Al Ameer on West Warren Avenue in Dearborn serves Lebanese cooking in metro Detroit since 1989. James Beard America's Classic 2016, the first Michigan winner.
Signature dishes: Hummus, Shawarma
Must order: Whole-leg lamb shawarma, hummus with pine nuts and warm pita straight from the oven.
Tip: Walk-in friendly; the parking lot is large for the area. Hours 11:00 to 22:00 most nights.
Address: 12710 W Warren Ave, Dearborn, MI 48126, Detroit
Sahara on Michigan Avenue in Dearborn serves Lebanese cooking in metro Detroit since 1968. Family-run, the older sibling on Michigan Avenue to Al Ameer's Warren strip.
Signature: Mixed grill, Tabouleh
Order: Mixed grill platter for the table and a finely chopped tabouleh.
Tip: Closed Sundays. Catering is a substantial side of the business; weekend dinner books out fastest.
La Pita on Newman Street in Dearborn serves Lebanese and Mediterranean cooking in metro Detroit. Family-run, halal certified, banquet hall on site.
Signature: Shawarma, Hummus
Order: Shawarma plate with rice, garlic sauce and warm pita bread.
Tip: Open until 22:00 most nights, noon to 22:00 on Sunday. Banquet hall books big.
Brome Modern Eatery on Michigan Avenue in Dearborn serves halal grass-fed beef burgers and hand-spun shakes in metro Detroit. Open through 02:00 on weekends.
Signature: Halal beef burger, Hand-spun milkshake
Order: Halal beef burger with crispy onions and a salted-caramel milkshake.
Tip: Late-night kitchen runs to 02:00 Wednesday to Sunday; vegetarian and vegan options too.
Roman Village Cucina Italiana on Dix Avenue in Dearborn has served family Italian cooking in metro Detroit since 1964. Old-school red-sauce pasta and veal cutlets.
Signature: House pasta, Veal parmigiana
Order: House pasta of the day and veal parmigiana with the garlic bread.
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday. Lunch service most weekdays through 14:00.
Sahara on Michigan Avenue in Dearborn serves Lebanese cooking in metro Detroit since 1968. Family-run, the older sibling on Michigan Avenue to Al Ameer's Warren strip.
Signature: Mixed grill, Tabouleh
Order: Mixed grill platter for the table and a finely chopped tabouleh.
Tip: Closed Sundays. Catering is a substantial side of the business; weekend dinner books out fastest.
La Pita on Newman Street in Dearborn serves Lebanese and Mediterranean cooking in metro Detroit. Family-run, halal certified, banquet hall on site.
Signature: Shawarma, Hummus
Order: Shawarma plate with rice, garlic sauce and warm pita bread.
Tip: Open until 22:00 most nights, noon to 22:00 on Sunday. Banquet hall books big.
Brome Modern Eatery on Michigan Avenue in Dearborn serves halal grass-fed beef burgers and hand-spun shakes in metro Detroit. Open through 02:00 on weekends.
Signature: Halal beef burger, Hand-spun milkshake
Order: Halal beef burger with crispy onions and a salted-caramel milkshake.
Tip: Late-night kitchen runs to 02:00 Wednesday to Sunday; vegetarian and vegan options too.
Roman Village Cucina Italiana on Dix Avenue in Dearborn has served family Italian cooking in metro Detroit since 1964. Old-school red-sauce pasta and veal cutlets.
Signature: House pasta, Veal parmigiana
Order: House pasta of the day and veal parmigiana with the garlic bread.
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday. Lunch service most weekdays through 14:00.
Buddy's Pizza on Six Mile and Conant is the birthplace of Detroit-style square pizza in Detroit, baked since 1946 by Gus Guerra in forge-blue steel pans.
Signature: Detroit-style square pizza, Antipasto salad
Order: Original Detroit-style square with pepperoni and the antipasto salad.
Tip: Conant location is the original; expect a wait Friday and Saturday evenings. Beer and wine only.
Cloverleaf Pizza on Gratiot Avenue in Eastpointe is the other original Detroit-style pizza in metro Detroit, baked since Gus Guerra moved his recipe here in 1953.
Signature: Detroit-style square pizza, Pepperoni
Order: Original Detroit-style square with double pepperoni and burnt cheese edges.
Tip: The bar room is the original 1946 building. Takeout and dine-in; cash and cards both fine.
