[babigyrl5]

Say you have friends/family visiting you from out of town, where would you take them that is not in any tourist book that only locals know about?
When I was visiting my best friend in Detroit, he took me to an awesome chinese restaurant called Lim's Palace in Madison Heights. It wasnt busy but he called it a "hidden gem". When he came up to Muskegon with me I took him to this poerty open mic at a club called Duce. Its in a residential neighborhood and actually looks like an apartment but its really a sports bar/club. Only locals know about it but it is a hotspot, soooo crowded and everyone knows each other.

[Coldjensens]

Slows Bar-B-Que or the Irish pub in corktown I cannot even guess at the name. the second word is something like Baile.

[babigyrl5]

^ Ive heard about Slows, I think its downtown Detroit? If I can find parking Im gonna check it out when Im back in town

[Bydand]

Slows is very, very good. Around here I would take them to a little BBQ joint named "Ronnies Ribs" in Ludington. It looks like a total dive and only seats about 15 people inside, but the ribs are awesome. And I am very difficult to impress when it comes to BBQ after spending time in Texas, and Kansas City, then having family in the Carolinas. I have tried all the big names and all types. Ronnies is one of the best. Apple smoked meats with smoked baked beans, and cornbread is hard to beat. He smokes his ribs for 3 full days before they are done and the applewood smoke flavor is all the way through them. Plus they are just fall off the bone tender and moist.

[babigyrl5]

^ drooling

[Newtgirl]

The Fleetwood Diner. I can't vouch for the one in A2, but the one in Lansing is badass. Must eat there 2-3 times a week.

[Coldjensens]

And THe Lord Fox in Dixbourough (I think). It is jsut outside Ann Arbor Marvelous romantic place with good food. Not cheap but not absurd either.

[Br1234]

Olive Garden







Kidding, kidding, don't have a cow.

[babigyrl5]

Originally Posted by Br1234

Olive Garden







Kidding, kidding, don't have a cow.

Olive Garden is my favorite restaurant!!! I wont move to a city that doesnt have one and its hard for my to try the local stuff because I always want Olive Garden!

[Coldjensens]

Originally Posted by babigyrl5

Olive Garden is my favorite restaurant!!! I wont move to a city that doesnt have one and its hard for my to try the local stuff because I always want Olive Garden!

What do you like about it? I have never understood their popularity (except perhaps amongst the over 70 crowd). They must have some appeal because they always seem to have very long waiting time. Because of that I have only eaten at one there times, but I found the food bland and the atmosphere to be raucous. Service was fair once we finally got a table (an hour one time and about 45 minutes another time - do not remember the third time). Maybe I just order the wrong things and go at the wrong times.

But Olive Garden is not a Michigan "gem." They are not unique to Michigan, they are pretty much everywhere (thus confirming their popularity).

Another great place is that Steakhouse in Jackson (same complex as Applebees). It is a chain, but I think that the chain is limited to Michigan. Really good food, rational prices, great service.

If they have any interest in Magic, take them to Colon (Yes there really is a city named Colon).

Did we mention an Amish town? (Most are in Ohio and Indiana not Michigan, but at least close to Michigan.

If they like victorian architecture, Marshall or Coldwater (Clearwater? - my brain is tired) are nice.

Also Cabellas the worlds largest sporting good store is in Dundee. It has an aquarium and a bunch of realistic models of game animals. there is also an indoor waterpark next door.

I just keep thinking of more neat places.