Beckerz Bites - Metro Detroit: Dearborn's Ford's Garage

Normally, we steer clear of “chain” restaurants and focus completely on unique, one of a kind, places to review. However, this week’s Fun Food Friday is very cool chain restaurant that has ties to our area and the automotive industry…Ford’s Garage. We first came across Ford’s Garage in 2016 when we were staying in Cape Coral Florida, we didn’t know much about it so we thought we would check it out and we really liked it. They were primarily a Florida chain, opening their first restaurant in Ft. Meyers, FL in 2012. In 2013 they applied to trademark their logo and were denied because their name and logo were too similar to Ford Motor Co. In 2014 they entered into an agreement with Ford Motor Co., enabling them to use Ford’s Trademark “Blue Oval” in its restaurants.

In 2017 they opened their first Michigan restaurant in Dearborn, the birthplace of Ford Motor Co, and now have 20+ locations in 6 different states with their 2nd Michigan location opening soon in Novi’s Fountain Walk sometime this spring.

The look and feel of their restaurants is lively and fun. Their décor is everything automotive and decked out to replicate a 1920’s service station. From the Model T’s parked out front and gas pump nozzle door handles to the bathroom sinks made from tires. The silverware comes wrapped in shop towels for napkins which are bound with a hose clamp. When cars pull through the front entrance of the Dearborn location , they drive over a hose that rings the service bell inside the restaurant. . . like they had at service stations back in the day. It’s a great place to grab a burger and beer while enjoying a little automotive history.

They are known for their vast menu featuring a variety of sandwiches, a nice selection of hand packed ½ pound burgers, kicked up bar food, salads, BBQ and comfort foods like Meatloaf and Mac & Cheese. The bar has over 40 craft and domestic beers to choose from, as well as some signature craft cocktails known as “Ford Fusions” with creative names like Mustang Mary, Model Tea and Backseat Driver. They have A DOZEN specialty burger options, including the Model A, Ford’s Signature, High-Octane and Jiffy Burger, as well as the ability to “rev up” your burger by changing to Chicken Breast, Turkey, or Veggie burger, for no charge or Bison for an additional charge. If a burger is not what you are looking for, there is a nice selection of salads, sandwiches like the burnt ends melt or comfort foods like Mama Fords Meatloaf and Blackened salmon. If you are just popping in for a happy hour beverage and appetizer, we would recommend the Buffalo Chicken Dip or the Famous Firestone Shrimp.

Our favorite time to go to any restaurant is during Happy Hour, when you typically don’t have to wait for a table or can easily get a seat at the bar. Because of Covid many restaurants have eliminated happy hour all together or drastically reduced their happy hour times and specials. We were happy to see that Ford’s Garage had not. Since they already have reasonable drink prices, happy hour makes them that much better. If you are just popping in for a happy hour beverage and appetizer, we would recommend the Buffalo Chicken Dip or the Famous Firestone Shrimp. Tiffany, our server, gave us some solid advice and we were very happy with the choices she helped us with. We loved her energy and enthusiasm about the menu!!! Teresa got a Jim Beam for $4 and my draft Labatt pint was only $2.50. Who doesn’t love a happy hour special?!? Happy hour is M-F from 2PM-6PM with $4 premium well drinks and $2 off all drinks and drafts.