Detroit Gets Asian Street Food
Sunda, a Southeast Asian restaurant bringing pan-Asian street food to downtown Detroit, just opened as a "wonderland" featuring dishes inspired by Thai, Vietnamese, and Filipino food markets. The opening reflects Detroit's culinary renaissance and America's growing appetite for global street food concepts.
Sunda's arrival in Detroit is part of a calculated expansion for the brand, which first opened in Chicago's River North neighborhood in 2009. The restaurant group has since launched locations in Nashville and Tampa, identifying and moving into cities on the cusp of significant growth. Detroit is the fifth location for the growing hospitality brand. The restaurant's founder, Billy Dec, is a Filipino-American Emmy Award-winning TV personality and entrepreneur. His personal mission to share the Southeast Asian culture he grew up with is a driving force behind the restaurant's concept. This personal connection is reflected in the Detroit location's decor, which features imagery from his documentary "Food Roots," exploring his family's heritage in the Philippines. Dec is also a former Presidential appointee, having served on the White House Advisory Commission on Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders and the White House Bullying Prevention Task Force. He is a graduate of Chicago-Kent College of Law and Harvard Business School. Sunda Detroit is located at 33 W. Columbia Street, a pedestrian-only walkway in The District Detroit, situated between the Fox Theatre and Little Caesars World Headquarters. The restaurant features over 200 seats, including a 1,400-square-foot patio, joining other establishments like Frita Batidos and Union Assembly in the curated entertainment district.
