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Pig's Pick
DETROIT
CULINARY EXPLORATION IN MICHIGAN
DETROIT = COME BACK CITY
Dear Detroit,
​
You may have been my biggest culinary surprise in the last few years. I'll be honest when I heard I was heading to you I wasn't jumping up and down with thoughts of great meals and cutting edge trends. But Detroit you surprised me, the places I found really knocked my socks off, fantastic burgers, creative breakfasts, and unbelievable middle eastern food. I think maybe you have a chip on your shoulder and want to prove something. All I can say to that is keep it up, you have a long way to go, but you are on the right track!
The Pig
PIG'S PICKS
Where to eat Breakfast, pizza, and Middle Eastern food in Detroit.
BUDDY'S PIZZA
PIG SCORE: 4.0 / 4.0
WHAT: DETROIT STYLE PIZZA
WHEN: You want to try the best version of the pizza the city is known for.
PRICE: $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT: (11 locations)
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Pepperoni Detroit style pizza
WHY: Because you probably never heard of Detroit pizza styles, and they are the original and the best. I developed and ate pizza for over 12 years of my life and this is AMAZING. The crust is crisp, light and chewy, the sauce is flavorful and just the right amount of tartness. Do yourself a favor and make it into a Buddy's.
TOAST
PIG SCORE: 3.9 / 4.0
WHAT: CREATIVE BREAKFAST
WHEN: Your looking for the best brunch in town.
PRICE: $$ - $$$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
WHAT TO ORDER:
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Bacon fried rice
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Chicken n Waffle Benny
WHY: This little restaurant is what America cuisine should be about, creative with proper execution. They have a playful take on classic dishes and just a solid understanding of flavor profiles. I am excited to make my way back here again real soon.
AMAR PIZZA
PIG SCORE: 3.9 / 4.0
WHY: Because Detroit style pizza is amazing and these guys are turning out some funky Middle Eastern profiles. Get the Tandoori and actually get a sweet yogurt sauce. Try the Naga and be surprised by a savory middle eastern chicken pizza. I was shocked by the quality, especially after pulling up to the building and ordering through a 2" thick piece of bullet proof glass. But this is not your grandfathers pizza.
WHAT: INDIAN DETROIT PIZZA
WHEN: You're feeling like Indian food and pizza.
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Detroit style Naga pizza
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Detroit style Tandoori pizza
AL-AMEER
PIG SCORE: 3.9 / 4.0
WHAT: THE BEST MIDDLE EASTERN
WHEN: You're out with family or friends and want some of the best Middle eastern in the country.
PRICE: $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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The shwarma platter
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Pickled beets
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Pitas
WHY: This is the very best middle eastern food I have had. The pitas were freshly made and amazing. the salads. skewers and hummus were off the charts. This is what middle eastern food should be.
NOBEL FISH
PIG SCORE: 3.8 / 4.0
WHAT: GROCERY STORE SUSHI
WHEN: You crave incredible sushi.
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Cash/Credit
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Tuna Nigiri
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Octopus Nigiri
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Eel & Cucumber Hand Roll
WHY: It is the freshest fish in the city, and it comes out of a little 5 seat counter located in the back of a tiny Japanese grocery store.You could go into that store ten times and not know it's there. Do yourself a favor anf make the trip. Grocery store sushi has never been this good.
LAFAYETTE CONEY ISLAND
PIG SCORE: 3.8 / 4.0
WHAT: DETROIT CLASSICS
WHEN: You want a bite after the wings game.
PRICE: $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Coney Island
WHY: Believe it or not, Detroit is the home of the Coney. There are coney joints on almost every corner in this town, and Lafayetteis the best of them all. The steamed bun, mystery coney sauce, yellow mustard, fresh onions and the natural casing dog. Lafayette is a dive, no doubt about it, but this place has been cranking them out since1917.
SUGAR HOUSE
PIG SCORE: 3.8 / 4.0
WHAT: CRAFT COCKTAILS
WHEN: You're looking for an after dinner drink
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Cash/Credit
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Monte Carlo
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Smoked Whiskey
WHY: Sometimes a beer and a glass of wine aren't enough. Come to this upscale hand crafted cocktail lounge and enjoy the finer end of the libation spectrum.
THE FLY TRAP
PIG SCORE: 3.8 / 4.0
WHAT: DINER FARE WITH A TWIST
WHEN: You're looking for a place to meet people for breakfast or lunch.
PRICE: $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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The Gingerbread waffle
WHY: This is diner food with a global twist. They have homemade hot sauces, crazy salt & pepper shakers, and unbelievable breakfast. I ate a lot of amazing food in Detroit, but the Gingerbread Waffles may have been the most craveable.
O.W.L.
PIG SCORE: 3.8 / 4.0
WHAT: 24 HOUR MEXICAN / AMERICAN DINER
WHEN: Whenever you want great Mexican diner food.
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Chilaquiles
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Chicken Fried Chicken and Cheese
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Torta Agohada
WHY: This is a cool funky diner with an eclectic American and Mexican comfort food menu. Great counter service and open all night, so you can get your Chilaquiles any hour of the day.
DIME STORE CAFE
PIG SCORE: 3.75 / 4.0
WHAT: UPSCALE BREAKFAST
WHEN: You're downtown and want brunch quality food.
PRICE: $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Pork Belly Benny
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S'more waffle (special)
WHY: If you love eggs benedicts and hash, then Dime store is for you. Detroit has some great breakfast establishments and Dime store is one of them. Come with an appetite and an adventerous attitude.
BROOKLYN STREET LOCAL
PIG SCORE: 3.75 / 4.0
WHAT: BOHEMIAN BRUNCH
WHEN: You're looking for a hyper local sourced breakfast.
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Cash/Credit
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Breakfast Poutine
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Breakfast Salad
WHY: They are a little city restaurant that sources hyper locally, from urban farms actually in Detroit! And while a lot of restaurants source locally, these guys do it while not losing focus of the a restaurant, pumping out fantastic tasting food.
ASTRO COFFEE
PIG SCORE: 3.7 / 4.0
WHAT: SMALL UPSCALE COFFEE SHOP
WHEN: A plain old cup of coffee and breakfast sandwich won't do.
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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A cup of fresh coffee
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Breakfast sandwich
WHY: Because they brew your cup of coffee once you order it, one cup at a time. Plus the food are all locally sourced and rock solid. Best breakfast sandwich in Detroit, a little pricey, but great.
AL-SAHA
PIG SCORE: 3.6 / 4.0
WHAT: MIDDLE EASTERN SEAFOOD
WHEN: Seafood is on the menu and you feel ilke a middle eastern twist.
PRICE: $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Deep fried fish
WHY: You can get some of the freshest middle eastern style seafood here as well as some of the best salads.
CEDARLAND
PIG SCORE: 3.5 / 4.0
WHAT: MIDDLE EASTERN COMFORT
WHEN: You're looking for a late night bite.
PRICE: $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Schwarma
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Hummus
WHY: Simply delicious Hummus and Schwarma. This is a GREAT late night stop after a night out.
BATCH BREWING
PIG SCORE: 3.4 / 4.0
WHAT: SMALL BATCH BREWERY
WHEN: You're looking for a micro batch microbrewery.
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Master Blaster (Red Ale)
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Dead Irish Writers Stout
WHY: Great beer brewed in small batches, micro batches.
NEW PALACE BAKERY
PIG SCORE: 3.4 / 4.0
WHAT: OLD POLISH BAKERY
WHEN: You're looking for great pastries for a gathering
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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A Flavored Shortcake
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Paczki
WHY: Because old world bakeries are becoming a thing of the past, not because they're not great, but because we forget about them. Take a trip to Palace bakery and let them remind you why you should make this a frequent stop.
POLISH VILLAGE CAFE
PIG SCORE: 3.35 / 4.0
WHAT: A POLISH BASEMENT EATERY
WHEN: You want to fill your Perogi fix.
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Cash/Check only
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Jalapeno and cream cheese Perogie
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Potato Perogie
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A Boomba
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Dill Pickle Soup
WHY: This is like going to visit your old Polish Grandmother. It's located in the basement of a old hotel and feel old world with wood beams and seasonal decorations. A big bonus: All the workers talk polish to each other.
DUTCH GIRL DOUGHNUTS
PIG SCORE: 3.3 / 4.0
WHAT: OLD SCHOOL DOUGHNUTS
WHEN: You want a dozen for work, or a doughnut after drinking all night.
PRICE: $
PAYMENT: Cash only
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Apple Fritter
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Classic glazed
WHY: They are open 24 hours and sometimes you just need a late night doughnut fix.
MERCURY BURGER & BAR
PIG SCORE: 3.3 / 4.0
WHAT: AWESOME BURGERS
WHEN: You want a place for a beer and a burger.
PRICE: $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Topor burger
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Fried Baloney sandwich
WHY: Kick ass burgers, that's why. These guys take a serious approach to ground beef in a patty form and don't check it at a fancy title. They take the extra steps that make a big difference, like making a sauce with the brine from the Detroit made Topor pickles. This was one of my top five all time burgers, and that is no small feet.
NEMO'S
PIG SCORE: 3.2 / 4.0
WHAT: BURGER BEFORE THE GAME
WHEN: This is a pre-game destination for whiskey and burgers.
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Cash only
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Cheeseburger
WHY: Because sometimes you just want a simple burger at a great place to hang out. Nemo's is a legendary pre and post events bar in Detroit. Stop in grab a cold beer and a cheeseburger before heading out for the game.
THE TELWAY
PIG SCORE: 3.2 / 4.0
WHAT: 24 HOUR CHEAP SLIDERS
WHEN: You've been out all night, and want something greasy to hit the spot. Watch out white castle.
PRICE: $
PAYMENT: Cash only
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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A bag of Cheeseburgers
WHY: Sometimes you're out so late that nothing else is open, or maybe you just want a CHEAP bag of awesome sliders. Either way Telway is your place. but bring a fin, because they only take cash.
