This Michigan Deli Makes Jumbo Corned Beef Egg Rolls And Sandwiches Worth The Detour

One jumbo egg roll here weighs a full pound. It’s stuffed with corned beef and Swiss cheese, then fried until crispy.

That’s not a typo or a dare. The egg rolls also come in regular and footlong sizes, so the jumbo is the final boss of the menu.

This Michigan deli takes a classic city favorite and wraps it in something fun. The corned beef itself has serious backing, and the sandwiches stack it high on fresh rye or soft onion rolls.

There’s no beter excuse to plan a lunch run around one counter. A family runs it, the meat comes from a nearby market legend, and the desserts are homemade. How hungry are you feeling right now?

The Corned Beef Comes From A Detroit Market Legend

Great sandwiches start long before the bread comes out. At this deli, the corned beef brisket comes from Wigley’s in Detroit’s historic Eastern Market.

The owners buy it in big amounts, by the pallet. That tells you how much corned beef moves through this kitchen.

Wigley’s style is moist and slightly salty. It’s different from the drier, more garlicky style found at many classic Jewish delis.

Once it arrives, the deli seasons it, slices it thin, and stacks it high. Thin slices mean every bite stays soft instead of chewy.

Sourcing local meat also keeps money and relationships inside the city. The owners have built ties with Detroit companies and suppliers over the years.

I believe that kind of partnership shows up on the plate. When a supplier and a deli trust each other, the quality stays steady.

So when you bite into a sandwich here, you’re tasting a little Eastern Market history too. Not bad for lunch on a Tuesday.

If you’re new to Detroit corned beef, start simple. A plain corned beef sandwich lets the meat do all the talking.

Gratiot And Mt. Elliott Mark The Spot

D Motown Deli sits along Gratiot Avenue in Detroit, Michigan, at the intersection with Mt. Elliott Street. Coming from downtown, follow Gratiot northeast toward the McDougall-Hunt neighborhood.

Mt. Elliott is the useful cross-street to watch for, especially on a busy stretch of Gratiot. The deli is right at this intersection rather than hidden down a side street.

Approach the storefront from Gratiot and use a lawful nearby parking option before walking to the entrance.

Build Your Own Sandwich And Pick Your Pound Level

Choosing a sandwich here feels a bit like choosing a workout weight. Sizes run from a small quarter-pound to an extra-large full pound of meat.

Medium means half a pound. Large brings three-quarters of a pound, which is already plenty for most lunches.

Next comes the meat. Corned beef is the star, but there’s also slow-cooked roast beef made in-house.

The pastrami is house-made too. It gets seasoned, brined in salt water, and smoked for more than 12 hours.

Bread choices include rye, soft onion rolls, white, wheat, and Texas toast. The onion roll is a popular pick for good reason, since it’s soft enough to hug all that meat.

My tip is to match the bread to the meat. Rye pairs nicely with pastrami, while an onion roll keeps corned beef extra cozy.

Can’t decide on one meat? You can mix corned beef and pastrami in the same sandwich.

Just be honest about your appetite before ordering. A full pound sounds heroic until you’re halfway through it.

Signature Sandwiches With Names Worth Remembering

Some menus play it safe, but this one has a sandwich called The Grand. It piles roast beef, corned beef, and pastrami together in one hefty brick.

Lettuce, tomato, and onion come along for the ride. Swiss and American cheeses join in, along with Russian dressing.

Prefer a classic? The Reuben brings corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and house-made Russian dressing.

It’s traditionally served on rye bread. That tangy kraut cuts through the rich meat in all the right ways.

Then there’s the Dinty Moore, a Detroit-style favorite with a funny name. It layers corned beef with Swiss, lettuce, tomato, and Russian dressing.

Think of it as a slightly fresher cousin of the Reuben. The cool lettuce and tomato add crunch without stealing the spotlight.

These named sandwiches take the guesswork out of ordering. You don’t have to design anything yourself.

For groups, try ordering a few different ones and splitting them. Everyone gets a taste, and nobody ends up with order envy.

The Grand, though, might need its own seat in the car.

Save Room For Sides That Pull Their Weight

Deviled eggs here lean a little sweet. Sweet relish goes into the filling, and a healthy dusting of paprika goes on top.

That small twist makes them easy to snack on while you unwrap the main event. They’re a fun side if you want something lighter.

Hot sides cover the comfort food basics. French fries, chili cheese fries, mozzarella sticks, onion rings, and fried mushrooms are all on the list.

Craving something warm in a bowl? Look for beef stew, homemade soup, and chili.

Gumbo shows up here too. Keep in mind that it contains shrimp, so anyone with a shellfish allergy should skip it.

Cold salads round things out nicely. You’ll find macaroni salad, coleslaw, potato salad, crab salad, and chicken or tuna pasta salads.

Coleslaw makes an especially smart partner for corned beef. Its cool crunch balances all that savory meat.

A practical move is to pick one hot side and one cold side. You get variety without turning lunch into a full buffet.

Your sandwich will appreciate the backup.

Homemade Desserts Baked By Self-Taught Owners

Brothers who run a corned beef shop also bake cakes. That’s not the usual career path, and it’s part of the charm.

The owners taught themselves how to bake. They worked out recipes for Reese’s cake, Oreo cake, and red velvet cake.

That changes things for anyone who swore they’d skip dessert. Homemade banana pudding and peach cobbler are also on the menu.

Banana pudding feels like a family gathering in a cup. Peach cobbler brings that warm, fruity comfort that follows a salty meal so well.

I like how these desserts feel personal. They come from owners who decided to learn a new skill instead of just buying something premade.

Here’s a helpful idea for carryout. Grab a dessert to enjoy later, since the sandwiches can be filling.

That way, your sweet treat becomes an afternoon reward. Future you will be very grateful.

If you’re sharing with family, pick two different cakes. Everyone can trade bites and argue about which one wins.

Just don’t expect the Oreo fans to back down easily.

A Family Story Sits Behind The Counter

Long before the viral egg rolls, there was a family with a plan. The owners’ parents immigrated from Kosovo and bought the former Lefkofsky’s Deli in the early 2000s.

They renamed it D Motown Deli. Today, Al Preni and his brother carry that legacy forward.

The deli has served the community since 2001. It’s family-owned and family-operated, which gives the place a hometown feel.

You’ll find it at 3750 Gratiot Avenue, Detroit, MI 48207. It sits at the corner of Gratiot Avenue and Mt. Elliott Street.

That puts it in the McDougall-Hunt neighborhood on Detroit’s east side. It’s a short drive from downtown and Eastern Market.

Knowing the backstory makes lunch feel a bit richer. You’re supporting a family business that grew alongside its neighborhood.

I believe that matters in a city built by families and small shops. Places like this keep Michigan food traditions alive.

So when you pull up, remember the journey behind that sign. A family took over an old deli and made it their own.

That’s a story worth a sandwich.

Detroit Takes Its Corned Beef Very Seriously

Ask around Detroit about corned beef, and you’ll hear strong opinions. The owners of D Motown Deli call it a Great Uniter in the city.

It sits right next to Detroit-style pizza and coney dogs as a local food icon. That’s pretty good company.

The tradition goes back about a century to Jewish delis. Many of those older spots have faded, but the love for corned beef stayed strong.

It holds a special place among Detroit’s Black residents too. The dish has become part of everyday life across neighborhoods.

Al Preni has noted that only Chicago eats more corned beef than Detroit. Michigan clearly isn’t messing around.

Even rapper Tee Grizzley has shown love for Detroit corned beef sandwiches. When hometown stars talk about your sandwich, people listen.

For visitors, this makes the deli more than a lunch stop. It’s a tasty way to learn about city culture.

Pair it with a coney dog and a square pizza on another day. Then you’ve completed the Detroit trifecta.

Smart Planning Makes This Detour Even Sweeter

Timing is everything with this lunch spot. The deli opens at 10 a.m. Monday through Friday and closes at 6 p.m.

Saturday hours run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays are closed, so don’t plan a weekend brunch run then.

D Motown Deli is a carryout spot. There are no dine-in tables, so plan where you’ll eat.

A nearby park bench or your own kitchen table works great. Just pack plenty of napkins for that corned beef.

Calling ahead can save time, especially for bigger orders. Online ordering is available too.

If you’re feeding a crowd, mix sandwich sizes and add a few egg rolls. Everyone gets something, and leftovers are basically guaranteed.

Driving in from elsewhere in Michigan? Leave room in the schedule, since the closing time comes earlier than many dinner spots.

Bring a cooler bag if home is far away. That helps your extra sandwiches survive the trip back.

With a little planning, the detour pays off fast. A pound of egg roll is waiting, after all.