Oakland Thrive Restaurant Quest: Tall Trees Cafe in Ferndale
(Crystal A. Proxmire, July 28, 2025)
Ferndale, MI – There’s a place in Ferndale off the beaten path that has caught the attention of restaurant fans called Tall Trees Cafe, and it was an absolute delight to finally include them in my quest to try every restaurant in Oakland County.
With a small space on Livernois and a big demand, there are often lines out the door to enjoy their top-notch sandwiches and salads. Thankfully a friend and I were able to snag a table for our lunch.
The menu has just a few sandwich choices, keeping it simple so that each one is done just right.
My friend was thrilled with her Clong which featured a thick portion of Michigan-raised turkey, provolone, greens, pickled shallot, roasted tomato spread, and herb mayo.
I opted for the Le Boeuf Supreme with perfectly tender wagyu roast beef, mahon cheese, and red pepper olive relish. Normally it comes with horseradish but I supped the herb mayo instead.
Guests can chose which bread they prefer, with options including the sourdough, baguette, focaccia, and sesame semolina roll. So mine was on a baguette while my friend picked the focaccia.
We also split a Watermelon Purslane Salad, which had chunks of compressed watermelon, Finny’s garden purslane, feta, and fennel – an amazing combination of flavors for a summertime side dish.
Tall Trees Cafe also has a nice selection of beverages, with craft root beer and Michigan-made Guernsey lemonade catching our eyes.
I noticed after that the Spicy Mortadella seems to be the sandwich making the most headlines. It’s got a calabrian chile spread, iceberg herb salad, and preserved lemon buttermilk dressing. There’s also the Sanguich de Chayote and PB & J (or Honey).
Other seasonal salads include the Red Bean Salad, Creamy Red Pepper Pasta Salad, and Artichoke Jalapeno Dip.
Sandwich and salad choices may change, and in colder months soup may re-appear on the menu.
Tall Trees Cafe is located at 817 Livernois in Ferndale. Learn more at www.TallTreesFerndale.com
With support from Oakland Thrive, Oakland County Times Editor and Publisher Crystal Proxmire is on a quest to try every restaurant in Oakland County. Oakland Thrive is a transformative force dedicated to nurturing local businesses. Since 2023, Oakland Thrive has helped foster success by connecting Oakland County businesses of all kinds with resources and expert advice, including specialized help for businesses in the hospitality and restaurant industry. Oakland Thrive is focused on bridging economic disparities, fostering inclusive growth, and ensuring equitable opportunities. Learn more about Oakland Thrive events, classes, and opportunities for small businesses at https://oaklandthrive.org/
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