Why I Love the Motor City
A lot of what has defined our country was born in Detroit. The auto industry, assembly lines, The Temptations, Aretha, Kid Rock and Eminem (even if he’s not your bag, he is one of the most influential musicians in the last 15 years). These days, the news out of Detroit isn’t about new wheels and music. It’s about destruction, ruin and the mass exodus from a city once dubbed “the Paris of the Midwest.” Much of the mainstream news out of Detroit reeks of failure.
Here’s the thing: yes, the Motor City has taken a beating in recent years. Yes, it has a lot to do with the fall of the auto industry. Yes, much of the city is desolate and abandoned (check out this eerie slideshow from Time.com. And yes, all in all, things have been looking bad for D-Town for quite some time. When we decided to bring Bizarre Foods America there last summer, I expected some squalor. What I found amazed me.
Detroit is one of the most culturally diverse cities I’ve visited in a long time. In between those great urban expanses of bleakness, there are inspirational pockets of urban vitality. It’s home to the largest Arab-American population in the country, not to mention its thriving Polish, Mexican and Bengali communities. What’s more, people from all over the United States have relocated to Detroit. I’ve eaten some of the best soul food in the country here. Oh, and did you know that Detroit is home to the largest farmer’s market in the US? Eastern Market is simply amazing, and peppered mostly with entrepreneurs who are bringing this city back in a big way.
Historically, the city of Detroit depended heavily on a single industry. For a long time, it thrived, but when it crashed, it crashed hard. I don’t think turning around big industry is the key to rebuilding Detroit. It’s about a lot of individuals making a difference on a micro level. From farmers to rock stars and everyone in between, this impassioned community is committed to hanging on. Instead of saying “not my problem,” citizens are doing what’s right for the community. I met guys who literally spend their weekends mowing the grass at their local parks because the city doesn’t have the budget for it (of course, this motley group is having a fun while they’re at it. C’mon, who wouldn’t want to drive a souped-up tractor?) There are kitchen guys who ditched restaurant jobs in order to introduce local, artisanal meats to the city. There’s the folks at Amar Pizza who’ve taken an American staple and put a traditional Bengali spin on it. I’d argue that this kind of cultural cross pollination defines America, and it’s the kind of thing Detroit is doing well, maybe even doing it better than any other city in the country. Out of an absurd challenge, has come a renaissance.
If I was a betting man I would be taking Detroit and giving the points, even doubling down. Plenty of people gave Detroit up for dead, and maybe it was already dead and no one knew it, but this city is gaining traction in its neighborhoods and small enclaves of commitment and its thrilling to see. I can’t wait to get back there.
Catch Bizarre Foods America: Detroit Mon, Feb. 20 at 9|8C on Travel Channel.
Wonderful show, Andrew your the heart of food and people!
Thanks for coming to Detroit. We love u
What a thrill to see tonight's Detroit show! I've been relishing the Eastern Market almost every Saturday since I came here in the 1960s, & have explored & love almost every place you visited, and many, many many more–small bakeries with homemade ice cream, Afghanis dining at a small Bengali restaurant, caramelized ripe plantains swimming in cream at a tiny Guatemalan place, incredible spices, nuts & fresh produce at Papapya Market, lots of superb soul-food restaurants. This is truly a great food city–and great in its people, as well. C'mon back any time!
Andrew, thank you for this! I'm also a Detroit expat, living in NJ now. If people want to know even more about the positive stuff happening in Detroit, check out this 17-minute short on http://lemonadedetroit.com. Thanks again for being part of the city's reinvention!
Andrew and Bizzare Foods! You did us proud. I don't think the country is ready for whats coming out of Detroit. You hit it on the head, there are some many innovative and passionate people in "pockets" all over the metro Detroit area, and we are hungry. You will hear our roar again!
I am from the suburbs outside Detroit and Love the City I was born in ! I grew up going to Eastern Market with my parents and especially loved going with my Grandma nearly every weekend as a kid. I learned my cooking skills and my appreciation for good fresh food from my mother and grandmother and there was no better place anywhere to get your produce and enjoy many culturally diverse tastes than Eastern Market ! I went to school with many families that own buisnesses there and I am glad this show let the rest of the country know what a special place Detroit and especially Eastern Market is !!!!
We in Detroit are very proud of the strong immigrant and hardworking multi-cultural status that so defines Detroit. The American dream continues here with its blood, sweat and tears. We are so looking to reinvent ourselves and we have begun the transformation. Old industrial cities die hard.. From our many great and changing neighborhoods, it has produced an ethnically diverse culture, rich in food, music, grit and ingenuity. Thank you, Robert, and the Anthony and the Travel Channel for taking the time to stop and providing us with very important outsiders view of our own Detroit. I am sure due to your positive outlook even many suburban Detroiter's will visit once again rediscover some of the areas that you have toured. I especially like that you spent time in Dearborn during Ramadan, allowing us a glimpse of the warmth and closeness of our Arabic community, so often viewed with fear in all the media. You are a such a true statesman for making us more open to the whole world around us. Thanks and keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!! Condolences for your mother!
[...] was going to take the opportunity today to do my first product review, but as I sat here watching Andrew Zimmerman touring Detroit, my mind was [...]
So often Detroit is portrayed negatively in the media, thank you Andrew for showing the rest of America the true Detroit. What you decribed as inspirational pockets of urban vitality, I've been calling Gems for many years. Don't be a stranger, come back and see us soon!
[...] nights ago, I caught the tail end of a Bizarre Foods in America episode where Andrew Zimmern was in Detroit. Well, since we live within driving distance of The Motor City, I have an [...]
I live in the Detroit Metro area and go downtown for concerts, but was very pleasantly surprised to see Andrew's piece on Hamtramck and Detroit. It is the most up-beat piece I've seen in quite a while. Thank you!
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for writing such a great article. I see these positive signs every day and it's so nice to see a well written and positive article.
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Never knew that Detroit was once called "Paris of the Midwest", hopefully Detroit roars back strong! @BizarreFoods
I must add my 'Thanks' for saying such wonderful things about Detroit . The culture and the food have made it someplace special. It has taken many hits over the past 10-20 years, bu it's clearly not dead. It needed the hug you gave it with your loving words. You always 'get it'. I grew up very close to Detroit, and have been in MI my entire life, but now live on the other side of the state…I miss Detroit deeply.
I love this story. Andrew is the best person to describe foods.
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