Detroit is most well-known as being the Motor City of America as well as the center of rock ‘n’ roll. However, many people aren’t aware that there are many other things in the city that are uniquely Detroit’s own. Here are some of Detroit’s most iconic eats so you can sample the city in a whole new way.
Detroit-Style Deep Dish Pizza
New York-style pizza can’t beat Detroit’s very own deep-dish, Sicilian-style square pizza. Cloverleaf Pizza’s founder created the original Detroit-style pizza in 1946. They still serve this Detroit iconic food, which is baked in a steel pan that was an original container for car parts. Detroit deep-dish also uses only the finest brick cheese to top this square pizza, and when you try this signature classic, you’ll understand why nothing beats it.
Boston Cooler With Vernors Ginger Ale
Don’t let the name fool you. The Boston Cooler is Detroit’s very own, and it’s actually named after Boston Boulevard in downtown Detroit. This local favorite is made from Vernors, Detroit’s very own ginger ale, and vanilla ice cream. Vernors goes back a long time and is one of America’s oldest soft drinks. Detroit local James Vernor came up with this drink in 1866, and it’s been a favorite ever since. Top it with ice cream, though, and you have something truly unique to Detroit.
Double-Baked Rye Bread
Rye bread is a staple of many kosher bakeries and delis around the country, but none of them have what Detroit has: double-baked rye. Jack Goldberg was the mastermind behind the double-baking technique in the 1950s when he owned Stage & Co., a deli that served meats, sandwiches, and other items. The double-baking process involved baking the rye loaves until they were almost fully baked. Then, Mr. Goldberg would let the loaves bake for another 20 minutes before serving the deli lunch rush. This made the rye hold up to the piles of corned beef Detroiters are known to stack on their sandwiches.
Zip Sauce
If you haven’t topped your gyro, sandwiches, or steaks with Detroit’s famous Zip sauce, you haven’t really lived. Zip sauce became a thing back in the 1930s when Lelli’s Inn, a local Italian steakhouse, started serving a mixture of au jus, butter, Worcestershire sauce, and a blend of spices. The original Lelli’s Inn burned down some time ago. If you want to sample this Detroit original, head to Lelli’s new location in Auburn Hills. You’ll be thankful you did.
Superman Ice Cream
Nobody does a Superman ice cream quite like Detroit. Named after the superhero, this ice cream features swirls of red, blue, and yellow ice cream. It’s rumored to have come to fruition at Stroh’s Ice Cream Plant, where factory workers are credited with inventing this wild flavor using Blue Moon ice cream. You may find it all over now, but it won’t be exactly like Detroit’s own original.
No matter what you’re in the mood for, Detroit’s own unique flavors offer something for everyone. Take a walk through history with these five iconic eats straight from the Motor City itself.
Image via Pixabay.com
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