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 MapsNow: 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 MapsThen (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 MapsNow: 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 MapsThen (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 MapsNow: 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 MapsThen (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 MapsNow: 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 MapsThen (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 MapsNow: 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 MapsThen (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 MapsNow: 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 MapsThen (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 MapsNow: 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 MapsThen (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 MapsNow: 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 MapsThen (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 MapsNow: 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 MapsThen (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 MapsNow: 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 MapsThen (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 MapsNow: 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 MapsThen (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 MapsNow: 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 MapsThen (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 MapsNow: 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 MapsThen (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 MapsNow: 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 MapsThen (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 MapsNow: 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 MapsThen (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 MapsNow: 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 MapsCredit: Google Maps
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.
More by Metro Times editorial staff