Lebanese Favorite Al Ameer Receives James Beard 2016 America’s Classics Award

While several Metro Detroit chefs and restaurants are still waiting to see if they'll make the final cut in at the 2016 James Beard Awards, one longtime Dearborn favorite is receiving a top honor. Lebanese restaurant Al Ameer is among five national recipients of the 2016 America's Classics award. According to a release, honorees have a "timeless appeal and are cherished for quality food that reflects the character of their community."

Owned by Khalil Ammar and Zaki Hashem, Al Ameer opened in 1989. During a tour of Detroit restaurants in 2014 Eater's roving restaurant critic Bill Addison called the eatery a "don't-miss crown jewel" and considered the kibbeh neyeh one of his top meat-centric dishes of the year. Top Chef winner and Dearborn native Mei Lin also considers Al Ameer's Lebanese cuisine among her favorite restaurants in the city. The owners recently acquired a third location in Canton. Other honorees included Brooks' House of BBQ in New York, Matt's Place Drive-In in Montana, Bully's Restaurant in Mississippi, and Rancho de Chimayo Restaurante in New Mexico.