Gabriel's brings cheese steak hoagies to Saline
When Kenny Dailey worked at Gabriel's Cheese Steak Hoagies in Ypsilanti, a local staple that's been around since 1959, he often spoke with customers from Saline who lamented that there wasn't a location near them. In March, he decided to satisfy their cravings, launching a Saline location as a co-owner. In addition to the Saline restaurant, there is also a Westland location that opened in 2007.
"I thought it was a good product that would work well in Saline," he said, adding that lines out the door the first two weeks proved him right. The Ypsilanti location has a cult-like following, and Dailey says there are no cheese steak offerings like it in Saline.
Gabriel's, located in a sterile strip mall, has a sparkling fresh and clean interior, with vivid, bright blue carpet and linoleum covered tables. A painting of a giant hoagie takes up most of the wall. You place your order at the counter and then it's brought out to you.
RESTAURANT REVIEW
972 E. Michigan Ave., Saline
734-316-2651
www.gabrielscheesesteaks.com/
- Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
- Plastic: Visa, Mastercard, Discover.
- Liquor: None.
- Prices: Inexpensive. A cheese steak hoagie is $5.29.
- Noise level: Quiet.
- Wheelchair access: Yes.
There are also two types of salads. In addition to a basic garden salad, another simply has ham, provolone and American cheese added to the greens. We decided to sample everything.
On a searing-hot Memorial Day, we were the only party in the place, and I was impressed by the blazing speed in which our order was delivered by a friendly server — within five minutes of us sitting down. This hoagie was enormous and would satisfy anyone's craving for a hearty sandwich.
I ordered mine with cheese and mushrooms, which saturated the entire top of the sandwich. Though the rib eye steak was high quality, I was less enthused by the use of Kraft American cheese, which had that processed taste, along with the canned mushrooms. Dailey says they are "premium Monterey" canned mushrooms, but they're canned nonetheless.
The bun was fresh and spongy and absorbed the massive quantities of ground meat well. Overall, the ingredients melded together nicely to make a decent sandwich.
The lunchmeat special consisted of a variety of delicious, fresh meats: spiced ham, salami and polish ham, along with high quality provolone. However, it was particularly dry and I couldn't detect the oil, nor the oregano that would have provided essential seasonings. A dressing would have improved this sandwich.
The salad consisted of fresh greens, though it was accompanied by pre-packaged Kraft dressing. With only a few menu items, I think the owner could go the distance to whip together a homemade dressing.
I devoured the chocolate chunk and oatmeal raisin cookies offered for dessert. They're delivered by an outside food distributor, but still tasted fresh and were soft and chewy.
If you're a cheese steak fan — and crave an inexpensive sandwich as early as 10 in the morning — this new location of Gabriel's is worth a try.
Julie Halpert reviews restaurants for AnnArbor.com.
Comments
badcat
Mon, Jun 18, 2012 : 4:28 a.m.
I love gabriels their the only place I know that uses real and fresh items I don't eat onions and because they are made to order I too get to experiance the great cheese steak hoagie lol even though everyone says mine tasty funny cause they have no onions but I think theirs taste funny lol and not to mention the hallarious girls that work their that are always aiming to please keep up the good work were happy to see you in saline
treetowncartel
Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 3:46 p.m.
Fraser's Pub has a tasy cheese steak hoagie
John Campbell
Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 3:09 p.m.
An OK cheesesteak but unfortunately Gabriel's does not compare particularly well to old favorite Izzy's; they remain the champion of local area cheesesteaks. In my opinion, it is not close: go to Izzy's if you want a great cheesesteak. Additionally, Izzy's offers fries which a number of other establishments (including Gabriel's) don't offer. If you are looking for a new cheesesteak option try newly opened Jersey Mike's on Carpenter road, a good cheesesteak with generous portions.
captain_k
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 10:32 p.m.
a friend of mine and i walked across ypsilanti (the bus depot to gabriel's) via the railroad tracks because he swore it was the best philly cheese steak i'd ever have. it was pretty good, i suppose.
Joe
Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 2:59 p.m.
walking throw Ypsi from the bus depot to gabriels via the railroad tracks? I would have assumed my "friend" was trying to murder me. Or show me a dead body, or something
Honest Abe
Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 4:24 a.m.
They are not "Philly" cheese steaks.....they are "Cheese steaks".....so you know. If your friend thinks they are the best, then your friend has never had an actual good food.
Joe
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 8:50 p.m.
Mr. Spots on State by campus makes a good cheese steak. and their wings are out of this world good. And unlike Gabriels, your clothes dont smell for 6 hours of fried onions after being in the place for 5 minutes.
Honest Abe
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 8:07 p.m.
@Jane- I agree. Their service is less than good, I have at times felt like I was a burden to them. These hoagies are hoagies. Nothing more, nothing less. Like I said, they are over-rated, over priced and to be honest I have had better cheese steaks at a carnival.
Jane
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 7:54 p.m.
We there yesterday in Saline, staff does not smile for anyone and really look bored. I think they could at least "welcome" people with a How are you today or what can we get for you. ....and maybe a "smile" or even a Half smile. I said well the staff dont seem happy and my husband says well its probably cuz they have to work for there money...REALLY so do I.......... Guess years ago I got spoiled by the Ypsi shop, which was great. Got our hoagies home yesterday after telling the confused girl 3 times what I wanted on 4 hoagies because she just couldn't get it, told my husband 100.00 says we get them home and they are wrong...and yup should have checked because they were wrong. Let me say 2 cheese steak with extra cheese, 1 cheese steak with extra cheese and peppers, 1 cheese steak with extra cheese, mushrooms and peppers...... Then I finished by telling her that makes 4 hoagies. Guess I need to explain it a bit better! The Broadway Cafe in Ann Arbor which has about as many things on the menu has much better hoagies,.....if you haven't tried those you need too!!!
Hmm
Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 12:51 p.m.
Yeah that Bulgogi cheesesteak is tasty stuff, thanks for the reminder to go there
FabioFulci
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 10:16 p.m.
Broadway Cafe DESTROYS Gabriel's in Saline -- the meat is more flavorful, the bun is better, and the sandwich is stuffed! Upvote for you!
John Hritz
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 6:14 p.m.
Izzy's is very good. Benny's on Industrial also does a respectable cheese steak. The best was chef Mark Pruitt's Philly's over on Packard east of Carpenter. Gone but not forgotten. Glad to hear that Gabriel's has their doors open. It seemed to take awhile for the Saline store to get going.
Honest Abe
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 4:12 p.m.
Sorry Julie, their hoagies are not "enormous". Most folks need 2 to get full. By the way - they are not in the "sandwich" category. If someone wants a "hearty sandwich" they do not go to a hoagie shop. They are 2 different things.
Honest Abe
Mon, Jun 18, 2012 : 9:13 p.m.
At "Ms. Gabriel". I usually do not respond to ignorance, but I just did.
Ms. Gabriel
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 1:02 a.m.
How large of a person are you if you need 2 to fill up? Just sayin'...
Honest Abe
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 4:05 p.m.
Gabriel's is good. Not great. I have been around the globe and some, and I really do not see what the big hype is about. Over rated may be the best word used to describe them. If they opened a shop up in an area where there were other cheese steak competitors, the Ypsilanti folks would understand what I am saying. The may be the best around Ypsi, because they are the only around Ypsi. Regardless, there hoagies are "OK" at best. Also, they are over priced for the less than large size they are.
rs
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 3:46 p.m.
Izzy's top them IMO.
Joe
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 2:27 p.m.
steak-ums on wonder bread hotdog buns. And you people think they are authentic?
treetowncartel
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 1:32 p.m.
No mention of the pepper relish? That is what makes their hoagies delicious.
Billy
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 2:03 p.m.
See what I mean about them not being the same. Those hot-peppers are as sacred to Gabriel's as the rootbeer is to Bill's. FWIW, Izzy's has the exact same hot peppers I think.
cbirm
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 1:29 p.m.
Gabriels is the best! Build one over here on Jackson Rd!!
Honest Abe
Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 4:26 a.m.
I guess everyone is entitled to their own opinion. So here goes: They are NOT the best. Not even close.
Billy
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 1:16 p.m.
Gabriel's isn't what it used to be 20+ years ago. I hit them up after not having been there for well over a decade and it was just sad. The kids working the joint now didn't seem to care much about making the food and it was just kinda slopped together. Taste was subpar, or at least nothing compared to what I remembered it. If I go out that way I'd much rather get a burger at Roy's or a chili dog 'n homebrew rootbeer from Bill's. Now if you want a real cheesesteak you go to Izzy's. No really....I would say they have the best in the country. They're our little secret I think. Even when they closed at 4pm they would still do tons of business.
Ms. Gabriel
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 1 a.m.
Ha! Little do you know...some of those places you mentioned have the same ownership and affiliation with Gabriels...I love it when people don't do their research
Top Cat
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 12:18 p.m.
Gabriel's comes close to a real cheese steak but misses the mark with their Wonder Bread roles.
Honest Abe
Mon, Jun 18, 2012 : 9:18 p.m.
Actually Jersey Mike's could buy and resell Gabriel's as a pet!
Lesly
Sun, Jun 17, 2012 : 11:12 p.m.
Really ?? Get real?
Jimmy McNulty
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 12:50 p.m.
@Ms Gabriel, just because it has been around that long does NOT = good. As far as Jersey Mike's goes, this is the first MI location, but one of 541 in the country. Joey's famous Philly has 2 locations, and are most authentic to the true Philly cheesesteak. Maybe if you get out of the Michigan Avenue corridor once in a while and check out the competetion you A) would know what you're up against and B) appreciate a well-made sandwich.
Ms. Gabriel
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 12:59 a.m.
Well @Jimmy McNulty, unlike other competition, the food has stood the test of time. It's a loyalty to the product they created over 50 years ago and keeps people comin in the doors, obviously now on their 3rd location. How many locations do those other sub shops have? That's what I thought.
Jimmy McNulty
Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 12:49 p.m.
You nailed it TC. The bread is so terrible that the sandwich falls apart. The most authentic steaks are 1) Joey's Famous Philly Cheesesteaks in Garden City and 2) Jersey Mike's on Carpenter Rd. Everyone else is a wannabee.
ContreMilice
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 7:03 p.m.
Ditto, BR.
Hmm
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 3:21 p.m.
LOL @ bedrog
bedrog
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 1:26 p.m.
maybe they need more acting lessons