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Categories: Seafood, Cajun/Creole [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Downtown Detroit, GreektownMon-Thu. 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Fri-Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
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I heard about this place in the news - I wasn't working at the time, so there was a lot of TV happening. My first thought when looking over the menu form the safety of my couch through the internets was "WTF - how is this a jazz kitchen with sushi?!"
There is one in Southfield that we went to once. We ordered a normal jazz kitchen type dinner, it was decent. I'm a little hesitant to try to majority of the Cajun food because I grew up with it, and its hard to beat moms cooking.
But I keep going back to the Greektown location because of the sushi!
I can be a bit of a snob when it comes to sushi - but the sushi at this Fishbones is great. The service as always been good. The only thing that irks me is that you don't order from the sushi chef while sitting at the sushi bar.
I stumbled upon Fishbone's for lunch when in Detroit for a convention.
Looked great from the street. The menu was rather overwhelming - there is everything from Cajun food to Sushi.
I ended up with the lamb burger - which was good.. Service was average, my water glass was empty for the majority of my meal.
Would I rush back? Probably not.
my father took myself and my husband here to eat before a tiger's game. it was also supposed to be my birthday dinner.
after taking one look at the menu i wouldn't allow him to pay for 3 way over priced meals. i mean the burger was at least $12. any other entree was $15-20. ridiculous!
so we opted to order a few appetizers and share them and grab a hot dog at the game.
my dad ordered the crawfish. my husband ordered mussels and a california roll. and i ordered a philadelphia roll tempura.
the bread and seasoned butter was good. the water was good and the beer was good, but overpriced. the water wasn't refilled unless we asked.
our food didn't take too long to get there.
my philadelphia roll was not tempura. however i ate it anyway as to not hold up everyone else and make us late. it was very good.
the california roll and mussels were also good.
however the crawfish that my dad ordered was not so good. keep in mind that he has been to new orleans many times and has eaten crawfish many times.
he said the meat was falling apart as if it was rotten, it was way over seasoned and it tasted 'off'. my husband tried one because he never had before and he said it was 'gross'.
we called over the waitress who apologized and she sent over who i assume was the manager. my father explained the situation and added 'it seems like these were dead before they were cooked' and the manager said he did not know.
he offered to replace it with something else and he declined and they took it off of our bill without a problem.
later that evening my husband was sick.
if i ever eat here again it will be at the sushi bar only.
Fabulous Cajun inspired restaurant. Having lived in Louisiana for a few years, I always am leery to try Cajun influenced restaurants as they never live up to the real deal. I must say that my jambalaya was pretty delicious with it's spicy tomato sauce. Incredibly filling as the portion was really large. Pasta New Orleans was super tasty with glazed creamy pesto sauce, over fettuccine noodles, veggies, and seafood. You could add Cajun spice if you wanted to the pasta as well. Really wish I had leftovers for the next day. And no Cajun inspired seafood dinner would be complete without a Hurricane. Excellent job bartender making a smooth drink with quite the punch.
People told me that the sushi was a must try at this restaurant, so I ordered the sushi boat as an appetizer and found it to be mediocre.
Sadly there wasn't any room for dessert but friends of mine ordered a strawberry chocolate moose that was to die for!
Wonderful service, quaint setting with a classy touch. Would definitely find a way to eat here again if I lived in the area.
Another seafood restaurant right in the heart of the Motor City with a southern influence and now, with a foreign twist!
Fishbones is right on Monroe Street, which is Greek Town and leads into the relatively new Greektown Hotel and Casino. It serves mainly Louisianna styled seafood, with some Cajun specialties like Gumbo, Jambalaya, Shrimp Creole and the like.
However, with the popularity of Japanese Sushi, believe it or now it has a full size U-shaped sushi bar with 2 Asians working the knives and rice, and offering Nigiri to Sashimi to Watchamacallit Rolls.
It had a steady crowd of people later on a Sunday night, perhaps vactioners enjoying their long weekend near the Casino 2 blocks away.
Out party of 4 started with BBQ Shrimp, which were grilled and floating in a smokey barbecue and olive oil sauce with spices. They were very good! We also had half a dozen oysters on the half shell, freshly shucked, which were decent. A cup of Gumbo was thick and almost gravy like, but spicy and hearty with shrimps, sausage slices and rice.
We had two orders of Jambalaya, which were very filling, again with shrimp, sausage and rice, in a spicy tomato sauce. The thifd entree was a New Orleans Shrimp, which was a rich Alfredo and cheese like-sauce with fettuccini, shrimp, mushrooms and parmesan.
I tried the Ikura (Salmon Roe) sushi just tro try it, and it wasn't bad, surprisingly! All the nigiri are priced per pieces, mostly in the $$2.75 - 3.00 range (equivalent to $5.50 - $6 in most sushi restaurants for 2 pieces)
Tracy our server gave reliable service, and kept us going with warm rolls and herbal butter. Fishbones has a very large adult beverage menu, mainly specializing in mixed cocktails and martinis, although the martini's are not anywhere near traditional, and more resembling college-aged tropical liquor flavored concoctions with vodka.
The Jamabalaya was $17, the Gumbo $5, so the prices are pretty reasonable. The atmosphere is nice, and the service good. Next time you want some Bayou seafood and spicy flavors, or even some sushi, you might try Fishbones.
I like Fishbone's, I don't like Fishbone's. I like Fishbone's, I don't like Fishbone's. It's been the same cycle for me for the last few years.
This Detroit Greektown institution has the right things going for it, but struggles on consistency. It has some items on the menu that are prepared very well, others that are not.
Personally, I think they make a VERY good, very interesting Lamb Burger, but I've never been a huge fan of their so-called Cajun food, which I believe isn't all that authentic.
I like the no-frills, come as you are attitude, I don't like the mo-frills pricing and occasional lapses in service.
I like that the sushi bar has always been fresh, clean and very good. I don't like funny fish-tank smell that certain parts of the dining room have.
I like that their drinks are usually strong and well made. I don't like the feeling that I'm at a Joe's Crab Shack when I look at the decor.
I like their lunches are usually pretty filling, I don't like that what I usually rate a Cajun place by (the Gumbo) is probably the worst tasting thing I've ordered.
I like the large selection. I don't like the inconsistency.
I want to love Fishbone's. I want to hate Fishbone's. Damn you Fishbone's. I can't quit you because you occasionally rock my world. If you'd just clean up your act, I know we'd be happy together.
I liked the Cajun pasta I ordered. It was just what I expected, but that was all. There were no frills, nothing special, just pasta. My best friend ordered salmon, and was really happy, but I really felt like we were overpaying.
The service was good and the Tiramisu dessert was definitely the highlight of the night. It came in a huge glass and we were pretty much battling over who could get the most the fastest, haha. There were also very yummy chocolate curls on top that made it look as expensive as it was ;)
Overall, I would rather spend my money elsewhere and get unforgettable food. It's not bad, it's just forgettable...until you get your credit card bill...
So maybe my friend and I were here on a bad day, but I was really disappointed in this restaurant. My friend and I were in Detroit to see a show at the Fox, and we looked on the internet for a good place to eat in the area. On the website, Fishbone's looked like it was going to be a really great, really fun place to eat. We were wrong.
We were herded in and waited in line for our table. They didn't take our names to be seated. We just had to wait in line. Then we finally were seated, and it took our waiter FOREVER to come to our table. And getting water refills was like pulling teeth.
Luckily, the food (when we finally got it) was well-prepared and had a decent flavor, but I don't feel that it was as good as it could have been for what we paid for it.
Don't ask but I was in Detroit for the weekend. Unfortunately, I was sick and it rained during the entire time - blah!
Well, it didn't stop us from eating. One great thing about downtown Detroit is the rail. It was only a 5 min or less ride from our hotel to Greektown - the tourist hot spot for dining and gambling. We decided to have dinner at Fishbones.
"Non-smoking or smoking?"
"Huh?"
"Non-smoking or smoking?" Are you freakin kidding me? I can't even remember when the last time someone asked me this question. I looked like a deer in headlights.
This was a Cajun/Creole/Sushi place. And guess what, I ordered sushi! I know, why? Well, for one, there sushi menu was pretty extensive for a cajun/creole restaurant and two, it was made fresh to order. So why not. My cousin's husband and I shared the rainbow roll and the crunch roll (shrimp tempura, avocado, crab meat, and tabiko with sweet sauce. Eight pieces per roll). We were really surprsied how good it was! The slices of fish and avocado were right on, not too thick, not too thin. My husband got their chicken sandwich, nothing special. My cousin ordered their Caprese Salad and it was very good.
Items to stay away from: Artichoke & Spinach Dip and their gumbo, quite disappointing.
The band performing this night was awesome! Good entertainment and from what my husband says, the best local-made beer. And they serve orange slices with it. Oh, I forgot to mention - awesome cosmos!!
The best char-grilled tasting burger I've had in a restaurant! Seriously, I don't think it could have been any better than if I would have fired up my own grill and made it! It's been awhile since I've been to Fishbone's and the addition of a sushi bar is quite nice, although I didn't order any on this trip. Along with my burger I ordered a bowl of the seafood gumbo which had just the right amount of spice to it! Fishbone's was always my late night spot after hitting up the Casino in Greektown, glad to see they are still around and going strong, unlike some of the other well known Detroit corporations.
This is my favorite restaurant in Detroit. I'm a sushi snob, and when I they first opened their sushi bar, I was skeptical. Now, I think Fishbone's has the best sushi available in the (313) area code, hands down. My favorite rolls are the Dragon Roll, Godzilla Roll and the Boom Boom Roll. The smaller, simpler rolls are fresh and delicious, but the nigiri is overpriced so I don't get it when I'm there.
Other amazing menu items are the fried lobster medallions, tender scallops, cocktail shrimp the size of your head, or even the chicken wings (which are very, very hot!). If you are there on a Saturday, you have to get a cup -- just a cup, it's very filling -- of the lobster bisque.
The dining area is diverse. You can sit by the bar if you want to smoke. There's a large, low-ceiling area that is very comfortable. On the other side of the place, there is a spacious room with a huge waterfall and live bands on the weekend.
I go go Fishbone's frequently, and I can say the service is acceptable 75% of the time. The hostesses are beyond aloof, but most of the waitstaff is friendly, fast and knowledgeable. A few times I've gotten total duds for servers, but most of the time it's quick and easy.
Another one of Detroit's overrated restaurants. I think a lot of Detroiters actually really believe this is authentic cajun food. It's not. And actually its quite gross, and a horrible misrepresentation of what cajun food is supposed to be.
If Fishbones's were a person, it would be arrested for fraud. THey have a relatively diverse menu, where you can get your share of cajun "stuff", but seem to be a bit "soul-food" heavy as well. The food is overpriced and a lot of dishes are "pre-made", they just charge you like they just prepared it.
Service always sucks at this place, as most of the servers are swamped and under deliver on the regular.
They do have a Sunday brunch that actually isnt that bad...I guess you just have to kinda try it for yourself...but I wont be sitting beside you...
Fishbone's is open late, which is a definite plus.
The food is cajun soul, or something. I'm not too daring when I come here, but the Gumbo is out of this world! And a steal too, for how full you are when you're done. The atmosphere is kind of hit and miss, but if it's crowded, be prepared to lose your voice from shouting across the table. It's unbearably loud. Definitely not an intimate venue for a first date.
The Sunday brunch out in the atrium is the highlight for me. I can always find something to eat, and I make sure I get my money's worth. They also make a mean mimosa, with just a hint of orange juice, just how I like it.
Let me see, I don't eat seafood, actually I'm a vegan and I don't drink. So how the heck can I write a review for a seafood restaurant? Easy, I'm into the environment and ambiance of any place. I like this Fishbones because I strike up the best conversations at the bar with people.
They usually start off because someone will over hear me order a Shirley Temple and fall out from laughter. That's enough right there for a great conversation. The business people that are in and out of town usually dine here as well. Everyone has a story and I have definitely heard my share while at Fishbones.
Besides that I just like the fact that they are down town in the middle of Greek Town. A great place to stop and have a drink or converse. Oh yeah, the bartenders are usually cute too!
Good honest Cajun food and nice healthy drinks. One of my favorite places in Detroit.
Ok so here I am in Detroit this week on biz and I walk around Greektown locate some tasty treats. I see the nice glittering sign for Fishbone's and initially think that this is a local joint.....NOPE. Place totally has the feel of a chain, so I was hungry and I belly up to the bar. Figure I'd give it a try.
The waitress who greets me looks like she's still in high school and couldn't be bothered and could just as soon serve me as toss a plate at my head. In actuality, I dug her attitude and she was very efficient.
I had the NY Strip with the roasted potatos and green beans. NOT BAD AT ALL. I was sort of expecting a train wreck and got my expectation turned on its ear. The beans were crispy and the spuds were nicely seasoned, and the steak was a perfect medium. Let me channel Yoda and say "Stunned, I was".
One interesting tidbit, when you order a steak here there is a disclaimer on the menu that says, and I'm paraphasing "If you order a steak medium or medium well, the steak will come out butterfly cut". I'm presuming they've done this because of a lawsuit where someone didn't get a cooked to their liking?? It was amusing and the steak didn't come out butterflied......thankfully.
This place tries too hard. The menu was overwhelming, the restaurant smells like weird chlorine-fountain smell, and it was just kitschy.
Great date place to go if you are a Boomer with plans to hit the casino later.
The Rhythm cafe portion of the restaurant is pretty cool; I'm a fan of jazz and blues, and often Fishbone's has some moderately talented musicians in the house.
I also like that there's some strange seafood dishes here. For example, they have a soft shell crab sandwich that's just F'n amazing! (sounds strange, I know. But the crab, soft shell and all, is one of the tastiest things I've ever had from the sea.)
One thing I would say though, is that soft shell crab is expensive, as far as sandwiches go. Even if you took a fillet mignon and stuck it on bread, it wouldn't cost as much as this.
Still, it's a great place to go if you want real deal seafood and not the same old rehashed Red Lobster affair!
Sushi only... this review is only for the sushi because I have not even touched the rest of the menu in years.
So anyway, with Oslo being close until recently and Tom's Oyster Bar being the only other option, my friends and I decided to head to Fishbones one day for a sushi lunch break. No one had any idea what to expect. We were all very happy to see an extensive menu, especially because we were all looking for something different (tho all sushi). My one friend was especially happy with all the eel selections, or so he said. Anyway, we placed our orders and then waited. Then we waited some more. After some more waiting, we waited. I mean, really? Sushi taking FOREVER in a near empty restaurant (there was like no one there). Finally the sushi came out. We were starving and going to be late for class, so we started stuffing our faces with roll after roll after roll. What we noticed, when we came up for air, is that we were all very happy with the sushi. If it weren't for the unreasonably long, and apparently unnecessary, wait, then I'm sure we would've gone back often. But skipping class for sushi doesn't seem like the best idea.
Great place to go in Greektown. Relatively easy to find, cheap parking nearby as well as validated parking at the casino.
The menu is huge, as it varies from New Orleans style seafood dishes, steaks, and even a full sushi bar. There are usually 8-10 beers on tap, including some nicer beers as well as the standard domestics. Daily soups, salads, and a large appetizer menu compliment the meal well.
The restaurant is huge, allowing plenty of room for groups on weekends. Our service has always been reliable and friendly, and even with a few drinks, appetizers, and a full meal, my wife and I tabbed out with a $65.00 bill (after tip) on our recent visit.
I highly recommend Fishbone's, there seems to be something on the menu for everyone.
Before they sold out and started franchising the brand, I would have rated them 5 stars. However, since then they have diluted the brand, cheapened the experience, and skimped on service, so I docked them a star for that.
I've always enjoyed going to Fishbone's, however bring your Diamond card because they are expensive. Granted, they are not as expensive as they used to be ($100/plate not even ten years ago), but they are still in the neighborhood of $30+/person).
They usually have a live band of a decent caliber performing most evenings.
The food is generally acceptable, and the service is mediocre now.
They do not take reservations though, and if you step out of line to go to the bathroom or to get a drink from the bar you lose your place.
Overall, 4 stars.
There if very little positive to say about this place. Which I feel is strange because it came highly recommended. One of my co-workers, the guy next to us on the plane and the taxi driver all raved about it. I would say it was subpar at best.
The gumbo was basic and that is not a good sign at a Cajun place. Our waiter was so terrible we had an excellent opportunity to cash out and run away after that first course and we didn't take it. The ensuing course were pretty nasty. The chicken in the cobb salad was so dry it was sticking to my throat when I tried to swallow it. Sorry for the imagery but that's the deal. My shrimp dish, which is what Fishbone is known for was o.k.. Most just tomato sauce and some shrimp. No where near where it should have been flavorwise for a good Cajun place.
They do have a decent beer selection but we should have known something was up when I tried to order the first specialty drink on the menu and was told not to get it. "It gets returned 90% of the time" I believe was our waiter's words. Awesome.
The do have excellent bread and butter.
Sorry Detroit.
RrL
The food is ok, not great, and a little pricey. The down side is that they do not take reservations, and will not put you on a list so you can go spend money at their bar! You wait in line until you reach the head of the line, and then you get the next available table.
Go around the corner to another place where you can at least get a drink while you wait.
I've been to Fishbone's many times over the years. In general all the experiences have been positive. Good food, lively atmosphere (sometimes with live music), TVs near the bar with sports on (also good if you're at a table so you can steal a glance to check on the score), and convenient location all contribute to my four star rating.
It's hard to really go particularly wrong with any of their fresh seafood that they get regularly or their steaks, though I did have a steak there once that I didn't consider to be that good. The sushi there is also surprisingly decent. It's by no means the best, but what they do have isn't that bad, though a bit overpriced perhaps. Their Cajun dishes aren't necessarily the best I've had, to be honest. I did think that the etouffee was quite good though.
If there's any major flaw with the place it's that they don't take reservations and they don't take your name when you enter. Waiting in line is a drag, though the few times that I have had to wait in line they usually have a waitress come take drink orders for people waiting, so it's not all bad. The place is huge though, so more often than not you won't really need to wait much, or at least particularly long.
Service is in general good, but at times a bit hit and miss. Some servers are better than others, like most places. For the most part the service has been excellent though, and most of the servers are pretty fun people who will take the time to talk to you a bit about whatever it is that is going on. I like having a server with a personality, it's a lot more fun than just having someone act like a robot.
While there are many other great restaurants in Greektown that all deserve your patronage, Fishbone's is a good choice. Just don't make it the only place in Greektown you visit! This seems to be the default Greektown restaurant for a lot of people (especially out-of-towners) and while you can definitely enjoy yourself here, get off the beaten path and try some of the more unique local spots in Greektown, or even in other parts of the city.
It's also too bad they opened up a couple other places in the burbs. Somehow that dilutes its cool.
You're already downtown and you need somewhere to eat. Or maybe you left the casino, won some money and want a nice meal. Or perhaps you want to organize a graduation or anniversary dinner. Well Fishbones is definitely one of those places. It's right in the heart of downtown and is usually bustling with a nice jazz vibe. There is always enough space to host a lot of people; my friends and I meet up here often. The food is just OK and little pricey for what is it, but sometimes you pay just for the ambiance. The service here is decent as well, although the last time I went it was a little bit slow. The good thing about Fishbones is that you can park at the Greektown Casino lot for free (once you validate it inside the casino).
I tried alligator meat for the first time at this restaurant. It was delicious (but I still get scared if I really think about where the meat came from). They make their cocktail really strong, which was a good thing. Portion was big so we had tons of leftover to take home. Service was very friendly. We had a great lunch here.
The food is decent. The atmosphere is great. Its where you go when in Greektown and not in the mood for Greek cuisine. Fun Cajun food combined with Jazz makes Fishbone's something unique in the Motor City. Most Detroiters don't eat gumbo often, so this is your chance to try something new.
A Detroit institution that is slightly over-rated. The food is just okay, the service is so-so and it;s always crazy packed and loud. I actually much prefer the St. Clair Shores location.....
My favorite restaurants to go to while in Detroit! It is located in Greektown and next to a casino. Definitely try the alligator voodoo if you are daring...ok, it's not bad at all...looks like chicken, tastes like chicken...but it ain't chicken! Pick any type of fish and it's good when cooked blackened or cajun style. Good place to hang out for a drink or two at the bar. Just be careful when walking outside when the sun sets. Can get kinda hairy....you never know who/what is lurking behind you..
Full Disclosure: I write this review not just as a patron, but also as a (somewhat disgruntled) former employee of Fishbone's.
Generally speaking, the food is inconsistent. Order carefully, as it is restaurant policy that any items not to your liking may only be replaced with a different item. In other words, even the most offensive plate of food will most likely not be subtracted from your bill. And believe me, some of the dishes are unforgivably unpleasant.
A significant portion of the menu consists of fried food, so if that's your cup of tea (it's not mine), then you may enjoy your appetizers and meal more than I have.
AVOID:
- Seafood Gumbo. Looks, tastes and smells like vomit.
- Shrimp Creole. As a previous reviewer mentioned, it's just a bowl of shrimp, rice and tomato sauce.
- Jambalaya. It's nothing special and preparation seems to vary daily. On certain days, it is too spicy for the average diner.
- Combo Mombo Platter. A big plate of indistinguishable fried food. The shrimp, scallops and catfish all taste the same : Fried
- Southwest Chicken Soup. This appears often as the "Soup of the Day". While it tastes pretty good, there are sometimes bone fragments in it.
- Adding chicken to any salad. It's cooked early in the day and is almost always very dry and tasteless.
- Alligator Voodoo. This appetizer is a favorite, probably because it's considered exotic. Tastes like chicken, only grossly chewier.
- French fries with anything. Always cold.
- Mojitos. Several of the bartenders have no clue how to make them properly. Cocktails are also non-returnable, so play it safe and avoid the specialty drink menu.
GO FOR:
- Sushi. The sushi bar is an entirely different world, as the Chinese chefs pull open-to-close shifts artfully preparing delicious food, made to order. I've only tried a few rolls, but the response to the menu is overwhelmingly positive. However, expect a long wait for sushi and be careful ordering it along with regular entrees, as they often die under the heat lamps while the sushi is being prepared.
- Gumbo YaYa. Unlike it's seafood sibling, this thick stew with spicy andouille sausage and chicken is actually delicious.
- Crab Cakes. Skip the accompanying mustard sauce, though.
- Cobb/Lagniappe Salads. Huge portions, mostly fresh ingredients. Nothing mindblowing, but pretty good.
- Bread and Butter.
- One exception to my previous advice on the drink menu: Fishbone's Hurricane Not the best Hurricane I've tasted, but pretty good and lots of bang for your buck (they'll get you sauced...fast!)
A note on service:
It is inconsistent and here's why: Many servers and bartenders are required to work "double shifts" several days a week. This means 10-13 hours on their feet with no break. This combined with constant negative feedback from management, extremely rude casino clientele, and the frustrating inability to compensate guests who are unhappy with their food and/or drinks, often results in a great server giving not-so-great service. This is not the patrons' fault, but is worth noting when considering eating there.
The restaurant itself is clean and the atmosphere is pleasant. There are a ton of flat screens, so it is a good place to watch a game or have an after work drink. The infamous indoor waterfall on the atrium side no longer works, so don't make the same mistake as some poor schmuck awhile back who ended up proposing to his girlfriend alongside what is now just a wall with ugly fake flowers stuck in it.
Oh! And if you are considering hosting a private party in the "French Quarter" room...it smells like vomit.
Cheers!
Love Fishbones in Greektown. There is a suburban outpost too, but it is not nearly as much fun. The giant appetizer platter will feed a large group and the water wall is cool to watch.
Just ok.I rarely go to FishBone's.The few times I went:
Food was ok,took a good thirty minutes to get a table.Service was ok, it also took awhile for our food to arrive.They have some nice bands playing sometimes.
Neighborhood: Downtown Detroit
Category: Greek
Neighborhood: Downtown Detroit
Category: Greek
Neighborhood: Downtown Detroit
Category: Seafood
Neighborhood: Downtown Detroit
Category: Greek
Saint Clair Shores, MI
Category: Cajun/Creole
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