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Ham sandwich and Lebanese Sundae

Writers from The New York Times have scoured America in search of the best dishes for its list of “The 26 Best Dishes We Ate Across the U.S. in 2024.″ Two Detroit restaurants have earned spots on the prestigious list — Mike’s Famous Ham Place and Leila. Mike’s Famous Ham Place, located at 3700 Michigan Avenue, has been open since 1961 and was owned by Sadiq “Mike” Muftari, who ran the eatery since 1974, and just recently sold the restaurant to longtime customers. “I don’t know if Mike Muftari dreams of ham, but his ham sandwich has been on my mind since May,” said The New York Times writer Sara Bonisteel. “He’s been plying pork for 50 years at Mike’s Famous Ham Place on a desolate stretch of Michigan Avenue. His is an honest and satisfying sandwich built on a poppy-seed roll, with five or six solid planks of ham, a slice of cheese, a squirt of yellow mustard and some pickles. He sold the business in October, but has stayed on through the end of the year to teach the new owners the ropes. Aside from forms of payment, they don’t plan to change a thing.” Leila, located 1245 Griswold Street, made the list for its special Lebanese Sundae. “Arriving to the table like a Star Trek tribble ready for a night on the town, this dessert holds your attention from the first bite,” said Bonisteel. “Pistachios cover the mop of fairy floss atop the dish, and ashta, the rose-flavored ice cream with hints of orange blossom water, hides underneath the gossamer. The restaurant, on Capitol Park in downtown Detroit, is named for the matriarch of the Eid family, also the owners of Phoenicia, and the menu nods to home cooking. This dessert delights with its simplicity and whimsy.” Mike’s Famous Ham Place, 3700 Michigan Avenue, Detroit Leila, 1245 Griswold St, Detroit leiladetroit.com

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Birmingham, Michigan

Metro Intelligencer is a periodic column about the vibrant and changing restaurant/dining scene in the metro Detroit area, reported/written by Gigi Nichols.

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