Superior Pasties is one of the longest standing pasty shops in Metro Detroit, having been around since 1991. But Superior only started getting its name out to the public in 2014 when new ownership took over. With that came a “unique desire to transform the pasty,” whatever that means. At the least, Superior kept on the original pasty maker from the start.
This pasty ended up being one of the Pasty Guy’s last ventures in the Metro Detroit area and as time went on, the positive reviews piled up. So much that Superior Pasties was the only Lower Peninsula pasty shop to make USA Today’s Top 10. On the outside, everything about Superior makes it seem like it belongs in the Upper Peninsula. Along with that ranking, the shop has classic pictures and facts from the old days of miners and their lunch of choice.
Located on the south end of Livonia, just south of I-96, Superior may be the go-to spot for any pasty lovers living on the west side of Detroit. But even in Detroit, the excitement is palpable by simply being in the shop, as the making of pasties is visible to any visitor.
Unfortunately, that excitement could only last so long for a place that was built up to compete with some of the best in the U.P. This is not a Top 10 pasty in Michigan and it’s on the edge of making that list solely in the L.P. In Metro Detroit, it’s fighting to be in the Top 5.
A look at the pasty is about all the information needed. While the handle is visible on the crust, it’s clearly not strong enough to hold the entire pasty by itself. It also vaguely resembles a horseshoe crab, which isn’t something I’d ever thought I’d say about a pasty. The crust tastes how it looks: dry, flimsy and almost tasteless.
This could’ve been a fine pasty due to the great ratio and loads of meat in the middle. However, taste was an issue throughout. I believe this may be one of the healthiest pasties I’ve ever had and that’s partly due to lack of salt and pepper. I’m fine with serving pasties with ketchup or gravy, but to lack flavor for the pasty as a whole is not how they were meant to be made.
The pasty was fine, it just failed to live up to expectations. The crust was mediocre and that probably hurt the overall perception, as well. There were clumps of meat throughout, although that didn’t change the flavor much.
The reasoning for that Top 10 ranking is fairly clear. They seem to have a decent following and that led to a rankings boost. Superior is great on the outside, but won’t be a pasty that the Pasty Guy seeks out unless something changes in that ‘transformed pasty’.
Taste: 2.5 (out of 5)
Crust: 1.5 (out of 5)
Pasty Presentation: 2.5 (out of 5)
The Shop: 3 (out of 3)
Would I come back for Pasties?: 0 (out of 2)
Total Pasty Ranking: 9.5 (of 20 points)
(Reviewed Spring 2017)