Ernie’s Market in Oak Park serves a sandwich called the Monster, loaded with seven kinds of meat and enough toppings to make finishing it a challenge. But the oversized sandwiches are only part of why people visit this old-school Michigan corner store.
The other attraction is Ernie Hassan, the longtime owner known for greeting customers with hugs, handshakes, and his famous “Who loves ya, baby?” Visitors sometimes come for the sandwiches and leave with a story about meeting him.
Inside, customers line up beside grocery shelves to order sandwiches built with their choice of meats, cheeses, vegetables, and the shop’s signature love spice. First-timers may even get some playful teasing from the staff.
The market is at 8500 Capital Street, and it closes by midafternoon. Come hungry, and bring cash to be safe.
A Corner Store Where Sandwiches Rule
Ernie’s Market sits at 8500 Capital St in Oak Park, Michigan, a suburb just north of Detroit. From the outside, it looks like a small neighborhood market.
Inside, though, sandwiches are the whole point.
The shop is listed as a deli, and it has earned a 4.8-star rating from more than 1,800 Google reviews. That’s a big number for a place this small.
It shows how many people have made the trip to this corner of Oak Park.
What I find interesting is how the building still feels like a classic corner store. Customers wait in line beside shelves stocked with canned goods and bottles of pop.
Nobody tries to hide the market part of the business.
The location is easy to reach from much of Metro Detroit. Oak Park borders Detroit and sits close to Ferndale and Southfield.
That makes it a handy stop for people running errands or visiting family nearby.
Still, the address alone doesn’t explain the crowds. The real story starts with the man whose name hangs over the door and the menu item that matches his big personality.
The Owner in the Red Ball Cap
Ernie is the heart of this shop, and he’s hard to miss. He’s often seen wearing a red ball cap.
He comes out from the back to greet customers with handshakes, hugs, and big smiles.
His age makes the energy even more impressive. Customers celebrated his 83rd birthday at the market, singing to him in the store.
He reportedly gave everyone in the room a hug in return.
I like that he treats strangers like longtime friends. Some first-time visitors say he already knew it was their first trip before they mentioned it.
That kind of sharp, playful attention keeps people talking.
Ernie has also shared that the shop has deep family roots. He has told customers that it has been in his family for about 100 years.
That long history helps explain why he still shows up and works the room.
He isn’t there every single moment, so meeting him isn’t guaranteed. When he does appear, though, the mood in the store shifts.
You’ll likely hear his favorite question ring out across the aisles, and it deserves its own explanation.
Who Loves Ya Becomes a Greeting
Three words have become part of the Ernie’s Market experience. “Who loves ya” rings out in the store from time to time. It’s Ernie’s way of making people feel welcome.
Customers have described the phrase as something they hear again and again during a visit. It’s simple and warm.
It also sets the tone before anyone takes a bite of food.
One longtime Oak Park resident shared a sweet exchange with Ernie. When told that everyone loves him, he humbly replied, “I hope so.” He then said he appreciates his customers right back.
That kind of humility stands out to me. Plenty of famous food spots rely on hype.
This one seems to rely on genuine kindness passed across the counter.
The staff carries that same spirit too. Workers are known for being patient with picky eaters and careful with food allergies.
One customer with an onion allergy praised how well the team handled the order.
So the greeting matters, but it’s only half the welcome. The other half comes from the people building the sandwiches, and they bring a style all their own.
Seven Meats on the Monster
Size is the first thing people mention about the Monster sandwich. It’s piled with all seven meats offered at the counter.
That’s a lot of lunch in one wrapper.
The Monster is the signature order here. Diners often describe it as overstuffed and hard to finish.
One customer joked that you should be ready to unhinge your jaw.
Meats like corned beef and pastrami show up on many orders. Some guests even get a corned beef and pastrami version of the Monster.
Others go with the full lineup of meats.
Toppings add even more to the stack. Sandwiches can include two different cheeses, thinly sliced green peppers, and jalapenos.
Then comes the house seasoning with the memorable name.
I’d suggest sharing a Monster if you’re new. Several visitors say a smaller version still makes enough food for two meals.
Saving half for later is a pretty common plan.
If that sounds like too much, don’t worry. The menu has smaller sizes with names that match the Monster theme.
They’re worth a look before you reach the counter.
Little, Baby, and Junior Sizes
Not everyone wants a sandwich the size of a small pillow. Ernie’s Market has smaller Monster options for that.
Customers mention the Little Monster, the Baby Monster, and the Monster Jr.
Here’s the funny part. Even these “smaller” sandwiches can be tough to finish.
One diner admitted struggling to eat a Little Monster and wondered how big the regular ones must be.
The Baby Monster gets plenty of recommendations from the staff. Asking for advice at the counter seems like a smart move.
The team often helps first-timers choose a size and toppings.
Side dishes are available too. Macaroni salad is one of the options, and other sides can sell out during the day.
If you want a specific side, arriving earlier may help.
I like that the menu gives people a choice. A hungry worker can go big.
Someone grabbing a lighter lunch can still get the full experience without leftovers.
Whatever size you pick, the bread choice makes a difference. One roll in particular comes up again and again when people talk about their favorite order.
Onion Rolls and Love Spice
Love spice sounds like something from a greeting card. At Ernie’s Market, it’s a seasoning that gets sprinkled onto sandwiches.
Many customers say not to skip it.
The name fits the shop’s whole personality. It’s playful, sweet, and a little mysterious.
The staff has also let some guests sample newer spices.
Bread matters too, and the onion roll is a common favorite. One customer suggested loading an onion roll with veggies, mustard, mayo, and love spice.
That combination shows how much you can customize.
Sandwiches here can be built to order. The team will make it exactly how you want it, even for very particular eaters.
You can also let the staff design it for you.
I’d lean toward letting them take the lead on a first visit. Their combinations often include extras you might not think to request, like two cheeses or sliced green peppers.
Personal preference still counts, of course. One honest reviewer felt a regular sandwich was too light on meat.
Asking about portions or choosing a Monster size can help you get the stack you expect.
Figure It Out Yourself, Rookie
First-timers at Ernie’s Market sometimes get a playful challenge. One father and son ordered Monster sandwiches on their first visit.
The staff wouldn’t cut them.
The reason was all in good fun. They were told, “You have to fight it and figure it out.” It’s the kind of friendly teasing that turns lunch into a story.
Telling the staff you’re new is a good idea. Regulars recommend it because the crew loves welcoming first-timers.
You might get extra guidance, a laugh, or a special greeting.
I find this tradition charming in a very human way. It treats newcomers like part of an inside joke.
By your second visit, you’re already in on it.
Plan for a bit of a mess with an uncut sandwich. Grabbing extra napkins makes sense.
Eating at a table or taking it home might be easier than eating in the car.
The tradition also shows how much personality this crew brings. That warmth comes from more than one person.
The team behind the counter has built a reputation all its own.
The Crew Behind the Counter
Friendly staff comes up in more than 200 Google review mentions for this shop. That’s not a small detail.
It’s a big part of why people return.
The people building sandwiches are known for their kindness and patience. Customers have named workers like Amanda and Ashley for their warm greetings and helpful tips.
One guest believed a sandwich maker was Ernie’s daughter.
Many visitors say they feel like part of the family. That word shows up often.
Even people who don’t know anyone in the room describe feeling welcomed.
I think this matters as much as the food. A great sandwich gets people in the door once.
Feeling cared for is what makes someone come back almost every week, as some regulars do.
The crew also works quickly, even when the shop gets busy. They balance speed with care.
Orders are built one at a time, often with recommendations along the way.
Of course, busy times mean lines. Knowing when to go, and what to bring in your wallet, can make the visit much smoother.
Those details are worth sorting out before you leave home.
Bring Cash and Watch the Clock
Cash only. That’s the most important practical rule at Ernie’s Market.
Stop at an ATM before you arrive so you’re not stuck at the register.
Hours are short, so timing matters. The shop opens at 10 in the morning Monday through Saturday.
It closes in the afternoon on weekdays and even earlier on Saturdays, and it’s closed Sundays.
That schedule makes this a lunch spot, not a dinner stop. Several customers wish it stayed open later.
If you work long days, a weekday lunch break or Saturday morning may be your best shot.
Lines can form, especially around peak lunch time. One visitor waited about 30 minutes after a 40-minute drive.
Another arrived at noon on a Tuesday and had only two people ahead.
While you wait, you’ll stand in an aisle of the market itself. It’s part of the setting.
Some guests compare the setup and service to stores from decades ago.
Outdoor seating has also been mentioned by visitors. That helps on nice Michigan days, especially with an uncut Monster to tackle.
Checking current hours before heading out is always smart.
Why the Drive Makes Sense
Visitors come from all over Michigan to eat here. One guest drove in from Jackson.
Another added the shop to regular trips to see family in nearby Ferndale.
Even lifelong locals sometimes discover it late. One Oak Park resident, age 51, finally made a first visit after years of living nearby.
The experience left a strong impression.
The pull seems to come from a mix of things. Big sandwiches are part of it.
So is the chance to meet Ernie, snap a photo, and maybe get a hug.
I’d plan a visit around curiosity more than hype. Go to see a family shop that has kept its old corner-store feel.
Order something generous, and let the staff point you toward a favorite.
Bring a friend if you can. Sharing a Monster keeps lunch manageable, and having someone with you makes the uncut-sandwich challenge more fun.
Small details tie it together, from the aisle line to the love spice. Few lunch stops in Metro Detroit come with this much personality packed into one modest building.
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