Aug 11, 2023

A roundup of local food, drink and restaurant news: Causing a taco ruckus in Canton The owner and operator of a taco truck is bringing the goods to Canton. Ruckus Taco Co. opens today at 43315 Joy Road. It's a venture from Plymouth resident Jeremy Kalmus, who previously operated a food truck by the same name at The Yard at Corktown in Detroit. The restaurant is making its home in a 2,100-square-foot space that previously housed an Olympus Coney Island. The standalone restaurant comes more than nine years after Kalmus established Ruckus Tacos as a food truck and catering business in Ferndale. Ruckus Taco features tacos in corn and flour tortillas, nachos, burritos and burrito bowls, a crispy chicken sandwich and a smashburger. The restaurant has seating for 40 diners. Ruckus Taco operates with counter service and all items are packed in carryout containers. The restaurant also accepts phone and online orders. Ruckus Taco is open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Credit: Buddy's Pizza Buddy's Pizza will sell its pies at University of Michigan sports venues over the next five years. Buddy's Pizza joins UM team Fan at University of Michigan games in Ann Arbor will soon be able to get their Detroit-style pizza fix under a five-year agreement with Buddy's Pizza. Farmington Hill-based Buddy's will sell its four-square pizzas at concessions stands in Michigan Stadium, Crisler Center and Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor. through the 2027-28 athletic season. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Beginning this fall, guests at any of the three venues will be able to choose from the classic cheese or pepperoni pizza for $15. Each custom-designed "Go Blue" pizza box includes a $4 off coupon code for a future purchase at any Buddy's Pizza location, including the Ann Arbor store at 3153 Ann Arbor-Saline Road. Buddy's earlier this week announced the hiring of a new CEO and COO, who are focused on expanding the brand. New Prime Concepts restaurant nears opening The newest concept from West Bloomfield-based Prime Concepts Detroit is slated to open later this month. Aurora Italiana at 6199 Orchard Lake Road in West Bloomfield will feature a menu of dishes inspired by Italy's Amalfi Coast. Highlighted items include burrata caprese, cacio e pepe, veal osso buco and fresh whole-fish offerings flown in daily from the Mediterranean. Aurora Italiana will also feature a banquet facility for up to 350 guests. The space will include a private bar, lounge seating, flexible floorplan, private valet parking, full audio-visual capabilities and private restrooms. Stolion Liti, managing partner and director of operations at Prime Concepts Detroit, will handle restaurant operations. Prime Concepts Detroit parent company Barbat Holdings, based in West Bloomfield, purchased the property that previously housed a Ciao Italian Bistro & Wine Bar that closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The group is finalizing a complete renovation of the 8,500-square-foot space and did not disclose capacity, staffing or investment figures. Royal Oak-based Art Harrison Interiors is handling interior design work. Plans for Aurora Italiana were announced in late April . Prime Concepts Detroit also owns and operates Prime29 Steakhouse and NARA Sushi & Hibachi Lounge in West Bloomfield, PAO in downtown Detroit, Tribu Mediterranean in Bloomfield Hills and Wabeek Club in Bloomfield Township. Credit: Jay Davis/Crain's Detroit Business The Supino Pizzeria in Eastern Market has been closed since a fire in the space above it in April caused damage to the restaurant. Supino Pizzeria will reopen ‘eventually' The original Supino Pizzeria in Eastern Market will eventually reopen but it's unknown when, according to owner Dave Mancini. Mancini last week told The Detroit News that the restaurant at 2457 Russell St. will reopen. "... these things just take a while," Mancini told The News. Mancini has not responded to numerous Crain's requests for comment. The original Supino store has been closed for more than three months following an April 24 fire that broke out in a vacant loft above the nearly 15-year-old pizza parlor. No injuries were reported. Credit: Detroit Vineyards Detroit Vineyards adds new wines Detroit Vineyards has added four new wines to its lineup. Pinot noir, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon and vignoles from the 2021 harvest year are now available at the full-production downtown winery in the former Stroh's ice cream factory on Gratiot Avenue across from Eastern Market. Each Detroit Vineyards wine is made from grapes sourced directly from family farms and vineyards across Michigan.The new wines sell for $30-$38 a bottle. In 2022, owner Chris Southern's three-person staff processed 52 tons of fruit, yielding approximately 8,000 gallons of wine. That's equal to 3,378 cases or 40,400 bottles. Detroit Vineyards is believed to be the city's first winery in 60 years when it opened in 2019. Mex adds lunch service Just a few weeks after reopening, Mex has added weekday lunch service. The lunch menu features a tuna crudo, comprising lime, ginger, chiles, mango, avocado and a crispy tortilla; a green and grains bowl; tacos with shrimp, duck carnitas, birria, or chicken; and a smothered burrito with refried beans, rice, cheese, red chili sauce, guacamole, crema and pico de gallo. Mex, at 6675 Telegraph Road in Bloomfield Hills, reopened in June after a more than six-month closure during which it made about $2 million in improvements. Mex, a restaurant from Peas & Carrots Hospitality, originally opened in 2013. Send us your tips and news Tell us about restaurant and bar openings and closings, new product lines, new owners and chefs, bakeries, markets, suppliers and more. 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