This place is in a building built in 1860!

This place is located on the main downtown shopping strip in St. Joseph. You can find excellent pulled pork and brisket at Pump House Grille which has great tin ceilings and a nice roomy atmosphere. The barbecue sauce has Dr. Pepper in it and is their own recipe. Very good! We also really enjoyed the giant onion rings that look like donuts. Full bar and full menu. Steaks, seafood, pasta, salads and sandwiches. Something for the whole family. I really want to try the ribs next visit, if I can resist going for the pulled pork again! This place has location, atmosphere and very good food. Check out the guide for more details.

Small town tavern and eatery

This place has a neat, rustic look which gives Darb's Tavern and Eatery in Mason a very nice atmosphere for good food and a good place to watch sports on their flat screen TVs that line the walls. Known for their burgers and Mexican food, they actually have a large menu including daily specials, lots of sandwiches, pizza and even steaks. My burger was very good and the homemade bowl of chili was good as well. We also tried the cheesy breadsticks that were very good, leading me to want to try the pizza next visit. They make several items in house like hand breaded onion rings. There is a kids menu and some nice looking desserts like the pumpkin crisp on the day we visited. Live music on Saturday nights. Nice selection of microbrews. Their menu is online. Check the guide for more details.

New Brewery with food!

New in 2011. This place is small but cozy and located on the main four corners of Decatur. The Patchwork Brewing Co. currently makes four beers and will soon be making six. This is one of only two woman owned breweries in Michigan. They are currently open only Thursday through Saturday. The menu has some nice pizzas and sandwiches. They use fresh ingredients locally procured as much as possible. I had the muffaletta sandwich which was very good. My wife had the pizza and would come back again when in the area. The beers consist of one ale, two IPAs and a "breakfast" stout made with oatmeal, maple syrup and coffee. I liked the breakfast stout alot! Check out more details in the guide.

Fall is nice time to dine near the lakeshore!

This place is very cool! Check out Frankie's Place in Union Pier for fine but not pretentious dining. The fall season shrinks the lake crowd unless the winery visitors form a crowd. Do you like Frank Sinatra music playing while enjoying excellent food? Ever had a grilled cheese and chef prepared tomato soup for an appetizer? Best with a martini and a swagger. This place has lobster cake or ahi tuna appetizers, great soups, nice salads and top shelf entrees. Some nice touches are the "lighter fare" and the "prix fixe" menus. Also, try the aged delmonico steak, the brie & pear pork chops or the New Zealand rack of lamb. Nice desserts and a full bar. Live entertainment on Saturdays. Check out the guide for more details.

Broasted Chicken rules!

I am a big fan of broasted fried chicken and found a good family owned place in Tecumseh called Country House Restaurant. Opened in 1966 this place is still good. Third generation owner keeps the tradition going strong. He even upped the game by adding alcohol and bringing in a local favorite called Dempsey's Pizza. They have charbroiled steaks and all-u-can eat fish fry's on Friday nights. The chicken dinners can be served family style or by the plate. They also have good sandwiches including burgers. Add Saturday specials like corned beef and cabbage or pot roast and a Sunday special of prime rib and you have some very good eating at a comfortable family owned local spot. Pies and cobblers for dessert round out this nice family restaurant. Check out the guide for more details.

Great Mexican place!

How about a great Mexican Restaurant inside a grocery store? I know it has been done before, however La Perla Produce, Inc. located near the Pipestone Mall in Benton Harbor has taken it to a new level. Be prepared to wait in line at this very popular place. The restaurant may take up more square feet than the market. You order at the counter and they bring your food. No alcohol, yet plenty of choices of soft drinks like horchata. I had the Bistec a la Mexicana and my wife had the tortas. Both were excellent and we can't wait to go back and try more like the burritos, tacos, enchiladas, tamales etc. They do have beef tongue, beef cheek and menudo. Homemade tortillas and the freshest produce make these dishes. Not to mention the good beans and rice. For dessert do not miss the homemade ice cream! Lots of authentic choices and nice seating area.

BBQ in Harbor Country

This BBQ joint is near Warren Dunes and Sawyer. Right on Red Arrow Hwy it looks like a carryout place from the road. Once inside Smokin' Woodys Char-B-Q is a classic. Indoor seating is comfortable and they have a neat screened porch in back that makes you feel like you are down south. Great rib tips, smoked chicken and smoked sirloin lead the way, but don't miss the racks of ribs or the pulled pork sandwiches. They also have red hots, hot links and brats. The burger looked very good as well. Nice salads with their smoked meats on top as well as sides like corn on the cob, cole slaw and baked beans. You do not know what potato you will get so just go with it. No alcohol. Fun place for the family with lots of great BBQ. Check out the guide for more details.