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16 restaurants and cafes opened in Metro Detroit in October, plus 7 closed
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16 restaurants and cafes opened in Metro Detroit in October, plus 7 closed

The themes for Metro Detroit restaurant openings in October 2024 are reopenings and second locations.

This month marked the triumphant return of not only the long-awaited Lady of the House and Taqueria El Rey in Detroit, but also the humble neighborhood Hamtramck joint Royal Kabob. Sterling Heights Mexican restaurant Que Pasa opened a second store in Royal Oak, while national chains Big Chicken, Chick-fil-A and Paris Baguette opened additional area stores.

Read on for details on the 16 restaurants, cafes and bakeries that opened in Metro Detroit this month, as well as the seven that closed.

Taqueria El Rey and Tres Leches ‘n’ Snacks in Mexicantown

Years after the family-owned restaurant was destroyed by fire, Taqueria El Rey made a triumphant return as a brick-and-mortar business on October 18th. It’s located in a building that has housed El Zocalo restaurant for more than 30 years. , El Rey is once again offering sit-down service with a full bar and a kitchen serving up its signature grilled chicken, ribs, and tacos. The new location’s menu includes whole and half grilled chicken dinners, whole and half ribeyes, tacos, quesadillas, tostadas, tortas and burritos. Sister business Tres Leches also has a menu that includes walking tacos, nachos, banana splits, mangonada and more.

Open Thursday-Tuesday 11:00-22:00. Closed on Wednesdays. 3400 Bagley, Detroit. (313) 357-3094.

I Built a Cigar and Wine Bar in Downtown Detroit

A stylish wine and cigar bar with an entrance from Fort Street has emerged on the ground floor of the Penobscot Building. Referencing the Frank Sinatra song, Did It My Way features dark, moody décor, a bright lounge area with a fireplace and several televisions. There is also a central bar area with comfortable seating and low tables. The kitchen serves a small menu of soups, salads and wraps for lunch. Did It My Way is still in the soft opening phase while awaiting approval for cigar smoking.

645 Griswold, Detroit.

Royal Kabob in Hamtramck

Royal Kabob, a long-time favorite in Hamtramck for family dinners, nights out with friends, or just warming up with a bowl of crushed lentil soup, reopened this month after being closed since 2020. Sit down in the full-service dining room or order their signature dishes, such as kibbeh, vegetarian grape leaves, and their famous half-boneless, char-grilled chicken, served with your choice of rice or fries and soup or salad. Freshly squeezed juices and smoothies are also available at Royal Kabob.

Open every day between 10.00-22.00. 3236 Caniff, Hamtramck. (313) 872-9454. hroyalkabob.com.

Lady of the House in Core City

In the most talked about reopening of the year, chef Kate Williams has reopened her nationally renowned Lady of the House restaurant in a new location. The farm-to-table restaurant, formerly located in Corktown, is now in a smaller home in the Core City. It still focuses on a seasonal, ever-changing menu and classic hospitality, and the crockery is still a lovely mix of donated antique-looking plates, bowls and cups. “There will be shrimp paste on the menu, which is something we can’t get away from. People love it and the staff loves it. What the staff likes to eat determines a lot of what’s going to be on the menu,” Williams said. he told the Detroit News just before the October 23 opening. “We’re opening with a lot of the old favorites. We’re changing the menu a little more frequently and asking the farmers, ‘What’s wrong with you?’ “It excites me to ask, and then I prepare a meal with it.”

Open 16.30-21.30 Wednesday-Friday, 17.00-21.30 Saturday. and 17.00-20.30 Sunday. 4884 Grand River, Unit 1C, Detroit. (313) 230-4678. ladyofthehousedetroit.com.

Rudy’s Prime Steakhouse in Clarkston

Located in the former Rudy’s Market and Clarkston News buildings, this new steakhouse made its debut in mid-October. The upscale destination serves steaks with zip sauce, seafood, pasta and other house specialties like gourmet cheeseburgers, fried chicken and classic wedge salad. The team also includes executive chef Josh Stockton, who previously worked at Gold Cash Gold in Detroit and the Daxton Hotel in Birmingham.

Open Tuesday-Thursday 16.00-22.00, Friday-Saturday 16.00-23.00. and 16.00-21.00 Sunday. 9 S. Main, Village of Clarkston. (248) 625-3033. Rudysprimesteakhouse.com.

Norm’s Diner in the West Village

Norm’s, a much-needed neighborhood breakfast and lunch spot, is now open where Detroit Vegan Soul once stood. The menu includes standards like biscuits and gravy, pancakes, and turkey club, as well as fun things like a lox plate with rye toast, vegan breakfast meats, and chocolate malts. Dine in or order takeout.

Thurs-Mon. Open between 8:00-16:00. Closed Tuesday-Wednesday. 8029 Agnes, Detroit. (313) 332-0347. normsdiner.com.

What JP Does and Cooks at Its New Headquarters

Baker Jonathan Peregrino opened his bakery in Detroit’s New Center district this month, offering traditional Filipino flavors in familiar formats. Expect cookies, sticky buns, bibingka (Filipino coconut cake), coffee drinks, tea and more. Peregrino, a Hatch Detroit Top 10 finalist, competed on season 7 of the Food Network’s “Holiday Baking Championship.”

Temporary opening hours are Thursday-Friday 08.00-15.00. and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. 6529 Woodward, Suite B, Detroit. (313) 338-8595. https://www.jpmakesandbakes.com.

Corktown Taphouse in Corktown

This new destination has a lot going for it. When you arrive, you check in and guests are given a wristband linked to their debit or credit account that activates a wall of self-pour taps containing beer, wine, cider and sparkling water. There is also a cocktail bar and two food stands. One of the main attractions is the duckpin bowling lanes, which are similar to traditional bowling but where lighter balls and pins attack the strings. There are also AR dartboards and activities for younger children. As for food, there are two independently run kitchens inside: 1834 Kitchen, which features classic comfort food, and a Mexican cuisine concept called Agave Lime.

Open Sunday-Wednesday 11:00-22:00, Thursday 11:00-23:00. and 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday-Saturday. 1611 Michigan, Detroit. (313) 362-8184. corktowntaphouse.com.

More openings in October

Antica Nova: A new Italian restaurant behind the San Marino Club from chef Anthony Giannola It’s open with a full bar and happy hour at 1695 E. Big Beaver in Troy.

Big Chicken: Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken, the third location in Michigan and the first in Metro Detroit opened this month at 30130 Plymouth in Livonia.

Chick-fil-A: This chicken sandwich chain’s latest location opened this month at 32061 Gratiot in Roseville.

Good Detroit: A new neighborhood café on the east side, it’s open daily at 7 a.m. at 14834 Kercheval in Detroit.

Halal Beirut: A modest Middle Eastern café serving shawarma, smoothies, salads, baked goods and more opened this month at 3636 Caniff near Caniff and Conant.

Paris Baguette: The second location of this French-inspired national bakery cafe with South Korean roots opened this month at 21400 Michigan in Dearborn, where Andiamo Dearborn was once located.

Que Pasa Taqueria: The second location of this popular Sterling Heights restaurant has opened at 221 E. 12 Mile in Royal Oak, with its famous red tacos, birria ramen, sopes, quesadillas and more.

Yallah Express: The quick-service Middle Eastern restaurant has reopened at its new location at 44500 Garfield in Clinton Township.

October closings

Ascension Brewing Company: This neighborhood craft brewery in Novi closed its doors on October 6 after nearly a decade in business. “Despite our passion and dedication to bringing you the best craft beers and food, the beer industry downturn and scaling challenges have not been kind to us,” reads a statement posted on social media.

Black Ginger: A creative and fresh Korean American restaurant at Corktown’s Trumbull and Porter Hotel closed abruptly this month after nearly five months of operation. “Due to a dispute with property, Black Ginger is unfortunately closing our doors,” the restaurant’s Instagram reads. “We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused and thank you for all your support and enthusiasm for our food and staff over the past five months.” The post hints at a comeback asking customers to stay tuned for updates. Neither the restaurant nor the hotel responded to The Detroit News’ request for comment.

Bobcat Bonnie’s Ypsilanti: Second Bobcat Bonnie’s location to close this yearThis location in Ypsilanti closed due to a dispute between management and employees. Following the strike at the Ferndale location, management released a statement saying the two parties had reached an agreement. “I want to thank the Bobcat United group for conducting business in a civil and professional manner as we negotiated a severance package for the affected Ypsilanti workers. Going forward, the management team and I are committed to listening to all of our employees to work together to create new jobs. Our guests A fun and inviting dining experience for you,” said owner Matt Buskard. Bobcat Bonnie’s locations in Corktown, Ferndale, Grand Rapids, Wyandotte and Lansing remain open.

Bubi’s Great Dishes: It’s not exactly Metro Detroit, but Bubi’s was a big part of the Windsor dining scene for 40 years. Known as a casual spot for its gourmet burgers and famous garlic sauce, Bubi’s was once featured on the Food Network. The brand continues to exist as a line of dips sold in specialty markets on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border. Visit bubissauce.com.

Snack Camp Detroit: As one West Village restaurant makes its debut (Norm’s Diner, see above), another is closing its doors. Snack Camp was known for serving tea, baked goods, and daily specials such as sandwiches and soup. The owners posted on Instagram saying they would not renew the lease and close at the end of October.

Sushi Town: After 18 years of business in Ann Arbor, a small and unassuming sushi restaurant has closed. MLive reported “Thank you for your love and support…we loved being a part of your life,” read a note on the door of 740 Packard in Ann Arbor.

Uno Pizzeria and Grill: The Sterling Heights location of this national Chicago-style pizzeria chain closed on October 26. The Farmington Hills location is still open at 37529 Grand River.

Melody Baetens is restaurant critic for The Detroit News

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