OC Restaurant Quest – Smoked Lotus BBQ at Eastern Palace Club in Hazel Park
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Feb. 8, 2024)
Hazel Park, MI – Eastern Palace Club is a beach-themed bar inspired by Key Wes, with booths decked out like tiki huts adorned with beach party lights. The club serves up both alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails, while the kitchen area is taken up by Smoked Lotus BBQ which has a carryout window inside the bar. Throughout the space there are postcards, with “Greetings from Hazel Park” on the front. There are markers on the tables so guests can color their own creations as they wait for their food, hearkening back to childhood dining experiences in a place that intentionally designed for happiness.
A friend and I visited recently to enjoy both parts of the fun, plus some karaoke by people that spanned generations. My friend sipped Red Stripe while I started with an Undercover C.O.P. mocktail made with coconut milk, orange juice, pineapple, and nutmeg. Later in the evening I tried the Dr. Goodspeed made with non-alcoholic cervesa and natural blueberry extract. Both were tasty and adorable.
Smoked Lotus offers a selection of meats, and I opted for the Mac Bowl topped with brisket. This comfort food delight came with penne pasta, a white cheese sauce, a hearty serving of brisket on top, and some crispy tangy pickles. My friend ordered brisket tacos – a trio that came served with a cup of housemade fresh salsa. We split a side of greens, which were made with an aromatic blend of spices for a mild kick.
Everything seemed to be made with care, matching the efforts made to create a fun, tropical atmosphere for guests.
Smoked Lotus BBQ also has pastrami, pig belly burnt ends, smoked meatloaf, pulled pork, smoked jackfruit, and smoked kielbasa. There are also St. Louis style pork ribs, pulled pork pierogies, broasted chicken and more. Eastern Palace Club is located at 21509 John R in Hazel Park. Check them out online at https://www.epchp.com/
Oakland County Times is on a QUEST to enjoy every local restaurant in Oakland County. This long-term project is a labor of love, supported by our friends at White Castle. White Castle is a family-owned company that is proud to be one of only 20 large employers to make the Fortune Best Places to work list in 2022. With steam-grilled sliders, crispy golden french fries, fantastic slides like onion chips or fried clams, and the best chocolate shakes, White Castle is a by far our top choice for a fast food meal. Check out their website at www.WhiteCastle.com.
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