Best Spots For A Quick Lunch In Downtown Detroit
By Liz Parker
Eating lunch in the city can sometimes be time-consuming - you have to find a parking spot or garage, park, and then possibly walk a while to your destination. However, Detroit has a lot of quick-serve or places with fast waitservice that will get you in and out of your lunch fairly quickly. Check out this list for the best spots to visit in the city.
Calexico
1040 Woodward Ave.
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 262-6361
www.calexico.net
Calexico is the new kid on the block, having been open since late summer 2016, and it serves Mexican dishes. There are two Calexico restaurants (Detroit and Brooklyn, and one that will soon be opening in Bahrain) and its named for the town of the same name, which is on the California and Mexico border. You'll find menu items here that aren't typical, but are interesting: the crispy Brussels sprouts, for example, come with peanut-chile salsa, cotija cheese, and radish. Calexico also serves tacos, burritos, bowls, and salads, among other menu items.
Rusted Crow
78 W. Adams Ave.
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 782-4751
www.rustedcrowdetroit.com
Rusted Crow opened in July 2016, and is related to Rusted Crow Distillery, in Dearborn - same spirits, but this location serves food. If you go for a quick after-work dinner, check out their happy hour specials (Tuesday through Friday, 3 to 6 p.m.) - the chicken nachos, in particular, are fabulous, and aren't on the regular menu. Menu fare ranges from burgers to salads/sandwiches to entrees, and all of their spirits are made in-house at the Dearborn location.
Mudgie's Deli
1300 Porter St.
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 961-2000
www.mudgiesdeli.com
If you haven't heard of Mudgie's, you must be living under a rock, because it's been one of the most well-known delis in Detroit proper for many years now. Sandwich meats range from beef to poultry to fish, and there are even vegetarian and vegan options. You can also design your own sandwich or salad if you're not a fan of the signature sandwiches - the menu requests no alternations to the signature sandwiches. Make sure to save room for desserts, too, such as the Fudgie Mudgie (a brownie waffle with a scoop of Calder Dairy ice cream) or perhaps the Sweet Ruth (a bread pudding waffle with apples, also topped with ice cream).
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Royale with Cheese
4163 Cass Ave.
Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 315-3014
Royale with Cheese, named after the quote from Pulp Fiction, opened in Midtown in early 2017, and has been serving up burgers (topped with fondue cheese!) and other sandwiches ever since. All meats are Halal, too (turkey bacon is used instead of pork bacon), and range from regular burgers to brisket. If you're vegetarian or vegan, check out the Alexandria burger, which comes with falafel, romaine, tomatoes, pickles, avocado, and a lemon-tahini aioli; if you're more of a carnivore, try the Royale burger, which is topped with smoked brisket, Southwest corn relish, caramelized onions, avocado, smoked Gouda cheese fondue, cole slaw, and Royale sauce; for an extra $3, you can add fries and a drink, too.
Avalon Cafe and Bakery
1049 Woodward Ave.
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 285-8006
www.avalonbreads.net
Avalon Bakery has two locations (the other location is on Willis St., in Midtown) and this location includes its cafe. The menu ranges from sandwiches, to salads, to pizza, all of which would be ideal for a quick lunch. All of Avalon's breads are made in-house, and have been since June of 1997, when the Willis St. location opened.
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