One of the largest art fairs in Michigan, the Wyandotte Street Art Fair, starts Wednesday and runs through Saturday in downtown Wyandotte.
The four-day Downriver fair is set along downtown Wyandotte's Biddle Avenue, between Oak Street and Eureka, and is in its 61st year. Stroll along its main dragor take a turn down a side street and there are plenty of offerings from eateries.
Longtime favorites on Biddle, or just a block off, include Mediterranean fare at Nanna's Kitchen, sliders at Joe's Hamburgers and an array of sandwiches, burgers and salads at Whiskeys on the Water.
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Newcomers to downtown Wyandotte include the Iron Gate on Biddle Avenue and La Creme Patisserie on Maple. The darling patisserie opened a few months ago and has a wide array of European-style pastries from fresh-baked flaky croissants and tortes to cakes and cannolis.
There will also be street food vendors at the fair offering Philly cheesesteaks, cinnamon rolls, kielbasaand pierogi and places for tacos, burgers, noodles and more.
Wyandotte also has an established social district, which allows the consumption of alcohol in specially marked containers and in areas between licensed establishments.
Signage withspecific social district boundaries and rules and establishments are posted around Wyandotte. You will find a printable map of social district establishments at wyandotte.net.
There are now 20 restaurants participating in Wyandotte's social district, which runs from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Here's a sampling of spots to eat, have a drink or hang out while at the Wyandotte Street Art Fair.
Bobcat Bonnie's
118 Sycamore St.;bobcatbonnies.com
This spot on Sycamore Street, just off of Biddle Avenue, is one of five Bobcat Bonnie’s metro Detroit locations. Bobcat Bonnie's is known for its signature co*cktails, weekly specials, burgers, sandwiches, salads, shareable menu and more. Bobcat Bonnie's has a covered patio area that was recently redesigned, adding comfy couch seating along with table seating with plenty of greenery accents by outdoor plants. For the street fair, Bobcat Bonnie's will set up an outdoor bar.
Nearby: Grand Dad's Bar, Taco Bros and Coastal Thai.
Frank's Family Pizzeria
3144 Biddle Ave.; frankspizza1952.com
New owners brothers Brandon and Zane Hunt and Josh Cade, who owns nearby Whiskeys on the Water and Iron Gate, are celebrating the one-year anniversary of this longtime pizza spot. Frank's has been around since 1952. Here several of the original Frank's classic pizzas, including the cheese and pepperoni, are still served. Frank's also serves the trendy Detroit-style pizza for which the Hunt brothers are known. As pizza enthusiasts, the Hunt brothers grew up Downriver and took their Detroit-style pizza to Texas, opening VIA 313 pizza in 2011, which has grown into several locations. During the street fair, Frank's will have a booth out front selling pizza by the slice. Frank's now has a new patio in the art way on the side of the building that seats 40.
H2O Seafood
3233 Biddle Ave.; h2oseafood.net
Now opened nearly three years on Biddle Avenue, this seafood spot is co-owned by chef David Wood. Wood says he sources an abundance of fresh fish from all over the world, including Chilean Sea Bass, grouper, tilefish, hogfish and swordfish, all prepared any way you like. More recently, they developed an oyster program, selling raw oysters on the half shell.The program features oysters from different areas such as Great Britain, Prince Edward Island, Japan and West Coast areas in the U.S. and Canada. During the street fair, Wood is setting up a raw bar outside on its 90-plus seat patio that is shared with Gizzmos next door.
Nearby: Next door to H2O, Wood will be serving Alvi's Barbecue out of Gizzmos during the street fair. A limited menu features drunken pig — mac and cheese with pulled pork and coleslaw — pulled pork sandwiches, and smoked Gouda mac and cheese.
Iron Gate
3019 Biddle Ave; irongatebarwyandotte.com
This new spot on Biddle is from the Whiskeys on the Water owner Josh Cade. It opened last September. On the menu are chef-curated small plates, lunch and dinner items. Its "Proper Bites" menu features pork and ginger dumplings, bang bang shrimp, and chicken tandoori skewers. They also have flatbreads and dinner entrees of crispy skin salmon, a burger blend and a Delmonico steak. Only lunch and dinner will be served and Iron Gate will open at 11 a.m. during the street art fair. Its bar menu features elevated craft co*cktails. They will also have a booth out front serving craft co*cktails and drinks.
Joe's Hamburgers
3041 Biddle Ave.; joeshamburgers.net
Open since 2009, this spot on Biddle is known for its sliders. The basic slider is served with grilled onions, mustard, ketchup and pickles.It's a small place, but with a big menu of sliders, signature burgers, hot dogs, and fresh-cut French fries, according to its online menu. There are several varieties of hot dogs, sandwiches, and even poutine — French fries layered with cheese curds and a poutine sauce, usually gravy. For the street fair, they've adjusted the menu offerings to provide streamlined service for the street fair. Joe's Hamburgers is also featuring street-side co*cktails from Atwater Brewery this year. Its limited-time co*cktail served during the street fair features Faygo Firework pop and Valentine Vodka.
Lunch Wyandotte
3050 Biddle Ave., lunchwyandotte.com
This Italian sub shop is celebrating its one-year anniversary as a walk-up window on Biddle near First and Maple. Located in the former Owl's Corner boutique, there are a dozen sub sandwich offerings. Out of the small, 175-square-foot space, the specialty is 8-inch sub sandwiches made with layers of Italian cold cut meats, up to 18 layers, and cheeses. Subs are topped with lettuce, tomato and onions (optional)and a vinaigrette dressing all on fresh Italian bread. For the street fair, Lunch Wyandotte will have a 4-inch sub sandwich for $5.
Nanna's Kitchen
2962 Biddle Ave.; 734-281-9093
Nanna's Kitchen opened in 1985 and is still serving classic home-cooked meals and its Mediterranean specialties. Its menu during the Street Art Fair will be limited. Nanna's will have a selection of wraps, salads, sandwiches and dinners. Breakfast will be available all day. There's outdoor patio seating.Hours during the street fair are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. They will be closed on Sunday after the Street Fair but will resume regular Sunday hours the following the street fair.
The Vault on First
3058 First St.; thevaultonfirst.com
This restaurant is billed as fine dining in Wyandotte. The Vault on First is named so because the building was once a bank. There are several nods to the former bank inside, including keeping the original nighttime deposit box. The menu features prime-cut beef options, wild-caught seafood, pasta, and vegan and vegetarian dishes. A host of gluten-free options including desserts are available and many menu items are billed as allergy-friendly. The Vault on First is on First Street at the corner, where it curves and turns into Maple in downtown Wyandotte. There's sidewalk seating on both Maple and First streets. The bar area has a garage door that opens up to the sidewalk and patio seating. During the street fair, the restaurant will be walk-in only and not accept reservations. Dining hours will be 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.
Nearby: Sushi Bar Japanese Cuisine. On the Rocks.
Whiskeys on the Water
2903 Biddle; whiskeysonthewater.com
Here on the corner of Biddle and Oak, you'll find co*cktails, craft beers and a menu that features plenty of offerings. There's a selection of gourmet burgers that includes the P&L Burger, an 8-ounce grilled patty topped with housemade bacon jam, Swiss cheese, pickle mayo and lettuce served on a toasted brioche bun, according to its online menu. Its signature Whiskey burger is smothered in housemade Jameson whiskey glaze, topped with mushrooms, grilled onions, lettuce and crumbled gorgonzola cheese set on a brioche bun. Only the lunch and dinner menu will be served. An outdoor patio is on the Oak Street side of the building and they'll have a booth out in front of the restaurant serving craft and domestic beer, along with craft co*cktails.
Wine Dotte Bistro
2910 Van Alstyne St.; winedottebistro.com
On Van Alstyne Street, which is the back side of Biddle, Wine Dotte Bistro's menu features an array of appetizers, burgers, salads, sandwiches, tacos and entrees. A signature and popular dish are the lamb chops served with a chimichurri balsamic glaze. You can build your own pasta dishes or choose to cook your own steak or fish or lobster on a hot rock. The bistro is separated by a city parking lot from the Detroit River. In the parking lot area there is comfortable outdoor seating under umbrellas.
Contact Detroit Free Press food writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news to:sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter.
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