7 Traditional Foods
You Have To Try in Detroit

Detroit-style pizza is a square pizza characterized by a thick deep-dish crisp crust and inverted toppings. Cheese is applied directly to the top of the dough, followed by a thick tomato sauce that is seasoned with garlic and spices. The most common topping is pepperoni, put either on top of the sauce or buried underneath the cheese. Detroit-style pizza can be traced back to Buddy's Rendezvous in 1946, and thanks to its popularity, it is now available nationwide. This dish is best paired with beer or wine.Expand

Contrary to popular belief, Coney dog, also called the Coney Island hot dog didn't start on Coney Island, New York. It was invented in Michigan, and three businesses claim to be its original birthplace - American Coney Island in Detroit, Lafayette Coney Island in Detroit and Todoroff's Original Coney Island in Jackson. A popular theory suggests that it was created by the Greeks and Macedonians who had immigrated to Detroit and passed through Coney Island on their way. The popular dish is consumed since 1917, a beef hot dog that is topped with a beanless, all-meat chili, yellow mustard and diced white onions, served in a warm, steamed bun. Coney dog is so popular that it is served at weddings, parties, and even at funerals. Of course, as with all popular dishes, there are numerous regional and local variations found throughout Indiana, Detroit, Flint, Jackson, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas.Expand

Although many people might think so, the famous slider is not just a small hamburger, but a very specific food item. First of all, a small ball of ground meat is smashed on a well-oiled griddle until very thin, accompanied by onions, which fry into the meat during the cooking process. The meat is then flipped, and other ingredients are added on top of the meat, including the slider bun which absorbs the aromas and flavors while it steams. Originally, slider was a term describing small burgers at White Castle restaurants throughout the United States of America. There are several theories as to why they’re called sliders: one says that they slide down easily because people typically eat more than just one, another says it’s because they slide across the griddle to make room for new meat patties, while White Castle says it’s because they slide out of their boxes with ease. Originally, slider was a term describing small burgers at White Castle restaurants throughout the United States of America. Interestingly, on January 14, 2014, Time magazine described the White Castle slider as the most influential burger of all time.Expand

Mac and cheese—a seemingly simple combination of macaroni and melted cheese—is one of the most popular dishes in the United States. The preferred American combination consists of curved macaroni pasta and Cheddar cheese, but modern varieties include vegetables, breadcrumb toppings, or gourmet ingredients such as crab, lobster, or truffles. Although it is an American staple, the dish was probably inspired by similar pasta dishes enjoyed in Italy and France. In the United States, it was popularized by none other than Thomas Jefferson. He fell in love with the combination of pasta and cheese during his European travels, and soon after returning, he started importing macaroni and had the pasta machine shipped to Virginia. Jefferson's chefs prepared macaroni and cheese and served it at his lavish banquets, and his distant cousin Mary Randolph published the first mac and cheese recipe in 1824. The dish was further popularized when Kraft placed the boxed variety on the market. Mac and cheese is a cheap, no-frills dish that could feed the whole family, and it is no surprise it has become a mainstay in American kitchens. It is the ultimate comfort food and is often listed as one of the most iconic American dishes. Expand

Originally an American invention, succulent and smoky barbecue ribs have become one of the most famous dishes in the world. The dish is typically prepared with pork ribs, usually spareribs or the tender, leaner baby back ribs. Pork is the obvious choice for the dish since it tends to be juicier on the bone, allowing the meat to come right off after the grilling process. It is one of the barbecued dishes which leans on the American-style grilling, in which the meat is cooked long, slow, and at a low temperature. To give the ribs their distinct taste and texture, they are always treated before grilling. Two most common ways include marinating and dry-rubbing. Marinating is usually done with soy or Worchester sauce, different spices, ketchup, and occasionally even whisky or honey. As the name suggests, dry-rub is usually made with powdered spices such as smoked paprika, garlic, Mediterranean or Oriental spices, sugar, and mustard. During grilling, the ribs are repeatedly smothered with a spicy barbecue sauce, which eventually provides the ribs with a luscious, viscous, and slightly spicy external layer. Ribs are a typical part of classic American barbecues, although they can be found in restaurants around the world and are also commonly prepared at home.Expand

This unusual American specialty consists of bacon strips that are cooked until barely crispy, dipped in chocolate, then left to cool until the chocolate coating hardens. The earliest mentions of this sweet and savory snack date back to 2005, but it is still unknown who had created it. Some suggest a state fair in Minnesota, while others claim that it is was invented in Marini's Candy in Santa Cruz, California. The snack gained huge popularity when it was featured on Food Network's show called Dinner: Impossible, and nowadays it can often be found at numerous state fairs throughout the country.Expand

Fish fry refers both to the meal and the popular Friday night tradition in Wisconsin. The fish is battered or breaded, then deep-fried, which is the fastest way to cook large quantities of fish. The Friday night event dates back to the medieval Roman Catholic times. Friday is connected to the crucifixion of Christ, so the day signifies abstinence - in this case, from meat, but fish got a free pass since it is considered that it doesn't come from a warm-blooded creature. The fish fry practice came from Irish, Polish, and German Catholic immigrants who had settled in Wisconsin. Any fish will do, but the most usual varieties are cod, walleye, lake perch, and bluegill. Traditionally, fried fish is accompanied by coleslaw, potato salad, French fries, tartar sauce, hushpuppies, or lemon slices. Fish fry is more than just a dish - it is a communal affair that celebrates the end of the week in Wisconsin.Expand