By Simon Albaugh
HAMTRAMCK, Mich. – Hamtramck is known best as a food destination. Whether it’s Polish sausage, Bengali curries or Mediterranean staples, the majority of Michigan knows of Hamtramck because of its vibrant restaurant scene. You can get some food in Hamtramck that isn’t sold anywhere else, including some of the best Lamb in the region.
The story of Hamtramck’s cuisine is told by the diverse people who come to the city. Known as an enclave of Detroit that’s defined by each new generation of immigrants, the city and its people cannot be separated. Once, the city was defined by its heavy German population, then a mass exodus of immigrants from Poland changed the landscape of the city.
Now, the Bengali American and Yemeni American populations define the taste of this once polish-dominated enclave. Walking the streets, the smell of meat roasting and fragrant spices from the new restaurants reach all the way to the city’s neighborhoods. Step into any restaurant and the smell of their kitchen will be all you need to know about how good the menu is.
In order to understand the full range of food in Hamtramck, Yemeni American News reporter Simon Albaugh tasted some of the most well-known restaurants around Hamtramck for one dish: Lamb. Over two weeks, and a few gut aches, some of the best tasting places in the city showed the best they have to offer.
As a staple throughout every region of the globe, Lamb has special significance in a city nicknamed “The World in Two Square Miles.” No restaurant shares the same recipe, or even the same style of preparing it. With these in mind, the task of finding the best lamb wasn’t easy at all.
With our taste buds leading the way, here’s our take on all the lamb that Hamtramck has to offer:
The Best Quick-Bite of Lamb – Rema’s Lamb Meat Sub ($8.49)
Rema’s Restaurant wins this small category for their Lamb Subs. Equal parts tender and flavorful, their lamb subs make the best lunch break if you ever find yourself near Hamtramck’s North-End. Lamb subs come in 8” and 12” sizes that will both set you back less than $10. Throughout this lockdown, they’re staying open for carryout.
The Most Flavorful Lamb Dish – Aladdin’s Lamb Korma ($6.99)
Aladdin Sweets and Café is known for being the destination for flavorful dishes that leave you feeling satisfied. At Aladdin, we tried the Lamb Korma with rice. Like everything on their menu, Aladdin provides a delicious way of enjoying the full flavor of their ingredients. Although the Lamb itself may not have been a strong contender for the best, the dishes are a must-have.
The Best Lamb Sandwich – Balkan House’ Lamb Döner ($9.50)
At Balkan House, the owner’s straight-from-the-home-country recipes make the perfect food for lunch and dinner. We sampled the Lamb Döner, a sort of Pita sandwich stuffed with meat, fresh vegetables and Döner sauce, a smooth, creamy sauce with heavy flavors of garlic. The Döner also can be ordered with Beef, Chicken or even Falafel.
The Best Lamb in Hamtramck – Yemen Café’s Lamb Chops ($12.99 / $18.99)
The ultimate winner and crowd favorite was Yemen Café. There’s a myriad of ways to enjoy Lamb at Yemen Café, but we opted for the Lamb Chops. Drawing on a recipe that came all the way from the head chef’s home in Yemen, the chops were flavorful and masterfully cooked. But be forewarned, the portions of this dish can easily feed a small family.
