25 Totally Underrated Metro Detroit Restaurants

Seek out these under-appreciated spots

by Dorothy Hernandez Mar 27, 2017, 1:16pm EDT

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Athens Souvlaki

| Bill B./Yelp

by Dorothy Hernandez Mar 27, 2017, 1:16pm EDT

3 comments / new

Most of us are well-acquainted with metro Detroit's top places to eat. Then there are those neighborhood haunts that in all the buzz somehow manage to get overlooked.

In 2014, Eater Detroit asked readers to submit the best of those establishments that don't seem to get enough time in the spotlight and mapped it. A lot has changed in the local dining scene since then. Some spots are now regulars on the Eater 38 and others have closed or undergone changes. It was time to revisit this list.

From holes in the wall to finer dining, here's a taste of some of the area's under-appreciated, under-the-radar, and underrated restaurants. Did we miss your favorite spot? Passionately make your case in the comments, on Facebook, Twitter, or at the tipline.

Bonoful Sweets & Coffee

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The vast menu at this Bangladeshi destination includes many traditional dishes such as biryanis, masalas and samosas, as well as Indo-Chinese specialities such as cauliflower or chicken Manchurian and Singapore noodles.

12085 Conant St, Hamtramck, MI 48212

Cutter's Bar & Grill Eastern Market

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For those in the know, Cutter's is the place to get a 32-ounce burger boasting two thick patties sandwiched between three buttered pieces of bun, and then teeming with lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, habanero peppers, mushrooms, bell peppers, pepperoni, bacon, sliced turkey, and two kinds of cheese. Any place that serves up this burger tower should be a household name, but this Eastern Market staple gets lost amid the buzz for bigger, flashier places (*ahem* Shake Shack).

2638 Orleans St, Detroit, MI 48207

(313) 393-0960

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Ivanhoe Cafe — Polish Yacht Club

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Founded nearly 100 years ago, the Ivanhoe Cafe is a Detroit institution. Equally known for its pierogies and perch, this charming establishment has a ton of character and history. The service is also friendly and attentive, making it a go-to for people wanting to show out-of-towners a slice of local culture.

5249 Joseph Campau St, Detroit, MI 48211

(313) 925-5335

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Satay House

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Dishes such as roti canal served with a curry and potato dip brings in loyal diners, and the nasi lemak and sarung barung taro cake are among the highlights of the vast menu that explores Malaysian and Indonesian cuisines.

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31101 Dequindre Rd, Madison Heights, MI 48071

(248) 588-1738

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Empire Dynasty

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Looking for a legit Chinese spot? At this Farmington Hills eatery, there's the English menu, then the Chinese menu and then there's the "Pure Chinese" menu (make sure to bring a translator). With options beyond General Tso's chicken (which they do serve), diners come here for flavorful offerings like mapo tofu, mutton with fennel seeds, spicy pork stomach, fried intestines, and pig feet.

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29505 W 9 Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48336

(248) 888-6866

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Kitchen Hanzo

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You don't have to travel all the way to Japan to soak in the izakaya (the Japanese equivalent of a gastropub) culture. Small, shareable plates such as octopus salad, fried shrimp with mayo, and seaweed served in a vinegar-based sauce go well with some sake.

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6023 Haggerty, West Bloomfield Township, MI

(248) 624-8666

Jeff's Kitchen

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Pro tip: Peruse the menu online and order 24 hours in advance because it's only Jeff in the kitchen and family members serving at this cozy spot in Walled Lake. Soup dumplings are hard to find around here, so those are a must. Other things to try include the mapo tofu and Grandma's pork.