Restaurants
Clarkston Union
August 28, 2005
My Wife and I headed out late in the afternoon. We had to run some errands and drop some stuff off in Clarkston. When I think of Clarkston , Michigan , I think of the five lane road that runs through most of it while I'm passing through on my way to Pine Knob or the Palace. Well this time was different; we had to drop some stuff off on Main Street . I have probably passed by this area a dozen times but I've never had to turn down that road, so I never knew of Clarkston's Downtown District.

Flip 180 degrees from the every day city sights of Dixie highway and step back 50 years, when homes and buildings were built with character and Real Stone. We spotted this building that looked like an old church converted into a restaurant right in Downtown. They had tables outside to relax and eat but that area was filled with a wait to sit down. This usually indicates good food and I could already smell scents that were making my stomach turn the vehicle into the parking lot. When you have nice weather in Michigan , you have to take advantage of it and sit outside. Once I looked inside, I didn't care how nice the weather was, I had to sit in one of the pews and take in the history of this old building.

It's easy to see this Building being an old Baptist church when you notice the stained glass windows that climb all the way to the edge of the vaulted ceilings and the remnants of the old bell tower. The bar is huge and covers the entire length of one side of the building; the tap handle collection alone could keep a beer lover busy for days. The kitchen area is where the altar used to be and is raised to look over the dinning area, a good feeling to know your food is prepared where the scriptures were once hurled onto us sinners; sort of befitting now that all us sinners were out here gorging on this great food and drink. The place had an instant warming feeling and I felt at home as soon as I sat down. Not sure if I felt right sipping on a cocktail in an old Baptist church, aren't they the ones that don't believe in drinking? After the second one, I lost my inhabitations about it and absorbed the rich smells wafting over from the ovens.

The menu looked great and I couldn't decide which meal to try. I love when I have a hard time picking my meal from a long list of options; this usually guarantees a return to try something else at a later date. Once the food hit the table, I was as happy as a 1 year old with a warm bottle or a 31 year old with a cold bottle, which ever one conjures up happiness; that was me. After filling my gullet, we ran into some friends that were on their way into the basement. Basement? We grabbed our drinks and headed into this little cellar of a bar that reminds me of my Grandmas basement as a kid; Pool table, Foosball table, big screen TV, another BAR, this place kept getting better by the minute.

Since this first visit, we have been back many times and each time it gets better. The owner seems very laid back and down to earth (always a must in the bar industry), the patrons are friendly and some very good looking, and most of the staff is really good looking (sorry dudes, just speaking of the girls here). It seems every time I'm in the place I notice something different but equally as cool. I guess you'll have to check it out for your self, you won't be disappointed.

Clarkston Union
248-620-6100
54 S. Main Street
Clarkston , MI 48346

Review by Scott Garner

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