Metro Detroit Carry-Outs
The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged everyone, but those in the restaurant business have been hit incredibly hard. Unable to serve dine-in guests for much of the last year, restaurants are relying on loyal customers to order takeout or delivery.
Despite these unique challenges the varietal restaurants of southeast Michigan have been persevering through the difficulties, getting creative and making it work the way Detroiters know how.
We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite local Southeast Michigan restaurants – including a variety of places that reflect the diverse food selection in this corner of our beloved mitten.
From burgers and brats to salads and soups, Detroit really has it all. With American and variety restaurants found all over the city and surrounding suburbs, it gets tough to narrow them down, here are a handful that we think deserve a spotlight!
Slows BBQ
For fans of BBQ, Slows is a Detroit favorite. The location opened in Detroit with the goal of serving good old-fashioned BBQ flavors with a gourmet spin and it has since taken off!
Now a favored destination for locals and suburbanites alike, Slows anchored the revitalization of the commercial area around it proving that their BBQ really is something worth getting excited about.
Green Dot Stables
Green Dot Stables is the ideal laid-back place to grab a juicy slider with a delicious side of fries in Detroit and the carryout option means you can bring the bold flavors and chill vibes home with you.
With plenty of worldly flavor packed into every bite-sized menu option, you simply can’t make a bad choice. As far as sliders go, Green Dot really outperforms and over-delivers!
Detroit Vegan Soul
Just because you are a vegan or vegetarian doesn’t mean you can’t love soul food – conversely, carnivores can enjoy this vegan twist on soul food just as well!
With two locations in the city, this restaurant is bringing vegan soul food to Detroit. Boasting the title of the only true all-vegan menu in Detroit means there is no need to worry or modify anything to make a delicious meal fit your diet.
Rochester Brunch House
If you’re into brunch, then the Rochester Brunch House will surely become a favorite of yours.
With a variety of options from chicken and waffles to cinnamon roll pancakes to varied salads, wraps, and sandwiches, the Rochester Brunch house has something for every brunch taste. Nothing could be better than calling them to order some takeout brunch on a Saturday morning!
Italian Carry-Out Restaurants in Metro Detroit
Detroit Italian food rivals Chicago and New York, yet remains severely underrated. From fresh pasta to Detroit-style pizza, Detroit is making waves in the Italian food market – here are some of our favorites!
Giovanni’s Ristorante
Among Detroit’s Italian food scene, Giovanni’s Ristorante is a staple location that everyone should know about. Feeding everyone from locals to celebrities alike, Giovanni’s has been serving up bold Italian flavors in gritty Southwest Detroit for decades. The lasagna is adored and highly regarded, but no matter what you order you won’t be disappointed.
NICO & VALI
A gem of the western suburbs, the DePalma family has made a name for themselves in Plymouth and the surrounding cities. Located in downtown Plymouth, they serve up home-cooked Italian delights, just like Nonna used to make, this establishment treats you like part of the family.
Whether you want a panini for lunch or a big bowl of risotto for dinner, NICO & VALI will astound your tastebuds!
Antonio’s Cucina Italiana
With several locations from Dearborn to Farmington Hills, Antonio’s is a booming Southeast Michigan restaurant – and for good reason! Even from the moment you set eyes on the bread served before your entrée, you know you’re in for a delicious meal.
The pasta is made fresh each day in each location and any soups, dressings, or sauces are prepared in-house, too, so you simply can’t go wrong at any Antonio’s location.
Cloverleaf Bar & Restaurant
Metro-Detroiters agree, the Detroit-style deep-dish pizza far outranks the Chicago or New York styles. Founder of Cloverleaf Pizza, Gus Guerra is credited for starting this style way back in 1946, so it’s no wonder that his restaurant is a staple in Metro-Detroit and is still considered one of the best places to get that authentic Detroit pizza.
Best Chinese Food in Metro Detroit
Chinese takeout was a staple even pre-pandemic and when you’re craving it, there is nothing else that can satisfy. Here are a couple of restaurants we want to make sure you know about for when you order out next!
Ten Yen
Ten Yen has been a Livonia staple for decades. As the quintessential small family business, every visit will begin with a kind greeting from one of the family members. This family cares deeply about the quality of food and service you receive and works hard to keep customers coming back. Ten Yen offers all the takeout classics and cooks up consistently flavorful dishes, so sive them a call next time you’re craving sesame chicken or hunan beef!
Shangri-La
Shangri-La has become a buzzing catch-all destination for craving satisfaction. In Detroit and West bloomfield they serve everything from Dim Sum to Thai curry (and even sushi – exclusively at the Detroit location). This astounding variety is the purposeful incorporation of the owner’s own heritage – born in Thailand to Chinese parents. If your family is split between Thai or Chinese, place an order with Shangri-La and everyone will be happy!
Mexican Carry-Out Restaurants
Mexican food is a favored flavor in Detroit and despite not being a southwestern state, Michigan still provides bold tastes for those who crave it. Whether you get your Mexican food downtown or find somewhere in the suburbs to fulfill your cravings, southeast Michigan delivers!
Taqueria Mi Pueblo
Taqueria Mi Pueblo is a mainstay in Detroit and a favorite of many. Fresh house-made tortillas and a variety of fresh flavors rooted in traditional Mexican cooking makes this destination a great choice for any lover of the cuisine. Enjoy some bebidas (drinks) with your food – anything from Mexican sodas, Horchata, or anything from the bar menu if you’re looking for a fully authentic experience.
Mexican Fiesta
Mexican Fiesta brings the flavors you can find Downtown into the suburbs. Enjoy all your favorite Mexican dishes with big portions at a reasonable price at one of several locations including Canton and Dearborn Heights. This beloved suburban restaurant has been in business for decades and it just takes one bite to understand why!
Slows BBQ
For fans of BBQ, Slows is a Detroit favorite. The location opened in Detroit with the goal of serving good old-fashioned BBQ flavors with a gourmet spin and it has since taken off!
Now a favored destination for locals and suburbanites alike, Slows anchored the revitalization of the commercial area around it proving that their BBQ really is something worth getting excited about.
Green Dot Stables
Green Dot Stables is the ideal laid-back place to grab a juicy slider with a delicious side of fries in Detroit and the carryout option means you can bring the bold flavors and chill vibes home with you.
With plenty of worldly flavor packed into every bite-sized menu option, you simply can’t make a bad choice. As far as sliders go, Green Dot really outperforms and over-delivers!
Detroit Vegan Soul
Just because you are a vegan or vegetarian doesn’t mean you can’t love soul food – conversely, carnivores can enjoy this vegan twist on soul food just as well! With two locations in the city, this restaurant is bringing vegan soul food to Detroit. Boasting the title of the only true all-vegan menu in Detroit means there is no need to worry or modify anything to make a delicious meal fit your diet.
Rochester Brunch House
If you’re into brunch, then the Rochester Brunch House will surely become a favorite of yours. With a variety of options from chicken and waffles to cinnamon roll pancakes to varied salads, wraps, and sandwiches, the Rochester Brunch house has something for every brunch taste.
Nothing could be better than calling them to order some takeout brunch on a Saturday morning!
Middle Eastern Carry-Out Food
You might not know it, but southeast Michigan has fantastic Middle Eastern food options. The suburb of Dearborn is a hub for restaurants serving Mediterranean cuisine and with numerous establishments it’s hard to go wrong, but here are a couple we know and love!
Al-Ameer
Al-Ameer is a “go-to” Metro-Detroit destination for those seeking authentic Mediterranean dining. A longstanding staple among the original handful of Mediterranean restaurants in southeast Michigan, Al-Ameer takes pride in their ability to provide quality dining with authentic Middle Eastern cuisine.
Hamido
For those who prefer a more intimate, small-scale establishment, Hamido provides bold flavors at reasonable prices. From hummus and shawarma to Lebanese-style salads, Hamido has a variety of flavors from the Middle East available to you!
Amazing Ann Arbor Carry-Outs
Ann Arbor is within an hour from Detroit, but in some ways feels worlds away. For those interested in a miniature road trip out to the passionate college town, we want to provide some beloved Ann Arbor restaurants to try!
Zingerman’s Delicatessen
Zingerman’s is an Ann Arbor favorite serving up delectable sandwiches at the deli, but the deliciousness doesn’t stop there! Nearby, Zingerman’s also runs a market full of groceries and the Next Door Café which serves coffee, pastries, and desserts.
If you’re looking for a special lunch with the best quality lunch meats and dozens of breads, Zingerman’s Deli is worth the price and the wait!
Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger
Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger has been around for over 50 years, boasting itself as the oldest hamburger stand in Ann Arbor. The location is humble, meaning all the focus is on flavor with no frivolous distractions. If this hamburger joint doesn’t embody everything that Ann Arbor stands for, we just don’t know what does.
Knight’s Steakhouse
If you’re a steak lover, Knight’s Steakhouse is the textbook steakhouse you want to try. Enjoy a steak cooked to perfection, whether you like it blue or well done and pair it with one of their sizable cocktails for the perfect dinner.
Nominated as one of the best outdoor dining options in the city, Knight’s Steakhouse is COVID-cognizant and careful. Consider savoring one of the many high quality meals at home when you place a to-go order.
About the Author-
Bella DiMascio is a Content Editor for mymichiganbeach.com. She grew up in the Detroit suburb of Westland and later attended Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo where she majored in Communication Studies and minored in English: Writing. Creative writing has been a hobby and interest of Bella’s since she was in elementary school and she is thrilled to be using her talents to highlight the Great Lakes State. Outside of writing, Bella enjoys getting outside with her two Australian Shepherds, playing video games, and binging shows on Netflix.