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The sign for Baker’s Keyboard Lounge on a sunny day.
Baker’s Keyboard Lounge.
Gerard + Belevender

Where to Dine and Drink on the Avenue of Fashion

From bakeries to chicken and waffles, here's a guide to eating in the popular Livernois business district

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Baker’s Keyboard Lounge.
| Gerard + Belevender

Bounded by Seven Mile to the south and Eight Mile to the north, Livernois’ Avenue of Fashion has long been a bustling shopping district composed largely of Black-owned businesses. Surrounded by the Bagley, Sherwood Forest, and Green Acres neighborhoods, the area has loads of history and character going back to the 1950s. Named for the retail businesses, the district has attracted a new guard of small art galleries, restaurants, cafes, bars, and bakeries. More projects are in the works. Trap Vegan plans to serve smoothies and vegan cheeseburgers this fall. Chef Max Hardy, who owns the Caribbean restaurant COOP at the Detroit Shipping Co., and the forthcoming Afro-Caribbean spot Honey, also plans a takeout spot for seafood boils just north of Seven Mile, and moody seasonal cocktails and small plates are coming soon, courtesy of Petty Cash Detroit.

A new streetscape project has expanded outdoor seating space for restaurants and added lanes for bikes and scooters to reach them.

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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Fork In Nigeria

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Fork in Nigeria has been rapidly expanding since the winter, thanks to the social media #FufuChallenge, which sent TikTok users in search of the western African staple fufu. The truck’s owner Prej Iroegbu sells it with leafy green egusi or soup. Besides fufu, the truck serves up Nigerian staples jollof rice, suya steak, goat shank, oxtail, and snacks, for starters. Iroegbu is currently parked on the Avenue of Fashion and in Columbus, Ohio, and has plans to move into a storefront at 4219 Woodward at Willis in Detroit’s Cass Corridor in October 2021.

A food truck with the window opens has photos of Nigerian food and signs for credit cards on the side. Monica Williams

Narrow Way Cafe & Shop

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The idea for this favorite neighborhood coffee shop started at the church the owners (and brothers) founded four decades ago. The stylish but cozy cafe serves its own blends of Zingerman’s roasted coffee as well as pastries and smoothies. The window currently is open for pickups.

Pequeño Cantina

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Like the name implies, Pequeño is small. It packs an impressive menu of creative tacos and tequila into its 42-seat space. (There’s room for another 20 outside.) Burritos, street corn, plus frozen and traditional sangria are also on the menu at this stylish spot that’s perfect for date night or just grabbing a tequila at the bar with a neighbor.

Kuzzo's Chicken & Waffles

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The popular Avenue of Fashion all-day restaurant currently offers indoor and outdoor dining as well as carryout and delivery. There’s a chicken and waffles plate for nearly every taste at Kuzzo’s, but for an entry-level foray into the menu try the Bam Bam. Soft, thin, and faintly cinnamon spiced waffles are paired with two fried drumsticks. Wash it all down with a glass of Kool-Aid or a cocktail.

Motor City Brewing Works-Livernois

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John Linardos opened the city’s first microbrewery in 1994. Now he’s opened a second taproom on the Avenue of Fashion in the summer of 2021. Visitors will find the perennial favorites Ghettoblaster Pale Ale and Nut Brown Ale, as well as a small-run cider, a new summer ale, and a few canned cocktails. New menu items featured only at the Livernois taproom are made for sharing, include vegetarian beef nachos, a charcuterie plate, and the Banh Mi Oh My sandwich, which can be enjoyed indoors or on the outdoor patio.

A shot overlooks the main room of the microbrewery from the balcony. The taproom includes a few tables (shown with patrons) and bar seating. Konrad Maziarz

Good Cakes and Bakes

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Pastry chef April Anderson is known citywide for her baked goods, which include a large selection for vegans. Find treats here like St. Louis-style gooey butter cake, cupcakes, salted caramel cakes, and cookies as well as black-eyed pea soup, teas from local businesses, and books. Special orders are also accepted. The bakery’s summer 2021 makeover includes seating out front.

Baker's Keyboard Lounge

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Right off Eight Mile, Baker’s is one of the oldest continuously operating jazz clubs in the world. The restaurant, known for its signature piano bar and soul food, features regular live events that draw music lovers from around the city. Go for house favorites like fried chicken, collard greens, and the incredible peach cobbler served with great live jazz.

Good Times On The Ave

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Good Times on the Ave brings a laid-back outdoor atmosphere to a prime two-story restaurant space on the Avenue of Fashion. The restaurant features an extensive streetside patio and a rooftop lounge in addition to accepting orders for carryout by phone or through Doordash. Expect casual food here like fried lobster bites with steak fries, grouper po’ boys, and cheeseburger sliders.

Bucharest Grill

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The northernmost outpost of this Detroit-based, carryout-friendly chain serves its wildly popular pickle spear-stuffed grilled chicken shawarma right on the Avenue. The restaurant takes orders for carryout by phone as well as online orders for pickup or delivery.

Noni's Sherwood Grille

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There are coneys, and then there’s Noni’s. Like most, it has an extensive menu but this neighborhood meeting spot is most popular among the breakfast crowd who go for the omelets or pecan pancakes. Lunch favorites include spinach pie, Noni’s homemade chicken pot pie, liver and onions, and the meatloaf dinner. The restaurant currently is open 9 am. to 5 p.m. for takeout, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for dining in.

The Office Ultra Lounge and Grill

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The Office opened on Labor Day 2021, giving the Avenue a new spot to sip an adult beverage, dance to a DJ’s R&B playlist, grab a good meal, or watch the Lions’ games. The burgers here (vegan, turkey, or beef) are a good choice as well as the tuna steak with mango salsa, and the cajun shrimp deviled eggs.

The Gripper Food Truck

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This popular food truck run by Durden’s Catering is parked in the lot beside Baker’s serving big sandwiches and desserts like banana pudding and peach cobbler. Its claim to fame is the Spicy Yung Gripper, a fried chicken sandwich with pepper jack cheese, tangy coleslaw, and bang sauce. Bring cash or pay through the Cash App.

Fork In Nigeria

Fork in Nigeria has been rapidly expanding since the winter, thanks to the social media #FufuChallenge, which sent TikTok users in search of the western African staple fufu. The truck’s owner Prej Iroegbu sells it with leafy green egusi or soup. Besides fufu, the truck serves up Nigerian staples jollof rice, suya steak, goat shank, oxtail, and snacks, for starters. Iroegbu is currently parked on the Avenue of Fashion and in Columbus, Ohio, and has plans to move into a storefront at 4219 Woodward at Willis in Detroit’s Cass Corridor in October 2021.

A food truck with the window opens has photos of Nigerian food and signs for credit cards on the side. Monica Williams

Narrow Way Cafe & Shop

The idea for this favorite neighborhood coffee shop started at the church the owners (and brothers) founded four decades ago. The stylish but cozy cafe serves its own blends of Zingerman’s roasted coffee as well as pastries and smoothies. The window currently is open for pickups.

Pequeño Cantina

Like the name implies, Pequeño is small. It packs an impressive menu of creative tacos and tequila into its 42-seat space. (There’s room for another 20 outside.) Burritos, street corn, plus frozen and traditional sangria are also on the menu at this stylish spot that’s perfect for date night or just grabbing a tequila at the bar with a neighbor.

Kuzzo's Chicken & Waffles

The popular Avenue of Fashion all-day restaurant currently offers indoor and outdoor dining as well as carryout and delivery. There’s a chicken and waffles plate for nearly every taste at Kuzzo’s, but for an entry-level foray into the menu try the Bam Bam. Soft, thin, and faintly cinnamon spiced waffles are paired with two fried drumsticks. Wash it all down with a glass of Kool-Aid or a cocktail.

Motor City Brewing Works-Livernois

John Linardos opened the city’s first microbrewery in 1994. Now he’s opened a second taproom on the Avenue of Fashion in the summer of 2021. Visitors will find the perennial favorites Ghettoblaster Pale Ale and Nut Brown Ale, as well as a small-run cider, a new summer ale, and a few canned cocktails. New menu items featured only at the Livernois taproom are made for sharing, include vegetarian beef nachos, a charcuterie plate, and the Banh Mi Oh My sandwich, which can be enjoyed indoors or on the outdoor patio.

A shot overlooks the main room of the microbrewery from the balcony. The taproom includes a few tables (shown with patrons) and bar seating. Konrad Maziarz

Good Cakes and Bakes

Pastry chef April Anderson is known citywide for her baked goods, which include a large selection for vegans. Find treats here like St. Louis-style gooey butter cake, cupcakes, salted caramel cakes, and cookies as well as black-eyed pea soup, teas from local businesses, and books. Special orders are also accepted. The bakery’s summer 2021 makeover includes seating out front.

Baker's Keyboard Lounge

Right off Eight Mile, Baker’s is one of the oldest continuously operating jazz clubs in the world. The restaurant, known for its signature piano bar and soul food, features regular live events that draw music lovers from around the city. Go for house favorites like fried chicken, collard greens, and the incredible peach cobbler served with great live jazz.

Good Times On The Ave

Good Times on the Ave brings a laid-back outdoor atmosphere to a prime two-story restaurant space on the Avenue of Fashion. The restaurant features an extensive streetside patio and a rooftop lounge in addition to accepting orders for carryout by phone or through Doordash. Expect casual food here like fried lobster bites with steak fries, grouper po’ boys, and cheeseburger sliders.

Bucharest Grill

The northernmost outpost of this Detroit-based, carryout-friendly chain serves its wildly popular pickle spear-stuffed grilled chicken shawarma right on the Avenue. The restaurant takes orders for carryout by phone as well as online orders for pickup or delivery.

Noni's Sherwood Grille

There are coneys, and then there’s Noni’s. Like most, it has an extensive menu but this neighborhood meeting spot is most popular among the breakfast crowd who go for the omelets or pecan pancakes. Lunch favorites include spinach pie, Noni’s homemade chicken pot pie, liver and onions, and the meatloaf dinner. The restaurant currently is open 9 am. to 5 p.m. for takeout, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for dining in.

The Office Ultra Lounge and Grill

The Office opened on Labor Day 2021, giving the Avenue a new spot to sip an adult beverage, dance to a DJ’s R&B playlist, grab a good meal, or watch the Lions’ games. The burgers here (vegan, turkey, or beef) are a good choice as well as the tuna steak with mango salsa, and the cajun shrimp deviled eggs.

The Gripper Food Truck

This popular food truck run by Durden’s Catering is parked in the lot beside Baker’s serving big sandwiches and desserts like banana pudding and peach cobbler. Its claim to fame is the Spicy Yung Gripper, a fried chicken sandwich with pepper jack cheese, tangy coleslaw, and bang sauce. Bring cash or pay through the Cash App.

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