Detroit's popular Supino Pizzeria expanding space, menu

Eastern Market's Supino Pizza will be featured on "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives." (Photo by
"I've never had soda-pop with a pizza in my life."

DETROIT, MI - One of Detroit's popular new eateries is expanding.

Supino Pizzeria is building out next door to its Eastern Market location and will add pastas and braised meats to its menu of gourmet pizzas, owner Dave Mancini told Open City Detroit this week.

"I'm excited we'll be able to use more seasonal things," he said, adding he'll use locally grown produce whenever possible. "We'll use whatever (farmers) have, chop it up, and serve it over pasta."

Mancini also got a liquor license for Supino, which will allow him to serve Italian wines, Michigan craft beers and cocktails.

"When I was 5 years old my grandfather made me drink wine with pasta and pizza, you couldn't drink pop, you weren't allowed," Mancini said. "I've never had soda-pop with a pizza in my life."

Supino Pizzeria opened two years ago and quickly got known for its handmade dough - Mancini makes most of it - and unique toppings. Lines are out the door on Saturdays during Eastern Market and during most lunches. Word spread to GQ magazine, which featured Mancini earlier this year, and to the Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, which visited the restaurant.

Mancini said he hopes to complete the expansion early next year.

The larger restaurant, which is taking over the closed Taste of Ethiopia, offers more seating and later hours. Mancini said the plan is to stay open until 10 p.m. to maintain the family feel for the place. It's also his commitment to keep Supino primarily a restaurant and not a bar.

"It's still a restaurant, it just has these things to supplement the food," Mancini said.