Cure the Munchies with these Famous Detroit Snacks
Story by Bryan Shelmon
It’s nearly impossible escaping the inevitable hunger cravings after a 420 smoke session. If you’re blazing up in Detroit, you have plenty of famous foods to chow down on that always hit the spot. From stuffing your face with a bag of Better Made chips, seeing how many coney dogs you can finish in one sitting, or keeping cool with an authentic ice cream float with Vernon’s, Detroit is a tasty city for hungry stoners.
Whether you’re the type to stock up on stacks before your session or wait till the munchies settle in before heading out for a bite, here are a few Detroit-inspired snack ideas.
Coney Dog
How do you like your coney dogs? Signature style blanketed in hot chili with a strip of mustard and diced onions? Chili-free with extra ketchup? Plain with just dog and bun? Whatever your preference, you’re never too far from a Coney Island shop to order your favorite.
If you’re downtown, visit the American and Lafayette Coney Islands to settle Detroit’s most famous rivalry. Also, chain Coney Island shops, like National Coney Island, which has more than 20 shops throughout Southeast Michigan.
Better Made Chips
True Detroiters can pick out a bag of Better Made chips from the shelves in a snack aisle without even seeing the label: yellow means original, orange means barbecue, and red means hot!
Better Made chips are a classic Detroit snack that’s always a tasteful remedy for the munchies. You can pick up a bag of these chips at local convenience stores, and they are also sold in regional stores for major retailers like Target and Sam’s Club. If you’re lucky, you’ll stumble upon a variety pack to try all the flavors.
Ice Cream Float
Cool down from a hot box session with an ice cream float. It’s the ice cream treat you never knew you were missing out on until you take the first bite. All it takes are two ingredients: ice cream and a can of Vernor’s.
Ice Cream floats are everyone’s favorite when the weather gets hot. Add a couple of scoops of vanilla ice cream, pour in Vernon’s until it bubbles to the brim, then enjoy! It’s a unique Detroit-inspired flavor you won’t find anywhere else.
Huddle Soft Serve
Huddle Soft Serve is a hole-in-the-wall ice cream window located in the trendy Parkers Alley just steps from the Shinola Hotel. But once you spot this hidden gem, you’ll never walk past it again without stopping by for a treat.
Order a cone (or cup) with a vanilla or chocolate frozen custard and topped with your choice of toppings like sprinkles or chocolate chips. Take your ice cream to go and browse other alley shops like Good Neighbor with leather goods and jewelry pieces in Rebel Nell.
Water Ice
Some call it Italian Ice; others call it shaved ice. But in Detroit, this summertime favorite is called water ice—and yes, it tastes even better after a few bowl hits.
Hailing from Philadelphia, water ice was introduced locally and quickly became a favorite. It’s evolved from a neighborhood block party specialty; Detroit Water Ice Company
serves it and many other frozen treats at its downtown storefront.
Soft Drinks
Wash away the cotton mouth with soft drinks that taste like the spirit of Detroit. It’s been more than a century since Faygo was founded locally in 1907, and it still remains one of our treasured soft drinks. You can find flavors like fruit punch, pineapple orange, raspberry blueberry, diet cola, and more.
Vernor’s Ginger Ale dates back to the mid-1800s, making it one of the country’s oldest soft drinks—and proud to have its home in Detroit. Drink slowly because the fizz will surely surprise you. And if you survive, it finishes with a refreshing ginger taste.
Detroit-Style Pizza
Top-shelf flowers always leave you with the hunger of a Lion. Our signature deep-dish style pizza is perfect when you need something more filling for your stomach.
Many cities have adopted our pizza style, but nobody does it better than the originators! A few pizza shops where you can get an authentic bite of Detroit-style pizza are Buddy’s Pizza, Shield’s Pizza, and Belle Isle Pizza.
Mackinac Island Fudge
When the munchies give you a sweet tooth, sink those canines into some Mackinac Island Fudge. This island, nicknamed the Fudge Capital of the World’ is famous for chocolate and known for its shops giving out free fudge samples to visitors.
If the trip to Mackinac Island is too far, the good news is that you can find the iconic fudge in many local shops. Kilwins is a nearby shop located in Plymouth or Detroit gift shops.
Detroit Popcorn Company
For the times when you want to binge-watch Netflix after smoking a pre-roll, don’t forget the popcorn—Detroit Popcorn Company, that is! This century-old popcorn maker has perfected the art of fluffy kernels and delicious flavors that make you want to lick your fingers.
Detroit Popcorn Company is black-owned and located in Eastern Market.
Honorable Mention - Cereal (Battle Creek)
Cereal is an all-time favorite snack for people who get the munchies. If you’re up for a drive, Detroit is less than two hours away from ‘Cereal City.’ Kellogg was founded in Battle Creek, which created iconic cereals like Froot Loops, Wheaties, Coco Pops, and Frosted Flakes. Visitors can tour the Kellogg Cereal Factory, and the National Cereal Festival happens here every June.
