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Italian Restaurant Named the No. 1 in Michigan

It’s super comforting to sit down for a delicious Italian meal, especially if it comes from a beloved local eatery. Growing up, one of my favorite things was when my…

Italian food

(Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for NYCWFF)

It's super comforting to sit down for a delicious Italian meal, especially if it comes from a beloved local eatery. Growing up, one of my favorite things was when my family went to a local Italian restaurant, which sadly isn't in business anymore. We would always order the breadsticks, which came piping hot and with a side of spicy Italian sauce.

Michigan has plenty of incredible Italian restaurants, so it would be difficult to pick a favorite. That said, the crew at Eat This, Not That! has put together a list of the best Italian restaurants in America and named the No. 1 spot in Michigan.

"Whether you want to treat yourself to a pizza after a long day of work or want to treat some friends to a nice dining experience, Italian restaurants provide the perfect ambiance mixed with a cuisine anyone can enjoy," they state in the study. "This popularity has caused many Italian eateries to pop up across the U.S., but trying to pinpoint the best ones might seem impossible. Luckily, the search for the best Italian restaurant in your state now has a clear answer thanks to Yelp." Their methodology was based on Yelp data. "All the businesses on this list are in the 'Italian' category on Yelp," they state. "'Best' is measured using an algorithm that looks at the number of reviews and star ratings for a business."

So, which Italian restaurant came out on top in Michigan? Eataliana in Shelby Charter Township. "For some of the best Italian food in the Midwest, Eatliana not only dishes out homemade Italian favorites in a homey atmosphere but also gives you an incredible variety to choose from," the publication states. "Whether you go with a dish from their extensive pasta menu or one of their chicken cutlet dishes, you can't go wrong. With so many great options to choose from, finding the right entree will be the only problem you have to face when you visit!" Find the full list here.

Nothing says summertime like fried chicken. As a kid, I remember that whenever my family went to a picnic, my dad would bring fried chicken, and everyone loved it. Granted, it was KFC fried chicken, but it didn't matter, because fried chicken is simply a summertime staple at any picnic or gathering.

Michigan has so many fantastic restaurants, and many of them specialize in fried chicken. While I usually think of that cuisine as more of a Southern food, we Michiganders have are own versions that are just as tasty. Also, as a vegetarian, I have to say that I've had some great vegetarian versions of the popular American food. They can be hit or miss, but the hits make it worth it.

So, if you're in the mood for crispy chicken, where do you go? We've scoured the state to find some of the best restaurants that offer fried chicken out there. We have spots from all over the Mitten, so no matter where you live, hopefully you'll find an option near you. Also, at each of these restaurants, you can tell the owners and workers have such pride about their establishment and food. It's really inspiring. That's all the more reason to try any and all of the restaurants listed below, whether you're in the mood for chicken or another tasty dish. What's your favorite place to grab a plate of chicken? Reach out to me on social media and let me know.

Check out the best places to get fried chicken in Michigan!

Are you ready to get your grub on?

Cornbread Restaurant & Bar

Noori Chicken

Green Dot Stables

Iva's Chicken Dinners

http://www.ivaschickendinners.com/

Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken

The Public House

Zingerman's Roadhouse

Chicken Coop

http://chickencoop.biz/

Bonchon

Joe Louis Southern Kitchen

The Southerner

Bert's Marketplace

SavannahBlue

Pollo Chapin

Smoke and Porter

Krzysiak's House Restaurant

Cousin's Tasty Chicken

Dave's Hot Chicken

Lagniappe

Ex-Wife's Famous Chicken

Holy Cluck

Hen House Restaurant

http://thehenhouserestaurant.com/

Eastside Fish and Fry

Finger Lickin Chicken & Fish

Ma Lou's Fried Chicken

Common Pub

http://commonpub.com/

Anne Erickson started her radio career shortly after graduating from Michigan State University and has worked on-air in Detroit, Flint, Toledo, Lansing and beyond. As someone who absolutely loves rock, metal and alt music, she instantly fell in love with radio and hasn’t looked back. When she’s not working, Anne makes her own music with her band, Upon Wings, and she also loves cheering on her favorite Detroit and Michigan sports teams, especially Lions and MSU football. Anne is also an award-winning journalist, and her byline has run in a variety of national publications. You can also hear her weekends on WRIF.