Detroit Fleat — Restaurant in Ferndale

I really want to love Detroit Fleat. The concept is great and I love the food trucks in the summer, however, they just aren’t meeting expectations. I’ve even had a birthday gathering of 20+ people here last February & felt pretty much the same as I do almost a full year later. The last 4-5 times I have been here the service just hasn’t been anywhere near good. Empty plates of food are left unattended and drinks were left empty at Harry Potter trivia. 9 times of 10 when I’ve been here I’ve had to approach the bar because my servers neglected their tables. We have to beg a server during my birthday in February for drinks (even though I called very much in advance to reserve seats and make sure they were properly staffed). On a Friday night tonight it is so loud with the live music we cannot even talk. No one on FB says they are going to that event tonight. Maybe take that as a hint. Also - tonight is advertised as a holiday pop but all that has been hung is a few ornaments and a few holiday mixed drinks are on the menus. 😂🙈 I’m done visiting and bringing business. The service is poor and has been for over a year and it is clear that this business needs to hire a marketing friend.

Response to Detroit Fleat's comment below: I read through the other reviews for your business on Friday night and it is obvious that I am not the only one that has been experiencing neglect from your staff. I don't necessarily blame your staff because no one seemed unkind - but perhaps you are understaffed or your staff does not receive enough training. No one seems happy to be there. While I appreciate your apology, I personally spoke with the owner of Detroit Fleat to reserve the tables for my birthday so the poor service is unexcusable. Last Friday night your establishment was far from packed and we still were not given the attention ANY other bar in Ferndale would have given us. As far as the holiday "pop up"... I was in your establishment at all times of the year and almost nothing looked different. All we saw was a Christmas drink menu and a few ornaments hung from the ceiling. No server brought the pop up to our attention or made it known that any specials benefiting a charity were availabe. I have my woes with your Live Music Friday, but even having something as simple as having the band play Christmas music in the month of December could have amplified this and made it feel like a bit more effort was made. I personally am unimpressed and will not be spending any more of my time or money with your business but I really do hope you take my review to heart and start treating your...

Took the family here for the first time. Parking was a passion, we actually parked in a factory lot across the road. Seating wasn't any easier. It was trivia night, so inside seating was reserved for players. The entire area under the awning was reserved as well for a private party. So that left is stranding around for 15 minutes waiting for something to open up. All seating is first come first serve, so we had to just hover close to a table that looked like it would be empty soon, to avoid anyone else grabbing it first. A little awkward.

The kids in the party ordered off the kids menu before any of us adults ordered from the trucks. Their food (a grilled cheese sandwich and 2 Mac and cheeses) came out about 10 minutes after the last food ordered from one of the tricks was ready. Luckily the giant Jenga blocks kept them entertained.

Unfortunately, none of the macaroni was actually consumed by my kids as it "looked weird." It looked as if it was seasoned with a chili seasoning... There were small pieces of bell pepper in it, and it has a reddish-brown color throughout. It was hard to tell for sure, as I was eating my spicy burrito, but my kids claimed that "it was spicy.' $10 down the drain.

As for the food from the trucks... That was all am A+! Italian beef... Good quality meat, juicy, great bread. Shrimp burrito... So yummy. Spicy, flavorful, actual big shrimp throughout, not little tiny salad shrimp you can barely taste. A chicken and chorizo burger (forget what they called it)... Again delicious. And a Reuben salad. Someone chose that night to go on a diet, but apparently it was just as good as the actual sandwich.

Despite my frustrations at the beginning, and over the poor choice of a Mac and cheese recipe for a kid's menu.... We all had a lot of fun. The kids really enjoyed the games available to play, and all the dogs people being to pet. Note on that.... My kids are very polite in asking if they can pet a dog. If you're going to bring a dog to a restaurant (I'm not talking about service dogs) be prepared for people wanting to pet it. If you're dog "gets nervous" leave it home! My kids shouldn't have to avoid walking past an entire area in a restaurant because your dog doesn't do well with crowds.

Anyway, despite some things, 4 stars. I wouldn't definitely go again, but maybe feed the kids first, or just leave them at home. Or maybe they can throw a regular no frills cheeseburger on...

Had dinner on a Thursday night here with my son. The atmosphere looked different and unique which is what brought us in. It appeared open and inviting too but in December the entry from the patio door should be closed because every time it opened a rush of cold wind made it impossible to warm up and get comfortable despite the fire going in the dining room. I had to keep my coat on the whole time. They apparently have a policy of not allowing you to “modify” the sliders, which means you can’t even leave something off of them. My son asked if they could leave off the pickle and tomato on his slider trio, but that was against policy. The pickle and tomato was put on the bottom bun and made it so soggy it was inedible. The chicken sliders were large but overcooked too. My food was ok, but nothing special. I was most disappointed by the 20% gratuity that was added to the bill without notice. I always tip at least 20% but being forced to without a posted notice is not cool. I’ve found that when gratuity is added service typically suffers. The waitress wasn’t unfriendly or terrible, just clearly didn’t try hard because she knew she didn’t have to, so the service was also just ok. The most disturbing part was when I went to pay the bill online with the QR code on the bill. The gratuity listed on the bill was added as a “service charge” of 20% AND it auto-populated an ADDITIONAL 20% “tip” which if you’re not paying attention to after maybe having a couple of drinks would make your gratuity 40%!!! Totally felt like this setup was a scam, but I’m guessing I’m not the only one that feels this way since it was pretty slow in there for a Thursday night at what should be dinner rush. I won’t be...