Charles & Reid Detroit Pizza — Restaurant in Traverse City

We got take out from Charles and Reid. My wide was skeptical at what kind of "Detroit style" pizza we were going to get in Traverse City, but we were both super impressed.

We got a large Magnum P.I.E. and an order of the herb breadsticks. The dough for the breadsticks and pizza was amazing. It was light and airy, but still buttery and flavorful. Sometimes detroit style pizza can get doughy or heavy, but this was excellent. The toppings were of great quality and the flavors were on point. The characteristic toasted cheese crust layer that forms around good detroit style pan pizza where the cheese overflows over the crust and caramelized against the pan was present and delicious.

Sneaky unsung hero was the pizza sauce that we got with the breadsticks. Our pizza was made with BBQ sauce, so we didn't actually have any pizza sauce on our pizza, but the sauce that came with the breadsticks makes me want to definitely come back and try a pie with the pizza sauce. It was bright, fresh tasting and flavorful.

We also got the Tiramisu for 2 (devoured before I remembered to take a picture). It was very good. Not too sweet and clearly freshly made.

I appreciated how Charles and Reid was really upfront on their website about how they are a small family run establishment and said "call, if it's busy it's because we're taking orders. Keep trying!" That's just what we did and we are glad we did because we were not...

I was on my way back from Suttons Bay and was looking for a casual place to get food. Tucked away down a narrow alley road, I was super happy to have found this hidden gem. The owners moved here from Colorado to start their family and this “Detroit” themed restaurant. I put it in quotes because a real Detroit style pizza place would be a bit more grittier. Don’t let that sway you from eating here though because the pizza was phenomenal. They only make 70 pizzas per day on a first come first serve basis, allowing them to really dial in the quality. I ordered the Achilles peel pizza which was one of their specials that day. It came out hot and crispy from the oven. The toppings were fresh and nicely distributed. I also got a lamb meatball, which came out swimming in some marinara with a garnish of fresh basil. It was a beautiful meal, accompanied by a cold bottle of rock and rye faygo. The staff were super friendly and the repeat customers sitting at the bar gave it a nice local feel. It was also fun to see the decor they chose to represent the big D. Would definitely want to come back here when I come back through Traverse City...

Made a Detriot-Style Fan Out of Me!:

Before discovering Charles and Reid, I was never a fan of Detroit-style pizza. That all changed the moment I walked into this cozy little alley pizza place. From the very first bite, I was hooked. The pizza is consistently delicious with a perfect balance of crispy edges, savory sauce, and gooey cheese that keeps me coming back for more.

What truly sets Charles and Reid apart is the exceptional service. The owners and staff are always super friendly, creating a consistently welcoming environment. In the service industry, the behavior of the staff can really influence my choice to return or not, and the team at Charles and Reid is nothing short of incredible. Their passion for pizza and dedication to customer satisfaction shines through in every interaction.

If you haven't tried Charles and Reid yet, you're missing out on a hidden gem that has redefined Detroit-style pizza for me. Highly recommended! [No pictures because I always can’t wait to dig in, will update review with future photos]

Pro-tip: Don’t sleep on their soup and slice special during the winter...