Yes, it’s been a while but after the excessive garlic mayo at Mudgies, we took some time to get back in the groove. This time, we were to tackle Steve’s Deli in Bloomfield Hills. In the name of FULL DISCLOSURE: I am a Steve’s Deli fan. I typically order the Deli Salad (Mixed greens, NO tomatoes, extra lean corned beef, fresh roast turkey, swiss & american cheese) but given that we were going to try a sandwich I never ordered, I can be unbiased.
Being a minute or two late, I could see the Fussy Eater seated in a 2 person booth along the kitchen wall. Personally, I pass on these booths as they are a bit cramped but the alternative is a table right next to another table along the window. In either event, if you want to know not only what your neighbor is ordering for lunch but what they had to say about the host and/or party they attended last night, Steve’s Deli is a great place to go solo and just listen to other people’s conversation. In fact, I challenge you to go there and not know someone – it just won’t happen! The only place worse would be eating at an establishment on Orchard Lake Road in West Bloomfield (I did just give a clue as to where I reside, didn’t I?).
In any event, Steve’s Deli is a wonderful deli located in the suburbs of Detroit. Prominently situated at Maple and Telegraph Roads, it’s always busy but the wait staff won’t let you longer too long so as to make others wait. Business is brisk and when they give you the menu, you need to decide. The table setup, the staff, the quality food reminds me of Carnegie Deli in New York.
We were there to try a California Club sandwich as it was honored as one of the city’s best. Given our culinary obsession, we also split a more classic dish, the Reuben. The Fussy Eater had never eaten sauerkraut and I jumped at the chance to see his face pucker as he bit into that delectable delight.
I started with the California Club, listed as a Lite Sandwich. The smoked turkey, turkey bacon, avocado, lettuce, NO tomato, red pepper mayo on challah arrived still warm as the bread had obviously been toasted. Adorned with new and old dill pickles, the sandwich was wonderful! The avocado was perfectly ripe, there was sufficient turkey to make it satisfying, the red pepper mayo was delicious and the fresh challah melted as you ate it. Not having eaten this sandwich at Steve’s Deli before, this will absolutely be added to my list of things to enjoy. 9.5 out of 10 as my only complaint is that the turkey was not stacked but rather folded over so as to be lite in quantity but look more full.
Grabbing the uneaten other half of the Reuben, I quickly sunk my teeth in. Hot corned beef, melted swiss cheese, sauerkraut & russian dressing on grilled rye – what could possibly be wrong with that combo? (Folks, I didn’t order it lean, I wanted the complete experience, fat included!) Incredibly awesome. Corned beef was still warm, sauerkraut had some bite but was on the mild side and the Russian dressing and swiss cheese dripping from the sides over my fingers rounded out the sensory experience. I sensed the need to call in the napkin reserves as I kept licking the flavors off my fingers after each bite. If I have any criticism, it’s that being a grilled sandwich Steve’s obviously used butter to brown the bread and it was a bit on the heavy side. Other than that, I enjoyed watching the Fussy Eater work his way through the sauerkraut, although he did claim that he’s still not a fan. A Reuben is not on the light side but every once in a while, you have to say, “What the heck!” Overall, a 9.25 out of 10.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
Steve's Deli-Now These are Sandwiches
June 13, 2008-Tour Stop 2-Steve's Deli, Bloomfield Hills, MI- By: The Fussy Eater (FE)
Fresh from a little sabbatical after our first review, I met the Common Eater (CE) at Steve's Deli. I'm no stranger to Steve's. I've been a regular (mostly carry out) customer since its 1994 opening. In a metropolitan Detroit market full of real and supposedly real (intended to mean "deli style") deli's, this is the real thing--a true real deli. Nothing processed. Nothing phony.
The restaurant has expanded over the years and is a full sit-down and carry-out restaurant, with daily specials showcased in steaming chafers up front. Red and white predominates the narrow but bright restaurant. Seating is cramped and close together. We sat in the back, to the left, in a small booth with red leather seating and white table top. Don't plan on having much privacy, and if you need a certain anonymity, this is not the place for you. In fact, if you live in the area, I defy you to eat here and not bump into or see someone you know. Some of the employees you'll recognize from visiting other area deli's over the years and some of the waitresses look like they came from 1960's central casting.
Interestingly, I've never tried the two sandwiches that I split with the ever so chatty CE. After a brief conversation, we agreed to split the Reuben (No. 3)-hot corned beef, melted swiss cheese, sauerkraut and russian dressing on grilled rye, and the California Club (No. 16), recommended by the Freep in its sandwich review, smoked turkey, turkey bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato, red pepper mayo on challa.
The wait service was a mix between modern friendly and gently hostile and abrupt. Steve's is a busy place and was full on a Friday afternoon. No time for much chit chat. Here's your iced tea-klink. Yes, we want to take your order super fast so we can turn the tables for the busy lunch crowd. No, we can't split the sandwiches for you-chef won't allow it (huh?)--ok, we'll do it ourselves. Delivery of food was a shade on the slower side.
Ahh, the Reuben ($9.25). Guess what folks, the FE had never tried sauerkraut before and CE was utterly delighted this would be my maiden voyage. A very good and sloppy sandwich. Lots of napkins needed. Swiss cheese, russian and sauerkraut oozing out of the sandwich. This is not for the squeamish or those concerned about diets, clogged arteries or coughing up grease. It was quite good and what a real deli sandwich is all about. As usual, FE would have preferred there to be less russian dressing since it was a bit of overkill, but that's a minor criticism. Alas, I am not really a sauerkraut fan (and CE said it was mild)--but I choked it down anyway. Rating: 8.5
Next up, the California Club ($9.25) off the "Lite Sandwiches" section. This was not a messy sandwich and was also quite good. The fresh and soft challa was the perfect touch to a big and hearty sandwich where everything fit together. All sandwiches come with big crisp new and old dill pickles. Rating: 9.0
Steve's Deli is always a winner in FE's book. They have a great variety of menu items for every type of palate. The prices are not cheap--but you get what you pay for. FE
Fresh from a little sabbatical after our first review, I met the Common Eater (CE) at Steve's Deli. I'm no stranger to Steve's. I've been a regular (mostly carry out) customer since its 1994 opening. In a metropolitan Detroit market full of real and supposedly real (intended to mean "deli style") deli's, this is the real thing--a true real deli. Nothing processed. Nothing phony.
The restaurant has expanded over the years and is a full sit-down and carry-out restaurant, with daily specials showcased in steaming chafers up front. Red and white predominates the narrow but bright restaurant. Seating is cramped and close together. We sat in the back, to the left, in a small booth with red leather seating and white table top. Don't plan on having much privacy, and if you need a certain anonymity, this is not the place for you. In fact, if you live in the area, I defy you to eat here and not bump into or see someone you know. Some of the employees you'll recognize from visiting other area deli's over the years and some of the waitresses look like they came from 1960's central casting.
Interestingly, I've never tried the two sandwiches that I split with the ever so chatty CE. After a brief conversation, we agreed to split the Reuben (No. 3)-hot corned beef, melted swiss cheese, sauerkraut and russian dressing on grilled rye, and the California Club (No. 16), recommended by the Freep in its sandwich review, smoked turkey, turkey bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato, red pepper mayo on challa.
The wait service was a mix between modern friendly and gently hostile and abrupt. Steve's is a busy place and was full on a Friday afternoon. No time for much chit chat. Here's your iced tea-klink. Yes, we want to take your order super fast so we can turn the tables for the busy lunch crowd. No, we can't split the sandwiches for you-chef won't allow it (huh?)--ok, we'll do it ourselves. Delivery of food was a shade on the slower side.
Ahh, the Reuben ($9.25). Guess what folks, the FE had never tried sauerkraut before and CE was utterly delighted this would be my maiden voyage. A very good and sloppy sandwich. Lots of napkins needed. Swiss cheese, russian and sauerkraut oozing out of the sandwich. This is not for the squeamish or those concerned about diets, clogged arteries or coughing up grease. It was quite good and what a real deli sandwich is all about. As usual, FE would have preferred there to be less russian dressing since it was a bit of overkill, but that's a minor criticism. Alas, I am not really a sauerkraut fan (and CE said it was mild)--but I choked it down anyway. Rating: 8.5
Next up, the California Club ($9.25) off the "Lite Sandwiches" section. This was not a messy sandwich and was also quite good. The fresh and soft challa was the perfect touch to a big and hearty sandwich where everything fit together. All sandwiches come with big crisp new and old dill pickles. Rating: 9.0
Steve's Deli is always a winner in FE's book. They have a great variety of menu items for every type of palate. The prices are not cheap--but you get what you pay for. FE
Saturday, May 3, 2008
The "M" in Mudgies is for Mmm Mmm Good!
We drove right by not realizing we passed it. There is no sign. The building number is rusted metal and obscure against the red brick exterior. The only tell is looking through the large glass windows we saw tables and chairs, a few customers and a deli counter. Mudgies Deli in Corktown (Detroit). Walking in, enveloped in the orange walls, I had a sudden flash back to summers as a child eating a push-up ice cream. With very few customers present at 11:45 AM, the walls bright and cheery color provided a warm feeling of welcome. Fussy Eater (FE) and I sat down, promptly waited on by a gentleman with a bandaged wrist (we later learned hot soup is just that - HOT!).
Knowing that our first sandwich was the Madill, we decided to augment it with whatever our waiter suggested and split the sandwiches. He suggested the Gutty as one of his favorites. Add to that the day's soup and we were set for our first gastronomical experience as critics of the critic, so to speak.
Southwest Detroit Clam Chowder. It was Friday so it seemed fitting. Great size cup with a slice of rye bread. I was certain the Fussy Eater would pick on the bread - it wasn't a hard crust nor your typical rye. But did you really need it only to be dunked in the soup? In any event, the soup was an awesome combination of what seemed like a tomato basil base mixed with tasty clams, whole cloves of garlic, potatoes, red bell peppers, celery, onions and more. Somehow I knew when it said Southwest Detroit, this soup would have some kick. Although I thought the presence of oversized whole cloves of garlic might be much for those of returning to work, I appreciated the extremely fresh taste of the vegetables and the spicy soup base. It was only later I learned that much of Mudgies produce is bought at the Eastern Market. Watching as other diners ordered meals, it is no wonder they ordered the bowl with a half sandwich. 8.5 out of 10 on my scale.
The waiter was right - the Gutty was awesome. Salami, pastrami, roast beef, corned beef, cheddar cheese, lettuce and garlic mayo on a bagel. Although I typically have issues mixing mayo with any deli meat, this combination worked wonders! The Everything bagel was not the typical store bought variety nor was it the hard crust variety, I can't sink my teeth into it so all the stuff will squirt out the other side kind either. What really surprised me was how well the various meats mixed together. The layers of meat were not too thin nor too thick and looked equal in amount. I was certain the Fussy Eater will take points off for the garlic mayo, a bit heavy, as well as the fact the meats were a bit oily but it's a deli sandwich - it's supposed to be messy! Round it out with great cheddar cheese and this is one sandwich I'd like to see in the suburbs. 9.5 out of 10.
Given that we were moving onto the next sandwich, I tried the new dill pickle. A small pickle cut in half, it had just the right crunch and enough garlic to give it a great flavor.
Moving onto the Madill, I was surprised when it arrived open face on my plate. Sitting on a sub style onion roll, heaping amounts of avocado, jack cheese, turkey and applewood smoked bacon with tomato and garlic mayo. I'm not a raw tomato person (yes, I eat tomato soup, go figure) so I pulled the slice out. While it reminded me of other California clubs, this was different. I think it was that garlic mayo (I'm certain the Fussy Eater will have some issues with the mayo as he scraped it off his bun). Kudos to Greg Mudge for a strong but not overpowering mixture. My only complaint was my inability to eat it like a sandwich (I tried folding it) but perhaps that was the intent! 9 out of 10.
Having enjoyed both sandwiches, I was happy to see a thin slice of fresh cantaloupe on my plate. With all those awesome flavors dancing around in my mouth, the sweet flavor seemed to finish things off just right!
I know I'll be dragging my family to Mudgies on the weekend. You should too!
~The Common Eater
Knowing that our first sandwich was the Madill, we decided to augment it with whatever our waiter suggested and split the sandwiches. He suggested the Gutty as one of his favorites. Add to that the day's soup and we were set for our first gastronomical experience as critics of the critic, so to speak.
Southwest Detroit Clam Chowder. It was Friday so it seemed fitting. Great size cup with a slice of rye bread. I was certain the Fussy Eater would pick on the bread - it wasn't a hard crust nor your typical rye. But did you really need it only to be dunked in the soup? In any event, the soup was an awesome combination of what seemed like a tomato basil base mixed with tasty clams, whole cloves of garlic, potatoes, red bell peppers, celery, onions and more. Somehow I knew when it said Southwest Detroit, this soup would have some kick. Although I thought the presence of oversized whole cloves of garlic might be much for those of returning to work, I appreciated the extremely fresh taste of the vegetables and the spicy soup base. It was only later I learned that much of Mudgies produce is bought at the Eastern Market. Watching as other diners ordered meals, it is no wonder they ordered the bowl with a half sandwich. 8.5 out of 10 on my scale.
The waiter was right - the Gutty was awesome. Salami, pastrami, roast beef, corned beef, cheddar cheese, lettuce and garlic mayo on a bagel. Although I typically have issues mixing mayo with any deli meat, this combination worked wonders! The Everything bagel was not the typical store bought variety nor was it the hard crust variety, I can't sink my teeth into it so all the stuff will squirt out the other side kind either. What really surprised me was how well the various meats mixed together. The layers of meat were not too thin nor too thick and looked equal in amount. I was certain the Fussy Eater will take points off for the garlic mayo, a bit heavy, as well as the fact the meats were a bit oily but it's a deli sandwich - it's supposed to be messy! Round it out with great cheddar cheese and this is one sandwich I'd like to see in the suburbs. 9.5 out of 10.
Given that we were moving onto the next sandwich, I tried the new dill pickle. A small pickle cut in half, it had just the right crunch and enough garlic to give it a great flavor.
Moving onto the Madill, I was surprised when it arrived open face on my plate. Sitting on a sub style onion roll, heaping amounts of avocado, jack cheese, turkey and applewood smoked bacon with tomato and garlic mayo. I'm not a raw tomato person (yes, I eat tomato soup, go figure) so I pulled the slice out. While it reminded me of other California clubs, this was different. I think it was that garlic mayo (I'm certain the Fussy Eater will have some issues with the mayo as he scraped it off his bun). Kudos to Greg Mudge for a strong but not overpowering mixture. My only complaint was my inability to eat it like a sandwich (I tried folding it) but perhaps that was the intent! 9 out of 10.
Having enjoyed both sandwiches, I was happy to see a thin slice of fresh cantaloupe on my plate. With all those awesome flavors dancing around in my mouth, the sweet flavor seemed to finish things off just right!
I know I'll be dragging my family to Mudgies on the weekend. You should too!
~The Common Eater
Friday, May 2, 2008
Mudgie's-Detroit, MI-Off to a Good Start
5/2/08-First stop, Mudgie’s, 1300 Porter Street, Detroit, MI. This spot is only open from 11-4 Monday through Saturday. This is not too far from the Downtown Bus Terminal and good ole’ Tiger Stadium (we did a drive by after lunch—sorry conservation fans—it is an eyesore and its time has come for a tear down). There is no “Mudgie’s” or any other sign whatsoever on the outside of the building. You better know the address or you will drive right by it as we did. Place does a very brisk lunch business. I was impressed that this non-descript but interesting restaurant was busy and had its act together. It’s a small place with a combination of 2 and 4 top tables close together holding about 50-60 people. Lively funky music plays in the background. Place has a nice urban vibe. Nice diverse crowd. A tulip in a small vase sits on each table. The floor is older hardwood and the seating is contoured creamy plastic chairs with white vinyl tablecloths. Flatware comes rolled in a cloth napkin. Come early as the wait staff starts to scurry when it gets busier. The inside theme is a cheery orange and white combination, heavy on the orange. CE said it looked like a creamsicle or an Orange Crush on the inside. Alas, there was an Orange Crush sign on one of the walls. Carry out and walk up service is also available. A large glass refrigerated case of Faygo, Dr. Brown and other beverages sit neatly in front of the carry out area.
I was pleasantly surprised by the business and the food. Our waiter was friendly and personable. The goal is always to split 2 sandwiches. One is the sandwich reviewed by the Freep and the other is a combination of what the waiter/waitress recommends and our own gut instincts. The Freep reviewed the Madill. The waiter recommended the Gutty. We ordered both. The Madill is described as roasted turkey, applewood smoked bacon, avocado, tomato, lettuce, garlic mayo and melted pepper Jack cheese on a sub bun served warm, open face. The Gutty is described as salami, pastrami, roast beef, corned beef, Cheddar cheese, lettuce and garlic mayo on a bagel. We started with a cup of Southwest Detroit Clam Chowder. Almost a bowl sized portion served with a piece of soft rye bread. Careful if you order the bowl, it is huge—trough like proportions. The soup was tomato based and full of flavor. Actually, quite spicy—almost gumbo-ish. Lots of chunks of vegetables and a few large clovers of garlic turned it up a bit. It was a nice change of pace from the mundane and predictable. My only complaint was the bread. I found it to be a shade short of being stale and bland. I would have preferred crustier bread. The kitchen split the sandwiches for us which was a nice touch without asking.
We agreed to tackle the Gutty first. It was served on an everything bagel. The plate had a nice crisp ½ of new dill pickle and a small fruit garnish (I had a sliver of watermelon; CE had a sliver of cantaloupe). I liked the Gutty but I am the Fussy Eater. It gets a 7.5 of out 10. No complaints on the portion or the freshness of the meats. However, I felt the sandwich was slightly overwhelmed by 2 things, the garlic mayo and the salami. I enjoyed the overall sandwich though and, again, something a little different from the norm. A few swigs of my Coca-Cola and time to try the Madill which the Freep voted as one of the best. No dice from my standpoint. It comes open faced on an onion roll/bun. Again, large portion. It’s meant to be eaten open faced with a fork and knife but I decided to roll it up and eat it as a sandwich. Didn’t do much for me. Sandwich had far too much garlic mayo which I kept scraping off with a knife. 6.6 out of 10.
Neither sandwich is for the dainty. Be prepared to make frequent use of the napkin. Not a bad place to stop on way too or from a meeting Downtown or before an afternoon ballgame or on the way to or from the casino. Overall, thumbs up for me. Looks like they got it right, they know their crowd. -The Fussy Eater-
The Fussy Eater-The Hunt Begins......
The plan as I proposed to my good buddy, The Common Eater (“CE”), was to eat and critique each of the best Metro Detroit sandwiches from the restaurants recommended by Sylvia Rector of the Detroit Free Press (“Freep”) in her March, 2008 column. Sort of a critique of the critic. Certainly nothing novel, but an excuse to go out and eat with an agenda. Besides, in a perfect world I’d be a food and travel critic anyway. I frequently send e-mails to my friends about restaurants so this would be a natural extension. I knew my good friend CE would be game as we are foodies. I love the hunt. I love the destination. I love the research. I love the find. If the food is good, then it’s a home run. If not, well you’ll find out.
I hate eating somewhere in my own backyard. I need to feel like I am going somewhere. Otherwise, what’s the point? It’s Detroit. Born, raised, live and work here. Let’s hop in the car and go…explore...East side…West side…Downtown…don’t matter…Anyway, CE and I will hit each of these spots randomly and many more both in and out of the state. You’ll read what we like and don’t like. CE is common. Like a reliable Chevy Corsica. He’ll eat anything. He doesn’t care. His mind is open. Me, on the other hand, I am picky. I am critical. I am sarcastic. I am The Fussy Eater (“FE”).
Confessions of a Common Eater
I admit it, I’m not that picky or fussy of an eater. Sure, I have certain things I don’t care for. Liver, hard boiled eggs are among those things you just won’t see me eating. Sorry. But when it comes to trying a sandwich, I’m game for just about any combination
But what is the perfect sandwich? Is it the combination of things I love to eat or more simply the right mixture of good food? I know
Reading the Freep’s review of Detroit’s 21 Best Sandwiches made me think - how do you judge a sandwich, or any meal for that matter. I enjoy reading food critics assessment of restaurants, meals and specialties but perhaps I have a different palate. Maybe I have an Ordinary Palate; Maybe I’m just a Common Eater.
It was clearly obvious that some regular guy had to try these sandwiches. A Common Eater had to experience the 21sandwiches proclaimed as the best in Detroit. Knowing I have a kindred spirit who is game for such an adventure, I asked my friend to play along. Actually, he read the same article and had the same idea so we knew we had to do it.
He loves to research, explore, read and study restaurants and food but when it comes to actually enjoying the meal, well let’s say… he’s a Fussy Eater. Not that he’ll turn down the meal but he’s much more critical than me about the preparation, the delivery, the taste. Maybe he’s right. Perhaps it doesn’t live up to the hype of a food critic. I will admit that in all our meals together, there’s was one meal I agreed with him, it was terrible. On the flip side, we’ve eaten together at some of the nation’s best restaurants which he chose and I’ve actually seen him enjoy the meal tremendously, or was it the 7 courses of wine with the meal that made him vulnerable to being satisfied?
I’m not really certain why he enjoys the hunt so much and then the meal is often a let down but he’s the prefect companion to explore Detroit’s 21 Best Sandwiches. Knowing him, we won’t stop at sandwiches. We so enjoy finding a new spot to dine, in Detroit or anywhere, why would we?
First stop... Mudgies in Detroit
~ The Common Eater
(In fond memory to The Real Eater, my Dad)
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