Discover Michigan’s Famous Fast Food Inventions

There’s something extra satisfying about grabbing a bite from a place that got its start right here in Michigan. From Coney dogs to fudge shops to pizza, the Mitten State has birthed some seriously crave-worthy food joints.

Curious about Michigan’s standout fast food creations? Lovefood.com searched nationwide to highlight each state’s top dishes—and Michigan earned two delicious honors.

First up...

Buddy's Pizza via Facebook

Detroit-style pizza! It began at the birthplace of Buddy’s Pizza, which started back in the 1940s as a speakeasy in Detroit. In 1946, owner Gus Guerra and his kitchen crew created a new kind of pizza using steel pans borrowed from auto factories. The result: a thick, cheesy, crispy-edged, square-shaped pie that’s now famous nationwide.

Here's Lovefood's praise for the Motor-City original:

A delicious cross between a crispy, New York–style slice and a gooey deep-dish, Detroit’s iconic square pizza is less about the overall recipe and more about the pan it’s cooked in. The legacy began in 1946 when Gus Guerra, owner of Buddy’s Rendezvous Pizzeria on Detroit’s Eastside, decided to use forged-steel pans borrowed from local automotive plants to bake his pizzas. The technique allowed him to produce a very light and crispy crust with deliciously cheesy corner slices. Buddy’s remains the go-to spot to try the dish, although Cloverleaf Bar & Restaurant in Eastpointe is a hot contender.

Halo Burger/ Peanut Barrel via Facebook

But pizza isn’t Michigan’s only claim to fast food fame. According to Lovefood, the olive burger also deserves a spot in the state's culinary hall of fame. This uniquely Michigan invention features a juicy beef patty topped with a creamy, tangy olive-laced mayo sauce — often loaded up with even more green olives. It’s a signature item at beloved chains like Halo Burger, which has been serving it up since the 1920s in Flint.

Lovefood says this of Michigan's iconic olive burger:

Olives might not be a typical burger topping, but in Michigan, this salty addition is a beloved staple. The origin of the olive burger is traced back to the 1920s at Kewpee Hotel Hamburgs in Lansing, where the first version featured a juicy hamburger topped with Swiss cheese and a tangy mix of chopped green olives and mayonnaise. The unique flavor quickly caught on, and the olive burger became a regional favorite, served with pride at diners and burger joints across the state. One standout is Weston’s Kewpee Sandwich Shop in Lansing, which has been using the same signature olive mayo recipe since 1925.

Looking for more great bites in Michigan? These are the restaurants locals love: