When journalists Diane Weiss and Steve Neavling rank alongside Justin Verlander and Pavel Datsyuk, it's clearly not an ordinary "best of" list.
And when the same rundown includes a coney server, a doctoral-level Detroit music scholar, a self-described "burlesque queen" and a firehouse crew on the northwest side, worlds definitely collide.
Welcome to Thrillist's choices for "The 23 Best Detroit Instagram Accounts," picked by local writer Megan Frye.
There is much more to the city than documenting its troubles, and we’ve searched up and down for the best accounts offering a wide range of vistas. From architecture to athletes, we've got your Instagram feed covered.
Frye, a 2006 Michigan State grad and former Oakland Press entertainment editor, also admires the visuals posted by pro photographer Joe Gall (Camera_Jesus) and a skillful restaurant food shooter posting at ChowDownDetroit.
As for the eight users mentioned in our top two paragraphs, here's where to find them and a bit of what Frye admires:
- Weiss: The Free Press photo editor, who's unnamed in her Thrillist shout, posts shots of her near-downtown neighborhood at brushpark_myhood.
- Neavling: The ex-Freepster, now posting news at Motor City Muckraker and photos at motor_city_muckraker, is praised for "solid shots of both the desolation and flourish that make this city the anomaly it is."
- Verlander: The Tigers' pitcher, who tosses photos onto justinverlander, is recommended because Frye -- who uses a noun as a verb -- says "most of us would like to . . . voyeur into his life."
- Datsyuk: Frye suggests we follow the Wings' center -- datsyuk13hockey -- "for snaps of the alternate captain modeling his clothing line, catching salmon, skiing, and being an all-around badass."
- Coney waiter: Ther No. 2 recommendation is for the "inarguably awesome" Faisal Ali -- faisal__ali -- a plates-balancing server at Lafayette Coney Island.
- Music scholar: Carleton Gholz, founder of Detroit sound Conservancy, and his staff are "honoring the past, present, and future of Detroit sounds" at detroitsound.
- Showgirl: The No. 1 spot on Frye's hit parade goes to exotic danger and photographer "Roxi D'Lite," who "has been making Detroit blush for years. Check out her scantily clad shenanigans" at roxi_dlite -- where she posted the Feb. 27 birthday cake photo above.
- Firehouse: Firefighters of Engine Company 30 on Meyers Road between West McNichols and Fenkell post scenes of the city's "perils and splendor" at detroit.fire.
Your turn now: What worthy addition(s) did Thrillist miss? Tell us in a comment below.