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Detroit’s Wildest Dining Surprises of 2018

These are the moments that stood out in Detroit dining in the past calendar year

RIP Fist of Curry. We hardly knew ye.
Michelle and Chris Gerard
Brenna Houck is a Cities Manager for the Eater network. She previously edited Eater Detroit and reported for Eater. You can follow her on the internet at @brennahouck.

As is tradition at Eater, we closed out the year by surveying local food writers and our own staff on various restaurant-related topics, and publishing their responses throughout the week. Next up: Food writers recall the Detroit restaurant moments and experiences that stood out in 2018. Readers, feel free to share your thoughts below.

Brittany Hutson, Contributor, Eater Detroit:

Holy Moly Donut allegedly being a front for a multi-state marijuana ring. The irony of that is it was right next to a medical marijuana dispensary. And a second location opened before they got exposed.

Brenna Houck, Editor, Eater Detroit:

It’s hard to know where to begin. I think the explosion of restaurant delivery options in Detroit was a long time coming, but I was impressed by how quickly it seemed to saturate the restaurant industry here. On a sadder note, it was a huge disappointment when the breakout hit soft serve stand of the summer Cold Truth, abruptly called it quits this fall due to a recall. RIP Cold Truth and Reilly’s Craft Creamery. May you return someday. One of our biggest stories of the year was also one of the most unexpected — Gran Castor opening inside of a Hooters on Big Beaver Road. You really can’t make that up. Let’s not forget the ruthless review by the Detroit Free Press of Empire Kitchen & Cocktails (and the response), which still has people talking months later.

Dorothy Hernandez, Contributor, Eater Detroit:

Seeing Fist of Curry call it quits after a few short months and Huron Room closing before that was a bummer — I’m a big fan of the other Inlaws Hospitality restaurants Green Dot Stables and Johnny Noodle King.

Nick Britsky, Host, Nick Drinks at Night:

I knew I was going to like Antihero because I’m a bit of a Japanese food fan. The surprise came from the extreme level of bass in their sound system that made me question if I getting too old to enjoy new restaurants.

Serena Maria Daniels, Founder/Editor, Tostada Magazine:

Dream Cafe. It literally blew my mind the organizers’ ability to put together such a rich set of programming around food, culture, identity, and equality in the span of a few days.

John Reyes, Ann Arbor Contributor, Eater Detroit:

Despite having a James Beard Award winner at the helm and a few months of working out kinks, Standard Bistro and Larder still hasn’t delivered on its promise.

Melody Baetens, Features Reporter, Detroit News:

That Peas & Carrots Hospitality bought Como’s in Ferndale and are boldly keeping the name. Less of a surprise, chef Sklar is changing the style of pizza from a thinner, round crust to an elevated version of Detroit-style.

All Year In Eater Coverage [ED]

Green Dot Stables

410 South Clippert Street, , MI 48912 (517) 574-4214 Visit Website

Fist of Curry

2547 Bagley Avenue, , MI 48216 (313) 265-3325 Visit Website

Antihero

231 West Nine Mile Road, , MI 48220 (248) 307-7383 Visit Website

Johnny Noodle King

2601 West Fort Street, , MI 48216 (313) 309-7946 Visit Website

Gran Castor

2950 Rochester Road, , MI 48083 (248) 278-7777 Visit Website

Empire Kitchen & Cocktails

3148 Woodward Avenue, , MI 48201