I don't know where to begin. I'm a huge Pulp Fiction fan, so Royale with Cheese was an easy…read morestop--especially with a downpour rolling in. I had just gotten into Detroit from NJ and was debating hitting the Tigers vs. Red Sox game that night, but decided to slow it down, walk around, and grab a real meal instead of rushing it.
The place sits at a 4.2 on Yelp and leans into the film's iconic line. After checking out photos, I was all-in on getting a burger--but ended up pivoting.
Walking in, it's clean with a rustic vibe. On the left, two large monitors cycle through the menu (a little fast, honestly), but the QR code helps you actually read it without pressure. You order at the counter, pay, grab a number, and they bring the food to your table. Simple, smooth setup.
The menu's full of character-inspired names, which is a nice touch.
I went with the Royale Fries & Brisket--seasoned fries topped with 18-hour smoked brisket, smoked Gouda cheese fondue, coleslaw, and honey-ancho BBQ sauce. Good move, especially since I wasn't in the mood for a bun. The brisket had great flavor but could've been a bit more generous. The fries, though, carried. They had that curly-fry-style seasoning (even if they didn't fully commit to the curl), and the combo of BBQ, slaw, and Gouda worked. I'd come back just for that.
I was ready to skip dessert... until I saw people walking out with shakes. Not a huge selection, but cereal-inspired flavors--CEREAL. I got the Cinnamon Toast Crunch shake. Easy recommendation.
On the way out, I grabbed a s'mores cookie and saved it for later that night. Soft, gooey center, marshmallow, Hershey's chocolate in the middle, and a full graham cracker on the bottom. I've had s'mores cookies in NYC and back home in NJ--this one hit. Really good.
Staff was friendly and easygoing. Quick story: there's a sign telling you not to touch the cookies because the marshmallow sticks to the wrapper. I asked about it, got the explanation... and still did it anyway. Ended up scraping (and yeah, licking) it off. Zero regrets.
Shoutout to the chefs, owners, and staff. Solid 4 stars--great food overall, but could use a little more brisket and the theme doesn't go quite as far as it could.