Detriot's pizza scene is heating up with the entrance of Elephant & Co., the latest culinary venture by the team behind Eastern Market Brewing Co. Set to open its doors in Midtown this Saturday, the new flagship location sits snugly in the former home of Founder's Brewing on Charlotte Street. According to ClickOnDetroit, the space can hold a robust crowd with seating for 200 people inside and an additional 100 outside on a heated patio, available for use much of the year.
The company's journey from hops to dough has them testing fermentations for beer and now pizza, with a team having knowledge of fermentation and yeast who arrived at complex doughs originally sold out of their project in Ferndale. This expertise, as MetroTimes reports, is not taken lightly by Pauline Knighton-Prueter, president of Elephant & Co., who notes, "The dough sets our pizza apart. We’re a brewery turned pizza company, and truly understand the importance of fermentation."
With an emphasis on local flavor and innovation, the grand opening of Elephant & Co. promises to be more than just a pizza affair. Among the distinctive offerings, as detailed by WXYZ are Detroit-style pizzas that push traditional boundaries, featuring toppings inspired by coney dogs, crab rangoons, and a collaboration with McClure's Pickles for a Maurice Salad-inspired pie.
While serving up an array of unique pizzas, the joint doesn't fall short on beer options, boasting an array of 50 self-serve taps that cover a spectrum of Eastern Market Brewing beers, ciders, and wines. Reflecting on the new launch, Eastern Market Brewing Co. founder Dayne Bartscht said, as per WXYZ, "The excitement I feel with Elephant & Co. is reminiscent of the early days of opening our original brewery in Eastern Market" A.robotic barista and a small market selling locally-sourced items complement the pizza and beer experience.
As Elephant & Co. sets the stage for their grand opening from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. this Saturday, guests can look forward to sampling their creative pies alongside fresh brews. With their first location already operational in Downtown Royal Oak, the company is indicative of a burgeoning commitment to elevate Detroit's reputation as a hotspot for pizza enthusiasts and craft beer aficionados alike.
