Goodwell’s Natural Foods Market

I never eat soy anything. I’m not a hardcore carnivore, nor am I a stout vegetarian. I’m happily straddling the the fence, sampling from everyone’s plate. But soy products, (read faux meat) nah son, you can keep that. That’s why I was bit skeptical when my vegan/​tree-​hugging, all-​natural-​everything friend invited me to meet her at Goodwell’s for lunch.
But, I like to think I’m fairly adventurous – in life and in culinary selections – so I figured «what the heck.» She ordered for me, since she was obviously a regular, and we grabbed one of their outdoor tables as we awaited our food. The space itself is cute. It’s sparse, definitely not heavy on the design, but it has character. Plus, in the warmer months you can grab a table outside for some al fresco dining.
Our food came after a fairly short wait.
Me: What is it?
Her: A pocket sandwich.
Me: Pocket sandwich? What’s in it?
Her: Just try it.
Me: But what’s inside it?
Her: Just try it. Trust me, you’ll like it.
Me: Okay…
It was great! I can’t believe how flavorful that soy patty was. To this day, I’m not sure how that non-​dairy cheese and soy patty, combined with the veggies, pita, and sauce (?) could be so good!
In conclusion, don’t be scurred, definitely give this place a try. Vegans and non-​vegans will be pleased.

Small menu with a deli case for sides. Ordered the avocado stuffed pita and it was fantastic… came here last summer for a taste tour slow roll through Detroit and decided to come back. Glad I did :) the stuffed grape leaves were also yummy.

I dream of these pocket sandwiches. I don’t know what the soy patties are, or even how to describe them, but you’ll want to eat them. Do yourself a favor and add some avocado to that, you won’t regret it. Then head next door to Avalon for a cookie.

I was at the Avalon bakery next door and noticed this spot. I stopped and looked at the menu. Apparently it’s an all vegetarian/​vegan market/​café. Very friendly staff who took time to explain the menu and tell me more about the shop. I ordered the vegan pocket sandwich with tofu for just $ 4.77. Very flavorful, healthy, earthy, semi-​organic, yet cheap. I’d recommend this over Mudgie’s any day.

Pocket sandwich = great. Steamed veggies over brown rice = great. Hummus, tabouli, nuts, bananas, apples, tea, super kind people. This place is perfect.

My haven for vegan and vegetarian foods in Detroit! Great tasting and reasonably priced. Pocket sandwiches and (these almost rouse selfishness in me, but it’s not like I can’t eat every one of these that they ever make, so I’ll share goodness) mushroom black bean burgers. If you try nothing else, try these! I’ve never gone wrong with any of their soups either. Kale salads, tabbouleh and hummus, and mock salmon (made with carrots) are quick delicious grabs from the refrigerated section. Everything I listed is vegan unless you get some Harvarti cheese or mayo added to the sandwiches– but if you want Daiya, there’s that option, too.

Love the avocado delight! The veggie chili and lentil soup is amazing. Definitely recommend!

Great soups, sandwiches (my favorite is the Avocado Delight), bean pie, sweet potato pie, and more. Everything here is fresh and healthy.

Bottom line quick and natural lunch items that are fresh. THEY SALE IZZIE soda’s too…(smile wink smile).

So so so so good. The pocket sandwiches are delicious. The staff are wonderful.

It’s hard for me to write this because I don’t want people crowding my FAVORITE PLACE IN THE WHOLE WORLD. In my dreams, the Goodwell’s kitchen is my personal kitchen, and I can take baths in the sauce they put on the pocket sandwiches. Don’t get all bent out of shape, I wouldn’t re-​use that sauce. It would be only for baths.
The secret sauce, discussed supra, is my current mission in life– e.g., I try and try to recreate it. The recipe is secret. I’ve tried to crack it, but the employees appear to be bound contractually to keep it secret. I wonder if they have a golden retriever who speaks and could tell me the recipe, a la Bush’s baked beans. Will update later.
They have a small menu of amazing foods to carry out. The soups are never the same and they’re always amazing. They sell kombucha and lots of other ginger drinks/​aloe juice, etc. They have kale salad that people go nuts over. The staff is apparently made up of models. I don’t know why everyone who works there is so astonishingly attractive, but I know I feel bad going in when I look like I just woke up (e.g. all the time).
Go here and spend your money so they can make tubs of sauce for my bathing. Thanks.

The Avocado Delight is where it’s at! Plus, I like the friendly dudes who work here and the beautiful people who stop in. I always end up making conversation with a friend or friendly stranger while waiting on or eating my sandwich. I also like to get herbs here because you can buy as little as you need. I bought about .56 cents worth of dill the other day instead of the $ 4 grocery store bottle. It would be great if they could expand and carry more prepared food and groceries.

Definitely a fan of the food! I love the vegan pockets, vegetarian chili and the different types of soup (that I wouldn’t make!) You can also purchase kale salads, hummus (sp?) and vegan desserts.
The vegetarian chili helped me realize that I liked tofu!
I agree with another Unilocaler! The younger people working in the store tend to be friendly but those older people working. Whew!!! Well, they could learn some customer service tips from the young adults.
Call ahead of time to place your order once you become familiar with the menu.

This is a nice little market but it is extremely small. I was expecting something bigger but I liked that they have some local smoked tofu and other items. Otherwise it’s mostly bulk spices, supplements, Bobs Red Mill products, plant milk and some other items.
I had the vegan pocket sandwich which was very good. Highly recommend it for an inexpensive, fresh and delicious meal. Very clean favors and the curry patty was so tasty. Well dressed and really a perfect sandwich.

yummy sandwiches! i had their avocado pita sandwich in with spinach, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, something vinegar-​y, and avocado. it was huge and delicious and delicious, though i ‘d have to say it could use more cheese. form what i know, it used to be cheaper, but it’s not terribly expensive now at 5.50. kind of a messy sandwich, but you can still save the rest for later as a salad.
i also tried a collard greens soup with cous cous, which sounded amazing, but ended up being not that good. it wasn’t as hot as i wanted to be, but i loved that it wasn’t too salty. i wouldn’t get it again and i’m hesitant to try their other soups.
there’s also some seating, which was nice, though i’m sure if it were busy, it’d be difficult to get a seat. parking is a pain too. the people working here were super nice, but a little slow to get the food out, so i wouldn’t recommend if you’re in a rush.
overall a great little place and nicely located next to avalon if you want a dessert later. i’ll definitely be back for my lunch break!

Love this place and their famous pocket sandwiches are amazinggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg… mmmm!
Lots of fresh juices/​smoothie type drinks
Such a cute little market tucked in, in the cass corridor. nice selection of natual groceries but probably a little more expensive since there are not any other health store food options around dtown…
parking spaces are usually filled up, pending on what time you go so you may have to wait a minute for someone to leave or park down the street.
I’ll always be coming back :)

Goodwells is good. It’s not great, but it’s good.
Right on Cass close to Wayne State’s campus, it’s a good location. Their grocery options are a little weak in my opinion. Yes, they’re organic, but they are overpriced and have been sitting there for a while. Their lunch counter, however, is another story. Their staff is NOT in a hurry, but it is worth it. Delicious samosas and their famous pocket sandwiches are famous for a reason… so full of vegetables it’s almost hard to eat. Yum soup.
I’d give it a two for groceries and four for lunch.

I had to try one of their ‘famous’ pocket sandwiches today, and I was completely hooked; it was pretty good. Next time I will try their avocado delight or perhaps their veggies & brown rice combo. I would love to know how they make their special sauce/​dressing.
I like where their head is at; fresh, organic, vegetarian, raw, healthy, tasty, and novel to the area.
They have a small grocery area but I did notice items such as coconut oil that I have been meaning to try (but will shop around before I shell out $ 15 at Goodwells) — and a few other refrigerated sections full of raw nuts, pressed juices and dessert items. A freezer section with the boca burgers and other meatless options, some yogurt and I also saw a milk variety. Not exactly the place you could stock up with, and not exactly the least expensive option, but good for a few items here or there while you pick up their lunch — which is VERY affordable, and you can’t get much healthier. Next time I may try soup and one of these veggie-​filled samosa I saw them putting in their display.

Though I don’t live in the area, I do go to WSU and occasionally stop next door at Avalon, so I do find myself in Goodwell’s from time to time.
Generally, I like it. A good selection of groceries at a good price, including a few things here and there I have yet to find elsewhere.
I can’t speak for the prepared foods, since I’ve never tried them. They do look pretty good as well, though.

A sign above the register declares Goodwell’s pocket sandwhiches to be «famous.» If these sandwhiches aren’t already famous, they should be! For four bucks you get a huge whole wheat pita stuffed with fresh organic veggies, high quality cheese, tofu sauce, and creamy slices of havarti cheese. They are always happy to add extra tomoato or spinach — yum!
Goodwell’s also has soups, veggie chili, and a selection of cold prepared salads to go.
With this place so close by I have no excuse to eat junk.
There’s a $ 10 minimun if you’re using a credit card. I usually just stock up on fruit and healthy snacks for the office until I’ve gone over $ 10.