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One-Eyed Betty's
Categories: Nightlife Bars Restaurants Canadian (New) Bars, Canadian (New) [Edit]
175 W Troy AveFerndale, MI 48220
Neighbourhood: Downtown Ferndale
(248) 808-6633
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 4 pm - 2 am
Sat-Sun 9 am - 2 am
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Late Night, Dinner
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Mon, Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
65 reviews for One-Eyed Betty's
65 reviews in English
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Review from Andrew B.
Macomb, MI
4/16/2012
The girlfriend and I had talked about coming here for a few weeks as we both enjoy Michigan craft beer and the place had a lot of hype. We decided to head over for brunch on a rainy Saturday morning.
I had heard from friends that the service was horrid. things like, "Took 40 minutes to rub the tab." Thus, right from the start I was suspect of ordering the bottomless mimosa. The waitress convinced both of us otherwise and it was a wise decision. We both had full glass waiting before we had finished our last. Long story short, the service was solid and the lies you hear otherwise are well, lies.
Onto the food.
Wow. the brunch selection was more that adequate. Sweet and savory options abound. My lady friend ordered S'mores pancakes and I went with the King's French Toast. Both were incredible. The pancakes were made with graham cracker and smothered in hot chocolate sauce and topped with mini marshmallows. The french toast was stuffed with peanut butter and bacon, the topped with bananas and served with honey for a drizzle. This was some of the best french toast I have ever had. I HIGHLY recommend ordering this. You won't be disappointed.
All in all One-Eyed Betty's is a pretty good place for brunch. I look forward to going there for drinks after work one day to see if the beer selection lives up to the hype. -
Review from levramosis H.
Clinton Township, MI
5/25/2012
I have been looking forward to trying One-Eyed Betty's since it opened. And that is perhaps why I was so immensely disappointed.
The beer selection is certainly extensive. The beer sampler was nicely presented and a convenient way of trying the beer. However the bartender was clueless about beer. When I ask about an unfamiliar beer style I expect more from a place like this than to be told "it is well balanced." The bartender was unable to offer any sort of description and sadly the beer menu offered little other than the basic information.
The food also left much to be desired. We chose the N'awlins Barbecue Shrimp and the Fried Seafood Platter. The shrimp came with a generous portion of rice that was not noted on the menu (nor was the aforementioned bartender aware the shrimp came with rice) There was a fair portion of shrimp on the plate. Unfortunately everything from the rice and shrimp to the over toasted bread served as a garnish had a strong flavor of griddle oil, not pleasant. the shrimp appeared spiced but the flavor was lacking. The seafood platter was not much better. The shrimp and oysters were competent but the fish and fries were soggy and undercooked.
There are so many great places to eat and drink locally, I don't see any reason to settle for mediocre at best. -
Review from Danielle Y.
Royal Oak Charter Township, MI
4/13/2012
I've been to One-Eyed Betty's a few times now. Every time I go the food is amazing. My favorites being the Carnival Pretzel App, the shrimp entree, and the BLT. The beer list is INSANE! I love getting the chance to try a bunch of new beers each time I go. Honestly, this place has jumped into the list of places I like to visit a few times a month pretty quickly.
My only complaint, which honestly had me considering giving it only 3 stars, is service. The first time we went I had to leave the table to find ketchup because my server was MIA for 20 mins. On that same visit my empty glass stood begging for more beer for another 20. On another visit we waited a good 30 minutes for our waitress to get our food order while she danced around and talked to her coworkers within eyesight of us. When we finally waved her down and placed our order, it took what felt like forever to get our beer flight.
There's only been one visit where we received good service. The waitresses name was Shawn or Sean...(not sure how she spelled it). She was EXTREMELY knowledgeable about the full menu, including the very large beer menu. She recommended beers for me to try based on what I had previously liked. Her recommendations were dead on every time. She asked me if I wanted another when my glass was about a quarter full and always delivered the next one before it was empty. I was extremely impressed.
The Fourth Star is completely for Sean/Shawn's excellent serving skills. -
Review from Susan D.
Clawson, MI
5/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
OEB used to be Diablo's (Mexican). Before that it was Rosie O'Grady's (Irish). Now OEBs serves like 40-50 beers on tap and another 100 or so bottles. Has great pretzels and an otherwise eclectic (and veggie friendly) menu. TVs and live music (blues, rockabilly) abound. The pinball machines in the corner and shared "picnic table" seating round out the charm. Only drawback - music was so loud one night, we left after one drink.
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Review from B C.
Warren, MI
5/6/2012
Great beer selection, which is the reason to go here! They serve food late too, which is awesome! (I believe until 1am) I'm so glad this place took over Cantina Diablo's. This place is WAY better! I love that they have live music every now and then. The food I've had has been tasty! I'd like to see some more vegetarian options on the menu, though.
I've been here several times, No complaints or bad experiences thus far.. -
Review from Kevin B.
Troy, MI
5/24/2012
Holy hell beer list! Food is great! Food is a little pricey but I'll keep coming back.
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Review from Nate B.
Ferndale, MI
3/30/2012
I like this place a lot. In fact, I have been there a lot recently.
Bald guy served me tonight. didn't bring back my change. Just straight up took the money. My tab was $5.30. I put $10 in cash. I got nothing back.
I was with a group of people that I didn't really know. I could have said something but should it really be my responsibility to have to get my change.
Stolen. Great bar just don't pay cash.
Edit: I've been there quit a bit now. Service is usually all around not good. Just keep it in mind when you go.
Edit:The muscles are bomb though. -
Review from Ms K.
Detroit, MI
4/3/2012
Went here with the family. Food was nothing to brag about - but the pretzel app was good. I didn't realize this place was more about the beer selection than the eats - so that explains a lot.
Good selection of unique beers - but I'd pass on the eats.... -
Review from Chris M.
3/12/2012
Seven stars. A hundred stars. This place can have all the stars. I've been there twice in the past week, with two different groups and couldn't have been happier both times. I haven't tried the food, but I really don't think this would be my go to food place. This is a beer bar, a whiskey bar, a place to bring some friends and chat and nerd out. Or play pinball, which is my favorite touch.
First time here, I went for an old fallback, Short's Soft Parade. This is one of my favorite beers, especially in spring/summer. But then I noticed that they offer flights of beer, 3/$7 and 6/$11. This is where I've found Betty's shines. They have an amazing selection of beers, and the prices are very fitting for what you'd expect. Generally speaking, $5-7 for most beer, $9-12 for the beers you'd expect to be that price. But the fun isn't getting one of the beers you already know, its trying things you've never had.
The servers here are awesome. They know their beers, they are attentive, they listen, they suggest (fairly accurately to boot). Our server last night, Jason, recommended a few beers and brought me little tiny cute samples of a few suggestions he had, and ended up selling me on a couple of beers. That, to me, makes this experience totally worth it.
This place is such a welcome addition to the Ferndale scene. It really makes Ferndale one of the more rounded places around as far as night life goes. I can't recommend Betty's enough, even though I haven't tried the food. But really, I don't need food to be happy. I need delicious beer. -
Review from Jessica C.
Ferndale, MI
4/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
Firstly, the beer selection = WONDERFUL! If you like beer there is no way you will leave unsatisfied with this selection.
The food was surprisingly pretty good as well. I've only eaten there once and I dig the creole vibe to the menu. I had a po boy and while it wasn't the greatest one I've ever had it was still pretty good. My friend had the pork belly sandwich and said it was really tasty. We also split the pretzel appetizer with various dipping concoctions - which I definitely recommend.
I look forward to going back and trying some different dishes as well. The menu is pretty straight forward which I like - it doesn't become overwhelming when trying to decide. -
Review from Marissa H.
Royal Oak, MI
3/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
Ferndale is becoming so fantastic! I almost couldn't believe it when OEB was replacing Cantina Dia-Blows, mostly because I enjoy large beer selections to occupy my husband's attention while I can focus on delicious food. Ha! Don't let me fool you though...I enjoy beers I can't get everywhere, too.
In fact, OED's beer selection is vast and decently priced. I was hoping they would have my beloved Boulevard, but it still hasn't hit Michigan. Luckily, their selection includes Arcadia, as well as many west coast beers. Moose Drool? Yes, please! One of my faves. The beer snobs will go crazy for Hops Slam, etc. (not confirmed that this is actually presently there). There's also a $22 beer if you're curious about ranges. A Chimay is $12. A Moose Drool is $5. Pretty standard.
As many have noted from previous reviews, the service is not exceptional. There seems to be a major lack of organization among the wait staff and zero communication with them and the bored looking girl called a "hostess." Anyway, after we were seated, a waiter strolled over with menus and told us to let him know if we needed anything as he walked away. Well, that's kinda why we were there. Hmm...I can't complain too much because we ultimately got everything we needed, but it just seemed so disorganized with little communication. You're kind of sitting there wondering if your order is in place correctly, and you definitely have to ask for water. The music is also obscenely loud. Like...unable to carry on a conversation loud.
Alright, now on to the food. The menu is heavy on pork, fried fish and even has a few outstanding vegetarian options (grilled cheese with TOMATO JAM???!). Umm...my food was fresh and perfectly blended. Of course, I completely blew my workout calorie debt, but a BLT wedge and pork belly sandwich was delightful! One of my favorite things they have is crushed ice. I know...it may seem silly to even note, but crushed ice is so fabulous for people like me who have severe TMJ from crunching on ice.
I would actually give them 3.5 stars because of the lack of attentive, organized staff, but overall OED is really good. I'll be back to watch a wings game and check out a few beers. -
Review from Jennifer L.
Detroit, MI
One-Eyed Betty's doesn't make me think of a woman named Betty with one eye. Make of that what you will, but make sure you make it dirty. So now you're probably in the right place for a food review, aren't you? You're not? Okay, let's get your filthy, adolescent mind back on track then.
Saturday night was bustlin' at Betty's, and I was late to the party. Being the super considerate person that I am, I made plans for 8 and arrived well after 9. My friends put in a table reservation early, thinking that the world goes on without me, but little did they know it doesn't.
So I make my grand entrance and my friends kindly and oh so patiently (please sense the sarcasm) inform me that they've been waiting over an hour for our table. Here's the problem I foresee at Betty's, even when the new opening excitement wears off. The tables are taken up by people that are just there for the beer. They plan on staying for a long time. So if you're there for the food, you're sorta shit outta luck. There's really nothing the staff can do without pissing someone off. They take reservations so patrons aren't fighting for the next open table, but your reservation is not really for a particular time, but when the next table gets up (and hopefully no one snags it before the hostess realizes). So if you want to eat on a busy night, plan accordingly.
Whew. That was boring. So the fun stuff, the food and the beer! The beer list is lengthy and accommodating, not to mention reasonably priced. Great place to compare and experiment, especially with the flights. The kitchen menu is sophisticated bar food with a playful vibe. Yeah, the menu has a vibe.
I was feeling the pork belly sandwich, and I think it was vibing on me too. Served on a French baguette with pickled veggies, the pork belly is bountiful, but it is missing a lot of the belly fat normally considered the main attraction. It is tasty, but a little too salty as well. I loved the pickled veggies, but the "French" baguette isn't exactly that. A good bar meal for sure, though.
Super disappointed with my grilled cheese bite, but my taste of the fish n chips was good. The fish is comically large. Please see the photo! They basically fried up the whole fish and laid it upon a basket of decent, seasoned fries. The best part of the night was the donut dessert, served so hot I practically blistered my fingers. That's a compliment. They're dusted with powdered sugar and come with chocolate and raspberry dipping sauces. The donuts are the airy kind, not the cake-like kind. You should probably try them.
Anyway, I left ready to call it a night and went home to slip into my onesie. -
Review from Kelly A.
Updated - 4/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
Ehhh....when you watch your friend use several napkins to sop up the grease on her grilled cheese, it's just not very appetizing. Literally, she lifted up her sandwich and there was a POOL of grease under it....not appetizing. I get that it's bar food and should be greasy, but for pete's sakes...it was a grilled cheese, not fried fish or anything! My Poor Man's Plate was yummy, though, and our server was really good with refills and bringing out extra things that we requested. It's still A-OK, but if you don't feel like clogging your arteries, stick with somewhere else.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/5/2012
Came here on Saturday night to meet friends for some drinks - I loved it!! They had a guy on a… Read more »
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Review from Jacqueline W.
Ferndale, MI
2/28/2012
So my fiance and I decided to try this place after reading all of the good reviews and hearing about the fantastic menu etc. We were a little hesitant because this establishment (as well as rosie's & the diablos which previously in this building) are all under the same ownership. And past experiences with both diablos and rosies have been beyond horrible. The food at all of their restaurants has been pretty good so we still get carry out but the service is MIND BLOWING! But we decided to give it a try and eat in anyways.
Our experience started off with the two of us walking in and being greeted by nobody. We stood there for a while and looked around for any sort of hint of a hostess or maybe a seat your self sign, but no. A minute or so later a man walked up to one of the larger tabels, saw us standing there confused, threw some menus on the table and walked away. At that point we could only assume we needed to seat ourselves and then did so. Fast forward ten minutes. We had picked our food and beer from the menu and had yet to see any sign of a server, no water, no acknowledgement in general that we were there, which was pretty shocking since a waitress had been over to the table next to us several times and saw we were sitting there waiting and didn't really seem to care.
Finally we managed to flag down another waitress who had walked past us several times and asked her if maybe we could get some help and she said she would send somebody over. So then we got to watch them all argue over who got to deal with us. Finally another server walked over and we stupidly figured we might be able to order our food but were then informed that she wasn't working our section and would fine somebody that was.
Eventually we finally got our waitress who seemed nice enough and pretty eager to get her time spent at our table as minimal as possible, which i would understand if the place was busy, but it was monday night and it seemed like they had enough people working to have one server per table. We ordered our drinks and food and were beyond ready to eat at this point. Another ten minutes pass and we get drinks. Thank god. But i don't really think we should have to as for a glass of water to go with it.
Now not everything was bad. The food was pretty good. We got the poor mans plate and a bowl of the beer cheese soup and both were tasty and reasonably priced but, once again the service of another one of the rosies spin-offs was horrible. As much as i love feeling like an inconvenience to my server, i think i'll pass on that next time. I just really wish these places could get the service right. I would love to be able to go to go back but with service like that I don't think we will be. -
Review from Rich D.
Royal Oak, MI
4/5/2012
Beer and Cheese soup.
You're Welcome! ;) -
Review from Pepper S.
Ferndale, MI
4/3/2012
Stopped in yesterday (a Monday @ 5:30) for a drink and a bite to eat. I have been twice before, both times on slammed packed weekends, so it was nice to be able to walk right in and get a seat at the bar. I had a Wiitsen and A Soft Parade and they were both very good and I ordered a BLT that was amazing. The fries could have been a little "fresher", don't get me wrong, I ate them but they seemed to have maybe been sitting under the heat lamp a bit.
My only complaint would be that my plates sat in front of me with my napkin on them for some time before someone behind the bar picked them up. It was not busy at all so that irks me a little.
Overall this place is great, fun, big beer selection with descriptions, and it attracts all types. Doing a little people watching we saw all kinds, ages from 20something to 70 something, families, couples, you name it! -
Review from Rachel M.
Ferndale, MI
2/27/2012
My expectations of this place were very high ... and man did One-Eyed Betty's deliver in a big way! Every small town needs a joint like this in their community! They had an endless beer selection ... 44 on tap and close to 100 bottles! We felt like kids in a candy store ... All reasonably priced.
We were in town for 3 days and were literally at Betty's all 3 days! We attempted other local favorites and they just didn't meet our expectations ... we actually left 2 different local favs and headed back to Betty's.
When I say everything on the menu is good, I mean it! But, that would make for a lame Yelp review ... these were my favorites:
- curry mussels
- oysters
- beer cheddar soup
- carnival pretzels
and I am not a 'sweets' person ... however, the homemade donuts are a must!
ENJOY! And if you are questioning hitting up this joint, don't! JUST GO! You will not be disappointed!
Great food, great service, stellar vibe!
Thanks Betty's! -
Review from Ashley M.
Super-cool! I love this place. It was a bit of a cluster tonight, but hey, first Saturday night kinks I hope.
There wasn't an official hostess stand or even hostess when we walked in. Just a bunch of folks standing around. Eventually we were able to identify the person that must be taking down names. Too bad a few couples got in ahead of us since there was no real organization. We didn't mind the communal seating in the main room and thought it was actually pretty cool.
The beer list was amazing and I highly recommend taking advantage of the sampler--3 or 6 beers of your choosing. You wouldn't know that's an option on the menu, we just happened to see folks around us ordering them. My fiance and I had dinner here tonight and started with the oysters. It was my first experience with oysters and now I can't get enough. The funny thing is that I returned later that evening with a friend and they were out. Apparently everyone else ordered them (and loved them) as well. I had the fried seafood plate and he had the po'boy--both great!
When I returned with a friend later in the evening it was again a cluster at the door. There was no one to greet us and it was a pretty full place. We weren't sure what we were supposed to do: wait patiently or find a spot at a table. We opted for the latter and found a seat in the corner. Since they were out of oysters we opted for the pretzels and donuts...both were delicious!
I can't wait for a return trip, my only hope is that it's more organized at the door. -
Review from Rebecca C.
Ferndale, MI
2/13/2012
My boyfriend and I went here for dinner on Friday, February 10th. Although seating is first come, first serve, we were greeted warmly at the door, and the waiter pointed out a few empty spots for us. Our waiter was extremely knowledgable regarding the extensive beer menu, and pointed out a few he thought I might like.
We both ordered burgers. I'm picky about my hamburgers, as I love them, but don't eat them often. This was one of the BEST hamburgers I have ever eaten. It was cooked to order, juicy and delicious. The fries were good, as were the onion rings. We ordered donuts for dessert (because, really, when do you find donuts at the bar?) and they were OUTSTANDING - they're made there, and came out hot, with chocolate and raspberry dipping sauces. Their prices were on par with the other restaurants in the area.
Simply put, I love this place. I will definitely be back. -
Review from Meredith E.
Rochester, MI
4/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
Phenomenal! Before ordering the unlimited $12 mimosa's at brunch, we discussed with our waitress on her strategy and execution of accepting our order. She guaranteed to constantly review the level in our glasses and would bring us more as soon as we broke the threshold. The waitress followed up with her commitment exceptionally well. I ordered the s'more pancakes on special. Three HUGE graham cracker pancakes with chocolate and marshmallows. My boyfriend ordered the King's French toast with bacon, banana and peanut butter covered in honey. Amazing. The portions were huge. We ate our leftovers for breakfast on Sunday. I'm excited to try the rest of the menu soon!!
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Review from Meredith D.
Oak Park, MI
3/10/2012
So far I've been here twice. A definite step up from Cantina Diablos (which I wasn't a total hater of, but I've had better).
My suggestion is to get there early on a weekend - the last time we arrived just after 5 and only had a short wait for a table. By the time we left there was a sea of people waiting. At least now they have a hostess so that helps with the 'who was here first' problem.
On my first trip I had the grilled cheese. I'm a lover of grilled cheese - its my go to meal when I'm not sure of what to order and theirs seemed tasty by the description. In the taste department it really didn't disapoint, but it was incredibly small. Normally I don't need a lot to fill me up when I go out to eat but I was left hungry - which was a disapointment. The tomato jam was a tasty touch but a small cup of tomato soup probably would have made this a more complete meal. Or just a slightly larger sandwich...wasn't worth the price for the end result.
My second trip I got the gumbo which was good, but not nearly as great as I was expecting from other reviews. I had the shrimp and oyster, I'd probably go for the sausage next time, I think it would have more flavor.
My husband ordered the Betty Burger which was huge and he loved. Our second time around he got the fish and chips which I had heard great things about in previous reviews. He enjoyed it - and again it was a pretty hefty portion.
The beer selection of course is fantastic - I had sampler of 4 and the waitress was helpful in my choosing seeing as I'm traditonally a gin girl.
All in all, a good place. I hear the brunch is amazing so I'll need to give that shot. -
Review from Matt C.
3/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
Beer! Oh glorious beer!
They have a large selection of draft Michigan beers, that is matched by an equally large amount of imports and domestics. While I know having an excessive amount of draft selections isn't new, having a place that serves them in the appropriately styled glassware is rare.
Draft not your style, they have bottles to boot; not to mention a nice (but not great) whiskey, wine, and mead list. Oh, and a full bar, but did I mention the beer?
The food options are a hodgepodge of food that would pair well with all the beers on tap.The food I have tried has been good. Not great, but at least above average.
The interior is reminiscent of a beer hall, and it is equally as loud. There is a generously sized bar that is great for watching a game. Table seating seems to turnover fast, and some of the larger tables look like they can handle upwards of 10 people. A plus given most of the bars/restaurants in the area can't. -
Review from Stephanie B.
Ferndale, MI
2/10/2012
Wow. Ferndale is the luckiest little town in Michigan, they really do get all the best bars and restaurants. We went to One Eyed Betty's last night, knowing that it had only been open for four days, but willing to take the risk on a new restaurant. I was so thrilled with the whole experience, and am very much looking forward to making this place a "go-to" bar.
As soon as we walked in, we were greeted with a very friendly face. Looking around, we saw that it was packed with people, and felt bad rolling in with a group of 8. The dude said "no problem, let me go clean off a table!" and sat us immediately. This charming man was also our server, Noah.
Okay, where do I even begin...the beer. The beer selection and menu layout leaves you wanting for nothing, and a couple of our friends got a sampling of beers. Noah was very knowledgeable with all our questions and helped everyone find the perfect beer. I had a Purple Haze. It is new favorite beverage.
The food absolutely blew me away. Even though I had a pork belly sandwich for dinner the night before, I figured why not have it two nights in a row. Every layer of this sandwich is just perfection. It's expertly cooked pork belly, with very little fat and crisply flavorful bits mixed in, topped with pickled veggies and just the right amount of their Asian mayo on a soft, sweet, slightly toasted bun. Each bite required a moment of reflection on the pure sandwich bliss, as all the layers come together in perfect, delicious harmony. Oh, and the crispy hand-cut fries were just the right accompaniment.
My friend ordered the N'awlins Barbecue Shrimp and she let me have a bite. The rice was buttery and melt in your mouth good and the shrimp were beautiful little tasty morsels. Another girl ordered the Ridiculously Good Grilled Cheese and I dipped a fry into that tomato jam. I now need to attempt to make my own tomato jam at home.
The whole time, our server, Noah was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. He made the experience truly outstanding. The fact that this place is technically a BAR, not a 5-star restaurant, makes it even more impressive. This place goes beyond "a bar" though, in fact I'd say it RAISES the bar (groan).
Anyway, I'm SO glad that One Eyed Betty's turned out to be such a perfect experience. I look forward to many, many more visits. -
Review from Jason A.
2/12/2012 4 Check-ins Here
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! Ferndale just keeps on delivering what the area needs. Everything about OEB's is just right. I went last night to check it out and was very impressed. Just walking in the door you feel comfortable and at home. The beer list is insane (in a good way)! You can sample a flight of 6 but with over 40 beers on tap you could spend all day here just trying the beer. The mistake that a majority of most restaurant / bar owners have been making lately is not hiring enough staff to attend to their customers. That was not a problem here. The bartenders are very interactive, easy to talk to, and the server we had was awesome. She was well informed about the menu and had great recommendations on the beer / food. She consistently checked in with the table and I couldn't be happier with the service.
The food was also on point. We tried the pretzel starter and the chicken wings first. These wings!! These are not your little dinky, stringy, meatless wings that other places like to pass as a wing. These are whole chicken wings and they were phenomenal. The skin was crispy but the meat juicy and tender. I have never had a wing like this and I will come back over and over if not just for these wings. Everything that was placed on the table was well prepared, seasoned, and high quality. I'm not sure what else I can say, they are doing everything right.
To add something unique to this place, there are even pinball machines to play while you wait for a table. The location is perfect too and it's everything Royal Oak is not. And I mean that in the best possible way. Ferndale has been emerging as the place to be for food lately and with this addition to the local area, I couldn't be happier. It's not pretentious, there were no obnoxious fist pumps being thrown anywhere that I could see, and everyone was just down to eat some great food, drink some great beer, and have fun. Just keep up the awesome job and this place will be the "go-to" place for a long time! -
Review from Sara C.
2/16/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Cajun favorites and an incredible beer list? I'm in love.
Rolled in around 10 last night for a late dinner and drinks. Service was attentive and the Hopslam was flowing - heck yes. Started off with "bacon with a side of bacon" - how can you resist bacon, pork belly, and a fried egg? The presentation was great and it did not disappoint. The pretzels with three accompanying dips were also a treat - though perhaps some more pretzel was needed to get all the way through the hearty portions of dips.
Though the sandwiches and fries were tempting, I opted for the shrimp and oyster gumbo - which was hearty and delicious. I perhaps could have used more heat - but no mind, it was still great.
Definitely returning, duh. -
Review from Angela R.
Madison Heights, MI
2/17/2012
My boyfriend and I happened to try this spot on Valentine's Day; not romantic, but we are big fans of craft beer and supporting new local businesses. ;)
We sat at a community table (aka picnic table). I can see how this would be fun for people just coming in for drinks and mingling. It didn't bother me too much, but I'd have preferred to eat my meal without couples coming and going next to me on the picnic style bench.
Anyway, I the beer list was extensive, albeit pretty similar to what you can find at other good beer establishments around too. I appreciated that the beers are served in their appropriate vessel. I had a few good ones: Jolly Pumpkin Farmhouse Ale, Hopslam and a Barleywine. Also noted: they had Arcadia Starboard Stout on draught! I used to work for Arcadia, and this was always a tough sell to get bars on board with, as it's poured through nitrous line. I applaud them for supporting local breweries and giving up the usual "Guiness" handle to put a local stout on tap!
As far as food, I ordered a Po'Boy Sandwich with shrimp and oysters. It was a pretty good sandwich besides the bread falling apart (what can ya do!?), fries were seasoned well and crispy and my boyfriend's "Obligatory Fish & Chips" were done to perfection. Service was great even though they were busy.
If you're looking for ambiance, go to The Oakland. For a solid beer list, good eats and a space to mingle with friends new and old, One-Eyed Betty's is the spot. -
Review from Haroun K.
2/13/2012
I'm not one of those folks who hated Cantino Diablos (usually with ridiculously smug reasons). I like local businesses, and ALWAYS want them to succeed. Well, OEB is definitely an improvement. It was totally full this past Saturday, but we were able to get a booth after about 15-20 minutes. You can buy a drink if you want while you're waiting, and a waiter will even come over from the bar to take your order, which is a nice touch.
Our table was wondering throughout the night: is this place trying to be a good restaurant with a killer beer list, or a beer pub with awesome bar food? It does ok in both contexts, but just ok. The beer list is extensive, but you can get a lot of the beers on draft at other nearby places. They were out of the Founders Dirty Bastard, which was upsetting, but understandable. They have several Unibroue by the bottle, which is impressive. As for food, I had the veggie sandwich, was was surprisingly small. It tasted ok, but was absolutely NOT worth $9. The pear and bleu cheese flatbread was a bit too sweet. And the pretzel appetizer arrived at room temp (would have thought it'd be warm).
As for atmosphere, it was nice seeing such a large crowd. Service was a little bit quirky, but we didn't find ourselves waiting too long for anything. The ambiance, well I can't really figure out if there was a distinct ambiance. Maybe it can be described simply as "social."
OEB probably won't make it into my regular rotation, but I'll definitely be open minded, and am hoping things get up to 4 star status! At least the Yelp people are not treating OEB as hatefully as Diablo's... -
Review from Erica M.
2/20/2012 2 Check-ins Here
One Eyed Betty's should just go ahead and change their name to HEAVEN. I don't know how they managed to fit so much delicious stuff under one roof, but kudos to them on their accomplishment.
Came here for the first time on 2/8/12 For my husbands birthday. Received pretty good service in spite of it being their first week and our party being rather large in size.
Tried:
Smoked oyster appetizer: A very unique way to do oysters. I must say, I like it. Beautifully presented on a bed of rock salt
BLT: Thick cut bacon, awesome aioli, and a side of the onion rings the size of my head.
Flanders' Roast Salad: I ordered this because I was trying to be healthy. I wasn't expecting much, but I was blown away by how much flavor was in this simple dish. The vegetables were so well seasoned and the goat cheese was a perfect complement. I especially liked how it got kind of "melty" from the warm vegetables. Mmmmm.
I don't think I need to mention the beer here. The selection is plentiful and we knew it would be good. many of our favorites on tap and plenty of new ones to discover.
I wanted to get one more visit under my belt before I wrote my review and I had the chance to give OEBs a second try yesterday. My husband and I went for brunch and once again, we were not disappointed.
We each started with a Bloody Mary, which was, I swear, one of the best I've ever had. I was floored when I studied the bartender only to see that she was using nothing but Zing Zang mix and vodka, which is precisely what we use at home. I guess this is a testament to the saying that everything tastes better when someone else makes it. We were a little bummed that our drinks didn't come with the sidecar of beer that was mentioned on their FB page. We remedied this by each ordering a full pint of beer : )
I had the poor man's breakfast with poached eggs and it was outstanding. The perfect cure for a hangover. It was like no breakfast I'd ever had. Even the black beans, which can sometimes be blah, were really. really good. The portion was huge (I took half home) and the price was reasonable at $7.
Husband had the Sweaty Betty and was equally pleased with his selection.
We loved the laid back vibe of the place on Sunday morning, and the music they were playing made our brunch really enjoyable.
We could not be happier about welcoming One Eyed Betty's to Ferndale. She fits in like she's been here forever. As long as they can maintain the high quality and good service we have experienced thus far (and the place isn't overrun by d-bags) we'll continue to come back again and again.Listed in: Beers
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Review from Dawn N.
4/19/2012
Come on, pinball while you wait! (and wait you shall) Since this little gem opened a few weeks back its been a MUST among locals. You can go in during the day at 115pm and still find a little wait. Worth it? yes! The menu is eclectic and fun. From their pretzels (which I will warn you are very very filling with their yummy dips) to the crazy bacon with a side of bacon. The food is tres chic! The side by side seating can be a bit of a drag if you are on a romantic date...however if you are in the mood for some fun and being social, its the BEST place to be. Its only been open since February and I think we've been in 5 times already. 5 stars for sure!
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Review from Phil H.
Huntington Woods, MI
3/9/2012
We went there on a Saturday night, about 8:30 PM and the place was packed. Hour wait for a table. We expected a wait. Found 4 seats at the bar and we're good to go.
Service: The bartenders were great! Attentive, fast, responsive. We ordered the pretzels for an appetizer, they were great!
Food: I had the pork belly sandwich with onion rings. First: the onion rings were very good: very crispy and tasted of fresh onions (not stale grease). I was hoping for a better sandwich though: waaay too oily and too much of the mayo on it. The pork and carrots were drowning in it and the roll in some spots were dripping in clear oil. In the few spots that had a good mix of the sauce/pork belly/carrots, it was a great combo. Otherwise...ask for light sauce/mayo on there. I guess I was thinking a nice take on a Bahn Mi...but sort of failed here. The others in my group got the chicken curry (feedback was good on that) and burger (delicious).
We ordered the donuts and were delicious as others have said.
Overall a great experience, a bit disappointed in my food entree, but will go back and try it out again! -
Review from Steve C.
Detroit, MI
2/12/2012
I'd first like to make a shout to the yelpers for giving me a heads up on this place. Your enthusiasm and praise for this joint really got me amped up to go. Just looking at the menu and overall concept of the place got me all giddy.
So after a pleasantly sunny, gorgeous February afternoon at the 2012 Motown Winterblast, I suggested that we hop on I-75 and go here to sample some craft brews and awesome food to go with it.
I really like the the inside of the place it's got a cozy modern bar vibe, with touches of nostalgia with the pinball machines and jukebox.
The menu consists of an array of fried stuff, cheesy stuff, fatty stuff, which makes absolute sense for a place that sells all types of booze. Here's what we ordered:
Beer Flights: You get to pick 3 choices for $7 or 6 choices for $14, from their list of 40+ craft beers. Although I had a lot fun strategizing which beers to pick for the flight of 6, I can see it being laborsome to others to pick from such a comprehensive list - perhaps have pre-selected, thought out flights for those that want to do it quick and dirty?
One-eyed Oysters: The friends got these and I wanted to try one, even though I'm not a big oyster guy. They had a fresh, salt-water taste to them, so they seemed legit to me upon first slurp. I accompanied this with a touch of cocktail sauce.
Bacon with a Side of Bacon: braised Pork belly + deep-fried, poach egg + applewood bacon. Need I say more? Everything on this plate was fattening pork goodness and the poached egg was perfect and crispy (technique points). Now if only I could ask for an egg to be poached and deep-fried at every breakfast place I go to.
Pork Belly Sandwich: As if I the appetizer wasn't enough, I had to get my chompers on this sandwich. It had that succulent shreds of that braised pork with lightly picked veggies and an asian mayo all in a buttered, toasted french baguette vessel.
Poor Man's Plate: 2 out of 4 people at the table got this. I can see why: kielbasa with rice, black, beans, cheddar, and sour cream. It looked like a big bowl of "get your ass out of the cold and eat me".
Homemade Donuts: Slightly doughy and dense for me for a yeast doughnut, but lemme tell ya it was pretty damn good just coming out of the fryer. You get chocolate and raspberry dipping sauces with it.
Can't forget the service either: easy-going, friendly, and efficient. +1.
That being said, get your ass over here with some friends and enjoy some killer bar grub and wash it down with a tasty alcoholic beverage. One Eyed Betty has not seen the last (half) of me. -
Review from Denise C.
Ferndale, MI
2/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
Are you kidding me? There wasn't one appealing item on the menu.
The 'napkin' with the silverware was a nasty dirty kitchen rag with stains on it that I'd find at my grandma's house, in the basement at the bottom of an old box of old towels and rags that she never throws out.
I know they specialize in beer, but they had NO wine selection (no effort in selecting a few choice wines), and no wine glasses.
I hope they step up their game and make me want to possibly try it again someday.Comment from Beth H. of One-Eyed Betty's 2/19/2012
Denise, thank you for your valuable feedback. I wanted to… More » -
Review from Joe G.
Ann Arbor, MI
4/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
Food: 3/5. Service: 3/5. Food, service, selection are all solid. A sure thing. Too bright, too many TVs.
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Review from Brent R.
Royal Oak, MI
2/15/2012
Came to check out the fuss and I can say it lives up to the hype. Being a beer fan, I was intrigued by the amount of beers they have on tap. Being able to get a Dunkelweizen and a Hopslam on tap is something I can appreciate and OEB delivers on the selection.
Along with the great service and beers, the food is very good as well. I ordered the Betty Burger and was almost shocked at how good it was. I normally tend to be underwhelmed with new places rated so highly but I think OEB is top notch.
The only reason I do not give 5 stars is because the price is a bit more than desired BUT it is something I am willing to pay for being a beer snob. The ability to get half pints for half the price is a GREAT option for those who want to try something without going all in on a $9 pint, great touch.
If you like places like Berkley Front and want a little more 'upscale' in your night, this is the place. I just hope this doesn't get too popular and crowded so that I can come back more often! -
Review from Scott B.
Updated - 3/10/2012
Back to loving Betty. They listened. They now have a hostess (a super nice one by the way) so seating is no longer a clusterfuck, they seem to have gotten rid of the turd bartenders and hired some new, cool ones that actually like their jobs and know their shit, and the food has been consistently good. Thanks Betty, you rock once again. Wedding bells are ringing!
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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2/16/2012
The honeymoon has worn off. This is still a cool place but there are some issues.
The bartender… Read more »
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Review from Heidi M.
3/19/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Finally made my first visit to OEB's yesterday. Over all I liked it, I definitely need to go back when it's not Sunday though. I didn't realize they had a very limited menu on Sunday afternoons. They were offering some breakfast items and a few sandwiches. I was slightly disappointed that I couldn't choose from all the yummy foods that I have been hearing about.
With that being said, I could spend all day in there trying all the different beers (and ciders) that they have to offer. I enjoyed studying their beer list. I also really enjoyed that they serve all the beers in the appropriate glassware (tulip, goblet, pint).
For food, I had the BLT. It was very good. Nice crispy slices of apple-wood smoked bacon, lots of fresh arugula and tomatoes. The arugula was a nice touch! The side of french fries was a little skimpy but yummy. The onion rings were also good, slightly heavy on breading but tasty and well seasoned.
Both the greeter and waitress were friendly and attentive. No complaints at all in that department.
The interior may lack a little ambiance. The friend that I was with referred to it as feeling somewhat "cafeteria" like. I know, it's a beer hall, I get that. I'm sure it probably feels much more lively on an night when it is full of people, than it did on a slow Sunday afternoon.
Can't wait to go back to order off of the full menu and try a few more of the beers.Listed in: Ferndale Fav's
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Review from Michael P.
Plymouth, MI
2/17/2012
I love beer bars. Every time I travel I look for the best beer bars in the area. SO, I was pretty excited to hear that a beer bar was moving in down the street from my office. I was also excited to hear it was replacing Diablo's which was a sorry excuse for Tex-Mex.
The best thing about most beer bars is well the beer. This place has it. The beer list is good. Heavy on the Michigan beers which I love and a pretty good selection of national and international craft beers. The second best thing about most beer bars is the character/atmosphere. This place does not have it. I know it's recently opened and it may take a little time, but I think my buddy described it best, "It's the K-Mart of beer bars". No character, no atmosphere. If you sit at the bar the place looks like a sports bar. If you sit in the front it looks like an arcade. Maybe over time they'll figure it out, but right now it looks like they were trying to get the bar up and running as fast as possible without any concern for feel.
I will say that our waiter was fairly knowledgeable about the beer list. He even suggested a Kuhnhen DRIPA that wasn't on the menu which I greatly appreciated. Overall it's not a bad bar. I only had drinks so I'd like to come back and try the food. -
Review from Annalisa B.
Berkley, MI
3/24/2012
The beer selection - holy crap. It's huge and even has a few gluten free offerings. the menu is designed for drinking: great apps, sandwiches, salads and a few entree plates that pair well with a hearty brew. the music selection was suburb. this is a great place to meet up with people over a pint and some charchutterie !another great spot in ferndale!
Listed in: Best Happy Hour
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Review from Joe B.
Sorry about the string of updates but every time I hit up OEB's I find something new to eat or a key piece of info that I'm compelled to share with the hungry masses.
But before I send some props Betty's way once again, I've got a gripe to address that's lost them a star. My single complaint of this place was due to the most recent Pork Belly Sandwich that I ordered to take home. Now I realize that since I didn't eat it there when it was fresh I can't rely on the meat to be as tender as it could be, but the sandwich I took home was nothing like the first one I brought home that I raved about. The pickled veggies were off this time - they tasted different, and the fries were all different levels of doneness, but the main issue was the baguette - it wasn't one, as Jennifer L. noted. The baguette I had holding together my first sandwich was totally KILLER!!! - a quality bread with a superb crust and an airy center. But this last sandwich had some type of pseudo hoagie roll that was completely inferior - a thin flimsy crust and a spongy interior that didn't stand up to the meat inside. Seriously, it ruined the sandwich and nearly brought a tear to my eye. I can't tell you how important consistency is going to be for Betty's given the issues leading up to Diablo's failure.
Since I've been loyally frequenting Betty's I'm learning more and more as I watch it grow and shift into Ferndale's new potential hot spot. I've been there multiple times now with my hopes set on trying everything on the menu. Saturday, it was busy during brunch rush and it was crazy busy during the evening as I'm sure you've already read from the other informed Yelpers.
I recently found out that 1) the kitchen is closed from 2-4 while they change over from brunch to dinner menus - a minor annoyance that gave way to the opportunity to enjoy a few extra drink samples while patiently waiting to order a pork belly sandwich (referred to above). Even so, it was an unexpected set back and some of the other patrons were less willing to wait for food and took off for greener pastures.
And 2) the tables are communal during really busy hours, meaning you'll be sitting with people you may not know - I dug it though! Sitting next to strangers was interesting and oddly comforting.
For brunch, my friend and I got in just under the wire at 2 pm as they were ending kitchen service for the two hour window I spoke of. He ordered the German Breakfast and I intended to order a sandwich but was waved off until
4 pm due to the change over. His German Breakfast was plated with a steak knife on a wooden cutting board with two kinds of very tasty sausage, two types of firm cheeses both reasonably subtle in flavor, a mound of whipped butter, one of those killer baguettes I spoke of and a small dish of whole grain mustard. I tried everything on the board and it was all quality and all very good. I liked, and can appreciate the presentation too - it was actually true to the idea of a German hunter type breakfast. If I was to make a small suggestion - a half an apple or some house made compote would go a long way and add a really nice touch in my opinion.
During the evening we ordered a mess of food to try. As I keep plugging this spot whenever possible, I try to keep up on the menu research (plus I may have a small addiction to this place for all that it has to offer). I've tasted the sausage & chicken gumbo - it's legit. The Bleu Cheese, Pear Arugula Flatbread was great with a tender fluffy crust. Their Bacon with a Side of Bacon was really good. The actual bacon was sadly, of the unremarkable thin cut variety, and the fried poached egg was HELLA overcooked, so no runny yolk to mop up unfortunately, but the pork belly more than made up for both of those faults. It was tender and succulent and while perhaps not a true pork belly it was still really good. The Oyster Po Boy, once again, not so much my thing, but my girlfriend liked it and the taste I had was good. I ordered the Betty Burger. Cooked properly, with bacon, a HEFTY stack of onions, Roma tomatoes and garlic aioli with a side of their hand-cut fries, it was messy but supremely delicious. The Carnival Pretzels, as you can guess, were wonderful. Three to a plate, firm and fluffy, with a coarse salt topping and served adjacent to a pub mustard, a chive garlic cream cheese and a nacho cheese sauce. I really can't give this place enough props as long as it stays consistent! And I can't stress enough how important that's going to be. The beer I foresee will always be a solid draw for patrons but I would hate to see them lose traction with their menu - it's been refreshing to see quality food like theirs coming out of a bar kitchen so I hope they maintain their integrity and don't get overly lax given their initial successes.2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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2/9/2012
Intent on getting some food at the Monster Food Truck Rally at RO's Farmer's Market, I was quickly… Read more »
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Review from Ryan S.
Ferndale, MI
2/27/2012 17 Check-ins Here
Merriment ensues.
Betty's is slowly turning into one of those regular stops amongst our weekends of debauchery. With a vast almost intimidating beer selection one could sit for hours sampling these palate quenchers, just wish they had more stouts. The food here is so-so with the exception of the "Bacon with a side of bacon" this is a must have. That being said I view this place more as a tap house than anything; the food is just a bonus. After 8 this place gets packed, if you want a table good luck. I've seen some wait for over an hour for a table. The biggest complaint from patrons is the lack of a host/hostess, leading to confusion and even longer waiting times. At the moment the staff is very polarizing, half great half new. In time the noobs will get it together. The simple and small things here will keep me coming back. Good beer, pinball, a kitchen open till 1:30, and being able to watch sports and Cartoons (Anime/Samurai movies) at the same time. Like a man cave with childhood whimsy. Drink up and dig in, the next rounds on me.
