Get to know Ypsilanti through the people and places making our community shine. 

Ypsilanti restaurants, bakeries, and caterers bring a flavorful variety to Ypsi's dining scene, from grab-and-go options to full service dinners. ​Each experience starts with the folks behind the scenes, crafting every dish with love.  

In part two of this portrait series, local photographer Leisa Thompson, in partnership with the Ypsilanti DDA, captured moments offering an inside look at some of Ypsi’s beloved businesses and the folks behind them.

Meet the owners and discover what inspires their craft.   

 

Mama Pizza & Curry House 

Meet Sam Motheram, owner of Mama Pizza & Curry House. Man stands outside of building, in front of a large mural of a slice of pizza. He's holding a large slice of pizza.Locals know it as Ypsilanti's #1 curry fusion pizza restaurant. Try it for yourself! Sam has created popular fan favorites like the tikka masala and mango chutney paneer pizzas, and specializes in masala dosa and Indian street food. 

Order Specialty Pizza

Mama Pizza

  • 5 N Hamilton St

Mama Pizza serves pizza by the slice and full pizzas for affordable prices. This counter service eatery serves Detroit style deep dish pizza, and specialties like curry fusion and paneer tikka masala pizzas. Also offering halal supreme and halal beef pepperoni.

Mama Pizza


Beara Bakes

Meet Cat Spencer, owner of Beara Bakes.

Woman wearing an apron and backwards baseball cap stands in front of business with her arms crossed and smiles at the camera.

Everything is made from scratch at Beara Bakes, in small batches, right in Ypsilanti. From flaky pastries to flavors inspired by Appalachian kitchens, Cat's baking passion and dedication to quality ensures every baked good is made with craft and care.

Visit the Bakery

Beara Bakes

  • 10 N Washington St.

A small bakery where the ideal of eating for pleasure meets their desire to feed the community. Located in Downtown Ypsilanti. Beara Bakes make small batch, from scratch baked goods using local and seasonal ingredients .

Beara Bakes


Ypsilanti Food Co-Op

Meet Corinne Sikorski from the Ypsilanti Food Co-Op.

Woman smiles and reaches for a pepper sitting on a colorful wall of vegetables in a store.Running Ypsi's beloved natural foods grocery store, Corinne and the team are passionate about quality food and service. This community favorite carries local and organic food, bulk items, and gifts. Visit the in-house bakery complete with a wood-fired oven, and browse the grab-and-go items, perfect for enjoying lunch outdoors.

Shop at the Co-Op

Ypsilanti Food Co-Op

  • 312 N River St

YFC is sure to fit all of your grocery needs as they offer everything from natural and fresh produce to beer and wine. They believe that purity, wholeness, nutrition, and great taste contribute to the quality of your life, which shows through the co-op herbs, spices, deli…

Ypsilanti Food Co-Op


Sidetrack Bar & Brill

Meet Jessica French, owner of Sidetrack Bar & Grill.

Woman stands behind a bar in a dimly-lit area
Known for their nationally recognized burgers, eccentric train decor covering the walls, and views of the Amtrak train passing through, Sidetrack is a Depot Town staple full of Ypsi history. You'll find Jessica running this longstanding, family-owned restaurant in the heart of Depot Town. 

Burgers at Sidetrack

Sidetrack Bar & Grill

  • 56 E Cross St

Sidetrack's burgers were rated in the top 20 by GQ magazine. Sidetrack was also used as a location in the Hilary Swank film Conviction. Sidetrack Bar and Grill serves gourmet burgers, deep fried pickles, and features 16 microbrews on tap.

Sidetrack Bar & Grill


Samosa House 

Meet Khadija Hassan, owner of Samosa House. 

Woman smiles at the camera while resting her head on her crossed arms. In front of her are three rows of dozens of samosas.

Khadija shares her passion for cooking through her full-service catering company operating out of Growing Hope's incubator Kitchen. Your guests can expect flavors of East Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia through handmade, beautifully seasoned dishes. 

Full-Service Catering

Samosa House

Enjoy Somali cuisine at Samosa House, a local catering business redefining the samosa experience. The authentic Somali samosas are crafted with precision, passion, creating crispy, flaky pastries with flavorful fillings.

Woman stands in kitchen holding a ladle with her right hand, scooping up food from a full pan. She holds another pan in her left hand.

 

 

We'd like to thank all of the Ypsi business owners, teams, and community members who make Ypsi shine! 


Ypsilanti Portrait Series 

You just explored part two of our Ypsilanti Portrait Series coverage, in partnership with the Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority.

View part one here:

 


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