FOOD

Dining Review: The Butcher’s Grille blends American, Middle Eastern menu

Molly Abraham
Special to The Detroit News

Correction: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of the owner's name to Adel Saleh. 

The metro area’s array of restaurants doesn’t take a back seat to any other big city. We have a wealth of choices when it comes to dining possibilities, from elegant to comfortably casual and everything in between.

This is The Butcher's Burger and fries.

Today’s restaurant is a case in point. The Butcher’s Grille, tucked into a strip of shops in west Dearborn, offers an interesting blend of American and Middle Eastern fare in a casual atmosphere that also includes a glass-enclosed counter with uncooked meats to go.

The premise is this: Check the posted menu and order lunch or dinner, take a table and the food, prepared in the open kitchen by young executive chef Jawdat Hashem, will be brought to the table by one of the staff.

 And while there are several salads, including fattoush, tabbouleh and house salad, the overwhelming theme is, of course, red meat, including one entrée that is comprised of raw meat, including the well-known kibbeh, kafta and the less familiar malsi (pate) and frakeh (kibbee with additional cracked wheat).

Just about every entree comes completely garnished with side dishes such as rice and hummus, and soup or salad. House soups are traditional and satisfying: chicken lemon rice and lentil. It’s a given that no one walks away feeling less than well fed.

I especially liked the entree of skewered beef and chicken with fluffy basmati rice and salad ($14.99). My dining partner had the Butcher’s Burger, a half-pound of ground beef piled high with bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion rings, mayo and hot sauce atop a bun ($9.99). food is attractively served on wooden planks, a surprisingly upscale touch for this unpretentious spot with uncovered tables and paper napkins.

Running the hybrid restaurant for proprietor Adel Saleh is the knowledgeable Abdallah Mahfouz, who can answer questions about the fare for those unfamiliar with Middle Eastern style.

abraham67@comcast.net

The Butcher’s Grille & Market

   22713 Michigan Avenue at Military, Dearborn

   (313) 436-0055

   www.thebutchersgrille.com

  Rating: ★★ 1/2 

  Hours: 11 am.-9 p.m. Sun.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat. (Butcher shop 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily)

  Prices: Appetizers $1.49-$9.99, soups and salads $2.99-$12.99, sandwiches and burgers $3.99-$12.99, entrees $8.99-$24.99

  Credit cards: All major

  Liquor: No

  Noise level: Moderate

 Wheelchair access: No barriers

  Parking: Rear lot

What the ratings mean

★ — routine ★★ — good ★★ 1/2 — very good

★★★ — excellent ★★★★ — outstanding