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| Co-owners Khalil Ammarand Zaki Hashem |
DEARBORN — If you search “Arabic food in Dearborn on Google,” Al-Ameer Restaurant emerges as the top suggestion. The restaurant’s reputation has now exceeded the reviews of local food enthusiasts. On Tuesday, Al-Ameer was announced as a recipient of the James Beard Foundation America’s Classics Award.
The honor is awarded yearly to five family-owned establishment across the country.
Ak-Ameer first opened on Warren and Miller in 1989, long before most restaurants in east Dearborn served Middle Eastern food.
Zaki Hashem and Khalil Ammar two brother’s in law founded the eatery after working together in “Lebanon”, one of the oldest Middle Eastern restaurants on Warren Avenue. While “Lebanon” is no longer in business, Al-Ameer has opened two additional locations in Dearborn Heights and Canton.
The Classics Award is handed to restaurants “with timeless appeal.”
James Beard Foundation says it aims to “to celebrate, nurture, and honor America’s diverse culinary heritage through programs that educate and inspire.”
The foundation’s webiste describes Al-Ameer as a “bedrock institution” in Dearborn.
“Unfailingly warm servers explain the fine points of maza (a spread of dishes that might include falafel and hummus) and define the differences between fattoush and Lebanese salad,” write JBF editors. “The owners also run a halal butcher nearby. Accordingly, Al Ameer is the place to savor sujuk sausage, vivid with paprika and cumin, or a feast of tender shredded lamb rich with almonds, yogurt and rice.”
Hassan Hashem, a manager at the restaurant and the son of the co-owner, said Al-Ameer is committed to ensuring that diners have the best possible experience.
“For you to last this long in Dearborn, you have to be doing something right,” Hashem said.
Hashem attributed the restaurant’s success to the fact that it’s a family business. He said the management is invested in the business.
“If my father is not here, my uncle is here. If I am not right here, my cousin is here. If my cousin is not here, my brother is here. If none of us is here, my dad’s cousin is here,” he said.
According to Hashem, high ratings on the internet makes Al-Ameer a go-to destination for those seeking Middle Eastern food.
The restaurant has 4.2 stars on Google reviews, and four stars on Yelp.
“The best middle eastern food I’ve had in Dearborn. Great juices. Fantastic Appetizers and all the servers are extremely friendly. Remodeled and it is much more spacious now. You get an amazing amount of food for the price,” wrote one Yelp reviewer.
Hashem said Arabic food’s appeal is growing globally.
“When we are rated number one, they’ll just go there, especially when they read reviews,” he added.
Hashem said the most popular dishes at the restaurant are boneless chicken and Al-Ameer platter, which includes kabab, tawook, kafta, shawarma and salad.
He said he was thrilled with the award, which he considers a testimony to his family’s hard work.
He added that the recognition puts a responsibility on the restaurant to maintain its reputation.
“Now I know what I have, and I’ve got to run with it,” he said. “No more room to mess around, not even a little bit.”
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