Addison Eatery, Detroit

In the years since it opened in 1977, Bates Coney Island has flipped thousands of burgers, folded thousands of omelets, and plunged thousands of french fries into the fryer. But one special sandwich stands out: the ham and corned beef. As the restaurant's signature dish, this unconventional double-meat stack forms the anchor of Bates' long menu. And as such, it says a lot about Bates itself, establishing the restaurant to first-time visitors as a place that values flavorful innovation over bland predictability. But whether they're here for the ham and corned beef sandwich, a pancake breakfast, or a big green salad, everyone appreciates the kitchen staff's commitment to ultra-tasty American cuisine.