My spouse and I visited the Elwood Bar and Grill for drinks
on a Saturday morning in early July 2017. We were on our way to a Tigers vs. Cleveland
Indians baseball game in Comerica Park, and the Elwood Grill provided a
convenient place for a drink. (We had eaten a large breakfast at our hotel, so
we only ordered drinks, but the food looked tempting.)
The restaurant is located on the corner of West Adams and
Brush Streets, across the street both Comerica Park and Ford Field. Originally,
the Elwood Grill occupied a spot at the corner of Woodward and Elizabeth
Streets. In fact, its name derives from a combination of the original cross
streets: “El” from “Elizabeth” and “Wood” from “Woodward”. In the mid 1980s,
the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. In 1997,
when Comerica Park was being built, the Elwood Grill was moved to the corner of
West Adams and Brush.
The classic mid-1930s diner is designed in the modern Art
Deco style. Because it occupies a corner lot, its two facades are covered with
enameled steel in blue and cream colors that contain a series of 12 windows. A
tower above the corner entrance decorated in blue stripes attracts your
attention. The restaurant interior
includes a curved wooden bar, upholstered booths, and tables in a variety of
sizes and configurations. Outside, the restaurant offers a sort of beer garden
with picnic tables on a sidewalk patio; although table service is not offered,
you can purchase beer (self-service) from a small portable bar area. The
restaurant serves American classics like burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, and
fries.
We enjoyed our stop at the Elwood Bar and Grill – next time,
we will return for a bite before a game.
