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Metro Detroit's best sandwich stops

By Sylvia Rector

Free Press Restaurant Critic
March 24, 2008

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Local sandwich love runs wide and deep, judging by the impassioned responses we received when we asked Free Press readers to help us find metro Detroit's best-tasting meals between sliced bread.

Our hunt began after Esquire went in search of the best sandwiches in America and found two in our own backyard: a boisterous barbecued brisket at Zingerman's Deli in Ann Arbor and a wonderful grilled-three-cheese at Café Muse in Royal Oak.

They were indeed delicious, but what about all the others?

We knew scores had been overlooked. And besides, the real experts -- metro Detroit sandwich lovers -- hadn't been heard.

We followed your leads and our own experiences and ate and ate ... and ATE until we couldn't eat another bite. Enough, already!

Here are our picks for the best in metro Detroit -- with a few on the side. It's proudly unscientific, unranked and incomplete.

Star Delicatessen

24555 W. Twelve Mile - Southfield

248-352-7377

People argue endlessly about which of our great delis is best. The debate will never end -- and who would want it to? Reader Pat McNally nominated the Star's Corned Beef Special, on rye, as his pick for the best in metro Detroit. With the "great-tasting coleslaw, the combination is fantastic," he says. And it's enough for two meals. You like a different place? You should have said so. $7.69.

Mike's Famous Ham Place

3700 Michigan - Detroit

313-894-6922

"You cannot beat Mike's Famous Ham Place… 10 minutes from the heart of downtown Detroit," said Martin Derouin of Roseville. What a find! Owner Junior Muftari roasts hams daily and carves the tender meat off the bone when you order. It's sliced thick and piled high on rye or a seeded roll, with or without Swiss cheese, for $6. We like it with mustard and lots of pickles.

Dunleavy's Pub & Grub

34505 Grand River - Farmington

248-478-8866

"Simple but excellent … a sandwich to return for, time and again," Pat Shelton of Farmington wrote. Indeed, it's a true tavern treat, made with multiple slices of hot, grilled ham, melting Swiss cheese and a layer of slightly sweet coleslaw on a long sesame-seeded roll.$5.75.

Beverly Hills Grill

31471 Southfield Road - Beverly Hills

248-642-2355

Oh, the crabbinity! A mound of jumbo lump crab meat formed into a cake, slices of ripe tomato, Swiss cheese and sourdough bread, toasted on the grill, make this an indulgence crab lovers shouldn't miss. On the lunch and brunch menus only. $12.

Ventimiglia Italian Foods

35197 Dodge Park - Sterling Heights

586-979-0828

You'll love the mouthwatering aromas that fill this classic Italian market. And wait until you taste this signature sub. Reader Candie Lolli called it fabulous, and we agree. Filled with Italian cold cuts, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, special Italian dressing and tangy chopped vegetable giardiniera on a choice of great breads, it's a piece of Italy in your hand. On 8-inch roll, $6; whole loaf, $14.

Russell Street Deli

2465 Russell - Detroit

313-567-2900

One nominator, Keith Kolodsick of Livonia, said he first tried it 10 years ago and hasn't changed his order since. With layers of roasted sweet red pepper slices, grilled portabella mushrooms, caramelized onions and zucchini, tangy chevre and rich sun-dried tomato pesto on grilled rye, it just may be the best vegetarian sandwich we've ever tasted. $8.25.

Mudgie's

1300 Porter St. - Detroit

313-961-2000

Reader Michael Madill of Royal Oak confesses that his favorite sandwich, the Madill, was named for him after he helped owner Greg Mudge open this new spot in Corktown. But we agree that it's a great flavor combo: natural sliced turkey breast, applewood smoked bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato and garlic mayo with pepper-jack cheese on a sub bun. $8.25.

Eph's Downtown

608 Woodward - Detroit

313-964-4511

'Tis a thing of beauty, this No. 52 Dublin Garden vegetarian at Eph's Downtown in Detroit. Spinach salad, lettuce, tomato, red onion, dilled Havarti cheese, avocado and tons of alfalfa sprouts are stacked so high on hearty whole-grain bread you can hardly bite it. Dijon buttermilk dressing comes on the side. At $8, it's a favorite of Compuware employee Crissy Bahorski, who works nearby.

Modern Food & Spirits

1535 Cass Lake - Keego Harbor

248-681-4231

Chicken salad is often ho-hum, but not at Modern Food & Spirits, where reader Judy Kroon of Waterford can't stop ordering it. We loved its lightly dressed chunks of tender white-meat chicken, diced apples, plump dried cranberries and hint of tarragon, all stuffed into a pair of croissants and served with fresh fruit for just $8.

Insalata

1919 E. Big Beaver - Troy

248-528-2250

Bring on the flavor! Spicy Italian salami, capicola, sliced ham, Monterey Jack cheese, pesto mayo and tangy sliced pepper rings on crisp-buttender panini-grilled ciabatta bread make the hot Panini Insalata a hit with customers, including Marie Catanzaro of Royal Oak and Jenelle Travis, who works nearby in Madison Heights. $6.25.

Pronto!

608 S. Washington - Royal Oak

248-544-7900

Pronto! sandwiches got numerous nominations, but this one with a fresh, distinctive Mexican twist led the list. Made with smoked turkey breast, chipotle black bean paste, lettuce, sour cream, avocado and salsa on a sesame-seeded sub roll, it's satisfying from the first bite. $7.75.

What Crepe?

317 S. Washington - Royal Oak

248-544-4749

It was picked by Esquire for its "best American sandwiches" roundup, and we do adore this almost sensual cheese sandwich. Crisp bread, melting cheeses, ripe tomato, fresh basil, a touch of honey … is Meg Ryan in the house? $7.75.

Sprout House

15233 Kercheval - Grosse Pointe Park

313-331-3200

Let's just say we were dubious when Betsy Berg of Grosse Pointe wrote in to nominate a vegan tofu sandwich as one of the best in Detroit. But its big Mediterranean flavors are amazing. Made with Avalon organic Wheaty-Wheat bread, house-made kalamata and caper mayos, organic marinated and baked tofu -- which is firm, not mushy -- romaine hearts, basil puree, toasted pine nuts and roasted grape tomatoes. $4.99.

Steve's Deli

6646 Telegraph - Bloomfield Hills

248-932-0800

With so many variations of this sandwich, it's hard for one to stand out. But the No. 16 on Steve's "lite" menu does, with its soft, thick, delicious challah bread; the surprisingly big, smoky flavor of the turkey bacon; loads of sliced smoked turkey breast; buttery avocado; lettuce; ripe tomato and flavorful red-pepper mayo. $9.25.

Gabriel's Hoagies

1919 N. Wayne Road - Westland

734-722-4224

An Ypsilanti fixture since 1959, Gabriel's makes cheese steak hoagies that are "simply awesome," reader Christine Sullivan said, "but you MUST get the hot peppers." We did -- and loved the hot, juicy, beefy, oniony, cheesy, spicy result. It's an original -- and worth a drive. $4.79.

Vinnie's Italian Sub Shop

7300 Middlebelt Road - Romulus

734-722-2997

We took the dare when Kevin Kukan of Dearborn Heights declared that Vinnies Italian Submarines in Romulus makes "the best sandwich out there." We got his favorite, the Italian 5/2. That's five layers of meat and two layers of cheese, loaded (with lettuce, tomato, peppers and onions) and Vin's spicy sauce. Pretty great stuff. Go see Vinnie. $5.

Your Mother's Food & Spirits

61 N. Walnut - Mt. Clemens

586-468-4444

As hearty as any burger, this juicy, filling sandwich has been on the menu for almost 10 years but keeps winning new fans -- like reader Heidi Bayer, who recently moved to Mt. Clemens and discovered Your Mother's and this sandwich. Marinating the chicken and the sliced portabellas in house-made Zip sauce gives them a deep, zingy flavor. $6.75, fries included.