1. Cajun Boiling Crab
Seafood boils are messy, so what better way to enjoy them than at home with your family or in a park? That’s the idea behind why the owner decided to open Cajun Boiling Crab during a pandemic, who said business has only gone up. Customers can choose what type of seafood they’d like (lobster, crab, and mussels are some of the options) and their choice of a sauce or rub. Then, they can take it to go and enjoy the delicious but messy dish in the comfort of their own home.
Where: 19803 W. McNichols Rd., Detroit, MI 48203
2. Jed’s Detroit
Chef Max Hardy is a name that will be familiar on this list. The chef has had a multitude of side projects for 2020 and 2021, and one of his most recent is taking over the Detroit location of Jed’s, an American joint serving up burgers, fries, and chicken in a variety of flavors and sauces.
Where: 1648 East Seven Mile , Detroit, MI 48203
3. Detroit Farm & Cider
While it’s not a restaurant per-say, we couldn’t help but include it on this list. Detroit has a new Black-owned cider mill and urban farm, and it’s about time. Owner and Detroit-native Leandra King owns Detroit Farm & Cider, a cider mill that is also a 4-acre orchard dedicated to preparing fresh grown food and cider. They’re also doing subscription boxes for farm-fresh food delivered straight to your kitchen.
Where: 1600 Lawrence St, Detroit, MI 48206
4. Flavors of Jamaica
Chef Reniel Billups is serving up delicious homemade Caribbean dishes at her latest restaurant, Flavors of Jamaica. Jamaican-style hot soup, pepper steak, and jerk chicken are just some of the offerings they have. They even have fresh juices in store. Billups’ future plans are to host live Caribbean music, but for now, the casual eatery will have to do without.
Where: 406 N. Telegraph Rd. Pontiac, MI 48341
5. Kuzzo’s Chicken and Waffles
Kuzzo’s Chicken and Waffles had quite a year. First closed for remodeling, they reopened last spring during the height of the pandemic. The popular breakfast eatery was as safe as possible, and even suggested customers use sites like Grubhub and Black and Mobile for delivery to adhere to social distancing. Soon, customers should be able to dine-in again on delicious chicken, waffles, and sides.
Where: 19345 Livernois, Detroit, MI 48221
6. Saucey Crab
Saucey Crab is another of Detroit’s latest eateries offering up seafood boils in a bag with your choice of seafood and sauce. Recently opened, the Detroit restaurant is their second location after expanding from Southfield. The popularity of the first location’s ‘Seafood Wednesdays’ inspired her to create a location devoted to the food, and Detroiters couldn’t be more excited to see doors open.
Where: 21639 Eight Mile Road, Detroit MI
7. Gabriel Hall
In the mood for some authentic New Orleans cuisine? Gabriel Hall has been a long-time coming (it was pitched in 2014) but, hopefully, they’ll be opening sometime this year. Gabriel Hall is envisioned to be a restaurant, bar, and music venue (not to mention there’s a planned museum and nonprofit dedicated to music education). The idea was born by musician Dameon Gabriel and he’s even partnered with a Louisiana-born chef.
Where: 8002 Kercheval Ave, Detroit MI 48214
8. Baobab Fare
Baobab Fare is now open and serving up homemade renditions of EastAfrican cuisine. Owned by Burundi-natives, Nadia Nijimbere and Hamissi Mamba, this eatery is providing a safe space for immigrants and Detroiters alike. Offering authentic East African cuisine and Burundi coffee, Baobab has been highly anticipated. Their Instagram is active with delicious peaks of their menu. If you want to know insider details, sign up for their newsletter.
Where: 6568 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202
9. Honey
Max Hardy has two more restaurants anticipated for 2021. The first being Honey, an Afro-Caribbean eatery. According to the Metro Times , the restaurant could open by 2021 as a restaurant, speakeasy, and even with a podcast studio.
Where: 1452 Randolph, Detroit, MI 48226
10. What’s Crackin’
His second eatery to open this year is What’s Crackin’, a seafood boil restaurant on the Avenue of Fashion near Seven Mile. The vision for the restaurant is takeout seafood boils, where customers can choose their seafood mix and sauce. Hardy’s own homemade sauce will be an option. Hardy is also teaming up with Ron Bartell, the owner of Kuzzo’s Chicken and Waffles to create a great duo.
Where: TBA
[featured image via facebook / baobabfare