Detroit is a city that is used to change.

We’re a city currently in the thick of a massive renaissance. One that has, fortunately for us, brought a new and diverse restaurant and bar scene.

Some of our new favorite places have moved into old favorites, while others are a true example of the renovations (and gentrification) Detroit has undergone over the last 10 years.

Thanks to Google’s Street View, we were able to take a look back at what some of our current favorite restaurants in metro Detroit used to be.

All photos via Google Maps.

Then (2009): Vinsetta Garage 27799 Woodward Ave., Berkley; 248-548-7711; vinsettagarage.com Vinsetta Garage was an actual garage before transforming into the garage themed restaurant. Credit: Google Maps
Now: Vinsetta Garage 27799 Woodward Ave., Berkley; 248-548-7711; vinsettagarage.com Vinsetta Garage was an actual garage before transforming into the garage themed restaurant. Credit: Google Maps
Then (2013): Selden Standard 3921 2nd Ave., Detroit; 313- 438-5055; seldenstandard.com Before Selden Standard brought its small plates to 2nd Ave., it was an abandoned graffiti covered building. Credit: Google Maps
Now: Selden Standard 3921 2nd Ave., Detroit; 313- 438-5055; seldenstandard.com Before Selden Standard brought its small plates to 2nd Ave., it was an abandoned graffiti covered building. Credit: Google Maps
Then (2009): SheWolf Pastificio & Bar 438 Selden St., Detroit; 313-315-3992; shewolfdetroit.com Before this contemporary upscale Italian restaurant found its home here, there was an abandoned multi-unit building. Credit: Google Maps
Now: SheWolf Pastificio & Bar 438 Selden St., Detroit; 313-315-3992; shewolfdetroit.com Before this contemporary upscale Italian restaurant found its home here, there was an abandoned multi-unit building. Credit: Google Maps
Then (2012): Gran Castor 2950 Rochester Rd., Troy; 248-278-7777; grancastor.com Gran Castor may be known for its Latin American cuisine, but prior to that, the location was another all-American favorite — Hooters. Credit: Google Maps
Now: Gran Castor 2950 Rochester Rd., Troy; 248-278-7777; grancastor.com Gran Castor may be known for its Latin American cuisine, but prior to that, the location was another all-American favorite — Hooters. Credit: Google Maps
Then (2013): Detroit Shipping Co. 474 Peterboro St., Detroit; 313-462-4973; detroitshippingcompany.com Yes, drinking and socializing at Detroit Shipping Co. is certainly all the rage now, but just a few years ago, it was an empty lot. Credit: Google Maps
Now: Detroit Shipping Co. 474 Peterboro St., Detroit; 313-462-4973; detroitshippingcompany.com Yes, drinking and socializing at Detroit Shipping Co. is certainly all the rage now, but just a few years ago, it was an empty lot. Credit: Google Maps
Then (2009): YumVillage 6500 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-334-6099; yumvillage.com Before YumVillage served Detroit Caribbean jerk chicken, Detroiters were served a different style of chicken in the location. Credit: Google Maps
Now: YumVillage 6500 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-334-6099; yumvillage.com Before YumVillage served Detroit Caribbean jerk chicken, Detroiters were served a different style of chicken in the location. Credit: Google Maps
Then (2013): Sister Pie 8066 Kercheval Ave., Detroit; 313-447-5550; sisterpie.com While Sister Pie is known for its delectable desserts, the location used to be a hair salon. Credit: Google Maps
Now: Sister Pie 8066 Kercheval Ave., Detroit; 313-447-5550; sisterpie.com While Sister Pie is known for its delectable desserts, the location used to be a hair salon. Credit: Google Maps
Then (2011): Michigan & Trumbull 1441 W. Elizabeth St., Detroit; 313-637-4992; michigantrumbullpizza.com Detroit loves pizza, but who would’ve thought pizza joint MIchigan & Trumbull used to be an abandoned lot? Credit: Google Maps
Now: Michigan & Trumbull 1441 W. Elizabeth St., Detroit; 313-637-4992; michigantrumbullpizza.com Detroit loves pizza, but who would’ve thought pizza joint Michigan & Trumbull used to be an abandoned lot? Credit: Google Maps
Then (2013): Baobab Fare 6568 Woodward Ave., Suite 100, Detroit; 313-265-3093; baobabfare.com Before you could get fried plantains, nyumbani, and all the flavors of East Africa at Baobab Fare, you could get hair gel, extensions, and all of the flavors of Detroit at this Beauty Supply Store. Credit: Google Maps
Now: Baobab Fare 6568 Woodward Ave., Suite 100, Detroit; 313-265-3093; baobabfare.com Before you could get fried plantains, nyumbani, and all the flavors of East Africa at Baobab Fare, you could get hair gel, extensions, and all of the flavors of Detroit at this Beauty Supply Store. Credit: Google Maps
Then (2011): Joe Louis Southern Kitchen 6549 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-788-8338; joelouissouthernkitchen.com Before Joe Louis Southern Kitchen become a brunch time knockout, a men’s clothing store used to occupy this building. Credit: Google Maps
Now: Joe Louis Southern Kitchen 6549 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-788-8338; joelouissouthernkitchen.com Before Joe Louis Southern Kitchen become a brunch time knockout, a men’s clothing store used to occupy this building. Credit: Google Maps
Then (2009): Grandma Bob’s 2135 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-315-3177; grandmabobs.com Grandma Bob’s might possibly have some of the best pizza in the city, but it once used to be a speedometer service and car repair shop. Credit: Google Maps
Now: Grandma Bob’s 2135 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-315-3177; grandmabobs.com Grandma Bob’s might possibly have some of the best pizza in the city, but it once used to be a speedometer service and car repair shop. Credit: Google Maps
Then (2009): Takoi 2520 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-788-8338; takoidetroit.com Like some others on this list, Takoi used to be an abandoned auto repair shop before it became the place for Thai-inspired plates and cocktails. Credit: Google Maps
Now: Takoi 2520 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-788-8338; takoidetroit.com Like some others on this list, Takoi used to be an abandoned auto repair shop before it became the place for Thai-inspired plates and cocktails. Credit: Google Maps
Then (2013): Chili Mustard Onions 3411 Brush St., Detroit; 313-462-4949; detroitcmo.com Prior to serving our vegan coney favorites, Chili Mustard Onions used to be a medical center in Brush Park. Credit: Google Maps
Now: Chili Mustard Onions 3411 Brush St., Detroit; 313-462-4949; detroitcmo.com Prior to serving our vegan coney favorites, Chili Mustard Onions used to be a medical center in Brush Park. Credit: Google Maps
Then (2009): The Congregation 9321 Rosa Parks Blvd., Detroit; 313-307-5518; thecongregationdetroit.com As if the name wasn’t the biggest clue, prior to being hip community space with great cockatils, The Congregation was formerly a New St. James A.M.E. Church. Credit: Google Maps
Now: The Congregation 9321 Rosa Parks Blvd., Detroit; 313-307-5518; thecongregationdetroit.com As if the name wasn’t the biggest clue, prior to being hip community space with great cockatils, The Congregation was formerly a New St. James A.M.E. Church. Credit: Google Maps
Then (2009): The Apparatus Room 250 W. Larned St., Detroit; 313-800-5600; detroitfoundationhotel.com The Apparatus Room, and its home the Detroit Foundation Hotel, used to be a functioning firehouse. Credit: Google Maps
Now: The Apparatus Room 250 W. Larned St., Detroit; 313-800-5600; detroitfoundationhotel.com The Apparatus Room, and its home the Detroit Foundation Hotel, used to be a functioning firehouse. Credit: Google Maps
Then (2009): Freya 2929 E. Grand Blvd., Detroit; 313-800-5600; freyadetroit.com This hot restaurant formerly housed the National Postal Mail Handlers Union Local. Credit: Google Maps
Now: Freya 2929 E. Grand Blvd., Detroit; 313-800-5600; freyadetroit.com This hot restaurant formerly housed the National Postal Mail Handlers Union Local. Credit: Google Maps
Credit: Google Maps

Have something to share?

Since 1980, Metro Times has been Detroit’s premier alternative source for news, arts, culture, music, film, food, fashion and more from a liberal point of view.