“Too few people understand a really good sandwich.”
— James Beard
There’s a whole lot of innovation going on between the bread … and the bun, bagel, or brioche, as well. The beauty of a sandwich is that it can take on many personalities — from a simple peanut butter and jelly lovingly packed in a school lunch box to an extravagant creation loaded with gourmet ingredients. The versatile sandwich can be taken on a casual picnic or get all dressed up for a night on the town. Here are a few metro Detroit sandwich creations that stack up among the best.
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1. Mini-Meatball Sliders Chef Marc Djozlija poaches beef and pork meatballs in spicy tomato sauce, puts them on brioche buns, and tops them with three cheeses and a fresh basil leaf — and calls them “minimeatball sliders.” Wolfgang Puck Grille at the MGM Detroit Grand 1771 Third St., Detroit 313-465-1648 |
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2. Chicken Salad Chef Patrick Roettele gives classic chicken salad an update when he adds dried cherries and bleu cheese, put it on toasted English muffin bread, and teams it with a fresh fruit garnish. The result is a hit with patrons. Town Tavern 116 W. Fourth St., Royal Oak 248-544-7300 |
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3. Badda Boom Badda Bing You want tradition? Here’s the place. From the “Badda Boom Badda Bing” — a New York classic with pastrami and Swiss on grilled rye (shown) — to a “Yiddish Cheeseburger” (lox on a bagel with cream cheese), your “Bubbi” would approve. Deli Unique West Bloomfield 6724 Orchard Lake Road 248-737-3890.Other locations: 39495 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills 248-646-7923 27000 Sheraton Dr., Novi 248-319-0222 |
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4. Ribeye Steak Sandwich Here’s a classic: A boneless, prime ribeye cooked to order and served with sweetly caramelized balsamic onions and Havarti cheese on a grilled French loaf. The Capital Grille: Somerset Collection North 2800 West Big Beaver Rd., Troy 248-649-5300 |
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5. Quadruple Bypass The new kid on the Royal Oak block weighs in with a whopper: A house sandwich called The Quadruple Bypass is a one-pound combo of pulled pork, smoked bacon, smoked sausage, smoked ham, and smoked cheddar. Lockhart’s BBQ 202 E. Third St., Royal Oak 248-584-4227 |
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6. Kobe Burger What’s a sandwich article without honoring the mighty burger? Chef Andre Neimanis puts it front and center by using Kobe beef, seared foie gras, and sautéed mushrooms, then adds a side of “duck fat” fries. Dirty Dog Jazz Café 97 Kercheval, Grosse Pointe Farms 313-882-5299 |
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7. Tuscan Sunrise Have a vegetarian hankering? Try a grilled Portobello mushroom, roasted red bell pepper hummus, sun-dried tomatoes, avocado, and organic greens on a ciabatta roll. Sweet Lorraine’s 29101 Greenfield, Southfield 248-559-598517100 N. Laurel Park Dr., Livonia |
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8. Lobster Grilled Cheese Sure, they’re known for burgers, chops, and ribs, but here’s a nontraditional grilled cheese: lobster, asparagus, and provolone and St. André cheeses between focaccia. Big Rock Chop House 245 South Eton St., Birmingham 248-647-7774. |
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