Pasties may be the most popular food in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, but a few minutes south of the Mackinac Bridge, that’s forgotten with pasty shops few and far between. Over the past decade, that has changed with a number of new shops popping up across the state with Detroit being one of the hot spots. While people are still getting acquainted to eating pasties in the L.P., there are at least options.
The Detroit Pasty Trail (google maps) may not be as exciting as the original trail in the U.P. — and it’s less than three hours long so you can technically get through it in a day — but for people in the area, there are places to go for lunch… or dinner.
For the pasty lovers, you already know what a good pasty tastes like. For the newbies, some of these shops probably shouldn’t be the first pasty you try. If you’re unsure of the pasty quality, peruse the rest of The Pasty Guy website and you’ll find answers soon enough.
As of note, a lot of bakeries have pasties in the area, but that would make things too confusing to include them all. The only place I know of that has pasties in Detroit’s city limits is Batch Brewing, in case you’re downtown with a hankering.
- U.P. Pasties, Plymouth – Review
- Superior Pasties, Livonia – Review
U.P. and Superior Pasties aren’t my favorite places, but they are two of the only pasty places on the west side of Detroit. The area also included Weldon’s Pasties, but they unfortunately disbanded in 2019. Of course, Motor City Pasty Company is often in the area and is worth looking up whenever they are around. It’s a food truck so it’s a little hard to pin down as they move all over the metro area.
Beef Pasty at Barb’s in Clawson
- M-Brew, Ferndale – Review
- Barb’s Pasties & Pizza, Clawson – Review
- Peppy’s Pizza, Troy – Review
If you can only go to one spot for pasties, Barb’s is the choice. While they’re known more for pizza, Barb’s has one of the best pasties in the entire state of Michigan and is on another level than most places in the area. Peppy’s is slightly closer to I-75 and may have the cheapest pasties. M-Brew isn’t great for pasties with the best thing about it being the beer. In case you haven’t noticed, most pasty places don’t sell alcohol, especially not craft beer (as M-Brew does).
- Uncle Peter’s Pasties, Shelby Charter Township – Review
Another one of the better pasty shops in Metro Detroit is Uncle Peter’s, which has two more locations in Clarkston and Oxford. Clarkston is the
Pasty from Uncle Peter’s
original spot, but for the sake of this Pasty Trail, the one in Shelby is included. The reason to try Uncle Pete’s is that he has a ridiculous amount of options from Buffalo to Spinach & Feta and even Gluten Free ones, which not many can say. Still, his beef can’t be beat by many.
- Marquee Marque Pasties, Clinton Township – Review
- Calumet Pasty Company, Roseville – Review
(closed) The Pasty Shop, Southgate – Review
This Trail ends with a string of shops located just off I-94 and along the eastern side of the state. The Pasty Shop closed in 2026, so unfortunately the tail of the original Detroit Pasty Trail ends short. Marquee and Calumet provide something a little different in terms of quality and both are found near St. Clair.
While the Metro Detroit Pasty Trail isn’t a true trail in the sense, it at least has multiple choices to pick in the area, especially for those looking for a hearty lunch.
Hey Pasty guy, ever try My Dad Nick’s Copper Country Pasty Factory? They’re really good!
Ohhh. Thank you! Part of the Weldon family. I will have to get out there, thanks for the rec!
Why are shops using carrots ? Sorry but I know my pasty. Round or Sirloin Steak cubed, not ground. Potatoes rudabaga,onions and a pat of butter. You won’t find carrots in any pasty shop in Cornwall, England. I never return when I find carrots,it absolutely ruins my experience.First out of my mouth when I was very young going to my grandparents – was are we having pasty!
It’s a question many people have. I believe carrots found their way through other varieties like the Finnish pasty or even as a way to add more veggies. I do believe a lot of the Finnish pasties I’ve had are ones that feature carrots. I think if you look up recipes for them, they’re are carrots in most.
I suppose so, but carrots don’t belong in my world and generally taste bad.
My grandpa worked in an iron ore mine in eastern Iron County Michigan and my mom carried a fresh out-of-the-oven pasty to him occasionally for lunch. My grandma and, therefore, my mom didn’t put carrots in the pasties. I think carrots add a nice color if they are almost minced, but not too much because the flavor does change if they are an equal amount to the potatoes…ick. Our tradition of pasties comes from Cornwall.
I am really looking for a pasty shop that will ship. Tried Lehto’s from St. Ignace, but they don’t have a with or without rutabaga option. They use UPS and they were timely and good (for a commercial pasty with rutabaga).
Often stopped in at Jean Kaye’s in Iron Mountain, but don’t look like they are shipping these days. Wish they would….
Thanks for the story. There are a few options that ship from the U.P. if that’s where you’re looking to get them from
https://thepastyguy.com/portfolio/who-ships-pasties/
Happy to see your blog TPG. I live in Indiana, fell in love with pasties 30 years ago. Glad to see your Detroit trail because the UP is so far! From northern Indiana, what’s your top 3 pasty shops? Time for a road trip!
Thanks for reading! I’d suggest Viki’s Bridge St in Saranac, Barb’s in Clawson, Uncle Peters is available in a lot of grocery stores like Horrocks. Ron’s Pasties has frozen ones in Howell area. Those are probably my preferred ones close to the border.
Unfortunately the Pasty Shop in Southgate has permanently closed in the first half of 2026. RIP, going to miss them. 🙁
Bummer