CHEAP EATS: Flaming Pit Burns Bright
By Matt Helms, Detroit Free Press
Mar. 27–THE VIBE: Not flashy or faddish, the Flaming Pit BBQ on Harper south of 9 Mile in St. Clair Shores serves up what it promises: heaping portions of barbecued pork and chicken, plus fish, shrimp, sandwiches, salads and house-made soups — all with enough distinction you’ll come back even though you know ribs, broasted chicken and deep-fried seafood aren’t diet friendly.
So keep the intake to a moderate level and treat yourself to what a couple of companions and I discovered is a low-key joint that dishes out guilty pleasures to make your fingers sticky and your tummy satisfied. The place seats 120, and the service is friendly, but you’ll find it easy to stop in for carryout, too.
THE CHOW: We were running late and decided to pop in and select three meals to take home and share.
The four-piece broasted chicken dinner ($9.50) was smashing — moist bird inside a flavorful, crunchy skin. The tangy pulled pork dinner ($9.95) had a pleasing barbecue sauce with a sweet-and-sour flavor and a touch of vinegar.
And even though the ribs here can easily put you above the Cheap Eats limit of $12 per person, I figured a half-slab of baby backs ($12.95, $18.95 for a whole slab) was fair to add into the mix, because together the meals would come in under budget. Wise decision. They were superbly meaty and fall-off-the bone delicious, the sauce letting the meat’s natural flavor come through.
The three sides we picked — a peppery cabbage soup and a mellow bean soup, plus coleslaw — were also excellent. The cottage fries or French fries with the meal were what you’d expect.
The meals also came with pizza-dough style bread squares. You’ll find many affordable lunch and dinner options.
Lunch salads like a Greek or Caesar with chicken are $7-$8; wrap sandwiches are in the $5-$7 range. A you-pick-two combo of ribs, chicken, shrimp or cod goes for $8.95 with potato and soup or coleslaw.
Inexpensive dinner options include burgers ($5.95, plus 50 cents per topping), patty melt ($6.95), cod or tuna sandwiches ($5.75-$6.55), steak sandwiches for $7.95, and calzones from $6 to $10. Pizzas come in sizes from a small ($4.95) to a large with the works ($13.95).
THE TAB: Meals for three — none of which was fully eaten — came to $34.34.
DETAILS: Hours are 11 a.m.-10 p.m. -Saturday and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays. Credit cards are accepted, and the restaurant is wheelchair accessible.
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