Spicy Italian Treats

By: Karen Dybis | February 7, 2020
Flatbreads in the D

Photo Courtesy of Impasto.

Metro Detroit has some of the best-known and most flavorful pizza around, mostly because the area is home to so many major players. As a result, the pizza game here is strong, spicy and full of interesting dishes.

One local favorite is a pizza served on a flatbread. This is not only a refreshing change to the traditional pie, but it also is an easy way to grab a bite or take your lunch or dinner on the road. Flatbreads are a convenient way to serve a single portion as well, if your group wants to try something different based on the many personalities at the table. 

There are food trucks as well as brick-and-mortar restaurants that are bringing flatbread pizza to a new level. Think of innovative ingredients, lots of fresh veggies and meats as well as light, fluffy dough to serve as the delivery system for this great meal. 

Here are some Metro Detroit restaurants and food trucks that are serving up flatbread pizza with a kick. 

Elephant Room 
This Detroit bar and restaurant is known for things like fried chicken and killer pop-up meals. But it also has a great flatbread pizza for people who want something warm and satisfying. It is served as the Traditional with pepperoni, cheese and fresh herbs as well as a veggie with basil pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, lavender balsamic, mushrooms and onions.

Impasto 
This food truck has pizza down pat. It has so many grilled artisan Italian flatbreads. You can try them all: The Margherita, Italian Beef, meatball, grilled chicken, the list goes on and on. But also try the Hawai-lian, which has Italian-breaded chicken, crispy prosciutto cotto, pineapple and fresh basil. And there’s also some good eats to be had with the Spicy Veggie which comes wth arugula, tomatoes, roasted red pepper, red onion, giardiniera and spicy garlic aioli. 

Central Kitchen 
Pizza doesn’t necessarily have to mean a tomato sauce and Mozzarella cheese. If your taste buds are longing for something unique and flavorful, then you should head over to this Detroit favorite eatery. It is serving a fig flatbread with fig jam, crispy brussel sprouts, goat cheese and a balsamic reduction. 

Marrow 
This place gets raves from local newspaper writers and pretty much anyone else who has gone there for a meaty lunch or dinner. Its Brunch features a Lamp Flatbread with Za’tar rubbed lamb, house flatbread, dill scrambled eggs, fluffly bottom farms feta cheese and pickled spicy chile. Get there to try it soon because its menu is subject to change rapidly. 

Gilbert’s Lodge 
This St. Clair Shores mainstay is beloved by everyone who eats there because the food is always good and plentiful. There’s a reason why the parking lot is never empty. Check out its flatbread pizzas in the Margherita style or BBQ Chicken and Garlic, featuring fresh marinated chicken covered with house barbecue sauce and smothered with fresh garlic.

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