Pulled Pork Paradise: Metro Detroit’s Best Bites

By: Carolyn Hall | September 17, 2024
Pulled pork sandwiches with coleslaw and bbq sauce on brioche buns

Pulled pork is a true comfort food—tender, flavorful, and versatile enough to be enjoyed in a variety of dishes. Metro Detroit is home to some fantastic spots that serve up delicious pulled pork, whether you prefer it piled high on a sandwich, served on a platter, or as a topping for your favorite burger. Here’s a look at some of the best places to enjoy this smoky, savory delight…

RUSTED CROW ON THE LAKE

569 Main Street, Belleville

Nestled along the scenic shores of Belleville Lake, Rusted Crow on the Lake offers a relaxed atmosphere with a menu that reflects its love for hearty, comforting dishes. This family-owned spot has a standout pulled pork sandwich, featuring tender, slow-cooked pork that’s been carefully seasoned and smoked to perfection. Served on a fresh brioche bun and topped with barbecue sauce and tangy coleslaw, this sandwich perfectly balances the rich flavors of the pork with a satisfying crunch. Another sandwich featuring this pork is the Cuban, with ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard aioli. These sandwiches are the kind of dish that keeps you coming back, especially when enjoyed with a view of the lake.

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BLUE TRACTOR BBQ & BREWERY

207 East Washington Street, Ann Arbor

In Ann Arbor, Blue Tractor BBQ & Brewery is a must-visit for BBQ lovers. This spot combines the art of slow-cooked meats with craft brewing, making it a favorite for both food and beer enthusiasts. Their pulled pork is a star on the menu, served in a variety of ways after being smoked for 16 hours. You can enjoy it in a classic pulled pork sandwich, where the pork is topped with creamy slaw and pickles and served on a brioche roll, in slider form with Swiss cheese, barbecue sauce, fried onions, and pickles, atop the Loaded Pork Waffle Fries with beer cheese, crema, bacon, baked beans, and more, or as part of a BBQ platter alongside other smoked meats and traditional sides like cheddar grits, mac and cheese, sweet potato fries, and cornbread. The smoky, savory pork pairs perfectly with a cold brew from their on-site brewery.

BASEMENT BURGER BAR

1326 Brush Street, Detroit

42452 Ford Road, Canton

33316 Grand River Avenue, Farmington

Basement Burger Bar is known for its build-your-own-burger concept, offering a range of toppings that let you customize your meal just the way you like it. Among the many options available, the pulled pork stands out as a favorite. Juicy and flavorful, the pulled pork can be added as a topping to your burger at all locations, giving it a smoky kick that pairs perfectly with their selection of sauces and cheeses. In Farmington and Detroit, other pulled pork options on the menu include quesadillas, totchos, nachos, sliders topped with coleslaw, and the Band Wagon Burger, along with barbecue sauce, onion rings, and a sunny-side-up egg. Whether you’re in the mood for a custom cheeseburger or something more adventurous, adding pulled pork to your plate at Basement Burger Bar is always a good choice.

pulled pork sandwich from basement burger bar
Photo courtesy of Basement Burger Bar

RED WOOD GRILL

7726 Cooley Lake Road, Waterford Township

Red Wood Grill is a spot known for its wood-fired cooking and rustic, welcoming atmosphere. What started with one grill in 2009 to cater has evolved over the past 15 years, but the barbecue has stayed just as good. Their pulled pork is a menu highlight, featuring pork that’s slow-roasted until it’s melt-in-your-mouth tender. Served in a variety of sandwiches or on its own, the pulled pork at Red Wood Grill is complemented by their house BBQ sauce, which adds just the right amount of sweetness and tang. Check out the Bayou sandwich with Cajun slaw and shredded cheddar cheese, all on an onion roll, the Beef Pork with pulled pork topped with brisket, or the Timber sandwich, for pulled pork, Dearborn smoked kielbasa, and bacon. Whether you’re stopping in for lunch or dinner, these dishes are sure to satisfy your cravings for smoky, flavorful pork.

VINSETTA GARAGE

27799 Woodward Avenue, Berkley

One of the most iconic dining spots in Metro Detroit, Vinsetta Garage in Berkley has been serving up comfort food classics in a repurposed garage for years. The menu here is full of unique takes on American favorites, and the pulled pork is no exception. Available as a sandwich with South Carolina mayo, slaw, and pickled onions, atop The Shop Towel burger with house-pickled chilis, and spicy fried onions, or in the Pastor-ish Tacos with pickled pineapple pico and achiote lime crema, the pulled pork is a must-try. These dishes perfectly encapsulate the creative, comforting vibe of this beloved restaurant.

OUTLAW SMOKE BBQ

32046 Groesbeck Highway, Fraser

For those who appreciate authentic barbecue, Outlaw Smoke BBQ is a must-visit. Run by barbecue enthusiasts, Outlaw Smoke BBQ offers pulled pork that’s cooked until it reaches the perfect level of tenderness. On the menu, you’ll find a variety of Signature dishes with pulled pork, ranging from Peacemaker, with a thick cut of bologna, layered with house slaw, 3 Little Pigs sliders topped with mac and cheese, BBQ Poutine (with twice-fried fries, Colby Jack cheese, and beef gravy), Outlaw Nachos, and Mac Attack mac and cheese topped with the delicious pork. You can also find it served on its own, in taco form with red cabbage and Sriracha aioli, as Outlaw Fries (drenched in nacho cheese, chili, pico, and barbecue sauce), or the Notorious P.I.G., with smoked jalapeño and cheddar sausage topped with nacho cheese and barbecue sauce. Paired with traditional sides like coleslaw, pit beans, and potato salad, a pulled pork meal from Outlaw Smoke BBQ is sure to hit the spot.

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