INSIDE THE U OF D CONEY ALONG LIVERNOIS AVENUE / Photos by LO DODSON
BY GERALD BLACKSHEAR / VN STAFF WRITER
Detroit may be known as the Motor City, but it is a city full of flavors, as well.
Near our beloved school, Detroit Mercy, there are several restaurants that can satisfy your hunger needs.
Because many of them live on campus, student-athletes often head into the community to grab a bite to eat.
Many have favorite restaurants in the area.
Men’s basketball player Ed Carter loves to chow down at Bucharest Grill, along Livernois between Seven and Eight mile roads.
He finds the chicken shawarma delicious.
But it’s not just about the food.
“Their waitresses take care of you very well,” he said.
Women’s lacrosse player Taylor Cloutier has a lot of places where she likes to eat but her absolute favorite is Vinsetta Garage, along Woodward in Berkley.
Her favorite dish is the famous Vinsetta Burger, with two burgers, two slices of cheese, bacon and special sauce.
However, Clourtier really likes the restaurant because it is unique.
It is set up like an old car shop in a garage.
The kitchen is featured, anchoring the middle of the restaurant, not hidden in the back, like at most restaurants.
Detroit Mercy cheerleader Abbie Hall’s go-to place nearby is Kuzzo’s, across and down from the Bucharest Grill.
Who doesn’t love chicken and waffles?
Hall’s favorite thing to get off the menu is the “Tender Love,” three hand-battered chicken tenders and a waffle.
She likes how Kuzzo’s blends sweet and savory flavors.
“They just have amazing food,” she said.
Men’s basketball player Cole Long is a regular at the classic U of D Coney along Livernois next to campus.
Long has tried a lot of menu items but said nothing can compete with the fried chicken pita.
But more than the food, he likes that the people at U of D Coney. They are friendly, he said.
“They’re easy and fun to talk to,” he said. “When you see people like that, it makes the environment more comfortable, you know?”
Nothing is better than eating a tasty meal with great service.
For women’s softball player Jennifer Lorenz, the Thai Garden in Ferndale is the best local place.
Her favorite dish is chicken pad thai.
Lorenz feels like Thai Garden is the best place to eat based solely on the food.
“There’s nothing else about it,” she said. “I just really, really love their food.”
So when your stomach gets to rumbling, don’t panic.
There are plenty of spots to choose from and plenty to eat.
