I hit the road to chase that caramelized-cheese corner Michigan folks swear by. From Detroit classics to suburban legends, I tasted through square pies baked in heavy blue-steel pans that tell their own stories. You will hear which four spots nailed the crisp, airy bite with the right cheese frico crunch. Grab a napkin and let me guide you corner by golden corner.
Buddy’s Pizza – Detroit, Michigan
The original pan legend still hits like a hometown anthem, especially when those corners snap under your first bite. Buddy’s balances a light, airy crumb with a buttery bottom and a lace of caramelized cheese that crackles. You taste history in every chew, bright sauce streaks cutting through rich, browned cheese.
You can watch the pans glide from oven to counter, heavy and seasoned, like cast-iron heirlooms. Order pepperoni and let the cupped edges pool little bursts of oil. If you chase the best crispy edge, aim for a corner, then another, because one is never enough.
Loui’s Pizza – Hazel Park, Michigan
Loui’s serves a pan with a deeper caramel veil and a nostalgic tavern vibe that sets expectations high. The edges shatter pleasantly, then give way to a pillowy interior that feels gentle yet substantial. The cheese pushes right up the walls, forming that prized frico you want to chase around the pan.
Order onions and pepperoni and you get sweet, smoky, crunchy, all at once. The sauce tastes bright and tangy, a welcome lift against the buttery crust. Sit near the bar, breathe in the oven scent, and listen to pans clank while you guard your corner slice like treasure.
Cloverleaf Bar & Restaurant – Eastpointe, Michigan
Cloverleaf offers a classic square with edges that sing when you tap them gently with a fork. The crust is buoyant, not heavy, and the bottom picks up a buttery toast that feels just right. Cheese crowns the walls, creating a golden border you will want to peel and savor slowly…