Restaurants in Oak Park

The framed photos that line the wall are a daily reminder for owner David Lum of the inspiration behind Eurasian Grill—Lum’s nieces and nephews. As an ode to their European and Asian heritage, Lum crafted a menu of dishes using Eastern and Western techniques. Veal parmesan sits near orange beef on the page, and Michigan lake perch shares menu space with Hawaiian yellow-fin ahi tuna with wasabi soy sauce. To further blend cultures, waiters sing the "Star Spangled Banner" while toting sichuan chicken and mu shu pork to linen-topped tables.

A bright neon sign greets diners as they enter Elite Pizzeria, where pizzas rise within brick ovens and sandwiches swell with certified Saad Halal meats. Chefs adorn burgers with hearty toppings of grilled mushrooms, bacon, and eggs, while whipping up a menu of traditional Mediterranean gyros and shawarma. Upon request, the dexterous bakers can sculpt their brick-oven pizzas into the shape of a heart, the silhouette of a kitty cat, or the profile of Susan B. Anthony.

Further cultivating Elite's fun, whimsical reputation, the restaurant's burger challenge has enticed nearly 150 intrepid contestants with a lofty tower of beef patties, mushrooms, bacon, onion rings, and sauerkraut. This surfeit of merriment all occurs within the warm embrace of red walls that shine down onto the restaurant's casual, WiFi-saturated dining area and tabletops that bask beneath the sun on an outdoor patio.

In woks at Bangkok Cuisine, snow peas, shrimp, napa cabbage, and scallops sizzle in a symphony of familiar sounds and tasty smells. Ingredients indigenous to Southeast Asia mingle in traditional Thai dishes, which also draw on the culinary traditions of the country’s neighbors. Catfish fillets marinate before chefs cover them in breading and garlic sauce, and shrimp, scallops, and squid evoke Thailand’s palm-tree-sprinkled coast. Chefs tailor each dish’s spiciness to individual palates, delighting daring diners with thai peppers that can taste mild or hotter than two astronauts making out on the surface of Venus. Fusion dishes include Chinese staples such as sweet ‘n’ sour sauce.

Tim Castañeda's culinary education began at his family's dinner table. Nourished by the fresh salsas and flavorful meats, Tim developed a deep appreciation for and understanding of the traditional flavors of Mexican cuisine. After cooking in his family's restaurants during his youth, Tim continued to perfect his recipes and spice blends in Mexican eateries throughout the country. He brings his years of experience to Zumba Mexican Grille, where he whips up freshly made tacos, burritos, and quesadillas reminiscent of the authentic dishes of his childhood.

Named for the Spanish slang word for "energy," Zumba bustles with color and zest—from its shiny stainless-steel counters and rainbows of wooden chairs to the skirt steak, red-chili pork, and fresh vegetables sizzling on its grills. When customers walk in, their first step is to pick meats, toppings, and black, pinto, or magic beans. Then the servers behind the counter begin building Mexican specialties—including the burritos, named the city's best by Real Detroit Weekly. After receiving their orders, guests stroll over to the fresh salsa bar, where six different housemade varieties in various spice levels await them.

Once inside Barrio Tacos and Tequila, one is immediately struck by the smoky blues and warm blooms of color that fill the space. Frosted panes of azure glass line one side of the restaurant, and vibrant murals overtake the other walls—the ones that aren't stacked with shelves of tequila bottles, anyway. Orange lights from above branch into glowing tendrils, studding the navy ceiling with miniature suns and illuminating the mortar and pestle on each table. These points of color are akin to the sparks of flavor inside the menu: pleasantly surprising and, in the words of the Detroit News, "bright and well-balanced."

Executive chef Ryan Porter is the brain behind Barrio’s inventive recipes. As a teenager, Ryan cooked for his family every night, honing the creativity that would lead him through American-, Asian-, Italian-, and finally Mexican-themed kitchens. Today, he looks in all cardinal directions for culinary inspiration, fashioning platters in the style of Oaxaca and Acapulco, among other regions. He stuffs tortillas with nine types of taco fillings, including housemade chorizo. On the side, scoops of chili-dusted sweet corn transport guests to Mexico without forcing them to throw out the giant bottle of shampoo they keep hidden under their shirt.