Metro Detroit: Plymouth’s Stella’s Black Dog Tavern
In 2013 Bob & Dorothy Ostendorf, and their business partners Jim & Kathy Sulllivan, took over a pub located at 860 Fralick in Downtown Plymouth. It was an old Irish Pub and the Ostendorf’s and Sullivan’s were not crazy about what the place was, even though they frequented it regularly. They changed the name to Stella’s Black Dog Tavern. The name comes from the Ostendorf’s Bernese Mountain Dog Stella.
Stella was a certified service dog for her owner Bob, a Vietnam Veteran. Stella worked regularly at the VA hospital in Ann Arbor, as well as many other hospitals in the area, spreading joy as only she could. So, why not name your bar after her? Everybody loves dogs. So they added her name and created a logo and the rest as they say is history. Unfortunately Stella passed away in 2022. But she spent many years there at “her bar” working as a greeter and mascot.
Even though Stella has passed, her name lives on at the Black Dog Tavern.
This is a great place to go to unwind and have a glass of wine or a cold beer, paired with a great appetizer or two, during their Happy Hour and not break the bank. The Happy Hour here runs from 2-6 PM Monday through Friday featuring $3 select beers, $4 house wines $5 well drinks and ½ off of over 15 different appetizers.
We enjoyed a couple of glasses of Pinot Grigio . . . okay 3 glasses, an order of fried mushrooms and an order of potato skins all for under $25.
The potato skins were nicely done and loaded with cheese and toppings. They were not dry like some skins can be. The fried mushrooms were legit. They were hand breaded cap only mushrooms that were breaded not battered and they were delicious. Next time we are there I am trying the Mexi Skins which are filled with seasoned beef, and topped with pico de gallo.
The food here is really good! The menu offers a wide variety of choices from soups and salads to pastas and steaks and all the typical bar food you would expect as well.
They also have other daily events like Sporcle Trivia on Wednesdays at 7, live Jazz on Thursdays at 7 and Karaoke Fridays at 7. Saturday night is prime rib night and they also have weekly events like Bourbon tasting with Bob and a charcuterie making class with Dorothy.
This is truly more than a tavern it is a part of the community. Stella’s is located at 860 Fralick St in downtown Plymouth. They are open Monday thru Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Until next time . . . live well, eat well and enjoy life!
-Keith & Teresa Becker