This Michigan Restaurant is a Best Kept Secret

Michigan is home to many delicious eateries and restaurants. In that spirit, let's recognize one Michigan restaurant that's a best kept secret in the state and beyond. When it comes to eating out, maybe you're someone who sticks to the favorites. I certainly have my favorite spots that I frequent more often than others. But, sometimes it's nice to find a restaurant that's a bit off the beaten path. It's nice to find something new that perhaps other people haven't discovered yet.

Tasteofhome.com has put together a list of the best small-town restaurants across America. "Our Community Cooks helped us find the country's best small-town restaurants," they state in the article. "Each spot cooks up hearty and delicious food that's beloved by locals and any folks passing through."

If you're wondering about the outlet, I've read Taste of Home magazine for years. They're a great source for recipes and more food-related content. I remember as a kid, getting Taste of Home magazine when it first came out and reading through all the recipes. I loved cooking and baking growing up, so Taste of Home was one of my favorite magazines. The publication got its start in 1993. The idea was to have people across America submit their recipes to share and get published in the magazine. "Taste of Home’s network of home cooks is the heart of the brand," they write on their about page. "Passionate about food and entertaining, they have their own home test kitchens, creating new recipes and sharing the stories behind them with us." They have a team of "Community Cooks," which are home cooks based in the U.S. and Canada who share what they are cooking, so you always get a wide range of different recipes to try. But, if you don't feel like cooking, that's where this Michigan restaurant comes in.

Now let's get to the best of the best. What's the best small-town restaurant in Michigan and the state's best kept secret? It's Herman’s Boy, Rockford. Of the spot, the publication states, "On site are two cooking supply stores, a coffee roaster, a candy store and a deli-bakery serving breakfast and lunch. Herman’s Boy is a daily gathering spot for locals who like to get a hot cup of coffee and talk about the good ol’ days." So, next time you're in Rockford, give Herman's Boy, a best kept secret, a try.

Michigan has some fantastic locally-owned restaurants. It goes without saying that we are tops when it comes to cuisine. So, what are the top-rated restaurants in each of Michigan's biggest cities?

Yelp has fresh reviews up, and we've scoured the site to find the No. 1 rated Michigan restaurants in 10 of the state's largest cities. Yelp, of course, is a place where local people can go and rate their favorite, and not-so-favorite, restaurants. Since it's user-based and crowd-sourced, Yelp is pretty reliable when it comes to finding a good restaurant. I've found some diamonds by going through Yelp reviews.

It's worth noting that restaurants have to be very good to get on this list. Michigan has around 17,000 licensed restaurants, according to the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association. So, whittling it down to the top 10 was a task.

Read on for the full list of 10 of the best restaurants in Michigan according to Yelp reviews, one for each major city. Have you tried any of these? Most of them, I admit, I haven't visited, but I'm determined to do so this year. Some of these dishes look so delicious, so look at this list as a guideline for trying some new favorite eating establishments this year.

The highest-rated restaurant on Yelp in Detroit is BARDA Detroit. Their description on Yelp says, "BARDA Detroit is the first and only authentic Argentinian-inspired Restaurant in Detroit. Using ancestral methods of Patagonian cooking, BARDA's open fire is the very soul of the restaurant's dining experience. BARDA specializes in simple yet bold dishes, combining techniques and ingredients that reach far across vast geographical terrains."

https://bardadetroit.com/

Their description on Yelp says, "Comfort food available for takeout or delivery. Featuring daily specials, incredible burgers, and meatloaf that'll rival your mother's. You can find us on Uber Eats or call 616-900-9123 for pick-up."

Their description on Yelp says, "Art Deco. Modernistic. Inviting with stylish sophistication and flair. 501 offers a unique menu delivering an array of tastes, including full-sized entrees and an assortment of small plates that are perfect for sharing amongst friends. Our full-service bar boasts plenty of craft beer on draught, a variety of fine wines, and carefully crafted cocktails."

Their description on Yelp says, "Juicy seafood never tasted so delicious."

Their description on Yelp says, "The Filling Station Microbrewery specializes in wood fired flatbreads and hand-crafted microbrews. Both our flatbreads and microbrews use the freshest ingredients available. We brew using both a 10 bbl and a 3 bbl brewing system. This allows us the freedom to create small batches of craft beer, in a variety of styles."

"This is an art co op and natural food store. Classes hosted to learn all types of crafts. Open mic," according to their official Facebook page. They got great Yelp reviews!

https://rareearthgoods.net/

Their description on Yelp says, "Bistro in Historic downtown Riverfront Saginaw featuring an upscale seasonal menu; curated wine, beer, and cocktails lists; and beautiful indoor and patio dining spaces."

https://theboardroomsaginaw.com/

Their website states, "From the moment the baristas unlock the doors for coffee and pastries, through service when the kitchen crew is crafting comfort food from three Americas (North, Central and South, to be precise) straight to the moment the bartenders turn off the TVs and lock the doors; this is game for anything. This joint was built to be fun like the upper bunk… where the stories and snickers from the fellow campers mean that sleep is the last thing on your mind… and the counselors are dedicated to making sure you’re having a time of it. It’s like that: a bit throwback and a bit forward at the same time. And it’s right at home here on Main Street between the Big House and downtown in Ann Arbor."

Their website states, "Carlisle’s in downtown Muskegon offers your favorite classic gastropub dishes that tailor’s to any of your leisurely occasions. Take part in our good eats, our fun food and drink specials, live sports and fun entertainment, all in our warm, welcoming atmosphere. Kick back with family and friends before heading off to one of our many downtown happenings. Or, stay a while and enjoy the Carlisle’s experience."

Their description on Yelp says, "Welcome to our kitchen! A Mackinac Island tradition continues on, serving up traditional American fare with Jamaican influences. Enjoy renowned planked whitefish from the Straits of Mackinac alongside scratch-made dishes with vibes of the Islands."