Detroit-style pizzeria: Unc’s Pizza

Unc’s Pizza, a new Detroit-style pizzeria inspired by the warmth of a classic neighborhood gathering place, has opened inside the historic Detroit & Northern Building at 1133 Griswold Street in downtown Detroit’s Capitol Park district. The restaurant is named after co-owner Larry Kahn’s Uncle Paul, known affectionately as “Unc.” A decorated World War II veteran and longtime Detroit Edison employee, Paul was remembered for making everyone feel like family. That spirit is at the heart of the restaurant, which was created by Kahn, Ann-Marie Murphy and Jeff Alexander, the team behind Dime Store, along with Tony Sacco of Mootz Pizzeria + Bar. “We wanted to create the neighborhood pizza place we all wish still existed,” said co-owner Larry Kahn. “The kind of place where everyone feels welcome, families stay awhile and another chair is pulled up to the table.” Executive chefs Andrew Shedden and Josh Taylor lead the kitchen, drawing on experience at Chicago’s Café Ba-Ba-Reeba! and Moto, along with Detroit restaurants including Olin, Marrow in the Market, Dime Store and Supergeil. The menu focuses on Detroit-style pizza, alongside mozzarella sticks, wings and tenders, with creative touches throughout. “There’s incredible pride in Detroit-style pizza and demand for a place that really celebrates it,” Sacco said. Designed by Colin Tury of Tury Design, with architectural design by Isabelle Leysens of Plan to Build, the 7,300-square-foot restaurant features 80 indoor seats and 50 outdoor seats. The space was rehabilitated by Detroit-based RKP Group. Unc’s Pizza will be open Sunday through Thursday from 4 to 11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to midnight. For more information, visit Unc’s Pizza online.

1133 Griswold Street, Detroit