TIE
Aladdin Sweets & Café
11945 Conant Ave., Hamtramck; 313-891-8050
Zam Zam
11917 Conant Ave., Hamtramck; 313-893-9902; zamzamcafe.com
The winners both sit on the same block in Hamtramck, along Bangladeshi Avenue (Conant's honorary designation). Aladdin's offerings include the usual Bangladeshi classics, such as fried homemade cheese with spinach, all served on polystyrene plates with plastic cutlery. Prices are budget friendly — no dish surpasses $8.99. But down the street at Zam Zam, you get actual plates and silverware, if many of the same offerings. Zam Zam's meat and vegetable samosas are more substantial, and the entrées may be a bit more geared to American tastes. Your bill will hardly breach $10 per diner; an $8 buffet runs from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays.
