This place is new in 2015. Well known Chef and James Beard award semi-finalist Matt Millar has opened a place trying to tie his Northern experience with his Southern roots. The Southerner is named after a train that traveled from North to South. His menu features items from both and ingredients from local farms as well as from farms in Tennessee. I had always read about Nashville hot chicken but had never tasted it. I finally tried it here and wow!. Perfectly cooked chicken coated with a great hot sauce which was hot! This piece of chicken was then served on perhaps the best biscuit I have ever had. I took one bite and was hooked. My wife had a pulled pork sandwich she liked a lot. It came with buttered Anson Mills antebellum grits soaked in whey. They were great. Since myself and others she overheard were going on and on about the biscuit she had to try one for dessert. It came with a small jar of honey butter and jam in the same container. She loved it and we both can't wait to return. Known for fried chicken and northern whitefish sandwiches as well, along with breakfast featuring the same biscuit as well as a good looking cinnamon roll. They have breakfast, lunch and dinner in a nice location looking over the river and the boats. A full bar with lots of creative cocktails and nice craft beer selection. You have to try this place! See the guide for more details.

This place opened in 2013 in downtown Chelsea. The building for Smokehouse 52 BBQ is really neat with high tin ceilings, hardwood floors and exposed brick. It is the former location of a small grocery store. Inside this historic location is a true original BBQ joint offering real pit smoked BBQ like pulled pork, brisket, ribs, sausage, chicken and even pork chops. They offer a couple of unique soups like smoked chicken corn chowder or their chili made with their brisket. On the table are four different types of BBQ sauce. They offer a unique salad called the "piggy colada" which has pulled pork, pineapple, banana bread croutons and sliced almonds, then covered with house made coconut vinaigrette dressing! Since Chelsea is the home of "Jiffy Mix" the croutons and cornbread are all made from this local iconic company's mixes. Want more? Our grandson had the chicken and waffles. I tasted his fried chicken and would come back to make that my dinner. How about mac and cheese or even cajun mac and cheese? They do offer some fish like cedar plank salmon or bacon wrapped BBQ shrimp. They also have sandwiches and burgers. Kids menu and a bar round out this place for the whole family. Roomy and comfortable. 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.

Yes to Family Style!

I have avoided this place because I made a bad assumption that it was just another bad diner. After all it is a converted Big Boy. I was wrong. I tried the Oasis Family Restaurant in Three Rivers due to comments on the internet that said it was a good place. When you first walk in you notice how nicely decorated it is with well dressed employees. Very professional and comfortable atmosphere. Our service was excellent and we were very impressed with the large menu. We tried lemon chicken and barbeque chicken with sides of sweet potatos that were fresh cut. The salads were very good and so was the rice pudding that came with the meal! Very impressed and looking forward to going back for more. Our next visit I tried the pasta which was very good and I paid the $2 upcharge to get one of their amazing cakes for dessert. This is the place to go for desserts! Lots of choices and great quality. This place has an excellent build your own burger menu along with many other sandwiches and is known for having excellent breakfast offerings. I was surprised and pleased with such a nice family style dining place that reminds me of some favorites in the Detroit area.

Nice place on Green Lake

This place on Green Lake actually has a Caledonia address. Sitting across the lake with a nice view is Maria's Pizza and Italian Restaurant. The pizza is very good either hand tossed or thick crust. Some special pizzas like Hawaiian with coconut or BBQ chicken. Nice pasta dishes as well. We had the manicotti which were hand filled and covered with their delicious, sweet housemade sauce. The lasagna is all housemade as well, along with all their sauces. The sausage is also housemade and mom makes the meatballs. Try the meatball sub or any of their 17 subs. Kids menu is available. Other offerings include American food like fried chicken, hamburgers or fish. They even offer some Mexican items with housemade burrito sauce. Salads and soups include BBQ chicken or taco salad and minestrone, clam chowder or chili soups. Desserts include cannoli, tiramisu or ice cream. No alcohol. Nice simple place with a great location and very good food! Check out the guide for more details and a map.

Time to feature one of my all time favorites!

This place calls itself Saugatuck's "Marquee dining spot". What looks like an ordinary neighborhood bar with a marquee is in fact one of the area's best dining stops. Phil's Bar and Grille has some great items like their lobster cobb salad or the portabella mushroom sandwich. I really like the broasted chicken dinner and the burger is fantastic! The burger is served on their in house baked ciabatta bread. I get the gorgonzola cheese on mine. Everyone is still talking about the gorgonzola dip. They are also known for ribs and have been voted "best bar & grill" on the lakeshore. All salad dressings, sauces and soups are housemade. Everything we have tried has been delicious! The atmosphere inside is quaint with brown paper tablecloths and crayons so you can draw. Full bar with very good drinks. They have a small outside seating area. When you are finished you get a small cup of animal crackers. Check out the guide for details.

This is why I started this Guide

I finally went to the Riverview Tavern along the St. Joe river west of Constantine. I had driven by several times during the day and was not sure it was open. I stopped and looked in the windows as well as the hours on the door and made plans to come back. You step back in time in this out of the way place you will never forget. Check out the details in the dining guide and get there before they close for the winter.