FUN FACT: Michigan is the third largest producer of sugar from beets in the country.
Hey, it’s JB!
After a years-long hiatus, Detroit’s Mexican-Irish Festival is back.
The free event will be held Oct.13 at El Mercado, 2826 Bagley St., offering a $15 whiskey and tequila tasting as well as foods for purchase from both cultures including corned beef empanadas, tamales, shepherd’s pie and flautas. The festival will also feature traditional Mexican and Irish dancing, kid-friendly activities, and Irish and Mexican DJs and bands.
Originally hosted in 2000 by the Mexicantown CDC, the event celebrates cultural similarities and historical connections between Southwest Detroit, traditionally Mexican, and Corktown, traditionally Irish. During the Mexican-American war in 1846-1848 Irish immigrants fought alongside Mexicans before being captured and executed. The fighters, called San Patricios, have lived on in memory as heroes that are celebrated with festivals like Detroit’s, and one in Chicago.
The organizers of this year’s Mexican-Irish Festival in Detroit, Martina Guzmán, Christina Guzmán, and Angela T. Perez Harris, are bringing it back “to rebuild and strengthen the bond between the surrounding neighborhoods and re-establish community well-being,” according to an event post.
In 2021, local cartographer Alex Hill mapped recent Irish migration to Detroit using census data, finding that instead of moving to Corktown, more immigrants moved into Mexicantown and other areas of the city.
To learn more, check out the event’s Facebook page.
Dig In,
JB
- Detroit has launched a placard program to notify restaurant visitors if the restaurant is compliant with food safety codes.
- The owners of Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails and Freya are expected to open a bar in November on the corner of Second and Forest.
- Faygo has a new flavor: Jolly Green Apple.
A schedule of pop-ups this week:
Thurs., Oct. 3:
Pink Flamingo, 2746 Vermont St. 6-10 p.m.
Sandos Detroit at Two Birds, 8130 Kercheval.
Fri., Oct. 4:
Food Truck Fridays at E. Warren Farmers Market, 16835 E. Warren. Noon to 8 p.m.
Randos Sandos at Brewery Faisan, 1087 Beaufait St. 5-8 p.m.
Insatiable Vegan at Two Birds, 8130 Kercheval.
Sat., Oct. 5:
JB’s Ice Pops at Woodbridge Porch Concerts series. 1-5 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 6:
The Egg Hunt at Two Birds, 8130 Kercheval. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Marksie’s Cooking at Red Hook, 2761 E. Jefferson. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Mon., Oct. 7:
Kusina at Motor City Wine, 1949 Michigan Ave.
- Empacho Detroit is hiring new team members.
- Gajiza Dumplins is hiring a counter person and a line cook.
🥣 Soup update 🥣
Thank you for all the soup discourse! Here’s what we learned:
- The chef from Gateway Deli is back at the same location, now called Que’s Deli.
- Alison Stankrauff recommends crushed lentil soup at La Palma, menudo at El Nacimiento, lobster bisque at Cuisine, and chili at Duly’s Coney Island.
- Lucius Daniel recommends black eyed pea and kale, impossible vegan chili and white bean soups – all served at The Soup Dive in Southfield.
- Edd reccomends Potbelly’s chicken pot pie soup.
- Instagram user Lesbian Social recommends chicken lemon rice from Zeff’s Coney Island.
And finally, a lot of people agree with me — soup isn’t that good!
