GUD BLOG: SINGLE POST
Destination Corktown – PJ’s Lager House
We’ve all had the experience of walking into a bar and immediately sensing that we don’t quite belong. It’s important to feel comfortable when you’re getting your drink on, right? But what makes a good bar?
Recently, after eleven hours of working for the man in a rear differential assembly plant in Marysville on my usual day off, I was ready for some beverages to help wipe some taint from the day. I’ve the whole I-94 corridor between Port Huron and I-696 to realize my desire but the prospect of mistakenly stopping into some Macomb County joint with a half dozen taps of light beer and the whiny twang of “Hot Country” assaulting my sensibilities gives me pause. It makes sense to hit a place near my co-workers house, who’s riding shotgun, near Eight Mile and Mound, but neither of us are confident that we’ll be satisfied with the choices. It’s settled. Another fifteen minutes of travel time finds us at PJ’s Lager House.
Known as one of the most popular small music venues in the city there is a whole lot more to PJ’s than tunes. That’s not to say that music isn’t part of the equation when a band isn’t playing a set. Indeed, the quality soundtrack at PJ’s is like another patron – some grizzled dude quietly drawing pictures in the corner – interesting but not distracting. On this particular Saturday evening it was mellow rock. Nothing that I had heard but all good.
There isn’t a big menu of drinks. A handful of wine by the glass. A standard liquor selection. A few taps and even more bottled beers, many of them craft selections. I order a pint of roasty and poundable Motor City Brewing Works Corktown Stout and a glass of Bushmill’s as one of the two resident hounds saunters over for a head scratch. A whiskey bloom softens all the edges. I feel it down in my toes.
I devour a catfish po’ boy that’s made with chewy bolillo bread from a Mexicantown bakery and souse my fries with a bottle of malt vinegar that I didn’t even have to ask for. Most all of the food is housemade and transcends what you see on a typical bar menu. They make a damn good potato and poblano soup, creamy with a mild burn. The fried dill pickles are good for your mental health. The gumbo satisfies a hollow belly.
Most folks label PJ’s a dive bar. It’s true that it’s not a well-lit, suburban strip mall grill where everybody is dressed in button down shirts, jeans and a leather jacket. It’s not a white tablecloth restaurant (except on Sundays). Call it what you will. Pj’s is real and far too unique to be ignored. So go have a couple beers and a bite to eat. Patronize establishments like PJ’s that give a damn – and save a spot for me at the bar.
2011.04.20 Todd Abrams at 11:46 am
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4 Responses to Destination Corktown – PJ’s Lager House
I haven’t had the po’ boys yet but they looked good. It’s definitely a cut above the type of “pub grub” you’d expect from similar bars, and nice that they do try to source some stuff locally. Re: the “dive bar” classification, I think that’s a holdover from its former incarnation. I was actually questioning its inclusion on Schoeniger’s dive bars map.
It’s one of those places that doesn’t necessarily blow you away but you always have a solid experience. I also think the dive bar thing comes from people that just go for shows and never realize that the food is good.
I’m making a trek back to the Mitten for an extended stay this summer and one of the things I’m looking forward to the most is spending a considerable amount of time reconnecting with all things delicious and honorable in the Metro area. Craft beer and po’ boys? Sign.Me.Up.
Emily, if you’re here by June 11, come to our annual potluck picnic on Belle Isle and introduce yourself. We know all the great places to hang out.