Detroit’s Maurice Salad: Its History and Where You Can Find One Today

By: Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers | October 24, 2018
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The J.L. Hudson Department store meant a lot of things to a lot of Detroiters. For decades the department store was a place for not only people to shop and eat, but to gather with friends and loved ones. The building was a popular spot during the holiday season and was a great place to check out the latest fashion trends.

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the demolition of the Detroit landmark, so we thought we’d highlight one of its lasting legacies: the Maurice salad. Where did it originate? How can you make it at home, or where can you find it? Here’s everything you need to know about the famous Maurice salad.

Ties to Detroit

The legendary J.L. Hudson Department store was one of the world’s tallest department stores and was in the forefront of shopping, entertainment, and even dining. This is where the world famous Maurice salad originated as the dressing appeared on salads at Hudson’s and bottles of the dressing quickly became a hot seller. The salad itself featured unique flavors from sweet Gherkin and olives which married perfectly with the dressing. The lemony-mayo dressing is still popular to this day, and although no one knows for sure who created the dressing, its ties to Detroit go back numerous decades and to one of the area’s most iconic buildings.

How to Make it Yourself

The key ingredient to this popular Detroit salad is obviously the dressing. While you can certainly find a bottle, it might be more rewarding for you to make the dressing on your own. This recipe from Genius Kitchen lays out the key ingredients in making the dressing, along with the salad ingredients to make the salad as authentic as possible with ham strips, turkey breast, swiss cheese, and olives.  

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Where to Get it

For those looking to try the salad at a Metro Detroit restaurant, you’re in luck as there are still many restaurants offering the salad. From fine dining options such as The Whitney, to casual dining like Jennifer’s Cafe, or even bar atmospheres like Royal Oak Brewery, you can still find places that serve classic Detroit salad.

What’s your history with the Maurice salad? Do you have a recipe that you think improves on the flavor? Or a restaurant with a better take on the salad? Let us know on our Facebook and Twitter pages!

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