A bank that once let anyone open an account with a single coin now hands out plates of duck confit hash and Korean-glazed eggs Benedict instead of savings passbooks. That’s the short version of Dime Store, the all-day brunch spot occupying the ground floor of downtown Detroit’s Chrysler House, a limestone tower that opened in 1912 as the Dime Savings Bank Building.
Three friends, Larry Kahn, Ann-Marie Murphy, and Jeff Alexander, opened Dime Store in 2014 because they figured Detroit’s downtown deserved a brunch scene with real ambition behind it. Working alongside Executive Chef Josh Taylor, a French Culinary Institute grad with decades of kitchen experience, they built a menu that treats brunch as a craft rather than an afterthought, and more than a decade later the same ownership group is still running the show.
What to Order
The eggs Benedict lineup is where Dime Store really shows off. Instead of sticking to the classic Canadian bacon version, the kitchen turns out a General Tso’s Benny, a cold-smoked salmon Benny, and a cheesesteak Benny, each one built on a housemade biscuit and finished with their own take on hollandaise. It’s the kind of menu that rewards ordering something you’d never expect to see next to the word “brunch.”
The Duck Bop Hash is another standout, built around housemade confit duck leg tossed with a Korean barbecue sauce, and it’s become one of the dishes regulars specifically drive downtown for. If you’re leaning sweet, the peach cobbler French toast and malted Belgian waffles hit that comfort-food note without feeling like an afterthought tacked onto a savory-focused menu.
What ties it all together is that everything really is made from scratch, down to the gravies, jams, dressings, marinades, and biscuits. That’s not a marketing line here; it’s the operating philosophy, and it shows in how composed each plate tastes even when the kitchen is slammed on a busy Saturday.
Beyond the printed menu, chef’s specials rotate regularly, which means a strawberry matcha waffle or a Brussels Caesar salad might show up one visit and be gone the next. It keeps the experience feeling current instead of static, and it gives repeat visitors a reason to keep coming back to see what’s new.
Atmosphere & Décor
Eating inside a 1912 bank building gives Dime Store a backdrop most brunch spots simply can’t fake. High ceilings, ornate architectural details, and the bones of an early Detroit skyscraper give the dining room a sense of occasion even though the vibe stays casual and unfussy.
The energy leans lively rather than quiet, with a steady hum of conversation and the clatter of a kitchen working at full tilt during peak hours. It’s a comfortable, unpretentious room where the historic setting adds character without ever feeling stuffy or overly formal.
Other Considerations
Do they take reservations? No, Dime Store operates on a walk-in basis only, so plan on a wait during peak weekend brunch hours.
What are the hours? The restaurant is open daily from 8am to 3pm, making it a strictly morning-and-midday destination rather than an evening option.
Is the food pricier than average? Several dishes run on the higher end for a breakfast spot, but the scratch-made preparation and generous portions are generally seen as worth the splurge.
Where do I park? Dime Store validates the first two hours of parking at the Financial District Garage, which takes some of the pain out of finding a downtown spot.
Can I book the whole place for an event? Yes, full restaurant buyouts are available on weekdays after 4pm for private gatherings.
Dime Store
📍 719 Griswold St #180, Detroit, MI 48226
Website: https://www.eatdimestore.com/
