Ima 2015 Michigan Ave, Detroit; 313-502-5959 Mike Ransom’s small Corktown spot is known for serving up savory udon and rice dishes. The chef-owner has taken great pains to make the restaurant as accessible to meat-eaters as it is to vegans. Photo by Tom Perkins.
Detroit Institute of Bagels 1236 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-444-9342 Head baker Ben Newman makes up to 600 bagels fresh daily — many of them are made into delicious breakfast sandwiches or smothered in sumptious schmear — there’s even a bagel dog option. Photo via Instagram, Detroit Institute of Bagels.
PJ’s Lager House 1254 Michigan Ave, Detroit; 313-961-4668 This multipurpose establishment (it’s also a kickass bar and music venue) cooks up fresh soups daily, plus Detroit gumbo, fried catfish, and hand cut and breaded chicken strips. They’ve also got mac and cheese, a veggarito, and a tofu bahn mi sandwich. Photo via Instagram.
Green Dot Stables 2200 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit; 313-962-5588 Ah, beloved Green Dot. It’s located on the outskirts of Corktown, and flirts with being designated a Mexicantown joint, but regardless, the restaurant serves up some tasty and indecently cheap sliders and beer. Sliders run between $2 and $3 and come in creative options like catfish, peanut butter and kimchi, and coney dog. Additionally, cocktails are a mere $3 and bottled beer is just $2. Photo by Nicole Rupersburg.
Bobcat Bonnie’s 1800 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-962-1383 Beloved for their brunch menu, Bobcat Bonnie’s is known for crafting inventive gastropub cuisine and serving it up in a fun, eclectic environment. Their menu includes burgers, sandwiches, mac and a vegetarian shepherd’s pie. Plus, the service is always phenomenal. Photo via Instagram, Bobcat Bonnie’s Credit: Instagram, Bobcat Bonnie's
Bucharest 1623 Michigan Ave, Detroit; 313-965-3111 This sandwich wrap company was born inside Park Bar in downtown Detroit, and quickly grew as locals became increasingly addicted to their savory sandwiches and curly fries. They’ve now got several locations around town, including this shop on Michigan Avenue. Their menu is inexpensive and features shawarmas along with more Americanized sandwiches. Photo via Instagram, julesannematte
Red Dunn Kitchen 1331 Trumbull Ave. Suite 100, Detroit; 313-887-9477 Chef Jay Gundy, who’s worked at Tribute and Cork Wine Pub, among others, sprinkles his menu with precise, if mystifying, nouns: chermoula, cod in swim sauce. Like other chefs who have made the Detroit scene stimulating, he vows to “stay true to all-natural, locally sourced staples.” Gundy takes regular pieces of protein (cod, salmon, duck, strip steak, leg of lamb, even chicken) and combines them with inventive touches (pickled cherries, pesto mashed potatoes) to create some over-the-top good dinners. It’s all fabulous. Photo by Tom Perkins.
Lady of the House 1426 Bagley Ave., Detroit; 313-818-0218 Just about everything from the kitchen of chef-owner Kate Williams, formerly of Rodin and Republic, is unusual and satisfying — and above all, titillating — in its combination of flavors. Photo by Tom Perkins.
Mudgie’s 1300 Porter St., Detroit; 313-961-2000 This beloved Corktown deli serves up huge, filling sandwiches, savory soups, and tons of craft beers. In 2017, Thrillist name it to a list of the best sandwich shops in America. MT file photo. Credit: MT file photo.
Mercury Burger Bar 2163 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-964-5000 While this place probably gets a good deal of overflow from its internationally famous neighbor — Slow’s, of course — this Mercury Burger Bar is great in its own right. Their burgers are inventive and filling, and their poutine is some of the best in Detroit. Photo via Instagram, ArthurCole
Takoi 2520 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-855-2864 After a devastating fire that forced the restaurant to close for a number of months in early 2017, the Takoi returned to offer incentive Thai cuisine on the outskirts of Corktown. The staff lovingly refer to the joint as “the mothership” and the experience is as immersive as it is delicious. Photo via Instagram, Takoi
Slow’s Bar 2138 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-962-9828 What is there left to say about Slow’s? The internationally famous barbecue joint is known for their speciality sandwich called The Reason. Legend has it, the slow smoked pork butt sandwich was the catalyst for the restaurant itself to open. Photo via Instagram, valeebelly
Gold Cash Gold 2100 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-242-0770 After a chef switch-up, Cold Cash Gold has managed to remain a beloved Corktown staple. Not only is the interior — an old pawn shop — gorgeous, the menu is expertly executed. They offer brunch, dinner service, and a full bar with craft cocktails. Photo via Instagram, Gold Cash Gold
Batch Brewing Company 1400 Porter St., Detroit; 313-338-8008 Not many nanobreweries offer this type of elevated bar food — all food is made-to-order and selections include braised short rib pasties, butternut squash arancinis, and toffee bread pudding. Photo via Yelp, Paul E.
Brooklyn Street Local 1266 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-262-6547 This breakfast and lunch joint offers locally sourced ingredients — they’re so proud of their work with local companies that they actually list their partners on their website. Photo via Instagram, Brooklyn Street Local
McShane’s 1460 Michigan Ave, Detroit; 313-961-1960 A holdover from the days before Corktown’s hipster revolution, McShane’s is an Irish sports bar that won’t intimidate you with a gastropub-style menu. Their food is simple bar fare, but it’s delicious and the bar is fully stocked. Photo via Facebook, McShane’s
Ottava Via 1400 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-962-5500 Get homemade Italian dishes in an inviting setting in the middle of Corktown. Ottava Via also offers summertime patio seating and an outdoor Bocce Ball court is available.

Have something to share?

SEND US A NEWS TIP

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.