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The Emory
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11 am - 2 am
Sat-Sun 9 am - 2 am
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Tue, Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Yes
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Hipster, Trendy
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
105 reviews for The Emory
Review Highlights
"The pot roast sandwich is delicious."
(in 15 reviews)
"The build your own bloody mary bar is what brings me here."
(in 15 reviews)
"With $5 Burger Tuesdays, you must check it out."
(in 4 reviews)
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105 reviews in English
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Review from STEVE H.
Royal Oak, MI
12/29/2011
Tueday $5 burger night was great! They've also got mini beers, four for $4. I think they were called little kings?
You can have an excellent meal for under $10, great atmosphere, quality food.
The only place in Metro Detroit to be on a Tuesday Night! -
Review from Regina T.
Detroit, MI
12/30/2011
I like the Emory. Not love, not hate. A solid like. It's exactly what the star rating says: A-OK.
AMBIANCE: Lush. Oaky. Gorgeous. Trendy but in a not-too-douchey way.
FOOD:
Been here for the breakfast and got the Asparagus & Roasted Red Pepper Omelet. Pretty delish. $5 Burger Night on Tues is always a crowd drawer. I can't say anything about the actual burgers, but the Black Bean Burger was very...beany. I'm not exactly a black bean fan- oops, not sure what else I was expecting, based on that name. Anyway, it wasn't dry, but the flavors are definitely all black bean. The fries were limp and oily. I guess I was disappointed, even though I didn't have any right to be. Go for it if you're the beany type.
BEER SELECTION: Pretty excellent choices on draft.
PRICE: Average. Under $10. Pretty fair.
STAFF: Nice. Pleasant. Came back to check on us often.
OVERALL IMPRESSION: I like daytime Emory better than night-time Emory. The options are not super for non-carnivores, but it's a solid place that is worth a 3rd or 4th chance. -
Review from Valerie G.
Ferndale, MI
12/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've never reviewed The Emory? Guess that explains my 3 star rating. I've been here quite a few times, but apparently it has never left enough of an impression for me to think to review it. I actually like stopping in here - I like the all the wood decor and the general ambiance. I like the beer selection. The menu actually has some interesting items- brunch has some savory options as well as vanilla cinnamon french toast... the regular menu is mostly burgers, sandwiches, salads and pizza. I can't speak to the salads or pizzas, but the burgers and sandwiches have yet to disappoint.
To add to some previous reviews, The Emory is seat yourself - the food does make me feel a little fat... but that's probably because I am, lol - breakfast isn't as good as lunch, but does include a bloody mary bar - and overall this place is a decent drop-in.Listed in: I Need a Drink!
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Review from speak n.
Ferndale, MI
Updated - 2/5/2012
Went to the Emory twice for Sunday morning breakfast within the last three weeks. Usually order the veggie sausage, egg whites scrambled lightly, and wheat toast downed with a cup of java. Not to say I'm antisocial, but I normally sit at the bar reading the morning newspaper.
Service is polite, food hits the spot, java is freely poured. All in all, I can't complain (cost might be a tad high though). I'll probably go back.1 Previous Review:
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2/1/2009
I've eaten here for Sunday breakfast/brunch. Not bad, food is okay but its way overpriced.
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Review from Lisa M.
Royal Oak, MI
2/5/2012
I tried this place for the first time recently with some friends after work. I tried the black bean veggie burger and while it wasn't the best that I've had, it was pretty good. We also split a cookie/ice cream dessert which was decent. The decor was cozy and the crowd was eclectic. Had a great time here.
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Review from Colleen G.
Royal Oak, MI
1/29/2012
Love the Emory! The food is great. I love the Ambiance. Check out Tuesday $5 burgers or head there on Sunday for breakfast....come hungry, leave happy!!
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Review from Krupa U.
Troy, MI
1/26/2012
This place has a decent Bloody Mary bar with some nice garnishes for the making. The food was kind of disappointing due to the small portions and the sorry excuse for potato hash.. You should never be able to finish what you order for brunch, there should always be a second helping for leftovers. I ate everything on my plate, not because it was fabulous, but because I was just super hungry. I'm sure this place is diff. in the evenings during happy hour, but it's just not a Sunday brunch joint. If you're looking for real brunch, go to Club Bart!
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Review from Mimi J.
Detroit, MI
2/3/2012
It's a cute atmosphere. Unfortunately the food is not good and the service is generally bad. I've been about five times. After this time, I've decided it was my last.
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Review from Carie H.
Royal Oak, MI
1/14/2012
Drove by this place this morning (ok it was 1pm) and decided to stop in b/c of the giant banner hanging up outside saying, "BREAKFAST"
we had great service, great food & they have a bloody mary bar on saturday and sundays during breakfast! (breakfast is 9a-2p both days) you order the vodka then head to the table and make it the way you want it with your choice of garnishments. YAY! I also had a $3 mimosa.
I highly recommend this place. Can't wait to go back again! -
Review from Emily L.
11/6/2011
The Emory is a decent option. They often have some great beers on draft. (Last December they had Great Lakes Brewing Co. Christmas ale!) On Tuesdays they offer a burger (beef, turkey, or black bean) and fries for $5. The beef burger was fine. I wasn't the biggest fan of the turkey burger, probably because I was hoping it would taste just like the turkey burger at Casey's Tavern in Ann Arbor, aka the best turkey burger ever (http://www.yelp.com/bi...). The fries were pretty solid. I haven't had anything else from the menu, but the sandwiches sound pretty tasty.
I've also had breakfast here a few times (weekends 9 am - 2 pm). The California omelet (from their menu: "a 3 egg omelet made with green onion, diced tomatoes and mozzarella, topped with salsa, sour cream and avocado. served on a flour tortilla with o'brien potatoes") and huevos rancheros ("2 sunny side up eggs served on corn tortillas with cheddar cheese, black bean dip and our mexican sauce, garnished with avocado and mandarin oranges, served with o'brien potatoes") were decent. Yes, the mandarin oranges are totally canned mandarin oranges. O'Brien potatoes are "cubed potatoes that are baked, then flash fried to make them crispy on the outside. toss with fresh green peppers, roasted red peppers and onions." I've never encountered roasted red peppers in my O'Brien potatoes, and I agree with Jeffrey B - the green peppers and onions were pretty close to raw.
Mimosas are $3 and are made with slightly pulpy orange juice. If you're looking for a brunchtime buzz, the bloody mary bar is probably a better bet. Bloody marys run $6 for house vodka, or you can add $1 for "most other vodkas" (according to the menu). My friend opted for Absolut Peppar and went crazy at the bloody mary bar with flavored salt, a giant stalk of celery, a pickle spear, a bunch of olives, and cubes of pepper jack. It looked like a meal in a glass.
Hmm... why have I not taken advantage of these happy hour specials? Wednesday-Friday 4-7 pm:
$2 Labatt draft
$3 Michigan draft
1/2 off wine
4+4 for $8 (four sliders, four little kings)
2+2 for $4 (two chicken tenders, two cheese sticks, ranch)
nachos $4 (chips, cheese, black beans, shredded chicken, onions)
The beautiful wood interior, non-crappy tunes, and chill atmosphere also warm my heart, but The Emory does not quite get 4 stars from me because the food is OK/decent, not great.Listed in: Drinks in the D
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Review from Hayley A.
Village of Clarkston, MI
12/13/2011
I LOVE The Emory! I go her3 most Tuesday nights for their $5 burger special. The burgers are the only thing I've had on the menu but they are FANTASTIC. I LOVE the black bean burger. There really isn't too much else on the menu though. They have a great selection of beer, great atmosphere, and great songs on the juke box.
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Review from daniel g.
Ferndale, MI
11/3/2011
I love this place. THe beer selection is killer, the service is almost always great, jukebox tight, wood and concrete decor is awesome, nice and comfy patio.
Heres a few things I would love to see here. A menu makeover. Nothings bad but it could use an update or some specials. The cocktails are solid standards...how about classics with a twist maybe?
Overall, go here and you'll have fun with your crew or the people around you. -
Review from Joe B.
10/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
So almost immediately after you walk in you'll notice all the wood in the decor. The lamps are shaded with, the bar created from, and the tables and chairs are all made of this beautiful albeit very heavy wood. Most eye catching though is the wall behind the bar - a beautiful inlayed piece of art that draws your attention while you sit and drink. If memory serves me right, it was made from a tree that was taken from the Emory's owner's grandfather's house. Every time I stop in for a cocktail I can't help but notice it and wonder what memories it holds for them.
The Emory is warm, clean, crisp and open while maybe a tad dimly lit inside. The cocktails, martinis and the like, are all on point. I can't speak to their wine selection but I've never heard a complaint. Their food is pretty good with a tightly conceived menu. Definitely worth checking out especially if you're new in town. The jukebox is pretty good and the pool table gives the guys something to do if the girls are catching up with one another. I have to say, this has always felt like, for lack of a better term, a chick bar. That being said, if you're interested in the female mystique this is a great place to stop during an evening on the Ferndale strip. You won't find many TVs here sports fans which is a welcome change of pace but you will find pleny of seating for groups of people intent on good conversation. -
Review from Tony M.
Warren, MI
10/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Pot Roast Sandwich with onion rings on it and au jus -- pure sandwich perfection, and the Emory is where you find it. I've only had lunch/dinner here, although I've been meaning to try brunch even though it seems a little pricey and there are a ton of breakfast places in the area. But for sandwiches, they can't be beat. My wife thinks the pizzas, which are on focaccia bread, are too thick, but she can find something to eat here when I'm craving the Emory's food.
The decor is cool, the servers are excellent and very attentive, and the prices are good. If you're in the area, try it out. You'll be hooked. -
Review from Chris L.
Allen Park, MI
11/4/2011
It's better at night, don't attempt the weekend breakfast. You would think it wouldn't take very long to get a very simple breakfast but I guess not. Very apathetic waitstaff, didn't care much at all. I consider myself a hipster and if I were working in the service industry I would turn that side of me off in order to make a living IMHO. Bar service at night was fine, no complaints at all. Sunday breakfast was an abortion.
UPDATE 11.30.11- I like this place. Had much better experiences with both the service and quality of food/drinks the second and third time I went (both at night, not for breakfast.) Sad to see the apathetic waitress is working there still... -
Review from Joe T.
7/26/2011
Group of 4 of us came here on a Saturday early afternoon for a rather late brunch. Greeted by a friendly staff and 1/2 capacity crowd of nice folks, this place looked like it would be a safe bet. The Bloody Mary bar was nice. $6 bought us some iced vodka and there were a plethora of sauces, cheese, olives and other fixins to make ourselves the perfect hangover cure. I was able to choose celery salt for the brim of the glass, but was surprised to not see celery pieces at the DIY bar itself.
Getting to the brunch itself. None of their signature dishes looked that promising or appealing, and so my fiancee and I each got a basic breakfast, uninspiringly named the Number 1. 2 eggs sunny side up, buttered wheat toast, 4 sausage links, and some potatoes that were far from being hashed browns. These potatoes were more like roasted/baked potatoes and tasted like what you would want on the side of a steak - not brunch. I was not impressed, because the potatoes make or break a hearty brunch for me - and in this case the potatoes were the only shot The Emory had at impressing me on this otherwise a la boring plate.
All in all, this place has a cool bar in a pretty refined industrial interior space. Unfortunately, my review only takes a Saturday afternoon brunch into consideration. Clean, somewhat more upscale, and friendly service. But they need more than a decent Bloody Mary bar and a forgettable brunch to keep me coming back. So meh. On to the next one! -
Review from Joe W.
Ferndale, MI
7/27/2011 5 Check-ins Here
I've always liked the Emory, even if just for the atmosphere. Low lighting + cool wooden furniture = sexy. The jukebox is legit, as well. The place can be totally packed, but your table can still feel intimate. Sign me up.
As far as the booze goes, I'm always confident that they'll have a beer that I haven't tried yet. The prices are moderate, but fair.
When it comes to food, I have mixed reviews. I came here for brunch one weekend and I wasn't impressed. Eggs benny. One egg was still clear. Didn't send it back because I'm not that guy. However, yesterday I showed up to try a burger ($5 on Tuesdays) and I was blown away! I got the turkey burger, and my sister-friend got the black bean burger. Both of these sandwiches were incredibly seasoned and the buns were the best I've probably ever had. I'll kill myself if I don't come back here every week when I can. Literally that good. The fries that came with were a good side, but nothing to write home about. All in all, best value for $5 that I've ever encountered.
Let's hang at the Emory, play some sexy songs on the JB, and talk about life. -
Review from Sean E.
Ferndale, MI
11/6/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Always love the staff, good friendly people. I'm a bigger fan of their burgers than breakfast but they do pull in a good sized crowd Sundays. I can't say I have ever been unhappy with the food ever. Everyone I have taken there has been pleased with their meal.
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Review from Romy S.
Southfield, MI
10/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
I can't say enough about this place. I love it! Great food, great drinks. The waitstaff is friendly and fun. It's nicely decorated and comfortable. The crowd is usually laid back and chill. Music is pretty good too. I love coming here for drinks with friends and breakfast on the weekends. Everyone has their favorite watering hole and this one is definitely one of mine.
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Review from Heidi D.
Roseville, MI
4/26/2011
I have to resist giving this place a five-star rating solely based on the fact that it has gluten-free beer. But seriously, gluten-free beer! This is the only bar in the Ferndale/Royal oak/Birmingham hub that I've found so far, so it's become my new go-to bar in the area. That being said, the gluten-free beer in question is New Grist, which is the lesser of the two prevalent gf beers (the better of the two is Redbridge).
Still, a well-stocked bar to be sure, with lots of other bottle and draft options for non-allergic patrons. Service can sometimes come a little slow, but the bartenders and waitstaff are really nice from my experience.
The ambiance of this place is nice enough, though decidedly hipster. With nondescript flooring, wide spaces, and a bamboo bar, it's nothing special. The lone pool table in the place is angled well enough to allow for a game without interference, and the internet jukebox is always well-tended. Lighting is almost suggestive of a dive bar atmosphere, but it's just too intentional.
Overall, the Emory is a great place to hang out with friends. I hear it's also tops for weekend brunch, so I plan to stop in soon and try it! -
Review from Anna S.
4/26/2011
I am an Emory fan. I have lived in Ferndale for over 5 years, and the Emory has been a staple in our restaurant repertoire for a while. Everything is good there; food, service, prices, beer, crowd.
$5 Burger Tuesday is a regular haunt for us. The turkey burger is AMAZING - juicy, flavorful and the red pepper mayo is great. The Angus burger is to die for - always consistently flavorful, juicy, cooked to order and love the shredded lettuce. The black bean burger is a favorite of my husband, and tastes smokey and has a great texture. I'm a HUGE fan of the onion rings as well. Fries are real fries.
The pot roast sandwich is also fantastic - like a modified french-dip with the au jus on the side. If you ever see the philly steak sandwich on the specials menu, definitely go for it! The pizza is like pizza on garlic focaccia and the salads are ample and fresh. The appetizers are also good - the potato skins are almost like twice-baked potatoes with bacon and chives inside the mix.
The service is always super friendly and great, and we appreciate being recognized as "regulars." Shawn is our favorite server. Totally a great spot. -
Review from Stephanie H.
Ferndale, MI
11/15/2011
The pot roast sandwich is amazing. The burgers are fantastic. I really enjoy the young, hip atmosphere. This place is perfect for a Saturday night good time with friends. The portions are a nice size but it is not a case of quantity over quality. The food is always prepared perfectly. I have not had anything bad here. The brunch is just average so stick with the burgers and sandwiches.
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Review from Angela R.
Madison Heights, MI
6/15/2011
Beautiful, beautiful bar. I mean it. Hand-stacked gorgeous pieces of wood with a hand-crafted stone top. I am in love with it. I have heard the owners built it themselves.
Beer selection - awesome. But don't come looking for beer or drink specials. I could be wrong, but have never seen anything great.
Breakfast - delicious. Almost as good as Toast or Fly Trap. Same type of wait, albeit more seating. The only issue is that they have a bloody mary bar, and it always seems to be SLOPPY. People visibly tipping the glass bloody mary mix dispenser to get to the last drop. Mess on the table, running out of condiments. I guess that's what happens when you mix hung-over Ferndalites and booze on a Sunday a.m.
Lunch/Dinner Menu - pretty solid. You'll get a good burger/sandwich/salad. Portions are pretty big. Food is well prepared.
Crowd - be prepared for some serious people watching! Last time I was in for breakfast, we saw everyone from Birminghamite new mommy breakfast club with their designer baby-stuff and designer jeans to hipsters that just rolled out of bed to LGBT crowds to diversity tables to normal, avg folk like me. So, come as you are! This place can get pretty crowded on a Weekend night.
Service - disappointing on a regular basis. Not that they forget your food or drink, but ssssllllllooooooowwwwww. Also, the waiter tried to TALK ME OUT of trying a sour ale once. (I know I like this variety). I asked him if he knew the style well (he didn't). When he came back expecting me to hate it and I LOVED it, he told me "well, you're like the third person EVER to like it". Uh, OK douchebag. Way to work it for the Emory!? Go learn beer and come back to take my next order. Thanks.
Overall, great for good beer and people watching. Look out for the wait you'll have when there's a crowd. -
Review from Jon G.
2/15/2011
There comes a time in every man's life when he needs to stop eating cereal for breakfast and start eating stuff like the mexican-breakfasts served at the Emory.
I ate here a few weeks ago, ordering the breakfast nachos and they were delicious. Thick pita-reminiscent tortilla chips covered with egg, cheese, peppers, and salsa. It was a meal fit for a Mexican King (do they even have kings in Mexico?) I digress, the food was delicious and because of the new law in Michigan, I was able to order a mimosa before noon. Very solid.
The ladies in my group also enjoyed the bloody mary bar, which in my mind was disgusting - but the bar looked loaded. Olives, onions, peppers, pickles, all sorts of hot sauces and spices and even seasoning salts for the glass. If you like breakfast, nachos, bloody marys, or just getting drunk on Sunday morning you've just found your next breakfast spot.
Side note: the lady friend had some sort of breakfast burrito and it came out looking pretty fresh. It was loaded with eggs and a chunk of avocado the size of a giant steak fry. It was served with home fries - or as I like to call them - potato chunks. Solid portions all around. Good value, good food. I suggest this to anyone who likes to try unique foods. -
Review from Seoung L.
$5 burger Tuesdays! Awesome time to go and get a great burger and fries. The burger is huge and so good. They have different types of burgers as well. Veggie or Turkey. The burgers are probably 1/2 pound and made to order.
Now this isn't a burger joint with a bar. Emory has a beautiful decor inside and it's a great place to hang out to dine and drink. The only gripe I would have is that it's not enough seating so on a busy night, You won't be doing too much sitting.
If you're in downtown Ferndale, I recommend Emory for a good place to hang out. (Especially on tuesday nights) -
Review from Chris M.
Four, almost five stars. Its a really great place, but falls short of perfection.
The Emory is like the WAB's older, more sophisticated brother. Their menu has trimmed itself down to what you'd really want, the beer selection is way more diverse, the juke box is refined, the patrons are more.. uhh.. mature I guess? I don't know how to say that without feeling like a total jerk.
Food here ranges from okay to great. Their burgers are absolutely top notch and their fries are to die for. Mariah hit that one right on the nose. Beyond that, their pizza is okay I guess. Their brunch, a smash hit. Its one of the only places that rivals Dino's, really. Dino's still wins in the creativity department though.
The beer selection is like a shining gem. Its very diverse, always changing and generally suited for those with a taste for beer. A little pricier than I enjoy, they do offer $2 High Life's, which makes up for it I guess. But really, who wants a High Life thats right next to a bitchin porter? Sigh, such is life.
Overall, a once-in-a-while, oh-wait-everywhere-has-a-wait-at-brunch destination for me. I wouldn't go out of my way to go here, but I will entertain myself with a trip here once and a while. -
Review from Tara Z.
8/5/2011
Mimosas on a patio? Inexpensive brunch with veggie sausage on the menu? YES PLEASE. My eggs were perfectly poached, though the hash browns were too salty. This place deserves a solid four stars, but I'm dropping a star because they were out of the veggie sausage the day I visited and it broke my heart (but only a little, and I had a mimosa to fix that).
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Review from Marco P.
Detroit, MI
9/16/2011
I have gone twice now. First time had drinks and a pretty good burger. Fresh meat, cooked spot on. Cold fries, however. Strange set up inside. Cant tell if it's a bar or just a place to eat. Service was very slow.
2nd time was brunch. ummm...Not doing that again. Eggs..Cold. Bacon...Cold...Overall 100 other place to go for a far better brunch.
Overall, the burger was a standout. -
Review from Maria B.
3/22/2011
Was in the neighborhood and happened to stop in for a quick burger, and i was pleasantly surprised! : )
The burger was really good, service was a bit slow, and the ambiance & decor are nice. -
Review from Selina V.
New Orleans, LA
2/10/2011
The Emory has been my steady bar away from home since moving to Detroit 2 years ago. The sliders, pot roast sandwich, and beef and okra sandwich are top notch (oh and the best chili fries in the universe). The staff is rad!!!! I've had countless work/birthday/impromptu parties at this place and Emily the manager has always helped with the planning and making sure my guests are happy. The jukebox is amazing. The decor is mostly reclaimed lumber from the owners grandpas barn-wha? It's beautiful, reasonably priced, hip if you, and all around amazing.
Thanks you guys for making my transition from NY to Detroit not so rough by being badass's. Can't wait to come in for some champagne soon. -
Review from Victor R.
Ferndale, MI
9/4/2011 8 Check-ins Here
Just recently moved to Ferndale and have tried The Emory multiple times now, twice for brunch once for lunch on Burger Tuesday and once for drinks and apps on a Friday night. I have to say that we've been very impressed pretty much the whole way around.
For brunch I've tried the breakfast burrito and the southern omelet. Both were very good and very filling. Get the salsa on the side of the breakfast burrito though as it appears to be pretty fresh salsa and tends to be a little watery. The gravy on the southern omelet was very good which is important since it pretty much makes or breaks the dish. My girlfriend and I are on different pages with the Potatoes O'brien, I love them, she thinks the peppers and onions seem like an after thought, however, she raved about their Eggs Benedict which she like many other people use as the true test of a breakfast place. The Bloody Mary bar is quite good with everything you could need to make your perfect cocktail and I highly recommend it. One note, great place if your a little hung over and looking for a nice leisurely breakfast because inevitably at least one of the servers will be sharing your pain and the service pace will be somewhat affected. Not much of a problem unless you get left hanging with an empty coffee cup which does happen sometimes.
I definitely recommend the burger Tuesday, 5 bucks for a burger, cooked to order and hand cut fries, best 5 dollar meal you'll have all year.
Drinks and apps were also pretty nice, sat out on the patio, the waitstaff kept our beers filled and offered some suggestions on the munchies all of which were pretty tasty. We'll definitely be back.
One note, I wouldn't say its a 'kid friendly' place per-say but there are always one or two in there, usually pretty well behaved but keep it in mind if your stumbling in for brunch after a long night out and pick your seats accordingly -
Review from Anthony D.
Royal Oak, MI
1/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
This has been my secret breakfast/brunch place for a long time now. On any given weekend, you can go to Toast, Flytrap, Dino's, or Club Bart and find excellent breakfast food. That is, if you can get a seat. The Emory was my best chance of finding a brunch seat in Ferndale for the better part of a year or two. The secret is out now, and they are getting busier. But they still aren't as bad as any of the aforementioned restaurants.
The atmosphere here is really cool. Everything is wood, but it feels modern. The music is always great. Lot's of stuff from the 90s. I love 90s music!
The breakfast menu is pretty limited compared to some of the other places in Ferndale, but what they lack in selection they make up for in quality. I'll usually get the burrito or the huevos rancheros. Both are excellent choices. They have a DIY bloody mary bar that I haven't tried, but I heard is delicious.
The service is hit or miss. Lately it's been more of a miss for me, but I keep getting the same new girl. The more experienced waitresses are much better, but i'm sure the new one will get up to speed eventually.
So if you find yourself in Ferndale looking for a place to eat brunch, I highly suggest giving the Emory a try. It's probably not as packed as the usual favorites, the food is just as good, and the atmosphere is probably better. -
Review from Chrissy J.
Hamtramck, MI
3/13/2011
The Emory is my first choice when I want a non-coney island breakfast (which is most of the time). I only ever started going there because Toast and Fly Trap were always so damn crowded on weekends. It turns out, I'd actually prefer to eat there even if there was no wait at those other places.
The Emory is right down the street, and is large enough to accommodate all of the tiny Ferndale breakfast joint runoff. They have a small-ish breakfast menu, and additionally have 2 specials which change weekly (usually one sweet and one savory). They offer veggie sausage, which is a huge plus for me, and being a bar, have an excellent array of morning-friendly libations to go with your breakfast.
The waitresses hit a nice balance of friendly and attentive without being overbearing (i.e. they'll fill up your coffee when it's close to empty, but they don't hound you every five seconds about needing a refill). You seat yourself, but there's always someone to give you menus and take your drink order within a couple minutes. It tends to take longer than average for your food to arrive at your table after you order it. It arrives hot though, so I'm pretty sure that isn't the fault of the server.
The food is decent. Interesting omelets and pancakes, good use of vegetables. The chef could stand to learn how to use a salt shaker, as it's not uncommon for an omelet or breakfast burrito to be slightly underseasoned. That's a matter of personal preference, of course, and I'm perfectly ok with salting it myself. I also like that there's a bottle of red hot on the table. The pancake syrup appears to be corn rather than maple.
Prices aren't bad. Expect to pay between 10 and 15 a person (with a drink), and get a LOT of food. Definitely worth it. The atmosphere is wonderful--huge horseshoe booths, a lot of privacy, good music always playing. Nice, eclectic crowd. Probably a nice place to bring a date from the night before that went exceptionally well, if you're so inclined.
All in all, my favorite place for breakfast in the Ferndale/Royal Oak area. Give The Emory a shot! -
Review from Carl C.
Berkley, MI
9/11/2011
I'm not sure if the Emory is more bar than restaurant or more restaurant than bar.
It's a great space - interior design-wise - an open floor plan with 2 different levels. The banquet booths are on risers at the back of the space and offer stadium seating to the bar at the inside wall.
The bar (physically) is a beautiful object, slats of hardwood jointed together at various reliefs giving the bar a feeling of speed and movement - it's really eyecatching - and the focal point.
The rest of the space is also faced in wood - hell even the banquet lamp shades are made of wood - giving the whole place a warm glow and making everyone look tan and healthy.
The bottled beer selection is good, the tap beer selection is ok, but ever changing, so it depends.
The food is bar food. Which is kind of weird given the attention to the design of the interior. To me, the interior makes a promise that the food doesn't keep.
The menu is pedestrian... burgers, sandwiches, salads and "pizza". The burgers are ok - the turkey burgers are better than the beef burgers which is a shame - although the sliders are particularly good, and cooked with a lighter touch than the regular burgers.
The sandwiches are good, but a bit pricey. $7 for a Grilled Cheese or a BLT? Please. The pot roast sandwich at $9 is a better value. The pot roast is sliced, then grilled, and served with au jus, with enough meat for two sandwiches.
The "pizza" is bad. Not really pizza, but a loaf of flat bread sliced lengthwise,coated in spagetti sauce with some meat and cheese and put under the broiler. Lazy food. Like your parents trying to make an appetizer. DO NOT ORDER.
Overall - a nice place to drink, a relaxing place to be, but not a great place to eat. -
Review from Matt L.
Dearborn, MI
7/19/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Here and dinos is like home. Best thing is they don't do mixers at the bar so it cuts out all the fru fru $hit. Small menu made well. Good place to go for a more comfortable but clean environment. Definitely not dive bar status
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Review from Stephanie C.
Ferndale, MI
8/7/2010 6 Check-ins Here
I'm a creature of habit and a Ferndale resident, so The Emory is one of those places I keep finding my way back to time and again. With the addition of the new outdoor patio, I have another reason to frequent this great place.
From the stellar atmosphere emanating from its warm wood surroundings to a comforting menu that includes everything from sliders and salads to a great deep-dish tomato basil pizza, it's the perfect spot to meet after work with friends for dinner, happy hour or drinks.
The beer list is substantial and the bar, well-stocked. Pair that with friendly service and a jukebox that makes it almost impossible not to break out into song at some point during the night (Hall & Oates, anyone?) and you'll find out why The Emory tops the list of nightspots in town -in my opinion.
It's unpretentious and all about what you make of it. Hide in a cozy booth or sprawl out at a long table. It's up to you.
If you love burgers, they're only $5 on Tuesdays and they have a great Black Bean Burger for a veggie option too. -
Review from Rebecca T.
Clawson, MI
Updated - 8/24/2010 1 Check-in Here
The Emory just got even better with $5 burger Tuesdays.
$5 on Tuesdays gets you a burger and fries. But not just any burger and fries, an amazing, simple, flavorful, fresh burger. In my previous review I compared it to Redcoat but I'm going on record now and saying that, at least to this hungry girl, it beats Redcoat. And not just because it's only $5 on Tuesdays, but because it's that good.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/18/2009
When I want a good burger and don't want to wait an hour, ala Red Coat Tavern, I head down Woodward… Read more »
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Review from Christina G.
Ferndale, MI
5/18/2011
I love the Emory. It's my favorite place out of the trio of the WAB, Loving Touch, and the aforementioned. The food is so yummy and they have $5 burger Tuesdays where all burgers with fries are $5. Now that is a deal. They also sell Lambic Framboise- which is one of my favorite beverages ever. The service for me has been hit, hit, miss. The bartenders seem very knowledgeable not only about the beers they sell, but beer in general. I had one really nice waitress, and one waitress that clearly did not give a crap about anything. Despite this bad experience with the service, I think the Emory is beautiful. The thin pieces of wood layered behind the bar give it an earthy, upscale feel. The music here is always awesome. I love that during the times I have been there I always hear great music that I would listen to on my stereo at home. I feel comfortable here, and I like that.
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Review from Ryan S.
Ferndale, MI
8/24/2011 6 Check-ins Here
The build your own bloody mary bar is what brings me here. The beer and the laid back atmosphere keep me in my seat. As for the breakfast/brunch it's so-so there are many other options in the area that are a lot better. If it wasn't for the BYOBMB I would probably skip brunch here all together. The one thing that I do love here are the Little Kings beer that are $4 for four, a nice way to start off the night. All in all The Emory is one of the nicer chill bars in Ferndale.
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Review from Sara G.
5/11/2010 3 Check-ins Here
The atmosphere is woozy and woodsy. If you can find an unoccupied booth to tuck into, it's well worth your while to relax, order up some libations and identify what band du jour is playing on the juke.
As far as comestibles are concerned, I've only sampled their burgers (and fabulous fries). If I lived in the hood, I'd DEFINITELY take advantage of Burger Tuesday ($5 for beef/turkey/black bean + fries). I've also heard good things about their brunch (except the potatoes?) and the pot roast sandwich.
The crowd here tends to be a little (ahem) older than the crowds that flock to other Fash Ferny bars. I don't really mind that. The Em has pretty good drinks and the most perfect barlight I've had the pleasure of bathing in since the Del Rio (RIP).
Dig it.
