The essential restaurants in Southwest Detroit you should have tried by now

By Metro Times editorial staff on Fri, Apr 29, 2022 at 11:29 am

Southwest Detroit might be known for its Mexican food choices, but the food scene is quite varied in this neighborhood.

Cuisine from other Latin countries like Honduras and Venezuela exist alongside Italian and American cuisine.

From Mexican sushi to greasy sliders, here are a few of our favorite restaurants in Southwest Detroit.

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El Barzon

3710 Junction St., Detroit; 313-894-2070; elbarzonrestaurant.com

This high-end fusion eatery mixes Mexican and Italian fare. So, mole poblano and spaghetti alla carbonara coexist happily on the menu.

Google Maps

Taqueria Mi Pueblo

7278 Dix St., Detroit; 313-841-3315; mipueblorestaurant.com

Southwest Detroit’s Mi Pueblo long ago established itself as one of the town’s go-to spots for Mexican fare. Their guajillo spiced tortilla soup is a must taste.

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Los Altos / Facebook

Los Altos

7056 W. Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-841-3109

Los Altos serves authentic Mexican flavors, right on Vernor.

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Antojitos El Catracho

4627 W. Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-209-4815; antojitoselcatracho.us

If you’re ever in the mood for Honduran, Antojitos El Catracho is where you’ll find it in Detroit.

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Google Maps

La Noria Bistro

5517 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-338-3545; la-noria-bistro.business.site

The folks who brought Mex-Italian fusion to southwest via El Barzon are also behind La Noria Bistro. Similar concept, lower prices, lots of pizza, and a more accessible menu.

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Tom Perkins

La Jalisciense

3923 Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-551-0522; lajalisciensedetroit.com

La Jalisciense is located inside a grocery store, but do not let that deter you from trying their goat birria or burritos.

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Flowers of Vietnam / Facebook

Flowers of Vietnam

4430 W. Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-554-2085; flowersofvietnam.com

Flowers of Vietnam serves up creative Vietnamese dishes in a former Coney Island restaurant.

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Asty Time / Instagram

Asty Time

7340 McGraw Ave., Detroit; 313-285-9390; astytime.com

A little taste of the Dominican Republic right in Detroit. Asty Time dishes out authentic Dominican cuisine at an affordable price.

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Xochimilco

2409 Bagley St., Detroit; 313-843-0179

This Southwest favorite offers tasty Mexican cuisine and drinks at an affordable price.

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Armando’s

4242 W. Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-554-0666; armandosmexicantown.com

Longtime favorite Mexican spot on Vernor with all the standards and plenty of gooey cheese.

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Google Maps

Mexicantown Restaurant

3457 Bagley St., Detroit; 313-841-5811; mexicantownrestaurant.com

Typically if you tell a Detroiter you’re going to Mexicantown to eat, they’ll think of the entire area in Southwest, not this restaurant nestled on the corner of Bagley and 24th St. The restaurant features healthy portions of Mexican dishes and has a delicious house margarita for you to wash it all down.

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Google Maps

Mexican Village

2600 Bagley St., Detroit; 313-237-0333; mexicanvillagefood.com

If hefty portions are what you’re after, look no further than this Southwest favorite.

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Pollos Los Gallos

7170 Dix St., Detroit; 313-758-9757

Los Gallos slow cooks their grilled chicken making for some of the smokiest, most flavorful bird in Southwest Detroit.

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Motz’s Burgers

7208 W. Fort St., Detroit; 313-843-9186; motzs.com

Yes, we all love the Castle, but if you want a really fresh slider with all the onions, hit Motz’s Burgers.

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Johnny Noodle King

2601 W. Fort St., Detroit; 313-309-7946; johnnynoodleking.com

This Detroit restaurant serves up Japanese-inspired craft noodles and cuisine cultivated by ramen chefs.

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El Asador Steakhouse

1312 Springwells St., Detroit; 313-297-2360; elasadordetroit.com

El Asador gives new meaning to what a surf and turf dinner looks like. Want a ribeye steak but also feeling like trying a lobster taco? This is your place.

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Google Maps

El Rey De Las Arepas

7701 McGraw St., Detroit; 313-307-2210

An unassuming Venezuelan eatery known for its arepas — the Venezuelan version of the empanada (or samosa or pasty). It's ground corn flour shaped into a circle, grilled, split like a biscuit, then filled with whatever you like.

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Duly's Place / Facebook

Duly's Place Coney Island

5458 W. Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-554-3076

Because coneys are king in Detroit, and this list wouldn’t be complete without including Southwest’s coney island staple, Duly’s Place.

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