Beckerz Bites - Mexicantown's Mutiny Tiki Bar & Food Options

This week’s post has been quite the learning experience for us. Like so many other people that live in the suburbs of Detroit, when we are downtown and have a craving for Mexican food, we would end up at the usual suspects Mexican Village, Xochimilco or Mexicantown.

Several years ago, we were introduced to Flowers of Vietnam, which has the best Asian/Vietnamese food, and we have featured it in past FFF posts. You are probably thinking Vietnamese food in Mexicantown? Yes but keep reading it gets better. Then our kids introduced us to Taqueria El Rey, which had amazing authentic Mexican food and off the charts grilled chicken….but sadly, the restaurant was lost to a fire in January of last year. Recently, we discovered Armando’s and Los Galanes added them to our list of go to places.

Then we met, and quickly became friends with, Corey Clavet, who was previously a bar tender at Second Best. She left there for the opportunity to become the manager of the Mutiny Tiki Bar in Mexicantown……yes, that’s right, a TIKI BAR IN MEXICANTOWN! ( I told you it would get better. ) Of course we had to stop in to visit Corey and check it out. Little did we know we would fall in love with the place. Corey is not just your average run of the mill bartender. In 2018 she was selected as a regional finalist for the prestigious Diageo World Class Cocktail Competition and she was featured in Hour Magazine, in March of 2021, in an article about Detroit’s female bartenders. We love her, and you will too!

One night, after a long evening downtown, as we were leaving the Mutiny Bar, we noticed the food truck across the street: Wicho’s. We immediately realized it had been a while since we had eaten so we decided to walk over and check them out, and of course we ordered a few things to take home. This literally put the wheels in motion and changed our entire perspective of Mexicantown! They are sometimes across the street from Mutiny Bar (corner of Vernor & Lansing) sometimes on the corner of Vernor & Beard – We love their tortas especially the Cubano or Chorizo. They put a red sauce on their fries that is really tasty and I am not a ketchup on my fries kind of guy. (yes, that’s Teresa doing snow angels in the parking lot while we wait for our food!)

The next time we stopped in to see Corey, we told her about the amazing food we had at Wicho’s. She told us there were tons of food trucks, all over Mexicantown, and pointed out a bunch that she loved, and where they are usually parked Next time you are heading to Mexicantown for dinner stop in to The Mutiny Tiki Bar to see Corey, either before going to one of the amazing Mexican restaurants in Mexicantown OR grab maybe grab some to go at one of the many food trucks, and take it there to eat while having a flaming cocktail. Since they don’t serve food bringing your own in is not frowned upon. The Mutiny Bar is located at the NE corner of Vernor and Lansing, ironically Taqueria El Ray was right across the street on the NW corner.

TAMALERIA NUEVO LEON – At the corner of Vernor & St Anne – I love Tamales, and there are many places to choose from in the area to get some to go. In my opinion, this is one of the best (notice I didn’t say the best) in the area.

ANTOJITOS – At the corner of Bagley & Wabash – This is the truck that sells the Birriadillas that I love. They also serve Birria fries and Birria Raman (that’s it just 3 items) but we’ve only had the Birriadillas. It pains me to drive by when we aren’t hungry because I want to stop every time.

DULY’S PLACE CONEY ISLAND – On the corner of Bagley & Junction – Being foodies we are huge fans of Anthony Bourdain and when he visited Detroit for his Parts Unknown show in 2013 George Azar (Chef owner of Flowers of Vietnam) took him around town and Duly’s was on the list for Coneys. Of course we love our coney dogs here in Detroit and most go to Lafayette or American but Duly’s is the real deal as well and only 4 blocks west of the Mutiny Bar.

HONEY BEE MARKET – 2443 Bagley, between 16th and 17th St – This is a great Mexican Market specializing in anything you could need to cook delicious meals at home. They also offer hot foods to go which we didn’t try but they looked yummy.

These are the food trucks and trailers we have visited over the past few months. We recently ventured out to see if they are open in the winter and they are. Some have a vast menu, and others keep it simple. Most are offering tacos, quesadillas, tortas etc…but some offer a Birriadilla, which is Birria meat with cheese in a corn tortilla, fried and served with a consume for dipping. It is so good and quickly became my favorite, especially from Antojitos at Bagley and Wabash…Delicious. I think the thing that really stands out to me with all these trucks is how friendly, grateful and hard working the owners are. They take great pride in everything they serve and it is fun to taste the different flavors from one truck to the next. If you are lucky you might get a nice pour of Tequila from the cook while you are waiting.

TACO MADRE TAQUERIA – on 24th between Bagley & Vernor (Mexican Town is at 24th & Bagley) - Also tried the Birria here but in a taco. Really delicious and a super good deal for only $2.• TACO MADRE TAQUERIA – on 24th between Bagley & Vernor (Mexican Town is at 24th & Bagley) - Also tried the Birria here but in a taco. Really delicious and a super good deal for only $2.

TACO FIESTA – 3041 Vernor – right next to Donovan’s Pub – We have been to Donovan’s Pub a number of times and have noticed this truck in the lot next door but every time we weren’t hungry. This time we were! We ordered a chicken taco and tried the birradilla here as well. Both were really good, the Birradilla was super cheesy and worth going back for.

TACOS EL LOCO - right across the street from Duly’s. Try the Carne Asada a the meat . . . it’s amazing! The tostada and botana are our favorites, but it’s all awesome!

PRINCE VALLEY MARKET – 5931 Michigan Avenue – Another Mexican market located a little further to the north and west, but worth the trip for the Tamales. The tamales here are my favorite and I’ll stop in for a dozen whenever we are in the area. They sell them hot or cold so you can get them hot and head to the Mutiny Bar to enjoy them.

PUPUSERIA RESTAURANT – 3149 Livernois – You can dine in, or get it to go. This place is one of the few places in Michigan that have a truly authentic Salvadorian meal. Get your tacos and burritos somewhere else! If you’ve never had a papusa, or even heard of a papusa, you need to try one.

CORONADOS FOOD TRUCK – On the corner of Vernor & MIltary (In the parking lot of Auto Zone) They have an amazing Ceviche Tostada and the Birria Torta is phenomenal!

EL TAQUITO - On the corner of Vernor & Military (In the parking lot of Checkers) The tacos are loaded with meat and this is some of the best authentic Mexican food in the city!

TAQUERIA LOS DOS CARNALES – Vernor & Infantry (In the same parking lot as the S W OUT DOOR MERCADO) – Here they had lamb tacos so we said…Why Not? So we order a beef and a lamb to go, the beef was good but the lamb was super good, lamb just adds that little bit of extra flavor and it worked with the spices.

TAQUERIA EL TAPATIO – Vernor between Hubbard & Scotten (a block from Armandos) – We had the Chorizo and El Pastor Tacos on flour shells. Delicious, we prefer the soft flour tortillas over soft corn tortillas when it is offered.

Here are some places we didn’t get to . . . . yet! We will go back on a weekend when we have all day to travel around and sample food!

EL TACO VELOZ – Livernois & Lansing
TACOS BARRIO & The Real Boss - Where Vernor turns into Dix St, near the Poronga Splash car wash. They have a nice covered pavilion to sit and eat, if you want to.
EL IMPERIO TACO STAND – Vernor & Casper
EL PARIAN – Vernor & Mullane in the O’Reilly Auto Parts parking lot
TACOS EL CABALLO – Springwells & Longworth
EL AGAVE – Springwells & Cahalan
EL GORDO – Springwells between Homer & Longworth (near Vince’s Italian restaurant)