Detroit’s 10 Biggest Restaurant Stories of 2024 #DetroitFood
A look back at the top news of the year from the death of a beloved chef to an in-house heirloom masa program
The year 2024 has turned out to be a big year for Detroit-area restaurants. As we wrap up a year filled with highs and lows, it’s a good time to reflect on the stories that captivated readers and set the tone for the past 12 months in Detroit. From the death of a beloved Detroit chef to the pop-up operators who are sounding off against exploitative practices that plague the restaurant industry, here were the biggest moments in Detroit food news in 2024.
Celebrated Chef Maxcel Hardy Has Died at 40
The local culinary community was shocked to learn of the March 4 death of Maxcel Hardy, an influential Black chef and native Detroiter who rose to fame cooking for athletes and stars in Miami and New York and went on to build a reputation for his community work addressing childhood food insecurity and mentoring the next generation of chefs.
Framebar in Hazel Park Closes After Pop-Ups Object to Business Practices
Framebar, the Hazel Park establishment that billed itself as an “incubator” for young businesses closed in early June, two weeks after an Eater Detroit report revealed deep concerns over equity on the part of Detroit’s pop-up community. The initial reporting, published May 23, was also the 11th most-read story of the year.
Detroit’s New Modern Mexican Restaurant Will Serve Tortillas Made With Nixtamalized Masa
Vecino, one of the city’s most ambitious new modern Mexican restaurants to open in a generation, opened its doors on April 19, bringing with it what is believed to be Michigan’s first fresh nixtamalized masa program. The much-anticipated opening represents a growing wave of individuals throughout the Midwest who are turning to the 3,000-year-plus-old, pre-Hispanic process for making masa, nixtamalization, as documented by Eater’s Serena Maria Daniels and the 13th most-read story of the year.
Jack in the Box Is Making a Return to Metro Detroit
Daniels couldn’t resist her inner Valley Girl for this breaking news item: the return of culty fast-food favorite Jack in the Box to metro Detroit. The Southern California-based chain announced in November that fans will be able to indulge in Jack’s value menu, late-night hours, and its perfectly trashy crunchy tacos when five locations launch locally in the coming years.
A Dreamy Sandwich Haven Is Coming Soon to Ferndale
The spicy mortadella sandwich created by longtime local hospitality worker, Mike Finsilver has been living rent-free in Eater’s imagination since contributor Courtney Burk waxed poetic about it this past spring. Seems we weren’t alone as readers flocked to read details about Finsilver’s forthcoming Tall Trees Cafe in Ferndale.
Bobcat Bonnie’s Workers Allege Bounced Paychecks and Poor Treatment at Michigan Restaurants
Protests against the restaurant industry’s often exploitative labor practices were a recurring theme in Detroit and beyond this year and employees of the regional gastropub chain Bobcat Bonnie’s joined the chorus amid concerns over alleged bounced checks, inconsistent shift scheduling, and accusations of poor treatment by management. The upset spilled over onto social media in October when ownership closed locations in Ypsilanti and Partridge Creek and relinquished operation of the Fly Trap in Ferndale.
A Mexican Coney Island Arrives on Michigan Avenue With Huevos Rancheros
The family behind one of the most popular casual Mexican restaurants in southwest Detroit, Taqueria Mi Pueblo, took over ownership of Jordan’s Family Restaurant, helping to redefine one’s notion of a classic Coney Island. No, you won’t find Coney Island hot dogs on the menu, but you will encounter many of the staples of a traditional Coney Island restaurant (as well as a line of Mexican breakfast favorites), including huevos rancheros, chilaquiles, pancakes, fresh-squeezed orange juice, cafe de olla, club sandwiches, and pita wraps.
Walk Down the Stairs of the Book Tower and Find Upscale Japanese
Detroiters were excited to welcome news that downtown’s historic Book Tower was to welcome two Japanese dining experiences: Hiroki-San and Sakazuki. Hiroki-San, set in the lower level of the iconic skyscraper, offers diners a variety of robatayaki and yakitori skewers, three regional varieties of wagyu, noodles, and an expansive sushi bar. The more casual Sakazuki models itself as a typical Japanese pub, with snacks like katsu sandos, wagyu hamburgers, sushi hot dogs, and ekiben, plus a sake-by-the-glass menu.
These Are Michigan’s 2024 James Beard Award Semifinalists
News that the James Beard Foundation had the names of 13 Michigan-based restaurants and chefs on its long list for what’s considered one of the most elite honors in hospitality got readers hyped and hopeful for shiny medals in Detroit’s future. Followers of the prestigious award also tuned into Eater Detroit for the results of the finalists, which helped to land that news as No. 12 most-read.
Detroit’s First Official Cannabis Bakery and Cafe Is Opening Soon in Corktown
Michigan’s growing cannabis industry continues to intersect the region’s food scene and closing out the Top 10 most-read stories of 2024 is this news about a new Corktown bakery and cafe that specializes in Delta-9 THC-infused baked goods, coffee beverages, and lemonades in the space formerly occupied by Michigan & Trumbull.
from Eater Detroit - All
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