Ford's Garage Dearborn — Restaurant in Dearborn

I’ve eaten here before about 3 years ago and loved it. We arrived here with a group and a reservation from well over a week in advance, and had elders standing for 30+ waiting for tables. I asked the host if they could provide seating since our reservation wasn’t on time he said he couldn’t. If you don’t have elderly parents or family members the parking lot is full and we’d have to pull the car, have them get it, and repark. We finally were seated by the same host curly hair guy who didn’t say a word once we were sat. We had one waitress on one table and a different on the other. It started out fine for drinks. Then the wait game started. We asked for appetizers immediately as we’ve been waiting for dinner 45min now. We received fried pickles (they are usually amazing !) the bread ran clean off. It is what it is. We waited another 15min to order food and everyone already needed refills which weren’t provided until way past ordering. By this time the server still hasn’t introduced herself, one worded questions, and leaves. We weren’t rude or disrespectful. We brought the wait up to a woman manager, which didn’t seem to care, she said it was common for waits for large parties and we would have our food soon. By this time, we almost cancelled our food and left I wish we had. From entering the restaurant to a reservation 5min early to dinner, it took 1 hour and 40min to receive dinner. The table I was at half the food was cold. One gentleman received a raw burger. Once again we weren’t upset at our waitress we said the kitchen didn’t cook the food we need another meal. Once everyone finished their food, the one person still didn’t receive their plate that had to be re-made. We didn’t receive another refill on drinks, and as far as alcohol we couldn’t get the bar staff help. I have no clue what was going on and his night but this wasn’t it. The second manager comes out and interrupts the man explaining to him what happened and starts talking over him with coupons and says our waitress is wonderful she wouldn’t do this. Her section wasn’t full. There’s not a reason to be rude, not communicate, or as the manager he didn’t step in and push food, grab drinks, step up if you see there’s a wait issue. Do not come here with more than 3 people much less a party. Management and kitchen times aren’t adding up. I have the coupons to tables next to us, as we won’t be...

As the owner of a couple of very old cars, including a 1915 Model T Ford, and being a decades -long -member of The Henry Ford Museum, I had been wanting to eat here, after a day at the museum, since I first became aware of this place. So, after actually managing to get all of my adult kids to accompany me to Greenfield Village, I figured it was good time to try some beers and burgers at Ford's Garage. To sum my experience there up, only one word is required: DISSAPOINTING! I guess I must have been expecting a museum-like experience, filled with memorabilia visible everywhere. However, beyond a couple of cars that were visible while walking to our table, there really wasn't anything to see, once we sat down. I really felt that I could not tell any difference between this place and any other local bar. The service was HORRIBLE! Our waitress looked angry, and we came to find out that she was.....because the place is understaffed, and she was overwhelmed. Noteworthy, is the fact that this place wasn't even horribly busy, ie: we didn't have to wait to be seated. So.....the waitress took our orders for food and beers. The beers were brought out and we drank them up slowly, while rehashing happy family memories. Our food was nowhere to be seen so, ordered round 2 of beers. We drank those. Still, no food. At this point, 40 minutes after being seated, our very apologetic waitress showed up and explained that she "forgot to place your orders". It ended up taking an hour and 15 minutes, from the time we sat down, until our food was served. The food itself was not bad. Not great, but not bad. Besides some fancy names, it was no more distinct than any other food that I've had eaten at a lifetime's worth of bar and grill type places. The bill wasn't shockingly high but, neither was it shockingly low. To sum it all up, if you want a truely nostalgic setting while having a couple of beers, and GOOD food, with your loved ones, my opinion is to eat at Stand 44, or The Eagle Tavern within Greenfield Village, or at one of the restaurants within The Henry Ford, itself. They are less than 5 minutes away, and the people who work there are HAPPY! There is not a single compelling reason that I can think of, for me to ever return to Ford's Garage....

If you are a fan of automobiles and Americana vibes, then Ford's garage is a restaurant you will most definitely want to check out. This restaurant is located just down the road from the Ford Motor Company world headquarters in Dearborn and features everything from Ford's beginnings to their current era.

The inside of this restaurant is styled to look like an auto garage and features everything from oil drum tables, classic cars hanging overhead, to tool box counters and the decor throughout is (obviously) heavily influenced by Ford. The automotive theme is very cleverly done and the attention to detail is incredible. Everything from the staff wearing mechanic-styled uniforms, gas pump door handles, to hose clamps used as napkin rings. Even the bathrooms feature automotive/mechanic flare as the sinks are made out of tires and beer kegs have been reconstituted into male urinals.

Getting to the food aspect of this establishment, you will find traditional American eats from burger and fries, to steak and a full-service bar featuring all the traditional drinks and mixes. I had the smoked brisket melt and Americana burger and I must say I was blown away by the quality of the food. The brisket was tender and the burger was juicy and flavorful. The entire menu is inspired by recipes and favorites from the Ford family and prices are mid-range and what you would expect from an upscale restaurant.

Overall, this is an excellent themed restaurant that encompasses all the history of American manufacturing and automotive culture in a way that is charming and certainly unique when compared with how most themed restaurants tend to be overbearing and cliché. I definitely recommend people to give Ford's restaurant a try if you are a Michigander or visiting from...