Loui's Pizza on Dequindre Road in Hazel Park has baked Detroit-style square pizza in metro Detroit since 1977. Chianti bottles hang from the ceiling, salad bar in the corner.
Signature dishes: Detroit-style square pizza, Salad bar
Must order: Original square with pepperoni and a trip to the salad bar with house dressing.
Tip: No reservations; weekend dinners run a 30-minute wait. Cash discount.
Address: 23141 Dequindre Rd, Hazel Park, MI 48030, Detroit
Niki's Pizza on Beaubien Street in Greektown serves Greek-leaning deep-dish pizza in Detroit since 1980. Open through 3am Saturday, the cluster's late-night counter.
Signature: Deep-dish pizza, Greek salad
Order: Deep-dish with Greek toppings (feta, olives, sausage) and a Greek salad.
Tip: Closes 22:00 Sun-Tue, midnight Wed-Fri, 03:00 Saturday. Walk-in only on weekend evenings.
Supino Pizzeria on Russell Street in Eastern Market serves East Coast-style pizza in Detroit since 2008, founded by Dave Mancini. Saturday lines run out the door.
Signature: Bismarck pizza, Wood-fired pies
Order: The Bismarck (cracked egg, prosciutto, mozzarella) or a margherita off the wood oven.
Tip: Saturday market mornings are mobbed; weeknight dinners are easier. Beer and wine only.
Slows Bar BQ on Michigan Avenue has anchored Corktown's revival in Detroit since September 2005. The barbecue room that put Corktown back on the map.
Signature: Pulled pork, Burnt ends
Order: Yardbird pulled-pork sandwich with mac and cheese, plus a Michigan craft draft.
Tip: No reservations; expect a wait at peak hours. Tiger Stadium site is across the street.
Green Dot Stables on West Lafayette in Corktown serves $3 sliders in Detroit. Forty-plus rotating slider builds, tempeh to lamb to catfish, all under a dollar each above three.
Signature: Sliders, Korean BBQ slider
Order: Order four sliders across categories, the fries, and a $3 cocktail to match.
Tip: Cash and cards; loud and busy at peak. Walk-in only.
Mudgie's Deli on Brooklyn Street in Corktown serves a New York-style deli with a Detroit wine list since 2008. Hot pastrami, patio in summer, the wine list runs the room.
Signature: Hot pastrami, Reuben sandwich
Order: Hot pastrami on rye, a pickle and a glass off the natural-wine list.
Tip: Patio is the prime summer seat; corkage $15 if you buy a retail bottle off the shelf.
Mexican Village on Bagley Street has anchored Detroit's Mexicantown since 1958, the city's oldest continuously operating Mexican restaurant. Big rooms, group-friendly.
Signature: Enchiladas, Chimichangas
Order: Combination plate with an enchilada, chimichanga and rice and beans.
Tip: Margaritas on the patio in summer; the dining room is large enough for groups without a booking.
