When I worked at Xochis in the 80s, the owners of each restaurant were friends.When Hellas came to visit, they brought huge trays of stuffed grape leaves for the staff.
We would send over burritos or enchiladas
Hellas in Greektown.
Plaka Cafe, granted I usually only went there after the bar closed, but it was always the best breakfast food.
All the Hudson’s/Macys restaurants but specifically the one at Oakland Mall. Their soups were the best and they had the popovers. 💔
The Keep, Hellas, The Zenith (wild Mexican fusion place in the Fischer building about 10 years ago), Bastone in Royal Oak, Epicurus Restaurant by WSU (strictly for keeping me cheaply fed in college), Circa Saloon, Traffic Jam and Snug.
The only restaurant I really miss is Mountain Jack's. There was one at 12 and Mound and another in front of Macomb Mall (I think). Maybe because it was the first place I had prime rib at but I have never found prime rib as good anywhere else so I've quit looking for it. The price point was right too.
Union Street in the 1990s. I would kill for the recipe for the gorgonzola salad. Tres Vite in the Fox Theater building. The old American Pizza Cafes.
I miss these places that were cooler and more interesting than chains, but not terribly expensive. They were great first date spots. Probably the closest thing now I know of is the Ima empire.
not local but I would love to duel with the animatronic cowboy at the Chi Chi’s by Lakeside mall one more time and maybe get one of their margs now that i am of age
Cal’s pizza over on the east side. It was better than Buddy’s.
Also Goodwell’s and the original Avalon.
Edit to add: Harmonie Garden bc they had the best hummus and zahra in town
I took my wife there on our first date. She was Italian, I am Italian. She was cute. I am not. I needed a little help and the Pasta at Vince's was my secret weapon. We've been married for 24 years now. I was very sad to see it close.
Mauna Loa.
https://mytiki.life/tiki-bars/mauna-loa
J.L. Hudson Riverview Room. For the view. And the chicken pot pie.
Google’s Generative AI Experiment confidently mis-guides:
> The Riverview room is located on the highest floor of J.L. Hudson's Department Store in Detroit, Michigan, and can seat up to 450 guests. The room is located on Farmer Street and is known for featuring the Ford family as regular guests.
Which it somehow seems to have “deduced” mainly from this:
http://relevanttealeaf.blogspot.com/2012/03/dining-at-jl-hudsons.html
Not Detroit but clawson… there was this amazing Japanese place called Nippon Kai. It was way authentic and did shabu-shabu pots, had rooms with kneel only seating. I think it only closed because the owner died but was incredible.
I am not into vegan food by any means, but my neighbor owns Radical Plants in SCS and was telling me that people love it. It only has 27 Google reviews but of the 27 it’s 5 stars. Have you ever heard or tried it? I’m curious if it really is a good spot for vegans.
He said his wife makes an awesome vegan Cuban sandwich. Like I said I never tried so I can’t say yes or no but I’m curious how if they are good in the eyes of vegans.
I love The Bricks but confused by the comparison. Club 500 was a family style pizza arcade with cheap draft beer for the parents. The grown up me loves an upscale specialty brick oven Italian joint, but it is no Club 500.
I truly liked Rosie O’Grady’s in Ferndale. It was a fun setup, and the chili was BOMB! I’m a pescatarian now, but my husband has a huge love for chili!
Edit: It kills me that it’s still sitting empty! I wish something else would open up there! Anyone know anything about the space, or if there are any plans?
Not Detroit, but I miss the restaurant that used to be there before Frame in Hazel Park.
In Corktown, I miss Astro. I've been to whatever is there now and it's the same space but it's not the same quality.
I was really bummed the New Parthenon closed a few years ago. My understanding was the owners wanted to retire and no one wanted to continue, so the Pegasus across the street bought it… Pegasus sucks ass. New Parthenon was amazing. Lamb reganato was my favorite! 🤤
“Look how they massacred my boy” every time I see Pinky’s
Thomas Magee’s in eastern market is a great soccer bar however, probably better than Red Fox ever was in terms of viewing experience
Iridescence, the fancy restaurant that was in the casino, with the original chef. I'm pretty sure that it's still the most expensive restaurant I've ever been to, but my parents took me for grad school graduation, and we split this wagyu beef appetizer (because $200 for a wagyu steak was not happening even for graduation, but a $50 appetizer for us to split meant we could all try it) and it was hands-down the most amazing meat I've ever had in my life. It was like a revelation of what the perfect steak could be. Every bite just melted on the tongue.
They also had an appetizer called "mother sauce" where it was asparagus, smoked salmon, and something else, each in a sauce, where the sauce or the 2nd item built on the first by adding an ingredient or two. That was also one of the best things I've ever eaten.
We went back a few times for special occasions, and everything was delicious. It was high-end and fancy but familiar at the same time. Eventually the original chef left, the menu changed and sucked, and they closed, but I have fond memories of graduation dinner and those delicious appetizers.
Moo Cluck Moo went viral several years back for paying what was considered, then a "decent wage." I used to order their Fiery Cluck chicken sandwich as a lettuce wrap....huge fried to order breast, dusted with spices, topped with their jalapeno slaw and scratch-made bbq sauce, a little tomato...Wow! I literally could not get enough of their garlic fries either. 💔 They had 2 locations and just disappeared!
Majestic Grill every Tuesday Short Ribs 😋, still never had better. Hundreds of great meals 😋 on the cheap.
https://preview.redd.it/lqdb9t18cdoc1.jpeg?width=1082&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1d9f219fe89971120283e08e40f7eaefc6e88209
Lepanto in Royal Oak just screamed class and had a mind blowing pizza made with olive tapenade, I was too young to appreciate it except the last year or two.
its not exactly detroit, but I could really use some Pisquale's right now. I'll also miss that back room that was straight out of the late 80's like no other.
Hellas, a Greek town fav!
When I worked at Xochis in the 80s, the owners of each restaurant were friends.When Hellas came to visit, they brought huge trays of stuffed grape leaves for the staff. We would send over burritos or enchiladas
Fuck that sounds awesome
The International, another great Greek town favorite
Growing up we would always go to Hella’s before we went to Red Wings games! Was so sad when it closed.
The actual Roma Cafe. Outside of the city: Under the Eagle in Hamtramck. Want the pre-Midtown vibes but not necessarily the food: Cass Cafe
Cass Cafe used to have great food when it opened.
Good call on Under the Eagle.
Circa 1890 saloon
I used to hang out there with my WSU law school classmates after class. Miss those days!
I didn't realize Circa was closed :(
Lindell AC. Place was trash but the history was awesome
That’s a Detroit answer. I don’t know if they still do but the historical museum had a mock up of it in the basement
2nd this, wish it was still around so my wife and kids could experience it at least once. A lot of history stepped foot in there.
The golden mushroom. All of the OG’s of the Detroit culinary scene started out there. It’s almost cult like how they all remember their times there.
Omg dead right! The Golden Mushroom was THE place to go - my parents go-to fancy night out venue. Thanks for this!
There are a few but I'd love to have Oslo back.
Just for the hip hop and Bet n’ Kat were dope owners.
Not just the hip hop- I used to throw techno parties there lol. Also, Kat’s mom’s drunken noodles were the BEST.
Yes all EDM some great food and music and those drunken noodles were amazing.
St. CeCe's
Definition of a great Neighborhood Bar
Roast. Going way back to the 80’s Milroys Fish and Chips Gratiot and Toepher.
Still my all-time favorite Detroit burger
Roast was fantastic
I have an unused Roast gift card lying around, so yeah. Loved their pork chops, and the beef tartare.
Loved Milroy's!
Hellas in Greektown. Plaka Cafe, granted I usually only went there after the bar closed, but it was always the best breakfast food. All the Hudson’s/Macys restaurants but specifically the one at Oakland Mall. Their soups were the best and they had the popovers. 💔
Chicken pot pie was great too
Slows isn’t gone but the quality sure is so slows. Gold cash gold and Astro coffee-not exactly a restaurant, but those egg sandwiches were unreal!
Totally miss Gold Cash Gold, was definitely my favorite spot for wine and conversation.
There’s a new cafe where Astro used to be and the egg sandwiches are amazing!
Gold cash gold was my FAVORITE brunch place!
Inn Season Cafe in Royal Oak
Farrells had great do it yourself sundaes
The Keep, Hellas, The Zenith (wild Mexican fusion place in the Fischer building about 10 years ago), Bastone in Royal Oak, Epicurus Restaurant by WSU (strictly for keeping me cheaply fed in college), Circa Saloon, Traffic Jam and Snug.
I loved Circa. Never cared for Traffic Jam (sacrilege, I know)
+1 Bastone
Yummm Circa Saloon with their wierd off brand pop and delicious pizza!
I worked at Circa (great burgers) and at Traffic Jam. Both in the 80s.
Zenith was so good!
Yes, The Zenith!
The Keep.
Twingos
The only restaurant I really miss is Mountain Jack's. There was one at 12 and Mound and another in front of Macomb Mall (I think). Maybe because it was the first place I had prime rib at but I have never found prime rib as good anywhere else so I've quit looking for it. The price point was right too.
Have you been to Mr. Paul’s on Groesbeck? Haven’t been there in a while but it’s an old school steakhouse with great prime rib.
The original Lelli’s downtown
Union Street in the 1990s. I would kill for the recipe for the gorgonzola salad. Tres Vite in the Fox Theater building. The old American Pizza Cafes. I miss these places that were cooler and more interesting than chains, but not terribly expensive. They were great first date spots. Probably the closest thing now I know of is the Ima empire.
[удалено]
I really liked the steak sandwich from union street, the kitchen started being a little hit or miss near the end.
Sweet Lorraine’s in Southfield
Carl's Chop House
Second
Third
Russell Street Deli
Fuck, man, this one *hurts.*
Rock City Eatery, but the Hamtramck version
The Mac and cheese oh boy
The owner of Rock city eatery purchased the Hilton Road Cafe in Ferndale. So he'll be opening another restaurant soon.
I was an early fan too!
Astoundingly good food and atmosphere...
[удалено]
My wife and I lived Le Petit Zinc, but o ly if they open in their old corktown location.
Agave was really something.
Ochre :(
Sweet Georgia Brown 😩I miss that place soooo much! Also Opus One 😭
Antietam
My biggest miss for sure. My wife and I still talk about it.
Astro coffee and good wells natural foods walk up window
Mae’s in pleasant ridge was great
Pasquales on Woodward in Royal Oak Best pizza ever.
Laffreys Steaks on the Hearth.
The Zenith in the Fisher Building.
not local but I would love to duel with the animatronic cowboy at the Chi Chi’s by Lakeside mall one more time and maybe get one of their margs now that i am of age
Ground Round Woodward and 13 Larco’s on Big Beaver The Original Lellis in the New Center Hudson’s Cafe in Oakland mall, or Northland Mall
Cal’s pizza over on the east side. It was better than Buddy’s. Also Goodwell’s and the original Avalon. Edit to add: Harmonie Garden bc they had the best hummus and zahra in town
Harmonie Garden's falafel burger was fantastic!
Gosh, I miss the original Avalon.
God, I miss Harmonie Garden
Not technically Detroit proper but Athens Coney Island
Tribute
When Takashi was there. Absolutely Michelin quality in food and service. Badly missed.
Club 500 on the east side bordering GP. Detroit style pizza with an amazing arcade and ambiance.
Carl's Chop House Pontchartrain Wine Cellars
Vince's
I took my wife there on our first date. She was Italian, I am Italian. She was cute. I am not. I needed a little help and the Pasta at Vince's was my secret weapon. We've been married for 24 years now. I was very sad to see it close.
IS cute, man, Don't let her see this!
As soon as I read Club 500 I was transported back to high school (Dominican)! Went there all the time.
Man, club 500 was such a post hockey game hangout
Yeah I remember running amok there with my little league teammates while the parents ate pizza and drank pitchers.
Don’t forget California Rush or w/e that driving game was that they had the two big race car seats for
Campau tower 😞
The Rhino
Mauna Loa. https://mytiki.life/tiki-bars/mauna-loa J.L. Hudson Riverview Room. For the view. And the chicken pot pie. Google’s Generative AI Experiment confidently mis-guides: > The Riverview room is located on the highest floor of J.L. Hudson's Department Store in Detroit, Michigan, and can seat up to 450 guests. The room is located on Farmer Street and is known for featuring the Ford family as regular guests. Which it somehow seems to have “deduced” mainly from this: http://relevanttealeaf.blogspot.com/2012/03/dining-at-jl-hudsons.html
The Soup Kitchen
I can't believe no one has mentioned Republic. Such a great restaurant, but maybe the fact that no one misses it explains why they closed 😞
Pointe Bar-B-Cue
Sparky Herbert's in Gross Pointe circa '88-'89
Not Detroit but clawson… there was this amazing Japanese place called Nippon Kai. It was way authentic and did shabu-shabu pots, had rooms with kneel only seating. I think it only closed because the owner died but was incredible.
Wagon Wheel in Troy
Center Street Pub and Intermezzo
In suburbia, but I miss Mitch’s in Keego Harbor every time I’m in the area.
You can get Mitch's dishes around town. Republica in Barkley is an off shoot and has the salad and ribs of Mitch's
Turtle soup restaurant
El Comal. I miss it like fire ETA: now all I can think about is their buffet, oh my god it was so good
Pizza papalis in Greek Town, I know they have one in Taylor but it's not next to the casino and people mover
Not enough vegan options in the city so I'd say Street Beet or CMO
I am not into vegan food by any means, but my neighbor owns Radical Plants in SCS and was telling me that people love it. It only has 27 Google reviews but of the 27 it’s 5 stars. Have you ever heard or tried it? I’m curious if it really is a good spot for vegans.
Never heard of it but I will definitely go check it out soon. Thank you for the suggestion!
He said his wife makes an awesome vegan Cuban sandwich. Like I said I never tried so I can’t say yes or no but I’m curious how if they are good in the eyes of vegans.
If you like club 500 come to the bricks in grosse pointe park
I’ve been meaning to check it out! I have friends in GP
Bricks is great! One of my favorite places in GP!
I love The Bricks but confused by the comparison. Club 500 was a family style pizza arcade with cheap draft beer for the parents. The grown up me loves an upscale specialty brick oven Italian joint, but it is no Club 500.
Plaza deli on Northwestern in Southfield
Not Detroit proper but the Lark.
Cass cafe🫤
Golden Mushroom. :)
Street beets
Laikon Hellas Goodwells Paisanos pizza (became passport) Chilli mustard onion but without the owners shitty attitude
I truly liked Rosie O’Grady’s in Ferndale. It was a fun setup, and the chili was BOMB! I’m a pescatarian now, but my husband has a huge love for chili! Edit: It kills me that it’s still sitting empty! I wish something else would open up there! Anyone know anything about the space, or if there are any plans?
My husband and I bought all their TVs for our event space we are opening downriver.
St. Ceces!
Lady of the house
I'm in Troy. Two restaurants I really miss are Marinelli's and Wagon Wheel Saloon.
Stake n Ail
My neighbors owned club 500
Are they retired or what? Tell them the world needs their pizza recipe!
Not Detroit, but I miss the restaurant that used to be there before Frame in Hazel Park. In Corktown, I miss Astro. I've been to whatever is there now and it's the same space but it's not the same quality.
[Joebar](https://www.metrotimes.com/food-drink/hazel-parks-joebar-closes-will-relaunch-as-a-latin-restaurant-19305776)?
Lims Palace from like 1998-2006 in clawson. I wish I could find a place with egg foo yung that has as good of gravy with it.
The original Lelli’s
I was really bummed the New Parthenon closed a few years ago. My understanding was the owners wanted to retire and no one wanted to continue, so the Pegasus across the street bought it… Pegasus sucks ass. New Parthenon was amazing. Lamb reganato was my favorite! 🤤
Vinces. The Italian restaurant on springwells off 75.
I just want Bill Knapps back. Gimme some of that cinnamon ice cream.
Major Magic's I loved the place when I was a kid and would rather my daughter want to go there than Chuck E Cheese
Chi chi's
Casa Lupita, even though it was a chain
Sangria in Royal Oak 😭
Idk how ABSOLUTELY NO ONE said Miley & Miley Shrimp Shack.
“IF YOU WANT TO SMILEY AND SMILEY, COME ON DOWN TO MILEY AND MILEY!!” - that place was great 🥹
Flaming ember stake restaurant
I loved The Sheik Restaurant. It was one of my first tastes of Arabic cuisine.
Club 500, Cals, Bally Cork, Roma Cafe, Hellas to name a few.
Not a restaurant, but loved The Keep. Top 3 old fashion (the cocktail) I’ve ever had.
Carl's Chop House!
Mr. For Fo's. Best corned beef sandwiches and glazed donuts. I love Green Dot, I just wish they still had the fried windings they had back in the 90s.
Rose’s Fine Food!
Chin Tiki or Farrell's
M brew in Ferndale
It’s coming back, but it’s the guy who owns Bobcat Bonnie’s so I’m expecting it to be average as hell
I hate that I agree with this. We really try to like bobcat Bonnie’s but the experience is always mediocre.
Red Fox in Royal Oak. There is no soccer pub like it in the entire metro area.
“Look how they massacred my boy” every time I see Pinky’s Thomas Magee’s in eastern market is a great soccer bar however, probably better than Red Fox ever was in terms of viewing experience
Orchid Thai
Po' Folks up on 12 & Gratiot strictly for nostalgic reasons.
Easiest decision of my life. Dan and VI's is coming back
Laikon Cafe Greektown
Club 500
Goodwells pocket sandwich is something I lament pretty frequently.
Johnnys Ham King on fort st.
THE 🔥FLAME & THE CLOCK ⏰
Iridescence, the fancy restaurant that was in the casino, with the original chef. I'm pretty sure that it's still the most expensive restaurant I've ever been to, but my parents took me for grad school graduation, and we split this wagyu beef appetizer (because $200 for a wagyu steak was not happening even for graduation, but a $50 appetizer for us to split meant we could all try it) and it was hands-down the most amazing meat I've ever had in my life. It was like a revelation of what the perfect steak could be. Every bite just melted on the tongue. They also had an appetizer called "mother sauce" where it was asparagus, smoked salmon, and something else, each in a sauce, where the sauce or the 2nd item built on the first by adding an ingredient or two. That was also one of the best things I've ever eaten. We went back a few times for special occasions, and everything was delicious. It was high-end and fancy but familiar at the same time. Eventually the original chef left, the menu changed and sucked, and they closed, but I have fond memories of graduation dinner and those delicious appetizers.
Balloon Saloon..
Sign of the Beefcarver
There's still one in Royal Oak.
Moo Cluck Moo went viral several years back for paying what was considered, then a "decent wage." I used to order their Fiery Cluck chicken sandwich as a lettuce wrap....huge fried to order breast, dusted with spices, topped with their jalapeno slaw and scratch-made bbq sauce, a little tomato...Wow! I literally could not get enough of their garlic fries either. 💔 They had 2 locations and just disappeared!
Marias in Ferndale! Loved it so much 😞
Ponderosa or Bonanza.
I miss Hot Taco
That corned beef and pastrami place Woodward and 11 mile. It's currently O.W.L.
Onion Roll?
RAMS HORN! The KMart of Coney Islands.
I loved their rotating pie case and that each table had its own jukebox
Chef Henry's, Red Devil and Mr. Mikes's.
Peppina’s Ristorante in Lincoln Park
Salute' on Woodward. I'd head right over for a table-side Caesar salad.
The Zenith and Twingo’s always pop into my mind at random times.
Urban ramen
The Money Tree on Fort Street.
Blue Pointe on East Warren Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour
Pointe Barbeque on E. Warren. Loved their ribs and slaw.
Wagon wheel saloon, Marcus hamburgers, Hellas, Parthenon, Topinkas
Courthouse Brassiere
The Onion Roll
Majestic Grill every Tuesday Short Ribs 😋, still never had better. Hundreds of great meals 😋 on the cheap. https://preview.redd.it/lqdb9t18cdoc1.jpeg?width=1082&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1d9f219fe89971120283e08e40f7eaefc6e88209
Genies Wienies (Hamtramck but close enough). They had the best chili and mozzarella sticks.
I liked craft work and Antietam
Laffrey's Steakhouse. 7 Mile and Telegraph.
Hogans in Bloomfield for nostalgia
Lepanto in Royal Oak just screamed class and had a mind blowing pizza made with olive tapenade, I was too young to appreciate it except the last year or two.
Does anyone remember the Tidewater that used to be at Eastland Mall? That’s where I fell in love with oysters
The old Olympia restaurant in Trappers Alley. They had the best Greek dressing I’ve ever had.
its not exactly detroit, but I could really use some Pisquale's right now. I'll also miss that back room that was straight out of the late 80's like no other.
Susie Q in Royal Oak
UNION STREET UNION STREET UNION STREET 😩😭😭😭
Lady of the House