget. The selection of food was pretty extensive so if you have people in your group that are picky but want to stay casual, this could be a good bet for you. I just had expectations after reading reviews and waiting for an hour that it was going to be the best comfort food I'd ever eaten. Sadly I was disappointed.
(3)Danielle P.
Good restuarant, but the wait times are awful. You can go in on a Monday at 5 and still have to wait an hour for a table. The food is pretty good, but I've never been blown away by anything. The waitstaff is very friendly and attentive, and the ambiance and decor are great. Good place to go on a night out with friends.
(4)Jason H.
Everything here is delicious. Ingenious and delicious desserts. Only drag is how busy it gets, causing long waits for a table. But it's worth the wait.
(5)Sol C.
Enjoyable interior space but mediocre food. Basically this place offers upscale, fat -o-rama, over glorified bar food. The food can sometimes be made well here but the service tends to lack. For instance, I tried to order a rare bourbon and the bartender told me he drank it all the night before and then preceded to serve me the wrong food - I ordered a lamb burger and got a chicken sandwich . I love when hung over people wait on me. Really, Vinsetta should give a 25 percent discount for that. Definitely not comparable to the Union or the Wood Shop. Wished this place served greens as well. Once, I order the chicken dinner and had the option of either fries or chips. Without doubt this place would be much better if there was a carrot or two somewhere - seriously they need to lighten up!
(3)Heidi S.
Very good! I love the thought put into the menu and the variety. Great service and kid friendly which is semi hard to find these days. The Mac n cheese.... Mmm mmm good.
(4)Sean G.
So I'm jumping on the bandwagon with this one. Sue me. I visited Vinsetta Garage with my mother the other night, and our experience was nothing short of fantastic. We were fortunate enough not to have to wait for a table, which was a plus, but now that I have sampled the food I have no doubt that I'd be willing to suffer a reasonable waiting time to eat here again. Where to start? We were interested in so many dishes on the menu that we ended up ordering a wide variety of items and sharing them. We opted to start with appetizers in the form of Loaded Chips with ground turkey, maple bacon, and sour cream added, as well as the Disco Fries. Both were great. The chips were the perfect thickness with just the right amount of crunch, and bore the weight of the generous toppings without breaking or becoming soggy. Hot tip: do NOT pass up on the bacon if you're ordering the loaded chips, because that little addition truly kicked the dish up a notch. As for the fries, they were surprisingly addicting. I was intrigued by the prospect of mustard gravy, but since I don't care for more traditional gravy I insisted that we order it in a cup on the side. Suffice it to say that I enjoyed it enough to order a second cup once we had used the first one, just to make sure the fries were properly coated. The fries themselves were thin cut, just the way I like them, and since they weren't loaded with salt I could actually taste the deep potato flavor. The melted cheese curds were almost completely melted, and formed a gooey layer of goodness over the dish. I do wish there had been a few more of them, but that's just me. When it came time to order entrees, my dining companion opted for the famous Mac and Cheese with smoked ham and the salted caramel milkshake, while I went with the Duck Burger after hearing that it is the head chef's specialty. I also tacked on some French Onion Soup and a sidecar of Farro Hash. The soup was good. Not the best I've ever had, but good nevertheless. As another reviewer or two has mentioned, the soup does taste a bit sweeter than most other French Onion offerings that I've had, with very little saltiness to the broth. Personally, I wasn't bothered by this, and found it to be a nice change of pace. The farro hash was a pleasant surprise, and deceptively hearty in spite of its size. The roasted vegetables and thick, crusty cheese coating worked perfectly with the farro to create a complex combination of flavors that left me wanting more after I cleaned out my bowl. As for the Duck Burger...the chef is absolutely right to be proud. It was one of the juiciest, most succulent burgers that I've ever eaten, and the sweetness of the cherry jam and caramelized onions complimented the savory notes of the duck, gruyere, and the arugula perfectly. The pretzel bun tasted exactly like a soft pretzel from your favorite concession stand in roll form, and nothing like those dried out nightmares you sometimes find at the store. My mother couldn't finish her Mac and Cheese, so I was fortunate enough to get a taste of that as well. My opinion? Worth the hype. They don't use traditional elbow macaroni (which was an interesting choice), but the pasta is absolutely loaded with gooey cheese. This alone would have made it a good, but not great dish. What really sealed the deal for me was the cheese and breadcrumb crust baked over the top. It reminded me of the caramelized cheese at the edge of a Detroit Style pizza, and that is a beautiful thing. Note: the portion for this is genuinely huge, and the heavy application of cheese makes it plenty filling. If you don't want to commit to that much mac, a side portion is available. We finished off with a couple of desserts, which I ate most of. The S'More Trio took me by surprise. It sounds very bland on paper, but their housemade marshmallow has a nice consistency to it, and the cookies they used to sandwich it were absolutely mouthwatering. Frankly, I'd buy those as a separate item if they offered it on the menu. The Molten Chocolate Cake was rich and fudgy, and the dollop of vanilla custard that came with it served as a nice contrast to its powerful flavor. The crushed Captain Crunch was actually a very nice touch, and gave the dish some mild buttery notes in addition to the traditional chocolate and vanilla combination. I have absolutely no complaints about our service. The waitress was very friendly, attentive, and more than willing to work with us on our special requests like having the gravy on the side for the fries. Our drinks were refilled frequently and we never had to wait long for her to stop by. The only thing keeping me from giving this five stars at the moment is the lack of full carryout service. I can understand not taking reservations, but it would certainly be nice if I could order a burger and enjoy it in my home even if the restaurant is filled to the brim.
(4)K G.
"Fan tastic meal wonderful service brandy is the best server in the garage go to the garage ask for Brandy and have an absolutely fabulous meal"
(5)Renee H.
I tried this restaurant for the first time today. I almost didn't go because the parking situation is so horrible. I had the vegan burger which was great and a side of Mac and cheese. That Mac and cheese is to die for. I would have given them a 5, but the parking is simply horrible.
(4)Geoffrey J.
Love this place! The wait is usually much shorter than they tell you. Both the atmosphere and food are very comfortable. I could eat here every night!
(4)Nickie P.
The inside of the place is soooo amazing. They've kept so much of the original structure intact, and the decor gives it a lot of flair. The reason I'm only giving it three stars is that I was disappointed with what I ordered. I had the Noodle Burger, which is basically macaroni and cheese with hamburger meat and some bacon. I know, sounds amazing...but for some reason it just didn't come together for me. Next time I go back I will definitely try a burger, because they all sounded delicious. Also, since its still pretty new be ready to wait. We came at 9:15 pm on a Wednesday, and still had to wait half an hour for a table.
(3)Crimson T.
Since my first review, I have visited multiple times. The lamb burger is amazing, although the fried green tomato on it was too thick for burger handling. But the flavor combinations - delish! The mac-and-cheese is stellar! It's creamy with a tiny hint of nutmeg. Service is usually excellent, but i had one guy who wasn't the most attentive to the experience. The decor is cool, especially the penny floor in the bathroom. One time I managed to spill not one, but two glasses of water. Busboy was very cool and nonchalant about it.
(4)Rachel B.
Unbelievably good. Great beer, service (we sat at the bar) and amazing food. Mac and cheese will blow your mind.
(5)Kevin C.
I love Vinsetta Garage and everything about it. The food is awesome and the decor is unique to the history of the building. Their burgers are phenomenal and the pizza is a close second. They have small but good beer selection to choose from. The prices are fair especially for what you get. If I wanted to be really picky I would say they're maybe a dollar overpriced but don't let that stop you from trying this unique place. I would recommend going to this place on off hours and try to avoid this place during lunch/dinner hours and especially on the weekend. Usually during those times the wait can get up to 2 hours.
(5)Eddison B.
The service is a little delayed, but understandable- they're a bumping restaurant with great food- from burgers to pizza to mac & cheese, you can't go wrong! I've been here several times and have been more than satisfied! Fun vintage atmosphere with a lively amount of people almost every time I go. Must Go! Its a great place.
(4)Jill H.
Everything about this place is sweet. The ambience, the service, the food, the beer selection, the menu, and yes, even the bathroom. Starters: Love the cheese curds and loaded chips but beware, entrée portions are pretty big so totally unnecessary unless you're going halvsies with a friend. Entrées: My fave dish is probably the Vegan burger sub feta for goat cheese, on a pretzel bun with fries. There's an up charge for fries but you get your money's worth for sure. Pizza is pretty good but I prefer other dishes like the Vinsetta Burger or a pasta bowl. Beers: Sooo many to choose from bottled or draft! This place is great for groups, meeting with a friend, a date, anything. Just be prepared to wait if you're coming on an Thurs, Fri or Sat evening. They apparently get pretty busy at lunch time (12-2) too. Also, they don't accept call aheads or reservations, so come prepared or send a friend early.
(5)Lisa C.
This place has the worst sound system. It's so loud you can't hear what's being said. Plus the waiters can't hear you either. No one wants to eat and have to talk loud.
(1)Jessica A.
This used to be my favorite in the area. However, after living rather than visiting Detroit -- I've lost a bit of my love. The atmosphere is truly stellar and the service tends to be fair. The waitress who served us the first time we visited was incredible, but since then I've only felt alright about the service we've received. I typically get a salad and add their delicious salmon. The first time I had it I was amazed, but every time since it just hasn't been anything special. I get the feeling that some of the cooking here is inconsistent. Having said that, I'd recommend trying it out & I'll certainly end up here for lunch again sometime I'm sure..
(3)Anna V.
This place is a must-see. The decor and general aesthetic are off the charts. You can tell they paid special attention to every detail. The food is fantastic and the menu is expansive. My only complaint is that there is normally a long wait, since everyone loves it so much. There is no non-valet parking, so prepare to find street parking and walk if you don't want valet.
(4)Mary B.
This place is one of the best restaurants in Royal Oak. It was on my list to try for months and finally I did! The atmosphere was great lots of really cool touches. The wait staff was helpful and friendly. The food was amazeballs. I had a chicken sandwich and salad. My boyfriend had a burger fries and Mac and cheese. So delish. Oh and the best part was the pumpkin cheesecake!
(5)Sara K.
Love this place ! Went with a group of friends. The guys loved the authentic garage interior. The food was great, service was fast. We had a fantastic time there!! Will definitely be going back again.
(4)Nikki H.
Good drinks and a carb fest any girl with hips can appreciate in their macaroni bowls!
(4)Will B.
Went here today for lunch for the first time, and I'll definitely go back. Good food, the prices are good for what you get, and the place is pretty cool inside. I got the cheeseburger pizza and it was pretty good. Nice crust, great flavor, good toppings, I liked it a lot. I've had better toppings on a pizza, but the pizza itself (crust and dough) was excellent. My friend got the pesto pizza. Again, it was pretty good, but not great. I'd like to see them make a BBQ chicken pizza with cheddar cheese, bacon, and red onions (yea, pretty standard, but damn good) or maybe a pulled pork something or another, which mac and cheese (like, the whole BBQ works) on a pie. Something more original than classic sandwiches (cheeseburgers and coneys) on pizza dough. A couple small complaints: I don't know if it was just because it was lunch, but I wanted something more substantial. I wanted a... steak or something, something delicious. Good steak sandwich, served open face, medium rare, caramelized onions, spicy horseradish sauce, something, but they didn't really have anything like that on the menu. The burger sounded ok, but they were all served on pretzel rolls. I didn't want anything that doughy. They do have a few entrees and one of them is a flank steak, but it's not what I was looking for. A few pieces of chili dusted flank steak, cut up for me prior to coming to the table, just wasn't going to cut it. A nice, full sized Prime rib, ribeye, NY strip, something... something tender and juicy, and they just fell short there. The service was less than stellar as well. We sat at the bar. Cute bartender, but she took forever and wasn't very personable. Very sparse with her communication with us (and everyone else), took quite a while to get food menus out of her, and she took forever to run our tabs. She was preoccupied with doing remedial tasks like filling the bloody mary containers. Don't they have a bar back or something for that? Seems kind of silly to detract from patron service for something that anyone could have been doing.
(4)Anthony S.
The food was amazing!! And the setting can't get any better! Highly recommended!
(5)Rena S.
I went here specifically because I had heard they have amazing Mac'n'Cheese, and as I consider myself somewhat of a connoisseur of all things Mac 'n' Cheese, I have been itching to try it! Let me tell you, I was not let down! Their "Noodle Burger" is delicious, the only thing that could have improved it is a few mushrooms! I also had a pizza, it was pretty good, it may have been better had I chosen different toppings, can't really blame them for that one! I had Canadian Bacon, Mushrooms, and Prociutto. It was good, but not great. We also enjoyed their onion rings, which are amazing, though they may also cause heart disease! They were very greasy, but in the most delicious way! The only reason they got 4 stars (and I know they are an old garage) is I hate looking up in a restaurant and seeing several inches of dust hanging above me. Other than that the decor is awesome, and the food is AMAZING! I will definitely go back, and would suggest everyone try this place immediately!
(4)Tara L.
So this was the only place we hadn't been to out of all the Union restaurants. Truthfully, we had driven by it countless times, but each time we did, we either weren't in the mood for it, or it just looked way too busy. However, one evening, and in this case, it was a Friday, we along with a friend, decided to pay a visit. We arrived around 7:30pm, and surprisingly, didn't have problems finding street parking. As we walked up, I noticed the grungy exterior design, and I like that they utilize it as valet. Once we stepped in, we were quoted for 1:15-1:20 hour wait. Since we are patient folks, and although we were pretty hungry, we all agreed to wait it out. Being hopeful that we wouldn't have to wait the full time, we perused the menu and chatted the night away. We ended up waiting 1:45, and were excited to eat!! Our seating arrangement was right behind the bar, and was pretty tight. We quickly placed our orders, and waited about 20 minutes for our food. I went with the 3AM burger ($12.95), Husband with the chili-rubbed flank steak ($15.95), and our friend with the Pesto Pie ($12.95). My burger had good flavor with the angus patty, MI maple bacon, fried egg, crispy onion strings, and sriracha mayo. I would have liked it spicier. Loved the pretzel bun, though it wasn't toasted enough. For the price, it was small, and very greasy. I didn't like that the bottom half of the bun was so thin that it disintegrated into mush. The chips that were served with it were cold, stale, and partially burnt (if that's even possible). Husband's flank steak had a nice cumin sugar seasoning, and cooked to the right medium rare, but the portion was skimpy. 6 4-5" pieces of meat for $15.95 is steep. Plus, you only get 1 sidecar item, instead of 2 at the rest of their restaurants. Union Mac was consistently delicious, but we were boggled over the 1 sidecar item that they give you. Each additional is $3.50. Our friend's pizza was a good 12" size pie, and probably the only thing that looked price appropriate. Our friend gobbled down 3 slices, and looked happy. Perhaps their pizzas are the way to go. Overall, as much as I like supporting local businesses, and I like the rest of the Union restaurants, I don't see us coming back here anytime soon. The seating of this place is also awkward, and poorly laid out. Surprisingly not a ton of seating for the size of the place. If we come back, maybe next time we should come back during off hours. Preparation and quantity might be better when they are less slammed. It's a shame because the decor and vibe is cool.
(3)Kristina L.
This place is really cool looking, and the atmosphere is cool. It's a different experience and something to try once in your life, as far as the food, I really wasn't impressed. I have tried the burgers, Mac and cheese and a pasta with bacon.. Can't say I was impressed by any of them, but maybe if I had a reason to I would go back otherwise I wouldn't necessarily choose to eat there.
(3)Anomid V.
Vinsetta Garage is beautifully decorated and just has a very Detroit vibe to it. It was my first time there and even though it was extremely crowded the lady who served us was on too of things and greatly helpful. For dinner I ordered their make your own pizza which was thin crusted to my liking smothered with mushrooms and fresh arugula, delicious it was! My only concern was that it was too greasy. Needless to say it was my first time and need to visit here more often to get a more consistent feel for their food. Also, on a Thursday at around 8.30 there was a 1 hour wait.
(4)Ejk E.
Atmosphere was great, so was Food and Beer selection........But ( there has to be a But !) The Wait was terribly long, I can accept that ,But there was no place to wait except outside, they had two or three patio heaters---With no gas!!! Couldn't they send someone to a 7-elven to get some. there was 30 plus people freezing in 30 deg. weather !! And everyone was bitching about it, But did no good!
(4)Christopher G.
Place is rockin! All the food is great. The 3AM burger is a must.
(5)David D.
First off this place is one of a kind. This restaurant used to actually be a Auto shop. It has a very cool look inside. Every girl that worked here was pretty and apparently they have them all wear skimpy clothes. So if you need to have that while you eat this is the place for you. That had TVs everywhere with sports on which was cool. The server was very cool. The food was very good and worth the price. It was busy there but I believe it was because of a car show that weekend.
(5)Andrew Arthur D.
My partner and I ventured up to the Royal Oak, MI area today to enjoy a movie that was showing only at the Main Arts Theater (Foxcatcher). After it was over we thought it best to grab a bite to eat at one of the local fare that was not your average type of place. We both tend to eat out quite a bit but have grown weary of chains and fast food flare. So much to our delight we found Vinsetta Garage just a few miles from the theater. Upon arriving, my partner wondered if we had actually found the right place because from the outside it appeared as if we were pulling up to a car repair shop. Even the parking lot felt as if we were waiting to get our car tuned up. I was rather excited upon walking through the front door where the decor immediately felt like a vintage station from the early 1900's. After grabbing a seat and ordering two of the Vinsetta burgers, we spent the next hour taking to each other in the nice ambience, listening to the groovy music, and enjoying our conversations with our waitress Jessica. We both agreed that our burgers were far better than what we've had at many other burger joints. The sides of mac and cheese for my partner and the homemade chips for me were both extremely tasty as well. I have to say that for what you pay, the portions were overly plentiful too. The experience ended for my partner as he indulged in the fried apple pie and vanilla ice cream and I have to say, it was incredible. I wanted to try the chocolate cake, but I honestly was way too full. Thus, we both agreed to return soon as there were many other menu choices and desserts we wanted to try on our next visit. Thanks Jessica and thanks Vinsetta Garage for a truly unique dining experience today. And thank you for having such an eclectic establishment in a world that's filled with a glut of many boring restaurants that line our streets... PS - We went at a great time (between 3 and 4pm), which made for a very quiet and peaceful dinner. I'm not sure how it would be at dinner but I was told that it could be kind of noisy and maybe a wait around the evening hours.
(5)Stephanie W.
Went there a few days ago and they told us we had 5 minutes until the kitchen closes and we rushed to order. (Online it says it's open till 2). The baby kale salad was an amazing salad. Our waitress asked us for last call and we looked at the clock and it was only 1140 and she told us that she knows that it says 2 on the website but when it's slow they close early. There were 3 tables besides us, and a full bar. We felt rushed the whole time. We left and went to another bar down the street.
(2)Evie B.
Nom Nom Nom.... Soooooo good! Started with a round of tap beers ( can sample if not sure of what to pick) Our lil group shared a couple orders of 3 a.m. Dogs, entree size Mac ( huge!! Enough for 3-4 meals), broccolini , onion rings and disco fries The dogs were yummy!! Eat with fork. Mac cheese is absolute heaven. Cheesy- creamy yummy flavor Broccolini was yummy but the stalks were too hard to eat. Onion rings were mmmm good along with the yummy dipping sauce. Disco fries were good if you like poutine with yummy melted cheese. Service was top notch. We arrived at 4 on a Thursday and had no problem getting a seat. By 5:30 it was a full house.
(5)Rivo H.
Loved the atmosphere of this place! Very hipster... My friend and I shared the Vinsetta's burger, fries, and the union mac! Huge proportion so we ended up very full. DO NOT GET THE FRIED APPLE PIE. There was slices of american cheese and it grossed the both us out.
(4)Jess K.
I have experience working in a restaurant and my first impression from the host is that she wanted to get away from us. We were seated by the front door and then when moved next to a trash can and busser tray. Our server was terrible and inattentive although on the occasion he did come by he was polite. Not to mention our silverware appeared to be dirty... As for the food I got the noodle burger. I wasn't aware it was macaroni with hamburger in it. It was extremely oily and I hurt my tooth on something hard in the dish. My overall impression is that this place is a gimmick. I would not suggest this place to my friends and family.
(1)Danielle W.
Yum yum! I came to visit a friend in Detroit and she took us to Vinesetta Garage for a late night dinner after my husband and I flew in. We got seated right away, which was very nice after the valet told us it was going to be a 45 minute wait. We ordered the wings to start, and they were great... However, they were naked with sauce on the side. So we had to dunk to get a bunch of spicy flavor on the wings... The wings naked were actually very good though. The four of us all ordered the 3AM burgers... I had the fries and the rest had mac n cheese as their sides. Basically every burger and side was devoured. The french fries with the dipping chiptole mayo was awesome. My husband couldn't stop eating off of my plate. The 3AM burger was also AWESOME, it was huge... smothered in sauce and other delicious things. I had the Gluten Free bun and it was really a good GF bun - I was impressed. My husband turned to me to tell me that if he could eat this burger every time he had a burger he would be in heaven - so basically... the burgers were killer!
(4)Max J.
Just went here to try the poutine (disco fries) and ended up also trying the tiki Marsala fries [my girlfriend and I love fries]. Both plates were absolutely delicious - really excites me that there is a place near me that serves such a high quality version of the Canadian classic. The music playing was a bit too loud for me- but that may just be my personal opinion as my girlfriend did not seem to mind it one bit. The rest of the food sounded good and I will more likely than not come back to try some of it! Another cool thing about this restaurant was that they did a great job of making the decorations the focal point of of the atmosphere (other than the food of course) rather than the large flat screen televisions. It always bugs me when the flat screens are too pronounced and take away people's attention. A wonderful setup!
(4)Shirley R.
I love this place, everything they do is just right. Rotating menu that is always delicious. Great great draft selection. Love the keeping it local trend. Everything we ordered was delicious. Courteous and knowledgeable staff. Excellent decor. Definitely a fav spot.
(5)Tacarra L.
I try not to review a place until I've been on more than one occasion, but I think this place needs an honest review from a first (possibly last) time customer. First impression upon approach - nice, open air atmosphere, and very laid back. Then, I get inside on a 90 degree and humid day to find that the "garage doors" are open. Why??!! It was hotter than the devil's toenails outside, why would the air not be on full blast. So, it was a little uncomfortable and sticky inside. Then the smell...the smell of burned food, Parmesan cheese, and roasting animal fat. Well...if you can get passed the smell then have a seat and stay for a while. The server was nice, but inattentive. I ordered a chop salad that was overpriced, and had very few dressing options. The dill vinaigrette was good, but, like the restaurant, was warm. My fiend ordered the Mac n cheese, which was good, but peppery. In all, my impression was "blah". I can see how this may be a decent neighborhood bar, but the food is overpriced for "bar and grill" food and is somewhat overdone (in the sense that they're trying too hard). We waited an eternity for a salad and Mac n cheese and ended up spending 2 hours of our 1 hour lunch break sitting in a muggy restaurant.
(3)Irina O.
I now understand what all The hype is about! My bestie and I went here on a Saturday evening to finally try it our; the typical wait time is about an hour or an hour 3min. We both split the breadstick appetizer which was good but nothing wild. We also split a side of the Mac and cheese ... 1 word: heaven! We both ordered the Macon bacon burger, She got fries and I did onion rings - Both choices were great but we couldn't finish the onion rings or fries - we barely finished our delicious, juicy burger. And I quote my best friend "now I see why they give you a towel as a napkin" .
(5)Maryann D.
This place was so cool! The ambience was amazing. Love the way they kept the integrity of the original place. Bartender was a great help and our server was pleasant. Everyone says the food is great, however my clam pizza was a bit tastless to me. I had a bite of my husbands burger and that was really good. I heard the meatballs were good too.
(4)Jason W.
I like this place a lot. The decor and history are both a big draw, of course. The food is excellent. I've tried a couple of burgers, the lamburger and the pedro. A bit on the messy side, but really delicious. The waitress recommended pineapple on the pedro, which was a good call. Nice place to go on a summer night when the garage doors are open and there's lots of people.
(4)Carrie P.
We happened to be road tripping in Detroit and a friend of mine really wanted to try this place. We arrived in the evening on a Wednseday night. We were told it would be about an hour wait. It was pretty much about an hour wait. I was starving by the time we arrived at the table. However, if I had to do it all over again, i would wait another hour! The food was THAT good! We had the deep fried cheese curd and wings for an appetizer and both were absolutely perfect! The cheese curds were golden, hot, and melted in your mouth! The chicken wings were large and cooked to perfection. Absolutely delicious. I ordered the vinsetta burger. OH MY GOD. Truly, the best hamburger that I have ever had, anywhere. It was served on a delcious pretzel bun. My mouth is watering just remembering how great it was! It was so huge, but I managed to stuff it all in. I would go back to Detroit, just to have this burger!
(5)Alex M.
Showed up and was accosted by the valet parking guy for pulling up two feet past his designated spot. We were previously warned about probably having to wait an hour for a table, but he told us after yelling at us about where our vehicle was, that it was a 2 hour wait for 2 people and that if we weren't up for that, that we should go elsewhere. Sorry Vinsetta Garage, but we couldn't get out of our car before seeing what you had to offer.
(1)Roger L.
So after many trips visiting family and friends in Detroit I finally get my chance to visit this place and oh how I was not disappointed. I ordered a pizza white pizza with extra cheese and clams. I normally don't eat clams or even like them but I was feeling adventurous and ordered a simple pizza with a non simple ingredient. Let me continue on telling you I am no stranger to pizzas, I have literally traveled the states eating pizza everywhere. I may be going pretty bold here but this was one of the best pizzas I've ever had. The taste was amazing, the dough was perfectly cooked and airy with just right amount of crunch. Even with minimal amounts of ingredients it did not lack in flavor. My only complaint is that we do not have this place in Houston, although I'd probably be borderline morbidly obese if we did. Honorable mentions: cool decor and from a not so much Mac N Cheese fan I could eat their Mac N Cheese daily.
(5)Brooke N.
This place is a must if you have time to wait! There is ALWAYS a long wait, but it's worth it! They are famous for their burgers, but their pizza is actually amazing! I got the chicken pesto and it was very fresh, cooked in a fire pizza oven. Their fries are fresh cut too and delicious!
(4)Daniel D.
Used to be a frequent place for lunch for me, great place to eat! Everyone talks about their mac and cheese but I wouldn't say it's worth the money for it. Parking is horrible for availability, but valet is there.
(4)Diane W.
It's too bad the food doesn't match the atmosphere. It's a very popular place and i can't understand why. The food looks good and the service was good . I had the onion soup. That was ok. Not great. The union mac and cheese. .. why do people rave so much about it? Maybe I'm spoiled by my mother's. I also had the coney dogs. I got 2. Didn't know or need that. They came out cold. The dogs overdone and the chilly dark colored and too thick. I wad looking forward to a traditional coney as the menu stated. I'd better stick to National, Leos, Lafayette or American etc. I might come back for a drink but not the food. Different is not necessarily better.
(2)Bryan W.
Solid food and drinks. We split two pasta bowls and pizzas between the 5 of us. It was more than enough food. Get the disco fries, you won't regret it. Expect a wait, this place was packed.
(4)Martha V.
Love it. The Vinsetta Garage has a great buzz about it and I like my restaurants with buzz. My husband and I have met here after work for dinner (and to let the traffic die down) before heading home. There is a great selection of beer (including several local varieties) and cocktails and a terrific menu. Groovy tunes in the background add to the vibe of the place and it can get a little loud, but that's ok. I can vouch for mac and cheese and pizza - both outstanding. I have a hard time picking what to eat because everything looks so good, but those two are definite winners. As other reviewers (and the name of the place) have said, the Vinsetta Garage is a converted garage - there is amazing light that comes in through the windows. There is seasonal outdoor seating and a few benches inside by the host area if you are waiting for a table. And if you are there for dinner after work, you will probably have a bit of a wait. It's worth it, though. Service is great, food is excellent - great stuff over all. Valet parking is available. There is no lot parking otherwise. We've never used the valet parking because the side street right next to the restaurant has street parking available - and hey, after eating dinner here a little walk can't hurt!
(5)Amanda C.
Love it ! we pretty much always sit at the bar and always have great service ! Love the kale salad and burgers on the gluten free buns! You Absolutely must try rock n' rye ice cream for desert (faygo red pop ice cream with pop rocks on top) !! You will be so full but it's a must ! Always come here on a Sunday or late at night so we beat the crowd and we don't have to wait for 3 hours.
(5)Fernella S.
Ate here in winter. The place was cold, the food was cold and the service was just as cold. Not going back.
(2)Chris L.
I've driven past this garage so many times. I had no idea this former mechanical garage was a factory of delicious eats. The food here is unique and interesting. Especially the hamburger. I ordered the baby kale salad. She had the 3am dog. The baby kale salad featured kale baby kale, grilled corn sliced off the cob, onions and i opted for the flank steak. One can also get their salmon with the salad. The salad was pretty tasty and on the acidic side. She had the 3am dog. It's a hotdog served with a crisp outside with a fried egg and onion rings. The hot dog is covered in bacon jam. It's served with a side of homemade chips that are fried and extra cripsy. Service was pretty good. No point rewriting what others have written.
(4)Cristina T.
I've come on a Monday and a Sunday night, and STILL busy. I've had the 3 a.m. and Vinsetta burger, both were fantastic. Mac and cheese and the Faygo pop rocks ice cream were both good and worth a try. I also love the beer selection and the decor. The only thing I wish for this place would be to have less of a wait, or some sort of way to reserve a spot (and parking too!).
(4)D H.
What a neat place with a very unique atmosphere! An old garage, in Detroit, on historic Woodward Ave - perfect! The service was great. Not only was our waiter knowledgeable about a huge menu of items, he was very knowledgeable about the history of the garage. The food was extremely good. I was with a large group and we tried a sampling of every appetizer - the grilled wings were the best I have ever tasted! My burger was awesome; it was topped with bacon and a fried egg! Different and tasted great! Dessert was served in small mason jars. I especially liked the key-lime pie. Great place, lots of atmosphere, great food, in a vintage setting. You need to visit
(4)Brian M.
Some folks might think I give out 5 stars to everyone. No, I'm just hitting my fav places first. Ok, Vinsetta Garage is best appreciated by a car guy. This used to be a repair shop in the 40's. The nostalgic interior is fantastic as is the service. The bar is well stocked and a fun place to hang. This is the place to bring a car club but do it on a week night or arrange ahead of time. Valet parking solves the lack of parking issue. Food, finally. Everything ... Read everything is great. The stone pizza oven cranks out masterpieces. We tried a pizza goat cheese tomato carmalized onions bacon and shitaki mushrooms. I had the usual. A Vinsetta burger served on a vintage style aluminum drip tray like what would have been used here 80 years ago. Car guys, this is a must do on Woodward but don't wait till the dream cruise in August.
(5)Valerie B.
Except for the parking nightmare, this place is really special! Went there with extended family and was really concerned about my handicapped father -but there were tables to sit at while we waited and they were so accommodating with his walker - gave us an easy access table! Great waitress who handled Dad's endless questions with patience. Great dirty martini, too! The deep fried cheese curds and disco fries were too delicious. The lamb burger and duck burger were amazing - cooked perfectly. The mac and cheese was better than my homemade and I absolutely loved the pizza - the crust is amazing. I thought the salads at the table next to us looked great, too. Can't wait to return!
(5)Sophie M.
I had a pick your own pizza with pesto and feta and chicken, my boyfriend had the lamb burger with fries. The pizza was tasty and more than enough for one. There was a large selection of toppings to choose from, and it was incredibly reasonably priced. The lamb burger was completely new and delicious and amazing. The toppings while strange and different came together in amazing ways. And the tomato aioli for the fries was crazy good. Rock 'n Rye ice cream with Pop rocks on top really sealed the deal. Fun atmosphere, friendly service.
(5)Amber M.
Vinsetta Garage really is one of the best restaurants in the area by far. The atmosphere is really, really cool. Being an old garage turned into a restaurant, while still keeping the feel of a vintage car garage is one of the reasons why I love this place so much. It can get a little loud at times, but really overall this place has a good vibe. As far as the important part (the food), everything I've had on the menu is incredible. The cheese curds as well as the mac and cheese are a must! They always have an excellent beer selection. Plus, the Faygo ice cream is really good too. They make their ice cream/desserts in house, which is really cool. The wait staff is always super helpful and friendly. Sometimes the people working at the hostess stand aren't always the friendliest, but I've never really had a problem besides having to wait close to two hours for a table sometimes. Of course, that's not anyone's fault though....it's a popular place! If you haven't been to Vinsetta Garage yet, you really have to go. It's a truly great experience!
(5)Christopher K.
Cannot understand what the hype is all about. Fries were good, Mac and cheese was ok. Ordered a hot dog dish and had to send it back. Ordered a burger instead. Juicy and flavorful. Above average burger. Not sure I will return as the wait isn't worth it.
(3)Dave W.
Great vibe. Worth the wait. More than a burger joint. But the burgers were very good.
(4)Chef R.
It's really about the atmosphere. Its fun and different. Adult milkshakes are good. I enjoyed my duck burger. We have eaten there a few times when meeting friends. It's definitely an experience to have. The food doesn't bring you back.
(3)Kayla K.
Where to begin? Every detail about this place is perfection. They really hit the nail on the head. The food, the music, the atmosphere. This is the only place that somehow makes a 2 hour wait for a table into a fun time.
(5)Jas J.
I have been here twice and I am still in awe each time that I went! I went during lunch on a Saturday and during a weekday and it was not too busy! This place used to be an old car garage and it's so awesome that it still has that same feel! The food was delicious and the waitresses were friendly and attentive! The only downfall is that there is limited parking! :(
(5)Jon L.
There's a reason that waits can get up to 2 hours over the weekends. This place is a must try in Michigan. If you're a fan of burgers or beer or faygos rock and rye then vinsetta is the place for you. My personal favorite is the duck burger. You can't go wrong with the Macon bacon burger either. Be sure to order a side of Mac and cheese and order up a plate of their cheese curds.
(5)Lis M.
Long waits and rude staff aside, this place is cool, just be prepared, especially if you have a dining companion who is easily annoyable. The décor is great! I love that they turned an old body shop into a hip restaurant. The food is good and the portions are huge, so no one will leave hungry. My husband had the tuna casserole which runs circles around your mom's or grandma's version while still paying them a proper homage with their update to this classic dish. The one similarity is that it was way under salted, but the peas and tuna are really good, tasted really fresh and not the canned stuff I think most of us are used too. I had the baby kale salad and added salmon and it was really good. Fish was cooked well and the whole thing balanced savory and sweet and the pickled red onions rocked, really tied the whole thing together. The boozey milkshake featuring rock 'n' rye served as our dessert and is probably the main reason I'd ever go back. This place is definitely worth trying once.
(3)Tim K.
I feel like Union Joints restaurants aren't trying that hard the last year or so. Lazy execution and the experience isn't what it could be. Caesar salad had almost no dressing on it and we were charged .75 for more dressing, which is lame considering the place mints money. Also the onion straws on my otherwise delicious burger were cold and dense and hard. I was informed they don't cook the fried items to order...my response was "that's pretty obvious." Fried onions 1) are incredibly easy to make to order and 2) should elevate a burger, not drag it down. I was also told that it was impossible to get me replacement onions. This has been really typical for Union Joints restaurants. Overlooking really simple things that mar an otherwise good experience. My experience has been that they are making so much money, they just couldn't give a darn. I always go back tho, because when they are on, these places are darn good. Except the Fenton Fire Hall. That place blows.
(3)S M.
Food is good. The restaurant is very loud though, very difficult to carry on a conversation. I met an old friend I hadn't seen in years and we were so excited to catch up, but could hardly hear each other.
(3)Jimmy W.
Well tonight was a real downer. Had the visetta burger pizza - house special. Really greasy, too much thousand island dressing, no actual pizza sauce; very weird.
(2)Amy Z.
Get the Kale salad with the grilled Salmon. That is all I have to say. Oh and a "Heist" martini. Only complaint is that I hate waiting and there always seems to be a wait. Oh and the chicken wings are yummy. The service is always pleasant and efficient. Oh and the Mac & Cheese. Now I'm hungry. So I live in Chicago and spend three days in the Detroit area each week. This is my favorite place. Feels authentic - if you are looking for a non-chain and a few brick walls - this is your spot. Good people watching. Great drinks. Comfort food with a little bit of a twist. Love this place, would eat here every night if it weren't so far from my hotel. Super awesome.
(5)Tia K.
Get the mac and cheese! You can't go wrong with anything here. It can be a bit spendy but it's a good place with a fun hipster atmosphere.
(4)Carl O.
The 3am dog and fries is fantastic and delicious. The reason I visited was for the Rock n rye ice cream. Many people had mentioned this to me. The actual ice cream however tastes less like rock n rye and more like a sweetened milk. Not even a vanilla flavor. They cover the top in unflavored pop rocks to make it a "molecular gastronomy" dish. But it is not. It's more plain than vanilla. It should be called sweet milk ice cream with unflavored pop rocks. But I suppose it's got less of a draw than rock n rye ice cream. If I were Faygo, I'd sue them for defamation of character.
(2)Ron C.
Being a fan of The Union & The Union Woodshop, Ive wanted to get here since they opened. Today on the way back from DTW it was a logical pit stop, especially at 5:15 pm ::DISCLAIMER:: 1st of all, I'm a dolt as I saw the valet but traversed 2-3 blocks & ended up parking in the lot in front of WestBorn Market ..As I walked up to the Vinsetta I now noticed the sign complimentary valet 'doh' Anyways we were warmly welcomed by 3 great hosts in the booth as soon as you enter, a very sweet hostess, walked us to a 2 topper table & chairs. Although it has been talked about in multiple posts, the place does have quite the positive vibe & feels energetic! Not sure if its by design or the feeling of sitting in a former garage that has been retrofitted so nice & pulls off food very Very Well!. Greg was our point man, and made everything happen as it should, gave us plenty of time to choose wisely as we both did not want buyers remorse. Also noteworthy is many of the staff/runners/servers shot a smile as they passed by or thru, personally I think Mr. Curt Catallo / Mr Erich Lines hit home runs as they have talented staff at all 3 places. IMHO. To the food! The bride chose the: Noodle Burger -- Casserole-baked ground Angus, smoked cheddar, elbow macaroni, Woodshop MI maple bacon, crispy top, salad alongside -- 10.95 Which to her was the best of both worlds, that mac& Cheese & plus some protein, served beyond piping hot! And the salad alongside was so much more than an afterthought , it was a very large portion, many varied greens & the tomato balsamic was spot on , not overkill at all . I was craving meatballs & there were multiple choices, mini, large ,add -on to a pasta bowl & a meatball dinner, I asked Greg what the gentleman at the table beside me had? Meatball Supper -- Your choice of our Custom Angus, Chicken Asiago (GF), or our house Vegan Blend in tomato basil sauce -- 11.95 I chose the Custom Angus, which was wonderful! Which was 3 large meatballs, cooked perfectly in a very robust sauce, piping hot & some reggiano cheese, & I got to choose a side..& of course I chose the famous mac I could only eat 1/2 of my mac & 1.5 meatballs, as we were both desiring dessert ,as the desserts are always fabulous at all 3 places. The Faygo Ice Cream -- House-made liquid nitrogen churned Faygo Rock N' Rye ice cream dusted with Pop Rocks -- 2.75 We asked for the pop rocks on the side...to truly enjoy the Rock & Rye Ice Cream, it was far lighter than expected but Oh So Good! It took us well over a year to get here, but so glad we finally made it!
(5)Nina C.
Great food. Great service. Everything is worth the wait in my book. I love the pop rock ice cream. It's so awesome.
(4)Debbie K.
Pulling up to this place can be confusing, they offer valet but are no longer able to greet you out front due to a city ordinance. I had to drive around the block once before I was able to flag the valet down to ask where exactly I needed to be in order to get valet, he suggested I drive around the block(again) since once you pass through the front drive the alley is one way...ugh! I'm just trying to have a nice brunch with mom.. get me parked please. Service was very good from the second we finally got in the door. Love that they have Shorts beer, burger was average, same with the hyped up Mac. A little pricey for what you get. I can say I've been there and done that. Not sure its anything I would crave. Love the ambiance though.
(3)Kevin L.
It is really a garage! I love the theme Vinsetta Garage has going on. I'm all about the automotive history in Detroit, so, this is right up my alley. Their 3 A.M. burger is the Cadillac of burgers. It is officially the best hamburger in metro Detroit since the demise of Chapman's Mill and their Red Eye burger. This is one tasty burger. Juicy, too. In fact, all their burgers are juicy even when they are cooked well done. The Sriracha mayo is delectable. It appears to be made in house. Even if you don't order the 3 A.M. burger, get some Sriracha mayo. Trust me. The burgers aren't the only thing on the menu to get your motor running. Every dish they offer sounds and looks amazing. From mac and cheese to steak, they have it. Just a glimpse of the Union Mac will cause you to drool. So will the pizza. I appreciate that for $1.95, you can substitute any of their Sidecars (side dishes) for their house made chips. I would opt for the Caesar salad. It is solid and even comes with real anchovies. Don't worry, they have a quinoa salad for those repulsed by anchovies. Vinsetta Garage's Grown-Up milkshakes will put Mrs. Mia Wallace's Five Dollar milkshake to shame. However, after tasting one, you will quote Vincent Vega and say, "Goddamn, this is a pretty fricken' (it was actually a different F word) good milkshake!" A few notes: - Shop Towel Napkins: I love how Vinsetta Garage adheres to the repair shop theme down to the smallest detail. However, these white towels are murder on dark colored cardigans and slacks. Bring a lint roller if you're heading to the opera after dinner. You've been warned. - Parking: I'm not keen on the parking situation at Vinsetta Garage. Rumor has it that they have a small parking lot. I don't know, I've never been able to get in it if they do. Valet parking is an option. However, not everyone wants their neighbor's kid wedging their pride and joy in a spot that they personally would walk a half mile in a blizzard to avoid. Based on the amount of cars lined up on the adjacent residential streets, it appears that others agree. I'm sure the neighbors just love it. I would patronize Vinsetta's more if it weren't for the parking.
(5)Kadian M.
So, I'm a little torn here... I'm giving 3 stars because I have had an absolutely fantastic food here. The baby kale salad, the stuffed poblano... BUT they say their burgers are what they're known for, the burgers are completely lack luster and definitely nothing to brag about. Hmmmm The setting is pretty cool, place is always super busy, and parking is nearly impossible. Staff is always super nice, but pretty flustered. Probably due to high volume. I guess we don't make it a point to come here on our own accord, but have visited several times with groups.
(3)Jacqueline A.
Love this restaurant. Great ambiance. Cozy and quaint - the only downfall is be prepared to be creative with parking and be prepared you might need to wait a little.
(4)Ryan C.
Love! Love! Love! Food was excellent. Staff was great. Love the aestethic of the place. Luckily I had a handicapped member of my party so used a handicap tag to park, but parking looks like trouble for regular guests. Definitely a must try if you haven't been before.
(5)Kiran P.
My husband and I get the same order every time because it's amazing. Tikka fries, side of mac and cheese, and chicken pesto pizza. You can't go wrong with the food here.
(5)Jenne E.
Awesome restaurant. I went for a lunch to vinsetta's garage on a Wednesday. I absolutely loved the whole theme of this place. An old garage literally was awesome and I loved the decor. The food was great, I had the French onion soup and a side of the veggie hash! Both very good and the prices extremely reasonable! I will be dinning in again!
(5)Ken M.
Best restaurant in town ...no weekly specials but what they make is perfect and never had a bad meal Ever ...there is normally a hour and half wait on weekends. ..but their bar has a great staff and we sometimes eat at there
(5)Melanie M.
Great atmosphere....awesome food and fabulous drinks... What else could u want? Lol- top pick
(5)Jennifer E.
Awesome food but some serious annoyances at this location. First, the location is amazing, garage theme that's not gimmicky, lots to look at, etc. We like to bring the kids here rather than the Clarkston locations because it's much more affordable. That is, if you skip the cocktails, which are very very good but holy cow get a mortgage first. The food is fantastic as well. I can't say enough about the 3am burger, it is THAT good. Get it medium-rare on the sesame bun and you'll think you'd died and gone to heaven. They apparently grind their own beef from brisket etc. and it shows. The food is solid, the desserts are novel AND tasty, something so many local places get wrong. (The big-ass brownie drowned in bucket vanilla is so 1985 guys!) I wasn't thrilled with the rock'n rye ice cream, but the salted caramel was pretty awesome. The kids mostly ordered pizza. The burger pie tasted more or less like a big mac. Not bad. The loaded potato was *amazing.* I had never seen or heard of shiitake bacon before, but I will say it is damn tasty. The caveats, and these are pretty bad. This would be a five star all the way spot otherwise. First, there is no parking except via valet. There is a tiny rear lot that fits maybe five cars, and zero street parking. So be prepared to hand your car over to be taken who knows where, or taxi in. Second, the horrific wait time and lack of reservations. Unlike the Clarkston location, there is no lounge or neighborhood stroll to occupy you during their 90-minute to TWO HOUR wait. Just a hard, slippery bench in a cold lobby. This is unbearably boring and they do not take reservations. Ugh.
(4)Kyle Martin D.
My friends and I eat like absolute shit. None of us have any regard for our caloric intake and you'll find us drinking anything from Glenlivet 18 to cans of Hamms beer. But we still hold ourselves to a somewhat higher standard than the typical Johnny Sweatpants you're accustomed to spotting waddling down any street in SE Michigan. So, instead of stuffing our fat faces with standard diner fare, we go to Vinsetta Garage -- not because the food selection is that much better, but because the atmosphere gives us a false sense of how the world perceives us. "Yeah, I'm eating a half-pound hamburger with two slices of cheese on it along with a hearty helping of macaroni and cheese served inside a vintage oil can while using a hollowed-out french fry to suck down a booze-filled milkshake, but I'm doing it at a place that plays the Smiths and has a decent bar selection. It's way different than eating at Denny's, you asshole."
(3)Amy B.
I came here last night after having been to the Union Woodshop in Clarkston, and I had such a good time. When we got in, we put our name in with the hostess, and were told it was going to be a 45 minute wait. We only sat for about 20-25 minutes, which isn't to bad for a Friday night. When you first enter, the initial wait area is kind of tight. They have an overflow lounge by the restrooms in the dining portion of the restaurant. We were offered drinks, but were seated shortly after, so we passed. The set up in here's really cool. Huge place, with a bar area, an open style kitchen, and plenty of seating. Despite being busy, our server was awesome, and our food was delicious. I personally went with the lamb burger on a pretzel bun with the chips. My friend went with the flank steak and mac and cheese as a side. I tried his mac n cheese and it was awesome!!!! They seem to have a great beer selection here, but I passed on the booze. Overall, they seem to have a real great thing going on here, and I WILL be back. Complimentary valet, with tons to offer. I love their menu, and everything about this place. Go check it out if you can!
(5)Kelly A.
Vinsetta Garage Hip concept, especially when you're in northern Macomb County where everything place seems to be lame, lacks imagination and is big business.. It's a fun experience to take the kids or out of town family and or friends. Keeps true to the area's trendy appeal. Staff was friendly, helpful and on point. I try and go in weekdays when it first opens, when I'm able to. No wait. Waitress recommend Macon Bacon Burger...I took her word and ordered it with a side of Mac & cheese. Low down on the Macon Bacon Burger... Angus beef, woodshop MI maple bacon, pancetta, grilled Canadian bacon, house-made bacon jam, smoked cheddar. This is the best burger I've ever had! Words cannot describe how delicious it was. The waitress did inform me prior to ordering it, this burger was featured on Destination America.. United States of Bacon was the title of this particular episode; I had to google it, because after tasting it, my mind went blank from all the amazing flavors rushing my taste buds.. Now, I'm not a Mac & Cheese lover, but, I ordered it figuring my daughter would eat it anyway, since she ordered a caesar salad. And has a habit of plate robbing me every time. ( Teens!) Well, it looked so good I launched my fork into it, despite my opinion on Mac & Cheese. It was so good it was hard to believe it was my enemy, Mac & Cheese. This place has it going on! Must go, and absolutely must try the Macon Bacon Burger! Vinsetta Garage, will dazzle your taste buds! Grab someone and get there.
(5)Virginia M.
I love this place.....great drinks and some unique food choices. I have one point of contention.....paying $12 for two coney dogs and onion rings. Seriosly, the chili was terrible. It was totally my fault.....the burgers are amazing; I should have stuck with that. Leave the chili dogs to National. Their alcoholic shakes? OMG.....delicious. Nice choice of draft beers, as well. I think with a little effort, this place could be great.
(4)Matt W.
Probably the best meal I ate in the Detroit area, both for atmosphere and food. Their building really was an old service garage, and there's lots of little touches on the walls and in the fixtures left "as-is". It gives the place a really neat, lived in character. Something old and a little bit neglected that's come back and found a new purpose. I liked that a lot. The "Macon bacon" burger and house made chips were awesome, particularly with the bacon jam and smoky cheese against the pretzel bun, and I ended up getting their s'more trio for dessert, which featured a "creamsicle" flavored sandwich (house made orange marshmellow against vanilla cookies) and an amazing dark chocolate and cappucino treat to go with the standard chocolate chip s'more. Staff were great, I really didn't have too much of a wait, and the place lived up to the hype around it. My only regret is that I should have gone back again to try more of the menu!
(5)Anna A.
The lamb burger is the best burger you will ever eat. Bring your friends and family to Vinsetta Garage for a delicious meal- they're gonna love it!
(5)Greg Y.
Hoaky, cheesy, gimmicky .... all come to mind. Came in for lunch the other day with my buddy. I have been meaning to try this place for a long time but every time my wife and I drive by the line looks really long so we keep going elsewhere. This really is one of those places all Yelpers seem to really love and eat up. Lots of hype would be an understatement. I hear they have been on lots of different tv shows as well as featured in many magizines and papers. So being 2:30 on a Saturday afternoon the place was pretty packed with a little wait but luckily we found two stools at the bar. I tried some overpriced pilsner and my friend got a PBR. We both agreed that they looked and tasted pretty much identical. Looking over the menu I quickly found the much coveted disco fries and decided we needed those. I forget who it was but recently a Yelper challenged me to try a burger here because they thought it was better than my favorite "redcoat burger". So I ordered the namesake VG burger and my friend ordered a boring chicken sandwich. The bartender tried to up sell us some fries and I was thinking "we just ordered fries, why would I want more with my sandwich?" So we stuck with the salt and vinegar chips that come automatically with sandwiches. Disco fries are what I would expect, cheese, gravy etc... I didn't particularly love the actual french fry itself, I would have preferred a different cut. They seem like typical commercial fries like found at Burger King to me. Out comes our burger and sandwich and first thing I noticed was there was no vinegar on these chips. They were alright chips but I wished the bartender hadn't mentioned the vinegar because now I missed it. I then went in to cut my burger in half and I kid you not it was like sawing through a well done skirt steak. I don't know if it was the silly pretzel roll or the extremely well done beef, nobody asked how I wanted it prepared but I didn't expect hockey puck. Let's just say I'm glad I had my steak knife. As I'm eating my burger I couldn't help thinking how I would have preferred a classic Big Boy burger over this VG burger. It was two tough patties stacked, not sure if it had sauce on it, I couldn't tell. At one point I pulled a quarter sized piece of burnt up griddle dirt or coal out of my burger as I raised it to my lips. I'm glad that never made it into my mouth because it looked like it could have broken a tooth, certainly wouldn't have tasted good. As I'm writing this review the stars are decreasing. ... My friend's chicken sandwich was a chicken sandwich, not sure why he ordered something so boring, I was about to ask if his roll was tough as nails like mine but he had only eaten the bottom of his for some reason. On to the theme. VG is a neat building. I liked that part but I think they go a bit far with the garage towels and staff wearing greasy Bubba blue collar mechanic's cover alls and jackets etc... seemed like I was in a Disney Land garage or something. I have to admit though that I thought the bathroom was pretty cool with the pennies under the laminate flooring. I didn't pick up the check this time but my friend said something about not worth $60 after tip. Wow, how much were those PBR's anyways? Ps: I had to go to their web site and look this up. (VENSETTA BURGER -- The classic double, two 4 oz. Vinsetta blend patties cooked through, stacked with two slices of American cheese, L.T.O. (lettuce, tomato, onion), sliced McClure's pickles, Woodshop MI maple bacon, Vinsetta Burger Sauce -- 12.95) Hmm, what I ate was nothing like that. I didn't taste any pickles, bacon or sauce on mine. It might have been on there but over shadowed by the burnt patties or something.... Also I couldn't find any mention of salt and vinegar chips so perhaps the bartender was just confused?
(2)Kari G.
I dream about this place. I wish I could go there every day... it's fantastic. I live right down the street from Vinsetta so I was so happy when I heard they were opening! I always been able to walk to the place so I have never had to deal with parking (although now that it's getting colder outside I might have to rethink that!). Sure the wait is long, but let me tell you-- it's worth it. Me and my husband have been there 3 times now and every time we put our names in for a table and we always end up sitting at the bar. We seem to get a spot almost immediately and the service at the bar is phenomenal. This place has amazing food and an extensive beer list-- lots of Michgan-made products which I am a huge fan of! Every time I go I get the Vinsetta Burger with avocado spread (YUM!) and the side chips that come with it. I love everything about this burger, IMO it is better than any burger I have ever had (even from Redcoat) Yes, its huge (a double patty) and it gets everywhere-- but it is amazing and I devour every bit of it! I love the Vinsetta Burger sauce that comes with it.. its great to dip your chips in :) My husband has ordered a burger as well as their Chili Rubbed Flank steak and he has been equally satisfied with both selections. Each time he gets the Mac and Cheese with his order. While it's not as good as Slow's, it is still delicious! We have shared the Malted Molten Chocolate Cake (which they gave to me for free on my birthday!) and like everything at this place, it was excellent. I highly recommend this place. When you go, don't be turned off by the wait, if you have a party of 2 try to find a spot at the bar, order a burger and a Michigan beer and you'll walk out very happy!
(5)Brianna T.
I was browsing yelp a while back and came across reviews for Vinsetta Garage and decided I had to try it. My boyfriend and I have now been working our way through the menu over the course of several visits and have always been wowed by the delicious food. We both highly recommend the French onion soup. It is SO good. Just don't try and order it late on the weekends because the last couple times they were out. We've tried the 3am burger, Vinsetta burger, duck burger, and the Macon bacon burger as well as the Erich panini sandwich. They were all delicious and so were the sides. We've had sidecars of the fries, onion rings, and Mac n cheese. You MUST get the tomato aioli with the fries. It's awesome! I also recommend the adult shakes, especially the bourbon stout shake I think it's called. It's the one with the caramel ice cream. If you don't want to wait, go during the week later in the evening. We've never had a wait on weekdays. Enjoy!
(5)Amy B.
Order the potato chips. Then order anything else. It's all good and housemade which means that you'll be there for a while. A few notes for anyone planning to go. 1. parking is all free valet so don't fret 2. you will wait for an hour in the bar even when tables are available. Seems to be the policy of the place. 3. It's loud 4. Check out the bathroom floor! I'm so stealing that idea. 5. Order the potato chips - opps I already said that didn't I. It's worth repeating 6. Probably not a place for kids. See #2. After you have a table you'll wait there too
(4)Joe B.
I should start off by mentioning that me and a lady friend came for lunch around 3 and it was dead...so if you've had trouble getting in here, the off peak hours are a brilliant work around. That said, you have to deal with the lunch menu which seemed far less comprehensive to the dinner menu selections I saw on-line. I started with a Detroit Locker cocktail - Maker's Mark & Detroit Sparkling wine served in a flute (or a rock glass if you prefer). I liked the drink but at $11 a round these were hella overpriced! For the app we tried the Loaded Potato Chips with bacon, which were really tremendous, covered in cheese, scallion and the addition of the bacon put these over-the-top and reasonably priced at around $7. My friend had the Yeti dog and I opted for the Pesto Pie both of which were pretty good! The Yeti comes bacon wrapped and deep fried with romaine and tomato, jack cheese and most importantly MAYO, which may offend some of you but it's something I'll need on all my future dogs being as decadent as it was. The mac and cheese that came with the Yeti (an add on for around a $2 up-charge) was really creamy and cheesy and the penne is a nice touch when covered in their breadcrumb/cornflake mix...it was a little bland but the right amount of sauce to cheese. The Pesto Pie has coal fired chicken, thinly sliced shallots and red peppers laid over their cheese blend and then it's fired in their coal oven until slightly charred. I'll say this....their dough and crust is pretty good while maybe on the chewy side for my tastes but still a really good flavor! The pizza itself could've used a lot more pesto to make it saucier...it was a little on the dry side albeit a nice mix of flavors. What I loved: the space is enormous and has a great Detroit feel to it. The lay out is pretty cool and the overall consciousness of this places gives way to it's trendy beginning. Service was solid. Our server took care of us and checked in regularly, but I can't speak to what it's like at peak hours. Also the dog selections come as a set of two dogs which I think is a wise presentation especially at almost $8 for the two. What needs work: The prices here are all over the map. The pizza was very reasonable considering the toppings but the dogs were fairly steep. The cocktail prices seemed a little ridiculous for the proportions and ingredients used. The parking is a limiter here but I've heard they may expand the lot. What they need to address today: What's up with the fruit flies...this is a problem although it may just have been in our vicinity and it may not be noticeable at peak hours but take note...this will kill a restaurant's appeal. All in all I wasn't as impressed as I had hoped to be, but given it was lunch and not dinner the food may not have been as amazing. Secondly the 3 cocktails we ordered at $33 were a huge portion of an $85 tab which still seemed really steep for LUNCH! This place has been really hyped and maybe it's as good as they say but on this day, sadly, it wasn't.
(3)Kevin O.
Delicious food. Fabulous atmosphere. I had heard you wait forever to get a table but we only waited 10 minutes. Will definitely be returning.
(5)Kevin M.
Good atmosphere terrible service. Bartenders service was so bad we decided to have dinner somewhere else.
(2)Karen D.
Food and atmosphere is awesome! We waited a long time to get our table but the food definitely made up for the wait. I'll be going back soon! The 3am burger was awesome and my husband ordered Lelio, a pasta dish. Both we're delicious!
(5)Wendy G.
With all the hype for the last 2 years, I had high expectations. First things first, if you happen to go when they do not have valet parking, good luck finding a parking spot! Took us about 10 minutes to find a place to park that was down the street into the subdivision. We went on Labor Day and they seemed to be short staffed, even telling people it was a 20 minute wait when there was open tables. Our server only came by a couple times during our visit and we had to ask for everything including silverware, napkins and appetizer plates, once from another server when ours was not around. Being a fairly small place, the tables are packed in there and I didn't like feeling crowded being so close to the table next to us. I know they are going for the vintage theme and all, but I didn't really care for old concrete floors and brown paper runners on the tables. The shop rag napkins are stiff and rough. The cocktails menu could use some serious influence from the ladies. On a hot summer afternoon, I was hoping for a fruit cocktail of some sort. Their cocktails menu was something along the lines of gin, gin, gin, tequila, tequila, bourbon. Not even one "girly drink" option. I ended up ordering a mai tai (not on the menu) with substitutions because they were lacking ingredients. It was just okay (light on the liquor content). They do have a lot of beers to choose from though. On to the food, I liked the loaded potato chips appetizer thing and the caesar salad was good. For entrees, one person got a burger and onion rings, both of which were very greasy. Another got the hamburger casserole that they said was really good. I got one of the pasta bowls that I thought was just okay. I've definitely had better pasta dishes elsewhere. The pasta portion size was HUGE. I barely ate 1/4 of it after sharing an appetizer and a side salad, and had plenty leftover for 2 more meals. Price wise - Some items are little overpriced. Our bill was $72 for 1 beer, 2 mixed drinks, 1 app, 1 side salad and 3 entrees (none of which were their more expensive dinner entrees). Overall, I wouldn't put up a fight if someone else really wanted to go here, but if I were the one choosing, chances are pretty unlikely I would pick this place.
(2)Erica R.
Went for lunch this past weekend I ordered a pizza (so delicious and flavorful) and my date ordered the pastas. Both we're build your own. We also had drinks and rock and rye Ice cream! The atmosphere was really cool a fun place to go out if you want to stay local and our server was genuinely nice. The food was worth the price!
(5)Michelle D.
Food is so, so, so, so good! Unique choices without being way out there that you don't recognize what's on the menu. The lambburger is my FAV! (just don't count the calories). The only reason I wouldn't give a full 5 stars is the wait. There is ALWAYS a wait it seems, and parking is not the best if you don't valet.
(4)Rachel F.
I had heard a lot about this place and was really pumped about trying it out when I was finally in the area. We walked in around 5pm and there was a 45 minute wait for a table of 4. Anticipating that we headed to the bar, to grab a few pre dinner drinks. After waiting for maybe 5 minutes the bartender finally noticed us and said you want a drink? then stared at us blankly. Seeing Jameson on draft we ordered a round of shots, but by the time we got them it our little buzzer went off. We maybe waited 15 minutes for the table that was supposed to take 45. WIN! Our service at the table mimicked that of the bartender, a little too cool for school attitude. We ordered a wide variety of food. I personally got a you choose pizza & a side of mac. Everyone else opted for burgers. The pizza was just kinda dry, homemade sausage was super dry, the homemade chili's seemed like banana peppers & the mushroom smother was barely there. The only redeeming quality is that the crust was pretty good. I had a bite of my friends burger and it was ok, they were all impressed. & I'd have to say the Mac was rather tasty. Maybe I ordered wrong, but even if I had nothing really blew me away Vinsetta. This was definitely a case of a something that was a bit over hyped, and the staff acted like they knew that too. *prolly a 2.5 stars but alas yelp makes you choose.
(2)Mary D.
Went last Tuesday with another couple. Waited one hour, which wasn't too bad, but when we got seated, they were out of many of the craft brews we wanted. Food was good, and manager gave us comps on more beer samples so we were good. Came back on Sunday afternoon, waited 1/2 hour to be seated-not that bad. After we sat-we waited over an hour for one burger and one salad! The table next to us waited over an hour for a hot dog. Manager came over and said many people didn't show up for work, and we didn't have to pay for our meal-but what a waste of a beautiful Sunday afternoon. No WOW factor-atmosphere is great, but food is just so-so.
(1)Dani H.
I love the location of this place and the decor is amazing. You actually feel like you are in a garage. I am obsessed with their mac and cheese and I love that I don't have to drive all the way to Clarkston to get my mac and cheese fix. Great addition to the area.
(5)Justin W.
My new favorite restaurant in the area!
(4)M V.
Great food and beer selection. The menu seems simple at first glance, but each item has its own unique spin. For example, the Loaded Potato Pizza. Instead of bacon, they throw on Shitaki bacon, which is crispy shavings of shitaki mushrooms; takes the place of bacon nicely. The wait can be a bummer sometimes, but I am always seated ahead of their expected wait time. The parking is also a bummer (the reason for the last star missing). My favs: Cheese curds (as an app, or on anything), Loaded Potato Pizza, Macon Bacon Burger, Faygo Ice Cream!
(4)Bob M.
I had the pizza and the 3 AM burger. They were both phenomenal. I really enjoyed how this restaurant embraces the heritage of the Detroit metro region. The value for the food was EXTREMELY worth it. The only issue that I had with this place is the fact that there was a wait but, in general, waits mean desirability and I don't really mind at all.
(5)William R.
My fiance and I just recently moved to Birmingham and have had a fun time trying out various restaurants in the area. After hearing so much positive feedback around Vinsetta Garage, we knew that we had to try it out. As a quick summary before I get into my review....we were not disappointed. The first thing you notice about Vinsetta Garage is that the decor stays true to the actual Vinsetta Garage body shop that was once functioning under the same roof back in the day. The modern look/feel is very inviting to patrons who are coming to the restaurant for the first time. They also seem to maximize this space by adding as many tables as possible to be able to seat everybody in an expeditious manner. We noticed that although our wait was expected to be 45 minutes, the actual time was probably around 20 minutes and that is definitely something you can appreciate. On to the food and the service. Both have to be rated a 6/6 if possible. We ordered an appetizer called Disco fries and they were AMAZING! So addicting. These are basically fries, smoothered with a spicy gravy, topped with cheese curds. I probably could have just eaten a giant plate of these for dinner and would have been satisfied. For my entree, I ordered the State Fare burger with a side of the mac and cheese. The mac and cheese is also a ridiculous little side as it too is amazing. I had to get that to go as I wanted to have a delicious treat for the next day. Now the State Fare burger......I don't want to be verbose in my reflection of my eating experience with said burger but it was probably the best burger I have had in a long time....no joke. I am a huge fan of 'the burger' too, as I will always sample a burger if its my first time at a restaurant. So, from my POV, this is actually a substantial compliment. On paper it sounds a little different: Pork patty, grilled split hot dog, deep fried cheese curds, S.C. mayo, red onion, pickled chilies, but all the flavors combined (almost Captain Planet-ish?) make for an unbelievably, flavor-packed meal. As in my other reviews, you will know how important good service is to me and how it usually will tie into my rating of the restaurant. Vinsetta Garage is no different. My fiance and I decided to sit at the bar area, and everyone was so friendly, taking time out to talk to us and make sure everything was satisfactory. That type of stuff is very important to me and is basically something that can easily push a 4 star restaurant over to a 5 star. I actually can remember one of the guys who brought our food out, I believe his name was Vince. He was a friendly/funny guy who seemed like he was really busy but still decided to take some time out and make sure everything was OK. He seemed like he was running the show in the back but he still managed to mingle with the patrons....that is cool. When you are visiting a place for the first time, you appreciate people like that. If you survived reading this whole thing, give Vinsetta Garage a try....its worth it!
(5)C L.
Atmosphere was great and so was the decor. Food was not very good, had a pasta bowl: shrimp & very runny pesto. My friend had a less than impressive squash soup and the house salad was weak. Unfortunately she fell ill later that night. She called to inform VG the next day what happened to her as maybe others may have become sick. The person who answered did not seem to care, she was rude and didn't even ask what she had eaten. We should have ordered the burgers or something basic.
(3)Rosie P.
Totally came back here today to eat the pasta bowl that comes with vegan meatballs. Well, they were discontinued so I added the vegan burger party to the pastaw, which was an extra $5. Even though the dish ended up being $5 more than usual, it was worthbit since it was very delicious. Our server was very good and nice. The problem, however, occured less than 1 minute after I left. I am 8 months pregnant, so I am forgetful. I forgot my leftover box, which housed more than half of my meal. We were sitting at the first table next to the open patio, so we walked out straight to the valet. Less than one minute after leaving I realized that I forgot my leftover box. My fiance ran back to get it and the busser had already thrown it out....it was less than ONE minute! I used to work in the service industry and would never throw out a leftover box after such a short amount of time. In fact, I'd attempt to catch up with my customer to give the box back. It is well know that most customers valet at this restaurant as it is complimentary, so the busser could've peaked out the patio to see if we were there. Also, it wasn't a busy time period, so I can't imagine why the busser couldn't have taken 30 seconds to catch me :/ Yes, it was my fault for forgetting it, and I'm totally beating myself for it. However, we also went back to get it less than 1 minute later. What if I went to the bathroom and didn't want to take my food in and left it at the table? I'm just super dissappointed that no one made the small attempt to grab me in that minute.
(3)Heather F.
To quote my late father, "The messier the burger, the better it tastes." This quote rang true when I ate the Vinsetta burger my hands and napkin were a complete mess and I loved every minute of it. Our server was really friendly and asked if this was our first time, which it was, and started to explain how the breads, pastas and burgers are all hand crafted on site. We were impressed. On to the food. As I said messy but Delicious. My only complaint was our burgers were really greasy. Has anyone had this problem? This didn't take away from the taste of the burger at all. My husband and I couldn't stop talking about how good the actual meat on the burger was. What's in it? Whatever it is please don't change it, it's perfect. The mac & cheese was really good, cheesy and peppery goodness. Our wait time wasn't that bad, we were told 45 minutes and seated within 20. I think that was pure luck, but we were happy. As far as I'm concerned this place houses the best burger I've ever had. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Poorna R.
I LOVELOVELOVE this place. Did I mention I love this place? My friend and I have gone here multiple times. The only downside to this place is that the wait can be long and they don't take reservations...so if you're coming Friday or Saturday night, come 30-45 min before the time you want to eat. The upside is you can order drinks and appetizers in the couch area while you're waiting. Now...on to my FAVORITE dish ever at VG. The 3 AM Burger. Pretzel bun, topped with fried egg, bacon, onion straws, and slathered in sriracha mayo (which I always order a side of). I usually get the fries, which are also seasoned perfectly and come with a roasted tomato aioli that is also delicious. I am also an avid Mac 'n Cheese eater...and their mac 'n cheese is off the hook. Burned crust on the top, creamy delicious macaroni and cheese in the inside. Need I say more? This is officially my favorite burger place in the area.
(4)Chuck G.
Dinner on Tuesday. Was told a "one-hour wait" that was only 30 minutes. Free valet parking. Tables outside are for drinks only -- no food (Berkley regulation) and you'll have to find someone to get drinks. Do NOT confuse this with the Vinsetta Grill, one block north and across Woodward. No reservations. There are two Eaton auto electric charging stations in place of gas pumps. This place is NOISY !!! Not recommended for first date, business meeting, kids, etc. All walls, ceiling and floor are hard, solid, flat surfaces. Decor is off-the-charts industrial. As a converted gas station/garage (probably built in the 1920's) much of the "decor" is clean concrete floors, a few garage leftovers, bare brick walls, giant skylights, all original. An actual rail (super-fast race car) sits on top of what used to be the office. A few photos of 60's muscle cars and other antique oddities round out the ambiance. There's a modest bar and a pizza oven in full view. Kitchen is tucked away. Prices and food: The $5 milkshake was ridiculously undersized with a 1950's- style paper straw that collapsed on me. Food portions were moderate. Prices ranged from $7 for a pair of high-quality (but overcooked) coneys, to glazed salmon ($16) and flank steak strips on a salad ($17). A large, high quality steak dinner could be had for $36. 12" pizzas are about $10 for one meat and two veggie toppings, all a la carte (there are quite a few to choose from). Napkins are little white shop towels (don't wear black) and tables are covered with fresh butcher paper. A metal basket on each table holds ordinary and exotic condiments. Service was slightly above-average, staffed by attractive youngsters. It was a fun experience, but I don't see us returning any time too soon. Long wait, loud atmosphere (we literally could not talk to each other), and the prices are just a little high. We still prefer the Roadside Bar & Grill on Telegraph north of Square Lake for a similar, but quieter and classier, experience.
(3)Danielle P.
Attentions Vegetarians, the EV1 is AWESOME! I usually shy away from ordering the veggie burger at resturants because I am always disappointed. This is not the case at the Garage. I was in heaven and I can't wait to go back. This might be a weekly craving for me. Plus they make it there with high quality ingredients. For a side order the Broccolini. It has a hint of spice to it and is plentiful. The EV1 -- House-made vegan patty, coal-fired tomatoes, arugula, garlic sprouts, goat cheese, shiitake bacon, roasted garlic & balsamic mayo.(Opt for no bun and cheese to make it vegan) The atmosphere is cozy and check out the bathing floors. Very cool. They offer complimentary valet parking. The only way to go. Enjoy!
(5)Juliana S.
So this is my first yelp review, it was that incredibly amazing I had to get on here and share it. It was well worth the hype- I've been hearing about vinsetta garage for a few weeks from different people- and the wait (about an hour and a half on a Saturday night). We were able to order drinks while waiting outside, I ordered the Dino and it was outstanding. Once seated we ordered the wings, which were great. I ordered my second drink, the Belle isle which was equally delicious. Now to the part that I really want to talk about: coney pie with mclures pickles. I am literally still thinking about this pizza and it's impact on my life. For dessert I got the faygo ice cream. Someone took a pic of me eating it and posted it, and friends and family commented that they had not seen me smile that big in years. Need I say more? Go to vinsetta garage. Go now, thank me later.
(5)Jeff W.
Met some friends there for dinner on a Monday night, since I had never heard about this place and it was a Monday I didn't think that we would have to wait for a table but I was wrong. We got there and the place was packed and there was about an hour wait which I didn't care about because this gave me time to catch up with friends over some beers at the bar. The first thing I liked about this place was the beer selection, there are tons of local beers to chose from as well as the traditional favorites. Before I knew it the buzzer thing was going off and we were seated at our table and looking through the menu. There is a great selection of food on there but my eyes went to the burgers, my buddy who had been there before suggested the 3AM burger and that the mac and cheese was good too. So that's what I got, I was a little nervous because I have never had a fried egg on my cheese burger nor have I had sriracha mayo on one. But let me tell you this was the best burger that I have ever had in my life!! To be honest this place would have received 5 stars if it wasn't for our waiter being snobby. The mac and cheese was also very good but just like my buddy said "get it as a side because it's rich". I will definitely be returning to this place the next time we're in town!!
(4)Kristie L.
It is a crowded noisy room whatever time you go. But the food is the same as the awesome union woodshop in clarkston. The mac and cheese! The hamburger I got with egg and peanut butter i believe was good. You would think the flavor choices odd but it worked! I am glad they didn't tear down this vintage building!
(4)GJ T.
Great environment, helpful service, and the best burger I've had in a long time. The Macon Bacon burger was delicious and you can't go wrong with a side of the Union Mac.
(5)Diane H.
good food cool place, but very loud
(4)Michael S.
Get the burgers or the pizza or one of them many beers on tap. Turned an old abandoned garage into a great spot to meet friends off Woodward for a bite to eat. Always busy, do expect a wait but worth it. Casual atmosphere, comfortable spot to relax.
(5)Hannah S.
Finally tried this place after living down the street from it for the past 6 months! From firsthand experience, the parking SUCKS! You have to play road chicken with everyone trying to snag a spot on Eaton, or utilize the free valet service. I decided to come on Halloween because I figured the hip, young parents wouldn't be out to dinner...and I was right! The decor is cool, but it is fairly loud inside. The place is on the smaller side and feels sort of intimate but super noisy. Me & my friend both ordered the 3am burger. I got a side of mac and cheese and she got the veggie side. The burger was good (THICK slices of bacon, fried egg, spicy sirachi mayo, fried onion strips and cheese) but the mac and cheese made me feel a little sick. It was good, but so rich. Like 2 bites and you feel disgusting rich. I'm not sure how someone could order a full plate and not want to throw up. After all is said and done, I'm a little disappointed with the food. Probably because people have been building it up so much and I was waiting to have my mind blown...and didn't. If you're looking for the best burger, head up to Mt. Chalet....I liked their burgers better.
(3)Lori D.
So we've waited all Summer for the crowds to die down a little so we could try it and boy howdy are we glad we did!!! I really was wary of the 1 )parking 2) wait 3) some not-so-great reviews on yelp that I read about cold food and bad service. Well, put ALL that bad stuff to bed Sally--this place is is one Woodward GEM of an eatery!!! ---Valet park your car-no worries! ---The hostess said our wait would be 1.45 hours--NO WAY! It was 2 of us and we waited maybe 20 minutes on a Friday evening at 6:00---not bad at all! While we waited, it was fun looking around and experiencing some of the history of the building. It is a renovated garage, and very very cool inside. ---Our waiter, George, was the VERY BEST a diner could ever want. He made some great recommendations. ---And the food---oh my my, it is a gastronomic festival to say the least! My son had the Macon Bacon burger and it was fabulous! It was cooked to perfection and that pretzel bun really put it over the top as burgers go. It came with a side of chips that were homemade and scrumpdillyumptious! Since we had split the Disco Fries (way more than enough for 2) as an appetizer, I decided to get the Chop Shop salad. It was just excellent! Again, that bowl was big enough for 2 to share, even three if you are having a burger or mac and cheese. My very favorite thing on the menu is the Mac and Cheese. It is heaven. The dinner portion is HUGE. I got a side and was way satisfied with it's portion size. If you order the dinner portion, be sure to have some friends to share, unless you are a very big eater. We were so surprised at how fast the food arrived from the kitchen! And our server, George was MAGNIFICENT!!!! He anticipated our drink refills perfectly. He checked on us when we needed to be checked and he was upbeat and pleasant. (No, he was not a friend or relative, just a tip-top server) We will ask for him every time in the future for sure!!! Note: I certainly won't downgrade for this, but the restaurant is loud. There's blaring music that could be turned off or at least down and a lot of loud din. It is hard to hear the person across from you talk. Kids may be bothered by the loudness of the place. Will we return? YOU BET YOUR SWEET BIPPY WE WILL!!!
(5)Heather M.
I had the noodle burger, which was pretty good and filling (I took some home). I liked the atmosphere here, but I don't think I would wait 1.5 hours at 8pm on a Wed again.
(4)Chanell S.
I'm just going to say it: their vegetarian sandwich, the EV1, is a serious contender for the the best veggie burger in the area. I was very impressed with the depth of flavors and textures going on between that pretzel bun. So many veggie burgers at carnivore establishments are those previously-frozen veggie-biscuits; or even worse, patties of homemade black bean pastiness. No thanks! I had the Union Mac on the side. It was...pretty darn good for mac n' cheese that doesn't come from the kitchen of my dear grandmother, great aunt, or mom. My man started with the onion soup and loved its unique hearty richness. He also proclaimed that he needed to know the seasoning on the flank steak because he must have his made that way from now on. My server was also great. Host staff: not so much (teens staring back at you like you just asked them an AP Calculus question). I did love how well the theme was executed, just enough without being goofy. All in all, a most pleasurable experience.
(4)Jenni H.
Pretzel buns for their burgers. I mean, that's really all you need to know, right? Ok ok, so not surprisingly, the burgers themselves were also delicious. Well, the vegan burger was, I can't say anything about the ones made from cows :-) I am often skeptical when places like this offer "vegan" burgers, because it's usually just a half-hearted attempt to mash up some veggies and grains and hope it sticks together. But this burger was delicious, and you could tell it was made in-house. The fries were also my style--nice and crispy and not soggy at all. If I had a complaint at all, it would be that it took a while to get our food, even though my co-workers and I tried to come after the traditional lunch rush (it was a Thursday afternoon). It wasn't unreasonably long, but I wouldn't recommend coming here if you need to get in and out quickly. Our waitress did do her best to bring us our checks and keep everything moving quickly, but I would have enjoyed lingering over my food a bit longer. Oh! And since I didn't think it was appropriate to drink in the middle of a workday, I will definitely be coming back for the "adult milkshakes." Liquor and ice cream? Yes, please.
(4)Dante G.
Everything was GREAT!! The Roasted chicken was amazing.... The create your own pasta dish was amazing.... All the Hamburgers from the Vinsetta burger to the Bacon burger to the 3am Burger were Incredible we will definitely be back!!!!
(5)Kristin D.
This. Place. Is. Great. I have been dying to come here ever since they opened as I'm a HUGE fan of Union Woodshop, but wanted to wait for the lines to die down. I came here tonight for dinner with a girlfriend and Annalisa B. was not joking when she said a GLUTEN FREE DREAM! They have gluten free buns, gluten free beer, and gluten free pizza! SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!!!! I ordered the Vinsetta burger with the GF bun and a GF brew (I'm a classy burger and beer broad) with a side of fries.... HEAVENLY. The patties were well seasoned and juicy, the cheese was soft and melty, the burger sauce was flavorful and really added another delicious component to the burger. My only gripe about the burger is the thick cut bacon was a little tough to bite through (that's me being picky). The fries were crispy, well seasoned, and served with a tomato aioli. DELICIOUS. I might even go a bit further and say that THIS burger is better than Red Coat Tavern. Oh yeah. I went there. And YOU should go HERE.
(4)Stephanie C.
Your Vinsetta Garage curious questions answered: Yes there will be a wait. Want to avoid it? Try for an off night - early in the week, early in the evening. Then wait it out at the bar and if you're party is small enough you might luck out with seats there in just minutes, instead of the hour to 3 hours they've been quoting. Yes, the mac n' cheese is that good. It rose to fame at The Clarkston Union and it's bubbly, cheesy comfort food you don't want to skip. Get a side order. Yes, they have burgers, they have pretzel buns and they have veggie options. They're good. Worth a 3-hour wait? Well that will be up to you. Remember you have a lot of amazing burger options on this stretch of Woodward. Yes, the garage theme is everywhere. Some might say it's a little overdone. I've heard the term amusement park. I couldn't argue. Yes, save room for dessert. Seriously. Trust me on this one. They are worth it. Get more than one and share. You will thank me. No, they don't take reservations.
(4)Jonny P.
Ummm yeah... Took the opportunity during Arts, Beats & Eats weekend to finally sneak in for a late lunch. I'm sad to say that I wasn't really impressed with what we decided on. We ordered a small house salad to start alongside a cup of their chilli. I also ordered the Vinsetta burger and also the mac & cheese that I've heard so much about. Generally the good was prepared well but it just lacked flavour. In regards to the burger what's the purpose of stating you have 'angus' beef when you well done it. The service was good, everyone was very polite and accommodating. From what I understand the dinner menu includes quite a few additional offerings, I'll update this review later on.
(2)Matthew M.
Typical bar food fairly well disguised by a unique dining experience. Vinsetta Garage is literally that - a converted mechanic's garage. So much of the original garage remains that it truly never feels like a restaurant. For a true "Motor City" experience, the place is a great spot. So why 2 stars? Because the food is mediocre. Definitely not worth the 1-2 hour waits that commonly occur here. I've been 3 times now, and Saturday afternoon seems to be the best time to try it out. You can forget it most evenings if you're on any kind of schedule. I'm convinced that most of the reason this place is so busy is because its a Woodward Ave address, and the Vinsetta Garage that preceded it was pretty famous in the area. Mac N' Cheese is "meh". Their "gourmet" hot dogs are forgettable. Pizza are "blah". Burgers/Chicken sandwiches are pretty good. If you're looking for a great "theme" restaurant to take out some out-of-towners, or looking for a different experience, give it a whirl. If you're looking for great food, keep on motoring down Woodward Ave to something else. I'd give it 2.5 stars if I could, but it's closer to 2 than 3 for me.
(2)Gerry M.
I called to make a reservation for six, was told they don't take reservations. When I asked how long I could expect to wait, was told there's no way of knowing. When I asked if I could at least call in our names ahead of time that evening, was told they only take names in person (I don't live within walking distance). We're going to Town Tavern in Royal Oak instead. If a restaurant wants my business, they have to work a wee bit harder. Incidentally, the six of us going to dinner are well-known local influencers. Too bad we won't be recommending Vinsetta Garage.
(1)Nikki S.
Really nice atmosphere and wait staff was very attentive and helpful since this was our first time here. Burgers were decent but I was not a fan of the spices they used in the burger. Mac and cheese was really good. Little pricey but that is typical these days. Average food with neat atmosphere.
(3)Jay B.
Definitely not worth waiting 45 minutes for. The interior is cool and worth seeing, but food is mediocre. Had the Macon bacon burger and I thought the meat was kind of thin and greasy. The Red Coat Tavern has way better burgers. The onion soup was run of the mill. The thing that got this a two star was the drinks: $11 for a glass of ice and mixer. My wife's martini glass was half full and it tasted like there was no alcohol. They did a nice job on the interior and it is worth stopping in to see it, but wait for the novelty to wear off and don't order cocktails.
(2)Em D.
Alright, so you've already heard about Vinsetta Garage from your coworker, friend, sister, cousin, etc. You know the food is good (especially if you've already visited The Clarkston Union and the Union Woodshop). You know the wait is long (but TOTALLY worth it). But do you know that the Duck Burger is heaven sent? No, truly, it is. We frequent this place, more times that I really want to admit to. Fortuantely for us, VG is right in our stomping grounds so we can easily run over here for dinner when we're playing the "what's for dinner" game. We've never had bad service and the food is always delicious. I've tried several things on the menu, but they always leave me wishing that I ordered my absolute favorite - the Duck Burger. Oh, so you don't like duck? Just order it - and thank me later. Still refuse to order the duck? My dining partner loves the 3AM - but maybe he only orders this because he knows he'll always have to finish off the rest of my duck burger. Confession time: I'm not a huge fan of their most famous Mac and Cheese (GASP!!) yes, it's true. But then again, I'm not a "heavy sauce" kind of person. I've taken friends here who LOVE mac and cheese and they've said..."yeah, it's good." But they've had better (why do I feel guilty even writing this??) *If you ARE a fan of mac and cheese, you can have the best of both worlds. The Duck Burger with a side of mac.* I noticed that Vinsetta Garage previously had two different menus - a lunch menu, and a dinner menu. Certain items were only available at certain times. I found this somewhat annoying. However, it looks like they have now opened up the menu for both lunch and dinner. Some apps that are a must try: - Cheese Curds: I don't like mozeralla sticks, or other cheese curds I've tried. However, Vinsetta Garage soaks their cheese curds in angel wings. And thus, they taste heaven sent. - Coal-fired Breadsticks (or something like that): It's bread. It's some buttery, garlic spread. So, of course, they rock. Try 'em. Hot dogs (?): We've tried the hot dogs and they aren't spectacular - then again I compare everything to the most sacred Duck Burger. The only dessert that matters: Rock 'n Rye Ice Cream. Seriously, genius. Who ever thought of this deserves a Nobel Peace Prize. Apparently they give those things to just anybody. But this dish is well deserving of it.
(5)Annalisa B.
GLUTEN FREE DREAM! Amazing gluten free beers, gluten free buns for all sandwiches and hamburgers and a gluten free pizza. I had a burger with a bun for the first time in YEARS. it was incredible! You lie to yourself when you order a bunless burger...you say may even say "I don't even miss the bun". it's an illusion. of course you miss the bun. It's not so much the deliciousness that is bread, it's the fact that little heel of a bun is working overtime sopping up the incredible juices oozing out of that delicious burger - just waiting for you to take a bite then BOOM!! Taste explosion. That's what you miss. that little extra yum. But not at vinsetta. at vinsetta you get every tasty bite. I don't know what they put in the hamburger meat - but it is extraordinary. and the bacon was cooked perfectly. You win, Vinsetta. So yes, i will come again. Yes, it is worth the wait. Thanks, vinsetta for having an awesome menu and featuring a number of gluten free options.
(5)Jen S.
My favorite restaurant. Been here 3 times now and can't wait to go back. I must say it does get busy but getting there a little early helps. The vinsetta burger is the best burger I've ever had and is what I get everytime. Beer lineup great.
(5)Charles L.
This place was hoppin' when we arrived. We waited nearly 2 hours before we were seated. The wait isn't so bad thanks to their extensive selection of beers and cocktails. Time flew by as good friends chatted and blood alcohol levels elevated. Before we knew it, we were seated and ordering food. The service was good and the food was hot and cheesy. Don't recall too much from the meal, but definitely remember it being delicious. It was worth the wait to experience, and I'd be willing to go again.
(4)Crystal H.
I had the turkey burger and I absolutely loved it. They give you more than enough food for. I'd go back.
(5)Kristy A.
I went on a first date to the Vinsetta Garage. I have since attemtped to go, but there has been a 1.5 - 2 hour wait. The staff was very fun, and very knowledgable. Its a place that you can dress up or down for, I loved the mechanic jumpers that the cooks and bar folks wore.. Our waitress was PHENOMENAL, she was witty and smart with helping me choose my Duck Burger(there was a fancier name, I don't remember it though, it was a month ago). There was not a long wait for our meal, and it came out pretty hot. I don't mind parking on the side streets, or waiting for 20-30, but it is a bit to long to wait for 1.5 hours. I wish they had call ahead or some type of reservation process. They have a pump for electric cars, hopefully they catch on to the online reservations soon! I want another duck burger :)
(5)Joe B.
This place is trendy and will not make the cut. Excessively long waits to get seated, mediocre food and average service will result in the demise of Vinsetta Garage. And whatever you do, don't order the ribeye. $24 and I have had better with my eggs at a local Denny's. Yes, the Mac and Cheese is good a
(2)Raj R.
Went there yesterday (03/07) for dinner, there was 50 minute wait time. Food was good. Kids liked the Union Mac and Onion rings. My salmon was good. I will go again to try the burgers. They should take reservations. The waiter was happy to get our burnt pizza remade.
(4)Kelly M.
I went to dinner with my friend last night. We were quoted and hour fifteen wait time, but were sat in 45 minutes. We were put at a community table, and as we were the last ones there, we were stuck in the middle! It wasn't too bad though. The wait staff was pretty attentive and seemed friendly enough. Everything seemed to be running pretty smoothly. The atmosphere and décor is awesome, very different. My friend got the breadsticks, which were to die for and were pretty cheap! Essential it was pizza dough with a seasoned cream cheese spread. It was hot and fresh out of the oven. I got the house salad, which was pretty typical, but I love the dressing. We both got meatballs for dinner. Mine I did a build your own with beef meat balls, the red sauce over penne noodles. My friend got chicken and asiago meatballs with the same sauce, but it came with fries. Both were good, but the meat - meatball were definitely the best. I also had a sparkling wine that they had on draft - random. I am definitely going back as there are many other things that I wanted to try and would recommend to anyone! They have all types of burgers, pizza's and a few other items. Only small problem is that there is essentially zero parking and you have to park on side streets. However, I live close enough that I could walk so that wasn't a problem for me.
(4)John C.
Had not been to the new Captain Jack's in St Clair Shores so tried it this weekend. Went with another couple and all had a good time. Food was very good, especially the fried pickles. Was glad to see the prices were very reasonable for food and drink. Was not very crowed when we arrived around 7:00 but was picking up when we let around 9. I would recommend you give this place a try.
(4)Chris S.
I don't get the hype about this place. Finally was able to get in there after two previous attempts of avoiding a 2+ hour wait. Sorry, no restaurant should take 2 hours to seat their customers. Service was meh, ok. Could have been a little more attentive, especially seeing that I was there for a late lunch and there weren't many people there. Anyway, menu is limited and the food is bland and boring. The beer menu is good which is great to help wash down the charred dry burgers they serve. Oh, and the potato chips are horrible. Parking is a JOKE!!! Oh well. Glad I went to try it out but will definitely not be going back or recommending to others.
(1)Jill C.
Excellent! Wanted The Detroit Coneys for lunch, but were out of the chili. But, there was enough to do the Coney Pizza. $9.95 for it. Great pizza! Chili was the sauce, red onions, sliced hotdogs, cheddar cheese and some yellow mustard. Was fantastic. Waitress was wonderful. Hope to get back for dinner. Don't forget to check out the restroom....the floor is a layer of pennies.
(5)William A.
We have been to the Vinsetta Garage a few times, but waited recently to go with an out-of-town friend who was visiting. We felt it would be a quintessential Detroit area experience to have dinner in a remodeled garage, and thus a great place to take a visitor. We were not disappointed. We did have a long wait because they were very busy, but we know the secret. Well I guess it isn't a secret anymore: instead of waiting in the crowded vestibule, if there are no seats at the bar you can sit in a comfortable area near the restrooms where there are several couches and easy chairs. Some of that area has always been available when we've been there. Attentive but non-obtrusive servers come through the area to serve appetizers and drinks. I had a locally brewed beer (I have no idea which one, but it was great) and my wife and guest shared a bottle of wine. After a lazy 90 minutes, we were shown to our table next to an old garage door. We had delicious salads, and for our main courses we had the salmon, the flank steak and the rib-eye. All was great. I had the rib-eye, and it was especially delicious. I suspect the secret ingredients were salt and butter, but whatever they put in it was great. My mouth is watering now just thinking about it a month later. We finished with their salted-caramel ice cream. Don't go to the Vinsetta Garage without trying the ice cream, which they make themselves in an out-building across the tiny parking lot (which reminds me: use the valet parking, because otherwise there is no place to put your car; it's free except whatever you tip the valet). We sat right next to the old overhead garage door on a cold January night. Either the door was originally insulated or they did something to insulate it, because we didn't feel the piercing cold from outside. We watched the traffic go by on Woodward Ave., and enjoyed our dinner.
(5)Susan R.
Mac and cheese is as incredible as everybody says! And the Faygo ice cream with pop rocks....yes. And kudos to whoever laid all those pennies into the floor in the bathroom. Be prepared to wait in line here.
(5)Tiffany H.
I didn't think the burger that I had was worth the hour+ wait. But I've heard so many good things I think I should go back to try it again when it's not so busy.
(3)William M.
Worth the wait!!! We visited last Saturday evening We called en route and was told it was a two hour wait, when we arrived it was 1:45 wait. We were able to stand near the Pizza oven and were able to have a beer and pounce on a couple bar stools as they became available. We order the Mac-n-Cheese side and a Pizza. Excellent Pizza with what appeared to be a custom pan that it was served on that kept the crust ideal condition. Great Michigan beer selection. We are looking forward to returning.
(5)maria f.
I waited over an hour on my first visit and it was totally worth it. Fantastic food and service. I have been back three times and have had nothing but great experiences!!
(5)Rob W.
There is usually a long wait here (40 min for us) but once we got in it was good. I have never got my food faster, even our server was surprised how fast it came. Everything was good. We got 2 burgers and pasta.
(3)Phil H.
What a great restaurant! Overall we were impressed with the food, service and decor of the place. Is Detroit known for their burger joints yet?? Should be. First, we went there on a Saturday night expecting a long wait...we were quoted a 2.5 hour wait time at 8 PM. No problem...headed off to Somerset to do some quick shopping. Got back to Vinsetta a little after 9, had a drink at the bar, and were seated by 9:25...so about an hour and a half wait. They did text you...seemed like that's how they do it instead of buzzers. We were quickly met by our server and a trainee..no problem. Both were attentive and informative. First up: smoked wings. They were great! Juicy, perfectly smoked and a great sauce with a good kick. Then came our 'specialty' drinks...a red wine/black berry, cachaca (that Brazilian liquor) (delicious) and a tequila, white wine something..pretty good. We ordered a the Vinsetta Burger and 'plain' burger with the chips and onion rings. The Vinsetta burger was excellent! Beefy, juicy, great flavors and the pretzel buns was tops. The 'plain' burger (with just lettuce, tomato, onion) was excellent as well, perfectly cooked and flavorful..a prime burger. Onion rings were crispy and the chips nice and thin and light. Overall a great atmosphere and food, and looking forward to going back!
(5)Samir N.
Is this place trendy and superhyped? Of course it is, but this place actually deserves its accolades. The mac and cheese is awesome, as advertised, and the burgers are solid. The Macon Bacon is particularly special. What is surprising is that the healthy(ish) stuff is also awesome. The salmon and broccoli blew me away with their flavor. Just do not try to go there on a Friday or Saturday night, unless you like waiting a really long time for a table at an uber crowded bar.
(4)Danielle P.
Excellent food and atmosphere. Whenever I have family in town, I go here. Get the macaroni and cheese, it's amazing!
(5)Michelle C.
I wouldn't mind going back and trying one of their pizza's. I got the macon bacon burger, which I could only eat half of. My husband got an adult milk shake, the Cherry bourbon, which was yummy. The fries are typical fries, my husband liked the union mac (mac and cheese). It's an old garage made into a cute restaurant and is good sized. The wait was not bad, but get there early because when we left just before 6 pm, there was a 30-45 min. wait on a snowy Saturday night. I got a coffee drink with Amaretto and kahlua and it was not too spendy. Wait staff was nice, but service was a bit slow. They were steadily busy the whole time we were there.
(4)Josh S.
Great spin on traditional American. Atmosphere is quite possibly the best in the area. Great local brews on tap. Vinsetta Burger comes highly recommended. Easily one of the best spots in metro Detroit
(5)C M.
Must have had an off night. Everything meh. Tuesday night about 7. Maple salmon, Union Mac side and Baker Bowl pasta. Ho hum. We waited a bit before being seated and at the table for drinks and food to arrive (no water/bread/snacks). Drafts we chose were good but not outstanding - large list of Michigan beers posted high on the wall but no descriptions to review. Tables tight. Service was fine.
(2)Julie C.
This is truly a gem. I stumbled upon this place when I was talking to a random person about great restaurants. He indicated to me that he was a cook at this restaurant and suggested that I try it. Boy am I glad that I did. Our service was fantastic, food fresh and well flavored. I enjoyed the decor since most of it resembles the previous use as an auto shop. The Rock and Rye ice cream was to die for! This is one of the best places that I have been in a while and plan on going back!
(5)J O.
Bartender Kipp made specialty manhattans that were excellent, the app potato skins were yummy too. Ate at the bar....really nice.
(4)Andrea' R.
Worth the wait! Defiantly lives up to the theme. A bit of a wait, but the food was delicious, moist n juicy, full of flavor. Great beer selection. Having sensitivity to gluten loved the gluten free beer options. Would like to try the alcoholic milkshakes next time
(4)Joe B.
I have always wanted to try this place simply because you can't drive by after 5 p.m. without seeing a string of traffic and a line out the door. We decided it would be best to go late night and arrived at 10 and we were seated immediately (kitchen closes at 11). There was a DJ spinning Pharcyde on vinyl in the entrance which immediately made me like it. Our server was very nice and told me about some of the craft beers I was unfamiliar with, she knew what was up. I had the Vinsetta Burger which is really just a glorified Big Mac with fries and a side of Mac and Cheese. While everything was tasty none of them blew me away. I was really digging the music, atmosphere and beer the most. I heard more hip hop cuts from Del, something that sounded like Cut Chemist and acouple deep house bangers. I wouldn't order the Vinsetta burger again as it was a little dry but there were several other items I would like to try and I thought it was worth it for the good beer selection and music. FYI this was a Friday night, not sure what the atmosphere is during the week.
(4)L R.
We've eaten here several times and I'm over it. It's not worth the 45 minute waits and parking frustrations. I'd rather drive downtown Detroit and support the city. $16 for a vegan burger and side salad is robbery Especially when the burger is subpar. The Mac and cheese is good and my husband enjoys the burgers, but we can get better elsewhere. I'm not into trendy structures as I'm not going for the scenery. Some of the best food is in the most inconspicuous of places. Sorry Vinsetta, the hipsters can have you.
(3)Brittany C.
This has become one of my favorite restaurants I absolutely love the food here and have constant cravings for it. I love the burgers there I think the 3am burger is the best. The mac and cheese maybe one of my favorite items on the menu if you pass up on this you are missing out. The desert is fantastic too. The atmosphere is laid back.....jeans type place. The only downfall is the wait but its worth it!!!!
(4)Andy W.
Very good. Glad I saw this on US of Bacon. Well worth the calories, very flavorful and loved the environment and service. Megan definitely guided us to great choices. Highly recommend.
(5)Haroun K.
As far as restaurants in Royal Oak go, Vinsetta Garage really is as good as it gets. It is a shame that there's not more going on in the neighborhood, like in a real city, where you can put your name down and go for a walk or shopping. But after a few more visits, this has become one of those places that gives me cravings. The veggie burger, as I explained to the vegetarian server who touted it as the best around, is wonderful, though the patty itself is not as good as Pete's (I'd say, 2nd best around). The beauty, however, is in the construction of the burger, with the sauces and other ingredients, which have no equal around these parts. While the chips, onion rings, and fries are fine, I think the burger goes best with a side of mac and cheese (which will melt you and make you make embarassing sounds of approval) or a side salad which uses crispy chickpeas in place of croutons. The key lime pie is sublime. The portion is on the small side, but this is reflected in the price. While it's still not worthwhile to wait hours to eat here, it is a great place for lunch, or if you have a friend who can get there early enough and will wait for you, it's a great place for dinner. Service is very good, and friendly, though the hosts are more inaccurate than weathermen in their prognosticating skills. Valet parking is fine, but if you live within 1-2 miles, it's totally worth walking or biking down here. The hours have since been expanded, though the kitchen still closes at 11. The beer list itself justifies coming here after then, though. 5 Royal Oak stars for Vinsetta Garage!
(5)Jess B.
I was really disappointed in this place! My husband and I have been trying to go here since it's opened. The waits are always long (2 hours on a Tuesday evening, no thanks) so we figured it's gotta be good. On New Years Day we went for brunch, but the place we chose to go to was closed, so we gave Vinsetta Garage a try and for once there was no line. Let me say, the staff was friendly. We had a nice waitress. The menu, I was not impressed with it. Burgers, pasta, pizza, and a few originals. I expected a lot more from the menu. My husband created a pasta and he said it was good, but it was similar to something he's had at other restaurants. I tried the Detroit Coney's and onion rings. The onion rings were extra greasy and bland. I can get a better Coney for $1.75 downtown. I just don't know what the hype was all about. The atmosphere is different, but was not comfortable to be. I'm glad I went and experienced it, but I'm ok never going back.
(2)Abby M.
Terrible service. They told us it would be an hour wait and we waited over 2 hours to be seated. Had our parents not been from out of town and insisting on waiting to eat there, we would have gotten up and left. The food is okay - nothing to go crazy over. But to allow your customers to sit there for two solid hours and not walk over and offer a glass of water or an update as to why it's taking so long is disappointing. Not to mention we saw friends of the managers come in long after we came in and were seated well before us. If you are going to play favorites and allow the staff to seat their friends first, at least be less obvious about it.
(2)Heidi S.
We dined there for lunch today, sadly this was not our first time. When we arrived the restaurant was mostly empty and the host seated us at the worst table possible. The server came over quickly, we ordered drinks and disco fries the fries took about 10 minutes. Additionally my fork had food stuck to it from last it was used. The entrees came the kale salad was good, ( but fresh dill would make it better) the pizza was burnt and bland. The staff dosent have a uniform so you can never tell who works there or even if a manger is present. On the way out there were about 5 people at the host stand, not one of them said good bye.
(2)Jared C.
This is my new favorite for burgers and fries. The atmosphere is cool and will eventually be giving Red Coat a run for their money. The converted garage makes Vinsetta a truely unique dining experience.
(4)Marc C.
Went for lunch last Saturday around 12:30pm. No wait and food was great as usual! Our server was absolutely fantastic, made tons of terrific recommendations, and was present without being all over us. Had the Sy Ginsberg Press sandwich, which was spicy and delicious. The Bloody Mary's here are first rate as well. Don't miss this gem!
(5)D M.
Went on a Sunday around 7 at night, only had to what a half hour for a table and parking wasn't to bad. The wife and I had burgers, mac & cheese, and onion ring. The burgers were good, but not great. Onion rings and the mac & cheese were really tasty. The adult milk shakes they had were something different and went well with the burgers. All in all, don't know if I would wait an hour or more for food of this quality.
(3)Jennifer H.
The vibe in here is awesome. All Detroit and all cars. I am not so much a car person, but I can appreciate the theme. The menu is great I have been for lunch and dinner. The pizzas are wood fired and amazing. The burgers at dinner time are so good, but huge. I can usually split with my husband and be satisfied, the Macon Bacon and 3AM are both really good. They have a great beer selection too. Update: Since this post, I have went Gluten Free. They have a great gluten free menu with burger buns available, notices about what might have cross containmination (French Fries are cooked in oil with Gluten products etc.) The Gluten Free Pizza is the best I have had, I actually had to confirm with the waiter that it was indeed Gluten Free after taking a bite it was so good.
(5)Bryan V.
Best fried cheese curds 've ever had; and they are very good in Wisconsin. The rest of the menu is delicious as well. The atmosphere is just right. That's why the place always has a wait at dinner time.
(5)Mark N.
Absolutely loved this place. Only reason it didn't get a solid 5 was on account of the hostessing crew. Little irritable and unfriendly.
(4)Jim W.
My new favorite restaurant. Cool vibe and even better food.
(5)Caryn W.
A group of 4 of us went here a week ago for a birthday dinner. I know this place is crazy busy all the time so I called to see if they do reservations or call ahead seating which they dont. No big deal.. We wanted to eat around 8:15-8:30 so I went up there around 6:45 and they said it was an hour and a half wait which was perfect for us so I put my name on the list and said I would be back around 8. Got there at 8pm and only had to wait a few minutes for a table to be cleared off. We got the cheese curds as an appetizer and they were good, greasy but good, and the dipping sauce was fantastic! This place has a great beer selection featuring a good amount of Michigan-brewed beers. I got a Bell's 2 hearted and a Dragonmeade Final Absolution. I got the Baseline burger and it was great, cooked the right way, and juicy to the point of being slightly messy. One of the guys ordered a Duck Burger and he said he really really liked it. We all had some sort of burger and no one had any complaints. The service was good considering how busy they are all the time. We never really ran out of anything or had to wait too long for our server to return. The place itsself is awesome. Very cool decor and still gives you the feeling that you are eating in an old car garage without the dirtyness. I also like how the waitstaff wears all Detroit-themed clothing (Lions, Tigers, Made in Detroit shirts, etc) It gives a very hometown-y feel. To the crabby/prissy yelper who complained about the 2010 pennies in the bathroom floor.. REALLY?!? You are complaining about the date on the pennies on the floor of the bathroom? How does that have anything to do with the dining experince? Get real. And also to the person who complained about the menu where it says "Please don't put ketchup on a coney" "or no-meat balls hippy" and compared it to them making fun of gays?!?! Are you kidding me? Its called having a sense of humor which you clearly know nothing about. Let's not be so over-sensitive. The whole atmosphere is very fun and laidback.. maybe not meant for an uptight person such as yourself. I have no compaints about this place what so ever. People just need to know ahead of time that there is always a long wait so the best idea would be to put your name on the list and try to find a spot at the bar or go somewhere nearby to kill about 45minutes, but the menu and the atmosphere is worth the wait. I have heard great things from other people about other menu items and I cant wait to go back and try something else. I think the Noodle & meatball bowl is next.
(5)Kari C.
Came here in the afternoon and we got some cheese curds- oh my they are the best I've had. Loved the atmosphere and the other food and menu looked delicious!
(5)Frequent T.
This place does not take reservations and has long waits. Even if I drive 10 miles to put my name down, they cannot promise me seating!!! The hostess is not accomodating and believes this is still 1980. I am sure that business might be good but it won't last. I have tried twice and do not plan to try this place ever again.
(1)Lara W.
Worth the 1 hour wait. White bean chili verde was awesome. The meat on my Vinsetta burger was very tasty and the homemade potato chips were some of the best I've had. My husband had the mac and cheese and it was delicious; lived up to the hype. The place was super crowded and very noisy but our waiter was attentive, friendly and efficient. I will go back to try the pizza, pasta and desserts!
(5)Nate M.
The burgers are amazing, I'd say even better than Red Coat's- eh, maybe not better than... But they're really good:) The wait isn't bad if you grab a beer from the bar and sit at one of the patio tables while you wait. Of course, this only works when it's too cold for people to be eating out there, but that's what we like to do. I'm not a fan of valet parking, so I just park on the first side street north of the restaurant. The wait staff's always good, and they do have some gluten free options. They actually use a different kitchen to cook the gluten free stuff.
(4)Pete D.
A very cool place, a feast for your eyes and open for fun. The food is ok not " all that" but you will a good place to bring your friend and have some drinks. Oh if you plan on parking some place close get there early or plan to get a little exercise.
(3)Jim A.
If I went there to relish in the Detroit flair and celebrate the city's style....it would be great. Unfortunately they serve food there which is nothing great.
(2)Nicole D.
This place is crazy pants popular. I've come early hoping to beat the rush and been surprised at finding a packed house. It makes sense that this is instantly successful: the provenance is strong (Clarkston Union, anyone?), the location is golden on Woodward, and the food/bev, while not inventive are solid. And maybe having a State Fair Burger with a pork patty, hot dog, cheese curd and pretzel bun does qualify as inventive, I don't know. Good greasy spoon fare elevated to a family-friendly, highly energetic environment.... can't really go wrong unless you don't like to wait for a table. I should also mention that the decor is really cool. The garage motif is played to the hilt but isn't cheesy, just right.
(4)Edward M.
FUN! No waiting for Brad and I. We went around 4-ish on a Monday. Walked right in...into the Garage doors and then had to ask where the Hostess stand was? LOL! We were so busy looking around at the fun interior and details of the place we somehow completely over-looked the actual entrance. I'm so glad they saved the garage, very utilitarian of them. So the food.... Totally a comfort food with a twist kinda place. I had the U. Mass Pie, a creamy, cheesy, Clam (Ha! See! Some gay men do like the clam!) pizza with red onion and capers. Super yummy! Loaded potato chips with pickled chilies, scallions and cheddar. Also yummy! Brad got the Caesar salad and had them put fried chick peas on it, he also ordered the union mac side. Thought both were great! coal fired bread sticks came with some really tasty dip. Tasty drinks. Service was good. Pricing was totally reasonable. Totally a chill with laid-back friends kinda place. All in all we had a great time!
(5)Kameron P.
Food was really good, but the service is way below par. It seemed like they sat us down and then forgot about us. When the food finally came after 35 mins my friend had to wait another 10 for his. Once we were done it took about 45 mins to get our checks and pay for them. We had a 9 person party but it should never take that long. If you want to go... go during dinner and go for the food not the service.
(2)Alize C.
I am so very excited for this instant classic. They just need to work out the kinks of just opening. Food is exciting and delicious. Atmosphere, choices, restrooms and waiting areas are different and fun. Im going to be a regular.
(4)Fern G.
This place is Paula Deen on steroids! I went here for lunch the other day so I can only comment on their lunch menu. First of all, if you are trying to eat healthy good luck to you. Besides a soup or the white bean chili or salad with grilled chicken, you're not going to find much healthy fare here. I am not a health nut at all so I was in hog heaven when I saw deep fried bacon wrapped hot dogs with cheese and mayo on the menu. If I understood the menu correctly, they serve 2 hot dogs not just 1. My sister ordered the ham & pineapple pizza and liked it. I don't like pineapple so I just had a quick taste but didn't care for it. Warning if you don't like or can't have spicy foods DON'T get this pizza! The ham has some kind of pepper crust on it and it's got some serious kick. (enough to grab the back of my throat) I like spicy food so it wasn't an issue for me but my mom couldn't eat it at all. We then ordered the mac and cheese and it was awesome. Ooey gooey cheesy greasy goodness! It's very rich and creamy and the portion is large. I also tried the white bean chili and it was good but needed a bit more flavor so I added the hot sauce on the table and some salt and perked it up a bit. Maybe they could add more cumin and salt to zshush it up a bit. The parking here flat out sucks so just get over it cause the food is worth the hassle.
(4)Jessica Y.
This place was definitely half and half for me. The herd crowded around the door yesterday waiting for the place to open at 4pm. I think it would be a good idea to get some ropes and have people line up as opposed to the crowd and the poor seating hostess just going around trying to remember who she asked. Once we got in our waitress was lovely, the ambiance is a great fusion of classic details with modern style, beautiful kitchen, classy bar chairs, and the lighting was perfect. However the seating concept is really open. Uncomfortably open. There are just a few large booths against the wall and a partitioned room in the back while the rest of the establishment is tables and high tops. It's spacious, but on my date I felt like I was sitting in a mall food court. Definitely not somewhere for a romantic evening. I had a veggie burger with pesto, arugula, sundried tomatoes, and shittake mushroom "bacon" on a pretzel bun with a side of the famous mac and cheese. Now the food was to die for. It was the best veggie burger I ever had combined with the 2nd best mac and cheese I ever had. I am still mouth watering over that crunchy top of the pasta. While we were eating though, we noticed about 5 bus people just standing over us waiting for people to get done eating so they could take their plates away. Like vultures. Literally, when my boyfriend was boxing up his leftovers, the guy was like 1 foot behind him, just waiting. So all in all, a good place to visit, definitely going to get carry out again, amazing food, but dreadful seating set up, and the creepy bus boys ruined my boyfriend's plans to propose. He ended up doing it last night at home instead!
(3)Kevin W.
decent food, nothing special, the poblano was hardly cooked, stuffing tasted like tofu chunks and corn... nothing like union woodshop which I love.... the atmosphere is pretty cool and its a cool place to grab a local brewed beer.
(3)Mark L.
We've tried to go here multiple times, however with two small kids the wait was just too long. Sunday at 3pm, and we walked right in (and sat in the "last resort" table, right by the kitchen, obstructed view, etc). I can't knock a place for being popular! The beer selection is very good, and the food was great. I had the 3am burger, the wife had the stuffed pepper thing. Both didn't disappoint. The kids had the burger and the mac and cheese. Typically upscale mac and cheese gets booed by the kids in favor of kraft or velveeta, but they loved this stuff. Also, do not skip the Rock and Rye ice cream with Pop Rocks! I hope this place opens up more seating, because although it's a little pricey, it's not like they are having trouble filling the place.
(5)Jessa B.
This place was AMAZING. As a vegan, it was so cool to see the vegan options on the menu! I got the veggie burger and it was killer. They had vegan meatballs too, which I will try next time I come back. And I for sure will be back. The atmosphere matched the quality of the food. From the electric car charging stations out front, to the roll up garage door in the dining are and the penny lined bathroom floors, this place place was so cute and funky!
(5)Sherri J.
Love this place. The wait is always long, but the food is great. It's greasy, fattening, flavorful deliciousness. Plus it is gluten free friendly. They have a whole separate gluten free menu with LOTS of options. Most gluten free menus are just a few things picked off of the regular menu and changed slightly. I had the macon bacon burger which was three different kinds of pork on top of beef with bacon jam. There was like 6 slices of thick cut bacon. mmmmmm As far as gluten free buns go, it was pretty good. Oh and you HAVE to try the fried cheese curds. not gluten free friendly but delicious served with homemade bleu cheese dipping sauce. Oh and you definitely need to upgrade from the chips to a different side. The fries are the best fries I have ever had, fresh cut and served with a tomato aioli to mimic ketchup. The aioli is delicious and great on everything. Must try place. If your a beer lover, huge selection in bottles and on draft plus a full bar, a decent cocktail list and adult milkshakes mmmmmm
(5)Dan B.
After being told there would be a FOUR hour wait, we decided just to have a drink or three outdoors. The drinks were REALLY watered down. On the upside the staff was pleasant. I can't comment on the food, but the menu looked sparse.
(1)Rose S.
Great food, great service, and great atmosphere. We went on a Friday afternoon and were seated immediately. Obviously if you go during busy times you should expect wait. So just be mindful of that.
(5)Richard W.
I gave this place 3 chances. The service is inept. The food doesn't warrant the high price. The parking nightmare and the long wait would be worthwhile for a great experience but after 3 times they don't seem to be able to get it right. Maybe I'll try them again next year but not anytime soon.
(1)Michele G.
I'm not going to repeat everything else that everyone has already said but rather I would just sum up using pros and cons. Here it goes: At my table we shared: Chicken wings- from the app. menu White bean chili w/Pork and salsa verde Tuna casserole w/side salad VInesetta Burger and fries- yummy Baseline Burger w/side of the mac and cheese Pros Broad menu selection Friendly accommodating staff Michigan focus though not entirely Good presentation Nice ambiance and vibe- be prepared to wait Good burgers- I recommend the Vinsetta Burger Yummy fresh hand cut fries Good portions Prices were reasonable Cons No Verners or Faygo- Michigan staples?! The macaroni cheese was good but too rich and not creamy- a side serving was plenty! Tuna casserole could have been creamier The white been chili with Pork and salsa Verde-needed more flavor. I would not order this again Drinks sounded good on the menu-but the flavor and alcohol were weak. Ordered the bannaoffee pudding- small portion but the right size after eating the apps and the main meal. Almost ordered The 3a.m. Burger but changed my mind when they would not break and cook the yolk of the egg- The server said "The cooks say they are not a breakfast house" whatever! All in all I would recommend the place and would go again just for the VInsetta burger alone. Job well done...just stay consistent on the quality of food and service
(4)Dawn L.
This place knows what it is. I love that they call the old style domestic beer "Lawnmower" It's been fun every time I have been there. Love the home style chips. Plus Sriracha is part of the condiment tray.
(4)Bill R.
I so very much want to like this place, as the decor is so very cool. I love the concept. Unfortunately, so much effort has been spent on the cool decor, that any form of customer service has been overlooked entirely. This is my third visit, and each time, the food has been borderline par, even cold the first time. (The waitress blamed it on the cook, as the buns were cold and hard) This last time was probably my last attempt. The waitress was somewhat bothered by us, and was completely inattentive. If you can get a bartenders attention, this may be a good stop for some cool beers, but do not expect anyone to make you feel welcome. Good luck.
(1)Anna H.
I've been here a few times and I love this place. I really like the old garage and I like the look and feel to it. It's something different that you don't see often. The food is wonderful every time I go here. The taste is on point and the staff are nice and helpful. I would have to say my favorite dish from here is the duck burger. It has caramelized onions, arugula, and cherry compote which is amazingly tasty! My boyfriend like the Macon burger and the 3 am burger. They as well are very delicious. My favorite side dishes would have to be the union mac and the brocollini. Overall, I would say their food is really good. The only reason I'm giving VS a 4 star instead of a 5 star because the server don't check on my table often as I would like. They only check in once and they're gone until I wave them down for a refill on my drink or to cash out. Although, it's not a big deal because the server is still nice and got us everything we need. My experience here is great every time and I would definitely come back.
(4)Amy K.
I was so excited to try out this new & exciting restaurant in this old neighborhood landmark, yet I was disappointed in a few ways. The place itself is awesome. The building is cool both inside and out. We were immediately greeted when walking in by friendly hosts who sat us right away(I was expecting a huge delay). The staff is buzzing around and there is always something to look at. While we were there, Channel7 was doing a piece on the place/chef and there was a camera man filming several different vantage points. Our surly server(i'm not saying names, as i dont want to get anyone in trouble)came to our table and right away seemed to be annoyed and grouchy. She literally rolled her eyes while taking our order. We ordered the Mac & Cheese as an app and it came out about 30 seconds before our lunch, which was slightly annoying. Also, my turkey burger was missing an ingredient(avocado spread) & when I asked our server for it, she again rolled her eyes. My boyfriend didn't care for the iced tea and when he reported that to our server she literally said "well you ordered it, so..." and walked away without taking it off the table(and it was still on our bill, even though he did not drink it). Lastly, once the food was on the table, we only saw our server when we asked for boxes and the bill. Now, all negatives aside, the food was good. I would have my turkey burger again, and I'm sure my boyfriend would get his burger again too. The Mac & Cheese was yummy. And, as previously stated, the place itself is cool. All staff members had different Detroit themed shirts on, which was a nice touch, The cocktail/beer lists were very inviting as well. Bottom line - tighten up the service ! Who wants to eat at a place where the server seems like they don't want you there ? Every question was met with a sigh or an eye roll, including asking for a simple water refill !! I look forward to trying the dinner menu and am hoping for better service the next time around.
(2)Raymond B.
Excellant comfort food for a reasonable price!! Great atmosphere & very cool place.. Awesome job of saving a classic building & giving it a hip new vibe,but still keeping the old garage feel...Thanks for giving the Motor City a restaurant that is unique & a place you can take out of town guests to that is different and has GREAT food!!!!!
(5)Marcus C.
Phenomenal ambiance but I don't know if it was worth the wait for just OK food and poor service. Good list of beer on tap.
(3)Jake H.
Having heard all the hype, I finally wanted to check out Vinsetta Garage for myself. My girlfriend and I arrived for lunch at noon on Saturday, and were able to park out front and get seated immediately. Friends have warned me, however, that it's not uncommon to wait two hours at peak times. The main attraction is the decor. You get the feeling of being in an old-fashioned garage without and grossness or grimy feelings. It's pretty loud, but not annoyingly so. I had the Vinsetta Burger and fries, both of which were delicious and full of flavor. My girlfriend had the Dig Dog, a sort of gourmet hot dog with cherry compote, which had a zany but sweet flavor. Serving sizes are very generous and we were both stuffed! The food and service were great, but ultimately we went for the ambience. It's such a cool place to go for lunch or dinner, and I'll definitely go back.
(5)Aaron T.
Get the Mac & cheese
(4)Matt R.
Overall it was a very nice experience. 4 of us went here for dinner. The atmosphere was great. The place is clean and décor was cool. I got to taste everyone's dish and was generally impressed and pleased. Although one of the dishes (below) was not a favorite of mine I will say they really know how to cook a steak. All three steaks our party ordered came out cooked perfectly. We ordered the following food: Coal fired bread sticks appetizer - Very good bread which I would recommend. Chili rubbed flank steak - Absolutely amazing. Cooked perfectly, great flavor, great portion. I would recommend this dish to anyone. It has a sweet chili rub on the meat that I will be trying to recreate at home. Try this! Wagyu strip steak - Absolutely amazing. It was fork tender and great flavor, I would recommend this to anyone who can afford $36 for a steak. Try this! Smoked Ribeye - Eh. I don't think they have their smoking skills down pat yet. It was overly smoky and underwhelming. It was cooked perfectly though and if you like a very smoky flavor this may be for you. Not bad but not going to order this again. Spaghetti and meatballs - They were a bit light on the sauce (we had to ask for more) but it was quite good overall once we got more. The meatballs have great texture and flavor. Probably wont get this again unless I am really craving it. Service - top notch. The server was attentive but not hovering. Our drinks were kept full, food came at the same time, she checked in with us when necessary and had a great attitude. I know it is a wild guess, but it seemed like she actually liked her job or at least didn't hate it. Drinks - The bartenders are nice, attentive, and give me a nice pour on my scotch. Other dishes - They have a lot of other dishes on the menu that I would like to try and will likely try in the near future. Check this place out.
(4)Javer X.
Great! I miss this place! Classy and the action is great. I probably miss this place the most.. cant wait to come back! Shout-out to allie for her great service!
(5)Kelly S.
Got there at 5:30 was told one hour and pager beeped at exactly that. Service was pretty good and food was good, but not anything too exciting. Here's the rundown of what everyone ordered and opinions. Breadsticks - like the original way (without adding cheese) Meatballs - Good, but not my mom's Clam Pizza - very good Burgers - only 1 out of 3 was cooked properly, a little salty, unfortunately it wasn't the best burger for any of us Had some bumps with our order and they offered us two desserts as a peace offering which was very kind. Milk and cookies - didn't taste fresh, not much flavor Banana Toffee Pudding - absolute heaven - the best thing in this restaurant! I absolutely loved the Union Woodshop and was excited to try Vinsetta, but all it did for me is make me wish we would have made the trip out to Clarkston.
(3)Naveen N.
Ordered a vinsetta burger which was delicious. Came with a side of chips which were decent. Liked the garage theme.
(5)Tony F.
Dined at Vinsetta for the first time last night. We had about an hour wait on a Tuesday evening at 7:30 but that's because anytime a new restaurant opens in the area (Royal Oak, Birmingham, etc.) everyone flocks there because we are are so desperate for something new. The service was great and the food was fantastic. Try "The Pedro". You won't be disappointed. Parking is limited but I parked on a residential street less than a block away.
(5)Matt C.
The only thing I don't like about this restraunt is the wait. Other than that it is great, all of their burgers are awesome and of course the mac and cheese is to die for. Love the atmosphere and I am glad they kept it as close to a auto shop as they could.
(5)Michael L.
First time there stopped by Wednesday for lunch. I had heard great things about the food, the atmosphere etc. Unique and interesting building, nice layout. Best part of the place. I had the Loaded Potato Chips with Woodshop Maple Bacon ($1.75 EXTRA), and a roast turkey sandwich with spinach and feta on multi-grain bread, along with a Bell's Two-Hearted ale. Glad I had the beer, that made the meal. The homemade thin cut potato chips were crispy, but had no flavor. The chips were overloaded with a bland/mild cheddar cheese, the green onions were not flavorful, and the bacon was both sparse and not memorable. Sour cream would have been a welcome addition to that, simply to give it some type of flavor. Will say this - the presentation was beautiful. However as they say, looks can be deceiving. If you are going to make a 1,500 calorie appetizer loaded with fat, it needs flavor. A sharp pinconning would have given this a zip it was decidedly missing. The sandwich was OK - I could not taste the feta at all, which was the reason I selected that particular sandwich. The roast turkey was savory, I'm sure some people would like that. I saved 1/2 the sandwich and ate it the next day cold, and it was far better than when it was originally served, perhaps I just don't like turkey that much. Overall, for the chips, sandwich and a pint of beer, total damages with tip was over $20 for a lunch. Will not likely return unless someone else is buying. Positive note: Service was great. Sat at the bar.
(2)Paul B.
I live very close to this place and have been itching to try it. I had heard good things and the buzz around town is that this place is special. There are always people waiting outside it so I decided to try it. When we got there at 8 pm the hostess stated the wait would be 2 hours 45 minutes! Wow. We drank at the bar (many great beers on tap) and were seated about 1.5 hours later. The place inside is rustic and cool. The garage theme works. Service was fast once seated. Had chicken wings, cheese curd fries, mac and cheese, and the 3 am burger. Wings were awesome, Mac and cheese was bland and sort of dry (not as great as I had hoped), and the 3 am burger was a bit undercooked but would have been money if done right. The pop rocks Faygo rock and rye ice cream was very good for dessert. May try again and re-review after the hype dies down.
(3)Stacey D.
Vinsetta Garage... tons of hype, complete failure to measure up. We finally managed to find a time when there wasn't a 2 hour wait, and we were eager to try it out. Let me put it this way, the best thing about the place for me was the bathroom floor made of pennies. Yup. It was overpriced and just not special. We've had better burgers, the homemade chips tossed with cheese were too salty (and I love salt!) and the menu is limited. Glad I tried it, won't go back.
(2)jim s.
I'd been anticipating a trip here since I heard the old garage was reopening as a bar and grill. I used to bring my '68 GTO here for repairs years ago, and even then there was a famously long wait. But not this time for my wife, son, and I. We popped in on a Wednesday evening about 5:30, managed to find parking in their lot just before the valet parking began, and were immediately seated at a 4-top. My first impression was overwhelming nostalgia from all the times I'd been in this place getting vehicles repaired. There are still old oil stains deep into the concrete floor! Some may have even been my own. There is wallpaper composed of old repair receipts, and automobilia everywhere, including a vintage dragster. Yet they've done a fantastic job integrating in a modern bar and open kitchen zone. I drank off their lawnmower beer selection, with a Stroh's and a Blatz. I'd forgotten how good Stroh's is. My wife had a Black Label. For a starter, the battered cheese curds were wonderful. I ordered baked Angus Meatballs with a bacon creme sauce, and they were excellent as well. And the next day while eating the leftovers at lunch I was again reminded how good they were. My wife enjoyed her Sweet Italian Pork meatballs over pasta, and my son liked his Hawaiian pizza, though they did forget to delete the red onions as he'd requested. Service was friendly and prompt. We will be back for sure. I've already been telling friends about this new gem.
(5)Matthew M.
The lunch menu was basically burgers and pizzas. Wife ordered a burger, I ordered a hot dog and was not too impressed with either. The pizzas looked good...though I did not try. The beer selection will definitely bring me back. They have a huge selection of local craft beer. Kuhnhenn's D.R.I.P.A. is well worth the trip. They have homemade Faygo ice cream...but no Faygo pop for sale...go figure...
(4)Rick W.
Awesome food and awesome atmosphere
(5)Ashley B.
Yum! The valet parking suck though.
(4)A B.
We went during the week, and it was busy. We had a 35 minute wait, but we enjoyed cocktails outside in the waiting area. Our dinning experience was decent. The service was slow, and we had to ask multiple times to get things we needed: silverware, water, etc. Also, my husband's food came out 10 minutes after mine, and his burger came out with fries instead of onion rings. The server apologized, but it was another 25 minutes to get onion rings. By this time, we had filled up, so we took them to go. Additionally, for our first time, I wish the waiter had been less busy to recommend things. He approached our table and said. "what do you want" I had questions, but didn't ask at that point. Overall, the food we tried had good flavors. We had the disco fries for an appetizer, the 3AM burger, and the coney pie. We also ordered the mac and cheese, which we have had at the Union, very good. I wish our food would have came out all together, and I wish our service would have been better. I felt that for a Wednesday night, we still had to wait a long time to get our food, and there were still mistakes with our order. We will go back, but we won't rush back until the hype dies down. Hopefully then the service will be better, food will come out at the same time, and mistakes will be avoided.
(3)Michael S.
Went there for a Sunday brunch and the food was really good. I had the Macon Bacon Burger.. loaded with bacon, bacon jam and I think the bread was made of bacon too.. lol. Also had the homemade potato chips that were equally good. One piece of advice.. go early. We got there around 1115/1130 and got a table. When we left there just before 1 the wait was over an hour.
(4)William C.
Very cool atmosphere. Food was awesome!! I had the 3 am burger and it was great. The cheese curds appetizer and the rock n rye ice cream were really good too. Definitely worth checking out.
(5)Jeffrey B.
Once upon a time people would talk to each other, mingle with a stranger, and not rush through life. Unfortunately with the advent of technology that time has passed. However, the new Vinsetta Garage is striving to remedy that. Currently you should not try this restaurant if you are in a hurry. Its popularity means the wait is long, sometimes very long. But the silver lining is the bar is very well stocked and the company is good. The owners did a great job of keeping the location true to its roots while maintaining health standards. The wait can be attributed to the limited amount of tables; however this is a plus as they do not pile tables on top of each other like so many small restaurants do these days. I've had the pleasure of trying their pizza, hamburgers, homemade chip appetizer, mac and cheese, and several bourbons. All were fantastic. If you're not on a diet get the Macon Bacon burger, Damn Gina it's good. Well done Vinsetta Garage!
(5)denise m.
Went on a Tuesday night at 9:30. No wait, slow service. Waited at least 12 minutes for a drink. It looked like the server was trying to get out of there, he was busy rolling silverware to give proper service. I have heard alot about this place since it has opened, I just dont get it...The house salad is big enough to split, but sadly the dressing has no flavor. The burger pizza arrived luke warm, and it had 5 pieces and was just ok...Again, the flavor...My son and I left the salted carmel custard on the table because it was inedible. It tasted like cold salt. The place has a cool vibe to it, and luckily the prices were decent, but there are plenty of other places in Royal Oak nearby.
(3)Geoffrey V.
They make a great burger here. I really like the wide variety of ever-changing-beers on tap too. The last visit I was offered dessert and encouraged to try a milk shake. I let the server know that I had one a few months back and it was quite possibly the worst shake I ever had. He confidently said, " well you haven't had one made by me" I agreed, I had not. Some my kids ordered a couple desserts. When they arrived their dessert was accompanied by a complimentary chocolate shake. This one was outstanding! Great customer service, great atmosphere and the food is very good. I wish they did late night menu though. on another visit my Wife and I showed up unable to decide on a drink at the bar. after a 10 mins or so of contemplating we had come to a decision. at this time we ordered a small Pizza as well. We were told though, that the kitchen closed at 10 and we would be unable to get the pizza. at this point it was 10:05. for this reason I can't give the full 5 stars but they are pretty darn close.
(4)Andy O.
Holy Crap! This place is awesome! 3AM burger was the best burger I ever had. Brought my kids and they were fine (even with 1 he wait). Jim Schwartz just walked in (Detroit Lions head coach). Dessert (tried 3 different items) was amazing.
(5)Lyuba S.
I absolutely love this place. Their food is delicious (especially the duck burger) & I love the ambiance of this building. My favorite places are the ones with a lot of character & Vinsetta Garage is definitely one of those places. To think, so much history took place in this very building & the new owners kept that history going but with a twist. & what a wonderful twist it is. From the glass penny bathroom floor to the vintage vehicle decor, it's so hip & antique at the same time. Like I mentioned earlier, the duck burger is absolutely amazing. I've also had their pizza pies which are also delish. I do have to mention that they're written as just pies & seeing as how unique this place is, I thought they would really be pies filled with the ingredients listed. Probably just my mishap but I do still think it would have been a lot cooler if I were right. Just a thought :) Their ice cream is amazing! Housemade with the most unique flavors, not to mention I haven't had PopRocks on a dessert since I was a kid. Very Detroit, very reminiscent. If someone asked me for a very Michigan restaurant, I'd recommend this place. Although, it's fairly new its quickly become an institution & I hope it stays that way for awhile.
(4)Renee K.
I have been waiting for someone to make use of this historical building. I am happy to have a restaurant that is owned by two people that truly love cars and Michigan. Food was great, service will improve with time. Cool bar!
(5)Hannah G.
I liked it. The atmosphere is great -- the integrity of the garage makes for a unique venue and something a little more interesting than your average restaurant along Woodward. Our group shared a few offerings. I've never been a big fan of meatballs, but theirs were positively yummy! The only negative was the tomato sauce, which I wish was a little less bland. The pizza was fine -- not earth shattering, but fine. The mac n' cheese was of course decadent and delicious. We finished with the key lime pie (in a jar), which was a refreshing end to the meal. We lucked out with a short wait, but the meal may have not been worth it had we waited over an hour like some reviewers have written.
(4)Dominique K.
The cool retro exterior and lot that's often full of vintage vehicles are just a couple of outward indications this venerable garage's 90-year history. Fussy classic car owners trust their show cars to Vinsetta Garage, and local police departments have their vehicles serviced here--two groups you know would not trust their rides to just anyone. Jack Marwil and the Vinsetta crew seem to greet most of their customers by name, and many of those customers have been trusting their vehicles to Vinsetta Garage for years. This may not be the cheapest place to have your car serviced, but I've always felt I could trust Jack and his staff to do right by me and not oversell me. Customers receive a detailed bill each time they get their car serviced, and Jack is particularly good about explaining what -exactly- was done to your car, without making you feel like an idiot because you may not be that car-savvy.
(5)David C.
I had high hopes for this well reviewed place but after several meals there I won't be back. The food is simply very bland and there is nothing special about it at all. It is cool building and has great ambiance.
(2)Gianna G.
I hate to give any restaurant 1 star, but I just have to because it was such an uncomfortable dining experience. The restaurant was not air conditioned so for the entire dinner I was sweating and uncomfortable. I felt I couldn't order anything hot so I ordered caesar salad that was really mediocre and salted Caramel custard that was ok (treat dreams is better). I'm not returning.
(1)S L.
Oily versions of the same kind of 'new' American bar food you can find at lots of places in lots of cities, served in an auto shop-themed garage that could just as easily be sports-, rock-n-roll-, or rain forest-themed--but auto shops are in garages, and that's what this is. The beer selection is surprisingly disappointing considering that there is too much to choose from--curiously not one German beer, even in October. Lots of sweet, soupy American micro-brews and tasteless hipster canned fare. Not my thing. The cocktails were 'meh' and priced about four bucks more than they are reasonably worth. If you're a wine person, you'll have to compromise. We made up our minds about the joint about fifteen minutes into the experience, but in the interest of full disclosure, my dinner companion didn't feel well the rest of the night after her meal and had to turn in extra early. Read that as, 'got sick'. We won't be going there again and will probably discourage our people from choosing it on nights out. *urp*
(2)Nancy g.
What happened? This may be the "in" place to go but the service and quality have declined since my last visit. The trendy ambiance only works for the first time you go. My friend ordered an appetizer was just blah bread. Was brought to the table without plates. We had to go up and get them. Grilled sandwiches arrived his was half grilled and my was soggy. The sandwich my friend ordered he did not like and the wait staff said, "Oh well now you know what not to order next time." Chips uneven, very inconsistent. Many way to oily. This was his first visit and I won't be in a hurry to go back. Sorry to say.
(2)Dlle S.
My husband and I were dying to try this place out. It is a really cool place, decor and atmosphere wise. The food was so-so. I had gotten the chicken and my husband got the flake steak. Both were tasty, but the sides were nothing to write home about. The potato salad was not available, which I found odd. Why is it on the menu then? I got the broccolini. It tasted like plastic. My husband got a salad...nothing special. I felt like both plates needed something else. We wanted to try dessert and the choices were just odd. One was a cake with caption crunch on top...odd. I guess I was expecting more, especially for the prices. It is trendy and a neat place but that was about it for us.
(3)Beth B.
We waited 2.5 hours for a table of 8. The hostesses were nice and were spot on with the time. We hung out at the bar, the bartender seemed like he had better things to do than wait on us. Once we got to our table the waiter was pretty nice. For appetizers we had disco fries, very good but tiny and Loaded Potato Chips, also good but small. When I tried to order the 3am burger (has a fried egg on top) the waiter said the cooks wouldn't make the egg over medium, that is had to be cooked sunny side up. I hate sunnyside up, but I am the customer so why won't they do what I ask? So, I ordered a pasta bowl. Make your own, I chose the tomato basil sauce, pancetta, spinach and cheese. First the pasta came out cold, second the sauce tasted like jar sauce and third the pancetta was burnt, fourth, the spinach was not cooked. My 5 year old could have made better pasta. My husband had a pasta bowl also, he got the rocket pesto sauce, he also said his was cold and wasn't great. The key lime pie was delicious. I had a bit of my friends mac and cheese and it was also delicious.
(2)Jenny F.
Don't believe the Hype!!! it's over rated. The only reason i added a star above two is for getting decor right and making the place cool looking. So here is my story. After much hype and long lines and everyone screaming about how amazing this place is and couple attempts of going and not wanting to wait for an hour I finally made it on Saturday. Got there about 3:40 p.m. the place was pack but we found some seats at the bar. After we set down the flustered bartender informed us that we can't order anything but pizza until 4 p.m. because they were changing shifts. After waiting for 20 min we tried to place and order he proceeded to tell us that we now have to wait for the night shift bartender to take it, he did eventually take our order. So the food was completely below my expectations. Cesar salad had no flavor whatsoever, I ordered the Vinsetta Burger which was so beyond greesy it was dripping everywhere, the french fries was way over salted and almost uneatable. The over all experience wasn't great at all i don't get the hype there way better burger joints in town. If you are paying to look at the decor and feel like waiting around for it then this is the place.
(3)Jason D.
Pretty good place. The Macon bacon burger has to be 1 million calories but it is very good.
(4)Heather B.
I was underwhelmed with this place for a few reasons. Parking was terrible. We were here at lunch time on a Sunday so it wasn't even busy and there is NO PARKING at that time. (I feel bad for the poor saps who try to come here at night on the weekends....). Ridiculous. Tip: Don't expect to park right near the restaurant--keep a lookout for Woodward-side parking before you reach the restaurant. Everything that we got that was cooked (ie not salads) were OVERcooked--too browned (mac and cheese and housemade potato chips) or blackened on the edges (in the case of a vegan burger and a regular burger). We mentioned it to the waiter, but he said that it was supposed to be like that. Hmmm, no. The service was a bit casual for my taste--nothing to really complain about, but I almost felt like we were getting served by a friend of my younger brother's. The good: really fun atmosphere and the decor is interesting--Detroit/car/vintage. :) The grownup milkshakes were yummy and the friends of mine who got salads were happy. My advice? Maybe go sometime, but DO NOT wait for hours. You will probably be disappointed that your food experience doesn't live up to your expectations for waiting for soooooooooo long.
(3)Heather L.
I am a little behind in reviews, but wanted to get in my 2 cents on my two visits to Vinsetta Garage this summer. First, this is my kids new favorite restaurant. I LOVE the unique menu and decor. Our first visit was just myself and my girls, we only ordered disco fries and the Mac n Cheese. I have had the Clarkston Union Mac n Cheese (and sorry I did think it was better at CU-but mostly because the cheese was not completely melted on ours at VG). My girls LOVED it! We ordered dessert, the rock n rye ice cream, which was YUUUUUMMY, really, I did not anticipate liking it as much as I did. We also ordered the molten chocolate cake (complete with captain crunch) again my oldest daughter loved it. We visited less than a week later with grandma, grandpa and my husband and again everyone loved their meal-I split the 3 am coney (the one with the fried egg) with my (hesitant) mother and she LOVED it. My only complaint was that the lunch menu was limited (really wanted the 3 am burger but not available at lunch) and my kids were disappointed they could not get dessert with lunch (well they could, but not their two favorites!). The only bummer is the wait (after 5 pm)-but it is worth it.
(4)adam J.
First things first, neighborhood parking PSA. The City of Berkley needs to get on board and put proper signage etc. This area isn't like Royal Oak where you have meters, lots, and permit parking; it's a free for all right now. Please don't do the following. It's pissing the neighbors off and you look like an A-hole when you do it: -Don't plug your e-car in by pulling the cord over the sidewalk so as to hinder pedestrians. Why they put those there is beyond me. You either have to pull in the wrong way or stretch the cord across the sidewalk! -Don't park across the sidewalk that is in front of the businesses on Woodward there so as to hinder pedestrians. -Yes you drive a LamBROghini/Ferrari. Don't squeeze into some corner parking spot blocking, you guessed it, pedestrian traffic. -Now that they have valet parking don't block the side street waiting for your car to be valeted. Drive around the block and try again. -Don't turn around in someone's driveway, go around the block. You are blocking the flow of traffic as you try to do a 5 point turn in the already crowded street. -There are several streets to park on in the area. Drive around and spread the love instead of jamming into one block. An extra 500 foot walk won't kill you and guess what? The wait will still be an hour no matter how close you park! Ha! Remember, the neighbors were there first, Vinsetta Garage 'the restaurant' came second. They didn't ask for this congestion. When you pull on to the street and say, "Oh shit it's packed!" we neighbors get to see and say that on a daily basis! We are all happy to have a great restaurant here, but the customers parking and driving a little more respectfully will go a long way in making all people happy! Anyways, the place is great! Awesome beer list, great service. Chicken meatballs were moist, Disco fries (poutine) were an awesome appetizer. My flank steak was perfectly seasoned and perfectly grilled medium. Will spend much money and time here. Get there around 3:30-3:45 for first seating or go during lunch or sit at the bar. Again, very happy to have this restaurant here, but please if you are visiting, do so with these poor neighbors in mind! Thank you!
(4)Lisa S.
We came at 3:30 and the hostess took 10 mins to get us to seats. A line started shortly thereafter. Very packed by the time we left at 5 pm. Cool atmosphere, which you enjoy as you wait awhile for your food. Good food, I had a veggie burger. I am sort of puzzled by pretzel bun, it is a little too dense for my tastes. My husband had the macon bacon burger which he said was good, but also $15.
(3)Kim G.
Waited months to get there and had a bad experience. We had to wait over 2 hours for a table. We continued to check with the hostess stand on what was taking so long and they never had a good reason. Finally after 2 hours, we learned that their pagers weren't working and they never let anybody know. When we were finally seated, the server was great, the food was ok, but we wanted to let the Manager know our unhappiness with the wait. He came over and he could have cared less. The server actaully appologized for the Manager. 5 of us will never be back.
(1)Enrique B.
Ya know what? I'm going to revise my review. Back then I complained about waiting and parking. I've learned just to walk there from home. The wait is reasonable unless you go during prime time. The food is tasty, Made like I'd make it if I wanted to make it. I always look forward to the next time I'll go there.
(4)Susan J.
I went to this place last night and boy was I glad I did! It was an hour wait but it wasn't too bad. If I had one suggestion to make, it would be to put in a second bar for all of those waiting patrons. Our waitress was great - just the right amount of attention and she had great recommendations. I started with the Detroit Locker cocktail - who knew bourbon and sparkling wine (along with muddled honeycomb) would taste so good! I got the chili rubbed flank steak, medium rare and it was delicious! Cooked perfectly. And I got the Union mac and cheese as a side - again delicious. My friend got the salmon - again very tasty. There's enough variety on the menu to warrant multiple visits. And the menu prices are not outrageous (except for the Wayghu steak special). The only thing that did not wow us was the banatoffee pudding. Not enough banana or toffee flavor for either of us. The cookie crumbles were good though.
(4)Donna Z.
Pizza was good, mac n' chz was awesome, but a bit pricey. Hot dog with an egg was tasty and the grilled chx sandwich was good. All good - but nothing outstanding. If I was nearby and wanted some upscale bar food, I would go back.
(3)Cari M.
Love this place. Really cool atmosphere, great service. Always PACKED!! We usually hover over a couple at the bar until they move and have dinner there just to save ourselves from the usual 1.5 hour wait. Both the duck burger and lamb burger were amazing. Caesar and chop salad were also good.
(5)Nick P.
We had to wait for over an hour and a half but let me tell you it was well worth it!!! Such a fun place with great atmosphere. They also had the coolest bathroom the floor is covered with pennies deff have to check it ouf if you go. A+++++++ will be back soon that is for sure.
(5)Laura B.
The atmosphere was awesome as soon as you walk in the door, from the retro lights, and the open concept kitchen in the back. I love that they were able to preserve the history, yet add the touches of a modern restaurant that's perfect for the concept.cocktails and craft beer selection were very large, i love that fact that they were mainly all Michigan brewery's!!!! The food was delicious, and the deserts were unique and tasted absolutely amazing!! Highly recommend the Faygo rock n' rye Ice cream with pop rocks!!! All in all, my family had a great time.. the staff was very friendly and helpful, the food was delicious!!! I can't wait to be back to Michigan to come visit Vinsetta Garage again!! What a great spot to add to the history of Woodward Avenue!!!!
(5)Emma L.
To be honest, I was really iffy when we pulled up. The outside looks really old and grungy, and I had a "oh God, what did I just get myself into" moment. We had to park on one of the adjacent suburbs. I went in regardless, and I absolutely loved the inside and the decor. It was beautiful, they had a lot of vintage decor and lighting, and I really really liked it. We were presented with a wait estimate of 2 hours and 45 minutes, they'd ran out of buzzers so they told me that they would text me when a table was available. We ordered drinks and sat outside at a few of the tables (I don't believe they have their outdoor seating license yet). We ended up waiting for about an hour and twenty minutes. Our food took about a half-hour to arrive, and it was great. I got a Margharita pizza, and if you order a pizza, I recommend sharing it, they're a bit much for one person. The only complaints I have were that our waitress showed up at are table to ask how we were every five minutes, it was a bit much.
(4)Melanie S.
Visited last Friday night and it was hopping with people waiting for tables, lounging at the bar and milling. Plenty of young people. Folks with children too. Waited the anticipated 1.5 hours. Had a good white Michigan wine. They have a good variety of beers listed and a full bar too. Once we were seated, our table had a lamb burger which was very good along with an order of onion rings-also tasty; a veggie burger and the customer seemed happy with her choice; my husband had chicken meatballs with asiago cheese and pasta which was great and a large enough portion for leftovers too. You can create your own pasta and meatball dish from a number of choices. They also make individual pizza that seemed to be popular with the crowd. The noise level is high so conversation requires a strong vocal presence. Currently there are tables outside but no alcohol is allowed so people are pressing indoors. There is a small area to sit and wait for your table with bar service. You can also request a table on line so many of the guests are not present but show up when their table is ready. This can give on site diners waiting for a table a false sense of timing as to when their table will be available. Trust the anticipated wait they give you. it is a fun place especially on a nice summer night.
(4)Jullie C.
The food was great and the price was about right. The drink I had, which I can't remember right now, was pretty good: tequila, cucumber, agave, etc. I was visiting a couple of friends and this place was on my list and I was really glad I got to go. The one thing I was surprised about was when I ordered the duck burger and they asked me how I wanted it cooked.. I thought all poultry had to be cooked all the way and was a little skeptical. I got it done medium well and it was great, the sides are great but the service can be a little slow since it's so busy. Solid 3.5 stars!
(4)Pat K.
Simply fun, and good food., One small issue is the wait sometime but that is only because they are so popular
(5)Rachel V.
I'm sorry, but I just don't understand what all the hype is about. Maybe it's the Chicago snob in me, but I really want there to be great places in Detroit, so I was excited to check out Vinestta Garage. But where to begin... First off, I called to ask if they accept reservations. The hostess was snotty as she informed me that they do not. Like it was some ridiculous question! No problem, lady, just don't be a snit about it. So, I arrived about a half hour earlier than the rest of my party so I could start the wait for a table. I was told, after the hostess did me the favor of taking my name down on her hot shot list, it would be approximately a 1 hour and 45 minute wait for 3 people. Again, fine, since I'd heard such wonderful things, but this brings me to my first point. Why the heck don't you take reservations??!!! Does the manager get some sick pleasure out of making people wait for over an hour?! It's just stupid. Eventually, the novelty of this place is going to wear off and ain't nobody gonna wait that long! Next up, I scooted off to the bar to have a drink while I waited for my peeps to arrive. Talk about craptastic service. I've never seen a bartender move more slowly. It was like someone hit rewind and slow-mo on the DVR, and I was living it in real life. It took almost 15 minutes for me to get one stinkin' beer. I also think that while the bar stools are cool looking, they make it really, really difficult for anyone standing at the bar to nudge up and get the bartender's attention. One point for cheap drinks, though. We ended up getting seated (after only 50 minutes) at one of those half booths which was super awkward for our party of three, making it difficult to have a great conversation. Finally, the service was stepped up a bit by our waitress. As far as food, we all ordered lamb burgers (a table of adventurers!) and they were good, not great. Like I said, I guess I just don't get what all the hype is about. And I definitely don't understand why the make-your-own pasta is so expensive. Get a grip. So, Vinsetta...get over yourselves, start taking reservations, and hire a bartender that puts forth a little effort, because you've got a cool D-town atmosphere goin' on and Detroit needs you to not suck.
(3)Jeremiah J.
Great atmosphere especially for the car lover. They kept most of the original garage intake for an authentic feel without the smell of gas and oil. The wait can be very long on a nice weekend... or any weekend for that matter so don't expect to be in and out in an hour. More like 2 1/2 hours if lucky. Food pretty much matches Clarkston Grille with the house Mac & Cheese as a main staple.
(4)Christopher S.
This place is the cats a$$! Union Mac & cheese, phenomenal burgers, even their hot dogs will blow you away. Try their Bloody Mary's, a little expensive but they have bacon and a mini burger in them! If your a craft beer drinker, they have a ton!! It only looses a star because of the wait time (you may never get in on a busy day), and the cluster of dealing with parking (they do offer valet though) that of which usually prevents me from going.
(4)S P.
I needed to know why people stood in line for hours for a meal at this place. The ambiance was great! The menu was limited and the food mediorce. I'm sorry for 1 plus wait I expect a culinary experience! They attempted to do some things with food and flavors but that fell flat. Their Quinoa salad taste like someone sprinkled Domino sugar in it. The casserole bowls taste like CASSEROLE...Like bland cafeteria food. Meh! I'm very disappointed! I have a bag full of barely touched food sitting on my kitchen counter that I will be dumping. To add insult to injury the waitress didn't get the memo that when your customer shoves the plate away... Go get your manager and remove it from the bill. Yes my passive aggressive family paid tab and in protest we'll never return.
(1)Natalie C.
This place was amazing. My brother took me here while I was visiting MI and I actually can't wait for my visit next year and I am going to make him take me back. I loved the gluten free options and fresh food. It was amazing! I had a burger that was just to die. I wanted soooooooooo badly to try tikka masala fries but I was going to get on a plane ride right after and I wasn't sure how something like that would sit with my stomach since I get a little motion sick. I CANT WAIT TO GO BACK!
(5)Charles W.
This is a 5 star review because there is a 5 star burger. I'll start with the best and that's the 3am burger. It's absolutely phenomenal. Angus beef with fried onion straws, smoked bacon, an egg, siracha mayo... I don't particularly like eggs, I could do without bacon, and mayo alone is disgusting, but they come together to form a perfect storm that is the 2nd best burger I've ever had. It was juicy and delicious. The yolk breaks and adds a richness. There is a bit of a bite because of the amazing siracha mayo. (If you don't like mayo alone, don't deprive yourself from this sauce because it is a perfect base and you won't really taste it.) You get the smokeyness of the bacon and then the onion straws complete the taste. I highly suggest switching from swiss to cheddar. I feel the cheddar adds to the flavor, where as the swiss would get lost in the mix. Again, amazing burger. I'd have to ask my wife but I'm pretty sure I repeated "This is so good" with a swear word mixed in between at least 15 times as I indulged in this meal. Next best, upgrade your meal to have french fries. They are freshly prepared there and loaded with salt. Definitely a kick in the sodium sack, but you shouldn't be worrying about that if you've ordered french fries. I never understood the diet soda/water with a fattening meal mentality. Now the star of these french fries is that damn tomato aioli. It was the best dipping sauce that has ever been paired with fries and that is including fry places like pomme frittes in NYC. As someone who buys their bbq sauce, hot sauce, and ketchup by the gallon, I did not use any of these condiments once with my meal. (Though I do admit to dipping the 3am burger into the tomato aioli, and it was just as good as it sounded) Alright, now for the rest of the review... Atmosphere is great. Love the Vox speakers, trendy light bulbs, workers in mechanic shirts, schlitz lights, and various car/bike flare hanging on the walls without being obnoxious. It was definitely designed by a hipster, but many people have to just wave the flag and come to grips that if you can't beat em, join em. There is an odd smell in the small waiting room, which unfortunately many people will have to use as there is usually an obnoxious wait. Before I had the 3am burger I said I wouldn't ever wait over 45 minutes for their food, but I take that statement back now. The beer selection is great and they make decent cocktails. I love how they have the cheap beer "lawnmower beer." As it encourages me to not watch my wallet when I order my food. "Hm, rather than have the craft beer, I'll order a hi life and then upgrade to onion rings" They also have adult milkshakes, but these things really aren't my bag. I still haven't learned how to pace myself so I can enjoy the adult milkshake, that's my problem. The Negatives would be... The long wait, but it's hard to blame them for being popular. Their Mac and Cheese is overrated. They need to cool it on the bechamel sauce. It is how the french give a nice rich flavor, but the nutmeg in it completely over powers this Mac and Cheese. It's okay, but you may find yourself put off by the bechamel. Their pizza is also just okay. I'm a really tough critic of pizza. I've had various toppings and I do enjoy it, but it doesn't wow me. I have high standards being from NY. The crust is perfectly cooked with a nice black on the bottom. The sauce is decent, but I prefer it to be a little more robust and flavorful. Be careful on your cheese selection too because if you don't choose the basic cheese option it will have this overwhelming vomit esque flavor. I make much better pizza than this in my oven; therefore, I would never order it again. If you are coming for these two things (which a lot of people do) then you will find yourself waiting in line, by the time you get your food you'll have set high expectations and it will fall far short. Go to pizzeria biga, much better. I assume a lot of people have already made a joke about the parking situation and the fact the restaurant is aptly named after a "garage;" therefore, I will refrain from being a spoke on the wheel in that regard. Parking really isn't that bad though, there is a street where you can really piss of the neighbors by stealing their parking. They complain about it and say there is garbage/liter. While I bet is upsetting to have your spots constantly nabbed, the clientele coming isn't really of the variety which would liter. In closing, stick to what this place does well and it is a homerun and totally worth the time you will have to wait. It's got a great atmosphere, great food, great drinks... that's a recipe for success.
(5)Kelli S.
Usually when a place is hyped up, you're stressed about the parking situation, the long waits, and the near-impossibleness of being able to enjoy a beer while you wait for a table. (And yeah, okay, the douchey hipsters that probably frequent AND work at the joint.) Not the case at Vinsetta Garage! We arrived last night around 6:45 and were greeted by friendly valet service. Don't have to even attempt to park our car in a busy lot? Sweet! There was only a 45-minute wait (which to us, seemed more than fair given that it was a Friday night) and were able to find a little cove to stand in where we could hang and drink a yummy brew (decent beer list, by the way). And the food was PHENOMENAL! The burgers were cooked perfectly, seasoned well, and had the best topping combinations (bacon jam? Yum!). One of my favorite parts of the night was sharing the Faygo ice cream dessert (rock 'n' rye ice cream with pop rocks). It was refreshing and addictive! This place exceeds its hype (in a good way); and it's not pretentious or trying hard to be something it's not. Bravo, Vinsetta.
(4)Andrew M.
Excellent food. I keep trying something new every time I come back without disappointment. There is almost always a wait, although the wait times typically given seem exaggerated. Interesting interior/atmosphere and noise levels run pretty high
(5)Jeni H.
Oh my god, amazing food. The interior is just insanely creative. Definitely one of my favorites
(5)Kyle W.
Was in town for a business trip. Glad we decided to stop by this awesome place! Great staff, friendly as can be. The food was fantastic. I enjoyed a nice burger with some of their mac and cheese, which was some of the best I've ever had. Don't forget to enjoy the great music selection while dining as well!
(5)Randy G.
Since my original update, the largest change to their menu has been eliminating the "build your own..." burger, pasta, etc... Finally they got the point that I'm not an expert on what compliments each element perfectly. Now you can get what they recommend and it's worth it. The duck burger and the lamb burger are two that you should not pass up. The duck burger goes the sweet route with a cherry compote and not overly greasy that duck usually has. The lam burger on the other hand is more savory. Both are fantastic to try. I love the improvement to their menu.
(4)Mike M.
I know everyone loves this restaurant, but I have to disagree. It's an old, filthy auto mechanic garage that they converted into a restaurant, and everyone thinks it's "hip". I just think it's filthy. Food was overpriced and not that great. My wife had a veggie burger that she said was the worst she's ever had. The garlic fries were awesome. Decor is unique for sure but an old garage is not my first choice to house a restaurant.
(3)Russ H.
I've been here a few times now. Each time I have left satisfied! First off, the decor and appearance of the place is pure genius. I live right near here. Vinsetta Garage was a llandmark on Woodward for decades, with it's classic 50's style building. When it closed and was bought people were sad, thinking it was about to be torn down for another office buiding or such. Instead it got a facelift and was turned into a restaurant. This was good, as it kept a charming piece of Woodward alive. When they kept the name Vinsetta Garage and went with a retro auto shop decor, it was wonderful. A lot of the old equipment on display as decor was actually from the original garage. They really pulled it off. It looks like an old, worn garage, without seeming greasy or dirty. The food is worth the trip. Great pasta dishes, pretty good burgers with a killer pretzel bun, and mac & cheese to die for. And the portions are big! I thought it was pricey at first until I saw the size of the portions. Good bar and bar service as well. Dirks are balanced and done well. Staff is always friendly and attentive. When it first opened you could not get near the place with the crowd. It has pulled back some now that the new-place glow is gone, but I am gratified to still see a nice crowd for lunch and dinner. I was there last week and everything is still at the level they set. If I had to criticize one thing? This is not a place to go if you are looking for something 'light'. I love the food but it is heavy! That does not bother me though. I know what I am getting when I am here. Hopefully Vinsetta Garage will be here for a long time to come. The owners, Curt Catallo and wife Ann Stevenson, own two other local restaurants (also very good), and are partnered with AutoWeek published KC Crain. For those who like to support locally owned business, you can't get more local than this.
(4)John K.
I live in Berkley and have seen the greatness of this place and felt the crap storm of the neighborhood. I even got a flat tire from ass hats breaking glass in the street. All I know is that this place is awesome but if I lived near here, I would be pissed about all the hipster tools and yuppie pole smokers driving and parking like complete douche nozzles. There has been a Big dust up over an expanded parking lot with the Berkley brethren that went south as far as I know.... That being said, our whole family loves this place, happy to have it in Berkley. I thought the design was brilliant. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall when they were designing the place....what to keep, what to update,etc. that old school gas station must have been a true designers turgid dream. I think the estimates/numbers penciled on the gas station/body shop from years ago really takes the cake....well maybe the "yeti bowl" takes it as well.....couldn't even talk, just put my face in that $#!+ and growled like a crazy banshee till there was no more. This is another installment of the Clarkston based Wood shop so you can expect the same wicked mac and cheese(totally endorsed by Bob (you dicks who are not from Detroit City call him, Kid Rock) on Food TV, smoked meats (you can see the cats out back with the smoker), great burgers and inventive desserts. Servers get to dress like hipsters as well....nice I HIGHLY recommend visiting early or during off hours, the wait here can really suck a monster dong.
(4)Brooke S.
I LOVE IT HERE! Totally worth the wait and sure it may be a little loud , but i love it because i can't hear the shrieking of my kids wanting more milkshakes and pop rock ice cream. best burgers , tikka fies are amazing! Great beer selection , good music!
(5)Corinne T.
I've been to Vinsetta dozens of times. Luckily, my boyfriend lives around the corner so we usually run up and put our name in and head back to his place - because let's face it, that wait can be brutal. However, if you are brave enough to stick it out, Vinsetta does not disappoint. No matter what I'm ordering for my meal, I always start with the Disco Fries. The whole grain mustard gravy adds a nice taste to traditional poutine. With the toppings, the fries can get soggy, so I always ask for mine well done. It's a game changer. If you are bold - definitely try the Lamburger or Duck Burger. They are two of the best burgers on the menu and typically when I ask the server for a suggestion, they reply with one of those two. The Noodle Burger is also AMAZING. Not sure what prompted me to try it (not usually my style), but I'm so glad I did. The best part? It's easy to take home and tastes just as good re-heated. The only meal I had that I didn't love was the Sire Shakes' Coney Pie. It wasn't my choice and I don't think I'll ever eat hot dogs on pizza again. Two of my favorite foods - not great when put together. Make sure to try the seasonal quinoa salad as a side. It's tempting to always get the mac n cheese, but this light side dish with grilled veggies is too good to pass up. It also wouldn't be a trip to Vinsetta without ending the trip with either Faygo Ice Cream or one of their many milkshakes!
(4)Adela B.
I was so excited to try Vinsetta Garage, as I had heard so many encouraging things about the menu. We ordered disco fries, a regular cheeseburger, a duck burger, a side of macaroni and cheese and a banana pudding. Overall, I am not in a rush to come back. Something about the food was just too much for me. Here are my impressions regarding the different menu items we ordered: Disco Fries: Although the fries looked promising, I found that the fries were not salty enough and even with the gravy and cheese, I found myself dunking the fries in ketchup and dousing them with salt for flavor. I do not salt my food to excess at all, so I found it disheartening to have to do this with something already covered in cheese, gravy and green onions. Cheeseburger: The burger was pretty tasty. It was sloppy, melty and served very hot. This was probably the best thing I ate there but there was a sauce on the burger that had horseradish and it wasn't the best compliment to a rich, traditional cheeseburger in my opinion. Duck Burger: This burger was ordered medium well and came to the table with a soft, pink interior. I ended up trading with my dining partner because I can handle more undercooked meat, but this was definitely medium rare. The sauces on the burger were a little sweet but I could see the flavor profile they were going for. Something about this burger just didn't work, even though I like duck. Macaroni and Cheese: Macaroni and cheese is supposed to be greasy, cheesy and rich. This macaroni and cheese definitely fits the bill. I enjoyed the flavor but found it to be just a little heavy for my taste. For true macaroni and cheese connoisseurs, I think you would be pleased with the flavor, texture and crunch of the dish baked with a crispy gratin top. Banana Pudding: The banana pudding was served very cold and had no hint of refrigerator flavor, which was excellent. It was pretty tasty and you could tell that real bananas were the number one ingredient. After a few disappointments during the meal, I was glad that I finished up with something that was tasty, although not exactly mind-blowingly amazing. Overall, I definitely would not wait in the massive lines I have seen for this establishment. We were fortunate in that we came at a low time and were seated instantly and the food came pretty quickly. I would probably only give this place another try if someone else was footing the bill.
(2)Robyn C.
Good Food. Customer service lacking. Knowledge ok of menu and drink list. Not enough seating.
(4)Mickie S.
The Faygo Rock N Rye Ice Cream with Pop Rocks is to die for!!! I felt like I was in a time warp and old memory of the days when we used to go up to the Faygo store on Dequindre & 9 mile and pick out our glass bottles of Faygo Rock N' Rye & my other favorite Cream Soda. Ahhh. Vinsetta Garage made this Faygo Rock N' Rye Ice Cream PERFECT!!! You must try it and if for SOME reason you don't like it (I don't think that will happen) then call me up and I'll finish it for you! ; ) It's so yummy!!!
(5)Victor T.
The food is great and so is the beer! Good selection. I really like there Burgers. It's clean and friendly.
(5)Nicholas S.
I eat here a couple times a month, and I have yet to find anything on the menu that doesn't make me weak in the knees. I try something different on the menu every time I go there. My Girlfriend doesn't like going to eat here with me because the whole time we are eating, my eyes are rolling into the back of my head and I am moaning because the food is sooooo damn good. If you are going for dinner and drinks, you are probably going to have to wait for a table. The wait can be anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the time you go but it is well worth it. If you decide to wait, go to the bar and order a specialty drink from a bartender with combed over hair and hipster glasses. His name is Kip, and his specialty cocktails (Manhattan) will require you to change your underwear. Everyone complains about parking, but they have a free valet service and you can just throw the guys a $5 spot when you leave. If you have a nice car, definitely valet it because the guys will park it right out front, and every girl in the place will eye F**K you when you are leaving the restaurant. If you have a peanut allergy or gluten allergy, you are in good hands at Vinsetta Garage. To give this place less than 5 stars would be crazy. I plan on looking up everyone who gave less than 5 stars, and slapping them in the face. Cappppssssh!
(5)Kimberly D.
Unique, lively atmosphere. As the previous reviews state this was an old service station renovated into a restaurant. They kept the vintage look and feel. Came here for lunch in the mid afternoon so it was pretty empty. Our waitress was very efficient and friendly. She recommended several of the popular dishes. I had the lamburger and it was good. Had beets, feta cheese, red onions, and a deep fried chili pepper on top. I got my burger cooked medium and it was a little more like medium rare but that's okay. I'd rather have my meat on the rare side than overdone. It came with homemade potato chips and a French onion dip. Both were very good. My mother got the Vinsetta burger on a pretzel bun with their homemade onion rings. She enjoyed her burger and onion rings very much. Didn't have a chance to drink here as it was early in the day but the bar area looked fun. Loved the bar chairs. The food was above average, not the best I've ever had, but definitely more than adequate. I'd come back here for the nostalgic ambience and a cocktail.
(4)SayItStraight M.
I have to admit that the food was pretty good however pricey. I would prefer to pay less money and get less food - I don't really want to keep leftovers. I'm not convinced that the one and a half hour wait was really worth it. Our waiter seemed like an extremely disinterested hipster who couldn't get his act together. You would think that he would want to be more attentive and get us drinks and not make us wait 10 minutes to get any since that would increase the price of our bill and earned him more tip! The long waits are probably because they let people sit there well beyond dinner and have drinks for hours. Unless I plan to go at an off time where I don't have to wait I can't see myself going there again and waiting that long. I'm only giving them four stars because I know they are affiliated with the Clarkston Union and I really like that place!
(4)Kent M.
Interesting presentation. This is obviously an old service station, probably even a dealership. At the corner, you can tell where the filling pumps used to be - now set up for outside dining in warmer weather. The front entrance is where the cash register and waiting room were - now a hostess reception station and waiting area. Step back into the dining area - old shop service areas and front show room. The menu was adequate - I ordered pizza with cheese curds as an appetizer. The food was fine, service was great. As was to be expected, it was busy on a Sunday afternoon. I was able to park in the alley directly in back. I'm not too much into crowds, so when I return, it will probably be on a weekday when they aren't so busy.
(4)Candice K.
Vinsetta is great if you're able to find a table as they always seem to be busy, and I mean always. Very rarely have I come in there and I didn't have to wait. Be sure to call ahead before you go to see how long of a wait there is, also you cannot make reservations or call ahead. The place itself is really neat, don't we all just want to eat in a garage every once in awhile?? I've had the mac and cheese, and lots of their burgers. I really appreciate things like the mushrooms that taste like bacon (apparently a lot of things can be made to taste like bacon these days) and their homemade veggie burgers. There are so many signature dishes there. As much as I appreciate homemade stuff that is different than the rest, this place is really overrated. Its nothing i crave. Its more of a "oh redcoat is stupid busy and I don't want peiwei or pasquales so lets just wait at vinsetta." Yeah that was kinda rude, but its how I feel. If you have yet to go, try it yourself. Don't take my word or any other yelpers words for it. The food is good and I found the service to be pretty good too.
(3)Sir Poop A.
Always decent selection of food, but the wait to get a table in unreal. And usually never seating at the bar. Maybe they need to expand, but better you go at off hours or don't mind waiting 45 min.
(4)Michele A.
Love the historic setting. They did a great job keeping with the vintage theme. The food is good however service is slow and wait times are long. I had a pasta which was ok nothing to holler about, however the shake was amazing! Love the adult milk shakes they taste like heaven. The cheese curds were also tasty. The wine list is not to bad, they have some good wines from my home state CA which I enjoy and am happy to see that they serve them. Also portions are large so sharing or leftovers is a given.
(4)Tina B.
Love Vinsetta's. I can always count on a good time at this restaurant. Whenever I have friends or family asking for a suggestion this is the first place I recommend. Delicious food and very cool hang-out. I recommend any of the burgers and the spicy cocktail (cannot remember the name but the bartender will know).
(5)Kori Y.
Great Fun place, but be prepared to wait. Excellent Burgers, and fun topping choices. Pizzas always look good but I've yet to try one.
(4)Christina L.
We stopped by here for a late lunch last Friday; and we weren't disappointed. I enjoyed a halfway decent bloody mary, and devoured 2/3 of a delicious Pineapple & Tasso Pizza Pie. I liked the little spicy kick along with the tasty bits of ham and pineapple; like a fancy Hawaiian pizza. I asked for extra sauce, and it was perfect for me, since I like things saucy! One pizza is probably sufficient for two not starving people that ordered and shared an appetizer, or one pizza would be a good appetizer to split between 3-5 folks along with other appetizers. Our waitress was attentive and provided excellent service. I imagine if I lived in the area, I would be there often.
(4)Molida K.
I was here last night, Monday at 7:30pm for a birthday dinner for a friend. I could not believe how insanely busy this place was. It took us until 9 o'clock to get a table. Granted we had 10 people in our party, but still 1 and a half hours, on a Monday night at that. At least you could pass the time up by getting sloshed from drinks at the bar, but good luck trying to find a seat. We ended up placing our drink orders and someone brought it to us outside. After we were seated, I was immediately drawn to ordering the Duck Burger with a side of onion rings and The Low Rider drink. Hubby ordered the Chop Shop Salad and a side of Union Mac for kicks. I also could not pass up the Faygo Rock 'n Rye ice cream dessert with pop rocks. Even though it took forever for us to be seated, the food came out quickly and very hot! The Duck Burger is on the sweet side, covered in cherry compote, cheese, and caramelized onions on a pretzel bun. However, it was cooked perfectly. Just a tad pink in the middle. I did not detect any gaminess or greasiness at all which is amazing for duck meat. The onion rings were perfectly fried and the tomato aioli was delicious. Hubby's salad was huge, fresh, and also delicious. The Union Mac was good, but I wasn't floored by the taste. The Low Rider drink was perfect, not too sweet, but plenty of lime and cucumber flavor, and slowly built up a buzz. The Faygo ice cream was on point! Creamy, flavorful, and fun with crackling pop rocks. All in all, we had a lot of fun (probably because we were buzzed/drunk) and had great service. Also, kudos to complimentary valet but don't forget to tip! Or you can be like me and park on the side street and walk :-)
(4)Falon K.
Perfect summer spot! The atmosphere is amazing and I love the openness. The food was spectacular. We had the pesto pizza which at first I didn't think I would like but I really enjoyed it. We ordered the tikka fries as an appetizer which was phenomenal. The Mac and cheese was up against stiff competition being that I get a side of Mac and cheese everywhere I go but it definitely held it's own. The prices were extremely reasonable for quality food. The only problem I have with vinsetta garage is the parking. It's almost like you're forced to valet. Overall, I would go back because I want to try everything!
(5)LaLenia G.
It was a really cool place with cool drinks. Much like the Woodshop, Fenton fire hall & Clarkston Union. Some different food items from the others but close to the same. Out of all I like Fenton fire hall best then here second. I had the Mac n cheese w/ hamburger...it was ok. I tried the hot dog wrapped in bacon and deep fried- yeah that was good! The pasta bowl was really good, very flavorful and tasted fresh. The fried cheese curd appetizer was the best. The Faygo Rock & Rye ice cream with pop rocks was fantastic. I would have tried the Macon bacon burger but my husband scarfed it down too fast, he loved it.
(4)Geoffrey C.
This place is fantastic! Have gone here four times in the last couple months - all during lunch - and I'm sure it would be more if I lived closer. Here's what I've had and it's *all* been delicious: - Tikka Fries - just the right fry-to-chicken-to-sauce ratio and flavors are spot on. - The 3 A.M. burger - outstanding...best burger with an egg on it I've had. Love the Sriracha mayo. - The Duck Burger - nice! - Macon Bacon Burger - yum - The Sy Ginsberg Press - while not my favorite from the burger/sandwich menu, it was still very good. Really liked the pickled chilis and the multigrain bread. - Onion rings - I've had better - Broccolini - YES! only thing I've had twice here (there's obviously some nutritional value, but it also has a lot of butter and oil) - House-made potato chips - pretty good house-made chips - S'more Trio - these were okay...a big hit with my 3-year-old - Banoffee Pudding - also okay I also tried a bite of my wife's EV1 vegan "burger" - it was delicious. And she swears by the key lime pie-in-a-jar (it's not on the menu but ask in the spring/summer months). Of the burgers/sandwiches I had, this is how I would rank them: 1. The 3 A.M. burger 2. The Duck Burger 3. Macon Bacon Burger 4. The Sy Ginsberg Press I'm looking forward to future visits and trying the pizza, lamburger, yeti dog, etc.!
(5)Erica E.
HELL YES!!!!! For my first visit to Detroit, my hosts decided to take me to Vinsetta Garage to enjoy the awesomely legit environment of a converted garage. The food is pretty classic American style- with burgers, pizzas and gluttonous side dishes including on of the best sides of macaroni and cheese I have had the pleasure of eating! I got the 3AM burger and let me just say that I will admit to eating half of it at the restaurant, along with the famed mac and cheese but I will NOT admit to devouring the other half of the burger when I got back to my hotel room. They had a great selection of beer, actual (not fake) candles that were lit (I don't know why that's cool, it just is), good service and a bathroom floor that is covered in HEAD'S UP pennies. R-A-D, rad.
(5)Kooky M.
My husband and I had a meal here recently. I got the flank steak and quinoa salad. It was absolutely delicious. The flank steak was cooked perfectly, and I loved how balanced the salad was. I have no complaint about the food at all. Our wait person was fantastic. I have no complaint about her either. She was friendly and attentive. The only thing I did not like about the experience was how noisy the restaurant was. My preference is always to be able to talk at a comfortable speaking level and be heard. I had to shout to my husband, who was across the table from me, and he still missed a quarter of what I said. So, for that reason, and that reason ONLY, I highly doubt we'll be back. It's a shame too, because like I said, the food really was delicious.
(4)Vic N.
Vinsetta Garage is a fantastic place to hang out with your friends and watch a game, or eat comfort food with a kick! The garage itself has been preserved, hence it looks like you are walking into an old fountain and burger shop from the 1950's. Every server that I have met has been very nice and knowledgeable about the drinks and food! I have never turned down a great recommendation from a waiter, and their recommendations have been top notch! You can't go wrong with anything on the menu! Vinsetta's burgers are some of the best in Michigan! Fresh buns, fantastic homemade sauces made from scratch (just for the burgers), and of course, a burger that is grilled to absolute perfection! My recommendation? Try the 3 a.m. burger. The smoked bacon, onion straws, egg, and siracha mayo go together like a symphony in your mouth! Just writing this review is making me crave a burger! If you want to take a step on the wild side, get their ground venison burger. It tastes much different, the testure is exceptionally coarser, however, the condiments provided compliment the burger quite well. The pizza here is off the hook too! Go for the loaded potato or the burger pie! These pizzas are baked to perfection and come out steaming hot! Other favorites that I enjoy include the tikka masala fries-An Indian chicken masala dish that is rich and creamy, smothered all over crispy French fries, and the char baked bread. Ordering the bread as an appetizer is a must! It comes with a rich buttery cream cheese that goes very well together with the bread. The only reason I have not given this place 5 stars is because of the very long wait in line (on weekends it can be up to 1 and 1/2 hours!), and the difficulty with parking. I recommend that you go valet if you are eating here on the weekend. If you can, try and stop by on a weekday to avoid the ridiculously long lines.
(4)Thomas P.
What a spot! I just moved to Michigan last week, and was taken here by my roommate. We got there for lunch on a Saturday, and walked right in to a table in teh corner. First off, the decor is fantastic. It is a converted garage, with great auto-themed art and naked rafters etc. The ambiance is great for what it is, a gastropub in Detriot. We sat down and had a very attentive waiter take our drink orders immediately. The beer list is fantastic, I had a Coronado IPA from my hometown in San Diego, and it was great. There is a large selection of local beers too, as well as adult milkshakes that looked fantastic. Everyone ordered sandwiches, I ordered the Macon burger, which I feel is a must have. It has two types of bacon, a thinner crispier type, and a larger type that is more like a slice of ham, with bacon jam (fantastic) and cheese. It was amazing, I would definitely return and order it again. All the sandwiches came with house cooked potato chips on the side, a generous portion, which was nice because a good potato chip one of my favorite foods. The other burgers looked great as well, but I forget which ones they were. Sorry Yelp. In the end, it was great food. Not the cheapest spot, but I think great for a night out or lunch if you can afford it. The interior decor is fantastic, waiter was friendly, beer list extensive, and food was superb. Vinsetta was great.
(5)Lauren B.
Wow, Vinsetta Garage, you are a great addition along the M-1 stretch of restaurants in Berkeley/Royal Oak. One quick note, you CANNOT eat on the patio :( First, the bad... When we arrived the hostesses did not seem very glad to be there and when we inquired about the patio she told us about the no eating rule, which was no bueno for us! So we said inside is fine somewhere close to the doors. They open those big garage doors so sitting next to those is the next best thing! Well, the place was pretty empty and she proceeded to lead us to a back table when I just said "um excuse me, could we please sit up by the front as requested?" no response, she literally huffed and turned around and led us to a 6 top and yes, we were only 4. Now, I would not have asked to do this if it were packed, but with only a handful of tables filled, mostly in the bar, I really couldn't understand. Even by the time we left there were still open tables throughout the place. Luckily for us, and you, that's where the bad ends! Queue our waiter, who was attentive, nice, and full of recommendations the entire time. The food hear is amazing and probably their standout is the pizza and burgers. We had the bread sticks, which were oh-so-yummy and served with an herbed cream cheese. For mains, my lamb burger was a home run, one of the best I've had and PERFECTLY cooked. Also, the burger pizza is a true stroke of genius. The reason for minus 1 star is for the initial hostess rudeness and because my onion rings were a hair shy of being nice and crispy. Otherwise, will be back and will be hungry for more!
(4)Alexandra Z.
It was good but really heavy! I went with 3 people and we split the following: 3am Burger - has a spice kick to it and amazing! Lamb Burger - BEST EVER, getting this again. Ground lamb is good and Vinsetta makes it even better. Juicy, flavorful and cooked perfectly. Macon Bacon Burger - it's too much. I eat bacon almost every morning for breakfast. Our household loves bacon but it was an explosion in my mouth. Not a bad one but not one I want again. Deep Fried Cheese Curds - insane. Get them. Lightly battered. PERFECT DISH. Def go. Worth the experience. For these 3 meals and 2 beers we spent $85 with tip. Service - Great. Friendly.
(5)Andrew C.
I've been here several times before. Stopped in for lunch; had the lamburger and farro hash, and a coffee. I got here just as it was opening, so I pretty much had the whole place to myself. The lamburger was delicious, but I ended up eating it with a knife and fork, because it was kinda big, and I didn't wanna end up festooned with beet juice and feta! The farro hash was hearty, and great - tasting! They serve their coffee by the pint, just like their beer, which is a plus. It's also surprisingly warm in here, given that it still has the old "concrete garage" feel to it.
(5)Lori Z.
One of our favorite places...great food (mmmm...the burgers!), great drinks and great staff. There's often a wait, but it's worth it.
(5)Lyndsi W.
Another top burger joint! All I'm gonna say is MACON BACON! Get it! A delicious gourmet style burger with some amazing toppings that will keep you thinking about this burger for some time to come. I first had a Macon Bacon slider at a street fest the WAB had put on in Ferndale. This was all they had left at the Vinsetta Garage booth due to huge popularity and once I tasted it I knew why everyone loved this place. It prompted me to go down to their location one night and have dinner. I love the darker relaxed environment and more recently my BF's mother stopped in here with friends and went on and on about her experience here. I really do think they have what it takes to keep things alive in the Metro D! Grab a beer and a burger and just enjoy the delicious food and relaxed environment here down by Detroit!
(5)Tim K.
We stopped here after touring the Henry Ford museum. Great beer selection. Food was very good and filling.
(4)Ricky M.
I actually stumbled across the place by getting lost looking for another resturant and thought this place looked really cool only to come find out that it has extremely good food and beer! I came here on a Weds. night and this place was packed! After an hour wait we finally got seated we ordered some Disco Fries and Wings to start and I have to say both were really good. Disco fries were a tad bit better either way you cant go wrong with either. For my main meal I got the 3am burger which I have to say might just be one of the best burgers I have ever had well at least in my top 5 for sure! If you haven't tried this place I highly recommend it!
(5)Becki W.
We arrived in a Tuesday night around 6:30 and had no wait for our party of 4. Lauren our waitress was awesome and very attentive. We started the night with the disco fries. Good but very salty and had a little kick Which you may or may not like. The kids didn't seem to mind. My husband got the 3 a.m burger and I got the Vinsetta burger. Both were delicious but very messy. My son got the kids Mac and cheese which is just a smaller version of the adult Mac and cheese. It came with fresh apples or baby carrots and a pop. My daughter got the kids burger which was huge for a kids size. They both devoured their meals. We split the Fargo Pop rocks ice cream which was different but nothing too outrageous. I'd go here again.
(4)Sara C.
Fun, casual atmosphere. Excellent service. Creative menu with lots of options for veg. and GF. The most notable part of our meal was dessert: house-made liquid nitrogen churned Faygo Rock N' Rye ice cream dusted with Pop Rocks! WOW. :)
(4)T W.
Can switch out pasta for kale so that's a win for me. Although there are plenty of greasers that still allows husband to enjoy as well (lamb burger - go light on stinky cheese). Onion rings pretty average. Wait time can be ridiculously long though on Fri/Sat night, not quiet worth the wait.
(3)Stephanie C.
Love the atmosphere! Their gluten-free pizza is amazing :)
(5)Allan R.
Awesome dining experience! Top beer selection. Burger was huge and flavorful. I appreciated the classic decor. Coming back again!
(5)Jason M.
While certainly a decent choice for an evening out, the consistent, long wait times combined with culinary shortfalls make Vinsetta Garage a little too much work to make the trip worthwhile. The draft beer selection is probably the high point, having a solid 15 or so tap options, many of which are local selections. What's unfortunate is there's no description beyond the name, so when you have such obscure nano brews it's hard to determine what the best fit is for what you want. Surely you aren't going to ask your cocktail waitress what each beer is like. Because the waits are so long (our hosts hadn't heard of a wait less than 45 minutes - ours was 50 and we arrived at 5pm for the early bird dinner), there's a bar waitress dedicated to serving drinks. That's nice but might benefit from having drink menus circulating in the waiting areas. As a first timer, I had no idea what the specialty cocktail menu or beer selection was. And now the main course. Our waitress talked me into the Macon Bacon burger, which she said was on the Food Network and is their most popular burger. I ordered it medium-rare and it came sinfully well-done. That ruined the experienced from then on out. Heck, I ordered med-rare at Max and Erma's a weekend ago and to my surprise it actually arrived cooked properly. And this place specializes in burgers? Level of doneness is the absolute MOST basic thing to get right. And it's not like it arrived medium. Or medium well. It was charred, chewy beef all the way through. So I really feel like I can't comment on the burger fairly, as it did not taste good being cooked that badly. It was really drippy with some sort of black sauce that wasn't on the menu. My wife's duck burger was the same way. Not sure what it was but it kept our hands very wet. The 8oz burgers also all come with a side of chips (or a small cost for an upgrade to a premium side) and a very trendy pretzel bun, which I prefer trendy or not. For the sides, my wife and I both upgraded to Mac n Cheese and Onion Rings, respectively. The Rings were really good. Not breaded so a little lighter and leave you wanting more than the 5-6 they give you. My wife got the mac and cheese which was absolutely terrible. She took 1 bite, I took 1 bite and that was all it was touched before the waitress took it away. The cheese sauce was soupy and diluted, as if they were trying to hard and messed it all up. If you've ever had mac and cheese at a soul food restaurant, that's probably the best you're gunna get. But I've had stuff from a box (or as a side at Boston Market) that was better than this - and that's supposed to be one of their most demanded items? We didn't get why. We also had dessert, with myself getting pumpkin cheesecake and my wife the sea salt and caramel homemade ice cream. The waitress described the latter as custard, but it surely wasn't. My wife and I both agreed that it was heavily over-salted. To me, I couldn't taste any caramel at all. Just like licking a frozen salt block. My pumpkin cheesecake was better, though being served in a mason jar sacrificed delivery for cuteness, as the pie crust built up a little too high on the bottom ruining that cheesecake-to-crust ratio in each bite. Otherwise it had a good taste and I'd recommend giving it a try. In short, Vinsetta Garage is decent, but as a burger joint doesn't set itself apart from most others in the area. It's a loud restaurant with forgettable cuisine. The large wait and lack of reservations is the nail in the coffin that makes this place fall flat and likely become an establishment I'll never visit again.
(3)Jeffrey B.
I can't believe it took me as long as it did to get here, and now I can't wait to go back. This was probably the best dinner I have had in Royal Oak in a long while, if not ever. Actually, wait, this is Berkley? Who's counting? Vinsetta Garage has been open now for a year? Maybe more? And surrounded with buzz and hype and I can now attest to all the high praise. For years I drove past VG when it was a garage. Who would have thought it would become a source of edible amazement? Tuesday night Michelle M. and Madelyn S. and I ventured to VG for a later night dinner. We were able to park on the street avoiding valet parking--I secretly hate valet parking--and walked right in and were sat at a central table. The staff was very courteous and friendly, and my friend Stacey H. who manages VG even stopped by to greet us and offer her recommendations. All of the beer on draught ware from Michigan and were wildly varied. I decided on the Empress Catherine from Short's because it has a great name. As for the eats, Madelyn and Michelle started with the Chicken Tikka Masala fries as a starter, which marries the greatness of fresh crispy french fries with the exotic magic that is Indian food. I did eat a few of the fries on the periphery that were sans chicken and I can say I wanted more. For dinner I ordered the Loaded Baked Potato Pizza (garlic butter, smoked cheddar, cheese blend, redskin potatoes, shiitake bacon--which was beyond heavenly to this vegetarian--, chives, and served with sour cream. I also added McClure's pickles because it just sounded like a quirky addition. This pizza was so good. So, so good. I ate almost all of it--and we're talking a 12" pizza. I would definitely order it again--perhaps with even more additional toppings. For the curious, the pickle totally worked. Michelle and Maddy split the Vinsetta Burger as well as the macaroni and cheese and broccolini. The mac and cheese was a little heavy on the nutmeg but was so comforting and creamy. The broccolini could have been cooked maybe a tad longer, but it even so, it was fresh and spicy, and hell, it's broccolini! For dessert, I resisted the urge for the pumpkin cheesecake and instead we split the Banoffee Pudding and the Malted Molten Lava Cake. Both were exceptional. The Lava Cake was served with homemade vanilla ice cream and Cap'n Crunch--I suggested they try it with PB Cap'n, or perhaps a sampler of original, PB, and Brunch Berries--but I may just be easily excited by a man in uniform. The Banoffee Pudding I found delightful, which really surprised me since I'm not one to be enthusiastic about anything banana flavored. I really cannot think of a better place for a date, though probably on a week night since I think there's still a huge wait on the weekend. The ambiance is fun and retro but modern with the original floors and Edison light bulb accents. There's even a group room in the back for bigger parties. Side note: I think we need a UYE in that back room so I can have another meeting with shiitake bacon. Stacey said we could make that happen. Go here. Eat it all. Be happy.
(5)Matthew C.
Some of the best food and atmosphere in Metro Detroit. Absolutely delicious, with unique combinations of ingredients and great attentive service.
(5)Patrick A.
The place looks like an old style mechanic's garage from the 50's on the outside, and has a similar look on the inside. As soon as you walk in, you're greeted by a hostess in a small entrance area. You'll likely have to wait a while for a table, so they have a small seating area, or you can venture outside to hang with friends. Once seated, the servers are attentive and quick. They have specials that are described in detail, and a full daily menu with plenty of great choices. The pasta bowls are great options, and vary widely in taste from one to another. The pizza is made on site in a brick oven and is amazing (so I'm told; I've never actually tried one!). This is a great lunch spot or a nice place for a casual sit-down dinner. Again, expect to wait to be seated! They also won't take reservations or offer call-ahead seating. All in all, great little place to come for a meal with friends. Enjoy!
(5)Ceaser D.
Food is always on point here! I'm a big fan of their burgers, they are juicy and cooked to perfection. Best onion rings I've ever had, the Mac 'n cheese rivals my great Aunt's and I can't help but get a milkshake every time I visit. Cool place, a favorite of me and the Mrs's.
(5)Dan W.
Food is halfway decent, I don't necessarily think that everything here is to die for. However the staff is just so damn arrogant its incredible. I've been here a few times and every hostess I've dealt with is rude. I asked for ranch dressing on a salad and you would have thought by the reaction that I insulted the waitress. "Um we don't have ranch because we can't make it ourselves". A simple "I'm sorry we don't have ranch" would have been sufficient.
(3)Dee L.
Great place to eat with a wide variety of options both for food and beverages. I was impressed with almost everything that came from the kitchen as I sat at the bar and drink a Michigan craft brew! I will be back.
(4)Rebecca B.
Went there again today for lunch - still a solid four stars. This time I had a "burger" that came with diaya cheese, crispy chips and a quinoa salad. I really like that they have vegan options. And they are good vegan options. I don't know if the kitchen is vegan (like how some people don't want them to use the same spatula EVER) but I think if you want to eat out and are vegan, you need to be a little flexible. Overall fairly good.
(4)Sarah P.
I went here with my father and we had a blast. The entire restaurant is designed so well and it's a really good environment. My father ordered some sort of noodles and I ordered the Chili Rubbed Flank Steak. The dry rub on the steak was quite delicious, but the cut was not. I have never had flank steak before, so I was quite surprised when the steak had the texture of pork. For dessert, ee ordered the faygo ice cream as well as the chocolate cake and were quite pleased with it. The pop rocks on the ice cream was pretty fun. The beer selection is good, but I was surprised that there was not more. As well as that, their cocktail house recipes were quite limited. Even though I did not enjoy the main meal too much, I was still severely impressed with Vinsetta Garage and will go back if the opportunity arises.
(4)Andi O.
Five stars for the food, and one star for the service. We brought guests visiting from out of town to Vinsetta, and we all loved our burgers and side cars of mac n cheese. However our service was non-existant. Our server was was very short with us when we asked a couple of questions. We ordered a round of drinks and waters. She took our dinner order when she dropped off the drinks (but no water) and never came back. We were finished with our drinks before the food came out. A food runner dropped off our entrees, but our server never came back to see if everything was okay or to check on beverages. She disappeared. We ended up joking with the table next to us because they were experiencing the same thing. It's a shame, because fantastic food will only get you so far.
(3)Cookie W.
Unique atmosphere. Some community tables. Generous portions. Friendly, Happy Servers. Good Food. Only once did I order something I did not are for - the Lamb Burger. Doesn't mean it wasn't good, just not to my taste. Worth the short wait for a popular place.
(4)Jared W.
The food was fantastic and unique which is something that is hard to find in the age of chain restaurants. The wait was two hours yet the staff was friendly, accommodating, and efficient. We drove to the mall to get some shopping done then returned with only 30 min left to wait. The restaurant is in a converted auto garage so the environment was refreshingly different as well. Finally the prices were fantastic for the level of service and quality of the food. I will definitely be back here as soon as possible.
(5)Kara B.
Great restaurant with unique food. Loved decor and check out the bathroom floor. A must visit!
(5)Andrea C.
We are big fans of Vinsetta garage! From the decor to the amazing food- we love it all. We usually come for lunch (followed by a food nap)- but last night was the first time we tried it for dinner. We got in around 530, they had free (tips accepted) valet parking (a first I've seen? Not sure if this is dinner only or a trial thing?) it worked out since finding parking can be troublesome. Our server was friendly and quick to keep our drinks full. We ordered the disco fries to start- which are very much like a Canadian poutine, cheese curds and all. The chili peppers give it the disco kick, loved it! We both ordered the 3am burger, the pretzel bun looks delicious- I get mine gluten free, and I will say- they have the best gluten free buns. (The first time I ordered extra buns to take home). We never have room for dessert - I always have leftovers. We love this place!
(4)Mike B.
Great atmosphere. My first pizza was burned, I was suprised the waitress even brought it out to us. She did return it for one that wasn't burned after I complained. So service was pretty good, just not proactive on this visit. The 2nd pizza and cheese curds were outstanding! We will be back!
(5)Sarah C.
I have been wanting to try this place for a couple of months now. I showed my bf the yelp reviews and we were both super excited to try this place out. We came here Sunday after Thanksgiving and came shortly after they opened at 11am. They have their own little parking lot and also some more parking in the back. I love how invested they were into their garage theme decor. We loved it. We were seated promptly. There were a couple other parties there when we arrived. Our waiter came and took our orders pretty fast and I thought he did a great job and was very friendly. Another thing I liked about this place is that there are sinks outside of the bathrooms for you to wash your hands. Love that. I ordered a pizza so I felt like I had to wash my hands before I started eating. My boyfriend ordered the Angus patty, Swiss, Woodshop MI maple bacon, topped with a fried egg & crispy fried onion strings, Sriracha mayo -- 12.95: He thought it was very good and was really full afterwards. He didn't think he would be. Side of Union Mac- We saw that this is a popular item so we got it. The side portion is still pretty big. I didn't really like it. I like slo's mac n cheese more. I got the Loaded Potato Pizza - It was huge! I think I ate three slices without eating the crust and my boyfriend ate one slice with two slices to go. This is probably a 2-3 person pizza. Came with cheese with garlic butter, potatoes, and these amazingly good fried onions with sour cream on the side. I enjoyed it! We got Faygo milkshake - not bad! I wouldn't mind coming again.
(4)Louai S.
They have a decent burger patty, a decent Pizza, love the fried cheese curds and Faygo ice cream. Pastas and sauces really suck, salads need serious help, sides way more help. Some of the servers, need to get another profession. If it is raining, the place stinks like sewers, when I asked server why, he basically told me "well it used to be an auto repair shop you know". Can be awesome *****, has great down to earth atmosphere.
(3)Tom R.
What a fun place with great food and beer. I have been there over 12 times on the last 6 months. The staff is friendly and if you are stuck on a beer, they can help. Burgers RULE - 3 AM, Duck and Macon Bacon just rule. The Mac and Cheese is excellent as are the pizzas. If you go on a weekend night, expect a wait (most nights actually), but it is worth the wait. CHEERS!!!
(4)Maria E.
The Duck burger. It was a transcendent experience. Got it with a side of Mac and cheese and it was all amazing. The sweetness mixed with that juicy burger got me...and because we went Sunday early afternoon (during a snowstorm) there was none of the normal waiting. Just sublime.
(5)Rich B.
They a run a great and unique place with Vinsetta Garage. From the Valet to the wait staff to the kitchen, I have never had a bad experience at Vinsetta. Over my various visits I have had the hot dogs, burgers, pizza and pasta. All of the food is top quality and delicious. Yes, the wait times can be a bit very long, and especially when you want to bring friends it's a bit of a letdown that they do not take reservations. But in the end that's all part of the experience. Time your arrival before or after the rush or just hang out and enjoy the view of Woodward sitting out front. Always a great place to go to!
(5)Rebecca B.
I can't believe it took me so long to try this place! Pull your car right up front to the complimentary valet and step inside to this fabulously repurposed garage turned restaurant. We arrived around 4 on a Saturday hoping we'd miss the dinner crowd. Wrong!! This place was packed. We were immediately greeted by the hostess with a warm smile. She advised us that there would be a 45 minute wait, boo!! But we were determined to dine here, so we helped ourselves to the seating area in the back corner by the rest rooms. A waitress stopped by and was taking drink orders while patrons waited. Just before we gave our order, our table was ready, maybe an 8 minute wait! Woo hoo!! We were escorted to the exact opposite end of the restaurant to what I felt wasn't the greatest seat in the house, but I was over it after five minutes. What a menu! I'm going to have to come back here like at least ten more times to try all the goodies listed. They offer a huge variety of burgers, noodle casseroles, and salads. I opted for the duck burger. Having had duck before and liking it, the combo of fixins that top the duck sounded delish!! Cherry compote, gruyere on a pretzel bun? Yes, please!! My fabulous waitress advised that it is gamey, I still wanted it. I ordered a side of the mac and cheese, aka a crock of heaven!!! I was so pleased to hear that they have ginger beer and make Moscow Mules!! yummy!!!! So, I'll admit the duck was a bit gamey, but so glad to have tried it. I can't wait to try their pizza with the endless selection of toppings offered, including goat cheese!!! So, I advise you to save room for dessert...My mom ordered the salted caramel ice cream and was nice enough to offer me a taste.. highly recommend!! I chose the Faygo Rock and Rye nitrogen ice cream topped with pop rocks. I was afraid the pop rocks may interfere with the rock and rye, but no..it was amazing!! I am sooooooo getting this next time I visit.. Until next time...
(5)Tyler K.
This place, among the rest of the owner's locations, is fantastic. Great place for good food and good drink. The detail into the restaurant's location and the selection of food is enough to bring you back to want to try everything while just flat out enjoying yourself and the company that you bring. If it is just two of you, put your name in and immediately head to the bar looking for a libation and an empty couple of seats...
(4)Kamran B.
What: [Not to be confused with Vinsetta Grill down the road and managed by different owners.] Swank with grit, cool with chrome, and large but intimate. This literal garage joint oozes inviting with hip seating and polished tables. Imagine a 1950s aviation mechanic shop cleaned up with a top-shelf bar spirits and full-service late-night kitchen. Burgers, steaks, cocktails, and macaroni. Where: On Historic Woodward Avenue in Berkley. How: Smile at the hostess on your way in and walk straight to the bar. Order a Wild Turkey Bourbon on the rocks and a menu. When: This is hard to say, as they take no reservations like most Michigander joints. 9p gets an hour wait. Yelpers recommend 3p for short to no-wait times. Parking: Skip the mandatory valet, and park along the residential side street! Must: Although everyone advocates for the Union Mac N Cheese, 3a.m. or Macon Bacon Burger (all of which are fantastic-- pretzel buns!), I strongly recommend a medium-rare 8 ounce chili-rubbed flank steak with the vinegary quinoa salad sidecar. Appetizer: The peppered broccolini is the perfect texture of nutrition and deliciousness. For true taste-bud delight, try the Chicken Tikka Masala Fries. Cocktails: yes. #RajivRecommends80% #DetroitCity #FoodReview
(4)Lauren C.
This place is beyond amazing. Their mac and cheese is to die for. A little pricey depending on what you get but so worth it. We went on a sunday at 1 pm no wait. I hate the parking tho
(4)Jae K.
I'm gonna keep it simple. Get the chicken tikka masala fries
(5)Keith B.
First time here and I was really digging the setup. Great place to entertain peeps from out of town EXCEPT its so loud you'll have to converse really loudly. As far as the eats, the onion rings and fries were the awesome but I made some less than favorable choices on the other selections. I had the veggie burger not a fan. It was cold and lacked flavor which was a shock because it came with fire roasted tomatoes and goat cheese (my fav). I also had the farro (spelling??) hash app NOT a fan. It also lacked flavor to me. My boy tasted it and said it wasn't bad BUT he could have done more with it.
(3)Ray C.
First time to Vinsetta Garage on Woodward. It is a classic place set in an old vehicle garage and is really cool inside. Parking at lunch is tricky due to the lack of valet or any kind of a lot, but I know they are trying to address. There were 4 of us and we all tried something different from Detroit based coneys, turkey burger and 2 typed of burgers. We all enjoyed our food for sure and left very full. The places is noisy as it is an old garage after all with no acoustic treatment. Would go back for sure.
(4)Frank A.
Had a lamb burger with goat cheese. Simply spectacular. Long wait but worth it. Good service good atmosphere. Great beer selection on drafts too.
(5)James K.
My coworkers and I came up to this place for dinner. The atmosphere is really unique and different, but in a good way. You can tell right away that its going for a trendy vibe and it mostly works. Its a little dark in places which can make it hard to see the menus, but its not terrible. They do have some TVs higher up in the main room that will allow you to see a game, but I wouldn't recommend it. I had the bacon burger (I forgot the actual name on the menu) and it was excellent. A little great but otherwise great and I destroyed it pretty quickly. The fries were also really good. Overall even though its not my type of vibe I really enjoyed my food and would recommend this place to anyone.
(4)Michael A.
I have been looking forward to eating here for months and it was worth the wait, started with the fried cheese curds as an appetizer , then I enjoyed the Duck Burger and my friend enjoyed the Lamb Burger, both were exceptional, we also enjoyed a side of the famous union Mac n cheese and. Side salad, for dessert we have the Faygo Rock n Rye ice cream topped with pop rocks and then also a chocolate molten cake served with vanilla ice cream atop crushed captain crunch
(5)kevin g.
I can only assume the reason this place does not have 5 stars is that you have to wait for a long time to get in. For spectacular food and truly attentive service we did not mind the wait. (No reservations or call ahead) We arrived to a 1 hour and 45 minute wait since we had a big lunch and had anticipated it this was not a big deal. We had some drinks and enjoyed the atmosphere of the waiting area and the seriously well mixed tunes coming through the speakers.Did I mention the other 2 in my party were sound engineers? So them being impressed was a big thing. Once we did get in the place continued to set the bar high. I assumed in a trendy and busy place like this service would be OK but a bit stuck up. This was not the case at all, our server (Brandy - it was here 30th B-Day BTW) was sweet, funny, and very good with all of our questions. We settled on some more drinks from the bar and then commenced to studying the menu, 2 of us in the group had done our home work so we had some ideas of where to go but its always good to see whats on the tables around you. for the App course we went beer battered cheese curds, and the house-made chips with everything, including turkey, bacon, and beef. Both of them were awesome, the other mega foodie in the trio is originally from Wisconsin so if the curds were passing muster with him then you know they were good. The chips were perfectly fried and the stuff on them just made it all better; they held up to the massive load of goodies we heaped on them as well. For the main course I chose a build-your-own pizza with gluten free crust, house cheese blend, tomato sauce, gruyere, ribeye tips, caramelized onions, red peppers, and garlic. Other than I should have had them give it another minute in the oven (Gluten free crust always need a bit more heat) it was top notch and even with the slight moist crust it was still a mighty fine pizza GF or not. My dining mates ordered the duck burger ( a must have I'm told) and the Union Mac and Cheese which was not only huge but came with what appeared to be a small garden trowel to serve it. I did not personally taste is because of the noodles but it smelled awesome and the others raved. The dessert menu is diverse as well, they have "Grown Up Milkshakes" as well as frozen custards, regular milkshakes, and other sweet goodness. I had the salted caramel milkshake and the Banoffee Pudding (Banana and Toffee) I think one of the best parts about the place is the fact that even after all of that awesome food the bill was VERY reasonable, I think my portion came to $45, which given there were, apps, drinks, custom dishes, and desserts is in my opinion more than acceptable all day long. To sum up, if you are in a hurry don't go here but if you want to make a night of a culinary and pub experience with a great atmosphere, great service, and awesome value, then PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE go here. I hope that everyone has the same fabulous trip we did.
(5)Krisitn M.
Five stars for the veggie burger. Seriously, best veggie burger ever. It makes me so sad that I live in CO and can't have this more often. I wasn't overly impressed with the loaded potato chips. Faygo ice cream was fun to try but more novelty than something worth ordering regularly. Didn't care for the s'more trio. It just didn't really work. The salted caramel custard is amazing.
(4)Cathleen B.
really good, amazing atmosphere as well! I'm a vegetarian so they have lots of choices. so busy all the time, so I recommend going on a off day at off time. and get the sides, always a win!
(4)Clark D.
Have tried to come here for a year, but my aversion to waiting in lines has until recently kept us away. The place looks cool inside, and old service station, vintage junk and signs and motorcycles and hot rods... Yeah, it's kinda cute, but it's basically one large room, which made us feel like we were eating in a cafeteria. Each of us had one of their signature drinks, all of which were overly sweet "panty-pullers". This must be the reason so many reviewers come away from here with such glowing reviews ('hic'). I had the duck burger, which was swimming in glop. Had to scrape away this crud to taste the burger, which was overcooked, dry and tasteless. Accompanied by a city block of burnt homemade chips. My wife had two of the vegetarian dishes she could find, both of which were forgettable globs of glop. Really disappointing - couldn't leave fast enough.
(2)Kristin C.
The mac & cheese at Vinsetta is truly the gold standard. I've tried mac & cheese all over this town and nothing beats this one. The portion is huge - at least 3 meals worth. Lelio pasta bowl, tuna noodle casserole and noodle burger casserole are also tasty - but I'd say stick with the mac & cheese if you are going to do a pasta dish here. Burgers and chili were also great! Don't come here on a diet - it's definitely not healthy! Good drinks, affordable kids menu, great re-purposed space. Love this addition to Berkley & the Woodward Corridor!
(4)Donovan B.
Service: the staff here is very helpful especially when it comes to helping you decide. They are quick with re fills and dont rush you out of there. Food: like it needs a review.. their food is so filling. Ive never left NOT feeling like I was goimg to pop. Their burgers are so juicy and their desserts are honestly wierd and tasty. Pop rocks on my dessert.... hell yea. The mac and cheese was no surprise since they are using the union recipe. The chips could come out a little less burnt but thats my preference. Overall: always going to be a fan of this place. The place is so chill and everything about it is unique in its own way.
(5)Grace W.
I really liked Vinsetta Garage when I visited this past Spring. The main reason I came here was for the Poutine aka Disco Fries. Let me just say they were delicious! I ate light because we were supposed to be doing dinner with another couple that day - so I only had the fries and a House Salad. My nieces ordered pizza and really liked it, but I do remember my one niece complained the pepperoni was spicy. Kids. Pfft! I thought this place was so cool though. The exterior was awesome! The interior was awesome! Shop towels for napkins? Yes! I love it! Our waitress was very helpful and super nice! The pizzas were served on cool screens. I don't know, growing up around cars as a child I guess I'm just a sucker for the Automotive decor/theme. It's pretty rad! I'd love to go back and have more than just fries and salad. Next time.
(4)Jennifer R.
What's not to love?! Food is creative and fresh. Great service. One of my favorite restaurants!!
(5)Victor G.
Long wait times no matter the day or time. Excellent food, sometimes not worth a 2 hour wait.
(4)Tim S.
Good food. Busy as bear
(4)Erin Q.
I was a bit nervous to try this place out on a Friday night due to all the reviews for the wait time, but we got stuck in traffic and some of our family made it there before us and only had to wait about 30 minutes, completely reasonable for a Friday night. Our waitress, wish I had her name, was so awesome! She was on it! We started with the loaded disco fries and they have Wisconsin cheese curds on them. So good! I decided to go for the Vinsetta burger with the burger sauce on the side, just so I could see what it was about, but I ended up adding it. It tasted like a mix of mayo and ketchup to me. I had the house made chips with it and they had malt vinegar on the table, a perfect compliment to the chips. I ordered the burger with the pretzel bun because duh, why wouldn't you? It was deliciously messy! I wish I could have eaten all of it! We got to try the rock and rye ice cream with pop rocks. Man, I was brought back to my childhood with that dessert. Creamy and smooth and then the shock of the pop rocks hit you and you can't really have a conversation, but it is completely worth it.
(5)Desirée D.
we've waited to eat there three times in three years. still haven't gotten in. i was trying to get the family (a group of 14) in for an early dinner for my husbands birthday and still no chance of reservations. seriously disappointed. too much hype. not enough effort on the business part of allowing families to give them a try. there is no way we can wait 45 to sit, plus the additional 45 people are reviewing to wait for food.
(1)Tamara K.
Good food! Service for carry-out is just ok. Salads are wonderful!
(4)Jessica C.
My hubby and I went here on a Saturday night. The location is set in an old garage and all the lighting fixtures look like something from a restoration hardware catalog. I adored the tufted leather barstools and the place was packed! There was almost a 2 hour wait. We went up to grab drinks at the bar and luckily two seats opened up. The beer and wine menu is decent with the non draft options broken out by state. That was nice for me since I was set on ordering a local brew. We went with two founder's pale ales. The bartender was really friendly and kept my glass full, like they should. When it came time to order, I went with the chopped salad which I know was a mistake but I couldn't stomach the idea of eating a greasy burger. My husband went with a margherita pizza and added pepperoni. It was awesome!! My salad was really tasty too but again I know people don't venture here for the salads. If you're debating whether to go here or anywhere else, don't! This was totally worth it and we'll be back!
(5)Katie B.
Great atmosphere for a date night or a group night! Love the food and atmosphere! What a great place to take visitors from out of town too! Will be going back soon!
(5)Rita Y.
The only complaint I have is the wait. They consistently give a time that is WAY over the actual wait time. For example this past weekend we were told an hour and a half and we waited a half hour max. Otherwise I had the Ann Bowl and it was phenomenal. Can't wait to go back!
(4)Shelley Z.
Awesome place - it's good every single time I go.
(5)Maureen M.
Vinsetta Garage has been on my radar since it opened. I've avoided it due to the ridiculously long wait times. Fortunately, I've had a couple of opportunities to go during off peak times & took full advantage. There was still a wait for tables (maybe 20 min), so I've only sat at the bar simply because it was open. The atmosphere is pretty cool. I'm sure that's already been covered in many reviews, so I won't go into detail. As a gear head, my husband really appreciated what they kept from the old garage, especially the old explosion proof light fixtures (I think that's what they are). I really like the bar, which is why I went back the 2nd time. The chairs are very comfortable! I've sat at many bars, and I think these are my favorite so far. The beer selection is pretty good, although I always get Kuhnhenn's DRIPA. The menu is amazing and drool-worthy. So far, I've tried the Chopped Salad, Disco Fries, the 3 A.M. burger, and an amazing dessert (which I have no clue what it was). All of it was amazing. The 3 A.M. burger was pretty fantastic and huge. The sriracha mayo added just the right kick. As for the dessert....it's not on the menu. My friend ordered it because we were celebrating my birthday. It was a chocolate custard covering chocolate cake in a little jar perfect for sharing, although I didn't want to. It was to die for. My husband also gives the burgers a big thumbs up. He was not overly impressed with the Union Mac though. I'm not a good judge because I'm never impressed with mac & cheese. We both love the shoe string fries. The downside to sitting at the bar at a very busy restaurant on a very busy night, is that people start to crowd you & personal space no longer exists. It got annoying really fast. I don't hold this against Vinsetta. People are just jerks. They want their drinks & apparently we were in their way. If you get up to go to the restroom, you have to fight your way back into your seat. Again, apparently I was in THEIR way. My bad. Service was good both times. We really liked our bartender during our last visit. Valet has also been nice both times.
(4)Brian K.
Very unique lunch experience eating in an old gas station garage! You need to see it for yourself to experience it. Ordered the maple bacon burger with sharp cheddar on a pretzel bun. Asked for it to be cooked medium, and that's exactly how it came out. Excellent quality and taste in this arena. The tikka masala fries were okay. A bit salty and monotonous, but worth trying. As for dessert: Banana cream pudding needed some help in the sugar department. It was obvious the chef forgot to add sugar to the base because it wasn't flavored and tasted like baby food topped with nilla wafers. I get what they were trying to accomplish with it and it would of been good had the appropriate amount of ingredients were added to it. When brought to the waiters attention, she notified the chef and he seemed defensive about it and said, "the sugar was not forgotten and that's how it's supposed to be." That's my only reason for 4 stars was their unwillingness to admit maybe something was wrong with it and accommodate the customer. Oh well, I'd still go back and have the pizza or a burger and beer.
(4)Tamara K.
Deliciousness worth every minute of our wait!! Love the Northville cider. Lamb burger was extraordinary!! Also pasta bowl with chicken and bacon was spectacular -- the Lellio!!
(4)Molly C.
I've had very pleasant experiences here. I love that they have a vegan option too. I would NOT recommend the side of Quinoia. It's cold and does not taste good.
(4)Jeffrey S.
I love the atmosphere. I'm never disappointed here. The food is great, and I love how they turned an old garage into a quality restaurant. 5 stars!
(5)Andrea E.
We went here for my birthday last Sunday. We ended up going around 4 because we heard about the 2 hour waits, and I like eating dinner early anyway. We only waited for about 10 minutes, and they seated us in this separate little nook. If we weren't in the nook, I think it would have been a little too loud in there, but in the nook it was fine. I liked the decor - my grandma kept saying she's got stuff in her basement that looked just like the stuff in the restaurant and she should sell it to them. It was pretty Grandma's basement-y, in a good way. I had a really hard time deciding what I wanted but I ended up getting an Erich Press with turkey, cheese, broccoli sprouts, tomato, cilantro and guacamole. It was delicious! I wasn't a huge fan of the disco fries, but the cheese curds and onion rings were delicious. My favorite thing was the Rock and Rye ice cream. It really tasted like rock and rye. I kind of thought it would be too creamy and wouldn't taste like rock and rye enough, but it was awesome. Their drink selection was pretty good too.
(4)Deedee Y.
Great experience. ..unique place...food was exceptional....service could have been a little better though.
(4)Jon B.
Awesome Burger and the appetizer of home made chips with cheese and other toppings was very different but amazing
(5)Rachel S.
Great food and drink menu. 3 am burger was super juicy and the cooks are good about cooking the meat the way you ask. The "cruise control" drink was a bit too minty but the "low rider" was super refreshing. The whole restaurant was very interesting as it used to be an actual garage. Happy that it was nice enough for them to open the garage doors!
(5)Heather R.
Great service, awesome food! The restaurant serves MI beers and wines, as well as other known beverages. Be prepared to wait when attempting to eat here for dinner. The restaurant doesn't take reservations (that I know of), and the dinner crowd tends to be large. The parking is a little tricky, as there is both self-parking in the neighborhood, as well as valet parking out front. Valet parking is easier, as the surrounding self-parking area is small.
(5)Anna V.
Gotta give these owners a lot of credit. They thought out every detail. My friend, Ron, and I sat at the bar and each had a glass of red wine, which was very nice. Then we ordered a few small plates to share and we were not disappointed. The mac - n - cheese is really yummy! The farro has was much better than I had anticipated and the onion rings were also great! The place has a great vibe!
(5)Fredric S.
I really wanted to like this place . . . I am a big fan of Union Woodshop. I stopped in for lunch and ordered the signature Vinsetta Burger with the Yukon Gold potato salad. The meal was, in a word, disappointing. The two 4 oz patties were over cooked to the point of being burnt. The house smoked bacon was as well. It made for a rather unpleasant eating experience. As for the potato salad, imho, the potatoes were undercookedwith too much dressing. I will return . . . it could have just been a bad day. The service was outstanding and the place was very high energy, even at lunch. I will revise if this review if warranted.
(3)Arturo F.
I've been to Vinsetta Garage about 10 times, and have always had a great meal. Their 3 AM Burger is my favorite burger anywhere in the world, and the chicken tikka masala fries are amazing. The drinks are pretty good, too. The only reason this place doesn't get 5 stars is the long wait on most nights (on the weekends, it's damn near impossible to get in for dinner) and the fact that they don't offer reservations.
(4)Jim M.
One of the few places I have eaten at that can make a steak as well as I do Service was great Atmosphere is cool as hell
(5)Phillip T.
Trendy upbeat restaurant right on the main drag. Loud. Full bar. In an updated auto garage/service station, with electric charge stations where the gas pumps used to be. An actual super-fast rail car hangs above the entrance. Service is good, staff was fine. Finding what you'd like on the menu might be tricky, but hopefully rewarding. Think 50's-ish, alongside modern salads and sides. Gets very busy at peak times. Park with valet or side streets. Be sure and wander around to see all the memorabilia, hardware, photos -- sort of like a trip to a small museum. Try it just to check it out (but not on a Saturday night).
(4)Karina K.
This place is loud and does not take reservations and always has a tremendous wait. But for some reason it's worth it. The menu is very interesting. And even more interesting to eat inside of a renovated old garage. My husband and I both ordered the flank steak and also the chicken tikka fries which were unbelievable. I can't wait to go back again and try more, maybe during the day when there's not over an hour wait.
(4)Bernard H.
Finally stopped in and glad I did. I had the burger and mac and cheese. The bomb! Outgoing and friendly staff including the customers..
(4)Will D.
Authentic modern atmosphere with cool vintage relics. Loaded chips have the right amount of kick and deep-fried-ness. Sour cream is a must. Vinsetta burger is solid, finishes strong. Union Mac satisfies the craving. 3 am burger has perfectly cooked beef and pairs well with the onion strings, egg, and sriracha mayo. Will be going back for pizza and dessert!
(4)Dan O.
Saw this joint on the US of Bacon and had to try it. Neat little bistro located less than 5 miles away from my new place. "Free" (no suggested tip amount) valet parking, lots of tables & bar space. Saw a lot of good things on the menu, but had to try their triple pork Macon Bacon Burger. Home applewood smoked bacon, pancetta, & Canadian bacon on top of a delicious beef patty. Had a side of loaded home cooked potato chips & potato salad. Deelish! I was in such a food coma going home. Had a hard time finishing half, so I had a lot of leftovers to take home and enjoy the next day. Definitely recommend and repeat!
(4)Chris J.
HIgh expectations, long wait time, food is Ok 3 stars for food 4 stars for ambiance / creativity If you could just pop in and have a quick bite to eat, this place would be fun. But the food is nowhere good enough to take 3 hours of your evening from time of arrival to departure. Not only a long wait, but every bite of food was painfully slow to arrive at our table. Everything was decent, good - but nothing that you can't find at several other places around town that come without the hassle.
(3)Michelle N.
Not impressed AT ALL. My party of 6 came at 8:30pm and was told there'd be a 2-hour wait. It ended up being a little over an hour, but I was also told by someone in the party that Vinsetta Garage tends to overestimate the wait. Our waitress was terrible. She was nice enough when we were seated, but it qiuckly went downhill. It took her F-O-R-E-V-E-R to get our orders. She was missing for most of the meal, extremely inefficient (we split the check in 3 - she made 3 diff trips to collect the 3 checks), and didn't bring refills of water even though we asked multiple times. To add insult to injury, she was rude to one of the girls in my party..like noticeably ruder than the way she treated the rest of us. The food itself was meh. - Smoked chicken wings: extremely burnt..maybe it was the piece I had, not sure. All I tasted was the char. - Disco fries: I heard people raving all day long about this, but I was bummed when the order came out. It was tiny, and the cheese covered maybe 50% of the plate (not all of it). It was good, but seriously, I felt like I got jipped on the disco fries. - 3AM burger: meh.. it was good, but not good enough to offset the terrible service and the fact that it was already like 11pm by the time we got our food. Also, the chips were strangely stale and tasted like this weird chemical/plastic thing. Over all, 3 stars for what is possibly the worst service I've encountered in Detroit. I am in no hurry to return.
(3)Sarah W.
Wait... the kid's menu is a cootie catcher? Dang, now I want to eat off the kid's menu. I'm thinking the super adorable menu is probably item #647 on the "Vinsetta Garage wins at attention to detail" list. Item #646 was putting pop rocks on the Rock and Rye ice cream. (Having Rock and Rye ice cream in the first place was item #623) Why doesn't all ice cream come with Pop Rocks?
(4)Amanda H.
Eaten here a few times and never been disappointed. Great atmosphere, excellent food, variety of drinks and friendly wait staff and greeters.
(5)James T.
Me and the wife shared the smoked chicken wings and we each had a burger, she had the Vinsetta and I had the 3 am burger. Both excellent. Parking can be tough but the food and atmosphere make it worth it. Be sure to try the homemade potato chips, sublime.
(5)David K.
First time at this place but was not disappointed! Friend have raved about this place and it is all the hype. I had the Macon Burger bunless with an egg on top medium rare. So tasty and juicy. I also had there smoke wings. it's was so good that I wish I had order another order. To top it off I had the adult milk shake. The dude. So good! Can't wait to try the other flavors. I will definitely hit this spot every time I am in Detroit.
(5)Sara E.
I've been to Vinsetta Garage a few times now and it is really good! They always have an excellent beer selection, lots of local breweries, and they also have delicious cocktail drinks. The cheese curds are a must have, and if you're a fan of the Clarkston Union you need to get the mac 'n cheese. I also love the setting and decor. There is a very cool industrial look to the interior. I'm a sucker for an Edison bulb. :) They also have complimentary valet during peek hours which is great because the parking is kind of nuts. I have two complaints though: 1) The wait. Good lord the WAIT!!! Haha! Sometimes you'll go in on a weekday night and it's 2 hours for a table. WTF? By the time I go there I'm ready to eat my hand. Pretty sure if I waited for 2 hours that I would pass out from low blood sugar. I know that they only have the space they have, but 9 time out of 10 my reason for not choosing to go there is the wait. I wouldn't take a large group without trying to get a reservation first. On the plus side you can wander to the bar and get a drink while you wait. 2) I love the burgers. They are great. However, they are really messy. The bottom half of the bun is usually really thin. So it ends up being pretty soggy by the time the burger rolls out of the kitchen. By the time I take two bits the insides of the burger have slipped out the back and made their way to the door. I guess I wish the buns were a little more substantial, because maybe that would help keep it all together. Or it would be nice if they put a couple toothpicks or something through the burger to keep things locked in place. I just always feel like a slob-kabob by the time I'm done. Aside from those two things though I do love this restaurant and I recommend it to anyone looking for a good place to get some beers and burgers or whatever.
(4)Joe M.
Very good, great rotating beer selection and the burgers and pies (pizza) are very good as well. The parking can be a hassle but valet is pay what you will.
(5)Michael M.
Second visit inside three weeks. Same great spot. Beer menu is stellar. Only knock is that burger was pretty overbooked. I ordered medium and well was sent. I should have sent it back but the kids were with me and couldn't afford to wait. If still go back.
(4)v g.
Love love love this place! The decor and atmosphere is fantastic! The staff is super awesome and very helpful! The food is amazing every single time we go! The have a wide variety of beers and nice selection of delicious cocktails. The only problem is the wait... Yep you can spend over an hour waiting for a 2 person table! Make sure you show up early and be ready to wait!
(5)Michael S.
We finally made it to Vinsetta's. It was worth the wait. What better place to go after the Auto Show than a converted auto repair facility. The transformation is amazing with seemingly just enough alteration to make the place into a restaurant. The happiness does not end there, though. The menu is very nice. All the food I saw looked wonderful. My SO had a couple of coneys with the hand cut fries option. She loved them. T had the best stock turkey burger I've ever eaten along with the fries. Dessert, which I rarely have, was the ice cream made with Faygo Rock and Rye pop. Are you kidding me? It was great, especially with the pop rocks on it. It's actually more of a sherbert, but I'm not complaining. The bar looked fully stocked and they also had a fantastic beer selection. The range was from macros, including some old timey ones, to Michigan micros, national micros and some international brews. I want to eventually try some of their adult milkshakes. We were happy to go at a time where there were a few seats left. Service was quick and friendly. Food was served on aluminum trays or those hefty diner plates. Napkins were shop towels. A lot of though went into this place. Bring some money as it's not rock bottom coney island pricing, though you do get what you pay for. We can't wait to go back.
(5)Ernesto V.
I've been to Vinsetta's about 4 or 5 times, and it's never failed to please my high-expectation palate. I've had their pizzas, burgers, salads, mac and cheese, quinoa salad, fries, and their "adult" shakes... it's always a wonderful experience particularly in the summer when the doors are open and the restaurant breathes comfortably. I love that they kept the original feel of the garage that it used to be for the longest time, and it still feels that way when you go in... like if you're gonna leave your car to get worked on, but in reality you're sitting down to have awesome food and drink. Speaking of, they have a very respectable selection of craft beer and ciders, many from Michigan =) Food is a tad pricey but again I'm a firm defender of price when it comes down to food. If the food is good enough to earn it's price, then darn well it should cost what it does. I love this kind of hip place with fun artsy people serving, with menus that are adventurous, and cooking that you would usually only find in a more upscale restaurant. I would recommend this place to anybody in the area =)
(5)Zachary F.
The decor of this place is bad ass. Definitely a place to go if you like a different type of eating atmosphere. I got the 3am burger which was excellent. I love egg on my burger...haha.
(5)Tim W.
Vinsetta Garage was a suggestion from a chef friend so I obliged. Upon entering the restaurant I was pleased by the literal garage atmosphere from metal trays, to old country tunes, and the very lax aura! For dinner I had 'The Pedro' which is a pretty tasty turkey burger. Instead of chips as a side I got the Union Mac which may have been the best decision I made that whole day. That Mac & Cheese is definitely the star of their show. We finished our meal with liquid nitrogen infused 'Rock & Rye' Ice cream topped with Pop Rocks! It was a taste bud explosion to say the least, lol! This place is a must-dine and I will return sooner than later.
(5)Chelia S.
Very cool spot! Let's get right to the grub: I had the brown sugar glazed salmon. Simply delish! They were not at all skimpy on the portions & the salmon was prepared just right. Initially I was a skeptic about the combo of brown sugar with avocado flavor, but It honestly was really good. A bit spicy, but that coming from a spice-wimp. It was a week nite and we were seated at the bar to avoid a ridiculous wait for a table as it was a full house. The bartender was very attentive and friendly, never felt rushed. Overall, the environment is very relaxed and welcoming, perhaps part of the whole garage theme ;-) I was amazed that it was actually a garage at some point and was peeping for cobwebs (no such luck, very well kept ;-) My only fuss is the parking: valet or good luck on finding your own spot elsewhere. Still, This is minor. Great place!
(4)E K.
This place is neat-o. Cool garage scene, nice staff, and great burgers! They also have a decent beer selection and milk shakes. I really enjoyed lunch here after visiting the zoo.
(4)An V.
This place is so cool! I love the theme, I love that your food comes out on an aluminum tray and I love the decor. The staff is friendly and pretty cool, they're the kind of people you'd like to hang out with on the weekends. Vinsetta doesn't take reservations, so be sure to call ahead to check the wait. There is complimentary valet which really takes some stress off. Every time I've been here though, I've never waited less than an hour and a half. Usually during this time I'll go to the bar, grab a few drinks, and hang out in the waiting area. The waiting area really feels like you're waiting on a mechanic, again, the atmosphere is great. The drink menu is pretty extensive. There are a lot of beers and the prices aren't bad, the bartenders are really great. The food is where I find a problem, though. Don't get me wrong, the food is excellent, but it didn't WOW me, especially since everything else did. They are really creative with the menu and it's all great, but when I consider the price and the wait time, it leaves me wanting more. However, the atmosphere and the service are brilliant, and the food is good. This is somewhere you should definitely try!
(4)S S.
My fiancé called his meal "amazing." Usually, when I ask him how dinner was, he nods his head and maybe will add "it was good" if he really liked it. But this place got an enthusiastic AMAZING. He had the 3AM burger. Warning: Do not order this if you are on a first date, a business meeting, or eating with polite company. It is very, very messy! I wanted to try every side on the menu, so I had a combination of sides as my meal. You have already heard about the macaroni and cheese and onion rings, but I have to say the Caesar salad was excellent too!
(5)Esther G.
Who knew an old auto shop turned restaurant could be so cool? The best way to describe the inside is that It's grungy without it feeling dirty. I mean that as a compliment. They kept the character of what it used to be while keeping it clean and kept, which is what you'd expect from a restaurant. It's a huge open space that has a side room for a more private party and a full bar. I didn't expect there to be such a family atmosphere, but it might've been because it was early Sunday afternoon. We also didn't have to wait at all, which I had been worried about after reading the reviews. Although there were many menu items that sounded appetizing, my friend and I split two pizzas: pineapple tasso (with red onions, cheese blend, sauce, grilled pineapples and ham) and the meatball pie (mini meatballs, mozzarella, oregano, olives, chili flakes, crushed tomatoes, olive oil). I preferred the pineapple over the more traditional meatball pie. Tasso, which is the ham, apparently means super duper spicy. It was SO hot, almost peppery. I guess it would've been nice to know that beforehand. Apparently it's more of a Southern specialty. I liked the burst of juiciness the grilled pineapples provided. The meatball pie's ingredients could've been more even on the pie, as they were all packed in the middle. Also, I would've liked the meatballs to not be so big, but I guess that would then defeat the purpose of a "mini meatball." But there was only one on each slice, and the smallest one didn't even have any meat on it at all. I loved the dough, which reminded me of East Coast style that's thin but not flimsy so your toppings fall off. We also had great, attentive service. I did find it odd that they serve coffee in a glass cup, same as water. At least it comes with a sleeve. I'm definitely excited to go back to try other things, including their adult milkshakes. One tip for parking: While there are spots in the front, it's limited. Save yourself the hassle and park on the side street right right before the restaurant.
(4)Olivia P.
Love it! This is on the top 5 list in our family for the area. W know the food will always be A-mazing. You can expect long waits so prepare your self for evening and night time. If you show up for lunch when around the first 1 hour the wait is usually nil. Always good beer selections, healthy options, heart attack inducing burgers and the pizza is to die for! always get the bread with cheese on it pair it with the dipping sauce and you will think you have died!
(5)Erin D.
'Twas my first experience here last night for a birthday & the entire party was satisfied! Cannot wait to go back. Highly recommend the leilo bowl (spelling)!
(5)Terry C.
The burgers and dogs can't be stopped. Wait was long and well worth it. I had one of the best burgers of my life here. You have to try it if you're in the area.
(5)K P.
I ordered the Vinsetta burger, cheese curds and salty caramel shake. The overall quality of the food was excellent. I had lunch on the weekend and it was still very busy. Even trying to get in on the weeknights for dinner is challenging so don't be surprised about a wait of 30 minutes or more. This speaks volumes to the deliciousness of their food. They have a pretty wide selection of beers on tap. Overall the staff is very helpful and friendly regarding their menu selections. I love going to this place but waiting is the biggest problem
(5)John M.
The burgers here are top notch and just about the only thing i can recommend. I attempted a pressed sandwich the other day and the pastrami must've been not properly cooked or cut, as first bite brought the whole thing with me. If you go, stick to the burgers. The sides are good as well. Can get a little loud.
(4)Jennifer C.
I love this place!! It's a cool atmosphere but family friendly. The veggie burger (EV1) is my personal favorite. My kids love everything on the kids menu, and the fact that kids menus are cootie catchers.
(5)Crystal S.
-Put your name down and start with a drink, my favorite is "The Low Rider". -The estimated wait time is always much longer than the actual wait time. -Order the poutine fries as an app. Coming from someone who did a Poutine Crawl around Toronto, these are
(4)Jim B.
Just like any garage, you got charged too much for something you can do at home if you wanted to anyway. $14 for mac & cheese? C'mon, it's macaroni and cheese! I don't care how good it is, it's still macaroni and cheese. I had to give this place two stars, which in all honesty may be a bit unfair however, it seems there needed to be a counterweight for the scores of mindless 5 star ratings for this establishment. I agree with a previous comment in that if you serve Angus beef and cook it to a charcoal briquette, what's the point. Might as well serve Kroger hamburger in a roll. I asked the server for the most popular dish, since it was our first visit, she said the Vinsetta Burger and I gave it a try. This burger exemplified almost everything I hate about poorly prepared hamburgers. Overcooked beef, yet greasy. The grease was dripping down into my hands and then onto the plate. The construction was poor and the burger disintegrated into a sloppy mess almost immediately. I got the pretzel roll bun and as expected, I had a dense, chewy, overcooked hockey puck in my hands. Small burgers, piled high, do not fit into the human mouth. Who likes these things? A true burger connoisseur cannot appreciate such a gastronomical disaster and this is the signature dish that people wait in line for hours for? One of table companions got the pastrami sandwich and it was OK but, there couldn't have been more than an ounce or two of meat on the sandwich and I believe it was north of $10. Very disappointing. My wife had a turkey panini and said it tasted like it was not fresh, kind of sour. The fries were limp, not crispy. The decor is classic ghetto garage. The ceiling is all original rafters and beams with rusty plumbing and conduit. How do I know some soot encrusted timber fibers haven't fallen into the food somewhere? Brown paper table covering that looks like butcher wrap. Every drink leaves a dark ring on the table...disgusting. I hate the feel of paper when I eat. Instead of napkins, they use what appear to be shop towels. The towel I kept on my lap left white specks of lint all over my dark blue tactical pants and left me swiping my clothing for about 10 minutes to get the fibers off. I could go on but, what's the point. The taste of the food is always a highly subjective matter. This place proves my point about popular restaurants, charge too much for so, so food and people will think they are getting something special, especially when the owner spent a million dollars on decor. People seem to love this place. Make your own choice but, there are better choices and not far from this "garage".
(2)John R.
The food was EXCELLENT! This is a great place for good food and fun with a small group of friends. My wife and I went together and it's not ideal for an intimate setting but more for a small group. Perfect place if your looking to splurge on a greasy burger and fries. My wife ordered salmon and quinoa for a healthier option.
(5)Natasha P.
We went there as a large group, 8 people, and didn't make a reservation. We were told that there would be a 1 hour wait. While we were discussing whether we should stay there or go eat elsewhere, the hostess told us that we should have a table in about 5 minutes, so our wait time was only 20-25 minutes. The waitress was really busy but very helpful. I ordered the chocolate and rum shake, which was very very strong, so strong I had to ask for it to be taken back, instead they brought out some extra plain chocolate milk shake and I added the rummy one too it. It was very nice after that. I also tasted the salted caramel vodka one, it was excellent. My husband says that they had a very nice selection of beer. We ordered the Disco Fries for the table, they were tasty but not great. The next time I think we'll try the cheese curds instead. For the main course I made my own pizza - with pineapple, pepperoni, smoked cheddar cheese and Pecorino Cream. It was nicely made, not too greasy. My husband had The 3AM burger. It was delicious but extremely greasy. The house-made fries, that came with the burger, were excellent. A couple of friends ordered dessert and I had a couple of bites. The molten chocolate lava cake was excellent, the faygo ice cream was interesting but not my kind of dessert. I would definitely go back to Vinsetta Garage.
(4)Rebecca T.
So after having eaten here a few times it was time for an update. The food is good stuff. Great stuff, in fact. Yeah, it's a bit of a drag if you are stuck with a long wait, but I've never had that problem (perhaps because I go at off times?). Yeah, the parking situation kind of sucks, but when it's cold outside, I'll happily tip the valet (which is complimentary) not to have to park 3 streets over in a residential neighborhood. Tonight's epic meal time consisted of the disco fries (fries with a mustard gravy, cheese curds and some garnishments), loaded chips (more cheesy goodness), 3AM burger with a side of mac and cheese and for dessert the s'mores cookies and molten chocolate cake. The biggest downer of the meal was the s'mores cookies. The homemade marshmallows were great, but the cookies were a bit underwhelming. The lava cake more then made up for it though, and the disco fries had me wanting to get up and do the hustle. Okay, maybe not, but they are amazing and not to be missed. We were told our wait would be 30 minutes but I'd say we got buzzed and were seated in under 10, so don't let a wait deter you. Mosey up to the bar and wait it out with one of the extensive draft selections.
(5)Josh G.
This is definitely one of my favorite places to get a burger and beer. The only challenge is the wait which they can't control since they are so popular.
(5)Don O.
Excellent food, good service. I've eaten here a number of times and never been disappointed. Great place for a burger and beers. The only two downsides in my opinion is that it gets really loud sometimes, and also the parking situation can be pretty bad. But overall, this is a great spot with great food.
(4)Casey F.
Large portions, good burgers. Get anything with the pretzel bun as it adds a lot of great flavor to a burger. and the chicken masala fries were very tasty
(5)Joey J.
At my place of employment, we've been working on a new campaign where we contemplate what Detroit might be like in 2030. Upon review, let's hope this future includes more Vinsetta Garages. To an extent, the Vinsetta Garage is a theme restaurant, and that theme is evolution. The menu pretty much reflects what would happen if a Coney went to Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. You'll see the dishes that have defined Detroit cuisine for years served up in new ways. The coney dog gets chopped up and put on a pizza with a wood-fired crust. The gyro becomes a perfectly cooked burger, with all the components on the bun with it. The chili cheese fries take on a poutine-twist, The usual choice of Labatt's or Miller has been replaced by an assortment of microbrews with an emphasis on Michigan ones. In short, this is an imaginative take on Detroit cooking, and is the reason for that long and winding line out the front. What sets it apart is the attention to details in the cooking. The onion rings may well be the best onion rings on the planet, as you can taste the bitterness of the beer batter counterbalancing the sweetness of the onion. The aforementioned lamb burger was cooked to perfection, with the meat being juicy and flavorful despite being well-done. The key lime pie tastes as if it were made from actual key limes and not much more. The Vinsetta Garage could very well be the future of Detroit cuisine. If you get the chance to eat here, enjoy it.
(5)Rebecca C.
I had lunch at Vinsetta Garage today with a friend. I was really excited, as I've wanted to try this place out for a while, but was deterred by the long lines and apparent lack of parking. When he suggested Vinsetta for our lunch outing, I agreed immediately. The good: I love the inside of Vinsetta - it's very open and airy. The pizza cooks have their own station where you can watch them take the pizzas in and out of the oven. The kitchen is semi-open too, behind the bar. The restaurant was busy and loud (on a Friday afternoon), and had a happy vibe. I ordered the cheeseburger and fries. It came on a pretzel roll. The pretzel roll was so, SO good. Seriously. My friend and I couldn't stop talking about it. The burger was well prepared, and the fries were good - not amazing, but solid. The waitress was friendly and attentive, and somehow made the fanny pack she was rocking completely work for her. Both their drink and dessert menu looked appealing. (hello, salted caramel custard!) I didn't have either, but I'm sure that will change in the future. The bad: Parking. I ended up parking at the apartment complex next door, and walking over. They have a VERY small parking lot (about 8 cars worth or so), as well as street parking. I didn't see any open spots on the street. My burger was a mess. A delicious mess, but still a mess. I cut it in half, and the whole thing fell apart. I still ate it. The menu seemed a little limited -but maybe they're one of those restaurants that do a limited menu very well. I'm not sure; I'll have to eat there again. The prices seemed a little much - for 2 people who ate cheeseburgers, fries, and soda, the bill came to $28, at lunch. Overall, I enjoyed it. I'll definitely be back!
(4)Alison S.
Great food, and I liked they had local craft beers and cider. The interior looks like a garage which is really cool. I gave only four stars though because it was really crowded and kind of slow service- ok if you aren't in a hurry.
(4)Dennis L.
I am definitely a big fan of Vinsetta Garage! Having visited twice in 30 day period, I can speak to a consistent enjoyable experience. On my first visit, I ordered the Union Mac w/ Ham. It really is excellent cheesy goodness. It is also huge, so it might be best to split it or order as an app to share with the table. I honestly could not finish the dish, and I am pretty big eater. For dessert, I tried the Rock n' Rye Ice Cream with Pop Rocks. What a unique and satisfying dish! On my second visit, I went vegetarian by ordering the EV1. I seriously loved this veggie burger! I typically would never order a veggie option, but I was trying to eat at least one healthier meal during the holidays. The EV1 was so good, I would order again in a flash. Overall, I love the atmosphere and food at Vinsetta Garage. I will definitely be back.
(4)Regan L.
visited for the first time this evening. extremely and immediately impressed with the warm, friendly staff and the casual atmosphere. our waitress was very welcoming and attentive, and appreciative of courtesy in return. disco fries were terrific (my only complaint: i could have stood more of that heavenly mustard gravy on top. a unique and delectable take on poutine)! for an entree i ordered the chop shop salad, which contained a few of my favorite things (bleu cheese! dried cherries! beer battered onions! ham!), but all of the aforementioned savory items put together in a salad i found to be overwhelmingly salty for me. still, it was a very pretty plate and everything tasted fresh, so i wasn't terribly disappointed. overall i'd say the quality of the food and service was top notch. i will definitely be back to try the lamb burger!
(4)Kate B.
Great food, great service. Parking is not easy. If you don't like to be cold, don't sit by the big garage window.
(4)S R.
Been to Vinsetta Garage twice and we like this spot a lot! Food is pretty good, enough classic eats like burgers, sandwiches, fries, etc. that they have put their own original twist to. The draft and cocktail list is what we enjoyed the most. Cool ambiance and great location off of Woodward. Highly recommend!
(4)Bonnie W.
I honestly am not sure what all the hype is about. The atmosphere/setup of the place was pretty cool. I felt the food was only okay though. Service was pretty slow but seeing as we weren't in a huge rush that wasn't to much of an issue. Parking was a pain. I would go there again if friends wanted to but I wouldn't go out of my way for it. All in all, it was okay.
(3)Nick V.
Love it. Love it. The unique Ambiance and great food make this a must. This place is quickly becoming a Detroit icon. The beer, wine and cocktail selection are great and the menu is a great update on Americana. If you are looking for a unique experience and a lot of energy...this is your place
(5)Alexandra K.
I came here after a long, depressing day where comfort food would prove key to my happiness. I was thrilled to see that they had canned Strongbow on their drink menu, and even more thrilled when my friend decided she didn't like Strongbow, so I soon had two cans in my possession. I ordered the veggie burger, but would have preferred a custom burger. I did customize it a bit -- no shiitake bacon, no mayo with some avocado spread and a slice of gruyere instead of goat cheese -- but would have preferred it without the bun, a simple slice of gruyere, tomato, onion, and some grainy mustard. Each member of my dining party seemed quite happy with their choices -- proud members of the clean plate club -- and I would most certainly pay another visit to Vinsetta. The one down side was the price, and mostly as it relates to the drink menu. Strongbow in a can for $7.50? Feels kind of silly to me.
(4)Faith W.
I absolutely love this place. It my new go-to spot for great food! What's great about Vinsetta Garage? The service, the atmosphere, the food and the prices. What's not to like? Maybe the parking but... I don't mind to valet or parking on a near by side street. They did have a little bit of a wait but that's to be expected on a Saturday night... We just grabbed a drink at the bar, no big deal! The food was totally worth the wait! I really want to try everything on their menu now. My friend and I wanted to have a good sampling of their food so we decided to try a few things on the menu. We had the cheese bread, pasta, pizza... And yes you guessed it even dessert. The Rock & Rye ice cream with Pop Rocks on top was AMAZING! It rocked my sock off! :o) I can honestly say that everything we had there was delicious!
(5)Tyler R.
Can't beat their burgers and mac and cheese! Plus the atmosphere is really cool too!
(5)Erin M.
yay!! it's all come together! The staff seems to have settled in, and although there is still a wait, often, if after 2 years+ of being open you're still on a wait on a Tuesday night....cheers to you! The bar staff has gotten it together, and are way better than in my first review. The food is still just as good as it was when they first opened, and the available beverages are unmatched. Parking is still a pain in the ass, but just cough up the couple buck and valet.
(5)Kara D.
I am a fan of the Clarkston Union and the Union Woodshop. Vinsetta Garage is similar to those two spots and each share some of the same dishes. I went for lunch. My table ordered a meatball sub, a 3AM burger, the Vinsetta burger, and the Erich pressed sandwich. All were quite large and also delicious. The service was great; ambiance was fun and unique. I would recommend Vinsetta Garage.
(5)Jessica M.
I don't give five stars lightly...but this place deserves it. We went on a Sunday at about five and the place had a substantial crowd, so I imagine any time during the evening is an absolute zoo. The restaurant certainly runs with the garage vibe, and any restaurant playing the Clash on a loop wins points with me. I started out with the chocolate "adult" milkshake. It uses chocolate malt ice cream from Treat Dreams down the road and dark rum. If you do nothing else, start with the shakes. Especially if you're in the mood for dessert because chances are you will be too full by the end of dinner. Our appetizer: PBR battered cheese curds with a Frank's red hot bleu cheese dressing. You can't go wrong here...but my Wisconsin-native boyfriend was especially impressed because they used real cheese curds (whatever that means). The dressing was creamy but the vinegar kick from the Frank's cut through all of the richness surprisingly well. For dinner, my beau had the duck burger with mac and I ordered the 3am dog with onion rings. His burger was out of this world, it had this cherry compote, gruyere, and caramelized onions...I was kind of jealous I didn't get his burger. Then the mac side was the same mac they make at the Clarkston Union. It's an institution for a reason -- the best restaurant mac I've ever had. My 3am dogs (you get two of these monsters) had bacon jam, sriracha mayo, crispy onion straws, and a fried egg on top. Just go back and reread that last sentence and really let it sink in. I don't have words for how heavenly these things were. And I know you're thinking, "yeah but it's a hot dog, so what?". First of all, shut up hot dogs are great. Secondly, these aren't just any hot dogs, they are Winter's 901-L dogs...they are naturally cased and have quite the kick to them. Hands down best hot dog I've ever eaten. And it's made in Michigan! The onion rings were thick cut and expertly battered/fried and it was accompanied by a coal fired tomato aioli...which I would gladly slather on all foods from here on out. And again...way way way too full for dessert. If you are in the mood for comfort/bar food cranked to 11...and seriously why WOULDN'T you be...this is your place.
(5)Jon L.
I've been here a few times (for both lunch and dinner) and overall I like it. On the positive side, its a cool venue and they have a bunch of craft beers on tap. Salads are very fresh - top notch for sure. Meats are not terrible, but not the best (I guess for a $20 entree I shouldn't expect USDA prime...). Valet is offered, but I usually just park on the side streets as the lot in back is always full. They don't take reservations but the bar is first come first serve. I've heard the mac & cheese is great and plan to try it next time I go to Vinsetta.
(3)Jaccob D.
Loved it! One of the best experiences I've ever heard. Fantastic wait staff, great food and atmosphere. Long waits, but that's only because of how good it is, and you can always grab a drink and sit outside or stand while you wait. We will be going here on a monthly if not bi-weekly basis!
(5)MICHELLE F.
The atmosphere here is unique and relaxed. Love the roll up doors letting the breeze in during the summer months. Our server was great but the food was just so-so. Although I will say that while our pizza was burnt a new order was immediately put in without our having to ask and we still got to take the burnt one home.
(4)Suzanne M.
We love this place. Food is great, service is good, awesome beer selection.
(5)Rick S.
I've been to the garage twice. The first time, we had some issues with the service. The second time, however it was fine. Everyone can have an off day. I had the Macon Bacon burger. I learned of the garage on the United States of Bacon show, and this was the featured burger. It is as delicious as it looked on TV. It even comes with bacon jam. I ordered it on the side the first time, and our waitress explained that it wasn't a good idea to do, so I had 'em put it on. FANTASTIC I will eat there again, again, and again. I want to eat there now dammit. The atmosphere is just cool. I'm a wrench by nature, and I can still smell the old, musty, grimy, smell that old garages have. Now you'd think that's bad, but not to me. The only thing that blows is the parking. I hate valet parking and have to search to find a place to park. Other that that, I like this place. Give 'em a try.
(4)Peter H.
If it had been built from scratch in New York or Chicago, it'd be cheesy as Hell. But the place has legitimate history, and the design touches accentuate the cool architectural features, rather than exploit them. I won't say too much about the experience, since the other reviews already give a pretty complete picture. Unlike many others, though, I won't deduct a star for the long wait. They don't keep tables open to build hype for the place, and they work their butts off to get people in and out. They're busy because what they do works; I won't hold that against them. To cope with the wait, a simple tip: put your name in a couple hours before you want to eat, get an estimate of how long it'll be (they're usually pretty accurate), then disappear. Get some housework in, run some errands, grab a drink someplace, hit some of the shops in Berkley, Royal Oak, or along Woodward, or just hang out in one of the nearby parks. Show up around your scheduled wait time, then be seated within 5 or 10 minutes. Perfect. The food is simple yet fantastic, but it's also been well covered. One recommendation: get the duck burger. I thought the 3 A.M. was a powerhouse of flavor, until I tried my gf's duck burger. Juicy duck, creamy gruyere cheese, and a cherry compote that had all the best features of cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving. EDIT: The Macon Bacon burger is also a juice/fat dripping dream. And the "disco fries" are a great poutine alternative (order them minus chili flakes if you're sensitive to spice). Give it a shot, despite the wait.
(5)Cristina C.
The food is AMAZING here! The wait was a little longer than I liked but the food made up for it! Our waitress was really off putting at first but once she warmed up to us, the experience was awesome. Best place I've eaten at in the Detroit metro area.
(5)Natalie M.
I love this place and can't wait to go back again and again. Awesome ambiance, food, and service. Love all the details in the decor, which is a hip mix of vintage, rustic industrial and modern touches. Juicy burger and great beer selection. I am telling all my friends about this place. Also, love the cross branding and food options from the Woodshop and Clarkston Union. Way to leverage your best assets!!
(5)Stephanie B.
I thoroughly enjoyed my experience eating at Vinsetta Garage. The atmosphere is relaxed and unique; a former automotive garage converted into a quirky, "hipster-esque" restaurant makes for an aesthetically-pleasing experience. My husband and I attended the restaurant around 3 pm on a Thursday, and we did not have to wait for a table. Finding a parking spot was a bit of an issue, so I would not be surprised if locating parking would be problematic during prime hours. Nevertheless, we were pleased. The food really was quite good. I am a vegetarian and my husband is an omnivore, and Vinsetta's menu amply accommodated our broad spectrum of culinary desires. We started off our meal with the Coal-Fried Bread Sticks. They were phenomenal. The warm, buttery bread paired with the creamy, tangy Pazzo dip (herbed cream cheese, I believe) was one of the high points of the meal. I had to actively force myself to stop eating the bread and dip so I would be able to consume the rest of my meal. You really need to try this appetizer! For our entrees, my husband and I chose meals that were on opposite sides of the culinary spectrum. I sampled the EV1 burger, vegan style. I enjoyed my burger. It wasn't the most groundbreaking vegan patty I have ever had, but I did enjoy the flavor. It was a touch dry, but that could be because I opted out of the roasted garlic balsamic mayo and the burger was not topped with Daiya cheese as one could order it. I enjoyed the shiitake bacon, but I didn't taste its full flavor until I sampled it outside of the burger. The next time I order the EV1, I will make sure to request the vegan cheese, as I'm sure it would up the ante. For my side, I chose the seasonal quinoa salad. I ended up taking some of it home, and I'm glad that I did. The simple tangy flavor of the vinegar paired with the taste of the fresh veggies hit the spot. I didn't leave the restaurant feeling overwhelmingly full due to the simplicity of my entree choices. My husband chose arguably the meatiest burger of all time: the Macon Bacon Burger. According to him, "the burger was a delicious meat-stravaganza and a celebration of porky delight." He really enjoyed the various types of bacon piled on the Angus beef patty. He also chose the mac and cheese as his side, and "it was good. It had a nice crust baked on and had a creamy blend of cheeses." We would review the dessert menu, but we didn't have room! Trust me, you won't be disappointed with Vinsetta Garage!
(4)William K.
I actually live 2 blocks from the Garage. If it wasn't so close, I'd give it 2 stars (the buzzer works from our house, nice perk). The food is ok, but its not great. The pretzel burger is a great idea, but the last 2 times the buns a little stale, and its so sloppy it just falls all over the tray. If you want a place to go with friends, have a few drinks, its great. Nice and loud, and as a car guy, I love what they did with the building. But as far as the food goes, nothing stands out. Frankly, if we want really good food, we go across the street to the Grille. This is a great "Theme" restaurant, and it works since its on Woodward. Anywhere else, and it wouldn't be nearly as popular. Redcoat (heck even max and ermas before they closed) have better burgers. Their pizza's aren't all that great, and the mack and cheese is good, but for some reason I like it better at their original location (Clarkston Inn is same owner) There's a reason most people on here tout the beer and drink choices more then the food. Check it out, but its not a regular "go to"
(3)Erica C.
Okkkk I am going to try to hit on every point... Parking... Valet or Street, street meaning side streets, yes in front of peoples homes down the entire block and around the corner. Didn't bother me a bit. So be prepared to look and look and look for parking. Building... Can you say, Awesome! very nice restoration of the old garage that was there. Outside seems to be a waiting area until you get your table. No one ever clarified this but all the tables outside had people sitting there with only drinks and I didn't see food on the tables. (Not sure why they don't make that a food area if it isn't one, its a pretty big area and would cut down the wait time tremendously) Check In... No reservations accepted, its not that type of joint, its nice don't get me wrong but its not what many people may be thinking that its a dress up sorta place. Its really casual but yea... no reservations. 1:45 minute wait on a Wednesday at 6:45pm so yes probably no matter what day you go... you will wait. But its was OK I was expecting it. I drive by this place everyday and see the crazy parking and line so it was expected. Wait staff... I love that everyone wears what they want, but seems as though it must have something to do with DETROIT because everyone had on their on Detroit item whether its Pure Detroit tee, Made in Detroit tee, Detroit Tigers tee, you get the point, I loved it very cool. Our waitress was nice. No overly nice but just right. Menu... I really wanted BBQ something and I swore I smelled BBQ but to no avail- I was hallucinating. So i was a little bummed but ok whatever. The menu had pretty much pizza and burgers on it. I was a little disappointed but heard the mac and cheese is great so I ordered the Vinsetta burger with the mac. I really hate to be a Debbie Downer but I did not like the burger it was a double patty burger on a kinda small too thick bun... The burger was extremely greasy it reminded me of a gross greasy double comet burger. I love love loved the mac and chz next time I will get a carry out of a full order of the mac and chz! My hubby had the Macon Bacon burger and seemed to enjoy it. I will go back- just wont get the same burger though. Really good selection of beer if you like beer. Oh one thing I will say is that I will definitely get desert or a milkshake next time! Great place for the entire family.
(4)Jason R.
the wait is ridiculous but love vinsetta
(5)Amy H.
Believe the hype - Vinsetta Garage is truly a gem from the unique vintage exterior/interior, to the exceptional selections they offer on their menu. I ordered the Vinsetta Burger on a pretzel bun. Best decision of my life. I highly recommend making a trip out solely for their burgers! It was juicy, and filled with fresh ingredients. It was served with their homemade chips which were excellent. They were very thin and crispy, and went great with the burger. (Tip: try putting vinegar on them, it makes them even yummier!) My boyfriend ordered the Vinsetta dogs. The actual hot dog was cooked to perfection and had a nice snap to it. The cheese was creamy, and the onions had a very distinct flavor. He was pleased. Shane (the owner, I believe?) Was walking around and making sure everyone was having a good time. It was a pleasure meeting him and talking with him. He ended up sending over a free dessert to us (faygo ice cream with pop rocks on top.) HOly COW. What a treat. Overall, great atmosphere, nice staff, excellent food. Can't wait to come back and try more.
(5)Kerrie M.
Finally, we made it here! We had been wanting to try this place out forever ago! And it was definitely worth the wait! First, we ordered up the Loaded Potato Chips for our App. They were made from scratch chips loaded in cheddar, chilies and bacon. Yum! I went and ordered the EVI vegan burger. OMG..... It was AMAZING!!! It is a house made patty topped with goat cheese, arugula, tomato and balsamic mayo. Those flavors together were a hit. I would order it again in a heartbeat. The best. My husband ordered the Sy Ginsberg Press. He raved. We ended up ordering the Malted Molten Chocolate Cake for dessert. Ehh. I think it was over baked. Only a tiny bit of chocolate lava and the edges were hard. Oh well. We will be back for sure! I want another EVI!!!!
(4)Corey C.
If you're a Hipster, this is your Graceland!! Great food, great beer, great tattoos!! Enjoy this vintage garage feel with exceptional grub!
(5)Jesse S.
Between the homage to all-things Detroit, the variety of eclectic yet delicious food and the unique atmosphere, this place is a must stop. The milkshakes are delicious. The burgers are huge but good. I haven't found an item I didn't like. There are vegan and gluten-free options, too.
(5)Jesse P.
The food here is great and so is the atmosphere. They have plenty of gluten free options too. Try any of there burgers with a gluten free bun cause they are all pretty great!! The loaded potato chips are my favorite!!
(5)Tamara Y.
Vinsetta Garage, take 2. This time I ordered the Macon Bacon burger, cooked medium. Guess what? It was actually cooked medium! And it was tasty as hell!! Much better, Vinsetta Garage. At this rate, you and I will be BFFs in no time.
(4)Lori B.
What can I say that is different from all the other 4-star reviews, except that I find going to this restaurant for lunch terribly enjoyable. It's easy to find street parking, and though the place is full and bustling, there always seems to be a table for me. And of course, the food is fabulous. Finally tried the EV1 on a pretzel bun and it was amazing, huge and lived up to every review I'd heard about it. The side Caesar was soggy, sadly. I usually get salad dressing on the side, but not when it's a Caesar. Next time I will. The Rock-n-Rye ice cream was plentiful and tasted great.
(4)Viral S.
The best chicken wings. Has that smokey flavor, meat falls right of the bone. Get the wings with the Ghost Pepper dipping sauce , it's not that spicy. Delicious!
(5)William S.
Great vibe! Great service! Great menu! Started out with fried cheese curds, then I enjoyed the Macon Bacon Burgerwith house made chips, my wife had a chicken sandwich with a side of union Mac and cheese, all top notch. Saved room for the Faygo Rock & Rye ice cream topped with pop rocks. Will definitely be returning!
(5)Jeremy G.
I've been wanting to go here for quite some time, and maybe it was the expectation of something amazing that made this place fall flat. Here we go: Went on a Monday to try and avoid a huge crowd, and got seated within about 20 minutes. The space is cool, but acoustically dreadful. Noisy and echoey, I felt like I had to shout across the table. Our server was prompt, friendly and for the most part attentive. The menu was a bit hard to navigate, but we ultimately ordered some Disco Fries and my better half got a bowl of chili. We went back to perusing the menu, and it seemed like our apps came out right away. I'm all for effective service, and there's no doubt I was happy to have food in front of me quickly, and it made sense for a place that is usually very busy. however, I think that getting our food TOO fast indicated that in order to expedite the normal wait times, a lot was pre-prepped. The fries themselves were limp and bland, and the cheese curds were the best part because cheese curds. My lady's chili was lukewarm and blllaaaaaand, but edible. I finished it only after dousing it heavily with hot sauce, which improved the flavor a bit. We ordered the Burger Pizza for the kid, because he loves burgers and he loves pizza, so why not both at once? Again, the pizza came out too quickly, and he wasn't terribly interested in it. I tried some, and thought the sauce was great, but the dough was chewy and the rest tasted a little stale. I ended up going with the 3AM burger (Angus patty, Swiss, Woodshop MI maple bacon, topped with a fried egg & crispy fried onion strings, Sriracha mayo) and she got the Leilo Bowl (Macaroni, bacon Pecorino cream, chicken, coal-fired tomatoes, red onion, chives, smoked cheddar). Both arrived in record time, and both were just really, really heavy and not quite as delicious as they could have been. Both were lacking something (diversity in texture? more complex flavor?) and too laden with other things (fat, salt). We didn't finish anything, but took home only the remaining pizza. We also ordered dessert -- a Banoffe Pudding and a S'mores plate for the boy. We had no idea what the S'Mores actually were, but tasted like pure sugar. The Banoffe Pudding was likely the worst pudding I've ever had, and it tasted like a refrigerator and had the consistency of melted ice cream. A truly lackluster end to a mostly disappointing meal. Luckily, we didn't break the bank on dinner, but it was far less than satisfying. I'm in no hurry to get back to Vinsetta Garage, but I'm glad I went and quash my curiosity of all the hubbub.
(2)Amanda K.
This place is really popular, so prepare to wait. The food was good and the beer was great. Our server was friendly and well-informed. I love the vibe, décor and the layout. The pizza with the potato on it was awesome! Get the s'mores for dessert, if they have them.
(4)Rita I.
Being a fan of Union Woodshop and Union in Clarkston, I loved Vinsetta Garage! The absolute best in the world onion rings! Unreal! The rest of the food is nicely done a well! Atmosphere is relaxed and fun, and the beer selection is large, local focused and wonderful! One thing that made me give this place 4 instead of 5 stars, is the service, we felt so rushed! I understand this is a busy place but... The server never asked if we had question about the menu, or if we wanted more drinks, or maybe explained some of the items on the menu (deep fried cheese curds, we could have been convinced into??). He acted as if we were there every day and ordered the same thing every day.... other than that we had a great time! Will definitely be back for, hopefully, better service!
(4)Matthew D.
This self-described "joint", has one of the best interiors for a restaurant that I have been to. An old garage repair shop founded by the Kurta and Marwil families a life time ago, the restaurant has done an amazing job of keeping the look and feel of a walk back in time mixed with restaurant and bar that blends right in. The menu has a lot to choose from, so here are a few of the stand outs for me are: For Apps the gold medal goes to Loaded Potato Chips (share with 2-4 people) -- Scratch chips, house-smoked cheddar, pickled chilies, scallions (add ground turkey, ground beef or Woodshop, MI maple bacon if so desired). I have a few friends that swear by the Disco Fries, but like I tell them, it is OK to be wrong, the Loaded Potato Chips are where it is at. :) Soups: White Bean Chili Verde -- House spicy pork sausage, great northern beans, roasted tomatillo, jalapeño, onion, garlic, cilantro, crispy tortilla strips, sour cream. A nice spice to it, a lumchtime meal for me more than once. Chop Salad -- Romaine lettuce, grilled chicken breast, spicy tasso ham, Amish blue cheese, MI dried cherries, cucumber, fresh tomatoes, chopped egg, spicy fried onions, honey mustard vinaigrette. It is like a Michigan Salad kicked up a notch. The Baby Kale Salad comes in a close second. Union Mac -- Vermont sharp cheddar, Pinconning, penne rigate, bechamel, parmesan, crunchy crust, served with or without smoked ham. At this point, trying to shave a few calories off by excluding the ham is akin to not getting whip cream on top of your 1,500 calorie mocha. Just get it and enjoy the swine. The Yeti Bowl -- Penne, tomato basil sauce, house Italian sausage, pepperoni, house-pickled chilies, red onion, Ellsworth cheese curds. CHEESE CURDS. 'nough said. The Signature Pizza Pies are show stoppers as well. The Good: Coolest atmosphere in the area, day or night the vibe of the place can't be beat. You can valet, if you can't find a spot. The Bad: The menu is pretty heavy, I always leave here ready for nap... I could just be getting old though, I am also starting to hate wearing pants. The Restaurant This Restaurant Most Resembles: The Cars. An American classic!
(4)Catie D.
Always delicious! Worth the wait. If they say the wait's an hour, I can usually cut that in half. Service is always good. Valet parking for free is very convenient!
(5)Eowyn K.
The first time I went to Vinsetta Garage was to have a tire fixed. After it was turned into a restaurant I was intrigued to try it out (the reviews did not hurt either). Initially it was really hard to get in as the wait time was always long and they do not take reservations. The wait seems to have become better as it is not the newest-shinniest place in RO anymore. I like the decor, Americana with some leftovers from the actual garage days. The menu has a good variety. There is a build your own pasta or pizza option.The first time I went I had the pasta with the bacon-cream (mmm) sauce and the chicken meatball. Delicious. The 3am burger and the mac and cheese are also great. They have both booze and milkshakes or a combination of both. I'm a big fan of anything salted caramel so I recommend this one. They do not take reservations. I suggest calling ahead and seeing what the wait time is or going at an odd time. Vegetarian and gluten intolerant friendly.
(4)Jaclyn S.
This place totally lives up to its hype. No really, it does. You'll read tons of reviews about the food, so I'll spare you the details: it's good, y'all. Complainers about parking, hush. Clearly parking in the front of the restaurant is limited, there's like 3 spaces. So do what I do, and park on a side street and walk a block. You'll be glad you did after your meal. If you don't mind a wait, check it out whenever you'd like. If you prefer not to wait, I'd stop by later on in the afternoon - after the lunch crowd and before the dinner rush. All in all, VG is a solid spot. The atmosphere is awesome (I'm a sucker for edison bulbs), the staff is super cool, the food is delicious at a really decent price. Go.
(4)Jenn A.
Was our hour plus wait worth it on a Tuesday night? YES. That's why we keep going back again and again. Everything we try is amazing, and they make great drinks. What more can you ask for? Every time we go, we get friendly waitstaff. And we have never been disappointed. The wait is worth it!
(5)Brian M.
First let me say I have eaten at Vinsetta before. It's been a year since my last visit. Good Friday not nearly as packed as usual. 2pm the tail of lunch. Food should be excellent right?? Cher's first visit I was excited to show off a favorite find in the place my children grew up. I decide on the Ginsberg a pastrami on 9 grain with spicy brown mustard. I added the dinner salad which consists of spring mix- greens, feta, snap peas, red onion, fresh tomatoes, fried chickpeas and I sub blue cheese dressing. Feta cheese non existent, dressing thin and mediocre. (I know they suggest the roasted tomato inveterate). My sandwich the pastrami thick and tough. Omg tip #1: here order the mustard on the side. First I will tell you I like Wasabi but this was so thick on both sides of my bread it took my breath away. It over powered the fight I had to get my pastrami off the sandwich. You know that feeling where the meat is hanging from your mouth, your losing your breath from mustard? The meat has to be spit back on your plate because yourv choking. Tip #2 eat this sandwich with a knife and fork so you can cut the pastrami in little chewable pieces. Squeezing the sandwich hard just makes the 9 grain fall apart. Im not even going to comment on Cheri's food she wanted to send it back. Overall I would wonder what changed here? Bad menu picks or bad day to eat here. I did not impress Cher. Oh well....
(2)Mande B.
The food was great - awesome variety to pick from. If you're in a hurry though, this is not the place to go.
(4)Jackee M.
Best place in the area. I come from Chicago to eat here. Great food and drinks. Good service. Cool look. I got barfed on in the bathroom once by a drunk patron and it was still a great dinner. Go and you'll come back. Hear the pies aren't the best but if you want pizza go to a pizza place.
(5)Abi J.
I have yet to be disappointed by this place. I have come for lunch twice and dinner twice. I think I like the lunch menu better because they offer a ton of different hot dogs. The MAC and CHEESE is where it is at. Share it with someone. I know mac and cheese and there's it great. It is heavy though- I wouldn't recommend it if you are sensitive to dairy. The chopped salad is tasty and I love their homemade chips. I tried a balsamic sandwich. It was good... For dinner I have had the quinoa salad and the vinsetta burger. Burger was delicious. They put topars pickles in them which are my favorite. Interesting drink menu and I love the ambiance. I have heard of vinsetta garage having terrible waits but I have always been seated pretty fast.
(4)Adam O.
I usually hold off on reviewing places like this until at least 2 visits in to get a better feel for the place but I'll go ahead anyway. Went Tuesday night (630ish) and was quoted a 2 hour 15 minute wait time. Wow. Grabbed the pager, went up to the bar and scored 2 stools just as a pair were leaving. Do not expect this to be the norm. Bar was about 2-3 deep. Atmosphere inside was great. Kept the old charm, love the skylights, and that you can just open the old garage doors to let the outside in. The menu is pretty straightforward but with a lot of options to choose from. Basically youre eating a burger, pizza, or meatballs (or a mammoth entree portion of the great mac and cheese). Since I wanted to try way too much to encompass one meal I opted for a side mac and cheese and the macon bacon burger. Mac and cheese is great. Dare I say just as good as Slow's? Burger was juicy, cooked properly, tasty, loaded with bacon. Not sure how enthralled I was with the maple coating on the bacon as the burger had a very sweet taste as a whole. I added some sliced red onions from the GF's and that helped. It could use something, spicy/acidic to cut through the sweet. Banoffee pudding was perfectly tasty if not mind-blowing. Great beer list. Would definitely spring for the fired cheese curds and some kind of meatball next time as both looked great. Perhaps my biggest praise can be left for the service. Quite honestly, it shocked me at how good it was which says a lot about what we've come to expect from the casual, hipster, foodie oriented spots. Maybe it was because we were at the bar, but wonderful service all around. Friendly, prompt, knowledgeable, etc. One downside is that the outside area doesn't yet have a liquor license but I'm sure one is in the works. Note: the pager went off after about 50 minutes, not the 2 hours 15 as stated. So don't be turned off by the wait and you'll be rewarded. if the meatballs/cheese curds are as good as they looked and the outside area gets a LL.......definite 5 star material.
(4)Brian W.
Wife and I finally made it to Vinsettas on a Sunday afternoon and so glad we did. My wife had the bunless Turkey burger and I the ground lamb burger. For sides, we both ordered the Mac n cheese. Wow. Both meals were incredible, lots of flavor and we left looking forward to our return visit. Did I mention its a one hour drive to get there from home? The Craft Beer list? Too many to list and many to choose from, no matter your preference. Turn around on Woodward and go. You'll be glad you did.
(5)Kristin G.
Vinsetta, a Woodward staple for years as a garage has been reclaimed and made into a restaurant. It's a beautiful thing when such an important part of the area's history is preserved, not torn down. I couldn't be happier with it's new identity. The garage feel is very much still present. There are all kinds of little remnants of the garage that once was without it being to "themey" or gimmicky. The atmosphere is casual but with character and a nice nod to the days that once were. The menu has lots of custom options, sort of catering to the idea of the custom shop. I got a custom burger with a pretzel bun (YUM) and what I consider "classic" burger toppings- Cheddar, Lettuce, Onion, Tomato & Mc Clure's Pickle slices. (I love that they use McClure's pickles, supporting the locals is always good in my book!) The burger was cooked to perfection and is enormous! The meat was so juicy and fresh that I couldn't stop eating it, despite how messy and huge it was. This left me to think that I've got another contender for best burger in town here. The burgers come with fresh Vinsetta homemade chips, they were thin & crispy & just right. For a side, I couldn't resist the Woodshop Mac n Cheese. It's exactly as I remembered, just minus the hot sauce I had dumped on it when eating it with BBQ, still good just not as punchy. ;) We started with the Disco Fries. I'd say they were wise to not name this Poutine, for obvious reasons that would beg comparisons...but it consists of the the basic ingredients that are characteristic to the quirky Canadian classic...fries, gravy, chives, cheese curds. I really enjoyed the Disco Fries, they were just enough to start out with and really had a nice combination of flavors. Needless to say, there was little room for any sweet treats after the delicious burger & fries & mac n cheese. We will be back to sample though, that's for sure. I am so beyond thrilled to have this establishment so close to home and in such a historical building. It really lives up to the Vinsetta Garage name and I expect it will become a new kind of Detroit Classic :)
(4)Kimberley S.
My hubby and I went here after we went and seen Skylar Grey. The atmosphere there was pretty cool, and the food was wonderful! The reason I gave it only 3 stars was bc the server never checked to see if we needed anything after we got our food, and it was so loud, and I mean LOUD! I couldnt even hear anything my husband was saying. It was WAY to loud. (MUSIC I MEAN) But the food was great.
(3)Kelly H.
Been here twice now and today I was less than impressed. The atmosphere is cool and the Faygo Rock and Rye milkshake was fantastic, but the rest of the meal was mediocre. I ordered the Detroit coney dogs which would have been WAY better at a local coney joint. The hot dogs themselves were good, but their homemade chili was salty and not good. The chips that come on the side were salt-less and tasteless. I would have loved to try the 3am dog or burger because I've heard good things but I'm allergic to eggs. Bummer. I'd def recommend going at an odd time to avoid long wait times. Service was decent. Next time, I'll def order something different. Coney dogs belong in Detroit coney islands, not hipster restaurants.
(4)Jess P.
I really wanted to like this place. Why? First off, because its within walking distance. Secondly, the hype from the other reviewers made me so excited to try it! I am going to start complaining here. So, sorry in advance. I understand keeping the garage close to its original state was important, or so they say, and I think they almost tried too hard to do this. (Whats with the brown paper used to wrap up auto parts doing on the windows?) And because of that it annoyed me to no end that even though they TRIED to keep everything vintage, there were things that couldn't be further from it. I am sorry but the 2010 pennies on the floor are not "vintage". And "F--- the Police" is not true to the era (or eras) that this garage was built or thrived in either. The music was not only horrible in my opinion, but SO LOUD that I had a headache leaving the joint. The tables were very close to each other and that alone made me feel nervous, since I like to have a bit of privacy while I indulge in a meal. The waitstaff was not friendly. The waitress seemed irritated when I asked if they had dairy-free options available. There was only one staff member that asked how we were doing, and that was a busser. Service was slow, and I am pretty sure it wasn't just us that thought so because many other people at tables were looking around, glasses empty, with annoyed looks on their faces. We waited so long for everything. The wait staff seemed to hardly be around the tables but there were a bunch gathered together in front of the oven area, and different people were bringing out food. I saw a waitress in the bathroom using a Dyson hand dryer to blowdry her hair(?) which I also thought was strange. I get that the people that run this place have supposedly wonderful restaurants in Clarkston. But this isn't Clarkston. And having menu items that are called 'Woodshop' this and 'Woodshop' that devalues the old garage! To me, this shouldn't be (or at least shouldn't look) like it's another addition to a monopolizing restaurant chain; it should feel warm, original and homey. The items should not advertise their other restaurants. This should be a separate entity, and pay total homage to what the garage once was to so many locals, which these restauranteurs clearly are not. Do you think guys from Clarkston and their families ever got their cars worked on at the Vinsetta Garage? Kid Rock? Give me an f'n break. And by the way, Kid Rock's beer, which is so proudly presented at the Vinsetta Garage, tastes like cheap pot and cigarette-infused Nattie Light. Gag me. The "opening menu" also sounds douchey. Things like "don't put ketchup on a Coney" and "we also have no-meatballs, hippy" are kind of rude, and personally I don't think those comments are funny at all. Maybe in Clarkston? But over here generally people are open-minded and embrace Vegetarians. Why don't they go ahead and make fun of gays while they're at it too? Because it's about the same percentage of the population. Ok, so now that I have that out of my system I will tell you about the food... Ordering dairy-free sucks in general, but after recently finding out the reason I was close to anaphylactic shock was because I consumed dairy, it is now important that I stay away from the heavenly gifts of cheese, cream, milkshakes, etc. (Oh, how I miss you, Gouda.) I started off with a the plum crazy cocktail from the "testlab drink menu." It was delicious but also weak. $10 for a weak drink? Really? We ordered the wings as an appetizer with some sauce other than the Cholula hot sauce (I guessed that it had butter even though the waitress insisted it didn't, figuring it was like traditional Buffalo sauce made with Cholula instead of Red Hot. She checked and it did have butter.) They were cooked nicely and they were flavorful. They had a brown sugar rub and they were smoked, and then deep fried before serving. I didn't get a lot of smokiness in the meat, but the rub was good. I ended up ordering, as my entrée, a bowl of the navy bean soup and a small salad. I forget the name of it, but it had lettuce, fried garbanzo beans, diced tomatoes and onions with a tomato vinaigrette (Vegans beware: it is an emulsified vinaigrette made with egg yolks). The salad was good overall. The soup was too. It had decent heat. Wish I would have gotten more than literally 1-1/2 inches of soup in a small crock for 4 or 5 dollars. My fiancé ordered the meatball platter. He got the Angus meatballs with the roasted vegetable sauce. He got mac and cheese as a side and also the broccoli rabe. He said the mac and cheese tasted like bland, dry noodles and Cheez-Its. To me it smelled good. He enjoyed the broccoli rabe. He also said the meatballs (all 3 of them) were dense and bland. Sorry Vinsetta Garage, I think you have seen much better days. PS- To the jerkfaces criticizing my review: Yelp is not about insulting other Yelpers; its about dining experiences.
(1)William S.
Brand new place - lots of hype....I'm usually disappointing. Hip Hip Hip Hip Hooray, I wasn't disappointed. It was cool. Hands down the best Macaroni and Cheese I've ever had. If you don't like this, Kraft called and wants you back. I had a burger - it was huge. Tasted sensational!!! Biggest problem - it's a big ol mess. Juice drippin out all over the place.....everything about the decor and the stylings was really neat. If you don't love that, well I'll, I'll, drink some beige paint. The onion rings were huge and tasty too. Our waitress was new and had a cool rockabilly look about her. The service was good - they were trying hard, but the food was slow in coming. We showed up about 4:30pm on friday and they had a good sized crowd. By the time we were done there were people standing around all over the place and there was a long tine. This place is the hottest thing going right now....and rightfully so. My group was delighted with everything the place had to offer. The price are a little high, but the food quality is better than 99% of any other places around. It may not be the type of place for everyone, but I suspect anyone with a heartbeat would like it. We'll definitely be back. One other back thing - it's LOUD in there. The noise factor is intense. High ceilings and everything is hard...so the sound just echoes and carries.
(5)Adam W.
Good food. Fun atmosphere. Very different from what I am used to back home. Fantastic Lamb Burger and fried cheese. Fast service and I ate way to much food.
(5)Nick Z.
Love the look and feel of this place. Who wouldn't love carburetors retrofitted into wall sconces? The staff is attentive, beer selection is good, and they push for local selections. We had to wait for a table to clear up but that's to be expected when you're in the middle of lunch rush at a popular restaurant. We were able to lounge on some comfortable couches and enjoy bar service in the mean time. The menu is fantastic. I'm a major fan of lamb dishes so any time a menu has options that make me reconsider the lamburger is a huge boon to me. That said, the duckburger was delicious. I was worried that duck paired with Gruyère and cherry compote would be overly sweet but it really was fantastic. Parking is limited, as others have said so be prepared for a hunt for a space and a wait but both will be rewarded with delicious grub.
(5)Mike S.
The Vinsetta Burger is one of the best burgers I have ever had. I am not a sauce guy at all but i heard this burger had amazing sauce so i tried it. Adding the aioli for the fries to the Burger also added a unique taste i have not experienced in my life. Everyone should have this burger.
(5)Paula D.
Really nice reclamation of this historic garage. Food we had for lunch (salads) was good, but the noise level is really something else, and this was at lunch! I heard dinner din is way worse. Id even forgive the stupid parking situation if it wasn't for the noise
(3)T W.
Food was ok, waitress Amber was amazing! We will return because of her. If they ever fire her or disrespect her ill tell the entire Asian community to disregard this establishment completely!!!
(5)Julia M.
I thought this place had stellar food. I noticed that most of the negative reviews had complaints that are completely out of the restaurant's control: Yes, they are loud, busy and there is a super long wait. But that's sort of what happens when a restaurant has good food and becomes popular. Don't knock the restaurant for that! Considering how insanely busy this place is, I still thought all the employees I encountered were polite and stayed on top of the service. Sure they seem to rush you a little bit but at a crazy busy restaurant it's not the type of place you can linger. As everyone else on Yelp has stated, the burgers are giant and essentially perfect. I love the pretzel bun as I have never had that at any other burger joint. Good beer selection too which is always important. I really like the building itself and how it remains true to it's original purpose. It's an old car repair shop and you definitely feel that vibe here. As a recent transplant to the area from Denver, this is the place where I will take my family and friends when they come to visit that will scream "Detroit" without being touristy and cheesy. It has the super fatty and super delicious food you would expect. As a non native Detroiter (or Midwesterner for that matter) it has the food and ambiance/decor that restaurants back home try to replicate but is just so much better done in Detroit. GREAT place for out of towners and locals who don't mind the wait.
(5)Marisa S.
This place takes the cake. What amazing decor! I find something new to look at each time I am here. Great food. Hot dogs are out of this world- love the unique combinations they offer. The 3AM dog is my favorite. The duck burger is also delicious, as well as the beef burger. Mac and cheese is so yummy! The service is so-so but it's worth putting up with for the great food!
(4)Brittany S.
Don't order a ceasar salad with the flank steak. Definetly not worth the money. I hear the burgers are good. That will be my next visit.
(3)Matthew B.
My new favorite Detroit metro restaurant. The portions are perfect. The flavors wonderful and all of the food is made in house. There was a bit of a wait, but a comfy waiting area where they'll serve you alcohol. This place had the best mac and cheese that I've ever had. I'd come back here just to have that!
(5)Cindy C.
Very anti-climatic. For all the musings about this place, I was expecting something really great and tasty. I give them points for the decor though. I won't be returning.
(2)Henrietta C.
Went to vincetta garage on my birthday today Sept 11. Service was very good, food was ok. Burgers and onion rings were a Lil greasy. Drink was very good and refreshing. Spacious layout of restaurant. Would visit again.
(3)Greg M.
What anawesome place. Great food and atmosphere. I had the salmon. You have to try the wings appetizer. Service was awesome.. I would surely go again.
(5)Rob B.
I had lunch at the Vinsetta Garage last week. This was my first time to eat there and I don't understand all the buzz. The decor is certainly unique, however, I go to a place for food and service. Unfortunately neither the food or service is anything to write home about. I had lunch with two colleagues we had burgers and a chicken sandwich. I found the burger overcooked with almost an over powering charred flavor. My colleague who had the chicken mentioned it was pretty bland. During lunch the place is about one half full which brings me to the service. We were seated promptly and greeted by our server almost immediately, but it went down hill from there. We sat for about 15 to 20 minutes before the server came back to take our order. This doesn't make sense when the place is only half full. Then after about another 20 minutes someone elses order showed up. This was promptly returned and another 15 minute wait ensued before our food showed up. Even worse our food temperature was tepid at best. By the time we finished we had spent an hour and a half to have a mediocre lunch at best. The last comment is regarding pricing. $11.95 is pretty steep for a burger especially when the size and quality isn't anything special. Our total lunch bill was almost $40 with no alcohol. I don't believe I will be returning to Vinsetta Garage.
(2)Todd J.
This place is a revelation. Draft hard cider. Incredible burger with a fried egg on it. Delicious dessert. Pop rocks on Faygo Rock n Rye ice cream??? Seriously, how is that not awsome? Unique setting. Complimentary valet. Must do again.
(5)Kathryn G.
I have been wanting to try this place for months and finally got the chance to. The hosts said the wait would be about an hour so we took a seat at the bar to have a drink while we waited for our buzzer to go off. The atmosphere is nice and I assume it is always as crowded as it was the night we went. The decor is fun and the atmosphere was appealing....Bad news is that we waited over an hour and our buzzer never went off. :-/ We decided to grab dinner at the bar. The food was very good...I got the Shop salad (I think that's what it was) and we ordered the mac -n- cheese. I cant remember what burger my date ordered but it was apparently good. The portion sizes were huge! That was a plus knowing we got what we paid for. All of the staff was friendly which is always a plus as well. I will be coming back for sure and maybe on a less busy night. aaannd Maybe my buzzer will work then.
(4)Michael G.
This place is always slammed. We had a hard time figuring out when to get there when it wasn't a 1-2 hour wait (I've never been to a restaurant that was worth that kind of wait). We lucked out on timing as we managed to get right in on a Sunday at noon. I got the pretzel bun burger.. I recall it being made wrong once or twice... So I ended up getting my meal about 15 minutes after everyone, which, as a slow eater, means I may as well have ordered carryout. We got a chocolate Malt... which was quite overpriced for the size and taste... I may have liked the malt better had there actually been chocolate in it! The burger, once arrived was tasty... Definitely a thumbs up for the house cut fries.. Always better than precut / frozen. As far as the interior vibe... I liked the look, but it was big, open and NOISY. Don't expect to carry on a great conversation if it's busy. Overall the food was good but pricey. I'll return, but not often.
(3)