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Cass Cafe
Categories: Restaurants Burgers Restaurants Vegetarian Restaurants Sandwiches Burgers, Vegetarian, Sandwiches [Edit]
4620 Cass AveDetroit, MI 48201
Neighbourhoods: Midtown, Cass Corridor
(313) 831-1400
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 11 am - 2 am
Sun 5 pm - 12 am
Sun 5 pm - 1 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Late Night, Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Drive-Thru:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Hipster, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
98 reviews for Cass Cafe
Review Highlights
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"Lentil Walnut Burger, Cafe Rueben both good." In 31 reviews -
"Also, the art on the walls -- amazing." In 37 reviews -
"...addicted to the artichoke melt--grilled bread, gooey cheese..." In 5 reviews
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98 reviews in English
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Review from Jessica C.
Ferndale, MI
4/5/2012
This is a great Midtown place to eat and grab a drink.
The food is really good - I had a lentil burger that I'm still dreaming about to this day.
The drinks are really well priced too. I look forward to going back. -
Review from Dan N.
4/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
Cool little place in Downtown Detroit. My initial impression after perusing the menu was the lack of meat on it. This place seems like it would be a vegan/vegetarians heaven. My girlfriend, who's not a vegetarian, raves about the veggie burger here. I went with the Salmon BLT. It was really good, solid bacon, amazing sauce, and the fish was cooked well. The salmon tasted a bit too fishy, but I think it may have been a result of me ordering it medium-rare (I have no idea how I like salmon cooked). I also ordered the onion rings, which weren't bad, but definitely would not recommend.
This would be a great place to grab lunch and a few drinks on a Saturday...if only I didn't have a drive to Chicago awaiting me after my lunch here. Service was also really great--definitely a plus! -
Review from Damian P.
Detroit, MI
Updated - 4/12/2012
Great service.....ambiance and food! If you want somewhere nice but off of the beaten path this is it! The local art work display also adds a rich level of class and culture I recommend this place to anyone who enjoys a culture and great food!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/13/2009
Excellent food....drinks and environment! Service was given promptly and with a smile.....what a… Read more »
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Review from Sam M.
Detroit, MI
4/7/2012
Cass Cafe is great. The beers are cheap, and I appreciate how you can get a small meal at this establishment for roughly three dollars. The staff is always respectful and pleasant.
Sometimes I don't think the vegan meals are very filling, but as a carnivore I'm willing to overlook it. -
Review from ani b.
Canton, MI
2/12/2012
Cass is good for a weekend lunch. It has a kinda divey/funky interior with an extensive bar and limited tables in use on the day we were there. I'm guessing the upper loft is used for the evening party bar crowd.
What I liked was the fresh cafe/diner food. Nothing really fancily served, just plain good diner fare. Extensive vegetarian items on the menu and imaginative upper scale carnivore choices.
I got the veggie wrap; fresh with more variety than the average wrap with red peppers, kalamata olives, red onion, spinach and hummus. I didn't taste the sun dried tomatoes listed to be inside, and it was a little heavy on the wrap and less on the veggies but i would order it again.
Hubby ordered the turkey reuben w/ sauerkraut and said it was good, but he was less happy over the onion rings which he thought the common freezer type. I thought the fries and onion rings both good enough; which we had to order them extra, nothing came with the sandwichs. The iced tea was tasteless; might as well ordered water. But again, overall, I liked the food.
Parking is in the rear off of Warren, east of Cass with a back door entrance tho steps lead down to the door. Thus no handicap rear entrance.
It's worth a try and i would go back. -
Review from Eric P.
11/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
I have mixed feelings about Cass Café. While their food has a tendency to be quite good, there's just a bit too high of a chance that it won't be.
The same goes for some of their drinks, though I do have to give them credit - they don't skimp on the free pour.
I usually will only come here if someone else wants to - it is never my first choice. -
Review from Peggah G.
Updated - 10/23/2011
This is more of a place for seeing people and being seen, I came to find. The service is mediocre the times I've been there, and of course, I wasn't drunk, so I actually noticed. The food wasn't anything I really wanted, and I doubt I'll ever go here again.
If you're someone who enjoys local "flavor," being in Detroit, and getting wasted, this is a place for you.
If you're a wallflower stuck with a large crowd of people, check out the art on the walls; the artwork tends to be more interesting than the conversations at the bar.Listed in: Splattered Walls and a Kick in…, Wise Owl's Late eats
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Review from pz j.
Ann Arbor, MI
9/30/2011
Cass Cafe is the bomb .dot. com and home to my favorite sandwich of all time - Smoked Wild Salmon BLT.
On a recent trip I got something off the specials menu - Mediterranean Vegetable Tortellini. The bf got the MOCAD sandwich (Mushrooms, Onions, Cherry Chutney, Apples & Dandelions greens), also off the specials menu. He raved about it all night.
As always we enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. I found the art on the wall by Craig Paul Nowak really fascinating and the people in it absolutely beautiful.
Last but not least, a shout out to the ever-fabulous swaggalicious Larita! LOVE her! -
Review from Sonali B.
7/25/2011
While trying to recall how many times I have frequented Cass Cafe over the years, I lost count and was taken back to memories of good food, generous bar-tenders, and a haven from the madness of Dally of the Alley celebrations from years past.
Back in my college days, Cass Cafe was my go-to place for a beer with classmates, the casual celebratory bloody mary after an exam, and food. I came here with professors and friends alike and always enjoyed the service, menu, and low-key environment with art (sometimes crazy art) on the walls. Their selection of beers and cocktails at the bar is great - order anything from a Ghetto Blaster to a killer cocktail from their no-nonsense bartenders and sip away.
I used to order the Lentil Burger, sometimes with the patty served atop a a salad of fresh greens. I also had the burrito, tri-grilled cheese, caesar salad, and numerous sandwiches and pastas off their menu. Eating here was a no brainer - service was friendly, the people watching was interesting, and the daily drink specials were fabulous. Many an evening was spent with $1 Pabst Can night or having one too many of their wine specials with my roomates. I love Cass and I love going there still. The prices are reasonble and perfect for the student on campus looking for more than Taco Bell, Subway, or Pizza Hut. -
Review from Jenny C.
8/5/2011 7 Check-ins Here
Cass Cafe.
What I love::: their soup. Their Tomato Bisque Soup. I know its August right now but I would eat their tomato bisque soup every day until the world ended if i could. Its that good.
So naturally I usually go for the soup-salad combo. The lentil soup is a yummy fall-back if they aren't serving tomato bisque soup. I do remember once having their St Patricks Day cabbage soup which as also da bomb. Their salad dressings are super yummy, I usually go with the caesar or some kind of mustard vinaigrette. If you get the soup salad combo it aslo comes with super yummy garlic bread, which can be ordered vegan if you ask!
The tiramisu is also da bomb. And cheesecake.
Fun Fact::: cass cafe has no espresso machine. But they do have coffee and will gladly brew you a fresh pot, should you request it.
Their lentil patty is ok... everyone always goes gaga over it, but i think its just ok. IMO, traffic jam's lentil patty is better. but the cass cafe lentil sandwich as a whole is better than traffic jam's. (just sayin)
If you're an old schooler, and you miss the ex-artichoke melt sandwich, just ask the server, and they will hook you up!
All in all cass cafe is good for what you pay for. Keep a look out for that tomato bisque soup!
BIKES::: they have a bike rack in the front. -
Review from Brent S.
Detroit, MI
1/29/2012 1 Check-in Here
Ty Pharoah's paintings on the wall speak to you whether you're meeting for business or enjoying a drink at the bar. They say: Lentil Burger...
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Review from Michael W.
Detroit, MI
9/7/2011
Nice spot for a bite and a drink.
Stopped in after class for a burger and $2 MotorCity pints on a Wednesday. Fast, friendly service. Tasty burger cooked to order. Lots of veggie and meaty choices on the menu. PBR on tap.
Will defiantly be back! -
Review from Kristin G.
Royal Oak, MI
2/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
Cass Cafe is some strange phenomenon. The food here is not only uninspired but it's not great quality either. Yet the place is still up and running. Why? Why do people waste their time & $? I could understand if it was a cheap place for students to come and get a tasty bite. But it's really not that cheap for what it is. The even stranger thing is how long it's lingered in mediocrity. It's been this way for years!
They have decent sandwiches, decent soup, decent lentil burgers. It's nothing that will make you run back to your friends and say "you've gotta try this place!" I'm telling you all, go to Russel St Deli or Mudgies! You won't be sorry! Foran's Irish Pub even!...
I've had all sorts of various dishes from lunch to dinner and it's never really impressed me. If it wasn't so close to CCS where I went to school, then I don't think it would still be alive. It's proximity to Wayne State & CCS is it's saving grace.
The atmosphere is strangely broken into top and bottom floors. It's as disjointed as the food. The service is just ok too. I've had some decent and some pretty rude service. They almost always seem to be understaffed. Maybe that's what makes them grumpy as servers. Not that I envy them, but that's not ok either.
Sorry Cass Cafe, you need to either do an overhaul or make room for a restaurant worth telling friends about. -
Review from Sam G.
4/8/2011
Oh Cass Cafe, how you did me wrong!
After hearing that they had some bicycle events and other little shows here, I was hoping for a warm and chill ambiance (hm, sounds oxymoronic) with likeminded people.
Nope. Instead the interior is so awkwardly proportioned that the sound bounces everywhere. It's aiming to be a kind of 'loft space' but ends up feeling like a tin can. Noisy and unwelcoming. The service was very sparse though friendly when it was there.
The main offense? The food. Everything sounded SO GOOD on the menu. And instead, everything tasted SO WRONG. Our stomachs were upset for 2 hours after eating and we've thrown out the leftovers.
The "Wild Mushroom Cheese Tortellini" was a stale batch of prepackaged tortellini and soggy veggies in a revolting broth (which had the most puzzling use of herbs I've ever tasted).
The artichoke pesto sandwich was a patty of tasteless pesto (a one-inch PATTY??? Of pesto??? Eh, what?) on an english muffin. The ahi salad was made of random and uncomplimentary veggies with definitely NOT fresh fish.
Maybe we shot too high in the culinary spectrum and were punished because of it. I see good reviews for grilled cheese and veggie burgers. Both of which I like. Not willing to give it another shot, though. If you can't make something well, don't put it on the menu. And don't be so expensive.
Cass Cafe, either be a divey place with a simple menu and awesome people, a trendy bourgie place with good expensive food, or a microbrewery with pub fare. Stop aiming at all and failing unilaterally.
My heart is kind of broken - I wanted to like this place.Listed in: Veganomics, The jerk store called...
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Review from Annette J.
Dearborn Heights, MI
2/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
Lunch for 4--$36! What a steal! And we all had meals and (non-alcoholic) beverages! This is stupendous. Honestly, what a bargain for the great food you get here at Cass Cafe. My companions were all fans of their turkey burgers. I was lovin' my rosemary chicken salad. The chicken was coated in a rosemary based rub and grilled. It had fantastic flavor (but then again, I LOVE rosemary), and the veggies were fresh and crisp. I honestly don't order salads out that often (I'd rather spend my money on something else) but this salad is one that I'd get again and again there. Also, booze! If that sort of thing is important to you then you can have a beer with your salad, no prob.
The space isn't particularly impressive (the seating is a bit Knights of Columbus hall-like), but there's plenty of seating (upstairs in a loft like space as well). But what it lacks in ambiance it makes up for in great service and fab food for the price point. It's no wonder it's been around for so long; feeding the fine students of Wayne State year after year!Listed in: Detroit Delights, Midtown Magic, Get Some Local Brews, Snappy Salads
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Review from WaYnE c.
2/8/2011
In my resident country, a Cafe serves Espresso Beverages. Imagine my culture shock when I walked inside Cass Cafe and looked everywhere for an Espresso Machine and nowhere on the Menu did it show any Coffee Drink of any kind. They did have Red Bull($3.50) available but I wasn't ready to be high as any of the Wayne State University students on this school night. There must be a reason why the University was so close-by to Motor City Brewery, am I right??
Cass Cafe does provide a relaxing hippie-esque artsy(Bar Art) vibe that makes it a nice Free Wi-Fi spot to take in a few Local/Foreign brews in the late hours(2 am). The Kitchen does offer a decent selection of some Food basics and you can actually browse their Kitchen on your way to the washroom otherwise known to you readers as "Restroom". Me and my funky Canadiana language, eh?
Roasted Curry Lentil($4/bowl) - A satisfying bowl due to the Lentils with a light Curry flavours. I noticed diced Carrots and Celery but maybe there was Onions too to complete the Mirepoix.
Cafe Lentil Burger (House Specialty $6.00) - The Lentil Patty reminds me of a Falafel. I guess if I was a vegetarian, I would enjoy it much more. It's not as bad as it sounds but like most vegetarian burger patty, it has some mushy parts in the middle.
If I think about my University days, I would consider Cass Cafe quite high on my Chillax list. Especially when Soft Drink($1.50) came with an automatic 1 free refill by our Waitress. :D She was very good but I can definitely see she was slightly tired this Friday night. This place is a nice change from a late night at Starbucks, Tim Hortons or other Coffeehouses. 3.5 *Star*Listed in: 3.5 ***Stars***, 48 Hours in Motown
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Review from Reesa T.
Long Beach, CA
5/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is pretty awesome, my major complaint would be that it was too air conditioned for me, but then... I am like a lizard and just want to be sitting in the sun on a hot rock all day.
Service is friendly. Artwork is always interesting. They are good for veggies and carnivores alike. They have a menu-item called the Love Bowl. Its really just fries and onion rings, but anything called a Love Bowl and I am in. The Campus Wrap and Grilled Cheese (with so much more than cheese) are great but the real draw is the Lentil Burger. I've also had their manhattan clam chowder which is excellent too and a great warming dish for when its cold outside or in. They also have a hot cocoa for when you are chilly, its fine, but I didn't really find it to be worth the money. I've been here and come back within the same week and don't live particularly close to Cass Cafe even when I am living in Detroit.
Check this place out. Vegetarians in (or visiting) Detroit especially! -
Review from Heidi D.
Roseville, MI
2/16/2011
The best restaurant in Midtown!
I go to Cass Cafe on a weekly basis, and am always happy with the food. The salads are the lushest I've seen, with great options like beets and steak. My absolute favorite on the menu is the Cobb salad, which includes some great paprika eggs, beets, turkey, ham, fried artichokes, and the greenest greens in metro Detroit.
The gallery space is also great- sometimes the art is hit or miss, but the cafe keeps the art moving quickly enough that good painters can be appreciated, but the less impressive stuff can be switched out after a few visits.
Great place! Definitely worth the visit. -
Review from Ruffy L.
4/8/2011
I have heard about the Cass Cafe before NOT as a restaurant but as a good place to see works by "emerging" or student artists. Seemed like they have had (or maybe still do -- I did not get the chance to examine the art works on the walls closely) revolving exhibitions in the past.
The ambiance is good for college students (since it is walking distance from Wayne State -- or is it ON the campus of Wayne State? -- you know their target demographics are spot on). VERY high ceiling does not contribute good "inside voices" conversation hence the noise level of the place WOULD be loud. And since I am NOT a fan of such a setting, I am knocking off one star from my original 3-star rating.
The salmon sandwich I ordered though WAS good. I finally had a fish sandwich that is different from battered-and-fried ones you usually get with your fish and chips. The flavor was good and the fish was cooked just to my liking. The onion rings that went with it are a little greasy for my taste.
The experience was good since I was in good company as well. Question is, would I be back? Probably. Will I purposely go out of my way to eat here by myself? Probably not. -
Review from Kevin J.
Detroit, MI
1/15/2012
My goal here is to get through this review without once using a certain 8-letter word that begins with "h" and seems to be in almost every Yelp review of this joint. The lentil walnut burger is amazing...and I don't usually even like veggie burgers. The Salmon BLT is top notch, too, as are the Siracha Wings. The Calamari I didn't like and a lot of the other dishes are hit and miss.
They have an excellent selection of hot teas. They also have PBR on tap for all you hi-, uh, scenesters.
The rotating selection of artwork is wildly inconsistent. Sometimes it's great, sometimes it's that are-you-serious?? variety of terrible, like it was made by a bored, pretentious hi-, uh, CCS grad who wasn't even trying. Sometimes both types of work appear in the same show and I end up feeling bad for the talented, dedicated artist who somehow got paired with a stupid hi-, uh, wanker.
I like sitting at the bar. The bartenders have that world weary bartender sass the hi-, uh, servers can't really match.
Saw a show there on New Year's. Had a good time, though the acoustics aren't the best for bands.
The crowd? Well don't be surprised if you see some twenty or thirtysomethings out front wearing Converse All Stars and black frame glasses smoking American Spirits. You know - h________. -
Review from A.J. S.
As you might guess, finding good vegetarian food in Detroit is hit and miss. For this reason, I was quick to check out Cass Cafe when I read they did vegetarian burgers. The restaurant itself is fairly small appearing from the outside. I didn't see a parking lot, and had to circle back to find a tiny spot I was able to squeeze my car into.
Entering the restaurant I was struck by the art work and layout. The cafe was definitely welcoming, and the warm greeting from the servers re-enforced my impression. I ordered a Lentil Burger with a side of fries. The food arrived in decent time, and the servers were excellent. The lentil burger was very good, though the fries were a bit limp and lacked crispness, though they weren't greasy.
In total a good experience -
Review from Ashley M.
10/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Whenever we're downtown for dinner or an event and someone suggests drinks afterward, Cass Cafe is one of the first places that always comes to mind. And when we bring newbies they always say, "Wow, this place is cool. Thanks for bringing me here." We've had a few food items off of the menu (calamari is awesome!) but mainly stick to drinks. I love the art on the walls too.
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Review from Erin O.
Detroit, MI
8/21/2011 1 photo
I wish I'd found out about this place sooner! So many unique dishes, many of them vegetarian, at student-friendly prices. I got a turkey burger (awesome), onion rings and a margarita for $13. The atmosphere is sort of weird and industrial, but I liked it. Presentation was impressive for how inexpensive the food is. Overall, a great place to eat vegan food and feel like you're better than everyone else.
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Review from Sarah C.
10/1/2011
This place is surprisingly good. I would think it was your run of the mill fast-food-ish joint. They have an amazing burger. My friend gets it every time he eats here. Just a tip: the burger does not come with cheese! They always have a specials meal where some of the dishes look like they belong at a nicer place. The waitresses and waiters are good at their job. The bathrooms are a bit ghetto. Parking in the back but I have always been able to find parking in the front on the street.
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Review from Maria B.
3/22/2011
Not only is Cass Cafe a great restaurant, but there's a chill bar to hangout at and the place also doubles as an art gallery. A definite must to check out!!! : )
As a student, I had passed by Cass Cafe dozens of times before a friend told me about this place....from the outside the building looks small, practically abandoned, but once inside you're literally in awe of the large space and all the awesome artwork adorning the walls.
I've gone here a couple times and the food has been consistently great! I've had their calamari, egg rolls, soups, smoked wild salmon blt, lentil burger, Monterrey turkey burger, artichoke pesto melt, and their reuben which have all been fantastic!
The service, on the other hand, can be a bit slow and a lot of the hipster waiters and waitresses have an attitude : /Listed in: Veg out!!!
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Review from Erin M.
Detroit, MI
3/24/2011
I like it here. It's an artsy gallery/restaurant/bar. Annnd, they have several vegan options on their menu, which puts them at the top of my Detroit To-Do List.
The draft beer selection is kind of lacking, but they have good food, an artsy atmosphere, a friendly and cool staff, and a full bar. All in all, it's a good spot and if you're ever in Detroit, this is definitely somewhere you should stop in to check out. -
Review from Dea A.
Updated - 1/28/2009
Motor City was closed and I needed a delayed post-exam beer. So we came here... except when we came in -- EVERYONE glared at us. We weren't scene enough to be there. I left my ID at home, 2 blocks away, because we were going to Motor City... and they know me. Anyway, my friend ordered me a beer. The beer wench was GLARING at me, totally staring me down (what? because my skin looks fantastic and I don't show my age? quit smoking and you'll regain some of your youth... maybe...).
Anyway... I drank part of my friend's beer. And the beer wench (and I do mean wench), took my delicious beer out of my hand and kicked us out of there. She said she was calling the cops. I, of course, think this is absolutely hilarious. And I start laughing uncontrollably (I'm sober mind you). And this woman gets all huffy with me, stomping her feet, screaming at us, well on her way to committing a hate crime --- and all I can do is laugh. What an absurd situation. I live 2 blocks away and I've been a professional drinker for longer than she's been a barkeep.
I am now on a personal ban from this place because she didn't give my friends their money back for kicking them out too -- and leaving perfectly delicious beer on the table. It's totally reasonable that she kicked ME out, but I still find it funny and absurd. And hey, now I can say I've been kicked out of a bar (totally cheap story, I know)!
I've never felt welcomed here in the times I've been here. The service is too slow and packed with attitude. The food isn't fresh and overpriced. I am honestly GLAD I have a really good reason to not go back here (other than to go show the beer wench my ID and demand a free beer... but that's another battle).
Whatever, suck it, Cass Cafe and your smoking hipsters... I'll go drink my Ghettoblaster down the block where people don't have the better than thou attitude. But still have smoking hipsters. Damn it.Listed in: late night eats around the D, the worst of detroit
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/17/2008
Smokers suck. Not having items you want that are on the menu, suck. Spotty service, sucks. The… Read more »
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Review from Benny D.
Detroit, MI
3/4/2010
Good:
Location close to campus, on-site parking in a tough to park place.
When they get your burger the right temperature, it is top notch if you opt for pub style (means cheddar and bacon) and cajun (seasoned differently than normal, plus a very nice mayonnaise like sauce).
Cheap drink specials ($1 black labels, $3 margaritas, etc.)
Lame:
The fries here suck. They are of the limp, greasy variety. I'd recommend getting onion rings with your fish.
The service is traditionally snotty. If you try to stave off a problem in advance, they act like you are assuming incompetence, (which you kind of are), but if let them fuck up first, they prefer to blame others than fix the problem. I'll clarify this in the Sinful section.
Sinful:
The servers love to give large parties problems with splitting checks. I regularly go to Cass Cafe with large groups of people, who don't know each other that well. Getting separate checks can be a problem here, you will usually be let know how much of a pain in the ass you are. If you let them know at the beginning of the meal, you are still treated with disdain.
This is one of the worst restaurants for not being able to cook a burger other than well done. Man, they suck at it.
Conclusion:
Every few years, I swear off going to Cass Cafe. After a good 6 months to a year, I end up back largely because of its location and convenience, and because every once in a while I get a really good meal there not served by a condescending piece of shit. -
Review from mariah c.
Ann Arbor, MI
Updated - 2/14/2009
I have to admit, I've never tried the spring/egg rolls here. It seems like asking for trouble to order something like this at a non-Asian restaurant.
However, I was here for a meeting yesterday and just needed a quick bite. I couldn't resist giving the rolls a try. They were surprisingly tasty, crispy, and even the seaweed salad was good. Exactly what I wanted, though I never would have guessed it would have been so darn satisfactory ordered from a place where I'm more inclined to grab a lentil burger or sandwich!
Service was really great - our chat/meeting went for quite awhile and we felt free to linger - not rushed to turn over the table or anything.Listed in: Offices Away from Home, Satisfying Veggie Burgers...
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/17/2009
Hey, Cass Cafe, I missed you! I stopped in here for some lunch yesterday and I'm ashamed to admit… Read more »
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Review from Alissa J.
Detroit, MI
2/23/2009 ROTD 4/4/2009
Well i tend to get a bite to eat or some coffee during the weekdays at Cass cafe. something I've been doing for about two or three years now and it's a generally accepting atmosphere. The waiters and waitresses aren't bending over backwards to show you how much they love their job but they aren't abrasive or rude either, which suits me just fine. My favorite points of the place would have to be;
-Sriracha sesame chicken
-Vegetarian Burritos
-The different art displays every couple of months or so
-The occasional cute waiter/waitress
-Cass Collective
-And the great times I've shared with friends here
overall, i think that like many places, Cass cafe is what you make it. if you pay attention to every slight instead of going to have good food and good times then you're bound to give the place two stars. -
Review from Daniel R.
Tempe, AZ
1/8/2009
I was an avid Cass Cafe hanger outter for a while there. I only give it three stars because the kitchen doesn't really try that hard and things can be a little bland at times. Service is hit or miss, but they usually have a new flock of good looking waiters every year or so (both m and f) a constant indie crush maker in Detroit. Lentil Walnut Burger, Cafe Rueben both good. Hummus, not great. I have fond memories of the Oriental Garlic dressing, it will kill you and send your breath to heaven.
There are many good times to be had here, if you are new to Detroit this is a must do, you may just find some friends here. Very comfortable any time or day of the week. -
Review from Vonetta Y.
Washington, DC
5/29/2010
My first day out in Detroit and I immediately learn where the hipsters hang out: Cass Cafe.
I went in for lunch and quickly discovered that I was the only prep (Polo shirt and all) within miles. Okay, within the restaurant.
Our server was nice, but a bit scarce. My dining companions were on a bit of time constraint and needed to get back to work, which I figured the server would have known/guessed, given that it was 1.30 on a Friday afternoon, but no. She gave us our menus and plenty of time to decide what we wanted. Then we knew what we wanted. Then we waited. And waited. Then we flagged her down to get her to take our orders.
The food was in no way disappointing, though. In spite of my carnivorous ways, I got the Spanish vegetarian burrito -- standard burrito fare with corn, jalapenos, salsa, pico de gallo, etc. -- and it was delicious! I was well surprised, especially since I had to talk myself out of asking the server, "Um, can I get the vegetarian burrito with a side of chicken?" It was still so filling and savory, sans meat. My dining companions got one of the salads (sorry, can't remember which) and the grilled 5 cheese, both of which looked (and tasted) phenomenal.
Also, the art on the walls -- amazing! One of my dining companions told me that they switch it out pretty regularly, but all of the art seems to be in top form. Terrific paintings were on display this time; I can't imagine they'd include anything less boss.
I'll be honest -- I was a little put off by the outside and the hipster-osity inside, but Cass Cafe turned out to be rather ace.Listed in: The D List
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Review from Dil F.
3/1/2010
In so many ways, Cass Cafe will make an impression on you - mostly good, but the downsides slowly eat at you like a mosquito gone unnoticed behind the knee.
The food is all good, though nothing will wow you. It's A-OK food. The staff are a bag of marbles. Sometimes fast, friendly, and on top of everything. Sometimes you're just getting grief for being around, foods slow, and you're not sure why you're getting the brush off. I, for one, really like the decor of the place. Always rotating new art, and love it or hate it, it's conversation provoking. I think they do a good job with the art-space, kudos to whoever is in charge of that. The drinks are cheap, and if you find what you want on the specials menu, they're ULTRA cheap. big plus.
Somehow, despite being two open-floors in a huge space with what LOOK like industrial ventilators, this place chugs smoke like it's nobody's business. I'm a non-smoker, and you'll see me taking my potshots through my reviews here and there, so keep that in context, but seriously, this place wins the door prize for most PPM (plumes per minute). I think that's one of the bigger reasons I stopped frequenting. The atmosphere is pretty chill, but, it's always nestled uncomfortably between a restaurant and a bar space - it just doesn't want to settle on either "feel". Lastly, you can "book" the upper floor for small gatherings, parties, or post-events while the downstairs continues as per usual. That's an excellent service that should be mentioned.
Overall, a high-fiving 3. After May '10 (when the state-wide smoking ban begins), I might check back in and see if the place endears again.Listed in: A Few Choice Detroit Bars, Coffee to Study By
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Review from Tess h.
Ferndale, MI
5/27/2009
I am writing my review from the perspective of a vegan that loves food. That being said, Cass Cafe doesn't really have a lot to offer. It seems vegetarians would get along fine, but us vegans don't really get to experience anything exciting.
I had a country vegetable soup and broccoli, the only two things on the menu that may have been vegan (aside from french fries...). neither item was remarkable, except in price, which was decidedly too high.
Aside from nil food choices for myself, the space is pretty neat! Wide open, loft-y type feel with local art work adorning the walls. Lots of beer and drink choices. They have shows sometimes, as well, which make for a fun night out at a space swarming with hipster haircuts.
Plea to Cass Cafe: please put something exciting and vegan on your menu and i will come back often! -
Review from Alex G.
Detroit, MI
1/18/2011
I'm a big fan of Motor City Brewing Company's Ghettoblaster, which they have on tap here. They have great specials during the week from $2 Ghetto (not a full pint, but for $2 - heeeey), to $2 wells and wines. I used to go there a couple of times a week after work.
The turkey burger is quite good and the cheesy artichoke dip is great bar food. The service at tables is ok, but if you sit at the bar, all of the bartenders are great - they give you shit in the best kind of way. -
Review from Emily T.
Roseville, MI
8/18/2009
I've only been to the Cass Cafe once, and my experience was pleasant. It's weird because I expected this place to be a small sandwich and coffee shop. So when I went in the Cass Cafe, I was really surprised! It's a restaurant/art gallery/full bar. It's really spacious and clean.
I always like it when restaurants have an art gallery inside. If you're on a bad date, and you're having an awkward silent moment, you can just use a painting as a conversation starter. Or you can just look at the art and pretend to be listening to your date!
Anyway--I was happy with my meal. I got the vegetarian lasanga and it was delicous, flavorful, and packed with veggies. It came with a side salad, and the caesar salad dressing was awesome! They make their own dressings, which is cool. I'm pretty sure I saw the little chunks of anchove in my dressing! Surprisingly, it didn't bother me at all and it tasted great.
The only con for me is that they have a smoking section. Yuck! -
Review from Chris J.
St Clair Shores, MI
3/6/2011
I will start out with my only gripe about Cass Cafe because I want to get majority of all others cynicism about it out of the way: the service is not always the best, subtracting the only star it will lose from me.
Now to the positives!
The food is always fresh. My favorite example and also my favorite option when venturing here is the salad dressings. They make all of their vinaigrettes. Their salads are reasonably interesting creations (especially the Ahi Tuna salad) and the vinaigrettes are just explosive! The vegetarian options (it should be noted that I do not subscribe to this type of eating, but I dabble from time to time if the recipe sounds interesting) are plentiful, with a special shout-out to the veg lasagna. All in all, I have been happy with the food I have purchased.
The drink specials are pretty reasonable around happy hour. They have some local fair, some nicer beers and the ever popular college stud, PBR.
I enjoy the ambiance in the location. Others have stated that it is too broken with the upper and lower floors, but in a building with limited space and high ceilings, how can it be wrong to add a loft, especially if a private party wants to have a more intimate setting. You have to deal with a robust amount of hipsters, but this is nothing out of the ordinary for the area. I really enjoy the revolving art collection, usually spotlighting specific artists.
Do yourself a favor and check out this establishment. -
Review from Tiffany T.
Jamaica Plain, MA
2/16/2009
When I first moved to Detroit, I'd ask folks: "So, what's to do in Detroit?"
Half the time, the answer was Cass Cafe's Lentil Burger.
Whether that's giving too much credit to the sandwich--or I need to meet some new people--Cass Cafe is one of my standbys. Every visitor, family member, new lover, or professional contact gets taken into the white-walled cement open-loft ambiance of the Cass.
The food's not cheap but not high-end factoring both taste and price. The menu's got lots of vegetarian-friendly options. I'm completely addicted to the artichoke melt--grilled bread, gooey cheese, tangy sauce, soft artichokes. You can go hamburg and fries and PBR or some kind of expensive dish... This is where my review fails, I'm a whore for sandwiches and never go farther on the menu.
Cass has a full bar, a back smoking-section (non-smokers should note that this is a loft space, no separations), and strangely enough, what I've gathered to be the best cup of coffee in Detroit proper. Motor City Brewery beer on tap, and Black Label is $1 on Thursdays.
The real downfall of Cass, as far as I can tell, is a testy wi-fi connection and my innate ability to sit next to the person at the bar who's going to awkwardly try to talk to me. I'm sure you'll fare better. Oh, and the bar stools are uncomfortable.
Service can be sassy at times, but I think we're supposed to take it, and like it.
There's a lofted area that's good for large parties. Call ahead to avoid aforementioned sass. -
Review from Cheryl K.
Dearborn, MI
9/26/2011
I'm a huge fan. Come here all the time, especially after Tiger games when everyone else is closing up shop. Greatest lentil burger ever. Their soups are delicious. Quirky place with lots of hipster doofuses sitting around...love to people watch here, too. Fast service, good food, usually some original art on the walls...all around favorite in Detroit.
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Review from Elizabeth C.
Hamtramck, MI
10/14/2009
Not great, but not bad, either. It's a pretty chill setting that doubles as a gallery, so there are some interesting things to look at. I also like that it has high ceilings. The menu isn't bad. Not much in the way of vegan food, but I come to expect that of most places. I don't "deduct" stars from my reviews on the basis that the restaurant lacks vegan food unless the restaurant touts itself as catering to such diets (and has shitty food).
I had some sort of wrap...it was good, but not memorable enough for me to remember what exactly was in it. What was memorable, however--and not in a good way--was the lack of good beer. All they carried (I think) was Motor City Brewing Works beer. Yuck. I had a beer that tasted like piss water. I've never actually ingested real piss water, but I imagine that piss water would taste exactly like that Motor City Brewing works beer I had. Although I can't fault Cass Cafe for the taste of the beer, I can fault them for carrying such drek.
Despite the shitty beer, I'll probably come back here again.
