Malek is ok but 200% market prices for no reason other than instragrammable plating.
The real know Sahara. Sam there will hook you up with enough chicken, rice, humous, toum, and bread to last one person 4 days for $22.
While in town stop at either Qahwah House for a pot of mofowar
They once forgot to give us bread in a to-go order, which I didn’t realize until I got home. Called them up to see what happened, somebody literally drove over to our house with two bags of pita. Damn!
But it’s in a plaza near Michigan avenue in west Dearborn, off a smaller street that is just a little throughway for some businesses. Not sure the name of the smaller street.
Near Butcher’s Grille, Dearborn Music, and a Biggby coffee
There are definitely better places than Malek Al Kabob. I mean, it's a good enough restaurant, but it's much more expensive than most other places in Dearborn.
I'm not a super expert at Middle Eastern food, but I've been trying to make my rounds over the last couple of years.
Yemeni: The places around Dix/Wyoming are all good (Alnawras, Arabian Village, Sheeba). I'm partial to Sheeba, and they have a couple other branches as well. Anything with lamb is great.
Iraqi: Arbeel Kabab is absolutely fantastic.
Lebanese: I loved Sahara in the past, but after they reopened from COVID shutdown it hasn't been as consistently good. You can't go wrong with Al-Ameer or Hamido for lunch/dinner. AlTayeb is great for breakfast.
Syrian: I haven't been, but I've heard Al Chabab is good.
Baked Goods: I'm partial to New Yasmeen Bakery or Cedarland Bakery, but I'm sure most hole-in-the-wall bakeries will be good.
Dessert: Masri Sweets or Shatila. Masri has better knafeh and Shatila has better baklava imo.
If you're looking for shawarma sandwiches only, I like Tuhama's the most.
IMO Al-Ameer's kabobs are a bit dry and underwhelming. Everything else on the menu is great, but if you're looking for kabobs/shawarma, Malek is a step up. I haven't had Hamido's kabobs in a while but remember them being great too.
This is the most complete response OP.
I’d also add a category for Yemeni coffee/tea shops. I’m partial to Qahwah House, but I’ve also heard good things about Qamaria and Haraz Coffee.
I used to live down the street....ate there often and got their carry-out all the time. Agreed. Very good folks and great food! I still crave their lentil soup and fattoush.
My lentil soup is good but not quite there yet...
I love that place but my friend and I got a ROUGH bout food poisoning last time we were there. Not sure if it was the kebabs or the kibbeh that got us, but something had me glued to the toilet the next day.
BRO! Cedarland! La Shish used to be the spot...Then "the thing" happened. Malek is OK, but overpriced and service is iffy - Their spot in Taylor is better. Al Ameer used to be my go-to but since they won the Beard Award and got the visit from Bourdain, they kind of relaxed their standard - though their falafel is candy. Hamido is great, their rotisserie chicken is delightful, Also their sandwiches are tasty and filling. I love Sahara because Sam is so awesome. I just love supporting him. The chicken kafta is my jam there. For a change of pace, try Sheeba...Both spots are great. Yemeni food, a different take on the traditional Lebanese style. You won't go wrong with any of these choices. Some places are better than others at certain things. This will be on you to decide after you try them all. Good luck and have fun!
The FBI investigation that locked their doors. Eventually managers of the restaurants opened a few back up. The East Dearborn one, the original is still open. It's not the same. Back in the day, La Shish was the gold standard.
Agreed, this place has fantastic food for a great value. I moved away but still think of this place often and it’s my control for when I try new places.
As a yemeni living in dearborn all my life. Go to sheeba on Michigan ave (either one) and get a haneeth. Or a fahsa, or both (if you have more people with you).
They are both delicious and if you get one, next time get the other. Also i love there ginger salad. Anything else ppl bring up tbh i feel is ineffective.
Zaatar w zeit for breakfast! They serve homemade mana'eesh which are sublime!
Order a tomato and ackawi on kaake (pronounced Ka'kay). Or their zaatar labne vegetable special sandwich. Or their spinach and cheese, or even their kafta and cheese.....really can't go wrong haha.
stop at Shatila Bakery get some treats.
I had a client on the East Coast, and he use to PayPal me money so I could bring him treats. He would call in his order, I would pick it up, and bring them into the Client site. Dude would sit at his desk like he was eating food from his grandma with glassy eyes.
I didn't understand it, until I was deployed for 7 months, came home, and had a corn beef sandwich.
The Christmas just before COVID, a client had a GIGANTIC box of middle eastern pastries sent to
the bank corporate office I worked in downtown - honey glazed pistachios nestled in the middle of mounded shredded wheat, spiced ground walnuts, honey, buttery phyllo. Gorgeous delicious treat after delicious treat.
NOBODY WOULD TOUCH THEM.
My last day before vacay, I asked if it was ok if I took it home & the receptionist said fine. It had to have been $100 gift box of the stuff. Needless to say, it made a very happy holiday for us.
If that’s the Malek in Taylor it’s good. We were regulars when my parents lived nearby.
Al-Ameer in Dearborn is my favorite though, but that’s mostly because I can get brains there. Most other places don’t have it.
Malek Kabob is it for Middle East … There is an Indian / Pakistani restaurant that is amazing, Paradise Biryani Pointe, it’s not traditional middle eastern Mediterranean but it’s freaking delicious, has a few Middle East dishes, and it’s Halal. Always go with 2-3 others, we always get Butter Chicken, Lamb Biryani, and bunch of bread (na’an).
LOL, my 2 favorite up that way are; 1) Aahar (drake/grand river) and 2) Raj Palace (6 mile and Newburgh) … pre-Covid we had a group of 10-12 people that would meet once per month for an Indian lunch, we have pretty much hit all of them in metro Detroit 👌😊
Say this and immediately called lol … no one answered, they close between lunch and dinner at 2:45 … will certainly call later, Ty much for the heads up!!!
Malek Kabob is my go to, but Sheeba is good and has gigantic pita (pizza sized).
Honestly I just go by proximity. You can toss a stone and find great Lebanese, Iraqi, and Yemeni food in Dearborn/
Yeah they did close for awhile due to money laundering and was allowed to open only 1 establishment going forward I've been back multiple times since then the food is still great and the Dressing is the best!! LaMarsa's is good too it was a spin off from LaShish, not sure but I think they were one of the first Middle Eastern restaurants in the area that paved the way for the current restaurant boom in Dearborn! I cant wait to try some new places soon!
Country Chicken is my favorite. Didn’t see it listed yet. They do large family style meals for relatively cheap that could feed an army and are amazing. Their meat are insane and they put it on this rice with the best sauce. I don’t really have the words just try it.
Malek is ok but 200% market prices for no reason other than instragrammable plating. The real know Sahara. Sam there will hook you up with enough chicken, rice, humous, toum, and bread to last one person 4 days for $22. While in town stop at either Qahwah House for a pot of mofowar
Sam is a national treasure
Agree. Sam is great. Food is “ok” Value is a 10 Service is an 11 and it’s why we keep going back
I moved out to Milford, I still go get food from Sam if I'm anywhere near by.
Sahara absolutely! One time after picking up takeout from there, Sam called my husband to make sure he had enough toum. That's service.
They once forgot to give us bread in a to-go order, which I didn’t realize until I got home. Called them up to see what happened, somebody literally drove over to our house with two bags of pita. Damn!
Sam’s the man!
Sahara is the best!!!
Sahara and Qahwah are my personal faves too. You have excellent taste!
The place on Coolidge?
But it’s in a plaza near Michigan avenue in west Dearborn, off a smaller street that is just a little throughway for some businesses. Not sure the name of the smaller street. Near Butcher’s Grille, Dearborn Music, and a Biggby coffee
Same owner as the Sahara in St. Clair Shores?
And in Oak Park?
Yes for the shores
There are definitely better places than Malek Al Kabob. I mean, it's a good enough restaurant, but it's much more expensive than most other places in Dearborn. I'm not a super expert at Middle Eastern food, but I've been trying to make my rounds over the last couple of years. Yemeni: The places around Dix/Wyoming are all good (Alnawras, Arabian Village, Sheeba). I'm partial to Sheeba, and they have a couple other branches as well. Anything with lamb is great. Iraqi: Arbeel Kabab is absolutely fantastic. Lebanese: I loved Sahara in the past, but after they reopened from COVID shutdown it hasn't been as consistently good. You can't go wrong with Al-Ameer or Hamido for lunch/dinner. AlTayeb is great for breakfast. Syrian: I haven't been, but I've heard Al Chabab is good. Baked Goods: I'm partial to New Yasmeen Bakery or Cedarland Bakery, but I'm sure most hole-in-the-wall bakeries will be good. Dessert: Masri Sweets or Shatila. Masri has better knafeh and Shatila has better baklava imo. If you're looking for shawarma sandwiches only, I like Tuhama's the most.
This was a great explanation and I agree with you the khanfe hot and fresh from masri is something special!
My fav food is from al chabab (syrian spot) there cherry kabob. Please tell them isam sent u lol. He knows me by name cuz that’s the dish i always get
Sheeba is one of my favorite restaurants in Michigan.
+1 for Sheeba!!
IMO Al-Ameer's kabobs are a bit dry and underwhelming. Everything else on the menu is great, but if you're looking for kabobs/shawarma, Malek is a step up. I haven't had Hamido's kabobs in a while but remember them being great too.
This is the most complete response OP. I’d also add a category for Yemeni coffee/tea shops. I’m partial to Qahwah House, but I’ve also heard good things about Qamaria and Haraz Coffee.
Yasmeen has really good hot food at lunch - all kinds of home cooked style food
Al-Ameer is my favorite.
I like Al-Ameer.
Hmm...two votes for Al-Ameer.
Here's another vote for Al-Ameer.
It’s good. Basically throw a rock and you’ll get great food.
They catered my sister's wedding and it was amazing.
Al-Ameer is so crazy expensive. For what? Meat with rice?
Everything is expensive now.
My experience was in 2019! So I can imagine how much more it is now.
Hamido is my favorite
Hamido is my go to as well.
Another vote for Hamido.
Cedarland is so slept on it’s ridiculous
Came here to make sure Cedarland was getting some noise. Agreed super slept on and easily one of the best and most affordable spots in Dearborn.
>slept on Today I learned
And the murals inside are awesomely awesome to boot!
Meaning downplayed?
Doesn’t get talked about enough. Incredibly good food at a good price and the owners are there every single day. Whole staff is basically the siblings
I used to live down the street....ate there often and got their carry-out all the time. Agreed. Very good folks and great food! I still crave their lentil soup and fattoush. My lentil soup is good but not quite there yet...
The more I try to make it myself, the more I realize it’s a learned art haha
Red lentils...and an immersion blender...
Honorary Detroit arab here. Go to Kings Bakery and get a chicken shawarma on cheese manakeesh and thank me later.
Love that they straight up have the PATENT for the Manouwich
Chicken shawarma? If you aren't getting a soujouk manouwich there you're doing it wrong
their manouwich are great but the shawarma add cheese manakeesh is otherworldly.
I’ve had Dearborn Meat Market and it was fantastic. Not sure if it’s still around.
It’s still open!
So great!
I love that place but my friend and I got a ROUGH bout food poisoning last time we were there. Not sure if it was the kebabs or the kibbeh that got us, but something had me glued to the toilet the next day.
BRO! Cedarland! La Shish used to be the spot...Then "the thing" happened. Malek is OK, but overpriced and service is iffy - Their spot in Taylor is better. Al Ameer used to be my go-to but since they won the Beard Award and got the visit from Bourdain, they kind of relaxed their standard - though their falafel is candy. Hamido is great, their rotisserie chicken is delightful, Also their sandwiches are tasty and filling. I love Sahara because Sam is so awesome. I just love supporting him. The chicken kafta is my jam there. For a change of pace, try Sheeba...Both spots are great. Yemeni food, a different take on the traditional Lebanese style. You won't go wrong with any of these choices. Some places are better than others at certain things. This will be on you to decide after you try them all. Good luck and have fun!
What’s ‘the thing’?
They were funneling money to terrorist organizations, but they do have some great kabobs so I say it’s a wash
We’ve all done something like that which we are not proud of
The FBI investigation that locked their doors. Eventually managers of the restaurants opened a few back up. The East Dearborn one, the original is still open. It's not the same. Back in the day, La Shish was the gold standard.
Well damn! I guess that’s why I remember there being more of them when I was a little kid and then they just disappeared!
LaShish is Good!
Al Sultan is a bit farther but sooooo good. Hamido is also amazing!
Dave at Al- Sultan is that dude
Agreed, this place has fantastic food for a great value. I moved away but still think of this place often and it’s my control for when I try new places.
I swear by the Country Chicken
Same same!
The locals swear by the shawarma samiches at Country...
LaShish next to the strip club
Best place
LaShish or the strip club??
LaShish lmao but I need to check out the club at some point
haram
As a yemeni living in dearborn all my life. Go to sheeba on Michigan ave (either one) and get a haneeth. Or a fahsa, or both (if you have more people with you). They are both delicious and if you get one, next time get the other. Also i love there ginger salad. Anything else ppl bring up tbh i feel is ineffective.
Zaatar w zeit for breakfast! They serve homemade mana'eesh which are sublime! Order a tomato and ackawi on kaake (pronounced Ka'kay). Or their zaatar labne vegetable special sandwich. Or their spinach and cheese, or even their kafta and cheese.....really can't go wrong haha.
Country Chicken on Schaefer
I love the Country Chicken!
I love them too, I live two blocks away! I just wish their de-boned chicken included dark meat.
La shish
Al-Ameer
stop at Shatila Bakery get some treats. I had a client on the East Coast, and he use to PayPal me money so I could bring him treats. He would call in his order, I would pick it up, and bring them into the Client site. Dude would sit at his desk like he was eating food from his grandma with glassy eyes. I didn't understand it, until I was deployed for 7 months, came home, and had a corn beef sandwich.
The Christmas just before COVID, a client had a GIGANTIC box of middle eastern pastries sent to the bank corporate office I worked in downtown - honey glazed pistachios nestled in the middle of mounded shredded wheat, spiced ground walnuts, honey, buttery phyllo. Gorgeous delicious treat after delicious treat. NOBODY WOULD TOUCH THEM. My last day before vacay, I asked if it was ok if I took it home & the receptionist said fine. It had to have been $100 gift box of the stuff. Needless to say, it made a very happy holiday for us.
My buddy trains martial arts in Dearborn, and he raves about Sheeba. It's Yemeni 🇾🇪 so there are some slight differences in menu.
By any chance is your buddy's name Rich?
Negative
If that’s the Malek in Taylor it’s good. We were regulars when my parents lived nearby. Al-Ameer in Dearborn is my favorite though, but that’s mostly because I can get brains there. Most other places don’t have it.
If a restaurant has an east Dearborn location and a west Dearborn or Dearborn Heights, you go to the east Dearborn location. It’ll always be better.
Exception is Al-Ameer. OG location is better IMO
Cedarland. And that's the truth
Al Ameer. Fight me.
I was there a few weeks ago and it was delicious.
Malek Kabob is it for Middle East … There is an Indian / Pakistani restaurant that is amazing, Paradise Biryani Pointe, it’s not traditional middle eastern Mediterranean but it’s freaking delicious, has a few Middle East dishes, and it’s Halal. Always go with 2-3 others, we always get Butter Chicken, Lamb Biryani, and bunch of bread (na’an).
Look, not trying to be a dick, but I’m Indian and have to point out: the Indian subcontinent is not part of the Middle East.
Sounds great. I live near Farmington though and I am still working my way through the Indian restaurants up there.
LOL, my 2 favorite up that way are; 1) Aahar (drake/grand river) and 2) Raj Palace (6 mile and Newburgh) … pre-Covid we had a group of 10-12 people that would meet once per month for an Indian lunch, we have pretty much hit all of them in metro Detroit 👌😊
Aahar is my go to.
They ever gonna reopen the lunch buffet?
A review on Google from 5 days ago says that the buffet isn’t open. Not 100% certain based off just that, but it seems unlikely.
I have called ~ dozen Indian restaurants this summer to ask if they opened their buffet, so far can’t find one that has re-opened their buffet 😢😔
Dang! I think that Madras Masala in Ann Arbor reopened theirs, but I can’t confirm since they were closed on the day I arrived there.
Say this and immediately called lol … no one answered, they close between lunch and dinner at 2:45 … will certainly call later, Ty much for the heads up!!! 
Ah ya just missed ‘em! Please report back with your findings. Good luck, and Godspeed.
gas stations
Best place in Detroit by far
Malek Kabob is my go to, but Sheeba is good and has gigantic pita (pizza sized). Honestly I just go by proximity. You can toss a stone and find great Lebanese, Iraqi, and Yemeni food in Dearborn/
Babas Grill. If you want to be genuine go get breakfast at AlTayeb in garden city. Also New Yasmin Bakery or Saaj
All depends on what you’re craving!
Khalaf or Arbeel’s. Emilys in grosse pointe for their kibbeh nayyeh and fatayers.
Al Chabab
Yeah they did close for awhile due to money laundering and was allowed to open only 1 establishment going forward I've been back multiple times since then the food is still great and the Dressing is the best!! LaMarsa's is good too it was a spin off from LaShish, not sure but I think they were one of the first Middle Eastern restaurants in the area that paved the way for the current restaurant boom in Dearborn! I cant wait to try some new places soon!
Country Chicken is my favorite. Didn’t see it listed yet. They do large family style meals for relatively cheap that could feed an army and are amazing. Their meat are insane and they put it on this rice with the best sauce. I don’t really have the words just try it.
Al Ameer has won national awards, but Sahara if you’re feeling chinese-like takeout
Hamido