I had been wanting to give Leason's in Warren a try for quite some time. Between the constant hustle of running errands and taking care of everyone else, my partner and I finally carved out a little time for ourselves and slipped away for what we hoped would be a tasty break from the daily grind.

The moment we walked into Bert's Marketplace, I wanted to love it. The rich purple walls, the larger-than-life portraits of jazz legends, and the unmistakable character of the space immediately grabbed my attention. It feels like Detroit. It feels like history. It feels like a place where good food and great stories should come together.

CENTER LINE, Mich.— There are restaurants you try once, and then there are the places that quietly work their way into your regular rotation until one day you realize you’ve become “one of the regulars.” Haney's Family Restaurant is exactly that kind of place.

For some people, Big Boy is just another roadside diner with a cartoon statue out front. For us? It’s history. It’s muscle memory. It’s home.

Dave’s Hot Chicken has built a reputation on Nashville-style heat and a viral social media presence.

MADISON HEIGHTS- There’s a stretch of Stephenson Highway in Madison Heights that doesn’t ask for attention—you’re either on your way somewhere, or you already know where you’re going. Detroit 75 Kitchen is the latter. A known local favorite, the kind of place people mention without needing to explain why.

DETROIT- Some establishments are steeped in history, but Buddy's Pizza at the Rendezvous location stands apart, as its food speaks for itself.

I walked into Ford's Garage expecting a gimmick. You know the type—loud theme, polished branding, and food that plays second fiddle to the décor. And to be fair, the place leans hard into it. Auto parts everywhere, industrial touches, the kind of atmosphere built for photos and out-of-town guests.

There was a time—late nights, no money, nowhere else open—when Bray’s Hamburgers was exactly what it needed to be. Not good. Not quality. Not even defensible. Just there. And back then? That was enough. I used to love Bray’s. Or at least I told myself I did.

So I just happened upon a Facebook community group post about how good Basha’s Chicken on Thirteen Mile near Hoover was. After a quick search I found them and decided to check out their social media links as well.