30 Detroit-area restaurants that have been around over 50 years

By Metro Times editorial staff on Fri, Nov 4, 2022 at 3:25 pm

They say some things get better with age. Case in point, these 30 metro Detroit restaurants that have been dishing out everything from classic Italian fare, authentic German eats, and simply delicious all-American bar food for more than 50 years. Though a few selections have nearly shuttered, these must-eat-at spots are still standing and, better yet, still serving.

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Google Maps

Bronx Bar

4476 2nd Ave., Detroit; 313-832-8464

The Bronx Bar’s Detroit roots go back as far as 1938.

Yelp, Inc., Flickr Creative Commons

Buddy’s Pizza

17125 Conant St., Detroit; 313-892-9001; buddyspizza.com

Now a chain, the original Buddy’s pizzeria is still kicking on Six Mile and Conant in Detroit. According to its website, in 1936, Buddy’s Rendezvous existed as a blind pig, skirting the state and federal laws. That was until owner August Gus Guerra decided to introduce a Sicilian-style square pizza in 1946, which was made using pans borrowed from local auto plants. At that moment, Detroit-style pizza was born.

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Shutterstock

American Coney Island and Lafayette Coney Island

114 W. Lafayette Blvd. and 118 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit

In the age-old American vs. Lafayette coney war, American has Lafayette beat in terms of who was there first. Founded by Constantine "Gust" Keros, a Greek immigrant, American Coney Island has been serving classic coney dogs since 1917. Gust's brother William "Bill" Keros founded next-door Lafayette a few years later in 1924.

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Shutterstock

Jacoby’s German Beirgarten

624 Brush St., Detroit; 313-962-7067; jacobysbar.com

Founded in 1904, the downtown German restaurant has fed and pre-soaked generations of people before going to catch concerts at neighboring Saint Andrew’s Hall for many years.

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Google Maps

Two Way Inn

17897 Mount Elliott St., Detroit; 313-891-4925; 2wayinn.com

The east-side dive bar opened in 1876 and claims to be the city’s oldest watering hole.

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Paul S, Yelp

Greene’s Hamburgers

24155 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington; 248-474-7980

Charred beef and onions, greasy Brown’s buns, and a white-clad, ’50s-era building makes Greene’s, which opened in 1957, a quintessential metro Detroit slider spot.

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@K__sherrill, Instagram

Duly’s Place

5458 W. Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-544-3076

Founded in 1921 by Duly Seit, this 24-hour Coney Island has fans in both local Detroiters as well as the late CNN host Anthony Bourdain, who stopped by as part of his Parts Unknown: Detroit special. As far as humble coneys go, the national praise is well-deserved for this no-frills diner.

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Liza Lagman Sperl, Flickr Creative Commons

Ivanhoe Café (Polish Yacht Club)

5249 Joseph Campau Ave., Detroit; 313-925-5335

Serving up traditional Polish dining and drinks, this restaurant was founded by Stanislaus Grendzinski in 1909 and quickly became a staple of its Poletown neighborhood, gathering community regulars nightly. In 1961, Ivanhoe began housing the Polish Yacht Club, which still operates today. Come on in and taste a bit of history (and some delicious pierogi).

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Amore da Roma, Facebook

Amore da Roma

3401 Riopelle, Detroit; 313-831-5940

Originally Roma Cafe, this Italian restaurant has been around since the late 1800s, making it Detroit’s oldest restaurant. It changed names when it changed hands in 2017.

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@burgerobsessions, Instagram

Marcus Hamburgers

6349 E. McNichols Rd., Detroit; 313-891-6170

This hidden gem has been delivering quality burgers and fries since 1929 with a twist — the burgers are shaped like rectangles, served on a hot dog bun. Stop by for a taste of classic Detroit.

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Joe Muer Seafood, Facebook

Joe Muer Seafood

400 Renaissance Center, Suite 404, Detroit; 313-567-6837; joemuer.com

Joe Muer Seafood has been serving up primo seafood classics for nearly 70 years. In 1998, the restaurant briefly shuttered but was given a second life when Joe Vicari moved the restaurant into the Renaissance Center.

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Mark Tremel, Google Maps

The London Chop House

155 W. Congress St., Detroit; 313-962-0277; thelondonchophouse.com

Opened in 1938, the London Chop House faced a similar fate as Joe Muer’s in 1991, and was reincarnated in 2012 with a classy ’60s vibe.

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@caocao13, Instagram

Cadieux Cafe

4300 Cadieux Rd., Detroit; 313-882-8560; cadieuxcafe.com

Most famous for its “feather bowling,” this Belgian bar that operated as prohibition-era speakeasy also serves good brews and food, including mussels.

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Bate's Burgers, Facebook

Bate’s Burgers

33406 Five Mile Rd., Livona; 248-542-8878; batesburgers.com

The western suburbs’ slider purveyor has been rolling since 1959.

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Mario’s Italian Restaurant, Facebook

Mario’s Italian Restaurant

4222 Second Ave., Detroit; 313-832-1616; mariosdetroit.com

Opened in 1948, Mario’s Italian Restaurant keeps the old-school charm alive and well. According to its web site, Mario’s is one of the last existing supper clubs of its era — the type of Italian joint that where you’re served a vegetable and relish tray as soon as you sit down. Dine in with this Italian classic that gladly doesn’t bend to food fads.

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Kate de Fuccio

Chick Inn Drive-In

501 Holmes Rd., Ypsilanti; 734-483-3639

The 1950s-era Ypsilanti drive-in chicken shack is a pink neon-clad icon that greets those entering the city along Prospect Road with a sign featuring a squawking chicken head. The menu isn’t totally chicken-centric as one would expect, as it offers a wide selection of traditional and not-so-traditional drive-in fare like foot-longs, coney dogs, patty melts, sweet potato fries, seafood, and plenty of fried finger foods. The price is right as most sandwiches are around $5.

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Miller’s Bar, Facebook

Miller’s Bar

23700 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-565-2577; millersbar.com

A popular burger joint regarded as one of the best in metro Detroit, Miller’s Bar opened its doors in Dearborn 1941. The burgers, fries, and onion rings are served up ultra-casual on squares of wax paper.

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A&W 4100 Twelve Mile Rd., Berkley; 248-547-7126 This drive-in opened in 1956 and still mixes its famous root beer in house, blending A&W concentrate with water and real sugar, not high fructose corn syrup. You’ll also find all the foot-longs and hot dogs for which this old-school spot is known.

Kurt Hunsanger, Yelp

A&W

4100 Twelve Mile Rd., Berkley; 248-547-7126

This drive-in opened in 1956 and still mixes its famous root beer in house, blending A&W concentrate with water and real sugar, not high fructose corn syrup. You’ll also find all the foot-longs and hot dogs for which this old-school spot is known.

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Dakota Inn Rathskeller, Facebook

The Dakota Inn Rathskeller

17324 John R St., Detroit; 313-867-9722; dakota-inn.com

German for a bar or restaurant located in a basement, The Dakota Inn Rathskeller has been serving up authentic dishes since 1933. While the food is delicious and a wonderful taste of German cuisine, what’s unique about the Dakota Inn is its pre-World War II decorations that have been preserved for many years.

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@Brighton_HarleyDavidson, Instgram

New Hudson Inn

56870 Grand River Ave., New Hudson; 248-437-6383; newhudsoninn1831

Established in 1831, the New Hudson Inn was once a stagecoach stop. As the oldest bar in Michigan serving up classic bar food eats, the Inn has kept its history, and Midwest charm intact with its revolving door of bikers, cowboys, and hometown regulars.

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