Food Exchange Restaurant

I get the Big baby every time east side favorite The burger or fires or both sometimes depending on how greedy I'm feeling!

You can't spell heart attack without saying "Food Exchange". I spot a little off the beaten path. I noticed right away the parking lot was unfinished. But I found a spot and headed to the building. I noticed the building stands out in the area because it is very modern. Inside I was surprised. The restaurant was small with no seating, you just order and go, the lady who took the order was not that friendly. She took my information and said she would call when the food was ready. So I waited outside. She never called because she took my number down wrong, she went to the drive through window and said it's ready, now it was time to eat. The potatoes were good, great even. I just wish they gave more condiments for it. They put beef and sausage in with the potatoes as well as three different cheeses. The burger, was massive. It scared me. It has ketchup and mustard on it. I never use mustard, but I was going to try. I liked it, but the bacon was not crunchy enough, so I pulled it off. Eating outside in the cold, took away from the experience. However I would go again, just next time ask for a ton of condiments.

Great business that's been kept in the family, the big baby fry is so so so good and they will have your order prepared quickly.

So cute! Very friendly people work here! The menu is huge for such a small place! The Big Baby is FANTASTIC!! We also got the Big Baby Fries!! They were Fabulous! They have takeout only-no indoor seating-but you can sit outside at nice tables and chairs-if we are around here again-we would be excited to eat here another time!

Epic fail. Order taker ... untrained. Two people in front of me. First person tried to pay with Apple Pay. She could not figure it out. Second person in line told it would be an 18 minute wait ... Me ... she would not quote a time because they are busy? There are only three of us and I know it'll be at least 18 minutes. Carry-out only. No chairs or stools while you wait an indeterminate period. Will I return. Yes, I want to see if it can possibly fail further.

Corona update 323 (this is getting tough) As someone with a weakened immune system, I take this shelter in place super serious. I've been making it a mission to have lunch delivered while I work at home. I look for places I haven't tried, small neighborhood spots, or places I've heard of and just never got around to. Today's choice is Food Exchange. I did a slight scream of joy when I saw them now available on door dash. I have wanted to try this place for years just could never get over to the east side. I ordered the iconic big baby. It truly was worth the years wait. It is in fact BIG!! I don't think I was fully prepared for that part. Flavors of the meats is on point!! Where have they been all my life .... I also ordered a side of chili cheese fries. These rival any Coney Island and actually are better than most I've had. Not overly greasy and the chili has a great taste. This was a home run. I plan to overdose on food exchange. Big shout out to Ms Kim. She delivered my food and is also a food Exchange employee. She was so personable. I never get delivery drivers who actually say a few words to the customer.. She solidified my return visit. Such a beautiful spirit.

The burgers at Great!!! They even have the smaller version of the Big Baby which was great! It tasted just as good as the original version. The patty, corned beef & cheese trifecta THO ‍ definitely had Send in a choke hold.

Saw this place on Facebook months ago and finally was in the area to try it. Food was good, but maybe I was expecting a lot more after seeing it online. Got the 5.5 burger, the burger prices are about double from the older menu images uploaded, paid about $10. The burger was alright, wish it had a little more seasoning and flavor to it.. . The onion bun really added value to the burger. Like everyone said typical wait times for your order is about 15 mins and food's made to order. Call ahead to order your food and they'll call you when its ready. There's no waiting inside and overall its a carry out place only.

First time visiting and the experience AND food were horrible. I came in not long after they opened since I was unable to place an online or phone order. I decided to order the big baby fries, which should be great because it's one of their signature items.... WRONG! I waited 30 minutes to find out my food was already up and just sitting as if I were not there to pick it up - so my food was no longer fresh. I started to eat my food and noticed that they were not fries, just smashed potatoes with little to no meat, sliced cheese that was cold and plastic tasting, and not much seasoning. I also asked for thousands of island that I didn't get, so the food was even more dry. Kool-aid tastes like the inside of whatever container they pour it from. And for such a long wait there is nowhere to sit, so go back to your car for 30 minutes +. Overall a terrible experience and I will not be back to get worse food for high prices! Please do better :-(

I can say this about that - it's a LOADED Burger - too loaded i think and that might be just the thing to take away from an otherwise really good burger - oh and call a head I was a walk in and it was a 25min wait

I have been ordering from food exchange countless of times for years today I ordered the big baby fries and was very disappointed the food was not what I'm use too the seasoning was not good too much pepper the portion size was very small not enough cheese just not the same I've seen the container sizes change but today the food didn't taste the same the cornbeef was cut up in squares I've never had that in my food when I've ordered and the ground beef was not seasoned at all maybe a different cook please put the other one back in the kitchen ( I'll come back because it's only 1 time out of years I was just a little disappointed)

Two corned beef sandwiches for $5.00? Now that's a deal! Food Exchange is on on Harper just east of Van Dyke. They've been there since 1999. So you know they're doing something right, and according to the many people who were waiting for their food at the same time as I was, the main thing they do right is the Big Baby burger. I haven't had it yet, but here's how Food Exchange describes it: "12oz of ground beef topped with corned beef, Swiss and American cheese w/ lettuce, onion, tomato, pickles, mayo, ketchup and mustard served on onion roll." I will definitely be back to try it! Perhaps along with some Big Baby Fries: "smothered potatoes topped with ground beef and chopped corned beef and Swiss and American cheese" As I was leaving, I was informed by the store's manager that Food Exchange has started delivering. This is good news for nearby businesses, who have few delivery choices.

Food was good, but the quantity was less than expected for the price. I had the seafood fries. I should have taken a pic but I was hungry, the wait was little long but I like I was called when my food was ready. I will give it another try.

$11 Burger wasn't seasoned at all and very bland, all i tasted was mustard! Also i paid $4 for smashed up jalapeño poppers

They have good customer service. I thought the food was going to be great from the reviews but it wasn't. I waited a hour and 15 mins for burger and fries. The fries was dry and hard while the burger was so small that I could barely taste it. Will not be going back.

I can't believe I'm just now experiencing this place. I put down red meat over 6 years ago, and have been in search of a good turkey burger ever since. I have finally found the place! The turkey "Big Baby" is the bomb. I cannot get enough of this place. The burger is seasoned well, the burger is huge (even the jr version), and the bread is soft. There's nothing more to say. Their burgers are amazing!

If you come here didn't order the catfish it was horrible this place only specialize in hamburgers maybe a steak bites But fish don't buy not good at all .

I live down the block but our hours always conflict. I got there as fast as could. I wanted to try their turkey burger hard. I missed their hours by a few minutes. (They don't have enough staff they Norm stay open til 10) I sat for a minute pondering my after work burger dilemma.... the owner Bruce came out with a fresh hot pastrami sandwich & explained why the hours were changed. Anyway. Long story short (tl) .Bruce! I have never liked pastrami really. I don't know what you do but you do well. Happy loyal gal that's lives down the block in the jeep. Cant wait to try the rest.

I don't know where I read about this place, main feature a burger bigger than your head, I tried it out. Decor is Beirut Chic, neighborhood has yet to catch up. Assume the ordering window is bullet proof but didn't test it out. I ordered a 1/4 lb burger, saving the big-as-your-head burger for another time, told me 20 minutes, drove around for a while, burger was OK. Next time, I called my order in, told them what I wanted on it but could've saved that step as they apparently didn't share it with the cook, will probably never have the big-as-your-head burger.

The big baby was amazing!!!! Ms. Kim who took our order was so sweet and welcoming. Let the cook know we were from texas which really made us feel welcome. Would for sure eat there again. Everything was homemade and very delicious. If you do plan on going call ahead because if you order there the wait is about 20 minutes. Very up to date payment system as well. Very well run business and hopefully will continue to grow. Keep up the great work.

I've heard about this place from several of my coworkers and haven't given a try yet just because they are always packed. Me and my buddy came right after the big snowstorm. I will say I'm happy we came right after a snowstorm since it was dead. You want to talk about a sandwich? We got the big baby Junior and I will see even that was large. The first bite felt like first time I've ever eaten a great burger. This place for sure knows how to make great food. The big baby fries were to die for. Every single bite felt like heaven every time I just took another one. The lady behind the counter was very helpful and very polite and just amazing when helping to order our food. It is for sure one of those places that I will be coming back quite often because the food was that good. Just the whole fact that they make a burger that has many layers to it was great. I will tell you they don't really have anything for seating so if you're looking to eat here make sure you get it to go. I would love to see this place have a seating area to bring more people in for the food. But I will be recommending this place definitely for everyone.

So good! I had a patty melt that was delicious. My hunny got the big baby jr and loved it. I tried it and thought it was a bit much for me but still very tasty. All the components were good I just don't want them in one sandwich. Tried as I might to remind myself to take a picture of the food before we ate it smelled so good I forgot anyway. This place is definitely one I'll be returning to. Plenty of variety on the menu. Decently priced and delicious!

The big baby was great. Fries were great. The wait was a bit long. I wish I could have called it in but the phone line did not work‍. It was worth the wait but please don't mess up the order because that is a long time to wait (Thankfully they did not).

The big baby was good but the wait is ridiculous I called my order in made it to the store 20 minutes later and still waited a hour. Will not be returning just because the time spent waiting is not worth it.

I'm on the verge of a food coma this place is freaking awesome the lady took her order she was so sweet I did not expect this big night ginormous Junior baby Burger thing. You will definitely need your fat girl pants for this place.

Saw this place posted on a FB group. Got the Big Baby. Was fantastic. Call ahead to order is the way to go.

Perfect good is delicious they are fast burgers on point and all i enjoy the food big baby im about to order now

This is a staple of Detroit and a place you have to visit! When you come a must try is the Big Baby and Big Baby Fries! They both a very good and you will not finish it unless you are a professional eater lol, also the prices are very reasonable and affordable. Great place to eat!

Waited 29 minutes for 1 cheeseburger. Man comes in after calling in his order. Cashier tells him he ordered something different and requested $23. She stated that she heard what the hell he said. The man left. Later, another man comes in and asked for the order.

This place doesn't even deserve one star the manger Kisha handles her business poorly they make your food wrong and do nothing about it it either over cooked or not done , simple ingredients can't be right the staff don't listen barely can take the order . This place is trash

Oh. My. God. This is exactly the type of burger place I was hoping to find during my Detroit visit. The Big Baby... Holy shit. Waaaay too big for just one person. My boyfriend and I just split one and it still made us so stuffed we could barely move but it was so ridiculously tasty!! To the owners, I know shit's rough right now but I truly admire that you are sticking by your city and pumping out bomb food!! I wish nothing but the best for you. I hope you get the all the success that you deserve!! I genuinely thank you... a thousand times!!

The good: the big baby is so good it makes you feel guilty for eating it. It is so huge your eyes, stomach and mouth get tired just looking at it. The bad: my cholesterol count after eating half the Big Baby and Big Baby fries. The ugly: Sadly the neighborhood. Hopefully during Detroit's reemergence this once good neighborhood can return and bring more and a different type of clientele to the area to support this business. A very solid visit food wise. I will return for another Big Baby after I hit the gym for a few weeks.

Food exchange absolutely delivered, drawn in by the Danny Brown Eddie Huang video. Warning, this block is very sketchy, the plexiglass wall separating the customer from the register/employees is not for aesthetics. Somebody needs to partner with these folks and make a food truck.

Update: They updated the decor on the inside waiting area a little bit. Seems like business has been good and the waiting area is a lot more welcoming and clean.

This place did it. One of the best burgers in the world is located here. The Big Baby, if you eat cow, you must try this before you die. If you eat pig you must add bacon to this. The menu looks great and it's a stable to town. Can't be in Detroit, and not stop by for some food. Will come back here everytime I set foot in Michigan now

Been a while since I've been here but looking for one of the most awesome burgers in the city and it was recommended more than once!!! The Big Baby is the signature burger which is on special on Wednesday's for $7. I had the bacon cheeseburger and couldn't finish half before I was full! Definitely will be added in rotation when I want to eat restaurant food. Only disappointment is to make it a deluxe, which is usually fries and pop, is now fries and coleslaw which I don't eat. But will still definitely return

love this place so much best cool aid i every tasted at a restaurant good food friendly people

I traveled to the deep darkness of Detroit's east side - the part where there are only one or two valid address on each block and where everything cowers to the shadows of the old Packard plant. You know, the one owned by the same slum lord billionaire that owns the hulking disaster known as the Michigan Central Train Depot. I went to the food exchange for their legendary 1/2 pound burger/corned beef sandwich. Good thing I was near starvation. The place reminded me of a 10 by 10 cell. The girl at the register took our order, and me, my wife and our two boys watched the cook - who was really just a another girl who worked the grill that day - reached into an ordinary household refrigerator, pulled out a foil-wrapped hunk of ground beef, then slammed it onto the grill. We got home. I got full. But nothing else was special about the experience. Go there only if you are starving one day and happen to get lost in the black hole of the abandoned part of the east side under Al Taubman's gross shadow.

The food is always on point. Customer service on the other hand is a bit lack. I always call my order in and still have to wait, but the big baby is worth it.

The Food Exchange is absolutely the greatest little Dive ever. This was my first visit and I felt as if I had been there my entire life... The food was fantastic and fresh clean tasting food...

So dam good the biggest burger for your $$ love the big baby y'all don't know this but u can get a double big baby lol

OMG! EVERYTHING here is so good! This is a small business, neighborhood jewel. I have been coming here for over 10 years. The quality and preparation of food is exquisite! Everything is cooked fresh!. A bit of a wait sometimes but it's more than worth it. They have never disappointed me. Large portions for affordable prices

What more can you ask for? The food and burgers here are great! This is an often go to lunch spot for the wife and I. I know they're know for the BIG and Delicious Big Baby Burger, but don't sleep on the fish sandwiches or sliders.

No longer $5.50 for big baby on Wednesday. Still a great burger.. now not a long wait...

Came to this place when they first opened about 15 years ago! Haven't been here in over 10 years and The Big Baby still slaps!!!

Now I am very fair about my reviews. Especially when it comes to small businesses that are located within the City. I tried The Food Exchange because of their close location to me and the fact that my normal corned beef place is closed on Sundays. My first time I ordered a Corned Beef on onion roll with swiss cheese and mustard. It was absolutely delicious! The meat was savory, bun was fresh and they honestly cooked it with love! LOL Not only that, but the Young Lady who took my order had her patience with me being a first time customer and showed the best customer service! Fast forward to the next Saturday and I decided I wanted corned beef again. I called to place an order four times and received no answer. Checked Yelp to be sure they were open and saw that they were. I came to the conclusion that they may have had a high volume of callers being that it was a Saturday night so I got in my car & decided to just order in person. Upon my arrival, the older woman behind the glass did not greet me and when I asked to place an order she looked at her watch (they didn't close for another hour and a half) and then said "mmhmm". After giving her my order, she relayed it to the cook incorrectly and when I corrected her she got even more upset. Told me my total and then I had to ask her how long it would take to which she answered "20 minutes." I sat in my car for 17 minutes and went back in to pick up my order to which she shoved it in the window and did not say a word. The food is amazing, the prices are good, but I won't be back until this establishment decides that Customer Service DOES matter. I live within 4 minutes of this restaurant and honestly just because the neighborhood isn't the most appealing DOES not mean that the service has to reflect that. Most of my peers go off of my recommendations within the City of Detroit but I won't be recommending this one until there is a drastic change in service.

This is probably one of my favorite places to get a corn beef burger from. The wait for the burger to be cooked fresh is worth it.

The Big Baby was the BEST turkey burger that I've ever had in my life. It's LIT. I would recommend calling ahead.

I think I'm the only Eastsider that hates this place. My S/O forces me to get carryout from here and I oblige every few years and EVERY time something has been mis-made. I don't understand it. It just doesn't taste very good to me. He tells me the burgers are supposed to be big as hell, but I'd rather just buy something that tastes GOOD rather than is BIG. Leave it to a man to think it's size that matters. It does nothing for me.