Reflections of Ramadan: In praise of Suhoor at IHOP

During the daylight hours this Ramadan season in Metro Detroit in cities like Hamtramck - home to a huge number of young Yemeni and Bengali families - the streets are a little calmer as folks conserve their energy for prayer and fasting. Once the sun goes down though, many of the immigrant-owned shawarma shops and … Continue reading Reflections of Ramadan: In praise of Suhoor at IHOP

Lena Sareini slays at Detroit hot spot while keeping the faith during Ramadan

Working in the restaurant industry is already an intense job, what with the long hours, hot, crowded kitchens and demands from both front and back of the house. Throw in working at one of the most celebrated restaurants in the Midwest and recently being named an Eater Young Guns semifinalist - and the pressure is … Continue reading Lena Sareini slays at Detroit hot spot while keeping the faith during Ramadan

Taste of Ramadan: Fasting 5K, sponsor a family and other acts of kindness in Metro Detroit

Ramadan is in many ways the world's oldest detox. At the center of this concept during the month-long season observed by over a billion people is the practice of fasting from sunrise to sunset. It's a time for appreciation for the gift of nourishment, both in body and spirit. It's also a time that many … Continue reading Taste of Ramadan: Fasting 5K, sponsor a family and other acts of kindness in Metro Detroit

Chef, writer Tunde Wey to host dinner and a side of immigration discourse

Chef Tunde Wey is used to leading uncomfortable conversations. For the past year, the Nigerian-born former Detroiter has hosted his roaming "Blackness in America" dining series which pairs his native cuisine with dialogue aimed at confronting bias and identity. And at the start of 2017, he and Tostada founder Serena Maria Daniels joined in a … Continue reading Chef, writer Tunde Wey to host dinner and a side of immigration discourse

Michigan immigrants ignite sanctuary movement amid fears over deportation

In the first few months of his administration, Trump has twice called for a travel ban for immigrants from 6-7 Muslim-majority countries, has continued to insist that Mexico pay for a multi-billion-dollar border wall, and have vowed to amp up deportations of millions of people who lack legal documentation to reside in the country. All … Continue reading Michigan immigrants ignite sanctuary movement amid fears over deportation

Midtown’s Go! Sy Thai to expand with boba tea bar, Asian mini-mart

Most of us who grew up in immigrant households can relate to this dilemma: not being able to find those essential ingredients that are familiar to wherever back home might be. In our case, we tend to stockpile our supply of queso fresco anytime we're shopping in the Mexican mercados in southwest Detroit (lest we … Continue reading Midtown’s Go! Sy Thai to expand with boba tea bar, Asian mini-mart

Author Oneita Jackson claps back against Detroit’s service industry in ‘Letters From Mrs. Grundy’

Next time you're faced with another abysmal customer service experience in Detroit, you'll wish you were armed with the type of bravado that exudes from the pages of writer Oneita Jackson's latest book, Letters from Mrs. Grundy. Released this week, Jackson writes fiercely honest reactions to everyday disappointments with wait staff, store clerks, bus drivers … Continue reading Author Oneita Jackson claps back against Detroit’s service industry in ‘Letters From Mrs. Grundy’