The 20 best old school bakeries in metro Detroit

By Metro Times editorial staff on Sat, Mar 23, 2019 at 6:46 pm

A good bakery is hard to find, but luckily in metro Detroit, we get to pick from the cream of the crop. These 20 old school bakeries will help you relive your childhood memories with each delicious bite.

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Sweet Potato Sensations

17337 Lahser Rd., Detroit; 313-532-7996
Sweet Potato Sensations is a family-run affair that began at Thanksgiving in 1976 when co-founder Cassandra Thomas created a sweet potato cookie recipe to satisfy the sweet potato craving of husband and fellow co-founder Jeffrey Thomas. The sweet potato cookie immediately became a hit, and thus the idea for Sweet Potato Sensations was born.

More than 40 years later, Sweet Potato Sensations still services the Detroit community with its selection of sweet and savory sweet potato concontions. After opening its first 750 sq ft storefront in 1993, Sweet Potato Sensations moved across the street in 2015 to be able to cater to its growing customer base – which once included former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton!

Photo courtesy of Instagram user sweetpotatosensations

Peoples Brothers Bakery

2765 Fort St., Detroit; 313-383-9090
People’s Brothers Bakery has been in operation for nearly a century, with its current owners operating the establishment for over 40 years. Located on Fort St. in southwest Detroit, this small but mighty bakery has been bringing customer’s back year after year with their decadent selection of pies.

Photo courtesy of Instagram user dailydetroit

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Victor Bakery

36 Victor St., Highland Park; 313-869-5322

This bakery began in 1958 from the garage of the original owner. It is now a staple in Highland Park as the city goes through revitalization. Try one of their cookies — they’re amazing.

Photo courtesy of Instagram user detroithistorytours

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Chene Modern Bakery

17041 W. Warren Ave.; Detroit; 313-582-0700
This iconic bakery began in the 1930s on Chene Street in Detroit's old Poletown. In the 1950s, it moved to the newer and growing Polish neighborhood by Warrendale, but kept the name. Vasko and Janice Maskimovski bought the bakery in 1980 and made it their family business.

Vasko died on March 16, 2015. But the bakery still lives on and is still owned by his wife Janice. It was recently rated the number one best place to buy paczki in metro Detroit, and Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn) continues her late husband's tradition of bringing paczki from Chene's to Capitol Hill in Washington DC.
Photo courtesy of Instagram user chenemodernbakery

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New Palace Bakery

9833 Joseph Campau St., Hamtramck; 313-875-1334
Perhaps one of the Detroit area’s most infamous bakeries, New Palace Bakery has been in operation from more than 100 years. The Polish bakery is a go-destination in Hamtramck, especially on Fat Tuesday when you can expect to find a line out the door with hungry customers hoping to get their hands on paczki.

Photo courtesy of Instagram user persephonecooks

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La Gloria Bakery

3345 Bagley St., Detroit; 313-842-5722
A staple of Mexicantown, this traditional panadería has been serving the community with Mexican baked goods since 1980. Whether you’re in the mood for something sweet or savory, La Gloria Bakery has something to love. Try the churros, the tamales, and the cinnamon twists for an authentic Mexican treat.

Photo courtesy of Instagram user joshjyork

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Avon Donuts

45324 Woodward Ave., Pontiac; 248-333-2121
Located in Pontiac, Avon Donuts has been in business for more than 30 years. In 2018, it won Time magazine’s 10 Best Donut Shops in America so it’s sure to delight even the pickiest donut connoisseur.

Photo courtesy of Instagram user steven_pellegrom

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Bommarito Bakery

21830 Greater Mack Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-772-6731
For over 90 years, Bommarito’s has been baking up Italian pastries to metro Detroiters who wish to indulge. Not only do they sell cookies and authentic Italian cannolis, but you can also pick up a pizza, a sub sandwich, and even wine from their wine cellar.

Photo courtesy of Instagram user iamj2grice

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Shatila Bakery & Cafe

14300 W. Warren Ave.; Dearborn; 313-582-1952 In 2019, Shatila will celebrate 40 years of serving metro Detroit with a fine selection of Middle Eastern desserts. Although Shatila has expanded to have multiple locations, the Dearborn location is the flagship bakery where you will find traditional knafeh, kashta, mamoul, and of course, baklava.

Photo courtesy of Instagram user mirkhalidali

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New Yasmeen Bakery

13900 W. Warren Ave., Dearborn; 313-582-6035
Legend has it that New Yasmeen Bakery makes the best pita bread in the world, and we’re not going to argue. Owned by a pair of Lebanese brothers, New Yasmeen Bakery has become a renowned fixture in Dearborn for its selection of specialty bread. While you’re there, don’t miss out on trying one of their savory pies, or have lunch at their deli with a cinnamon pudding for dessert.

Photo courtesy of Instagram user hp68_bella

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Ackroyd's Scottish Bakery

25566 Five Mile Rd., Redford Charter Twp.; 313-532-1181
When Ackroyd’s open up in 1949, the plan was to be a modest Scottish butcher shop serving haggis, black pudding, and beef bangers. Shortly after opening, however, Ackroyd’s customers began demanding Scottish meat pies and other traditional Scottish delicacies. It took some time to streamline the baking process to be able to supply enough meat pies for Ackroyd’s hungry customers, but once it did, Ackroyd’s Scottish Bakery became a hit in metro Detroit. Seventy years later, and Ackroyd’s still delights customers with their traditional Scott’s meat pies, ferns, tea cakes, and shortcakes.

Photo courtesy of Instagram user jennaalder

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Dom Bakeries

1305 Washtenaw Ave., Ypsilanti; 734-485-3175
This 24-7 donut and cake shop has been a Ypsilanti staple for over 30 years. Serving fresh-baked donuts daily, Dom’s Bakery is known to be a go-to destination for Eastern Michigan University students burning the midnight oil during finals week.

Photo by Angela Zielinski

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Bartz Bakery

1532 N Telegraph Rd., Dearborn; 313-562-0986
Bartz Bakery is an Italian bakery that serves the neighborhood with everything from sugar cookies to donuts to cakes to paczkis on Fat Tuesday. The sweet cinnamon smell will have you craving for their delicious cinnamon rolls - while also being light on your wallet.

Photo courtesy of Instagram user detroit_pig_out

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Donut Cutter

28173 Woodward Ave., Berkley; 248-542-4653
Whether you’re a fan of dense cake donuts or soft fluffy yeast donuts, Donut Cutter has you covered. Although its current owners bought Donut Cutter in 1998, this bakery has been a part of Berkley since 1983. Pair your donut with a hot cup of coffee or a refreshing apple cider.

Photo courtesy of Instagram user gonehungry

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The Looney Baker

13931 Farmington Rd., Livonia; 734-425-8569
The Looney Baker is a classic Livonia bakery is open around-the-clock every day to ensure that you’re always getting a bite of the freshest donuts in town. Customers rave about the glazed apple fritters, but don’t forget to treat yourself to the Looney Baker’s diverse selection of muffins and bagels!

Photo courtesy of Instagram user josephslowvak

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Terry Bakery

119 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti; 734-482-9511
Terry Bakery is a locally-owned pastry shop that has been serving downtown Ypsilanti since 1951. Terry Bakery is known for its variety of fresh-baked gs including muffins, bread, cakes, and pies, but their sugar cookies are where they really shine.

Photo courtesy of Instagram user itsebaby

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Donut Villa

5875 W Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-849-4752
Grab a seat at the counter at this classic bakery located in the heart of southwest Detroit. Donut Villa excels with its both its classic and raised donuts, but customer service is where Donut Villa really shines.

Photo courtesy of Instagram user fortyeight209

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Mexicantown Bakery

4300 W. Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-554-0001
Delight yourself with a wide selection of Mexican and American goodies at this panadería in Southwest Detroit. From churros to M&M cookies to tres con leches, you'll find many treats you'll love. Just grab a tray and grab what you'd like.

Photo by Jerilyn Jordan

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Donut Kastle

24555 Eureka Rd., Taylor; 734-946-8436
Not to be confused with the Castle in Warren, Donut Kastle boasts the best donuts downriver. Order a giant apple fritter with a dollop of vanilla ice cream if you’re feeling especially indulgent.

Photo courtesy of Instagram user wundreland

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Dutch Girl Donuts

19000 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-368-3020
What list could be complete without the inclusion of Dutch Girl Donuts? Since 1947, Dutch Girl Donuts has been a Detroit favorite and a historical fixture on Woodward Avenue. Customer favorites include cinnamon rolls, glazed cake sticks, blueberry glazed donuts, red velvet donut holes, twisted glazed donuts, and strawberry frosted donuts.

Photo courtesy of Instagram user lukecastle57

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