50 Detroit-area restaurants that we said goodbye to in 2020

By Metro Times editorial staff on Fri, Nov 20, 2020 at 12:00 pm

Draw a bath, cue up the Sarah McLachlan, and grab a pint of ice cream because we are seriously bumming about not being able to dine at some of these metro Detroit restaurants that made the difficult decision to close this year. While many of these shuttered establishments were unable to weather the financial crisis of the coronavirus pandemic, others had issues with landlords and leases, and some just needed to move on. Regardless, we tip our hat to these eateries that kept us caffeinated, fed, and boozed-up throughout the years. I will remember you...

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Alley Taco

418 W. Willis St., Detroit
Without any fanfare, it appears as though Alley Taco in Midtown has closed. The casual dine-in and takeout restaurant on Willis Street is currently listed as under contract, though, pre-COVID, the full business had been listed for sale. Alley Taco’s social media accounts haven’t been updated since Cinco de Mayo and Yelp has marked the business as closed. The under contract distinction could mean Alley Taco reopens in the future, though, under new management.
Photo via Alley Taco/Facebook

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Sonic

305 W. 11 Mile Rd., Royal Oak
After more than a decade, a Sonic drive-in restaurant near 11 Mile Rd. in Royal Oak shuttered at the height of the coronavirus. The space is slated to undergo some renovations to make way for fast-casual Tex-Mex chain Chipotle.
Shutterstock.com

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Dolores

6 S. Washington St., Ypsilanti
Dolores, a popular Mexican restaurant in Ypsilanti, announced in June that it would not reopen.“This sucks. We love our crew. We love our regulars. We love our neighborhood. We love our tacos and cocktails,” the owners posted on Instagram. Owners alluded that the restaurant could possibly reinvent itself in coming months.
Photo via Dolores/Instagram

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Townsend Bakery

175 W. Merrill St., Birmingham
After 27 years, The Townsend Bakery within Birmingham’s Townsend Hotel closed in March citing financial strain due to the pandemic.
Photo via Townsend Bakery/Facebook

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Mikette Bistro

1759 Plymouth Rd., Ann Arbor
French-Mediterranean eatery Mikette, known for oysters, fondu, and steak frites, announced its closure after five years in Ann Arbor. Mikette’s sister restaurants, Isalita and Mani, will absorb some favorite dishes from Mikette, including oysters and the Le Mec burger.
Photo via Mikette Bistro/Facebook

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Ollie Food & Spirits

42 E. Cross St., Ypsilanti
Just before what would have marked Ollie Food & Spirits’ 10 year anniversary, the Ypsilanti bar and restaurant specializing in seasonal and local ingredients announced it would not be reopening as of July. However, the owners’ sister spot, Cream & Crumb, located next door, has also shuttered only to have been revamped into a record shop and cocktail bar, Wax Bar, which is currently open.
Photo via Ollie Food & Spirits/Facebook

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Snap Custom Pizza

620 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor’s Snap Custom Pizza location shuttered as a result of the pandemic. The casual restaurant known for artizen pizza baked in under two minutes, allowed guests to choose a selection of in-season toppings. Snap’s East Lansing location remains open.
Photo via Johnson Sign Co./Facebook

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Table No. 2

18295 Livernois Ave., Detroit
A Black-owned white-tablecloth restaurant with a focus on table-side service is looking for a new home — just over a year after opening its doors in the historic Avenue of Fashion. Recently, Table N0. 2 was forced out of the space at 18925 Livernois Ave. after the building owner made the decision to sell the building. In wake of its closure, Mitchell launched a GoFundMe in hopes of being able to relocate and reopen elsewhere. Prior to COVID-19, the restaurant suffered a blow when the City of Detroit started a nine-month, $17 million streetscape construction project, crippling the neighborhood's many businesses. Recently, Table No. 2 has been hosting pop-up events at The Whitney.
Photo via GoogleMaps

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Destination 1905

8130 Kercheval St., Detroit
Just over a year after opening in Detroit’s Indian Village, cocktail bar Destination 1905 announced that it would not reopen due to not being able to operate at full capacity, per state orders. Billed as “a neighborhood bar with international flavor,” Destination 1905 also offered a small snack menu, consisting of charcuterie and popcorn and operated out of a rehabbed housing development.
Photo via GoogleMaps

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Revolver

9737 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck
Revolver debuted in 2013 with a novel concept of selling advance tickets to special dinners with weekly rotating chefs, many of whom used the space to preview their new restaurants. While it drew a cult following, it could not survive the coronavirus pandemic, which forced many restaurants to resort to carryout. Revolver's closure was made official in the fall.
Photo via MT archives

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