The Metro: Yelp names Loui’s Pizza No. 1 in Midwest
John Filbrandt September 10, 2024Owner Nyk Sulkiwskyj joined the show to share the history behind Loui’s influence in Detroit and what makes their iconic square pizzas so great.
![Loui’s Pizza in Hazel Park was named No. 1 on Yelp’s Top 100 Midwest Pizzas.](https://wdet.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/LouisPizza-e1725984392955.jpg)
Loui’s Pizza in Hazel Park was named No. 1 on Yelp’s Top 100 Midwest Pizzas.
There are a lot of great eats around Detroit. But there’s one food that rises above the rest.
Detroit is known for its iconic square pizzas. Whether it’s Supino’s, Buddy’s, Pie Sci or Amar, there are many great choices.
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But one spot in the metro Detroit area got a lot of recognition recently. Loui’s Pizza in Hazel Park was recently named No. 1 on Yelp’s Top 100 Midwest Pizzas.
To discuss what makes Loui’s so great, we’re joined by owner Nyk Sulkiwskyj.
Sulkiwskyj says his grandfather started Loui’s and has had his hands in shaping Detroit’s pizza history. He immigrated from France to West Virginia, worked as a mason and bricklayer, before getting a call from his grandmother’s uncle who was running Buddy’s Pizza at the time.
“So my grandma, grandfather just came on over to Michigan and dropped everything to help out. So from there, my grandfather worked up to kitchen manager, lead pizza cook, stuff like that, and eventually moved on from Buddy’s Pizza, started Shield’s Pizzeria, and then from there started Loui’s Pizza.”
Loui’s puts great care into ingredients and how their pizzas are crafted, Sulkiwskyj said.
“What makes the Loui’s pizza so great is our attention to detail. We don’t skimp around any technical processes,” Sulkiwskyj said. “Everything is done by hand. It’s an art form.”
Use the media player above to hear the full interview with Sulkiwskyj.
More headlines from The Metro on Sept. 9, 2024:
- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has helped Democrats through several legislative accomplishments over the last few years, but she hasn’t been able to get everything done that she said she would while campaigning for office. ProPublica reporter Anna Clark joined the show to discuss what Whitmer’s still got left on her agenda and how likely she is to pass certain policies.
- At the end of last month, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan created the city’s first Entrepreneurship and Economic Opportunity department. We spoke with the Director Justin Owenu about what kinds of plans he has in store to create more job opportunities for city residents.
- For its third year, If the River Could Sing: A Celebration of Writing and River with InsideOut is happening at Robert C. Valade Park in Detroit on Sept. 12. The evening will culminate with a sunset showcase of music and poetry. The program’s MC and Executive Director of InsideOut Literary Arts Suma Rosen joined The Metro to discuss the event.
Listen to The Metro weekdays from 11 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.