This place has been a staple on Paw Paw lake since 1962. The building is even older and used to be a grocery store. The Board of Trade is a traditional restaurant and bar suitable for the whole family. For lunch I had their Rueben made with in house cooked corned beef. My friend had the 8oz. top sirloin  open faced steak sandwich. Both were excellent and we would go back for the same thing. They are also known for their French dip, burgers, stacked ham & cheese and perch sandwiches. Lots of appetizers including jalapeno cheese balls and coconut shrimp. Dinner features several steaks, ribs, fried chicken, prime rib, pork chops and seafood like Alaskan salmon, lake perch and shrimp. Dessert features pies and ice cream. Kids menu and more of a restaurant than bar atmosphere make this a good family place.

New in 2011. This place near Gun Lake in the former O'Neil's Restaurant has quickly become a favorite. Called Sand Bar & Grill, they have renovated this place inside and out including a very nice outdoor deck. It is both a family welcoming restaurant with a kids menu and a nice place for drinks in the comfortable bar area. They patty their own burgers including one made with Italian sausage. These are served on a pretzel bun. Try the housemade white chicken chili which has won several awards. They have a long list of appetizers including a meatball bucket, sliders or thick cut onion rings. We tried the all meat skewers in a bucket. We ordered 3 with shrimp and 3 with steak. On a second visit my wife had the shrimp and chicken. The bucket was filled with grilled veggies and the meat was quality and cooked perfectly. I highly recommend these. They have lots of other sandwiches, wraps and paninis as well as steaks and pastas. Nightly specials and a full bar with several craft beers makes this worth a trip. Nice place and nice people! The owners work there everyday. Check out the guide for more details.

Great view of the lake with "low country" food

New in 2012. This place has a great view of the Lake with lots of windows making Fat Cam's at Garver Lake worth the drive to the Edwardsburg area. The facility is two floors with a nice open atmosphere. The food is very good with lots of "low country" influence. The sandwiches for lunch are not ordinary. How about a shrimp po'boy with remoulade sauce or bbq pulled turkey? They do have other sandwiches and burgers as well. Appetizers include crab fritters. Other "low country" cuisine starts after 4pm and you can try the one I had called Gumbo Ya-Ya which is their signature item. It is southern stew with shrimp, andouille sausage, turkey and veggies served over rice with some great hush puppies. Also, check out the blackened catfish or the bayou pasta tossed in a cajun alfredo. They do offer a ribeye steak and even have one offered on the kids menu. Chicken breast, salmon or a porterhouse pork chop round out the dinner menu. Full bar with mojitos and lots of micro-brew selections with local influence. For dessert do not miss their already famous bread pudding! Nice place with great view and very good food. Check out the guide for more details.

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.

Sports bar in beach town

This place has quickly filled a niche for a sports bar. Joe's Bar & Grill in South Haven has become "the" place to watch sports in this beautiful harbor town. The large flat screen TVs everywhere make where you sit meaningless. They also have seating outside and on the rooftop in good weather. The rooftop would be great during the fireworks! The menu is filled with your usual bar food, however they do a better job with it. The burgers are very good and if you want bacon on your burger or a blt, they use applewood smoked bacon. If you want a fish sandwich, they will hand dip it in their own beer batter. I really liked my corned beef brisket sandwich on their brioche onion roll. Good soups and chili as well as their famous fish and chips. Lots of appetizers and great beer selection. Check it out when you are in town. Check the guide for more details. Also, watch out for the $185 towing charge from Lee's towing(two miles),(cash only) if you park in the closed auto parts store lot!

Time to feature a good Battle Creek spot!

This place in Downtown Battle Creek does everything. From breakfast to late night bar with live entertainment. The Griffin Grill and Pub is "good for what ales you". They start with a full breakfast menu featuring a cinnamon roll big enough for two. At 11am lunch starts with hand pattied fresh burgers, soup of the day or their two daily soup offerings of hot pepperjack potato and homemade chili. Lots of other sandwiches including the fish made with the same hand breaded prime cod used in their "famous fish & chips" known as the best in the area(very good!). Daily they offer their fish & chips along with "bubble & squeak". Friday & Saturday add corned beef & cabbage and shepherds pie to round out the irish/english pub fare. Yes they have lots of other items like appetizers, salads, steaks, chicken, shrimp, kids menu and desserts. 14 TV's for game day and 33 beers on tap. They are the only ones in the area featuring 2 cask conditioned hand pulled ales! Lots of Michigan microbrew beers and others from england and ireland. Small wine list and full bar. Check their website for live music. Check the guide for more details.

Heading to Ann Arbor today?

Since 1911. Check out this historic bar and restaurant in Chelsea. The Wolverine Food & Spirits is a classic bar that also serves good food. Back in 1911 it opened as an all night diner for travelers and truckers using then major highway US 12. In the '60's started serving liquor by the glass and now is known for steaks, burgers and fish. They are especially known for their award winning flat iron steak(Michigan beef contest 2005). Fish specials daily. I had a burger and a bowl of their homemade chili and was impressed. Large menu has something for everyone, so take the whole family. Large screen TV's if you want to watch the game. If you are so inclined they do offer a liverwurst sandwich. Check out the guide for more details. Note: I don't suggest you wear all green if you visit today even though you would match the color of their awning??