The old Eph McNally' s deli on Porter Street in Corktown is now Mudgie's, with a friendly new owner, a fresh look and a reinvented sandwich, salad and soup menu.
Longtime McNally's employee Greg Mudge, 33, took over the space after the restaurant's owners opened a downtown location and closed the original one in Corktown.
"I never planned to open a restaurant," Mudge says, but he decided he'd rather be his own boss than transfer downtown. Friends and family pitched in to help him paint and clean. He hopes to decorate it with the help of local artists.
He named the sandwiches after "anyone who picked up a paintbrush" to help. All the food is house-made, including the Fudgie Mudgie dessert -- a brownie baked to order in a waffle iron, topped with ice cream and Sanders hot fudge.
Mudge is supporting other local businesses by using Eastern Market produce and serving Detroit brands such as Better Made, Vernors and Faygo. Open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday at 1300 Porter St., Detroit. 313-961-2000.
