Michigan Has One of the Best Independent Restaurants in the U.S.

There's something so special about a local, independent restaurant. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy going to chains, too. But, nothing beats going to eat at a favorite local eatery. Thankfully, here in Michigan, we have lots of fantastic local places to get your grub on. I've found some delicious spots all across the state, from small towns to the big metros. Michiganders just love our food, and we have the restaurants to show for it. Now, one Michigan restaurant has been named the best independent restaurant in the state.

Ondeck.com has released a study about the best indie restaurants in America. In it, they note that the average person in the U.S. goes out to eat at a restaurant three times a month, according to USfoods.com. Does three times a month seem low to you? Perhaps they aren't counting takeout. To me, going out to eat three times a month seems like a low number. But, I'm also the girl who grew up with parents who went out to eat all the time. Anyway, Ondeck.com states, "Grabbing a bite at a fast food chain is a popular go-to — indeed, we're the world's biggest consumers of fast food — but you may not know that over half of the restaurants in the U.S. are independent."

To come up with the winners, they used Yelp data in each state. "We used Yelp.com to retrieve publicly available ratings and review numbers for 149,099 independent restaurants within the most populated cities in every state and across the following categories of cuisine served: pizza, vegan, burgers, breakfast and international cuisine (e.g., Chinese food)."

So, what's the best independent restaurant in Michigan? It's Ernie's Market in Detroit. They received 4.8 stars, according to Ondeck.com. So, next time you're in the Motor City, you might want to stop there for some grub. Find the full list of the best independent restaurants in the U.S. here.

It’s a brand-new year, and plenty of great things are on the horizon! Whether it's something personal or local happenings in Metro Detroit there’s plenty to look forward to. This year, Detroit has many  places to check out, from eateries to bars and cafes.

Many of these places are expected to open this year. But it's worth mentioning that opening dates tend to change and aren’t always set in stone. It’s best to keep tabs on these new local spots through their websites or social media for updates.

Looking back at last year, we saw some awesome additions to the Detroit food scene. Alpino Detroit brought a European-influenced menu, Cibo Detroit found a home in Cambria Hotel, and Nepantla brought to the area vegan Mexican food (to name a few).

Yelp gave a shoutout to some of last year’s new restaurants in Detroit. Charminar Biryani House in downtown Detroit snagged the top spot, followed by Tonini’s Woodfired Pizzeria and Tiger Thai. These places are not just “hottest,” they're the best, according to Yelp.

Supporting a local restaurant isn’t just good for them. It's also good for you too. You're likely to feel more at home in a small local place than at a big chain. Plus, local spots serve up dishes you won't find anywhere else, from local staples to some seriously creative dishes.

Additionally, when you eat or drink at a neighborhood restaurant, you're giving back to the community. Local spots create jobs and keep the money flowing right where it's needed. As a bonus, they're usually sourcing ingredients locally. Beyond these, there are numerous additional advantages, including contributing to environmental well-being and building connections with local vendors.

If you're a foodie always on the lookout for the next delicious adventure, make sure to add these upcoming five Detroit joints to your must-try list.

Dutch Girl Donuts in Detroit is gearing up for a reopening this year with new ownership. Paddy Lynch, the owner of The Schvitz bathhouse in Detroit and the third-generation head of Lynch & Sons Funeral Directors, has acquired the Woodward Avenue shop. According to multiple reports, there's a strong connection between the Lynch family and Dutch Girl's previous owners, the late Gene and Lauren Timmer. Tim Lynch, Jr., Paddy's cousin, has had a longstanding relationship with the Timmer family since childhood and managed their funeral services. A spring 2024 opening is planned for the long-standing spot with the iconic blue sign at 19000 Woodward Ave.

Prime Concepts Detroit is adding a new restaurant combo to the mix at the Grand Army of the Republic Building. They're calling it Sexy Steak, and it'll focus on steaks and seafood. Also, there's another spot in the same place called Sexy Burger, taking over from the old Parks and Rec Diner. Sexy Burger will serve up burgers, chicken, pasta, and other tasty stuff. Plus, they'll have spots for private dining and events.

The Ice Cream Detroit specializes in liquor-infused ice cream and sorbet. One of the shop’s signature flavors is a strawberry Faygo Red Pop sorbet with coconut rum. According to their Instagram, they are scheduled for spring of this year. If you can't wait, you can get a taste of their Virgin Ice Cream Bar inside Detroit Soul located at 14300 E. Jefferson.

In August, Michigan-based restaurant operators H&D Group Investments signed a deal with Shaquille O’Neal’s fast-casual chicken chain to develop 20 locations across the state, with plans to open in Ann Arbor, Lansing, Flint, Saginaw, Mount Pleasant, and metro Detroit. Metro Times reports that the first location is planned for Clio, set to open in early 2024, with a second location announced to open in Highland in the spring.

The original spot in Eastern Market closed last November, Now, it’s relocating just a few blocks away to a more spacious venue. The new setup will feature a sit-down restaurant, two outdoor patios, and live entertainment. You can still visit their other two locations on Seven Mile in Detroit and on Orchard Lake Road in Farmington Hills. Their new location is expected to open sometime this year at 2830 Gratiot Ave.