Brooklyn Street Local
1266 Michigan Ave.
Detroit
February 11, 2026
Can a good bowl of poutine heal the growing wound between Canada and the United States?
Absolutely not, but I’m fine to keep cosplaying as a diplomat at a diner by eating it over and over again at Brooklyn Street Local.
I’ve been a loyal customer here since this humble, elevated diner first opened back in 2012. I wasn’t a die-hard fan at first, but it grew on me slowly. Eventually, it consumed me and I never want to go back to whatever my life was before I became a regular at Brooklyn Street.
There’s a lot of fun on the menu here, but I’d like to focus on the poutine and, in particular, the hangover breakfast special, which I’ve ordered more times than I’d ever confess.
On the surface, it’s the Midwest greasy spoon breakfast done at a high level -- eggs how you want ‘em, protein, sourdough toast, jam.
It soars to a frightening new height with the addition of a side of poutine with either beef or mushroom gravy. I always choose the mushroom. It’s a bit more subtle and complex flavor-wise, and makes me feel less like a glutton than the delicious beef option does.
It’s a Canadian delicacy that finally crossed the border when Brooklyn Street Local and their Canadian owners brought it here. I’m not saying it wasn’t on any other menu in the area before they arrived, but I certainly don’t remember ever seeing it, you get me?
Fresh cheese curds and gravy smothered over a stack of fries. What Michigan native wouldn’t embrace this absurdity?
Over the past year, Brooklyn Street has even gone experimental with their poutines. A Thanksgiving Day Parade in your mouth (mushroom gravy turkey breast poutine with cranberry wojapi and fried sage). An Indian-soul dish with spicy lentil masala on top of fries and cheese curds with fried lentils and a cilantro lime yogurt.
I won’t lie to you. I don’t even venture out into these bizarre new poutines, but I support their existence.
I’m too loyal to the classic mushroom gravy with the hangover breakfast because it’s just that damn good.
When something is that good, there’s just no getting sick of it.
See you for breakfast tomorrow.