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