[khfar]

lack of resturuant choices and the smoking in resturuants (blechhh). There are comparatively very few resturants within any given area (not many movie theaters either). This makes good resturaunts hard to find. Also we found that what are considered "good" resturaunts here, woudl probably go out of business on the West coast. Other things are better here, but dining is not one of them.

Completely agree with you on those points! Especially the smoking. OMG - they have GOT to change that soon. I feel like I've stepped back into 1990 when I'm being asked if I'd like smoking or non-smoking!

[cardwellave]

Totally disagree on that one. I'm not a smoker, but last time I checked it was still legal to smoke. So why should they be denied their right?

And a local diner isn't the same without the faint aroma of cigarette smoke.

[Cato the Elder]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

There are a few really good resturuants here or there. You may end up driving a long way to get to them.

Not if you live near civilization instead of an island in the river.

Sigh, I guess I'll let the "cat out of the bag" with some non-chain food spots that can compete with any metro, including those in CA. I won't list the trendy spots like at the casinos, but more day-to-day places. In general, top-end restaurants are not metro Detroit's forte. I will also only list places that are around 30-minutes drive or less for most of the metro (no A2, Frankenmuth, etc.)

Cass Cafe (Midtown)
Cadieux Cafe (Eastside)
Detroiter (Bricktown)
Red Coat Tavern (Royal Oak)
Pronto (Royal Oak)
Sangria (Royal Oak)
Athens Coney Island (Royal Oak)
Amici's Pizza (Berkley)
Sy Thai (Birmingham)
Brooklyn Pizza (Birmingham)
Le Petit Prince Bakery (Birmingham)
Pancake House (Birmingham)
Hunter House (Birmingham)
Whistle Stop (Birmingham)
Sweet Lorraine (Southfield)
Beverly Hills Grill (Beverly Hills)
Breakfast Club (Madison Heights)
Recipes (Troy)
Mon Jin Lau (Troy)
Shilla (Clawson)
Georgio's (Rochester)
Gus O'Connor's (Rochester)
Mancuso's (Windsor)
Hogan's (Bloomfield Hills)
Blue Nile (Ferndale)
Amani's (Dearborn)

[cardwellave]

I'll add a few:

New Peking (Chinese) - Ford Rd and Middlebelt, Garden City
Garden City Cafe (Diner/Coney) - Middlebelt and Beechwood Ave, Garden City
Golden Feather (BBQ/Other) - Ford Rd and Middlebelt, Garden City
Leon's (Family Dining) - Ford Rd and Henry Ruff, Garden City, and a few other locations
Plato's Place (Coney) - Ford Rd and Brandt Ave, Garden City
Amantea (Italian) - W. Warren and Venoy, Garden City
Riopelle's Pizza - Ford Rd and Brandt Ave, Garden City
Antonio's Cucina Italiania (Italian) - Ford Rd and John Daly, Dearborn Heights, also Canton and Farmington Hills
Roman Village (Italian) - Dix Ave, Dearborn. Same owners as Antonio's
The Bone Yard (BBQ) - Telegraph and Warren Ave, Dearborn Heights, also Plymouth Rd and Merriman, Livonia
Eastside Mario's (Italian) - A few locations incl. Plymouth Rd and Merriman, Livonia
Daly Drive In (Drive In/Diner) - Plymouth Rd and Merriman, Livonia
The Family Buggy (Family Dining) - Orchard Lake Rd and 13 Mile, Farmington Hills
Gregorio's (Italian) - Biddle Ave and Walnut St, Wyandotte
Polonus (Polish) - Biddle Ave and Ford Ave, Wyandotte
TV's Diner (Diner) - Fort St and King Rd, Trenton
Big Boy (Family Dining) - Many locations in midwest, specifically Michigan
Junction Buoy (Somewhat upscale) - River Rd and Michigan Blvd, Marysville

[khfar]

AH, Cato! LOVE, love LOVE Brooklyn Pizza and Whistle Stop! YUM.

[One Thousand]

Originally Posted by bluebird39

I find that people in Michigan are the least friendly folks I've ever lived around.

I've been in Oregon also. This is what I believe now that I've been around a little bit. People in Michigan are more distant. However, when you get past that distance (which takes a little time), they're much more sincere and willing to do much more for you... It's as if once you're friends, you're part of a team.

I'm a native Michigander, so, I very well might be biased. That's why I'm asking.

Have you had that experience?


It's so nice to hear the different perspectives on the state. It makes you think about things from a different angle... most of it reminds me that I had all but stopped leaving the house for anything but work before I left state...

[suydam]

Originally Posted by Cato the Elder

)
Pancake House (Birmingham)

Chain.

I've eaten at "The Original Pancake House" in Birmingham
There is an identical one in Bay Harbor (near Petoskey) I think. When I ate there I was like "cool, they opened one up north!"

Then I went to Illinois...and at at the same exact place again (same logo, same menu, same "Big Apple" pancake). This menu listed 3 or 5 locations in and around La Grange but didn't mention the locations in Michigan.

At that point, I was disappointed that something I'd long held as a Detroit original as pretty much a chain. That didn't stop me from enjoying another set of pancakes though.

Recently, my favorite non-chain restaurant in Detroit has been Zinc in bland West Bloomfield. Their Osso Buco rules, their wine list works for me, and their service is always top notch.

[cardwellave]

Originally Posted by One Thousand

I've been in Oregon also. This is what I believe now that I've been around a little bit. People in Michigan are more distant. However, when you get past that distance (which takes a little time), they're much more sincere and willing to do much more for you... It's as if once you're friends, you're part of a team.

I'm a native Michigander, so, I very well might be biased. That's why I'm asking.

Have you had that experience?


It's so nice to hear the different perspectives on the state. It makes you think about things from a different angle... most of it reminds me that I had all but stopped leaving the house for anything but work before I left state...

Agree. Even like waitreses in restaurants. Once you know them they are overwhelmingly helpful, give you discounts, ask about your family, yada yada. Some restaurants, the people know you sort of and will give you a smile or something, but if you realllly get to know them, they're great. Other than that I think some watiresses, and people in general are either real friendly or distant. Such as neighbors. I'm close with one set of neighbors. The others are sort of distant. And when someone said a lot of waitresses in restaurants treat you like they're doing you a favor, I can definitely agree with that. Not all the time, but some of the time.

[nycjefftrain]

Boy...I just have to strongly disagree on the friendlyness issue. I'm on the east coast and I experience rude and aggressive people everyday. With that said, many on the east coast are quite pleasant..just a few that ruin it for the bunch. Same goes for Michigan people. I actually have a saying that refers to a "typical michigan woman". The inspiration comes from my Mom who will stop and talk with ANYBODY when she is out shopping, a game, in traffic, walking the dog, etc, etc. I noticed when she did this whoever the perfect stranger she was talking to would gladly continue the conversation till it sounded like they were best friends!! This happened time and time again and most recently happened when I was shopping with her around Christmas at the Kohl's in Farmington Hills. It makes me laugh everytime this happens. I've noticed in all the years both living in and now visiting Michigan how friendly some people are. This NEVER happens here...and I kinda wish it did.

Growing up in Michigan, I knew my neighbors in all directions. We even would hang out with them, BBQ with them, and they were invited to weddings and we have been invited to theirs. This is something I miss terribly because I don't think my current neighbors even know what I look like. I've lived in a few places in this country and I only had pleasant experiences with strangers(many who became friends) in Michigan.

With ALL of that being said, I don't doubt your negative experiences. I just think you have had some bad apples cross your path. I believe the friendliest people in the USA are in the midwest. The south claims "southern hospitality" until you are a yankee in their South Carolina town asking for directions. Then it seems to go out the window. I have many other southern horror stories but this isn't the forum. Not to mention, I believe there are good and great people in every city and town in every state.

OK...I'm off the soapbox.

[Coldjensens]

Originally Posted by One Thousand

I've been in Oregon also. This is what I believe now that I've been around a little bit. People in Michigan are more distant. However, when you get past that distance (which takes a little time), they're much more sincere and willing to do much more for you... It's as if once you're friends, you're part of a team.

I'm a native Michigander, so, I very well might be biased. That's why I'm asking.

Have you had that experience?


It's so nice to hear the different perspectives on the state. It makes you think about things from a different angle... most of it reminds me that I had all but stopped leaving the house for anything but work before I left state...

You are spot on correct. I called what you call being distant "uptight" or "suspicious" But you are absolutely correct, once you break that wall, the people here are the MOST friendly in a real way that I have ever encountered. In California almost everyone is very open and friendly initially, but you will never really get to know most people. You will only see their outside face. Same way in Texas. Here it is very different. I am also beyond amazed at what people here are willing to do for someone that they hardly know. Once you are accepted, you are more than part of a team, it is more like family.