The essential Downriver restaurants that you should have tried by now

By Metro Times editorial staff on Fri, May 13, 2022 at 1:22 pm

When it comes to local dining scenes, Downriver isn’t necessarily the first area that comes to mind.

However, the group of cities just south of Detroit has quite an exclusive food scene that includes many family-owned restaurants that truly make you feel like one of their own.

From waterfront vistas and mom-and-pop diners to a slew of craft brews, the Downriver's restaurants have so much to offer.

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Hops & Barley Bar & Grill

18561 Allen Rd., Melvindale; 313-586-3125; hopsandbarleybar.com

If you’re looking for a great dive bar, with great food, good drinks and better people, look no further than this Melvindale neighborhood bar.

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Glass Onion Griddle

6828 Allen Rd., Allen Park; 313-558-9618; glassoniongriddle.net

Glass Onion Griddle is an American casual restaurant offering breakfast and lunch options.

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Frank’s Pizzeria

3144 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte; 734-282-0512; frankspizza1952.com

Frank's Restaurant has been a family restaurant for three generations and the downtown Wyandotte spot is still going strong today.

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Fat Daddy's Chicken & Waffles / Facebook

Fat Daddy’s Hot Chicken & Waffles

18283 M-85, Riverview; 734-288-3051; fatdaddyshotchicken.com

Want a Nashville hot chicken sandwich but want to control the heat? Try Fat Daddy’s. Their hot chicken comes on a heat scale ranging from “country” to “too damn hot.”

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Auburn Cafe

3520 W. Jefferson Ave., Ecorse; 313-381-8133auburncafe.com

Auburn Cafe is an authentic family-friendly Greek restaurant that serves traditional favorites like Saganaki, stuffed grape leaves, and lamb chops.

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Galindo's / Facebook

Galindo’s

13754 Fort St., Southgate; 734-324-1141; galindosmexican.com

Galindo’s offers a taste of Mexican street food cuisine in a relaxed and casual atmosphere.

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Black Pine Tree Sushi Bar

18700 Eureka Rd., Southgate; 734-284-8700; blackpinetreesushi.com

Black Pine Tree in Southgate whips up sushi and Korean dishes like Bibimbap and Bulgogi. Their menu includes everything from delicate slices of sashimi to enormous specialty rolls. Edamame, chicken teriyaki, and nabeyaki udon are all available too.

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Taco Bros

128 Sycamore St., Wyandotte; 734-767-1720; thetacobros.com

Taco Bros was founded by two brothers who took family recipes that have been passed down through generations and shared them Downriver.

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Camino Real / Facebook

Camino Real

3851 Fort St., Wyandotte; 734-258-8790; restaurantcaminoreal.com

Camino Real brings the flavors of Mexico to Downriver. From ceviche to tortas, you can find something to satisfy your craving.

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Google Maps

Vito’s Pizzeria

3962 Fort St., Lincoln Park; 313-383-1960; vitoslincolnpark.com

Priding themselves on their quality of food, great environment, staff, and pies, Vito’s Pizza has been serving their community for over 40 years.

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TV’s Deli & Diner

2441 Fort St., Trenton; 734-671-9005; tvsdelidiner.com

This family-friendly diner serves huge helpings of steak, ribs, mostaccioli, and lobster, plus homemade soups, filling salads, and delicious desserts.

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Pete’s Place

12245 Telegraph, Taylor; 734-374-0088; petestogo.com

This locally owned family restaurant somehow manages to do breakfast as well as they do craft beer. Stop by for the most important meal of the day and come back later for a seat at the bar.

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Sibley Gardens

916 W. Jefferson Ave., Trenton; 734-285-1707; sibleygardens.com

Sibley Gardens has been serving meals for over 60 years and the restaurant remains a classic, a favorite among residents. The place is like an old school Italian restaurant with roomy booths and hearty servings.

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Joe's Hamburgers / Facebook

Joe’s Hamburgers

3041 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte; 734-285-0420; joeshamburgers.net

Offering an all-American menu, Joe’s Hamburgers serves hot dogs, fries, sliders, and poutine.

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Google Maps

Oak Cafe

1167 Oak St., Wyandotte; 734-283-8380 oakcafe.com

The Oak Cafe is an American pub with plenty of beer on tap. The menu offers the typical bar fare such as salads, sandwiches, and deep fried appetizers.

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Google Maps

Flamingo Family Restaurant

22201 Ecorse Rd., Taylor; 313-295-1203

Family is a part of the name because it’s exactly how you’ll feel when you visit this Taylor diner. Flamingo serves homemade favorites like chicken and dumplings and breaded pork chops.

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Google Maps

Nanna’s Kitchen

2962 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte; 734-281-9093; nannaskitchen.com

This Wyandotte spot serves comforting meals like meatloaf, fried chicken, roast beef, and pot roast, plus breakfast and sandwiches.

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Smugglers Run / Facebook

Smugglers Run

1 St. John St., Wyandotte; 734-309-7011; smugglerswyandotte.com

If you’re looking for a place to have a great meal and good time while hanging out on the water, Smugglers Run is your place. Drinks and food aside, Smugglers also has live entertainment and hosts a country night on Thursdays.

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Speedboat Bar & Grill / Facebook

Speedboat Bar & Grill

749 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte; 734-282-5750

If you’re looking for a good bar burger, definitely visit Speedboat Bar & Grill.

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Whiskeys on the Water / Facebook

Whiskeys on the Water

2903 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte; 734-720-9738; whiskeysonthewaterwyandotte.com

Whiskeys on the Water serves a full menu including appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, and entrees.

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The essential Downriver restaurants that you should have tried by now

Tags:

Hops & Barley Bar & Grill

Glass Onion Griddle

Frank’s Pizzeria

Fat Daddy’s Hot Chicken & Waffles

Auburn Cafe

Galindo’s

Black Pine Tree Sushi Bar

Taco Bros

Camino Real

Vito’s Pizzeria

TV’s Deli & Diner

Pete’s Place

Sibley Gardens

Joe’s Hamburgers

Oak Cafe

Flamingo Family Restaurant

Nanna’s Kitchen

Smugglers Run

Speedboat Bar & Grill

Whiskeys on the Water

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