You want fries with this?
Despite the ongoing push for legislation throughout Michigan to ban smoking in restaurants as well as most workplaces, the dust hasn't settled yet (nor have the ashes). It can only be hoped, for those with asthma, tobacco allergy, and any other respiratory problems, that this issue will soon be resolved once and for all. Despite the smokers' insistence that they have a right to pursue their habit, there is nothing in either the state's or nation's constitutions guaranteeing anyone the right to befoul the air and donate carcinogens and a myriad of other noxious substances to the lungs of everyone around them.
Even for those lucky enough to not suffer from any sort of respiratory ailment, face it, the stench of tobacco in any form does not arouse the appetite. When you consider the price of the meal, plus tips in some establishments, and the desire to spend a nice occasion either alone or with others, enjoying (you hope) good food, having it ruined by unpleasant smells is enough to inspire vengeance. How many diners have fantasized about taking the nearest fire extinguisher and unloading it on the offending smoker, then pounding them with it? Or emptying the entire building's ashtrays and garbage containers on the smokers' plates, forcing them to eat it all? See how they like having their food taste like cigarettes, you may chortle while envisioning such a retaliation. Then when you leave, either early in disgust or having been able to hold out longer without an asthma attack, you also have the lingering tobacco odor as a take-out item, embedded in your clothing and hair. Can anyone blame you should you decide never to patronize that restaurant again?
Rejoice, healthy-breathing afficionados! There are restaurants in the Detroit area that have gone smoke-free. A list of such eateries follows (note: it's best to call ahead, in case of either a need for reservations, or to check on the status of their smokelessness, as restaurants are often subject to sudden changes):
1/ Seldom Blues--400 Renaissance Center #1, Detroit--313-567-7301
2/ Sweet Lorraine's Cafe & Bar--29101 Greenfield Rd., Southfield--248-559-5985
3/ Mitchell's Fish Market--117 Willits St., Birmingham--248-646-3663
4/ Bacco Ristorante--29410 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield--248-356-6600
5/ Wolfgang Puck Grille--1777 Third St., Detroit--877-888-2121
Please let the staff of these restaurants know, when you dine there, that their smoke-free policy is your reason for choosing their business--they will be happy to hear this. Restaurants daring to go this route need encouragement to pursue this practice. As well, those who remain smoke-tolerant should be informed that you will NOT be returning for that reason. If enough diners make this preference known, restaurant owners will need to consider if they want to risk losing so many customers.
Anyone knowing of other area smoke-free restaurants, please leave this information in a comment.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Comments
I loved your caption to the photo. Well done.
If you don't want to worry about it then stay home.
A longtime Detroit institution, the Traffic Jam & Snug, has also been smoke-free for many years. It features some of the area's quirkiest cuisine, as well as homemade ice cream, baked goods, cheese and beer. It's an essential stop on any visit; I take all visiting friends there. And apparently this comment won't let me include a URL, but if you Google for "traffic jam snug" it'll be the first link.
B, it is not even worth arguing with anti-smoking zealots. I stopped giving 2 ***** about them a long-time ago.
If Michigan lawmakers were smart, they'd pass a signage law requiring any place permitting smoking to post exterior signage stating their smoking policy at each major entrance to a business. That would give a bold middle finger to all the selfish zealots wanting to take away free choice from private business, and ensure it remains for both non-smokers and smokers. Also, I think it's great many private businesses saw the demand for totally smoke-free businesses on their own, and made that move without a government mandate.
"and ensure it remains for both non-smokers and smokers"
Sorry, meant to say free choice, instead of it here. My fault for not clarifying!
I forgot to say earlier that I 100% agree with you that those who dislike smoke should not be afraid to voice their preference for smoke-free dining to managers of restaurants, bars, and other private businesses. That way, a greater number of private businesses will become smoke-free, while businesses catering to smokers will still exist.
You should've actually posted a link to the Smoke Free Michigan list of smoke-free restaurants and bars, but sadly since URLs can't be posted here, it's the 2nd page that shows up if you do a google search for 'michigan smoke-free restaurant list'.
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