Metro Detroit hosts some absolute gems of the culinary industry, and it’d be most unfortunate for these spots to go unknown or unnoticed. If you have been craving some savory satisfaction (without running your pockets dry), this list will help you satisfy that craving beyond a shadow of a doubt. Here are seven choice picks that showcase some of the area’s finest foods.
1. The Eagle
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3461 Woodward Avenue, Detroit
While presenting as a more upscale brand of chicken restaurant in downtown Detroit, The Eagle is eager to serve its mouth watering fried chicken to anybody who feels the craving. Hailing all the way from Cincinnati, The Eagle’s food is house-brined and dredged to maximize your flavor experience. While the chicken itself is the shining star of the show, one would be remiss not to take a peek at the “sides” menu.
Each order of fried chicken also comes with a bottle of freshly made hot honey to heighten your culinary experience even further. No matter what you order, both you and your taste buds will leave with the utmost satisfaction. With great service, a nice atmosphere, fair prices and incredible tasting food, The Eagle is an absolute must for Metro Detroiters.
2. Green Dot Stables
2200 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit
Green Dot Stables is a slider lover’s dream, and anybody else’s ideal dinner out! The equestrian-themed restaurant, established in 2017, offers a mix of simplicity and creativity on the menu. From its standard “Cheeseburger” slider (cheese, onion and pickles) to its “Lansing Hot Chicken” (crispy chicken, house buffalo sauce, pickles, and mayo) all the way to its “Tofu Banh Mi” (inari, cucumber, pickled vegetables, cilantro, and house vegan sambal mayo), there truly is a flavor for all.
With its delicious assortment of topped fries, sides, salads, and soups, Green Dot Stables serves quality, stick-to-your-bones food that won’t clean out your wallet, but will fill your stomach!
3. O.W.L
27302 Woodward Avenue, Royal Oak
On a more casual side of Metro Detroit delicacies, we have O.W.L of Royal Oak. O.W.L is an absolute gem in the Woodward diner scene that never disappoints. An appetizingly diverse and affordable menu sits behind the cooks and workers who make sure your experience is swift and stress-free. In fact, the only stress one could experience while at O.W.L is trying to decide which of the many delicious entrees they’ll order.
With its crispy fried chicken, its freshly made burgers (which serve as vessels for the most mouth watering garlic aioli one can eat), and its variety of Mexican dishes, this eatery keeps customers beyond satisfied 24/7 (except for on Sundays). For early birds and night owls alike, O.W.L is always open and ready to put a cheap–but genuine–smile on your tongue!
4. Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
4101 3rd Avenue, Detroit
Gus’s fried chicken is world famous for a reason! Everybody loves a straightforward, quality chicken joint to enjoy a casual bite without the stress, and Gus’s World Famous achieves all that and more. With a list of both chicken a la carte and combo meals, as well as a list of nectareous desserts to wash them down, Gus’s World Famous achieves the savory-sweet combo with ease, wasting no time to do so.
Not having to rely on gimmicks like a special sauce or some item other than the bare essentials only proves the legitimacy of Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken. With dishes such as fried pickles, original coconut pie, and the three piece dark meat combo, any chicken-loving Metro Detroiter should make this spot a priority in the near future!
5. Gus’ Snug Irish Pub
38 S Main St, Clawson
The Guses have come to play! Gus’ Snug Irish Pub is a slight departure from the places mentioned so far. The food at Gus’ Snug is, of course, inspired by traditional Irish and European pub classics that feed the soul along with the stomach. The atmosphere is fantastic, with a cozy interior design that feels warm and easy-going. Not to mention, the extensively talented live music artists that the pub hosts. Almost every day of the week, Gus’ Snug is hosting a new and very talented singer, band, player, you name it!
Whether it’s from the incredible food, the joyous crowd, or the great singers, Gus’ Snug is an experience well worth the affordable prices. Some choice dishes include the spinach artichoke dip, the pub burger, the poutine, and the corned beef celtic reuben. Bring friends or bring family, either way you’ll have a great meal and a great time!
6. Hunter House Hamburgers
35075 Woodward Ave, Birmingham, MI 48009
If there were ever a place to enjoy an affordable, delicious hamburger, then that place is Hunter House. A Metro Detroit classic, Hunter House’s menu is as simplistic as it is delicious. Burgers, fries and shakes are the name of the game, and nobody does it better than this Birmingham burger joint.
To put the absurdly affordable prices into perspective, a regular fast food hamburger costs around $5-8, but if you brought that amount of money to Hunter House, you could get several hamburgers. Not to mention, the service is consistent, quick, and helpful, ready to serve you a burger and a smile!
7. Brooklyn Pizza
111 Henrietta St, Birmingham
Craving a quick slice? Look no further than Brooklyn Pizza. With several variations of pies from pepperoni, buffalo chicken, margarita, and many more, Brooklyn is sure to satiate your pizza craving tenfold. With an emphasis on simplicity, Brooklyn’s order-and-go style allows it to focus all of its energy to creating authentic, wood-fired, New York style pizza that will become fast friends with your taste buds.
Aside from just the pizza, however, recent renovations have extended the restaurant into a bar as well, offering cocktails indoors and outdoors for the adults, and multiple flavors of ice cream for the kids! With outdoor seating available in the scenic downtown Birmingham, Brooklyn Pizza should always be on the radar for a quick, affordable lunch or dinner option for all Metro Detroiters.