6 Michigan Restaurants Worth Checking For Detroit-Style Pizza
Detroit-style pizza is a rectangular deep-dish marvel with a crispy, caramelized cheese edge that’s unlike any other pizza style.
Born in the Motor City during the mid-20th century, this iconic dish features a thick, airy crust topped with Wisconsin brick cheese that extends all the way to the edges of the pan. If you’re in Michigan and craving this local specialty, here are six fantastic restaurants where you can experience authentic Detroit-style pizza at its best.
1. Buddy’s Pizza – Detroit, Michigan
The undisputed birthplace of Detroit-style pizza since 1946. Buddy’s original location on Conant Street started it all in a former speakeasy, using blue steel pans from the automotive industry to create their signature rectangular pies.
The thick, crispy-bottomed crust supports layers of Wisconsin brick cheese that caramelizes along the edges, creating that coveted crispy cheese crown. Their sauce goes on top in racing stripes, a Detroit hallmark.
While they’ve expanded to multiple locations across Michigan, pizza enthusiasts make pilgrimages to the original spot for the authentic experience. Their Detroiter pizza with pepperoni both under and over the cheese remains their most iconic offering.
2. Loui’s Pizza – Detroit, Michigan
Hidden in Hazel Park, Loui’s Pizza feels frozen in time with its red checkered tablecloths and Chianti bottles hanging from the ceiling. Founded by Louis Tourtois, who previously worked at Buddy’s, this family-run establishment has maintained unwavering quality since 1977.
Their Detroit-style pizzas feature a perfectly aerated crust that’s both crispy and chewy, with that signature caramelized cheese edge that crunches with each bite. What sets Loui’s apart is their slightly sweeter sauce and generous toppings.
The restaurant’s nostalgic atmosphere adds to the experience walls covered with photos of loyal customers spanning decades. Many Detroit pizza aficionados quietly consider Loui’s to be the best example of the style in the entire state.
3. Jet’s Pizza – Detroit, Michigan
From humble beginnings in Sterling Heights to becoming Michigan’s pizza powerhouse with hundreds of locations nationwide, Jet’s success story is remarkable. Brothers Eugene and John Jetts opened their first pizzeria in 1978, perfecting their Detroit-style “8 Corner Pizza” that gives every slice those coveted crispy edges.
Despite their expansion, Jet’s maintains quality through their proprietary dough recipe and premium Wisconsin brick cheese. Their signature Turbo Crust brushed with garlic and romano cheese adds an extra dimension to the traditional Detroit style.
While purists might debate including a chain on this list, Jet’s deserves recognition for introducing Detroit-style pizza to markets across America while staying true to their Michigan roots and original recipe.
4. Cloverleaf Bar & Restaurant – Detroit, Michigan
A slice of Detroit pizza history awaits at Cloverleaf, founded by Gus Guerra the very man who created the first Detroit-style pizza at Buddy’s before opening his own place in 1953. The Eastpointe institution continues his legacy under family ownership.
Cloverleaf’s pizza features a light, airy crust that’s paradoxically both substantial and delicate, with perfectly caramelized cheese that forms a lacy pattern around the edges. Their slightly spicier sauce differentiates them from competitors.
The restaurant itself maintains its vintage charm with wood-paneled walls and neighborhood bar atmosphere. For pizza historians, eating at Cloverleaf is like tasting the original vision of Detroit-style pizza from one of its founding fathers, preserved through generations of careful stewardship.
5. Supino Pizzeria – Detroit, Michigan
Breaking tradition while respecting its roots, Supino offers a modern interpretation of Detroit pizza in Eastern Market. Owner Dave Mancini blends Detroit roots with Italian heritage, creating pies that honor both traditions without being bound by rigid rules.
Their Detroit-style offerings feature the expected rectangular shape and crispy edges but with artisanal touches house-made sausage, locally-sourced vegetables, and a lighter approach to the dough. The Bismarck, topped with a fresh egg, prosciutto and ricotta, exemplifies their innovative approach.
Supino’s bright, art-filled space draws a diverse crowd of downtown workers, market shoppers, and pizza enthusiasts. For those seeking Detroit-style pizza with contemporary flair rather than strict traditionalism, Supino delivers an experience that bridges old Detroit with the city’s creative renaissance.
6. DeCarlo’s Pizza – Detroit, Michigan
Family-owned since 1937, DeCarlo’s represents old-school Detroit pizza craftsmanship at its finest. What began as a bakery evolved into a pizza institution when they started applying their bread-making expertise to pizza dough, creating a distinct variation on the Detroit style.
Their signature square pizzas feature a slightly thinner crust than some competitors, but with the same essential crispy bottom and caramelized cheese edge. DeCarlo’s distinguishes itself with a more generous application of their herb-forward sauce and a perfect cheese-to-dough ratio.
The Warren location maintains its no-frills approach, focusing entirely on pizza perfection rather than atmosphere. Their frozen pizzas available for shipping have developed a cult following among Detroit expats who crave an authentic taste of home from anywhere in the country.
