Dearborn’s Al Ameer receives America’s Classic Award

posted on: Feb 24, 2016

Melody Baetens

The Detroit News

Dearborn’s Al Ameer restaurant has been named one of five recipients of the 2016 James Beard Foundation America’s Classics Award.

Since 1998 the honor has been given to businesses around the country that “have timeless appeal and are cherished for quality food that reflects the character of their community.” Nearly 100 restaurants have been given the award since the category was introduced. Al Ameer is the first Michigan restaurant to be given the America’s Classics Award.

Al Ameer owners Kahlil Ammar and Zaki Hashem, who opened the W. Warren restaurant in 1989, will be honored at the James Beard Foundation Awards on May 2 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

The other restaurants named as 2016 honorees include Brooks’ House of BBQ in Oneonta, New York, Matt’s Place Drive-In in Butte, Montana, Bully’s Restaurant in Jackson, Mississippi and Rancho de Chimayó Restaurante in Chimayo, New Mexico.

Last week the James Beard Foundation announced Hazel Park restaurant Mabel Gray as a semifinalists for the Best New Restaurant award. Chef Garrett Lipar was named a semifinalist for Rising Star Chef of the Year, and chefs Nick Janutol and Andy Hollyday also got seminfinalists nods for Best Chef: Great Lakes. We find out March 15 which of those will hang on as finalists.

Source: www.detroitnews.com