Classic: adjective. 

Meaning: to be judged over a period of time to be of the highest quality and outstanding of its kind.

Detroit is a food town. From the North End to The Riverfront, East and West of Woodward, Detroiters hold their restaurant allegiances dear. The debate over the best coney dog or pizza have long been fought in the ink of The Detroit Free Press and News, on factory floors approaching lunchtime, and among authors, historians, service industry workers, and tour guides alike. Join Detroit History Tours as we explore the history of the “Big Three” of classic food in the Motor City - Fish, Burgers, and Pizza - Plus, a generous take home serving of the best darn Coney Island Chili Sauce this city has to offer (heck, it took the family over a century to perfect it!)

On this 3.5 hour tour guests will enjoy a progressive style dinner, with plenty of food to fill even the hungriest bellies. Together with your guides you’ll explore three (3) restaurants that have become classics in their respective cuisines. This tour is available exclusively on weeknights to provide guests the best access to the owners and staff that make these locations so special.  

You’ll learn the secret of the ‘you buy, we fry’ establishment, along with the post WW2 fish and chips boom before sampling fresh fried perch. We’ll dive into the history of a famed greasy spoon, enjoying a steamed burger, and learning the story behind their odd choice of bun. And, we’ll visit a Detroit institution where we’ll indulge in Detroit style pizza still made in the original pans. 

From Michigan food trivia to cooking demonstrations, feasting on Detroit favorites, to discovering the history of prohibition era soda pop you’ll learn about our delectable past as you travel via luxury motor coach from location to location. 

We look forward to welcoming you, Bon Appetit!

Your ticket price includes all food (plus a 20% tip at each restaurant), samples, and non alcoholic drinks. Alcoholic drinks are available for purchase at one of the three stops at the guest’s own expense.

Special dietary requests can not be accommodated on this tour.

• If you suffer from food allergies, have a restrictive diet, or are a picky eater this tour may not be right for you.

This tour is designed for adults with a sense of adventure and fun, however any guest over the age of 16 is welcome to join as long as they are accompanied by an adult over 21 years of age. Guests wishing to purchase alcohol are reminded to bring valid ID.

The tour leaves promptly. Late arrivals can not be accommodated.

The tour departs and returns to The Detroit History Club, (3103 Commor St., Hamtramck, MI 48212.) Parking is on the street. Doors to the club open 30 minutes before ticketed times; guests are invited to come inside, check into the tour, and relax until departure. Bathrooms are available.

Your order confirmation email will serve as your only ticket. Please save your email and be prepared to show it on your phone or printed to board the bus. (We do this to avoid the ticketing fees that come along with ticketing systems. The price of your ticket will remain the same throughout checkout with no added fees for tax.)

If you have a large group, consider booking any of our fabulous tours as a private charter. For more information visit our Private Tour Page or email us at Pollock@detroithistorytours.com

To best enjoy this tour you’ll have not one, but two guides, joined throughout the tour by the owners, staff, and chefs that have made a lasting mark on Detroit’s culinary scene. Your guides for this tasty tour are two of Detroit’s hungriest gals: Christina and Bailey.

Meet your guides:

Christina Coden

Christina is a 4th generation chili connoisseur, wife, and mother of 2 beautiful boys.  She grew her love of all things Detroit from a very early age,  working at her family coney island, Red Hots, which was located in Highland Park. Her passion for chili did not stop, when Red Hots closed shortly after their 100th year anniversary, in 2021.  Christina carries on the prized secret recipe today; She began her own company, Red Hots Chili Sauce, which is available now at retail stores, bars and restaurants throughout South East Michigan.  

Outside of the chili biz Christina was a special education teacher for 12 years, staying late after class to coach volleyball, softball, and unified basketball. Her enthusiasm is contagious, her knowledge enormous, and her love of great, family owned food producers is unmatched.

Make sure to look for Red Hot’s Chilli Sauce in a grocery store near you!

www.redhotsconeyisland.com 

Bailey Sisoy Moore

Bailey Sisoy Isgro is the owner of Detroit History Tours and the proprietress of the Detroit History Club. She is an author, humorist, workaholic, Faygo-loving tour guide from the great City of Detroit. A lover of city ephemera, her most prized possessions include her antique books about Detroit penned by Clarence M. Burton himself, her Library of Congress readers card, her collection of vintage jewelry, and signed pay stubs of Edsel Ford. A frequent essay contributor, her most recent work can be seen in The Detroit Neighborhood Guide Book. Her first children’s book, Rosie A Detroit Herstory, hit shelves in the fall of 2018 from Wayne State Press and is receiving rave reviews. She has appeared on television as a contributor on the Travel Channel’s Tough Boats and Globe Trekker series, is a common guest on history-themed podcasts, and has written op-eds for local papers. She also likes to think her mother is proud. When she isn’t tramping around Detroit giving tours, drinking at century-old bars, and talking history with anyone who’ll join her, she can be found at her home in Highland Park, “a little slice of heaven inside Detroit”. She is meticulous in her research and passionate about historical accuracy, yet she takes great joy in presenting history in the most exciting, playful, and accessible way possible. A passionate connoisseur of all things delicious, she adamantly argues the health benefits of coney dogs and Vernor’s floats.