The best food in metro Detroit according to Maryam Khan of Khana

By Layla McMurtrie on Wed, May 8, 2024 at 8:08 am

Courtesy photo

Maryam Kahn.

Continuing our exploration of the best of Detroit’s cuisine, we hit up Maryam Khan, the chef and owner of Pakistani food pop-up Khana, to share some of her favorites.

“I’m a self-taught chef and active community member of what I believe to be the greatest city in the world,” Khan says. “I was born in Detroit at Hutzel Hospital on Woodward, grew up gallivanting through Southwest nearly every weekend to satisfy my father’s insatiable appetite for shrimp fajitas, have been love-locked with the dazzling sheds of produce at Eastern Market since childhood, and spent countless hours of my life losing myself to the music on the dancefloors and warehouses dotting Detroit. This city is the greatest love of my life, and an inspiration for my own food baby, Khana. I wouldn’t have been able to grow my business in the ways I have over nearly six years if it wasn’t for the culinary influences and communal support of Detroit and its beloved inhabitants, many of whom I’m forever grateful to for playing integral roles in growing Khana. In the truest sense, it has taken a village.”

In 2023, Khana came in second place on season 16 of the Food Network’s The Great Food Truck Race. While Khana is actually not a food truck, it has acted as a pop-up in metro Detroit since 2018. It’s currently a top-four finalist in Hatch Detroit’s pitch contest, and Khan is fighting hard for the top spot with hopes to take home the $100,000 prize with the goal of opening a brick-and-mortar for Khana soon.

“As a Detroiter who admittedly often complains that we live in a food desert, writing this list of metro Detroit restaurants that I adore reminded me that while we may not yet have the quantity of other metropolises, we do not lack the quality, nor do we leave very much to be desired in terms of diversity,” Khan says. “If America is a melting pot, then Detroit is the secret seasoning that gives it that OOMPH; disregarded by some, but deeply appreciated by those who recognize its immeasurable contributions to the big picture. I hope you all discover a gem or two to add to your rotation of go-tos. A word of advice from me to the reader: make a habit of dining alone every so often with a seat at the bar. Some of my favorite dining experiences have come to life in this indulgent way. Cheers.”

Here are Khan’s favorite metro Detroit restaurants, in no particular order:

Tags:

Scroll down to view images

Google Maps

Chung Ki Wa

2101 15 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights; chungkiwami.com

“If I had to eat one cuisine for the rest of my life, I might choose Korean (apologies to my Pakistani & Indian ancestors), and I think I can attribute my favoritism to two words: side dishes, aka Banchan. Bet you thought I was gonna say Korean BBQ! Go to any classic Korean restaurant and it’s likely that you get an array of small plates featuring a different spread of spicy, salty, pickled, crunchy, savory ~things~ to accompany and enhance your meal. Chung Ki Wa is a staple Korean eatery in my rotation of restaurants where I love dropping in anytime I find myself out in the Sterling Heights area shopping for spices. The ambiance is cozy and old school, and their *thick* menu of offerings ranges from raw meat & seafood platters for you to cook on the grill at your table to delicious noodle dishes and stews, and all the classic apps, such as Pajeon (scallion pancake) and dumplings. If I’m not in the mood for KBBQ, I love their Sundubu Jjigae — a brothy spicy stew with silken tofu and typically a seafood mix, however, I suggest going with beef or ground pork to get ultra hearty over rice, best washed down with a round of Soju.”

1 of 15

Tom Perkins

La Jalisciense

3923 Vernor Hwy., Detroit; lajalisciensedetroit.com

“Everyone has their favorite taco joint and this is mine. Many years ago when I lived in a house in North End with no laundry appliances, I would drive all the way to Lupitas Laundromat on Vernor in Southwest just so I could smash a burrito from La Jalesciense from across the street while I waited on my laundry. La Jalesciense recently (and I use the term recently loosely here) added a bar to their Mexican bodega/taqueria, and their mojito and pina colada are not to be missed. Come to think of it, this might be my favorite pre-game spot for a night of shenanigans. The bartenders are often seen handing out generous samples of a boozy blended concoction to diners who are there for a good time, or looking like they could use one. It’s a vibe. Their tacos el pastor absolutely slap, and I never go without adding a shrimp tostada to my order. Always ask for the creamy jalapeño salsa, and grab a bag of fruity gummy candy covered in chamoy and tajin from the bodega on your way out so you can thank yourself later.”

2 of 15

@skp00101, Instagram

Yemen Cafe

8740 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck; yemencaferestaurant.com

“I adore Yemen Cafe for many reasons. Their piping hot carafe of free tea, the giant rounds of Yemeni bread, the upbeat Yemeni dudes working there who are no-fuss yet debatably the kindest waitstaff in greater Detroit all have a fond place in my heart. You can get a whole lamb shank over delicious aromatic rice, liver and onions the way they should be done, and go ham on their sleeper of a bangin’ savory breakfast menu. But what brings me back to this place over most other Mediterranean/Levantine eateries in greater Detroit is my deep love for tuna, to which their Tuna Fahsah caters in the best way. It’s not often that I would go for hot tinned tuna, but this tomato & pepper-based stew with chunks of tuna fish served in a hot stone bowl is divine. Eaten with their Yemeni bread, the complimentary garlic sauce & a side of hummus, it’s easily a top 10 meal for me. I crave it on the reg. Fellow tuna lovers rejoice! Bless Yemen Cafe for being a Hamtramck staple, and for being one of the few late night eateries in Detroit feeding us all for first, second, third, *and fourth* meal. And their menu is, of course, completely Halal.”

3 of 15

Google Maps

Fuji Japanese Buffet

32153 John R Rd., Madison Heights; fujibuffet.com

“OK, hear me out. We need more buffets of the caliber that Fuji Buffet is operating under. The geniuses behind the beloved grocery store 168 Asian Mart opened Fuji Buffet in the same strip mall, and my assumption is that they’re using the same produce they’re selling to fill the buffet bins with delicious and piping hot Asian favorites, and the best sushi section I have ever seen at a buffet since the devastating closure of Tokyo Buffet Lounge in Southfield. It’s similar to what Whole Foods is doing with their hot food bar, except the food is actually good and worth your money. Buffets are often shamed for being more quantity, less quality, but I’m here to vouch for Fuji and begrudgingly yell that it holds it down for both in fear of blowing up the spot, but also secretly hoping someone sees this as the sign they needed to open more high-qual buffets in metro Detroit — especially if they already own a grocery store! Reducing food waste while feeding hungry patrons? Now that’s how to properly get two birds stoned at once.”

4 of 15

Michelle Gerard

Bronx Bar

4476 2nd Ave., Detroit; facebook.com/p/Bronx-Bar-Detroit

“I’m just here to talk about the BLT at Bronx. I can’t speak on behalf of any of their other offerings, and I probably won’t ever get a chance to because I’ll always get the BLT with a large side of fries, but I hear from many that their turkey sandwich is also a menu heavyweight. My problem with most BLTs is that the toasted bread cuts the roof of my mouth with every bite, effectively ruining an otherwise delicious meal. Bronx Bar has solved that by using their famous ciabatta for the sandwich, which the mayo & tomato just sink right into, while the bacon is as crispy crunchy chewy as ever. Nowadays I call & order a pick up order from here more than I spend time actually hanging out at the bar, and as a woman in her thirties, I love that for myself.”

5 of 15

Chartreuse/Facebook

Chartreuse

15 E. Kirby St., Detroit; chartreusekc.com

“Maybe it’s the living green wall surrounded by bright splashes of green and Ouizi’s flower mural greeting you from the vestibule as soon as you enter, or the dried flowers fixed to bright netting acting as a gentle space divider, but simply walking into Chartreuse lifts my spirits. The service here is impeccable, the drinks are artfully crafted, and the food is nuanced and exciting. The best way I can describe this favorite restaurant of mine is ‘heartwarming.’ The most impressive thing about Chartreuse to me is the caliber of food they are creating in the tiny kitchen space they have. This is one of the spots where I’d love to someday be a fly on the wall (or a voluntary set of hands) during their prep hours, just so I could see the magic come together behind the scenes. Take a seat at the bar near the Chef’s station and you can watch every element of your elegant yet approachable meal come together in an orchestrated fashion with just enough room for their elbows not to collide. It’s remarkable. You can only imagine what would explode from a roomier space; or perhaps the chefs occupying this little slice of heaven find creativity within the limitation. Either way, the food speaks for itself from the moment you’re taking in its plated beauty to the last lick of your dessert spoon. Locally & ethically sourced produce never looked and tasted so good.”

6 of 15

Google Maps

One World Market

42705 Grand River Ave., Novi; oneworldmarket.us

“During the days of the pandemic while we were all scrambling to find ways to inject normalcy into our new lives of being shuttered in, I created the ritual of Car Sushi, where I would get copious amounts of takeout sushi and eat them all in my car by myself. It was something that brought me comfort and joy, and was a safe break from preparing and eating every meal at home. I still partake in this ritual in our post-pandemic world. One World Market has always been one of my favorite places to get takeaway sushi and other Japanese pantry staples. Located in Novi amongst a landscape of super underrated Asian eateries (honorable mentions to Fumi & Ajishin), it’s a mini Japanese mart with a little sushi spot tucked in the corner, where they have some of the freshest fish, and also offer prepared meals such as Tonkatsu, grilled mackerel, and Okonomiyaki in prepared Bento boxes. You can buy strips of sashimi-grade fish here as well to make your own sushi or chirashi bowls at home, or stick to stacking up on fairly priced containers of ready-to-eat sushi; best enjoyed off your car’s center console, if you ask me.”

7 of 15

Facebook, SheWolf

SheWolf

438 Selden St., Detroit; shewolfdetroit.com

“One of my favorite questions to ask anyone is, ‘What would your last meal be?’, to which my answer fluctuates between dim sum and pasta. You can bet your sweet ass that if it’s pasta, I’m asking the hangman to bring me a bowl of SheWolf’s finest. Name another restaurant in the city not only making their own pasta, but also milling their own grain. I’ll wait. SheWolf has that modern day Gatsby level of razzle dazzle from the moment you walk in, and it doesn’t end until you’ve finished your fifth course of gelato and are considering ordering a pasta to take home for later. You’re transported to Rome the moment your Focaccia with Gorgonzola butter and Farinata kick things off. Their educated sommeliers are at the ready to make a spot-on suggestion on which wine to best pair with your Bistecca Ai Funghi, while the talented and warm bartenders shake up delicious cocktails. This is where I go to celebrate after a successful Khana pop up, by sitting at the bar and chatting up their beloved staff while I inhale a to-die-for bowl of pasta. Chef Anthony Lombardo works very closely with Detroit Food Academy and the youth of their program, an organization very close to my heart. SheWolf also does an excellent job of catering to vegan diners and has gluten-free options for pasta, which is pretty impressive for an upscale Italian joint. Take your Nonna here and I bet she’d be just as impressed as the rest of us lucky Detroiters.”

8 of 15

Google Maps

Cedarland

13007 Warren Ave., Dearborn; cedarlandrestaurantmi.com

“When I crave a classic diner experience, my mind goes to a place that would probably be considered unconventional and I end up in Dearborn at Cedarland, sitting in their large windowed aisle of booths looking at Warren Ave. Though this isn’t your spot for pancakes & waffles, omelets and chicken finger pita, it’s where you get bangin’ Lebanese food for the most bang for your buck. Whether you spend $12 or $40, you’re probably going home full and likely with leftovers. They start you off with their classic lentil soup and a basket of pita bread (not the fresh stuff — the kind you get from your local Arabic market in a plastic bag). Their portions are always big enough to share, the food comes out quickly, and it’s absolutely delicious. On days that I spend gathering ingredients for Khana, I’ll drop in and get a quick chicken Shawarma. On nights that I’m satisfying a craving or having lunch with friends, I’m ordering a Ghallaba with hummus for the table, complete with a course of Fattoush and also adding the Mujaddara and Falafel for good measure. It might not sound like enough food, but four of us are leaving in a food coma.”

9 of 15

Paul S, Yelp

Greene’s Hamburgers

24155 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington

“You know those small white square buildings that read ‘HAMBURGER’ dotting all of metro Detroit? It seems like everyone who is familiar with them has their opinion on which one is the best, even though I believe we all secretly agree they’re all more or less the same. As a late teen sneaking off to house parties (sorry Ammi), Greene’s on Orchard Lake in Farmington is where my friends and I would end up at 3 a.m. to wash down anything we had previously imbibed in. There’s nothing like a smash patty burger with melty american cheese, grilled onion, a greasy bun, and a side of salty peppered fries eaten at the bar of a classic Michigan burger joint. Three burgers with everything is the minimum, if you ask me. To this day, one of the most flattering and convincing ways a near stranger asked me out years ago was by saying, ‘Wanna get a sack of burgers together sometime?’ Get in stranger, we’re going to Greene’s.”

10 of 15

Google Maps

Grey Ghost

47 Watson St., Detroit; greyghostdetroit.com

“Speaking of burgers, it would be criminal not to mention the mind-blowingly decadent burger coming out of the kitchen at Grey Ghost. At a restaurant rightfully holding the reputation as one of the finer eateries in Detroit thanks to their top-tier cocktail list, attentive service, and playfully crafty rotating menu, I find myself having a hard time not ordering the burger during every visit. Don’t get me wrong — the whole menu bangs. You really can’t go wrong with their often globally-inspired dishes. But that burger… It’s to die for. Juicy yet crispy on the edges, dripping with cheese between the patties, and perfectly seasoned. It’s 10/10. Someone once said to me that salads and pastas make good first-date-food so you don’t have to worry about getting messy. Fuck that. If you’re like me and a big time eater, might I suggest you go here on a first date and really just cut loose on this thing so you can weed out any pansies who can’t handle the power of smashing a damn good burger.”

11 of 15

SuperCrisp/Instagram

SuperCrisp

4830 Cass Ave., Detroit; supercrisp.com

“As one of the latest brainchildren of Mike Ranson & Rob Stone of famous Ima Detroit dynasty, you already know that the flavors on this menu are executed to the highest level of depth and development. Both Mike and Rob have offered me so much when it comes to the growth of Khana; I am forever grateful for their friendship and support over the years. When Ima first graced Detroit with its explosively flavorful broths, refreshing rice bowls, and craveable apps, it was a game changer for our food scene. Thankfully Mike and the team didn’t stop there. Ima Izakaya, Summertown Fresh Bar, and SuperCrisp were all concepts that followed the fruition of the beloved noodle joint on Michigan Ave. At SuperCrisp, the menu is clearly geared towards the Wayne State crowd, featuring fries sprinkled with nori & Togarashi, beef hot dogs topped with crab salad and pickled ginger, and my personal favorite — the SuperCrisp fish sandwich. I am obsessed with this sandwich. The kewpie slaw, lemon mayo, and side of spicy szechuan sauce live harmoniously between those buns. Their meat is all Halal, which is great for the vast Muslim population attending Wayne State and occupying Detroit. Anytime we can’t figure out where to eat in Detroit, my friends and I always retort, ‘There’s always Ima,’ because we (happily) end up there 80% of the time. I’m glad we get to add SuperCrisp into the autopilot rotation.”

12 of 15

Michelle Gerard

Selden Standard

3921 2nd Ave., Detroit; seldenstandard.com

“I almost didn’t even add Selden to this list, because every single person within a 100 mile radius of Detroit who has their finger on any degree of the pulse already knows that Selden Standard is lauded as one of the best restaurants around — and not just in Detroit. But I personally love this restaurant and the staff operating the show. The praise they receive is justified by the melange of flavors that live on their rotating menu, featuring intentionally sourced produce and ingredients from local farmers and purveyors. I crave their beef tartare quite often, and will grab a seat at the bar alone to sometimes eat two and dip. That isn’t without a chat with the familiar faces behind the bar and on the floor, and a perfect Negroni, if I’m feeling frisky. They recently had a Paloma Pavlova (adoringly named after Chef Andy Hollyday’s daughter) and that dessert alone kept me coming back every week. Best I’ve ever had, bar none. Got a date night? Go to Selden. Family in town? Go to Selden. Wanna impress your colleagues/clients? Go to Selden. You can not go wrong when you go to Selden.”

13 of 15

Tom Perkins

Trizest

33170 Dequindre Rd., Sterling Heights; trizest.com

“This is one restaurant that I debated putting on a list that I’m aware is going to be published for the public, because the little gatekeeper inside me doesn’t want to accept the potential wait times and hiked up prices from demand that come from a gem blowing up. But who am I to selfishly keep the (hardly a) secret of the best Chinese food in greater Detroit that deserves all the praise and recognition? Trizest is beloved by many, and slept on by more. I’m always a little shocked when people who love Chinese cuisine and are familiar with the culinary landscape of metro Detroit haven’t heard of Trizest. I could write a list of love songs dedicated to my favorite items on their menu alone. Their Mapo Tofu is the best around, and the Double Flavor Squirrel Fish (named after the squirrel tail shape of the fileted & fried fish) will blow your mind with its perfect texture and cook on the fish. Everything is served in massive family-style portions, so the best way to dine here is with a group of hungry friends who love to share, or as a treatyoself solo dinner spot where you’re guaranteed to leave with enough leftovers to feed you for the next day or two.”

14 of 15