Fave Foods
I’ve traveled to all 193 nations of the world, and if you’ve followed me for even just a little while, you know one of my absolute favorite things to do while on my trips is to eat. A great meal can make up for even the worst day. And out of all my travel, Middle Eastern food has become some of my absolute favorite. On my recent appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, I mentioned that I’ve made trips to Beirut just to eat, noting Lebanon is the country with the best food in the world.
I’ll be honest. I wasn’t over-the-moon excited about coming to Michigan for six nights. Sure, I have friends and associates here, and yes, the weather is great in May…but six nights? I’d be staying in Michigan longer than I stay in most countries. But then I remembered that Detroit contained a suburb named Dearborn – a city home to the most Middle Eastern folks in all of America and the first Arab-majority city in the country. And that means there’s going to be a ton of Middle Eastern food here. I was about to go to The Disneyland of Middle Eastern Gastronomy in America and now I was excited.
Intel and Recon
I needed to do a little intel before I just plopped myself down here and attempted to eat everywhere, all willy-nilly. So I joined a Dearborn community group on Facebook, introduced myself, and asked group members for their personal recommendations. I don’t fully trust online reviews – they are easily manipulated – so I was hoping Dearbornians would spring into action with their advice, and boy did they! Hours later there were over 150 comments from dozens of locals feeding me all the info I needed. The only problem was, with all the recommendations and choices, I’d need at least a month here. I was so excited I could hardly contain myself.
Stop One: The Most Expensive Ice Cream Ever (Booza Delight)
I’d arrive into Detroit close to 9PM, so my plan was to stay at the airport hotel that first night and grab a rental car in the morning. Although with all those tempting and tantalizing recommendations that flooded my post on Facebook, I couldn’t bear to partake in even one meal anywhere else but Dearborn. There was no way I could stay in my hotel (or the airport neighborhood) that first night – so I ended up taking an Uber to and from Dearborn just to have some of that amazing ashta ice cream I’ve heard so much about.
Stop number one was Booza Delight and my first ever time in Dearborn. My eyes popped out of my head when I saw all of the Middle Eastern restaurants we passed from the car window: the grills, cafés, bakeries, shawarma joints, ice cream parlors. They were endless and it felt like I’d completely left the USA and was on another one of my exotic and far away trips. Who knew I could travel just three hours for all of this!
I told the young man at the counter it was my first time and could he recommend something. He certainly understood the assignment, explaining what ashta ice cream was and seamlessly breezing through all of its features like a seasoned salesman. “I’m in!,” I enthusiastically answered. Minutes later I was sitting down eating my ice cream alone like a loser, but I didn’t care. I was one, happy, big kid! Booza Delight was a winner. I just wish Ubers weren’t so expensive. After figuring in the charge for the car, that beautiful piece of ice cream cost me over $50, but there were no other options. I had to do it. I wouldn’t have slept.
>>> RELATED: My Trip to Lebanon for THE Best Ice Cream EVER! <<<
Stop Two: Dellah Coffee and Brunch House
I had a busy morning. I needed to get back to the airport, then take the shuttle to the rental car building, pick up my car, grab breakfast back in Dearborn, then be on the radio in Farmington Hills by 9AM. Most breakfast spots didn’t open until 8AM, so I had to expertly time this…and I did!
I was walking though the doors of the Yemeni Dellah Coffee and Brunch House by 7:59AM. The Yemeni scrambled eggs were a ten out of ten, complete with mulawah bread and one of the best coffees I’d ever sipped. I just hate that I had to eat so fast – time was ticking and I couldn’t be late to my 9AM broadcast.
I especially appreciated the atmosphere and decór at Dellah: From the murals on the wall to the photos of various cities in Yemen on the walls of the hallway, the place had character and educated people all at once. I love Yemen and can’t wait to visit again and eat all their food. Thank you, Dellah!
>>> RELATED: My Trip to Yemen <<<
Stop Three: Cedarland
It was only day two and I was so stuffed from the Yemeni breakfast and the giant burger I ate at Red Coat Tavern with Mojo. I didn’t have much room in my stomach at all, but I would force it. I had to complete the job! Tonight I’d dine at the Lebanese mainstay Cedarland, where I’d order a plate of kibbeh and an order of grape leaves. Both were good and I struggled to finish it all. It was a lot! My server also brought me a complimentary cup of lentil soup. I was hurting my the time I left, but I was on a mission. Must…complete…mission (grunts)
Stop Four: Shatila Bakery
Stop four was a downright mistake. Not because it wasn’t great, but because I was defying all the laws of physics to eat even more. How was it even possible? And how big can an ice cream cone be? Enormous when you go to Shatila.
First, I couldn’t get over how huge this place was. Bakery? More like a giant sugar and carb amusement park! Shatila had a large seating area with many tables and chairs in-between indoor trees decorated with lights. And the bakery counter and display seemed endless. With five levels of treats, it stretches almost the entire length of the restaurant. So impressive.
I went for the apricot ice cream, which was delicious and the size of my head. I went to bed absolutely hurting that night. I felt like I was having a baby. Indeed, way too much food for one man, in one day.
Stop Five: At Tayeb
This was the most recommended spot for breakfast and the moment I walked in, I understood why. This is “the” place for a hearty Lebanese breakfast and it was just like the breakfasts I remember having at Al Soussi in Beirut, including that fresh plate of onions, tomato and mint. Along with the eggs with beef and fresh bread and fateh. Wow! What a combination! But once again, too much. I needed to slow down…but it was impossible!
*** The next three nights I spent in Traverse City, then, back to Dearborn***
Stop Six: Tuhama’s Sandwiches
One of my many new Dearbornian friends on Facebook, Zahra, was adamant I stop at Tuhama’s for shawarma. She claimed they were the best and after careful consideration, I concur! I ate my beef shawarma wrap so quickly I didn’t even get to photograph it. It was juicy, tender and bursting with flavor. Really, it was the best.
Stop Seven: La Gelati
After a walk through Ford Field Park, I decided to treat myself. It was a toss-up between Galata Sweets, Qamaria Coffee and La Gelati – a coin toss really – a chose the third (Thanks, Ghadeer!) The “Lebanese Cocktail” smoothie did not disappoint: ashta ice cream and tons of real fruit, and I’m pretty sure I tasted a hint of rose water. The perfect ending to the day.
Stop Eight: Sheeba Restaurant
I chose Yemeni once again, for my last and final stop, ordering a meal at Sheeba Restaurant. It was a replay of my plate at Dellah’s: the scrambled eggs and bread. This time it came with a small bowl of hot salsa (I don’t think they call it salsa, but you get the point.) In less of a rush this time, I sat and enjoyed that whole plate of eggs, eating it with the bread like little tacos…am I doing it right? My disappointment in finding out they don’t serve coffee was quickly quashed once I had that first sip of their sweet cinnamon tea – phenomenal! Good service, native music and traditional Yemeni decór all around, Sheeba was a winner and great last meal. I stopped into a family grocery store on my way out to grab some Yemeni coffee and headed to the airport. I had a wonderful time here but I am so very afraid to step on the scale when I return home. I’ve never ate this much in my entire life.
About the Author:
“Ramblin’ Randy” aka “R Dub!,” is an internationally syndicated radio host whose loves songs and dedications program airs on over 200 radio stations in 17 countries. He recently completed his mission to visit every country in the world. Please feel free to explore this website – a blog is written by Randy from every country in the world! You may follow Randy on Instagram: @rdub
