‘Hamtramck Fusion’ offers a culinary tour of Hamtramck

Mahrup Ahmed, co-owner of the food truck “Hamtramck Fusion,” says he incorporates the various food tastes of Hamtramck into his menu.

By Alan Madlane
Food trucks – they’re all the rage. AmIright?
And oh, the taste sensations they can deliver. And, yes, sometimes… ah, more.
We love them, no matter what.
In the past decade or so, there’s been a Detroit-area boom in these food buggies, and why not? They offer the savvy restaurateur freedoms that a brick-and-mortar permanent space simply cannot.
Business bad here? Simply pick up and move somewhere new for awhile. Need some shut-eye? Just close up the truck for an hour, and chill.
All that said, there’s a new sheriff in town, “Hamtramck Fusion,” and we were fortunate enough to be able to talk to the proprietor of that business, Mohamed Almaisari.
It went like this:

The Review: What made you decide to get into the food truck business? How long have you been doing it now? How did you decide on your menu?
Almaisari: We decided to enter the food truck business because of our desire to share the unique flavors of Hamtramck, a city known for its cultural richness.
We’ve been operating for almost two months, and our menu was crafted to reflect the “World in Two Square Miles” theme (a frequent Hamtramck tagline – ed.), blending various cultural influences found in Hamtramck.
We hope to offer a dynamic menu, with monthly specials soon to come. We’re always open for requests and feedback from the community on additions to the menu.

The Review: How did you decide on the name of your business? Usually, we see the term “fusion” with reference to Asian cooking. What is yours a fusion of?
Almaisari: Our business name, “Hamtramck Fusion,” was chosen to represent the fusion of different culinary traditions present in our city.
While fusion often refers to Asian cooking, our approach is broader, combining flavors and techniques from (this) wide range of cultures found in Hamtramck.
It’s about bringing together diverse tastes into unique dishes.

The Review: What do you specialize in? What differentiates your truck from others in the area?
Almaisari: We specialize in offering a diverse menu that includes everything from butter chicken wraps, burgers and loaded fries to unique bowls like the Bangladesh Ave Bowl.
What sets us apart is our commitment to showcasing the rich cultural diversity of Hamtramck through our food, ensuring that each dish provides a unique culinary experience that reflects the community’s varied influences.

The Review: How do you decide where to park your truck at which times? Are you legally and physically able to operate like an ice cream truck, where you can drive down the side streets and sell that way?
How has business been since you started?
Almaisari: We strategically chose our location based on local events, foot traffic, and areas known for cultural gatherings.
We adhere to local regulations regarding food truck operations, ensuring we’re parked in permitted areas. Unlike ice cream trucks, our setup is more static, as we focus on providing a complete dining experience with our varied menu.
Business has been steadily growing since we started, thanks to the community’s love for diverse, flavorful food.

The Review: Do you have any plans to expand your business, either with more trucks or with additional offerings?
Almaisari: We are exploring options for expanding (the) business by introducing additional trucks to cover more areas, or possibly by opening a brick-and-mortar location in the future.
We’re also exploring new menu items that continue to highlight the fusion of cultures in Hamtramck, ensuring our offerings evolve with our community’s tastes and preferences.

The Review: What is it about the food business that you love the most? What presents the biggest challenges?
Almaisari: We love the food business because it allows us to connect with people through shared cultural experiences.
We strive to serve meals that evoke a memory for some, and provide an opportunity to try something new for others. It’s incredibly rewarding to see customers enjoy our dishes.
The biggest challenges include navigating logistical aspects like sourcing ingredients that are authentic to the cultures we represent, and ensuring we exceed all health and safety standards consistently.

Thanks for your responses, Mohamed. Feel free to park in front of The Review office any time – if you can find a spot, that is.
(Actually, you can often find the Hamtramck Fusion truck parked in the vicinity of Jos. Campau Ave. and Jacob St. – or, keep up with them on Facebook. And by the way, extra points to the owners for making the menu Hamtramck-themed. Cosmos burger, anyone? Trust us, it’s good.).
Posted Aug. 16, 2024