What announce a Greco-Roman eating house , you may ask ? Well , one factor would be its geezerhood – thus , it wo n’t be one of these newfangled kimchee - slinging Detroit joint ( as estimable as they are ) . Another : the food has to be , well , generally good . Preferably great . Preferably so classic , you could n’t reckon yourself a Michigander unless you ’ve eaten it at least once . And three , it must represent Michigan in one agency or another . You know : taxidermy , previous car , a dartboard with Ted Nugent ’s grimace on it – that sort of thing . Already ruling out McDonald ’s , here are our statewide choices for Michigan ’s most " Michigan " restaurant .
The Gandy Dancer
locate in the part of A2 that ’s not full of annoying productive mass and zitty college kids ( Governor Snyder wins the award for that , by the way ) is this charming train terminal - turned - fancy eating house . We say fancy because there are linens on the tabular array . linen paper equal fancy dining . The building itself date back to 1886 , when it was a major stopping spot on the billet between Detroit and Chicago . The restaurant opened in 1970 , and to this day differentiate in seafood with a diachronic , upscale vibe .
Legs Inn
Nestled along an absolutely arresting piece of Lake Michigan shoreline , this restaurant was built in 1925 by its original possessor , a retreat Polish auto actor who fell in love with the wood and quiet of Northern Michigan and its Ottawa and Chippewa cultures . The building is pieced together , and includes a curio shop , living quarters , tavern , balcony , dining elbow room , and four great stone fireplaces . All this atmosphere poppycock is fine and dandy , but what we really go here for is the kielbasa and pierogi . On the blame lake .
The Whitney
OK , first of all , it ’s haunt . That ’s rationality enough to go jibe it out . But spook aside , this striking planetary house has cull all the " oohs " and " ahhs " of automobilist and the motorless in its formal position along Woodward Ave in Midtown Detroit . The restaurant is cognise for its weekend Sunday brunches , the summertime garden party , and , of course , being one of the high - course of study eating house in the metropolis that has n’t had to shutter its prudish doors .
Highland House
This family restaurant has been around for more than 60 years , and specializes in everything we trust for from a Michigan eatery : cedar - plop whitefish and Greek salads . Located in what could essentially be described as metro Detroit ’s no - man ’s land , where there are more lakes than there are liquor storehouse ( oddly rightful ) , the Highland House has the charms of a small town and the tasting of house - cooked discreetness that we Michiganders come to consociate with our beautiful country .
Ashley’s
We were just teasing in the first place , Ann Arbor , when we said you were full of bothersome deep multitude and zitty college kids . You ’re also full of an unbelievable miscellanea of beer and a ridiculous bit of appetizing eateries , including credibly one of the most celebrated of all , Ashley ’s . This public house , spread out in 1983 , has more beer on tap than we can reckon , and considering that we ’re in one of thegreatest beer - bring forth statesin the country , you could bet that the option are aplenty . The grub is yummy enough ( damn good , in fact ) to keep you around while you endeavor to make a dent in the beer inclination .
Rocky’s
If a car can be considered a classic after having been around for 25 twelvemonth , then we feel the same should be said for restaurants . In this pillow slip , Rocky ’s has been logical in dependably tasty , somewhat upscale food for quite a while . Specializing in lake food – perch , whitefish , salmon – it also is know for bake what may be the adept breadstick in metro Detroit . Seriously .
Genitti’s Hole-in-the-Wall
This little Italian joint is known for hosting dinner theatre of operations in the space next door , but the food stands on its own . The eating house has been around for a while : this writer ( who has white hair and uses a cane ) remembers walking along the creaky wooden floors as a shaver , so that means it ’s been confine hard for a minute . Go here for the seven - course Italian family - stylus repast , and please , work out your eat capabilities before you go , lest you be embarrassed by your unfitness to accomplish the cannoli at the end of the Italian flag - colored rainbow .
The Dakota Inn Rathskeller
Opened in 1933 , the Rathskeller is still the billet to go if you want to clank Pilsener steins together and talk in a fake German accent – which is basically what befall here the entire month of September in celebration of Oktoberfest . The restaurant was found by German immigrants who want to add a turn of schnitzel pleasure to the neighbourhood . When it comes to schnitzel and stein , friend , we say “ Willkommen ! ”
Buddy’s Pizza
The thing is , the original Buddy ’s Pizza location is THE reigning square pizza champion of Michigan . Oh , and did we mention there ’s bocce ball ? It ’s a no brainer , kids . Buddy ’s is Greco-Roman .
Baker’s Keyboard Lounge
Detroit has long been a music city . But there was one specific era when it was pretty much one of the hottest spots to hit in the world . Though the disruptive and exciting ' 60s are long behind us , Baker ’s still retains that dash with bouncy jazz and blues music and gravid soul food . Nowadays , it ’s surrounded by medical marijuana dispensaries , so all of you with your permits for the green stuff can light up a jazz cigarette and affect we do n’t live in the days of reggaeton and dubstep , or whatever the hell else the kids are listening to these solar day .
LaCroix’s Riverside Pub
Alongside the Pine River , which leads to the St. Clair River , which fetch pee from Lake Huron into Lake St. Clair , you ’ll see this lovely oasis for fishermen and Keno enthusiasts . This is the kind of bar that old so - and - so Toby Keith was probably singing about have it away so all-fired much , and on top of its downhearted - collar charms , it has a dependably satisfying selection of bar solid food that ’s a cut above . Do n’t miss it if you find yourself up that agency – most likely by gravy holder or hot pole .
Fischer’s Happy Hour Tavern
Along one of the wind roads of the Leelanau Peninsula sits this beefburger sanctuary that ’s held its position as a locals ’ pleasure for more than four decades . anticipate quick service in a beautiful , definitive old Northern Michigan home - turned - restaurant , and all at prices that do n’t reflect the high socioeconomic form of the region ’s tourists . The digs are Up North - y , the intellectual nourishment is classic , and the vibe is relax – a great plaza to spend felicitous 60 minutes , or any hour .
Founders Brewing Company
With the Great Lakes State being one of the commonwealth ’s beer capitals , it ’s operose to ideate that artisanal brewage were operose to occur across before the 1990s . Founders was one of the brewery to off Michigan before the sudsy wave grew strong in the 2000s , becoming what it is now . Not only is the beer inventive and toothsome , but the deli sandwich uncommitted at the ginmill – which dominate the giant tank car of beer yet to be carry – is wide-ranging , and offer as much pleasure for the vegetarian ( try the Tree Hugger ) as it does the meat feeder ( try Red ’s Rye ) .
Bell’s Eccentric Cafe
Before everything else , there was Bell ’s . Truly an trailblazer among Michigan ’s brewery , bars , and overall laid - back eatery vibe , the kitchen at Bell ’s Eccentric Cafe is not to be dismissed . topically harvested and sustainable ingredient are what you ’ll find on the fare here , with items often prepared with Bell ’s beer . You really ca n’t get much more Michigan than that .
Morning Star Cafe
As a local ’s favourite , this tiny short cafe is buzzing with customers during high tourer time of year and offseason alike . rushing in for a seat and place up some sign of the zodiac - made pork barrel breakfast links to accompany your Southwest frittata . The food is top - snick ; just be certain you do n’t go starving . You ’ll probably have to wait , but when you see your whole wheat French toast with blueberry sauce and sugar almonds headed your way , you ’ll know it was deserving it .
Golden Harvest
Always a darling for those Spartan fans nursing a holdover , Golden Harvest is one of the places that even Lansing ’s suave economic system ca n’t take down . Kitschy and a lilliputian bit cramped ( OK , mayhap more than a little minute ) , this democratic diner is known for its farm - to - table oblation and for adding a routine of color and pizzazz to an otherwise gloomy townspeople .
Polish Village Cafe
The town whose name no one who is n’t from there can pronounce was settled by the Polish . The Polish sleep together a thing or two about intellectual nourishment that adhere to your inside , and Polish Village has been a meridian location to experience said sticky position since 1976 , though it feels like it ’s been much , much longer . Tall people , beware of the cellar restaurant ’s low ceiling , and do n’t forget to order up an frozen Zywiec ( zhe - vitz ) to wash down all the lard you ’re about to gorge yourself on .
Zingerman’s Delicatessen
The absolute , no - holds - block , king of the Fancy Deli Sandwich , Zingerman ’s changed the plot when it come up to comfort food fresh from the farm with its star sign - baked bread and epicurean , yet approachable , Malva sylvestris and meat selection from the nirvana . It would really be unimaginable to be let down by the quality of your food at Zingerman ’s . Just be prepared that here subsist the tool that seems to be becoming less and less elusive as each investment comes into Southeast Michigan : the $ 15 sandwich .
Bavarian Inn
Lederhosen : check . Large quantities of chicken : check . Chalet - way vibration in a restaurant that ’s existed since 1888 : check . The Bavarian Inn is one of those places you should go to as a kid in Michigan . It ’s merriment , a mo cheesy , and the food is good enough that the chaperones will be content … and if they are n’t , at least there ’s beer . This German - theme eating place is in the heart of Frankenmuth ’s historic ( and touristic ) center . It ’s a fun situation to trek to for a day , and it ’s always heartwarming to see how little the place has change over the years .
Sleder’s Family Tavern
A local ’s hangout that opened in 1882 , Sleder ’s is a compendium of oddities ( which include the locals ) , serving pellet of lord - know - what with Francis Bacon garnish , along with bar grub that go the extra international nautical mile , all while you relax under the watchful eye of taxidermied American bison and moose . Charming , for trusted .
Joe’s Pasty Shop
If there ’s anything more Michigan than the Coney Dog , it ’s the pasty . The sum pies are aboriginal to Northern Michigan , having made a hearty meal for miner and lumberjack in the thick of the moth-eaten due north Natalie Wood . But if you want to find a in truth veritable and delightful pasty , await no further than Joe ’s , which has occupied its space in Ironwood since 1946 . Curried Gallus gallus , local supergrass - FRS beef cattle , locally raised ham , etc . It ’s all all-fired safe .
Dalla’s Diner
Little Dalla ’s Diner is right off Highway 2 , close to the Wisconsin border , and far away from the ado of everyday life . The place serve up traditional homemade northerly breakfast fare – which means heavy serving , pancakes , Sir Francis Bacon , etc . But it ’s all done with a lot of love . It even has gluten - free bread , which any particular ( or sensitised ) eater in the middle of the Upper Peninsula will tell you is not the easiest matter to derive by .
The Chuckwagon
This unostentatious gem offers quality intellectual nourishment for diners on a budget in the middle of tourist key , and as such , draw in a number of locals . oblige unbendable for more than 60 years in its little ( and we mean little ) location in the middle of it all , The Chuckwagon is a effective position to head up if you ’ve drop all your wads of cash already tipping the beer cart little girl at one of the island ’s golf game courses .
Steinhaus
OK , OK , OK – ONE more German place . Michigan was a major settlement for German immigrants over the years , dontcha know ? Hence our appreciation for sausages and beer , which by the direction , are two excellent offerings at Steinhaus , which strives to ensure that its ingredients come from local James Leonard Farmer whenever potential .
Angelo’s Coney Island
Sidetrack Bar & Grill
Ypsi , as it ’s called in terms of endearment or loathing , is an overlooked haven for good nutrient on a budget for people who ca n’t afford Ann Arbor . It ’s a little bit more place - back , noticeably grungier , and for those reasons we love it dearly . One ca n’t simply go to Ypsi without stopping at Sidetrack for a crapulence and a bite to eat . The beer selection at this not - too - college - y college barroom is impressive , and the burger is one of the good you ’ll notice in the 734 .
Al Ameer Restaurant
Making us humus and tabbouli addicts since 1989 , Al Ameer is one of the most beloved center Eastern eatery in Dearborn , which is saying a heap , as Dearborn is the unofficial shawarma capital of the United States . You should go here to satiate your face on grape leaves , baba ghanoush , and any form of grilled meat . Note : if on a escort , we recommend you go easy on the mysterious and preternaturally luscious garlic sauce . You ’ve been warned .
Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger
Sign of the Beefcarver
We at Thrillist ca n’t really demonstrate to what the perdition in reality goes on at this buffet car or what you should eat , but we assume it involves some sorting of ruby-red centre ritual in which a hallowed butcher hold meat origami in the shape of Dream Cruise cars and drop them to a crowd of hungry , well - lop masses from Birmingham . Either means , the restaurant ’s sign has been drag strange face along Woodward Ave since 1957 , and if there ’s two thing we hump , it ’s creepy-crawly clotheshorse with knives and animal byproducts .
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Steinhaus Market (edited)
Gandy Dancer - Ann Arbor
Courtesy of The Whitney
Courtesy of Rocky’s
Buddy’s Pizza
Founder’s Brewing Co.
Morning Star Cafe
Zingerman’s Delicatessen
Flickr/Jenni Konrad
Steinhaus
American Coney Island
Flickr/Phil Dokas
