One of the more ubiquitous neighborhoods in Detroit is most certainly Greektown. Monroe Street plays landlord to many of our city’s most popular watering holes and restaurants.
But it’s the lesser-known spots nestled between the big guns that really give the area its character. The Ham Shop, located at 330 Monroe, is one of those sweet surprises.
While the name lends itself to that of a butcher, don’t be fooled. This place only need visiting for one thing and one thing only: breakfast.
Sure, the lunch menu is impressive, what with cold and hot sandwiches (hello, Meatloaf!), burgers, salads, coneys, and broasted chicken meals alongside a 12 oz. T-bone steak for just $11.80, but the breakfast is where it’s at.
Part of the charm of The Ham Shop comes in the creativity of the menu. Sticking to its Greektown roots, they offer a breakfast special and omelet with gyro meat – the latter escorted by feta cheese.
The Shop also offers pork chops or a New York steak to complement your eggs, along with their reputable breakfast skillets – containing a whole mess of yummy breakfast goodness for those moments when everything sounds good.
The chicken and waffles is another welcome rarity, considering the dish’s southern roots and Detroit’s northern heritage. The chicken is fried to super-hot perfection in conjunction with the fluffiest waffles north of the Mason-Dixon Line.
And though breakfast is The Shop’s specialty, don’t forget its namesake – the ham. Served simply on an onion roll or bread with lettuce, tomato and mayo, the salty goodness of this snack is done right. Order it as a take-home addition to your breakfast so you can enjoy it for lunch (it’s scrumptious cold).
The interior of the one-room Shop is tiny, with well-worn booths lining one wall, and tables strategically placed throughout the remaining space. The server station and kitchen window are as much a part of the dining room as are the chairs, and the foot traffic provides the scenery to accompany the delicious and hot meals.
The service is super friendly and willing to help, and most of the selections on the menu are under $10 – many under $5.
The Ham Shop is located at 330 Monroe St. in the Greektown neighborhood of downtown Detroit. They are open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday 6 a.m.-3 p.m., and Sunday 6 a.m.-2 p.m. The Shop can be reached at (313) 965-0088.
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