Hi, my name is Amy, and I’m a recent convert to the Detroit food scene, especially after spending a day at the 2024 NFL draft in downtown Detroit. Like many others, I joined the massive crowd of 275,000 new friends for the NFL draft, but my experience quickly became a delicious exploration of what downtown Detroit has to offer, particularly its food.
As a web editor at the Free Press, I’m used to capturing the story, but this time, I wanted to taste it. Accompanied by my friend Donald Wine II, a Detroit sports enthusiast, I ventured into the draft, but my senses were equally drawn to the aromas and tastes of downtown Detroit. Having navigated the crowds and the event, I want to share some insights, especially for those looking to combine the excitement of downtown Detroit events with its burgeoning food scene.
Navigating Security and Savoring Downtown Detroit’s Flavors
Entering the NFL Draft Experience at Griswold and Jefferson was an experience in itself, a sea of people all heading to the same place. Security was surprisingly smooth, but the real discovery started as I realized the proximity to so many downtown Detroit food spots just outside the draft zone. While inside, food options were limited, stepping just outside opened up a world of culinary possibilities.
NFL Draft attendees entering through security, with downtown Detroit buildings in the background
The Fan Experience and the Foodie Detour
The NFL Draft Experience was indeed impressive with its fan activations, photo opportunities, and displays of Super Bowl rings and the Vince Lombardi trophy. However, the lines for these attractions, much like the limited food options inside, made me think about alternatives. Downtown Detroit, thankfully, is not short on experiences, especially when it comes to food. While fans from various teams mingled, I started thinking about the regional food specialties they might be craving and where to find Detroit’s best versions of those dishes downtown.
Bathroom Breaks and Bites: Food Beyond the Draft Zone
The scarcity of bathrooms inside the draft area was a notable issue. Ironically, portable toilets were located outside the entry zone, highlighting the need to step out. This “necessity” became an opportunity. Exiting the draft area, even briefly, meant a chance to explore actual downtown Detroit restaurants and cafes. The notification about maximum capacity and potential re-entry issues pushed us to consider dining outside the immediate draft zone, which turned out to be a fantastic decision.
Beverages Inside, Culinary Delights Outside
Inside the draft, beverage options were plentiful, especially adult beverages, but at a steep price. Two Vodka seltzers costing over $40 underscored the premium pricing within the event. This further motivated the idea of seeking out better value and more diverse food and drink options in downtown Detroit itself. The rule against outside beverages simply reinforced the idea that the real food and drink adventure lay just beyond the draft perimeter.
Merchandise and Meals: Shopping and Sustenance in Downtown Detroit
Merchandise trucks and the official NFL shop offered plenty of draft gear. Located near Eminem’s Mom’s Spaghetti, the NFL shop became a landmark. However, the long lines for Mom’s Spaghetti and the limited food trucks within the draft zone highlighted a gap. Downtown Detroit boasts countless dining establishments that could cater to the massive influx of people, offering a more varied and satisfying culinary experience than the limited draft food options.
Exiting the Zone and Entering Foodie Paradise
The confusing exit situation from the NFL store on Woodward, with many out-of-towners seeking directions, mirrored the feeling of being slightly confined within the draft zone itself. Breaking free from the event’s boundaries, however, meant entering the wider, more welcoming landscape of downtown Detroit, rich with food choices. The desire to “exit” the draft zone became synonymous with seeking out better food experiences.
Limited Food Options Inside, Limitless Downtown Detroit Dining
The lack of diverse and sufficient food options within the NFL draft zone became the central theme of my day. While Mom’s Spaghetti and Little Caesars Pizza food trucks were present, they were simply insufficient for the massive crowds. This scarcity directly led us to venture out in search of real food.
Around 5 p.m., hunger struck, leading us to Athens Souvlaki in the Penobscot Building on Griswold St. Despite a limited menu due to the event rush, the Greek salads and gyros were amazing and generously portioned. This experience underscored the value of exploring established downtown Detroit restaurants over relying solely on event-based food vendors.
The One Pass notifications about entrance delays and eventual closure, while frustrating for draft access, inadvertently reinforced our decision to prioritize a good meal in downtown Detroit. Missing out on re-entry to the draft was a small price to pay for discovering a great downtown restaurant.
Capitol Park: A Plan B for Viewing and Better Food Choices
Unable to re-enter the NFL draft experience, Capitol Park became our Plan B. The large TV screens and DJ offered a great alternative viewing experience, but more importantly, Capitol Park was surrounded by diverse food and drink options and pop-up shops. The “adequate number of bathrooms” was just another bonus compared to the draft zone, but the real win was the access to better, more varied downtown Detroit food.
Downtown Detroit: The Real MVP for Food Lovers
My day at the NFL draft in downtown Detroit became less about the draft itself and more about discovering the surrounding culinary landscape. While the draft offered excitement, downtown Detroit offered sustenance and flavor. From Greek to American, and everything in between, downtown Detroit’s food scene is a major draw. For anyone attending future events in downtown Detroit, remember to explore beyond the event zone and savor the real MVP: the food of downtown Detroit.
