Hedge's Wigwam, Native American themed restaurant in Pleasant Ridge, Michigan
Hedge's Wigwam was a restaurant housed in a massive concrete teepee structure positioned along Woodward Avenue. Diners moved through cafeteria-style service lines to select meals such as Fillet of Soul served with mashed potatoes and brown gravy, while five painted statues marked the building's entrance.
Roy Hedge founded the restaurant in 1927, starting from an earlier orange juice stand that he expanded into a full dining destination. The operation continued to serve customers for several decades before closing in 1967.
The dining rooms featured birchbark columns and wooden tables displaying handcrafted pieces, creating spaces that reflected Native American artistic traditions and craftsmanship throughout the building.
The restaurant used a cafeteria-style service system where guests selected their food from display counters rather than ordering from a waiter. This approach made dining quick and casual, allowing visitors to move through the line at their own pace.
A cascading waterfall flowed from the ceiling into a semicircular pond filled with goldfish, creating a focal point where diners tossed coins and made wishes during their meal. This water feature became a memorable ritual for many guests visiting the establishment.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
