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Jul 24, 2023

American deli with Asian twist opens on Fisher

By Laurel Kraus | on March 15, 2023 CITY OF GROSSE POINTE — Bringing Asian fusion cuisine to the Pointes, American Asian Deli fully opened at 375 Fisher Monday, Feb. 27, with a largely carryout

By Laurel Kraus | on March 15, 2023

CITY OF GROSSE POINTE — Bringing Asian fusion cuisine to the Pointes, American Asian Deli fully opened at 375 Fisher Monday, Feb. 27, with a largely carryout concept.

Cubano sandwich made with braised pork belly, ham, house-made pickles and swiss cheese.

Chef Justin Villareal’s vision — following training at the Culinary Institute of America, he also worked for a famous Korean chef in Chicago — was to take food one typically finds in an American deli, but give it an Asian twist.

“It’s not your father’s chinese restaurant,” said owner Randall Villareal, Justin Villareal’s father, who also owns Hydrangea Kitchen next door. “We really look for very, very dynamic flavor profiles. … Chinese cooking’s very sophisticated in many ways and they have the nice balance of sweet and sour and so forth. They put a lot of effort to make sure that happens. We do the same (but) ours tends to be a little spicier, a little more enhanced on the Korean side and we feel that’s what people want. They want bold flavors.”

With plans for the menu to continue to evolve, it currently is split between three categories: bowls, sandwiches and soups.

A taste of the options includes:

Courtesy photosAsian barbeque steak — otherwise known as bulgogi — bowl with assorted peppers.

* Braised pork belly bowl with apple and a Thai chili glaze

* Teriyaki chicken bowl with pineapple

* Stir-fried noodles and vegetables bowl

* Bulgogi cheesesteak sandwich with house-pickled peppers

* Bahn Mi sandwich with crispy tofu, pickled vegetables and Thai chili aioli

* Miso udon noodle soup

* Chicken ramen noodle soup

Drinks offered at the deli also take an Asian fusion twist with Jarritos Tamarind or Mandarin Orange soda, Topo Chico Sparkling Mineral Water and Sac Sac, but cover American bases as well with Coca-Cola, Diet Coca-Cola, Sprite and Pennsylvania Dutch Birch Beer.

In addition, Asian-style salads are set to be incorporated within the next two months.

“One of the items we want to introduce in the summer will be our Korean street tacos,” Villareal said, noting Pointers will want to keep an eye on their website for new menu items each month, as well as an upcoming catering menu.

Stir-fried noodles and vegetables bowl.

Hours at American Asian Deli are 3 to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, as to not compete with the hours of operation at Hydrangea Kitchen.

“We may eventually open for luncheon deliveries only and open for dinner at 3 p.m. for walk-ins and deliveries,” Villareal noted.

Carryout from American Asian Deli can be ordered at americanasiandeli.com or by calling (313) 469-7413. The eatery also offers delivery through DoorDash.