Red Ox Tavern

Red Ox Tavern bills itself as an upscale sports bar, and it lands in that useful sweet spot between “grab a beer and watch the game” and “actually have a real dinner.” The kitchen leans harder into the food than most sports bars bother to: certified Angus steaks finished with a burgundy demi-glaze and the house’s signature fried onions, a genuinely long list of composed salads, plus the expected tavern comforts — burgers, ribs, fish tacos, sandwiches piled high. It’s affordable comfort food with a little more ambition than the category usually shows.

Open late every night, with the game on and a full bar, it’s an easy call for a casual group night, a post-work landing spot, or anyone who wants bar energy without settling for bar food. Set expectations for hearty and dependable, not precious. We’ve got it on our list as a solid, unfussy Drink-and-a-bite option in Auburn Hills.