Dearborn, MI — I’ll admit I’m a little late getting to this post from a foodie adventure on September 30th. I had just returned from a weekend golf trip and had another story I was determined to finish right after getting back. Backlog aside, this adventure was one I was thrilled to circle back to since it involved indulging in one of the best chicken shawarmas I’ve had in a long time!

This incredible first official foodie adventure out to Dearborn came together through a work-inspired luncheon with a city official. We had been working to coordinate a lunch to meet up and discuss various story ideas and ways to work together to cover future stories in the community. While I have quite the wish list of establishments I want to check out and visit around Dearborn, I went with Hassan’s (city official) suggestion of Tuhama’s in East Dearborn.

This quaint Middle Eastern café is known for its sandwiches, from shawarma to falafel, kebabs, chicken burgers, and soujok. I was more than happy to take Hassan up on his suggestion; it’s hard to say no to a chicken shawarma! Hassan and I coordinated to meet for lunch on Monday, the 30th. I had taken the extra day off from work since I had just returned from Up North the previous night, so I was looking forward to my first foodie adventure out to Dearborn, knowing I wouldn’t be rushed to leave for work after lunch.

RECENT: How a snack craving led to a flourishing Detroit small business

I set out for the restaurant around 11:30 in the morning with little to no traffic along I-94 as I cruised westward with a rumbling belly. I found a spot along Warren Avenue to park right outside the front of the restaurant, which sits in the middle of a little strip of businesses between Pinehurst Street and Manor. I walked inside as the lunch rush and carryout orders started picking up steam. I scanned the menu across the wall on the right but already had my sights set on the chicken shawarma.

As I waited for Hassan, I took a moment to appreciate the aromatics of the meats spinning alongside the vertical grills in the kitchen. The squarely packed corner was abuzz with several employees at work on lunch orders. A steady stream of diners had walked in, some meeting with friends and grabbing tables while others waited patiently for their to-go orders.

Hassan arrived, and we grabbed a table near the front window. We placed our orders quickly and efficiently, keeping things simple between my order of the Chicken Shawarma with a small order of hummus and Hassan’s order of the Fries Sandwich, which Hassan informed me is a popular sandwich in Lebanese cuisine. While we waited for our food, we discussed various topics at length as I occasionally observed the restaurant’s atmosphere. Tuhama’s definitely gave me the impression of a go-to place for many people in the area and community, where folks walking in seemed familiar with the staff and cooks. It had a great sense of community and togetherness, with folks catching up at the counter with kitchen staff and each other, occasionally pausing and collectively watching news reports in Arabic on the television above them.

RELATED: Karl’s Cabin in Plymouth lived up to the hype and more

The hummus order arrived with a basket of warm pita slices. I wish I had taken a proper photo of the hummus and pita because the pita bread was sensational, fresh, and warm. I also loved that the bread came in thin servings. It was perfectly baked, light, and airy, with a great chew/pull. Its resiliency made it the perfect scooper and bearer of hummus globs. The hummus was fresh and garlicky, as I did my best to control the portions of my scoops. I love hummus, especially when it’s this good and presented with oil and spice, but I had to ensure I saved room for my shawarma!

Our orders arrived shortly after we enjoyed a couple of pita slices with hummus. The shawarma’s size and width were larger than I anticipated due to the copious ingredients packed and rolled firmly within. The French bread was lightly toasted and even had a slight crunch when taking a bite. The tender chicken, Lebanese pickles, and zesty garlic sauce were perfectly compartmentalized within the wrap, which was a flawless execution of the craft.

Aside from the stellar and impressively portioned presentation, the flavors were also top-tier. The chicken was cooked and seasoned well, and the pickles added a nice vinegary bite and balanced out the delicious sea of garlic sauce smeared throughout the interior. The garlic sauce was a huge highlight for me (I’m a fan of most recipes involving garlic) and really captured the attention of the tastebuds, contributing wonderfully to the taste profile.

Despite the flow of good discussion, our meals demanded our full attention, as Hassan and I became engrossed in what was ultimately a fantastic meal. This hefty shawarma might be the best chicken shawarma I’ve ever had, but I’d really have to ponder this one. Either way, it’s a cause to celebrate having been introduced by Hassan to such an excellent place nearby and within a community that I’m excited to explore a lot more through upcoming foodie adventures! After our meal, Hassan and I parted ways, and I thanked him for meeting up and for the great restaurant recommendation.

FULL SECTION: MI Foodie Adventures Photo Gallery

I somewhat knew what to expect heading into this adventure; it flows along the same logic: if you go to a place that specializes in and is known for its steak, you order the steak. And sure enough, I can now join the band praising the chicken shawarma at Tuhama’s. If you need a go-to place for chicken shawarmas or consistently high-quality sandwiches, check out Tuhama’s. The restaurant also serves various Middle Eastern dishes like Kafta, Tawook Skewers, burgers, Fajitas, Falafel, and more!

For more information about Tuhama’s in Dearborn, click here.