Southwest Detroit Pizzeria Eyes Renovation, Partnerships With Local Restaurants in 2018

With Southwest Detroit stalwart Sicily’s Pizza & Subs ringing in its 30th year of slinging pies on West Vernor, the owner Ali Beydoun is ready to spruce things up a bit.

With the help of $35,000 in Motor City Match “Re-Store” construction and design grants — given to already-established businesses looking to renovated their storefronts — the compact takeout and delivery spot will begin its makeover come March.

The pizzeria was among a dozen Detroit businesses that were awarded the funding, including La Posada Mexican Restaurant & Market, Taqueria El Nacimiento, and UFO Factory (whose building last year was condemned following a construction accident).

The restoration is not the only thing Beydoun has in the works for 2018.

Over the next several months, Beydoun is looking to collaborate with other area restaurants and chefs to come out with a line of designer pizza pies. Already in the pipeline: a potential partnership with El Asador’s chef/owner Luis Garza to create pizzas topped with the Mexican steakhouse’s popular creamy lobster sauce, poblano sauce, or house-made chorizo. This wouldn’t be the only example of the menu veering off typical offerings. The restaurant serves up a few mashups on its menu including a fajita calzone loaded with grilled chicken breast, onions, cheese and green pepper.

Meanwhile, a rep for the restaurant tells Eater that Sicily’s has taken over online delivery operations for Asiago Pizza in downtown, after it closed last month. That Sicily’s rep confirms this, though details were not available as to what exactly happened with Asiago.

• First Round of Motor City Re-Store Grants Awarded! [Southwest Detroit Business Association]
• Fajita Calzones At Sicily’s [ED]
• All Renovation Report Coverage [ED]
• All Collaborations Coverage [ED]