Imperial Menu

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  • Ryan K.

    Very unique resturant, in a good way. Spiciest jalopenos i've ever had.

    (5)
  • Ceena V.

    This place is incredible! My cousin took me here randomly cuz she loves the hot dogs. I assumed it would be a restaurant that favorited only hotdogs but their menu happened to be a variety if great and simple food. I found their tacos to be heavenly. Small but delicate and very intricate w flavours. On top of that, it's all sooo very cheap and affordable. I was blown away! They also had a large variety of drinks. I ordered one of their special drinks and it was very strong -- BUT I would rather have a strong drink than one with very little liquor. The only negative thing I have to say is that the lights are very dim. I understand the mellow and chill vibe that they are trying to give, but I prefer being able to see my food! Other than that, LOVE this place!

    (5)
  • Michele A.

    The drinks here are amazing! They have no draft but if you love cocktails this is your place. They have a hot bloody mary that is to die for. The Food was amazing! and cheap. They have small tacos and bacon wrapped hot dogs. We got here late on a Wednesday night and there was about a 30 min wait. This place is worth the wait trust me. The service is a bit slow however might have just been that it was busy. The tacos are great I had chorizo and potato one which was great and a sweet potato one also great! The hot dogs are full of flavor. Cannot wait to go back.

    (5)
  • Kait S.

    Absolutely awesome. Very small menu and everything is packed with flavor! They use little corn tortillas and they are small tacos, but perfect for trying multiple ones. Seating is unique in that there are three huge wooden tables that every kind of sits next to each other. As well as some small tables and bar area.

    (5)
  • Victoria A.

    We enjoyed the surroundings more than the food. The food was good, but not all that. The décor was cool and relaxing. I would not go out of my way to go there though.

    (3)
  • Anomid V.

    I like the atmosphere, obviously it's not an "authentic" Mexican restaurant, but the price is reasonable. I didn't think the tacos were as great as I had heard but overall they were okay.

    (3)
  • Lylian D.

    Amazing cocktails! Two drinks and I am good for the night. My favorite drinks here are the mojitos, hotel California, and Detroit Tart? Delicious and strong, just how I like it! The bartender with the blue hair is a sweetheart and makes the best drinks. I've tried every taco they have on the menu and it's a bit of a disappointment. I know I shouldn't compare them to the authentic taqueria, but I can't help it. The meat is not tender as most places I've been too, but boy do they make great sauces. The Salsa and Chips Trio? is really good to have while you are sipping (or downing) your cocktails. I've been here about 4 times just in the month of May and every time I've had a great bar experience. People around you are friendly and you'll be amazed the stories you hear by just striking up the first "Hello!". I haven't tried their hot dogs or other food offerings. I'll say it's safe to go here for an pre-game for a good night out!

    (4)
  • Daniel D.

    Imperial, this establishment is known for their hot dogs and tacos. The portion sizes are very small, pop served to you in a can, if I could sum it all up in one word it would be TRENDY. That's about it, smoke and mirrors.

    (3)
  • John K.

    Service was great..Server very friendly and a great smile. Big Plus. Downside was some of the food. The chips and salas with trio of sauces were very good. Could not go wrong. The bacon wrap dog was not that good. Use a better dog. Try home depots dogs and use those because the one i had was small/puny and dry. The topping didn't pop either. You put on spicy pickles and cilantro? let me taste them brother. I like the energy and the casual feel but I was disappointed in the food. Cheers

    (3)
  • J D.

    This is a fun place that is great for groups. Good cocktails and a selective but interesting menu. Plus the bathrooms are clean and you can't ask for more than that!

    (5)
  • Di Z.

    Great location and very good space, love the bench sitting. $2.50 tacos enough said but I do wish there were more food options besides tacos, hotdogs and sides. They had a brisket special for July 4th that was awesome. As for the drinks....I'm really not a fan. My boyfriend had the imperial magrita, was very salty and sour. I got their special drink (bourbon, peach, ice tea mixture again underwhelming)....Perhaps their other drinks are better but if I'm paying $9 for a drink I expect it to be better. 4/5 only because the drinks were not great. Our service was also excellent.

    (4)
  • Jackie R.

    We came here for drinks with a large group after dinner. Our friends had raved about this place and told us about how great their food and drinks were so we had high hopes. My one and only complaint about this place was our first impression - which to me is important and should be to a restaurant. We entered and asked if they had room for a party of our size and the hostess looked like we were asking her to perform brain surgery. Yes, we had a large group but a large group equals lots of money spent and should not be an issue when they have a large back patio. She kept huffing and puffing about it and we knew that there was a back patio that was empty. After being told we could not have food out there (not sure why - seems silly) we were led out to the back patio where we had an AWESOME waitress who had a great attitude and accommodated our group without any issues. The drinks were great and the back patio was nice. My margarita was really great and much better than my vodka tonic that was all tonic. I'd come here again since we didn't get to try the food.

    (4)
  • Karina S.

    i went on a lack luster date here recently and the food was as boring as my date. The salsa flight had no flavor and the chorizo was not spicy. Try a taco cart its way better. They also made my Chelada wrong!! GRRRRR if you're a mexican place you should know Chelada is lime and salt NOT tomato juice! That would be a michelada! save yourself the experience of boring food.

    (2)
  • Kate K.

    Fills up pretty quickly, but do yourself a favor and get the hot dogs

    (4)
  • Gus M.

    If your looking for crazy hotdog and taco's combinations Imperial is the place for you. I really enjoy the ambiance. And the staff is so very friendly. Where else can you find a hot dog that is wrapped in bacon topped with BBQ chicken, pineapple, jalapeño, onion relish, chipotle, queso fresco and cilantro. Add some hot sauce and you have a hotdog unlike anything you have ever tasted. All of these flavors are the perfect combination. Be sure to check out their Resturaunt week menu going till Sunday 4/27/14 Follow Food Porn Detroit on Instagram!!!!

    (5)
  • Rena S.

    I have no idea why this place is so popular. None. This is your prototypical hipster restaurant. Their staff is OK, rushed and not overly kind unless you fit into the mold of their usual clientele, the night I went with my parents, we did not. The food was dry and didn't have much flavor. I LOVE Mexican food, this shouldn't even be called Mexican. I was so excited to have Mexican food with such a high rating so close to home, but was completely let down. I will probably give them a second chance but I don't have high hopes. That being said their chips and dip are amazing!

    (2)
  • Sarah M.

    I love imperial! The food is delicious and they have great drinks. The menu is different, they only have hot dogs and tacos but they are amazing! I am not a big hot dog fan but these are the best! The tacos are simple but they have a ton of flavor. We just tried the late night menu last night which is perfect for a midnight snack. Their drink menu is also different with a lot of cocktails I have never seen before but are delicious! I always order the uno mas which is a tequila and cucumber drink that is great! Service is always fast and the staff is attentive. Over all we love imperial!

    (5)
  • Marco D.

    I've been to Imperial twice now and I like this place pretty well. The mixed drinks are strong and thirst quenching goodness. I love the Imperial Margarita. The tacos are pretty good. If you took traditional Mexican tacos and Americanized them by 20% you'd get an Imperial taco. However, I do have a few complaints about the tacos. Firstly, I've never had one of their tacos delivered to my table hot. They have always been luke warm at best sometimes not even that. It's kind of gross in that respect. Secondly, they undercook the chorizo and carnitas. Turn up the gas and put a bit of crust on that stuff people! Lastly, we tried a flight of tacos during restaurant week. One of them was a swordfish taco...and the swordfish was on the verge of turning. It was the fishiest tasting swordfish I've ever had. I told the food runner about it and she argued that it was flown in that morning. Maybe so, but I could only muster one bite, and it took an entire margarita to get rid of that taste. On a good note we told the bartender about it (since we were at the bar) and she took a taco off the tab. So at least one person was listening. I'd come back. Maybe not for food, but definitely for dranks.

    (3)
  • Angela F.

    Imperial is my all time favorite restaurant. I get the salsa flight, corn on the cob, Al Pastor, Vegetarian and special of the day everytime I go. The flavors are amazing and I'm not usually a fan of Mexican. I come here every weekend and introduce all my family and friends! You have to have some of their hot sauces with your meal too! One complaint that I have is that they don't do take out. At least during the week they should. It just doesn't make sense to me. I eat like a cow and they could just wrap it up and I could pick it up. That being said, I absolutely love the place and my only complaint is that I can't have more of it when I want.

    (5)
  • Nick M.

    I can't attest to the food because, well, every time I happen to walk into the joint there is a two-hour wait. The place gets packed, and it gets packed in a hurry. But the drinks ...yeah, that's where it's at. And I'm not a huge tequila guy but their margaritas (unfrozen) are arguably the best I have ever had. So smooth yet so potent, it is worth the price of admission alone. I had a couple of those on a Friday night and was feeling super. It's in a great part of town with an eclectic group of inhabitants. I really want (need!) to try to the hot dogs. Soon, I hope...

    (5)
  • Lauren K.

    LOVE IT! Salsa flight was great, the tacos are awesome. Their drink menu is fantastic and the bartenders are so great and entertaining! Perfect night out with friends.

    (5)
  • Art M.

    Been here multiple times and each time was good. Food is definitely good and flavorful. I would not consider this authentic Mexican food but still a good place to eat and drink. I always start off with chips and salsa before heading into the main course. Their carnitas and carne asada tacos are phenomenal. I would also recommend their torta which is pork meat with beans and slaw. Their elote is on point! If you like spicy food, i would get the grilled jalapenos but be warned that your mouth will be in yelling for something to cool it off. Drink wise, they have a full bar with a great selection of beer and cocktails. What else can I tell you? Staff is great and never been here for brunch/ late night menus. Overall great experience and would recommend to anyone that has never been here!

    (4)
  • Ryan M.

    The only reason I can give this place a 2 star is because of the tacos. They're great. The service, seating, availability of food and overall restaurant experience is mostly crap. Several times here as a local resident, then fairly often as a visitor. Finally just decided to write this poor review because they deserve it. Too bad. Plenty of other local spots that fit the bill. My advice: grab a couple tacos for lunch to go and head somewhere else.

    (2)
  • Jina L.

    TRY THE HOT DOGS. I love mexican food so I had to visit Imperial since everyone was talking about it. I was not really a huge fan of the tacos but the hot dogs.. oh my my... It was actually better than the ones from Vinsetta Garage (sorry). If you like to sit by yourself and enjoy a quiet meal, this is not the place for you! However, if you love to sit next to random people and have some fun give it a try! I also tried the churros, but since I am not sure which one is more authentic (example: churros from Costco), I prefer the Costco Food Court Churros better...

    (4)
  • Melanie M.

    Great place, helpful staff - LOVE the veggie tacos!

    (5)
  • Supraja M.

    My sister brought me to try the tacos here when we needed a quite snack after a Red Wings game. We sat in the bar area (quicker, we figured), but they seemed to have a substantial amount of seating available, also. We each had a vegetarian taco and we shared the veggie hot dog. Both were tasty, though I felt like both listed a lot of ingredients on the menu, but each was barely represented. My sister said on previous visits the portion of each ingredient has been more generous. They also had a lot of interesting looking drinks on the menu, though I didn't try any. Service was quick and efficient, just as we hoped, and the food was pretty cheap- I believe it was $2 a taco and $3 for the hot dog. I wish they had a proper website with their menu posted online, though. We kept trying to call the number that google and yelp list for them (to check that the kitchen was open) and it wouldn't go through.

    (3)
  • Johnny V.

    Holy moly guacamoly! They are busy, they are good. i'm ok with hippies making and serving tacos but why am i not ok with it if it was chinese food?! If i went to a chinese restaurant and i seen nothing but caucasians working i'd leave. anywho imperial is a great place, always busy. They have fucking picnic style tables which makes it hard to avoid people, thats the only bad thing you have to sit next to strangers and maybe talk as if. Drinks are awesome one of the best margaritas around. Do they have fish tacos i don't know probs but if they don't then they need to quick.

    (5)
  • Dawn M.

    All I can say is yummy in my tummy cheap Mexican food. Always packed but great customer service

    (5)
  • Cristina T.

    How this place can have anything but 5 stars blows my mind. I crave this food all the time, and is definitely the best food in Ferndale. Also, Jessica-- best bartender ever.

    (5)
  • Jen Z.

    This place is the best! It's mexican food that I don't feel like I ate too much. I walk away feeling that I ate the right amount of proportions, didn't spend a fortune, and that makes me feel better. The margaritas are fantastic. It is tricky to find a seat, but the service is great and the hostess is very cordial. This is our favorite restaurant in town!

    (5)
  • Sarah R.

    Imperial is my go-to food joint for when I'm taking friends from out of town for something good to eat. First off, I love the feel of this joint. I usually sit at the bar, unless it's with a larger group. These are my staples when I'm there: Margarita with salt - can't go wrong with a fresh made marquarita Gaucamole with chips- self explanatory Frijoles charros with Chrizo - this i a delicous cheesy, meaty, bean dip. If you eat this by yourself you could totally make a meal of it. Elote especial- don't br afraid to get messy, this corn on the cob is so tasty and delicious. Sorono hot dog- who doesn't love a hot dog wrapped in bacon. Not only all the amazing toppings on this dog make it delicious but the quality of the dog itself, I'm a stickler for hotdogs and this one has that "crunch" that I love when you bite into it. Also, they have a monthly hot dog special, be sure to ask, once I went and it was a hot dog topped with mac-n-cheese!!

    (5)
  • Jake D.

    Cool place to ball out with my friends. Staff is friendly and ready to whoop ass. Buckle up-- time to take the SALSA FLIGHT.

    (4)
  • Jessica G.

    I previously wrote a negative review based on my experience, which was 100% true, but I have tried imperial one more time and am pleased to say we will be returning. Our server Brandon one hundred percent changed our outlook on this business. He was attentive, nice, and knowledgable... We did not feel rushed, unwanted, or "left alone" like we had with our previous server. I'm writing this review because people tend to say the negative, and forget to post the positive... Overall great experience second time around!

    (5)
  • John D.

    Waitress was terrible, you shouldn't have to hunt anybody down to order food/drinks, or worst even pay your bill. Great food thou

    (1)
  • Deb M.

    I thought I would love this place based on other reviews. And there were parts that I did like...I thought the food was tasty...too bad the tacos were only lukewarm. I don't mind a smaller menu, focus on what you do and do it good. What I didn't care for was the sight 'tude we got from our waiter. I'm sorry, perhaps we weren't hipster enough for your establishment, and sorry that my party decided not to drink the night we were there. But maybe you should have worried more about being pleasant and serving warm food then you worried about being cool. Toss up if I would ever go back...I don't have any great desire to rush back at the moment. There's too many other great places in the neighborhood.

    (3)
  • Kelly M.

    Great tacos and hotdogs. Community seating. Great place to go on summer day when they have the front of the restaurant opened up.

    (4)
  • Violetta V.

    Casual taco joint in Ferndale. Food is pretty good, friendly staff but it's nothing like tacos in Mexican town. Didn't care for their cocktails.

    (4)
  • Adrianne L.

    I'm from Phoenix and these tacos make me feel like I'm at home. Closest thing to "real Mexican" street tacos I've found in Detroit. And Mexican Coke!!! Service has always been on point, even when slammed busy. Great place.

    (4)
  • Chase A.

    I'm usually way too wordy in my reviews, so I'll keep this one simple. The tacos here are amazing, and the hot dogs are obscenely good. To accompany those, they have grilled cheesy corn-on-the-cob. That doesn't sound particularly special, but YOU HAVE TO TRY IT. It's like $2, and it's ridiculously tasty. Imperial also has the distinction of the being the first Mexican restaurant that has better food than margaritas. Kinda weird to say, but the margaritas are nothing to write home about. I mean, it's a margarita. It's tasty and boozy, but eh. That's fine; Imperial still gets 5 stars because the food is inexpensive, and it's really, really good.

    (5)
  • Sarah B.

    I love coming here for happy hour, especially when it is warm out and they have the entire front window open and the fresh air just adds to the great ambiance. The street tacos are the perfect size so you can sample a few while having some great craft brews. I love the Al Pastor, Carnitas, and Tinga de Pollo. I especially love the grilled pineapple on the Al Pastor, just the right amount of fresh sweetness to even out the rest of the flavors. I also thought the Bakersfield Sonoran was delicious as well, probably because of the grilled pineapple and the cilantro, a sucker for both. Oh and while I have never tried one myself, my friends all say the Michelada is top notch as well. I prefer to just stick with my craft brews or shots of tequila though:)

    (4)
  • Jordon H.

    Love the selection of food here. Will there isn't page after page of various dishes- the limited selection they have is fantastic. And they serve Mexican Coke Cola, can't beat that! My only complaint is the Lincoln Log bench style seating. Even though downtown Ferndale is vibrant with people, I don't want to sit next to a random stranger.

    (4)
  • Beth S.

    I love this place. My favorite place to get a Bloody Mary and some tacos. I recommend the Sinner's Savior and their chips and salsa flight.

    (5)
  • Sarah C.

    This place is so packed at nights that the only chance I had was to eat there at lunch. Went there starving with little in my stomach so you would think the food would taste amazing but it was just ok. Nachos and guacamole were great. The tacos were good too for about 10 minutes till they got cold and the shell started falling apart. Service (at least mine) seemed too bored to be there and dropped off out check before asking us if we wanted anything else like dessert. Not sure if this place was worth all the wait.

    (3)
  • amy g.

    I think this might be the coolest place that's ever existed. Amazing interior, really good food, solid drinks, and the most badass group of mother f*ckers working there. And they're friendly! It's very, very trendy but not intimidating. It's always fun to go to places that serve small plates because you can have a lot of fun ordering a bunch of different things! I love it. It's especially good for those indecisive food menu browsers. Vegetarian options too of course!

    (4)
  • B J.

    Outstanding tacos, tasty drinks, awesome venue, interesting concept. The only thing remotely questionable is the service, which can sometimes be slow. Everything else is top notch. Most people are probably disappointed with paying for chips & salsa, but the salsa flight is tremendous and worth every penny. And it's only like $1 for extra chips.

    (5)
  • K M.

    First visit here and we'll definitely be back. Drinks were large and very strong. Between everyone at our table we tried the torta, chilaquiles (brunch only), and variety of the tacos- everything was excellent. My favorite by far was the Bakersfield Sonoran hot dog. Everything is inexpensive and you leave satisfied. This place gets busy so avoid at prime times otherwise expect to wait.

    (5)
  • Tara L.

    Absolutely delicious. It doesn't hurt that the environment is super cool, modern, contemporary, and Zen like with all the wood seating and flooring; totally my kind of tranquility. I've never been one to really like going to bars, but Imperial is really different. The layout is open and comfortable. Even with all the people in there and the noise factor being loud, it isn't overwhelming to the point where you get uncomfortable or claustrophobic. What really helps is really the slate blue walls with cool black and white racing cars photography and the light interior. But I'm not here to just rave about the decor of the place. The food was fantastic!! Tacos were definitely mini, but they give you a TON of meat for the size of tortilla (FYI, they are about 4-5" in diameter), and the flavors are so on point. For $2.50 each, we got the carnitas, carne asada, and al pastor. Perfectly marinated, and the accompanying salsa verde, jalapeno onion relish, and red pepper salsa in the three tacos were complementary and oh so smooth and spicy! We sampled their homemade corn tortillas and salsa flight, and that chipotle salsa was out of this world tasty. The salsa verde had a great tang from the tomatillos, but the chipotle salsa was the clear winner. All three of us couldn't get enough of it, and I surely loved the light and NOT OILY/GREASY tortilla chips. :) Guacamole was great too with plenty of lime juice, but wish there was more red onion mixed in. The only thing that was meh was the churro. That was not worth the $2, as it was tiny and fried too long. It crumbled when i picked it up, so I probably wouldn't order that again. Also, not food-related, but the bathrooms were so untidy! Toilet paper everywhere, and wet spots all over the place, it looked like a bunch of animals ransacked the place. Luckily I didn't have to use it more than once. Though this place gets loud, this will definitely be a repeat for us when we're either in the taco mood or in the Ferndale area. Another thing to note - the host was absolutely awesome and accommodating. He was very considerate with informing us our order on the wait list; something that I haven't come across in quite some time. Definitely a fun place to hang out, and I can only imagine how crazy busy and crowded this place will be when the weather gets even warmer. We will be back and I hope the state of the bathrooms improve!

    (5)
  • Shannon S.

    Haha...HOT DOG!! This place has some STUPID -))GOOD((- hot dogs! For real... Julie C. and I were in heaven when we stopped in on Saturday night! The one we were literally giggling over had chicken, pineapple and a sweet BBQ sauce on a dog wrapped in bacon...BACON!!!! We also had the Detroit Tart, a margarita, that's glass is rimmed with salt & SUGAR! Brilliant! A must try!

    (5)
  • Andi O.

    Imperial is in our regular rotation. There are cravings for Mexican, and then there are cravings for Imperial. There is nothing else like it in the Ferndale/Royal Oak area, which is one of the reasons I love it. Five stars for their tacos (Al Pastor is still my favorite) and five stars for their craft cocktails. Their cocktails are SO GOOD. Can't decide which one to try? Get the Uno Mas. Trust.

    (5)
  • KT H.

    Delicious tacos and the imperial hot dogs were amazing. The salsa flight with guacamole was a great appetizer but it only came with a small bag of chips and extra chips were $1.00. Overall, it's great food and a great atmosphere but it's tapas style and can get a little pricey.

    (4)
  • Nick C.

    Yes, this place is one of the popular joints around Ferndale and deservedly so. They have a nice drink selection, their food is unique and tasty, and the atmosphere is pretty cool. I've been here quite a few times and the food has always been the high point, though I will admit that after a while the tacos lose some of their luster. They're good, and it's fun to try their specials (some are great and some, not so much), but after a while they just seem like regular Mexican fare. The hot dogs on the other hand are always good. No matter how many times I've gone the dogs never get old. Be sure to get the salsa flight, too. Very good stuff. The biggest drawback to Imperial is the wait time. If you can manage, go with no more than two-three people if you're going in the evening. Any more than that and you'll likely have to wait an hour+ to be seated. I went with a group of about seven a month or so ago and we had to wait nearly two hours while we watched parties of two-three people (that arrived after us) get seated at the long tables in the main dining area. I understand that the restaurant wants to keep the flow of people moving, but if they would have just waited a few minutes for another small party to leave, our party could have easily been seated at the end of the long tables and not forced to wait so long. Again, I understand it's a busy place, but things could have been managed better in that instance. When we were finally called on that same time, we were seated and then a few minutes later moved to another table. Our food also came out on the cold side and parts of the order were wrong, maybe because it was a group of seven people, I don't know. (Side note: Orders might not get mixed up if they didn't plate everything ordered by a group on the same platter(s), or at least arranged the food by each persons order instead of leaving it up to the customer to figure out which items are theirs.) All that being said, I'm still giving this place a good star rating. They mainly just need to work out a few kinks with how people are seated.

    (3)
  • Derp M.

    Solid place. Great food. Great late night menu. Haven't had any real issues there. I love the elotes and the Bakersfield. Good drink options too.

    (5)
  • Karen W.

    Holy yummy tacos! So good, way better than Rojo! And who can complain about $2.50 tacos? I don't quite understand the hot dogs on the menu, but I guess that's fusion at it's finest. My favorite taco was the Al Pastor, super delish. The corn was also really good and I can't complain about my mojito either. The only thing that is slightly off putting is the bench style seating, if you want to be able to have a private conversation ask to sit in the back room, but you may have to wait a few extra mins.

    (4)
  • Grasan K.

    Located along a strip of restaurants and bars in this trendy Ferndale neighborhood, this cool hipster vibe has community styled bench/table seating up front. There were more seats in back of the restaurant/bar, but we sat at the bar and had some great crafted cocktails (Añejo Mint was delicious!) and ordered the nachos which was fresh and just the right about without being too overwhelming. Overall, a great spot and I really enjoyed myself!

    (4)
  • BeckyJo M.

    Drinks: LOVE the Ring of Fire (definitely spicy, but not over the top), Hotel California is great for a calmer/girly tequila cocktail, the Detroit Tart is a bit too tart for me (as long as you don't drink it after a sweet drink, I'm sure it would be fine), and the Uno Mas is a good standby as well. Food: I crave the veggie sonoran like nobody's business. You will not find a better veggie dog!! For real. Salsas and guac are both delicious starts. I also dig the churro with the dipping sauce, which I think they have changed up a few times. If you want to try something unique and don't mind being messy, spring for the corn on the cob...it's only $2. Delicious! Tacos: I can't speak for the meat on this menu myself, but I have taken people here that weren't excited about them. I tried a veggie special with portobellos and didn't like it. I normally love mushrooms, so I think it was the overall blandness that killed this taco combo. If it weren't for the tacos, I'd probably give this place a 5. I try to come here often, if I can get in, as the place is usually jam packed. Servers are for the most part helpful, but some get caught up socializing and can forget about you for a tad too long.

    (4)
  • Kevin G.

    My wife and I stopped in for the first time today for lunch as we had a appointment in the area. Bad weather may be why it was sorta empty but that is okay by me. Melody was our server and she was very outgoing and helpful Always had a smile on her. Started with chips and mild salsa and both were good. Liked the texture of the salsa as it was not too chunky and not soupy either. They have a pretty unique collection of tacos and hot dogs. We tried 3 different tacos and 1 hot dog. The tacos were the Carne asada, the Al Pastor and the Aldobada. All came on small flour tortillas with a variety of toppings that are not found in every taco joint. All the hot dogs are wrapped in bacon (except the veggie) and have a nice snap to them when you bite into them. The toppings for them are also unusual and unique. I think the prices are a little high for what you get but the food was good and it seems like the food/bar mix is pretty popular.

    (3)
  • Nadine B.

    Exactly what you want. An abbreviated menu and consistent quality. Our second time here! Get the salsa flight. Why is the green one always the best?

    (4)
  • Jennifer P.

    OMG this place is awesome! The tacos are amaaaazing!!! And the corn on the cob thingy....holy cow so good! I love all the wood too and the long tables. This was my first time there and I'll definitely be coming back....frequently!

    (5)
  • Ashliegh M.

    I absolutely love this place! Al Pastor, Papas and Carne Asado are my 'go to' tacos but I always try their featured ones too. I never tried their hotdogs but my friends love them. Their guacamole and salsas are great! I love the vibe of this place, the atmosphere is very hipster and trendy. I'm not a big fan of tequila but their signature drinks are amazing.

    (5)
  • Dan M.

    Who doesn't love Mexican food? And who doesn't love when you find good Mexican when you least expect it? I came in here to meet some friends thinking it was just a bar. Hadn't heard of the place. We ended up leaving to meet friends elsewhere, but from my initial visit, it smelled like heaven and I wanted some food bad. So we came back later and I had some chips and salsa, chorizo tacos, and pulled pork tacos. The chips and salsa tasted super fresh and were incredible. I almost wanted to take some salsa home with me. The chorizo tacos were just alright, not bad, but nothing incredible. The pulled pork tacos were mind-blowing. I think I ordered two and then had another sent out as well. Beer here is dirt cheap too. There's plenty of seating; it's probably been said before, but this place is in the spot of the old Post bar. So if you ever remember going, it's pretty large inside. Highly recommend. Go if you haven't already.

    (5)
  • Jaclyn F.

    One of my absolute places in Ferndale! I get the Veggie Hotdogs and love that they put cilantro on everything!

    (5)
  • Tim G.

    Make sure you ask about the special. They have some great ones. Today's was a braised lamb shank with olive tapenade taco.

    (4)
  • Kata T.

    I absolutely NEED to come back here the next time I'm in the Detroit area. ¡DELICIOSOOOO! I'm kind of picky when it comes to Mexican food, in large part due to my vegetarianism. That being said, both me and the other two in my party (definitely *not* vegetarians) loved this place! Well, the other two had been before, so I was the only newbie. From the very first bite of tortilla chip, I knew this place was IT. Chips so good, you almost don't even need the delicious guacamole and salsas that you can get with them - but oh, you do. I preferred the spiciest salsa (which still doesn't have a ton of heat), which had a surprisingly sophisticated blend of flavors from smoky to tangy. My mouth is watering right now just thinking about it. Being excited to have vegetarian options (at a Mexican place! Woot!), I ordered a vegetarian taco (made with spiced seitan, green mole and queso fresco) and a vegetarian Sonoran hot dog (veggie hot dog topped with guacamole, mole, stewed beans, tomato, jalapeno onion relish, roasted corn, salsa verde, poblano lime cream, queso fresco and cilantro). And although it soon became apparent that my eyes were too big for my stomach, I didn't care. This ish tasted SO GOOD I ate it all anyway. I can't wait to come back and try a drink (or three) off their impressive drink menu!

    (5)
  • Paul S.

    Food is pretty good, atmosphere is cool, decent drink prices, but the service is horrible. Waited 50 mins for our food. It was not even warm anymore and came without an apology.

    (1)
  • Laura K.

    They won me over, I can't believe it myself. The one giant positive addition is the trio of house made hot sauces. I was complaining about having to buy salsa and the lack of any hot sauce, so thanks for that. The service has been great on all of my visits over the past year (6 or 7 times) they even give you an extra metal plate so no more eating off the table top. Their cocktails and guacamole have always been top notch. I'm glad everything else has finally caught up.

    (4)
  • Varun B.

    You know what, I'll admit when I've underrated a place. This is one of those times. Since my last review, I have gone here a good extra few times, and it has definitely grown on me. I find that I have a great experience every time I go there. Their drinks, as mentioned before, are excellent and their food has been consistently good. I have gotten the same 4 tacos every time (tinga, al pastor, papas, and carnitas), and I have been thoroughly satisfied. I absolutely love their spicy sauces. The orange and green ones (the spicier of the 3) are amazing, and they provide each taco with its deserved "kick". Also, definitely definitely get the Elote Special -- Mexican corn on the cob with a poblano and cheese topping -- soooo good.

    (4)
  • Blessing H.

    I love this place! The salsa flight is awesome, gives you the option to try all their salsas for a cheap price. And one of the only non-mexican places you can find Jarritos in Metro Detroit. Personally recommend the steak tacos and chipotle salsa! One of my favorite places in Ferndale!

    (5)
  • Lori C.

    Highly recommend everyone to try, wonderful service, wonderful flavors. Really enjoyed!

    (5)
  • Suzy S.

    Vegan tacos are amazing. Always have a good time on day of the dead with my family.

    (5)
  • Matthew P.

    Papas Con Rajas - Chorizo/potato/queso fresco. The above is all you need to know! I tried a nice spread of tacos today, and the Imperial Sonoran. If you walk in here mid afternoon on a total whim like I did and you can only order one taco, Papas Con Rajas!!!!! and now, 225 reviews...

    (4)
  • Christopher B.

    Imperial is a hip, fantastic restaurant with a little bit of everything. They have unique amazing tacos that put a modern twist on a Hispanic classic and hot dogs wrapped in Bacon, need I say more. The tequila selection is great if that is your thing but they also carry a good bottled beer selection, including the elusive Corona Familiar.

    (5)
  • Emily M.

    Mediocre Mexican Food and overrated! The food is cheap but there is nothing special about it! I was especially disappointed in the margaritas! I don't know how you mess up a margarita, but I could have made a better one myself! Overall...mediocre with a trendy ambience. If you're looking for a good margarita, don't rely on this place!

    (3)
  • Blake W.

    Creativity at its finest. Great tasting food is the foundation of this place but they also have a good beer selection and great customer service. If you want fresh and tasty food check this place out.

    (4)
  • Jess M.

    The tacos here are tremendous and I did not think it possible for them to outdo their tacos, until I had their brunch. I love to go in with three other people for brunch-we order one of each of the brunch items and share them all. Amazing!

    (5)
  • Melissa H.

    Met up for dinner with friends over the holidays and while the wait was about 30-45 minutes on a weekend evening, Imperial graciously accommodated our party of 10. Food 4/5: The menu was impressive as was the drinks list. It took a while to figure out what I wanted, but I was recommended the tacos and a cocktail or beer of sorts. Being a bourbon fan, I ordered the Imperial Swizzle cocktail (bourbon, brandy, ginger ale) and three tacos (carne asada, pollo and vegetarian). The tacos were a little pricey at $2.50 each, but then again, coming from the San Francisco bay area, I'm used to tacos costing next to nothing (under $1.25). Given our party size, our respective tacos were placed on large platters, mixed together and were indistinguishable under the dim lights. So, as friends do, we decided to split whatever was there and call it even. Atmosphere 4/5: It was a little too loud for conversation and sometimes even our server couldn't hear us while putting in orders for more drinks or food. But overall a fun place to spend with friends to eat, drink and be merry. Service 4/5: The staff were attentive, friendly and answered our questions. Again, it was super busy and they were great about accommodating our party size, but it did take us a bit of a wait and at some points, because of the noise, it was hard to communicate or get their attention. Overall, fun atmosphere, pretty decent food, great cocktails but some of the food was pricier and the noise level a bit overwhelming.

    (4)
  • Matt L.

    WHY ARENT THE NACHOS ON THE REGULAR MENU???? (2 stars are only because management has refused to listen to my sadly desperate pleas. This is a 5 star restaurant. Will be changing to 5 stars once the menu is changed...if ever.) The best damn item on your menu is only served between 12 AM and 2 AM Fridays and Saturdays. That item specifically I'm talking about is the nachos or as they are more affectionately named on the menu, "Hot Mess". Wtf? These nachos are so damn good I set my alarm for 11:45 pm on Fridays and Saturdays to wake up and drive 10 miles. I've fallen down stairs and missed family parties for these damn nachos. I'm not even out or in the area but, these nachos awaken me from deep slumber and cause me to brave hazards such as drunk drivers, icy roads, drunken children and the insane waits at the restaurant. Yet, despite the fact that I have said time and again to the staff that these damn nachos need to be on the menu, it seems to have fallen on deaf ears and my ass is still setting my alarm for 11-fricking-45 on Fridays and Saturdays (I like to get to bed early. Sue me.). I don't know what I need to do to facilitate these unabashedly dirty yet, super tasty nachos being on the everyday menu. Do I need to assemble nacho loving individuals to picket and boycott??? Like fawkkkkkkkkk you mean those nachos aren't on the regular menu? What the management is doing currently is neglecting customers who love nachos and only making them available to vampires, other creatures of the night, and derelicts on Fridays and Saturdays. This is cruel and unusual punishment barred by the 8th amendment of the US Constitution. If imperial was a state actor, I know Obama and the attorney general would be up in this bitch holding press conferences. In sum, management needs to stop being a hot mess. Put the hot mess on the regular menu. I'd rather be able to buy the damn nachos at a decent hour than during 4 hours of the week when myself and many other nacho loving customers are nesting soundly. Word to my boy Rey Mysterio and check yourself on the nachos imperial, you might catch the 619.

    (2)
  • J B.

    Good food. Good beer. Good cocktails... Erry thing here is delicious... Erry thang. Some booths. Bar. Some community tables. Cool art which adds to the unique atmosphere

    (5)
  • Jess P.

    Overall, this is a great place for modern Mexican snacks. The vegetarian-friendly options are a huge plus. Everything is delicious and beyond affordable but beware of their alcoholic drinks. I think mine tasted watered down.

    (4)
  • Rachel O.

    The menu is simple and the food is good. Service - Quick and friendly. Food - The tacos tasted great. I tried the carne asada, carnitas and one of the chicken (I cannot remember which). All were good. The chicken I liked the least because of a lack of flavor while the carne asada was amazing because of flavor. My husband tried the chirizo and loved it. Chips and salsa are an extra charge if you want them. We ordered chips with three salsas: verde, roasted tomato and chipolte. All were very good. The verde was my favorite. The chips were warm.

    (4)
  • Patrick R.

    So the good: Fresh flavor full food. Interesting drinks. Fun Family style service and setting. Decent service. The not so good: The quote time of an hour but it took closer to 2. I understand a place like this is hard to quote... it's where the family style seating becomes a negative.... still, you think they could have gotten a tad bit closer. The menu is kinda funky since it's 4 gourmet hot dogs and 7 street tacos with a few different chips and dips. It's unusual to eat a meal where there's not really sides. 2.50 per taco with no bulk discount strikes me as a bit pricey. I thought $4 per hot dog was fair. I liked all the tacos, but they were not mind blowing. I found the hot dogs to have bigger punches of flavor. And I enjoyed the 3 salsas, plus the chips were really fresh and tasty, but again none were super awesome. We had churros for dessert. They were tasty, but it seemed like the frier may have been turned up too high. The outside was really crisp, but the inside seemed mushy and doughy in a not good way. Maybe that's how it's supposed to be? But I don't think so. Anyways... I want to try their brunch. I would have no problem coming back but I will avoid peak weekend hours. I tasted their fancy Apple Cinnamon Manhattan (dangerously smooth) and a one mother bourbon lemon ginger drink that was solid. $8 a piece isn't too bad for mixology, I guess.

    (4)
  • Kristin C.

    Mmmmm. Enjoyed our meal here last night! Started with the salsa flight with chips. Not your standard (boring) salsa at all - unique, smoky flavors. Nice. The tart cherry margarita was strong and tasty! Good little buzz. The torta was a generous portion - yummy pork, guacamole, and beans. Chorizo taco was great! And the etole especial (crazy corn) was a fun side dish - they cut it in half so we could split it. Sweet! Service was friendly and speedy. Definitely looking forward to a return visit.

    (4)
  • Lauren M.

    The food is just eh, the service is terrible and the drinks are okay. This place was such a disappointment. I showed up with friends and was told our wait would be 15 minutes. It ended up being half an hour. Then we were seated and given water right away but it took another 10 minutes for our waitress to get our drink order. Another 10 minutes goes by and we get our drinks and we are ready to order. My whole party ordered 4 tacos and 2 hot dogs. Not a lot of food. It ended up taking at least another 20 minutes for the food to come out. Entirely way too much time for such a small amount of food, especially tacos and hot dogs. When the food finally arrived it was cold and the bacon on the hot dogs was burnt. It seemed like they didn't even care in preparing quality food and it had been sitting out for too long. Probably because our waitress wasn't paying attention considering she wasn't attentive at all after she took our food order. This experience made me never want to come back and that's really disappointing for a place that is in the heart of Ferndale. Not only was my experience a terrible one but every person I've talked to that has been there has had a similar experience and that should've told me everything I needed to know from the beginning.

    (2)
  • Colleen G.

    Giving this place a solid 4 stars. No nonsense service and a GREAT drink menu filled with Tequila goodness. Hard to find a place that has more than 1 Tequila drink (with that being a margarita). If you love Tequila as much as I do you would enjoy this place. Considering I was intoxicated after their extensive tequila menu, I couldn't really tell you how the food was, but my boyfriend who was a sober sally told me that the food was very good. Tacos are small, don't order 2- get 3. Really trendy spot, maybe I will head back for their brunch which had decent prices and bloody mary's on Sunday's and write this place a better review of 5. *** UPDATE- this place now deserves a 5. Consistent service, stiff tequila drinks, and great atmosphere.

    (5)
  • Jen J.

    We had just returned home after a road trip and stopped in for some tacos here. They're over priced for the portions, but the flavor made up for it. Not an easy place with kids, our waitress even seemed a little irritated at our children, though she assured us she didn't mind them. Our neighboring diners definitely were, even though it was loud in there anyway. Noisy and hipster ambience and vibe.

    (3)
  • Matt C.

    This may not truely be a five star place (more of a four star), but given how hard it is to find true Mexican flavors in foods.... this is as good as it gets in Oakland County! Everything here is ala carte, but worth the prices. Particular favorites are the elote especial (special corn), la torta, and the grilled jalapeños. Also, the food is served family style, so sharing is a necessity! The drinks tend to be pricey, unless ordering bottled beer. But the "One Night in Mexico," is an amazing beer cocktail. Made of Negra Modelo, anejo, cilantro, lime, demerara; this cocktail is worth the $8.

    (5)
  • Michael W.

    This place is amazing. Great dogs great tacos. Their late night menu is awesome too! Need a drunk? Tito's Mule.

    (5)
  • Ron C.

    I really & truly have wanted to get here for over 2 weeks, BUT now that I have..once was enough. Was out running multiple errands , and it was hard to Drive by Ernies & the FLY TRAP, but wanted a Street Taco real bad! Walked in at exactly 12:40 pm ..went to the bar & ordered 2 tacos for a carryout, $5 Please have a seat , they will be right up. At 1:03 pm my Tacos arrived on a plate, the gal says 'No those were supposed to be TOGO for him" At 1: 12 my Tacos arrived in foil in a little bag 32 Minutes for 2 Street Tacos?!? r-e-a-l-l-y? They tasted good, very reminiscent of Jaques Taco Truck & the place had a very cool vibe with the roll up doors on both ends & the use of wood in all the tables, booths & chairs, & the patio is noteworthy too. Also be forewarned Chips & Salsa is $3.00 Chip refills are $1 If you want all 3 salsas & chips its a fin.

    (2)
  • Lori A.

    Love it all! The laid back atmosphere, great salsas & guac ...and the tacos are very authentic! Must try if you haven't! Staff is great too. No margaritas this time but they're great too.

    (5)
  • Yo M.

    I must say the first time I went there it was great, but now I go there yesterday and everything was dried out and not flavorful at all. You guys already trying to cut back cost and refrigorating old, cooked food from the night before? I understand your trying to be just a bar but, us people did like your food. And you still need major help with your waitstaff, sat at a both just the two of us and our server acted like we were to good to sit there. granted waited 10min just to get the damn table in the first place. who wants to scramble and beat someone down for a seat, that's just outragious!!!

    (1)
  • Marleija F.

    Below 5 stars?? Bunch of weenies if you ask me! Their salsa verde is to die for. The food, drinks, atmosphere, servers, prices-everything's perfect.

    (5)
  • Conor C.

    I go to imperial all the time! I love their tacos, and I love cheap beer! I'd call that a win win. A must try if you visit Ferndale

    (5)
  • Monica W.

    For some reason I was a little shy after my first visit to Imperial even though it was excellent. I seriously had no complaints and a few praises but I wasn't quite ready to commit to 5 stars. My hesitation lasted until tonight when I once again visited and can not help but do a happy dance to the heavens. Honest, this place is pretty great! Both times I was pleased to experience excellent service but tonight's visit went over and beyond. Our server was helpful, genuine, attentive, and made some recommendations that I adhered to and did not regret. He has such a legit kind and friendly personality! On top of the great service I had an excellent and very delicious margarita called Uno Mas. With cucumber, agave and other goodies I wasn't 100% percent how the concoction would appeal to my taste buds but found myself pleasantly surprised and slightly buzzed after only one. This isn't like me (I wouldn't consider myself a lush but I'm no one-beer wonder either) so I figured maybe I was getting tipsy off how delectable my food was...?? I had picked out a menagerie of tacos my first visit and non of them truly imprinted themselves in my memory but I thought they were all gratifying. This time around I decided to go with their Sonora Hot Dog (a must try) and a simple Carne Asada taco along with their Grilled Jalapenos. My Mr. went with the Vegetarian Tacos. The winner of my meal was hands down the Sonora leaving its friends on my plate in the dust. However per our waiters suggestion we put a small amount of their homemade hot sauce on the tacos and yowza, it added this spicy piquant flavor that I couldn't resist and made me want to order ten more. I'm strange with hot sauce --like the spice but find it can strip the meal of flavor and replace with just heat which was not the case here. My Mr. said that it also added another element to his tacos instead of limiting them, and he liked his selection to begin with. There are certain dynamics that may not appeal to others here. For instance even though Imperial leans more towards bar than restaurant they have no drafts on board. They have a good selection of bottled brews and have rotating specials, but I've decided to stick with their cocktails since I like my drafts! Another possible negative aspect for some is that these tacos simply do not taste authentic despite their undeniable taste-bud appeal; I don't see anywhere where it states Imperial is going for authentic Mexican though so I feel they won't be offended by this. I mean it straight up says they are going for a Cali style taco spot and contrary to popular belief California is not Mexico (close, but different). If you are looking for a Mexicantown taco go to Mexicantown where they do have a few spots that scream authentic. If you are down for a little creativity in which your mouth, stomach, and pocketbook will thank you make a visit to Imperial!

    (5)
  • k a.

    They were packed tonight! We got in had several staff check on us a few times to try and get us seated. We got their grilled corn and their taco specials and a side of their grilled jalepenos. It was soo amazing! Their pablano lime cream that coats the corn and the the grilled jalepenos was simply amazing.... its like crack that I couldnt get enough of!! A margarita to add to the order made the whole thing simply amazing!

    (5)
  • Carolyn D.

    Hey yelpers! Fellow yelpers have quite accurately described the exceptional and authentic tacos and drinks here. Everything on the menu is topnotch. Margarita is pricey but a must have. Our son, whose first word was "hot dog"(really), considers himself a connoisseur(Union woodshop and Zingerman's hotdogs, both got a thumbs DOWN)and declared the Imperial dog superior to all others - high praise indeed. If you're cold-natured like me, dress warmly and wear thick socks. Michigan winter blast, every time the door opens, keeps the room cool. So, if you like your food really hot, place your taco on a napkin and eat it quick - food is served on metal plates. They have blankets in a basket by the back door, which is a nice touch. Evidently the rehab needing server mentioned by other yelpers, doesn't work on sunday afternoon after 2pm(or perhaps the poor gal got to rehab). Our servers, on both occasions, were friendly, efficient and quick about it. Happy troughs!

    (4)
  • Chuck C.

    I'm a little older then the crowd that was here this past Sat. and I think I may have been the oldest! Ferndale has become the hippest place to be. This has been a huge change from the days I would go to the Rialto Cafe in the 60's and 70's. But it is time thing change and stay alive and Ferndale has made the leap forward. Let me start off by stating this is not a Mexican restaurant it is a bar that makes taco's. The food menu is one page and the food is based around the drinks. Now this is not a bad thing,but need to know what you are getting. The stand out item they have is the Sonoran Hotdog, this is a GREAT hot dog! To make a stand out hot dog in a town where coney dogs are KING is a big order, The Imperial has meet the challenge and have a hot dog I would go back for!!! The tace that seem to be the main item are not he tacos most people have had or think of when the word taco comes up. These are street food tacos and are OK the Pastor are the best of the tacos they offer! The drinks are the deal here and that is the money maker and rightly so, it is a bar after all. Go for the drinks and stay for the food! Live well and eat well, and please no chains!

    (4)
  • Suzann M.

    FANTASTIC!!!! Went there last night for my first time with my wife and a group of friends. Drinks: Not watered down like SEVERAL Metro Detroit bars. Premium quality with several specialty drinks to choose from. Food: Absolutely fantastic!!!! Flavors were spectacular and I highly recommend trying just about anything they have to offer. However the carne asada tacos were a bit dry and the only reason why I give 4 stars instead of 5. Atmosphere: Perfect. Its a bar.... Not a restaurant. If you remember that then you will love this place. If you are coming here to eat you will be happy with what you get but you may be put off knowing that it is a bar atmosphere. However the waitstaff was superb, pleasant, and VERY on point. Oh and professional. I cant say it enough but the people working there are doing a fantastic job. All in all take away a couple of dry carne asada tacos and the place is perfect for a group of friends to gather, have a few drinks, and fill their stomachs. To the owner.... GREAT JOB!!!!

    (4)
  • Andrew S.

    Good tacos and a funky Ferdale atmosphere. I like this place. We'll be back.

    (4)
  • Amanda K.

    I can't help but want to give Imperial 10 stars. This place is a gem! The boy and I decided it was taco time, and of course we decide this at 7:30 PM on Friday night. I say, "Hey boyfriend, let's go to this place I read about in Ferndale. They have tacos and beer." He appropriately Google stalked them, and to his disappointment, there is no menu online. But, he is still sold on the idea of beer and tacos, so we head up W. Ward, and find parking surprisingly easy. We walk up cautiously into the very open restaurant. Creeping around trying to find a seat, and probably looking very unsure of ourselves (I knew that it was community seating before we came, but we took the opportunity to appear socially awkward). The sun was blaring in our eyes as we fumbled around, until one of the adorably friendly waitresses let us know there was some covered seating out back. We head out to the back and find a few benches free, with a coffee-like table, so we snatch it up. While it's relatively loud inside the restaurant, it's very comfortable out on the back patio! It was the perfect volume; we could hear each other talk, and we could still have a part of the party going on inside. Since it is community seating, you seriously feel as though you are part of a community. The couple next to us on the bench were obviously out on date night, but when a family with a kiddo their age came and sat down on the end, they started talking shop, baby-style. Then a family came and sat down next to us on our side of the bench, and we just kind of melded in to communal eating. It's not for everyone, but it's definitely for me! Then came the menu. Don't worry, you aren't missing part of your menu. It really is that small. But, it's a plus! Having a small menu allows for some pretty awesome food! We ordered the trio of salsas and chips, and each salsa was fantastic, although I was partial to the salsa verde (I ate most of it!). We had tried most of the tacos, but the Al Pastor was definitely a favorite. Also, the veggie taco that I had was... just... AMAZING. The seitan was AWESOME. Well done, Imperial! You have awesome food! Not greasy at all, and you can just taste the freshness. And at $2.50 a pop, I consider that very reasonable. I had 3 tacos, and I was definitely full; if you figure having 4 tacos (which would probably be enough for a dude), that's $10.00. Which, for the quality of food, I consider reasonable. BF had the special taco of the day (which, by the way is the same price), and it was duck... I'm not into eating game meats, but I had a bite and the duck was very well seasoned. The fun doesn't stop with the food... the drinks are money baby, off-the-hook, winner winner margarita dinner. I had the "D" Margarita, which is made with tart cherry juice, and then some other margarita fixins. It. Was. Fantastic. They also have a decent beer selection, but note that there is nothing on draft. That would really be my only criticism. The service, as someone else had mentioned, is a bit spotty; our waiter told us our food would be right out, but we hadn't ordered yet. He took a while to come around, but he wasn't the worst I've ever had. Another little issue... the tables need to be cleaned off better! I know what we had was more of a coffee table, and it's a casual setting, but I notice people putting their feet on the coffee tables outside, and ours had some leftover taco sauce on the edge. A good wipedown wouldn't be too much to ask. Other than that... this place is fantastic... Andele Andele! Vamanos a Imperial!

    (5)
  • Domenico D.

    Taco's were okay, But I do like the set up and the ambience and aesthetic of the restaurant. I love the wood floors and the wall color is great, I'm even ok with the benches. like the other reviewer said depends on how outgoing you'd like to be w/ you're neighbor,lol. When i first went though, a friend invited me, and our party took up a lot of room,we were the only ppl sitting at the bench style table, so it was cool. Like everyone says, go check this place out at least once. You ask for water and they serve water in clear glass bottles ( large enough for sharing) but the water tastes like alcohol, not good... I'm not sure if they just have taco's or other stuff also, but I'd go back and try it again.

    (3)
  • Edward M.

    I lost count on how many times Brad and I have been here so far. We just can't get enough of their Vegetarian Tacos. I'm pretty sure they are laced with nicotine because all I want to do is chain-eat them. I don't really know about the meat tacos due to the fact that we are vegetarians, but all our meat eating friends seem to really enjoy them- especially the pulled pork. The only complaint I have is the acoustics when they are busy, kind of hard to hear our friends, but that's small potatoes in the scheme of things. I gotta say... I love this place more than a week off of work with a Battlestar Galactica filled Que! Frakin A!

    (5)
  • Joel M.

    I'm upgrading Imperial from four stars to five. It really has become a staple in the rotation. It's difficult to get seated (still not sure why Detroit isn't keen on reservations), but it's worth the wait. The food is of very good quality and the prices are definitely reasonable. The margaritas are also excellent. So many different options to choose from.

    (5)
  • Lisa B.

    I've now gone to Imperial several times, and can say that this is a great place. Service is always consistent, the tacos are always delicious, and I've never had a bad experience. Sometimes the music is a little strange, and sometimes it takes a while for the food to arrive at your table, but it's never ridiculous. I've brought friends and family here and recommended it to people looking for a place to eat, and I've never heard a complaint. Oh, and the drinks are fantastic. The Louisa is my favorite, but the Anejo Mint is also so good and I've never been a tequila fan. Even if you're not looking for dinner, this is a great place to go for some great cocktails and really good chips and salsa. The beers are very reasonably priced, the cocktails are all about 8 bucks, which is a little pricey, but I really think you get what you pay for.

    (4)
  • Brian N.

    We were in town for a concert and went out of our way to try this place on a recommendation and we were very glad we did. Living in the great frozen tundra of bad Mexican food that is Traverse City made this even better for us! My daughter had the Sonoran hot dog - I forget which one - and once you wrap a hot dog in bacon and cover it with "stuff" it is hard to go wrong and this didn't disappoint. The tacos were great - we tried Al Pastor, Carnitas and Tinga - each one was great - very hard to choose which was best. The salsas were amazing and the Imperial margaritas were phenomenal. I was recent;y comparing it to Rick Bayless' Frontera Grill and I hate to tell ya Rick - you should stop in and give it a try!

    (5)
  • Lou N.

    Excellent tacos and a might fine pour from Amy! Don't hesitate to stop on by.

    (4)
  • Samir N.

    This place is in hipster central, but man does it kick some butt! I will just summarize what everyone else has said. The taco prices are beyond reasonable and I have not had a bad one, yet. The liquor drinks are a tad pricey, but I like the tequila drinks. The salsa flight is also a qinner.

    (5)
  • Joey J.

    Hipsters love tacos. Which flies in the face of Planck's fifth law stating that the more hipstery you try to make a taco, the more it blows. Imperial is the latest attempt to put a hipster Mexican restaurant into fabulous downtown Ferndale. And it goes about as well as one would expect it to. At its best (the Papas Con Rojos), it makes a fair to decent taco. At its worst (the Carnitas), it's as dry and bland as the British sense of humor. In between, the Al Pastor was ok, but really on the sweet side. The Carne Asada had a really weird aftertaste. The Chicken Tinga and Adoboda were both fairly mediocre. We didn't partake in the vegetarian, ordering the roasted jalapenos instead. The wife wouldn't go near them when they were delivered to the table, as they were whole roasted jalapenos--seeds and all. They burn going down the gullet immensely, and the lime and queso fresco don't make them anything more than regular roasted jalapenos flavor wise. But the most disappointing aspect of Imperial was definitely the bar component. All the lady and I wanted were drinks. Problematically, there was no beer on tap and when we asked for a cocktail menu we were told there wasn't one (even though a photo of one clearly exists on Yelp). I had a Corona with lime, which always saddens my soul to order. The lady tried to order one of what we were told was that they were out of the rum component of it, but they could turn it into a cherry margarita. This was a recipe in failure, as the concoction was undrinkable by all whose liver is in better condition than Barney Gumbel's. The service was sparse, but decent. Most notably, they didn't charge us for the cherry margarita combination. I suspect Imperial will stay in business for awhile based on location. We'll probably give it another try once all the kinks get out. But given we've tried all the tacos, giving it a second chance isn't high on our priority list.

    (2)
  • Dylan M.

    Went during Tuesday lunch. Plenty of open seats, and an awesome ambience. Great food. Great prices. Great service (thanks Robyn!). Will definitely be back. I hear happy hour is nice.

    (4)
  • Crystal W.

    The taco shells and some fillings are quite authentic. Others are more American style, but it's a quite good taco place in general.

    (4)
  • Andrew S.

    Solid tacos. The salsa flight is excellent. Killer prices. Inventive cocktails. Ignore the bad reviews, a new restaurant will have it's growing pains.

    (5)
  • Leslie H.

    Very good tacos. Excellent service. Party of two, got seated right away. Very flavorful meal. Reasonable prices.

    (5)
  • Matthew A.

    Love the tacos. Wish they gave you a break on larger orders. I'd also like to see the tortilla chip portion be larger and come with free refills when paying for the salsa or guacamole.

    (4)
  • Heidi M.

    I don't want to be too redundant here. This place definitely still have some kinks to work out, but also has great potential so I'm hoping they pull it together. I was there last night, so they have only been open for a few weeks now. Pros... -Don't change a thing about those delicious little tacos!! The meats that they are stuffing these things with are so good. Seriously my mouth is watering just thinking about them. The Carnitas, Al Pastor, and Carne Asada where my favorites. -House made salsas were also very good. We had the flight of 3 salsas, they were all packed with lots of flavor. The salsa verde was surprisingly my favorite. -Great location, cool vibe, the patio in the back looked nice too. -The waitstaff that we dealt with were all very nice and helpful. Cons... -There was no hostess, just a sign that said "please seat yourself". But there were no tables to sit at. So it was kinda awkward and a bit of a free for all. Please, please, always have someone to greet and seat your guests. Especially with it being a new place. No one walking in knows what to do. -All the food was delicious... except for the churros. $2 for a skinny, half raw, string of fried dough. Nope, next time get another taco to eat instead. -The menu is a little confusing, I guess it's just not what we are used to. Everything is ala carte and family style. I missed out on ordering things, like the corn that I wanted to try just cause I couldn't figure out what I was looking at (and that was before the Margarita). Maybe try adding some predetermined meals to the menu like a "dinner for 2" that includes..... -Doesn't seem like they are using the space they have very well. Seems like you could have more tables in there. The front patio didn't have any tables at all. The community seating seems cool, but I don't know that it functions very well. Anyways, I will be back and hope to have all pros and no cons when I return.

    (4)
  • Maggie P.

    Great infused tequilla drinks. Wasn't a fan of the quacamole. Kind of bland. Booths and family style tables. Outdoor seating. Look for the Johnny Cash painting!

    (3)
  • Niraj S.

    Decor is great. Real laid back vibe. Food pricing is good for what they are serving. This is street food Mexican. Please don't come in and expect your cheese covered, jarred sauce burrito with 5 lbs of meat. Went with all of the tacos on the menu and the only one I did not care for was the Vegetarian taco. One complaint was some of the meat preparations seemed to be a bit heavy handed with the salt. Overall a good time!

    (4)
  • Carmen M.

    Love this place! Definitely a regular, as I live a mile from DT Ferndale. I've tried everything on the menu, and love it all. The elote is so good. As other reviews have said, it's not authentic, but the food is fresh and the drinks are amazing. Definitely worth a try if you're in the area.

    (5)
  • David H.

    The staff and people were very friendly and the food is too die for ! This is A must stop on places to try ! The menu is simple but it is all the best !

    (5)
  • Melanie H.

    I'm really torn on how to vote here. There are serious kinks that need to be worked out here which is why it's so low right now, but I promise to go back and try again when they're not in a soft open. Positives: Great music, nice comunal vibe, great beer list and modest pricing and delicious speciality drinks. Negatives: Obviously the service...not that our server wasn't friendly, but frankly every single person working on Thrusday was completely overwhelmed. Tables left unbussed until someone sat down at them. It took, 1 hour and 15 minutes to get the "speciality" drinks to our table, granted we had 6 people, but when I went to grab beers for the table after waiting an hour, the bartender had just started to make the first drink. My thought here is that if you're going to have complicated drinks that are the highlight of your cocktail menu, you've got to have enough staff to prepare them or just don't have them. I don't mind waiting for a quality drink and they were quality, but no drink is worth waiting 1.25 hours for. And they were out of two things on day 2??? How can you run out on day 2??? And the POS system!!! It kept crashing, the servers were so overwhelmed by it and it seemed to hinder rather than help. Or maybe more training needed to occur. Food was okay. I think I'm spoiled with places like Tienda Mexican and El Rey, they really raise the bar for anyone serving street tacos. Plus everything was cold by the time it got to our table, so that certainly didn't help. The salsa flight was pretty good, the verde was the standout and the chips were delicious. They guac was pretty good, but you get like a 1/2 cup portion for $4? A little spartan for the price. Then there were the little things like no napkins given with your tray of food. Or one of the girls in our group going into the bathroom and saying, "it's a dirty as it was when it was the Post's". These kind of things make a bad first impression worse. Overall, will I be back...yes. Will I get my husband to go back...that may take some negotiating. We had been waiting for months for Imperial to open and I really do like the concept but if they don't get these tweaks in place like yesterday, they're going to sink.

    (2)
  • Tim A.

    Had great hot dogs and tacos. The food was excellent. Limited menu but prepared well. Service was good and the drinks were great.

    (4)
  • Dana A.

    We had a little of just about everything on the menu! Gauc is good! Owner is very accomadating. It was delicious. Not to be compared with Taco Bell on any level! Very authentic. Wish I lived closer.

    (5)
  • Brian B.

    I love this place. The chorizo/potato tacos are my favorite, followed by the carne asada and adobado de pollo. It's a bit expensive at $3 per taco plus sides and drinks, especially considering it takes four or more tacos to fill me up, but it's well worth it. The place can get really busy, especially on weekends, but cafeteria-style seating helps cut wait times significantly. Definitely recommend checking Imperial out if you're in the area!

    (4)
  • Matthew R.

    I was pleasantly surprised by Imperial. The server was very attentive, despite it being a busy Saturday night. While the food wasn't served quickly, it was hot when we got it. Since it's a bar with a shorter pub menu, where I'm sure they expect people to hang out for a while, I'm okay with this. I had two beef and two stewed chicken tacos. They were fantastic. I'm very impressed with the roasted red pepper salsa. My girlfriend ordered one of the other chicken tacos, which had a bit more spice and a fair amount of lime. We ended up splitting the corn on the cob dish they have, and it was amazing. I was blown away. The churro I ordered as a dessert was good, but not as good as the other food we had. As far as food price goes, it's comparable to Chipotle or Qdoba, and the food is much better. I didn't drink on this visit, but I'm a bit of a beer snob. Their bottles' list had enough variety for my taste, and I was surprised at how reasonably priced many of the beers were. I would definitely eat here again. A wonderful find.

    (4)
  • Mitch L.

    Let's start off with a quick warning. Get there early, because you may be waiting a bit for a table. The place encourages communal dining and a hybrid seat yourself/we will seat you when business picks up. Yes, this is nice, but please as a staff make sure that you do not give a booth for 8 to a group of 2. It is a little annoying to have to wait as a group of 6 for a large booth that only two people are using. That being said, when I arrived I moseyed on over to the bar for whatever tequila concoction I could find. All the mixed drinks were at least $8. The extensive beer menu did show a $2.50 Tecate (which was a nice bonus later when I inebriated enough to stomach that Mexican firewater), but I felt like a high roller and went for what I would describe as a tequila mojito. It tasted wonderful. We eventually were seated after a good 45 minute wait. It helped that we were all pretty buzzed, so more drinks meant more happiness. The menu itself is pretty short and affordable. We first ordered chips with a plethora of salsas. The three salsa's were great. Our tacos then arrived. I had the two different chicken options. Both were grand, but didn't not compare to the pork sausage delight of the chorizo taco. I can still taste the artery clogging deliciousness on my palate. As a kudos to the place, I left my phone on the table and came back a half an hour later and they held onto it for me!

    (5)
  • Pam S.

    We eat here on a regular basis. Pretty consistent for the most part. Last time we were here; our food came out cold. The margaritas are always quite good; and the service is pretty prompt and friendly. I wish they had more than one variety of the vegetarian taco; I'm just a little tired of the tofu. Usually, we have a good experience.

    (3)
  • Christopher W.

    Went with a large group and even bigger hopes. The food was hit and miss, chips were overly salted (possible understatement), but the tacos were very good (vegetarian especially). Decor is very cool minus all the hipsters. The service was friendly but slow. Very, very slow. Extremely slow. We waited 60-70 minutes after ordering to get our food. If Taco Bell can make a taco in 30 seconds, Imperial should be able to do it in 30 minutes. I'd be willing to try them out again, as I'm hearing service time has improved, but good luck finding someone to go with. Imperial has burned a lot of bridges.

    (2)
  • Elizabeth Z.

    Long review short: Walked out of here after lunch and immediately texted my brother to come check it out. To start off on a good note, The salsas that came with the chips ranged from, OMG! it tastes like my mom's salsa, to, Eh, I've had better canned. The dark green sauce was by far the best, its a jalapeno based salsa that will knock your socks off. The reddish-brown one with the visible pepper seeds is an authentic version of taqueria salsa, meaning it is made to be used for chips AND your tacos. The chipotle one was ok, not amazing, but decent I guess. For the beer lovers, their list isn't too extensive, with some breweries like shorts and arcadia making a bow. However, their imported Mexican beers were CHEAP, the cheapest I've seen in a long time. The tacos were well seasoned with the appropriate accompaniments of cilantro and onion. The exception to this being the al pastor taco which had pickled red onion, pineapple, and jalapenos instead, and had the most amazing spices my tongue has ever had the fortune to taste. It was barbecue-y but also cinnamon-y. Delicious. The carne asada taco is a great taco for people that don't like to get too wild with their food. My third taco, carnitas, was definitely up to standard on being fried chunks of desebrada pork. The boyfriend had the same as I did except for a chorizo and potato taco, which reminded me of my aunt's enchiladas rojas. Never a bad thing. I made sure to order a side of the grilled jalapenos and was pleasantly surprised to find that they came covered in Mexican cheese and a cilantro sauce. They were charred, soft, and delicious. If you like a bite of jalapeno with your food, order these, they definitely made my lunch experience 10x better. By the end of the meal, I was so stuffed, but the boyfriend wanted a churro, a deep fried dough stick covered in sugar and cinnamon. The churro was not only freshly made, but also crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle. I haven't had one like this since I was really young and in Mexico. And, bonus points, there was enough sugar and cinnamon left on the plate that I was able to indulge in using my finger to swipe at the nom-nom crumbs. Now, the bad notes, I was a little disappointed chips and salsa don't come automatically, but hey, it's Ferndale, and a new restaurant, so we come for the experience. We also ordered Bloody Mary's, which were horrible. My boyfriend took a sip of his and told me, "You'll like it, it's really spicy," to which I answered, "no my dear, it's not spicy, it's just sour,". I think they may have made them with lemon or lime juice from a bottle. However, remember, its a Mexican restaurant, Bloody Mary's aren't exactly supposed to be a specialty. Also, the tortillas were cold when they got to the table, which, more than anything and taking into account all the good and warm chips, jalapenos and churro, is more of an exception then the rule I hope. Overall, a very good almost-truly-hipsterish attempt at a Mexican taqueria. Definitely going back when I get a chance!

    (3)
  • Rachel W.

    I really, really like this place!! Has all of the elements Ferndale needed: great music, cool people, tasty food and creative (and strong) cocktails!! The tacos- amazing! The habanero hot sauce is soo hot and soo addictive! My personal fav is the Chili Lime Chicken Tacos and an order of chips and guac. The wait staff is attentive- which sometimes on a busy Fri night is hard to come by. But, not here! I also love the "family style" seating in the front. It adds a friendly touch, like saying, "hey, I don't know you, but join my party." Ferndale is cool like that. Imperial is here to stay. Whenever we say, "where should we go... " we choose Imperial, it's always the right choice!

    (5)
  • Alex M.

    Hmm.. Imperial.... what to call you... Friend? Foe? The good: friendly welcome from the owner at the door; pretty fine margartias, even if the sugar rims make your hands sticky all night; good chips and dips; cool communal atmosphere that allows for moving around; good soundtrack playing; attractive people. The bad: the good soundtrack being played much too loud and wiping away any hopes you had of holding a conversation with anyone, and.... you know what I'm gonna saaaayyyy... THE SERVICE! Our waitress: It was almost hilarious how bad it was at some points. Sure, she wasn't downright mean or moody or whatever other people have complained about.. she was just unprofessional! Butting in between people all the time to ask for drink orders, bringing the wrong drinks, and then harrassing me at the end of the night about where my boyfriend was (out for a smoke!) 'cause he needed to pay his bill... The whole party was still sitting there, it's not like he ran out! I had to convince her he was coming back, but she basically told me to go find him 'cause her shift was about up and she needed to cash us out. Lol and she also put everybody's food order on our check, and we didn't eat anything. So that was fun to divvy up and figure out after a few margaritas, raaahh!! Imperial is cool, sexy, fun... but I don't like that most people on here have complained about service and the place hasn't even been open that long. I'll be back, but at least I know now what to expect!

    (3)
  • Peter F.

    Exactly what Ferndale needs...Looking forward to visiting many times. Atmosphere is kickass, music rocks...Love Johnnie Cash flipping off the Bar...and the food finally some great tacos in this city and very reasonably priced...good luck Imperial! im on your side...

    (5)
  • Chioke M.

    Great food, great service and a very cool atmosphere. keep up the greatness and i will continue to visit.

    (4)
  • Danielle B.

    I wanted to give this four stars as I think the concept is strong..but why don't the tacos have any condiments? The tacos come with just a miniature tortilla and lots of meat. The meat is highly seasoned..but the taco is still dry..and lacking personality with out the sour cream, salsa, and guac. So you think you're getting a good deal..when in reality, it's probably just because the tortillas are tiny. That being said, it's a good place to go to socialize with friends. The guacamole is excellent..we ordered it separately. Our appetizer came out after our meal. They were backed up that day apparently. Order the spicy margaritas they make up for everything.

    (3)
  • Deanna B.

    Imperial has great tacos.... great drinks.... and a great atmosphere.... the only thing lacking is the staff.... sometimes they are outstanding and others they really borderline SUCK! Hence the 3 stars.... on a good day id give em 5 but with a shitty bartender id give em 1!!!! So I feel 3 is a happy medium

    (3)
  • Hue D.

    Awesome service great food and drinks!!! The UNO MAS margarita is my favorite! The owner also made an appearance at our table and was very nice! All these people who talk crap about the tacos know nothing about tacos. They are great! Reminds me of fresh west coast tacos or tacos you get off a truck in San Diego! Sorry, they aren't tacos you get from taco bell, don't be mad expand your horizons:) accept and indulge in something new.

    (5)
  • Jason A.

    As I promised that I would, I returned to Imperial on a Friday night to give them another shot. There was MUCH improvement over the first time. The food was still consistently very good and came to the table quickly. Drinks took like 2 min to come out rather than 30. The service was much better too. It wasn't a frantic free for all. Multiple times we were asked by the managers if we were doing ok. There are still a few things to get sorted out. Like the POS systems and the servers knowledge of all the booze they offer. However, I appreciate that Imperial took the feedback that was given and has worked really hard to improve the experience. I can feel confident telling people to check it out now knowing that they will have a good experience.

    (3)
  • Kayla V.

    Loved everything! It's a good place to try out bites of everything. The tacos are small but hardy. The guac and chips are a good start and mojitos were delicious. My recommendations are the bacon wrapped hot dog, which comes in different variations (I had the pineapple BBQ sauce one) and their version of corn in the cob!

    (5)
  • Caryn Z.

    I went to Imperial for dinner on Saturday with two others. Its communal seating and seat yourself. I noticed that small parties were spread it in large booths. It made it difficult to find seating. We decided to eat on the back porch, with coffee tables instead of a normal height table. The salsa and chips were great. The place was staffed by hipsters and thats totally cool. As a vegetarian I find it easy to find foods to eat at mexican places with all the beans and veggies. I was disappointed that the only veggie toca was made with fake chicken. I tried it anyways and was not impressed. I was looking for some grilled veggies on my taco. The tacos are small, probs arund 4inches. The server suggested between 2-4. The other two individuals in my party enjoyed their meat taco and will be back soon. Dress code, hipster

    (2)
  • Robert P.

    Ok food...awful service...tall skinny tattooed bartender AWFUL.

    (1)
  • Michael L.

    I ate here on the soft opening date. I ordered one of everything, my bill was about $25. I had a Mexican Coke that was the greatest soda I've ever had. The food was pretty good, the tacos are just small for $2.50 each.

    (3)
  • Delsean L.

    I wanted to give this place a try after the long wait for it to open but i walked in sat at the bar near some of the employees and i went unnoticed and not even acknowledged for fifteen minutes. I left without a hold on or i will be with u momentarily so i went to another local spot for some eats to find at least three more parties that received tge same treatment. I understand this was an unofficial opening but not a very good start. I might be willing to give it another try after they have been open for a while if i hear the food quality is worth it and the service level has stepped up.

    (1)
  • Kristin M.

    I've been here a few times. In fact, my friends and I all love this place. The vegetarian tacos are AMAZING. This is coming from someone is who is a labeled a "picky eater". The margaritas are even better. Of course just like all new restaurants, this place has areas where there needs improvement. There have been times that I've waited for 30 plus minutes for tacos, but i enjoy the food so much that I'm will to overlook that.

    (4)
  • Angela S.

    Had to stalk the bar for some seats, but we ended up getting lucky and sat within about 10 minutes. Very trendy place, expect at least 30 minute wait if you go during prime dinner hours. Tacos are better than the dogs. Salsa flights are awesome. Margaritas are good - the other drinks we tried were just OK (moscow mule). Cant go wrong with a Mexican beer though. ELOTE! The elote is truly declious. I'm giving 4 stars because the service has always been good, in addition to what I discussed above.

    (4)
  • Taylor A.

    I went to Imperial last night for the first time. I have heard really great things about this place so thought I would finally give it a try. When I walked in it didn't look busy but the "hostess" told me the only available setting was the hightop on the wall. Not my first choice but I took it. It was a little awkward sitting there since your back is to everyone and you are literally staring at a wall. The server wasn't super nice but she wasn't rude. Just kind of somewhere in the middle which was a little confusing. I didn't get anything to eat and the pre-made cocktail list didn't look that great. All the drinks came with well tequila and I'm not about that life. I ended up ordering my usual 1800 silver on the rocks with a splash of Sprite. The place really started to fill up around 8:30pm. There was a line at the door and I was asked to move down a few seats so a party for four could sit together. The decor is modern and looks like a hipster threw up all over it.

    (3)
  • Karol C.

    I really enjoyed Imperial. We sat at the bar which is very comfortable. There are communal tables in the front of the restaurant and more private tables in the rear. There is also a decent-sized outdoor seating area, which is more for hanging out than eating (no tables). We ordered chips and guac for our appetizer. The guacamole was really fresh and tasty. Just thinking about it makes me want more. #avocadolove The regular menu is small but just right. I tried a pork taco which had pineapple on it among other ingredients. I liked the filling, it was very fresh and bursting with flavor; but didn't care much for the soft corn tortilla. It seemed bland. As a mustard and sauerkraut type of girl, I found the hot dog toppings unusual. I was a bit hesitant, but decided on the Paso Robles. It was beyond yummy; the kind of treat that one would crave often. It was so usual that I can't remember all of the toppings save chorizo and beans...oh yes, the hot dogs are wrapped in bacon...yum! The prices seemed appropriate; typical of bar food. *adding Imperial to my favs list*

    (4)
  • Heidi S.

    Great place to eat and drink! I appreciate the small food menu - they really stick to what they are good at. I have tried most of the tacos and a couple of the hot dogs and I'm never disappointed. The corn is great too! My only complaint is that they are always so busy and there isn't much of an area to wait in. The bar is pretty small and on a busy night it is uncomfortable to get a drink and there is nowhere to stand while waiting for a table. Pro tip: come on a weekday when it is less busy!

    (4)
  • Marygrace A.

    Been here twice, the first experience was much better than the second. Excellent food - good tacos, fantastic margs, meaty tortas and unique sonorans (bacon wrapped hot dogs). Tried the chorizo dip,which was cold and disappointing. The grilled jalapeños are excellent,but they are spicy! Elote is delicious. Service was good the first time, atrocious the second. Surprisingly, the first waitress was very busy but always attentive to myself and four friends. Then, I brought my family on an empty Saturday at 3,and our food was late (by 20 minutes) and the waiter ignored us. Will return, but be aware that service is slow even when the place is empty.

    (3)
  • Barbie M.

    Holy Taco of Awesomeness!! I dont know where to start!! How about the communial seating....LOVE IT!! They have pribate tables and a bar area but I really love sitting at a big table amongst strangers and making new freinds over tacos, guac and tequila. HELLO ITS PERFECT!! The decor is simple but does the trick. I like it lots. THE FOOD!! Sweet baby Jesus! My BF and I started with chips and guac. The chips came in a paper scak still toasty and warm. I'm pretty sure I growled at my guy when he tried to take the last scoop of guac lol. Its so good! TACOS!! This Irish Lass loves a taco! lol We had the weekly special of blood tongue and it was on point. Tender, cooked perfect and the salsa type sauce on it was to die for. Oh we also had carnitas and I don't know if I can put together the right words to describe how effing delicious they were!!! Dear Imperial, I love you! Gather your friends or your boo and go to Imperial and get one of everything! My next plan is to attack the sonora style hotdog side of the menu.

    (5)
  • Loren K.

    I really love Imperial. Delicious authentic tacos, amazing hot dogs, full bar and a great atmosphere. I am not a big drinker, but if I were, the bar here would be the type I'd gravitate to. This place is really great to go with friends, lots of them! It would also be a fun date spot. They have a "not so secret" menu for weekends, late night. A really cool little spot, and I will definitely be back!

    (5)
  • Carl O.

    Great little tacos in a variety of styles. Hot dogs are just ok in my opinion. I have been here many times with different groups and everyone leaves happy. Drinks are nice and stiff.

    (4)
  • Nick L.

    Elote Especial (corn for you gringos), grilled Jalapeños, tacos, Guac, dogs and choc dipped churos? Please believe! Fuckin' a Ferndale you're pulling your weight these days. This little taco/booze emporium has everything someone bored out of their mind in Detroit needs. Good fucking drinks, good fucking food and babes. So many hipster babes that some shitty, "I'm a creative type and I wanna buy you a drink." type line is bound to work out. Oh and babes, there's some dudes here too. And they're thirsty as hell. But, only 4 stars cuz some wanna be fuck boy shit from the deep suburbs is for sure hanging tight thinking they trill as fuck doing it Detroit style for the night. But besides those stupid fucks, this place is on point. Try it out and then hit Danny's for a few too many cold ones after.

    (4)
  • Annette J.

    Haven't been disappointed by Imperial yet. Chips and guac, salsa, and are all solid starters. The elote especia (corn on the cobb topped with pablano lime cream and cotija cheese) is an awesome snack. Tacos are fresh and packed with tons of flavors. And bacon wrapped hot dogs? Get out of here if you think that sounds like a bad idea! All of it is great. And while the portions may look small, don't be fooled! Those tiny tacos are quite filling! I think it's those double corn tortillas. I always order three and think, "this is gonna be perfect" but then by the time the chips and guac come and I've picked my way through those I'm only able to get about 2 in before tapping out. But they do make a great late night snack if you take the rest to go. My personal fave of the taco options is the pork with pineapple jalepeno salsa. Not that spicy but still reaaaal good, especially if you're 'bout that sweet/salty combo life. Prices are great and since it's a la cart you can add as much or little as you want to eat. $2.50 a taco isn't really that much more than a fast food bite and it's way way way better. Lots of vegetarian options too (like seitan tacos and veggie dogs) if you're not a carnivore. Lunch for two without booze was a mere $20 and we both left stuffed. Tequila and I had a pretty epic falling out in college but if it's your thing they also have a fantastic selection plus great cocktails and such. Perfect for a quick bite or for drinks and and fun with friends.

    (4)
  • Eric S.

    We stopped in here on a Thursday in a group of six. We were quoted about an hour wait and were seated in about that time. It was a little frustrating to have the hostess tell us the next booth to be available would be ours and then see someone walk in forty minutes later than us sit in a booth before us. I ordered the Imperial Hot Dog and an Al Pastor taco. The food was inexpensive and tasty. Not anything special, but a fun atmosphere and a good deal. The beers were also pretty inexpensive and there was a good selection of import bottles. They were out of the cheese/ingredients for several dishes and out of one of beers we tried to order.

    (3)
  • Ronda N.

    The carnitas tacos and margaritas are my favorite. Most of the food is hommade including the tortilla chips that are served warm with a side of salsa or guacomole. The guac can use a kick of fresh lime, cilantro and red pepper flakes. It is easy to get served at any time, even during busy lunch and dinner hours. I sometimes dine at the bar to change it up and watch the bartender mix cocktails. The service is always quick and friendly. I've been dining at Imperial for years and each time it makes me feel happy like like all is good in the world :)

    (4)
  • Patrick N.

    Before my review would have been a three, but after my experience today I'm glad to give these guys four stars. The employees are cool as Hell, the drinks are creative, and today in the back they literally spoon fed me a sample of next month's chicken chili as you would a toddler. This added a memorable depth to my drunken stupor. Fantastico.

    (4)
  • Emma P.

    Being from socal, I grew up eating some of the best Mexican food that can be had. To my surprise, Imperial has some of the best tacos I've had outside of Socal. Not to mention, their Elote especial and Sonora dogs.

    (5)
  • Sara B.

    I'm pretty picky about Mexican food, and while this wasn't authentic Mexican I was still able to enjoy it. I've been here before and encountered an hour+ wait, but we actually were able to sit out on the patio right away. Our waitress was very prompt and attentive the entire time we were there, and the food came out quickly. We started off with the salsa flight. It came with hot, medium (green), and a mild red pepper salsa. I enjoyed the different flavors the salsas had even though they were a bit sweeter than I like, and the chips were warm and perfectly salted. For our main meal we got 2 tinga de pollo tacos, 1 carne asada, and 1 adobada de pollo. All of them were flavorful and the meat was juicy and ample in portion. I wish there had been a bit more cilantro on top, but that's being nitpicky. Overall this was a good experience, and I'll come back.

    (4)
  • Philip S.

    Imperial is essentially a hipster taco spot with hot dogs and cocktails. The seating is mostly Biergarten style, with long tables and and benches on either side. There are three booths that are conducive for parties of 6-8 people. Their al pastor taco and elote especial are the bees knees! Juicy pulled pork and Mexican style corn? You can't go wrong. Depending on what time to you, and how busy they are, the food can taste like it's been sitting out for 15 minutes longer than it should, but overall, solid spot with quality food and groovy ambience.

    (4)
  • Kelli B.

    Tacos and hot dogs! Yum! The food here never disappoints. It doesn't matter what you order, you should slather it in the habenero sauce. I was tempted to shove the squeeze bottle in my purse. Came here last night after an event and it was quite full. Somehow we got to sit at the bar and Jon was our guy. It's been a long time since I've been to a busy bar and the bartender could keep up with drinks and still have a personality with his patrons. If he doesn't like his job...He hides it well. I'd go back just because of him. Downside? THE BATHROOMS! Open the door to the smell of bleach but pretty sure they pushed it around the floor with a greasy mop. You could see the color of the floor but soiled and blackened where the mop sloshed muddy ick to dry. The stalls...just don't. Hopefully you went before stopping by here.

    (4)
  • Dave H.

    Very trendy spot in Ferndale offering communal seating, lots of wood grain, Mexican inspired dishes, and concentration on liquor infused cocktails and offerings. I had the Tito's Mule, which is their take on the Moscow mule, and it was good; a bit on the sweeter side but quaffable. My date had the tequila infused mojito and that was kinda dreadful. Heavy tequila taste and not quite what she was after. Couldn't find a regular mojito listed on their menu. Next up was just a couple of beers, Sierra Nevada and a Pacifico, which were just fine. The staff had a very eclectic, I may drink your blood, I hate my parents type vibe, which came off initially as standoffish and cold. They all seemed pigeon holed into the same, "I have tattoos- lets wear Satan inspired clothes- black is all I see" which is fine if you're going for a metal bar look, hell even I have tattoos and am not sure what's going on here. Overall I didn't check the food but it looked good and different so I'll be back to give it another go.

    (3)
  • Mac R.

    Ok, I'll admit it - I've fallen for Imperial and I've got it pretty bad! It's on the mandatory list now when we visit our family in Ferndale. The good news is, the rest of my family agrees so it's not a hard sell. So much is absolutely perfect about this place and I'm totally willing to overlook the minor stuff that isn't. Once that love quotient enters the picture, 5 stars becomes an easy call. I'll be happy to list the perfection here: The Bakersfield Sonoran Hot Dog - literally the best hot dog I've ever eaten in my entire life! Wrapped in bacon & slathered with grilled pineapple, queso fresco, jalapeños and other delights that just get in your head & don't let you go. If this particular dog isn't to your taste, don't worry - there are several others that will most likely allow you to find your personal hot dog nirvana. Multiple versions of their tacos - also perfect. Don't forget to ask about whatever fabulous concoction has been created by the kitchen that week. I had a braised short rib with cherry chutney the other night that rocked my world. Just work your way through the selections and enjoy! The margaritas are amazing! We watched a bartender one afternoon juice an enormous bowl of limes while we had lunch. We told her we so appreciated what might have felt like a thankless job because those margaritas are so worth all that hard work! Our girls have ordered many of Imperial's cocktails and love those, too. Personally, I'm pretty content with the margaritas! So much to love and believe me, I'll be back to enjoy as often as I can!

    (5)
  • LeAnne P.

    To celebrate National Tequila Day and kickoff my birthday weekend, a friend and I went to Imperial for the first time. I was thoroughly impressed with my first visit! Loved the simplistic, yet very nice, decor. All of the staff were very nice. Great patio spaces in the front and back. I was shocked, at first, when I saw the menu. Tacos and gourmet hot dogs? Very odd combination. But, ok. The hot dog of the day was the Philly Cheesesteak hot dog. Say what?! My attention was piqued, so I tried it (and I needed something to soak up the 2 Detroit Tarts ). It was surprisingly delicious! Never would have put the 2 together. Later tried the Al Pastor taco to accompany the One Night in Mexico. Both were also great. Imperial is now on my go to list. I definitely will be back!

    (5)
  • Albert K.

    I lived in Ferndale when this place first opened, but after the mixed reviews I decided to wait until they worked out all the kinks. I had been in for drinks, but I hadn't eaten there until yesterday. I have to admit, i was pleasantly surprised. I order the Tinga, Adobada, Carne, and Papas. I felt the first three were all solid and were a value at $2.50 a pop. I was not a fan of the Chorizo taco as it was just too salty and the queso fresco put it over the edge of being too rich. Only other downside was they had no draft beer. However, the canned beer I had was fresh, so didn't miss it too much. I also split the chips and salsa flight with a friend and I felt that all I am sure it has been addressed in other reviews, but the main sitting area is a communal eating , so be prepared to share space if you have a bigger group. But they do have smaller seating in back and there is good bar seating all around. Not sure if I am adding to anything mentioned by others, but I am happy I finally got a round to trying this place.

    (4)
  • Rebecca T.

    I've only eaten here a handful of times but every time I do, I always leave happy. Came here this afternoon and we got in just in time (around 4:30pm), an hour later and there was a wait starting. I won't go super into detail about the food because well, it's tacos. And bacon wrapped hot dogs. And some sides. And an extensive drink menu. What more could you ask for? Prices are pretty fair for what you get, and I love that the tacos are small enough that you don't feel guilty for eating 4....or 6. The corn was pretty tasty, and I would love to see some kind of queso dip on the menu (unless there is and I'm missing it). Taking one star off for the state of the bathrooms. It's such a beautiful restaurant, I wish they would have extended it to the bathrooms. The toilet is about ready to come away from the floor.

    (4)
  • Pete D.

    So I have gone to Imperial about 6 times and I have waited to write a review so I can make that I haven't missed anything, I guess I must be too picky the food is ok not great only just good and only sometimes. The service is just plan poor with a big helping of attitude. Love the look of the place, it's open and spread out. You can meet some nice peps and talk to all your follow dinners. The place is a little loud but that's the kind of place it is, so if fun is what your looking for this is it. Come for the view, the atmosphere, for the fun but not for the food. That just not the focus at the Imperial or at least in my opinion. Sorry hipster and cool people just one person perspective. Enjoy all the Michigan has to offer.

    (3)
  • Diba R.

    Best beef tacos!!!!!! Always get the salsa and guac you will NOT regret it! Only complain is when I asked the waiter to clean our dirty table she literally took her hand and shoved the crumbs...

    (4)
  • Holly S.

    Came here with a group of girls yesterday and ordered one of every food item on the menu (except elote- we ordered manyyyy of those tasty bad boys) and everything was fantastic! The salsa trio with guac was soooo good! Churros were perfectly doughy on the inside and crunchy on the outside! Highly recommend this place it lives up to the hype :)

    (5)
  • Gary R.

    I've been back many times since I first reviewed The Imperial and I have to say my opinion of it has only gotten better. 5 stars aren't enough to rate this place. It's far better than 5 stars. It's my favorite place in Ferndale. Might be my favorite place in all of metro Detroit. And it has my favorite hot dogs of anywhere I've ever been. And the tacos? Amazing. Drinks? Fabulous, especially the margarita where you really don't have to concern yourself about whether they actually put any tequila in it at all (face it, you know many places where that's true). Open air in the summer. Great atmosphere. Just a special place. Please stay away and let me enjoy it in peace.

    (5)
  • Sir Poop A.

    I always go back because of the vibe, the space, and the people are great. BUT- it's got the most inconsistent drink making ever... Every time I order a margarita (every) it's different. Yesterday I'm pretty sure they forgot the tequila. Half the time it tastes like you are sucking on a lime. Food is pretty consistent, as long as you know it's a limited menu, which is totally fine for me. I will continue to go, but sticking to beer going forward where they can't mess it up. Sucks they can't get it figured out.

    (3)
  • Rebbie R.

    Great food and a lot of fun. I have been here twice. Once with a large group of friends and once with a girl friend who I wanted to catch up with. With the girl friend it was hard because it can get loud and the seating in the front puts you right next to strangers at a long table - a lot of fun if youre going out to be social - not so much if you want to talk to the person you are with. I think it was particularly rough that time because we got seated next to a date and both of us thought the girl was the most obnoxious person we had ever heard talk. I would not personally take a date here for a first date - but I also wouldn't have actually wanted to hear that girl talk so - possibly good show on that dude's part. When I went with a larger group to hang out it was perfect. The food is delicious and perfect food to go along with a few drinks. It is reasonably priced and the tacos are small so you can get a lot of variety for not much money.

    (4)
  • David D.

    No matter where I travel to, I always have a craving for Mexican food. Decided to try out imperial. Parking can be a hassle. There are lots of other restaurants around and some meter parking and a parking lot that charges per hour. Luckily I was able to find a meter within a couple of minutes. Others weren't so lucky. The place was packed, granted I did get there during prime time. In the front there was an open patio and bunch of picnic style table that you can sit at with others. They have a bar which you can see when you walk up to the hostess. If you go past it there is another room with lots of tables. I was told it would be a 40 min wait or we can grab a seat at those picnic tables. It reminded me of a typically place in New York but bigger. We ordered the corn, chips and guacamole, al pastor taco, carne Asada taco, and bacon wrapped hot dog ( shout out to the LA hot dogs carts). We also ordered two drinks : hotel California and the Detroit tart. The drinks: def packed a punch with lots of tequila. Hotel California had st germain, orange slice, and lemon. My favorite of the night. The Detroit tart had tequila, cherry tart and salted rim. Chips and guacamole: the chips were awesome. They seemed freshly made and had the perfect crisp and seasoning to them. The guacamole was a little under whelming. We asked for more limes. wish I had some paprika with me. Hot dog : I completely forgot the name so stupid of me. Anyways it had some cilantro, cheese , pickled onions, and a hot dog wrapped with bacon. My favorite part of the hot dog was the pickled onions. The hot dog itself was a little under whelming. The corn: delicious. Had lots of cheese still think the best corn ever is in Disneyland. Al pastor taco: interesting how they made this. They had shredded meat instead of pieces. They also had pickled onions and cilantro. The pineapples were good. The taco was pretty runny and had decent taste. Carne Asada taco: a lot better than the al pastor. They had huge chunks of steak in the taco. The order of my favorites are: corn, drinks, chips, carne Asada , hot dog , and al pastor. Overall def worth trying for the corn and ambiance and when you have a craving for Mexican food.

    (4)
  • AJay J.

    Great drinks and atmosphere always! The food is a another conversation. Greasy tacos that lacked favor from the grease. I was disappointed but would come back for drinks.

    (2)
  • Jon G.

    Imperial is The best around for tacos And hot dogs as well -My Haiku for Imperial Taco "Surprisingly good wieners for a place named for tacos" -My slogan for Imperial Taco "Could have been worse." -My wallet on the prices at Imperial Taco.

    (4)
  • Rodrigo T.

    I listened to the hype and the praise from everybody who's been to this gastropub. Everybody says it's "REALLY" good, their food is totally "AWESOME!" Can somebody explain to me why I wasn't impressed by their culinary exprience? Their front of the line employees were very good. Service in this place was top knotch. They took good care of us, our order was placed when we needed it to be placed, my SOL beer was served with salt rimmed glass with lime. Our food came in a timely fashion and it was astonishingly hot. Now the food is a different story. I must've bought into the hype too much. Maybe I'm too much of a snoot when it comes to my mexican. Or is it because I'm used to authentic mexican as opposed to what they serve here? I'm not gonna lie, their guacamole and chips was very good. But I felt like that's where the imagination ended. I ordered 3 different tacos and their Imperial Dog. The tacos were decent and the hot dog was rather lackluster. I thought wrapping things in bacon is supposed to make food phenomenally mental. But this never made it past "just ok." I blame the hotdog on this one, maybe if they used a hotdog that had a bit of snap to it, then it would've done the trick. I just felt like I was biting into a ball park brand hotdog wrapped in bacon. It's a bit insulting if you ask me. Remember, the glass is always half full! Weeeeeee! Follow me on instagram @rodtorres3

    (3)
  • Danielle Z.

    I normally don't go to a Mexican place to order a hot dog, but there's an exception to every rule. Imperial's vegetarian hot dog with a slew of topping was amazing! And don't forget to pair it with a proper margarita made with real lime juice...none of that margarita mix junk in this place ;) We had our toddler in tow and even though it's not on the menu, they made a cheese quesadilla for her...she's used to flour tortillas and wasn't a fan of the house corn torts, but she'll come around one day. The atmosphere is fun and the seating is community style tables and benches, which is fine if it's not busy. We went at lunch time and got a booth to ourselves, but at peak times booths are reserved for parties of six or more. Imperial had a fun and new vibe to it and I was under the impression that would be a busy place in the evenings with a nice bar crowd.

    (4)
  • Erin H.

    I can't believe I have never written a review for a place that's my favorite spot in Ferndale to hang with friends, drink fantastic tequila cocktails and eat delicious and cheap food! They don't need my rave, but I'll give it: I always have a good time, good drinks and great food when I got to the Imperial. The bartenders are fantastic, the decor never gets boring to look at, and the crowd there is always cool - meaning mellow, but not and very rarely jammed with garbage people - it's just a good scene. If you're lucky and the weather is good the back is great even if you're not sitting outside - just to be next to the open space is great. I have taken several people here who were thoroughly unconvinced at first - 'the menu was too limited' and 'oh you just find a seat yourself?' and THEN the drinks come and the food comes and they get it.

    (5)
  • Marie D.

    I don't always eat hotdogs! But, when I do it's a Bakersfield Sonoran from Imperial. The service is good, food and cocktails excellent. If you are a margarita fan try the Imperial Margarita (but don't try to many).

    (5)
  • Delilah M.

    I am going to expand on my original review (below). The experience I have had since is unlike anything I have ever experienced on Yelp before. After I posted this review, my inbox was flooded with hateful messages accusing me of getting the waiter below fired. This was mind boggling to me since A) I never gave the server's name B) Never gave the date/time of our visit and C) Didn't disclose where we sat. In addition to this, I was never contacted by Imperial's management regarding the incident, which means I never provided A, B, and C to Imperial. A server was fired from Imperial the same week my review went up. To be honest - I don't even know if he was my server. I never got my server's name - because we left without eating (or being served). The server that was fired however felt it was completely appropriate to blame me for his firing. So much so he had his Dad and friend message me too. He claimed to have been a server there for over 2 years and that when he was fired he was told it was because of Yelp. This is absolutely ludicrous. How can someone fire you based on a review that doesn't mention, well...YOU. I tried explaining this to all the parties the messaged me. Essentially you can't argue with crazy - and all parties refused to acknowledge fact. By this time the owner of Imperial had reached out to me - and I inquired about the firing. She affirmed that while someone was let go, my review had nothing to do with it, (see A, B, and C above). So needless to say - I am DONE with Imperial. **************************************************­**************************************************­******** I have been to Imperial 3xs - and each time the service was TERRIBLE. READ: TERRIBLE. If you want to skip over here for a business lunch - forget about it. Each time I have been to Imperial, this has been the pattern: Sit down and wait about 10 minutes Waiter brings water and I ask for menus. Waiter looks at me like I just criticized his flannel. 5 minutes later - waiter brings menus And wait........ No JOKE I wanted 20 minutes for the waiter to return once. The next time, my group and I ended up leaving. Ferndale doesn't seem to realize that commerce isn't successful when your only demographic is Ferndale. There are many businesses in the area - and people need to be in and out in about 60 minutes. Considering it's hot dogs and tacos - this should not be challenging. All hype - no service. I'll pass and recommend something else every time.

    (1)
  • Carly H.

    Went here for dinner on a whim because we happened to be in the area. It was awesome! First, we started with chips & guac. The chips were homemade and still warm, and the guac was also excellent. The tacos were fantastic, and my husband loved the hot dog he ordered. I highly recommend the elote, especially if you've never tried it before, it was some of the best I've ever had. Churros for dessert rounded out an excellent meal. I ordered a beer, but next time I will definitely try one of the many specialty cocktails on the menu. My one complaint was the service. Our waiter was friendly, but he seemed completely frazzled, as the restaurant appeared to be short handed on a Saturday late afternoon. We didn't get napkins or silverware for the entire meal, and everything was very slow.

    (4)
  • Lindsay B.

    Geez, over 300 reviews for this place...do you really need me to tell you to try this place? Of course not. Am I telling you to try this place anyway? Yes. Yes I am. I love tacos. I love guacamole. I love fun cocktails. And I totally love restaurants that have these items AND are vegetarian friendly. The Imperial has a relaxed vibe. Light wood tones, a super cool backlit bar, communal tables, garage doors to bring Woodward in on a nice day, and attractive hipsters taking your orders. The seitan tacos are legit. Spiced and cooked perfectly, the seitan is done about as well at Imperial as I've had anywhere. They are small, usually two is plenty for a meal. The green mole and queso fresco elevate this to top tier Mexican street food. The vegetarian hot dog is on another level. I've never tasted it's equal. Thanks to Imperial for actually having this in a vegetarian variety! The elote especial is super yummy, with the pablano lime cream and cotija cheese, a perfect way to eat sweet corn. The margaritas are insanely good, but look out for that Detroit tart, it's a tasty number! Very skilled bartenders. Imperial is my favorite restaurant in the Detroit area by a long shot. I'm looking forward to trying their brunch menu!

    (4)
  • Shelby W.

    Really tough to pick a rating for this place. The food.. AMAZING. Even my cocktails were tasty! Yum. But the service... My God. First off, do NOT dine in on a Saturday night lol it's like a mosh pit in there. We waited at the door for 5-10 min before I finally asked a bartender if there was a hostess, and there she was standing in front of me. I wouldn't have known she worked there though because the dress code for workers is a "little too casual". So we get seated and there wasn't even enough room between me and the stranger next to me for either of us to lift our arms to eat. Everything took forever to come out and then the bill... We were ready to just make a run for it .. We had to wave down the waiter several times to bring us the bill. Ridiculous. Over all though, the food is great and the tunes and decor was pretty cool. I'll be back, probably on a early Tuesday afternoon haha and for sure I will be getting carry our often.

    (3)
  • Katrina M.

    I had heard a lot about Imperial prior to going so my standards were set pretty high. That being said, Imperial exceeded my expectations. I started with a Detroit Tart cocktail and a chips and salsa flight. Both were great. I ordered the Adobada De Pollo and Al Pastor. While the Adobada taco was good, the Al Pastor was the winner hands down. I tried a bite of my friend's Bakersfield Sonoran Hot Dog and I will definitely order that in the future! Everything at Imperial was delicious and I can't wait to go back.

    (5)
  • Nish S.

    Imperial is a social bar with shared seating, excellent collection of drinks, amazing service, one of the most innovative bar menus and DELICIOUS tacos!!!!!!! DELICIOUS hot dog!!! I loved the creationsof the chef!! New concept every week and fround shattering!! I was directed to another taco place by my sis- ironhorse!! I tried it and there is NO comparison!! Imperial stnds up apart from any other oily taco place!! I love fresh and healthy food - imperial never let me down!! If you do not try Imperial, you are missing on a lot!!! TIP- pick anything and you will not be disappointed!!!

    (5)
  • Christina K.

    Love this place. The Bakerfield hot dog is a must. My favorite place in Ferndale.

    (5)
  • Tony K.

    Tacos, hot dogs and booze. Imperial...you get me. This place is so good I literally bought the t-shirt. "Street" tacos are becoming increasingly trendy around the Detroit area and I've been trying them all, but I keep coming back to Imperial because they do it right. I am hopelessly hooked on their chorizo "papas con rajas" and seldom order any other kind. I've been getting them for over two years and they are still as good as the day I first tried them. Their bacon-wrapped Sonoran hot dogs are equally excellent. Today I had the monthly special which included chorizo, guacamole, queso fresco, onions and crumbled Fritos! Seriously...ADD THIS TO THE MENU. Of course I'll have no problem ordering the paso robles if you don't. As usual my friend and I split an order of their chips and frijoles as an appetizer before devouring our meals. As usual we left swearing we were each going for a run after work tonight. As usual we had no regrets. All this and Johnny Cash flipping you off from behind the bar? What more do you need?

    (5)
  • Jonathan P.

    Great place for tacos and hot dogs. Not any hot dogs, Da Hot dogs. They come loaded and worth every penny (not too many). Their jalapeños are pretty good as well. Today I had the torta for the first time and I can't complain. The drink one night in Mexico is the best. Good place to go out with friends and have a few drinks. If you go on the weekends it is going to be packed make sure you have time to spare.

    (4)
  • Kevin C.

    Food: 3 Atmosphere: 3 Service: 1 Experience: 2 "Would you like a side of Service with your meal?"

    (2)
  • Anthony S.

    Great prices and great food! The tacos are unique and extremely tasty!!

    (5)
  • Kou C.

    My good Lord, this place is off the charts! I eat a lot of Hispanic food but nothing compares to Imperial. I've heard the hype about this place and I am a fan of its hype the moment I took a bite into the Adobada De Pollo taco(grilled chicken). You can't only come here for the tacos too because they also have something that is off the charts and that's their bacon wrapped hot dog. Get the two and you will understand why this place is the spot to come to. Hands down, best hot dogs and tacos around Michigan.The food here is just spectacular!

    (5)
  • Brandon T.

    I thought I wrote a review but I can't find it. The salsa flight is very tasty,the hot dogs are near perfect...my favorite is the Bakersfield Sonoran,the tacos will make you feel like you're in Mexico relaxing in a local bar and I'm personally hooked on the uno mas... Try it..you won't regret it

    (5)
  • Carolyn E.

    When you go here, and you really must go here, order a couple tacos (the chorizo is amazing) and a hot dog. The Sonoran is one of the best tasting things I've ever eaten. Seriously. The only place I EVER order a hot dog is at a sporting event, but I'd go back just to order this dog. It's stupid.

    (5)
  • Justin Y.

    It's good! One day a buddy of mine insisted we go to Imperial for lunch. I gave it a chance and man-o-man it was great. What's not to love about a place that serves tacos AND hotdogs!? I really enjoyed the tasty chips and salsa which I washed down with some of their refreshing beverages. I can't wait to go back again and again.

    (4)
  • Srishti S.

    This is my sister's favorite bar in this area, not only for the drinks but the food as well. So whenever we visit her, we obviously come to Imperial. And quite honestly I have fallen in love with this place too. Their tacos with those amazing sauces are so good. The veggie taco, lime chicken taco, elote, veggie hot dog are all spot on. The drinks are good, my favorite is the margarita. The servers pretty friendly. They have a late night menu as well. A nice place to chill out in Ferndale!

    (5)
  • Mark E.

    Really good margaritas and the food is great too! A must stop if you're in the area. Chips and the different varieties of salsa are probably my favorite part.

    (4)
  • B C.

    This place has my favorite chips and salsa ever!! And their guacamole is very tasty as well. I love the tacos and the fact that they always have new ones on special. The ring of fire tequila cocktail is on point! The service is good. The community seating can be uncomfortable at times, but other than that, this place is GREAT! I highly recommend this place!

    (5)
  • Will B.

    Love this place. They had a braised lamb, goat cheese and walnut taco on special last week that was phenomenal. Good margaritas, fresh food, and good times. A couple minor complains/suggestions: I wish the egg-on-your face hotdog (bacon wrapped hotdog with salsa, chorizo, egg, and other goodness) was available earlier in the day, even if it came at an extra cost. I'd still love to see this place have an entrée. Another welcome addition would be a tortilla soup, corn chowder, or some other liquid deliciousness.

    (5)
  • Zachary F.

    Arabe, arabe! Andale! Ambience 4: I liked the setup and atmosphere. It has long wooden tables for social group seating. It has two outdoor sitting areas., one in the front and one in the back. The bar is massive. In the center of it, it has a painting of Johnny Cash pissed off giving you the middle finger. I liked that. Food/drinks 5: I loved their tacos! I ate 4 and I could have ate 10. I tried one with each meat, steak, pork, chicken, and charezo. They were all amazing, but personally, I would stick with the steak and pork. Their salsas were also delicious. All spicy, but each amazingly flavorful and tasty. I can't wait to go back and try some of their other items, in particular a hot dog. They sounded awesome and I really wanted to try one but I'm not thar fat, yet. I can't comment too much on their drinks, since I only had Angel's Envy on the rocks but my friend said her drinks were good. Service 1.5: the bartender was really nice but we sat with our drinks empty multiple times. There was a point where I tried to get his attention with laser eyes but he seemed to look right past me. The bar wasn't even that busy. It got to the point where it was actually comical. I would stare at him and it almost appeared like he was trying to avoid eye contact. The barback was more attentive then the bartender. Overall 3: I loved their food and atmosphere but the service sucked. Maybe it was a 1 time thing. I'll definitely be back to find out. Mexican food is my favorite food and their tacos were mucho dynamite!

    (3)
  • Liz P.

    BELIEVE THE HYPE. This place lives up to its reputation. We came here around 2pm on a Sunday, they do brunch from 11am-3pm but we came for the tacos. I was here w/ an Ann Arbor friend who had never been to Ferndale, and I don't go there that often either even though I live close by. I ordered two tacos, one of the Sonoran hot dogs, the High Noon drink (tequila, sparkling champagne, etc) and we had churros with chocolate dipping sauce for dessert. SO GOOD. One taco had pulled pork and one had chicken, I think I liked the pulled pork one better. The hot dog was delicious although on paper sounded a bit strange - pineapple, onions, chicken pieces, etc. We sat at the bar area, I guess that's first-come, first-serve, but the rest of the tables (mostly communal picnic-table seating) you have to wait for if there is a line. We made friends with the guys sitting next to us, though, which was also cool. I would definitely come back here again. The churros were fantastic but a little expensive, $2.50 for one (we each paid $2.50 and got 2 total). It tasted like french toast sticks with cinnamon and a hot chocolate-type sauce, almost. (hot chocolate, not HOT chocolate) The hot dogs are $4 which isn't bad either, my friend had a Bloody Mary which was about $8 and my drink was $7. I look forward to trying more food from Imperial! They have a late night menu too that looked awesome. I'd give it 4.5/5 stars ONLY because of the bathroom, the stalls were kind of tiny and hard to fit into.

    (5)
  • Mike S.

    Great food and great service. Sam,the waitress, was super friendly and helpful, she even brought over an extra stool for us to eat at the waiting area. We come here often and this is the best service we've had.

    (5)
  • Tim Y.

    $2.50 tacos, $4 hotdogs. Awesome drinks. Cool Place. Cool People. Honestly... that's about the extent of this place. I mean... I could add that the upscale picnic tables are a great touch and that every one of the servers being allowed to be their awesome unique selves adds to it... The elote is awesome and something I ordered 2 of because of how great it is. It's just a super chill place with everything described above... I'm trying to find more words to describe this place, but in reality... you just need to go if you want awesome Mexican food. It reminds me of Austin, Tx in a good way.

    (4)
  • Christina K.

    Order the margarita!! It's by far my favorite and I've tried recreating it at home but haven't been close. Awesome guacamole and salsa- a must order as an appetizer. I order from the vegetarian choices so I would recommend that you skip the Vegetarian Sonoran, the texture of the hot dog is a weird and not very good. Also the buns are disappointing too, they're just your typical run of the mill bun, I was hoping for something a little bit more special. I do like the vegetarian tacos which are made from seitan and comes with a yummy sauce on top. And sometimes they do have a vegetarian special as well.

    (4)
  • Shawn M.

    This place is awesome. I've been there twice and their food is fantastic. Their salsas and guacamole are some of the best I've ever had and their tacos are delicious. But I really love their hot-dogs. I would recommend always getting one. Service has been very good when I've been there, but once was right after they opened for the day and the other time was late at night after the major dinner rush, so I've never seen the place truly busy (which I'm told it gets). Cool atmosphere and right in the middle of Ferndale, so pretty accessible.

    (5)
  • Earle E.

    Best tacos, corn on the cob, chips & quac you will EVER have. Expect a 15ish minute wait every time due to the popularity, but the food and atmosphere are well worth it

    (5)
  • Chas R.

    Imperial has been a go-to place for me, a place that I'd always take friends and family when they came to visit. As others have noticed, I am sure, Imperial has a new chef. All of the salsas are different now. I mentioned before in this review that the portions were less, but lately that has not been the case. The salsa is still more watery than before. The tacos have become very greasy as compared to crispy in the past. The drinks are still great, and the staff is just as friendly, but it seems like some of the changes in menu are not for the better. I appreciate the response, Sharon.

    (3)
  • Julian B.

    I tried Imperial when they first opened and see they have continued to impress and keep the same solid quality. I can't say much more than what's been said other than other than SW side, some of the best tacos in Metro D. Their LA style is a winner and taqueria worthy. The atmosphere ambience has a no frills but comfortable vibe. I don't get caught up much in service as long as its not egregious. Can get busy and packed at times. Johnny Cash is a constant presence.

    (4)
  • Claire V.

    This is the perfect spot for a quick bite. Great tequila drinks while you wait. Definitely love the steak tacos, street corn and the Bakersfield hot dog. I've been back time and time again to enjoy the indoor outdoor area and to enjoy a great variety of food and beverages!

    (4)
  • Michael S.

    The Guac is awesome and the Salsa flight is wicked good. But the star of this show are the hot dogs. I've been back four times to have them.

    (5)
  • Jeph W.

    Hate the food - expensive for what you get (think you can get full on 3 of their tacos? No), service sucks & who wants to sit on a hard wooden bench with other folks practically on top of you!

    (1)
  • Valerie B.

    Wow!! First time and we will be back! I was warned to come early because this place gets packed- if you don't want to mill around in a hipster bar mass waiting for a table, plan on 5:30 arrival! The place is industrial chic - really relaxing. The drink menu is expansive and the waiters really know it! The tequila based Ring of Fire cocktail was perfect- a little spicy and not too sweet. Large menus and the quick and friendly staff know it well! We loved the guac and salsa trio with fresh chips but be warned- there is a lot of cilantro in 2/3 of them. The elote is outstanding- you must get it!!! We tried several different tacos and mini hotdogs- all were tasty but again, be warned that cilantro abounds so if you have the "cilantro tastes like soap" gene you are not going to be happy- we asked for it to be left off in deference to the soap gene folks in our group but it still abounded. That said, I loved the cilantro and the cool servers and the cheap but awesome food! And, once the young bearded tattooed crowd starts pouring in there is a lot of people watching!

    (5)
  • Dradle K.

    Been coming here for a very long time and always appreciate how busy they are, which means they are doing something right... Their al-pastor tacos will blow your mind (vegetarian or real animal fleshed), so do get a bunch! Salsa flight is great, and their home made chips too! Wish they had more vegetarian taco options, and sometimes their experimental versions can be a bit much however the consistent friendly experience we have keeps me coming back. Great Margharitas too!

    (4)
  • Marty F.

    Tacos are improved. Go with the stewed chicken and the carnitas. Good stuff. Get jarritos soda to go with it. Also, eat the habanero sauce, unless you're a ninny who can't handle heat. They still need to play something different musically. I vote suicidal tendencies 24/7.

    (4)
  • Shannon B.

    Came in from out of town and decided to go here. We waited at the "Please Wait to be Seated" sign for about 10 minutes while the door girl sat and chatted with a male co worker. A couple came in and just walked right through while the door girl glanced over at us. Unfortunately she was too busy having a conversation to do her job/acknowledge us so we left. I understand that it was a Saturday night and busy is to be expected but if you're not going seat guests maybe remove the sign as we were the only people waiting.

    (1)
  • Liz R.

    We loved Imperial! I bookmarked after I saw check in after check in from Tara L. We circle similar places, so I knew this one would be a winner. Thanks Tara! We went for weekend lunch, right when they opened, and sat at the bar. I like to sit at the bar when we try new places because you can get the lay of the land from an excellent bartender...as long as they aren't too busy. James wasn't too busy, and was nice and talkative. He talked me right into my first drink, the Detroit Tart. Loved it! Ken and I ordered three tacos (carne for him, the pork with pineapple for me, and a chorizo and potato to split), two hot dogs (both of which were delicious). I also got elote, which I thoroughly enjoyed. My second drink was the Ring of Fire, made with habanero-orange tequila infused in-house. Another excellent cocktail! Ken enjoyed a couple of craft beers. I'm a sucker for an interesting drinks menu, and Imperial did not disappoint. They filled up as time went by, getting louder. Swanky, clean bathroom. Loved James. Parking...we're not familiar with Ferndale, but they recommended the metered lot behind them when I called to inquire, which was easy for us to find (and we're parking morons). This lot is free on Sundays (note to self). We'll be back. For an 11am Saturday lunch in the not so distant future!

    (5)
  • Samantha L.

    The chips and Guacamole are delicious, the tacos are good for a snack, but could use some more flavor as they can be a little dry. If you are into community seating then a week night/ weekend should not bother you. But, if you want more private seating go during the early hours in the weekend and early afternoons during the week day.

    (4)
  • Jason J.

    Hard to find good tacos and cocktails in Michigan....this place nailed it! Chipotle salsa is bomb. Imperial Swizzle tastes like it's name...smooth bourbon with ginger ale and citrus.

    (5)
  • Lindsey L.

    Wish they had soft drinks on tap but the glass bottles are cute. Took about 15 to 20 min to get my food but it was good once we got it. The salsa flight is delicious chips are crispy and not too thick or hard. I had one of all the tacos except vegetarian and they were all yummy, i prefer the chicken ones... very nice.

    (4)
  • Chris M.

    They called me "Taco Time" in high school and Imperial allows me to flex those developing muscles again. I ate two lamb tacos to honor my family's immigration from the Balkan Peninsula, and then ordered TWO more because I was feeling selfish and bad about myself. But under Imperial's roof, all feels right. I will be boarding Salsa Airlines again soon, on a one way ticket. Shout out to Stacey for the great service and suggestions. I think she liked my friend?

    (4)
  • Crystal C.

    Best place for great tacos and their grilled corn is like addictive gotta try it the also make a great fresh gaucomoli mmmmm

    (5)
  • Ellie I.

    We ended up here after a night out and just wanted to take advantage of their late night menu, which is such a great idea. My friends were raving about the hot dogs, which strikes me as an odd item to have at a Mexican joint, but maybe that's the whole point! Anyway, I had the fried risotto balls and they were everything I was hoping for! Crispy on the outside with creamy, cheesy rice inside, yum! They had just enough spice to satisfy my spicy craving, but not leave me fanning my tongue. I want one right now! My friends got the hot dogs and they loved them! The one star off is because we were asked to leave 30min before the posted closing time. Granted, there was only one other group in there at the time and it was late, after all... I still felt a little strange about being asked to leave. Good food and good drinks. Worth a try!

    (4)
  • Jessica Y.

    I wish they wouldn't put cilantro in just about everything. Other than that, their bloody mary's can cure anything. They have veggie hot dogs. Nobody does when you go out, so that's wonderful stuff. Nobody thinks it odd when I read tarot at the bar. And I always feel welcome whether I've been in 2 days in a row or haven't been in in 6 months. Your new favorite bar awaits. Their specialty drinks are divine, go have one today.

    (4)
  • Kirsten V.

    Great spot. Expect a wait for a table. I hope you like tacos and salsa, because...that is pretty much all they serve. They do it well though with a number of different types. I am not a huge fan of community tables but that seems to be a number of the seats in the restaurant.

    (4)
  • Bradleigh M.

    So I went here again this weekend and tried one of their bacon wrapped hotdogs, the Imperial dog to be exact. All I can say is...Awesome! The flavors blended so well.

    (5)
  • Eric C.

    Came in with my boyfriend for brunch when we were staying in ferndale, and admittedly we were super hungover. But it was great to grab a table, because every time I've been in there at night, it's been packed. We had 4 or 5 tacos, a corn elote, the salsa flight, guacamole, a torta, and two jarritos. Everything was pretty good. Salsa was Delish, but the torta was the best for me by far. My bf dominated the corn, so I think he'd approve of that too ;)

    (4)
  • Tori B.

    I pretty much live at Imperial - I live down the road and have been going here for almost 2 years. You can't get better, cheaper tacos in Ferndale. Bakersfield hotdog and Papas con Rajas are my go-tos, and they always have thoughtful and tasty specials. Plus they have good veggie and gluten free options. My favorite cocktail is the Lavender Sidecar, and their Bloody Mary's. The staff is always friendly and accommodating, and their back patio is THE BOMB. The only negative is the acoustics in the front of the restaurant when it gets crowded - you can't even hear yourself.

    (5)
  • Joe V.

    Love this place. My favorite Mexican spot in the Detroit area. I roll vegan style and this place does not disappoint. Every other week or so they have a special vegetarian option which goes great with their staple vegetarian taco and hot dog. Salsa, guac and chips are the best too.

    (5)
  • Jason R.

    Bakersfield hot dog is hands down the best dog on the planet. It is a must tryevery time you come here. I also love the elote, Mexican corn on the cob at its finest. If you like chorizo, they have a great chorizo taco. One of my favorite places to eat for sure!

    (5)
  • Holly F.

    I love this place. I have been here many times with friends. The service is good, it doesn't matter if we are there at 3:30pm or midnight! The Sonoran hotdog is my favorite. And the drinks are amazing. The salsa flight is a must try. The prices are very reasonable. The waiter Matt is my favorite, he actually recommended one oft new favorite drinks! I do wish the ladies room had a full length mirror or at least one that I could see more than just my upper body. But this minor issue will not keep me away! I'll be back soon!

    (4)
  • Drew H.

    First experience 2 weeks ago was flawless. Girls loved the margaritas and the tacos are the best we've had in a long time and very reasonable. Been some reports of service issues but at 7 we had no problem. Going back for hot dog and taco soon!

    (4)
  • Richard D.

    Best Mexican food i have had in Detroit to date... Guac was amazing... All tacos good and bacon wrapped hotdog was great

    (4)
  • Tiana O.

    I know it's a taco joint, but the Sonoran hot dog. Get it! Seriously, it's so good. Also, we are in love with the ring of fire cocktail. For those who like a little spice, this is where it's at!!!

    (5)
  • Eileen A.

    I really like this place! It has a nice open atmosphere. I didn't feel crowded even though a lot of people were there. They have a wide variety of different types of liquor. No matter what ur taste something will be there for you. I did try the street tacos. They were good but I thought a bit expensive at $2.50 a taco. The chips are ok a little hard. They serve it with 3 different salsas. All were delicious. Definitely going back!

    (4)
  • Nha V.

    Food is good, Americanized tacos. Had good salsa options and chips. My favorite is the pollo a salsa. Forgot the name, but it's very good. This place has good atmosphere and always has a long just waiting line on busy nights.

    (3)
  • Amina B.

    One of my favorite places in ferndale.. Convenient (early weekdays-or make reservations) tacos and all else is super yummy-inexpensive for its atmosphere. Clean. Huge selection of drinks-just not draft. They even serve mini hotdogs in taco bread..so cute

    (4)
  • Ali L.

    I was original taken aback by the price of their margaritas, but after one sip I figured out why.. These bad boys are STRONG! After one I was tipsy, and after two I was nearly slurring! Learn from my mistake and do not order one on an empty stomach! Rather, order some guacamole and the salsa flight. Yum!!

    (4)
  • Linda O.

    One of my all time favorite places. And a great waitstaff. We only have Brandon wait on us! Love him! Love the Detroit Tart...I crave it.

    (5)
  • Erynne M.

    This place is soooo cool and fun and awesome The chips and salsa and guac are to die for they gave us free spiked punch and free skeleton cookies in lieu of halloween. The place is set up with long tables where everyone drinks and talks and the other side as separate tables for smaller parties. Super laid back atmosphere everything's a little edgy and cool (some would say hipstery) but I will definitely be going back

    (5)
  • jessica p.

    Wonderful veggie hotdogs and the best Bloody Mary I've ever had in my life. Went here because I heard the drinks were great- and that they were. Pretty busy, had to wait 45 mins but they put a drink in my hand and had a bench available for me to sit on so by the time I was seated I was already good to go. Chips are kinda salty but wuteva!

    (5)
  • Krystle S.

    Thursday happy hour is great. Nice margaritas (though small and should be stronger for the price!) Tacos were good. Being from So. Cali I can attest that they didn't mess it up like MOST Michigan restaurants seem to do with Mexican food. They of course do their own twist, but it's akin to what I'd expect to taste in a hipstery place in LA.

    (4)
  • Akshaar B.

    A picture of Johnny Cash graces the well lit bar, communal seating. Get two tacos and a hot dog. Any combination of three will be fantastic. The vegetarian is also quite good. The elote is good, perhaps a little overrated, but definitely the side of choice. The salsa flight provides a nice variety. Cocktails are adequate, but leave more to be desired, Emory is down the block. The hot sauces should be rated on a logarithmic vs a linear scale, the green apple is a 2, the medium is a 4 and the Thai hot is a 9. There is little need for any of these as the food is delicious.

    (4)
  • Linda S.

    The servers here are all consistently good. Thank you!!! They're also always very helpful with suggestions of any sort. Always really clean too. The tacos are great and when I went I had a hot dog which was crazy delish! The seating is weird and the chairs are not comfy! But worth it for the good eats

    (4)
  • David M.

    always, consistently good. enough taco and drink specials to keep things fresh and interesting. great bar scene. we're there at the bar practically every wednesday to do our weekly toast to our Lady of Guadelupe.

    (4)
  • dawn v.

    I was torn between 3 and 4 stars. 4 for the food. 2.5 for the service/atmosphere. To be fair, we were here for brunch, shortly after they opened, 11:30 am Sunday. Maybe they just don't get into their grove until things are swinging? I had the Imperial Hash: potatoes, roasted pork, green salsa, tortillas and eggs. (Ordered over easy). Everything was cooked very well and tasty... Maybe over salted. Husband had biscuits and gravy. Seemed to like it. Both were $7 and I thought that was a deal for brunch. I think their strength is in their bar. All of the brunch cocktails looked amazing. I forget the name of mine but it was the only non- Bloody Mary choice. It's a strong, solid drink for $8. (Worth it!) The service wasn't terrible, just very very brief and cold. They only had two tables going when we arrived but you got the feeling that the waitress had a lot to do... Somewhere... Just not here. Someone did come back to refill a coffee and she was super fast with that check, ( I was going o order a second drink but she had that check down and was gone before I could ask), so she wasn't exactly AWOL, just not interested.

    (3)
  • Eowyn K.

    I thought the space was pretty cool with the large wood booths and long wooden common tables. I am not bothered by the group aspect, but we also came for lunch so the place was not crowded. The menu is pretty basic, the drinks menu is longer than the food. I thought the chips and guac where pretty good, however I was not big on the salsa. They make theirs with red pepper, which I'm not a fan of so this was more of a personal problem. I had a couple tacos: pulled pork, carne asada and the choizo. I added some of the guacamole to them as well. The tortilla is corm and they are not very big, so expect to order a few for a meal. I also had the corn and was not a fan. It is grilled but then has a cheese coating on it that I did not like. My friend had the veggie dog and really liked it. She thought the hot dog was better than the veggie taco. As much as I would have appreciated a lunch time cocktail, I was not able to partake as I had to return to work. It seems like a good place to relax with friends for beverages.

    (3)
  • Tango A.

    Construct me a temple and call me Indiana. They have Mexican coke which has a little bit of dirt in the bottom from Tituichan. Once I got home I felt like sacrificing myself just so my friends could taste the juices from the taco meat once again. Lime Time. In my nostrils ankles and EYES Lime Time. Just like my Aztec father used to tell me: "Son dat be a hot piece of ass on dat plate." But this time plate did not equal bed. And I wasn't sacrificing a virgin unless you count my mouth on that succulent tenderized taco.

    (5)
  • Annie Y.

    LOVE Imperial. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Their drinks are freshly made with real juices too. The elote (corn) is to die for. The only downfall I have is that it is impossible to get in on the weekends and I've noticed that the waitresses are very forgetful.

    (4)
  • Jennifer H.

    Love, Love, Love this place! The wait staff are on point with drink recommendations and I was offered that if I ordered a drink (first time) and I didn't like it, she would have something else made for me. Turns out, I loved it because she was very clear with her description! As a veg head the food is awesome even with such a small menu. Service is fantastic, the communal tables are not as much of a put-off as one would think and it's great to sit with the sun coming in the front windows.

    (5)
  • Paul A.

    Decent spot to hang out and grab a drink. They don't have anything on draft, bottles only. The food is overrated. Nothing special about the food. The tacos are very small and bland tasting, at $2.50 each they are over priced for how small they are. The hot dogs are good, but once again at $4.00 for a small hot dog not the large ones that you would expect for the price, is not worth it. The corn was the best and worth it. The service was very good and nice. I would come back to this place, but just for drinks not for the food.

    (3)
  • Jessica K.

    Always a favorite of ours to stop in while we are in Ferndale. The cocktail selection is excellent with points for originality. As it has Mexican influences many of the cocktails are tequila based. We have always had outstanding service with knowledgeable waitstaff. I have pretty much tried most of the menu and have never had a bad experience! The tacos are small but extremely flavorful which allows you to sample a few of them. I highly recommend trying the "special" taco or hotdog as they make efforts to incorporate seasonal items and flavors.

    (5)
  • Cayla A.

    AWESOME place, unique and cool staff, awesome atmosphere, and even better food. The corn and tacos are the best, but I dont think you could really go wrong with anything on the menu.

    (5)
  • Matt L.

    Great Tacos! Real Mexican Coke! Amazing sides (try the corn). I have been here many times with a variety of guests/friends. No one has left Imperial feeling cheated. The prices are great, food is good. The biggest problem is it often gets too busy or crowded and with so many other good options in Ferndale I am often not willing to wait more than 10-15 minutes for a table. Couldn't recommend this enough if you want a tasty bite!

    (5)
  • Jacques P.

    The beer list is great. Imports from all over the states with a real emphasis on michigan. The wait for a table can take a bit, but surrounded by decent folk it's not too bad. The hotdogs were great for bar food. I made the mistake of trying to take on two with some tacos... A tough night. I would recommend the chorizo. The tacos were definitely just ok, I wasn't the biggest fan. The salsa was good though.

    (4)
  • Pasha A.

    I have eaten here several times and the food is consistently average ( i prefer flour to corn tortillas), the carne asada is a lil dried out and the guac is decent. However i just had one of the worst Michigan dining experiences of my life. I am a huge fish taco fan and the only place I have eaten decent fish tacos in the state is black pearl in ann arbor. For some reason people in michigan think deep battering and frying fish then throwing it on a tortilla constitutes a fish taco. I label it garbage. I ordered the fish tacos from here and was was impressed and ordered some more, it was not black pearl level but pretty damn good. However the Imperial Montezuma revenge reared its ugly head around 4am. I was having very trippy lucid dreams then i ran to the bathroom and fish was escaping from every orifice in my body. It was DEADLY. Imperial does not regularly serve fish or seafood for that matter and that should have been a warning, but i was so excited for fish tacos i did not heed it. Fish needs to be handled very specially and can spoil very easily. When fish is well marinated it is tough to tell if it was spoiled. And unfortunately i was recipient of this bad fish. This place is always a good place to catch some drinks but this experience has taught me that this place does not have an experienced kitchen staff and i think i will avoid anything edible from here from now on.

    (1)
  • Jill B.

    Love this place! Be prepared to wait or pick a week night. Everything is good. Try a variety- and at least split the hot dog special- one of a kind. Their sauces are a bit on the spicy side- which we like. Mixed community style seating at long picnic style tables as well as traditional seating in the back. Always fun and lively. Easy walk to other stops after dinner.

    (5)
  • Bryan L.

    Best hot dogs period....dont think about getting one just do it you won't be disappointed.

    (5)
  • Dan N.

    My girlfriend and I have had to implement Imperial restrictions to stop us from going here all the time. It's our favorite restaurant. I'm vegetarian, she isn't. Both of us love the food. The vegetarian tacos and sonoran are amazing, as are all of the apps/sides. I can't personally vouch for any of the meat dishes but I've never been there with anyone who didn't love them. All of their cocktails are delicious too. The employees are friendly and fun, same with the bartenders. I've had many interactions with them that left me loving this restaurant even more.

    (5)
  • John V.

    No we are talking. I had a great chorizo bean dip and chips. I went here after Arts beats and eats to unwind with some friends. Loved the Blue light in a can. Just felt god relaxing with that. Had a couple hot dogs. They were so good. The bacon wrapped with pineapple was the most memorable. Next time I am back home. I will be back.

    (5)
  • Rachel M.

    This place has pictures hanging up that are very offensive to Catholics. I asked to speak with the CATHOLIC owner about it and he basically said he doesn't care if it's offensive he's going to keep it at their logo. What a shame. Not giving them my business anymore and hoping other Catholics and ppl who don't appreciate religious slander will do the same

    (1)
  • Casey F.

    My favorite tacos in all of greater detroit area. Reasonable price. Nice environment. A little slow, but get some chips and guac for the wait because they're excellent.

    (5)
  • Amy S.

    Myself and two of my friends got food poisoning after trying the biscuits and gravy. Each of us missed a day of work. Huge bummer, usually their food is fine, but now I will forever be apprehensive.

    (1)
  • Holly Y.

    Great food, great drinks, great service! Bacon wrapped hotdogs-amazing! Service is great, we would ask/order something and about 5 min later it was served!

    (5)
  • Ranetta A.

    I came here 2 weeks ago with some friends from work. They were already seated when I arrived. They had ordered drinks and the chips and salsa flight. I ordered the Detroit Tart and I enjoyed it. So I ordered another! After about a half hour of chatter we decided to order some real food. The guacamole was good with a little kick, just like I like it. We all ordered different items so we could share. We all ordered tacos and a bacon wrapped hot dog that was pretty tasty! I forgot to order some corn. I guess I'll have to get one the next time I visit. I really enjoyed my food, my drinks and my friends. Our waitress was very attentive and friendly. She answered all of my annoying questions with a smile. I will DEFINATELY be back!

    (4)
  • Julie S.

    Tried this place out last night and loved it! It was pretty busy for a Wednesday after 9pm. My friend and I found two spots at the bar. I was a little ambivalent on which beer to order and the bartender served me a nice Mexican beer that was spot on. Our food order was simple. We shared the chips and salsa (yummy) and split a corn. I will have to come back and try the corn again. It was a little too overwhelming in the hot and spicy department but I just came off of a month long food detox so my palate wasn't used to eating restaurant food. The food runner was super quick and it was pretty comical to clock her when we ordered something. Overall a great experience!

    (5)
  • Esther G.

    Despite a not-so-great first impression, I'm glad I gave this place another try because it's a great spot for quick and cheap Mexican food, though it's not the most authentic by any means. It's gourmet food without the cost of what you'd think at a gourmet-type place. I've enjoyed the food and atmosphere at weekend brunch the most. There are only four options -- all $6.95 -- but each one is done really well, which I appreciate more than having a bunch of options and just doing them decent. I noticed another time that the menu says the brunch options are served with fruit salad and charred tortillas. Disappointed to remember the four of us did not get tortillas with our meals. Besides weekend brunch, you can't go wrong with the tacos and the chips and salsa flight. I've had inconsistencies to the trio of salsas, however, where the hot doesn't taste quite as hot as it did from before.

    (4)
  • Dan C.

    Not a bad place if you want to have some decent tacos and drinks without driving into the city. Don't kid yourselves though, the tacos don't compare to the average fare in Mexican Town or, say, a good taco truck. After all, it's essentially a suburban bar. I've been here a number of times and, if you temper your expectations accordingly, it's an acceptable place to grab a bite and a drink. There is a tendency for the tacos to be a bit dry and...uh...lukewarm but, again, if you know this going in you'll be just fine. I'd consider this a place for a 'snack' instead of a 'meal.'

    (2)
  • Lynden G.

    So maybe Saturday night at 630 wasn't the best time to show for dinner, but the hour wait didn't deter us. this was my first time (came on a first date) I had the house margarita, Abodoba taco and imperial hotdog. Very good flavor and i love their hotdogs! Family style seating was interesting and service was super fast. Only things I wasn't too keen on was the high level of noise and inconsistent margaritas (one strong one sweet). I would like to return to try some of their sides especially the corn.

    (4)
  • Cari M.

    I like stopping by Imperial for a quick bite/drink .. they have a great space, large bar, and I rather enjoy their option for cafeteria style seating, sitting with other parties. I've tried both their kinds chicken tacos and the vegetarian - my favorite is the vegetarian! It's very good. Don't pass on the hot sauce - there is one that is a sort of apple flavor and it made the tacos significantly more tasty, and not dry. For some reason I always wish the taco's here came out hotter - is that weird? I don't know if taco's are supposed to be really warm or not but I feel like it would make them go from good to great. Definitely order chips and guac -- the chips are UHmazing, and the guac has large avocado chunks in it you can tell it is very fresh. The service is one of the best parts of Imperial - I've been impressed every time by the bartenders and wait staff .. extremely kind, attentive, knowledgable and seemingly happy. They have a good selection of beers and also have some unique housemade infused liquors which i look forward to trying. Tacos are cheap - get 2 or 3 and you'll be full and wont hurt your wallet.

    (4)
  • Mitch B.

    Imperial rocks! The food is always fresh and delicious and moderately priced and they always have new menu items that are amazing. But the thing about this place that makes it outstanding is the wait staff. The wait staff is attentive and they always seem to be friendly and in a good mood, which helps create a fun vibe. The one thing stopping this place from getting 5 stars is that I eat here often and sometimes when I eat here and it takes longer to get my food than is necessary. The Sonoran (sp?) Hot Dogs (hot dog wrapped in bacon-YUM!) are a must! And so is the Flight of Salsas with chips.

    (4)
  • Melissa B.

    I frequent Imperial for the bakersfield it has that crispy hot dog bun with a hint of spice and of course bacon! The grilled pineapple makes it everything! Tried the corn on the cob for the first time. It was a bit mushy on the cob, I was expecting more of a cheesy flavor, I wldnt knock others from trying it but I wont order it again.

    (4)
  • Nicole F.

    The veggie tacos weren't anything to write home about, but the rest of the meal was quite good. The grilled jalapeños were spot on, I could eat my way out of a bathtub full of the guacamole, and the atmosphere was cool.

    (4)
  • Chelsea H.

    After hearing mixed reviews about Imperial, I finally got around to checking it out under the guise of celebrating a friend's birthday. I remember people saying that the service was atrocious in Imperial's early days, and if that was indeed the case, they have successfully conquered that issue. The service was outstanding; immediately the host greeted our group as if we were regulars and kept us in the loop about table availability. We were made to feel important, which was nice and unexpected. The server was also perfect. She was very sweet without being fake, and did little extra things like refilling our water and splitting the checks without being asked. The cocktails were just as good as the service. The drink menu is extensive, and it was difficult to choose what to order since everything sounded delicious. I tried a sip of everyone's drinks at my table and it is clear that the bartenders here know what they're doing. Everything was awesome, and prices aren't too steep. The food, however, I felt kind of meh about. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. I would definitely come back to Imperial, but I'm going to catalogue it in my brain as a place for really good drinks that also happens to have acceptable bar food in case you're in need of a snack, and not a place that I would want to eat dinner at. But, I am super picky about tacos and I happen to live near a magical neighborhood full of cheap, delicious tacos, so those who are not spoiled by living in close proximity to Mexicantown should go and form their own taco opinions. For vegetarians, your options on the menu are delicious and not a sad, salad-y afterthought, so that is nice. Yay Imperial.

    (4)
  • Steve K.

    I like this place, cool atmosphere and relaxed. A little noisy but what bar isn't. Cocktails are on the expensive side but there are other low drink prices. Great for large groups. Good food and usually good service.

    (5)
  • Erin K.

    I am so glad I found this place! Great Mexican food that is more upscale, like the yummy foods you see on Eat St on the Travel Channel. The menu is not large, but when the food is this good, it doesn't have to be. They offer Mexican soft shell corn tacos, Mexican themed hot dogs and a variety of sides. We ordered the Carnitas, Al Pastor, Adobada de pollo, Imperial Sonoran, Bakersfield Sonoran, Paso Robles Sonoran, chips and salsa flight and churros and everything was amazing! They also have an excellent drink menu. We enjoyed the Hotel California, Detroit Tart and Tito's Mule. They also serve breakfast (along with it's own drink menu). I cannot wait to go back. But get there early, it gets crowded and most of the seating is communal.

    (5)
  • Dawny M.

    Went there for lunch and was blown away. The best and unusal tacos. They have a special board with tacos and hot dogs not on the menu. Our table ordered 4 different kinds. All were delicious. If you like corn, you must try their roasted corn rolled in pablano lime cream and cojita cheese. Next time I'm in the area I will go back.

    (5)
  • Tyler W.

    Imperial is a place to go! The flight salsa was incredible all the salsas had very good flavor. The carne asada, chicken, and chorizio were the tacos I was able to enjoy and will be trying more! The corn was an incredible add on too I highly recommend imperial to anyone looking for a good taco meal or even a good drink

    (5)
  • Meredith E.

    The 3 salsas for $5 were delicious, but I ran out of chips early on. The chipotle one was my favorite. The 'Ring of Fire' mixed drink was fantastic. Thank you for the recommendation fellow Yelpers! Our server was out there. If I came to work in that condition, I would be sent to drug testing immediately. She forgot drinks and orders, couldn't comprehend our requests, and disappeared now and then. The family style taco arrival was a hot mess. I doubted the food runner's descriptions when she pointed at 2 tacos and said they were the same, when they looked completely different, several times. We were all a little puzzled. I just said f it, and took the last 3 on the plate. They were all dry and ok. Not great. I will be back for more salsa and to sample some more mixed drinks. The 'One Night in Mexico' at the table next to ours looked so damn tasty.

    (3)
  • Katie M.

    I probably can't offer much more information in my review than has previously been left by the other 191 reviews... but hey, I went here, I liked it...so now one must simply Yelp about it. Setting the scene: Wednesday night at 9:15PM. The place is pretty much packed! My companion and I grabbed the only two seats at the bar. Service was EXTREMELY quick. Granted, we only each ordered 1 taco and the chips/guac/salsa... but I think the food came out faster than the margaritas! I had the pork taco with pineapple... my taste buds thanked me! Is the taco "small"? Yes, but it was plentifully stuffed with goodness. When I visit a "chain" restaurant and get tacos, I often have to load them up with cheese, sour cream, salsa and or hot sauce in order to get them to be juicy and flavorful... not at Imperial! This little porky pleasure was just perfect! I was also really really impressed with their chips, salsa and guac! All of the salsas had unique flavors and it pained me that I was unable to eat them all! The margaritas left a little to be desired. I don't typically complain when a drink is strong... but I don't like to taste the tequila (unless it's top shelf) in my margaritas. I'll have to upgrade my beverage choice next visit.

    (4)
  • Brad S.

    Love the atmosphere and food here. Four words: bacon wrapped hot dog. Whenever I can't decide where I want to go for either a restaurant or a bar choice, Imperial is my go to.

    (5)
  • Sarah D.

    Imperial is one of my favorite places in Ferndale. Great cocktails, great tacos, great churros (be sure to save room for one!) and their special homemade hot sauce trio is killer - be sure to ask your server for it if they don't bring it out. The service is good and I noticed that some people have said it is slow. This is because this place is packed! Expect to wait for a table on the weekends unless you sit at the bar or come early. Also, the biggest secret of this place is their Sunday brunch. I feel like there is hardly ever anyone there but it is seriously to die for. They have a chorizo gravy with biscuits and fried eggs that is one of the best things I've ever eaten!

    (5)
  • Steven H.

    I dont get why this place has 4 stars, the service is horrible, and the place is beyond a rip off, and there nothing to orders but tacos and hot dogs, never will go there again.

    (1)
  • Mark S.

    Everything on the menu is really a flavor bomb filled with magic. Adobada is not only fun to say, but delicious, too. I feel like I could live solely on the grilled jalapenos, but I'm not sure my body would agree. Great service, especially at the bar rail and on our Sunday trips during the day. I like the option for communal seating, because new friends are welcome. The overall atmosphere may be the only reason I don't give it 5 stars, it's just a little confusing. No real complaints though, definitely worth a regular visit.

    (4)
  • Joe B.

    Just a heads up in case you didn't know... Monday nights after 5:30 they have Swordfish tacos regularly now. They come as two tortillas with a generous portion of solid Swordfish fillet that's been well seasoned atop them, some pickled onions and orange supremes to accent the profile (I think they change up the citrus option now and then). These are pretty slammin' and for non-seafood lovers like myself these are still delectable and well worth the $3.50 pricetag!!! You're still killing it Jeff! Looking forward to your next great idea!

    (5)
  • Emira R.

    I have been several times to Imperial, and I figured it is about time I write a review for this place. The restaurant has a limited menu, which is not a bad thing by all means for the many cases I cannot make up my mind (long menus tend to be annoying because then I don't know what I want, or I want more than one dish!) I have pretty much had all their tacos--really good and somewhat not traditional. I love their corn tortillas, and the lime wedges. I usually prefer to squeeze a few drops of lime juice on me tacos...The hotdogs are ok, I have tried one or two. Their drinks tend to be on the strong side (for my taste) but the taste is there. Overall it provides a nice atmosphere and something different in the plethora of restaurants and eating option of Ferndale.

    (4)
  • Marie L.

    I'm torn on how I actually feel about Imperial. Things I LOVE: - Their happy hour - Black-eyed pea taco with kale (this should be on the menu all the time!) - corn - Imperial Margarita - guacamole - prices Things that I don't love: - It's always SO busy and super loud. - I would expect this fun, hip place to have personable bartenders. The several times I've been and sat at the bar, this was not the case. One time, I wasn't even greeted with a "Hello," the bartender just stared at me, waiting for me to give him my order. He seemed annoyed when I responded with, "Hello. How are you?" Super disappointing. - The tacos are missing something. The meat (with the exception of the al pastor) is bland. No amount of salsa toppings will change that. Reasons I will return (on off peak hours - either lunch or early happy hour): - prices - booze - all the things I love (above) - outdoor seating - I haven't tried the hot dogs that people rave about.

    (3)
  • Christine S.

    So 9 months later I ventured back to this establishment..guess what? The same waitress. Oh boy! Well let's start off with me arriving at 7:20pm, getting seated at 8:20pm, my guac/chips appetizer (which I do love btw) arriving at 8:30pm and my 2 dry ass tacos arriving at 9:38pm..It shouldn't take 1 hour to make 2 measly tacos. I scarfed them down within 2 minutes because we had a concert to attend and thought arriving at 7:20pm was sufficient time to accommodate a 10pm concert. I guess not. I did, however, drink (4) Ring of Fire cocktails while waiting, I didn't want to drink that much but there was nothing else to do while waiting. The manager did give us 15% off of our bill. Ahh thanks.

    (2)
  • Ian M.

    I went to Imperial to grab some tacos for a quick lunch and was very pleased! Imperial is classic Mexican street food with great flavor. I also ordered some chips and guac; it was tasty and fresh. The overall atmosphere is nice, fun, and accessible for larger groups. I hope to return soon to try some of their cocktails. I would definitely recommend!

    (4)
  • Mike D.

    I would give it 2.5 stars, but Yelp hasnt caught onto that concept yet. People who do give 5 stars to restaurants willy nilly, dont really know much about food or especially good food. It takes a very special place to get 5 stars and there are very few of those places today, and im talking about all around the country, not just here in MI. As far as this place goes. Im sure it appeals to the people who dont know much or have a very good palate. I was here once and it wasnt that good to make me crave to come back here again. Its full of hipsters (which is never good, since they are the worst of the worst) and trendsters. The food is meh at best. I had 4 different tacos while I was there and they were about the same across the board. ONE NOTE. Just because you put a bunch of ingredients together and romance the shit out of it on your menu doesnt make it good. I could make a dog turd sound delicious with the right wording and people would eat it up like they eat this place up. This place is better than say some place like Xochimocho (sp?), but thats not saying much. Its like saying what is better? Hep C or Hep B? There wasnt any depth of flavor at all when it came to the tacos. I have had way better tacos and other mexican inspired food elsewhere. Im sure you will think its great if you never travel and when you do, you tend to go to the chain restaurants or the places where tourists are sucked into because some food network DB said it was cool (aka Guy Fieri, biggest douche on food TV) The food wasnt even that warm when it came to me. I have had warmer food from take out and thats been sitting in a styrofoam box or whatever for a little bit. Thats pretty bad if you ask me. Plus the service is mediocre also. Its amazing what good management can do when it comes to service and I dont think the management is that good. Probably hired a friend to do the job and had zero to little restaurant experience before working here... like most of the wait staff it seems. Have had better service from a crabby waitress at a Coney Island. If you want to come here, go for it.. If you dont.. I would say you are better off.. or I would say travel and get the hell out of MI to really get good food.

    (3)
  • Alyssa R.

    I've had some great times, flavors and drinks here... a few visits where quality was inconsistent, but Imperial does bring me back. Their salsa trio, guacamole and variety of tacos are not your ordinary "American Mexican." They veer more to the "American new Mexican," and though their menu is small, their tequila cocktails, taco specials and flavorful regular options make this a very popular place in Ferndale. Expect to sit at shared tables with Ferndale hipsters and get there before 7:00 as it fills up. My friend enjoys the bacon-wrapped Sonoran hotdog, and I crave the fish tacos (served on Mondays only). These have been hit and miss, the fish portion shrinking and depending on the "extras" they include each time. I always cross my fingers for anything mango or pickled. Vegetarian taco specials have a good track record and their chorizo tacos are always moist. Lately I've enjoyed the al pastor tacos. There is one consistent miss for me- the chicken tacos have been dry every time I've ordered them, so I don't get them anymore. Easy enough to avoid!

    (4)
  • Aya R.

    Environment trendy ..food okay, good if you don't know what authentic tacos taste like plus it came out cold...female bartender with black hair and tattoos all over has a horrid attitude problem and barely made eye contact for us to order anything ....other bartenders and even bus boy very friendly and a waiter had to stop to give us utensils.. also they refuse to put on the World Cup even thou mexico and the US is in it with many other countries and this is a mexican american restuarant...seriously???? only local sports allowed while u look up at picture of a man giving u the middle finger. . :) ...don't know if I'd give it another try...NEXT..

    (3)
  • Valerie G.

    So I finally had a chance to try their Swordfish taco on NYE - They are only offered on Mondays after 5:30. Let me first admit that I am not a huge lover of fish, but I LOVED loved this taco. I think they often sell out so don't expect to get one at the end of the night on a Monday. This place is my husbands new obsession - we have a 3 year old, and haven't tried to bring him here yet, but every night that we have a sitter, he seems to try to con me into going here. Lastly- Some reviews said that the tall skinny tatooed bartender dude sucks - but I would have to say he was one of the best parts of our NYE this year... so, to each their own??

    (5)
  • Jean S.

    Lively place!!! You're either eating at the bar, along the wall, at a communal table or on the little patio, but that's okay because it's quite a fun place to eat cheap, GOOD food! The drinks were delicious, the taco menu was both traditional and exotic, but my favorite was the trio of salsas....SO SO SO DELICIOUS. I am a gal that could live off chips and salsa and this stuff was pretty fantastic. I'd return simply for the salsa, drinks and atmosphere.

    (4)
  • Ryan L.

    I stopped here for a quick taco snack when I was in Detroit. I walked in and the place was a lot larger than I thought it would be. The atmosphere was light and airy with a large bar right in the front. It was unclear if I could sit anywhere or not but a server directed me. There are several tables with long benches and a lot of counter space. I thought the layout was very awkward. I ordered two tacos. The one with the potatoes (papas?) was ok, but tasted really salty to me, as in all I could taste was salt. The tacos al pastor was amazing. Seriously, this was one of the best tacos I've ever had. It came with grilled pineapple, pickled jalapeño and red onion. I also got the Elote Especial. This is corn on the cob covered in crema, cotija cheese and spices. It was incredible as well. I loved that they served this since you don't see it very often. The service was speedy and excellent. I would totally return here again. I think this is a great addition to Fabulous Ferndale.

    (5)
  • Robert P.

    This place is great. Interesting atmosphere including waitstaff. Great place for cocktails. The carnitas are awesome. Also elote and al pastor is awesome. They have three salsas that are pretty good but nothing like the normal salsa im used to. Very flavorful. They have a few large tables where you may sit with strangers which im not totally comfortable but adds to the adventure and excitement. I have been here three times and enjoyed it each time. Its more than just a spot to feed your face and wet your whistle.

    (5)
  • Sarah W.

    Oh, Imperial... I know you have 5 stars in you, but it's gotta be four for the moment. The space is awesome - it wasn't quite patio weather when we visited, but it's Michigan, that'll happen. All the more reason to go back. And tacos were excellent. We tried a chicken one and a pork one and another pork one and everything was delicious. I did not partake of the hotdogs, but they got rave reviews from my table mates. (A second round was ordered) So why no 5th star? First of all, you have been open for more than half a year. It is time to put on your big boy pants and get a website. Facebook is not the same as having a website. If you posted your menu on your website, I would say "hey, yelpers. I tried the _____ off of the regular cocktail menu. It was sweet without being cloying, tart enough to be interesting, and contained enough tequila that I didn't have the first clue what the name of it was the next day." As things stand now, I cannot fill in that blank. (sorry team) Second, let's talk about small plates dining. Chips and salsa? Guac? Those are shared foods. Put that stuff down in the middle of the table and we'll take it from there. But tacos? Tacos are really a personal food item. I'm not going to take a bite and then pass it to my neighbor. And I'm not going to sample my neighbor's taco. This place is full of hipsters. They probably got mustache wax on it. I'm eating the whole damn taco. And then some other tacos after that first taco. But when you bring out a single shared plate for a table of 6, it's going to take you a while to put it all together, and there is a serious risk of cold taco before I have made it all the way through. This risk is compounded because I needed my companions to remind me of the taco mapping system on the giant tray. You know what all looks basically the same in a dimly lit room? 4 varieties of tacos. Sharing is hard. I want my own plate.

    (4)
  • Jenn C.

    I went to Imperial for my birthday and absolutely loved it. I have had the frijoles with chorizo and guacamole to start and both were delicious. I am a fan of how the menu is set up because you can try a bunch of different small plates ($2-$4 each) that way you get to taste a little of everything. The Elote Especial (grilled sweet corn) was great. Make sure you don't skip over the hot dogs, the one with pineapple and bbq chicken on it is amaaaazing. Tacos I enjoyed were the Al Pastor and Papas Con Rajas (!!!). Margaritas are tasty and do the job - they also have a nice selection of their own infused liquors.

    (5)
  • Abi J.

    Love the space... Came here for just drinks and they were delicious. I forgot the name of my drink, it was one of their specialty drinks, ginger something. It was served in a copper cup, super cold and very delicious. Tangy and sour but in a good way. I didn't really get a Mexican vibe from this restaurant until I saw the menu. We did end up ordering the chips, salsa, and guacamole. I remember them being delicious, especially in my drunken state. The manager Jeff and servers were excellent. So accommodating and nice! I look forward to returning and trying the tacos, they looked delicious.

    (5)
  • Steve S.

    Been here multiple times, great food and staff. Watch out the jalapeños will set your mouth on fire , but tasty:)

    (5)
  • Rebecca C.

    Ok, I gave Imperial another go. I went there Monday night (9/24/12) with a party of 15 or so. Here's the update: The good: the food was really, really good! I had the hot dog - which seems strange at a taco place - but it was fantastic. The hot dog was wrapped in bacon, and had beans, cilantro, and a lime cream sauce on it. I definitely recommend it. I shared an ear of corn with my friend - it was delicious as well - the corn was coated in a delicious blend of spices. I also shard some chips and guacamole, which was great as well. The guacamole is very light, and the chips were fresh and tasty. The bad: Our waitress was awful. AWFUL. She was in a bad mood, and it was very apparent. She acted annoyed anytime anyone asked her for something, including ordering food. When our food arrived, the entire table's worth of food was placed in front of me. She rattled off the items on the plate, and said, "Ok? Everything look yummy?" and then seemed really pissed off when I told her I didn't know what everyone at the table ordered. Um, that's YOUR JOB, not mine. I overheard other tables complaining about her as well. I know everyone has an off night, but this is my second visit to Imperial, and the second time that I've experienced bad service. It should be noted. Good food, bad service.

    (2)
  • Carlos P.

    One of my favorite spots in ferndale. The tacos are amazing, I recommend the al pastor. If you want to try the hot dog, try the imperial. What makes it even better are their homemade sauces. They have an excellent beer/liquor menu and a great friendly staff.

    (5)
  • Annie S.

    Imperial has, hands down, the best tequilla drinks in metro Detroit - both from a creativity perspective as well as the fresh ingredients and execution. We've tried, and loved so many, I can't describe them here - check them out on their menu online. Salsas are deeply flavored and the perfect match for the drinks. The street tacos are pretty good and the hot sauces spicy and flavorful.

    (4)
  • Haroun K.

    The one thing I was concerned about - having remembered all of the early Imperial furor - was service. And service was excellent, for the most part. But, I don't like how they serve the tacos on only one or two plates for the entire table, forcing people to reach around the table. You should be getting your own food on your own plate. The food was also quite good. I had the veggie taco, and a taco on special - quinoa, mushrooms, cauliflower, and squash. Both tacos were very flavorful, and were devoured within seconds. The churros were just plain sinful. They could have done with some chocolate sauce, but they are quite good. I like the idea of the central communal table, and would definitely recommend sitting there. The ambiance, however, was kind of spoiled by the acoustics. 3/4 people at our table developed headaches in the 1 hour that we were there. It was an irritating sort of loudness, and it made us want to leave earlier than we would have, which we did. I'd come back for a snack, but only when it's not so busy (and loud) inside.

    (4)
  • John J.

    I'd give 3 1/2 if possible but am erring on less stars. The food is good and my wife loves the drinks (I stick to beer). The ambience is nice but the wood bench set up might be a problem for little ones or older people. The loss of stars comes from the service, which is glacially slow. We've been twice and both times has been more than an hour and a half. Now tapas is a relaxed atmosphere kind of food, but there's a difference between relaxed and inattentive. The food is good, just don't go when you're starving or have a time commitment.

    (3)
  • Samantha A.

    One of my favorites. Fun, hip, cheap and great quality food.

    (5)
  • Ann W.

    I like places that offer appetizer-sized portions as it allows for more flavors to be sampled. Imperial does that in a contemporary space that features long wooden tables and a large bar area. Late in the afternoon, the bar was relatively quiet but grew busier and louder as the evening progressed. Because the tables are communal, be prepared to sit cozily with strangers. The food menu is very limited featuring tacos, hot dogs, sides and dessert. We started the evening off with chips and guacamole. The guacamole was average; I prefer it to be chunkier and more flavorful. I also sampled three different types of tacos ($2.50/each for small tacos - so not necessarily inexpensive): slow-roasted pork with salsa verde (carnitas), marinated steak with salsa (carne asada), and spicy chorizo with queso fresco (papas con rajas). I found the first two to be a bit dry but my friends liked them a lot. Of the three, the chorizo one was the best sampled - tasty and juicy. We also sampled a number of different hot dogs. I especially enjoyed the Bakersfield Sonora with the bacon, barbecue and pineapple flavors. The combination worked incredibly well together and packed a sweet/spicy wallop. All of the hot dogs had a snap to them and were just delicious. I highly recommend them. For dessert, we tried the churros with dulce con leche dipping sauce. I liked the fried doughnut coated in cinnamon sugar. The interior texture was perfectly moist. The grilled sweet corn (on the cob) looked good; I regret not ordering it. I definitely will when I return. Service was fantastic. Our waiter was very attentive, checking in on us frequently as well as bringing refills and fresh plates. I was very impressed.

    (3)
  • P W.

    I was sad that my car needed repairs so I needed to have a couple beers while the car was being worked on. The open air atmosphere was refreshing on a perfect spring day. My intention was to only drink. Imperial reminded me of a hyped up place in Cleveland called Momocho Modern Mexican. I saw some of the tacos and decided to try a few. I had the al pastor and asada. They were great even if a little bit expensive. Ferndale is cool.

    (4)
  • Nanette D.

    Yum yum yum. The tacos are amazing, as are all of the sirano dogs. Limited menu but everything is great. Very casual trendy vibe. I am also a big fan of the margaritas!! Some of the best Mexican food I have had in MI! I would love to see what you guys could do with a burrito... Just a thought because I bet it would be amazing!! If you haven't been here... go!!

    (5)
  • T-rex M.

    I've been here a few times and I always enjoy it. Atmosphere: I sit in the back, out of the crowded bar zone, in the chill dining area. Service: Sure, I have to flag down a waiter/waitress, but then I muse over selections with them and request recommendations. And they're great sports, open to adjustments on dishes and quick with the water. Food and Drink: Bright flavors, nice pairings, rotating additions to the limited menu. I'm into a short menu done well. I'm also into being able to order three very different tacos and eat all of them. Love the portions. Taco love. Drink list is massive and ranges from classy to quirky to down right tongue in cheek. All of it, still, well put together.

    (5)
  • Jordan Z.

    F***ing amazing. If you like tacos, good bear, great drinks, and a cool atmosphere, there is not better spot in Ferndale. Go, bring all of your friends, and order every taco on that freaking menu. I'm not recommending it, I'm mandating it. Imperial Bar. The best...

    (5)
  • Alyssa C.

    Love Imperial! Jessica is amazing and the veggie chorizo taco should be a staple on the menu. Cheers, Johnny!

    (5)
  • Harry R.

    Ok, its a decent bar, and has decent tacos, but it could and should be much better. The service can be hit or miss, and I've had to get up and get a server to take a drink order, and didn't know done basic things, like if the fish tacos had dairy. Plus they only serve many of the interesting dishes at limited times, so your options on a weeknight are few. The tacos are ok, but very bland. The chicken tinga was barely flavored poached pink chicken, and the carne asada was tough, both on cold tortillas. If you don't eat cilantro, there are no alt salsas available.Although they have a good selection of tequila, they only have a couple choices for mexcal, which should be mandatory for a bar trying to be hip to new trends. So while i might stop by there for a beer or a tequila again, I'll avoid going here to eat, especially with friends who have dietary restrictions.

    (3)
  • David M.

    I love this place. Specialty tacos are always amazing, its cheap and great. Stop in for a bite to eat. I have never been there during the night time but I hear they have cheap late night menu. The community seating may put some ppl off but I dont mind chatting with people so it doesn't bother me.

    (5)
  • Tricia H.

    So after spending 12 years in Los Angeles - you really take the street taco for granted. I've only been back 3 months and SO happy to have stumbled across this place because I happened to be working next door at a studio. Of course, once I was there and talked about it - friends had already heard and had raved about it to me. Really people? You couldn't tell the girl who spent most of her adult life in So Cal about a taco place? sheesh. But - I love the simple menu, love the extensive bar selections. The only thing that wasn't great was the churros - they were a tad over cooked. But could have been just that batch as I've only had once.

    (4)
  • Valerie O.

    This place is just so-so but better than Mex's food. The two are totally different atmospheres but in terms of food their seasonings and tacos are much better. The carne asda (sp?) tacos were pretty good. The guacamole was fresh but lacked flavor. The corn on the cob was really nasty. If you like generic Kraft Parmesan cheese then you might enjoy it. The chips are good and salted lightly. The churros are also a good choice for dessert. Also, the portions are much smaller than what pictures may portray. The place is clean though so 3 stars. I might return to give it another try if I am in the area but nothing I would crave and go out of my way for.

    (3)
  • Rob D.

    This place is amazing. Their tacos are always fresh and taste incredible. The Bakersfield hot dog was one of the best hot dogs I've ever tasted. My fiancee and I go there a lot for brunch. Best biscuits and gravy in town. Yes better than Toast IMO. I am definitely coming back

    (5)
  • Andrea C.

    Late night menu is the best in Ferndale! Can get a little loud but, great price point and good cocktails. The nachos are a must have!

    (5)
  • I D.

    I stumbled upon this place because it looked neat from the outside. It had bench-like tables that extended all the way to the outside walls. Kind of neat arrangement because you can sit a this long bench with others while you enjoy your meal (I like that community feel). The food is o-k but, the atmosphere makes up for it.

    (4)
  • Edward L.

    After conquering multiple bottles of Vino, a recommendation came to get some late night grub from Imperial. Although Mexican food to me tastes the same no matter where I go, Imperial sets itself apart. 1. Ambiance. Open floor bench style seating encourages community dining and an eclectic eating experience. Our group got a nice table in the open patio area. 2. Must get chips with the 3 types of salsa. The mild diced tomato salsa was so good I slapped the person next to me. 3. Tacos are extremely small. As you are ordering you may think the same as me...$2.50 for a taco! Fantastic! They are the size of your finger. Although small, each taco had excellent flavor. I tried the featured Indian Spiced Quinoa with crispy chickpeas and spicy mint chutney. Delicious. I then tried the Al Pastor, Tinga De Pollo, and the Adobada De Pollo. The Al Pastor came out on top. Strong sauces, nicely flavored meat. All in all, a great place to eat and drink!

    (4)
  • A A.

    This place sucks. Their menu is the size of an index card so if you're hungry don't go here unless you just want to fill up on chips and salsa.

    (1)
  • Alex P.

    Okay good, good service and drinks. It is good food for the price (not expensive) everything is lathered in spice so if you aren't a fan ask for something more mild.

    (3)
  • Amber R.

    Best. Veggie. Hotdog. EVER. The service has been good every time I've gone to Imperial as well. It does get really crowded though, but if you lurk around the bar you can usually grab a seat along the wall fairly quickly. I will say I don't love their cocktails so I stick to classics or beer. It's also nice going in there because it's so bright and sunny.

    (5)
  • Jane K.

    LOVE this place. I go to restaurants all over the ferndale/royal oak area and this is my favorite hands down. Brittany was our waitress tonight and she was awesome! Great sense of humor and great service. The menu here is full of hidden gems and the drinks are fabulous. Everyone needs to try Imperial in Ferndale.

    (5)
  • Chelsea L.

    I really like this place to grab a few drinks with a friend. The tacos are alright, haven't tried any of the hotdog options. Chips and dip are always good. I love that they have fresh pressed juices. The reason I gave them 3 stars instead of 4 or 5 is due to the service. They're not that friendly.. I've sat with my drink empty a few times, or asked for a water and they kept forgetting it. I'm in the service industry as well so I have zero patience for crappy service.

    (3)
  • Renee E.

    We stopped in with my bro and sis-in law last time we were in the Detroit area and I'm glad we did. We sat outside and had some really stellar cocktails and tacos. Definitely really enjoyed both. The people watching was also a lot of fun. If I lived in the area, I'd probably be a semi-regular.

    (4)
  • Eat 'e M.

    It felt like I was in Venice, CA for an hour. Everything from the food (IE. duck taco's) to the large communal tables. Imperial attracts people from all walks of life (everyone from suits to artists) which further adds to the Venice vibe. Props to the chef as I went back three times in only a week and a half. Wish I lived closer...

    (5)
  • Jessica H.

    I have lived in Ferndale for a little over a year, and at first, Imperial was one of my favorite go-to spots. Cheap food, quick service, and a fun atmosphere. My 5-year-old son even loved the food, and for such a picky eater....we'll take it! Recently we have been going once per week for lunch. We usually wait until 2:00 or 3:00, to avoid peak lunch hours. This seemed to work well, until recently. My son loves to sit in tall chairs, so we always sit up to the bar to have our hotdog/taco/chips and salsa flight. For the past 3 visits, we have been greatly disappointed. Each time we come in, we get the same things, and have ended up waiting between 30-40 minutes, and never receive the flight of chips and salsa. Each time, our hotdog and taco would arrive (cold, and obviously sitting for a while), but no flight of chips and salsa. When I ask the server if we could get them, they look baffled. No apology, knocking it off the bill, or even a word of acknowledgement. I am not trying to be a jerk, but how long can it take to get a customer their chips and salsa? I also would imagine that much of this stuff is prepped ahead of time. A guy next to me ordered two tacos the other day, which still had not arrived LONG after our order was served. Mind you, he had been there LONG before we sat down. The bar tender informed him that dishes with jalapenos "take longer." This guy ended up voicing his frustration about this place as well. As far as atmosphere goes, you can't beat Imperial. It is an awesome place to sit down and enjoy. The service seems to be less about quality, and more about staffing the place with attractive and hip employees who fit the bill, as far as appearances go. As much fun as this place has been, I do not think that we will be returning there. As far as I am concerned, the 3 strikes...you're out, policy applies here. I can't wait 40 minutes for a hotdog and taco, and especially refuse to do so when there are only 5-6 other patrons in the place. Sorry Imperial, but we have to break up.

    (2)
  • Nick B.

    Came here on a Wednesday night looked pretty packed. Server said it was slow that night and offered our party of 3 a large booth. We ordered and food came out quickly. The flavors here are incredible. The reason I can't give it 5 stars is bc some of the prices. Guacamole is delicious but for $4 it was more like a side maybe equalling 3 oz. Hotdogs are also a bit much but they are worth it. Pork rapped in pork! Corn is out of this world. Apple salsa also great flavor. Chicken tacos and chorizo tacos are good. Waiting for a great special to try. Another negative is glassware. Water is served in what amounts to a shot glass. I felt like John Bonham slamming vodka. Great place all around.

    (4)
  • Andy S.

    Good food. Cool hotdog ideas. The cheese on the taco we got had kind of a metallic irony taste that I wasn't a fan of but that's not a knock against the restaurant. Got a cocktail, that was great. Would go back again.

    (4)
  • Martha V.

    We met a friend for dinner and a drink here the other night after work and I walked in and thought "Wow - what a great space!". Big wood tables and a nice bar, cool lighting, and a great location right on Woodward just north of 9 Mile. Public metered parking is just a few feet away - make a right turn off Woodward just after passing the Imperial (heading north). There is a large beer and cocktail menu and about one menu page devoted to food - mostly authentic tacos. Yum, yum yum. I had a vegetarian and a carne asada taco. Amazing. Truly tasty. We started with chips and salsa and the salsa was really nice too - someone put some thought and effort into it. The beer menu included standard selections (Labatt, Pabst, Corona) plus my favorite - Bell's Two Hearted. No draft beer is available. The service was very friendly and efficient. The manager came by to check on us during our visit. We will be back.

    (4)
  • Eric F.

    Am I the only one who thinks this place is a joke? If you are from the Detroit area, then by all means eat and enjoy these tacos. (you don't know any better, and thats okay) For everyone else (west coasters) do not be fooled by these look alikes. This is by no means a traditional taco shop! The carne asada tacos were Horribly over cooked, and disappointing. The two stars are for the hot sauces, and the guacamole, which was actually pretty good.

    (2)
  • Brittany S.

    Great tacos. My favorite is the steak. Amazing salsas and guacamole. I can finish the entire salsa flight myself because it has such great flavor. Not a fan of the long social tables, definetly shouldn't go for a date.

    (4)
  • Pepper S.

    The management here goes above and beyond any other restaurant I have ever Yelped about. They immediately responded to my last review and addressed the issues and concerns we had. We sat at the bar when we visited yesterday and the bartender was great. Food here is always awesome. YOU MUST TRY the Paso Robles Sonoran. Bacon wrapped hot dog, chorizo, beans, cilantro, queso fresco and a McClure's spicy pickle. My boyfriend asked for a bite and I got it back after three large bites! Thank you Sharon L. for being so kind, and thank you to the rest of the staff for caring!

    (5)
  • Heather J.

    I watched with baited breath as Imperial's signage went up and the construction stalled out before Memorial Day, leaving this prime bit of real estate on Woodward at Nine Mile in downtown Ferndale apparently vacant. Then the lights came on, the crowds gathered, and opening day kept me firmly away until balmy June days when the place was a little less hectic. I first got in here the weekend of the Ferndale Pride Parade. The beau and I hoofed it down to the library and decided to enjoy a lovely afternoon with a taco and a drink. The open air environment is a great idea and the 'seat yourself where' ambiance appealed. The breezy, open construction promotes chilling out and relaxing in a way that, say, John D doesn't. We snagged a huge wood booth as the only free spot among a host of young, beautiful people, feeling a bit out of sorts since I'm one but not the other. The menu for Imperial is very short and concentrated mostly on bar nibbles. Tacos in multiple stripes predominate and for the weekend, they had their standards plus pork belly. A few appies are on the menu as well, but if you want a square meal, Imperial is not the place for you. Go down the strip to Fly Trap, Toast or Sakana for a square meal, or the other way towards Dino's and Anita's Kitchen. Food is spendy for what you get, though $2/5 tacos can't be beat outside of a taco truck of Clawson's 24-hour Del Taco, the bane and glory of my existence lately. Tacos are pretty bland, in definite need of more spice, and heavy on grease at least when we had them that afternoon. Perhaps they were in a rush that day. Our order came in after our drinks, probably no more than fifteen minutes total. This seemed to fly in the face of the people seated around us, who waited a lot longer for chips and salsa. My tacos were good and the pork belly one I hope they bring back; we really enjoyed it. Drinks refills cost (BOO!) and sometimes the waitresses/servers look like they're more interested in gossiping with patrons than being in a hurry, but what can you do? The interior is really quite beautiful and the patio looks like a great place to spend a September afternoon/evening. Imperial is still getting its bearings and for cheap eats without permanent taco trucks around, they're not a bad choice. Definitely beats most of Royal Oak's offerings.

    (3)
  • Joe B.

    While I am more of a fan of "gringo" tacos I have realized that I love the Soronan hot dogs served here. Everyone i have had has been extra delicious. Ambience and atmosphere is sharp but very busy on nights and weekends. I like how food is served family style when you go with a group and how the wall opens up to Woodward Avenue. I wish they had some dank drafts on tap but am happy drinking ice cold PBRs and Sierra Nevadas when I go. Their cocktails are on point but can get a lil pricey.

    (4)
  • Leslie C.

    Get the hot dog with chorizo and al pastor tacos. Corn is great. All the food is more filing than it looks.

    (4)
  • Caleb Y.

    So....I moved back to Michigan about 1 year ago. I moved from Los Angeles. In Los Angeles you can easily take for granted awesome Tacos!! There is something about LA street tacos that is just unexplainable.... Then, when I settled in Huntington Woods and often traveled down to Ferndale and was watching Imperial being built...now that is is done I am very happy it is here! The Tacos are legit...the corn-on-the-cob with the cheese is great... Only problem is that there is no beer on tap - all bottles. Great vibe, great space! Will be back.

    (4)
  • Scott H.

    I couldn't decide to opt for 2 stars or one and the simple fact that I had to think about it prompted the single star rating. We arrived on day two (and yes it's the soft opening) and sat on the back porch area. Interior seating, bar, and overall ambiance are great and it has a really nice laid back feel. After sitting down we waited approximately 10 minutes before someone realized that we had arrived. They asked if we would like water. (I immediately thought, "well that's nice, but I didn't come here for water because I can get that at home) How about a drink menu w/ the water. After waiting another 15 minutes to place a drink order we then began our extended (and I do mean extended!!!) wait for our first round of drinks. Approximately an hour later, they arrived. We had to go up to the bar to get some canned Modelo to keep us going during the wait. They are using a Samsung Galaxy based POS app to place orders and apparently they weren't comfortable with it at that point as the system kept crashing. Ordering was a pain and forget about any special orders not exactly as it appeared on the menu. Tacos were just okay. Nothing special and I would prefer to go to a Mexicantown establishment or La Tienda in Madison Heights. Salsas were good overall. The verde was actually quite good. They couldn't separate checks because apparently that would crash the POS system again. They have an ATM in the building, but of course, it didn't work. All in all, a good concept, but DON'T even have soft opening if you're not anywhere near ready!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It just puts a bad taste in people's mouths if you can't even produce basic services in a timely fashion. Not to mention they were severely understaffed. The place was full and they had ONE bartender. REALLY? One? C'mon people, get it together.

    (1)
  • Hayley S.

    My boyfriend and I decided to try this place out after hearing people talk about it. We went on a Wednesday night and the place wasn't too busy. There is very minimal decor and it's very open. It was a super hot day, so it was also kind of hot and humid in the restaurant. I was disappointed to see the menu was so little, I thought they would have more mexican food not just tacos and a few sides. Everything is a la carte. I ordered the vegetarian taco, and the chorizo taco. Both very good, but the tacos are VERY small. So I wouldn't recommend this place if you were absolutely starving. The chips and guac were very good though. I also ordered the Detroit Tart margarita, which was just Okay....I don't think I'd ever order it again. Basically, food is good, portions are very small. I don't think I'd ever come here to just eat again. But I think it'd be a fun place to hang out, have a few drinks, and when the drunk munchies hit you have a few tacos.

    (3)
  • Anita W.

    Carne Asada + Elote Especial + Modelo = Amor Not to be missed the medley of salsa's that are available as well!!!

    (4)
  • Libby T.

    Let me preface this review with the admission that I'm obsessed and particular about Mexican food. So, living in Ferndale for the past several months, I've been a bit furious with Imperial for not opening until now. HEAVEN AWAITS! Tacos were DELICIOUS taqueria style: well-seasoned meats/vegetables on a soft double corn tortilla with lime, cilantro and onions. Exactly the way love, and everything I could have hoped. Loved the ambiance, loved the food, the drinks, the friendly staff - cannot wait to stop in and spend more/all of my time here. love love love love love.

    (5)
  • Alexandra K.

    How it's August 1, 2015 and I'm just getting around to posting a review on Imperial is beyond me. Pro tips - -Order the salsa flight and guacamole every time. You will not be sorry. -The corn is awesome. Split it with a friend so you can get more tacos/hotdogs and not be full haha. -Order an uno mas, and then like the name says...order another one. -Tacos. Hot dogs. Can't go wrong with either. Or just order one of each. I've never been disappointed. PS - For Valentine's Day last year they had lobster mac-n-cheese bacon wrapped hot dogs. I know, I know. Just. Stop. It was everything.

    (5)
  • Kacie M.

    I'll be honest: We walked/stumbled into Imperial after trivia night and a few drinks at Danny's next door, so the food could have been terrible and I probably wouldn't have minded. We just wanted something to eat. But the food was good! A couple people had tacos, but I went with a hot dog. Since I'm picky, I just had a bacon-wrapped hot dog with queso fresco, minus all the additional toppings that would have normally come with the four hot dogs on the menu. I've never had queso fresco on a hot dog before, and it was great. Much lighter than the heavier cheese or cheese sauce you'd normally get on a hot dog. I was tempted to get a side of corn and I'm kind of still kicking myself for not trying it when I had the chance. Corn is delicious, but corn with cheese? Even better!

    (4)
  • Geoffrey C.

    Went here for the first - I'm sure of many - time the other night with my wife. The food was delicious and the drinks were good. This is my first yelp review and I think when reviewing restaurants, I'll focus on the food. I should say that the service here was excellent and the prices were good. Since it was my first visit, I ordered a lot. We started with the chips and had a flight of salsa and guacamole. I liked all three salsas they served - all very flavorful - but my favorite was the chipotle (spiciest). The guacamole was delicious and chunky like I like it. Nice and cool. I then had the best ear of corn I've ever had. They roll it in a grated cheese/dried chilis mixture which makes it quite a substantial side. The pulled pork torta was amazing...looking at the menu I thought it might be a little messy, but the bread held everything together well and was yummy in its own right. One of the top 10-15 best sandwiches I've ever had. Then I had the special of the week duck confit taco. It was also incredible. Of course the duck confit was super tasty, but all the flavors blended perfectly. Next I had the Papas Con Rajas taco off the regular menu - chorizo, poatato, queso fresco. Also very, very good. Finally I had the best hot dog I've ever had - the Bakersfield Sonoran. I've never had a bacon-wrapped hot dog before, and now I'm not so sure I'll ever have a non-bacon-wrapped one. But seriously, like the sandwich and the duck confit taco, the many flavors blended perfectly. My one criticism would be the price of drinks, but the prices of food was so reasonable, it really is not a big deal. I don't normally get mixed drinks - and perhaps I'll focus on the beer list (which looked decent) next time - but thought I should try a few my first time here. My favorite was the Ring Of Fire - habanero orange infused tequila with grapefruit. I like the margarita and my wife - who is more of a margarita fan - said they were really good. By the way, I saved half the torta and hot dog for breakfast the next morning and both were just as delicious as I remembered them.

    (5)
  • Tracy L.

    Great place but when you order food for the whole table it comes out and you have no idea what's yours. The tacos are OK, I 'be had better.

    (4)
  • T W.

    Cheap food, quick service (outside standard busy Fri/Sat nights), and deee-lish! It's a small menu with tacos, hotdogs and some side items. Love the chips & chipotle dip (spicy!), the lime chicken taco (Adobado de Pollo) & Imperial Sonora dogs which are my standard dishes. Topped off with a cocktail of course (pretty strong). Definitely hipster, not authentic Mexican so don't expect that. Nice place to hang out for drinks too. It's becoming a regular place for me & my peeps. They get 5 stars because they gave out FREE tasty & decadent cupcakes on Halloween. You won my heart.

    (5)
  • Rachel B.

    Absolutely delicious. Some of the best chips and salsa I have ever had. Tacos were the perfect size and loaded up just enough with fresh ingredients. Loved the open-air atmosphere and the long wooden community tables. We came for lunch so we didn't really think about the bar other than the fact that my sister-in-law was puzzled as to why her Diet Coke came in a can when there was a bar. Maybe they're getting taps/fountains soon? I don't know. I don't drink mid-day usually, and if I were to come to a Mexican place at night I'd either order a Margarita or a Corona -- not a craft beer on tap. I think this place is just fine.

    (4)
  • Andi C.

    this space was where i spent most of my early 20s: as post bar ferndale. & as fond as those memories are, the space is a major upgrade now. ferndale definitely needed some vegetarian hotdogs! (& tacos, too. one can only go to taco bell so much) i live in nashville currently & imperial is very reminiscent of our southern hip bars down here: rustic vibe, johnny cash, strong drinks. it feels like a little piece of tennessee ...with way better food. price is fair, service is decent*, guac is chock full of cilantro ... yum! * = not the friendliest bunch (at least in nashville standards) & the wait can be a bit long - even for takeout & calling ahead - but it all even outs, i think. the decor & food are worth any slight downfalls. my favorite little touches are the back patio with string lights & the southwest blankets tucked next to the tables to cozy up. feels like home!

    (4)
  • Julie C.

    This place is wonderful. I hate Mexican food also. When Shannon S and I stopped In on the spur of the moment, we didn't know what to expect. We had such a nice bartender. The host was very personable. Our food...well...ridicuously good. Must try.

    (5)
  • Flannary S.

    Imperial gets 5 stars despite the high noise level. I can't take away a star because it's popular and has an energetic atmosphere. I know I sure as heck get loud and excited when I'm around good food, drinks and friends. I've been here about 6 times now and the food is delish, cocktails are creative, and even when they're super busy, the service has always been excellent. You really can't go wrong with any of their tacos, they are all sooo good. The special of the day I tried once was lamb shank with fig and cucumbers and it was crazy good. I definitely recommend the vegetarian; the "meat" is incredibly deceptive and savory. Also there is a really good one with pineapple in it that I was initially skeptical about, until I tried it. Of course, the bacon-wrapped hot dogs are a must try, and the guacamole is fresh as tasty as well. Each salsa in the flight of salsas is so delicious that my boyfriend was tempted to ask for a to-go container to mix the tiny bit that we had left over. If you come here on a weekend after 6, it will be crowded and loud, but it is completely worth it.

    (5)
  • Maggie H.

    Let me start by saying that I never popped into Imperial for a long time because by its name, I always assumed it was a Chinese takeout restaurant. Silly, yes. But I have my favorite Chinese and Thai places that I always go to, so I never made an effort to go to Imperial. Well, just to clear up any confusion, Imperial isn't a Chinese takeout joint (much to my surprise), it is an amazing taco joint. Anyplace where I can order by the individual taco tends to make me happy because I am a fan of variety, I have a tendency to over-order so I can try many different things. So after looking at the menu I was pretty confident that I was going to enjoy Imperial. Let's start with chips and dips. Their guacamole is great and I am a very picky guacamole person-I usually find it too bland and just adding more onion doesn't help. Imperial actually adds spices to their guacamole so it is still smooth but very flavorful. Next the salsas. I would classify them as fancy-salsas because they are fruit forward flavors and not normal salsa-esque. However, they were good (though I do enjoy a great cheap dirt-floored Mexican restaurant salsa:) The tacos. Personally I find the chorizo super salty, so I stay away from anything with it. Though my friend loves the potato/chorizo taco. I highly recommend the Al Pastor, Adobada, and Carne Asada. The Al Pastor is my favorite by far. The final thing about Imperial that I adore is the people. We have never had a bad experience. Also, we threw a curveball at them once which they took completely in stride. We were on our way back from Eastern Market with a lot of pork (yum) and it was nice outside. Thus we didn't want to leave it in our car while we had lunch. We called Imperial and asked if we could store our pig-meat in their fridge while we had lunch. They were completely awesome about it, not as surprised as we thought they would be, and let us use their fridge while we ate. Great place, great food, and great service. No doubt that we will be back again and again and again.

    (5)
  • Sean T.

    Food is phenomenal. If you're ok with terrible service. It's definitely a hipsters bar which is completely fine and it does have a great atmosphere but when I walked in for lunch I literally sat at the bar while the bartender finished a ten minute conversation before he even took my drink order. Good food - but I wouldn't go back because of the poor service from the bartender. Maybe it's not normally this way but they definitely scared off someone who probably would have made this a two-three time a week lunch stop because of terrible service. Good luck I hope your experience is different!

    (3)
  • stacey o.

    great food, great drinks, great prices, great atmosphere. nuff said.

    (5)
  • Joe V.

    Good stuff. Been here a few times now. Seems like every time I go, I have a new favorite menu item. I've tried the majority of the tacos and they're all really good. The beer cocktail is delicious and worth every penny. I'm not a huge fan of communal seating, but there are options other than the long benches. The place is usually bumpin' on the weekend. The staff is fast and friendly. Even at its busiest times you can be in and out in 30 minutes if you really want to be. Looking forward to trying the bacon wrapped hot dog and the weekend brunch in the near future. Definitely going back soon.

    (4)
  • Matthew D.

    This is part of my favorite section of Woodward Ave in the Dale. With it's proximity to the Magic Bag, Rustbelt Market & other favs like One Eyed Betty's, you can' t go wrong on this block. The El Pastor is the best they do with Tacos, but just to make sure they don't lose any hipster points, they sneak a few gourmet hot dogs that are fantastic, washed down with a Mexican Coke of course. No beers on tap, just cans and bottles. No uber-trendy cocktails, but great drinks. The margaritas are all worth drinking, so I have had them all :) . Think of it as the trendiest taco stand ever made surrounded by some of the most beautiful wood work in the area. To Recap The Good: The woodwork is gourgoues, the location is great as a destantion or a starting point to an epic adventure in Fashionable Ferndale. They hit a few home runs with the tacos, the hot dogs are worth the trip and if you are a Mexican joint you better have a few margarita's to enjoy and they nail it. Whether you are in their great outdoor space in the back, people watching in the front or elbowing up at the always crowded bar, they have it covered. Bonus Tip: They make a mean Moscow Mule, order it as a break from a margarita this summer. The Bad: It is odd, but sometimes the tacos come out lukewarm/cold, enough to mention it. It does get crowded, so if you can snag a spot in the outdoor space in the back, get it. The Band This Restaurant Most Resembles: The Beach Boys, old-school California Cool.

    (4)
  • John S.

    This place is a nice joint if your in the mood for something a little different. Its not authentic and I dont think its trying to be, but they do what they do pretty good. The menu is very streamlined, and you wont find combo meals other than what you make yourself. Tacos were around 3 ea, and I went with two of their vegetarian tacos minus cheese, and the special black eyed pea with kale taco. I definitely prefered their normal vegetarian taco, and the person dining with me agreed. Its flavored well and pairs nicely with a few of their homemade hot sauces they bring to your table. The Black eyed pea taco was too wet and the tortillas were soggy when i got to eating it, so i was mildly dissapointed, but it wasnt that bad in terms of flavor. Perhaps my biggest dissapointment was in their chips. I found mine to be a little stale tasting and didnt seem very fresh, but the guacamole was flavorful and delishous. Overall, I enjoyed my meal and our service was pretty good on this particular occasion, but the place wasnt that busy as we went during off peak hours. Price was ok, if a tad high.

    (4)
  • Jose S.

    I went in a little skeptical since the only dish I had heard raves about was the corn-on-the-cob. The atmosphere is funky but comfortable. Drinks were good but not cheap. And the food was good but the corn-on-the-cob (Elote Especial) was the bomb! I recommend trying one as an appetizer and then deciding if you want something different or just more freaking corn-on-the-cob! I am a proud carnivore but would gladly become a vegetarian if all the vegetarian fare I ate made me as happy as the Elote Especial!

    (4)
  • C. L.

    When I hear people say they love imperial, I am baffled. I've eaten there on two occasions. Both times I received dry-ass meat that tasted like Fancy Feast that had been left out in the sun wrapped in a cold tortilla. The first time I went with a friend and i must say, we were quite buzzed. So anything would have tasted great at that point. Not Imperial's tacos. They didn't even pass the hammered test. But let's back up to the guac for a second. The portion is tiny and served with a gimundo bowl of chips. I defy anyone to order the guac and not be irritated by the disproportionate ratio of guac to chips. It's criminal. And i hope you like cilantro because they pile it on high -- on virtually everything. I do love cilantro, but not when it's used in mass quantities (presumably to hide the flavor of the food). It sticks to your lips as you bite into the dehydrated meat, thereby making you want to chug down some water (good luck hailing a server) and cry foul because everyone talked this place up. The second time I went with my boyfriend. He's Colombian and OCD about his tacos. I mean, seriously OCD. I knew it was risky, but I figured, why not give Imperial a second try? I mean, everyone else says they love it. Bad idea. Our food was pitiful. First off, our waitress was incredibly rude -- walked up with a look on her face that said, "Damn, I hate my job." Her vibe sucked so bad I wanted to leave before we even ordered. And she could barely even hear our order because the place is so obnoxiously loud. Sadly, we did order. And, just like the first time, we got cold tortillas and dry meat, served up with a scowl. After leaving the majority of our food for dead, the server, who must have taken a Xanax from the time she dropped off the food to the present, actually asked us how everything was. imagine that. Despite the dramatic personality change, I still had the urge to sail a cold tortilla at her head, just because. Anyway, my boyfriend took the high road. He politely mentioned that the tortillas were cold and we didn't care for our meal, but no big deal, we're ready for our bill. His accent must have set off an alarm in the back that said, "Latino at table 3, we've been discovered! I repeat, Latino at table 3." The manager came over, unsolicited, to apologize for the lousy food and give us a discount. We were pleasantly surprised, because we certainly didn't make a stink. And I never actually threw the tortilla. Even still, I can't bring myself to give Imperial another star for that. Afterward, my taco snob boyfriend actually agreed to swallow his pride and make a pit stop at Taco Bell. Yes, Taco Bell. It blew Imperial away. It's the Taco Bell on Woodward, south of 9. The food is better than Imperial and the people in the drive-thru are always friendly. Folks, I really wanted to like Imperial. It's practically in my backyard. But never again. Never again.

    (1)
  • Vincent C.

    This place has freakishly delicious hot dogs. They are magnificent. Don't get put off by the hipster vibe. I go here all the time in normal clothes and never have any issues. Great tequila selection and great vibe. The Mexican blankets in wooden barrels by the back tables are a nice touch to keep patrons warm while they eat delicious tacos and such.

    (4)
  • Jaclyn S.

    I happen to love this place. The vibe is way cool. You wouldn't guess its a beer and taco place from the outside but it is, and it's good. You sit where you want -- booths, the bar, large tables where many parties sit. Wherever you want. You'll get handed some salsa stained menus by the "too cool for school" looking staff. Thats a compliment, by the way. The tatts, the great hair, the chill atmosphere...its all part of Imperial's charm. The beer list is pretty good. Something for everyone, but nothing too unique. I recommend ordering the salsa flight, too. The chipotle salsa is killer. Now on to the goods. Are the hotdogs good? Hell yeah. But that tacos are stars in my book. I've tried every one on the menu, and they are good. Stupid good. I'll mention, too, that Imperial is a "order as you feel like it" kind of place. You can order food as much as you like, and the tacos are smaller, so its easy to try a lot at one sitting. And try the Elote Especial - the corn on the cob side dish. It's unreal. I've actually researched where to find its toppings just so I could recreate it at home. Go here, people.

    (4)
  • Rachel B.

    First I'd like to say, I've always loved imperial. I love their food, I love their cocktails. Long story short, I have always been well taken care of. However, my place of business closed recently, no warning. A full table of us came to imperial to give it a last hurrah, since we didn't get to. The owner gave us a free round of shots... And I couldn't express the gratitude we all had. My heart is full and this little bit of kindness went very far. Thank you to the entire imperial staff. Especially miss Whitney. Not only is she my girl crush, but she was kind, helpful, and dealt with our sorrows. Thank you again, we love you.

    (5)
  • Margaret L.

    More for drinking with friends than dinner with friends. Big, long tables that you share with other customers our for your large party. I was not impressed with the food. My tacos were cold. The hot dog wrapped in bacon was good.

    (3)
  • An L.

    My favorite spot to go since moving to Detroit and that's saying a lot since I absolutely love the Flytrap down the street. Good tacos, good hot dogs, good Tortas, good margaritas. An must after a long grueling day. Hope to try their now so secret late night menu one day.

    (5)
  • Lauren M.

    I have only lived in Michigan for 1.5 years and this is THE BEST RESTAURANT ive been to yet! Their menu is unique. They use such fresh ingredients. You dont leave there feeling so full where you cant breathe. The atmosphere is awesome and it is all around a great place to eat and hang out! Highly reccomend!!

    (5)
  • Amy M.

    I truly can't begin to praise Imperial enough. Every time I eat here, I am overly pleased, delighted, and overwhelmed with how insanely amazing the quality of the food is. Even when I try something new, I'm never disappointed. They definitely deliver on the food quality every time. Their entire menu and weekly specials are always delicious and very creative. My favorite items are the Al Pastor taco, the Imperial Sonoran hot dog, the chips and salsa appetizer (with the roasted red pepper salsa), and the Detroit Tart drink.

    (5)
  • Joe S.

    I suggested to my girlfriend we come here this Friday night, I thought the idea of tacos and maybe a nicely mixed cocktail would be fun. I was dead wrong. After sitting down at the bar we were asked what we wanted to drink, we started off by asking for water and were immediately treated like customers not willing to spend any money; we had to flag down staff to get anything, even our bill. We sampled 4 tacos, the presentation was pretentious enough to wow most gentrified white folks I'd imagine. The service was fairly fast, in fact, too fast, nothing like being served up reheated meat that was probably prepared during the beginning of the week! I selected the Carne Asada, and then Adobada De pollo, and my girlfriend went for the Al Pastor and then Tinga De Pollo. Lucky for me I didn't get food poisoning from the tacos which looked like tiny diapers with a full load of shit in the middle. My girlfriend lost the game of taco roulette and spent the next night and day throwing up and shitting her brains out. The Carne Asada taco which was advertised as "marinated steak with red pepper and salsa" tasted more like gamey raccoon meat marinated in garbage juice during a hot day. The Adobada wasn't much better..... I am fairly sure two crunchy tacos from taco bell would have been more delectable than the shit slapped on a plate and presented to us. I don't know why anyone would eat the garbage tacos from the Imperial; I am assuming most people are drunk out of their skull, because its the only way to really choke down these awful awful tacos. I'll never eat here again, much less drink here. My first impressions of this place were decent, it seemed like a hip place; so unless eating raccoon tacos is hip I don't see the draw of this bar/restaurant/raccoon cookery.

    (1)
  • Victor G.

    Great food, fun atmosphere (if you don't mind joining strangers at the lunch room style tables). The only negative is that all the employees dress like hipsters and a lot of the customers are hipsters, so it's hard to tell who is working.

    (4)
  • Dave W.

    Hot dogs were excellent - fun atmosphere - margaritas very strong - good experience

    (3)
  • Brent G.

    Ok I am Mexican I love Mexico and it's variety of great foods. This is not "real" Mexican as they claim. The service is also horrible! I you want real Mexican and no hair in your tacos go to Mexican town in Detroit or the Mexican grocery store in Madison heights there is a hidden taco bar in the back that serves true Mexican cuisine. Oh yes and one more thing try getting carnitas in mexican town and day but Fridays. You can't! Why? Because it is a traditional dish served on Fridays at weeks end. So right there imperial is not a true Mexican taco bar

    (1)
  • Davis H.

    How can anything wrapped in bacon be bad. The hot dogs are great. I got the bakersfield sonoran and the paso robles sonoran (no beans). Both were excellent. Like other people have said, the menu is a little tiny. So if you dont want a hot dog or tacos you may want to pass on it. I also got the chips and frijolios with chiziro minus frijoloius. Very good, but I would recommend mixing it up a little because it seems to be layered. I will be trying this place again.

    (4)
  • Doug D.

    This place rocks. Great food, great tequila and whiskey selection, nice art on the walls. Cool, hipster vibe.

    (5)
  • Ted S.

    Been there twice at different times of the night and both times this place was awesome. Great service, food, pricing and atmosphere, These owners get it. Diners there always seem to be thoroughly enjoying themselves. Phones are put away and there's actual conversations taking place. I'd recommend this place to anyone without reservations.

    (5)
  • Andrey T.

    Best street taco place north of Mexico. Great drinks, but bartenders inconsistent. One of my favorites places.

    (5)
  • Michael R.

    Really bad service. Took us 2 hours to have dinner because the service was so slow. Out tacos were cold and soggy when they finally came out. Best part of the meal was the corn. Other then the corn my experience was nothing special.

    (2)
  • Julie J.

    You can't go wrong no matter what you get. Staff is polite, the place is clean & whether you are dressed up or dressed casual, it makes no matter. All are welcome. Drinks are outstanding & never weak. Food is fresh fresh fresh & there is always a special taco or dish you just won't find anywhere else. There is only one Imperial. It's special!!!

    (5)
  • Erin B.

    If I had to choose only one restaurant to frequent in the Ferndale/Royal Oak area, Imperial would be it. The tacos are well thought out & prepared so that the flavors mesh perfectly. The salsa & guacamole are house made, & they really took their time getting these right. The rotating weekly special keeps it interesting, & at $2.50/taco, you can try a bunch at a time! And, bacon-wrapped hot dogs?! Holy processed meat! These are amazing! Imperial is great with food restrictions as well. Gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan - there are options for all! And, if you're really specific & want a gluten-free, vegan hot dog, they can do that! They even do brunch! Albeit, the brunch menu is very limited. Drinks here are delicious - especially the cocktail with habanero vodka. And, the higher-end margaritas are a perfect addition to a summer day. The atmosphere is trendy, hip, & inviting. Most tables are community benches, so you can end up in a great conversation with a stranger, or keep to your self & your friends at the bench. Service is friendly & fast. I've never waited long for tacos or chips, & the staff are always warm & enjoyable. There are only 2 things I would change about Imperial, & neither one taints my opinion of the restaurant in any way. 1) Carryout! Sometimes, the place is too crowed for a spot (1-2 hour waits), & I really want their tacos. But, they don't do carryout at night, so your options are to wait in a congested area for hours or change food genres & go elsewhere. 2) More food! I want to see more options on the menu. If you go there once a week, with the exception of the rotating taco special, it starts to get comforting, but boring. How about flan as a dessert, for the gluten-free crowd? How about a regular fish taco option? Nachos daily instead of just for the late-night menu? With a chef as good as theirs, I want more!

    (5)
  • Victoria M.

    Yummy little tacos and hot dogs! Tacos are small so you have to order a few. Cool atmosphere too, love the interior. :)

    (5)
  • gwen s.

    Tacos, corn, Hot Dogs (!!!), salsas... All so good. Margaritas -- Cherry Tart never disappoints. Friendly to kids. Love it here.

    (5)
  • Cyndi T.

    Delicious drinks and the hot dogs are amazing. I didn't think they were going to be soo good, but can't wait to go back for more. Service was fast and friendly. Cost was very reasonable.

    (4)
  • Denice H.

    Love this place went for my sons birthday! We ordered every taco and hotdog and loved everything! Loved how the beers are served in bags. Super tastie food and very reasonably priced.

    (4)
  • Scott M.

    Been here about 10-15 times, consistently has amazing tacos. BE SURE TO GET THE SONORAN HOT DOG. Really cheap prices and a pretty cool atmosphere. The only downside is that it gets packed quickly, especially in the summer. Community seating makes the experience unique, and it helps that the patrons are typically younger than your average restaurant.

    (5)
  • Dan M.

    fun place to eat.. love the drink selection!! the tacos were awesome. can't wait to go back!

    (4)
  • Bill Y.

    After a couple of attempts to stop in and eat, always to be thwarted by long lines for a table and no space at the bar, finally had "great success" and scored a seat at the bar on a Tuesday night. First thought was that the food menu seemed kind of limited but they had a very impressive list of beer and liquor. Started with the guac and chips (quite good) and finished up with a Bakersfield Sonoran Hot Dog and a Chile-Lime Chicken Taco. Hot dog was quite good, taco was just o.k. Extremely reasonable drink prices, plus they have Mexican Coke on hand. How can you go wrong with that. Food is 3 stars, but the pricing and general atmosphere of the place bumps it up to 4 stars. I'm not even taking points off for the over abundance of douchebag hipsters at this place, including the one next to me who kept ordering Miller Hi-Life's, despite the fact there are literally 40 other better beers on the menu.

    (4)
  • Anna S.

    My man half and I had our first dining experience at imperial this weekend. I ran into work the next day ranting and raving about it, obviously it's too good not to talk about. Please excuse my drooling as I type... We got here at about 9:30 on a Friday night, packed is an understatement. The hostess put our name on the waiting list and said the wait time was approximately an hour, no problem, we snagged a spot on the bench along the front windows and ordered a couple drinks. The people watching here is great, the community tables make it some of the best in town. Super cool vibe in general, love the interior. Just about an hour later we were sat and ready to inhale all the goodness. We started off with the salsa flight and guacamole... Amazing, the chips were warm and crispy, the salsa options were great and the guac... Literally like butter in your mouth; fantastic! Moved right onto the tacos, we each got a brisket special, chicken something, pork and carne asada... They melt in your mouth! All of the meats were cooked perfectly, juicy, hot and correct portions of meat to toppings. I literally was ready to come back the next afternoon for more! We also split the corn which was amazing as well but the tacos were the highlight of the meal in my opinion. Already dragging my girlfriends here tomorrow night, way to cure the Monday blues.

    (5)
  • Brooke D.

    This is my favorite place to go. It's far from home so I only go on special occasions. They have a spicy Bloody Mary called "sinners savior" that has actually managed to turn my bad mood into a good one. So not only is their drink menu satisfying but their food menu is wonderful. They serve what one might call "street tacos", not your standard Mexican food. All of their tacos are great and they've got some wild hot dogs, even wrapped in bacon. Once you see the hot dog on the menu you might think its a little colorful but I swear to you that it's wonderful. They also have corn on the cob covered in cheese, spices and some sauces. As messy as it is it's a must have. You must visit this place.

    (5)
  • Joseph H.

    I won't try to recap all of the useful details in the previous reviews, just add my own opinion: Ever since I moved into the area and discovered it, The Imperial has been my Happy Place. Lame day at work? Troubles? That can all be fixed by The Imperial! The thing I enjoy the most is the exclusivity of some offerings - you'll fall in love with a drink or food item, just to find it's only offered for the next month or during a few hours of the week, or it's a taco available for that night only. Sure some people will find that annoying, but I enjoy the sense of change and every beloved cocktail I lose is soon replaced by another. My two pointers would be: go early in the day for a more relaxed experience, and try the brunch which is available only Sunday from 11 to 3. Favorites: Paso Robles Sonoran, and Tinga de Pollo. Also the roasted corn-on-cob and jalapenos are outstanding. Ask for their hot-sauces, as well, they're not advertised and you usually don't get them until you ask.

    (5)
  • Susan M.

    Yep...it's good!!! Husband and I went on Friday at about 6:30 p.m. - There was a crowd. We sat at the bar 'cuz of the wait and it did take a while for a table. I ordered the Ichabad cocktail and because of a friend's recommendation the husband had house margaritas, which was a real switch for him 'cuz he's a huge craft beer drinker. Both were EXCELLENT! Bartender was nice and took time to run through ingredients in the Ichabad even though he was super busy. We ordered tortilla chips and three salsas plus the jalepenos. It was all very good. Seated at the table by the back door...no problem...after the Ichabad it didn't matter. Food was good! Had a couple of Mexican Coke's, tasty soft tacos and REALLY good hot dogs! All served on an aluminum platter and we were given small aluminum platter plates. Defintely worth a stop in...or a carry out...and a return visit. Yum. P.S. Yes, it's Johnny Cash giving you the finger!

    (4)
  • Wendy H.

    I love the layout of this place! Very modern and cozy. The food is really good. Not true authentic Mexican food, but definitely more upscale than Taco Bell or Cantina Diablos. I wish they had more tequila options. The service was great. The Waitress was very helpful and gave some very good suggestions. This a great place for a date or just meeting friends! It's affordable and cozy! I do wish they would take reservations, but I will definitely be back!

    (4)
  • Rebecca B.

    Oh Imperial, it pains me to leave only 2 stars, but your service sucks balls!!! If it weren't for my better experience the first time, I'd probably give you 1 star now... Ok, so it's Saturday night, I get it..there's a bit of a wait for a table..It's to be expected... But, if the wait is over an hour, don't tell us 40 minutes. Still not too bitter, really.. My friend and I order a ring of fire each, but we are both somewhat disappointed :-( they just don't have that 'zing' that they had before... So, after what seems like forever, we get a table and immediately order chips and guac. I will tell you, the guac is some of the best I've ever had.. Great flavor and texture. mmmmmm.. Hey, let's give ring of fire another chance.. meh.. What happened Imperial? Were you out of a certain ingredient? Did the recipe slightly change? Was someone not trained properly? We then ordered our entrée, nothing extravagant.. Our waitress, server, flight attendant... whatever we have to call them nowadays was horrible. Funny enough, she was our waitress last time too.. How can this woman retain employment? I won't say her name, but it starts with a "B".. She is friendly, but sooooo slow, there is no sense of urgency whatsoever. After explaining to a bus boy that we were going to be late for a show at the Magic Bag, he asked what it was like being around in the early nineties.. Seriously???? I'm 41, not 141!!!!!!! I forgive him, because after that, our food finally arrived.. What is weird is - no matter how many orders there are, everything comes on one big platter.. Good luck figuring out what everything is.. I ordered the hot dog with many an accouterments and a tiny pork taco - listed as carnitas...It's stated on the menu that the pork is slow roasted, but it doesn't state slow roasted for 10 days and so totally dried out you might as well eat sandpaper... I will say the hot dog was so good!! Maybe it was because we had waited yet another hour + after placing our order and I was so mother effing hungry, I don't know... That dog had the perfect pop when biting into it and so many flavors dancing in my mouth!! We scarfed down our food and were out the door in no time.. I will admit, I have to have that hot dog again.. But please don't make me be here for almost 3 hours again!

    (2)
  • Gowad S.

    Nice size bar small size menu. What kind of Mexican restaurant doesn't serve rice and beans? Its like having a hamburger joint with no fries. Its a clean place, server was great but when we first walked in the young lady standing in the front didnt even greet us and looked like she hated her life for working there lol. Overall all the tacos tasted bland and thats why I gave it a three star.

    (3)
  • Emily E.

    I've only been once but would go back. Went late on a Thursday for a snack with a large group. The food was good and came out quickly. They were able to split our 10 person bill which was wonderful. Seems like a fun place.

    (4)
  • Humming H.

    Don't be fooled by the trendy decor, Imperial's tacos are legit! We recommend the carnitas, carne asada, and chicken tacos. They are small, Tijuana style, with corn tortillas but very filling. The drinks were very tasty as well! It was overcrowded but for good reason, overall a great hang out joint.

    (4)
  • Lauren M.

    First Imperial experience was this past Friday and I will definitely be returning... for the food. We got there around 7:45 with a group of 8, so of course there was a wait. The host said an 1.5 hours and took our name. The sheisty part is that you cant make reservations-- so go early if you are in a large group. Came back about 40 minutes later and they were able to seat is with in 10 minutes, NBD. Nice size booth for a group, otherwise family style dining, which would have been cool to, if for no other reason than to bask in tacos collectively with strangers. PROS re the foodz: The tacos were simply amazing. Very fresh, excellent flavor match-ups, we indulged in: Sides: The Chip and Salsa Flight, Guac & Chips-- bright, acidic and correct! One of the salsas was super hott, but still full of flavor. Tacos: Carnitas, Al Pastor, Tinga Del Pollo, Carne Asada, Chorizo and a Lamb taco with mango salsa. Muah! I think I had every Taco in this piece! They are palm size which makes you feel like it's a taco famine when you are blowing through them like potato chips. My favorite was the Chorizo, which was ground with potatoes and had the perfect amount of heat. Soo good. Crowd favorite was Carne Asada. Sauce: Some kind of lime-cilantro-ish sour cream business. It was an amazing compliment to any of the tacos. Churros: overdone, but had potential. Busy = extra crunch Churro. Chocolate sauce is just plain chocolate sauce, so dont have your lips primed for any ancho-excitement. CONS re Foodz: -Tacos are 2.50 a go-- 2.75 or 2.95 for "specials" (Lamb). My brother reminded me that this was only a few cents more than Chipotle-- for 100x better tacos--so OK. Dont go if you are starving or with a group of hungry mans. -Everything is served family style-- which is wretched for tab splitting, when all your tacos arrive on the same platter and it's a taco free-for-all. Watch your check. -Everything is ala cart- including the tasty lime taco sauce -There is no sour cream-- I mean I get it, but still. CONS re the libations: I ordered a Lavendar Sidecar-- the flavor of the Lavendar overpowered the rest of the drink, so I cant say I enjoyed it. Almost like Str8 Lavendar Bourbon, with a sprig of Lavendar for garnish. I would not recommend this drink. Next I ordered a "West Coast Swing" it tasted like muddled strawberry and nothing. Just to make sure my Birthday Girl palate wasnt depleted from knocking back 4 margaritas in the party bus beforehand, all 8 people in our party stuck a straw in to try it. Everyone agreed that it tasted like muddled strawberry water. This drink was not on the menu, so I'm not sure if was the bartender's specialty-- but I guarantee there was nothing special about this drink. As a last attempt to embrace this Mexcian dining experience, I tried the house margarita-- PASS. They need to step their game up in the cocktail department-- nothing doing here either. Honorable mention: There were flat screens and they were tuned in to local sports. Not a lot of standing room by actual bar. Very Clean bathrooms.

    (3)
  • vanessa k.

    Second time around was just as great as the first. Staff was friendly, knowledgable and efficient. The Bakersfield was perfection again. Delicious speciality cocktails too.

    (5)
  • Marissa L.

    This place is amazing. Upbeat atmosphere, unique drink list, tasty tacos. The tacos are so delicious that I will judge every other taco I ever eat again against the ones I ate here.

    (5)
  • Christina B.

    This is pretty much a stocked bar that happens to sell tacos, be it has the best street tacos I have had (including Eastern Market). The Al Pastor (with queso fresco) and the Elote Especial (corn) are a MUST TRY. Guac and chips are also very good. However the fact that there is no takeout is a downer.

    (5)
  • Anthony J.

    Was visiting Michigan for the holidays and wanted to find a cool bar to drink at. I'm not trying being some pretentious LA asshole here but most of the bars in Michigan sucked. I was referred to here by some locals at Gusoline Alley in Royal Oak. This place kicked ass to put it simply. Cool people, awesome bartenders (Jessica and Dave), good music and strong drinks. I don't really know what more you'd want in a bar. Definitely recommend this place to locals or out of towners looking for a good place to drink.

    (5)
  • Shelby H.

    Parts I liked: -The food is good -The drinks are good (and strong) -Our waitress was happy to split our bill, but can sometimes be a hassle at other places Parts I didn't like: -I came with a large group. When we all placed our orders, the food came out on three large platters instead of everyone getting their own plate with their own items on it. We had to sort through the tacos and figure out whose was whose. -The service wasn't the best. We sat there for a good 45 minutes with empty drinks because our waitress just never came back. I'm not sure where she was. By the time she came back, we just wanted our bill, which took another 45 minutes. -The acoustics in the place are such that it's loud. Don't come with a large group of people if you want to talk to each other without yelling. Overall, I would go back - just probably in between meal times so it's not busy.

    (3)
  • Sara C.

    Any service problems Imperial had at the outset? Yeah, those are all gone. Aside from the more traditional Mexican eateries and trucks in Mexicantown, Imperial is the place in Metro Detroit to get interesting and premium variations on street tacos. And whatever weekend taco special they have is usually amazing. Not being in walking distance of Imperial anymore is a real bummer. But it's worth the trip.

    (5)
  • Erin M.

    I'm not sure what I can say here that hasn't already been said.. but overall, I really enjoy this place. It's a nice change of pace from what's offered in the area. The tacos remind me of what you find along the beach in San Diego. They're small, fresh, and full of flavor. The Al Pastor and Tinga De Pollo top my list and the salsa flight was great, too. The menu is small, but that didn't bother us because everything we ordered in our two visits was great. The drink selection is larger, and cheap which is a plus. The interior and seating arrangement creates a pretty laid back atmosphere, and there's a great patio in the back. Besides the slower service, my only complaint was that when serving food family style, make sure the servers know which is which! That would've been extrememly helpful!

    (4)
  • Erin L.

    I wanted to give a bigger star, a brighter one, but I can't. Aesthetically it is a great place, and I am sure the drinks are great, so if that's what you are going for, then 4 stars. However, I have had many an amazing authentic, inspired, and downright amazing west-coast taco. This, my friends, is not it. The vegetarian taco I have tried on two different occasions, both times (hoping for better) they were dry and disappointing. We tried the 2 chicken tacos, one was stewed and pretty good and the other was (I believe) a chicken lime-something-or-other, which was dry and boring. The guac was okay, the other people at my table thought it was good though. The vegetarian dog was alright. The biggest bummer of the meal...the street corn. If you are from the WC or Mexico, don't expect to be taken back to your roots. Expect bland corn, mine was watery and not hot enough. I wish it were amazing because we are within walking distance and I would love to go back again and again. The salsa is good. Mexican coke made my day, but that's not saying a whole bunch. If you want a vibe, this one is cool. If you want good ass mexican, nope.

    (2)
  • Andrew B.

    First off, I had no idea this is was a taco place. the name certainly does not give that impression. Imperial is delicious. The tacos are creative and the salsa are fresh. The beer list is great and the mixed drink menu is well rounded. So why three stars and not more? The price and service are detractors. I ordered three tacos at $2.50 a piece. The tortillas they were on were about 3.5-4in. in diameter. Essentially a two bite taco. I'll take an El Charo taco for $2.50 over these any day on value alone. Our server was, to put it nicely, in need of a methadone clinic ASAP. Whatever she was coming down from did not make her seem very bright. She couldn't split our check because they only had two computers. Our table had a fairly lengthy discussion on how that could possibly be what prevents split checks. Apparently each bill needs it's own NASA engineered super computer. She looked like she had just gotten done crying every time she came over as well. Also, they apparently have a very strict hiring policy or not hiring anyone who does not dress/act like a hipster. So many dark rimmed glasses and bangs........ It is what it is and I would have no problem going back but I will be getting the sandwich thing some of my table mates got.

    (3)
  • Ross S.

    Sorry, not a lot of time to write a proper review. First and foremost, if you've never been in here, make sure to stop in. Pseudo-authentic mexican food, overpriced drinks... your typical Royal Oak-style restaurant/bar/social venue. Food is excellent... very tasty. I'm a big fan of the Al Pastor and Chorizo tacos. The social element of the seating (benches, you'll be close to other dining parties) is great when controlled, but when things are packed it can be a little overwhelming if you're not interested in knocking elbows and being super outgoing with your neighbors. Service is "meh" to ok/good. If they're busy, expect to wait often for someone to stop by... they DO understaff a bit. Typical trendy attitude/treatment... don't expect the "personal touch" unless you know someone there. Facilities are good. When the weather is nice and you can sit outdoors in the front or in/on the patio in the back, it's a very fun experience. Indoors is just loud and crowded... but you may be into that. All in all, usually it's a good dining experience at Imperial... if you know what to expect. I recommend checking it out at LEAST once!

    (4)
  • Caitlin F.

    I was in the mood for some tacos and a trip to Rust Belt early this afternoon, so we stopped into Imperial. The atmosphere is really nice, and I can't wait to come back in the summer when the garage doors are open. I was thoroughly impressed with the salsas, especially the verde and the smoky one (I'm not sure if it has a special name). I tried 3 tacos, one vegetarian, one carne asada and one chicken adobado...and each was delicious! The chicken was juicy and flavorful, the carne asada was tender, and the seitan in the vegetarian was incredible! So much flavor! I couldn't leave without trying a churro, which was also delightful, although it wasn't the best churro I've ever had (that bar is set ridiculously high, though). I also had an imperial swizzle cocktail, which was bourbon-licious. I'm excited to go back and try more mixed drinks. My only complaint was the service....our waitress seemed to have a very limited number of brain cells left. Overall, the whole staff seemed slow. However, being a Sunday with nothing to really do, I didn't mind. I would have happily stayed there all day, hung out, drank and ate tacos. I would have definitely been frustrated if I had somewhere to be. So, in a nutshell: got time? Get tacos and drinks at Imperial.

    (4)
  • kevin e.

    prob more like 3 1/2 - tacos tasty as was salsa very hipster setting ( which I am not ) BUT the service ? not so good thus the 3 1/2

    (3)
  • Julie K.

    Imperial: the perfect 4th meal place. If you are just plain hungry, and not looking for a culinary experience, go here. If it's late and you just want a snack, go here. If you are looking to have some good conversation with friends, you'll have a challenging time hearing them here. The tacos aren't amazing, but it's better than Taco Bell. The guacamole is amazing though! Wish I ordered 2 servings of that instead! Ok, back to tacos. Tried the pork and pineapple one - bleck, and the vegetarian - yum. Apparently seating used to be a free-for-all, but now there is a host managing the situation. For $7 you can get 2 tacos and spilt the guac and chips with a friend. That's $3 less than a drink at the Oakland! The food is cheap and doesn't cost much either.

    (3)
  • Colleen W.

    Pretty good! Nice little street taco type food. Have been here a few times and most recent last week Thurday for a few drinks and dinner. Gets busy quick after work so be prepared to snuggle up next to who ever is sitting next to you. Not for a private dining experience if that is what you are looking for. Tacos are small so order at least 3-4 but they are yummy, guac is really good along with the different salsas. Drinks are SUPER YUMMY! MMMMMM. Kinda on the pricey side but really good. Nice looking and very comfortable- everyone is friendly, even the patrons since you are basically sitting on each others laps with LONG tables. Fun though!

    (5)
  • Michigan H.

    Always very, very good. The variety of tacos is terrific, as are the quality of the meats and ingredients. Potato chorizo and stewed chicken tacos are my favorites, but they're ALL very good. The salsa flight (three or four great salsa varieties) and guacamole is a must. One of my favorite places.

    (5)
  • Jeff R.

    Now I've been to Imperial two more times since the soft opening. The service has definitely improved, quite a bit. I'm still recommending the chipotle salsa as the best of the three offered in the flight. I've now tried the chorizo and the chicken tacos, in addition to the carnitas and al pastor that I tried the first time. All of the tacos are pretty good. I just need to remember that I'm not in my neighborhood (Southwest) and that these are not meant to be traditional tacos. Imperial's tacos are intended to be California-style, meaning there's an emphasis on fresh ingredients and they're light on carbs. From the second to the third time I went there, they started putting two kinds of hot sauces on the tables. One is yellow and is something with habanero pepper. I didn't try that one, but I heard it was good. The other is an eyedropper of sauce made with the 'Ghost Pepper' (Bhut Jolokia), one of the hottest peppers in the world. I tried it on a few tortilla chips. It actually has a really good flavor, but the heat stays with you for a couple hours. This last time, I also tried the churros. They're fantastic, and when they're fresh, they're better than any I've ever had in Southwest Detroit. Overall, they've definitely improved from the first day, and I'm sure I'll be back.

    (4)
  • Angie J.

    We've always had great service and food here. I love the decor and music. It has a very West Coast feel to it. If you're just looking for low-priced high-quality food, go to Imperial. If you're looking for a great variety of mixed drinks and a cool place to hang with friends after work or on the weekends, chose Imperial. You can't go wrong!

    (5)
  • Emily B.

    Short menus make us better people. They remind us to eat what is offered to us; that we, as restaurant patrons, are not the rulers of the free world, but guests at an expert's table. Fortunately, we are in good hands as guests at Imperial. There's a lot of sweet/salty going on, which is trendy, but not to the point of disingenousness. I was especially impressed by the pastor and carne assada tacos. Sometimes, I think about them when they're not around. Ambience: Personally, I enjoy community seating, but it's not for everyone. If you have social anxiety, this is not the place for you. Don't bring someone here to break up with them. It's all wrong for that. Alcohol: The margaritas are wonderful and a even a little dangerous, but at $8, not that dangerous. Service: The thing about the service is (and you'll notice this around Ferndale, but especially new places with "real" wood inside), that it's not like they're looking for experience, personality or hygiene. It's like, "You can work here because it's summer and you have a scarf on." So- for example- when I asked if they had any drink specials, I got something along the lines of, "No, Unscarfed One, we do not, nor do we ever have drink specials." Merely asking put me in the side-o-ranch camp. Let me ask you, Hip Server: I'm sitting on a bench with a bunch of strangers eating a $2 taco. How bizarre is it, really, in a blue-collar, inner-ring suburb of a struggling Rust Belt city to ask for discounted alcohol on a Tuesday? They should really opt for food counter service. Under those circumstances, I'd add a star.

    (4)
  • Kevin R.

    Okay, I'm a taco freak. One of my first formative food jobs as a teenager outside of pizza and peeling shrimp was that I worked at a Taquería / Burrito joint. Ever since then I've been obsessed with the taco. So when I heard they are opening a spot in Ferndale I was pretty excited. I knew it was not going to be traditional, and I was super into that idea. We where getting tired of the awesome spots in Southwest Detroit and wanted to explore the new. My girlfriend and I kept exchanging links about this new spot in Ferndale. The menu looked SPOT ON. It had all its T's crossed and I's dotted. My girl and I pretty much skipped into Imperial like kids running into a moonbounce after 2 slices of cake. It was a Sunday, it was hot as hell. Beautiful summer day. The place is gorgeous, open air minimal feel to it. I turn to my girl and go, "It feels like we are in a different city?" 1 out of 10 on interior design they get a 9 for sure. Very LA. Loved the communal seating. Very Publican. People should eat like this. Food is to be shared and conversations alike. This is where it gets all pear shaped. Service sucked balls. It took homeboy about 15 minutes to greet us. I've waited tables and bartended for years and this dude walked by us several times. Wack. Okay whatever, its all about the food. Dude comes by and does the "sit-down". NO NO NO. Look man, I feel you... your hungover, you don't want to be here, i've been there. Don't sit down at my table like your my boy and take my order. Look dawg, you ain't wearing any buttons and this ain't no TGIFS so don't cop a squat at my table. I hate to front on this guy cause he was genuinely a nice guy, but there is a bit of professionalism that I expect when. Move on. Cause its all about the food right? Well, first the drinks. AMAZING. I would come here alone for the drinks alone. The bartender is on his/her prime. I had 2 drinks that where amazing. I'm serious, they blew me away. I wish I could remember the names but I remember them being Anejo drinks. So we get Guacamole, Grilled Corn, 3 Asadas, 3 grilled polls and jalapeños. Guacamole comes. Looks great. Taste like NOTHING. There is zero salt and lime in it. Luckily it had limes hanging around it. I mean did the chefs taste it before it came out? It was straight up avocado. Then to top it off I got the hanging pit in my mouth, the part where the avocado hangs... yeah it sucked. Chips where good though. But why in the hell wouldn't you season the Guacamole. Cilantro, onion, tomato...??? SALT?? It kind of made me angry. Then flagging down hungover server was a freaking challenge. He was more concerned with the table of girls that wanted Daiquiris (who the hell orders daiquiris?) Got another drink A M A Z I N G. Then the tacos come (served by a runner) NO SILVERWARE OR PLATES. Its served on a big server tray. It looked amazing tasted like NOTHING. It was weird, I kept feeling bad spilling meat all over the table but apparently plates and napkins are something you need to ask for (as our server informed us). The food. Cold. The Asada felt like it was pre-grilled in the A.M. then re-fired later, then chopped. The point of Asada is that its placed on the plancha aka flat-top asap and grilled right there so its hot and juicy right there. The meat settles in your tortilla as the onions, cilantro and lime just give it a big hug. Not here. I got a taco that is super overstuffed with cold ass meat. It tasted like beef jerky. I think they are using a better cut of beef than what most taco places use for steak but they ruin it. It felt like strip, but it was ruined. And again, why overstuff the taco? Maximize that profit many? The pollo (chicken breast) was garbage. Dry beyond belief. We didn't even eat it. The corn was super wack. They poured about 2tbsps of I think Ancho on it. It was unedible. WHO IS WORKING IN THAT KITCHEN???? The saving grace was the grilled jalapeños. They where really good. What was really lame is that I think I saw the owner walking around to tables asking how the food was and he didn't come over to us. Bottom line is this, the food sucked balls and the drinks where amazing. I want to see Imperial succeed, I think its a good idea. I think the owner has a OUTSTANDING idea. In fact I think the owner really gives a shit but I think he needs to rethink his kitchen. I think Ferndale needs this. Detroit needs this. But they need to can all the kitchen staff asap cause they don't know their elbow from their asshole. Because of right now I will never eat there again. Hire some Mexican brothers from the Southwest and your spot will be packed! Again, I hope this helps Imperial and makes it a permanent spot.

    (2)
  • Tim P.

    Damn, This place is awesome .... Been here 2x's the last couple weeks ... First .. the guacamole is outstanding ... the taco's at 2.50 a pc are as well ... the decor is simple and cool Service: Outstanding ... Both times ... attractive and attentive - funny staff... The Johnny Cash art in the middle of the bar - LOVE IT ... Great music was piped through ... but .. Let's get some Speedball in that mix !

    (5)
  • Nicci K.

    I love this place. What's not to love for a veggie who likes a good cocktail? The atmosphere is fantastic and fun. The food is incredible taco truck style food. The cocktails are something I highly recommend, or if you feel like you're slumming it, you can get your 22 or red tire in a paper bag. The service has always been pleasant, and professional. For a Mexican Style restaurant, I feel there are a couple options for vegetarians. There could be more (crosses fingers.) I will say it again : I love this place and try to get over here as often as I can.

    (5)
  • Shelley Z.

    Imperial has awesome margaritas and the food is good too...but if you'e in a big group it's a pain the way they serve the food. Everything that your group orders comes on ONE BIG tray, and then you have to figure out who's is who's...every time I have come in a big group, there's been something wrong with the order. It would be nice to be given just what you order, but I guess that's part of their atmosphere. Having said that, the tacos are AMAZING. Definitely recommend checking this place out! But only come with 1 or 2 other people.

    (4)
  • Ashley H.

    I love Imperial! The seating can be annoying but their food and drinks more than make up for it. I love to start off with their guacamole and one of their salsas with chips. The salsa trio is perfect for someone who hasn't tried them before or a group with varying tastes. I just know what I like and go straight to the salsa verde. I don't know which of their tacos is my favorite. They're all delicious and I'm always changing it up on each visit. They have a great drink list. I always get a beer to wash it all down and love their selection. Mmmmm...all this taco talk makes me want to get back their soon.

    (5)
  • Alexis S.

    The chorizo taco was amazing!! The Margarita was even better. We sat at the bar and the service was perfect. The bartender was very experienced and professional. The food came out super fast which was nice when you're hungry. The ambiance is nice is modern and relaxed. Imperial is spacious and the tables aren't crammed together which was nice.

    (5)
  • Stephanie C.

    I love this new addition to my wonderful Ferndale neighborhood. From the variety of seating areas to the amazing salsas and yummy little tacos, it's a great little joint to nosh with friends. I rave to friends about the grilled spicy ear of corn and as a vegetarian I can only get one of the tacos but it's a good one. The drink menu is definitely inspired. I had the Ring of Fire and it was so hot it tested even my spice-loving taste buds. A spicy fans dream - and it goes great with the country, alt-country and indie friendly soundtrack I always rave about when I'm dining here. While I agree with Laura K - it's no Big Star, this place is worth a visit.

    (4)
  • Michelle I.

    Ok. Let's get a few things clear here. Imperial is awesome. And its awesome at what it does. What does it do, you ask? Its a bar, first and foremost. With a side of food. You don't come here to eat dinner or order a carry-out...instead you come here to drink a drink or two and then order some amazing tacos to nosh on. My suggestions: check out the cocktail menu. I am really digging the margaritas here. They use fresh lime and simple syrup to add just the right amount of sweetness and tang. They feature about three different margaritas on their drink menu but I think my favorite is just the classic. get tacos. The food menu is limited but really, really tasty. So far I have ordered tacos during my visits here. Its Carne Asada or bust here... I've tried the chicken as well, but like I said, its all about the beef. Husband has tried the Al Pastor which get the thumbs up from him. Also, the flight of chips and salsa is great --- greasy, hot tortilla chips and three different salsas to choose from. The chipotle salsa was lacking but the other ones were stellar. A few tips: spotty service. yes, yes, yes to previous reviewers. I also have experienced spotty service here. Solution: sit at the bar. You can still order tacos while enjoying your drinks. Honestly, the one time I sat at a table here and had table service was enough to learn my lesson -- the bar is best. hipster + trendy crowd. It seems like Imperial is drawing in all kinds. its lively and busy...a total improvement on the crappy predecessor that occupied that location. Another thing I want to add, I really love the seating/dining room arrangement they have here. The patio in the back is fantastic. The long tables in the front are the right size where you can have large party or few smaller parties sit comfortably (unlike a different place across the street, which fails at this endeavor). A big table not your thing? They are also some really roomy booths for you to enjoy. So yea, I'm totally, completely and fully digging on Imperial. This is the type of place where you can kick back with some friends, enjoy some drinks, some bites and keep it completely cool and casual with a touch of hip.

    (5)
  • Jenn A.

    Best Margarita around. Hands down. And the tacos are to die for. And the guacamole. YES we will be back!!!!

    (5)
  • Joshua M.

    I really, really enjoyed Imperial. The tacos are very, very good and my Imperial Sizzle (Bulliet Bourbon, apricot brandy, ginger ale, and lemon). However, it's not a place to sit down and have a meal: everything is smaller portion and a la carte. This is kind of a bummer because the food is excellent. Extra pluses: vegetarian options, fish available on Mondays and Fridays, amazing modern decor, patio seating, and amazing beer list.

    (4)
  • Clare G.

    Ummmm, I must say I can see how this is good for big groups of people with the long wood tables accommodating 10 or more but I would only come here for a casual lunch since I don't really love sitting on long, low benches and feeling all cafeteria style hipster. It was fine for an outdoor summer lunch, and I'm sure the night scene is much different. I had the vegetarian dog since everyone was raving about how good the hot dogs are and all the other ones are wrapped in bacon. All in all, we have more unique tapas type places like this in Ann Arbor.

    (2)
  • Anthony D.

    I went in here expecting a bar that serves tacos, and I guess on some level that's exactly what I got. Instead of going over the pluses and minuses, I'm just going to tell the tale of my experience at Imperial. (Cliff Notes: One of the bartenders drinks on the job, and one of the servers is really bizarre. The food was good.) I came here one evening with my girlfriend, and we were waiting for a friend to join us. We took a seat at the bar, because we didn't want to take up a table while we were still waiting for our friend. It took a few minutes for us to get noticed, and we finally were helped by a bartender who appeared to be covering two sections because the bartender that was supposed to be in our section was too busy doing shots with the gentleman sitting next to me. I saw her take a few in the short amount of time we were sitting at the bar. We ended up ordering two drinks and an appetizer while we were at the bar. Shortly after we received our food, our friend showed up so I asked the bartender if we could grab a booth and transfer the tab. She said we were free to grab a booth, but we had to cash out first. Ok, no problem. We moved to a booth, and were quickly greeted by the weirdest waiter of all time. I can't even begin to describe him. He was very nice, but really strange. He asked us several times if there were going to be more people joining us. Each time I assured him that no, there were just 3 of us. He also tended to hover over our table like he was expecting us to say something. It was kind of uncomfortable. He checked up on us a mind boggling amount of times. I don't mind an attentive server, but he interrupted our conversation very frequently. My friend is on a gluten free diet and she asked if the tortillas were gluten free. The server just stopped dead in his tracks and said "Crap. I should know this. Ummm... let me go check. No wait, I think they are gluten free." He then went on to explain that there were so many food allergies, he had a hard time keeping track of them. So my friend just said "Ok, are they corn or flour tortillas?" The server replied "Flour. No wait, corn. Yeah, I think it's corn." In the end, we all ended up enjoying our food good enough. The cocktails were pretty good too. But the service was really bad/strange. The bartenders were either drunk or inattentive. The server was neurotic and overattentive. I don't think any of them had any sort of training. This is more like a 2.5 star review. The 3rd star is just a product of generous rounding.

    (3)
  • Justin P.

    Really good food. I recommend the Adobo Tacos. The Detroit Tart drink got me drunk automatically. I cut it in half with water and had too drinks. The salsa flight and guacamole taste great. Finishing off with a churro was great. The churro is served with a chocolate sauce that isn't sweet enough. Great place overall. Open air seating adds to the ambiance.

    (4)
  • Jessica K.

    Went here for an art show back in October 2012, but I still remember how delicious the food was. Yuuuum, seriously. I really liked the al pastor taco, and that they have Mexican Coke. Also, if you like people watching, the staff & customers are pretty great for that. :D

    (5)
  • Jonny P.

    Well I'll guess i'll add my 2 cents (after 50+ reviews for what it's worth) Late Saturday I was itching for a bite and decided to give Imperial a try (it's literally right down the street). I'm glad I avoided all of the opening hoopla. I love the minimalist set up and the big open spaces. The seating arrangements and food service is supposed to encourage community, sharing and getting to know your neighborhood. The restaurant's spaces are very trendy/forward the front room carried a lot of energy, the rooms towards the patio were more subdued. In regards to the staff and service I had no issues, it's seat your self however I saw the staff helping larger groups get situated (AHEM John D!) We received our drinks promptly, our food very promptly and we didn't have to hang around forever waiting for the check. In regards to the food I'd have to say out of the four tacos I tried the Al Pastor was my favourite, savoury and sweet with a little heat! Drink wise the ring of fire cocktail was a pleasant surprise... The owner Jeff came by right as we were wrapping up to find out how things went. (what else could you ask for) In regards to some of the reviews posted I think some people are missing the point. The place is supposed to be casual... Imperial is a place where you can throw something (really anything) on, meet a group of people and share some drinks and a couple of (very good) tacos.

    (4)
  • Kate R.

    Imperial may be my new fave place in Ferndale. Their drinks are tasty, and you can't go wrong with the tacos... I can't really complain. I've never been disappointed in any of the food I've ever ordered, and I'd really love if they'd bottle their roasted red pepper salsa because I want it in 5 gallon drums. Get on that Imperial :-)

    (4)
  • Erica M.

    Quick cheap eats with awesome drinks. What a welcome addition to the neighborhood. As for the atmosphere: I love what they've done with the place. Not too fancy or fussy, just clean casual and open. It's the perfect place to kick back with friends. As for the food: Finally! Tacos that aren't wrapped in flour tortillas and laden with cheese! We've been here twice and were impressed by the food both times. We tried the salsa flight (a MUST), the guacamole (solid), and several of the tacos. Our favorites were the Al pastor and the stewed chicken, but they were all very good and I don't think you can possibly go wrong. As for the drinks: Delicious and powerful. They may take a while to make but that's because each one is hand crafted and not poured from pre mixed gallon jug. We tried the Uno Mas, the Ring of Fire, and the Mezcal Mule. They were unique, tasty, and complimented the food well. As for the service: As other yelpers have noted, the service needs work. Wait times were long, we recieved the wrong food, etc etc. Hopefully it's just growing pains and this place will end up reaching it's full potential before long. One beef I have is the family style presentation. I get that they're trying to be different and it may make things easy on the kitchen, but I think it adds confusion for diners. This isn't sushi, where more than one person can share a roll. Serving everything together in this case just makes it more difficult to tell what's what and increases the likelihood that you'll accidentally eat someone else's taco.

    (4)
  • Max M.

    Oh wow. My partner has been trying to get me to this place since it opened...today was the day and I can't wait to go back. We went at lunch time and were the only people in here (where is everyone on a Saturday??). That was great for our 2 year old who did laps around all of the tables. The food menu is a one pager, with a few more pages of alcoholic beverages which are a non event because I don't drink. There are 5-6 different meat tacos, a veggie taco, a torta, a funky hotdog and some sides. There are a few different chip orders (w/ salsa, with 3 different salsas and with guacamole). This is not a standard Mexican food menu, more like a designer Tex-Mex/So Cal menu. I had the al Pastor taco and the veggie (seitan based) tacos, as well as the Chips & Salsa Flight with the three different salsas. We also ordered a side of guacamole. The salsas were fresh, spicy and sublime hitting all of the taste buds on the way down. I especially liked the chipotle salsa, but they were all good. The guacamole was ok - a little too much lime for my tastes, I stuck to the salsas. The al pastor taco was out of this world - nice heat, nice texture, lots of nice flavors. I ordered it without the grilled pineapple - The seitan tacos were also phenomenal. I was so thrilled as I tasted all of the different foods - and can't wait to get back. I am so not a hipster, so I will have to settle for the empty lunch times (maybe a few of you out there in Yelpland can come at lunch so this old guy has some company). Our wait person said that there are weekend specials that they announce on Fridays on their facebook page. Also Monday nights there are some fish tacos- which we will be trying. I wish there were more veggie options permanently on the menu, but will certainly get my fill with the seitan tacos and the chips and salsa. I would also love to see what they do with a fish taco. We had a lot of food, a couple of sodas (but no alcohol) and our bill was $28.00. And our kid was entertained - a nice outing all around. I am excited that this is in my hood and will go back. Join me!

    (5)
  • Toni C.

    I've been here twice now and whatever issues there may have been with the service may have been resolved because I had speedy attentive service both times. Also, people have talked about the communal tables which I sat at both times and enjoyed - but there are booths and other sized tables too. I think the food and drinks were great. Hot chips every time, fresh salsas, unique drink options, elote was delicious! They also have special taco's sometimes. It was short rib on one of the nights I was there. The vibe of the place is cool and there are a wide variety of patrons. It's open airy and welcoming. If they add (please, please, please) a fish taco to the menu I'd probably go there at lease once a week.

    (4)
  • JayDay F.

    Love this place. The tacos are great (and I have had them many times). I have tried all the kinds except the veggie taco. They all have been excellent! The service has always been good too....we usually sit at the bar; but both bar and table service have been exceptional. The price is right too! They have a flight of salsa's that I would highly recommend along with the Corn on the Cob. Try the Bloody Mary...it rocks! Overall, its great food and great atmosphere. Enjoy!

    (4)
  • Kristin G.

    ***Skip this segment if you just want to read about the food**** I felt the need to chime in on the haters. The service DEFINITELY leaves something to be desired but the place JUST opened. Let's give Imperial a chance to get the ball rolling, shall we? I'd give them 2 stars for service but I'm not going to based solely on 1.) the recently opened status and 2.) the fact that opening a business comes with such bumps in the road and 3.) to give them ONE star based solely on service is...in my opinion abusing your privilege as a Yelper. Let's not lose site of the big picture. Service is important but the food is what brings people to the table. Ok...rant over. **************************************************­************* For those who'd like to read about THE FOOD: The food was great. They have a small menu, specifically street tacos, done well. Deliciously well. I had one chorizo taco, one al pastor taco and a carnitas taco. Each one was tasty but the chorizo and carnitas tacos were my favorites of the bunch. The tacos come out "family style" meaning they serve the whole table's order on one plate. The chips came out fresh & greasy and we got the salsa trio. The smoky chipotle-esque salsa was my favorite with just the right balance of heat and smoke notes. The tomatillo was next on the favorites list, with a refreshingly spicy yet tart flavor typical of tomatillo. The guacamole was pretty good too, definitely worth a try. Affordable street tacos in a nice fresh bar/restaurant atmosphere? I think I have myself a new favorite. They just need to tie up things on the service end and it will be my "go to" taco restaurant...Imperial folks...you listening? Train those peeps and let's celebrate some DELICIOUS STREET TACOS!!!

    (4)
  • Kelli A.

    If you're looking for a place to nosh and get loaded this is it. If you're hungry and want a meal, look elsewhere. Lots of alcohol, very little food. I didn't realize it was a bar that served tacos. The service was seriously some of the worst EVER! The waitress was 100% clueless. The music was annoyingly loud, she could barely hear us. We asked several questions for which she had no answer and would 'have to check'. Wow. Is the waitstaff working for free??? Not only was she completely ignorant to the menu, the service was so slow, we were ready to leave. 30+ minutes to get tacos on limp corn tortillas? They're not even cooked! We requested no cilantro...perhaps THAT'S the reason it took forever! It must take several extra minutes to cover everything in it. The food was semi-tasteless and bland. Oh, except the grilled jalapeno. Burned my tongue right off. Thanks for not removing the seeds and membranes from the hottest crop of jalapenos ever! And I LOVE jalapenos. Thankfully, it was only a buck. I'm giving 2 stars because it's a cute place and the A/C was blasting on the hottest day of the year. The prices are decent and it has potential.

    (2)
  • Jason P.

    Third review. Drinks are unfuckwithable, food is likewise. Sanoran hot dogs are wrong. Barkeep Sean looks like something out of time cop. Scary and disfigured, but knows shit about the future. He'll pour you a stiff one and teach you how to fend off the impending robot appocolypse.

    (5)
  • Julio E.

    Bad service. No POS system. No carryout either. Never saw my bill!!! My tab was an even number, are they even paying taxes? WTF!?!?! Walked in, bartender was texting, he looked up and did not greet us, turned and walked the other way after we sat down. Then comes over says "what are you having?" these people need some serious training. no drink menu, i ask what kind of beers they have, he says top shelf which runs the whole distance of the bar and i have to get up to see them all. lots of cans and a decent selection. got a mexican micro brew pale ale that i've never seen before, worst pale ale i've ever had, can't knock them for that at least they're offering something different. We get a single menu to look at instead of 2. I hate that. Got 6 different tacos, chips and salsa, and grilled jalapenos. tacos came out together "family style" no explanation of what is what. and she was gone. pretty frustrating experience because we ordered different tacos and they're all covered with cilantro and onions and it's dark in there. we ask what they are and the bartender got it wrong. i wanted to grab him by the neck at this point. food is excellent however. 4 stars, 5 star potential. grilled jalapenos are cooked with the seeds in, very spicy considering how hot everything else was. chips and salsa are tasty, kind of small salsa portion, how about free chips and salsa next time considering your taco prices $2.50 and 2 bites and compar that to sw detroit you have free chips and salsa with dollar tacos. tacos were all pretty good and legit. really liked the al pastor, excellent pineapple salsa. they forgot to put limes on my platter. i also wish we got a share plate, even in family style you don't eat off the same freaking plate!!! made a huge mess. ********SO sick of people with no restaurant experience opening places because they've got a good concept and location. this may work out but they need to figure out how to run a business first. major failure in the front of house staffing, sometimes they can hide an owners incompetence. Spend less time on yelp writing fake reviews of yourself(see filtered section) and more time training*********

    (1)
  • Denise C.

    I'm a creature of habit and vegetarian (97% of the time), so all I get are the veggie tacos. They rock and I live on them. I thought the guac was really good when I ordered it. Maybe that's hit or miss from what other reviews say. I loved the salsa flight. I love the corn. I'm cool with whole having to ask for silverware thing. I got used to it. I guess there's some logic behind it. The drinks are amazing. I'm here all the time. I usually sit at the bar and I dig everyone that works behind the bar.

    (4)
  • Danielle P.

    The food is ok. Thats all. Nothing more, nothing less. If you're going for the tacos, get the carnitas, by far the best ones. They look like theres a big pile of baby poo on them, but just close your eyes and you'll be fine. The service is so hit or miss. I've been told to go down the street to Taco Bell if I wanted some sour cream. Oh, I'm sorry your pallet is so refined, sir. You DO realize you work at a bar that serves nothing but tacos and hotdogs right? Nice decor, though, and to their credit, I have had some wonderful service there, always from the lady servers.

    (3)
  • Len A.

    This place kills it. Great prices, great booze, great atmosphere. Rarely am I content in a taco place not owned by its rightful cultural affiliation. But this place is absolutly stellar. Kill.

    (5)
  • Jaz'min W.

    When I think about my experiences at Imperial the first things that come to mind are: clean atmosphere, some adorable waitresses, & strong drinks. You have the option to sit in booths with just your pals or at big tables with other patrons, which makes it ideal for huge groups or making new friends. The tacos are crazy delicious and never take long to make. The food is 5 stars, but I've been here a few times when the wait staff has been less than stellar. And I don't mean inattentive, I mean rude. Once we were charged twice for one meal and everyone, including the manager tried to act like there was absolutely nothing to be done about it. All in all, I'd say try it out! Hopefully you'll have good service.

    (3)
  • Harry F.

    After a long day of expensive decisions Imperial is a great escape. A very limited taco and hot dog menu features a great variety on it's own. With all of the variations staying at a firm $2.50. There is a taco on this menu for everyone. I have been to Imperial 6 or 7 times now. I have brought friends of all food related snobbery and everyone has enjoyed it. I personally love to drink there. Imperial features a cocktail called the ring of fire, a blend of fresh squeezed citrus juices, with a habanero infused tequila, though it may cost $8, I have never tasted anything even remotely close to this flavor and heat explosion. Now for the negativity; I have had a few not so good experiences with the staff. They do sport a type of a lackadaisical approach to the fine art of service. This statement has not been true for every visit I've had there, but for most.

    (4)
  • Jessica C.

    I really enjoyed Imperial when I went. I know that the reviews so far have been mixed, but I would just chalk that up to it being so new(however I've only been once and the time I went we had great service) My friend and I ordered the salsa flight (3 salsas with chips) and tacos all of which tasted great. We both tried a mixture of tacos. I had most pork ones and my friend had a mixture of beef and chicken. All in all every taco was really well made; great tortillas, great meats and excellent toppings. In fact after we had our first two tacos we both ordered more. The atmosphere of the whole place is great too! The open air quality to the building is nice, also it's got a warm industrial feel inside. Not overly complex on the decor but not too cold either. I also enjoyed the long large tables. I like the aspect of communal seating and it's something you don't see too often in Metro-Detroit.

    (4)
  • Adam O.

    A welcome addition to the Ferndale dining scene. The torta is amazing. Tacos (chorizo and carnitas) were very good. Chorizo w/ potato was a little one note. Needed something like pickled red onions to offset the heavy. Good beer selection and nice, modernistic decor. Friendly on the wallet too.

    (4)
  • Laura J.

    Good food, staff doesn't really care if you live or die. I watched a guy walk out very drunk (car key in hand) in the middle of a weekend day and the bartender did nothing as he got in his car and swerved off. Tacos with a side of death by drunk driver.

    (3)
  • Anthony E.

    Don't go here!!! You're f@cking up my wait time!

    (5)
  • Jenny J.

    We went for a late dinner on a Saturday night. There was an hour wait, but they have some benches along the side and with a drink or two from the bar, it's not the worst waiting conditions. The decor and atmosphere kind of reminds me of Chicago, pretty hipster but not too intimidating. The seating is wooden benches and tables, which it looked like can be family style at times (sharing with other parties) but we got our own table for 5 people, though it was a *little* cramped, it was fine. Even though it was a busy Saturday night and we waited a while, there was no rush to place orders or any indication that they want to just get you out of there asap. Our waitress was cute and attentive. The people sitting by us recommended the corn, which is one of the sides, and it comes out on the cob... delicious! I ordered the vegetarian taco, which features seitan, and it was pretty delicious. The salsa flight we ordered as an appetizer came in super handy to use later for the tacos as well. The carnivores I was with enjoyed their food--especially the hot dog!!--and tried the special of the day-cow tongue-and enjoyed that as well. There's nothing on tap, but this caveat became endearing--drinking everything out of cans and bottles and even ordering a Corona Especial, a 32 oz brown bottle Corona that is served in a brown bag with ice. I tried their Lavender Honey cocktail--while pricey at $8, it was generous and delicious. The churros were good, but we wished they came with a chocolate dipping sauce. Overall--the food and drinks are good and the atmosphere is a great, chill one for catching up with friends. I plan to come back!

    (4)
  • Robert J.

    A few weeks ago, my wife and I stopped in here for a few tacos and a couple of their variations on the Sonoran Hot Dog with some suds to wash it all down. Overall, it wasn't bad. Tasty tacos, but I've had better. I think I got carne asada and al pastor. See how memorable they were? They were serviceable. It was certainly a cut above normal bar fare; I'll give them that. Nice chips and salsas. What we really enjoyed was the Sonoran Hot Dogs. Sure, we had variations on the classic. My wife had one with some pineapple relish or something. According to my wife, it was the best dog she's had in town. I'd have to agree that it was surely one of the best I have had in town. Overall, we enjoyed our experience there. We enjoyed it enough that we decided to walk over to Public House (owned by the proprietors of Imperial) right after we paid our bill.

    (3)
  • Denise E.

    Service is a little spotty. We went on a Wednesday night and there was some confusion and delays. 18 minutes to receive our chips & salsa starter. Menu is brief, but good. Tacos are fairly priced and will sate your "real taco" craving. About on par with El Guapo. We had one of every kind--surprised to like best the grilled chicken and vegetarian tacos. DO NOT SKIP THE CORN! Truly a thing of delicious beauty, and a great value. Chips are great, not too greasy, and just the right amount of salt. (perhaps they read & improved from earlier reviews?)

    (3)
  • Katie C.

    Imperial opened 2 days before my most recent trip to Detroit, and I'm very glad it did! We stopped by for dinner on a Friday night, and while it was busy, it wasn't too crowded. We each ordered 3 tacos (a perfect portion size) and while I can't remember the actual names of the tacos on the menu, I had a stewed chicken, a carnitas, and a chorizo. The chorizo and the carnitas were my favorites, followed closely by the chicken. We also got an order of guacamole and chips which suffered from the classic problem of chips to guacamole ratio (too many chips, too little guacamole), but other than that was wonderful. I'm excited to come back in a few months when they've worked out the kinks (the service was a little confusing, we never got water and the drink menu didn't exist yet) and plan on making this one of my go-to Michigan restaurants.

    (4)
  • Sara M.

    Haters gonna hate..., but foodies gonna LOVE the Imperial. These folks serve real food. The only things in the building that seem to have come out of a food service package are the napkins and straws. For real. The two couples of us started with a salsa trio with fresh housemade chips. Each salsa, red pepper, verde, and chipotle, was delish and had a strong undercurrent of love and dedication. The chips were straight out of the fryer! Yum! We split two of every taco on the menu, plus 4 orders of the grilled corn - elote especial. I swear the corn must have been grown in the Garden of Eden. It was beyond wonderful. Each of us had a favorite taco, chiroizo, lime chicken, carnitas, al pastor, and the manly meat eaters declared the seitan tacos 'good.' We all left full. And happy. And ready to go back for more corn and tacos.

    (5)
  • Ho'oki P.

    CORRECTION TO ALL PREVIOUS REVIEWS: Went here after reading about the lousy service and great food. And, the food is great! Don't miss the corn, and the potato/chorizo tacos are killer. For a normal appetite, I'd go with two or three tacos and a corn, or about that much. The tacos are only about 4inches in diameter, but delicious! Regarding the service, we sat at the bar and the bartender was Johnny on the spot. Loved the personal service. The table servers sure did look like they were scampering, and our bartender acknowledged that service was spotty at first, but is much better. For the ambiance, food, and drinks, I'm giving it four stars. And for the sweet Johnny Cash painting over the bar.

    (4)
  • Zach D.

    *Don't concern yourself with low ratings based on the few hours The Imperial was open for the first time and still working out the kinks. You gotta know walking in that things wont be perfect. Months from now I'm sure the reviews will be through the roof positive but don't wait to read them- Go have some food and a drink and see for yourself. I was there during the soft open and the staff made up for the glitches in a super professional manner. I tried a chicken taco and a chorizo taco (which are both awesome) and they serve great chips and guacamole. Prices are comparable to other downtown Ferndale joints and there's a great vibe in the place with beautiful wood and natural light. Huge tequila & bourbon selection and a portrait of Johnny Cash "welcoming" you to the bar. I would really like to see baked NACHOS on the menu but regardless I plan to be a regular of this cool place.

    (4)
  • Lola W.

    We went to the Imperial on Wednesday for their "soft opening" and had a really great experience. The vibe of the place was really cool, and the food was fresh and delicious. The decor is simple yet interesting, long wooden communal tables and booths with candles, grey walls, flattering lighting, and ambiant music. Very open and airy even when the place was filled. The piece de resistance.... the larger than life Johnny Cash painting behind the bar snuggled in amongst house made tequila infusions, a wall of bourbon and a wall of tequila. Really? Yes! The back patio is spacious and airy, the candles and lights make you forget that you are next to a parking lot. I foresee many a summer evening out there listening to good music while working my way through the specialty drink list. The food was so fresh. We orderd a salsa flight, all 3 of which were perfectly crafted, my favorite was the chipolte it had just the right amount of heat without wrecking the flavor. The chips came in a bag and were still warm when they were brought to us. Nice touch. The Tinga De Pollo taco, (stewed chicken )was tender and flavorful, it was served with lime and a cilantro onion garnish and the tortillia was house made and warm. My husband and our friend both got the Sonoran Hot Dog and what can you say about a hotdog wrapped in bacon with guac aside from "freakin' awsome"? And it was! The grilled corn with lime cream was my favorite thing that night, it was so good in fact I'd kick someone in the shin for a piece of it right now. Seriously that good. Again everything was fresh, served with lime and cliantro, no shreaded cheese and sour cream sides to be found here. The artisan drink menu was interesting, lots of cool tequila concotions that I can't wait to try. I started with a few 40oz Coronas served in a bag with ice, ( kind of cool to have a bag of beer and a bag of chips in front of you) then I moved onto the Detroit Tart. It was well made (not to syrupy I could taste the tequila) inventive and I loved the sugar/salt rim. It was like a cherry margarita with a savory sweet finish. I'm as excited to work my way through that drink menu and tequila infusions as my husband is to work his way down the wall of bourbon. All in all it was great, especially considering it was not even officially open yet. It was cool to see such and eclectic crowd all enjoying the same space, from families with their children occupying the tables and booths to the hipsters that obviously know their way around a beer bottle at the bar. I'm confident they will work their bugs out (if they haven't already) and for those of you that were not happy with the food or had an issue with the portion size or price, I'd like to recommend a spot right up the street for you, it's called Taco Bell I hear their sour cream is the best in town and their happy hour is off the hook.

    (5)
  • Food L.

    Been wanting to try this place for awhile. I'll let you all know how it is. - In word AWESOME!

    (5)
  • Eric P.

    As promised in my previous review, I did go back to Imperial with an eye toward giving it a second chance. Essentially, I was quite pleased. For whatever reason, I can never remember exactly which tacos I get when I've been there, but it really doesn't matter because they've all been good. It doesn't hurt that they are reasonably priced, as well. The beer/drink selection and availability was greatly improved, too. It's a short, somewhat non-informative review, I know, but the gist is that I suggest it for a small, easy meal.

    (4)
  • Jess N.

    Well, I've been to Imperial at least 15 times since they've opened, with the ABSOLUTE LAST TIME being last week on Tuesday, 4/2/13. I arrived around 5 pm with three others, and the place was nearly empty. We chose a booth to sit in, as we'd be going over some business details while waiting for dinner. An extremely awkward guy came over - the only male server in the place that day - and asked if we wanted drinks -- from about 5 feet from the table!! Also, he didn't wait for us to finish speaking before starting to leave... Really?! Same with our food order. He just started walking away while one of us was still talking. Then, when he came back he appeared upset when we would request another item. While eating, the server actually stared at us from across the room, and one from our party held up his empty glass (had been empty for quite a while) - the server made eye contact, and turned around and walked in the opposite direction, then made his way back to our table about 15 minutes later so that we could ask for more drinks. Getting the bill was also a hassle, and getting it split took one of us actually getting up and chasing him down after another 10 minutes, and that was met with an eye roll. All of the times that I have been to this establishment, the food has been fine. The drinks have been fine. The SERVICE?! I have no idea how these people stay employed. If I acted the way that these people in the front of the house acted (snooty to patrons, texting while on the clock, unfriendly, bad attitude), I'd be fired immediately. To the owner/management - take a good look at who you have working for you. I work at a small business across the street from you. When customers ask me, "Where's good to eat at around here?" I cannot recommend your establishment.

    (1)
  • Joyce K.

    I cannot say enough good things about Imperial. I fell in love with Imperial over the winter (2013). Their Tacos (traditional street style) are to die for and so awesome that you buy by the taco. You can try one of each and go back for your favorites. The service is always super fast so I frequently order two or three then order a few more 20 minutes later and so on. And don't get me started on the Churros. I could eat those all night! Imperial has a fantastic selection of beers and their signature cocktails are divine. I'm not usually a margarita fan but theirs is worth trying, for sure. Aside from the fantastic food and drinks, the atmosphere is perfect. Very unique layout which adds to the fun - not like any other place around here. And the staff (and owner) sport the best ink in the city ;) Recently I discovered a new, seasonal perk: the whole front of the place opens "garage door style" and there is a terrific patio out back. I highly recommend the Imperial and do frequently. The reason I was inspired to Yelp? I showed up there last week with a group of ~20 people, no notice. Not only were the staff and owner not irritated that we showed up unannounced with a large group of people, they were thrilled to have us and worked their a$$es off to accommodate us. They even tried to get us out on the patio (primo seating) at our request. We ended up commandeering a corner of the inside which worked out great and we decided not to move outside. We were a bit of a handful (I must say;) never rude or over served but we were a bit scattered and spread out which kept our server hopping all night. She was never snarky or irritated, in fact, she was delightful. There are very few places that have made me feel like they were genuinely glad I was there. This is one of them. They are coming up on their first anniversary. Celebrate by checking them out and keeping them around. They've earned it.

    (4)
  • Tyler B.

    I love going to Ferndale and hitting Valentine or WAB and then catching something at the Ringwald or Magic Bag - the one thing missing from the experience was great food that I craved and looked forward to. With Imperial, problem solved. Now I admittedly don't have the most sensitive of pallets, and when something is cheap I can get a little irrational with my exuberance, but you guys, I love their tacos! And we had good service. It was only once, but just saying... The bottom line is that we had 45 minutes on a Friday night to grab a bite before we had to get downtown, so we took a chance on Imperial and felt like we effing nailed it. Perfect experience that I look forward to trying to replicate.

    (5)
  • Stephanie H.

    I love this place!. They have good tacos, quick service and a full bar. Will you feel like you are in Mexico..... maybe not but as far as a good street taco and a good beer, this is your place. It's cheap and tasty which are the two things I look for in Mexican food. I love tacos and could eat them everyday. Southwest Detroit is obviously the best place to get Mexican around here but outside of that, this place is pretty good. It doesn't try to be anything it isn't. It's not pretentious or overly fancy. I love all of the salsa, I like the carnitas and chorizo tacos best. I thing the corn on the cob is good but depending on who's making it there sometimes a little cheese and a lot of sauce and sometimes there is so much cheese that you can't taste the sauce... Less cheese is best. This place has an overall bar feel but I have taken my children there and they like it. I like the community style dining tables as well as the small booths. For a quick lunch or a drink in the evening this is a good spot.

    (4)
  • Molly D.

    Imperial is exactly what I want in a local hangout. Good drinks, solid staff that remembers my name and protects me and my girlfriends from random creepers, prompt service, delicious and affordable food, and a laid back vibe.

    (5)
  • Jen O.

    "It was okay" Imperial only got one star because it was trendy and there were attractive ppl there. My bill for 2 ppl was 90+dollars not including drinks from bar while in line. We were with a party of 6 or I would have left after waiting 30 minutes. Food wasn't that great and drinks were not that strong.. Just my 2 cents Poncho & Cisco's in Harrison Twp has way better food.

    (2)
  • Chad J.

    So they make a mean taco !!! That is all i can same GREAT drinks fun place

    (5)
  • Poorna R.

    Street tacos are my new favorite thing...and Imperial does not disappoint! You start off with fresh chips, three different types of salsa, and fresh (not to mention OFF THE HOOK) guacamole. I ordered the two different chicken tacos. One is lime grilled and the other stewed chicken...delish! My favorite part by far though, was the corn on the cob. I am ordering two of those next time!

    (5)
  • Jason C.

    The service here is a little iffy but the food and atmosphere makes up for it. The menu is limited but their street tacos and guacamole are very good.

    (4)
  • Jenny F.

    Taco Taco Taco Crazy continues in Detroit ! I love love love tacos and was anticipating a California Taco casual cool joint in Ferndale for a long time now. I like to give people a few tries as they work out the kinks only to be fair. The decor is nice even though i feel like some details are missing. The outdoor seating is great even though not very comfortable. The waitstaff was a nightmare in the beginning but has progressevly gotten better. The drinks are good but nothing out of the ordinary large selection of good tequilas. The food however which should have been the corner stone of the business leaves you wishing for more. Can't anyone get a taco right in Detroit ? Outside one food truck Jaques everyone else including hot taco, el guape and imperial have dissapointed me ! Please taco makers let's get it together !

    (3)
  • Lauren H.

    I have enjoyed some low key drinks here before and I like the outdoor patio, but overall this place is kind of overrated. Since it has gained popularity recently it has been super crowded, which leads to a long wait. I was there on a Thursday evening for dinner and had to wait a half hour for a table. I don't love the community seating, when I was originally seated my friend and I were sat on the same side of the table so we were side sitters which lead to awkward conversation and awkward eating quarters. We jumped ship to sit across from one another at the earliest possible chance. I feel like everyone was listening to our conversation and it makes it difficult to hear what the people in your party are saying because others are so close to you and having their own conversations. I prefer my own table as opposed to the High School cafeteria feel, call me weird. The food was just so-so, they charged me $1 for a small side of salsa with my tacos and $1 for a tiny side of beans. The tacos were ok, kind of had the MX food truck feel (in a good way) but wouldn't rush back just for that. They have a good assortment of tequila and their margs are good!

    (2)
  • Matt Y.

    Cheap - and very good - food. Always lots of good energy in the cafeteria style front room (which is more fun than that sounds). Always good service. Tasty, simple fare, including a darn good veggie hot dog. Always a reliable spot for a quick bite.

    (4)
  • Richard R.

    Real Detroit weekly apparently loves this place because it won in there "best new bar concept" and if the concept is to drown everybody in alcohol to hide the taste of crappy tacos then I totally get it. A friend wanted to take me to a "Mexican place" and I was excited because I have had a real hard time finding good Mexican food in the Detroit area. The chips were stale and the salsas tried very hard to be interesting but failed. I got three different tacos carnitas, adobaba de pollo and carne asada one was burnt and the other two were just ok and I honestly couldn't tell which was which. I wouldn't go back and I would not recommend it to anyone. Just for a side note whoever the writer/reviewer was for real Detroit weekly that said this place has "LA style" has obviously never been to LA.

    (1)
  • Vic D.

    Suburban hipster take on Mexican street tacos. I tried three varieties of tacos and liked them all. What I didn't like was the inability to order a "platter," with beans and maybe rice along with the tacos. A side of beans was $3, IIRC, and I thought that was pretty steep. They charge for chips and salsa, and a chips and salsa "flight" with three salsas was $5. I can't speak to the alcohol available, as I don't drink. Service was friendly, if a little disorganized. It's not bad, and I'd go back again if I wanted street tacos and didn't feel like going far from home. But there are places in Mexicantown that do this better and don't nickel-and-dime you for things that you rightfully expect to see on your plate.

    (3)
  • David K.

    Great tacos, great salsa and great atmosphere. Go to there.

    (5)
  • Cara S.

    Great atmosphere great service great drinks great crowd. Good food so gave it four. Loved the corn DEEELISH. Veggie hotdog not as much. Loved the sweet salsa.

    (4)
  • Dan M.

    Awesome food and drinks! Heard some mixed reviews about the service, but that must have been early on. Our service was great. Fast, friendly, responsive. Great beer selection. Nice patio. I had the Carnitas Torta, I've been dreaming of it since. A welcomed addition to Ferndale / Metro Detroit. Well done.

    (4)
  • Sandi H.

    I dream about these tacos, man! I'm from Southern California & I'm always on the hunt for REAL Mexican tacos (ya know, no cheese or salad in there or jarred salsa to mess it up) and these guys deliver. The chorizo/potato taco is outstanding, on the salty/spicy side as it should be. And talk about mouthwatering- Al Pastor is the most amazing taco to ever grace my lips. Marintated pulled pork with grilled pineapple and jalepeno. OMG. So tender and juicy, perfectly cooked. You have to be in the right mood for this place, so heads up. There's community seating and everyone's always really friendly. So if you like talking to strangers, this is right up your alley. I've been here many times where we invited people to sit at our booth. And the seating at the bench tables just forces conversation with new friends. Antisocials might be turned off. The only negative is I wished they controlled the smoking a little better. Patrons & employees smoke right outside the open garage-style doors & it floods the place on a busy night. So basically, it's still a smoking bar. I know, a little picky, sure. But those of you with allergies or issues w/smoke, should probably stick to less busy times to avoid this.

    (5)
  • Brian W.

    On a Sunday, can't go wrong with either a Holy Bull or Sinner's Savior.

    (5)
  • Claire G.

    I freakin' love Tacos...and these are right up my alley - served street style: w cilantro, onion, lime! LOVED the Al Pastor. Couldn't stop shoveling the verde salsa in my mouth w the warm chips. Seriously. Couldn't stop. And I am usually a SPICY SPICY person. Place looks awesome. Sweet patio in the back!

    (4)
  • Jason P.

    Imperial is awesome. Their tacos are pretty good and their guacomole & chips are amazing. If they ever get stuff on tap, they will easily get a 5 star.

    (4)
  • Kristen H.

    Went here for dinner the other night. I was impressed with the decoration and the ambiance. Casual, yet trendy. I didn't really know what to expect as far as food is concerned, but was really jonesing for some cheese dip. Unfortunately, Imperial does not offer my lovely queso friend, so we settled for some guacamole. We were not disappointed. It was freshly made and loaded with chunks of avocado. Delicious. The menu is quite small, a third of their drink menu. I don't eat piggy, so I got Tinga and Carne Asada tacos. They were good, but keep in mind, they are TINY. We came for dinner and were not full when we left. I only got two tacos, and the boys got three. They were also still hungry after. The drink menu offered the elusive "Big Corona". My friend was perplexed so he ordered one. Think homeless meets champagne, as it comes in a brown paper bag filled with ice, situated in a bowl. Quite interesting. The owner/manage guy came by a couple of times, which is always nice. Shows they're making an effort. The service was pretty good. I would definitely be interested in going again, but this time just for drinks and a snack.

    (3)
  • Dina B.

    Ehr. Ma. Gerhd. I call shenanagans on anyone who has anything bad to say about the food. Great margaritas. And I don't know why they have these hot dogs on their menu, but momma, they are da bomb. Authenticity? Who gives a rat's ass. The food's fantastic.

    (5)
  • Kimberly M.

    Delicious! I got the carne asada, potato chorizo and blackened shrimp tacos. All tasted very fresh. It was nice that each had different complimentary sauces/salsas. Decent beer list although really nothing to write home about. Huge selection of tequilas. The corn was outstanding. Churros came out almost too hot to eat but the dulce de leche sauce cooled it down a bit. Definitely a must have. Cool atmosphere. Wait staff was a little slower but food came quickly so not a problem. I will absolutely be going back.

    (5)
  • Gerry M.

    Absolutely awesome! Came here after a long walk from downtown Royal Oak, and had an incredible experience. I saw some other reviews about spotty service, and while Imperial wasn't very busy when we were there, we loved our servers. Very knowledgeable, engaging, and funny. Drink prices are better at regular times than most happy hours elsewhere...great beer list, and very inexpensive. Food was really good too, and also reasonably priced. Very cool atmosphere, great music and vibe with lots of seating choices, from communal to private. We'll be back for sure, if you're on the fence GO TO IMPERIAL.

    (5)
  • Gary B.

    A fun hipster Ferndale eating and drinking place. Located on Woodward just north of 9. The front has bay doors that roll up to outdoor waiting benches. We went Friday at 6, and got there just in time, after us there was a long wait. Inside some large skateboard pictures, a long bar, narrow side wall tables and stools, three long communal tables, and three booths reserved for parties of 6 or more. Several page beer menu. The food centers on small arty tasty tacos and hot dogs. The crowd tends towards trendy people and hipsters, to the point that we saw a 10-12 year old with his family wearing a fedora. Very loud inside.

    (4)
  • Candice N.

    Oh Imperial you are simply amazing! Tickled all of my tastebuds from the sweet pineapples to spicy jalapeno relish and scrumptious bacon wrapping all.of the flavor together. Bakersfield Sonoran was the one that satisfy my tastebuds. Thank you Thank you. I will be back

    (5)
  • Beth B.

    Went to Imperial for lunch today. Kind of glad I chose lunch since the menu is pretty small and all items are a la carte. Our table tried a little bit of everything, all were good. Salsa flight, delicious unique sampling of all those salsa, chipotle was my favorite and the verde the favorite of the other two diners. We tried almost all the tacos, except the veggie. All were full flavor and really unique. We ordered the grilled corn, tasty Also tried two dogs recommended by our server, tasted great with a nice Mexican Street food flare. I'd go back for lunch.

    (4)
  • Leila J.

    I was here for a friend's going away party and had many drinks and the hot mess nachos. The drinks were strong and the nachos were the BOMB, or maybe I was drunk, they did let me take them home. I came another time with some friends for dinner and had the street tacos, which were just ok.

    (4)
  • Brit B.

    The margarita was made to perfection! The guac and salsa and chips were amazing and the taco was pretty good! And all at a very decent price :-)

    (4)
  • Tamara K.

    The bacon wrapped hotdog was out of this world. Loved the carne asada taco and the jalapeños lit my mouth up. Also enjoyed tito's mule.

    (4)
  • Jason G.

    So this place has grown on me. They make some pretty good drinks and have a good selection of beers as well. I like cheap beer and they have my favorite "Blatz". Their menu has enough items on it to order a few to share with friends, which I enjoy better than ordering a full meal. The late night menu that is only in effect on Friday and Saturday nights is pretty damn good, try the "Hot Mess". My only problem with this place is the service at the bar. It's horrible. The bartenders most of time are just standing there chatting and talking with their friends at the bar. The management is a bit lackadaisical as well. They could use a good manager in there, maybe even some new bar staff. I understand you want to give your friends a job, but this is your business. Overall this is a great place to meet friends for a few drinks and some finger foods. Plus, they usually have a pretty attractive crowd as well.

    (4)
  • Amar A.

    Good food, good service. Can't go wrong with the tacos and the the salsa is great.

    (4)
  • Tyler M.

    They serve some of the best tacos around in my opinion! The environment is chill and the customer service is excellent. I highly recommend this place.

    (5)
  • Patrice W.

    Good food. I had the vegetarian tacos which were delicious with just the right amount of spice. I would definitely recommend adding some of their spicy sauces, definitely kicks it up a notch! My friend had the Carnita tacos and really enjoyed them too. We also had the guacamole. The perfect blend of avocado, onion, and garlic! Overall a solid with good tacos and a welcoming atmosphere.

    (4)
  • Amy K.

    FOOD : The food is delicious and super fresh tasting. The menu is small, and should really been seen as a side thought to the yummy cocktail list(i'll get to that). I had a sampling of all of the taco selections, the chips & guac, the corn & the grilled jalepeno. All tacos were simple and tasty. The guacamole was chunky, which is just the way I like it. I wasn't a huge fan of the corn, but my dining partner thoroughly enjoyed. And as mention by previous reviewers, the jalepeno was WAY to spicy and un-edible. All in all, I enjoyed our dining experience. SERVICE : We went in the first couple of weeks since their "grand opening" and, our server was VERY nice. But, she explained that it was her first night and that they "don't really do training", which was evident as she didn't know half of what was available. That being said, she was very attentive and answered questions to the best of what she knew. I personally feel that that could be equated to "growing pains" for the restaurant & look forward to my next visit. ***A manager sent me a very nice & friendly reply, which I thought was nice. This furthers the chances that I will be back ! P.s. "Like" their page on facebook & get photos of new items, specials & drinks ! : )

    (4)
  • lea p.

    After having an amazing time , meals and Moscow Mules at the Green Dot Stables , my best friend and I swung by the Imperial Sunday evening, we were already stuffed but we wanted to have appetizers and just take in the view. However, our corn on the cob came with not one but two sides of auburn colored human hair long enough to choke my meal right outta me. A few words of caution before you eat there...... know the difference between corn silk and silky hair....

    (1)
  • Jim M.

    My friend read a Detroit News article on this place and talked me into having lunch last week with our wives. One word describes all the food, BLAND! I had the carnita taco and half a Torta, mexican sandwich. The small menu said the Torta was a combination of cole slaw, peppers, beans and onions. It was just a dry sandwich with pork and dry cabbage, nothing else.The bread and pork were average, but boy was it dry. The carnita tacos were also dry. I purchased a bag of chips that were at least warm, even though totally taste less. Also who ever told people to salt the chips. If they were any good there would be no reason to drown them in salt. We tried two sauces, the green and the onion. The green tasted like water. The onion was good, but no pizazz at all. Just tomatoes and onions. Where were the peppers and cilantro?Incidentally the chips and each sauce cost extra.The service was good. Parking is pay if you can find a space any where near. I keep telling my self, this is a bar with some bland Mexican snacks, not a Mexican Restaurant with a bar. Any restaurant in The Mexican Town area can beat this place for price and taste, with chips and sauce thrown in free. I won't comment about my friend's meals except to say they were much less kind than me.

    (2)
  • Karen S.

    Great tacos! They're all good but I always get the Al Pastor taco, the pineapple sounds weird in a taco but its amazing. My husband always orders the hotdog wrapped in bacon.

    (5)
  • Jay D.

    Never again. Overpriced and sick-inducing. First, the margaritas are like twelve bucks and come in a highball glass. Puhleease! Less is NOT always more, especially when it comes to dinner. Anyway. All of my friends were talking this place up, but as a vegetarian I can tell you to AVOID THIS PLACE AT ALL COSTS. We had two orders of the vegetarian tacos. They were miniature and only six to a plate, so we had to order more even though we were already twenty-five bucks into the bill. But it was not enough to satiate anybody's appetite. And I don't even eat that much - my girlfriend is a hundred pounds and she usually out-eats me. SO we ordered a third platter. Then we decided to round out the meal with some chips and salsa. Like bread and butter at an Italian restaurant, or any restaurant in Mexican town, these should be free for a tex-mex (or just mex?) place, but no, chock up another fistful of dollars. Of course, my date spills them onto the floor and so we had to order another one, which did not come free either, so then we coughed up more money for a small paper bag containing a mere handful of tortilla chips. What a waste of my money. A few crummy tacos and chips and a drink cost me and my date a hundred bucks. Can I just bring my own next time and save twenty bucks? Seriously. The worst part of the story is that later that night after we went to bed, our stomachs began to gurgle. I ran to the bathroom and lost my guts - right out the back door. All night long my date and I took turns in the bathroom with the worst case of food poisoning I have ever experienced in my life. In the morning we were dehydrated and tired, but our colons were nicely cleansed. So I will refer to Imperial as the hundred dollar colon cleanser from now on.

    (1)
  • Mitch A.

    I really wanted to give this place more stars. I really really really hate giving "meh" reviews. I just can't bring myself to do anything other than that. First of all, its pretty loud. Although I didn't mark Imperial down for that. The place is aesthetically pleasing, It looks clean. The place got very busy when we came at lunch today. I don't know if that is the norm, or if it was extra busy because of the long weekend coming up. It seemed like there was only 1 waiter and 1 food runner and 1 bartender and 1 busboy for the entire floor. And, 1 POS system. Our waiter was pleasant and nice, but clearly overwhelmed: who wouldn't be? taking care of an entire full restaurant? I blame management for not having more help on the floor. It really took way too long to get our bottled (not bar) beverages. Too long to get our food initially. Too long to wait for him to come by so we could add something to our order. Too long to wait for him to come by to tell him we never got some of our items. Way too long to wait for a single taco add on. Too long to get our check. You would think that we were overly demanding by my description of needing to wait so long so many different times, but our server was so single task oriented it was driving me crazy. When he finally brought our bills, for example, I had my credit card out, ready for him to take it immediately. But he walked away, which left us waiting yet again. After several more minutes of trying to flag him down (I don't really blame him for not making eye contact with anyone at any table other than the one he was working on) to collect the check, I just had to flag someone else down because we'd spent 1 1/2 hours already and we really needed to go. Of course that person was the food runner, so she just passed our bills/cards on to him. But that was fine, at least he had them so it was one less thing we had to wait on. We didn't chintz on the tip because it was clearly not all our servers fault, but that doesn't mean it was all okay. We all ordered tacos, which I really think just had to be assembled in the kitchen. I get it, you're busy. But you're just assembling tacos, why does it have to take so... darn...long. Thank goodness we didn't order alcohol. The bartender was obviously in the weeds himself, we would probably still be there. The food. With the exception of the grilled jalapenos (which were pleasantly spicy and delish) everything was a bit bland. The Guacamole was chunky and good. The chips were warm. The salsa verde had good flavor, it was just super mild. And how is salsa verde THAT sweet? We had Jerk Lamb tacos, stewed chicken, al pastor and vegetarian. Everything was sweet but the vegetarian. The Jerk lamb with the( mango) salsa? was ok, but was very one dimensional: sweet, with no heat whatsoever...Jerk is by its definition "spicy." Why anglo-fy it? The stewed chicken was also super sweet, and the al pastor was sweet on sweet. If you're going to have a "fruity" salsa then please make the meat more savory so it can balance. I'm willing to make allowances for spice taste since I'm a little odd with my love of hatch peppers and Thai Food "hot plus", but as I said the ONLY thing that had any sort of bite to it was the grilled jalapenos. Even my 12 year old said everything lacked flavor other than being sweet, and nothing was spicy at all. Basically, I guess I'm glad I checked out imperial. The people in my dining party made it an enjoyable lunch. However, I just can't see going back by choice.

    (2)
  • Betsy A.

    I had heard great things about this place and we decided to start my husband's 30th birthday bar crawl with dinner here. We arrived about 6 on a Friday night and there were still a few open tables, so we snagged a large booth. We tried a little bit of everything the place had to offer, we ordered drinks from their tasty drink menu, got chips, guacamole and the salsa flight (three different kinds), then most of the tacos they offered, including the special of the day, beef tongue. Everything was delicious! Though my one complaint is that some of the guys in our group wanted to order a few more tacos before we left and it took forever for 5 more tacos to arrive. We got our bill and paid it before the tacos arrived. When all you do is tacos, I've got to imagine that they just need to be put together as they are ordered. I think our waiter maybe could have moved the process along a little to get us out of there and free up a table. i realize they were getting busy at that point, but I would think they'd want to turn over the table. But other than that the food, drinks and atmosphere were great! I'll be back.

    (4)
  • Amanda B.

    This is my second time to Imperial. I really wanted to try it since I live in SoCal now (originally from MI) and I knew the menu was suppose to be like California street tacos. I was disappointed the first time I tried to visit here, I was home visiting in July and called to see if I could have my coming home/birthday get together here, they were not very accommodating, so we decided to head somewhere else. I then went back a few days later and the kitchen was closed. Fail #2! So, finaaaaaaaaally we were able to try this place out on our most recent visit to Detroit. My boyfriend is Mexican and born & raised in California, so I really wanted his stamp of approval on the tacos. I ordered the asada and both the grilled and shredded chicken tacos. I think the shredded chicken was my favorite. The asada was good but definitely different than the asada we normally have off of the plentiful food trucks here in Cali. He had the carnitas and al pastor tacos and really liked them. They weren't my favorite but he was impressed. We also brought along two friends who said they were glad we found out about this place and they plan to come back and one of them didn't even eat! So overall, definitely a 4 star type of joint. The staff was also very nice and although the prices seemed steep, we did get quite a few drinks...which always racks up a bill. I do LOVE the decor and vibe though! It's trendy but still very comforting! We'll be back when we visit the mitten again!

    (4)
  • Josh S.

    really enjoyed the simplicity of options. your getting chips and salsa and a nice variety of tacos. served family style is is great for a group of people to mix and match with what they are looking for. decorum is modern and cozy. food was great and drinks were reasonably priced. great for a weekend night out.

    (4)
  • adam J.

    Went back for dinner a couple nights ago. The food came very fast this time and the service was top notch!

    (5)
  • Alex H.

    Having just come from L.A. where I ate my share of tacos from food trucks and mexican joints alike, I can confidently say that Imperial's tacos are among the best. So are their salsas and so is their guacamole. On top of that, the beer is cheap and the tequila options are extensive. As for service, the couple of times I've eaten there it's been great. Jordan G. and Robyn B. were both very friendly and attentive. Whether you want a bar with great food or just a place to get awesome tacos and plenty of beer, Imperial is where it's at.

    (5)
  • Grace M.

    I find it hilarious that the complaints below the people took the time to write insane novels. Every place has to work out its kinks but know what you're getting yourself into as far as food and atmosphere before you go. The food is phenomenal, the tacos have bursting flavors and are priced great. The menu has enough variety to please a crowd. The chips are always warm and the salsa is delicious. I shocked in a good way on the list of beers and cocktails they offer. The service was wonderful, all the times that I have stepped foot in here, from the wait staff to the bartenders. They seem to be enjoying what they are doing, each other company and were very helpful in answering questions and giving recommendations. Great add to the Ferndale area!!!

    (5)
  • Curtis B.

    I have no intention of writing my life story as it pertains to the Imperial. I'll keep it simple, service was painful, painful to speak with painful to wait for and painful to listen to. Wait, exceptionally long for everything ordering, serving, leaving bill taking bill (took 2 attempts everything hand written). The restaurant was half full at best, we saw the server walk out of restaurant, while we waited. Listen, to the excuses why they would only be making 3 cocktails from their menu "it was too labor intensive" to make the 9 dollar creations (the remaining three, not that appealing). The server was void of any sort of enthusiasm or charisma asking if we had tasted but not if we had enjoyed our dishes. However the taste of the Torta was dim, I pulled it apart to see what the malfunction was. The pork was a tender black hole that managed to rob the other ingredients of any essence or flavor, so bland in fact it was capable of devouring design elements off of the walls had there been any. Feijoles Charros w/ Chorizo and Chips the chips were the real winner here, hot and fresh in a paper bag. Left feeling a little robbed myself.

    (2)
  • Rob R.

    Horrible service and I just walked out

    (1)
  • Earl W.

    Omg! Came in by myself cause its my favorite way to eat. Was a sat night so they were packed but the manger/host/dude-with-awesome-stache found a seat for me at the bar. Sat in between an friendly couple and a not so friendly pair of friends. The bartender looked like she had been spawned from satan but when she came over she was super sweet, helped me decide which of the cocktails to try, and to my surprise, it was ready before I was even sure I made the right choice. It was a drink called ring if fire, and it was delicious. When I realized I was allowed to eat at the bar, I ordered the guacamole (amazing) the corn (double amazing) the veggie taco (redundantly amazing) and the new got dig with chicken in it(are you kidding?) it all came out very quickly, the food runner gal was very polite. I ended up having a decent convo with the couple next to me who I guess knew the bartender. We all finished dinner about the same time, so I ordered us desert shots. The bartender made something called root beer vodka which was juuuust right. All Niall this place nailed it at every step of the way, from getting me seated to helping me through their somewhat confusing menu and ordering processes. Definitely can't wait to take friends but obviously this is a place you can show up alone and still have a ball! New favorite place in Ferndale!

    (5)
  • Kristi M.

    Walked into Imperial on the first night. Early dinner as we had our little man with us. First, this place has a fantastic decor w outdoor space. Minimalist with lots of warm wood. The kind of place that I feel like I could sit with friends I see too little of and catch up all night. Our food was delicious. Were my expectations that it taste 'authentic'? Nope. I wanted interesting food with flavor. It satisfied that expectation beautifully. We sampled most of the menu and each of us had our favorites. They are kid friendly which now matters to us while still having the kind of vibe I would have wanted pre-kid. Second, I live in Ferndale so have a vested interest in seeing the community continue to gain strength and its own identity as a destination for others. Imperial is just the kind of place that will add to our downtown. So lastly, were they working through some growing pains, yup. Could'a, would'a, should'a before they opened, yup. So now they know. Imperial is a MI based, independently owned restaurant/bar that has all the elements to be fantastic ...and I think it will be. Will I be back? Of course!

    (4)
  • Brian H.

    This place has a great vibe. Finally something different in the area thats unique. I have been waiting forever for a cali style mexican joint to open. Imperial not only looks great with its sleek decor, it delivers in the food department. The tacos are all delicious, the guac is fresh, chips are not greasy and crisp, and the salsas, all outstanding. There are tons of reviews on here commenting on how bad the service was. We had awesome service on a busy saturday. This place just opened up and people are jumping on yelp putting there two cents in before this place even has a chance to prove itself properly. working out kinks that any new place has when they open. I loved the whole concept of imperial, I am a huge foody. I know great food. Imperials got it. Delicious.

    (4)
  • Andrew D.

    I was in town visiting my folks and I thought Id give this place a shot after hearing some good things from several friends. The atmosphere here is very casual and hip, which adds to the experience. Its has a community type feel to it due to the long, picnic style tables. The salsa and bourbon cocktail I started with were both spot on. You could tell that the salsa was made fresh and not some garbage out of a vacuum sealed pouch or jar. Lots of fresh lime and cilantro. I ordered an al pastor and some kind of stewed chicken taco that were both unbelievable. These tacos are updated but authentic and similar to what you might find on some of the NYC taco trucks. The service was just the way I like it. Our server was friendly and attentive but stayed out of our hair and didn't try to be our best buddy. Overall, I have to say that The Imperial was one of the best Michigan spots Ive been to in a long time. Next time I make my way back to Detroit I'm having me some more tacos!

    (5)
  • Amanda G.

    Loved the tacos and the lavender sidecars, and the food was really pretty reasonably priced. Nice ambiance. The service was still a little shaky, but we went opening weekend so that's to be expected. The only off note was the grilled jalapenos - we like spicy food, but cooked with the seeds in, these were almost too hot to eat.

    (4)
  • R L.

    Great drinks, great food, needs better front-end organization. Walked in around 8 pm on an Friday and the place was standing-room only. Stayed for an hour hovering around couples lingering way too long at communal tables meant for a minimum of four. Many more patrons could have had a seat and food service had there been someone (a greeter, hostess, manager?) to step up and direct people where to sit. Getting a table was a free-for-all. When a table became available, there was confusion as to which party was next to be seated. Don't understand why after five months of being in business this basic standard of running a restaurant hasn't been nailed down. I've heard the business wants to be known as a bar that serves food and not a restaurant, but the reality is that it is a bit of both, and customers need direction on where to sit. Detroiters aren't used to or comfortable with seemingly moving into someone else's space at a communal table. A host/hostess needs to take the lead when the place is crowded and take people to open spots at the tables. When they get this part of the flow down, then I would give the Imperial a higher rating.

    (3)
  • Chris T.

    So, this is the first time that I have ever written a Yelp review and I should also denote that as a Ferndale resident I am very proud of the restauraunts and bars opening up in the city. I have been to Imperial twice before and had superb service and have been recommending it to all of my friends. With that being said, I was ther yesterday with two friends who have never been there before but they have heard great things. We arrived at 8PM and ordered around 8:15--we ordered 8 tacos and a hot dog. After waiting 30 minutes for food we inquired with the bartender on why the food was taking so long--apparently the kitchen ran out of onions and they had to get more. Really, on a Thursday night you ran out of onions...at a taco joint? So we ordered more drinks. The food finally came out at 9:30--more than an hour from when we ordered. Not only were we absolutely starving but we were late meeting our friends at another venue. The food was still great--but the issue I had was no one really came up and apologized that 8 tacos took more than an hour to finally come--not one heartfelt apology. More so, being a newer restauraunt, you would think our bill would be discounted a little. So, I will still come to the restaurant because the food is great and the place is well decorated--but the service was absolutley abysmal that day. Just my two cents.

    (1)
  • Alexandra K.

    How it's August 1, 2015 and I'm just getting around to posting a review on Imperial is beyond me. Pro tips - -Order the salsa flight and guacamole every time. You will not be sorry. -The corn is awesome. Split it with a friend so you can get more tacos/hotdogs and not be full haha. -Order an uno mas, and then like the name says...order another one. -Tacos. Hot dogs. Can't go wrong with either. Or just order one of each. I've never been disappointed. PS - For Valentine's Day last year they had lobster mac-n-cheese bacon wrapped hot dogs. I know, I know. Just. Stop. It was everything.

    (5)
  • Taylor A.

    I went to Imperial last night for the first time. I have heard really great things about this place so thought I would finally give it a try. When I walked in it didn't look busy but the "hostess" told me the only available setting was the hightop on the wall. Not my first choice but I took it. It was a little awkward sitting there since your back is to everyone and you are literally staring at a wall. The server wasn't super nice but she wasn't rude. Just kind of somewhere in the middle which was a little confusing. I didn't get anything to eat and the pre-made cocktail list didn't look that great. All the drinks came with well tequila and I'm not about that life. I ended up ordering my usual 1800 silver on the rocks with a splash of Sprite. The place really started to fill up around 8:30pm. There was a line at the door and I was asked to move down a few seats so a party for four could sit together. The decor is modern and looks like a hipster threw up all over it.

    (3)
  • Karol C.

    I really enjoyed Imperial. We sat at the bar which is very comfortable. There are communal tables in the front of the restaurant and more private tables in the rear. There is also a decent-sized outdoor seating area, which is more for hanging out than eating (no tables). We ordered chips and guac for our appetizer. The guacamole was really fresh and tasty. Just thinking about it makes me want more. #avocadolove The regular menu is small but just right. I tried a pork taco which had pineapple on it among other ingredients. I liked the filling, it was very fresh and bursting with flavor; but didn't care much for the soft corn tortilla. It seemed bland. As a mustard and sauerkraut type of girl, I found the hot dog toppings unusual. I was a bit hesitant, but decided on the Paso Robles. It was beyond yummy; the kind of treat that one would crave often. It was so usual that I can't remember all of the toppings save chorizo and beans...oh yes, the hot dogs are wrapped in bacon...yum! The prices seemed appropriate; typical of bar food. *adding Imperial to my favs list*

    (4)
  • Heidi S.

    Great place to eat and drink! I appreciate the small food menu - they really stick to what they are good at. I have tried most of the tacos and a couple of the hot dogs and I'm never disappointed. The corn is great too! My only complaint is that they are always so busy and there isn't much of an area to wait in. The bar is pretty small and on a busy night it is uncomfortable to get a drink and there is nowhere to stand while waiting for a table. Pro tip: come on a weekday when it is less busy!

    (4)
  • Marygrace A.

    Been here twice, the first experience was much better than the second. Excellent food - good tacos, fantastic margs, meaty tortas and unique sonorans (bacon wrapped hot dogs). Tried the chorizo dip,which was cold and disappointing. The grilled jalapeños are excellent,but they are spicy! Elote is delicious. Service was good the first time, atrocious the second. Surprisingly, the first waitress was very busy but always attentive to myself and four friends. Then, I brought my family on an empty Saturday at 3,and our food was late (by 20 minutes) and the waiter ignored us. Will return, but be aware that service is slow even when the place is empty.

    (3)
  • Gary B.

    A fun hipster Ferndale eating and drinking place. Located on Woodward just north of 9. The front has bay doors that roll up to outdoor waiting benches. We went Friday at 6, and got there just in time, after us there was a long wait. Inside some large skateboard pictures, a long bar, narrow side wall tables and stools, three long communal tables, and three booths reserved for parties of 6 or more. Several page beer menu. The food centers on small arty tasty tacos and hot dogs. The crowd tends towards trendy people and hipsters, to the point that we saw a 10-12 year old with his family wearing a fedora. Very loud inside.

    (4)
  • Barbie M.

    Holy Taco of Awesomeness!! I dont know where to start!! How about the communial seating....LOVE IT!! They have pribate tables and a bar area but I really love sitting at a big table amongst strangers and making new freinds over tacos, guac and tequila. HELLO ITS PERFECT!! The decor is simple but does the trick. I like it lots. THE FOOD!! Sweet baby Jesus! My BF and I started with chips and guac. The chips came in a paper scak still toasty and warm. I'm pretty sure I growled at my guy when he tried to take the last scoop of guac lol. Its so good! TACOS!! This Irish Lass loves a taco! lol We had the weekly special of blood tongue and it was on point. Tender, cooked perfect and the salsa type sauce on it was to die for. Oh we also had carnitas and I don't know if I can put together the right words to describe how effing delicious they were!!! Dear Imperial, I love you! Gather your friends or your boo and go to Imperial and get one of everything! My next plan is to attack the sonora style hotdog side of the menu.

    (5)
  • Loren K.

    I really love Imperial. Delicious authentic tacos, amazing hot dogs, full bar and a great atmosphere. I am not a big drinker, but if I were, the bar here would be the type I'd gravitate to. This place is really great to go with friends, lots of them! It would also be a fun date spot. They have a "not so secret" menu for weekends, late night. A really cool little spot, and I will definitely be back!

    (5)
  • Carl O.

    Great little tacos in a variety of styles. Hot dogs are just ok in my opinion. I have been here many times with different groups and everyone leaves happy. Drinks are nice and stiff.

    (4)
  • Nick L.

    Elote Especial (corn for you gringos), grilled Jalapeños, tacos, Guac, dogs and choc dipped churos? Please believe! Fuckin' a Ferndale you're pulling your weight these days. This little taco/booze emporium has everything someone bored out of their mind in Detroit needs. Good fucking drinks, good fucking food and babes. So many hipster babes that some shitty, "I'm a creative type and I wanna buy you a drink." type line is bound to work out. Oh and babes, there's some dudes here too. And they're thirsty as hell. But, only 4 stars cuz some wanna be fuck boy shit from the deep suburbs is for sure hanging tight thinking they trill as fuck doing it Detroit style for the night. But besides those stupid fucks, this place is on point. Try it out and then hit Danny's for a few too many cold ones after.

    (4)
  • Annette J.

    Haven't been disappointed by Imperial yet. Chips and guac, salsa, and are all solid starters. The elote especia (corn on the cobb topped with pablano lime cream and cotija cheese) is an awesome snack. Tacos are fresh and packed with tons of flavors. And bacon wrapped hot dogs? Get out of here if you think that sounds like a bad idea! All of it is great. And while the portions may look small, don't be fooled! Those tiny tacos are quite filling! I think it's those double corn tortillas. I always order three and think, "this is gonna be perfect" but then by the time the chips and guac come and I've picked my way through those I'm only able to get about 2 in before tapping out. But they do make a great late night snack if you take the rest to go. My personal fave of the taco options is the pork with pineapple jalepeno salsa. Not that spicy but still reaaaal good, especially if you're 'bout that sweet/salty combo life. Prices are great and since it's a la cart you can add as much or little as you want to eat. $2.50 a taco isn't really that much more than a fast food bite and it's way way way better. Lots of vegetarian options too (like seitan tacos and veggie dogs) if you're not a carnivore. Lunch for two without booze was a mere $20 and we both left stuffed. Tequila and I had a pretty epic falling out in college but if it's your thing they also have a fantastic selection plus great cocktails and such. Perfect for a quick bite or for drinks and and fun with friends.

    (4)
  • Eric S.

    We stopped in here on a Thursday in a group of six. We were quoted about an hour wait and were seated in about that time. It was a little frustrating to have the hostess tell us the next booth to be available would be ours and then see someone walk in forty minutes later than us sit in a booth before us. I ordered the Imperial Hot Dog and an Al Pastor taco. The food was inexpensive and tasty. Not anything special, but a fun atmosphere and a good deal. The beers were also pretty inexpensive and there was a good selection of import bottles. They were out of the cheese/ingredients for several dishes and out of one of beers we tried to order.

    (3)
  • Ronda N.

    The carnitas tacos and margaritas are my favorite. Most of the food is hommade including the tortilla chips that are served warm with a side of salsa or guacomole. The guac can use a kick of fresh lime, cilantro and red pepper flakes. It is easy to get served at any time, even during busy lunch and dinner hours. I sometimes dine at the bar to change it up and watch the bartender mix cocktails. The service is always quick and friendly. I've been dining at Imperial for years and each time it makes me feel happy like like all is good in the world :)

    (4)
  • Patrick N.

    Before my review would have been a three, but after my experience today I'm glad to give these guys four stars. The employees are cool as Hell, the drinks are creative, and today in the back they literally spoon fed me a sample of next month's chicken chili as you would a toddler. This added a memorable depth to my drunken stupor. Fantastico.

    (4)
  • Emma P.

    Being from socal, I grew up eating some of the best Mexican food that can be had. To my surprise, Imperial has some of the best tacos I've had outside of Socal. Not to mention, their Elote especial and Sonora dogs.

    (5)
  • Angela S.

    Had to stalk the bar for some seats, but we ended up getting lucky and sat within about 10 minutes. Very trendy place, expect at least 30 minute wait if you go during prime dinner hours. Tacos are better than the dogs. Salsa flights are awesome. Margaritas are good - the other drinks we tried were just OK (moscow mule). Cant go wrong with a Mexican beer though. ELOTE! The elote is truly declious. I'm giving 4 stars because the service has always been good, in addition to what I discussed above.

    (4)
  • Sara B.

    I'm pretty picky about Mexican food, and while this wasn't authentic Mexican I was still able to enjoy it. I've been here before and encountered an hour+ wait, but we actually were able to sit out on the patio right away. Our waitress was very prompt and attentive the entire time we were there, and the food came out quickly. We started off with the salsa flight. It came with hot, medium (green), and a mild red pepper salsa. I enjoyed the different flavors the salsas had even though they were a bit sweeter than I like, and the chips were warm and perfectly salted. For our main meal we got 2 tinga de pollo tacos, 1 carne asada, and 1 adobada de pollo. All of them were flavorful and the meat was juicy and ample in portion. I wish there had been a bit more cilantro on top, but that's being nitpicky. Overall this was a good experience, and I'll come back.

    (4)
  • Philip S.

    Imperial is essentially a hipster taco spot with hot dogs and cocktails. The seating is mostly Biergarten style, with long tables and and benches on either side. There are three booths that are conducive for parties of 6-8 people. Their al pastor taco and elote especial are the bees knees! Juicy pulled pork and Mexican style corn? You can't go wrong. Depending on what time to you, and how busy they are, the food can taste like it's been sitting out for 15 minutes longer than it should, but overall, solid spot with quality food and groovy ambience.

    (4)
  • Kelli B.

    Tacos and hot dogs! Yum! The food here never disappoints. It doesn't matter what you order, you should slather it in the habenero sauce. I was tempted to shove the squeeze bottle in my purse. Came here last night after an event and it was quite full. Somehow we got to sit at the bar and Jon was our guy. It's been a long time since I've been to a busy bar and the bartender could keep up with drinks and still have a personality with his patrons. If he doesn't like his job...He hides it well. I'd go back just because of him. Downside? THE BATHROOMS! Open the door to the smell of bleach but pretty sure they pushed it around the floor with a greasy mop. You could see the color of the floor but soiled and blackened where the mop sloshed muddy ick to dry. The stalls...just don't. Hopefully you went before stopping by here.

    (4)
  • Dave H.

    Very trendy spot in Ferndale offering communal seating, lots of wood grain, Mexican inspired dishes, and concentration on liquor infused cocktails and offerings. I had the Tito's Mule, which is their take on the Moscow mule, and it was good; a bit on the sweeter side but quaffable. My date had the tequila infused mojito and that was kinda dreadful. Heavy tequila taste and not quite what she was after. Couldn't find a regular mojito listed on their menu. Next up was just a couple of beers, Sierra Nevada and a Pacifico, which were just fine. The staff had a very eclectic, I may drink your blood, I hate my parents type vibe, which came off initially as standoffish and cold. They all seemed pigeon holed into the same, "I have tattoos- lets wear Satan inspired clothes- black is all I see" which is fine if you're going for a metal bar look, hell even I have tattoos and am not sure what's going on here. Overall I didn't check the food but it looked good and different so I'll be back to give it another go.

    (3)
  • Mac R.

    Ok, I'll admit it - I've fallen for Imperial and I've got it pretty bad! It's on the mandatory list now when we visit our family in Ferndale. The good news is, the rest of my family agrees so it's not a hard sell. So much is absolutely perfect about this place and I'm totally willing to overlook the minor stuff that isn't. Once that love quotient enters the picture, 5 stars becomes an easy call. I'll be happy to list the perfection here: The Bakersfield Sonoran Hot Dog - literally the best hot dog I've ever eaten in my entire life! Wrapped in bacon & slathered with grilled pineapple, queso fresco, jalapeños and other delights that just get in your head & don't let you go. If this particular dog isn't to your taste, don't worry - there are several others that will most likely allow you to find your personal hot dog nirvana. Multiple versions of their tacos - also perfect. Don't forget to ask about whatever fabulous concoction has been created by the kitchen that week. I had a braised short rib with cherry chutney the other night that rocked my world. Just work your way through the selections and enjoy! The margaritas are amazing! We watched a bartender one afternoon juice an enormous bowl of limes while we had lunch. We told her we so appreciated what might have felt like a thankless job because those margaritas are so worth all that hard work! Our girls have ordered many of Imperial's cocktails and love those, too. Personally, I'm pretty content with the margaritas! So much to love and believe me, I'll be back to enjoy as often as I can!

    (5)
  • LeAnne P.

    To celebrate National Tequila Day and kickoff my birthday weekend, a friend and I went to Imperial for the first time. I was thoroughly impressed with my first visit! Loved the simplistic, yet very nice, decor. All of the staff were very nice. Great patio spaces in the front and back. I was shocked, at first, when I saw the menu. Tacos and gourmet hot dogs? Very odd combination. But, ok. The hot dog of the day was the Philly Cheesesteak hot dog. Say what?! My attention was piqued, so I tried it (and I needed something to soak up the 2 Detroit Tarts ). It was surprisingly delicious! Never would have put the 2 together. Later tried the Al Pastor taco to accompany the One Night in Mexico. Both were also great. Imperial is now on my go to list. I definitely will be back!

    (5)
  • Albert K.

    I lived in Ferndale when this place first opened, but after the mixed reviews I decided to wait until they worked out all the kinks. I had been in for drinks, but I hadn't eaten there until yesterday. I have to admit, i was pleasantly surprised. I order the Tinga, Adobada, Carne, and Papas. I felt the first three were all solid and were a value at $2.50 a pop. I was not a fan of the Chorizo taco as it was just too salty and the queso fresco put it over the edge of being too rich. Only other downside was they had no draft beer. However, the canned beer I had was fresh, so didn't miss it too much. I also split the chips and salsa flight with a friend and I felt that all I am sure it has been addressed in other reviews, but the main sitting area is a communal eating , so be prepared to share space if you have a bigger group. But they do have smaller seating in back and there is good bar seating all around. Not sure if I am adding to anything mentioned by others, but I am happy I finally got a round to trying this place.

    (4)
  • Rebecca T.

    I've only eaten here a handful of times but every time I do, I always leave happy. Came here this afternoon and we got in just in time (around 4:30pm), an hour later and there was a wait starting. I won't go super into detail about the food because well, it's tacos. And bacon wrapped hot dogs. And some sides. And an extensive drink menu. What more could you ask for? Prices are pretty fair for what you get, and I love that the tacos are small enough that you don't feel guilty for eating 4....or 6. The corn was pretty tasty, and I would love to see some kind of queso dip on the menu (unless there is and I'm missing it). Taking one star off for the state of the bathrooms. It's such a beautiful restaurant, I wish they would have extended it to the bathrooms. The toilet is about ready to come away from the floor.

    (4)
  • Pete D.

    So I have gone to Imperial about 6 times and I have waited to write a review so I can make that I haven't missed anything, I guess I must be too picky the food is ok not great only just good and only sometimes. The service is just plan poor with a big helping of attitude. Love the look of the place, it's open and spread out. You can meet some nice peps and talk to all your follow dinners. The place is a little loud but that's the kind of place it is, so if fun is what your looking for this is it. Come for the view, the atmosphere, for the fun but not for the food. That just not the focus at the Imperial or at least in my opinion. Sorry hipster and cool people just one person perspective. Enjoy all the Michigan has to offer.

    (3)
  • Diba R.

    Best beef tacos!!!!!! Always get the salsa and guac you will NOT regret it! Only complain is when I asked the waiter to clean our dirty table she literally took her hand and shoved the crumbs...

    (4)
  • Holly S.

    Came here with a group of girls yesterday and ordered one of every food item on the menu (except elote- we ordered manyyyy of those tasty bad boys) and everything was fantastic! The salsa trio with guac was soooo good! Churros were perfectly doughy on the inside and crunchy on the outside! Highly recommend this place it lives up to the hype :)

    (5)
  • Gary R.

    I've been back many times since I first reviewed The Imperial and I have to say my opinion of it has only gotten better. 5 stars aren't enough to rate this place. It's far better than 5 stars. It's my favorite place in Ferndale. Might be my favorite place in all of metro Detroit. And it has my favorite hot dogs of anywhere I've ever been. And the tacos? Amazing. Drinks? Fabulous, especially the margarita where you really don't have to concern yourself about whether they actually put any tequila in it at all (face it, you know many places where that's true). Open air in the summer. Great atmosphere. Just a special place. Please stay away and let me enjoy it in peace.

    (5)
  • Sir Poop A.

    I always go back because of the vibe, the space, and the people are great. BUT- it's got the most inconsistent drink making ever... Every time I order a margarita (every) it's different. Yesterday I'm pretty sure they forgot the tequila. Half the time it tastes like you are sucking on a lime. Food is pretty consistent, as long as you know it's a limited menu, which is totally fine for me. I will continue to go, but sticking to beer going forward where they can't mess it up. Sucks they can't get it figured out.

    (3)
  • Tamara K.

    The bacon wrapped hotdog was out of this world. Loved the carne asada taco and the jalapeños lit my mouth up. Also enjoyed tito's mule.

    (4)
  • Rebbie R.

    Great food and a lot of fun. I have been here twice. Once with a large group of friends and once with a girl friend who I wanted to catch up with. With the girl friend it was hard because it can get loud and the seating in the front puts you right next to strangers at a long table - a lot of fun if youre going out to be social - not so much if you want to talk to the person you are with. I think it was particularly rough that time because we got seated next to a date and both of us thought the girl was the most obnoxious person we had ever heard talk. I would not personally take a date here for a first date - but I also wouldn't have actually wanted to hear that girl talk so - possibly good show on that dude's part. When I went with a larger group to hang out it was perfect. The food is delicious and perfect food to go along with a few drinks. It is reasonably priced and the tacos are small so you can get a lot of variety for not much money.

    (4)
  • David D.

    No matter where I travel to, I always have a craving for Mexican food. Decided to try out imperial. Parking can be a hassle. There are lots of other restaurants around and some meter parking and a parking lot that charges per hour. Luckily I was able to find a meter within a couple of minutes. Others weren't so lucky. The place was packed, granted I did get there during prime time. In the front there was an open patio and bunch of picnic style table that you can sit at with others. They have a bar which you can see when you walk up to the hostess. If you go past it there is another room with lots of tables. I was told it would be a 40 min wait or we can grab a seat at those picnic tables. It reminded me of a typically place in New York but bigger. We ordered the corn, chips and guacamole, al pastor taco, carne Asada taco, and bacon wrapped hot dog ( shout out to the LA hot dogs carts). We also ordered two drinks : hotel California and the Detroit tart. The drinks: def packed a punch with lots of tequila. Hotel California had st germain, orange slice, and lemon. My favorite of the night. The Detroit tart had tequila, cherry tart and salted rim. Chips and guacamole: the chips were awesome. They seemed freshly made and had the perfect crisp and seasoning to them. The guacamole was a little under whelming. We asked for more limes. wish I had some paprika with me. Hot dog : I completely forgot the name so stupid of me. Anyways it had some cilantro, cheese , pickled onions, and a hot dog wrapped with bacon. My favorite part of the hot dog was the pickled onions. The hot dog itself was a little under whelming. The corn: delicious. Had lots of cheese still think the best corn ever is in Disneyland. Al pastor taco: interesting how they made this. They had shredded meat instead of pieces. They also had pickled onions and cilantro. The pineapples were good. The taco was pretty runny and had decent taste. Carne Asada taco: a lot better than the al pastor. They had huge chunks of steak in the taco. The order of my favorites are: corn, drinks, chips, carne Asada , hot dog , and al pastor. Overall def worth trying for the corn and ambiance and when you have a craving for Mexican food.

    (4)
  • AJay J.

    Great drinks and atmosphere always! The food is a another conversation. Greasy tacos that lacked favor from the grease. I was disappointed but would come back for drinks.

    (2)
  • Jon G.

    Imperial is The best around for tacos And hot dogs as well -My Haiku for Imperial Taco "Surprisingly good wieners for a place named for tacos" -My slogan for Imperial Taco "Could have been worse." -My wallet on the prices at Imperial Taco.

    (4)
  • Candice N.

    Oh Imperial you are simply amazing! Tickled all of my tastebuds from the sweet pineapples to spicy jalapeno relish and scrumptious bacon wrapping all.of the flavor together. Bakersfield Sonoran was the one that satisfy my tastebuds. Thank you Thank you. I will be back

    (5)
  • Rodrigo T.

    I listened to the hype and the praise from everybody who's been to this gastropub. Everybody says it's "REALLY" good, their food is totally "AWESOME!" Can somebody explain to me why I wasn't impressed by their culinary exprience? Their front of the line employees were very good. Service in this place was top knotch. They took good care of us, our order was placed when we needed it to be placed, my SOL beer was served with salt rimmed glass with lime. Our food came in a timely fashion and it was astonishingly hot. Now the food is a different story. I must've bought into the hype too much. Maybe I'm too much of a snoot when it comes to my mexican. Or is it because I'm used to authentic mexican as opposed to what they serve here? I'm not gonna lie, their guacamole and chips was very good. But I felt like that's where the imagination ended. I ordered 3 different tacos and their Imperial Dog. The tacos were decent and the hot dog was rather lackluster. I thought wrapping things in bacon is supposed to make food phenomenally mental. But this never made it past "just ok." I blame the hotdog on this one, maybe if they used a hotdog that had a bit of snap to it, then it would've done the trick. I just felt like I was biting into a ball park brand hotdog wrapped in bacon. It's a bit insulting if you ask me. Remember, the glass is always half full! Weeeeeee! Follow me on instagram @rodtorres3

    (3)
  • Danielle Z.

    I normally don't go to a Mexican place to order a hot dog, but there's an exception to every rule. Imperial's vegetarian hot dog with a slew of topping was amazing! And don't forget to pair it with a proper margarita made with real lime juice...none of that margarita mix junk in this place ;) We had our toddler in tow and even though it's not on the menu, they made a cheese quesadilla for her...she's used to flour tortillas and wasn't a fan of the house corn torts, but she'll come around one day. The atmosphere is fun and the seating is community style tables and benches, which is fine if it's not busy. We went at lunch time and got a booth to ourselves, but at peak times booths are reserved for parties of six or more. Imperial had a fun and new vibe to it and I was under the impression that would be a busy place in the evenings with a nice bar crowd.

    (4)
  • Erin H.

    I can't believe I have never written a review for a place that's my favorite spot in Ferndale to hang with friends, drink fantastic tequila cocktails and eat delicious and cheap food! They don't need my rave, but I'll give it: I always have a good time, good drinks and great food when I got to the Imperial. The bartenders are fantastic, the decor never gets boring to look at, and the crowd there is always cool - meaning mellow, but not and very rarely jammed with garbage people - it's just a good scene. If you're lucky and the weather is good the back is great even if you're not sitting outside - just to be next to the open space is great. I have taken several people here who were thoroughly unconvinced at first - 'the menu was too limited' and 'oh you just find a seat yourself?' and THEN the drinks come and the food comes and they get it.

    (5)
  • Marie D.

    I don't always eat hotdogs! But, when I do it's a Bakersfield Sonoran from Imperial. The service is good, food and cocktails excellent. If you are a margarita fan try the Imperial Margarita (but don't try to many).

    (5)
  • Beth B.

    Went to Imperial for lunch today. Kind of glad I chose lunch since the menu is pretty small and all items are a la carte. Our table tried a little bit of everything, all were good. Salsa flight, delicious unique sampling of all those salsa, chipotle was my favorite and the verde the favorite of the other two diners. We tried almost all the tacos, except the veggie. All were full flavor and really unique. We ordered the grilled corn, tasty Also tried two dogs recommended by our server, tasted great with a nice Mexican Street food flare. I'd go back for lunch.

    (4)
  • Leila J.

    I was here for a friend's going away party and had many drinks and the hot mess nachos. The drinks were strong and the nachos were the BOMB, or maybe I was drunk, they did let me take them home. I came another time with some friends for dinner and had the street tacos, which were just ok.

    (4)
  • Brit B.

    The margarita was made to perfection! The guac and salsa and chips were amazing and the taco was pretty good! And all at a very decent price :-)

    (4)
  • Delilah M.

    I am going to expand on my original review (below). The experience I have had since is unlike anything I have ever experienced on Yelp before. After I posted this review, my inbox was flooded with hateful messages accusing me of getting the waiter below fired. This was mind boggling to me since A) I never gave the server's name B) Never gave the date/time of our visit and C) Didn't disclose where we sat. In addition to this, I was never contacted by Imperial's management regarding the incident, which means I never provided A, B, and C to Imperial. A server was fired from Imperial the same week my review went up. To be honest - I don't even know if he was my server. I never got my server's name - because we left without eating (or being served). The server that was fired however felt it was completely appropriate to blame me for his firing. So much so he had his Dad and friend message me too. He claimed to have been a server there for over 2 years and that when he was fired he was told it was because of Yelp. This is absolutely ludicrous. How can someone fire you based on a review that doesn't mention, well...YOU. I tried explaining this to all the parties the messaged me. Essentially you can't argue with crazy - and all parties refused to acknowledge fact. By this time the owner of Imperial had reached out to me - and I inquired about the firing. She affirmed that while someone was let go, my review had nothing to do with it, (see A, B, and C above). So needless to say - I am DONE with Imperial. **************************************************­**************************************************­******** I have been to Imperial 3xs - and each time the service was TERRIBLE. READ: TERRIBLE. If you want to skip over here for a business lunch - forget about it. Each time I have been to Imperial, this has been the pattern: Sit down and wait about 10 minutes Waiter brings water and I ask for menus. Waiter looks at me like I just criticized his flannel. 5 minutes later - waiter brings menus And wait........ No JOKE I wanted 20 minutes for the waiter to return once. The next time, my group and I ended up leaving. Ferndale doesn't seem to realize that commerce isn't successful when your only demographic is Ferndale. There are many businesses in the area - and people need to be in and out in about 60 minutes. Considering it's hot dogs and tacos - this should not be challenging. All hype - no service. I'll pass and recommend something else every time.

    (1)
  • Carly H.

    Went here for dinner on a whim because we happened to be in the area. It was awesome! First, we started with chips & guac. The chips were homemade and still warm, and the guac was also excellent. The tacos were fantastic, and my husband loved the hot dog he ordered. I highly recommend the elote, especially if you've never tried it before, it was some of the best I've ever had. Churros for dessert rounded out an excellent meal. I ordered a beer, but next time I will definitely try one of the many specialty cocktails on the menu. My one complaint was the service. Our waiter was friendly, but he seemed completely frazzled, as the restaurant appeared to be short handed on a Saturday late afternoon. We didn't get napkins or silverware for the entire meal, and everything was very slow.

    (4)
  • Lindsay B.

    Geez, over 300 reviews for this place...do you really need me to tell you to try this place? Of course not. Am I telling you to try this place anyway? Yes. Yes I am. I love tacos. I love guacamole. I love fun cocktails. And I totally love restaurants that have these items AND are vegetarian friendly. The Imperial has a relaxed vibe. Light wood tones, a super cool backlit bar, communal tables, garage doors to bring Woodward in on a nice day, and attractive hipsters taking your orders. The seitan tacos are legit. Spiced and cooked perfectly, the seitan is done about as well at Imperial as I've had anywhere. They are small, usually two is plenty for a meal. The green mole and queso fresco elevate this to top tier Mexican street food. The vegetarian hot dog is on another level. I've never tasted it's equal. Thanks to Imperial for actually having this in a vegetarian variety! The elote especial is super yummy, with the pablano lime cream and cotija cheese, a perfect way to eat sweet corn. The margaritas are insanely good, but look out for that Detroit tart, it's a tasty number! Very skilled bartenders. Imperial is my favorite restaurant in the Detroit area by a long shot. I'm looking forward to trying their brunch menu!

    (4)
  • Shelby W.

    Really tough to pick a rating for this place. The food.. AMAZING. Even my cocktails were tasty! Yum. But the service... My God. First off, do NOT dine in on a Saturday night lol it's like a mosh pit in there. We waited at the door for 5-10 min before I finally asked a bartender if there was a hostess, and there she was standing in front of me. I wouldn't have known she worked there though because the dress code for workers is a "little too casual". So we get seated and there wasn't even enough room between me and the stranger next to me for either of us to lift our arms to eat. Everything took forever to come out and then the bill... We were ready to just make a run for it .. We had to wave down the waiter several times to bring us the bill. Ridiculous. Over all though, the food is great and the tunes and decor was pretty cool. I'll be back, probably on a early Tuesday afternoon haha and for sure I will be getting carry our often.

    (3)
  • Katrina M.

    I had heard a lot about Imperial prior to going so my standards were set pretty high. That being said, Imperial exceeded my expectations. I started with a Detroit Tart cocktail and a chips and salsa flight. Both were great. I ordered the Adobada De Pollo and Al Pastor. While the Adobada taco was good, the Al Pastor was the winner hands down. I tried a bite of my friend's Bakersfield Sonoran Hot Dog and I will definitely order that in the future! Everything at Imperial was delicious and I can't wait to go back.

    (5)
  • Tony K.

    Tacos, hot dogs and booze. Imperial...you get me. This place is so good I literally bought the t-shirt. "Street" tacos are becoming increasingly trendy around the Detroit area and I've been trying them all, but I keep coming back to Imperial because they do it right. I am hopelessly hooked on their chorizo "papas con rajas" and seldom order any other kind. I've been getting them for over two years and they are still as good as the day I first tried them. Their bacon-wrapped Sonoran hot dogs are equally excellent. Today I had the monthly special which included chorizo, guacamole, queso fresco, onions and crumbled Fritos! Seriously...ADD THIS TO THE MENU. Of course I'll have no problem ordering the paso robles if you don't. As usual my friend and I split an order of their chips and frijoles as an appetizer before devouring our meals. As usual we left swearing we were each going for a run after work tonight. As usual we had no regrets. All this and Johnny Cash flipping you off from behind the bar? What more do you need?

    (5)
  • Jonathan P.

    Great place for tacos and hot dogs. Not any hot dogs, Da Hot dogs. They come loaded and worth every penny (not too many). Their jalapeños are pretty good as well. Today I had the torta for the first time and I can't complain. The drink one night in Mexico is the best. Good place to go out with friends and have a few drinks. If you go on the weekends it is going to be packed make sure you have time to spare.

    (4)
  • Kevin C.

    Food: 3 Atmosphere: 3 Service: 1 Experience: 2 "Would you like a side of Service with your meal?"

    (2)
  • Anthony S.

    Great prices and great food! The tacos are unique and extremely tasty!!

    (5)
  • Kou C.

    My good Lord, this place is off the charts! I eat a lot of Hispanic food but nothing compares to Imperial. I've heard the hype about this place and I am a fan of its hype the moment I took a bite into the Adobada De Pollo taco(grilled chicken). You can't only come here for the tacos too because they also have something that is off the charts and that's their bacon wrapped hot dog. Get the two and you will understand why this place is the spot to come to. Hands down, best hot dogs and tacos around Michigan.The food here is just spectacular!

    (5)
  • Brandon T.

    I thought I wrote a review but I can't find it. The salsa flight is very tasty,the hot dogs are near perfect...my favorite is the Bakersfield Sonoran,the tacos will make you feel like you're in Mexico relaxing in a local bar and I'm personally hooked on the uno mas... Try it..you won't regret it

    (5)
  • Carolyn E.

    When you go here, and you really must go here, order a couple tacos (the chorizo is amazing) and a hot dog. The Sonoran is one of the best tasting things I've ever eaten. Seriously. The only place I EVER order a hot dog is at a sporting event, but I'd go back just to order this dog. It's stupid.

    (5)
  • Justin Y.

    It's good! One day a buddy of mine insisted we go to Imperial for lunch. I gave it a chance and man-o-man it was great. What's not to love about a place that serves tacos AND hotdogs!? I really enjoyed the tasty chips and salsa which I washed down with some of their refreshing beverages. I can't wait to go back again and again.

    (4)
  • Nish S.

    Imperial is a social bar with shared seating, excellent collection of drinks, amazing service, one of the most innovative bar menus and DELICIOUS tacos!!!!!!! DELICIOUS hot dog!!! I loved the creationsof the chef!! New concept every week and fround shattering!! I was directed to another taco place by my sis- ironhorse!! I tried it and there is NO comparison!! Imperial stnds up apart from any other oily taco place!! I love fresh and healthy food - imperial never let me down!! If you do not try Imperial, you are missing on a lot!!! TIP- pick anything and you will not be disappointed!!!

    (5)
  • Christina K.

    Love this place. The Bakerfield hot dog is a must. My favorite place in Ferndale.

    (5)
  • Srishti S.

    This is my sister's favorite bar in this area, not only for the drinks but the food as well. So whenever we visit her, we obviously come to Imperial. And quite honestly I have fallen in love with this place too. Their tacos with those amazing sauces are so good. The veggie taco, lime chicken taco, elote, veggie hot dog are all spot on. The drinks are good, my favorite is the margarita. The servers pretty friendly. They have a late night menu as well. A nice place to chill out in Ferndale!

    (5)
  • Mark E.

    Really good margaritas and the food is great too! A must stop if you're in the area. Chips and the different varieties of salsa are probably my favorite part.

    (4)
  • B C.

    This place has my favorite chips and salsa ever!! And their guacamole is very tasty as well. I love the tacos and the fact that they always have new ones on special. The ring of fire tequila cocktail is on point! The service is good. The community seating can be uncomfortable at times, but other than that, this place is GREAT! I highly recommend this place!

    (5)
  • Will B.

    Love this place. They had a braised lamb, goat cheese and walnut taco on special last week that was phenomenal. Good margaritas, fresh food, and good times. A couple minor complains/suggestions: I wish the egg-on-your face hotdog (bacon wrapped hotdog with salsa, chorizo, egg, and other goodness) was available earlier in the day, even if it came at an extra cost. I'd still love to see this place have an entrée. Another welcome addition would be a tortilla soup, corn chowder, or some other liquid deliciousness.

    (5)
  • Zachary F.

    Arabe, arabe! Andale! Ambience 4: I liked the setup and atmosphere. It has long wooden tables for social group seating. It has two outdoor sitting areas., one in the front and one in the back. The bar is massive. In the center of it, it has a painting of Johnny Cash pissed off giving you the middle finger. I liked that. Food/drinks 5: I loved their tacos! I ate 4 and I could have ate 10. I tried one with each meat, steak, pork, chicken, and charezo. They were all amazing, but personally, I would stick with the steak and pork. Their salsas were also delicious. All spicy, but each amazingly flavorful and tasty. I can't wait to go back and try some of their other items, in particular a hot dog. They sounded awesome and I really wanted to try one but I'm not thar fat, yet. I can't comment too much on their drinks, since I only had Angel's Envy on the rocks but my friend said her drinks were good. Service 1.5: the bartender was really nice but we sat with our drinks empty multiple times. There was a point where I tried to get his attention with laser eyes but he seemed to look right past me. The bar wasn't even that busy. It got to the point where it was actually comical. I would stare at him and it almost appeared like he was trying to avoid eye contact. The barback was more attentive then the bartender. Overall 3: I loved their food and atmosphere but the service sucked. Maybe it was a 1 time thing. I'll definitely be back to find out. Mexican food is my favorite food and their tacos were mucho dynamite!

    (3)
  • Liz P.

    BELIEVE THE HYPE. This place lives up to its reputation. We came here around 2pm on a Sunday, they do brunch from 11am-3pm but we came for the tacos. I was here w/ an Ann Arbor friend who had never been to Ferndale, and I don't go there that often either even though I live close by. I ordered two tacos, one of the Sonoran hot dogs, the High Noon drink (tequila, sparkling champagne, etc) and we had churros with chocolate dipping sauce for dessert. SO GOOD. One taco had pulled pork and one had chicken, I think I liked the pulled pork one better. The hot dog was delicious although on paper sounded a bit strange - pineapple, onions, chicken pieces, etc. We sat at the bar area, I guess that's first-come, first-serve, but the rest of the tables (mostly communal picnic-table seating) you have to wait for if there is a line. We made friends with the guys sitting next to us, though, which was also cool. I would definitely come back here again. The churros were fantastic but a little expensive, $2.50 for one (we each paid $2.50 and got 2 total). It tasted like french toast sticks with cinnamon and a hot chocolate-type sauce, almost. (hot chocolate, not HOT chocolate) The hot dogs are $4 which isn't bad either, my friend had a Bloody Mary which was about $8 and my drink was $7. I look forward to trying more food from Imperial! They have a late night menu too that looked awesome. I'd give it 4.5/5 stars ONLY because of the bathroom, the stalls were kind of tiny and hard to fit into.

    (5)
  • Mike S.

    Great food and great service. Sam,the waitress, was super friendly and helpful, she even brought over an extra stool for us to eat at the waiting area. We come here often and this is the best service we've had.

    (5)
  • Karina S.

    i went on a lack luster date here recently and the food was as boring as my date. The salsa flight had no flavor and the chorizo was not spicy. Try a taco cart its way better. They also made my Chelada wrong!! GRRRRR if you're a mexican place you should know Chelada is lime and salt NOT tomato juice! That would be a michelada! save yourself the experience of boring food.

    (2)
  • Kate K.

    Fills up pretty quickly, but do yourself a favor and get the hot dogs

    (4)
  • Gus M.

    If your looking for crazy hotdog and taco's combinations Imperial is the place for you. I really enjoy the ambiance. And the staff is so very friendly. Where else can you find a hot dog that is wrapped in bacon topped with BBQ chicken, pineapple, jalapeño, onion relish, chipotle, queso fresco and cilantro. Add some hot sauce and you have a hotdog unlike anything you have ever tasted. All of these flavors are the perfect combination. Be sure to check out their Resturaunt week menu going till Sunday 4/27/14 Follow Food Porn Detroit on Instagram!!!!

    (5)
  • Rena S.

    I have no idea why this place is so popular. None. This is your prototypical hipster restaurant. Their staff is OK, rushed and not overly kind unless you fit into the mold of their usual clientele, the night I went with my parents, we did not. The food was dry and didn't have much flavor. I LOVE Mexican food, this shouldn't even be called Mexican. I was so excited to have Mexican food with such a high rating so close to home, but was completely let down. I will probably give them a second chance but I don't have high hopes. That being said their chips and dip are amazing!

    (2)
  • Sarah M.

    I love imperial! The food is delicious and they have great drinks. The menu is different, they only have hot dogs and tacos but they are amazing! I am not a big hot dog fan but these are the best! The tacos are simple but they have a ton of flavor. We just tried the late night menu last night which is perfect for a midnight snack. Their drink menu is also different with a lot of cocktails I have never seen before but are delicious! I always order the uno mas which is a tequila and cucumber drink that is great! Service is always fast and the staff is attentive. Over all we love imperial!

    (5)
  • Marco D.

    I've been to Imperial twice now and I like this place pretty well. The mixed drinks are strong and thirst quenching goodness. I love the Imperial Margarita. The tacos are pretty good. If you took traditional Mexican tacos and Americanized them by 20% you'd get an Imperial taco. However, I do have a few complaints about the tacos. Firstly, I've never had one of their tacos delivered to my table hot. They have always been luke warm at best sometimes not even that. It's kind of gross in that respect. Secondly, they undercook the chorizo and carnitas. Turn up the gas and put a bit of crust on that stuff people! Lastly, we tried a flight of tacos during restaurant week. One of them was a swordfish taco...and the swordfish was on the verge of turning. It was the fishiest tasting swordfish I've ever had. I told the food runner about it and she argued that it was flown in that morning. Maybe so, but I could only muster one bite, and it took an entire margarita to get rid of that taste. On a good note we told the bartender about it (since we were at the bar) and she took a taco off the tab. So at least one person was listening. I'd come back. Maybe not for food, but definitely for dranks.

    (3)
  • Angela F.

    Imperial is my all time favorite restaurant. I get the salsa flight, corn on the cob, Al Pastor, Vegetarian and special of the day everytime I go. The flavors are amazing and I'm not usually a fan of Mexican. I come here every weekend and introduce all my family and friends! You have to have some of their hot sauces with your meal too! One complaint that I have is that they don't do take out. At least during the week they should. It just doesn't make sense to me. I eat like a cow and they could just wrap it up and I could pick it up. That being said, I absolutely love the place and my only complaint is that I can't have more of it when I want.

    (5)
  • Nick M.

    I can't attest to the food because, well, every time I happen to walk into the joint there is a two-hour wait. The place gets packed, and it gets packed in a hurry. But the drinks ...yeah, that's where it's at. And I'm not a huge tequila guy but their margaritas (unfrozen) are arguably the best I have ever had. So smooth yet so potent, it is worth the price of admission alone. I had a couple of those on a Friday night and was feeling super. It's in a great part of town with an eclectic group of inhabitants. I really want (need!) to try to the hot dogs. Soon, I hope...

    (5)
  • Lauren K.

    LOVE IT! Salsa flight was great, the tacos are awesome. Their drink menu is fantastic and the bartenders are so great and entertaining! Perfect night out with friends.

    (5)
  • Art M.

    Been here multiple times and each time was good. Food is definitely good and flavorful. I would not consider this authentic Mexican food but still a good place to eat and drink. I always start off with chips and salsa before heading into the main course. Their carnitas and carne asada tacos are phenomenal. I would also recommend their torta which is pork meat with beans and slaw. Their elote is on point! If you like spicy food, i would get the grilled jalapenos but be warned that your mouth will be in yelling for something to cool it off. Drink wise, they have a full bar with a great selection of beer and cocktails. What else can I tell you? Staff is great and never been here for brunch/ late night menus. Overall great experience and would recommend to anyone that has never been here!

    (4)
  • Elizabeth Z.

    Long review short: Walked out of here after lunch and immediately texted my brother to come check it out. To start off on a good note, The salsas that came with the chips ranged from, OMG! it tastes like my mom's salsa, to, Eh, I've had better canned. The dark green sauce was by far the best, its a jalapeno based salsa that will knock your socks off. The reddish-brown one with the visible pepper seeds is an authentic version of taqueria salsa, meaning it is made to be used for chips AND your tacos. The chipotle one was ok, not amazing, but decent I guess. For the beer lovers, their list isn't too extensive, with some breweries like shorts and arcadia making a bow. However, their imported Mexican beers were CHEAP, the cheapest I've seen in a long time. The tacos were well seasoned with the appropriate accompaniments of cilantro and onion. The exception to this being the al pastor taco which had pickled red onion, pineapple, and jalapenos instead, and had the most amazing spices my tongue has ever had the fortune to taste. It was barbecue-y but also cinnamon-y. Delicious. The carne asada taco is a great taco for people that don't like to get too wild with their food. My third taco, carnitas, was definitely up to standard on being fried chunks of desebrada pork. The boyfriend had the same as I did except for a chorizo and potato taco, which reminded me of my aunt's enchiladas rojas. Never a bad thing. I made sure to order a side of the grilled jalapenos and was pleasantly surprised to find that they came covered in Mexican cheese and a cilantro sauce. They were charred, soft, and delicious. If you like a bite of jalapeno with your food, order these, they definitely made my lunch experience 10x better. By the end of the meal, I was so stuffed, but the boyfriend wanted a churro, a deep fried dough stick covered in sugar and cinnamon. The churro was not only freshly made, but also crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle. I haven't had one like this since I was really young and in Mexico. And, bonus points, there was enough sugar and cinnamon left on the plate that I was able to indulge in using my finger to swipe at the nom-nom crumbs. Now, the bad notes, I was a little disappointed chips and salsa don't come automatically, but hey, it's Ferndale, and a new restaurant, so we come for the experience. We also ordered Bloody Mary's, which were horrible. My boyfriend took a sip of his and told me, "You'll like it, it's really spicy," to which I answered, "no my dear, it's not spicy, it's just sour,". I think they may have made them with lemon or lime juice from a bottle. However, remember, its a Mexican restaurant, Bloody Mary's aren't exactly supposed to be a specialty. Also, the tortillas were cold when they got to the table, which, more than anything and taking into account all the good and warm chips, jalapenos and churro, is more of an exception then the rule I hope. Overall, a very good almost-truly-hipsterish attempt at a Mexican taqueria. Definitely going back when I get a chance!

    (3)
  • Rachel W.

    I really, really like this place!! Has all of the elements Ferndale needed: great music, cool people, tasty food and creative (and strong) cocktails!! The tacos- amazing! The habanero hot sauce is soo hot and soo addictive! My personal fav is the Chili Lime Chicken Tacos and an order of chips and guac. The wait staff is attentive- which sometimes on a busy Fri night is hard to come by. But, not here! I also love the "family style" seating in the front. It adds a friendly touch, like saying, "hey, I don't know you, but join my party." Ferndale is cool like that. Imperial is here to stay. Whenever we say, "where should we go... " we choose Imperial, it's always the right choice!

    (5)
  • Lou N.

    Excellent tacos and a might fine pour from Amy! Don't hesitate to stop on by.

    (4)
  • Mitch L.

    Let's start off with a quick warning. Get there early, because you may be waiting a bit for a table. The place encourages communal dining and a hybrid seat yourself/we will seat you when business picks up. Yes, this is nice, but please as a staff make sure that you do not give a booth for 8 to a group of 2. It is a little annoying to have to wait as a group of 6 for a large booth that only two people are using. That being said, when I arrived I moseyed on over to the bar for whatever tequila concoction I could find. All the mixed drinks were at least $8. The extensive beer menu did show a $2.50 Tecate (which was a nice bonus later when I inebriated enough to stomach that Mexican firewater), but I felt like a high roller and went for what I would describe as a tequila mojito. It tasted wonderful. We eventually were seated after a good 45 minute wait. It helped that we were all pretty buzzed, so more drinks meant more happiness. The menu itself is pretty short and affordable. We first ordered chips with a plethora of salsas. The three salsa's were great. Our tacos then arrived. I had the two different chicken options. Both were grand, but didn't not compare to the pork sausage delight of the chorizo taco. I can still taste the artery clogging deliciousness on my palate. As a kudos to the place, I left my phone on the table and came back a half an hour later and they held onto it for me!

    (5)
  • Pam S.

    We eat here on a regular basis. Pretty consistent for the most part. Last time we were here; our food came out cold. The margaritas are always quite good; and the service is pretty prompt and friendly. I wish they had more than one variety of the vegetarian taco; I'm just a little tired of the tofu. Usually, we have a good experience.

    (3)
  • Christopher W.

    Went with a large group and even bigger hopes. The food was hit and miss, chips were overly salted (possible understatement), but the tacos were very good (vegetarian especially). Decor is very cool minus all the hipsters. The service was friendly but slow. Very, very slow. Extremely slow. We waited 60-70 minutes after ordering to get our food. If Taco Bell can make a taco in 30 seconds, Imperial should be able to do it in 30 minutes. I'd be willing to try them out again, as I'm hearing service time has improved, but good luck finding someone to go with. Imperial has burned a lot of bridges.

    (2)
  • Dylan M.

    Went during Tuesday lunch. Plenty of open seats, and an awesome ambience. Great food. Great prices. Great service (thanks Robyn!). Will definitely be back. I hear happy hour is nice.

    (4)
  • Crystal W.

    The taco shells and some fillings are quite authentic. Others are more American style, but it's a quite good taco place in general.

    (4)
  • Andrew S.

    Solid tacos. The salsa flight is excellent. Killer prices. Inventive cocktails. Ignore the bad reviews, a new restaurant will have it's growing pains.

    (5)
  • Leslie H.

    Very good tacos. Excellent service. Party of two, got seated right away. Very flavorful meal. Reasonable prices.

    (5)
  • Matthew A.

    Love the tacos. Wish they gave you a break on larger orders. I'd also like to see the tortilla chip portion be larger and come with free refills when paying for the salsa or guacamole.

    (4)
  • Alex M.

    Hmm.. Imperial.... what to call you... Friend? Foe? The good: friendly welcome from the owner at the door; pretty fine margartias, even if the sugar rims make your hands sticky all night; good chips and dips; cool communal atmosphere that allows for moving around; good soundtrack playing; attractive people. The bad: the good soundtrack being played much too loud and wiping away any hopes you had of holding a conversation with anyone, and.... you know what I'm gonna saaaayyyy... THE SERVICE! Our waitress: It was almost hilarious how bad it was at some points. Sure, she wasn't downright mean or moody or whatever other people have complained about.. she was just unprofessional! Butting in between people all the time to ask for drink orders, bringing the wrong drinks, and then harrassing me at the end of the night about where my boyfriend was (out for a smoke!) 'cause he needed to pay his bill... The whole party was still sitting there, it's not like he ran out! I had to convince her he was coming back, but she basically told me to go find him 'cause her shift was about up and she needed to cash us out. Lol and she also put everybody's food order on our check, and we didn't eat anything. So that was fun to divvy up and figure out after a few margaritas, raaahh!! Imperial is cool, sexy, fun... but I don't like that most people on here have complained about service and the place hasn't even been open that long. I'll be back, but at least I know now what to expect!

    (3)
  • Peter F.

    Exactly what Ferndale needs...Looking forward to visiting many times. Atmosphere is kickass, music rocks...Love Johnnie Cash flipping off the Bar...and the food finally some great tacos in this city and very reasonably priced...good luck Imperial! im on your side...

    (5)
  • Chioke M.

    Great food, great service and a very cool atmosphere. keep up the greatness and i will continue to visit.

    (4)
  • Danielle B.

    I wanted to give this four stars as I think the concept is strong..but why don't the tacos have any condiments? The tacos come with just a miniature tortilla and lots of meat. The meat is highly seasoned..but the taco is still dry..and lacking personality with out the sour cream, salsa, and guac. So you think you're getting a good deal..when in reality, it's probably just because the tortillas are tiny. That being said, it's a good place to go to socialize with friends. The guacamole is excellent..we ordered it separately. Our appetizer came out after our meal. They were backed up that day apparently. Order the spicy margaritas they make up for everything.

    (3)
  • Deanna B.

    Imperial has great tacos.... great drinks.... and a great atmosphere.... the only thing lacking is the staff.... sometimes they are outstanding and others they really borderline SUCK! Hence the 3 stars.... on a good day id give em 5 but with a shitty bartender id give em 1!!!! So I feel 3 is a happy medium

    (3)
  • Hue D.

    Awesome service great food and drinks!!! The UNO MAS margarita is my favorite! The owner also made an appearance at our table and was very nice! All these people who talk crap about the tacos know nothing about tacos. They are great! Reminds me of fresh west coast tacos or tacos you get off a truck in San Diego! Sorry, they aren't tacos you get from taco bell, don't be mad expand your horizons:) accept and indulge in something new.

    (5)
  • Jason A.

    As I promised that I would, I returned to Imperial on a Friday night to give them another shot. There was MUCH improvement over the first time. The food was still consistently very good and came to the table quickly. Drinks took like 2 min to come out rather than 30. The service was much better too. It wasn't a frantic free for all. Multiple times we were asked by the managers if we were doing ok. There are still a few things to get sorted out. Like the POS systems and the servers knowledge of all the booze they offer. However, I appreciate that Imperial took the feedback that was given and has worked really hard to improve the experience. I can feel confident telling people to check it out now knowing that they will have a good experience.

    (3)
  • Kayla V.

    Loved everything! It's a good place to try out bites of everything. The tacos are small but hardy. The guac and chips are a good start and mojitos were delicious. My recommendations are the bacon wrapped hot dog, which comes in different variations (I had the pineapple BBQ sauce one) and their version of corn in the cob!

    (5)
  • Caryn Z.

    I went to Imperial for dinner on Saturday with two others. Its communal seating and seat yourself. I noticed that small parties were spread it in large booths. It made it difficult to find seating. We decided to eat on the back porch, with coffee tables instead of a normal height table. The salsa and chips were great. The place was staffed by hipsters and thats totally cool. As a vegetarian I find it easy to find foods to eat at mexican places with all the beans and veggies. I was disappointed that the only veggie toca was made with fake chicken. I tried it anyways and was not impressed. I was looking for some grilled veggies on my taco. The tacos are small, probs arund 4inches. The server suggested between 2-4. The other two individuals in my party enjoyed their meat taco and will be back soon. Dress code, hipster

    (2)
  • Robert P.

    Ok food...awful service...tall skinny tattooed bartender AWFUL.

    (1)
  • Michael L.

    I ate here on the soft opening date. I ordered one of everything, my bill was about $25. I had a Mexican Coke that was the greatest soda I've ever had. The food was pretty good, the tacos are just small for $2.50 each.

    (3)
  • Delsean L.

    I wanted to give this place a try after the long wait for it to open but i walked in sat at the bar near some of the employees and i went unnoticed and not even acknowledged for fifteen minutes. I left without a hold on or i will be with u momentarily so i went to another local spot for some eats to find at least three more parties that received tge same treatment. I understand this was an unofficial opening but not a very good start. I might be willing to give it another try after they have been open for a while if i hear the food quality is worth it and the service level has stepped up.

    (1)
  • Kristin M.

    I've been here a few times. In fact, my friends and I all love this place. The vegetarian tacos are AMAZING. This is coming from someone is who is a labeled a "picky eater". The margaritas are even better. Of course just like all new restaurants, this place has areas where there needs improvement. There have been times that I've waited for 30 plus minutes for tacos, but i enjoy the food so much that I'm will to overlook that.

    (4)
  • Jason G.

    So this place has grown on me. They make some pretty good drinks and have a good selection of beers as well. I like cheap beer and they have my favorite "Blatz". Their menu has enough items on it to order a few to share with friends, which I enjoy better than ordering a full meal. The late night menu that is only in effect on Friday and Saturday nights is pretty damn good, try the "Hot Mess". My only problem with this place is the service at the bar. It's horrible. The bartenders most of time are just standing there chatting and talking with their friends at the bar. The management is a bit lackadaisical as well. They could use a good manager in there, maybe even some new bar staff. I understand you want to give your friends a job, but this is your business. Overall this is a great place to meet friends for a few drinks and some finger foods. Plus, they usually have a pretty attractive crowd as well.

    (4)
  • Amar A.

    Good food, good service. Can't go wrong with the tacos and the the salsa is great.

    (4)
  • Tyler M.

    They serve some of the best tacos around in my opinion! The environment is chill and the customer service is excellent. I highly recommend this place.

    (5)
  • Patrice W.

    Good food. I had the vegetarian tacos which were delicious with just the right amount of spice. I would definitely recommend adding some of their spicy sauces, definitely kicks it up a notch! My friend had the Carnita tacos and really enjoyed them too. We also had the guacamole. The perfect blend of avocado, onion, and garlic! Overall a solid with good tacos and a welcoming atmosphere.

    (4)
  • Amy K.

    FOOD : The food is delicious and super fresh tasting. The menu is small, and should really been seen as a side thought to the yummy cocktail list(i'll get to that). I had a sampling of all of the taco selections, the chips & guac, the corn & the grilled jalepeno. All tacos were simple and tasty. The guacamole was chunky, which is just the way I like it. I wasn't a huge fan of the corn, but my dining partner thoroughly enjoyed. And as mention by previous reviewers, the jalepeno was WAY to spicy and un-edible. All in all, I enjoyed our dining experience. SERVICE : We went in the first couple of weeks since their "grand opening" and, our server was VERY nice. But, she explained that it was her first night and that they "don't really do training", which was evident as she didn't know half of what was available. That being said, she was very attentive and answered questions to the best of what she knew. I personally feel that that could be equated to "growing pains" for the restaurant & look forward to my next visit. ***A manager sent me a very nice & friendly reply, which I thought was nice. This furthers the chances that I will be back ! P.s. "Like" their page on facebook & get photos of new items, specials & drinks ! : )

    (4)
  • lea p.

    After having an amazing time , meals and Moscow Mules at the Green Dot Stables , my best friend and I swung by the Imperial Sunday evening, we were already stuffed but we wanted to have appetizers and just take in the view. However, our corn on the cob came with not one but two sides of auburn colored human hair long enough to choke my meal right outta me. A few words of caution before you eat there...... know the difference between corn silk and silky hair....

    (1)
  • Ryan K.

    Very unique resturant, in a good way. Spiciest jalopenos i've ever had.

    (5)
  • Maggie P.

    Great infused tequilla drinks. Wasn't a fan of the quacamole. Kind of bland. Booths and family style tables. Outdoor seating. Look for the Johnny Cash painting!

    (3)
  • Niraj S.

    Decor is great. Real laid back vibe. Food pricing is good for what they are serving. This is street food Mexican. Please don't come in and expect your cheese covered, jarred sauce burrito with 5 lbs of meat. Went with all of the tacos on the menu and the only one I did not care for was the Vegetarian taco. One complaint was some of the meat preparations seemed to be a bit heavy handed with the salt. Overall a good time!

    (4)
  • Carmen M.

    Love this place! Definitely a regular, as I live a mile from DT Ferndale. I've tried everything on the menu, and love it all. The elote is so good. As other reviews have said, it's not authentic, but the food is fresh and the drinks are amazing. Definitely worth a try if you're in the area.

    (5)
  • David H.

    The staff and people were very friendly and the food is too die for ! This is A must stop on places to try ! The menu is simple but it is all the best !

    (5)
  • Jim M.

    My friend read a Detroit News article on this place and talked me into having lunch last week with our wives. One word describes all the food, BLAND! I had the carnita taco and half a Torta, mexican sandwich. The small menu said the Torta was a combination of cole slaw, peppers, beans and onions. It was just a dry sandwich with pork and dry cabbage, nothing else.The bread and pork were average, but boy was it dry. The carnita tacos were also dry. I purchased a bag of chips that were at least warm, even though totally taste less. Also who ever told people to salt the chips. If they were any good there would be no reason to drown them in salt. We tried two sauces, the green and the onion. The green tasted like water. The onion was good, but no pizazz at all. Just tomatoes and onions. Where were the peppers and cilantro?Incidentally the chips and each sauce cost extra.The service was good. Parking is pay if you can find a space any where near. I keep telling my self, this is a bar with some bland Mexican snacks, not a Mexican Restaurant with a bar. Any restaurant in The Mexican Town area can beat this place for price and taste, with chips and sauce thrown in free. I won't comment about my friend's meals except to say they were much less kind than me.

    (2)
  • Karen S.

    Great tacos! They're all good but I always get the Al Pastor taco, the pineapple sounds weird in a taco but its amazing. My husband always orders the hotdog wrapped in bacon.

    (5)
  • Jay D.

    Never again. Overpriced and sick-inducing. First, the margaritas are like twelve bucks and come in a highball glass. Puhleease! Less is NOT always more, especially when it comes to dinner. Anyway. All of my friends were talking this place up, but as a vegetarian I can tell you to AVOID THIS PLACE AT ALL COSTS. We had two orders of the vegetarian tacos. They were miniature and only six to a plate, so we had to order more even though we were already twenty-five bucks into the bill. But it was not enough to satiate anybody's appetite. And I don't even eat that much - my girlfriend is a hundred pounds and she usually out-eats me. SO we ordered a third platter. Then we decided to round out the meal with some chips and salsa. Like bread and butter at an Italian restaurant, or any restaurant in Mexican town, these should be free for a tex-mex (or just mex?) place, but no, chock up another fistful of dollars. Of course, my date spills them onto the floor and so we had to order another one, which did not come free either, so then we coughed up more money for a small paper bag containing a mere handful of tortilla chips. What a waste of my money. A few crummy tacos and chips and a drink cost me and my date a hundred bucks. Can I just bring my own next time and save twenty bucks? Seriously. The worst part of the story is that later that night after we went to bed, our stomachs began to gurgle. I ran to the bathroom and lost my guts - right out the back door. All night long my date and I took turns in the bathroom with the worst case of food poisoning I have ever experienced in my life. In the morning we were dehydrated and tired, but our colons were nicely cleansed. So I will refer to Imperial as the hundred dollar colon cleanser from now on.

    (1)
  • Mitch A.

    I really wanted to give this place more stars. I really really really hate giving "meh" reviews. I just can't bring myself to do anything other than that. First of all, its pretty loud. Although I didn't mark Imperial down for that. The place is aesthetically pleasing, It looks clean. The place got very busy when we came at lunch today. I don't know if that is the norm, or if it was extra busy because of the long weekend coming up. It seemed like there was only 1 waiter and 1 food runner and 1 bartender and 1 busboy for the entire floor. And, 1 POS system. Our waiter was pleasant and nice, but clearly overwhelmed: who wouldn't be? taking care of an entire full restaurant? I blame management for not having more help on the floor. It really took way too long to get our bottled (not bar) beverages. Too long to get our food initially. Too long to wait for him to come by so we could add something to our order. Too long to wait for him to come by to tell him we never got some of our items. Way too long to wait for a single taco add on. Too long to get our check. You would think that we were overly demanding by my description of needing to wait so long so many different times, but our server was so single task oriented it was driving me crazy. When he finally brought our bills, for example, I had my credit card out, ready for him to take it immediately. But he walked away, which left us waiting yet again. After several more minutes of trying to flag him down (I don't really blame him for not making eye contact with anyone at any table other than the one he was working on) to collect the check, I just had to flag someone else down because we'd spent 1 1/2 hours already and we really needed to go. Of course that person was the food runner, so she just passed our bills/cards on to him. But that was fine, at least he had them so it was one less thing we had to wait on. We didn't chintz on the tip because it was clearly not all our servers fault, but that doesn't mean it was all okay. We all ordered tacos, which I really think just had to be assembled in the kitchen. I get it, you're busy. But you're just assembling tacos, why does it have to take so... darn...long. Thank goodness we didn't order alcohol. The bartender was obviously in the weeds himself, we would probably still be there. The food. With the exception of the grilled jalapenos (which were pleasantly spicy and delish) everything was a bit bland. The Guacamole was chunky and good. The chips were warm. The salsa verde had good flavor, it was just super mild. And how is salsa verde THAT sweet? We had Jerk Lamb tacos, stewed chicken, al pastor and vegetarian. Everything was sweet but the vegetarian. The Jerk lamb with the( mango) salsa? was ok, but was very one dimensional: sweet, with no heat whatsoever...Jerk is by its definition "spicy." Why anglo-fy it? The stewed chicken was also super sweet, and the al pastor was sweet on sweet. If you're going to have a "fruity" salsa then please make the meat more savory so it can balance. I'm willing to make allowances for spice taste since I'm a little odd with my love of hatch peppers and Thai Food "hot plus", but as I said the ONLY thing that had any sort of bite to it was the grilled jalapenos. Even my 12 year old said everything lacked flavor other than being sweet, and nothing was spicy at all. Basically, I guess I'm glad I checked out imperial. The people in my dining party made it an enjoyable lunch. However, I just can't see going back by choice.

    (2)
  • Betsy A.

    I had heard great things about this place and we decided to start my husband's 30th birthday bar crawl with dinner here. We arrived about 6 on a Friday night and there were still a few open tables, so we snagged a large booth. We tried a little bit of everything the place had to offer, we ordered drinks from their tasty drink menu, got chips, guacamole and the salsa flight (three different kinds), then most of the tacos they offered, including the special of the day, beef tongue. Everything was delicious! Though my one complaint is that some of the guys in our group wanted to order a few more tacos before we left and it took forever for 5 more tacos to arrive. We got our bill and paid it before the tacos arrived. When all you do is tacos, I've got to imagine that they just need to be put together as they are ordered. I think our waiter maybe could have moved the process along a little to get us out of there and free up a table. i realize they were getting busy at that point, but I would think they'd want to turn over the table. But other than that the food, drinks and atmosphere were great! I'll be back.

    (4)
  • Amanda B.

    This is my second time to Imperial. I really wanted to try it since I live in SoCal now (originally from MI) and I knew the menu was suppose to be like California street tacos. I was disappointed the first time I tried to visit here, I was home visiting in July and called to see if I could have my coming home/birthday get together here, they were not very accommodating, so we decided to head somewhere else. I then went back a few days later and the kitchen was closed. Fail #2! So, finaaaaaaaaally we were able to try this place out on our most recent visit to Detroit. My boyfriend is Mexican and born & raised in California, so I really wanted his stamp of approval on the tacos. I ordered the asada and both the grilled and shredded chicken tacos. I think the shredded chicken was my favorite. The asada was good but definitely different than the asada we normally have off of the plentiful food trucks here in Cali. He had the carnitas and al pastor tacos and really liked them. They weren't my favorite but he was impressed. We also brought along two friends who said they were glad we found out about this place and they plan to come back and one of them didn't even eat! So overall, definitely a 4 star type of joint. The staff was also very nice and although the prices seemed steep, we did get quite a few drinks...which always racks up a bill. I do LOVE the decor and vibe though! It's trendy but still very comforting! We'll be back when we visit the mitten again!

    (4)
  • Josh S.

    really enjoyed the simplicity of options. your getting chips and salsa and a nice variety of tacos. served family style is is great for a group of people to mix and match with what they are looking for. decorum is modern and cozy. food was great and drinks were reasonably priced. great for a weekend night out.

    (4)
  • adam J.

    Went back for dinner a couple nights ago. The food came very fast this time and the service was top notch!

    (5)
  • Alex H.

    Having just come from L.A. where I ate my share of tacos from food trucks and mexican joints alike, I can confidently say that Imperial's tacos are among the best. So are their salsas and so is their guacamole. On top of that, the beer is cheap and the tequila options are extensive. As for service, the couple of times I've eaten there it's been great. Jordan G. and Robyn B. were both very friendly and attentive. Whether you want a bar with great food or just a place to get awesome tacos and plenty of beer, Imperial is where it's at.

    (5)
  • Grace M.

    I find it hilarious that the complaints below the people took the time to write insane novels. Every place has to work out its kinks but know what you're getting yourself into as far as food and atmosphere before you go. The food is phenomenal, the tacos have bursting flavors and are priced great. The menu has enough variety to please a crowd. The chips are always warm and the salsa is delicious. I shocked in a good way on the list of beers and cocktails they offer. The service was wonderful, all the times that I have stepped foot in here, from the wait staff to the bartenders. They seem to be enjoying what they are doing, each other company and were very helpful in answering questions and giving recommendations. Great add to the Ferndale area!!!

    (5)
  • Curtis B.

    I have no intention of writing my life story as it pertains to the Imperial. I'll keep it simple, service was painful, painful to speak with painful to wait for and painful to listen to. Wait, exceptionally long for everything ordering, serving, leaving bill taking bill (took 2 attempts everything hand written). The restaurant was half full at best, we saw the server walk out of restaurant, while we waited. Listen, to the excuses why they would only be making 3 cocktails from their menu "it was too labor intensive" to make the 9 dollar creations (the remaining three, not that appealing). The server was void of any sort of enthusiasm or charisma asking if we had tasted but not if we had enjoyed our dishes. However the taste of the Torta was dim, I pulled it apart to see what the malfunction was. The pork was a tender black hole that managed to rob the other ingredients of any essence or flavor, so bland in fact it was capable of devouring design elements off of the walls had there been any. Feijoles Charros w/ Chorizo and Chips the chips were the real winner here, hot and fresh in a paper bag. Left feeling a little robbed myself.

    (2)
  • Rob R.

    Horrible service and I just walked out

    (1)
  • Earl W.

    Omg! Came in by myself cause its my favorite way to eat. Was a sat night so they were packed but the manger/host/dude-with-awesome-stache found a seat for me at the bar. Sat in between an friendly couple and a not so friendly pair of friends. The bartender looked like she had been spawned from satan but when she came over she was super sweet, helped me decide which of the cocktails to try, and to my surprise, it was ready before I was even sure I made the right choice. It was a drink called ring if fire, and it was delicious. When I realized I was allowed to eat at the bar, I ordered the guacamole (amazing) the corn (double amazing) the veggie taco (redundantly amazing) and the new got dig with chicken in it(are you kidding?) it all came out very quickly, the food runner gal was very polite. I ended up having a decent convo with the couple next to me who I guess knew the bartender. We all finished dinner about the same time, so I ordered us desert shots. The bartender made something called root beer vodka which was juuuust right. All Niall this place nailed it at every step of the way, from getting me seated to helping me through their somewhat confusing menu and ordering processes. Definitely can't wait to take friends but obviously this is a place you can show up alone and still have a ball! New favorite place in Ferndale!

    (5)
  • Kristi M.

    Walked into Imperial on the first night. Early dinner as we had our little man with us. First, this place has a fantastic decor w outdoor space. Minimalist with lots of warm wood. The kind of place that I feel like I could sit with friends I see too little of and catch up all night. Our food was delicious. Were my expectations that it taste 'authentic'? Nope. I wanted interesting food with flavor. It satisfied that expectation beautifully. We sampled most of the menu and each of us had our favorites. They are kid friendly which now matters to us while still having the kind of vibe I would have wanted pre-kid. Second, I live in Ferndale so have a vested interest in seeing the community continue to gain strength and its own identity as a destination for others. Imperial is just the kind of place that will add to our downtown. So lastly, were they working through some growing pains, yup. Could'a, would'a, should'a before they opened, yup. So now they know. Imperial is a MI based, independently owned restaurant/bar that has all the elements to be fantastic ...and I think it will be. Will I be back? Of course!

    (4)
  • Brian H.

    This place has a great vibe. Finally something different in the area thats unique. I have been waiting forever for a cali style mexican joint to open. Imperial not only looks great with its sleek decor, it delivers in the food department. The tacos are all delicious, the guac is fresh, chips are not greasy and crisp, and the salsas, all outstanding. There are tons of reviews on here commenting on how bad the service was. We had awesome service on a busy saturday. This place just opened up and people are jumping on yelp putting there two cents in before this place even has a chance to prove itself properly. working out kinks that any new place has when they open. I loved the whole concept of imperial, I am a huge foody. I know great food. Imperials got it. Delicious.

    (4)
  • Andrew D.

    I was in town visiting my folks and I thought Id give this place a shot after hearing some good things from several friends. The atmosphere here is very casual and hip, which adds to the experience. Its has a community type feel to it due to the long, picnic style tables. The salsa and bourbon cocktail I started with were both spot on. You could tell that the salsa was made fresh and not some garbage out of a vacuum sealed pouch or jar. Lots of fresh lime and cilantro. I ordered an al pastor and some kind of stewed chicken taco that were both unbelievable. These tacos are updated but authentic and similar to what you might find on some of the NYC taco trucks. The service was just the way I like it. Our server was friendly and attentive but stayed out of our hair and didn't try to be our best buddy. Overall, I have to say that The Imperial was one of the best Michigan spots Ive been to in a long time. Next time I make my way back to Detroit I'm having me some more tacos!

    (5)
  • Amanda G.

    Loved the tacos and the lavender sidecars, and the food was really pretty reasonably priced. Nice ambiance. The service was still a little shaky, but we went opening weekend so that's to be expected. The only off note was the grilled jalapenos - we like spicy food, but cooked with the seeds in, these were almost too hot to eat.

    (4)
  • R L.

    Great drinks, great food, needs better front-end organization. Walked in around 8 pm on an Friday and the place was standing-room only. Stayed for an hour hovering around couples lingering way too long at communal tables meant for a minimum of four. Many more patrons could have had a seat and food service had there been someone (a greeter, hostess, manager?) to step up and direct people where to sit. Getting a table was a free-for-all. When a table became available, there was confusion as to which party was next to be seated. Don't understand why after five months of being in business this basic standard of running a restaurant hasn't been nailed down. I've heard the business wants to be known as a bar that serves food and not a restaurant, but the reality is that it is a bit of both, and customers need direction on where to sit. Detroiters aren't used to or comfortable with seemingly moving into someone else's space at a communal table. A host/hostess needs to take the lead when the place is crowded and take people to open spots at the tables. When they get this part of the flow down, then I would give the Imperial a higher rating.

    (3)
  • Chris T.

    So, this is the first time that I have ever written a Yelp review and I should also denote that as a Ferndale resident I am very proud of the restauraunts and bars opening up in the city. I have been to Imperial twice before and had superb service and have been recommending it to all of my friends. With that being said, I was ther yesterday with two friends who have never been there before but they have heard great things. We arrived at 8PM and ordered around 8:15--we ordered 8 tacos and a hot dog. After waiting 30 minutes for food we inquired with the bartender on why the food was taking so long--apparently the kitchen ran out of onions and they had to get more. Really, on a Thursday night you ran out of onions...at a taco joint? So we ordered more drinks. The food finally came out at 9:30--more than an hour from when we ordered. Not only were we absolutely starving but we were late meeting our friends at another venue. The food was still great--but the issue I had was no one really came up and apologized that 8 tacos took more than an hour to finally come--not one heartfelt apology. More so, being a newer restauraunt, you would think our bill would be discounted a little. So, I will still come to the restaurant because the food is great and the place is well decorated--but the service was absolutley abysmal that day. Just my two cents.

    (1)
  • Mark S.

    Everything on the menu is really a flavor bomb filled with magic. Adobada is not only fun to say, but delicious, too. I feel like I could live solely on the grilled jalapenos, but I'm not sure my body would agree. Great service, especially at the bar rail and on our Sunday trips during the day. I like the option for communal seating, because new friends are welcome. The overall atmosphere may be the only reason I don't give it 5 stars, it's just a little confusing. No real complaints though, definitely worth a regular visit.

    (4)
  • Joe B.

    Just a heads up in case you didn't know... Monday nights after 5:30 they have Swordfish tacos regularly now. They come as two tortillas with a generous portion of solid Swordfish fillet that's been well seasoned atop them, some pickled onions and orange supremes to accent the profile (I think they change up the citrus option now and then). These are pretty slammin' and for non-seafood lovers like myself these are still delectable and well worth the $3.50 pricetag!!! You're still killing it Jeff! Looking forward to your next great idea!

    (5)
  • Emira R.

    I have been several times to Imperial, and I figured it is about time I write a review for this place. The restaurant has a limited menu, which is not a bad thing by all means for the many cases I cannot make up my mind (long menus tend to be annoying because then I don't know what I want, or I want more than one dish!) I have pretty much had all their tacos--really good and somewhat not traditional. I love their corn tortillas, and the lime wedges. I usually prefer to squeeze a few drops of lime juice on me tacos...The hotdogs are ok, I have tried one or two. Their drinks tend to be on the strong side (for my taste) but the taste is there. Overall it provides a nice atmosphere and something different in the plethora of restaurants and eating option of Ferndale.

    (4)
  • Marie L.

    I'm torn on how I actually feel about Imperial. Things I LOVE: - Their happy hour - Black-eyed pea taco with kale (this should be on the menu all the time!) - corn - Imperial Margarita - guacamole - prices Things that I don't love: - It's always SO busy and super loud. - I would expect this fun, hip place to have personable bartenders. The several times I've been and sat at the bar, this was not the case. One time, I wasn't even greeted with a "Hello," the bartender just stared at me, waiting for me to give him my order. He seemed annoyed when I responded with, "Hello. How are you?" Super disappointing. - The tacos are missing something. The meat (with the exception of the al pastor) is bland. No amount of salsa toppings will change that. Reasons I will return (on off peak hours - either lunch or early happy hour): - prices - booze - all the things I love (above) - outdoor seating - I haven't tried the hot dogs that people rave about.

    (3)
  • Christine S.

    So 9 months later I ventured back to this establishment..guess what? The same waitress. Oh boy! Well let's start off with me arriving at 7:20pm, getting seated at 8:20pm, my guac/chips appetizer (which I do love btw) arriving at 8:30pm and my 2 dry ass tacos arriving at 9:38pm..It shouldn't take 1 hour to make 2 measly tacos. I scarfed them down within 2 minutes because we had a concert to attend and thought arriving at 7:20pm was sufficient time to accommodate a 10pm concert. I guess not. I did, however, drink (4) Ring of Fire cocktails while waiting, I didn't want to drink that much but there was nothing else to do while waiting. The manager did give us 15% off of our bill. Ahh thanks.

    (2)
  • Ian M.

    I went to Imperial to grab some tacos for a quick lunch and was very pleased! Imperial is classic Mexican street food with great flavor. I also ordered some chips and guac; it was tasty and fresh. The overall atmosphere is nice, fun, and accessible for larger groups. I hope to return soon to try some of their cocktails. I would definitely recommend!

    (4)
  • Mike D.

    I would give it 2.5 stars, but Yelp hasnt caught onto that concept yet. People who do give 5 stars to restaurants willy nilly, dont really know much about food or especially good food. It takes a very special place to get 5 stars and there are very few of those places today, and im talking about all around the country, not just here in MI. As far as this place goes. Im sure it appeals to the people who dont know much or have a very good palate. I was here once and it wasnt that good to make me crave to come back here again. Its full of hipsters (which is never good, since they are the worst of the worst) and trendsters. The food is meh at best. I had 4 different tacos while I was there and they were about the same across the board. ONE NOTE. Just because you put a bunch of ingredients together and romance the shit out of it on your menu doesnt make it good. I could make a dog turd sound delicious with the right wording and people would eat it up like they eat this place up. This place is better than say some place like Xochimocho (sp?), but thats not saying much. Its like saying what is better? Hep C or Hep B? There wasnt any depth of flavor at all when it came to the tacos. I have had way better tacos and other mexican inspired food elsewhere. Im sure you will think its great if you never travel and when you do, you tend to go to the chain restaurants or the places where tourists are sucked into because some food network DB said it was cool (aka Guy Fieri, biggest douche on food TV) The food wasnt even that warm when it came to me. I have had warmer food from take out and thats been sitting in a styrofoam box or whatever for a little bit. Thats pretty bad if you ask me. Plus the service is mediocre also. Its amazing what good management can do when it comes to service and I dont think the management is that good. Probably hired a friend to do the job and had zero to little restaurant experience before working here... like most of the wait staff it seems. Have had better service from a crabby waitress at a Coney Island. If you want to come here, go for it.. If you dont.. I would say you are better off.. or I would say travel and get the hell out of MI to really get good food.

    (3)
  • Alyssa R.

    I've had some great times, flavors and drinks here... a few visits where quality was inconsistent, but Imperial does bring me back. Their salsa trio, guacamole and variety of tacos are not your ordinary "American Mexican." They veer more to the "American new Mexican," and though their menu is small, their tequila cocktails, taco specials and flavorful regular options make this a very popular place in Ferndale. Expect to sit at shared tables with Ferndale hipsters and get there before 7:00 as it fills up. My friend enjoys the bacon-wrapped Sonoran hotdog, and I crave the fish tacos (served on Mondays only). These have been hit and miss, the fish portion shrinking and depending on the "extras" they include each time. I always cross my fingers for anything mango or pickled. Vegetarian taco specials have a good track record and their chorizo tacos are always moist. Lately I've enjoyed the al pastor tacos. There is one consistent miss for me- the chicken tacos have been dry every time I've ordered them, so I don't get them anymore. Easy enough to avoid!

    (4)
  • Aya R.

    Environment trendy ..food okay, good if you don't know what authentic tacos taste like plus it came out cold...female bartender with black hair and tattoos all over has a horrid attitude problem and barely made eye contact for us to order anything ....other bartenders and even bus boy very friendly and a waiter had to stop to give us utensils.. also they refuse to put on the World Cup even thou mexico and the US is in it with many other countries and this is a mexican american restuarant...seriously???? only local sports allowed while u look up at picture of a man giving u the middle finger. . :) ...don't know if I'd give it another try...NEXT..

    (3)
  • Valerie G.

    So I finally had a chance to try their Swordfish taco on NYE - They are only offered on Mondays after 5:30. Let me first admit that I am not a huge lover of fish, but I LOVED loved this taco. I think they often sell out so don't expect to get one at the end of the night on a Monday. This place is my husbands new obsession - we have a 3 year old, and haven't tried to bring him here yet, but every night that we have a sitter, he seems to try to con me into going here. Lastly- Some reviews said that the tall skinny tatooed bartender dude sucks - but I would have to say he was one of the best parts of our NYE this year... so, to each their own??

    (5)
  • Jean S.

    Lively place!!! You're either eating at the bar, along the wall, at a communal table or on the little patio, but that's okay because it's quite a fun place to eat cheap, GOOD food! The drinks were delicious, the taco menu was both traditional and exotic, but my favorite was the trio of salsas....SO SO SO DELICIOUS. I am a gal that could live off chips and salsa and this stuff was pretty fantastic. I'd return simply for the salsa, drinks and atmosphere.

    (4)
  • Ryan L.

    I stopped here for a quick taco snack when I was in Detroit. I walked in and the place was a lot larger than I thought it would be. The atmosphere was light and airy with a large bar right in the front. It was unclear if I could sit anywhere or not but a server directed me. There are several tables with long benches and a lot of counter space. I thought the layout was very awkward. I ordered two tacos. The one with the potatoes (papas?) was ok, but tasted really salty to me, as in all I could taste was salt. The tacos al pastor was amazing. Seriously, this was one of the best tacos I've ever had. It came with grilled pineapple, pickled jalapeño and red onion. I also got the Elote Especial. This is corn on the cob covered in crema, cotija cheese and spices. It was incredible as well. I loved that they served this since you don't see it very often. The service was speedy and excellent. I would totally return here again. I think this is a great addition to Fabulous Ferndale.

    (5)
  • Robert P.

    This place is great. Interesting atmosphere including waitstaff. Great place for cocktails. The carnitas are awesome. Also elote and al pastor is awesome. They have three salsas that are pretty good but nothing like the normal salsa im used to. Very flavorful. They have a few large tables where you may sit with strangers which im not totally comfortable but adds to the adventure and excitement. I have been here three times and enjoyed it each time. Its more than just a spot to feed your face and wet your whistle.

    (5)
  • Sarah W.

    Oh, Imperial... I know you have 5 stars in you, but it's gotta be four for the moment. The space is awesome - it wasn't quite patio weather when we visited, but it's Michigan, that'll happen. All the more reason to go back. And tacos were excellent. We tried a chicken one and a pork one and another pork one and everything was delicious. I did not partake of the hotdogs, but they got rave reviews from my table mates. (A second round was ordered) So why no 5th star? First of all, you have been open for more than half a year. It is time to put on your big boy pants and get a website. Facebook is not the same as having a website. If you posted your menu on your website, I would say "hey, yelpers. I tried the _____ off of the regular cocktail menu. It was sweet without being cloying, tart enough to be interesting, and contained enough tequila that I didn't have the first clue what the name of it was the next day." As things stand now, I cannot fill in that blank. (sorry team) Second, let's talk about small plates dining. Chips and salsa? Guac? Those are shared foods. Put that stuff down in the middle of the table and we'll take it from there. But tacos? Tacos are really a personal food item. I'm not going to take a bite and then pass it to my neighbor. And I'm not going to sample my neighbor's taco. This place is full of hipsters. They probably got mustache wax on it. I'm eating the whole damn taco. And then some other tacos after that first taco. But when you bring out a single shared plate for a table of 6, it's going to take you a while to put it all together, and there is a serious risk of cold taco before I have made it all the way through. This risk is compounded because I needed my companions to remind me of the taco mapping system on the giant tray. You know what all looks basically the same in a dimly lit room? 4 varieties of tacos. Sharing is hard. I want my own plate.

    (4)
  • Jenn C.

    I went to Imperial for my birthday and absolutely loved it. I have had the frijoles with chorizo and guacamole to start and both were delicious. I am a fan of how the menu is set up because you can try a bunch of different small plates ($2-$4 each) that way you get to taste a little of everything. The Elote Especial (grilled sweet corn) was great. Make sure you don't skip over the hot dogs, the one with pineapple and bbq chicken on it is amaaaazing. Tacos I enjoyed were the Al Pastor and Papas Con Rajas (!!!). Margaritas are tasty and do the job - they also have a nice selection of their own infused liquors.

    (5)
  • Abi J.

    Love the space... Came here for just drinks and they were delicious. I forgot the name of my drink, it was one of their specialty drinks, ginger something. It was served in a copper cup, super cold and very delicious. Tangy and sour but in a good way. I didn't really get a Mexican vibe from this restaurant until I saw the menu. We did end up ordering the chips, salsa, and guacamole. I remember them being delicious, especially in my drunken state. The manager Jeff and servers were excellent. So accommodating and nice! I look forward to returning and trying the tacos, they looked delicious.

    (5)
  • Steve S.

    Been here multiple times, great food and staff. Watch out the jalapeños will set your mouth on fire , but tasty:)

    (5)
  • Rebecca C.

    Ok, I gave Imperial another go. I went there Monday night (9/24/12) with a party of 15 or so. Here's the update: The good: the food was really, really good! I had the hot dog - which seems strange at a taco place - but it was fantastic. The hot dog was wrapped in bacon, and had beans, cilantro, and a lime cream sauce on it. I definitely recommend it. I shared an ear of corn with my friend - it was delicious as well - the corn was coated in a delicious blend of spices. I also shard some chips and guacamole, which was great as well. The guacamole is very light, and the chips were fresh and tasty. The bad: Our waitress was awful. AWFUL. She was in a bad mood, and it was very apparent. She acted annoyed anytime anyone asked her for something, including ordering food. When our food arrived, the entire table's worth of food was placed in front of me. She rattled off the items on the plate, and said, "Ok? Everything look yummy?" and then seemed really pissed off when I told her I didn't know what everyone at the table ordered. Um, that's YOUR JOB, not mine. I overheard other tables complaining about her as well. I know everyone has an off night, but this is my second visit to Imperial, and the second time that I've experienced bad service. It should be noted. Good food, bad service.

    (2)
  • Carlos P.

    One of my favorite spots in ferndale. The tacos are amazing, I recommend the al pastor. If you want to try the hot dog, try the imperial. What makes it even better are their homemade sauces. They have an excellent beer/liquor menu and a great friendly staff.

    (5)
  • Annie S.

    Imperial has, hands down, the best tequilla drinks in metro Detroit - both from a creativity perspective as well as the fresh ingredients and execution. We've tried, and loved so many, I can't describe them here - check them out on their menu online. Salsas are deeply flavored and the perfect match for the drinks. The street tacos are pretty good and the hot sauces spicy and flavorful.

    (4)
  • Haroun K.

    The one thing I was concerned about - having remembered all of the early Imperial furor - was service. And service was excellent, for the most part. But, I don't like how they serve the tacos on only one or two plates for the entire table, forcing people to reach around the table. You should be getting your own food on your own plate. The food was also quite good. I had the veggie taco, and a taco on special - quinoa, mushrooms, cauliflower, and squash. Both tacos were very flavorful, and were devoured within seconds. The churros were just plain sinful. They could have done with some chocolate sauce, but they are quite good. I like the idea of the central communal table, and would definitely recommend sitting there. The ambiance, however, was kind of spoiled by the acoustics. 3/4 people at our table developed headaches in the 1 hour that we were there. It was an irritating sort of loudness, and it made us want to leave earlier than we would have, which we did. I'd come back for a snack, but only when it's not so busy (and loud) inside.

    (4)
  • John J.

    I'd give 3 1/2 if possible but am erring on less stars. The food is good and my wife loves the drinks (I stick to beer). The ambience is nice but the wood bench set up might be a problem for little ones or older people. The loss of stars comes from the service, which is glacially slow. We've been twice and both times has been more than an hour and a half. Now tapas is a relaxed atmosphere kind of food, but there's a difference between relaxed and inattentive. The food is good, just don't go when you're starving or have a time commitment.

    (3)
  • Samantha A.

    One of my favorites. Fun, hip, cheap and great quality food.

    (5)
  • Ann W.

    I like places that offer appetizer-sized portions as it allows for more flavors to be sampled. Imperial does that in a contemporary space that features long wooden tables and a large bar area. Late in the afternoon, the bar was relatively quiet but grew busier and louder as the evening progressed. Because the tables are communal, be prepared to sit cozily with strangers. The food menu is very limited featuring tacos, hot dogs, sides and dessert. We started the evening off with chips and guacamole. The guacamole was average; I prefer it to be chunkier and more flavorful. I also sampled three different types of tacos ($2.50/each for small tacos - so not necessarily inexpensive): slow-roasted pork with salsa verde (carnitas), marinated steak with salsa (carne asada), and spicy chorizo with queso fresco (papas con rajas). I found the first two to be a bit dry but my friends liked them a lot. Of the three, the chorizo one was the best sampled - tasty and juicy. We also sampled a number of different hot dogs. I especially enjoyed the Bakersfield Sonora with the bacon, barbecue and pineapple flavors. The combination worked incredibly well together and packed a sweet/spicy wallop. All of the hot dogs had a snap to them and were just delicious. I highly recommend them. For dessert, we tried the churros with dulce con leche dipping sauce. I liked the fried doughnut coated in cinnamon sugar. The interior texture was perfectly moist. The grilled sweet corn (on the cob) looked good; I regret not ordering it. I definitely will when I return. Service was fantastic. Our waiter was very attentive, checking in on us frequently as well as bringing refills and fresh plates. I was very impressed.

    (3)
  • P W.

    I was sad that my car needed repairs so I needed to have a couple beers while the car was being worked on. The open air atmosphere was refreshing on a perfect spring day. My intention was to only drink. Imperial reminded me of a hyped up place in Cleveland called Momocho Modern Mexican. I saw some of the tacos and decided to try a few. I had the al pastor and asada. They were great even if a little bit expensive. Ferndale is cool.

    (4)
  • Nanette D.

    Yum yum yum. The tacos are amazing, as are all of the sirano dogs. Limited menu but everything is great. Very casual trendy vibe. I am also a big fan of the margaritas!! Some of the best Mexican food I have had in MI! I would love to see what you guys could do with a burrito... Just a thought because I bet it would be amazing!! If you haven't been here... go!!

    (5)
  • T-rex M.

    I've been here a few times and I always enjoy it. Atmosphere: I sit in the back, out of the crowded bar zone, in the chill dining area. Service: Sure, I have to flag down a waiter/waitress, but then I muse over selections with them and request recommendations. And they're great sports, open to adjustments on dishes and quick with the water. Food and Drink: Bright flavors, nice pairings, rotating additions to the limited menu. I'm into a short menu done well. I'm also into being able to order three very different tacos and eat all of them. Love the portions. Taco love. Drink list is massive and ranges from classy to quirky to down right tongue in cheek. All of it, still, well put together.

    (5)
  • Jordan Z.

    F***ing amazing. If you like tacos, good bear, great drinks, and a cool atmosphere, there is not better spot in Ferndale. Go, bring all of your friends, and order every taco on that freaking menu. I'm not recommending it, I'm mandating it. Imperial Bar. The best...

    (5)
  • Alyssa C.

    Love Imperial! Jessica is amazing and the veggie chorizo taco should be a staple on the menu. Cheers, Johnny!

    (5)
  • Harry R.

    Ok, its a decent bar, and has decent tacos, but it could and should be much better. The service can be hit or miss, and I've had to get up and get a server to take a drink order, and didn't know done basic things, like if the fish tacos had dairy. Plus they only serve many of the interesting dishes at limited times, so your options on a weeknight are few. The tacos are ok, but very bland. The chicken tinga was barely flavored poached pink chicken, and the carne asada was tough, both on cold tortillas. If you don't eat cilantro, there are no alt salsas available.Although they have a good selection of tequila, they only have a couple choices for mexcal, which should be mandatory for a bar trying to be hip to new trends. So while i might stop by there for a beer or a tequila again, I'll avoid going here to eat, especially with friends who have dietary restrictions.

    (3)
  • David M.

    I love this place. Specialty tacos are always amazing, its cheap and great. Stop in for a bite to eat. I have never been there during the night time but I hear they have cheap late night menu. The community seating may put some ppl off but I dont mind chatting with people so it doesn't bother me.

    (5)
  • Tricia H.

    So after spending 12 years in Los Angeles - you really take the street taco for granted. I've only been back 3 months and SO happy to have stumbled across this place because I happened to be working next door at a studio. Of course, once I was there and talked about it - friends had already heard and had raved about it to me. Really people? You couldn't tell the girl who spent most of her adult life in So Cal about a taco place? sheesh. But - I love the simple menu, love the extensive bar selections. The only thing that wasn't great was the churros - they were a tad over cooked. But could have been just that batch as I've only had once.

    (4)
  • Valerie O.

    This place is just so-so but better than Mex's food. The two are totally different atmospheres but in terms of food their seasonings and tacos are much better. The carne asda (sp?) tacos were pretty good. The guacamole was fresh but lacked flavor. The corn on the cob was really nasty. If you like generic Kraft Parmesan cheese then you might enjoy it. The chips are good and salted lightly. The churros are also a good choice for dessert. Also, the portions are much smaller than what pictures may portray. The place is clean though so 3 stars. I might return to give it another try if I am in the area but nothing I would crave and go out of my way for.

    (3)
  • Rob D.

    This place is amazing. Their tacos are always fresh and taste incredible. The Bakersfield hot dog was one of the best hot dogs I've ever tasted. My fiancee and I go there a lot for brunch. Best biscuits and gravy in town. Yes better than Toast IMO. I am definitely coming back

    (5)
  • Andrea C.

    Late night menu is the best in Ferndale! Can get a little loud but, great price point and good cocktails. The nachos are a must have!

    (5)
  • I D.

    I stumbled upon this place because it looked neat from the outside. It had bench-like tables that extended all the way to the outside walls. Kind of neat arrangement because you can sit a this long bench with others while you enjoy your meal (I like that community feel). The food is o-k but, the atmosphere makes up for it.

    (4)
  • Edward L.

    After conquering multiple bottles of Vino, a recommendation came to get some late night grub from Imperial. Although Mexican food to me tastes the same no matter where I go, Imperial sets itself apart. 1. Ambiance. Open floor bench style seating encourages community dining and an eclectic eating experience. Our group got a nice table in the open patio area. 2. Must get chips with the 3 types of salsa. The mild diced tomato salsa was so good I slapped the person next to me. 3. Tacos are extremely small. As you are ordering you may think the same as me...$2.50 for a taco! Fantastic! They are the size of your finger. Although small, each taco had excellent flavor. I tried the featured Indian Spiced Quinoa with crispy chickpeas and spicy mint chutney. Delicious. I then tried the Al Pastor, Tinga De Pollo, and the Adobada De Pollo. The Al Pastor came out on top. Strong sauces, nicely flavored meat. All in all, a great place to eat and drink!

    (4)
  • A A.

    This place sucks. Their menu is the size of an index card so if you're hungry don't go here unless you just want to fill up on chips and salsa.

    (1)
  • Alex P.

    Okay good, good service and drinks. It is good food for the price (not expensive) everything is lathered in spice so if you aren't a fan ask for something more mild.

    (3)
  • Amber R.

    Best. Veggie. Hotdog. EVER. The service has been good every time I've gone to Imperial as well. It does get really crowded though, but if you lurk around the bar you can usually grab a seat along the wall fairly quickly. I will say I don't love their cocktails so I stick to classics or beer. It's also nice going in there because it's so bright and sunny.

    (5)
  • Jane K.

    LOVE this place. I go to restaurants all over the ferndale/royal oak area and this is my favorite hands down. Brittany was our waitress tonight and she was awesome! Great sense of humor and great service. The menu here is full of hidden gems and the drinks are fabulous. Everyone needs to try Imperial in Ferndale.

    (5)
  • Chelsea L.

    I really like this place to grab a few drinks with a friend. The tacos are alright, haven't tried any of the hotdog options. Chips and dip are always good. I love that they have fresh pressed juices. The reason I gave them 3 stars instead of 4 or 5 is due to the service. They're not that friendly.. I've sat with my drink empty a few times, or asked for a water and they kept forgetting it. I'm in the service industry as well so I have zero patience for crappy service.

    (3)
  • Renee E.

    We stopped in with my bro and sis-in law last time we were in the Detroit area and I'm glad we did. We sat outside and had some really stellar cocktails and tacos. Definitely really enjoyed both. The people watching was also a lot of fun. If I lived in the area, I'd probably be a semi-regular.

    (4)
  • Eat 'e M.

    It felt like I was in Venice, CA for an hour. Everything from the food (IE. duck taco's) to the large communal tables. Imperial attracts people from all walks of life (everyone from suits to artists) which further adds to the Venice vibe. Props to the chef as I went back three times in only a week and a half. Wish I lived closer...

    (5)
  • Jessica H.

    I have lived in Ferndale for a little over a year, and at first, Imperial was one of my favorite go-to spots. Cheap food, quick service, and a fun atmosphere. My 5-year-old son even loved the food, and for such a picky eater....we'll take it! Recently we have been going once per week for lunch. We usually wait until 2:00 or 3:00, to avoid peak lunch hours. This seemed to work well, until recently. My son loves to sit in tall chairs, so we always sit up to the bar to have our hotdog/taco/chips and salsa flight. For the past 3 visits, we have been greatly disappointed. Each time we come in, we get the same things, and have ended up waiting between 30-40 minutes, and never receive the flight of chips and salsa. Each time, our hotdog and taco would arrive (cold, and obviously sitting for a while), but no flight of chips and salsa. When I ask the server if we could get them, they look baffled. No apology, knocking it off the bill, or even a word of acknowledgement. I am not trying to be a jerk, but how long can it take to get a customer their chips and salsa? I also would imagine that much of this stuff is prepped ahead of time. A guy next to me ordered two tacos the other day, which still had not arrived LONG after our order was served. Mind you, he had been there LONG before we sat down. The bar tender informed him that dishes with jalapenos "take longer." This guy ended up voicing his frustration about this place as well. As far as atmosphere goes, you can't beat Imperial. It is an awesome place to sit down and enjoy. The service seems to be less about quality, and more about staffing the place with attractive and hip employees who fit the bill, as far as appearances go. As much fun as this place has been, I do not think that we will be returning there. As far as I am concerned, the 3 strikes...you're out, policy applies here. I can't wait 40 minutes for a hotdog and taco, and especially refuse to do so when there are only 5-6 other patrons in the place. Sorry Imperial, but we have to break up.

    (2)
  • Nick B.

    Came here on a Wednesday night looked pretty packed. Server said it was slow that night and offered our party of 3 a large booth. We ordered and food came out quickly. The flavors here are incredible. The reason I can't give it 5 stars is bc some of the prices. Guacamole is delicious but for $4 it was more like a side maybe equalling 3 oz. Hotdogs are also a bit much but they are worth it. Pork rapped in pork! Corn is out of this world. Apple salsa also great flavor. Chicken tacos and chorizo tacos are good. Waiting for a great special to try. Another negative is glassware. Water is served in what amounts to a shot glass. I felt like John Bonham slamming vodka. Great place all around.

    (4)
  • Andy S.

    Good food. Cool hotdog ideas. The cheese on the taco we got had kind of a metallic irony taste that I wasn't a fan of but that's not a knock against the restaurant. Got a cocktail, that was great. Would go back again.

    (4)
  • Martha V.

    We met a friend for dinner and a drink here the other night after work and I walked in and thought "Wow - what a great space!". Big wood tables and a nice bar, cool lighting, and a great location right on Woodward just north of 9 Mile. Public metered parking is just a few feet away - make a right turn off Woodward just after passing the Imperial (heading north). There is a large beer and cocktail menu and about one menu page devoted to food - mostly authentic tacos. Yum, yum yum. I had a vegetarian and a carne asada taco. Amazing. Truly tasty. We started with chips and salsa and the salsa was really nice too - someone put some thought and effort into it. The beer menu included standard selections (Labatt, Pabst, Corona) plus my favorite - Bell's Two Hearted. No draft beer is available. The service was very friendly and efficient. The manager came by to check on us during our visit. We will be back.

    (4)
  • Eric F.

    Am I the only one who thinks this place is a joke? If you are from the Detroit area, then by all means eat and enjoy these tacos. (you don't know any better, and thats okay) For everyone else (west coasters) do not be fooled by these look alikes. This is by no means a traditional taco shop! The carne asada tacos were Horribly over cooked, and disappointing. The two stars are for the hot sauces, and the guacamole, which was actually pretty good.

    (2)
  • Heather J.

    I watched with baited breath as Imperial's signage went up and the construction stalled out before Memorial Day, leaving this prime bit of real estate on Woodward at Nine Mile in downtown Ferndale apparently vacant. Then the lights came on, the crowds gathered, and opening day kept me firmly away until balmy June days when the place was a little less hectic. I first got in here the weekend of the Ferndale Pride Parade. The beau and I hoofed it down to the library and decided to enjoy a lovely afternoon with a taco and a drink. The open air environment is a great idea and the 'seat yourself where' ambiance appealed. The breezy, open construction promotes chilling out and relaxing in a way that, say, John D doesn't. We snagged a huge wood booth as the only free spot among a host of young, beautiful people, feeling a bit out of sorts since I'm one but not the other. The menu for Imperial is very short and concentrated mostly on bar nibbles. Tacos in multiple stripes predominate and for the weekend, they had their standards plus pork belly. A few appies are on the menu as well, but if you want a square meal, Imperial is not the place for you. Go down the strip to Fly Trap, Toast or Sakana for a square meal, or the other way towards Dino's and Anita's Kitchen. Food is spendy for what you get, though $2/5 tacos can't be beat outside of a taco truck of Clawson's 24-hour Del Taco, the bane and glory of my existence lately. Tacos are pretty bland, in definite need of more spice, and heavy on grease at least when we had them that afternoon. Perhaps they were in a rush that day. Our order came in after our drinks, probably no more than fifteen minutes total. This seemed to fly in the face of the people seated around us, who waited a lot longer for chips and salsa. My tacos were good and the pork belly one I hope they bring back; we really enjoyed it. Drinks refills cost (BOO!) and sometimes the waitresses/servers look like they're more interested in gossiping with patrons than being in a hurry, but what can you do? The interior is really quite beautiful and the patio looks like a great place to spend a September afternoon/evening. Imperial is still getting its bearings and for cheap eats without permanent taco trucks around, they're not a bad choice. Definitely beats most of Royal Oak's offerings.

    (3)
  • Joe B.

    While I am more of a fan of "gringo" tacos I have realized that I love the Soronan hot dogs served here. Everyone i have had has been extra delicious. Ambience and atmosphere is sharp but very busy on nights and weekends. I like how food is served family style when you go with a group and how the wall opens up to Woodward Avenue. I wish they had some dank drafts on tap but am happy drinking ice cold PBRs and Sierra Nevadas when I go. Their cocktails are on point but can get a lil pricey.

    (4)
  • Leslie C.

    Get the hot dog with chorizo and al pastor tacos. Corn is great. All the food is more filing than it looks.

    (4)
  • Caleb Y.

    So....I moved back to Michigan about 1 year ago. I moved from Los Angeles. In Los Angeles you can easily take for granted awesome Tacos!! There is something about LA street tacos that is just unexplainable.... Then, when I settled in Huntington Woods and often traveled down to Ferndale and was watching Imperial being built...now that is is done I am very happy it is here! The Tacos are legit...the corn-on-the-cob with the cheese is great... Only problem is that there is no beer on tap - all bottles. Great vibe, great space! Will be back.

    (4)
  • Brittany S.

    Great tacos. My favorite is the steak. Amazing salsas and guacamole. I can finish the entire salsa flight myself because it has such great flavor. Not a fan of the long social tables, definetly shouldn't go for a date.

    (4)
  • Pepper S.

    The management here goes above and beyond any other restaurant I have ever Yelped about. They immediately responded to my last review and addressed the issues and concerns we had. We sat at the bar when we visited yesterday and the bartender was great. Food here is always awesome. YOU MUST TRY the Paso Robles Sonoran. Bacon wrapped hot dog, chorizo, beans, cilantro, queso fresco and a McClure's spicy pickle. My boyfriend asked for a bite and I got it back after three large bites! Thank you Sharon L. for being so kind, and thank you to the rest of the staff for caring!

    (5)
  • Scott H.

    I couldn't decide to opt for 2 stars or one and the simple fact that I had to think about it prompted the single star rating. We arrived on day two (and yes it's the soft opening) and sat on the back porch area. Interior seating, bar, and overall ambiance are great and it has a really nice laid back feel. After sitting down we waited approximately 10 minutes before someone realized that we had arrived. They asked if we would like water. (I immediately thought, "well that's nice, but I didn't come here for water because I can get that at home) How about a drink menu w/ the water. After waiting another 15 minutes to place a drink order we then began our extended (and I do mean extended!!!) wait for our first round of drinks. Approximately an hour later, they arrived. We had to go up to the bar to get some canned Modelo to keep us going during the wait. They are using a Samsung Galaxy based POS app to place orders and apparently they weren't comfortable with it at that point as the system kept crashing. Ordering was a pain and forget about any special orders not exactly as it appeared on the menu. Tacos were just okay. Nothing special and I would prefer to go to a Mexicantown establishment or La Tienda in Madison Heights. Salsas were good overall. The verde was actually quite good. They couldn't separate checks because apparently that would crash the POS system again. They have an ATM in the building, but of course, it didn't work. All in all, a good concept, but DON'T even have soft opening if you're not anywhere near ready!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It just puts a bad taste in people's mouths if you can't even produce basic services in a timely fashion. Not to mention they were severely understaffed. The place was full and they had ONE bartender. REALLY? One? C'mon people, get it together.

    (1)
  • Hayley S.

    My boyfriend and I decided to try this place out after hearing people talk about it. We went on a Wednesday night and the place wasn't too busy. There is very minimal decor and it's very open. It was a super hot day, so it was also kind of hot and humid in the restaurant. I was disappointed to see the menu was so little, I thought they would have more mexican food not just tacos and a few sides. Everything is a la carte. I ordered the vegetarian taco, and the chorizo taco. Both very good, but the tacos are VERY small. So I wouldn't recommend this place if you were absolutely starving. The chips and guac were very good though. I also ordered the Detroit Tart margarita, which was just Okay....I don't think I'd ever order it again. Basically, food is good, portions are very small. I don't think I'd ever come here to just eat again. But I think it'd be a fun place to hang out, have a few drinks, and when the drunk munchies hit you have a few tacos.

    (3)
  • Anita W.

    Carne Asada + Elote Especial + Modelo = Amor Not to be missed the medley of salsa's that are available as well!!!

    (4)
  • Kacie M.

    I'll be honest: We walked/stumbled into Imperial after trivia night and a few drinks at Danny's next door, so the food could have been terrible and I probably wouldn't have minded. We just wanted something to eat. But the food was good! A couple people had tacos, but I went with a hot dog. Since I'm picky, I just had a bacon-wrapped hot dog with queso fresco, minus all the additional toppings that would have normally come with the four hot dogs on the menu. I've never had queso fresco on a hot dog before, and it was great. Much lighter than the heavier cheese or cheese sauce you'd normally get on a hot dog. I was tempted to get a side of corn and I'm kind of still kicking myself for not trying it when I had the chance. Corn is delicious, but corn with cheese? Even better!

    (4)
  • Geoffrey C.

    Went here for the first - I'm sure of many - time the other night with my wife. The food was delicious and the drinks were good. This is my first yelp review and I think when reviewing restaurants, I'll focus on the food. I should say that the service here was excellent and the prices were good. Since it was my first visit, I ordered a lot. We started with the chips and had a flight of salsa and guacamole. I liked all three salsas they served - all very flavorful - but my favorite was the chipotle (spiciest). The guacamole was delicious and chunky like I like it. Nice and cool. I then had the best ear of corn I've ever had. They roll it in a grated cheese/dried chilis mixture which makes it quite a substantial side. The pulled pork torta was amazing...looking at the menu I thought it might be a little messy, but the bread held everything together well and was yummy in its own right. One of the top 10-15 best sandwiches I've ever had. Then I had the special of the week duck confit taco. It was also incredible. Of course the duck confit was super tasty, but all the flavors blended perfectly. Next I had the Papas Con Rajas taco off the regular menu - chorizo, poatato, queso fresco. Also very, very good. Finally I had the best hot dog I've ever had - the Bakersfield Sonoran. I've never had a bacon-wrapped hot dog before, and now I'm not so sure I'll ever have a non-bacon-wrapped one. But seriously, like the sandwich and the duck confit taco, the many flavors blended perfectly. My one criticism would be the price of drinks, but the prices of food was so reasonable, it really is not a big deal. I don't normally get mixed drinks - and perhaps I'll focus on the beer list (which looked decent) next time - but thought I should try a few my first time here. My favorite was the Ring Of Fire - habanero orange infused tequila with grapefruit. I like the margarita and my wife - who is more of a margarita fan - said they were really good. By the way, I saved half the torta and hot dog for breakfast the next morning and both were just as delicious as I remembered them.

    (5)
  • Tracy L.

    Great place but when you order food for the whole table it comes out and you have no idea what's yours. The tacos are OK, I 'be had better.

    (4)
  • Libby T.

    Let me preface this review with the admission that I'm obsessed and particular about Mexican food. So, living in Ferndale for the past several months, I've been a bit furious with Imperial for not opening until now. HEAVEN AWAITS! Tacos were DELICIOUS taqueria style: well-seasoned meats/vegetables on a soft double corn tortilla with lime, cilantro and onions. Exactly the way love, and everything I could have hoped. Loved the ambiance, loved the food, the drinks, the friendly staff - cannot wait to stop in and spend more/all of my time here. love love love love love.

    (5)
  • T W.

    Cheap food, quick service (outside standard busy Fri/Sat nights), and deee-lish! It's a small menu with tacos, hotdogs and some side items. Love the chips & chipotle dip (spicy!), the lime chicken taco (Adobado de Pollo) & Imperial Sonora dogs which are my standard dishes. Topped off with a cocktail of course (pretty strong). Definitely hipster, not authentic Mexican so don't expect that. Nice place to hang out for drinks too. It's becoming a regular place for me & my peeps. They get 5 stars because they gave out FREE tasty & decadent cupcakes on Halloween. You won my heart.

    (5)
  • Rachel B.

    Absolutely delicious. Some of the best chips and salsa I have ever had. Tacos were the perfect size and loaded up just enough with fresh ingredients. Loved the open-air atmosphere and the long wooden community tables. We came for lunch so we didn't really think about the bar other than the fact that my sister-in-law was puzzled as to why her Diet Coke came in a can when there was a bar. Maybe they're getting taps/fountains soon? I don't know. I don't drink mid-day usually, and if I were to come to a Mexican place at night I'd either order a Margarita or a Corona -- not a craft beer on tap. I think this place is just fine.

    (4)
  • Andi C.

    this space was where i spent most of my early 20s: as post bar ferndale. & as fond as those memories are, the space is a major upgrade now. ferndale definitely needed some vegetarian hotdogs! (& tacos, too. one can only go to taco bell so much) i live in nashville currently & imperial is very reminiscent of our southern hip bars down here: rustic vibe, johnny cash, strong drinks. it feels like a little piece of tennessee ...with way better food. price is fair, service is decent*, guac is chock full of cilantro ... yum! * = not the friendliest bunch (at least in nashville standards) & the wait can be a bit long - even for takeout & calling ahead - but it all even outs, i think. the decor & food are worth any slight downfalls. my favorite little touches are the back patio with string lights & the southwest blankets tucked next to the tables to cozy up. feels like home!

    (4)
  • Maggie H.

    Let me start by saying that I never popped into Imperial for a long time because by its name, I always assumed it was a Chinese takeout restaurant. Silly, yes. But I have my favorite Chinese and Thai places that I always go to, so I never made an effort to go to Imperial. Well, just to clear up any confusion, Imperial isn't a Chinese takeout joint (much to my surprise), it is an amazing taco joint. Anyplace where I can order by the individual taco tends to make me happy because I am a fan of variety, I have a tendency to over-order so I can try many different things. So after looking at the menu I was pretty confident that I was going to enjoy Imperial. Let's start with chips and dips. Their guacamole is great and I am a very picky guacamole person-I usually find it too bland and just adding more onion doesn't help. Imperial actually adds spices to their guacamole so it is still smooth but very flavorful. Next the salsas. I would classify them as fancy-salsas because they are fruit forward flavors and not normal salsa-esque. However, they were good (though I do enjoy a great cheap dirt-floored Mexican restaurant salsa:) The tacos. Personally I find the chorizo super salty, so I stay away from anything with it. Though my friend loves the potato/chorizo taco. I highly recommend the Al Pastor, Adobada, and Carne Asada. The Al Pastor is my favorite by far. The final thing about Imperial that I adore is the people. We have never had a bad experience. Also, we threw a curveball at them once which they took completely in stride. We were on our way back from Eastern Market with a lot of pork (yum) and it was nice outside. Thus we didn't want to leave it in our car while we had lunch. We called Imperial and asked if we could store our pig-meat in their fridge while we had lunch. They were completely awesome about it, not as surprised as we thought they would be, and let us use their fridge while we ate. Great place, great food, and great service. No doubt that we will be back again and again and again.

    (5)
  • Sean T.

    Food is phenomenal. If you're ok with terrible service. It's definitely a hipsters bar which is completely fine and it does have a great atmosphere but when I walked in for lunch I literally sat at the bar while the bartender finished a ten minute conversation before he even took my drink order. Good food - but I wouldn't go back because of the poor service from the bartender. Maybe it's not normally this way but they definitely scared off someone who probably would have made this a two-three time a week lunch stop because of terrible service. Good luck I hope your experience is different!

    (3)
  • stacey o.

    great food, great drinks, great prices, great atmosphere. nuff said.

    (5)
  • Matthew D.

    This is part of my favorite section of Woodward Ave in the Dale. With it's proximity to the Magic Bag, Rustbelt Market & other favs like One Eyed Betty's, you can' t go wrong on this block. The El Pastor is the best they do with Tacos, but just to make sure they don't lose any hipster points, they sneak a few gourmet hot dogs that are fantastic, washed down with a Mexican Coke of course. No beers on tap, just cans and bottles. No uber-trendy cocktails, but great drinks. The margaritas are all worth drinking, so I have had them all :) . Think of it as the trendiest taco stand ever made surrounded by some of the most beautiful wood work in the area. To Recap The Good: The woodwork is gourgoues, the location is great as a destantion or a starting point to an epic adventure in Fashionable Ferndale. They hit a few home runs with the tacos, the hot dogs are worth the trip and if you are a Mexican joint you better have a few margarita's to enjoy and they nail it. Whether you are in their great outdoor space in the back, people watching in the front or elbowing up at the always crowded bar, they have it covered. Bonus Tip: They make a mean Moscow Mule, order it as a break from a margarita this summer. The Bad: It is odd, but sometimes the tacos come out lukewarm/cold, enough to mention it. It does get crowded, so if you can snag a spot in the outdoor space in the back, get it. The Band This Restaurant Most Resembles: The Beach Boys, old-school California Cool.

    (4)
  • John S.

    This place is a nice joint if your in the mood for something a little different. Its not authentic and I dont think its trying to be, but they do what they do pretty good. The menu is very streamlined, and you wont find combo meals other than what you make yourself. Tacos were around 3 ea, and I went with two of their vegetarian tacos minus cheese, and the special black eyed pea with kale taco. I definitely prefered their normal vegetarian taco, and the person dining with me agreed. Its flavored well and pairs nicely with a few of their homemade hot sauces they bring to your table. The Black eyed pea taco was too wet and the tortillas were soggy when i got to eating it, so i was mildly dissapointed, but it wasnt that bad in terms of flavor. Perhaps my biggest dissapointment was in their chips. I found mine to be a little stale tasting and didnt seem very fresh, but the guacamole was flavorful and delishous. Overall, I enjoyed my meal and our service was pretty good on this particular occasion, but the place wasnt that busy as we went during off peak hours. Price was ok, if a tad high.

    (4)
  • Jose S.

    I went in a little skeptical since the only dish I had heard raves about was the corn-on-the-cob. The atmosphere is funky but comfortable. Drinks were good but not cheap. And the food was good but the corn-on-the-cob (Elote Especial) was the bomb! I recommend trying one as an appetizer and then deciding if you want something different or just more freaking corn-on-the-cob! I am a proud carnivore but would gladly become a vegetarian if all the vegetarian fare I ate made me as happy as the Elote Especial!

    (4)
  • Joe V.

    Good stuff. Been here a few times now. Seems like every time I go, I have a new favorite menu item. I've tried the majority of the tacos and they're all really good. The beer cocktail is delicious and worth every penny. I'm not a huge fan of communal seating, but there are options other than the long benches. The place is usually bumpin' on the weekend. The staff is fast and friendly. Even at its busiest times you can be in and out in 30 minutes if you really want to be. Looking forward to trying the bacon wrapped hot dog and the weekend brunch in the near future. Definitely going back soon.

    (4)
  • C. L.

    When I hear people say they love imperial, I am baffled. I've eaten there on two occasions. Both times I received dry-ass meat that tasted like Fancy Feast that had been left out in the sun wrapped in a cold tortilla. The first time I went with a friend and i must say, we were quite buzzed. So anything would have tasted great at that point. Not Imperial's tacos. They didn't even pass the hammered test. But let's back up to the guac for a second. The portion is tiny and served with a gimundo bowl of chips. I defy anyone to order the guac and not be irritated by the disproportionate ratio of guac to chips. It's criminal. And i hope you like cilantro because they pile it on high -- on virtually everything. I do love cilantro, but not when it's used in mass quantities (presumably to hide the flavor of the food). It sticks to your lips as you bite into the dehydrated meat, thereby making you want to chug down some water (good luck hailing a server) and cry foul because everyone talked this place up. The second time I went with my boyfriend. He's Colombian and OCD about his tacos. I mean, seriously OCD. I knew it was risky, but I figured, why not give Imperial a second try? I mean, everyone else says they love it. Bad idea. Our food was pitiful. First off, our waitress was incredibly rude -- walked up with a look on her face that said, "Damn, I hate my job." Her vibe sucked so bad I wanted to leave before we even ordered. And she could barely even hear our order because the place is so obnoxiously loud. Sadly, we did order. And, just like the first time, we got cold tortillas and dry meat, served up with a scowl. After leaving the majority of our food for dead, the server, who must have taken a Xanax from the time she dropped off the food to the present, actually asked us how everything was. imagine that. Despite the dramatic personality change, I still had the urge to sail a cold tortilla at her head, just because. Anyway, my boyfriend took the high road. He politely mentioned that the tortillas were cold and we didn't care for our meal, but no big deal, we're ready for our bill. His accent must have set off an alarm in the back that said, "Latino at table 3, we've been discovered! I repeat, Latino at table 3." The manager came over, unsolicited, to apologize for the lousy food and give us a discount. We were pleasantly surprised, because we certainly didn't make a stink. And I never actually threw the tortilla. Even still, I can't bring myself to give Imperial another star for that. Afterward, my taco snob boyfriend actually agreed to swallow his pride and make a pit stop at Taco Bell. Yes, Taco Bell. It blew Imperial away. It's the Taco Bell on Woodward, south of 9. The food is better than Imperial and the people in the drive-thru are always friendly. Folks, I really wanted to like Imperial. It's practically in my backyard. But never again. Never again.

    (1)
  • Vincent C.

    This place has freakishly delicious hot dogs. They are magnificent. Don't get put off by the hipster vibe. I go here all the time in normal clothes and never have any issues. Great tequila selection and great vibe. The Mexican blankets in wooden barrels by the back tables are a nice touch to keep patrons warm while they eat delicious tacos and such.

    (4)
  • Jaclyn S.

    I happen to love this place. The vibe is way cool. You wouldn't guess its a beer and taco place from the outside but it is, and it's good. You sit where you want -- booths, the bar, large tables where many parties sit. Wherever you want. You'll get handed some salsa stained menus by the "too cool for school" looking staff. Thats a compliment, by the way. The tatts, the great hair, the chill atmosphere...its all part of Imperial's charm. The beer list is pretty good. Something for everyone, but nothing too unique. I recommend ordering the salsa flight, too. The chipotle salsa is killer. Now on to the goods. Are the hotdogs good? Hell yeah. But that tacos are stars in my book. I've tried every one on the menu, and they are good. Stupid good. I'll mention, too, that Imperial is a "order as you feel like it" kind of place. You can order food as much as you like, and the tacos are smaller, so its easy to try a lot at one sitting. And try the Elote Especial - the corn on the cob side dish. It's unreal. I've actually researched where to find its toppings just so I could recreate it at home. Go here, people.

    (4)
  • Rachel B.

    First I'd like to say, I've always loved imperial. I love their food, I love their cocktails. Long story short, I have always been well taken care of. However, my place of business closed recently, no warning. A full table of us came to imperial to give it a last hurrah, since we didn't get to. The owner gave us a free round of shots... And I couldn't express the gratitude we all had. My heart is full and this little bit of kindness went very far. Thank you to the entire imperial staff. Especially miss Whitney. Not only is she my girl crush, but she was kind, helpful, and dealt with our sorrows. Thank you again, we love you.

    (5)
  • Margaret L.

    More for drinking with friends than dinner with friends. Big, long tables that you share with other customers our for your large party. I was not impressed with the food. My tacos were cold. The hot dog wrapped in bacon was good.

    (3)
  • An L.

    My favorite spot to go since moving to Detroit and that's saying a lot since I absolutely love the Flytrap down the street. Good tacos, good hot dogs, good Tortas, good margaritas. An must after a long grueling day. Hope to try their now so secret late night menu one day.

    (5)
  • Lauren M.

    I have only lived in Michigan for 1.5 years and this is THE BEST RESTAURANT ive been to yet! Their menu is unique. They use such fresh ingredients. You dont leave there feeling so full where you cant breathe. The atmosphere is awesome and it is all around a great place to eat and hang out! Highly reccomend!!

    (5)
  • Joe S.

    I suggested to my girlfriend we come here this Friday night, I thought the idea of tacos and maybe a nicely mixed cocktail would be fun. I was dead wrong. After sitting down at the bar we were asked what we wanted to drink, we started off by asking for water and were immediately treated like customers not willing to spend any money; we had to flag down staff to get anything, even our bill. We sampled 4 tacos, the presentation was pretentious enough to wow most gentrified white folks I'd imagine. The service was fairly fast, in fact, too fast, nothing like being served up reheated meat that was probably prepared during the beginning of the week! I selected the Carne Asada, and then Adobada De pollo, and my girlfriend went for the Al Pastor and then Tinga De Pollo. Lucky for me I didn't get food poisoning from the tacos which looked like tiny diapers with a full load of shit in the middle. My girlfriend lost the game of taco roulette and spent the next night and day throwing up and shitting her brains out. The Carne Asada taco which was advertised as "marinated steak with red pepper and salsa" tasted more like gamey raccoon meat marinated in garbage juice during a hot day. The Adobada wasn't much better..... I am fairly sure two crunchy tacos from taco bell would have been more delectable than the shit slapped on a plate and presented to us. I don't know why anyone would eat the garbage tacos from the Imperial; I am assuming most people are drunk out of their skull, because its the only way to really choke down these awful awful tacos. I'll never eat here again, much less drink here. My first impressions of this place were decent, it seemed like a hip place; so unless eating raccoon tacos is hip I don't see the draw of this bar/restaurant/raccoon cookery.

    (1)
  • Victor G.

    Great food, fun atmosphere (if you don't mind joining strangers at the lunch room style tables). The only negative is that all the employees dress like hipsters and a lot of the customers are hipsters, so it's hard to tell who is working.

    (4)
  • Dave W.

    Hot dogs were excellent - fun atmosphere - margaritas very strong - good experience

    (3)
  • Brent G.

    Ok I am Mexican I love Mexico and it's variety of great foods. This is not "real" Mexican as they claim. The service is also horrible! I you want real Mexican and no hair in your tacos go to Mexican town in Detroit or the Mexican grocery store in Madison heights there is a hidden taco bar in the back that serves true Mexican cuisine. Oh yes and one more thing try getting carnitas in mexican town and day but Fridays. You can't! Why? Because it is a traditional dish served on Fridays at weeks end. So right there imperial is not a true Mexican taco bar

    (1)
  • Davis H.

    How can anything wrapped in bacon be bad. The hot dogs are great. I got the bakersfield sonoran and the paso robles sonoran (no beans). Both were excellent. Like other people have said, the menu is a little tiny. So if you dont want a hot dog or tacos you may want to pass on it. I also got the chips and frijolios with chiziro minus frijoloius. Very good, but I would recommend mixing it up a little because it seems to be layered. I will be trying this place again.

    (4)
  • Amy M.

    I truly can't begin to praise Imperial enough. Every time I eat here, I am overly pleased, delighted, and overwhelmed with how insanely amazing the quality of the food is. Even when I try something new, I'm never disappointed. They definitely deliver on the food quality every time. Their entire menu and weekly specials are always delicious and very creative. My favorite items are the Al Pastor taco, the Imperial Sonoran hot dog, the chips and salsa appetizer (with the roasted red pepper salsa), and the Detroit Tart drink.

    (5)
  • Julie C.

    This place is wonderful. I hate Mexican food also. When Shannon S and I stopped In on the spur of the moment, we didn't know what to expect. We had such a nice bartender. The host was very personable. Our food...well...ridicuously good. Must try.

    (5)
  • Flannary S.

    Imperial gets 5 stars despite the high noise level. I can't take away a star because it's popular and has an energetic atmosphere. I know I sure as heck get loud and excited when I'm around good food, drinks and friends. I've been here about 6 times now and the food is delish, cocktails are creative, and even when they're super busy, the service has always been excellent. You really can't go wrong with any of their tacos, they are all sooo good. The special of the day I tried once was lamb shank with fig and cucumbers and it was crazy good. I definitely recommend the vegetarian; the "meat" is incredibly deceptive and savory. Also there is a really good one with pineapple in it that I was initially skeptical about, until I tried it. Of course, the bacon-wrapped hot dogs are a must try, and the guacamole is fresh as tasty as well. Each salsa in the flight of salsas is so delicious that my boyfriend was tempted to ask for a to-go container to mix the tiny bit that we had left over. If you come here on a weekend after 6, it will be crowded and loud, but it is completely worth it.

    (5)
  • Doug D.

    This place rocks. Great food, great tequila and whiskey selection, nice art on the walls. Cool, hipster vibe.

    (5)
  • Ted S.

    Been there twice at different times of the night and both times this place was awesome. Great service, food, pricing and atmosphere, These owners get it. Diners there always seem to be thoroughly enjoying themselves. Phones are put away and there's actual conversations taking place. I'd recommend this place to anyone without reservations.

    (5)
  • Andrey T.

    Best street taco place north of Mexico. Great drinks, but bartenders inconsistent. One of my favorites places.

    (5)
  • Michael R.

    Really bad service. Took us 2 hours to have dinner because the service was so slow. Out tacos were cold and soggy when they finally came out. Best part of the meal was the corn. Other then the corn my experience was nothing special.

    (2)
  • Julie J.

    You can't go wrong no matter what you get. Staff is polite, the place is clean & whether you are dressed up or dressed casual, it makes no matter. All are welcome. Drinks are outstanding & never weak. Food is fresh fresh fresh & there is always a special taco or dish you just won't find anywhere else. There is only one Imperial. It's special!!!

    (5)
  • Erin B.

    If I had to choose only one restaurant to frequent in the Ferndale/Royal Oak area, Imperial would be it. The tacos are well thought out & prepared so that the flavors mesh perfectly. The salsa & guacamole are house made, & they really took their time getting these right. The rotating weekly special keeps it interesting, & at $2.50/taco, you can try a bunch at a time! And, bacon-wrapped hot dogs?! Holy processed meat! These are amazing! Imperial is great with food restrictions as well. Gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan - there are options for all! And, if you're really specific & want a gluten-free, vegan hot dog, they can do that! They even do brunch! Albeit, the brunch menu is very limited. Drinks here are delicious - especially the cocktail with habanero vodka. And, the higher-end margaritas are a perfect addition to a summer day. The atmosphere is trendy, hip, & inviting. Most tables are community benches, so you can end up in a great conversation with a stranger, or keep to your self & your friends at the bench. Service is friendly & fast. I've never waited long for tacos or chips, & the staff are always warm & enjoyable. There are only 2 things I would change about Imperial, & neither one taints my opinion of the restaurant in any way. 1) Carryout! Sometimes, the place is too crowed for a spot (1-2 hour waits), & I really want their tacos. But, they don't do carryout at night, so your options are to wait in a congested area for hours or change food genres & go elsewhere. 2) More food! I want to see more options on the menu. If you go there once a week, with the exception of the rotating taco special, it starts to get comforting, but boring. How about flan as a dessert, for the gluten-free crowd? How about a regular fish taco option? Nachos daily instead of just for the late-night menu? With a chef as good as theirs, I want more!

    (5)
  • Victoria M.

    Yummy little tacos and hot dogs! Tacos are small so you have to order a few. Cool atmosphere too, love the interior. :)

    (5)
  • gwen s.

    Tacos, corn, Hot Dogs (!!!), salsas... All so good. Margaritas -- Cherry Tart never disappoints. Friendly to kids. Love it here.

    (5)
  • Cyndi T.

    Delicious drinks and the hot dogs are amazing. I didn't think they were going to be soo good, but can't wait to go back for more. Service was fast and friendly. Cost was very reasonable.

    (4)
  • Denice H.

    Love this place went for my sons birthday! We ordered every taco and hotdog and loved everything! Loved how the beers are served in bags. Super tastie food and very reasonably priced.

    (4)
  • Scott M.

    Been here about 10-15 times, consistently has amazing tacos. BE SURE TO GET THE SONORAN HOT DOG. Really cheap prices and a pretty cool atmosphere. The only downside is that it gets packed quickly, especially in the summer. Community seating makes the experience unique, and it helps that the patrons are typically younger than your average restaurant.

    (5)
  • Dan M.

    fun place to eat.. love the drink selection!! the tacos were awesome. can't wait to go back!

    (4)
  • Bill Y.

    After a couple of attempts to stop in and eat, always to be thwarted by long lines for a table and no space at the bar, finally had "great success" and scored a seat at the bar on a Tuesday night. First thought was that the food menu seemed kind of limited but they had a very impressive list of beer and liquor. Started with the guac and chips (quite good) and finished up with a Bakersfield Sonoran Hot Dog and a Chile-Lime Chicken Taco. Hot dog was quite good, taco was just o.k. Extremely reasonable drink prices, plus they have Mexican Coke on hand. How can you go wrong with that. Food is 3 stars, but the pricing and general atmosphere of the place bumps it up to 4 stars. I'm not even taking points off for the over abundance of douchebag hipsters at this place, including the one next to me who kept ordering Miller Hi-Life's, despite the fact there are literally 40 other better beers on the menu.

    (4)
  • Anna S.

    My man half and I had our first dining experience at imperial this weekend. I ran into work the next day ranting and raving about it, obviously it's too good not to talk about. Please excuse my drooling as I type... We got here at about 9:30 on a Friday night, packed is an understatement. The hostess put our name on the waiting list and said the wait time was approximately an hour, no problem, we snagged a spot on the bench along the front windows and ordered a couple drinks. The people watching here is great, the community tables make it some of the best in town. Super cool vibe in general, love the interior. Just about an hour later we were sat and ready to inhale all the goodness. We started off with the salsa flight and guacamole... Amazing, the chips were warm and crispy, the salsa options were great and the guac... Literally like butter in your mouth; fantastic! Moved right onto the tacos, we each got a brisket special, chicken something, pork and carne asada... They melt in your mouth! All of the meats were cooked perfectly, juicy, hot and correct portions of meat to toppings. I literally was ready to come back the next afternoon for more! We also split the corn which was amazing as well but the tacos were the highlight of the meal in my opinion. Already dragging my girlfriends here tomorrow night, way to cure the Monday blues.

    (5)
  • Brooke D.

    This is my favorite place to go. It's far from home so I only go on special occasions. They have a spicy Bloody Mary called "sinners savior" that has actually managed to turn my bad mood into a good one. So not only is their drink menu satisfying but their food menu is wonderful. They serve what one might call "street tacos", not your standard Mexican food. All of their tacos are great and they've got some wild hot dogs, even wrapped in bacon. Once you see the hot dog on the menu you might think its a little colorful but I swear to you that it's wonderful. They also have corn on the cob covered in cheese, spices and some sauces. As messy as it is it's a must have. You must visit this place.

    (5)
  • Joseph H.

    I won't try to recap all of the useful details in the previous reviews, just add my own opinion: Ever since I moved into the area and discovered it, The Imperial has been my Happy Place. Lame day at work? Troubles? That can all be fixed by The Imperial! The thing I enjoy the most is the exclusivity of some offerings - you'll fall in love with a drink or food item, just to find it's only offered for the next month or during a few hours of the week, or it's a taco available for that night only. Sure some people will find that annoying, but I enjoy the sense of change and every beloved cocktail I lose is soon replaced by another. My two pointers would be: go early in the day for a more relaxed experience, and try the brunch which is available only Sunday from 11 to 3. Favorites: Paso Robles Sonoran, and Tinga de Pollo. Also the roasted corn-on-cob and jalapenos are outstanding. Ask for their hot-sauces, as well, they're not advertised and you usually don't get them until you ask.

    (5)
  • Susan M.

    Yep...it's good!!! Husband and I went on Friday at about 6:30 p.m. - There was a crowd. We sat at the bar 'cuz of the wait and it did take a while for a table. I ordered the Ichabad cocktail and because of a friend's recommendation the husband had house margaritas, which was a real switch for him 'cuz he's a huge craft beer drinker. Both were EXCELLENT! Bartender was nice and took time to run through ingredients in the Ichabad even though he was super busy. We ordered tortilla chips and three salsas plus the jalepenos. It was all very good. Seated at the table by the back door...no problem...after the Ichabad it didn't matter. Food was good! Had a couple of Mexican Coke's, tasty soft tacos and REALLY good hot dogs! All served on an aluminum platter and we were given small aluminum platter plates. Defintely worth a stop in...or a carry out...and a return visit. Yum. P.S. Yes, it's Johnny Cash giving you the finger!

    (4)
  • Rebecca B.

    Oh Imperial, it pains me to leave only 2 stars, but your service sucks balls!!! If it weren't for my better experience the first time, I'd probably give you 1 star now... Ok, so it's Saturday night, I get it..there's a bit of a wait for a table..It's to be expected... But, if the wait is over an hour, don't tell us 40 minutes. Still not too bitter, really.. My friend and I order a ring of fire each, but we are both somewhat disappointed :-( they just don't have that 'zing' that they had before... So, after what seems like forever, we get a table and immediately order chips and guac. I will tell you, the guac is some of the best I've ever had.. Great flavor and texture. mmmmmm.. Hey, let's give ring of fire another chance.. meh.. What happened Imperial? Were you out of a certain ingredient? Did the recipe slightly change? Was someone not trained properly? We then ordered our entrée, nothing extravagant.. Our waitress, server, flight attendant... whatever we have to call them nowadays was horrible. Funny enough, she was our waitress last time too.. How can this woman retain employment? I won't say her name, but it starts with a "B".. She is friendly, but sooooo slow, there is no sense of urgency whatsoever. After explaining to a bus boy that we were going to be late for a show at the Magic Bag, he asked what it was like being around in the early nineties.. Seriously???? I'm 41, not 141!!!!!!! I forgive him, because after that, our food finally arrived.. What is weird is - no matter how many orders there are, everything comes on one big platter.. Good luck figuring out what everything is.. I ordered the hot dog with many an accouterments and a tiny pork taco - listed as carnitas...It's stated on the menu that the pork is slow roasted, but it doesn't state slow roasted for 10 days and so totally dried out you might as well eat sandpaper... I will say the hot dog was so good!! Maybe it was because we had waited yet another hour + after placing our order and I was so mother effing hungry, I don't know... That dog had the perfect pop when biting into it and so many flavors dancing in my mouth!! We scarfed down our food and were out the door in no time.. I will admit, I have to have that hot dog again.. But please don't make me be here for almost 3 hours again!

    (2)
  • Gowad S.

    Nice size bar small size menu. What kind of Mexican restaurant doesn't serve rice and beans? Its like having a hamburger joint with no fries. Its a clean place, server was great but when we first walked in the young lady standing in the front didnt even greet us and looked like she hated her life for working there lol. Overall all the tacos tasted bland and thats why I gave it a three star.

    (3)
  • Emily E.

    I've only been once but would go back. Went late on a Thursday for a snack with a large group. The food was good and came out quickly. They were able to split our 10 person bill which was wonderful. Seems like a fun place.

    (4)
  • Humming H.

    Don't be fooled by the trendy decor, Imperial's tacos are legit! We recommend the carnitas, carne asada, and chicken tacos. They are small, Tijuana style, with corn tortillas but very filling. The drinks were very tasty as well! It was overcrowded but for good reason, overall a great hang out joint.

    (4)
  • Wendy H.

    I love the layout of this place! Very modern and cozy. The food is really good. Not true authentic Mexican food, but definitely more upscale than Taco Bell or Cantina Diablos. I wish they had more tequila options. The service was great. The Waitress was very helpful and gave some very good suggestions. This a great place for a date or just meeting friends! It's affordable and cozy! I do wish they would take reservations, but I will definitely be back!

    (4)
  • Lauren M.

    First Imperial experience was this past Friday and I will definitely be returning... for the food. We got there around 7:45 with a group of 8, so of course there was a wait. The host said an 1.5 hours and took our name. The sheisty part is that you cant make reservations-- so go early if you are in a large group. Came back about 40 minutes later and they were able to seat is with in 10 minutes, NBD. Nice size booth for a group, otherwise family style dining, which would have been cool to, if for no other reason than to bask in tacos collectively with strangers. PROS re the foodz: The tacos were simply amazing. Very fresh, excellent flavor match-ups, we indulged in: Sides: The Chip and Salsa Flight, Guac & Chips-- bright, acidic and correct! One of the salsas was super hott, but still full of flavor. Tacos: Carnitas, Al Pastor, Tinga Del Pollo, Carne Asada, Chorizo and a Lamb taco with mango salsa. Muah! I think I had every Taco in this piece! They are palm size which makes you feel like it's a taco famine when you are blowing through them like potato chips. My favorite was the Chorizo, which was ground with potatoes and had the perfect amount of heat. Soo good. Crowd favorite was Carne Asada. Sauce: Some kind of lime-cilantro-ish sour cream business. It was an amazing compliment to any of the tacos. Churros: overdone, but had potential. Busy = extra crunch Churro. Chocolate sauce is just plain chocolate sauce, so dont have your lips primed for any ancho-excitement. CONS re Foodz: -Tacos are 2.50 a go-- 2.75 or 2.95 for "specials" (Lamb). My brother reminded me that this was only a few cents more than Chipotle-- for 100x better tacos--so OK. Dont go if you are starving or with a group of hungry mans. -Everything is served family style-- which is wretched for tab splitting, when all your tacos arrive on the same platter and it's a taco free-for-all. Watch your check. -Everything is ala cart- including the tasty lime taco sauce -There is no sour cream-- I mean I get it, but still. CONS re the libations: I ordered a Lavendar Sidecar-- the flavor of the Lavendar overpowered the rest of the drink, so I cant say I enjoyed it. Almost like Str8 Lavendar Bourbon, with a sprig of Lavendar for garnish. I would not recommend this drink. Next I ordered a "West Coast Swing" it tasted like muddled strawberry and nothing. Just to make sure my Birthday Girl palate wasnt depleted from knocking back 4 margaritas in the party bus beforehand, all 8 people in our party stuck a straw in to try it. Everyone agreed that it tasted like muddled strawberry water. This drink was not on the menu, so I'm not sure if was the bartender's specialty-- but I guarantee there was nothing special about this drink. As a last attempt to embrace this Mexcian dining experience, I tried the house margarita-- PASS. They need to step their game up in the cocktail department-- nothing doing here either. Honorable mention: There were flat screens and they were tuned in to local sports. Not a lot of standing room by actual bar. Very Clean bathrooms.

    (3)
  • vanessa k.

    Second time around was just as great as the first. Staff was friendly, knowledgable and efficient. The Bakersfield was perfection again. Delicious speciality cocktails too.

    (5)
  • Marissa L.

    This place is amazing. Upbeat atmosphere, unique drink list, tasty tacos. The tacos are so delicious that I will judge every other taco I ever eat again against the ones I ate here.

    (5)
  • Christina B.

    This is pretty much a stocked bar that happens to sell tacos, be it has the best street tacos I have had (including Eastern Market). The Al Pastor (with queso fresco) and the Elote Especial (corn) are a MUST TRY. Guac and chips are also very good. However the fact that there is no takeout is a downer.

    (5)
  • Anthony J.

    Was visiting Michigan for the holidays and wanted to find a cool bar to drink at. I'm not trying being some pretentious LA asshole here but most of the bars in Michigan sucked. I was referred to here by some locals at Gusoline Alley in Royal Oak. This place kicked ass to put it simply. Cool people, awesome bartenders (Jessica and Dave), good music and strong drinks. I don't really know what more you'd want in a bar. Definitely recommend this place to locals or out of towners looking for a good place to drink.

    (5)
  • Shelby H.

    Parts I liked: -The food is good -The drinks are good (and strong) -Our waitress was happy to split our bill, but can sometimes be a hassle at other places Parts I didn't like: -I came with a large group. When we all placed our orders, the food came out on three large platters instead of everyone getting their own plate with their own items on it. We had to sort through the tacos and figure out whose was whose. -The service wasn't the best. We sat there for a good 45 minutes with empty drinks because our waitress just never came back. I'm not sure where she was. By the time she came back, we just wanted our bill, which took another 45 minutes. -The acoustics in the place are such that it's loud. Don't come with a large group of people if you want to talk to each other without yelling. Overall, I would go back - just probably in between meal times so it's not busy.

    (3)
  • Sara C.

    Any service problems Imperial had at the outset? Yeah, those are all gone. Aside from the more traditional Mexican eateries and trucks in Mexicantown, Imperial is the place in Metro Detroit to get interesting and premium variations on street tacos. And whatever weekend taco special they have is usually amazing. Not being in walking distance of Imperial anymore is a real bummer. But it's worth the trip.

    (5)
  • Erin M.

    I'm not sure what I can say here that hasn't already been said.. but overall, I really enjoy this place. It's a nice change of pace from what's offered in the area. The tacos remind me of what you find along the beach in San Diego. They're small, fresh, and full of flavor. The Al Pastor and Tinga De Pollo top my list and the salsa flight was great, too. The menu is small, but that didn't bother us because everything we ordered in our two visits was great. The drink selection is larger, and cheap which is a plus. The interior and seating arrangement creates a pretty laid back atmosphere, and there's a great patio in the back. Besides the slower service, my only complaint was that when serving food family style, make sure the servers know which is which! That would've been extrememly helpful!

    (4)
  • Erin L.

    I wanted to give a bigger star, a brighter one, but I can't. Aesthetically it is a great place, and I am sure the drinks are great, so if that's what you are going for, then 4 stars. However, I have had many an amazing authentic, inspired, and downright amazing west-coast taco. This, my friends, is not it. The vegetarian taco I have tried on two different occasions, both times (hoping for better) they were dry and disappointing. We tried the 2 chicken tacos, one was stewed and pretty good and the other was (I believe) a chicken lime-something-or-other, which was dry and boring. The guac was okay, the other people at my table thought it was good though. The vegetarian dog was alright. The biggest bummer of the meal...the street corn. If you are from the WC or Mexico, don't expect to be taken back to your roots. Expect bland corn, mine was watery and not hot enough. I wish it were amazing because we are within walking distance and I would love to go back again and again. The salsa is good. Mexican coke made my day, but that's not saying a whole bunch. If you want a vibe, this one is cool. If you want good ass mexican, nope.

    (2)
  • Andrew B.

    First off, I had no idea this is was a taco place. the name certainly does not give that impression. Imperial is delicious. The tacos are creative and the salsa are fresh. The beer list is great and the mixed drink menu is well rounded. So why three stars and not more? The price and service are detractors. I ordered three tacos at $2.50 a piece. The tortillas they were on were about 3.5-4in. in diameter. Essentially a two bite taco. I'll take an El Charo taco for $2.50 over these any day on value alone. Our server was, to put it nicely, in need of a methadone clinic ASAP. Whatever she was coming down from did not make her seem very bright. She couldn't split our check because they only had two computers. Our table had a fairly lengthy discussion on how that could possibly be what prevents split checks. Apparently each bill needs it's own NASA engineered super computer. She looked like she had just gotten done crying every time she came over as well. Also, they apparently have a very strict hiring policy or not hiring anyone who does not dress/act like a hipster. So many dark rimmed glasses and bangs........ It is what it is and I would have no problem going back but I will be getting the sandwich thing some of my table mates got.

    (3)
  • Ross S.

    Sorry, not a lot of time to write a proper review. First and foremost, if you've never been in here, make sure to stop in. Pseudo-authentic mexican food, overpriced drinks... your typical Royal Oak-style restaurant/bar/social venue. Food is excellent... very tasty. I'm a big fan of the Al Pastor and Chorizo tacos. The social element of the seating (benches, you'll be close to other dining parties) is great when controlled, but when things are packed it can be a little overwhelming if you're not interested in knocking elbows and being super outgoing with your neighbors. Service is "meh" to ok/good. If they're busy, expect to wait often for someone to stop by... they DO understaff a bit. Typical trendy attitude/treatment... don't expect the "personal touch" unless you know someone there. Facilities are good. When the weather is nice and you can sit outdoors in the front or in/on the patio in the back, it's a very fun experience. Indoors is just loud and crowded... but you may be into that. All in all, usually it's a good dining experience at Imperial... if you know what to expect. I recommend checking it out at LEAST once!

    (4)
  • Caitlin F.

    I was in the mood for some tacos and a trip to Rust Belt early this afternoon, so we stopped into Imperial. The atmosphere is really nice, and I can't wait to come back in the summer when the garage doors are open. I was thoroughly impressed with the salsas, especially the verde and the smoky one (I'm not sure if it has a special name). I tried 3 tacos, one vegetarian, one carne asada and one chicken adobado...and each was delicious! The chicken was juicy and flavorful, the carne asada was tender, and the seitan in the vegetarian was incredible! So much flavor! I couldn't leave without trying a churro, which was also delightful, although it wasn't the best churro I've ever had (that bar is set ridiculously high, though). I also had an imperial swizzle cocktail, which was bourbon-licious. I'm excited to go back and try more mixed drinks. My only complaint was the service....our waitress seemed to have a very limited number of brain cells left. Overall, the whole staff seemed slow. However, being a Sunday with nothing to really do, I didn't mind. I would have happily stayed there all day, hung out, drank and ate tacos. I would have definitely been frustrated if I had somewhere to be. So, in a nutshell: got time? Get tacos and drinks at Imperial.

    (4)
  • kevin e.

    prob more like 3 1/2 - tacos tasty as was salsa very hipster setting ( which I am not ) BUT the service ? not so good thus the 3 1/2

    (3)
  • Julie K.

    Imperial: the perfect 4th meal place. If you are just plain hungry, and not looking for a culinary experience, go here. If it's late and you just want a snack, go here. If you are looking to have some good conversation with friends, you'll have a challenging time hearing them here. The tacos aren't amazing, but it's better than Taco Bell. The guacamole is amazing though! Wish I ordered 2 servings of that instead! Ok, back to tacos. Tried the pork and pineapple one - bleck, and the vegetarian - yum. Apparently seating used to be a free-for-all, but now there is a host managing the situation. For $7 you can get 2 tacos and spilt the guac and chips with a friend. That's $3 less than a drink at the Oakland! The food is cheap and doesn't cost much either.

    (3)
  • Colleen W.

    Pretty good! Nice little street taco type food. Have been here a few times and most recent last week Thurday for a few drinks and dinner. Gets busy quick after work so be prepared to snuggle up next to who ever is sitting next to you. Not for a private dining experience if that is what you are looking for. Tacos are small so order at least 3-4 but they are yummy, guac is really good along with the different salsas. Drinks are SUPER YUMMY! MMMMMM. Kinda on the pricey side but really good. Nice looking and very comfortable- everyone is friendly, even the patrons since you are basically sitting on each others laps with LONG tables. Fun though!

    (5)
  • Michigan H.

    Always very, very good. The variety of tacos is terrific, as are the quality of the meats and ingredients. Potato chorizo and stewed chicken tacos are my favorites, but they're ALL very good. The salsa flight (three or four great salsa varieties) and guacamole is a must. One of my favorite places.

    (5)
  • Jeff R.

    Now I've been to Imperial two more times since the soft opening. The service has definitely improved, quite a bit. I'm still recommending the chipotle salsa as the best of the three offered in the flight. I've now tried the chorizo and the chicken tacos, in addition to the carnitas and al pastor that I tried the first time. All of the tacos are pretty good. I just need to remember that I'm not in my neighborhood (Southwest) and that these are not meant to be traditional tacos. Imperial's tacos are intended to be California-style, meaning there's an emphasis on fresh ingredients and they're light on carbs. From the second to the third time I went there, they started putting two kinds of hot sauces on the tables. One is yellow and is something with habanero pepper. I didn't try that one, but I heard it was good. The other is an eyedropper of sauce made with the 'Ghost Pepper' (Bhut Jolokia), one of the hottest peppers in the world. I tried it on a few tortilla chips. It actually has a really good flavor, but the heat stays with you for a couple hours. This last time, I also tried the churros. They're fantastic, and when they're fresh, they're better than any I've ever had in Southwest Detroit. Overall, they've definitely improved from the first day, and I'm sure I'll be back.

    (4)
  • Angie J.

    We've always had great service and food here. I love the decor and music. It has a very West Coast feel to it. If you're just looking for low-priced high-quality food, go to Imperial. If you're looking for a great variety of mixed drinks and a cool place to hang with friends after work or on the weekends, chose Imperial. You can't go wrong!

    (5)
  • Emily B.

    Short menus make us better people. They remind us to eat what is offered to us; that we, as restaurant patrons, are not the rulers of the free world, but guests at an expert's table. Fortunately, we are in good hands as guests at Imperial. There's a lot of sweet/salty going on, which is trendy, but not to the point of disingenousness. I was especially impressed by the pastor and carne assada tacos. Sometimes, I think about them when they're not around. Ambience: Personally, I enjoy community seating, but it's not for everyone. If you have social anxiety, this is not the place for you. Don't bring someone here to break up with them. It's all wrong for that. Alcohol: The margaritas are wonderful and a even a little dangerous, but at $8, not that dangerous. Service: The thing about the service is (and you'll notice this around Ferndale, but especially new places with "real" wood inside), that it's not like they're looking for experience, personality or hygiene. It's like, "You can work here because it's summer and you have a scarf on." So- for example- when I asked if they had any drink specials, I got something along the lines of, "No, Unscarfed One, we do not, nor do we ever have drink specials." Merely asking put me in the side-o-ranch camp. Let me ask you, Hip Server: I'm sitting on a bench with a bunch of strangers eating a $2 taco. How bizarre is it, really, in a blue-collar, inner-ring suburb of a struggling Rust Belt city to ask for discounted alcohol on a Tuesday? They should really opt for food counter service. Under those circumstances, I'd add a star.

    (4)
  • Kevin R.

    Okay, I'm a taco freak. One of my first formative food jobs as a teenager outside of pizza and peeling shrimp was that I worked at a Taquería / Burrito joint. Ever since then I've been obsessed with the taco. So when I heard they are opening a spot in Ferndale I was pretty excited. I knew it was not going to be traditional, and I was super into that idea. We where getting tired of the awesome spots in Southwest Detroit and wanted to explore the new. My girlfriend and I kept exchanging links about this new spot in Ferndale. The menu looked SPOT ON. It had all its T's crossed and I's dotted. My girl and I pretty much skipped into Imperial like kids running into a moonbounce after 2 slices of cake. It was a Sunday, it was hot as hell. Beautiful summer day. The place is gorgeous, open air minimal feel to it. I turn to my girl and go, "It feels like we are in a different city?" 1 out of 10 on interior design they get a 9 for sure. Very LA. Loved the communal seating. Very Publican. People should eat like this. Food is to be shared and conversations alike. This is where it gets all pear shaped. Service sucked balls. It took homeboy about 15 minutes to greet us. I've waited tables and bartended for years and this dude walked by us several times. Wack. Okay whatever, its all about the food. Dude comes by and does the "sit-down". NO NO NO. Look man, I feel you... your hungover, you don't want to be here, i've been there. Don't sit down at my table like your my boy and take my order. Look dawg, you ain't wearing any buttons and this ain't no TGIFS so don't cop a squat at my table. I hate to front on this guy cause he was genuinely a nice guy, but there is a bit of professionalism that I expect when. Move on. Cause its all about the food right? Well, first the drinks. AMAZING. I would come here alone for the drinks alone. The bartender is on his/her prime. I had 2 drinks that where amazing. I'm serious, they blew me away. I wish I could remember the names but I remember them being Anejo drinks. So we get Guacamole, Grilled Corn, 3 Asadas, 3 grilled polls and jalapeños. Guacamole comes. Looks great. Taste like NOTHING. There is zero salt and lime in it. Luckily it had limes hanging around it. I mean did the chefs taste it before it came out? It was straight up avocado. Then to top it off I got the hanging pit in my mouth, the part where the avocado hangs... yeah it sucked. Chips where good though. But why in the hell wouldn't you season the Guacamole. Cilantro, onion, tomato...??? SALT?? It kind of made me angry. Then flagging down hungover server was a freaking challenge. He was more concerned with the table of girls that wanted Daiquiris (who the hell orders daiquiris?) Got another drink A M A Z I N G. Then the tacos come (served by a runner) NO SILVERWARE OR PLATES. Its served on a big server tray. It looked amazing tasted like NOTHING. It was weird, I kept feeling bad spilling meat all over the table but apparently plates and napkins are something you need to ask for (as our server informed us). The food. Cold. The Asada felt like it was pre-grilled in the A.M. then re-fired later, then chopped. The point of Asada is that its placed on the plancha aka flat-top asap and grilled right there so its hot and juicy right there. The meat settles in your tortilla as the onions, cilantro and lime just give it a big hug. Not here. I got a taco that is super overstuffed with cold ass meat. It tasted like beef jerky. I think they are using a better cut of beef than what most taco places use for steak but they ruin it. It felt like strip, but it was ruined. And again, why overstuff the taco? Maximize that profit many? The pollo (chicken breast) was garbage. Dry beyond belief. We didn't even eat it. The corn was super wack. They poured about 2tbsps of I think Ancho on it. It was unedible. WHO IS WORKING IN THAT KITCHEN???? The saving grace was the grilled jalapeños. They where really good. What was really lame is that I think I saw the owner walking around to tables asking how the food was and he didn't come over to us. Bottom line is this, the food sucked balls and the drinks where amazing. I want to see Imperial succeed, I think its a good idea. I think the owner has a OUTSTANDING idea. In fact I think the owner really gives a shit but I think he needs to rethink his kitchen. I think Ferndale needs this. Detroit needs this. But they need to can all the kitchen staff asap cause they don't know their elbow from their asshole. Because of right now I will never eat there again. Hire some Mexican brothers from the Southwest and your spot will be packed! Again, I hope this helps Imperial and makes it a permanent spot.

    (2)
  • Tim P.

    Damn, This place is awesome .... Been here 2x's the last couple weeks ... First .. the guacamole is outstanding ... the taco's at 2.50 a pc are as well ... the decor is simple and cool Service: Outstanding ... Both times ... attractive and attentive - funny staff... The Johnny Cash art in the middle of the bar - LOVE IT ... Great music was piped through ... but .. Let's get some Speedball in that mix !

    (5)
  • Nicci K.

    I love this place. What's not to love for a veggie who likes a good cocktail? The atmosphere is fantastic and fun. The food is incredible taco truck style food. The cocktails are something I highly recommend, or if you feel like you're slumming it, you can get your 22 or red tire in a paper bag. The service has always been pleasant, and professional. For a Mexican Style restaurant, I feel there are a couple options for vegetarians. There could be more (crosses fingers.) I will say it again : I love this place and try to get over here as often as I can.

    (5)
  • Shelley Z.

    Imperial has awesome margaritas and the food is good too...but if you'e in a big group it's a pain the way they serve the food. Everything that your group orders comes on ONE BIG tray, and then you have to figure out who's is who's...every time I have come in a big group, there's been something wrong with the order. It would be nice to be given just what you order, but I guess that's part of their atmosphere. Having said that, the tacos are AMAZING. Definitely recommend checking this place out! But only come with 1 or 2 other people.

    (4)
  • Ashley H.

    I love Imperial! The seating can be annoying but their food and drinks more than make up for it. I love to start off with their guacamole and one of their salsas with chips. The salsa trio is perfect for someone who hasn't tried them before or a group with varying tastes. I just know what I like and go straight to the salsa verde. I don't know which of their tacos is my favorite. They're all delicious and I'm always changing it up on each visit. They have a great drink list. I always get a beer to wash it all down and love their selection. Mmmmm...all this taco talk makes me want to get back their soon.

    (5)
  • Alexis S.

    The chorizo taco was amazing!! The Margarita was even better. We sat at the bar and the service was perfect. The bartender was very experienced and professional. The food came out super fast which was nice when you're hungry. The ambiance is nice is modern and relaxed. Imperial is spacious and the tables aren't crammed together which was nice.

    (5)
  • Stephanie C.

    I love this new addition to my wonderful Ferndale neighborhood. From the variety of seating areas to the amazing salsas and yummy little tacos, it's a great little joint to nosh with friends. I rave to friends about the grilled spicy ear of corn and as a vegetarian I can only get one of the tacos but it's a good one. The drink menu is definitely inspired. I had the Ring of Fire and it was so hot it tested even my spice-loving taste buds. A spicy fans dream - and it goes great with the country, alt-country and indie friendly soundtrack I always rave about when I'm dining here. While I agree with Laura K - it's no Big Star, this place is worth a visit.

    (4)
  • Michelle I.

    Ok. Let's get a few things clear here. Imperial is awesome. And its awesome at what it does. What does it do, you ask? Its a bar, first and foremost. With a side of food. You don't come here to eat dinner or order a carry-out...instead you come here to drink a drink or two and then order some amazing tacos to nosh on. My suggestions: check out the cocktail menu. I am really digging the margaritas here. They use fresh lime and simple syrup to add just the right amount of sweetness and tang. They feature about three different margaritas on their drink menu but I think my favorite is just the classic. get tacos. The food menu is limited but really, really tasty. So far I have ordered tacos during my visits here. Its Carne Asada or bust here... I've tried the chicken as well, but like I said, its all about the beef. Husband has tried the Al Pastor which get the thumbs up from him. Also, the flight of chips and salsa is great --- greasy, hot tortilla chips and three different salsas to choose from. The chipotle salsa was lacking but the other ones were stellar. A few tips: spotty service. yes, yes, yes to previous reviewers. I also have experienced spotty service here. Solution: sit at the bar. You can still order tacos while enjoying your drinks. Honestly, the one time I sat at a table here and had table service was enough to learn my lesson -- the bar is best. hipster + trendy crowd. It seems like Imperial is drawing in all kinds. its lively and busy...a total improvement on the crappy predecessor that occupied that location. Another thing I want to add, I really love the seating/dining room arrangement they have here. The patio in the back is fantastic. The long tables in the front are the right size where you can have large party or few smaller parties sit comfortably (unlike a different place across the street, which fails at this endeavor). A big table not your thing? They are also some really roomy booths for you to enjoy. So yea, I'm totally, completely and fully digging on Imperial. This is the type of place where you can kick back with some friends, enjoy some drinks, some bites and keep it completely cool and casual with a touch of hip.

    (5)
  • Jenn A.

    Best Margarita around. Hands down. And the tacos are to die for. And the guacamole. YES we will be back!!!!

    (5)
  • Anthony D.

    I went in here expecting a bar that serves tacos, and I guess on some level that's exactly what I got. Instead of going over the pluses and minuses, I'm just going to tell the tale of my experience at Imperial. (Cliff Notes: One of the bartenders drinks on the job, and one of the servers is really bizarre. The food was good.) I came here one evening with my girlfriend, and we were waiting for a friend to join us. We took a seat at the bar, because we didn't want to take up a table while we were still waiting for our friend. It took a few minutes for us to get noticed, and we finally were helped by a bartender who appeared to be covering two sections because the bartender that was supposed to be in our section was too busy doing shots with the gentleman sitting next to me. I saw her take a few in the short amount of time we were sitting at the bar. We ended up ordering two drinks and an appetizer while we were at the bar. Shortly after we received our food, our friend showed up so I asked the bartender if we could grab a booth and transfer the tab. She said we were free to grab a booth, but we had to cash out first. Ok, no problem. We moved to a booth, and were quickly greeted by the weirdest waiter of all time. I can't even begin to describe him. He was very nice, but really strange. He asked us several times if there were going to be more people joining us. Each time I assured him that no, there were just 3 of us. He also tended to hover over our table like he was expecting us to say something. It was kind of uncomfortable. He checked up on us a mind boggling amount of times. I don't mind an attentive server, but he interrupted our conversation very frequently. My friend is on a gluten free diet and she asked if the tortillas were gluten free. The server just stopped dead in his tracks and said "Crap. I should know this. Ummm... let me go check. No wait, I think they are gluten free." He then went on to explain that there were so many food allergies, he had a hard time keeping track of them. So my friend just said "Ok, are they corn or flour tortillas?" The server replied "Flour. No wait, corn. Yeah, I think it's corn." In the end, we all ended up enjoying our food good enough. The cocktails were pretty good too. But the service was really bad/strange. The bartenders were either drunk or inattentive. The server was neurotic and overattentive. I don't think any of them had any sort of training. This is more like a 2.5 star review. The 3rd star is just a product of generous rounding.

    (3)
  • Justin P.

    Really good food. I recommend the Adobo Tacos. The Detroit Tart drink got me drunk automatically. I cut it in half with water and had too drinks. The salsa flight and guacamole taste great. Finishing off with a churro was great. The churro is served with a chocolate sauce that isn't sweet enough. Great place overall. Open air seating adds to the ambiance.

    (4)
  • Jonny P.

    Well I'll guess i'll add my 2 cents (after 50+ reviews for what it's worth) Late Saturday I was itching for a bite and decided to give Imperial a try (it's literally right down the street). I'm glad I avoided all of the opening hoopla. I love the minimalist set up and the big open spaces. The seating arrangements and food service is supposed to encourage community, sharing and getting to know your neighborhood. The restaurant's spaces are very trendy/forward the front room carried a lot of energy, the rooms towards the patio were more subdued. In regards to the staff and service I had no issues, it's seat your self however I saw the staff helping larger groups get situated (AHEM John D!) We received our drinks promptly, our food very promptly and we didn't have to hang around forever waiting for the check. In regards to the food I'd have to say out of the four tacos I tried the Al Pastor was my favourite, savoury and sweet with a little heat! Drink wise the ring of fire cocktail was a pleasant surprise... The owner Jeff came by right as we were wrapping up to find out how things went. (what else could you ask for) In regards to some of the reviews posted I think some people are missing the point. The place is supposed to be casual... Imperial is a place where you can throw something (really anything) on, meet a group of people and share some drinks and a couple of (very good) tacos.

    (4)
  • Kate R.

    Imperial may be my new fave place in Ferndale. Their drinks are tasty, and you can't go wrong with the tacos... I can't really complain. I've never been disappointed in any of the food I've ever ordered, and I'd really love if they'd bottle their roasted red pepper salsa because I want it in 5 gallon drums. Get on that Imperial :-)

    (4)
  • Max M.

    Oh wow. My partner has been trying to get me to this place since it opened...today was the day and I can't wait to go back. We went at lunch time and were the only people in here (where is everyone on a Saturday??). That was great for our 2 year old who did laps around all of the tables. The food menu is a one pager, with a few more pages of alcoholic beverages which are a non event because I don't drink. There are 5-6 different meat tacos, a veggie taco, a torta, a funky hotdog and some sides. There are a few different chip orders (w/ salsa, with 3 different salsas and with guacamole). This is not a standard Mexican food menu, more like a designer Tex-Mex/So Cal menu. I had the al Pastor taco and the veggie (seitan based) tacos, as well as the Chips & Salsa Flight with the three different salsas. We also ordered a side of guacamole. The salsas were fresh, spicy and sublime hitting all of the taste buds on the way down. I especially liked the chipotle salsa, but they were all good. The guacamole was ok - a little too much lime for my tastes, I stuck to the salsas. The al pastor taco was out of this world - nice heat, nice texture, lots of nice flavors. I ordered it without the grilled pineapple - The seitan tacos were also phenomenal. I was so thrilled as I tasted all of the different foods - and can't wait to get back. I am so not a hipster, so I will have to settle for the empty lunch times (maybe a few of you out there in Yelpland can come at lunch so this old guy has some company). Our wait person said that there are weekend specials that they announce on Fridays on their facebook page. Also Monday nights there are some fish tacos- which we will be trying. I wish there were more veggie options permanently on the menu, but will certainly get my fill with the seitan tacos and the chips and salsa. I would also love to see what they do with a fish taco. We had a lot of food, a couple of sodas (but no alcohol) and our bill was $28.00. And our kid was entertained - a nice outing all around. I am excited that this is in my hood and will go back. Join me!

    (5)
  • Toni C.

    I've been here twice now and whatever issues there may have been with the service may have been resolved because I had speedy attentive service both times. Also, people have talked about the communal tables which I sat at both times and enjoyed - but there are booths and other sized tables too. I think the food and drinks were great. Hot chips every time, fresh salsas, unique drink options, elote was delicious! They also have special taco's sometimes. It was short rib on one of the nights I was there. The vibe of the place is cool and there are a wide variety of patrons. It's open airy and welcoming. If they add (please, please, please) a fish taco to the menu I'd probably go there at lease once a week.

    (4)
  • Erica M.

    Quick cheap eats with awesome drinks. What a welcome addition to the neighborhood. As for the atmosphere: I love what they've done with the place. Not too fancy or fussy, just clean casual and open. It's the perfect place to kick back with friends. As for the food: Finally! Tacos that aren't wrapped in flour tortillas and laden with cheese! We've been here twice and were impressed by the food both times. We tried the salsa flight (a MUST), the guacamole (solid), and several of the tacos. Our favorites were the Al pastor and the stewed chicken, but they were all very good and I don't think you can possibly go wrong. As for the drinks: Delicious and powerful. They may take a while to make but that's because each one is hand crafted and not poured from pre mixed gallon jug. We tried the Uno Mas, the Ring of Fire, and the Mezcal Mule. They were unique, tasty, and complimented the food well. As for the service: As other yelpers have noted, the service needs work. Wait times were long, we recieved the wrong food, etc etc. Hopefully it's just growing pains and this place will end up reaching it's full potential before long. One beef I have is the family style presentation. I get that they're trying to be different and it may make things easy on the kitchen, but I think it adds confusion for diners. This isn't sushi, where more than one person can share a roll. Serving everything together in this case just makes it more difficult to tell what's what and increases the likelihood that you'll accidentally eat someone else's taco.

    (4)
  • JayDay F.

    Love this place. The tacos are great (and I have had them many times). I have tried all the kinds except the veggie taco. They all have been excellent! The service has always been good too....we usually sit at the bar; but both bar and table service have been exceptional. The price is right too! They have a flight of salsa's that I would highly recommend along with the Corn on the Cob. Try the Bloody Mary...it rocks! Overall, its great food and great atmosphere. Enjoy!

    (4)
  • Kristin G.

    ***Skip this segment if you just want to read about the food**** I felt the need to chime in on the haters. The service DEFINITELY leaves something to be desired but the place JUST opened. Let's give Imperial a chance to get the ball rolling, shall we? I'd give them 2 stars for service but I'm not going to based solely on 1.) the recently opened status and 2.) the fact that opening a business comes with such bumps in the road and 3.) to give them ONE star based solely on service is...in my opinion abusing your privilege as a Yelper. Let's not lose site of the big picture. Service is important but the food is what brings people to the table. Ok...rant over. **************************************************­************* For those who'd like to read about THE FOOD: The food was great. They have a small menu, specifically street tacos, done well. Deliciously well. I had one chorizo taco, one al pastor taco and a carnitas taco. Each one was tasty but the chorizo and carnitas tacos were my favorites of the bunch. The tacos come out "family style" meaning they serve the whole table's order on one plate. The chips came out fresh & greasy and we got the salsa trio. The smoky chipotle-esque salsa was my favorite with just the right balance of heat and smoke notes. The tomatillo was next on the favorites list, with a refreshingly spicy yet tart flavor typical of tomatillo. The guacamole was pretty good too, definitely worth a try. Affordable street tacos in a nice fresh bar/restaurant atmosphere? I think I have myself a new favorite. They just need to tie up things on the service end and it will be my "go to" taco restaurant...Imperial folks...you listening? Train those peeps and let's celebrate some DELICIOUS STREET TACOS!!!

    (4)
  • Julio E.

    Bad service. No POS system. No carryout either. Never saw my bill!!! My tab was an even number, are they even paying taxes? WTF!?!?! Walked in, bartender was texting, he looked up and did not greet us, turned and walked the other way after we sat down. Then comes over says "what are you having?" these people need some serious training. no drink menu, i ask what kind of beers they have, he says top shelf which runs the whole distance of the bar and i have to get up to see them all. lots of cans and a decent selection. got a mexican micro brew pale ale that i've never seen before, worst pale ale i've ever had, can't knock them for that at least they're offering something different. We get a single menu to look at instead of 2. I hate that. Got 6 different tacos, chips and salsa, and grilled jalapenos. tacos came out together "family style" no explanation of what is what. and she was gone. pretty frustrating experience because we ordered different tacos and they're all covered with cilantro and onions and it's dark in there. we ask what they are and the bartender got it wrong. i wanted to grab him by the neck at this point. food is excellent however. 4 stars, 5 star potential. grilled jalapenos are cooked with the seeds in, very spicy considering how hot everything else was. chips and salsa are tasty, kind of small salsa portion, how about free chips and salsa next time considering your taco prices $2.50 and 2 bites and compar that to sw detroit you have free chips and salsa with dollar tacos. tacos were all pretty good and legit. really liked the al pastor, excellent pineapple salsa. they forgot to put limes on my platter. i also wish we got a share plate, even in family style you don't eat off the same freaking plate!!! made a huge mess. ********SO sick of people with no restaurant experience opening places because they've got a good concept and location. this may work out but they need to figure out how to run a business first. major failure in the front of house staffing, sometimes they can hide an owners incompetence. Spend less time on yelp writing fake reviews of yourself(see filtered section) and more time training*********

    (1)
  • Denise C.

    I'm a creature of habit and vegetarian (97% of the time), so all I get are the veggie tacos. They rock and I live on them. I thought the guac was really good when I ordered it. Maybe that's hit or miss from what other reviews say. I loved the salsa flight. I love the corn. I'm cool with whole having to ask for silverware thing. I got used to it. I guess there's some logic behind it. The drinks are amazing. I'm here all the time. I usually sit at the bar and I dig everyone that works behind the bar.

    (4)
  • Kelli A.

    If you're looking for a place to nosh and get loaded this is it. If you're hungry and want a meal, look elsewhere. Lots of alcohol, very little food. I didn't realize it was a bar that served tacos. The service was seriously some of the worst EVER! The waitress was 100% clueless. The music was annoyingly loud, she could barely hear us. We asked several questions for which she had no answer and would 'have to check'. Wow. Is the waitstaff working for free??? Not only was she completely ignorant to the menu, the service was so slow, we were ready to leave. 30+ minutes to get tacos on limp corn tortillas? They're not even cooked! We requested no cilantro...perhaps THAT'S the reason it took forever! It must take several extra minutes to cover everything in it. The food was semi-tasteless and bland. Oh, except the grilled jalapeno. Burned my tongue right off. Thanks for not removing the seeds and membranes from the hottest crop of jalapenos ever! And I LOVE jalapenos. Thankfully, it was only a buck. I'm giving 2 stars because it's a cute place and the A/C was blasting on the hottest day of the year. The prices are decent and it has potential.

    (2)
  • Jason P.

    Third review. Drinks are unfuckwithable, food is likewise. Sanoran hot dogs are wrong. Barkeep Sean looks like something out of time cop. Scary and disfigured, but knows shit about the future. He'll pour you a stiff one and teach you how to fend off the impending robot appocolypse.

    (5)
  • Joshua M.

    I really, really enjoyed Imperial. The tacos are very, very good and my Imperial Sizzle (Bulliet Bourbon, apricot brandy, ginger ale, and lemon). However, it's not a place to sit down and have a meal: everything is smaller portion and a la carte. This is kind of a bummer because the food is excellent. Extra pluses: vegetarian options, fish available on Mondays and Fridays, amazing modern decor, patio seating, and amazing beer list.

    (4)
  • Clare G.

    Ummmm, I must say I can see how this is good for big groups of people with the long wood tables accommodating 10 or more but I would only come here for a casual lunch since I don't really love sitting on long, low benches and feeling all cafeteria style hipster. It was fine for an outdoor summer lunch, and I'm sure the night scene is much different. I had the vegetarian dog since everyone was raving about how good the hot dogs are and all the other ones are wrapped in bacon. All in all, we have more unique tapas type places like this in Ann Arbor.

    (2)
  • Jaz'min W.

    When I think about my experiences at Imperial the first things that come to mind are: clean atmosphere, some adorable waitresses, & strong drinks. You have the option to sit in booths with just your pals or at big tables with other patrons, which makes it ideal for huge groups or making new friends. The tacos are crazy delicious and never take long to make. The food is 5 stars, but I've been here a few times when the wait staff has been less than stellar. And I don't mean inattentive, I mean rude. Once we were charged twice for one meal and everyone, including the manager tried to act like there was absolutely nothing to be done about it. All in all, I'd say try it out! Hopefully you'll have good service.

    (3)
  • Harry F.

    After a long day of expensive decisions Imperial is a great escape. A very limited taco and hot dog menu features a great variety on it's own. With all of the variations staying at a firm $2.50. There is a taco on this menu for everyone. I have been to Imperial 6 or 7 times now. I have brought friends of all food related snobbery and everyone has enjoyed it. I personally love to drink there. Imperial features a cocktail called the ring of fire, a blend of fresh squeezed citrus juices, with a habanero infused tequila, though it may cost $8, I have never tasted anything even remotely close to this flavor and heat explosion. Now for the negativity; I have had a few not so good experiences with the staff. They do sport a type of a lackadaisical approach to the fine art of service. This statement has not been true for every visit I've had there, but for most.

    (4)
  • Jessica C.

    I really enjoyed Imperial when I went. I know that the reviews so far have been mixed, but I would just chalk that up to it being so new(however I've only been once and the time I went we had great service) My friend and I ordered the salsa flight (3 salsas with chips) and tacos all of which tasted great. We both tried a mixture of tacos. I had most pork ones and my friend had a mixture of beef and chicken. All in all every taco was really well made; great tortillas, great meats and excellent toppings. In fact after we had our first two tacos we both ordered more. The atmosphere of the whole place is great too! The open air quality to the building is nice, also it's got a warm industrial feel inside. Not overly complex on the decor but not too cold either. I also enjoyed the long large tables. I like the aspect of communal seating and it's something you don't see too often in Metro-Detroit.

    (4)
  • Jenny J.

    We went for a late dinner on a Saturday night. There was an hour wait, but they have some benches along the side and with a drink or two from the bar, it's not the worst waiting conditions. The decor and atmosphere kind of reminds me of Chicago, pretty hipster but not too intimidating. The seating is wooden benches and tables, which it looked like can be family style at times (sharing with other parties) but we got our own table for 5 people, though it was a *little* cramped, it was fine. Even though it was a busy Saturday night and we waited a while, there was no rush to place orders or any indication that they want to just get you out of there asap. Our waitress was cute and attentive. The people sitting by us recommended the corn, which is one of the sides, and it comes out on the cob... delicious! I ordered the vegetarian taco, which features seitan, and it was pretty delicious. The salsa flight we ordered as an appetizer came in super handy to use later for the tacos as well. The carnivores I was with enjoyed their food--especially the hot dog!!--and tried the special of the day-cow tongue-and enjoyed that as well. There's nothing on tap, but this caveat became endearing--drinking everything out of cans and bottles and even ordering a Corona Especial, a 32 oz brown bottle Corona that is served in a brown bag with ice. I tried their Lavender Honey cocktail--while pricey at $8, it was generous and delicious. The churros were good, but we wished they came with a chocolate dipping sauce. Overall--the food and drinks are good and the atmosphere is a great, chill one for catching up with friends. I plan to come back!

    (4)
  • Robert J.

    A few weeks ago, my wife and I stopped in here for a few tacos and a couple of their variations on the Sonoran Hot Dog with some suds to wash it all down. Overall, it wasn't bad. Tasty tacos, but I've had better. I think I got carne asada and al pastor. See how memorable they were? They were serviceable. It was certainly a cut above normal bar fare; I'll give them that. Nice chips and salsas. What we really enjoyed was the Sonoran Hot Dogs. Sure, we had variations on the classic. My wife had one with some pineapple relish or something. According to my wife, it was the best dog she's had in town. I'd have to agree that it was surely one of the best I have had in town. Overall, we enjoyed our experience there. We enjoyed it enough that we decided to walk over to Public House (owned by the proprietors of Imperial) right after we paid our bill.

    (3)
  • Denise E.

    Service is a little spotty. We went on a Wednesday night and there was some confusion and delays. 18 minutes to receive our chips & salsa starter. Menu is brief, but good. Tacos are fairly priced and will sate your "real taco" craving. About on par with El Guapo. We had one of every kind--surprised to like best the grilled chicken and vegetarian tacos. DO NOT SKIP THE CORN! Truly a thing of delicious beauty, and a great value. Chips are great, not too greasy, and just the right amount of salt. (perhaps they read & improved from earlier reviews?)

    (3)
  • Katie C.

    Imperial opened 2 days before my most recent trip to Detroit, and I'm very glad it did! We stopped by for dinner on a Friday night, and while it was busy, it wasn't too crowded. We each ordered 3 tacos (a perfect portion size) and while I can't remember the actual names of the tacos on the menu, I had a stewed chicken, a carnitas, and a chorizo. The chorizo and the carnitas were my favorites, followed closely by the chicken. We also got an order of guacamole and chips which suffered from the classic problem of chips to guacamole ratio (too many chips, too little guacamole), but other than that was wonderful. I'm excited to come back in a few months when they've worked out the kinks (the service was a little confusing, we never got water and the drink menu didn't exist yet) and plan on making this one of my go-to Michigan restaurants.

    (4)
  • Sara M.

    Haters gonna hate..., but foodies gonna LOVE the Imperial. These folks serve real food. The only things in the building that seem to have come out of a food service package are the napkins and straws. For real. The two couples of us started with a salsa trio with fresh housemade chips. Each salsa, red pepper, verde, and chipotle, was delish and had a strong undercurrent of love and dedication. The chips were straight out of the fryer! Yum! We split two of every taco on the menu, plus 4 orders of the grilled corn - elote especial. I swear the corn must have been grown in the Garden of Eden. It was beyond wonderful. Each of us had a favorite taco, chiroizo, lime chicken, carnitas, al pastor, and the manly meat eaters declared the seitan tacos 'good.' We all left full. And happy. And ready to go back for more corn and tacos.

    (5)
  • Ho'oki P.

    CORRECTION TO ALL PREVIOUS REVIEWS: Went here after reading about the lousy service and great food. And, the food is great! Don't miss the corn, and the potato/chorizo tacos are killer. For a normal appetite, I'd go with two or three tacos and a corn, or about that much. The tacos are only about 4inches in diameter, but delicious! Regarding the service, we sat at the bar and the bartender was Johnny on the spot. Loved the personal service. The table servers sure did look like they were scampering, and our bartender acknowledged that service was spotty at first, but is much better. For the ambiance, food, and drinks, I'm giving it four stars. And for the sweet Johnny Cash painting over the bar.

    (4)
  • Zach D.

    *Don't concern yourself with low ratings based on the few hours The Imperial was open for the first time and still working out the kinks. You gotta know walking in that things wont be perfect. Months from now I'm sure the reviews will be through the roof positive but don't wait to read them- Go have some food and a drink and see for yourself. I was there during the soft open and the staff made up for the glitches in a super professional manner. I tried a chicken taco and a chorizo taco (which are both awesome) and they serve great chips and guacamole. Prices are comparable to other downtown Ferndale joints and there's a great vibe in the place with beautiful wood and natural light. Huge tequila & bourbon selection and a portrait of Johnny Cash "welcoming" you to the bar. I would really like to see baked NACHOS on the menu but regardless I plan to be a regular of this cool place.

    (4)
  • Danielle P.

    The food is ok. Thats all. Nothing more, nothing less. If you're going for the tacos, get the carnitas, by far the best ones. They look like theres a big pile of baby poo on them, but just close your eyes and you'll be fine. The service is so hit or miss. I've been told to go down the street to Taco Bell if I wanted some sour cream. Oh, I'm sorry your pallet is so refined, sir. You DO realize you work at a bar that serves nothing but tacos and hotdogs right? Nice decor, though, and to their credit, I have had some wonderful service there, always from the lady servers.

    (3)
  • Len A.

    This place kills it. Great prices, great booze, great atmosphere. Rarely am I content in a taco place not owned by its rightful cultural affiliation. But this place is absolutly stellar. Kill.

    (5)
  • Lola W.

    We went to the Imperial on Wednesday for their "soft opening" and had a really great experience. The vibe of the place was really cool, and the food was fresh and delicious. The decor is simple yet interesting, long wooden communal tables and booths with candles, grey walls, flattering lighting, and ambiant music. Very open and airy even when the place was filled. The piece de resistance.... the larger than life Johnny Cash painting behind the bar snuggled in amongst house made tequila infusions, a wall of bourbon and a wall of tequila. Really? Yes! The back patio is spacious and airy, the candles and lights make you forget that you are next to a parking lot. I foresee many a summer evening out there listening to good music while working my way through the specialty drink list. The food was so fresh. We orderd a salsa flight, all 3 of which were perfectly crafted, my favorite was the chipolte it had just the right amount of heat without wrecking the flavor. The chips came in a bag and were still warm when they were brought to us. Nice touch. The Tinga De Pollo taco, (stewed chicken )was tender and flavorful, it was served with lime and a cilantro onion garnish and the tortillia was house made and warm. My husband and our friend both got the Sonoran Hot Dog and what can you say about a hotdog wrapped in bacon with guac aside from "freakin' awsome"? And it was! The grilled corn with lime cream was my favorite thing that night, it was so good in fact I'd kick someone in the shin for a piece of it right now. Seriously that good. Again everything was fresh, served with lime and cliantro, no shreaded cheese and sour cream sides to be found here. The artisan drink menu was interesting, lots of cool tequila concotions that I can't wait to try. I started with a few 40oz Coronas served in a bag with ice, ( kind of cool to have a bag of beer and a bag of chips in front of you) then I moved onto the Detroit Tart. It was well made (not to syrupy I could taste the tequila) inventive and I loved the sugar/salt rim. It was like a cherry margarita with a savory sweet finish. I'm as excited to work my way through that drink menu and tequila infusions as my husband is to work his way down the wall of bourbon. All in all it was great, especially considering it was not even officially open yet. It was cool to see such and eclectic crowd all enjoying the same space, from families with their children occupying the tables and booths to the hipsters that obviously know their way around a beer bottle at the bar. I'm confident they will work their bugs out (if they haven't already) and for those of you that were not happy with the food or had an issue with the portion size or price, I'd like to recommend a spot right up the street for you, it's called Taco Bell I hear their sour cream is the best in town and their happy hour is off the hook.

    (5)
  • Food L.

    Been wanting to try this place for awhile. I'll let you all know how it is. - In word AWESOME!

    (5)
  • Jess N.

    Well, I've been to Imperial at least 15 times since they've opened, with the ABSOLUTE LAST TIME being last week on Tuesday, 4/2/13. I arrived around 5 pm with three others, and the place was nearly empty. We chose a booth to sit in, as we'd be going over some business details while waiting for dinner. An extremely awkward guy came over - the only male server in the place that day - and asked if we wanted drinks -- from about 5 feet from the table!! Also, he didn't wait for us to finish speaking before starting to leave... Really?! Same with our food order. He just started walking away while one of us was still talking. Then, when he came back he appeared upset when we would request another item. While eating, the server actually stared at us from across the room, and one from our party held up his empty glass (had been empty for quite a while) - the server made eye contact, and turned around and walked in the opposite direction, then made his way back to our table about 15 minutes later so that we could ask for more drinks. Getting the bill was also a hassle, and getting it split took one of us actually getting up and chasing him down after another 10 minutes, and that was met with an eye roll. All of the times that I have been to this establishment, the food has been fine. The drinks have been fine. The SERVICE?! I have no idea how these people stay employed. If I acted the way that these people in the front of the house acted (snooty to patrons, texting while on the clock, unfriendly, bad attitude), I'd be fired immediately. To the owner/management - take a good look at who you have working for you. I work at a small business across the street from you. When customers ask me, "Where's good to eat at around here?" I cannot recommend your establishment.

    (1)
  • Joyce K.

    I cannot say enough good things about Imperial. I fell in love with Imperial over the winter (2013). Their Tacos (traditional street style) are to die for and so awesome that you buy by the taco. You can try one of each and go back for your favorites. The service is always super fast so I frequently order two or three then order a few more 20 minutes later and so on. And don't get me started on the Churros. I could eat those all night! Imperial has a fantastic selection of beers and their signature cocktails are divine. I'm not usually a margarita fan but theirs is worth trying, for sure. Aside from the fantastic food and drinks, the atmosphere is perfect. Very unique layout which adds to the fun - not like any other place around here. And the staff (and owner) sport the best ink in the city ;) Recently I discovered a new, seasonal perk: the whole front of the place opens "garage door style" and there is a terrific patio out back. I highly recommend the Imperial and do frequently. The reason I was inspired to Yelp? I showed up there last week with a group of ~20 people, no notice. Not only were the staff and owner not irritated that we showed up unannounced with a large group of people, they were thrilled to have us and worked their a$$es off to accommodate us. They even tried to get us out on the patio (primo seating) at our request. We ended up commandeering a corner of the inside which worked out great and we decided not to move outside. We were a bit of a handful (I must say;) never rude or over served but we were a bit scattered and spread out which kept our server hopping all night. She was never snarky or irritated, in fact, she was delightful. There are very few places that have made me feel like they were genuinely glad I was there. This is one of them. They are coming up on their first anniversary. Celebrate by checking them out and keeping them around. They've earned it.

    (4)
  • Tyler B.

    I love going to Ferndale and hitting Valentine or WAB and then catching something at the Ringwald or Magic Bag - the one thing missing from the experience was great food that I craved and looked forward to. With Imperial, problem solved. Now I admittedly don't have the most sensitive of pallets, and when something is cheap I can get a little irrational with my exuberance, but you guys, I love their tacos! And we had good service. It was only once, but just saying... The bottom line is that we had 45 minutes on a Friday night to grab a bite before we had to get downtown, so we took a chance on Imperial and felt like we effing nailed it. Perfect experience that I look forward to trying to replicate.

    (5)
  • Stephanie H.

    I love this place!. They have good tacos, quick service and a full bar. Will you feel like you are in Mexico..... maybe not but as far as a good street taco and a good beer, this is your place. It's cheap and tasty which are the two things I look for in Mexican food. I love tacos and could eat them everyday. Southwest Detroit is obviously the best place to get Mexican around here but outside of that, this place is pretty good. It doesn't try to be anything it isn't. It's not pretentious or overly fancy. I love all of the salsa, I like the carnitas and chorizo tacos best. I thing the corn on the cob is good but depending on who's making it there sometimes a little cheese and a lot of sauce and sometimes there is so much cheese that you can't taste the sauce... Less cheese is best. This place has an overall bar feel but I have taken my children there and they like it. I like the community style dining tables as well as the small booths. For a quick lunch or a drink in the evening this is a good spot.

    (4)
  • Molly D.

    Imperial is exactly what I want in a local hangout. Good drinks, solid staff that remembers my name and protects me and my girlfriends from random creepers, prompt service, delicious and affordable food, and a laid back vibe.

    (5)
  • Jen O.

    "It was okay" Imperial only got one star because it was trendy and there were attractive ppl there. My bill for 2 ppl was 90+dollars not including drinks from bar while in line. We were with a party of 6 or I would have left after waiting 30 minutes. Food wasn't that great and drinks were not that strong.. Just my 2 cents Poncho & Cisco's in Harrison Twp has way better food.

    (2)
  • Chad J.

    So they make a mean taco !!! That is all i can same GREAT drinks fun place

    (5)
  • Poorna R.

    Street tacos are my new favorite thing...and Imperial does not disappoint! You start off with fresh chips, three different types of salsa, and fresh (not to mention OFF THE HOOK) guacamole. I ordered the two different chicken tacos. One is lime grilled and the other stewed chicken...delish! My favorite part by far though, was the corn on the cob. I am ordering two of those next time!

    (5)
  • Jason C.

    The service here is a little iffy but the food and atmosphere makes up for it. The menu is limited but their street tacos and guacamole are very good.

    (4)
  • Eric P.

    As promised in my previous review, I did go back to Imperial with an eye toward giving it a second chance. Essentially, I was quite pleased. For whatever reason, I can never remember exactly which tacos I get when I've been there, but it really doesn't matter because they've all been good. It doesn't hurt that they are reasonably priced, as well. The beer/drink selection and availability was greatly improved, too. It's a short, somewhat non-informative review, I know, but the gist is that I suggest it for a small, easy meal.

    (4)
  • Jenny F.

    Taco Taco Taco Crazy continues in Detroit ! I love love love tacos and was anticipating a California Taco casual cool joint in Ferndale for a long time now. I like to give people a few tries as they work out the kinks only to be fair. The decor is nice even though i feel like some details are missing. The outdoor seating is great even though not very comfortable. The waitstaff was a nightmare in the beginning but has progressevly gotten better. The drinks are good but nothing out of the ordinary large selection of good tequilas. The food however which should have been the corner stone of the business leaves you wishing for more. Can't anyone get a taco right in Detroit ? Outside one food truck Jaques everyone else including hot taco, el guape and imperial have dissapointed me ! Please taco makers let's get it together !

    (3)
  • Lauren H.

    I have enjoyed some low key drinks here before and I like the outdoor patio, but overall this place is kind of overrated. Since it has gained popularity recently it has been super crowded, which leads to a long wait. I was there on a Thursday evening for dinner and had to wait a half hour for a table. I don't love the community seating, when I was originally seated my friend and I were sat on the same side of the table so we were side sitters which lead to awkward conversation and awkward eating quarters. We jumped ship to sit across from one another at the earliest possible chance. I feel like everyone was listening to our conversation and it makes it difficult to hear what the people in your party are saying because others are so close to you and having their own conversations. I prefer my own table as opposed to the High School cafeteria feel, call me weird. The food was just so-so, they charged me $1 for a small side of salsa with my tacos and $1 for a tiny side of beans. The tacos were ok, kind of had the MX food truck feel (in a good way) but wouldn't rush back just for that. They have a good assortment of tequila and their margs are good!

    (2)
  • Matt Y.

    Cheap - and very good - food. Always lots of good energy in the cafeteria style front room (which is more fun than that sounds). Always good service. Tasty, simple fare, including a darn good veggie hot dog. Always a reliable spot for a quick bite.

    (4)
  • Richard R.

    Real Detroit weekly apparently loves this place because it won in there "best new bar concept" and if the concept is to drown everybody in alcohol to hide the taste of crappy tacos then I totally get it. A friend wanted to take me to a "Mexican place" and I was excited because I have had a real hard time finding good Mexican food in the Detroit area. The chips were stale and the salsas tried very hard to be interesting but failed. I got three different tacos carnitas, adobaba de pollo and carne asada one was burnt and the other two were just ok and I honestly couldn't tell which was which. I wouldn't go back and I would not recommend it to anyone. Just for a side note whoever the writer/reviewer was for real Detroit weekly that said this place has "LA style" has obviously never been to LA.

    (1)
  • Vic D.

    Suburban hipster take on Mexican street tacos. I tried three varieties of tacos and liked them all. What I didn't like was the inability to order a "platter," with beans and maybe rice along with the tacos. A side of beans was $3, IIRC, and I thought that was pretty steep. They charge for chips and salsa, and a chips and salsa "flight" with three salsas was $5. I can't speak to the alcohol available, as I don't drink. Service was friendly, if a little disorganized. It's not bad, and I'd go back again if I wanted street tacos and didn't feel like going far from home. But there are places in Mexicantown that do this better and don't nickel-and-dime you for things that you rightfully expect to see on your plate.

    (3)
  • David K.

    Great tacos, great salsa and great atmosphere. Go to there.

    (5)
  • Cara S.

    Great atmosphere great service great drinks great crowd. Good food so gave it four. Loved the corn DEEELISH. Veggie hotdog not as much. Loved the sweet salsa.

    (4)
  • Dan M.

    Awesome food and drinks! Heard some mixed reviews about the service, but that must have been early on. Our service was great. Fast, friendly, responsive. Great beer selection. Nice patio. I had the Carnitas Torta, I've been dreaming of it since. A welcomed addition to Ferndale / Metro Detroit. Well done.

    (4)
  • Sandi H.

    I dream about these tacos, man! I'm from Southern California & I'm always on the hunt for REAL Mexican tacos (ya know, no cheese or salad in there or jarred salsa to mess it up) and these guys deliver. The chorizo/potato taco is outstanding, on the salty/spicy side as it should be. And talk about mouthwatering- Al Pastor is the most amazing taco to ever grace my lips. Marintated pulled pork with grilled pineapple and jalepeno. OMG. So tender and juicy, perfectly cooked. You have to be in the right mood for this place, so heads up. There's community seating and everyone's always really friendly. So if you like talking to strangers, this is right up your alley. I've been here many times where we invited people to sit at our booth. And the seating at the bench tables just forces conversation with new friends. Antisocials might be turned off. The only negative is I wished they controlled the smoking a little better. Patrons & employees smoke right outside the open garage-style doors & it floods the place on a busy night. So basically, it's still a smoking bar. I know, a little picky, sure. But those of you with allergies or issues w/smoke, should probably stick to less busy times to avoid this.

    (5)
  • Brian W.

    On a Sunday, can't go wrong with either a Holy Bull or Sinner's Savior.

    (5)
  • Claire G.

    I freakin' love Tacos...and these are right up my alley - served street style: w cilantro, onion, lime! LOVED the Al Pastor. Couldn't stop shoveling the verde salsa in my mouth w the warm chips. Seriously. Couldn't stop. And I am usually a SPICY SPICY person. Place looks awesome. Sweet patio in the back!

    (4)
  • Jason P.

    Imperial is awesome. Their tacos are pretty good and their guacomole & chips are amazing. If they ever get stuff on tap, they will easily get a 5 star.

    (4)
  • Adam O.

    A welcome addition to the Ferndale dining scene. The torta is amazing. Tacos (chorizo and carnitas) were very good. Chorizo w/ potato was a little one note. Needed something like pickled red onions to offset the heavy. Good beer selection and nice, modernistic decor. Friendly on the wallet too.

    (4)
  • Laura J.

    Good food, staff doesn't really care if you live or die. I watched a guy walk out very drunk (car key in hand) in the middle of a weekend day and the bartender did nothing as he got in his car and swerved off. Tacos with a side of death by drunk driver.

    (3)
  • Anthony E.

    Don't go here!!! You're f@cking up my wait time!

    (5)
  • Jessica K.

    Went here for an art show back in October 2012, but I still remember how delicious the food was. Yuuuum, seriously. I really liked the al pastor taco, and that they have Mexican Coke. Also, if you like people watching, the staff & customers are pretty great for that. :D

    (5)
  • Kristen H.

    Went here for dinner the other night. I was impressed with the decoration and the ambiance. Casual, yet trendy. I didn't really know what to expect as far as food is concerned, but was really jonesing for some cheese dip. Unfortunately, Imperial does not offer my lovely queso friend, so we settled for some guacamole. We were not disappointed. It was freshly made and loaded with chunks of avocado. Delicious. The menu is quite small, a third of their drink menu. I don't eat piggy, so I got Tinga and Carne Asada tacos. They were good, but keep in mind, they are TINY. We came for dinner and were not full when we left. I only got two tacos, and the boys got three. They were also still hungry after. The drink menu offered the elusive "Big Corona". My friend was perplexed so he ordered one. Think homeless meets champagne, as it comes in a brown paper bag filled with ice, situated in a bowl. Quite interesting. The owner/manage guy came by a couple of times, which is always nice. Shows they're making an effort. The service was pretty good. I would definitely be interested in going again, but this time just for drinks and a snack.

    (3)
  • Dina B.

    Ehr. Ma. Gerhd. I call shenanagans on anyone who has anything bad to say about the food. Great margaritas. And I don't know why they have these hot dogs on their menu, but momma, they are da bomb. Authenticity? Who gives a rat's ass. The food's fantastic.

    (5)
  • Kimberly M.

    Delicious! I got the carne asada, potato chorizo and blackened shrimp tacos. All tasted very fresh. It was nice that each had different complimentary sauces/salsas. Decent beer list although really nothing to write home about. Huge selection of tequilas. The corn was outstanding. Churros came out almost too hot to eat but the dulce de leche sauce cooled it down a bit. Definitely a must have. Cool atmosphere. Wait staff was a little slower but food came quickly so not a problem. I will absolutely be going back.

    (5)
  • Gerry M.

    Absolutely awesome! Came here after a long walk from downtown Royal Oak, and had an incredible experience. I saw some other reviews about spotty service, and while Imperial wasn't very busy when we were there, we loved our servers. Very knowledgeable, engaging, and funny. Drink prices are better at regular times than most happy hours elsewhere...great beer list, and very inexpensive. Food was really good too, and also reasonably priced. Very cool atmosphere, great music and vibe with lots of seating choices, from communal to private. We'll be back for sure, if you're on the fence GO TO IMPERIAL.

    (5)
  • Yo M.

    I must say the first time I went there it was great, but now I go there yesterday and everything was dried out and not flavorful at all. You guys already trying to cut back cost and refrigorating old, cooked food from the night before? I understand your trying to be just a bar but, us people did like your food. And you still need major help with your waitstaff, sat at a both just the two of us and our server acted like we were to good to sit there. granted waited 10min just to get the damn table in the first place. who wants to scramble and beat someone down for a seat, that's just outragious!!!

    (1)
  • Marleija F.

    Below 5 stars?? Bunch of weenies if you ask me! Their salsa verde is to die for. The food, drinks, atmosphere, servers, prices-everything's perfect.

    (5)
  • Conor C.

    I go to imperial all the time! I love their tacos, and I love cheap beer! I'd call that a win win. A must try if you visit Ferndale

    (5)
  • Monica W.

    For some reason I was a little shy after my first visit to Imperial even though it was excellent. I seriously had no complaints and a few praises but I wasn't quite ready to commit to 5 stars. My hesitation lasted until tonight when I once again visited and can not help but do a happy dance to the heavens. Honest, this place is pretty great! Both times I was pleased to experience excellent service but tonight's visit went over and beyond. Our server was helpful, genuine, attentive, and made some recommendations that I adhered to and did not regret. He has such a legit kind and friendly personality! On top of the great service I had an excellent and very delicious margarita called Uno Mas. With cucumber, agave and other goodies I wasn't 100% percent how the concoction would appeal to my taste buds but found myself pleasantly surprised and slightly buzzed after only one. This isn't like me (I wouldn't consider myself a lush but I'm no one-beer wonder either) so I figured maybe I was getting tipsy off how delectable my food was...?? I had picked out a menagerie of tacos my first visit and non of them truly imprinted themselves in my memory but I thought they were all gratifying. This time around I decided to go with their Sonora Hot Dog (a must try) and a simple Carne Asada taco along with their Grilled Jalapenos. My Mr. went with the Vegetarian Tacos. The winner of my meal was hands down the Sonora leaving its friends on my plate in the dust. However per our waiters suggestion we put a small amount of their homemade hot sauce on the tacos and yowza, it added this spicy piquant flavor that I couldn't resist and made me want to order ten more. I'm strange with hot sauce --like the spice but find it can strip the meal of flavor and replace with just heat which was not the case here. My Mr. said that it also added another element to his tacos instead of limiting them, and he liked his selection to begin with. There are certain dynamics that may not appeal to others here. For instance even though Imperial leans more towards bar than restaurant they have no drafts on board. They have a good selection of bottled brews and have rotating specials, but I've decided to stick with their cocktails since I like my drafts! Another possible negative aspect for some is that these tacos simply do not taste authentic despite their undeniable taste-bud appeal; I don't see anywhere where it states Imperial is going for authentic Mexican though so I feel they won't be offended by this. I mean it straight up says they are going for a Cali style taco spot and contrary to popular belief California is not Mexico (close, but different). If you are looking for a Mexicantown taco go to Mexicantown where they do have a few spots that scream authentic. If you are down for a little creativity in which your mouth, stomach, and pocketbook will thank you make a visit to Imperial!

    (5)
  • k a.

    They were packed tonight! We got in had several staff check on us a few times to try and get us seated. We got their grilled corn and their taco specials and a side of their grilled jalepenos. It was soo amazing! Their pablano lime cream that coats the corn and the the grilled jalepenos was simply amazing.... its like crack that I couldnt get enough of!! A margarita to add to the order made the whole thing simply amazing!

    (5)
  • Carolyn D.

    Hey yelpers! Fellow yelpers have quite accurately described the exceptional and authentic tacos and drinks here. Everything on the menu is topnotch. Margarita is pricey but a must have. Our son, whose first word was "hot dog"(really), considers himself a connoisseur(Union woodshop and Zingerman's hotdogs, both got a thumbs DOWN)and declared the Imperial dog superior to all others - high praise indeed. If you're cold-natured like me, dress warmly and wear thick socks. Michigan winter blast, every time the door opens, keeps the room cool. So, if you like your food really hot, place your taco on a napkin and eat it quick - food is served on metal plates. They have blankets in a basket by the back door, which is a nice touch. Evidently the rehab needing server mentioned by other yelpers, doesn't work on sunday afternoon after 2pm(or perhaps the poor gal got to rehab). Our servers, on both occasions, were friendly, efficient and quick about it. Happy troughs!

    (4)
  • Chuck C.

    I'm a little older then the crowd that was here this past Sat. and I think I may have been the oldest! Ferndale has become the hippest place to be. This has been a huge change from the days I would go to the Rialto Cafe in the 60's and 70's. But it is time thing change and stay alive and Ferndale has made the leap forward. Let me start off by stating this is not a Mexican restaurant it is a bar that makes taco's. The food menu is one page and the food is based around the drinks. Now this is not a bad thing,but need to know what you are getting. The stand out item they have is the Sonoran Hotdog, this is a GREAT hot dog! To make a stand out hot dog in a town where coney dogs are KING is a big order, The Imperial has meet the challenge and have a hot dog I would go back for!!! The tace that seem to be the main item are not he tacos most people have had or think of when the word taco comes up. These are street food tacos and are OK the Pastor are the best of the tacos they offer! The drinks are the deal here and that is the money maker and rightly so, it is a bar after all. Go for the drinks and stay for the food! Live well and eat well, and please no chains!

    (4)
  • Suzann M.

    FANTASTIC!!!! Went there last night for my first time with my wife and a group of friends. Drinks: Not watered down like SEVERAL Metro Detroit bars. Premium quality with several specialty drinks to choose from. Food: Absolutely fantastic!!!! Flavors were spectacular and I highly recommend trying just about anything they have to offer. However the carne asada tacos were a bit dry and the only reason why I give 4 stars instead of 5. Atmosphere: Perfect. Its a bar.... Not a restaurant. If you remember that then you will love this place. If you are coming here to eat you will be happy with what you get but you may be put off knowing that it is a bar atmosphere. However the waitstaff was superb, pleasant, and VERY on point. Oh and professional. I cant say it enough but the people working there are doing a fantastic job. All in all take away a couple of dry carne asada tacos and the place is perfect for a group of friends to gather, have a few drinks, and fill their stomachs. To the owner.... GREAT JOB!!!!

    (4)
  • Andrew S.

    Good tacos and a funky Ferdale atmosphere. I like this place. We'll be back.

    (4)
  • Amanda K.

    I can't help but want to give Imperial 10 stars. This place is a gem! The boy and I decided it was taco time, and of course we decide this at 7:30 PM on Friday night. I say, "Hey boyfriend, let's go to this place I read about in Ferndale. They have tacos and beer." He appropriately Google stalked them, and to his disappointment, there is no menu online. But, he is still sold on the idea of beer and tacos, so we head up W. Ward, and find parking surprisingly easy. We walk up cautiously into the very open restaurant. Creeping around trying to find a seat, and probably looking very unsure of ourselves (I knew that it was community seating before we came, but we took the opportunity to appear socially awkward). The sun was blaring in our eyes as we fumbled around, until one of the adorably friendly waitresses let us know there was some covered seating out back. We head out to the back and find a few benches free, with a coffee-like table, so we snatch it up. While it's relatively loud inside the restaurant, it's very comfortable out on the back patio! It was the perfect volume; we could hear each other talk, and we could still have a part of the party going on inside. Since it is community seating, you seriously feel as though you are part of a community. The couple next to us on the bench were obviously out on date night, but when a family with a kiddo their age came and sat down on the end, they started talking shop, baby-style. Then a family came and sat down next to us on our side of the bench, and we just kind of melded in to communal eating. It's not for everyone, but it's definitely for me! Then came the menu. Don't worry, you aren't missing part of your menu. It really is that small. But, it's a plus! Having a small menu allows for some pretty awesome food! We ordered the trio of salsas and chips, and each salsa was fantastic, although I was partial to the salsa verde (I ate most of it!). We had tried most of the tacos, but the Al Pastor was definitely a favorite. Also, the veggie taco that I had was... just... AMAZING. The seitan was AWESOME. Well done, Imperial! You have awesome food! Not greasy at all, and you can just taste the freshness. And at $2.50 a pop, I consider that very reasonable. I had 3 tacos, and I was definitely full; if you figure having 4 tacos (which would probably be enough for a dude), that's $10.00. Which, for the quality of food, I consider reasonable. BF had the special taco of the day (which, by the way is the same price), and it was duck... I'm not into eating game meats, but I had a bite and the duck was very well seasoned. The fun doesn't stop with the food... the drinks are money baby, off-the-hook, winner winner margarita dinner. I had the "D" Margarita, which is made with tart cherry juice, and then some other margarita fixins. It. Was. Fantastic. They also have a decent beer selection, but note that there is nothing on draft. That would really be my only criticism. The service, as someone else had mentioned, is a bit spotty; our waiter told us our food would be right out, but we hadn't ordered yet. He took a while to come around, but he wasn't the worst I've ever had. Another little issue... the tables need to be cleaned off better! I know what we had was more of a coffee table, and it's a casual setting, but I notice people putting their feet on the coffee tables outside, and ours had some leftover taco sauce on the edge. A good wipedown wouldn't be too much to ask. Other than that... this place is fantastic... Andele Andele! Vamanos a Imperial!

    (5)
  • Domenico D.

    Taco's were okay, But I do like the set up and the ambience and aesthetic of the restaurant. I love the wood floors and the wall color is great, I'm even ok with the benches. like the other reviewer said depends on how outgoing you'd like to be w/ you're neighbor,lol. When i first went though, a friend invited me, and our party took up a lot of room,we were the only ppl sitting at the bench style table, so it was cool. Like everyone says, go check this place out at least once. You ask for water and they serve water in clear glass bottles ( large enough for sharing) but the water tastes like alcohol, not good... I'm not sure if they just have taco's or other stuff also, but I'd go back and try it again.

    (3)
  • Edward M.

    I lost count on how many times Brad and I have been here so far. We just can't get enough of their Vegetarian Tacos. I'm pretty sure they are laced with nicotine because all I want to do is chain-eat them. I don't really know about the meat tacos due to the fact that we are vegetarians, but all our meat eating friends seem to really enjoy them- especially the pulled pork. The only complaint I have is the acoustics when they are busy, kind of hard to hear our friends, but that's small potatoes in the scheme of things. I gotta say... I love this place more than a week off of work with a Battlestar Galactica filled Que! Frakin A!

    (5)
  • Joel M.

    I'm upgrading Imperial from four stars to five. It really has become a staple in the rotation. It's difficult to get seated (still not sure why Detroit isn't keen on reservations), but it's worth the wait. The food is of very good quality and the prices are definitely reasonable. The margaritas are also excellent. So many different options to choose from.

    (5)
  • Lisa B.

    I've now gone to Imperial several times, and can say that this is a great place. Service is always consistent, the tacos are always delicious, and I've never had a bad experience. Sometimes the music is a little strange, and sometimes it takes a while for the food to arrive at your table, but it's never ridiculous. I've brought friends and family here and recommended it to people looking for a place to eat, and I've never heard a complaint. Oh, and the drinks are fantastic. The Louisa is my favorite, but the Anejo Mint is also so good and I've never been a tequila fan. Even if you're not looking for dinner, this is a great place to go for some great cocktails and really good chips and salsa. The beers are very reasonably priced, the cocktails are all about 8 bucks, which is a little pricey, but I really think you get what you pay for.

    (4)
  • Brian N.

    We were in town for a concert and went out of our way to try this place on a recommendation and we were very glad we did. Living in the great frozen tundra of bad Mexican food that is Traverse City made this even better for us! My daughter had the Sonoran hot dog - I forget which one - and once you wrap a hot dog in bacon and cover it with "stuff" it is hard to go wrong and this didn't disappoint. The tacos were great - we tried Al Pastor, Carnitas and Tinga - each one was great - very hard to choose which was best. The salsas were amazing and the Imperial margaritas were phenomenal. I was recent;y comparing it to Rick Bayless' Frontera Grill and I hate to tell ya Rick - you should stop in and give it a try!

    (5)
  • Samir N.

    This place is in hipster central, but man does it kick some butt! I will just summarize what everyone else has said. The taco prices are beyond reasonable and I have not had a bad one, yet. The liquor drinks are a tad pricey, but I like the tequila drinks. The salsa flight is also a qinner.

    (5)
  • Joey J.

    Hipsters love tacos. Which flies in the face of Planck's fifth law stating that the more hipstery you try to make a taco, the more it blows. Imperial is the latest attempt to put a hipster Mexican restaurant into fabulous downtown Ferndale. And it goes about as well as one would expect it to. At its best (the Papas Con Rojos), it makes a fair to decent taco. At its worst (the Carnitas), it's as dry and bland as the British sense of humor. In between, the Al Pastor was ok, but really on the sweet side. The Carne Asada had a really weird aftertaste. The Chicken Tinga and Adoboda were both fairly mediocre. We didn't partake in the vegetarian, ordering the roasted jalapenos instead. The wife wouldn't go near them when they were delivered to the table, as they were whole roasted jalapenos--seeds and all. They burn going down the gullet immensely, and the lime and queso fresco don't make them anything more than regular roasted jalapenos flavor wise. But the most disappointing aspect of Imperial was definitely the bar component. All the lady and I wanted were drinks. Problematically, there was no beer on tap and when we asked for a cocktail menu we were told there wasn't one (even though a photo of one clearly exists on Yelp). I had a Corona with lime, which always saddens my soul to order. The lady tried to order one of what we were told was that they were out of the rum component of it, but they could turn it into a cherry margarita. This was a recipe in failure, as the concoction was undrinkable by all whose liver is in better condition than Barney Gumbel's. The service was sparse, but decent. Most notably, they didn't charge us for the cherry margarita combination. I suspect Imperial will stay in business for awhile based on location. We'll probably give it another try once all the kinks get out. But given we've tried all the tacos, giving it a second chance isn't high on our priority list.

    (2)
  • Heidi M.

    I don't want to be too redundant here. This place definitely still have some kinks to work out, but also has great potential so I'm hoping they pull it together. I was there last night, so they have only been open for a few weeks now. Pros... -Don't change a thing about those delicious little tacos!! The meats that they are stuffing these things with are so good. Seriously my mouth is watering just thinking about them. The Carnitas, Al Pastor, and Carne Asada where my favorites. -House made salsas were also very good. We had the flight of 3 salsas, they were all packed with lots of flavor. The salsa verde was surprisingly my favorite. -Great location, cool vibe, the patio in the back looked nice too. -The waitstaff that we dealt with were all very nice and helpful. Cons... -There was no hostess, just a sign that said "please seat yourself". But there were no tables to sit at. So it was kinda awkward and a bit of a free for all. Please, please, always have someone to greet and seat your guests. Especially with it being a new place. No one walking in knows what to do. -All the food was delicious... except for the churros. $2 for a skinny, half raw, string of fried dough. Nope, next time get another taco to eat instead. -The menu is a little confusing, I guess it's just not what we are used to. Everything is ala carte and family style. I missed out on ordering things, like the corn that I wanted to try just cause I couldn't figure out what I was looking at (and that was before the Margarita). Maybe try adding some predetermined meals to the menu like a "dinner for 2" that includes..... -Doesn't seem like they are using the space they have very well. Seems like you could have more tables in there. The front patio didn't have any tables at all. The community seating seems cool, but I don't know that it functions very well. Anyways, I will be back and hope to have all pros and no cons when I return.

    (4)
  • Melanie H.

    I'm really torn on how to vote here. There are serious kinks that need to be worked out here which is why it's so low right now, but I promise to go back and try again when they're not in a soft open. Positives: Great music, nice comunal vibe, great beer list and modest pricing and delicious speciality drinks. Negatives: Obviously the service...not that our server wasn't friendly, but frankly every single person working on Thrusday was completely overwhelmed. Tables left unbussed until someone sat down at them. It took, 1 hour and 15 minutes to get the "speciality" drinks to our table, granted we had 6 people, but when I went to grab beers for the table after waiting an hour, the bartender had just started to make the first drink. My thought here is that if you're going to have complicated drinks that are the highlight of your cocktail menu, you've got to have enough staff to prepare them or just don't have them. I don't mind waiting for a quality drink and they were quality, but no drink is worth waiting 1.25 hours for. And they were out of two things on day 2??? How can you run out on day 2??? And the POS system!!! It kept crashing, the servers were so overwhelmed by it and it seemed to hinder rather than help. Or maybe more training needed to occur. Food was okay. I think I'm spoiled with places like Tienda Mexican and El Rey, they really raise the bar for anyone serving street tacos. Plus everything was cold by the time it got to our table, so that certainly didn't help. The salsa flight was pretty good, the verde was the standout and the chips were delicious. They guac was pretty good, but you get like a 1/2 cup portion for $4? A little spartan for the price. Then there were the little things like no napkins given with your tray of food. Or one of the girls in our group going into the bathroom and saying, "it's a dirty as it was when it was the Post's". These kind of things make a bad first impression worse. Overall, will I be back...yes. Will I get my husband to go back...that may take some negotiating. We had been waiting for months for Imperial to open and I really do like the concept but if they don't get these tweaks in place like yesterday, they're going to sink.

    (2)
  • Tim A.

    Had great hot dogs and tacos. The food was excellent. Limited menu but prepared well. Service was good and the drinks were great.

    (4)
  • Dana A.

    We had a little of just about everything on the menu! Gauc is good! Owner is very accomadating. It was delicious. Not to be compared with Taco Bell on any level! Very authentic. Wish I lived closer.

    (5)
  • Brian B.

    I love this place. The chorizo/potato tacos are my favorite, followed by the carne asada and adobado de pollo. It's a bit expensive at $3 per taco plus sides and drinks, especially considering it takes four or more tacos to fill me up, but it's well worth it. The place can get really busy, especially on weekends, but cafeteria-style seating helps cut wait times significantly. Definitely recommend checking Imperial out if you're in the area!

    (4)
  • Matthew R.

    I was pleasantly surprised by Imperial. The server was very attentive, despite it being a busy Saturday night. While the food wasn't served quickly, it was hot when we got it. Since it's a bar with a shorter pub menu, where I'm sure they expect people to hang out for a while, I'm okay with this. I had two beef and two stewed chicken tacos. They were fantastic. I'm very impressed with the roasted red pepper salsa. My girlfriend ordered one of the other chicken tacos, which had a bit more spice and a fair amount of lime. We ended up splitting the corn on the cob dish they have, and it was amazing. I was blown away. The churro I ordered as a dessert was good, but not as good as the other food we had. As far as food price goes, it's comparable to Chipotle or Qdoba, and the food is much better. I didn't drink on this visit, but I'm a bit of a beer snob. Their bottles' list had enough variety for my taste, and I was surprised at how reasonably priced many of the beers were. I would definitely eat here again. A wonderful find.

    (4)
  • Ryan M.

    The only reason I can give this place a 2 star is because of the tacos. They're great. The service, seating, availability of food and overall restaurant experience is mostly crap. Several times here as a local resident, then fairly often as a visitor. Finally just decided to write this poor review because they deserve it. Too bad. Plenty of other local spots that fit the bill. My advice: grab a couple tacos for lunch to go and head somewhere else.

    (2)
  • Supraja M.

    My sister brought me to try the tacos here when we needed a quite snack after a Red Wings game. We sat in the bar area (quicker, we figured), but they seemed to have a substantial amount of seating available, also. We each had a vegetarian taco and we shared the veggie hot dog. Both were tasty, though I felt like both listed a lot of ingredients on the menu, but each was barely represented. My sister said on previous visits the portion of each ingredient has been more generous. They also had a lot of interesting looking drinks on the menu, though I didn't try any. Service was quick and efficient, just as we hoped, and the food was pretty cheap- I believe it was $2 a taco and $3 for the hot dog. I wish they had a proper website with their menu posted online, though. We kept trying to call the number that google and yelp list for them (to check that the kitchen was open) and it wouldn't go through.

    (3)
  • Johnny V.

    Holy moly guacamoly! They are busy, they are good. i'm ok with hippies making and serving tacos but why am i not ok with it if it was chinese food?! If i went to a chinese restaurant and i seen nothing but caucasians working i'd leave. anywho imperial is a great place, always busy. They have fucking picnic style tables which makes it hard to avoid people, thats the only bad thing you have to sit next to strangers and maybe talk as if. Drinks are awesome one of the best margaritas around. Do they have fish tacos i don't know probs but if they don't then they need to quick.

    (5)
  • Dawn M.

    All I can say is yummy in my tummy cheap Mexican food. Always packed but great customer service

    (5)
  • Cristina T.

    How this place can have anything but 5 stars blows my mind. I crave this food all the time, and is definitely the best food in Ferndale. Also, Jessica-- best bartender ever.

    (5)
  • Jen Z.

    This place is the best! It's mexican food that I don't feel like I ate too much. I walk away feeling that I ate the right amount of proportions, didn't spend a fortune, and that makes me feel better. The margaritas are fantastic. It is tricky to find a seat, but the service is great and the hostess is very cordial. This is our favorite restaurant in town!

    (5)
  • Sarah R.

    Imperial is my go-to food joint for when I'm taking friends from out of town for something good to eat. First off, I love the feel of this joint. I usually sit at the bar, unless it's with a larger group. These are my staples when I'm there: Margarita with salt - can't go wrong with a fresh made marquarita Gaucamole with chips- self explanatory Frijoles charros with Chrizo - this i a delicous cheesy, meaty, bean dip. If you eat this by yourself you could totally make a meal of it. Elote especial- don't br afraid to get messy, this corn on the cob is so tasty and delicious. Sorono hot dog- who doesn't love a hot dog wrapped in bacon. Not only all the amazing toppings on this dog make it delicious but the quality of the dog itself, I'm a stickler for hotdogs and this one has that "crunch" that I love when you bite into it. Also, they have a monthly hot dog special, be sure to ask, once I went and it was a hot dog topped with mac-n-cheese!!

    (5)
  • Jake D.

    Cool place to ball out with my friends. Staff is friendly and ready to whoop ass. Buckle up-- time to take the SALSA FLIGHT.

    (4)
  • Jina L.

    TRY THE HOT DOGS. I love mexican food so I had to visit Imperial since everyone was talking about it. I was not really a huge fan of the tacos but the hot dogs.. oh my my... It was actually better than the ones from Vinsetta Garage (sorry). If you like to sit by yourself and enjoy a quiet meal, this is not the place for you! However, if you love to sit next to random people and have some fun give it a try! I also tried the churros, but since I am not sure which one is more authentic (example: churros from Costco), I prefer the Costco Food Court Churros better...

    (4)
  • Melanie M.

    Great place, helpful staff - LOVE the veggie tacos!

    (5)
  • Jessica G.

    I previously wrote a negative review based on my experience, which was 100% true, but I have tried imperial one more time and am pleased to say we will be returning. Our server Brandon one hundred percent changed our outlook on this business. He was attentive, nice, and knowledgable... We did not feel rushed, unwanted, or "left alone" like we had with our previous server. I'm writing this review because people tend to say the negative, and forget to post the positive... Overall great experience second time around!

    (5)
  • John D.

    Waitress was terrible, you shouldn't have to hunt anybody down to order food/drinks, or worst even pay your bill. Great food thou

    (1)
  • Deb M.

    I thought I would love this place based on other reviews. And there were parts that I did like...I thought the food was tasty...too bad the tacos were only lukewarm. I don't mind a smaller menu, focus on what you do and do it good. What I didn't care for was the sight 'tude we got from our waiter. I'm sorry, perhaps we weren't hipster enough for your establishment, and sorry that my party decided not to drink the night we were there. But maybe you should have worried more about being pleasant and serving warm food then you worried about being cool. Toss up if I would ever go back...I don't have any great desire to rush back at the moment. There's too many other great places in the neighborhood.

    (3)
  • Kelly M.

    Great tacos and hotdogs. Community seating. Great place to go on summer day when they have the front of the restaurant opened up.

    (4)
  • Violetta V.

    Casual taco joint in Ferndale. Food is pretty good, friendly staff but it's nothing like tacos in Mexican town. Didn't care for their cocktails.

    (4)
  • Adrianne L.

    I'm from Phoenix and these tacos make me feel like I'm at home. Closest thing to "real Mexican" street tacos I've found in Detroit. And Mexican Coke!!! Service has always been on point, even when slammed busy. Great place.

    (4)
  • Chase A.

    I'm usually way too wordy in my reviews, so I'll keep this one simple. The tacos here are amazing, and the hot dogs are obscenely good. To accompany those, they have grilled cheesy corn-on-the-cob. That doesn't sound particularly special, but YOU HAVE TO TRY IT. It's like $2, and it's ridiculously tasty. Imperial also has the distinction of the being the first Mexican restaurant that has better food than margaritas. Kinda weird to say, but the margaritas are nothing to write home about. I mean, it's a margarita. It's tasty and boozy, but eh. That's fine; Imperial still gets 5 stars because the food is inexpensive, and it's really, really good.

    (5)
  • Sarah B.

    I love coming here for happy hour, especially when it is warm out and they have the entire front window open and the fresh air just adds to the great ambiance. The street tacos are the perfect size so you can sample a few while having some great craft brews. I love the Al Pastor, Carnitas, and Tinga de Pollo. I especially love the grilled pineapple on the Al Pastor, just the right amount of fresh sweetness to even out the rest of the flavors. I also thought the Bakersfield Sonoran was delicious as well, probably because of the grilled pineapple and the cilantro, a sucker for both. Oh and while I have never tried one myself, my friends all say the Michelada is top notch as well. I prefer to just stick with my craft brews or shots of tequila though:)

    (4)
  • Jordon H.

    Love the selection of food here. Will there isn't page after page of various dishes- the limited selection they have is fantastic. And they serve Mexican Coke Cola, can't beat that! My only complaint is the Lincoln Log bench style seating. Even though downtown Ferndale is vibrant with people, I don't want to sit next to a random stranger.

    (4)
  • Beth S.

    I love this place. My favorite place to get a Bloody Mary and some tacos. I recommend the Sinner's Savior and their chips and salsa flight.

    (5)
  • Sarah C.

    This place is so packed at nights that the only chance I had was to eat there at lunch. Went there starving with little in my stomach so you would think the food would taste amazing but it was just ok. Nachos and guacamole were great. The tacos were good too for about 10 minutes till they got cold and the shell started falling apart. Service (at least mine) seemed too bored to be there and dropped off out check before asking us if we wanted anything else like dessert. Not sure if this place was worth all the wait.

    (3)
  • Tara L.

    Absolutely delicious. It doesn't hurt that the environment is super cool, modern, contemporary, and Zen like with all the wood seating and flooring; totally my kind of tranquility. I've never been one to really like going to bars, but Imperial is really different. The layout is open and comfortable. Even with all the people in there and the noise factor being loud, it isn't overwhelming to the point where you get uncomfortable or claustrophobic. What really helps is really the slate blue walls with cool black and white racing cars photography and the light interior. But I'm not here to just rave about the decor of the place. The food was fantastic!! Tacos were definitely mini, but they give you a TON of meat for the size of tortilla (FYI, they are about 4-5" in diameter), and the flavors are so on point. For $2.50 each, we got the carnitas, carne asada, and al pastor. Perfectly marinated, and the accompanying salsa verde, jalapeno onion relish, and red pepper salsa in the three tacos were complementary and oh so smooth and spicy! We sampled their homemade corn tortillas and salsa flight, and that chipotle salsa was out of this world tasty. The salsa verde had a great tang from the tomatillos, but the chipotle salsa was the clear winner. All three of us couldn't get enough of it, and I surely loved the light and NOT OILY/GREASY tortilla chips. :) Guacamole was great too with plenty of lime juice, but wish there was more red onion mixed in. The only thing that was meh was the churro. That was not worth the $2, as it was tiny and fried too long. It crumbled when i picked it up, so I probably wouldn't order that again. Also, not food-related, but the bathrooms were so untidy! Toilet paper everywhere, and wet spots all over the place, it looked like a bunch of animals ransacked the place. Luckily I didn't have to use it more than once. Though this place gets loud, this will definitely be a repeat for us when we're either in the taco mood or in the Ferndale area. Another thing to note - the host was absolutely awesome and accommodating. He was very considerate with informing us our order on the wait list; something that I haven't come across in quite some time. Definitely a fun place to hang out, and I can only imagine how crazy busy and crowded this place will be when the weather gets even warmer. We will be back and I hope the state of the bathrooms improve!

    (5)
  • Shannon S.

    Haha...HOT DOG!! This place has some STUPID -))GOOD((- hot dogs! For real... Julie C. and I were in heaven when we stopped in on Saturday night! The one we were literally giggling over had chicken, pineapple and a sweet BBQ sauce on a dog wrapped in bacon...BACON!!!! We also had the Detroit Tart, a margarita, that's glass is rimmed with salt & SUGAR! Brilliant! A must try!

    (5)
  • Nick C.

    Yes, this place is one of the popular joints around Ferndale and deservedly so. They have a nice drink selection, their food is unique and tasty, and the atmosphere is pretty cool. I've been here quite a few times and the food has always been the high point, though I will admit that after a while the tacos lose some of their luster. They're good, and it's fun to try their specials (some are great and some, not so much), but after a while they just seem like regular Mexican fare. The hot dogs on the other hand are always good. No matter how many times I've gone the dogs never get old. Be sure to get the salsa flight, too. Very good stuff. The biggest drawback to Imperial is the wait time. If you can manage, go with no more than two-three people if you're going in the evening. Any more than that and you'll likely have to wait an hour+ to be seated. I went with a group of about seven a month or so ago and we had to wait nearly two hours while we watched parties of two-three people (that arrived after us) get seated at the long tables in the main dining area. I understand that the restaurant wants to keep the flow of people moving, but if they would have just waited a few minutes for another small party to leave, our party could have easily been seated at the end of the long tables and not forced to wait so long. Again, I understand it's a busy place, but things could have been managed better in that instance. When we were finally called on that same time, we were seated and then a few minutes later moved to another table. Our food also came out on the cold side and parts of the order were wrong, maybe because it was a group of seven people, I don't know. (Side note: Orders might not get mixed up if they didn't plate everything ordered by a group on the same platter(s), or at least arranged the food by each persons order instead of leaving it up to the customer to figure out which items are theirs.) All that being said, I'm still giving this place a good star rating. They mainly just need to work out a few kinks with how people are seated.

    (3)
  • Derp M.

    Solid place. Great food. Great late night menu. Haven't had any real issues there. I love the elotes and the Bakersfield. Good drink options too.

    (5)
  • Karen W.

    Holy yummy tacos! So good, way better than Rojo! And who can complain about $2.50 tacos? I don't quite understand the hot dogs on the menu, but I guess that's fusion at it's finest. My favorite taco was the Al Pastor, super delish. The corn was also really good and I can't complain about my mojito either. The only thing that is slightly off putting is the bench style seating, if you want to be able to have a private conversation ask to sit in the back room, but you may have to wait a few extra mins.

    (4)
  • BeckyJo M.

    Drinks: LOVE the Ring of Fire (definitely spicy, but not over the top), Hotel California is great for a calmer/girly tequila cocktail, the Detroit Tart is a bit too tart for me (as long as you don't drink it after a sweet drink, I'm sure it would be fine), and the Uno Mas is a good standby as well. Food: I crave the veggie sonoran like nobody's business. You will not find a better veggie dog!! For real. Salsas and guac are both delicious starts. I also dig the churro with the dipping sauce, which I think they have changed up a few times. If you want to try something unique and don't mind being messy, spring for the corn on the cob...it's only $2. Delicious! Tacos: I can't speak for the meat on this menu myself, but I have taken people here that weren't excited about them. I tried a veggie special with portobellos and didn't like it. I normally love mushrooms, so I think it was the overall blandness that killed this taco combo. If it weren't for the tacos, I'd probably give this place a 5. I try to come here often, if I can get in, as the place is usually jam packed. Servers are for the most part helpful, but some get caught up socializing and can forget about you for a tad too long.

    (4)
  • Kevin G.

    My wife and I stopped in for the first time today for lunch as we had a appointment in the area. Bad weather may be why it was sorta empty but that is okay by me. Melody was our server and she was very outgoing and helpful Always had a smile on her. Started with chips and mild salsa and both were good. Liked the texture of the salsa as it was not too chunky and not soupy either. They have a pretty unique collection of tacos and hot dogs. We tried 3 different tacos and 1 hot dog. The tacos were the Carne asada, the Al Pastor and the Aldobada. All came on small flour tortillas with a variety of toppings that are not found in every taco joint. All the hot dogs are wrapped in bacon (except the veggie) and have a nice snap to them when you bite into them. The toppings for them are also unusual and unique. I think the prices are a little high for what you get but the food was good and it seems like the food/bar mix is pretty popular.

    (3)
  • Nadine B.

    Exactly what you want. An abbreviated menu and consistent quality. Our second time here! Get the salsa flight. Why is the green one always the best?

    (4)
  • Jennifer P.

    OMG this place is awesome! The tacos are amaaaazing!!! And the corn on the cob thingy....holy cow so good! I love all the wood too and the long tables. This was my first time there and I'll definitely be coming back....frequently!

    (5)
  • Ashliegh M.

    I absolutely love this place! Al Pastor, Papas and Carne Asado are my 'go to' tacos but I always try their featured ones too. I never tried their hotdogs but my friends love them. Their guacamole and salsas are great! I love the vibe of this place, the atmosphere is very hipster and trendy. I'm not a big fan of tequila but their signature drinks are amazing.

    (5)
  • Dan M.

    Who doesn't love Mexican food? And who doesn't love when you find good Mexican when you least expect it? I came in here to meet some friends thinking it was just a bar. Hadn't heard of the place. We ended up leaving to meet friends elsewhere, but from my initial visit, it smelled like heaven and I wanted some food bad. So we came back later and I had some chips and salsa, chorizo tacos, and pulled pork tacos. The chips and salsa tasted super fresh and were incredible. I almost wanted to take some salsa home with me. The chorizo tacos were just alright, not bad, but nothing incredible. The pulled pork tacos were mind-blowing. I think I ordered two and then had another sent out as well. Beer here is dirt cheap too. There's plenty of seating; it's probably been said before, but this place is in the spot of the old Post bar. So if you ever remember going, it's pretty large inside. Highly recommend. Go if you haven't already.

    (5)
  • Jaclyn F.

    One of my absolute places in Ferndale! I get the Veggie Hotdogs and love that they put cilantro on everything!

    (5)
  • Tim G.

    Make sure you ask about the special. They have some great ones. Today's was a braised lamb shank with olive tapenade taco.

    (4)
  • Kata T.

    I absolutely NEED to come back here the next time I'm in the Detroit area. ¡DELICIOSOOOO! I'm kind of picky when it comes to Mexican food, in large part due to my vegetarianism. That being said, both me and the other two in my party (definitely *not* vegetarians) loved this place! Well, the other two had been before, so I was the only newbie. From the very first bite of tortilla chip, I knew this place was IT. Chips so good, you almost don't even need the delicious guacamole and salsas that you can get with them - but oh, you do. I preferred the spiciest salsa (which still doesn't have a ton of heat), which had a surprisingly sophisticated blend of flavors from smoky to tangy. My mouth is watering right now just thinking about it. Being excited to have vegetarian options (at a Mexican place! Woot!), I ordered a vegetarian taco (made with spiced seitan, green mole and queso fresco) and a vegetarian Sonoran hot dog (veggie hot dog topped with guacamole, mole, stewed beans, tomato, jalapeno onion relish, roasted corn, salsa verde, poblano lime cream, queso fresco and cilantro). And although it soon became apparent that my eyes were too big for my stomach, I didn't care. This ish tasted SO GOOD I ate it all anyway. I can't wait to come back and try a drink (or three) off their impressive drink menu!

    (5)
  • Paul S.

    Food is pretty good, atmosphere is cool, decent drink prices, but the service is horrible. Waited 50 mins for our food. It was not even warm anymore and came without an apology.

    (1)
  • Laura K.

    They won me over, I can't believe it myself. The one giant positive addition is the trio of house made hot sauces. I was complaining about having to buy salsa and the lack of any hot sauce, so thanks for that. The service has been great on all of my visits over the past year (6 or 7 times) they even give you an extra metal plate so no more eating off the table top. Their cocktails and guacamole have always been top notch. I'm glad everything else has finally caught up.

    (4)
  • Grasan K.

    Located along a strip of restaurants and bars in this trendy Ferndale neighborhood, this cool hipster vibe has community styled bench/table seating up front. There were more seats in back of the restaurant/bar, but we sat at the bar and had some great crafted cocktails (Añejo Mint was delicious!) and ordered the nachos which was fresh and just the right about without being too overwhelming. Overall, a great spot and I really enjoyed myself!

    (4)
  • Varun B.

    You know what, I'll admit when I've underrated a place. This is one of those times. Since my last review, I have gone here a good extra few times, and it has definitely grown on me. I find that I have a great experience every time I go there. Their drinks, as mentioned before, are excellent and their food has been consistently good. I have gotten the same 4 tacos every time (tinga, al pastor, papas, and carnitas), and I have been thoroughly satisfied. I absolutely love their spicy sauces. The orange and green ones (the spicier of the 3) are amazing, and they provide each taco with its deserved "kick". Also, definitely definitely get the Elote Special -- Mexican corn on the cob with a poblano and cheese topping -- soooo good.

    (4)
  • Blessing H.

    I love this place! The salsa flight is awesome, gives you the option to try all their salsas for a cheap price. And one of the only non-mexican places you can find Jarritos in Metro Detroit. Personally recommend the steak tacos and chipotle salsa! One of my favorite places in Ferndale!

    (5)
  • Lori C.

    Highly recommend everyone to try, wonderful service, wonderful flavors. Really enjoyed!

    (5)
  • Suzy S.

    Vegan tacos are amazing. Always have a good time on day of the dead with my family.

    (5)
  • Matthew P.

    Papas Con Rajas - Chorizo/potato/queso fresco. The above is all you need to know! I tried a nice spread of tacos today, and the Imperial Sonoran. If you walk in here mid afternoon on a total whim like I did and you can only order one taco, Papas Con Rajas!!!!! and now, 225 reviews...

    (4)
  • Christopher B.

    Imperial is a hip, fantastic restaurant with a little bit of everything. They have unique amazing tacos that put a modern twist on a Hispanic classic and hot dogs wrapped in Bacon, need I say more. The tequila selection is great if that is your thing but they also carry a good bottled beer selection, including the elusive Corona Familiar.

    (5)
  • Emily M.

    Mediocre Mexican Food and overrated! The food is cheap but there is nothing special about it! I was especially disappointed in the margaritas! I don't know how you mess up a margarita, but I could have made a better one myself! Overall...mediocre with a trendy ambience. If you're looking for a good margarita, don't rely on this place!

    (3)
  • Blake W.

    Creativity at its finest. Great tasting food is the foundation of this place but they also have a good beer selection and great customer service. If you want fresh and tasty food check this place out.

    (4)
  • Jess M.

    The tacos here are tremendous and I did not think it possible for them to outdo their tacos, until I had their brunch. I love to go in with three other people for brunch-we order one of each of the brunch items and share them all. Amazing!

    (5)
  • amy g.

    I think this might be the coolest place that's ever existed. Amazing interior, really good food, solid drinks, and the most badass group of mother f*ckers working there. And they're friendly! It's very, very trendy but not intimidating. It's always fun to go to places that serve small plates because you can have a lot of fun ordering a bunch of different things! I love it. It's especially good for those indecisive food menu browsers. Vegetarian options too of course!

    (4)
  • B J.

    Outstanding tacos, tasty drinks, awesome venue, interesting concept. The only thing remotely questionable is the service, which can sometimes be slow. Everything else is top notch. Most people are probably disappointed with paying for chips & salsa, but the salsa flight is tremendous and worth every penny. And it's only like $1 for extra chips.

    (5)
  • K M.

    First visit here and we'll definitely be back. Drinks were large and very strong. Between everyone at our table we tried the torta, chilaquiles (brunch only), and variety of the tacos- everything was excellent. My favorite by far was the Bakersfield Sonoran hot dog. Everything is inexpensive and you leave satisfied. This place gets busy so avoid at prime times otherwise expect to wait.

    (5)
  • Melissa H.

    Met up for dinner with friends over the holidays and while the wait was about 30-45 minutes on a weekend evening, Imperial graciously accommodated our party of 10. Food 4/5: The menu was impressive as was the drinks list. It took a while to figure out what I wanted, but I was recommended the tacos and a cocktail or beer of sorts. Being a bourbon fan, I ordered the Imperial Swizzle cocktail (bourbon, brandy, ginger ale) and three tacos (carne asada, pollo and vegetarian). The tacos were a little pricey at $2.50 each, but then again, coming from the San Francisco bay area, I'm used to tacos costing next to nothing (under $1.25). Given our party size, our respective tacos were placed on large platters, mixed together and were indistinguishable under the dim lights. So, as friends do, we decided to split whatever was there and call it even. Atmosphere 4/5: It was a little too loud for conversation and sometimes even our server couldn't hear us while putting in orders for more drinks or food. But overall a fun place to spend with friends to eat, drink and be merry. Service 4/5: The staff were attentive, friendly and answered our questions. Again, it was super busy and they were great about accommodating our party size, but it did take us a bit of a wait and at some points, because of the noise, it was hard to communicate or get their attention. Overall, fun atmosphere, pretty decent food, great cocktails but some of the food was pricier and the noise level a bit overwhelming.

    (4)
  • Matt L.

    WHY ARENT THE NACHOS ON THE REGULAR MENU???? (2 stars are only because management has refused to listen to my sadly desperate pleas. This is a 5 star restaurant. Will be changing to 5 stars once the menu is changed...if ever.) The best damn item on your menu is only served between 12 AM and 2 AM Fridays and Saturdays. That item specifically I'm talking about is the nachos or as they are more affectionately named on the menu, "Hot Mess". Wtf? These nachos are so damn good I set my alarm for 11:45 pm on Fridays and Saturdays to wake up and drive 10 miles. I've fallen down stairs and missed family parties for these damn nachos. I'm not even out or in the area but, these nachos awaken me from deep slumber and cause me to brave hazards such as drunk drivers, icy roads, drunken children and the insane waits at the restaurant. Yet, despite the fact that I have said time and again to the staff that these damn nachos need to be on the menu, it seems to have fallen on deaf ears and my ass is still setting my alarm for 11-fricking-45 on Fridays and Saturdays (I like to get to bed early. Sue me.). I don't know what I need to do to facilitate these unabashedly dirty yet, super tasty nachos being on the everyday menu. Do I need to assemble nacho loving individuals to picket and boycott??? Like fawkkkkkkkkk you mean those nachos aren't on the regular menu? What the management is doing currently is neglecting customers who love nachos and only making them available to vampires, other creatures of the night, and derelicts on Fridays and Saturdays. This is cruel and unusual punishment barred by the 8th amendment of the US Constitution. If imperial was a state actor, I know Obama and the attorney general would be up in this bitch holding press conferences. In sum, management needs to stop being a hot mess. Put the hot mess on the regular menu. I'd rather be able to buy the damn nachos at a decent hour than during 4 hours of the week when myself and many other nacho loving customers are nesting soundly. Word to my boy Rey Mysterio and check yourself on the nachos imperial, you might catch the 619.

    (2)
  • Andi O.

    Imperial is in our regular rotation. There are cravings for Mexican, and then there are cravings for Imperial. There is nothing else like it in the Ferndale/Royal Oak area, which is one of the reasons I love it. Five stars for their tacos (Al Pastor is still my favorite) and five stars for their craft cocktails. Their cocktails are SO GOOD. Can't decide which one to try? Get the Uno Mas. Trust.

    (5)
  • KT H.

    Delicious tacos and the imperial hot dogs were amazing. The salsa flight with guacamole was a great appetizer but it only came with a small bag of chips and extra chips were $1.00. Overall, it's great food and a great atmosphere but it's tapas style and can get a little pricey.

    (4)
  • J B.

    Good food. Good beer. Good cocktails... Erry thing here is delicious... Erry thang. Some booths. Bar. Some community tables. Cool art which adds to the unique atmosphere

    (5)
  • Jess P.

    Overall, this is a great place for modern Mexican snacks. The vegetarian-friendly options are a huge plus. Everything is delicious and beyond affordable but beware of their alcoholic drinks. I think mine tasted watered down.

    (4)
  • Rachel O.

    The menu is simple and the food is good. Service - Quick and friendly. Food - The tacos tasted great. I tried the carne asada, carnitas and one of the chicken (I cannot remember which). All were good. The chicken I liked the least because of a lack of flavor while the carne asada was amazing because of flavor. My husband tried the chirizo and loved it. Chips and salsa are an extra charge if you want them. We ordered chips with three salsas: verde, roasted tomato and chipolte. All were very good. The verde was my favorite. The chips were warm.

    (4)
  • Patrick R.

    So the good: Fresh flavor full food. Interesting drinks. Fun Family style service and setting. Decent service. The not so good: The quote time of an hour but it took closer to 2. I understand a place like this is hard to quote... it's where the family style seating becomes a negative.... still, you think they could have gotten a tad bit closer. The menu is kinda funky since it's 4 gourmet hot dogs and 7 street tacos with a few different chips and dips. It's unusual to eat a meal where there's not really sides. 2.50 per taco with no bulk discount strikes me as a bit pricey. I thought $4 per hot dog was fair. I liked all the tacos, but they were not mind blowing. I found the hot dogs to have bigger punches of flavor. And I enjoyed the 3 salsas, plus the chips were really fresh and tasty, but again none were super awesome. We had churros for dessert. They were tasty, but it seemed like the frier may have been turned up too high. The outside was really crisp, but the inside seemed mushy and doughy in a not good way. Maybe that's how it's supposed to be? But I don't think so. Anyways... I want to try their brunch. I would have no problem coming back but I will avoid peak weekend hours. I tasted their fancy Apple Cinnamon Manhattan (dangerously smooth) and a one mother bourbon lemon ginger drink that was solid. $8 a piece isn't too bad for mixology, I guess.

    (4)
  • Lauren M.

    The food is just eh, the service is terrible and the drinks are okay. This place was such a disappointment. I showed up with friends and was told our wait would be 15 minutes. It ended up being half an hour. Then we were seated and given water right away but it took another 10 minutes for our waitress to get our drink order. Another 10 minutes goes by and we get our drinks and we are ready to order. My whole party ordered 4 tacos and 2 hot dogs. Not a lot of food. It ended up taking at least another 20 minutes for the food to come out. Entirely way too much time for such a small amount of food, especially tacos and hot dogs. When the food finally arrived it was cold and the bacon on the hot dogs was burnt. It seemed like they didn't even care in preparing quality food and it had been sitting out for too long. Probably because our waitress wasn't paying attention considering she wasn't attentive at all after she took our food order. This experience made me never want to come back and that's really disappointing for a place that is in the heart of Ferndale. Not only was my experience a terrible one but every person I've talked to that has been there has had a similar experience and that should've told me everything I needed to know from the beginning.

    (2)
  • Colleen G.

    Giving this place a solid 4 stars. No nonsense service and a GREAT drink menu filled with Tequila goodness. Hard to find a place that has more than 1 Tequila drink (with that being a margarita). If you love Tequila as much as I do you would enjoy this place. Considering I was intoxicated after their extensive tequila menu, I couldn't really tell you how the food was, but my boyfriend who was a sober sally told me that the food was very good. Tacos are small, don't order 2- get 3. Really trendy spot, maybe I will head back for their brunch which had decent prices and bloody mary's on Sunday's and write this place a better review of 5. *** UPDATE- this place now deserves a 5. Consistent service, stiff tequila drinks, and great atmosphere.

    (5)
  • Jen J.

    We had just returned home after a road trip and stopped in for some tacos here. They're over priced for the portions, but the flavor made up for it. Not an easy place with kids, our waitress even seemed a little irritated at our children, though she assured us she didn't mind them. Our neighboring diners definitely were, even though it was loud in there anyway. Noisy and hipster ambience and vibe.

    (3)
  • Matt C.

    This may not truely be a five star place (more of a four star), but given how hard it is to find true Mexican flavors in foods.... this is as good as it gets in Oakland County! Everything here is ala carte, but worth the prices. Particular favorites are the elote especial (special corn), la torta, and the grilled jalapeños. Also, the food is served family style, so sharing is a necessity! The drinks tend to be pricey, unless ordering bottled beer. But the "One Night in Mexico," is an amazing beer cocktail. Made of Negra Modelo, anejo, cilantro, lime, demerara; this cocktail is worth the $8.

    (5)
  • Michael W.

    This place is amazing. Great dogs great tacos. Their late night menu is awesome too! Need a drunk? Tito's Mule.

    (5)
  • Kristin C.

    Mmmmm. Enjoyed our meal here last night! Started with the salsa flight with chips. Not your standard (boring) salsa at all - unique, smoky flavors. Nice. The tart cherry margarita was strong and tasty! Good little buzz. The torta was a generous portion - yummy pork, guacamole, and beans. Chorizo taco was great! And the etole especial (crazy corn) was a fun side dish - they cut it in half so we could split it. Sweet! Service was friendly and speedy. Definitely looking forward to a return visit.

    (4)
  • Ron C.

    I really & truly have wanted to get here for over 2 weeks, BUT now that I have..once was enough. Was out running multiple errands , and it was hard to Drive by Ernies & the FLY TRAP, but wanted a Street Taco real bad! Walked in at exactly 12:40 pm ..went to the bar & ordered 2 tacos for a carryout, $5 Please have a seat , they will be right up. At 1:03 pm my Tacos arrived on a plate, the gal says 'No those were supposed to be TOGO for him" At 1: 12 my Tacos arrived in foil in a little bag 32 Minutes for 2 Street Tacos?!? r-e-a-l-l-y? They tasted good, very reminiscent of Jaques Taco Truck & the place had a very cool vibe with the roll up doors on both ends & the use of wood in all the tables, booths & chairs, & the patio is noteworthy too. Also be forewarned Chips & Salsa is $3.00 Chip refills are $1 If you want all 3 salsas & chips its a fin.

    (2)
  • Lori A.

    Love it all! The laid back atmosphere, great salsas & guac ...and the tacos are very authentic! Must try if you haven't! Staff is great too. No margaritas this time but they're great too.

    (5)
  • Paul A.

    Decent spot to hang out and grab a drink. They don't have anything on draft, bottles only. The food is overrated. Nothing special about the food. The tacos are very small and bland tasting, at $2.50 each they are over priced for how small they are. The hot dogs are good, but once again at $4.00 for a small hot dog not the large ones that you would expect for the price, is not worth it. The corn was the best and worth it. The service was very good and nice. I would come back to this place, but just for drinks not for the food.

    (3)
  • Jessica K.

    Always a favorite of ours to stop in while we are in Ferndale. The cocktail selection is excellent with points for originality. As it has Mexican influences many of the cocktails are tequila based. We have always had outstanding service with knowledgeable waitstaff. I have pretty much tried most of the menu and have never had a bad experience! The tacos are small but extremely flavorful which allows you to sample a few of them. I highly recommend trying the "special" taco or hotdog as they make efforts to incorporate seasonal items and flavors.

    (5)
  • Cayla A.

    AWESOME place, unique and cool staff, awesome atmosphere, and even better food. The corn and tacos are the best, but I dont think you could really go wrong with anything on the menu.

    (5)
  • Pasha A.

    I have eaten here several times and the food is consistently average ( i prefer flour to corn tortillas), the carne asada is a lil dried out and the guac is decent. However i just had one of the worst Michigan dining experiences of my life. I am a huge fish taco fan and the only place I have eaten decent fish tacos in the state is black pearl in ann arbor. For some reason people in michigan think deep battering and frying fish then throwing it on a tortilla constitutes a fish taco. I label it garbage. I ordered the fish tacos from here and was was impressed and ordered some more, it was not black pearl level but pretty damn good. However the Imperial Montezuma revenge reared its ugly head around 4am. I was having very trippy lucid dreams then i ran to the bathroom and fish was escaping from every orifice in my body. It was DEADLY. Imperial does not regularly serve fish or seafood for that matter and that should have been a warning, but i was so excited for fish tacos i did not heed it. Fish needs to be handled very specially and can spoil very easily. When fish is well marinated it is tough to tell if it was spoiled. And unfortunately i was recipient of this bad fish. This place is always a good place to catch some drinks but this experience has taught me that this place does not have an experienced kitchen staff and i think i will avoid anything edible from here from now on.

    (1)
  • Jill B.

    Love this place! Be prepared to wait or pick a week night. Everything is good. Try a variety- and at least split the hot dog special- one of a kind. Their sauces are a bit on the spicy side- which we like. Mixed community style seating at long picnic style tables as well as traditional seating in the back. Always fun and lively. Easy walk to other stops after dinner.

    (5)
  • Bryan L.

    Best hot dogs period....dont think about getting one just do it you won't be disappointed.

    (5)
  • Dan N.

    My girlfriend and I have had to implement Imperial restrictions to stop us from going here all the time. It's our favorite restaurant. I'm vegetarian, she isn't. Both of us love the food. The vegetarian tacos and sonoran are amazing, as are all of the apps/sides. I can't personally vouch for any of the meat dishes but I've never been there with anyone who didn't love them. All of their cocktails are delicious too. The employees are friendly and fun, same with the bartenders. I've had many interactions with them that left me loving this restaurant even more.

    (5)
  • John V.

    No we are talking. I had a great chorizo bean dip and chips. I went here after Arts beats and eats to unwind with some friends. Loved the Blue light in a can. Just felt god relaxing with that. Had a couple hot dogs. They were so good. The bacon wrapped with pineapple was the most memorable. Next time I am back home. I will be back.

    (5)
  • Rachel M.

    This place has pictures hanging up that are very offensive to Catholics. I asked to speak with the CATHOLIC owner about it and he basically said he doesn't care if it's offensive he's going to keep it at their logo. What a shame. Not giving them my business anymore and hoping other Catholics and ppl who don't appreciate religious slander will do the same

    (1)
  • Matt L.

    Great Tacos! Real Mexican Coke! Amazing sides (try the corn). I have been here many times with a variety of guests/friends. No one has left Imperial feeling cheated. The prices are great, food is good. The biggest problem is it often gets too busy or crowded and with so many other good options in Ferndale I am often not willing to wait more than 10-15 minutes for a table. Couldn't recommend this enough if you want a tasty bite!

    (5)
  • Jacques P.

    The beer list is great. Imports from all over the states with a real emphasis on michigan. The wait for a table can take a bit, but surrounded by decent folk it's not too bad. The hotdogs were great for bar food. I made the mistake of trying to take on two with some tacos... A tough night. I would recommend the chorizo. The tacos were definitely just ok, I wasn't the biggest fan. The salsa was good though.

    (4)
  • Casey F.

    My favorite tacos in all of greater detroit area. Reasonable price. Nice environment. A little slow, but get some chips and guac for the wait because they're excellent.

    (5)
  • Amy S.

    Myself and two of my friends got food poisoning after trying the biscuits and gravy. Each of us missed a day of work. Huge bummer, usually their food is fine, but now I will forever be apprehensive.

    (1)
  • Holly Y.

    Great food, great drinks, great service! Bacon wrapped hotdogs-amazing! Service is great, we would ask/order something and about 5 min later it was served!

    (5)
  • Tim Y.

    $2.50 tacos, $4 hotdogs. Awesome drinks. Cool Place. Cool People. Honestly... that's about the extent of this place. I mean... I could add that the upscale picnic tables are a great touch and that every one of the servers being allowed to be their awesome unique selves adds to it... The elote is awesome and something I ordered 2 of because of how great it is. It's just a super chill place with everything described above... I'm trying to find more words to describe this place, but in reality... you just need to go if you want awesome Mexican food. It reminds me of Austin, Tx in a good way.

    (4)
  • Christina K.

    Order the margarita!! It's by far my favorite and I've tried recreating it at home but haven't been close. Awesome guacamole and salsa- a must order as an appetizer. I order from the vegetarian choices so I would recommend that you skip the Vegetarian Sonoran, the texture of the hot dog is a weird and not very good. Also the buns are disappointing too, they're just your typical run of the mill bun, I was hoping for something a little bit more special. I do like the vegetarian tacos which are made from seitan and comes with a yummy sauce on top. And sometimes they do have a vegetarian special as well.

    (4)
  • Shawn M.

    This place is awesome. I've been there twice and their food is fantastic. Their salsas and guacamole are some of the best I've ever had and their tacos are delicious. But I really love their hot-dogs. I would recommend always getting one. Service has been very good when I've been there, but once was right after they opened for the day and the other time was late at night after the major dinner rush, so I've never seen the place truly busy (which I'm told it gets). Cool atmosphere and right in the middle of Ferndale, so pretty accessible.

    (5)
  • Earle E.

    Best tacos, corn on the cob, chips & quac you will EVER have. Expect a 15ish minute wait every time due to the popularity, but the food and atmosphere are well worth it

    (5)
  • Chas R.

    Imperial has been a go-to place for me, a place that I'd always take friends and family when they came to visit. As others have noticed, I am sure, Imperial has a new chef. All of the salsas are different now. I mentioned before in this review that the portions were less, but lately that has not been the case. The salsa is still more watery than before. The tacos have become very greasy as compared to crispy in the past. The drinks are still great, and the staff is just as friendly, but it seems like some of the changes in menu are not for the better. I appreciate the response, Sharon.

    (3)
  • Julian B.

    I tried Imperial when they first opened and see they have continued to impress and keep the same solid quality. I can't say much more than what's been said other than other than SW side, some of the best tacos in Metro D. Their LA style is a winner and taqueria worthy. The atmosphere ambience has a no frills but comfortable vibe. I don't get caught up much in service as long as its not egregious. Can get busy and packed at times. Johnny Cash is a constant presence.

    (4)
  • Claire V.

    This is the perfect spot for a quick bite. Great tequila drinks while you wait. Definitely love the steak tacos, street corn and the Bakersfield hot dog. I've been back time and time again to enjoy the indoor outdoor area and to enjoy a great variety of food and beverages!

    (4)
  • Michael S.

    The Guac is awesome and the Salsa flight is wicked good. But the star of this show are the hot dogs. I've been back four times to have them.

    (5)
  • Jeph W.

    Hate the food - expensive for what you get (think you can get full on 3 of their tacos? No), service sucks & who wants to sit on a hard wooden bench with other folks practically on top of you!

    (1)
  • Valerie B.

    Wow!! First time and we will be back! I was warned to come early because this place gets packed- if you don't want to mill around in a hipster bar mass waiting for a table, plan on 5:30 arrival! The place is industrial chic - really relaxing. The drink menu is expansive and the waiters really know it! The tequila based Ring of Fire cocktail was perfect- a little spicy and not too sweet. Large menus and the quick and friendly staff know it well! We loved the guac and salsa trio with fresh chips but be warned- there is a lot of cilantro in 2/3 of them. The elote is outstanding- you must get it!!! We tried several different tacos and mini hotdogs- all were tasty but again, be warned that cilantro abounds so if you have the "cilantro tastes like soap" gene you are not going to be happy- we asked for it to be left off in deference to the soap gene folks in our group but it still abounded. That said, I loved the cilantro and the cool servers and the cheap but awesome food! And, once the young bearded tattooed crowd starts pouring in there is a lot of people watching!

    (5)
  • Dradle K.

    Been coming here for a very long time and always appreciate how busy they are, which means they are doing something right... Their al-pastor tacos will blow your mind (vegetarian or real animal fleshed), so do get a bunch! Salsa flight is great, and their home made chips too! Wish they had more vegetarian taco options, and sometimes their experimental versions can be a bit much however the consistent friendly experience we have keeps me coming back. Great Margharitas too!

    (4)
  • Marty F.

    Tacos are improved. Go with the stewed chicken and the carnitas. Good stuff. Get jarritos soda to go with it. Also, eat the habanero sauce, unless you're a ninny who can't handle heat. They still need to play something different musically. I vote suicidal tendencies 24/7.

    (4)
  • Shannon B.

    Came in from out of town and decided to go here. We waited at the "Please Wait to be Seated" sign for about 10 minutes while the door girl sat and chatted with a male co worker. A couple came in and just walked right through while the door girl glanced over at us. Unfortunately she was too busy having a conversation to do her job/acknowledge us so we left. I understand that it was a Saturday night and busy is to be expected but if you're not going seat guests maybe remove the sign as we were the only people waiting.

    (1)
  • Liz R.

    We loved Imperial! I bookmarked after I saw check in after check in from Tara L. We circle similar places, so I knew this one would be a winner. Thanks Tara! We went for weekend lunch, right when they opened, and sat at the bar. I like to sit at the bar when we try new places because you can get the lay of the land from an excellent bartender...as long as they aren't too busy. James wasn't too busy, and was nice and talkative. He talked me right into my first drink, the Detroit Tart. Loved it! Ken and I ordered three tacos (carne for him, the pork with pineapple for me, and a chorizo and potato to split), two hot dogs (both of which were delicious). I also got elote, which I thoroughly enjoyed. My second drink was the Ring of Fire, made with habanero-orange tequila infused in-house. Another excellent cocktail! Ken enjoyed a couple of craft beers. I'm a sucker for an interesting drinks menu, and Imperial did not disappoint. They filled up as time went by, getting louder. Swanky, clean bathroom. Loved James. Parking...we're not familiar with Ferndale, but they recommended the metered lot behind them when I called to inquire, which was easy for us to find (and we're parking morons). This lot is free on Sundays (note to self). We'll be back. For an 11am Saturday lunch in the not so distant future!

    (5)
  • Samantha L.

    The chips and Guacamole are delicious, the tacos are good for a snack, but could use some more flavor as they can be a little dry. If you are into community seating then a week night/ weekend should not bother you. But, if you want more private seating go during the early hours in the weekend and early afternoons during the week day.

    (4)
  • Jason J.

    Hard to find good tacos and cocktails in Michigan....this place nailed it! Chipotle salsa is bomb. Imperial Swizzle tastes like it's name...smooth bourbon with ginger ale and citrus.

    (5)
  • Lindsey L.

    Wish they had soft drinks on tap but the glass bottles are cute. Took about 15 to 20 min to get my food but it was good once we got it. The salsa flight is delicious chips are crispy and not too thick or hard. I had one of all the tacos except vegetarian and they were all yummy, i prefer the chicken ones... very nice.

    (4)
  • Chris M.

    They called me "Taco Time" in high school and Imperial allows me to flex those developing muscles again. I ate two lamb tacos to honor my family's immigration from the Balkan Peninsula, and then ordered TWO more because I was feeling selfish and bad about myself. But under Imperial's roof, all feels right. I will be boarding Salsa Airlines again soon, on a one way ticket. Shout out to Stacey for the great service and suggestions. I think she liked my friend?

    (4)
  • Crystal C.

    Best place for great tacos and their grilled corn is like addictive gotta try it the also make a great fresh gaucomoli mmmmm

    (5)
  • Ellie I.

    We ended up here after a night out and just wanted to take advantage of their late night menu, which is such a great idea. My friends were raving about the hot dogs, which strikes me as an odd item to have at a Mexican joint, but maybe that's the whole point! Anyway, I had the fried risotto balls and they were everything I was hoping for! Crispy on the outside with creamy, cheesy rice inside, yum! They had just enough spice to satisfy my spicy craving, but not leave me fanning my tongue. I want one right now! My friends got the hot dogs and they loved them! The one star off is because we were asked to leave 30min before the posted closing time. Granted, there was only one other group in there at the time and it was late, after all... I still felt a little strange about being asked to leave. Good food and good drinks. Worth a try!

    (4)
  • Jessica Y.

    I wish they wouldn't put cilantro in just about everything. Other than that, their bloody mary's can cure anything. They have veggie hot dogs. Nobody does when you go out, so that's wonderful stuff. Nobody thinks it odd when I read tarot at the bar. And I always feel welcome whether I've been in 2 days in a row or haven't been in in 6 months. Your new favorite bar awaits. Their specialty drinks are divine, go have one today.

    (4)
  • Kirsten V.

    Great spot. Expect a wait for a table. I hope you like tacos and salsa, because...that is pretty much all they serve. They do it well though with a number of different types. I am not a huge fan of community tables but that seems to be a number of the seats in the restaurant.

    (4)
  • Bradleigh M.

    So I went here again this weekend and tried one of their bacon wrapped hotdogs, the Imperial dog to be exact. All I can say is...Awesome! The flavors blended so well.

    (5)
  • Eric C.

    Came in with my boyfriend for brunch when we were staying in ferndale, and admittedly we were super hungover. But it was great to grab a table, because every time I've been in there at night, it's been packed. We had 4 or 5 tacos, a corn elote, the salsa flight, guacamole, a torta, and two jarritos. Everything was pretty good. Salsa was Delish, but the torta was the best for me by far. My bf dominated the corn, so I think he'd approve of that too ;)

    (4)
  • Tori B.

    I pretty much live at Imperial - I live down the road and have been going here for almost 2 years. You can't get better, cheaper tacos in Ferndale. Bakersfield hotdog and Papas con Rajas are my go-tos, and they always have thoughtful and tasty specials. Plus they have good veggie and gluten free options. My favorite cocktail is the Lavender Sidecar, and their Bloody Mary's. The staff is always friendly and accommodating, and their back patio is THE BOMB. The only negative is the acoustics in the front of the restaurant when it gets crowded - you can't even hear yourself.

    (5)
  • Joe V.

    Love this place. My favorite Mexican spot in the Detroit area. I roll vegan style and this place does not disappoint. Every other week or so they have a special vegetarian option which goes great with their staple vegetarian taco and hot dog. Salsa, guac and chips are the best too.

    (5)
  • Jason R.

    Bakersfield hot dog is hands down the best dog on the planet. It is a must tryevery time you come here. I also love the elote, Mexican corn on the cob at its finest. If you like chorizo, they have a great chorizo taco. One of my favorite places to eat for sure!

    (5)
  • Holly F.

    I love this place. I have been here many times with friends. The service is good, it doesn't matter if we are there at 3:30pm or midnight! The Sonoran hotdog is my favorite. And the drinks are amazing. The salsa flight is a must try. The prices are very reasonable. The waiter Matt is my favorite, he actually recommended one oft new favorite drinks! I do wish the ladies room had a full length mirror or at least one that I could see more than just my upper body. But this minor issue will not keep me away! I'll be back soon!

    (4)
  • Drew H.

    First experience 2 weeks ago was flawless. Girls loved the margaritas and the tacos are the best we've had in a long time and very reasonable. Been some reports of service issues but at 7 we had no problem. Going back for hot dog and taco soon!

    (4)
  • Richard D.

    Best Mexican food i have had in Detroit to date... Guac was amazing... All tacos good and bacon wrapped hotdog was great

    (4)
  • Tiana O.

    I know it's a taco joint, but the Sonoran hot dog. Get it! Seriously, it's so good. Also, we are in love with the ring of fire cocktail. For those who like a little spice, this is where it's at!!!

    (5)
  • Eileen A.

    I really like this place! It has a nice open atmosphere. I didn't feel crowded even though a lot of people were there. They have a wide variety of different types of liquor. No matter what ur taste something will be there for you. I did try the street tacos. They were good but I thought a bit expensive at $2.50 a taco. The chips are ok a little hard. They serve it with 3 different salsas. All were delicious. Definitely going back!

    (4)
  • Nha V.

    Food is good, Americanized tacos. Had good salsa options and chips. My favorite is the pollo a salsa. Forgot the name, but it's very good. This place has good atmosphere and always has a long just waiting line on busy nights.

    (3)
  • Amina B.

    One of my favorite places in ferndale.. Convenient (early weekdays-or make reservations) tacos and all else is super yummy-inexpensive for its atmosphere. Clean. Huge selection of drinks-just not draft. They even serve mini hotdogs in taco bread..so cute

    (4)
  • Ali L.

    I was original taken aback by the price of their margaritas, but after one sip I figured out why.. These bad boys are STRONG! After one I was tipsy, and after two I was nearly slurring! Learn from my mistake and do not order one on an empty stomach! Rather, order some guacamole and the salsa flight. Yum!!

    (4)
  • Linda O.

    One of my all time favorite places. And a great waitstaff. We only have Brandon wait on us! Love him! Love the Detroit Tart...I crave it.

    (5)
  • Erynne M.

    This place is soooo cool and fun and awesome The chips and salsa and guac are to die for they gave us free spiked punch and free skeleton cookies in lieu of halloween. The place is set up with long tables where everyone drinks and talks and the other side as separate tables for smaller parties. Super laid back atmosphere everything's a little edgy and cool (some would say hipstery) but I will definitely be going back

    (5)
  • jessica p.

    Wonderful veggie hotdogs and the best Bloody Mary I've ever had in my life. Went here because I heard the drinks were great- and that they were. Pretty busy, had to wait 45 mins but they put a drink in my hand and had a bench available for me to sit on so by the time I was seated I was already good to go. Chips are kinda salty but wuteva!

    (5)
  • Krystle S.

    Thursday happy hour is great. Nice margaritas (though small and should be stronger for the price!) Tacos were good. Being from So. Cali I can attest that they didn't mess it up like MOST Michigan restaurants seem to do with Mexican food. They of course do their own twist, but it's akin to what I'd expect to taste in a hipstery place in LA.

    (4)
  • Akshaar B.

    A picture of Johnny Cash graces the well lit bar, communal seating. Get two tacos and a hot dog. Any combination of three will be fantastic. The vegetarian is also quite good. The elote is good, perhaps a little overrated, but definitely the side of choice. The salsa flight provides a nice variety. Cocktails are adequate, but leave more to be desired, Emory is down the block. The hot sauces should be rated on a logarithmic vs a linear scale, the green apple is a 2, the medium is a 4 and the Thai hot is a 9. There is little need for any of these as the food is delicious.

    (4)
  • dawn v.

    I was torn between 3 and 4 stars. 4 for the food. 2.5 for the service/atmosphere. To be fair, we were here for brunch, shortly after they opened, 11:30 am Sunday. Maybe they just don't get into their grove until things are swinging? I had the Imperial Hash: potatoes, roasted pork, green salsa, tortillas and eggs. (Ordered over easy). Everything was cooked very well and tasty... Maybe over salted. Husband had biscuits and gravy. Seemed to like it. Both were $7 and I thought that was a deal for brunch. I think their strength is in their bar. All of the brunch cocktails looked amazing. I forget the name of mine but it was the only non- Bloody Mary choice. It's a strong, solid drink for $8. (Worth it!) The service wasn't terrible, just very very brief and cold. They only had two tables going when we arrived but you got the feeling that the waitress had a lot to do... Somewhere... Just not here. Someone did come back to refill a coffee and she was super fast with that check, ( I was going o order a second drink but she had that check down and was gone before I could ask), so she wasn't exactly AWOL, just not interested.

    (3)
  • Eowyn K.

    I thought the space was pretty cool with the large wood booths and long wooden common tables. I am not bothered by the group aspect, but we also came for lunch so the place was not crowded. The menu is pretty basic, the drinks menu is longer than the food. I thought the chips and guac where pretty good, however I was not big on the salsa. They make theirs with red pepper, which I'm not a fan of so this was more of a personal problem. I had a couple tacos: pulled pork, carne asada and the choizo. I added some of the guacamole to them as well. The tortilla is corm and they are not very big, so expect to order a few for a meal. I also had the corn and was not a fan. It is grilled but then has a cheese coating on it that I did not like. My friend had the veggie dog and really liked it. She thought the hot dog was better than the veggie taco. As much as I would have appreciated a lunch time cocktail, I was not able to partake as I had to return to work. It seems like a good place to relax with friends for beverages.

    (3)
  • Tango A.

    Construct me a temple and call me Indiana. They have Mexican coke which has a little bit of dirt in the bottom from Tituichan. Once I got home I felt like sacrificing myself just so my friends could taste the juices from the taco meat once again. Lime Time. In my nostrils ankles and EYES Lime Time. Just like my Aztec father used to tell me: "Son dat be a hot piece of ass on dat plate." But this time plate did not equal bed. And I wasn't sacrificing a virgin unless you count my mouth on that succulent tenderized taco.

    (5)
  • Annie Y.

    LOVE Imperial. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Their drinks are freshly made with real juices too. The elote (corn) is to die for. The only downfall I have is that it is impossible to get in on the weekends and I've noticed that the waitresses are very forgetful.

    (4)
  • Jennifer H.

    Love, Love, Love this place! The wait staff are on point with drink recommendations and I was offered that if I ordered a drink (first time) and I didn't like it, she would have something else made for me. Turns out, I loved it because she was very clear with her description! As a veg head the food is awesome even with such a small menu. Service is fantastic, the communal tables are not as much of a put-off as one would think and it's great to sit with the sun coming in the front windows.

    (5)
  • Ceena V.

    This place is incredible! My cousin took me here randomly cuz she loves the hot dogs. I assumed it would be a restaurant that favorited only hotdogs but their menu happened to be a variety if great and simple food. I found their tacos to be heavenly. Small but delicate and very intricate w flavours. On top of that, it's all sooo very cheap and affordable. I was blown away! They also had a large variety of drinks. I ordered one of their special drinks and it was very strong -- BUT I would rather have a strong drink than one with very little liquor. The only negative thing I have to say is that the lights are very dim. I understand the mellow and chill vibe that they are trying to give, but I prefer being able to see my food! Other than that, LOVE this place!

    (5)
  • Michele A.

    The drinks here are amazing! They have no draft but if you love cocktails this is your place. They have a hot bloody mary that is to die for. The Food was amazing! and cheap. They have small tacos and bacon wrapped hot dogs. We got here late on a Wednesday night and there was about a 30 min wait. This place is worth the wait trust me. The service is a bit slow however might have just been that it was busy. The tacos are great I had chorizo and potato one which was great and a sweet potato one also great! The hot dogs are full of flavor. Cannot wait to go back.

    (5)
  • Kait S.

    Absolutely awesome. Very small menu and everything is packed with flavor! They use little corn tortillas and they are small tacos, but perfect for trying multiple ones. Seating is unique in that there are three huge wooden tables that every kind of sits next to each other. As well as some small tables and bar area.

    (5)
  • Victoria A.

    We enjoyed the surroundings more than the food. The food was good, but not all that. The décor was cool and relaxing. I would not go out of my way to go there though.

    (3)
  • Anomid V.

    I like the atmosphere, obviously it's not an "authentic" Mexican restaurant, but the price is reasonable. I didn't think the tacos were as great as I had heard but overall they were okay.

    (3)
  • Lylian D.

    Amazing cocktails! Two drinks and I am good for the night. My favorite drinks here are the mojitos, hotel California, and Detroit Tart? Delicious and strong, just how I like it! The bartender with the blue hair is a sweetheart and makes the best drinks. I've tried every taco they have on the menu and it's a bit of a disappointment. I know I shouldn't compare them to the authentic taqueria, but I can't help it. The meat is not tender as most places I've been too, but boy do they make great sauces. The Salsa and Chips Trio? is really good to have while you are sipping (or downing) your cocktails. I've been here about 4 times just in the month of May and every time I've had a great bar experience. People around you are friendly and you'll be amazed the stories you hear by just striking up the first "Hello!". I haven't tried their hot dogs or other food offerings. I'll say it's safe to go here for an pre-game for a good night out!

    (4)
  • Daniel D.

    Imperial, this establishment is known for their hot dogs and tacos. The portion sizes are very small, pop served to you in a can, if I could sum it all up in one word it would be TRENDY. That's about it, smoke and mirrors.

    (3)
  • Linda S.

    The servers here are all consistently good. Thank you!!! They're also always very helpful with suggestions of any sort. Always really clean too. The tacos are great and when I went I had a hot dog which was crazy delish! The seating is weird and the chairs are not comfy! But worth it for the good eats

    (4)
  • David M.

    always, consistently good. enough taco and drink specials to keep things fresh and interesting. great bar scene. we're there at the bar practically every wednesday to do our weekly toast to our Lady of Guadelupe.

    (4)
  • John K.

    Service was great..Server very friendly and a great smile. Big Plus. Downside was some of the food. The chips and salas with trio of sauces were very good. Could not go wrong. The bacon wrap dog was not that good. Use a better dog. Try home depots dogs and use those because the one i had was small/puny and dry. The topping didn't pop either. You put on spicy pickles and cilantro? let me taste them brother. I like the energy and the casual feel but I was disappointed in the food. Cheers

    (3)
  • J D.

    This is a fun place that is great for groups. Good cocktails and a selective but interesting menu. Plus the bathrooms are clean and you can't ask for more than that!

    (5)
  • Di Z.

    Great location and very good space, love the bench sitting. $2.50 tacos enough said but I do wish there were more food options besides tacos, hotdogs and sides. They had a brisket special for July 4th that was awesome. As for the drinks....I'm really not a fan. My boyfriend had the imperial magrita, was very salty and sour. I got their special drink (bourbon, peach, ice tea mixture again underwhelming)....Perhaps their other drinks are better but if I'm paying $9 for a drink I expect it to be better. 4/5 only because the drinks were not great. Our service was also excellent.

    (4)
  • Jackie R.

    We came here for drinks with a large group after dinner. Our friends had raved about this place and told us about how great their food and drinks were so we had high hopes. My one and only complaint about this place was our first impression - which to me is important and should be to a restaurant. We entered and asked if they had room for a party of our size and the hostess looked like we were asking her to perform brain surgery. Yes, we had a large group but a large group equals lots of money spent and should not be an issue when they have a large back patio. She kept huffing and puffing about it and we knew that there was a back patio that was empty. After being told we could not have food out there (not sure why - seems silly) we were led out to the back patio where we had an AWESOME waitress who had a great attitude and accommodated our group without any issues. The drinks were great and the back patio was nice. My margarita was really great and much better than my vodka tonic that was all tonic. I'd come here again since we didn't get to try the food.

    (4)
  • Ranetta A.

    I came here 2 weeks ago with some friends from work. They were already seated when I arrived. They had ordered drinks and the chips and salsa flight. I ordered the Detroit Tart and I enjoyed it. So I ordered another! After about a half hour of chatter we decided to order some real food. The guacamole was good with a little kick, just like I like it. We all ordered different items so we could share. We all ordered tacos and a bacon wrapped hot dog that was pretty tasty! I forgot to order some corn. I guess I'll have to get one the next time I visit. I really enjoyed my food, my drinks and my friends. Our waitress was very attentive and friendly. She answered all of my annoying questions with a smile. I will DEFINATELY be back!

    (4)
  • Julie S.

    Tried this place out last night and loved it! It was pretty busy for a Wednesday after 9pm. My friend and I found two spots at the bar. I was a little ambivalent on which beer to order and the bartender served me a nice Mexican beer that was spot on. Our food order was simple. We shared the chips and salsa (yummy) and split a corn. I will have to come back and try the corn again. It was a little too overwhelming in the hot and spicy department but I just came off of a month long food detox so my palate wasn't used to eating restaurant food. The food runner was super quick and it was pretty comical to clock her when we ordered something. Overall a great experience!

    (5)
  • Esther G.

    Despite a not-so-great first impression, I'm glad I gave this place another try because it's a great spot for quick and cheap Mexican food, though it's not the most authentic by any means. It's gourmet food without the cost of what you'd think at a gourmet-type place. I've enjoyed the food and atmosphere at weekend brunch the most. There are only four options -- all $6.95 -- but each one is done really well, which I appreciate more than having a bunch of options and just doing them decent. I noticed another time that the menu says the brunch options are served with fruit salad and charred tortillas. Disappointed to remember the four of us did not get tortillas with our meals. Besides weekend brunch, you can't go wrong with the tacos and the chips and salsa flight. I've had inconsistencies to the trio of salsas, however, where the hot doesn't taste quite as hot as it did from before.

    (4)
  • Dan C.

    Not a bad place if you want to have some decent tacos and drinks without driving into the city. Don't kid yourselves though, the tacos don't compare to the average fare in Mexican Town or, say, a good taco truck. After all, it's essentially a suburban bar. I've been here a number of times and, if you temper your expectations accordingly, it's an acceptable place to grab a bite and a drink. There is a tendency for the tacos to be a bit dry and...uh...lukewarm but, again, if you know this going in you'll be just fine. I'd consider this a place for a 'snack' instead of a 'meal.'

    (2)
  • Lynden G.

    So maybe Saturday night at 630 wasn't the best time to show for dinner, but the hour wait didn't deter us. this was my first time (came on a first date) I had the house margarita, Abodoba taco and imperial hotdog. Very good flavor and i love their hotdogs! Family style seating was interesting and service was super fast. Only things I wasn't too keen on was the high level of noise and inconsistent margaritas (one strong one sweet). I would like to return to try some of their sides especially the corn.

    (4)
  • Cari M.

    I like stopping by Imperial for a quick bite/drink .. they have a great space, large bar, and I rather enjoy their option for cafeteria style seating, sitting with other parties. I've tried both their kinds chicken tacos and the vegetarian - my favorite is the vegetarian! It's very good. Don't pass on the hot sauce - there is one that is a sort of apple flavor and it made the tacos significantly more tasty, and not dry. For some reason I always wish the taco's here came out hotter - is that weird? I don't know if taco's are supposed to be really warm or not but I feel like it would make them go from good to great. Definitely order chips and guac -- the chips are UHmazing, and the guac has large avocado chunks in it you can tell it is very fresh. The service is one of the best parts of Imperial - I've been impressed every time by the bartenders and wait staff .. extremely kind, attentive, knowledgable and seemingly happy. They have a good selection of beers and also have some unique housemade infused liquors which i look forward to trying. Tacos are cheap - get 2 or 3 and you'll be full and wont hurt your wallet.

    (4)
  • Chelsea H.

    After hearing mixed reviews about Imperial, I finally got around to checking it out under the guise of celebrating a friend's birthday. I remember people saying that the service was atrocious in Imperial's early days, and if that was indeed the case, they have successfully conquered that issue. The service was outstanding; immediately the host greeted our group as if we were regulars and kept us in the loop about table availability. We were made to feel important, which was nice and unexpected. The server was also perfect. She was very sweet without being fake, and did little extra things like refilling our water and splitting the checks without being asked. The cocktails were just as good as the service. The drink menu is extensive, and it was difficult to choose what to order since everything sounded delicious. I tried a sip of everyone's drinks at my table and it is clear that the bartenders here know what they're doing. Everything was awesome, and prices aren't too steep. The food, however, I felt kind of meh about. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. I would definitely come back to Imperial, but I'm going to catalogue it in my brain as a place for really good drinks that also happens to have acceptable bar food in case you're in need of a snack, and not a place that I would want to eat dinner at. But, I am super picky about tacos and I happen to live near a magical neighborhood full of cheap, delicious tacos, so those who are not spoiled by living in close proximity to Mexicantown should go and form their own taco opinions. For vegetarians, your options on the menu are delicious and not a sad, salad-y afterthought, so that is nice. Yay Imperial.

    (4)
  • Steve K.

    I like this place, cool atmosphere and relaxed. A little noisy but what bar isn't. Cocktails are on the expensive side but there are other low drink prices. Great for large groups. Good food and usually good service.

    (5)
  • Erin K.

    I am so glad I found this place! Great Mexican food that is more upscale, like the yummy foods you see on Eat St on the Travel Channel. The menu is not large, but when the food is this good, it doesn't have to be. They offer Mexican soft shell corn tacos, Mexican themed hot dogs and a variety of sides. We ordered the Carnitas, Al Pastor, Adobada de pollo, Imperial Sonoran, Bakersfield Sonoran, Paso Robles Sonoran, chips and salsa flight and churros and everything was amazing! They also have an excellent drink menu. We enjoyed the Hotel California, Detroit Tart and Tito's Mule. They also serve breakfast (along with it's own drink menu). I cannot wait to go back. But get there early, it gets crowded and most of the seating is communal.

    (5)
  • Dawny M.

    Went there for lunch and was blown away. The best and unusal tacos. They have a special board with tacos and hot dogs not on the menu. Our table ordered 4 different kinds. All were delicious. If you like corn, you must try their roasted corn rolled in pablano lime cream and cojita cheese. Next time I'm in the area I will go back.

    (5)
  • Tyler W.

    Imperial is a place to go! The flight salsa was incredible all the salsas had very good flavor. The carne asada, chicken, and chorizio were the tacos I was able to enjoy and will be trying more! The corn was an incredible add on too I highly recommend imperial to anyone looking for a good taco meal or even a good drink

    (5)
  • Mitch B.

    Imperial rocks! The food is always fresh and delicious and moderately priced and they always have new menu items that are amazing. But the thing about this place that makes it outstanding is the wait staff. The wait staff is attentive and they always seem to be friendly and in a good mood, which helps create a fun vibe. The one thing stopping this place from getting 5 stars is that I eat here often and sometimes when I eat here and it takes longer to get my food than is necessary. The Sonoran (sp?) Hot Dogs (hot dog wrapped in bacon-YUM!) are a must! And so is the Flight of Salsas with chips.

    (4)
  • Melissa B.

    I frequent Imperial for the bakersfield it has that crispy hot dog bun with a hint of spice and of course bacon! The grilled pineapple makes it everything! Tried the corn on the cob for the first time. It was a bit mushy on the cob, I was expecting more of a cheesy flavor, I wldnt knock others from trying it but I wont order it again.

    (4)
  • Nicole F.

    The veggie tacos weren't anything to write home about, but the rest of the meal was quite good. The grilled jalapeños were spot on, I could eat my way out of a bathtub full of the guacamole, and the atmosphere was cool.

    (4)
  • Meredith E.

    The 3 salsas for $5 were delicious, but I ran out of chips early on. The chipotle one was my favorite. The 'Ring of Fire' mixed drink was fantastic. Thank you for the recommendation fellow Yelpers! Our server was out there. If I came to work in that condition, I would be sent to drug testing immediately. She forgot drinks and orders, couldn't comprehend our requests, and disappeared now and then. The family style taco arrival was a hot mess. I doubted the food runner's descriptions when she pointed at 2 tacos and said they were the same, when they looked completely different, several times. We were all a little puzzled. I just said f it, and took the last 3 on the plate. They were all dry and ok. Not great. I will be back for more salsa and to sample some more mixed drinks. The 'One Night in Mexico' at the table next to ours looked so damn tasty.

    (3)
  • Katie M.

    I probably can't offer much more information in my review than has previously been left by the other 191 reviews... but hey, I went here, I liked it...so now one must simply Yelp about it. Setting the scene: Wednesday night at 9:15PM. The place is pretty much packed! My companion and I grabbed the only two seats at the bar. Service was EXTREMELY quick. Granted, we only each ordered 1 taco and the chips/guac/salsa... but I think the food came out faster than the margaritas! I had the pork taco with pineapple... my taste buds thanked me! Is the taco "small"? Yes, but it was plentifully stuffed with goodness. When I visit a "chain" restaurant and get tacos, I often have to load them up with cheese, sour cream, salsa and or hot sauce in order to get them to be juicy and flavorful... not at Imperial! This little porky pleasure was just perfect! I was also really really impressed with their chips, salsa and guac! All of the salsas had unique flavors and it pained me that I was unable to eat them all! The margaritas left a little to be desired. I don't typically complain when a drink is strong... but I don't like to taste the tequila (unless it's top shelf) in my margaritas. I'll have to upgrade my beverage choice next visit.

    (4)
  • Brad S.

    Love the atmosphere and food here. Four words: bacon wrapped hot dog. Whenever I can't decide where I want to go for either a restaurant or a bar choice, Imperial is my go to.

    (5)
  • Sarah D.

    Imperial is one of my favorite places in Ferndale. Great cocktails, great tacos, great churros (be sure to save room for one!) and their special homemade hot sauce trio is killer - be sure to ask your server for it if they don't bring it out. The service is good and I noticed that some people have said it is slow. This is because this place is packed! Expect to wait for a table on the weekends unless you sit at the bar or come early. Also, the biggest secret of this place is their Sunday brunch. I feel like there is hardly ever anyone there but it is seriously to die for. They have a chorizo gravy with biscuits and fried eggs that is one of the best things I've ever eaten!

    (5)
  • Steven H.

    I dont get why this place has 4 stars, the service is horrible, and the place is beyond a rip off, and there nothing to orders but tacos and hot dogs, never will go there again.

    (1)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:00 am - 2:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : No
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner, Late Night
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Hipster
    Noise Level : Loud
    Good For Dancing : No
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Happy Hour : Yes
    Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
    Coat Check : No
    Smoking : No
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : Yes
    Dogs Allowed : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Categories

Mexican Cuisine

If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.

Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.

Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.

Imperial

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