Happy hour at Roast Detroit

I tried goat for the first time last week. And I didn't hate it.

Michael Symon's restaurant Roast in downtown Detroit is very meat-centric and their bar menu is no different. One of the items they put on their regular menu is something they call the "roast beast of the day."  So on the happy hour menu, they do a "roast beast of the day taco." Well, my husband and I went to happy hour with a couple of our friends last Friday and we ordered some of our usual favorites: the roast burger (topped with cheese, bacon, and a fried egg, all on an English muffin), rosemary fries, and mac and cheese. But we figured since the roast beast of the day was goat and the taco was only $4, what did we have to lose? So we ordered it. And it wasn't terrible. In fact, it didn't really taste like much. I'd compare it to pork but I think even pork has more flavor.

The goat taco wasn't terrible

So the four of us shared two goat tacos among us, but we also ordered all our usuals mentions above. In fact, I come to Roast just for the burger. It is, without a doubt, the best burger I've ever had in my life. Not only is the meat of exceptional quality, but the golden, dripping yolk from the fried egg makes eating it almost a sensual experience. Whoever thought burgers could be sensual? Well, this one is. I've been encouraged by my husband to "get a room" while eating it. :P

Easily the best burger you'll ever eat

But the best part is, that when you come to happy hour at Roast, the prices are more affordable than the chain restaurant down the street. When I went to dinner there with a friend a few weeks ago, I had a burger, fries, and a beer and I left spending less than $15 for myself. Last weekend when it was four of us, our entire bill, with all the food we consumed (and it was a lot), was $63. For a high-end restaurant, that's almost like they're extorting money out of themselves. If you make a reservation and sit in the dining room at Roast, there's no way just two people are leaving there spending less than what we spent for four of us at the bar during happy hour.  While I enjoy going to Roast for special occasions, I have to say, I've come to prefer the casual, cheap, but equally delicious bar food to the fancy meals prepared in the dining room.

If you ever find yourself in downtown Detroit during happy hour, Roast is the place to be. In fact, I'd encourage you to get there right as happy hour starts or you might find yourself not being able to find a seat at the bar - especially on Fridays.