30 Detroit-area restaurants that have been around over 50 years

By Metro Times editorial staff on Fri, Nov 4, 2022 at 3:25 pm

They say some things get better with age. Case in point, these 30 metro Detroit restaurants that have been dishing out everything from classic Italian fare, authentic German eats, and simply delicious all-American bar food for more than 50 years. Though a few selections have nearly shuttered, these must-eat-at spots are still standing and, better yet, still serving.

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Courtesy photo

Monroe’s Original Hot Dog Drive-In

1111 W. Front St., Monroe; 734-241-1612

This spot has some history. It first started as an A&W restaurant more than 75 years ago, but broke from A&W when the company asked its franchises to start serving burgers. Monroe is a hot dog stand, not a burger stand, so its owner struck out on his own. To this day Monroe’s Original Hot Dog Drive-in remains a hot dog shop — no beef patties here. The menu offers a range of regular and foot-long dogs, chips, and beverages, and ownership reportedly intends to keep it that way.

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Sindbad’s Restaurant and Marina, Facebook

Sindbad’s Restaurant and Marina

100 Saint Clair St., Detroit; 313-822-7817; sinbads.com

Located along the Detroit River, Sinbad’s was opened in 1949. The name recalls the fictional sailor from One Thousand and One Nights and restaurant menus and napkins feature classic mermaid illustrations. In 1998, Sinbad’s received a remodel for its 50th anniversary.

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Metro Times File Photo

Telway Burgers

6820 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-843-2146; thetelway.4-food.com

Decades ago, you used to be able to clip a coupon out of the TV Guide that would get you ten sliders for $1. The prices haven’t changed much.

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Scotty B., Yelp

Scotty Simpson’s Fish and Chips

22200 Fenkell St., Detroit; 313-533-0950; scottysfishandchips.com

Scottty’s is arguably Detroit’s finest fish fryer, opened on Detroit’s west side in 1950. Not much has changed since.

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@bluucat, Instagram

Abick’s

3500 Gilbert St., Detroit; 313-894-9329

Built in 1907 in Southwest Detroit, Abick’s is your classic corner neighborhood watering hole.

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Google Maps

Brayz Burgers

22941 Dequindre Rd., Hazel Park; 248-542-8878

This old-school cash-only corner joint with a retro style and counter seating serves burgers and hot dogs, including their staple burger offering, the Belly Buster.

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Chelsea Overton

Daly Drive-In

31500 Plymouth Rd., Livonia; 734-427-4474

Don’t be fooled by the nondescript building out front — the Daly Drive-In is a classic drive-in restaurant with a modern, wavy white roof out back, and speakers for taking orders. The first Daly’s location opened in 1948 and grew to nearly 20 locations at its peak, but the Plymouth Road hot dog, burger, and fry spot is the last drive-in of the Daly family left standing. Among the favorites is the foot-long DalyDog and the coney, which Daly’s owners say is superior to the standard coney island fare.

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