Rock City Eatery
11411 Joseph Campau, Hamtramck, MI, 48212
Rock City Eatery Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Diabetics at Johnny Rockets
Johnny Rockets serves burgers which are generally high in sodium and fat. Ensure that you pick the burgers which are light and doesn't contain too much sodium. Try ordering salads if you're concerned about your sugar intake and looking for healthy choices.
Foods to Avoid at Johnny Rockets for Diabetics:
Johnny Rockets is a fine dining place for burgers, but you must be selective if you're a diabetic. Skip all kinds of dressing when you order a burger at Johnny Rockets as it will only spike the sodium content on your meal. Salads are often considered diabetic-friendly but not the ones at Johnny Rockets. Avoid Crispy Chicken Club Salad and Grilled Chicken Club Salad as they are too high in sodium and fat.
Make sure you opt for water instead of the drinks available on the Johnny Rockets menu. Besides Diet Coke and Coffee, most of the drinks served at Johnny Rockets are high in sugar. Skip the shakes at Johnny Rockets to avoid high sugar intake. Breakfast is always preferred heavy for diabetics but most of the breakfast items on the Johnny Rockets menu are high in sodium and must be avoided.
Food Suggestions for Diabetics at Johnny Rockets:
Rocket Single Burger (1 Serving)
Nutritional Facts: 240 calories, 20g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 10g), 350mg sodium, 10g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Bacon Cheddar Burger (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 330 calories, 30g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 10g), 650mg sodium, 10g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Route 66 Burger (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 330 calories, 30g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 10g), 280mg sodium, 10g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Route 66 Double Burger (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 410 calories, 40g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 10g), 320mg sodium, 10g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
The Original Burger (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 240 calories, 20g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat0g), 590mg sodium, 10g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Hot Tea (8 fluid ounces)
Nutritional Facts: 0 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat0g), 10mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Sweet Potato Fries, Side (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 220 calories, 10g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat0g), 370mg sodium, 30g carbs, 10g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Side of Fries (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 190 calories, 10g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 460mg sodium, 30g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Visit below restaurant in Hamtramck for healthy meals suggestion.
High Blood Pressure at Johnny Rockets
Fast-food restaurants are your last resort if you are suffering from high BP. Most fast food restaurants including Johnny Rockets offer foods rich in sodium. High sodium intake can be even lethal for people concerned with high blood pressure. However, you can always try the salads or choose food without any extra dressing or side dishes to limit your sodium intake.
Foods to Avoid at Johnny Rockets for High Blood Pressure
It is extremely important to avoid any kind of burgers with extra dressing at Johnny Rockets. You must also skip any kind of breakfast items except Pancakes at Johnny Rockets. Also, avoid Breakfast Belt Sandwich and Rocket Breakfast Burger at Johnny Rockets as both these items are too high in sodium. Also, avoid Crispy Chicken Salad and Grilled Chicken Club Salad as well as any kind of dressing on other low-sodium salads available at Johnny Rockets. Skip shakes containing Oreo on the Johnny Rockets menu as Oreo shakes served at Johnny Rockets are high in sodium.
Food Suggestions for High Blood Pressure at Johnny Rockets
Strawberry Chocolate Swirl Milkshake (1 shake)
Nutritional Facts: 810 calories, 40g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 30g), 300mg sodium, 90g carbs, 90g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Rocket Single Burger (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 240 calories, 20g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat10g), 350mg sodium, 10g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Route 66 Burger (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 240 calories, 20g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat10g), 350mg sodium, 10g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Garden Salad (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 150 calories, 10g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat10g), 260mg sodium, 10g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Side Salad (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 70 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat0g), 110mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Apple Juice (10 fluid ounces)
Nutritional Facts: 140 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat0g), 30mg sodium, 30g carbs, 30g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Visit below restaurant in Hamtramck for healthy meals suggestion.
High Cholesterol at Johnny Rockets
Burgers fall into the fast-food category and most fast-food items are high in cholesterol. If you're suffering from high cholesterol, then it is advised that you skip any meal with excessive fat and sugar.
Foods to Avoid at Johnny Rockets for High Cholesterol
You must skip all types of dressing on your burger. Also, avoid burgers like Smoke House Burger at all costs from Johnny Rockets menu. Skip all the drinks except coffee, iced tea, and diet coke as they are completely unhealthy for people with high cholesterol. Breakfast items on Johnny Rockets are very high in cholesterol and it is strictly recommended to avoid all the breakfast items on their menu including the sandwiches.
Food Suggestions to Maintain Cholesterol Level at Johnny Rockets
Kids Cappuccino Crunch Milkshake (1 shake)
Nutritional Facts: 740 calories, 30g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 20g), 310mg sodium, 100g carbs, 80g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Garden Black Bean Burger (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 330 calories, 30g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat10g), 650mg sodium, 10g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
The Spicy Houston Burger (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 190 calories, 20g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat10g), 700mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Kids Banana Shake (1 shake)
Nutritional Facts: 560 calories, 30g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat20g), 190mg sodium, 60g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Johnny's Breakfast Sandwich (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 180 calories, 20g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat10g), 230mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.
Q & A on Johnny Rockets
Who owns Johnny Rockets?
Johnny Rockets is founded by Ronn Teitelbaum. Today, the restaurant chain is owned by Sun Capital Partners.
Does Johnny Rockets serve breakfast?
Yes, Johnny Rockets has a separate breakfast section, especially for breakfast meal. Johnny Rockets serves breakfast all day and night.
Where is Johnny Rockets located near me?
There are over 320 Johnny Rockets outlets across the United States. You can find a Johnny Rockets restaurant nearby using our Restaurant Listings directory.
What time does Johnny Rockets open and close?
All Johnny Rockets restaurants in the United States opens at 8 AM and stays open till 9 PM. Some Johnny Rockets restaurants stay open till midnight at some locations.
Does Johnny Rockets have gluten-free?
Johnny Rockets offers a wide range of gluten-free items. You can opt for the gluten-free bun to turn your burger into a gluten-free burger. For assurance, you can check out Johnny Rockets gluten-free menu.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
About Johnny Rockets
Johnny Rockets is a restaurant franchise headquartered in the United States. The American restaurant chain features 1950s diner-style restaurant format with individual jukebox stations, red vinyl seats, chrome accents, etc. There are around 320 Johnny Rockets restaurants in the United States.
Ron Teitelbaum from Los Angeles, California founded Johnny Rockets as a recreation of the 1940s vintage themed malt shops of his childhood. The first Johnny Rockets began its operations on June 6, 1986. Johnny Rockets specializes in American burgers and sandwiches as well as offers salads, starters, and shakes to enrich your dining experience at Johnny Rockets.
Healthy Food Options at Johnny Rockets
Johnny Rockets is a fast-food restaurant and finding healthy food at Johnny Rockets can be a bit tricky. While you can always opt for the salads and healthy shakes at Johnny Rockets for healthy options, there are also some healthy burgers and sandwiches which you can bet on. Ensure that the sugar, sodium, and cholesterol is in check when you order food at Johnny Rockets.
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Address :
11411 Joseph Campau
Hamtramck, MI, 48212 - Phone (248) 633-3072
- Website https://www.rockcityeatery.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :4:00 pm - 11:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Meg K.
After Friday night's dinner at RCE I need to hike my rating to five stars. We've eaten here several times and there's always something on the menu to surprise and delight. This visit we were wowed by the layers of flavors and textures in the Korean spicy bowl - each complemented the other, definitely constructed with expertise. I want more. Our NY strip was precisely medium rare, perfectly seasoned and seared. The standout for me was the rosemary fries. I wish I would have payed more attention to the server's description - I think they were prepared in duck fat and tossed with Asiago cheese. I've thought about those fries a dozen times since. My only criticism would be the heirloom tomato salad; not the best choice for an offering in MI in Nov; the tomato was flavorless. Some greens would have been lovely. Our server was friendly and attentive. Looking forward to our next visit.
(5)Emily M.
I had never been to Hamtramck until I came here for my friends birthday! Very unique menu. I seriously had the best macaroni and cheese of my life! It even comes in a bowl made out of cheese! I didn't get a chance to try the drinks, but from the looks of the menu...they looked unique too!
(5)laura y.
Omg. Brunch is to die for. Couldn't decide what to get so the 4 of us shared a few things. Let me tell you.... Couldn't finish the chicken sandwich (add a fried egg!) and honestly if I died right now I would be happy. Everything about it is heaven.
(5)Jack T.
All meals must start with poutine. Very creative and fun dishes... Wonderful staff and owner.
(5)Shelley R.
This is by FAR my favorite restaurant in or around Detroit ! I've been there at least once of twice a month since last May ! The Mac & Cheese is the BEST I've ever had, the lamb burger is fab & the fries with poutine are to die for ! And the pies..... Well save some room ! Amazing owners as well as staff & for $2 you can buy everyone in the kitchen a round of drinks !! Oh and the Margarita is as awesome as the food !!!! Get there airless early, but I've walked in and been seated immediately ( guess I'm a regular now) ! Was even meeting a few friends for dinner and they offered to open early or open Sunday to accommodate a party of 10-12 or more which I thought was really cool !! Now you just need a place closer to my house !!!
(5)Erin H.
I had a good meal this past weekend while celebrating a friend's birthday. While we waited for a table we enjoyed our drinks. I'm partial to tequila and highly recommend the 'Bee Sting' with grapefruit/lime/honey/blue nectar tequila. The poutine was tasty, but the gravy was more cheese sauce than brown gravy. I had the Japanese pork noodles w/veggies - very fresh. The brussels sprouts were good - liked the Asian flavors. The restaurant was comfortable and I appreciated the low lighting.
(3)Anthony N.
mac and cheese bomb, duck fat fries bomb, pass on the octopus. Great service.
(4)Jenny Z.
This place is phenomenal. Everyday simple items like burgers, fries, salmon, etc. and some more interesting menu items like udon noodles all executed in a completely interesting new way. I rarely give a perfect score and having eaten in a full range of restaurants in many countries from hole in the walls all the way up to Joel Robuchon, this place is one of the best. I had the swiss chard, salmon and veggies, and chocolate caramel pie. The Swiss chard blew me away. Seriously a perfect blend of ingredients that each play a huge role in the overall flavor profile. The salmon was crisp on the outside and perfectly tender on the inside. The roasted veggies had a delicious bit of acidity from a balsamic vinegar. Perfection. My husband had the burger and fries in duck fat, the fries were unbelievable. I didn't try the burger but he assured me it was equally incredible. So whether you're considering a great bar or date night place or just an unpretentious restaurant to pig out on great food, this is your place. Ditch any plans for restaurants like Beau's or Mexx or Bistro 82 and head over to Hamtramack for this underpriced, underrated, and unpretentious gem.
(5)Mel B.
Slipped out of a near by party due to their eats lacking flair and decided to check out Rock City Eatery. It was a Saturday night, around 11pm I think. Walked in to hear some rocking music playing and to see there was only one other table there eating. Small/cozy place about (and I'm totally guessing here) 12 tables a lot of them 2 tops. I asked the guys in the kitchen if they were still serving food and they said "sure". YAY! Took a seat next to the front window, the server greeted us, very friendly dude. We got a few drinks and mine was delish, it was called Peace in the Middle East. Even though it was winter I kept thinking man this drink would also be really good on a hot summer day, should of gotten another! I think we also got a drink called Aviation which was good but I was loving mine more. Ordered a few things, Lamb Burger which if I remember correctly had a egg on top so freaking good. And a order of Nicole's Poutine which was fries, duck confit gravy, cheese curds and we added a fried egg. OMG so amazing I wish I didn't share that poutine. That poutine has to be one of the best poutines I've had outside of Canada. I was stuffed but wanted some pie of course so I decided to order a slice and take it home with me but sadly and I was very very sad let me add I left it there!!!!! And by the time I figured out what I had done they were closed....gone:(...... It was the Blueberry Cream Pie I had ordered but luckily I've had it before or then again maybe I wasn't so lucky since i had the pie before and knew it was so darn good! To make up for this event I shall order a whole pie all for myself since they do take pie orders, another yay! So glad the pie guy opened this joint, can't wait to try out more of the menu!
(5)Lindsay M.
We ordered a bunch of different things and everything was great. I would have to say the BBQ pork Mac and cheese and the octopus were my favorite. Our servers were very knowledgable and friendly. They have a great selection of spirits.
(5)Harry R.
I've been here many times since they first opened, and will likely go back, with much lower expectations. The menu is interesting and ambitious, but often falls short in execution. I've sent back poorly made cocktails, and wished I sent back cold soggy fries, and other dishes but didn't because I felt bad. Last time I ordered the lamb burger, which came out 5 min before dates steak, with no steak knives, nor any way to share so I wouldn't be rude to eat while my date waited. When we finally got into the food, it was mediocre. The feta in the burger was cold, the bun soggy, and the toppings didn't hold up. Similar for the Vietnamese steak, which was bland. The server was both inattentive and unprofessional, capping the experience with a 15 min wait for the check. Guys, I want to love this place, but you gotta step your game up. Please.
(2)Amy S.
I love this place and would give it 5 stars but I can only give it 3..... We were seated and told our waiter would come to us shortly, but he/she never came. About 20 minutes passed and we finally got someone's attention. I think he was the manager or something because he was very apologetic and just an AWESOME waiter. Very personable, friendly and helpful. He recommended the oxtail to my boyfriend and the veggie noodle dish for me. I also had the RC cocktail and my boyfriend had another delicious mixed drink that I can't remember. We had the Brussels sprouts to share and my oh my, were they amazing. They are right on par with the Roast Brussels sprouts. We also split a berry pie for dessert... yum! I would still be thinking about all those delicious Brussels we consumed here but unfortunately I got food poisoning that evening when I returned home. I was really upset about this because the food was just downright delicious. I'm hoping it wasn't the food and just another bug because I really, really want to to return to Rock City.
(3)Christi S.
Came for dinner on a Tuesday night and was extremely pleased with the quaintness, service and dishes that were served. I chose the green beans and a salad with drink and my server Roxy was very helpful and friendly. The quality of the food was fresh and crisp and all the staff was very welcoming. Sommer helped me with directions as I had traveled a bit to try this extraordinary establishment. I felt very welcomed and had an enjoyable meal. I would highly recommend this Eatery. Thank you to all the staff that made me feel at home!!
(5)Laura N.
Amazing food, service, drinks and music. I loved the vibe and uniqueness of this place. A MUST if you're in Detroit. I only wish that they were open during the day!
(5)Michael A.
Super delicious food. The carrots tasted like Sweet Tarts. The poutine was ravenous. Most everything was straight from the kitchen & hot. Great beer local menu. Don't get the burger: farm (to freezer) to table.
(4)Sachin M.
The food is fantastic! The take on Asian food is thoroughly authentic and refreshing. Decor and music eclectic. The not-so-common selection of beer along with the usual ones pairs very well with their food. Now..I've heard that the food is salty.. And it is to some extent. But I wouldn't have my octopus any other way.
(4)Denise E.
The food is inventive, well prepared, perfectly seasoned, varying, and delicious above all else. With Pie Guy at the helm, what more could you expect? Well, you could also expect super cheap cocktails under $5 and delicious pies. And a quirky environment with attentive service. And you'd be right. The IPA ramen was better than any momofuko ramen I've ever had. The heirloom carrots were the best vegetable of my life. Long live Rock City Eatery!
(5)Lily G.
Great service, great food, great drink selection. We got the burger, mac and cheese, and brussel sprouts. All were amazing. The Purple Drank was unexpected and refreshing. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Lainie B.
Left a bad taste in my mouth, was asked to add money to the bill to "buy the kitchen a round". This was handwritten on a copy of the check after I said ok (I didn't feel like I could say no, I know that's stupid). Called to talk to a manager or owner and no one can tell me when someone might be available. GF Mac n cheese was way undercooked. Food has been hit or miss. After this experience I'm not sure ill return.
(2)Matt N.
All that needs to be said is that the flavors of everything leave nothing to be desired...perfect balance. Go now.
(5)J P.
Just tried this place and it was really good. Had the Mac'n'cheese w/ duck & wild mushrooms in it, super good. Our server was super nice & down to earth. I'll be back.
(4)T A.
We keep going back to discover new dishes and revisit old ones. I've ordered the Seafood Soup, Green Beans, Grilled Cheese / Tomato Soup, Mac & Cheese and the NY Strip (multiply). All are amazing, soup has great combination of flavors, green beans are perfectly cooked, Mac & Cheese is out of this world, and the crust on the steak is incredible. I'd eat the brisket poutine fries every day if I didn't have the waistline that I do. While service can lag because they are so busy, the servers are very good and I am always with good company so i don't mind the wait. I wish they had a bigger floor because they are always busy and seem to be growing! Kudos all around.
(5)Jasmine J.
One thing that really upsets me about this place is that they use pork in a lot of dishes and since I can't have any pork I'm very limited to what I can eat here. (FYI they are located in Hamtramck where a large part of the community is Muslim.) I've been coming here for a while now so I've definitely already tried many of the daily dishes but would like to see them make some 'specials' that aren't always made with pork. I did once get the salmon and it was super undercooked and bland. I've had my share of bad experiences here but not all were bad. My biggest advice is don't come around holidays or weekends they can't handle it. Either your food will be to salty or bland.
(2)Jayme B.
My husband and I have eaten at Rock City on multiple occasions now, and the bottom line is that the food is outstanding. So different from anywhere else in the city and surrounding areas. The menu is very inventive and I appreciate the sourcing of local ingredients. A few fave dishes: The Mac & Cheese is absolutely to die for. Better than Slow's, better than the Union's, better than any other mac and cheese in the area. My husband adores Nicole's Poutine, and it is indeed off the charts. The Brussels are extremely flavorful and have a nice kick which I love. The addition of peanuts takes them up another notch. The staff is also very friendly and they have some interesting and tasty cocktails. A word of advice is to try this place for your first time on the weekdays. Weekends are a zoo as the eclectic space is on the smaller side and fills up quick!
(5)Nuri G.
This was one of the best dinners I've had in a long time. Seriously. They may be known for their creative meaty dishes, but there are a plethora of vegetarian options that will keep . Vegetarians should go nuts for this spot. We had: - Brussels Sprouts (spicy, complex) - Mac and Cheese (better than Slow's, hands down... maybe one of the best in the city) - Multi-colored Cauliflower (with mint, and lots of lightly sweet savory happiness) - Winter Squash (sweet, happy, complex, could eat all day) - Pie - Whiskey Sour - Peace in the Middle East They also have green beans and smoked potato salad on their menu -- good thing we didn't try them all. Each dish is about $6 or $7, and comes in a fairly large bowl. They're sharing sized, and adequately portioned. Every single element in our dinner stood on it's own. The amazing depth, complexity, and flavor that came out of each of our dishes was noteworthy; however, it's completely unassuming and humble at the same time. We rocked out to old school punk and sipped our cocktails. Service was incredible, as well. Stop in for dinner. Seriously. Hell, stop in for a piece of pie and a cocktail. You can't go wrong.
(5)Michele A.
Let me start by saying this review is based on a Wednesday night visit. My husband and I went for dinner after work and read the reviews before going so we knew how to order. This place is the type where you share and order about 3-4 things for 2 people. We had green beans which were good and the mac n cheese amazing full of black pepper and flavor. We ordered the bone marrow which was meh and we were disappointing until we discovered that if you finish the entire thing they give you a shot from the bone! made for a fun night. We also had the pouitine frys (spelling on that) that had duck confiet great full of flavor. Lets get to the amazing part. The PIE! We had both kinds cherry whiskey and pecan burbon both amazing. For drinks we got 2 beers one sour owl and my husband had some IPA. I also added one of their mixed drinks the ginger fizz that was outstanding. Needless to say we will be back. The service was relaxed and great.
(5)m. f.
Went with good friends for a early dinner. First appetizer was the Brussels sprouts with peanut, chiles ... Excellent match of flavors and perfectly cooked. Our waitress was really good. She provides great suggestions such as the Mac n cheese with broccoli, brisket, mushrooms and goat cheese. Tasted amazing and we never would have thought to order it that way. I tasted the Grapefruit Old Fashioned, which I wish I had ordered for myself. The drink and beer selection is befitting a serious bar and here it's squeezed into a corner of this restaurant and well executed. For dinner I had the Korean noodle bowl special with shrimp. Flavors were great and it was packed full of stuff. Great choice for a cold night. The pumpkin bread pudding was just ok. Might be a personal preference thing. And like most places the coffee is not executed as well as the rest of the food. But that won't keep me from giving it a strong recommendation.
(5)Karey Q.
I can't even. Brussel sprouts that are delectably spicy and nutty at the same time, Mac and cheese in a fried cheese bowl (ahh!), a delicious dish called potato noir that involves Parmesan cheese and mushrooms and so much good pie!!! The food's among some of the best done in the Detroit area. This is the place I bring people when they are having a bad day and say, "Look! A bowl of the most creamy, gooey, satisfying mac n' cheese of your life! And it's in a bowl of fried cheese! Rejoice!" It has done the trick on several occasions.
(5)Bonnie G.
This was not my first visit to rock city, and will not be my last. I came with a few friends on a Wednesday night as we were excited to try the new menu! The new menu items really stood out compared to the old. We got there around 7 and were the only customers for around an hour. I got a cocktail while we waited for our other friend to join us. Peace in the middle east, delicious but sweet (and only $4). People slowly filled up the small space with around 5 tables. My friend came in late after getting lost in Hamtramck, and getting me worked up over a prank that she would not be joining us. This was after we had waited for her. We got over it. We quickly ordered several plates to share. We all wanted to try the Bourdain dinner, so that was a must on the list. The marrow was a nice treat, and we ended up fighting over it. My other favorite was the duck and shrimp meatballs with udon; lots of flavor. The ribs were served almost cold, but were still tasty. The pies were delicious. We ended up buying out their last 2 slices. Finally I had tried their pie!! The last two times I had not saved room for dessert. I would recommend sharing several dishes as it was a good way to try them all for a good price. It ended up being around $25 for us to share drinks, dinner, and dessert. The service was great! Very attentive and friendly waiter. The restaurant did get smokey during the meal. It was not noticeable to my friends, but I did leave with smells of the restaurant on me. A small price to pay for such a good meal.
(5)Alexis S.
Amazing! My bf and I love eating several small plates instead of just two entrees so this place was def. on our list to try out. We tried several drinks and liked them all. I like the idea of cheap mixed drinks. Green dot does this too, but not as well. For dinner we had the brussels sprouts, bone marrow, pork belly, and max 'n cheese. We can't wait to come back to try the rest of the menu. The waiter was excellent and even brought us a shot to luge down the marrow:) haha. My bf is a chef and is not easy to impress food-wise, but after this meal, he was glowing. This place is just what Detroit needs:) Oh, they were out of their famous pies so we also got bread pudding to go which was fun. But I've heard good things about those pies....
(5)Felicia R.
Soooo good! Affordable, fresh, innovative food. Had the brussels, chicken and rice, and berry pie. I was blown away by everything!! Eat here!!!
(4)Lisa B.
I fell in love with Rock City Pies when they were at the Rust Belt. When I saw that it had been a year since the eatery opened and I still hadn't been there, I knew I had to rectify that mistake. We went on a Friday night about 9 o'clock. The waitress was very nice, and attentive. I thought the menu was a little lacking, no appetizers, but when I saw the pork ragu special, I was sold. The boy went with the lamb burger, in no small part because it came with duck fat fries. The pork ragu was delicious. There were big hunks of tender pork mixed in with the pappardalle noodles and a tomato based sauce. The lamb burger was surprisingly spicy. It was also juicy and moist and tasty. The fries were to die for. Please fry everything forever in duck fat. The pies were awesome, obviously. I had the chocolate caramel pie, and the boy got the butterscotch pecan pie. So, so good. My Manhattan was pretty standard. It came with a cinnamon stick, which was nice, and was only $4, which was nicer. I'll definitely go again. It could use a few appetizer selections, or at least some bread. We ended up paying about $50 for two entrees, two drinks and two pieces of pie. I feel like that might be a little steep. It definitely has a pretty hip vibe, so this may not be a place to bring the parents.
(4)elise m.
Amazing food made with top notch ingredients and served in an environment where you don't have to feel guilty about slurping, devouring and shamelessly savoring every last bite.
(5)Nanette M.
I love-loved this place. Wonder how long I missed it. I think for this quality the prices are fantastic. The waitress was perfectly attentive and skilled. No hovering, no up-selling. 4 of us ordered different meals and shared, we could not resist. I loved the undercooked scallops topped with heirloom tomatos and with ricotta, basil and balsamic. The mac/cheese was best ever, and I don't order that out as I am never happy with mac & cheese outside my own kitchen. The pie was shared too, cherry-bourbon I think, and my friend took a piece of the Peanutbutter & Jelly/berry home. Can't wait to go back, the menu is ever-changing.
(5)Carla V.
Hands down my favorite restaurant in the Metro Detroit area. I have had and loved: brussel sprouts, chard, potatoes noir, cucumber salad, duck/cumin noodle soup, duck/shrimp meatballs, red pasta, ribs, RC cocktail, journey to mexico cocktail...... The food is innovative, experimental, and on par with what you would get in a major food city like San Francisco. I sometimes think that metro Detroit is just not ready for the cuisine at RCE. I look around when I'm there and I see lots of people eating the Mac and Cheese as an entree. Yes it is delicious - - it is the reason my almost 4 year old considers RCE his favorite restaurant. But oh my goodness, all of the food is delicious and expertly put together. The only dish that didn't work for me was the ox tails because it was oversalted, to the point that I couldn't finish it. I chalked that one up to an accident. And it did not stop me from coming back. So the next time you go, order plates for the table; that way you can have your Mac and Cheese and also try the vegetable plates or the shrimp heads or whatever is on special. The prices are so reasonable - it is a great place to try something different. Buy the kitchen staff the round for $2. They are awesome. The servers are the best - always super nice to our son and very nice to us even though, as middle aged parents, we don't fit the profile of the average patron. Edited to add - in response to another review about not bringing your parents because RCE is too hip. RCE is also my mom's favorite restaurant when she comes to visit us from the SF Bay Area. I'm not saying this is the perfect spot for all 4 year olds or all grandmothers but don't rule it out if your children or their grandparents are adventurous eaters.
(5)Tara S.
Hit or miss. Usually miss, unfortunately. I live in the neighborhood and would probably be a regular if the food was good. I've been a total of four times and had one great meal there, two were absolutely terrible (one also being embarrassing as I had out of town guests that i had to take to another restaurant because the food and service were so bad that everyone left without eating) and once that was decent, at best. Too much meat on the menu and what they serve as a vegetarian substitute is a joke-four gross little strips of deep fried tempeh and some random sauce of their choosing, but at the same cost as the meal they attempted to substitute. Some of the sides are good if you get them on a night that they eased up on the salt. Also, if I'm having dinner at 6p on a Monday my order shouldn't be wrong because the waitress can't hear over the nofx blaring for the three people in the place.
(2)Jillian G.
Wow. Just had diner at this kitchy eatery. Service was great, food was delicious. As a world traveler I have the pleasure of eating some of the most delicious food this great planet of ours has to offer. The problem with that is that it raises the bar extremely high. It was wonderful and refreshing to be able to taste the freshness in the ingredients. Nothing tasted frozen, and I appreciate that. This place is a must if you like delicious food that pays attention to the details. I only hope they never lose that standard. 5 stars for the reasonable prices of good food and beverage. The margarita was top notch too, with fresh pieces of ginger to boot. I'll be back with friends!
(5)Derek C.
Over all the food was good. However when I got my ribs they were delicious just not hot. I sent them back and they returned in about one minute..............weird now they taste like chicken!!!! Damn hipsters threw them in the fryer! !!!!! Booooooooooo!! (They comped the ribs) I will return and try again. "Peace in the middle east" and ginger fizz" amazing!
(4)Kevin K.
Don't order the Swiss chard unless you feel like chewing on something indigestible and green for ten minutes and don't even think about trying to get your money back either. Suppose I should have known what Swiss chard was. !!!update!!!!! The pie is fantastic the ambiance is pretty chill. a great space. Plenty of good beer on tap too. I think next time I come in I will try the Mac. I think I jumped the gun earlier. Sorry everyone.
(4)Zach D.
UPDATE: This place is still THE premiere eatery in metro Detroit. Fantastic food, great drinks, and pies so good id commit perjury for
(5)Vickie R.
My husband and I were looking for an unique place to eat around Hamtramck, and Yelp led us here. It's not a big restaurant, but the food is packed with big flavors. For an appetizer, we ordered the Spicy Roasted Brussel Sprouts. I'm usually not a baby about heat, but these were hot, like gives you heartburn in less than 5 minutes hot. But, it did also come with some lightly roasted grape tomatoes, peanuts, and cilantro, so that your palette can cool down a bit before you go back for another piece. For the entrees, we split the poutine and the mac and cheese with added goat cheese, wild mushroom, and pork belly. No, we certainly did not go there expecting to eat a healthy meal. The poutine was delightful. The duck was really tender, and it wasn't a giant mound of fries w a little bit of duck and cheese curd. It was like, would you like some fries with that meat and cheese? Then, I drooled when the mac and cheese came out. Not only was it gooey and piping hot, it was served in a parmesan cheese bowl. The combination we chose was heavenly. I think we over did it because we to take some home, but it was impossible to go with just one thing. I absolutely want to go back again, but I think this time I'm going to try the Pork Destroyer Soup. Someone at the next table had that and I was actually kind of jealous.
(5)Bruno V.
Rock City Eatery is more than worth the trip to Hamtramck. Delicious poutine for starters. The lamb burger was extremely well prepared and tasty. What really knocked it out of the park was ... the Brussels Sprouts. That's probably the first time I said that about Brussels Sprouts. Make sure you leave some room for dessert, the pecan pie was the perfect end of the meal. I'll be back, with friends!
(5)Neil Y.
I'm all about spending money locally. I'm Mr. Local. My wife didn't feel like cooking tonight so the family and I headed to the much hyped Rock City Eatery. Monday evening and the dining room is sparsely populated with only four other patrons. I don't read into it other than the wait should be minimal. We were told to take any table so we took one right in the middle. The place only seats about 35 people so it's hard to get lost. However, it took our waitress almost ten minutes to stop by our table even though she walked by us a dozen times. Carnitas sounded awesome but the specials posted in chalk were from last week. No carnitas. Screw it, this place is known for pies so I'll have the pie for dinner. YOLO??? They only had two pies available: Frankenstein and Bourbon Pecan. The Frankenstein pie is a bunch of melted candy bars in a crust. I'll pass. Bourbon Pecan is as it sounds but really, only bourbon sounded good at the moment ergo, I didn't have the pie. Very disappointing. We ordered the Mac 'N' Cheese, the RC burger, the grilled cheese and the Un-Kosher brisket sandwich. Food took 20+ minutes to reach the table. The Mac'N'Cheese was the best offering but it was lost on me; a decent cheese blend and box cavatapi noodles. My wife and kids enjoyed it though. The burger was good but just has too much going on with the onions and the tomato confit which made it a little messy. The grilled cheese was also tasty but by the time it reached the table it was cold and the cheese had already started to harden back up. BOOOOOOOO! The brisket sandwich was respectable but I enjoyed only components of it. The brisket was very well prepared and the onions cooked in sweet wine were an excellent compliment. However, and this is my pet peeve with many places that try to up the ante with the bread, enough with the ciabatta already. The menu didn't specify the sandwiches to be on ciabatta but they all came on ciabatta. I just ate the brisket and onions and tossed everything else out. Duck fat fries were also very good. Cooked just how I like them. My list of gripes: 1. See ciabatta complaint above. 2. Server looked the part that fits a hipster establishment but lacks waitress skills. 3. Most cooks were not wearing hats or hair nets; only one of the three was. This really bothers me. 4. Music is unnecessarily loud. Playing the Best of the Ramones is cool but now we all have to talk over the music. 5. Staff drinks beer while working. The menu even allows you to buy them drinks. At the risk of sounding uncool, how about optimizing their concentration so that they can execute their assigned tasks better ie. cooking and serving? 6. Tables anywhere near the door will be cold every time the door opens. Sit towards the back. 7. It's too early in the game to not live up to the hype. 8. Forks and knives are at the center of the table. At 5:30 PM, thejars with the utensils should not be empty. 9. Hot food on cold greens causes immediate wilting. That's great if it's spinach but not lettuce. Our visit was disappointing. RCE definitely has potential if it buckles down and focuses on why it opened as an eatery in the first place. Right now, the focus is on being cool instead of being good. Perhaps I can leave RCE with a little Iggy Pop: "If you give a good performance, something that gets some feeling across to people, that's such a rare gift."
(2)Angela R.
I was really excited to try RCE and my boyfriend and I decided to try it out last Friday night. When we arrived at the restaurant we sat by the door - it was the best table available to accommodate two people without taking too much space. It was so cold in that spot. As soon as another two seat table opened we moved. I would not recommend that spot to anyone, especially as winter is coming. This place is also family friendly with extremely loud music playing. It was very loud. No biggie for me though. I was there for the food. First we got drinks. Drinks are awesome and worthy of five stars. I had the infused vodka of the day which was light and perfect. By the end of dinner we ordered horchata with rum and sparkling absinthe. Drinks were all under $5 each and were exactly what we wanted! So since I've been looking at the menu for so long and the specials were awesome (and only a limited time), I couldn't make up my mind as to what to order. I decided to get the mac n cheese AND three of the special tacos. I knew ordering the tacos in addition to the mac n cheese would allow me to have at least one meal for late night Friday or breakfast on Saturday. Bonus!!! So now the food. The mac n cheese was fabulous! I would recommend it. My bf really liked it too, said it was better than Vinsettas. I'm not sure about that but it's good. He ordered the lamb hamburger and he liked it. It was a little undercooked for how he ordered it but he still ate most of it. Now let's get to the bad part of the food......the tacos. Seriously the corn tortillas were so hard they snapped in half when I tried to eat one (these were not deep fried). Oh well. I figured I would take the other two home and cook them perfectly as leftovers. I highly recommend NOT TO GET TACOS HERE. The corn tortillas need to be steamed before you serve them. So now let's get to the really bad part......I asked for a box for my two untouched tacos and leftover Mac n cheese. Well, the waitress came over and instead of taking our plate back to wrap up the leftovers......SHE THREW THEM OUT AND THEN CAME BACK TO THE TABLE AND SAID "I THREW OUT YOUR TACOS.....IS THAT OKAY?" Ummmmm, no!!!!!!!!! I just got done working a 10.5 hour shift and was not about to argue with the waitress. She didn't care that my leftovers were thrown out. I was sad. What a disappointment. Overall bad service and bad tacos. Good drinks and mac n cheese.
(3)Frederick R.
Ate dinner here last night. Delicious, affordable food in a nice setting. Started with the poutine and squash apps (poutine was incredible). Had the short ribs for dinner. Really tasty. Definitely worth a visit. I will be telling my friends.
(4)Heidi M.
Yum! Loved everything about it, the only thing keeping it from being a strong 5 stars was that the service was a little lacking. Our waitress wasn't able to describe dishes or tell us what the ingredients were and she wasn't very attentive. Besides that, it was great. Food, ambiance, and prices were all spot on. The interior is small but cozy, with an eclectic mix of furniture and art. The food was all great. I had the mac n cheese which was delicious, rich, and creamy. My friend had the lamb sandwich which has lots of flavor. We also had the carrots and the brussel sprouts. Both had great flavor but the sprouts were a little under cooked. Oh and don't forget the cocktails. You choice of several craft cocktails for only $4 each. Not to mention M. Lawrence wine for $5 a glass, yes please!!
(4)Sean H.
This is a much needed addition to the culinary delights to be found in Hamtramck. While Hamtown is a the best for all things authentic (Indian, Bengali, Bosnian, Polish, Yemen food etc...) and has some great diners and cafes, there is a lack of places that have "chic atmosphere" and "American classics made hip." This is how I would describe RCE: Chic atmosphere with a great menu consisting of American classics with a hip twist. You walk in and the decor is very DIY and inventive. All the tables are "Franken-tables", furniture monstrosities built from various furniture. This theme of improvisation continues with the table settings (Bell jars and mismatched china) and even the music (someone's Ipod.) It really seems to work and the weird tables are fun to adapt to and talk about. The menu here is really interesting. I simply love the Mac and Cheese, I don't want to blow the surprise for you but it comes in A BOWL MADE OF CHEESE! Yeah you read that right! I am a meat and cheese kinda guy but the vegetables here are awesome too. I have had the carrots, cauliflower and brussel sprouts. All of them were super yummy, with a lot of flavors that compliment the perfectly prepared veggie. I particularly enjoyed the brussel sprouts which really compliment the Mac and Cheese. The prices are pretty reasonable for the adventurous menu and the drinks and pies are also good. I have taken 8 different people here so far and everyone has loved it. I think once this place finds it stride, and gets some better art on the walls (local artists please) it is going to be really great and 5-star worthy.
(4)Joe B.
Came here for brunch on Sunday and I had a great time. Arrived at 1 pm and had no problem getting seated. Couldnt help but notice Detroit musical legend Amp Fiddler there with a large group having fun. I was a little bummed on Sunday the menu is so limited as I really wanted to try thte mac n cheese and the burger. Anyways we ordered the Pork Belly Roti, the Chicken Biscuit Sandwich a veggie hash. The roti and sandwich were absolutely delicious but the has was dissappointing. I would go back again and again for the sandwich and Roti. We had great service and am looking forward to coming back for dinner and brunch again. Next time for drinks/beers as well as I seen a very nice selection.
(4)Ernesto V.
A real treasure in the hip up and coming Hamtramck area. I had a lamb burger and it lived up to my expectation. The lamb meat patty had a delicious taste, and with the Bulgarian feta, caramelized onions, za'atar labneh and harissa it was actually pretty amazing. It came with a side of duck fat fries, which are my absolute favorite kind of fries. They were crunchy, salty, and just very comforting and pleasing. My girl had a wild mushroom soup that was a real treat as well. It reminded me of pho because of the portion, and because it came with noodles and fresh basil. Our friends had a seafood soup that they spoke very highly of. Rock City also has a very extensive Michigan beer list and a wonderful array of spirits. Even though the food is a bit pricey, it really isn't when you consider the food isn't glorified fast food or sub-standard sandwiches... the ingredients are all fresh and the way the chef blends the tastes shows a lot of adventure and experience in his cooking. I will always prefer to pay a few extra bucks for a really really good meal, than save a couple bucks and eat processed or bland food. This restaurant is already at a very high spot on my favorites list. =) I would recommend everybody to give it a shot, and have a shot there too while you're at it =)
(5)A G.
Unique twist on American food. I have to admit, I did not know what to expect when I came here. I appreciate being pleasantly surprised. The food was amazing, the pie's were as good as I remember. Been here twice and so far I have been happy with the service and the food both times.
(5)Jimmy G.
It was 2 in the afternoon we were going to stop here to try something new for lunch. Walked in and was told they have no food left. The gentlemen told us the people who were there earlier bought it all and now the kitchen is closed. Lol what!?! I was sad because it sounds like they have great food but I definitely will never go out of my way to eat here again.
(2)Dawn C.
I live a few blocks from RCE and have wanted to try it since they opened. Finally got the chance and both bf and I loved it! The spot is small but we got a table right away as another couple was just leaving. Bf ordered the oxtails which he said was really great and I had the lamb burger with duck fat fries. The fries were crispy and delicious. We also shared an order of Brussel sprouts. Omg! So good! Tons of spicy flavor and texture. We took slices of pie home and it was good too. Our waitress was friendly and knowledgeable. It's a laid back neighborhood place with an interesting menu, casual, fun. We will be back.
(4)Jennie B.
I went to Rock City for their Detroit Beer Week Darkhorse specials. I was really impressed by everything I tried there. The Mac n cheese was served in a frico cheese bowl- incredible (but I'd share it because it's extremely rich!). The ramen and the burger were both also fantastic, with complex and unique flavors. The service was really slow but very friendly, and they ran out of several dishes, but I attribute it to them being new. Overall, you need to go here. Tonight.
(4)Ann B.
Wow! We ended up here somewhat hesitantly, after our original Hamtramck dinner plan fell through. We didn't know what to expect at all. This place is really terrific. The vegetable dishes were the first to catch our eye, and every one was original and tasty. The brussels sprouts were intricately Thai flavored, distinct and improved from the (still tasty) deep-fried-siracha sprouts so many places serve now. The green beans had an excellent grilled flavor, balanced nicely with the cashews and sauce. And the fig salad was beautiful...it could have been dessert. The cocktails were affordable and good. I had the best $5 glass of wine I've ever had in a restaurant. At these prices, you can enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine without doubling your bill. Our main dishes were all tasty. I had the lamb burger, which was flavorful and well prepared. Desserts were great, too. Both the mac and cheese and sandwiches can come gluten free. We didn't order the mac and cheese, but when I saw it delivered to another table I was very jealous. I'd definitely give a try next time. What a find! It made me wish I lived in Hamtramck and could make it my local diner.
(5)Dillon F.
Service was super friendly, the drinks were inexpensive, and the short rib was unbelievably flavorful. I'm not sure I've ever had such a high-quality meal for such a good value. I can't wait to go back, it's that good.
(5)Emily E.
I'll keep it short and sweet. Everything here is lovely! The people, the food, the atmosphere. I wish this was in my neighborhood as I don't think I'd cook anymore. As everyone says, Mac 'n' cheese is delish! The drinks are very well done with great touches, cinnamon sticks! (etc.) and reasonably priced to boot. This is a perfect place to hang out and indulge. It almost reminds me of a coffee shop (vibe-wise) with most excellent food offerings. I can't wait to try the rest of the food, especially the duck fat fries...which were sold out when I was there last). Way to go RCE!
(5)C C.
We had a party of 13 and even though this is a small restaurant that seats about 35, we were very well accommodated with seating. I had read prior reviews about poor service, but our waitress couldn't have been any friendlier. Also acceptable was the noise level of the background music, which several reviewers had complained about. The menu offerings are not plentiful and a bit strange, sort of Bohemian - not that Bohemian food in itself is strange... heck, much of my family came from what was once Bohemia, but they seem mismatched. Some of offerings need further printed details as to what the food is. Many items should be considered a la carte - after all, how many individuals can order a $7 bowl of brussels sprouts (which were very good) or green beans, and think of it as a complete meal? Because of this, our group ordered items with the intent of sharing. Many items are somewhat pricey for what they are and for the portion sizes. The sprouts for example was enough for 2 but a stretch for 3. With the size of our group, we ordered a good portion of what was on the menu and all of the food was available, something that was also complained about in prior reviews. I won't go on to name each food item but with only a few of exceptions, the food was well liked. One item that was not highly praised was the ribs. For $12 one would expect more than 4 less than average sized ribs - other then the garnish, nothing more comes with it. The meat is dry-rubbed cooked and being that they were also overdone, they were dry. One person found the lamb chops to be too fatty for their liking. The lamb cheese burger had great flavor and was prepared as ordered, but the sauteed onions that topped it were cold - as if they were cooked and stored in a refrigerator. That would be fine as long as they were flash-heated again before being served. One final complaint from our group was the smoke that is generated from the kitchen area, of which is open to the dining area. Our eyes were tearing and many of us began coughing, some of which could have been caused by the chili peppers that are used often in the food preparation. A better ventilation system for the kitchen is a must have. Would we return? Most of us said "No". This is not because of the taste of the food or the service, but generally because of the chili pepper smoke filled air, and the limited, somewhat pricey, mismatched menu choices.
(3)Travis R.
Good food, drinks, service, & prices. Seems like the kind of neighborhood spot you'd find in Chicago or Ferndale. Small & intimate. Slow when I was there, but good music & feel. Some of the stools against the wall might not be comfortable for a longer visit, but there are a few seating options. Tried about five food items and drinks with success. With the exception of the Mac & Cheese, which was good & rich (as expected), I was relieved that the food wasn't too rich or sweet. Well balanced & even nutritious. Pie is supposed to be a specialty, but I wasn't wowed by the one I had. I was there at 5:00 on a Monday, so I don't know how busy they get, but I wish them success.
(5)Greg H.
I don't even know how to describe what I just ate but it was amazing. Definitely worth a stop....and get the Thai peanut Brussels sprouts..... Holy crap
(5)Amy J.
I give this place 5 stars even though the service has been not great the 3 times I've been there. It's not that the servers aren't nice, they're just generally too busy. They're too busy because the food is phenomenal! The Mac and cheese is the best in town and the rest of the menu is seasonal and inventive.
(5)Stephanie D.
The food consistently impresses me in taste, creativity and appearance. Always very prompt and friendly service. Such an overall fantastic place, with great food, a fun, upscale yet unpretentious vibe. There's a reason it's our favorite go-to eatery. Keep up the great work, Rock City Eatery!
(5)Dan B.
Thank you Yelp for another great find! We came from Ann Arbor and were happy to discover nteresting, unusual, tasty eats, a fun setting, knowledgeable & enjoyable staff and yes, an amazing bourbon pecan pie to finish off. Highly recommended - all very affordable, especially compared to our own many inferior, overpriced establishments.
(4)AJ F.
Awesome food, small focused menu, drinks can be inconsistent but my gin fizz was awesome, surprising use of Thai spices with a mostly new American cuisine. Felt a bit of tension about if they want their presentation to be cuisiné, hipster, or rustic but the food, especially the meat, was good enough it might not matter. Nice quality fresh herbs (micro/hydro?). Oh yeah and I normally feel disappointed by all pie but the Bourbon cherry, complete with brown sugar cookie crust, has completely changed my feelings on the subject.
(5)Christian S.
I don't get up for brunch like ever cause I love sleeping in but this place just makes it worth it !! The music and food is bomb, don't even get me started on the mimozas !!!
(5)Melissa W.
The mac & cheese was very good. It's served in a Parmesan cheese bowl. Very creamy and rich. Toward the end, it became a bit salty. The caramel apple pie is amazing.
(4)Aniuka G.
Mac and cheese bowl= whoa.
(5)Andrea T.
The food is great (the brisket sandwich is awesome!) and I love the budget friendly and lengthy drink menu. However, there are some missteps that prevent me from giving them a higher rating. Both times I dined there the server began by listing several items they were out of. Not a big deal really, but it's not a very positive way to begin your dining experience. I understand that they are a small restaurant and don't have large quantities of inventory on hand at all times. But, this could easily be remedied by writing out a daily menu on a chalkboard instead, or printing daily menus. Also, the music is sooo loud. I feel like an old lady saying that, but it really is super loud. Overall, I would recommend Rock City Eatery but with reservations. I hope that they continue to grow and refine their service because I think they are a great addition to Hamtramck.
(3)Mot E.
First visit. We won't be going back. We ordered three items from the menu. Two of which were awful. The Brussel Sprout side dish tasted like the chef dumped a cup of salt over it. After one bite we were done. We than ordered the spicy sesame chicken wings. They were so burnt, you had to ingest the charred outer layer to get to the flavorless chicken, that was also over-salted. The sesame seeds were nowhere to be found and the wings were buried in a massive mound of chile peppers, that added nothing to the flavorless wings. The Mac and cheese entree was the only entree worth eating. We told two separate staff members how disappointed we were, but ended up paying the full bill. Our waiter Jordan was a great and attentive waiter, but there was little reason to ever come back.
(1)Jennifer F.
Overall what a great experiance! I went with four friends on a Friday night aroud 8 PM and were able to sit right away. Great drink selection. I didn't like the drink I ordered (death in the afternoon) so after a push from my friends I told them I didn't like it and they replaced it. I usually don't do that, but I didn't like the absinthe in it. The Brussel sprouts were ok. I would say the green beans were better! I got the lamb entree and it was really good. For the price, the portion size is very big. My friend got the mac and cheese and liked it. It was very rich.
(4)Rachel F.
Rock City frankly Rocks. And is easily the best place that opened up around Detroit in the past year. Not only is the menu unique but so is the atmosphere. It's a tiny place so I wouldn't advise a group over 4. After stopping by at least 5 times, I'm a really sold on everything they serve. My only slight issue is they serve everything on Ciabbata roll (not my favorite bread) but others love it. But if you no matter what get the Brussel Sprouts - they will ROCK City your world.
(5)R M.
I had one of the best meals I've had in a very long time at Rock City Eatery. My craft cocktail was made with care and was delicious. I cannot wait to try all the others. The mouthwatering presentation of the food was second only to the awesome tastes! I had the roasted brussels sprouts, poutine and mac 'n cheese and all three were so rich in flavor. The perfectly seasoned mac 'n cheese is served in an edible Parmesan bowl. Yes, you can and WILL eat the bowl. All of that topped off with a warm, tastefully industrial and inviting atmosphere, attentive and friendly service and incredibly reasonable prices make this my new favorite spot. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Dana P.
Ugh, where do I begin? The combination of flavors in everything I have had here are mind blowing. The Parmesan bowl for the Mac & Cheese is amazing! Why hasn't anyone ever thought of that? And ever since I've had the late night ramen, I can't stop day dreaming about eating it again. The staff is always really friendly and attentive. The music battles for my favorite reason to come here. But seriously, come late and eat the damn ramen!
(5)Jason P.
Delicious food, coffee, & beer! I could probably live at Rock City Eatery. I have yet to have the pie, but I have heard great things. The Mac and Cheese and Chicken and Rice are amazing.
(5)Andrew C.
Cool ambiance. That's the only compliment. Service was very slow and she had an attitude. One of us had the gluten free Mac and the noodles were crunchy, way undercooked. Tacos were terrible. Not one to write negative reviews but just hoping to save a couple of you some time.
(2)Jonathan D.
Great drinks, Michigan brews on tap, and an interesting menu that makes you try something a bit new. Great place!
(5)Marco P.
Group of 4 of us...We all shared the Mac & Cheese (DELICIOUS), OxTail Pasta (DELICIOUS) and a Vietnamese Sandwich and a pork belly sandwich.....Both REALLY GOOD! Small place but very comfortable and laid back. The drinks are made fresh and do take a minute to prepare (Beer obviously not) The Bartender was spot on with his mixing. Kudo's to the Bartender as he is working in a VERY small spot. Will be back frequently. Oh! And the Duck Fries..amazing!
(4)Rob P.
this place is AMAZING. the lamb burger is maybe one of the best hamburgers i've ever had and the duck fat fries were the perfect compliment it. Points also for serving Tecate and Death in the Afternoon (absinthe and champagne).
(5)J D.
Yesterday was my 4th time at Rock City. It has gotten progressively better each time. The grilled cheese is my favorite. It's on this super-dense bread that they bake in-house. $3 Two Hearteds go down easy. I also really like the potato salad and I don't typically like cold potato or vegetable salad-type dishes (church picnic food) The ambiance is good, too. Yesterday wasn't the first time I found myself hanging out there probably a little longer than I should have, getting one more beer. Strong opening week. If they keep at it this will be a Hamtramck institution.
(5)Charles B.
Wish this place was closer to home! But the Hamtramck location was part of the charm. Can't add much to other reviewers, but note that the food was really good and the prices were really reasonable. In fact, I would call the cocktails a downright bargain. The dishes include a lot of smaller plates, but the Asian style soups and some of the entrees are more than a meal. Service was very good. Great place.
(5)Jamie J.
I've only been to this place once, but I had an enjoyable experience. I ordered the poutine and asked for potatoes instead of french fries and they made the substitution with no problem. The dish was fantastic, I would order it again in heartbeat. I also ordered the "Aviation" drink, which was a gin drink with maraschino cherry syrup and rosewater. It was fantastic. My food and drink together was about $12 which is a great price. We didn't stay for pie but I know I'll be back. It was very slow when we were in there (only one other table) so I can't speak to the level of service when it's busier but the staff was just fine when we were there and came to the table a few times to make sure we had everything we needed.
(4)Jennifer P.
We went to Rock City last month with a group of friends after reading a favorable review here on Yelp. We were not disappointed! The Mac n Cheese in the cheese bowl was to die for as was the Lamb Burger and Brussel Sprouts. We also had several very tasty and unique cocktails - one with Faygo Rocknrye that was fabulous and creative. And dont miss dessert - its also very good. This is a not to miss place if you are looking for a casual atmosphere and some very good and unique food.
(4)Chelsea D.
Mismatched with a very modern Detroit arts spin, you can enjoy Mac N Cheese served in a cheese bowl or heirloom carrots in lime honey vinaigrette, yum! This place was a total hit with a fashionable hip feel
(5)Chris B.
My wife and I love discovering new places to dine in Detroit. We have been big fans of Rock City Pies in Ferndale so when we heard the owners were opening a restaurant we had to check it out. We have been there two times and each time the food has been great! The menu is very diverse and has something for every palate. I have had both burgers(lamb and beef)and they were excellent. My wife...shoot. I can't remember what she had but she loved it(something with tempe). She is very picky so that says a lot. For a new place we expected a few glitches but that didn't happen. OH! the cocktails are delicious and only $4!!! We will be making the drive from Ferndale quite a bit.
(5)M. R.
Great food - something for picky people as well as the adventurous, veggies as well as unrepentent carnivores. Great beer selection, with an emphasis on Michigan's head of the class (Founders, Dark Horse, etc.), and some 'lawnmowing' beers for the lighter side. Menu scans well, and it's easy to tell that dinner won't be costing much. Staff is informal but eager. Never had the pies during his tenure at Rust Belt, but wish I had. Wow, outstanding. Probably the best of this year's 'cool kids' entries, as another poster mentioned. Just wish they had held onto weekday lunches, although it sounds like a weekend brunch is in the planning phases. *Edit* Yay weekday lunches have been rocking for some time now...
(5)Adam B.
The idea of the place is nice. Plenty of rock art and music. A very small place that fills up fast. The waitress was amazing. My gal friend ordered Mac&cheese and it was wonderful and creamy. I ordered the hamburger and a couple minutes later they told me they were out. So I got the lamb. Kid you not i took a bite and it was so raw.I asked for Mac&cheese and it was all liquid. The drinks were great. It will be sometime before I return
(2)Iz N.
As a big fan of Pie Guy's pies, I was eager to try the eatery. I have been twice now and intend to make it a regular spot for me and my family. The menu is priced fairly, if not too affordable for the interesting, creative and delicious menu choices. I love that the menu changes regularly based on seasonality and what the chef wants to cook! I had the RC Cheeseburger and it was fantastic. The home made bread is a great twist and the duck fat fries are well worth the indulgence. The space itself is very comfortable. It's the type of place you could stay for a couple of hours with good friends and good beers (which they have plenty of- priced very fairly I might add). Congrats Pie Guy on an excellent menu and a great space!
(5)Jay N.
Ate there tonight with the family and we all loved it. I had a burger and it was wonderful. I was in the mood for something simple and it hit the spot. We also had some pie of course - bourbon pecan. Cool decor. Great staff and an interesting menu These folks are great people and I know it will get better and better
(5)Zack S.
First yelp review, but worth it for this place. Cheap craft cocktails, crazy good mac and cheese and killer sandwiches. What more do you need to hear? Put your phone down and go there now!
(5)James D.
been here a few times now and I'd say this could be the best restaurant in the Detroit area right now. great ambiance, incredible flavors, and cheap drinks. my favorite sandwich is probably the Vietnamese pork belly. the poutine isn't what you'd expect if you've had traditional Canadian poutine, but it could be the best item on the menu. I'm actually craving it right now after thinking about it. don't skip over this gem.
(5)Danielle Y.
So many great things to say about Rock City Eatery! The food was fantastic. I had the Un-Kosher Brisket Sandwich. It was so good! So many great flavors in this sandwich. I had it on the house made bread which I loved but they give you an option to do a different bread if you want. We also started with the Poutine which we ate in about 30 seconds! Yum The atmosphere is fantastic here. Such a great setting to just hang out, relax and have a few drinks. Plus all the staff were very friendly and seemed happy to be there. My husband loves all different types of craft beer. They had a wide selection of Michigan beers and many others which made him happy. I had the fruit infused vodka which was really tasty. They have options for everyone. As we had a couple drinks we had some pie. Oh my goodness, the best pie I have EVER had! I can't even describe how amazing the crust was. We actually ordered several more pieces as we finished our drinks. We had the salted carmel apple and the blueberry. I would recommend checking it out. I love to see entrepreneurs starting new businesses in our city. We definitely will be going back again soon!
(5)Trish W.
What a great place! Went there for lunch with my dad and had the brussel sprouts, brisket sandwich and the duck sandwich. We split everything and had a couple beers. Everything was great but the brisket sandwich was amazing! I'll be going back soon to try out there dinner menu.
(5)L R.
I'm hesitant to write this review as it is their first week; however I am hopeful this will yield some culinary improvement. I'm a suburbanite who tries to patronize downtown areas at all costs. I choose to spend my money in a city I so truly love because I long for the revitalization. That being said this restaurant has a long way to go to compete with the culinary greats Detroit has to offer. First, my margarita was extraordinarily bitter which I an still perplexed by. The grilled cheese I ordered tasted so heavily of clarified butter (or some other greasing agent) that I could taste neither bread nor cheese. The "cucumber" salad I ordered was pickles and was advertised as an entree, but was the proportion of a side. My husband stated all he could taste was the "butter" and burn of the bun of his hamburger. Needless to say it was disappointing to say the least. Likely, we will wait to see what future patrons have to say before returning.
(2)S F.
first off, hamtramck gave of a "great place to get shot" kind of vibe. that being said, this place is worth ducking a few bullets to experience. amazing (cheap) craft cocktails, delicious food, and don't forget to grab a piece of pie on your way out. cool date spot, or place to bring a few friends. hipstery crowd, but not too much to be a turn off.
(5)Brian K.
One of the best meals I've ever had....the food was amazing.....service was great! The mac n cheese & day after Thanksgiving was truly special.....finish it up w homemade pies..... Really special!!!! Proof you can't judge book by its cover!!!!! I'll be back....
(5)Kevin O.
The atmosphere of this restaurant is sort of like an old diner in an industrial setting. They have pies sitting at the front counter, small tables, and ceiling fans blowing on a hot day. The service was incredible for this inexpensive of a place. The waitress' knowledge of the menu items and specials was impeccable. She was able to suggest drinks without batting an eye. And she was attentive of us the whole time, but in a relaxed and spacious manner. Picking our food was difficult because so many things sounded appetizing. We ended up going with what we understood to be pretty traditional fare from this establishment: brussel sprouts, mac and cheese, and a lamb burger with duck-fat fries. It was all amazing. My intention was to keep switching between eating everything, but once I would start eating one thing I couldn't stop-- I kept devouring it. We ended with a slice of pie, naturally. And a pleasantly surprising small bill. I'm astounded at how delicious and cheap this place is.
(5)Albert K.
Mac & Cheese served in a bowl made of cheese.... I am sure it has been done by others before, but I tried it first at Rock City and I love them for it. I was a big fan of the pies the owner sold at Rust Belt Market and only made the connection once I started hearing about this place on Yelp. I started with a special Manhattan, which was interesting, but a bit too bitter for my tastes. That said; it gave me a nice buzz, and it was not too expensive, so I can't complain to much. They also have nice assortment of interesting cocktails and craft beer. I followed this up by splitting the Mac & Cheese, which was hard to do, but worth it. Next,I had the Asian Pulled Pork Sandwich which was nice, but nothing special. However, the menu had so many choices, and I felt like taking the safe way on my first try. We finished with the Choco Caramel and Pecan Bourbon pie. Both were delicious. Along with the food and drink, I found the atmosphere to be super laid back and super urban. My buddy from NYC said it felt like a place in Brooklyn to him. I will have to take his word for it. In sum, I was very pleased with my first overall experience at Rock City and will surely be returning to explore their menu further.
(4)Minh S.
This place is very odd, and I mean that in a good way. It's like an Asian fusion-esque food, but more American than Asian. It's located next o a Chicken Shack and can be quite hard to find, unless you've been on yelp and know what you're looking for. Pros: +Small menu, with regularly changing specials. Very cool. +Good Asian-inspired dishes. Where else can I eat duck fat fries dipped in schriacha with chopsticks? no where but here. +Shrimp was whole, very cool! with the feelers still on. The Thai spice was more like Vietnamese spice. +lots of beers and cocktails. Cons: -My brussel sprouts were burnt. Dafuq man? -Duck fat fries not all that duck-y. Needs more duck taste, like at Monk Beer Abbey in Royal Oak. -Friend's steak looked burnt a little. -No bloody Marys! Minus a star. Overall I wasn't impressed. It's certainly unique, and I'm sure my friends might have different opinions, but that's what Yelp is for right?
(3)Samantha L.
MmMmmMm pies are good!! We stopped in here for coffee and a slice of pie and I enjoyed every last bite!! The pies are homemade and not overly sweet or full of sugar. We got a scoop of ice cream with the slice and glad we did!! Our waiter was cool. Super friendly and easy going with us. :) Only came here for the pie and will be back for the pie :)
(5)Ellen K.
You guys, this place is so delicious. Go there tonight. Fiance' took me on a booze & food tour of Hamtramck for my birthday (because he's wonderful). After hitting Painted Lady and Whiskey in the Jar (both of which I recommend) we pulled up to Rock City. I was immediately excited when we walked in and it smelled amazing. RCE has a cool vibe. Lowkey, but they definitely know what they're doing. It's a small place, not somewhere you would try to bring a whole group of people. The staff was knowledgable and friendly. Since it was my birthday, Fiance' and I went insane ordering. Brussel sprouts, mac and cheese, wings, a bottle of wine. We didn't put a lot of though into it, we just started listing things. Then, I ordered the RCE Burger. The burger's incredible. Just order it. I think they change up the menu regularly, but if it's on there, you won't regret your decision. It got to the point where neither of us could eat anymore, and we were sad about that because there was food left and it was so good. You should give this place a shot. We'll definitely be back, both to RCE and Hamtramck in general.
(5)Royal G.
Never have I ever eaten more delicious food than I have here. I ordered the macaroni and cheese with the duck and bacon. I am now in a committed relationship with said macaroni and cheese. The cheese bowl is a delicious touch. I had the green beans for a side, they are so incredibly flavorful! My mouth was dancing. I cheated on my Mac and cheese with the creme brûlée bread pudding and vanilla ice cream. I could not stop shoving it in my mouth. The staff was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. Meet the owners too! They are an amazing couple! I have one complaint, and that is that this establishment is not in my home town of Grand Rapids. I now am tempted to drive 3 hours to eat here! Come to Grand Rapids please!
(5)Leticia L.
I was recommended this place by 2 completely different people, so I thought ok... I will definitely go there. The service was super awesome and nice. The food was delicious, I got the poutine with egg. The drinks, great variations. I tried Star Chicken Shotgun, tasty beer n good buzz. Yep, if I'm ever in Detroit I'll probably visit this place again and drink all their beers.
(5)Danelle C.
Great food and awesome service! Try the Brussels sprouts and Mac n cheese bowl... it's the best thing ever!
(5)Will B.
I'm always happy to go to a place that actually cooks real food, opposed to just heating up frozen crap and putting it on a plate. This place fits the bill. Excellent spicy brussel sprouts. The lamb burger was delicious, and cooked perfectly. I liked the fries, but don't see what all the hype is about them. They're just normal, good fries. The octopus on special was mediocre. I wouldn't order it again. It was highly recommended by another patron, but it wasn't all that great. The seafood soup was delicious, but the noodles were a pain in the ass. They were super long, tough to fit on the spoon, and difficult to eat. The cocktails were great. They have, by far, the best $4 manhattan anywhere around. The RCE cocktail is delicious as well. The "peace in the middle east" is disgusting. It has way too much rosewater in it, and tastes like perfume. The service was on point until it came time to get the bill. Our waiter went outside for a "smoke break" and disappeared for at least 20 minutes as we sat there with no drinks, no bill, ready to leave. I was a little annoyed, but the food, drinks, and prior attentive service was good enough to forgive the gaffe. All in all, good job, great food, I'll come back.
(5)Chelsea H.
I've been hesitant to review Rock City because I foolishly kept hoping that it would be better next time and I could forget all of the previous negative experiences there. But the last time I was there, the service was so horrendous that I walked out and won't be going back. The service has never been amazing, which I don't really mind, but I draw the line at waiting over 15 minutes for a server to even make eye contact with me, despite the fact that the two servers both only had one table apiece. Our waiter looked at us, said nothing, and then sat down at a table with his friends, which is when we left. I also have never understood the hype about the food. I've tried several of the dishes on maybe 6 or so visits, and have only one time enjoyed what I ordered (bourbon cherry pie). I feel like the dishes are way too pretentious and complicated beyond the skill level of the cooks there. Things are often undercooked or overcooked, way too greasy, or bland. Many items sound like they'll be great, but end up a disappointment. There is one positive thing I can say about Rock City, though. They have a surprisingly good beer selection for such a tiny place, and their beer and cocktails are very reasonably priced. On a busy night when the waitstaff is actually in work mode, it's a nice place to meet up for drinks.
(2)John Y.
Great spot to stop if you're in Hamtramick. Mac and Cheese is amazing, and they have great specials. I was lucky enough to get Korean BBQ steak wraps. The Price is very reasonable, staff is super friendly and the atmosphere is great. Be sure to put Rock City Eatery on your bucket list.
(5)Tony T.
Unreal. I'm normally suspect of "new" american food - but this place is terrific. Good drink list, nice beer selection and a menu that is not too aggressive, but definitely action packed. Well done - all around. Nothing came to the table that wasn't amazing.
(5)Tara L.
Talk about some good stuff! I had heard about this place for quite some time from a friend of mine, and had been wanting to try it out ever since it opened. However, timing wasn't in my favor, so that had to take a back seat. Fortunately, the time finally came earlier last month, when Husband and I were coming back from a Detroit event. We arrived around 9pm on a Thursday evening, and the place was pretty quiet. There were about 3 other tables dining, and the room was dimly lit. From the outside, the place is pretty unassuming, and if you're not paying close enough attention, you can easily miss it. There isn't big signage, so just keep an eye out for a Chicken Shack; it's right next door to it. At first, we weren't sure whether we should seat ourselves or wait, but once we approached the cashier register, the young gentleman told us to pick wherever. We chose a 4-top table towards the back, next to the condiments rack. I loved the mismatch of vintage and grungy chairs, and the wooden tables. Ours was a slate blue. Menus were clasped on a clipboard, perched against the wall. We both took a peek, and were excited to see that the menu was formatted more in a small plates fashion (our favorite way to eat!). After a few minutes, we decided to get the famed Mac & Cheese ($8), Lamb burger ($12), and Duck/Shrimp meatballs over udon noodles ($12). Food came out pretty quickly, and it was piping hot. Out first was the mac & cheese. The fried parmesan rind was delicious! Our first time having mac served this way. The sauce was creamy, velvety, and oh so dreamy! I could have taken a piece of bread and sopped that sucker up really quickly. :) We loved the cavatappi pasta used because the flavors could "latch" on to each tendril and bite. Mmm... The mixture of cheeses was different from that of Union Woodshop or Sardine Room, and delivered a more subtle smoky flavor. Next came the lamb burger. We loved the ciabatta bread that the lamb burger was served on. It was fluffy, and had a light crunch on the outer layer. The patty mixture had great depth, and the combination of feta cheese, harissa sauce, and caramelized onions amped up the overall bite to the next level. Now if that wasn't already great, the duck fat fries were fantastic..I'd get that alone; it's just that good. You must get it! Last, but definitely not least, the duck/shrimp meatballs were a delightful treat. The meatball flavor was definitely more duck than shrimp, and we didn't mind that at all. :) The thick udon noodles were a nice chewy offset to the ginger chive broth. I would have liked more broth though. The guys weren't skimpy on the amount either..yay! To keep the meal from being too heavy, there was green and purple cabbage. It provided the necessary subtle sweetness to keep the dish from being one note. Overall, we liked the food, and would come back again. We didn't get a chance to sample the dessert pies, but have heard awesome things about them. Next time! Staff was great, even when it was pretty late at night, and we loved the chill and relaxed vibe of this place. Definitely check this place out if you're around Hamtramck!
(4)Maria M.
What a great little spot! My parents took my husband and I here before a wings game the day before Christmas Eve. Really, I should give my parents some serious credit for knowing about such a hip and tasty little restaurant, Hamtramack no less. The restaurant is small, dark (I actually think some of the lights were out- it was super dark), and full of mismatched furniture. It's not what I would call a welcoming environment- definitely more modern and hip. However, our waitress was indeed super friendly and welcoming. There was a limited menu that night, probably due to Christmas. Still, my family and I all got dishes we were excited about- short rib noodles for my mom, strip steak for my dad, mac n cheese for my husband and poutine for me. The poutine had duck fat fries (very crispy!) and duck gravy with big fat pieces of duck, with cheese curds on top of course. Really rich and delicious dish. I also got a specialty cocktail, a grapefruit old fashioned, which was fantastic. Really crisp and fresh but still heavy on the bourbon. I hear rock city is known for their pies but we were all so full after dinner we didn't order any. Next time!!!
(5)Catherine P.
Their food is amazing - especially the especially cheesy Mac and Cheese! The good came food quickly, and the drinks were very adorable! Love the atmosphere, wait staff, and menu. I highly recommend the Brussels sprouts dish too. We will definitely be back!
(5)Denyse C.
Everything. The food, the service (Matthew is the bomb!), the atmosphere, the location. We love this place. Can't decide what to order? Just pick something. Anything. It will delight you. We love the poutine. Locally sourced. Creative fare without being gimmicky. Holy smokes! Just get here and eat!
(5)Sala W.
I came here on a Wednesday night for dinner with two of my dear pals and had a wonderful meal. I had been here once before with their old menu and thought it was okay, but after this visit I am left singing their praises. Being in Hamtramck I think this places flies ever so slightly below the radar, so we didn't have to deal with waits or anything. I started with a French 75- gin, champagne, and lime juice possibly It was tangy and refreshing and only 4 bucks! As someone who loves to drink reasonably priced drinks are critical. My friend Erik and I had already gotten in a gchat fight earlier that day about who got to order the Bourdain Dinner so we decided it was best that we all just share several dishes. Potato Noir- it was really the mushrooms in this dish that stood out, so tender and juicy, the boiled egg had great flavor as well Bourdain Dinner- I love marrow so this could do no wrong, whoever licks the bone clean gets to take a shot out of it too...so don't let your 10 year old finish the bone FYI (unless you are one of those progressive parents that lets your kid take shots of Jack) Duck and Shrimp Meatballs- meatballs were great but the udon was the standout for me Ribs- melt in your mouth texture, could have been served a little warmer We had to finish it out with some pie - actually we cleaned them out, we bought the last two slices they had! Bourban Pecan and Whiskey Cherry - pecan was super creamy and thick. Even if Hamtramck isn't your regular stomping grounds this place is worth a visit. Reasonable prices for creative and innovative food and drink
(5)Erik M.
I've been to Rock City a number of times- to check out their ramen (delicious), to have a few Michigan beers (at great prices!) and for various lunches and dinners. I went again recently with some friends to try out their new menu. When we went in at 7 for a drink before another friend showed up, we were the only ones there. A little strange, considering the prices and menu available here. But it was a Wednesday night. I ordered the Manhattan, my friend Connie had the Peace in the Middle East cocktail. Mine was well made, with standard manhattan flavors that you'd expect (but a little less vermouth). It came with a cinnamon stick. I didn't taste the cinnamon at all at first, but near the end of the drunk its subtle spice really stuck out. the PIME cocktail punched me in the face with sour and rosewater. I enjoyed it but it was a little too much for me. Our friend showed up in yoga gear, ranting about terrible people at her aerial class, so I had to order another cocktail. The grapefruit old fashioned was initially something that I thought would be gross. Fruits in an old fashioned often tend to blur the flavors that are supposed to stand out, make the drink sludgy, and add an unnecessary sweetness. With the grapefruit, the tang mixed perfectly with the whiskey and bitters, making a refreshing but bracing drink. I was super impressed with this, and will probably try to craft my own at home. As we were all excited about the menu options, we decided to order a bunch of dishes and share them. We got the Bourdain Dinner (Bone marrow with homemade bread and chimichurri), the duck/shrimp meatballs with udon noodles, the potato noir (purple potatoes with forest mushrooms), and the El Pastor Ribs. I was skeptical of the potatoes, as I hate the texture of mushrooms. The whole mushrooms presented to us, however, were tender, full of flavor, and a perfect compliment to the crispy/soft potatoes. I only partially gagged a little bit - then went on to eat several more immediately. The noodles and meatballs were also spectacular - the texture and fattiness of the meal blended perfectly and could have passed off as pork. There was no fishiness at all, despite the huge chunks of shrimp in the super savory udon noodles. We expounded about how much we love udon noodles and how asian food is brilliant, but between bites i'm not sure anybody heard a whole lot of anything. The ribs were extra tender and the pineapple sauce that came with them was unnecessary but an interesting contrast. I have had better ribs in many contexts, but these were certainly a good showing and I wouldn't regret ordering them. The marrow with bread was amazing, a little fattier than usual, but creamy. The chimichurri provided a good fresh balance to the heavy substance. The bread was dense and had a little hint of something special - maybe rye? I would order a loaf of it to bring home. After we had finished the bone marrow, the waiter said something to us about a shot to finish the dish. I was a little surprised when he brought over a bottle of jim beam and luged a shot into my mouth! The creaminess of the marrow definitely came through the whiskey, what a weirdo thing. I'm into it. I'd do it again, even if it looks a little weird. We finished with a couple pieces of pie - cherry/whiskey and bourbon pecan. The waiter told us they were in to go boxes already, as they were the last two pieces for the day- we ate them out of the plastic quickly. The pecan pie has a pumpkin pie consistency, a bit like a custard. The cherry pie was a perfect balance of tart and sweet. Neither had any booziness to them, which was positive. If it was there, it was subtle. We all decided that we liked the cherry pie better, but I would eat either. When everything was said and done, the bill came out to about $25 for each of us, including drinks and tax. An incredible value for the variety and quality of food we had! We left incredibly full and satisfied. I've had bad experiences with the service speed here in the past (and included it in disclaimers to friends about the place), but it seems like the staff is more and more on point. The last couple times I've been here they were quick. They've always been extra friendly and happy to explain menu items to you. The food has always been excellent, and I expect that this quality will continue. If it does, I will continue to come. Bring dates here, bring friends here, bring your parents here, if they are not afraid of new things, inventive combinations, or great cocktails.
(5)Zhinan L.
Absolutely satisfaction on all sense. Food, music, table, smell, ambient all great. I'll definitely come again.
(5)Clete B.
Good food and great service. A bit pricey, but food was fresh and worth it! We had the RCE burger with fries! Egg was even perfect on it! Will be back. Loved the beers on tap. We had the poutine and it was a great appetizer. A little hard to find on the street, but once you find it, boom you know where it is!! It seemed like a hipster joint at first, but there were more middle aged folks like us there than hipsters, so don't let that scare you! Would love if the city would let them have tables on the large sidewalk, but was told city won't let that happen.
(5)Heather J.
Rock City Eatery is my answer to anyone who poohpoohs the restaurant scene in Detroit, unfairly comparing it to Chicago or Toronto or any city of more than 200 people. This is the culinary equivalent of your edgy, almost hipster friend willing to drive to a dodgy part of town for the very best sources for Indian spice or a sells-direct slaughterhouse or out of this world ingredients. Suave and informed, Rock City Eatery knows where to go for the authentic experience with very little of the posturing and attitude that hipster hangouts are so known for. Stepping into a small restaurant with a narrow footprint in Hamtramck can be unnerving for a surburbanite acquainted with high-brow restaurants and cute cafes. Keep going. The tables may not look like much and the specials are delivered on a small chalkboard, your own personal slate of happiness. Napkins come as dish cloths lovingly and readily laundered. The drinks list outstrips the menu by a good two pages. Yes, the clientele is disturbingly in the know and exude a sort of willingness to take risks with their food for the very best. Don't be alarmed if that isn't you -- literally everything here is good, the staff super-knowledgeable about what they have to offer, and they delight in sharing their passion. To me, that's the best element about this place. They love what they make and what they whip up in a glass. They want you to have a great experience, and you can tell. My beau went for the Rock City specialty burger, an enormous concoction of beef, pickles, dreams, hope, and cheesy goodness along with other actual ingredients I don't remember because he was ready to inhale it. I got a lush bite. No stinting on ingredients or quality here: the flavours burst onto the palate, the meat is perfectly prepared, and the oozing contrasts make restaurant critics of us all in a moment of bliss. It was seriously a well-done burger (medium, actually) that gave so much comfort. He shared exactly one bite. That's the mark of a good meal: my generous better half can't bear to be parted without whimpering. The noodle menu is compelling at all levels. I went for a Korean noodle soup bowl on a cold, rainy autumn night. Thick noodles swirled in a rather spicy broth, aided by sliced vegetables in about perfect proportions. I needed chopsticks as much as a spoon to make a dent, and unlike traditional udon, this carried a lot of kimchee punch without being overbearing. Portion size was perfect: enough for lunch the next day, and suitably filling. Rock City Pies was a favourite at the Rust Belt Market, and I can happily note they serve up a thrilling selection on a changing rotation here. I nearly ordered all the white chocolate raspberry pistachio heavenfest on a crust, just to keep it all for myself and those rough days I knew were coming for Christmas shopping. We tried the pumpkin bread pudding -- incredibly moist, rich, and shot through by a dash of caramel for a trace of sweetness -- and one other nimble alcohol-spiked pie slice to take home. Really, order anything that sounds good. Cordial or rum in it? Two thumbs up. I haven't found one I don't like. Just mention if you prefer sweetness or tartness for guidance. And while I'm thrilling, let me say the bounce comes back after a long week with one of their cocktails. They have the most interesting flavour combinations -- mine was like liquorice, electrified honey, date syrup, and crushed pomegranates. Absolutely amazing. I'd come here just for a cocktail and a slice of pie, honestly. Rock City Eatery is the real deal. Pony up for an experience, and watch your eyeballs fall out at how much of a deal it is. Not for nothing is this place a major star on the Detroit horizon.
(5)Kensey W.
so conflicted about this place! on one hand, i really admire their ambitiousness with their menu, but on the other hand, i can't eat all the food here because some of it is so so salty. their cocktails are really good and cheap and i've tried at least five or six of them. get (at least) one! i've had the poutine with egg, mac and cheese, some kind of braisd pork belly type thing with greens, octopus, korean soup noodle bowl, kimchi stew, and bread pudding. the poutine was salty but appropriately so for gravy. i didn't love it or hate it and fell somewhere in the middle as far as my poutine experiences go. the octopus was amazing - garlicky and tender, perfectly cooked potatoes to soak up some of the flavor. that was recommended by a server and it was excellent. the mac and cheese is really great. i usually don't like getting pasta but this felt different enough and came in a crispy cheese bowl which i think kind of made it. everything else i couldn't only have a couple bites of - the pork and even the greens that came with it and both soups. they were salty to the point where i could only have a bite or two and felt lucky to be eating with people who love salt, so that someone ate it at least. it kind of overpowered the dishes and i couldn't enjoy any of the other flavors. i've been here a few times, but not sure how often i'd want to go. i'm kind of scared of trying other things here since it's been so hit or miss but i would definitely come with other people to enjoy some cocktails. the service has always been really good even when they seem short-staffed. i want to like this place so i'll probably be back.
(3)Jermond B.
Say what?! Good stuff out here at Rock City, food and service both get a lot of respect from me. I had 1/2 burger, the homie had the noodle bowl both were pretty great. I also had some strawberry pie that made me officially want to go back soon, I might eat there tonight... In addition to all of that, we went on a Friday or Saturday and there wasn't a wait nor was it crazy packed. I loved everything about this spot for the most part, I guess there's some little things if I want to nit pick but I don't. Check it out!
(5)Rebecca C.
Ok. I need to be honest: I kind of wanted to hate this place. I tried to go here the week it opened, but I couldn't even come close to getting a table - and the entire menu seemed to consist of different lamb options (I'm not a fan). My friend convinced me to give it another try, so I begrudgingly agreed. The concept/patrons/staff/mismatched decor all scream hipster - and since I live in the land of Ferndalia, where hipstership abounds, I was bracing myself for a night of over-fancy small plates, expensive cocktails, and plenty of eye rolling to occur. I am so glad to report I was wrong. Rock City Eatery does indeed do a small plate type fare - however, it is delicious. I had the cucumber salad, which looked too pretty to eat (I did anyway, cheerfully). Oddly, the seeds and cream fraise were on the sides of the bowl, with the cucumbers artfully arranged in the bottom of the bowl. Still delicious, especially when the cucumber was used to scrape the sides of the bowl. I also had the macaroni and cheese (I had heard good things) - and it lived up to the hype - rich, creamy, and, best of all, served in a parmesan bowl! I also had a cocktail - I believe it had champagne, lemon juice, sugar, and magic in it. maybe some rainbows. I am intrigued at the idea of the rotating menu, and I look forward to dining here again!
(4)Sara B.
This was such a treat! We started the evening off with the fig salad and the pea salad (special for the day). The fig salad restored my faith that figs could taste excellent. They were served warm with some goat cheese, honey, pistachios, and some herbs. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. The pea salad was equally tasty with big chunks of bacon, carmelization on the pea pods, shallots, and lots of fresh herbs in a beautiful brown sauce. For the main course we all split a watermelon salad, the lamb burger, the seafood soup, and the mushroom soup. The watermelon salad was fresh, crisp, and had a good balance of sweet, salty, and fresh. The lamb burger was cooked perfectly and exploded in your mouth with perfectly married flavors. The seafood soup had an ample amount of actual seafood in it, and was rich, creamy, and not overly fishy. Finally, the mushroom soup was a dream come true. It was herby, rich, and loaded with all sorts of wild mushrooms and noodles in a beautiful broth. I didn't think it could get any better, but we finished our night with a mixed berry pie and icecream and I thought I could die of happiness. The icecream was simple and very vanilla, and the pie was almost like an oatmeal cookie crumble crust with a splendid blend of berries in the middle. On top of all that the beer and drink menu is ample and well priced. I had the cold toddy and highly recommend it. This was a great evening and the waitstaff was very friendly.
(5)Vassilis J.
Creative, wholesome $11 a plate places are what we need in Detroit. Aww you waited 15min for a server -Deal with it. Some places are rough around the edges. This place has osb plywood walls that look like a construction zone. You expect a waiter in a bow tie here? For me the service has been good and the food even better for what this restaurant is. Quirky, homegrown, no frills, with a wide range of food. Cheap drinks on the menu, the special drinks are expensive. Great pho inspired soups here as well.
(5)Caroline C.
My hands-down, favorite go-to restaurant in all of metro-Detroit. It's like having dinner in your punk hipster friend's hipster living room, complete with thrift shopped china and plywood walls, because you know, drywall is so passé. Your hipster friend also likes to experiment, because the menu at Rock City Eatery constantly changes, and the eyebrow raising offerings are some that no other restaurant would attempt. The most recent menu included an eclectic mix of oyster spring rolls, ox tail, poutine, kimchee steak, mac n cheese in a parmesan bowl, and noodle soups. One day I'll ask the chef if he was Asian in another lifetime, but any restaurant that has chopsticks right next to the forks and knives gets a thumbs up in my book. Have I mentioned the pies? Oh the pies! Wash a heavenly slice of Rock City Pies' sweet creations with a cocktail from their extensive and inexpensive list. The first time I perused said list I was sure the prices were missing a digit in front, which is still the same expression I have when the bill is presented at the end of the night. I'm pretty sure most of Detroit shares my sentiments by the clientele of locals, suburbanites, and Detroiters gathered here to dine on any given night. Props to Rock City for bringing us all here together- great food, great drinks, and great prices.... without all the pomp and posturing!
(5)Regina T.
Rock City Eatery, you hunk of a restaurant! After my recent shattering heartbreak (see review of Mac Shack if you're into cathartic cries), I stumbled into Rock City Eatery, with low expectations to protect my fragile heart. When my MAC & CHEESE IN A PARMESAN BOWL came out, loaded with EXOTIC MUSHROOMS and CARAMELIZED ONIONS, I was afraid to dive in. Was it too soon? Was I ready? Eff yeah, I was ready. The combination of three of my favorite foods in the world (carm onions, fungus, Parmesan) knocked every other restaurant Mac & Cheese I've ever had out of the park (kitchen?). Creamy and savory, with that amazing touch of sweetness from the perfectly caramelized onions and a generous helping of mushrooms (was that fresh oyster?!) adding texture to every bite. And that Parmesan bowl!? I don't want to use a real bowl ever again. The only thing that could have made it better is if the whole she-bang came on a Parmesan plate as well. Come on, RCE, you can off-set the costs with the money you save from not having to run the dishwasher as much. Other highlights raved about by fellow diners include the Spicy Brussel Sprouts (Thai? Tart and savory...just a touch too salty, but delicious otherwise), the Duck Fat Fries, the Lamb Burger, and the Udon Noodles with some sort of seafood in it (forgot what exactly, sorry! Where's your online menu?!) Also, amazing drink prices! I fell in love so hard that I went three times in the span of two weeks. The staff that work here are the nicest ever, and even let a huge group of us stay way past closing time (we had out of town friends with us, and a lot of catching up to do!) without ever making us feel scummy or uncomfortable. Well done, well done, well done! But seriously, Parmesan bowl on a Parmesan plate. Just promise me you'll think about it.
(5)Thomas Y.
Ate there again about a week ago, great steaks! Also the roasted olive and fig appetizer and the peaches with prosciutto were off the charts.! Great service from Katie. Thanks again for a memorable meal!
(5)Richard R.
from Richard Rollins Rock City Eatery is truly a special place. Rarely do I go to a restaurant and find everything is on all gears ahead. Everything was perfect from the space, to the service, to the food. I found the total experience for lack of works -- MAGICAL. Very impressed. Very high quality food. Very thoughtful in all aspects Richard Rollins
(5)Patrick T.
LOVE LOVE LOVE. Fun, exciting, friendly. Worth the wait, they do their best to be accommodating but are super busy! Love it fuck yeah! Rock city for life.
(5)Denise S.
Totally enjoyed this place! The Mac and Cheese was fabulous! Will be back soon!
(5)Travis N.
Dirty, pretentious, and half their menu isn't available. Dirty. They handed me a menu with a giant glob of food on it with big black hairs stuck in it. Don't worry, I'll clean that off for you. They were also out of clean glasses so we didn't get waters until 15 minutes after we sat down. Pretentious. Their menu has a disclaimer on it that says dishes come out as they are ready because they are supposed to be shared with the whole table. Except nothing on the menu is really meant to be shared. When was the last time you ordered a noodle bowl, burger, or steak and shared it with everyone? Never. The only item we ordered that could have been easily shared was the scallops but they forgot theses and served them late. The reality is the kitchen is too small to cook and stage the meals properly so you get everything one at a time. Then there is the option on the menu to order a round of beer for the kitchen staff. How much more full of your self can you be? A third of the menu isn't available. The printed paper menu comes marked up with permanent maker of things they are always out of. Then the server will explain to you another 5 to 10 items they don't have that day. Then there are chalk board menus of their daily specials but half of them aren't available either. Seriously, how hard is it to wipe items off a CHALK menu? Apparently this causes confusion among the servers too because after we ordered the server returned to the table and we had to change three items that weren't available. The only reason I gave them two stars instead of one is because if you can find something on the menu they actually have and you can get passed the awkwardness of being served one plate at a time the food is actually pretty good.
(2)Tony M.
This is a good place. I noticed two consecutive reviews that complained about the place running out of some ingredients and dishes; the reviewers went to the restaurant on Friday and Saturday nights between Christmas and New Year's. Cut them a little slack. No crowd concerns when I went at 8:00 on a Wednesday night. Service is best described as resignedly minimally interested. Of course I was going to order the RCE Burger, which comes with lots of toppings and duck-fat fries. Sure enough, the fries are easily in my top five. The burger may well have been over half a pound and needed to be de- and reconstructed with fork and knife. A jar full of silverware and chopsticks at the table, and the server's swiping your card on an iPhone right in front of you, are both cute touches, I guess. The downside to the latter, of course, is the pressure to tip more than the customer considers is owed. That wasn't a problem in my case, as I am not so petty as to dock a server for a poor attitude, so long as everything else was in order. Well, I'm probably petty, but not in that particular realm.
(3)Rob M.
Definitely a unique menu which changes often, but still upholds it's great taste and quality. Everything is fresh. I had the brisket kimchi bowl & it was amazing (not a regular menu item). The staff is friendly and the atmosphere of the restaurant is pretty hipster/unique. Smaller space but didn't have to wait long for a table. The make their pies too and they look/smell amazing (although I did not try one!). I'll definitely be back. Good hidden gem in the area.
(5)Kyle Martin D.
How many ginger fizzes can this 180-pound man consume at a single sitting while remaining in control? We'll find out on my next venture to this wonderful establishment filled with creative drinks and diverse dishes that'll turn even the most hardened cynic (ME) into a jovial squirre. I love, love, love this place. How much? I'm talking last meal on earth good. So, when I'm sitting on death row for inadvertently killing the last unicorn on the planet in a half-assed attempt to ride the magical beast, I will ask if the chefs at this place can accommodate my desire to consume some of their garden fresh vegetable dishes alongside a hearty helping of my freshly-killed unicorn served on a brioche and topped with catsup. Then it's off to the electric chair with a smile on my face and a stomach full of deliciousness. As for my experience at the actual restaurant: Our group shared the green beans, the sprouts, the mac and cheese, and the cucumbers and cream. We finished it with a dessert offering -- a pecan pie of some sort and bread pudding. Nothing disappointed. Even their lack of unicorn burgers. Keep the surprises coming, you magical gem, and I'll take another drink, sir. Thank you. Best Detroit (area) restaurant of 2014.
(5)J T.
Found this place just driving around Hamtramck yesterday, decided to stop and eat not knowing we were stumbling upon a hidden gem. Let me begin by saying that the music in there was perfectly selected, you know when a movie has a good soundtrack you gotta say it, kind of the same thing. My friend was starving so he ordered the R.C.E. burger that came with the duck fat fries. The fries were delicious, I tried those, but I didnt try the burger although he said it was a top 5 burger he's ever had in his life. I wasn't super hungry so me and him split an appetizer of the pulled pork mac and cheese and also the octopus. Now let me just explain in a few words how much I love mac and cheese. I FUCKING LOVE IT, it's one of my favorite things to eat in the world. This place's mac and cheese was the best mac and cheese I've ever tasted in my life. Id put it up against anyones, anywhere. Now, Im Sicilian, and have eaten octopus everywhere, we originally werent going to get the octopus but our waiter seemed really excited about it so we decided to get it. This octopus with whatever kind of sauce it had on it was so fucking delicious, tender and good I wanted to order another one. Needless to say I went from not being hungry to eating most of both the appetizers. So now I'm all pumped up because this place is so good and we didn't expect it, so now we have to order a piece of pie for dessert. Since my friend is on probation for a DUI (haha) we couldn't get the whiskey cherry pie so we went with the Strawberry Pie with the side of homemade ricotta (which had drizzled honey and oats along side of it, holy shit) and a side creamiest ice cream I have ever had. Better then any ice cream in the world, I don't know what the fuck they did to it but damn was it good. Thats just the ice-cream, the fuckin pie was also to die for....it sucks because it was so good that I can't that i can't describe everything the way it deserves to be described/ the way i want to describe them. But one word to sum up the meal: LUST. Might be going back tonight to try something totally different....holy shit.
(5)Nadine G.
I have been there about a dozen times and always had overall poor service and inconsistent food. Please do better.
(1)Eric M.
I'm giving this place two stars based on my experience tonight. They kept on saying that this was their busiest night since they were open. I call BS. Running out some specials and an entree or two when that happens, OK, fine, I get that. But by 7:30 they had no burgers and no fries. Really. What resturant in the US runs out of burgers and fries? So many other things were 86'd by the time we ordered, I ended up eating the Asian pulled pork sandwich, which was good, tasted like a stepped up bahn mi, but it wasn't what I wanted to eat. Running out of basics is not cool, hip, or trendy. It is a HUGE mistake. I'm not so sure I'll hurry back there now, given I can't count on them to have one of these burgers that everyone raves about.
(2)Sarah C.
Hidden gem next to the Chicken Shack. The place looked a lot nicer than the pictures posted on Yelp. I love the chill and relaxed feel of the place. They have menus printed on regular paper with no lamination next to the wall on the table in clipboards. We arrived around 5:15pm with a couple who was finishing up their meal. I hear it can get busy during peak hours though so be aware. My friend and I ordered the RC Burger and duck fat fries $12 - the fries are pretty tasty. The burger looked very juicy and there was this really interesting sauce on the bun that peaked my interest. I believe my friend enjoyed her dinner. Duck and shrimp meatballs served over udon $12 - I love udon noodles! I love how they are somewhat Asian Fusion. I have a secret love for Asian Fusion! About 4 giant meatballs which was more than I was expecting. I like how they don't skimp. The noodles were alright. You can see that they just cooked it in the redendered fat/sauce from the meatballs. The waiter came over multiple times to make sure we were good. That was nice. Very attentive. We also ordered a slice butter peacan pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. I think it was ~$3. Overall, it was a pretty good experience. I love restaurants that like to be bold and daring. Utensils are all placed in a mason jar on the table. I like that they offered chop sticks! Parking - street. BTW: the first half of the menu are items for sharing. Second half is individual dinner entries. They also have an extensive drink menu.
(5)Karen A.
Visited Rock City Eatery for the 2nd time last night. Our first visit was excellent so we decided to we would go back about 6 months later. We probably will not return for a 3rd. They were out of my first two entree selections although the waitress was apologetic about not mentioning it. I settled for the lamb chops and received 3 lamb shaped charcoal briquettes. I had to fight with knife and fork to get any of the meat off those pucks, and should have sent them back... But then what would I have eaten?? It was like they cooked them on Thursday and they had been under the heat lamp since. Additional issue was lack of a properly functioning hood in the kitchen. I hate going to places that make my hair smell like kitchen. The brick that they propped in the front door to vent the place just made me cold. It's a shame to see a place like this go so far down hill.
(2)Joe B.
Rock City was great while not quite what I had expected. Based on the menu, I don't think you can really order a straight up "entrée" so think along the lines of small plates and family style eating instead. Our table of four tried a little of everything and left happy but filled to the max. Here's the rundown. Poutine with duck $9...a great white duck gravy with a healthy helping of shredded canard covering near crispy fries and cheezy goodness. One of the best poutines I've had in the area and one you should try for sure. Sprouts and Beans $7 each...the sprouts tasted like they were served in a sesame soy lime type sauce while the beans had something like a Hoisin glaze with shaved almonds...they were both really flavorful. Beets $9...definitely the lightest part of the meal making it perfectly simple and enjoyable. Warm beets and raw radishes in a vinaigrette. Mac n' Cheese $8...penne style pasta in a sharp cheesy sauce and served in a parmesan bowl. This was one of our favorites. Duck & Shrimp Meatballs $12...get these! Tender, well seasoned and accompanied with Asian style noodles in a ginger chive reduction. El Pastor Ribs $12...the least favorite dish but still really good. The meat was well prepared making them tender with just a little tug needed to pull it from the bone but it was a dryer rib and used only a dry rub where a little moisture could've went a long ways. Sichuan Chicken Wings $10...served on a huge bed of Asian chiles, these were phenomenal but I think we only got three wings to the order...not all of us got to have one to ourselves. But the spices and the glaze was loaded with flavor. Berry Pie a la mode $4...Sorry to say but the pie left me wanting. The crust was flaky but thin and the filling was very berry but really macerated. I would've liked some texture to it but that's just me. The vanilla ice cream was Kirkland brand, I think, but it was good stuff. I'd recommend a la mode if you have the choice. 2 rounds of beer for the kitchen staff $4...I thought this was a really cool thing to put on the menu. This place was slammed all night so I know they were working their asses off back there...and the food was solid. Seating here is very limited so coming at off peak hours may be a better option if you don't want to be in the way while standing off to the side. That said, if you want to be seen by your admiring public this is the place to be with a mix of hipsters and yuppies alike, but still, all here for the food. I liked how they used whatever chairs they could find for table seating while all their utensils are in mason jars on the tables complete with forks, knives, spoons and serving spoons to dish to your table mates. I liked the concept. Food prices were reasonable and drinks as well with $4 Manhattans and a great $6 Gin Fizz cocktail that I'd highly recommend. Service was great...Zack and Jessica tried to find us a place to wait off to the side to no avail, but everyone was really friendly. Jordan, our server was the shizzz...thanks for the fantastic and attentive service my man. Overall 4.5 stars. My only real complaint of this place was that everything was almost too flavorful. A lot of what we tasted was really poignant and overly salty or really decadent with little to cut through the unctuousness of the food. A lot of the dishes are Asian inspired and offered veggie accoutrements to provide some balance but serving family style, there wasn't enough to go around for those of us that weren't used to a heavier feast. I still really enjoyed this spot and hope to come back as the menu evolves and changes. If you're looking for a light meal Rock City may leave you feeling a little heavy but if you want to send your taste buds a clear message with direct flavors with subtle undertones this is a great place to be.
(5)