Mike's Famous Ham Place

Mike's Famous Ham is a classic, old school, perfectly prepared delight. Try it, you'll love it. John, the new owner, will offer a smile as he hand carves generous portions of ham with every serving. Whether it's piled high in an onion or Kaiser roll or served alongside perfectly prepared eggs. The ham was amazing, as well as the pea soup made from their ham bones. This restaurant just has a great feel about it. It's super clean and orderly, and looks exactly like it did when they opened more than 50 years ago. An old school Detroit classic.

A friend of mine said this was a "must have" in Detroit. It is very rare that you find a place that serves non-deli style ham, let alone a place that cuts it fresh right in front of you. I came in at the end of January, during a transition period, to where the original owners sold the business. The new owner was actually in there cutting the ham. The place is small with about a dozen counter seats and some other side table seats. The menu is limited. And, at this time, it is cash only. The new owner said they will be adding electronic payments soon. I ordered the ham and eggs. Don't get me wrong, the food was fine. But, for me, it is actually and overload of ham. And im not really a fan of thick pieces of ham. I didn't mind it in this setting, with the eggs. But, I don't think I would have liked it that thick in their famous sandwich. That's just me, though. The soup seemed to be very popular as some customers just came in and got quarts of soup. Like, I said, the food was fine. So don't let the 3-stars I gave it think I thought it was bad. It was just ok, for me. I probably wouldn't rush back.

I stopped in today and bought a couple of sandwich's. Not much to choose from the menu is simple and straight to the point. So if you want HAM with eggs, HAM on a sandwich , some soup then you're good. If not keep pushing this ain't for you. The service was perfect, the interior is exactly like you think it would be......no frills no thrills......get your food have friendly convo or kick rocks! Your choice. This is a simpler times restaurant ......something form the past. Food was awesome.....PERIOD!

This place makes the most amazing ham. I was fortunate enough to make a pitstop omw to the airport and grab one of their wonderful sandwiches. The interior of the place is just what you would hope to see when you go inside. Clean, with stools at a bar in front of grill and hospitality second to none. I called my sandwich in by phone so I can't speak to dine in service but my sandwich was ready and very good portion.

Fabulous!!!! Love it here. The pea soup and sandwich are my favorite. Please go here before Mike retires and shut it down

Truly a gem in Detroit. Simple menu... ham sandwiches and soup. That's it. The ham was hot off the bone. Bread was fresh. Bean soup was hearty and delicious. My wife wanted mayo on her sandwich. Nope, mustard only. (Reminded me of the old Saturday Night Live cheeburger skit, if you're of a certain age.)Anyway, nice people. Good food.

The menu is small but the owners have perfected it! A must eat Detroit restaurant. Come here, you'll be happy you did.

Detroit is certainly having a Renaissance, particularly down town. As you get out to the hinterlands, well maybe a little less. But a cities renaissance sometimes clear cuts iconic joints that no longer.....fit. Mikes has been on Michigan Ave for 50 years. Far enough out, Mikes hasn't been gentrified out of business or wrecked by hipsters. There wasn't a Bird scooter in sight! But there's not much in sight at all for that matter. Call it Corktown adjacent. Unsurprisingly Mikes Famous sells.....get ready for it, ham. And that's about it. This retro time warp gem is an old school place that does one thing and does it well. Ham and eggs, ham sandwich, split pea soup, with ham nach, and navy bean with ..ham. Think the Saturday Night Live, cheeseburger, cheeseburger sketch with ham. 5 stools, a like amount of chairs facing the window a counter and prep area back, and that's it. A steady stream of take out customers left with Sandwiches and quarts of soup. They must have gotten a tip on a famine. Now the food. Sandwiches are huge, I had a small and it was still huge. Soups were very good, I was able to sample both. Mike himself held court slicing ham like a maistro. And he brought out a fresh ham that they cook on site as I was sitting there. The ham was fresh carved, juicy, served on a fresh kaiser roll with pickles and a slice of cheese. Washed down with a Coke, it was ham-tastic! $16 later I was done and out the door. Not cheap but nothing great is. Oh and that $16, cash on the barrel head only. The register is so old it only rings a max of $5 so the register sings like a slot machine paying off if a large order is rung up, in $5 intervals! Remember no cards, and no ATM so come prepared. So go to the edge of the D for a great piece of food history. Mike is the man with a plan for ham. Hot damn! Mikes. Go!

Great ham. Great breakfast, sandwiches. Both soups are awesome. People are cool, and the decor is perfect. LOVE.

I'm just sad that this place is closing. I've been stopping there every time I'm heading home from downtown. The ham sandwiches are the best that you can find anywhere! The soups are amazing. Hope you enjoy your retirement. You deserve it!