Toast of the Town … A message of unity, coney dogs and a celebration

By Charles Sercombe
Last Saturday was one of those days in Hamtramck where the city’s motto “the world in two square miles” really hit home.
OK, imagine this: the day started out with a Juneteenth march/celebration, followed by an interfaith community get-together (featuring Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan), a Hindu religious celebration and a conclusion of Eid festivities over at Keyworth Stadium.
Whew!
Oh wait, we forgot: the pop-up visit by the new owner of the legendary Genie’s Wienies coney dogs at Café 1923.
Toast could not possibly get to all of the events and also take care of personal business that day, but what we did see was a reaffirmation in our faith in humanity.
Yeah, it was that kind of day; a day that was overshadowed by the tragic news that two Minnesota state legislators had been shot by a crazed gunman, resulting in the death of Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark.
Saturday was also a reminder that Hamtramck, in all its diversity, is a model for how to get along.
OK, maybe that getting along business doesn’t include what’s going on in city hall, but yeah, otherwise, on the streets, it’s all good and inspiring.
First up for the day was the Common Word Alliance picnic, held on Harold near Mound, just east of Hamtramck’s border, where Imam Arif Huskic lives.
The event featured a surprising number of local elected officials, including the aforementioned Mayor Duggan, Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Cylenthia LaToya Miller, Detroit City Councilmember Scott Benson and even Warren District Court Judge Steven Bieda.
For those unfamiliar with Huskic, he’s a familiar figure at Hamtramck functions, and often chimes in at Hamtramck City Council meetings.
His four-minute introduction of Duggan, which was made from an impromptu “stage” fashioned from a pallet (how Hamtramcky!), was high praise indeed.
“Now Detroit is known as a number one place,” Huskic said. “Now Detroit is a safe place, beautiful looking. … Also he (Duggan) brought so many businesses to Detroit.”

Duggan, who is running for governor as an independent, joked in response: “I try to make it an effort to make my speeches shorter than the introductions.”
He noted that, under his leadership, the empty lots that surrounded Huskic’s house on Harold, and in many other Detroit neighborhoods, were able to be transformed from basically “illegal dumping grounds” into gardens, parks and such.
Detroiters are now able to purchase the vacant lots next to their houses for a cheap price of $100, and take full ownership of the properties.
Goodbye to those dumping grounds, and hello to more thriving neighborhoods.
(For the record, Hamtramck also encourages homeowners to purchases empty lots next to them, and plenty of homeowners have done exactly that.)
Detroit Councilmember Benson noted that, with the gathering happening at the time of the festivities marking the end of Eid, it was an “opportunity to break bread with our brethren.”
Amen to that.
Dr. Anil Kumar, a member of Wayne State University’s Board of Governors, continued with the theme of the day, saying: “Unity … is the key to success.”
Wayne County Judge Miller called for a moment of silence in recognition of the shootings in Minnesota, saying: “We live in perilous times.”
In these highly-charged political times, where tempers often flare, Miller said the best thing to do next is: “Walk away, and be civilized.”
Amen to that.
Over at Café 1923 on Holbrook, fans of Genie’s Weenies were wrapped round the coffee house, waiting up to an hour to chow down on Hamtramck’s famous take on Detroit-style coney island dogs.
There are new owners of the brand, and they pulled up outside the café with a kitchen on wheels in tow.
The atmosphere was light and festive, with many folks reminiscing about the old days in Hamtramck when the Conant Ave. coney island was a hangout – especially for the late-night bar crowd, who would file in after the bars closed to get something in their belly before heading home.

The place is now long gone, replaced by a Bangladesh pizza and burger joint, but its spirit lives on and on (and, for some, does indigestion as well).
Just ask Gail, who asked not to have her last name printed, but who came all the way from the northern ‘burb of New Baltimore to get a gastric reminder of back home.
A 1989 graduate of Hamtramck High School, she said, “I miss going there. … Back in the day, it was the place to go.”
Toast knows “back in the day’ all too well.
One last stop before other duties called Toast home.
And that was at the city parking lot at Caniff and McDougall, where the Bangladeshi Hindu community celebrated what’s known as the “Festival of Chariots.”
We’ll let Google explain:
“(It) celebrates the journey of Lord Jagannath (a form of Lord Vishnu), along with his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, from their temple to another temple. This annual festival involves a grand procession where deities are carried in elaborately decorated wooden chariots.”
And there was indeed a homemade chariot, of sorts, on wheels, adorned with ribbons and deities and pulled through the streets of the city by a yellow rope by the members of the community.
But first there were speeches and chants, and the smashing of fruit, before the chariot was paraded through town.
Oh, and the women and men were joyful, and wearing robes and shirts sporting bright oranges, yellows, golds and greens to make it a feast for the eyes and ears.
Toast apologizes for not getting out to everything else that day, but once again, Saturday was a confirmation that Hamtramck stands alone as a mosaic of the world not found elsewhere in these parts.
For the most part – except maybe city hall — Hamtramck stands united.

When it comes to good food and great times, Hamtramck has plenty to offer. In this column, we’ll talk about what’s happening at our bars, restaurants and at other events throughout the city.
Posted June 20, 2025