Detroit-style pizza has a loyal following unlike anything else in the food world. With its thick, airy crust, crispy cheese-laced edges, and sauce ladled on top, this square slice is a Michigan original worth celebrating.
From longtime neighborhood spots to newer favorites, Michigan is packed with places doing this style proud. Here are 13 restaurants that locals keep coming back to, again and again.
Buddy’s Pizza – Detroit, Michigan
Buddy’s Pizza is where Detroit-style pizza was born. Since 1946, this legendary spot has been serving the original square pie that started it all, and the recipe has barely changed since.
The crispy, lacey cheese edges and pillowy crust are still made with the same care and tradition.
Locals treat a trip to Buddy’s like a rite of passage. Whether you go for a classic pepperoni or a loaded combo, every bite tastes like pure Detroit history on a plate.
Loui’s Pizza – Hazel Park, Michigan
Loui’s Pizza in Hazel Park has been quietly earning its reputation since 1977, and regulars will tell you it rivals any pizza in the state. The dough is made fresh daily, giving each square slice that signature chew with just the right amount of crunch on the bottom.
The no-frills atmosphere adds to the charm. You come here for the pizza, full stop, and Loui’s never lets you down.
Generations of families have made it their go-to spot for a reason.
Cloverleaf Bar & Restaurant – Eastpointe, Michigan
Cloverleaf Bar and Restaurant holds a special place in pizza history. Founded in 1949 by Gus Guerra, the man widely credited with inventing Detroit-style pizza, this Eastpointe institution carries serious bragging rights.
Every square slice here connects you directly to the origin of the style.
The atmosphere feels like a true neighborhood bar, warm and unpretentious. Long-time customers love the consistency, and first-timers are usually hooked after just one visit.
History never tasted so good.
Jet’s Pizza – Sterling Heights, Michigan
Jet’s Pizza started in Sterling Heights back in 1978 and grew into a national chain without ever losing the soul of its Detroit roots. The original location still draws loyal fans who remember when it was just a local gem making seriously good square pies.
What keeps people coming back is the reliable quality and bold flavors. Their eight-corner pizza guarantees maximum crispy edge pieces, which fans go absolutely wild for.
Sometimes a classic chain really does nail the original recipe.
Green Lantern Pizza – Madison Heights, Michigan
Green Lantern Pizza has been a Madison Heights staple since 1955, and the loyal crowd it draws proves some things just get better with age. The recipe is old-school and unapologetically so, using a dough that rises beautifully into that iconic thick, chewy base locals adore.
Families have been passing down their love for this place across generations. The cozy, retro feel of the restaurant matches the timeless taste of the pizza perfectly.
Nostalgia and flavor go hand in hand here.
Shield’s Restaurant Bar Pizzeria – Detroit, Michigan
Shield’s has been a Detroit institution since 1937, making it one of the oldest pizza spots in the entire city. The menu has grown over the years, but the Detroit-style square pizza remains the crown jewel that keeps regulars loyal decade after decade.
There is something deeply satisfying about eating a slice somewhere with nearly 90 years of pizza-making behind it. The thick, cheesy squares come out of the oven with that perfect golden bottom that true fans always look for first.
Niki’s Pizza – Detroit, Michigan
Tucked inside Detroit’s famous Greektown neighborhood, Niki’s Pizza brings a spirited, lively energy to every meal. The square pizza here has a satisfying heft to it, with a crust that manages to be both fluffy inside and gloriously crispy on the outside edges.
After a Tigers game or a night out in Greektown, a stop at Niki’s feels like the natural choice. The combination of great pizza and a fun neighborhood vibe makes this spot genuinely hard to leave without ordering a second slice.
Belle Isle Pizza – Detroit, Michigan
Belle Isle Pizza brings a fresh, modern spin to a beloved classic without messing with what makes Detroit-style pizza so special. Named after one of Detroit’s most iconic landmarks, this spot carries a local pride that shows up in every carefully crafted square pie they serve.
The ingredients are thoughtfully sourced, and the flavor combinations go beyond the expected. First-timers are often surprised by how creative the toppings get while still honoring the traditional thick, cheesy base everyone in Detroit grew up loving.
Grandma Bob’s Pizza – Detroit, Michigan
The name alone tells you something about the spirit of this place. Grandma Bob’s Pizza in Detroit leans into a homey, comforting vibe that makes every visit feel like someone cooked just for you.
The pizza is hearty, honest, and exactly what you want after a long day.
Locals rave about the crust, which hits that sweet spot between soft and crunchy with impressive consistency. There is a warmth to this spot that goes beyond the oven temperature, and it keeps people coming back regularly.
Michigan & Trumbull – Detroit, Michigan
Michigan and Trumbull is named after one of Detroit’s most storied intersections, the original home of Tiger Stadium, and this place carries that legacy with pride. The pizza here blends deep local reverence with a chef-driven approach that elevates every single topping combination on the menu.
The crust is a true showstopper, baked to a deep golden crunch on the outside while staying pillowy soft inside. Craft beer fans will also love the thoughtfully curated drink menu that pairs beautifully with every square slice.
Palazzo Di Pizza – Royal Oak, Michigan
Royal Oak’s Palazzo Di Pizza punches well above its weight in a suburb already known for great food. The square pies here have a distinctly satisfying chew to the crust, and the cheese coverage is generous all the way to the edge, giving you that coveted crispy border on every piece.
The relaxed, neighborhood-friendly atmosphere makes it easy to linger over a meal. Locals appreciate that Palazzo keeps things straightforward and delicious without overcomplicating a style of pizza that works perfectly on its own terms.
Como’s – Ferndale, Michigan
Como’s in Ferndale has been a social hub since 1953, and the pizza is every bit as iconic as the atmosphere. The expansive patio and lively indoor space attract a diverse crowd, but everyone agrees on one thing: the square pizza here is absolutely worth the trip.
The crust carries that signature crunch on the bottom, and the sauce-to-cheese ratio hits just right. On a warm Michigan evening, eating Como’s pizza on that famous patio is one of the simple joys locals hold close.
Detroit Style Pizza Co. Pizzeria – St Clair Shores, Michigan
Detroit Style Pizza Co. in St Clair Shores does exactly what the name promises, and it does it exceptionally well. The team here is passionate about honoring the original style while also pushing the boundaries with creative topping combinations that keep the menu exciting and fresh.
Every pizza comes out with those deeply caramelized cheese edges that are basically impossible to resist. Regulars often call ahead because the place fills up fast, which tells you everything you need to know about how good it really is.