12 Classic Detroit Foods You Need To Try Before You Die

Detroit is a city with a long history. Founded by the French in 1701, then captured by the British in 1760, Detroit finally became part of the United States in 1783. The first German immigrant, Michael Yax, arrived in 1751, and the first Black man to own land, Jacob Young, settled there in 1793. And before all of that, there were several Native American tribes living throughout the region, like the Potawatomi, Ottawa, and Ojibwa, many of whom remain today. So, you can see that Detroit has been a place of diversity from the very beginning (via Detroit Historical Society). Today, you will find many pockets of long established different cultures, such as Polish, Greek, Italian, and especially African American (nearly 78% of the city is Black according to the U.S. Census Bureau). Per local radio station WDET, Detroit is also home to one of the largest Arab-American populations in the U.S.

Thanks to all of these diverse cultures, each with truly rich histories, when you visit Detroit, you can expect some amazing cuisine! Detroit's immigrant communities have been interacting for centuries, and it shows in some of the most iconic Detroit foods that are absolute must-tries for any foodie. If you love good food, you have to add Detroit to your bucket list.

Many people may not be aware that Detroit has its own style of pizza. In its most basic form, a Detroit-style pizza is rectangular in shape, layers pepperoni directly on top of the dough, has crumbled Wisconsin brick cheese spread all the way to the edge of the pan (which causes it to caramelize during baking), and sauce ladled on top. Other toppings are also now commonly added, too. 

According to Michigan Radio, Detroit-style pizza was designed by August "Gus" Guerra, a bar owner in Detroit. Just after World War II, veterans came into Guerra's bar and talked about the pizzas they had eaten while stationed in Italy. This inspired Guerra to make a Sicilian-style pizza to satisfy his patrons' cravings. But this is where he ran into some trouble. Guerra couldn't find the right pan to make a good pizza. For this, he turned to another staple of Detroit: the automotive industry. He learned from his customers of a rectangular pan that was used as a drip pan or to hold loose nuts and bolts at the local auto shops. While there may be many imitators, this is one of the keys to what makes Detroit-style pizza truly Detroit-style.

And if you want the original, you have to head to Buddy's, originally Buddy's Rendezvous, which has grown from Guerra's bar into a small pizza chain in Metro Detroit. CEO of Buddy's, Burton Heiss, told PMQ Pizza Media, "Detroit-style pizza is more than a trend—it's a tradition." And it's one that cannot be missed!

Bread Basket Deli owner Alex Winkler told Visit Detroit that Detroit is the second-largest consumer of corned beef in the U.S. (And no, the first isn't New York — it's Cleveland.) Historian Jamon Jordan explained that the reason why a traditionally Jewish food is so popular in a majority Black city is because, since the 1840s, African Americans lived in the same neighborhoods occupied by Jewish people. "Jewish delis and restaurants were among the major establishments in these neighborhoods, placing African Americans in contact with Jewish dishes. Corned beef being the top of the menu in most of these places," he elaborated.

African Americans aren't the only community that had contact with Jewish delis. Detroit Metro Times reported that after Kim White met her husband and immigrated to the U.S. from Vietnam in 1974, she got a job at a Jewish deli. Combining her deli experience with her personal experience and heritage, she created the corned beef egg roll four years later. While other delis in the area have replicated it, including Bread Basket Deli, the original is found at White's own Asian Corned Beef. Said White, "A lot of my customers say, 'Yeah, Kim, they sell your egg rolls here, but they can't touch you.'" She continued, "Half the city of Detroit knows me and my food." Trust us when we say that you will want to know her food, too.

The type of ginger ale you drink might earn you a sidelong glance in Michigan, unless that ginger ale is Vernors. Originally a Detroit company, the Detroit Free Press reported that the beloved beverage, which turned 150-years-old in 2016, is no longer made in the city. However, this hasn't stopped Michiganders, especially Detroiters, from turning to a glass of Vernors for various occasions and remedies.

So, what does Vernors have to do with Boston? Nothing really. According to Atlas Obscura, the alcoholic cocktail Boston Cooler originated in Massachusetts in the late 19th century. It was made by combining rum, lime, and soda water. Over the years, the alcoholic drink became non-alcoholic — and entirely different — and was served at soda fountains across the U.S. In Detroit, the Boston Cooler was first a glass of Vernors with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, then later a blending of the two — like a milkshake without the milk. You can order a Boston Cooler at several ice cream parlors throughout the city. Some bars even offer an alcoholic version. Is there a better way to cool off during the hot and muggy Michigan summer day? We don't think so.

According to the Detroit Historical Society, the Better Made Snack Food Company was founded in 1930 by two Sicilian immigrants, Cross Moceri and Peter Cipriano. At first, the company was named for its founders, Cross & Peters Company, but it was changed to Better Made in 1934 in direct opposition to the now long gone Best Maid potato chip company. Are Better Made potato chips really made better than the competition? Detroit residents think so.

Better Made was born in Detroit and continues to thrive there. Sal Cipriano, son of co-founder Peter Cipriano, explained in a video on USA Today that the company has always used Michigan-grown potatoes to make its chips and employs local Detroit citizens. "We're the best thing to ever happen here," he said, "Other than Henry Ford and the automobile." Per The Detroit News, Better Made's current CEO (as of 2021) is Catherine Gusmano, daughter of Peter Cipriano. She took over from her brother Sal after his death.

Better Made was able to expand its reach after Michigan-based superstore Meijer began carrying Better Made chips in its many locations across the Midwest. And the potato chip company is also not without its unofficial personal ambassadors. AEW professional wrestler Danhausen, who was born in Detroit, has become known for his love of Better Made chips, as seen on his YouTube and Twitter. The potato chips were central to a plot line in which Danhausen befriended fellow wrestler Hook, as documented on YouTube. Fans across the U.S. took notice.

Maybe you've heard of Detroit's Greektown, one of the city's most hopping entertainment districts where you can get a taste of authentic Greek cuisine. But did you know that Detroit also has Mexicantown? For anyone who loves Mexican food, Mexicantown is a must-stop. And while you're there, be sure to try the uniquely Detroit botanas.

Thrillist points out that while "botana" literally translates from Spanish as snack or appetizer, and, in Detroit, this word takes on a very specific meaning. Fans of nachos will likely also fall for botanas. Both dishes start with a bed of tortilla chips. Then comes a layer of a blend of refried beans and chorizo, diced onions, slices of avocado, green peppers, tomatoes, jalapeño, and a generous topping of melted Muenster cheese. Some restaurants also offer green olives, one of Michigan's favorite toppings (see: the olive burger). A review on Tripadvisor called botana "the ultimate comfort food."

As Detour Detroit reveals, Detroit-style botana was invented in 1975 by Mexican-American Armando Galan, a transplant from Texas, for his restaurant namesake Armando's. Galan passed away in March of 2020, but his legacy lives on. His children have opened their own restaurants across Metro Detroit, and of course include their father's famous botana on their menus.

When Prohibition outlawed the sale of alcohol in the U.S., the Stroh Brewery Company in Detroit had to pivot its business in order to avoid shutting down. According to The 'Gander, one of Stroh's new products was ice cream, which included the brand new multi-flavored Superman. Superman — which is meant to evoke the superhero's signature colors of red, yellow, and blue, has been replicated by other ice cream companies since then. Atlas Obscura lists the also Michigan-based Hudsonville's SuperScoop and Meijer Purple Cow's Scooperman as examples. But Stroh's is considered the creator of the tri-colored treat, and its choice of three flavors are the original.

That's right, while different ice creameries all make their own red, yellow, and blue-colored ice creams, the flavors are not necessarily the same. In Stroh's blend, the red is Red Pop flavored (Red Pop being a strawberry-flavored creation of Detroit's Faygo Beverages). The yellow is lemon ice cream, and the blue is another popular Michigan flavor called Blue Moon. According to Awesome Mitten, the exact flavor of Blue Moon is a tightly held secret, though people have likened it to marshmallow, almond, and fruity cereals. Both Hudsonville and Meijer use cherry ice cream for their red and vanilla for their yellow, while other creameries use cherry and lemon. The blue usually remains Blue Moon. So, if you want the original, reach for Stroh's.