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Photo courtesy of Jefferson Street Pub
The Maurice Salad is a beloved classic in Metro Detroit, embodying a rich history and a variety of unique renditions that keep the culinary tradition alive. This salad, originally popularized by the now-closed J. L. Hudson’s department store (or by P. A. Maurice, a chef at Netherland Plaza in New York City, depending on who you ask for the origins), has found a home in numerous local eateries, each adding its own twist while paying homage to the original. Let’s take a gastronomic tour of some of the best places in Metro Detroit to savor this timeless salad.
ZZ MARKET & GRILL
210 Henry Street, Detroit
ZZ Market & Grill is a market-style scratch kitchen where you can pick up grocery necessities and grab-and-go snacks along with a dine-in spot perfect for a meal. The Maurice salad is a nod to the classic, with Julienne ham, turkey, and Swiss cheese, along with green olives, sweet pickles, and Maurice dressing, of course. Salads here are made with a fresh blend of red leaf, romaine, radicchio, and kale. It is excellent on its own or paired with a cup of rotating soup, a wrapped sandwich, or a slice of pizza. This upscale market and grill is a go-to spot for those seeking a refined version of the classic salad.
JEFFERSON STREET PUB
36611 Jefferson Avenue, Harrison Township
Jefferson Street Pub, a family-owned and woman-owned business in Metro Detroit, offers a Maurice Salad that has garnered high praise. George Cassar, the business manager, shared the story behind their salad: “Our head chef and creator, RJ Cassar, researched and developed our JSP Maurice Salad and dressing. We’ve received a lot of accolades for getting as close to the original as possible, and it brings back great memories for our patrons.” The JSP Maurice Salad is a feast for the eyes and the palate, served in a large clear bowl filled with fresh, hand-shredded iceberg lettuce. Generous servings of hand-cut Swiss cheese, oven-roasted turkey breast, ham, sweet Gherkins pickles, pimento-stuffed green olives, and a hard-boiled egg top the salad. The dressing, a closely guarded secret, is mayonnaise-based with several ingredients, including fresh hard-boiled eggs. Served sliced, Cassar tells us that guests can also order the JSP Maurice chopped and tossed in dressing, but given its large portion, many prefer to have the dressing served on the side and take home their leftovers. Active on Facebook, you can see their daily specials and new menu items to try next time you stop at Jefferson Street Pub.
STAGE DELI
6873 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield
Stage Deli, a staple in Metro Detroit, has been serving up delicious dishes for over 60 years now. It prides itself on serving a Maurice Salad that is both hearty and true to the original recipe. Their salad includes all the traditional components, from Julienne turkey and ham to sweet pickles, Swiss cheese, and crisp lettuce with Maurice dressing, ensuring a familiar and satisfying dining experience. Salads can be chopped and tossed per request, with other options like the Shawarma salad, along with the Shrimp Louie and Caesar. Other deli delights found at Stage Deli include twelve soups, cold fish plates, potato latkes, and more favorites.
DEADWOOD BAR & GRILL
18730 Northville Road, Northville
Deadwood Bar & Grill transports you to a cozy, log cabin-style restaurant with classic dishes. The team shares, “Deadwood Bar & Grill is a rustic retreat with mountain-inspired decor and adventurous cuisine. Some of our signature dishes include Jack Daniels BBQ Ribs, Classic Maurice Salad, and Maryland-style Crab Cakes.” This version of the salad stays pretty true to its roots with a delightful combination of fresh ingredients and a signature dressing. With iceberg lettuce, hard-boiled eggs, ham, turkey, Swiss, Gherkins, green olives, tomatoes, and house-made dressing that bring back memories for Metro Detroiters, this Maurice salad is served with fresh bread. Add on chicken or salmon if you choose, or bask in the nostalgia this salad brings.
DISH
18441 Mack Avenue, Detroit
Dish offers a Maurice Salad that stands out with its fresh and high-quality ingredients. On a bed of iceberg lettuce, you’ll find chicken, ham, and Swiss cheese, along with red onion, sliced tomato, ground Gherkins pickles, and Maurice dressing served on the side. The pickle and dressing combo especially hints at the classic version many loved. Salads here can be ordered for an individual or family style, which can serve 2 to 4 people. This option is great for those serving a larger group or whose families like to split multiple items on the menu. Similarly, the pasta options are offered the same way, with small pans for 2 to 4 people and large pans for 4 to 8 diners. Choose from marinara, piccata, New Orleans style, with linguine, ground chorizo, bell peppers, and cream sauce, and more.
HUDSON CAFE
17101 Haggerty Road, Northville
700 West Big Beaver Road, Troy
1241 Woodward Avenue, Detroit
Known for its decadent brunch offerings like eggs Benedict, French toast, and more, Hudson Cafe also serves a notable Maurice Salad. This bustling cafe brings a contemporary twist to the classic, aptly naming it the Hudson Salad. Served with grilled pita, you’ll find Julienned smoked ham and turkey, Swiss cheese, with Gherkin pickles, green olives, and Hudson dressing on a bed of romaine hearts. Pair this salad with a side of eggs, corned beef hash, or salmon croquettes to lean into the brunch menu.
7GREENS
1222 Library Street, Detroit
7Greens, known for its commitment to healthy and delicious food that is diet-friendly, offers a take on the Maurice Salad that caters to modern tastes while respecting a few of the traditional elements. ‘Maurice Who?’ features romaine lettuce, baby spinach, a hard-boiled egg, green onions, parmesan crisps, roasted chicken, bacon, and Maurice sauce to top. This version is packed with protein while paired with the dressing recipe that makes this salad a Detroit favorite.
CASEY’S OF WALLED LAKE
1003 East West Maple Road, Walled Lake
At Casey’s of Walled Lake, you’ll find a wide variety of cuisines under one roof. The Maurice Salad is one crowd-pleaser, with mixed greens topped with ham, turkey, Swiss, chopped sweet Gherkins, tossed in Maurice dressing, and finished with sliced black and green olives. Choose to have it as is, or add on extra protein like grilled chicken, blackened steak bites, or zesty fried chicken. Beyond this, you can find fresh burgers, fish and chips, along with an extensive sushi selection, and more. As for entertainment, you’ll find trivia, karaoke, bar bingo, and more games depending on the night you stop in.
This article has been updated to include new information. The original article was published on February 20, 2023, and was authored by Katie Goncalves.
