Detroit-area restaurants that opened during the pandemic that you may have missed

By Metro Times editorial staff on Wed, May 19, 2021 at 2:40 pm

The pandemic served us some pretty devastating news, including statistics about business closures. It is estimated that more than 17% of restaurants in the U.S. closed permanently as a result of the pandemic. Nevertheless, some restaurant owners dared to dream and braved the storm to open their doors to serve their communities during a pandemic. From conveyor belt sushi, seafood boils, vegan baked goods, and long-awaited farm-to-table goodness, metro Detroit's dining scene got a bit bigger — and richer — at a difficult time. Eat locally and, remember, tip like a motherfucker.

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Lala’s

5827 Jackson Rd., Ann Arbor; 734-263-2543; lalasannarbor.com

Chef Allie Lyttle launched her comfort food pop-up at Standard Bistro & Larder in Ann Arbor back in July, offering weekend dinners and brunches, including BBQ chicken, poutine, walking tacos, and funfetti pancakes.

Photo via Lala’s at the Standard/Facebook

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Milwaukee Caffè

447 E. Milwaukee St., Detroit; 313-638-2169; milwaukeecaffe.com

The owners of cocktail bar Kiesling in Milwaukee Junction opened this Italian-style coffeehouse nearby earlier this year. The light and airy space has a minimalist design inspired by standing-room-only cafes in Italy.

Photo courtesy of Milwaukee Caffè

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Motown Philly Cheesesteaks and Fries

23631 Farmington Rd., Farmington; 248-285-9000; motownphillys.com

No need to head to the City of Brotherly Love to get your cheesesteak fix. Motown Philly Cheesesteaks and Fries opened in August with a selection of made-to-order seasoned steak, grilled onions, and cheese. Oh, and fries. Don’t forget the fries.

Photo via Motown Philly Cheesesteaks and Fries/Facebook

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Olin Bar & Kitchen

25 E. Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-774-1190; olindetroit.com

Last fall, restaurateur Holly McClain debuted her latest offering via downtown Detroit’s American brasserie, Olin Bar & Kitchen, which offers Mediterranean-influenced small plates and thoughtfully curated entrees. They also have a brunch menu that features items like Challah French toast topped with chantilly cream and apples, maple glazed pork belly, savory goat cheesecake bites, and a short rib burger.

Photo via Olin Bar & Kitchen/Facebook
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Got Pho
172 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-850-7449; gotphoferndale.com

Got Pho landed in Ferndale in June, offering a variety of pho dishes, including vegan options. The dine-in, carryout, and delivery spot also has Pad Thai, drunken noodles, fried rice, and bubble tea smoothies.
Photo via Got Pho/Facebook
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Pumachug
1 E. 14 Mile Rd., Clawson; 248-632-1117; pumachug.com

Taking over the former Black Lotus Brewing Company building in Clawson, casual gastropub Pumachug is slinging pulled pork poutine, French Dip sandwiches, pizzas, and mains, like pasta primavera, sirloin steak, and rice bowls. They’ve got vegan options, too, and massive desserts.

Photo via Pumachug/Facebook
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Sabbath Coffee Roasters
24 E. 14 Mile Rd., Clawson; 309-722-2284; sabbathcoffeeroasters.com

Some people like their coffee black. Clawson's Sabbath Coffee Roasters is taking the idea really far: the new spot opened on Halloween. The store is the brainchild of husband and wife duo Trevor and Miranda Graham, who met over coffee in 2012. The two are such coffee freaks that they began planning family vacations around must-see coffee shops, according to a press release. The new store occupies an 800-square-foot storefront designed by Grand Rapids-based Megan Weidman. In addition to coffee, the spot serves up cider and slushies. It also features pastries from Cannelle by Matt Knio and dairy from Guernsey Farms.

Photo courtesy of Sabbath Coffee Roasters
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Seven Daughters Coffee
163 W. Maple Rd., Birmingham; 248-617-7776; svndau.com

“Coffee, coffee, coffee!” said everyone who overdosed on screen time in 2020 and/or is hoping to caffeinate themselves awake from this nightmare. The chic Seven Daughters coffee shop opened in 2020 and is serving high-end coffee and tea drinks, like lavender honey lattes, cardamom lattes made with spicy goat milk, and rose-infused cold drip coffee.

Photo via Seven Daughters /Facebook
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Sloppy Chops
13226 W. McNichols Rd., Detroit; 313-646-2900; sloppychopsrestaurant.net

If you aren’t afraid of a little mess in the name of good food, then try Six Mile’s newest addition, Sloppy Chops, helmed by chef Al El. This casual fine dining establishment serves up signature entrees, like lobster tacos, lamb chops, as well as handcrafted cocktails.

Photo via Sloppy Chops/Facebook
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Stella's Table
340 Town Center Blvd., White Lake; 248-698-2400; https://www.stellastablemi.com/

Stella's replaces the former Root Restaurant & Bar, which Suser Restaurant Group took over in 2018. Stella's menu features a more casual vibe with a Mediterranean-inspired menu that includes pizza, sandwiches, and a stuffed baguette loaf.

Photo via Stellas Table White Lake/Facebook
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Go! Sy Thai Livonia
19710 Haggerty Rd., Northville; 734-550-9601; gosythai.com

Go! Sy Thai has added a third location, this time, in the Livonia/Northville area. The popular fast-casual made-t0-order Thai restaurant offers Thai favorites, many of which can be made halal, gluten-free, meat-free, or vegan.

Photo via Sy Thai Detroit/Facebook
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Tapped Coffee & Craft Beverages
39481 Joy Rd., Canton; 734-738-6984; tappedbeverages.com

Tapped Coffee & Craft Beverages opened in Canton offering coffee drinks made with CO2 thanks to a commercial draft system. The taste and sensation is described as a “unique, naturally sweet, and creamy mouthfeel.” They also offer doughnuts — and even breakfast sandwiches made with doughnuts.

Photo via Tapped Coffee & Craft Beverages /Facebook
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Starters Bar & Grille
25242 Evergreen Rd., Southfield; 248-281-4538; facebook.com/startersbarandgrill.com

Billed as Detroit’s original steakhouse and bar,family-owned Starters Bar & Grille opened its Southfield outpost in December, offering their massive meat-heavy menu to the suburbs.

Photo by Lee DeVito
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Twist
Parker's Alley, behind the Shinola Hotel

As of November, Twist is serving soft pretzels out of a walk-up window in Parker's Alley behind Detroit's Shinola Hotel. The spot is the latest from restaurateur Holly McClain of nearby Olin Bar & Kitchen. The menu features warm, soft pretzels with varieties like sea salt and cinnamon and sugar, and comes with dipping sauces like grain mustard, beer cheese, sesame peanut, and veggie cream cheese. The spot is also selling cocktails-to-go, another pandemic innovation, that comes in a pouch à la Capri Sun.

Photo courtesy of Twist
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Madam
298 S. Woodward Ave., Birmingham;248-283-4200; daxtonhotel.com

It was announced last October that Birmingham would be getting a swanky new 151-room boutique hotel with some high-end dining options. The Daxton Hotel, which is the brainchild of those behind Detroit’s Foundation Hotel, will include a restaurant with Madam. Described on its website as offering “vegetable-forward dishes and classic cocktails with a modern twist,” Madam also promises a “graceful” dining space.

Photo via Madam/Facebook
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Whiskey Taco Foxtrot
28 S. Main St., Clawson; 248-629-7067; whiskeytacofoxtrotclawson.com

No, Whiskey Taco Foxtrot is not a Wilco album. It’s a new spot in Clawson that serves craft cocktails and unique tacos, including the WTF Taco of the Week, Chimichurri steak, Cajun shrimp, fried avocado, and roasted poblano pepper, as well as burritos, botana nachos, enchiladas, and, for dessert, an apple pie taco.

Photo via Whiskey Taco Foxtrot/Facebook
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Hook & Reel

7838 Telegraph Rd., Taylor; 313-982-7979; hookreel.com

Downriver scored a cajun seafood spot last summer via chain restaurant Hook & Reel. Among some of the menu offerings are seafood boils, po’boys, oysters, breaded lobster tail, and coconut shrimp.

Photo via Hook & Reel-Taylor/Facebook
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