Loui's Pizza in Hazel Park, Mi

Every region of the US seems to have their own spin on pizza and Detroit is no exception. The most recognizable brand in Southeast Michigan is Buddy's but to experience a true Detroit original you must visit Loui's in Hazel Park, Michigan. Loui's (yes, this is the correct spelling) is the “brother” of Buddy's and Shield's. They offer the same style of thick square pizzas but I feel that Loui's is superior.

Not much has changed at Loui's over the last few decades. My family has been loyal customers for years and they can testify to this. From the outside it looks like a bowling alley. It's actually pretty easy to drive right by it. That is unless your aunt is yelling at you to slow down from the passenger seat. The restaurant isn't in the best area but don't be afraid; this adds to its mystique. The staff of Loui's is what you might expect at a traditional pizza place. Many have worked there for years and treat you as if you are family. By this I don't mean that they are overly sweet or will ask you “how is everything tasting?” It is closer to going over to your aunt's or mom's house where they want to make sure you eat and enjoy yourself.

When you walk in the first thing you'll probably notice is the hundreds of empty Chianti bottles hanging from the ceiling. It's a long standing tradition to order a bottle of wine, drink it and sign it so it can be hung with the others. I personally usually skip this tradition and order a soda or a local Michigan beer.

Loui's menu is all about the pizza. They do offer other Italian staples but the pizza and maybe the antipasto are the stars. We usually go simple when ordering the pizza; may be just pepperoni or onion. It is so rich that you don't need a lot of toppings. When I stated that not much has changed in several years, I wasn't just referring to the decor or the staff. The pizza recipe is exactly the same as when my grandma used to eat there long before I was born. I also suspect that the pizza pans are of the same vintage and this adds to the flavor.

The crust is thick as Detroit-style pizza is but the flavor and texture is unique to Loui's. It is buttery, crispy and chewy. The corner pieces are worthy of a family feud. The other component that is noticeably different than other pizzerias is the cheese. Loui's doesn't use mozzarella on their pies.They use a combination of cheeses that I can't quite identify. It is very tasty and very gooey. The sauce is also a bit different from Loui's competitors. It is distinctly peppery and the use of oregano is apparent. I appreciate this because most pizza sauce is fairly flavorless and doesn't use the herb.

There are a couple things to keep in mind before you head out to Loui's. They are not open on Mondays and Tuesdays. I'm not sure why this is but I made the mistake once of trying to call in an order and was left feeling disappointed. The other item worth mentioning is that this place is beyond busy on weekend evenings. I recommend bringing your patience with you or heading out before the dinner rush. You can also pick-up a half baked pie and finish cooking it at home. This is a good option but it isn't quite the same as dining in. If you do pick up a half baked pie, finish baking it at a fairly high temperature, at least 425 degrees, this will help crisp up the crust.

Loui's pizza is a true representation of Detroit and should be experienced by any pizza lover.

Location:
23141 Dequindre Rd.

Hazel Park, Mi 48030 

Hours
Wed and Thurs : 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Friday : 11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Saturday : 12:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Sunday : 12:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Carry Out Orders
248-547-1711   
Loui's Pizza

Biercamp Artisan Sauage & Jerky - Ann Arbor, MI

It has been ridiculously warm this winter. There have even been days where I have forgotten that it isn’t actually spring heading into summer. I began to think about summer, working out in the garden and the scent of barbeque in the air. Every weekend during the summer my next door neighbor fires up his smoker or barbecue. This results me leaning over the fence to ask George what he is preparing this time. Usually he’s smoking a turkey, brisket or a barbecuing some ribs. Even though summer is still months away, I was able to pretend it was here with a recent trip to Biercamp in Ann Arbor.

Biercamp is located in a renovated storefront that is welcoming and strangely hip. This place has a very unique feel with lots of wood and windows. They produce artisan sausage and jerky as well as other items such as bacon, cheese spreads and house made pickles. The selection is large and varied but I was there for one simple reason. I’d seen on their website that they offer smoked brisket sandwiches. (To be more precise, 12 hour slow smoked brisket sandwiches.)

I ordered my sandwich and was offered some of Andouille sausage to sample while I waited. It was very balanced with just the right amount of heat. I would have spent more time sampling but my sandwich was ready to go almost instantly. I decided to hit the road but there is a counter with a few stools located under the front window for those wanting to hangout.

While my sandwich wasn’t pretty, it sure was delicious. I can say that this sandwich was one of the best I’ve eaten in a while. It was served with pickles and finely sliced onion; which cut though the richness of the meat perfectly. The brisket itself was super tender and the sauce was flavorful but not overwhelming. The bun served its purpose beautifully. Good stuff and for a good price. ($7) I should also mention that Biercamp sells pulled pork sandwiches too. I plan on going back and giving it a try and at the same time I will most likely pick up some brats for the grill.

The owners are friendly and offer a great product. It is clear that they love what they do and this makes Biercamp a place worth of supporting.


If you have visited Biercamp, let me know what you enjoyed so I can give it a try.

Biercamp Artisan Sausage and Jerky

1643 S. State St.
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
Phone: 734-995-BIER(2437)
bier-camp.com/

Polish Comfort Food in Melvindale

I recently had to drive to the Downriver area to take my aunt to an appointment. She insisted that we stop at Sabina's in Melvindale for some Polish food. According to her; "they make the best pierogis." As usual, Aunt Rose was right.

Sabina's is family owned and operated restaurant that makes some of Detroit's best Polish food. They offer all of the old time favorites like stuffed cabbage, city chicken or pierogis. This place feels like you are visiting someone house. It is bare-bones kind of establishment. White walls with tightly packed tables and chairs. The only bit of flare in the decor are the lace curtains in the front window. Please don't let this scare you away because you will miss out on some tasty home cooking.

During our visit, I noticed the clientèle and found the folks to be pretty diverse. Of course, the older folks were represented with several tables of grandparents and their grandchildren. What I found surprising was the large number of younger people dressed in business attire having a bowl of soup or a sandwich while on their lunch break.

After taking a while to decide on what to order, Aunt Rose settled for a combination plate (which really wasn't a decision as it had a bit of everything - including pierogis, meatballs, sauerkraut, boiled potatoes and corn) and I ordered the kielbasa sandwich. In addition, we both ordered a cup of mushroom soup. It was creamy but not too thick and it contained barley. This won me over instantly. Our meals arrived in no time and Aunt Rose proceeded to put potato pierogis on my plate and give me half of a meatball. After sampling her food, I was ready to try my sandwich. It contained a link of smoked kielbasa, sauerkraut and Swiss cheese on grilled rye. The cheese was gooey and lovely. The sandwich was simple but great. I'll offer you one piece of advice; make sure you ask for mustard.

Even though we were stuffed, Aunt Rose ordered some berry crumb cake to go. It was hard to pass up for the price of 75 cents. I ate it the next morning with a cup of coffee and enjoyed it very much. The also sell their pierogis by the dozen. They freeze really well according to Aunt Rose.

If you are looking for comfort food at a very reasonable price, Sabina's is your place. 

3840 Oakwood Blvd
Melvindale, Mi 48122

313-388-5171