Between 1910 and 1970, more than 6 million Black Americans moved north to cities like Detroit from Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and other southern states, bringing their food and culinary traditions with them. As a result, most Detroiters are no more than a generation or two removed from “down south,” which means that great southern cuisine — black-eyed peas, collards, fried chicken, sweet potatoes, okra — is almost on every corner of the city.
These days, meats are smothered, baked, and fried; sides are cooked in turkey; mac and cheese might be vegan; and fried chicken is sometimes served in an upscale dining room downtown.
It’s hard to find bad southern food in a city with deep southern roots, but below are some diverse places to get some of the best that’s seasoned just right.
Let us know your favorite soul-food restaurant at detroit@eater.com.
Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; the latest data about the delta variant indicates that it may pose a low-to-moderate risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial transmission. The latest CDC guidance is here; find a COVID-19 vaccination site here.
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