Revolve 2025 at Mothfire Brewing Co.: This Ann Arbor brewery will celebrate its fifth anniversary with a three-day festival of creativity bringing together beer, art, music and food. The party kicks off Thursday with a concert at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor and continues at Mothfire’s taproom Friday through Sunday with live painting, exclusive beer releases, local food vendors, fire dancers and more. Thurs.-Sun. 713 W. Ellsworth, Ann Arbor. (734) 929-4087. mothfire.com.
Free fries at Saroki’s Crispy Chicken & Pizza: The first 100 customers at all 19 Saroki’s locations on Friday will get a free order of fries. This to celebrate National French Fry Day and also to mark the launch of its new seasoned fries, which are available as a side order or in a combo meal. Visit sarokis.com.
Checkers celebrates National French Fry Day: This Friday, bring in a recent receipt showing purchase of an order of fries from a fast-food competitor and get a free order of large famous seasoned fries at any participating Checkers location; no purchase necessary. Checkersandrallys.com.
Bark and Bubbly at Hamilton’s: The ground-floor restaurant at the Godfrey Hotel Detroit will host a dog-friendly brunch on its patio this weekend. Your furry friend can have veggie-based pup cups from Sweet Paws Creamery while humans enjoy brunch with themed cocktails and mocktails. Prizes will be given out for best-dressed pups. Reservations required. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat. 1401 Michigan, Detroit. godfreyhoteldetroit.com/happenings
“Super Mega Cakes” on Food Network: Detroit wedding cake designer Lincoln Alexander will lead a team against Duff Goldman in the Food Network show “Super Mega Cakes” in a new episode titled “Classic Cartoons.” Both teams must create gravity-defying confections in the style of classic animated characters. Episode premiers 9 p.m. Monday on Food Network.
Festa Italiana at Freedom Hill: A celebration of all things Italian, especially food, this family-friendly event has a meatball contest, cannoli-eating competition and loads of vendors with Italian cuisine. There’s also live entertainment, fireworks on July 18 and a holy Mass the morning of July 20. 6-11 p.m. July 18, noon-11 p.m. July 19 and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. July 20. Free admission, $10 parking. 14900 Metro Parkway, Sterling Heights. (586) 925-2020. Iaccm.net/events/festa-italiana.
Moose Tracks 10,000 Scoop Challenge at Cadillac Square: Moose Tracks, Country Fresh and Meijer will serve 10,000 scoops of free Original Moose Tracks ice cream in a city-wide ice cream social. You get a free scoop of ice cream, and for every scoop served, Moose Tracks will donate $1 to the Salvation Army. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. July 23. 662 Woodward, Detroit.
Summer Somm Slam at the Statler: Joe Vicari Restaurant Group sommelier Lisa Ribaudo will battle Fox Fine Wine’s Peter Ochs at this three-course dinner. Guests will vote on who set up the best pairing for each course and the winner will be named champion. Dinner is wrapped shrimp, chipotle-glazed pork rib and Manhattan strip loin of beef with Vidalia wild mushroom ragu, plus wine parings to be announced at the event. Dinner is on the restaurant’s patio. 6:30-8:30 p.m. July 23. $79 per person, plus tax and gratuity. 313 Park, Detroit. Statlerdetroit.com.
Tiki Party at Detroit Foundation Hotel: Enjoy tiki-inspired cocktails made with Two James Distillery spirits and bites to match made by chef Rece Hogerheide. DJ Silky Grooves provides the vibes. Tropical attire encouraged. 6-9 p.m. July 24. $40. 250 E. Larned, Detroit. detroitfoundationhotel.com/event/tiki-party-presented-by-two-james-distillery-the-detroit-foundation-hotel.
Taco Showdown at Eastern Market: Taquerias, restaurants and food trucks from around Metro Detroit will battle for the glory and a big trophy at the annual Taco Showdown. Tickets include three tacos from vendors of your choice and five margarita samples, plus a voting card to make your voice heard. There’s also live entertainment, a cash bar and additional taco and drink tickets available for purchase. The top vote-getters will go on to be judged by a panel of local experts. 1 p.m. July 27 for general admission, VIP tickets include early admission. Early bird tickets start at $20. Shed 5, 2801 Russell, Detroit. Tacoshowdown.com.
More dining news
Wine Spectator honors 39 Michigan restaurants: Wine Spectator has announced its 2025 Restaurant Awards and 39 Michigan businesses have been honored with their “Best of Award of Excellence” and their “Award of Excellence.” Among the top honors in Metro Detroit are Prime + Proper, Vertical and San Morello in Detroit and the Capital Grille in Troy. Visit winespectator.com/restaurants to explore their whole list.
Rudy’s Prime Steakhouse launches happy hour: Available at the bar and lounge area 4-6 p.m. Sunday through Friday, deals include $12 select glasses of wine and cocktails, plus a menu of bar bites. Get a half-dozen oysters for $18 or oysters Rockefeller with truffled spinach, Pernod, breadcrumbs and Parmesan ($12-$24). There’s also Rudy’s wagyu burger with cheddar cheese, caramelized onion, bread and butter pickle and fries for $16 or wagyu pigs in a blanket for $18. 9 S. Main, Clarkston. (248) 625-3033. Rudysprimesteakhouse.com.
Mootz and Side Hustle Lounge celebrate the Tigers: For a limited time, these two downtown restaurants are cheering on the Detroit Tigers with a special pizza. The Spicy Slugger has a base of Frank’s Red Hot, mozzarella, chicken, mixed bell peppers and a hot honey drizzle. There’s a cocktail to go with it: the Hot Tiger made with Jameson Orange, triple sec, lemon juice, simple syrup, jalapenos and a Tajin rim. Get the pizza for a $1 off on game day when you show your ticket. 1230 Library, Detroit. (313) 234-1230. mootzpizzeria.com.
New menu items at Buddy’s Pizza: For the month of July only, all Buddy’s Pizza locations will offer a Smash Stack Pizza with ground beef, Wisconsin brick cheese, caramelized onions, lettuce, dill chips and signature smash sauce ($15.99-$23.99); also this month, enjoy a Faygo Rock & Rye float made with Hudsonville vanilla ice cream for $4.99. At the full-service locations, customers can now get double-patty smash burgers with seasoned fries and a deli dill pickle for $12.99-$14.99. Other new menu items at the full-service locations include Buffalo cauliflower wings and onion rings. Visit buddyspizza.com for locations.
Melody Baetens