John Gonzalez | MLive.com
By John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com
and Amy Sherman | asherma2@mlive.com
The search for Michigan's Best Diner was all about breaking records, and waistlines.
After receiving more than 370 nominees and 40,000-plus votes, we set out to visit about 30 of the top contenders, including our 12 poll winners across the state.
It wasn't easy.
The extreme Michigan weather cut short some scheduled visits, and we almost got stranded in Saginaw as several inches of snow piled up overnight, cancelling schools and creating hazardous road conditions.
We traveled cautiously along the way, driving nearly 2,000 miles and visiting 27 diners over 10 days.
Our goal was to find the best "classic" diner, but we were open to discover those who added a new twist to those classic foods. Obviously, customer service was another deciding factor in our Top 10. But honestly, we were impressed that crew members everywhere were working hard to fill coffee cups and keep up with customers.
As for our food consumption, Amy Sherman said it best after our last stop:
"I won't be eating breakfast anytime soon -- or ever!"
She was joking, of course. We loved every minute of our journey.
We estimate we sampled more than 200 breakfast, lunch and dinner entrees, including omelettes, pancakes, American fries, hash browns, sausages, burgers, sandwiches, French fries, steaks and more. In addition, we tried soup, salads, desserts, milkshakes and a cup of coffee at each of our 27 stops from Feb. 6-17.
Thanks again to the owners and managers who shared their stories and allowed us a glimpse into your worlds. We admire you for taking on the mantle of making as much as possible from scratch. We ate so many great homemade meals.
Below is our Top 10 list.
Remember, many of these places are very small, intimate diners, so you may have to wait in line or just be patient. We want you to have a great experience. Maybe call ahead to see how busy they are or when the best time to visit.
Most of all, enjoy!
Want to see our complete guide? Here it is:
27 of the most delicious diners we found on the search for Michigan's Best
First, a Special award and then Michigan's Best Diner Top 10.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
Brotherly Love Award
“Our family really likes to eat,” Clegg family matriarch Sonja Clegg told us. That love of food translated into two of her sons being nominated for Michigan’s Best diner in the Upper Peninsula poll. Pure Country Family Restaurant, located in Sault Ste Marie and owned by her son, Keith Clegg, and Big D’s Diner in Pickford, owned by her son, Darryl Clegg, were neck-and-neck in the voting. “I had to keep voting for both places,” she explained. “I tried to be fair.”
The two restaurants impressed us equally with their focus on fresh, homemade food, and their welcoming atmospheres. What especially stood out was the true love and respect that the two brothers have for each other, for their respective restaurants, and for each other’s work ethic. It was very apparent in our separate meetings with both Keith and Darryl Clegg that these two might be in the same business, but are very much not in competition with each other.
The restaurants are decidedly different, but with many similar offerings on the menu.
By John Gonzalez | MLive.com
From left: Julie and Darryl Clegg from Big D's Diner, Keith Clegg and Susie Walkiewicz from Pure Country
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
Pure Country Family Restaurant
3400 I-75 Business Spur
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan 49783
906-259-7045
Pure Country opened their Sault Ste Marie spot in 2015, and they have also run a location in Rudyard since 1993. While owned by Keith Clegg, he’ll readily admit that his go-to person, Susie Walkiewicz, is one of the main reasons for his success. She’s been working with Clegg for eight years now, and she laughingly told us, “I do all the work, and he gets all the perks.” Everything is homemade here, right down to the freshly baked bread.
Check out the daily soup offerings, and the tender and flavorful sirloin lunch available on Thursdays. Breakfast is a bustling time, patrons line up to wait to enjoy huge portions. The Hillbilly Deluxe is a monstrosity, with flaky hand-made biscuits layered with hash browns, swiss cheese, flavorful sausage gravy and topped with two eggs. Try the Cowboy Killer Omelette, one of the most popular on the menu, that comes stuffed with your choice of meat, jalapenos, Swiss and American cheese, and covered with gravy. It’s served with a side of stellar America fries that are laced with caramelized onion, crispy and delicious.
Pure Country: The Hillbilly Deluxe.
The Crew at Pure Country in Sault Ste. Marie.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
Big D’s Diner
7830 N M-129
Pickford, Michigan 49774
906-647-2200
About 20 minutes west in tiny Pickford, you’ll find the charmingly simple Big D’s Diner, owned by Darryl and Julie Clegg. The building used to be their family home, where they raised their three boys. Once they left, Darryl Clegg decided to renovate the home’s downstairs into a restaurant. He and Julie are here every day, with Darryl cooking and Julie working out front. “I am the cook. I live upstairs. This is my job, this is what I do,” he told us proudly.
Darryl Clegg is especially proud of his omelettes (“If I retire, I’m going to open an omelette truck”), and his hash browns (“I’m known as the king of hash browns”). Both are excellent. The omelettes are perfectly formed, filled just the right amount, and cooked beautifully. Hash browns truly are king here, and come out in lovely rectangles of shredded crispy potatoes. Great on their own, and crazy good when served “loaded” with meat, onion, green pepper, mushrooms and a layer of cheese. The Breakfast Bowl is a unique offering, with a bottom thin layer of egg that gets topped with a variety of toppings, that we estimated to weigh about 5 pounds, perfect for sharing. The triple-decker club was a delicious, classic rendition, and a crispy chicken BLT hit all the right notes.
We loved how both families, and the staff at each place, sang each other’s praises. The support the families have had for one another over the years is impressive, and speaks to how close the family is in general. We heard from many customers at both places that each restaurant has an excellent reputation in their community. For the creation of incredibly tasty food, and true show of brotherly love, we bestow this special award to Pure Country and Big D’s Diner. And to Sonja Clegg, we thank you for raising your boys right, and teaching them to correctly cook an egg when they were just 7.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
Big D;s: The Happy Face pancake and an array of goodness. The pancake we tried had bacon and butterscotch.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
The jovial crew at Big D.'s in Pickford.
Michigan's Best Diner Top 10
Amy Sherman | MLive.com
#10. 76th Street Diner
460 76th St SW, Byron Center, Michigan 49315
616-455-5632 Ext 2
Hours: Open 24 hours a day.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
A quick glimpse of the counter as soon as you walk into the door at the 7th Street Diner.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
It feels like a family affair at 76th Street Diner. Because it is. When owner J&H Oil wasn't interested in maintaining the Truck Stop diner, formerly known as Country Horizons, they called on Patty Dunneback, who had worked at the restaurant for 16 years. She and her husband, Scott, jumped at the opportunity, even though it meant extensive remodeling and updating. April will mark their fifth year as owners. Many long-time employees remain, and many of the truckers who make it a regular stop continue to support the diner, which is attached to a Mobil gas station and located right off U.S. 131 (exit 75) and open 24 hours a day. We sat at the counter where the regulars came by to talk to the waitresses as if they were family. The servers pride themselves on knowing most everyone by name. They keep on the obits so they can "make as many funerals as they can," one employee told us. In addition, the diner attracts families and Consumer's Energy employees, especially when there are power outages.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
Menu: We loved the variety of the menu, including omelettes ($8.99 average), diner classics and more. If you have a massive appetite, try the Big Daddy ($12.99), an 11 oz. country fried steak with hash browns and scrambled eggs, and topped with sausage gravy. The Monster Cakes ($6.99), topped with eggs, are the size of your head and stuffed with both bacon and sausage. A full order of Chipped Beef on Toast ($6.49), or SOS, is just your classic creamy concoction. Other favorites at the diner include the meatloaf, liver and onions and the wet burrito.
Amy Sherman | MLive.com
The Chipped Beef at 76th Street Diner.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
The Crew at 76th Street Diner.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
#9. Anchor Bay Pit Stop Diner
35470 23 Mile Rd, New Baltimore, MI 48047
586-716-4233
Hours: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays-Fridays; 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays; 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
A quick glimpse of the interior of the Anchor Bay Pit Stop Diner.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
Most Spirited! That's the title we would give to the Anchor Bay Pit Stop Diner and its staff. Everyone at the diner got into the spirit of Michigan's Best, and we loved it. There is nothing like walking into a restaurant and getting a round of applause. That puts a smile on your face. Owner Audra Ford and employee Amanda Isola greeted us right away and literally rolled out the red carpet, including a reserved table and roses as a centerpiece. We know what you're thinking: They wowed us with hospitality and customer service. On one level, yes. But as walked around the diner, all the customers had the same story -- "They're great people," "a big part of the community," "the best food" -- and so on and so on. "We have the best customers," said Ford, who purchased the restaurant (a former KFC, then coney island restaurant) with husband, Eric, in June 2013. A little later, a kitchen fire forced them to close for six weeks. In that time, Ford gave the Pit Stop a more diner theme with color schemes, counter seats and accents of stainless steel near the kitchen. Aside from the great customer service, we loved the diverse menu of breakfast, lunch and dinner, and even shakes (try strawberry). We started with loaded oatmeal with fresh fruit and fruit crepes, and the visit just kept getting better.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
Our favorites: Old Fashioned Goulash (a dinner special) with traditional elbow macaroni, chunks of ground beef and a meaty tomato sauce. The Mexican Omelette smothered in a sea of cheeses and chili sauce and served with sour cream and salsa. And the Stuffed French Toast, covered in fresh fruit (bananas, strawberries and blueberries) and whipped cream. Oh, and if you stop in on Fridays, we recommend the Fisherman's Platter - deep fried perch, cod and shrimp in a golden battered crust. Just add a squeeze of lemon with some tartar or cocktail sauce and you're in for a good night!
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
A close look at the Mexican omelette.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
The Fisherman's Platter at the Anchor Bay Pit Stop Diner.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
The Crew at the Anchor Bay Pit Stop Diner.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
#8. Roz’s Diner
3995 E Rosebush Rd, Rosebush, MI 48878
989-433-8080
Hours: 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays; 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays; closed Mondays.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
A quick look inside Roz's Diner.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
Owner Chris Bair was inspired by his mother, Marje “Roz” Bair, who passed away in 2007 after a long battle with cancer. Her belief in giving back to the community moved Chris Bair to purchase the building, which had been a bank when it opened in 1908 and into the 1970s, and refurbish it into a "community gathering space." It took some time to open, but it finally did on Dec. 28, 2015, and now Bair and his wife, Megan, can say they operate one of Michigan's Best Diners. They're hitting on all levels. Bair, who has a history of working in restaurants, stays in the kitchen and fills the orders. His wife and other servers greet customers and wait tables. On the busy Saturday morning we arrived, the long line of customers seemed content to wait for their tables. Locally-sourced products from area farmers, such as fresh eggs and meats, plus the pleasant atmosphere all make this a memorable experience. Most of all, we loved the food.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
We recommend the Stuffed Breakfast Wrap ($9) with bacon, spinach, cheddar cheese, green pepper, onion, tomato, all in a warm grilled tortilla. The Eggs Benny ($10) with a lovely hollandaise sauce. And the Mac & Cheese Burger ($12), served with house mac (shell noodles) and bacon. It typically comes with a 1/3 pound of hand-cut fries, but we were able to try the hand-battered, hand-cut onion rings in a deep-golden and thick batter. Oh, and we loved the short stack of pancakes with locally sourced maple syrup and salty butter. It was a great flavor combination. Where is Rosebush? It is in Isabella County, about 7 miles north of Mt. Pleasant and less than 1/2 mile west from U.S. 127 exit.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
The Mac and Cheese Burger, obviously.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
Amy Sherman taking a quick photo of the crew inside the kitchen.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
#7. Tootsie's Diner
1125 W Hackley Ave, Muskegon, MI 49441
231-755-5005
Hours: 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Fridays; 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
A quick glimpse inside Tootsie's.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
The stuffed hashbrowns are in the foreground.
We have been long-time fans of Tootsie's Diner, one of our picks for Best Breakfast back in 2013. This time, we were able to get try more than just breakfast items and experience the entire menu. Owners Julie Steffens and Amy Hargrove, who opened Tootsie's in June of 2012 and have worked together for 20 years, once again offered great homemade meals, all surrounded by by '50s nostalgia and music. We were greeted with a thick, orange creamsicle shake and several desserts (pumpkin torte, pineapple upside down cake, caramel apple shake), and things just got better.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
For breakfast we loved the Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Hash Browns, which comes with chopped chicken, hot sauce, and pepper jack cheese, as well as super-chunky blue cheese dressing on the side. The John Wayne 1lb. Burger, complete with bacon, BBQ sauce and a heaping of coleslaw, is ready for anyone with an appetite. The Club Sandwich is classic, with tons of creamy mayo. The Hot Beef Sandwich was spot on with loads of tender beef, and the Reuben Sandwich with its corned beef roasted all day was some of the best we tried in Michigan. Other favorites: The wet burrito, spaghetti and meatballs, and meatloaf. On Fridays, try some of the best hand-sliced, hand breaded onion rings you will ever try, as well a fish fry featuring the old Doo Drop Inn recipe. On "What a Deal Wednesdays" most of the menu during lunch and dinner is only $5. Now that's a deal. Oh, and every meal finishes with their signature Tootsie Rolls on your table.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
Hot roast beef sandwich.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
Pineapple upside down cake.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
The Crew at Tootsie's knows how to have a good time!
J. Scott Park
#6. Roxy Café
606 N W Ave, Jackson, MI 49202
517-788-7766
Hours: 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays-Fridays; 7 a.m.-12 noon Saturdays and Sundays.
J. Scott Park
A quick view inside Roxy Cafe in Jackson.
J. Scott Park
Breakfast jumbalaya.
This iconic Jackson diner has been around since the mid-1930s and was owned most recently by Jim Sarata before he passed away in 2014. Today his daughters -- Trina Head, Chrissy Sarata and Sabrina Sarata -- all run the eatery that is known for great prices, huge portions and classic diner fare. You will love the atmosphere. The dining tables are covered by plexiglass where you can see the menu and business cards left by customers. Neon signs and kitschy items adorn the walls. Large ceiling tiles serve as advertisements, and servers zig and zag to wait on customers. It has a genuine Jackson vibe of hard-working people who know how to laugh and enjoy a good meal. We visited on Valentine's Day, and it was packed for breakfast.
J. Scott Park
Sabrina Sarata helped us with our order. We learned the corned beef and pot roast hash are top sellers, as well as the Home Fries, served seven different ways. We tried them Smothered, Covered, Chunked and Topped ($6.59) with onions, cheese, ham and sausage gravy. For lunch, Rubens and burgers are popular. And so are the daily specials. We recommend the Breakfast Jambalaya ($8.95) with eggs and American fries and the Black Russian sandwich ($6.99) with roast beef, corned beef, lettuce, tomato and mayo on marble rye bread. Both were on the "specials" board. We also recommend the Non-Award Winning Chili ($3.99) for its simplicity and slight heat. In fact, you will find the menu descriptions have a fun sense of humor, much like Jim Sarata, according to his daughters. On our way out, daughter Chrissy Sarata came by to see if we enjoyed our visit. We did. And so will you.
J. Scott Park
Smothered, covered, chunked and topped home fries.
J. Scott Park
A black Russian sandwich.
J. Scott Park
Co-owners Trina Head, left, Sabrina Sarata and Chrissy Sarata.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
#5. Fleetwood Diner
2211 S Cedar St, Lansing, MI 48910
517-267-7606
Hours: 24 hours a day, but closes at 12 midnight on Friday and Saturday, opens at 6 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
The grill is always working overtime at Fleetwood Diner.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
The Hippie Hash.
Mostly open 24 hours a day, the Fleetwood Diner in Lansing offers a similar vibe and menu to the Fleetwood Diner in Ann Arbor and the former location in Grand Rapids. We met co-owners Michael Wong and George Fotiadis (who also co-owns the Ann Arbor location) on a busy Saturday morning, which had a line of people waiting for a table. It is without question a "classic diner" in appearance (think long rail car), complete with red vinyl-covered stools at the counter and black and white checker design. All walks of life come by for breakfast, lunch and dinner and even a milkshake. It offers an extensive, homemade menu. We were impressed that the crew was hand-cutting potatoes, roasting their own turkey and grinding the corned beef on site.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
The popular items? The classic Hippie Hash ($7.49), of course. They are homemade hash browns topped with grilled tomato, green pepper, onion, mushrooms and broccoli, topped with feta cheese. It comes with two eggs any style and toast. (You can add meat, such as Gyro meat or turkey sausage for $2.49.) It's such a great combination of flavors that makes for a hearty meal anytime of the day. We also loved the Biscuits and Gravy ($5.49) -- fluffy biscuits topped with a creamy sausage gravy. Our favorite? The "Leftovers" menu items, which are classic comfort foods with mashed potatoes and gravy and Texas Toast. Thanksgiving turkey comes with dressing. Meatloaf and roast beef come with generous portions. They also have a cheeseburger with homemade fries that are smothered with chili and onions. All run for $8.49 each. Now that's a bargain.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
Biscuits and gravy bigger than Amy Sherman.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
The Crew at The Fleetwood Diner.
J. Scott Park
The exterior at Barney's Family Diner in Grass Lake on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019. The restaurant is part of the MLive search for Michigan's Best Diner. (J. Scott Park | Mlive.com)
#4. Barney’s Family Diner
108 E Michigan Ave., Grass Lake, MI 49240
517-522-8897
UPDATE: Only open now for catering and special events. Check Facebook for latest news. (Aug. 31, 2019)
RELATED: Small-town, 'hole-in-the-wall' diner closes, transitions to full-time catering
J. Scott Park
The specials board at Barney's Family Diner.
J. Scott Park
Ketchup made from scratch at Barney's Family Diner.
You know a place is legit when it makes its own ketchup. Chef Daniel Pratt at Barney's Family Diner in Grass Lake even puts that fact on a banner in his very intimate, 22-seat diner, which "specializes in food completely made in house from scratch and cooked to order." That statement is on his menu. "I want the dining experience to be very personal," said Pratt, who lives in an apartment above the restaurant located downtown. He converted his upstairs kitchen into a laundry room. "I use the restaurant kitchen down here," he said. "It's like I'm your personal chef." Originally from the area, he jumped at the chance to open his concept of "everything from scratch" when the former Grass Lake Diner decided to shut down in January of 2016. (Grass Lake Diner was a Top 10 pick for Michigan's Best Breakfast in 2013.) With restaurant experience at Smokehouse 52 in Chelsea (Best BBQ Top 10), the Deck Down Under in Jerome (Best Pizza finalist) and Miami, Pratt came up with the name "Barney's" to honor his great, great, great grandfather Barney Teufel, who opened The Lake House Hotel (which later became the Derby Hotel) in the late 1800s, across the street from the current diner. Pratt has historic photos on the wall.
J. Scott Park
The bourbon maple pork belly cheesecake at Barney's Family Diner in Grass Lake.
J. Scott Park
A jalapeno popper burger at Barney's Family Diner.
History aside, it's the food you need to discover. Pratt is creative and adventurous. He served us a Bourbon maple pork belly cheesecake as we walked in the door. Sweet and savory, it was the some of best cheesecake we ever tasted. The rest of the experience even got better. Try the Ribeye Stack ($16.99), a 10-oz. Angus ribeye steak on a bed of home fries smothered in delicious sausage gravy, topped with two eggs any style. The extremely tender steak was nearly perfect with a light house seasoning. We also indulged on a half order of Barney's Famous B&G ($4.19, full order $8.38), handmade/fluffy biscuits with chunky sausage gravy topped with cheddar cheese and green onion. They were the best biscuits and gravy we had on the search. The burgers are also top sellers, which he calls Pratty Patties (8 oz. and 4 oz. patties available for $9.23 and $6.87, respectively). We chose his Jalapeno Popper Burger special, which was topped with Siracha cream cheese, pickled jalapenos and fried onion strings, served with a side of hand-cut curly fries. Again, his burger was nearly flawless as you could taste each flavor, including the burger, with every bite. Sometimes gimmicky or gourmet burgers tend to get lost in their own creativity. Not this one.
J. Scott Park
Biscuits and gravy at Barney's Family Diner.
J. Scott Park
A Cuban sandwich at Barney's Family Diner.
We also recommend the Cuban B sandwich ($10.37) with ham, pulled pork (smoked in-house) and bacon (also smoked in-house), topped with pickles, Swiss cheese and mustard on grilled homemade, Jalapeno cheddar bread. And the Completely Housemade Corned Beer Ruben (a special on this day) on his beer rye bread and spicy mayo made in house. The chef makes six or seven different breads each day. The only things not made in-house are the jellies and Brioche buns. He's putting in a lot of work. But it’s worth it.
J. Scott Park
Bruce Reeve, left, Jenni Bergstrom, owner Daniel Pratt and Roseann Carmoney pose for a photo at Barney's Family Diner in Grass Lake.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
#3. Good Truckin’ Diner
1107 S Washington Ave, Lansing, MI 48910
517-253-7961
Hours: 7 a.m.-3 p.m. daily.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
Located just south of I-496 and downtown Lansing, the REO Town neighborhood is the former site of the REO Motor Car Company and is now home to many eclectic businesses and restaurants. It's also one of the hottest places to live in the greater Lansing area. Part of that reason is hidden gems like Good Truckin' Diner, where owner Nick Sinicropi first opened his 27-seat diner in November of 2014. Since then, the diner has become a staple of the neighborhood, offering traditional breakfast and lunch items, as well as allowing its employees to come up with creative flavor combinations. He refers to employees Nora Gorman and Sara Tobin as "The Boss," and he does his best to stay out of the way of these creative types. The place was standing-room only on a busy Saturday morning where other crew members -- Parios Kirby, Ainsley Scott and Eggman Ben Oliver -- waited on customers, took orders or stocked items for the grill, operated by Gorman. Sinicropi said Gorman started as a server, but fell in love with the food side of things. He lets his employees come up with specials, which have become the restaurant's mainstays. In fact, he's scaling down his menu to allow for more daily specials. The overall theme is "funky, eclectic and fresh food," he said. "We don't want to be like anyone else." Owner Sinicropi said they will go through 3,000 eggs on a busy summer week.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
Tacos are a big part of the menu. You can get them for breakfast and lunch tacos all day. The vegetarian tacos with cauliflower were muy delicioso. The top selling REO Town burger comes with a great blend of ground chuck, short rib and brisket, making it extremely juicy. It comes with grilled onions and bacon. Buns and all bread come fresh from the Detroit Bread Company. We loved the Wicked Hangover, which comes with plenty of cheese sauce, chorizo and refried beans. The Moon Pie Stuffed French Toast ($11) hit the spot, as did the Hash Bash special, kholrabi, kale, roasted carrot and cauliflower served over potatoes with pea and mushroom gravy, two medium eggs, scallions and pepper jack cheese. The Tijuana Delight ($10) is an omelette (or burrito) with chorizo, refried beans, cheddar and pepper jack, topped with avocado, pico and lime crema. Amy ordered at a Cinnister ($4), a Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal shake with vanilla ice cream. Other flavors: Captain Crunch, Fruity Pebbles and Cocoa Krispies.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
The Tijuana Delight.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
Moon Pie Stuffed French Toast.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
J
Kaiti Sullivan | MLive.com
#2. Krystal Jo’s Diner
3616 Fenton Road
Flint, Michigan 48507
810-424-3272
Hours: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays; closed Sundays. (Tucker typically takes Mondays off.)
Kaiti Sullivan | MLive.com
Kaiti Sullivan | MLive.com
We love Krystal Jo's Diner owner Tony Tucker. Not only is he running one of Michigan's Best Diners, he keeps kids in his heart by giving away bikes to the youth of Flint. Last year he gave away 1,068 bikes for kids ages 3-16 and his program continues to grow. He works on the project around the clock, fixing old bikes that people drop off and purchasing others at a discount. The community has come together to make it an annual success. The same energy he puts into bikes he puts into his diner, named after his wife. Opened in 2008 at the site of the former Zora's Restaurant, Tucker mans the grill and takes orders from a small, but dedicated crew who keep the atmosphere lively and light. Tucker carries on conversations with patrons sitting at the 10 seats at his counter, and even greets customers who walk in the door and sit at only a handful of tables. The place is extremely tiny. Be prepared to wait for a table or go during non-peak hours. It will be worth it.
Kaiti Sullivan | MLive.com
His no-frills menu offers burgers, fries, breakfast and sandwiches, but no coney dogs. "I don't want to be like everyone else," he said. What sets him apart, however, is the fact he is making it all homemade. While Tucker will say he is mainly a burger joint, we think he is selling himself short. The Country Classic Omelette ($8.49) is one of the best we found in Michigan. It's the size of a family platter and includes huge pieces of sausage, crunchy bacon, onions, and cheese, and then gets a ladle of sausage gravy. The American fries that accompany the dish are crispy and tender, and perfectly seasoned.
Kaiti Sullivan | MLive.com
In addition, we loved Tony’s Spicy Chicken Wrap ($7.99) with fried chicken strips doused in house-made hot sauce and mixed with haystack onions, cheddar cheese, banana peppers, all in a fresh grilled pita and a side of spicy ranch sauce. We could eat that every day for lunch. The Jalapeno Burger ($8.99), a.k.a. the Deer Camp Burger, is a spicy little bomb that features jalapenos stuffed into the burger, and then topped with fried onions, jalapeno cream cheese, lettuce and tomato. That's near perfection if you like things spicy, like we do. But the French Fries may steal the show as they are hand-cut to order and come out almost near perfect every time with a fluffy potato inside and crisp fry on the outside. We recommend you dip them in that spicy ranch dressing. Also, the onion rings are hand-cut, extra thick and hand-battered to a salty crisp.
Kaiti Sullivan | MLive.com
Kaiti Sullivan | MLive.com
They're hand-cutting fries at Krystal Jo's.
Kaiti Sullivan | MLive.com
Owner Tony Tucker on the left. They know how to have fun at Krystal Jo's.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
#1. The M-29 Diner
9816 Dixie Hwy, Ira Township, MI 48023
586-684-3412
Hours: Open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, and 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
You work hard. You follow your passion. But you're in a bubble. Your friends think you're talented. Your family loves everything you do. And customers rave. But really, how good are you? That is the case for our winner, Chris Hart, who with her husband, Martin, and dedicated crew, run The M-29 Diner in St. Clair County's Ira Township. She seemed almost too good to be true as we savored every bite of breakfast, lunch and dinner entrees, as well as baked goods and desserts. "I have no business model whatsoever," she said, calling her herself a "home cook" with no formal training. "I just want to serve product that I'm proud of … . We serve food the way we would make if you came over for dinner." Opening the restaurant in March of 2017, the diner had been around for years before she came on board and renamed it. The community has been so supportive, she said. "They will do whatever it takes," which is probably the reason they won the poll for the Port Huron area. But we know why -- the awesome food. Trust us, folks. You will not be disappointed.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
Southern benedict.
For breakfast, try the Southern Benedict ($7.49), two poached eggs topped with thick sausage gravy over homemade biscuits and served with meaty potatoes. The Irish Omelette ($7.49) with tender corned beef, green peppers and onions, all wrapped in a thin-layered fold. And our favorite, the Banana Bread French Toast, homemade bread with a light egg coating and sweet walnut/raisin sauce!
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
Ruben spring roll.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
M-29 Burger.
Lunch? Indulge on deep-fried Ruben egg rolls or the best-selling M-29 burger ($6.99), a burger patty topped with onion rings, bacon, cheddar cheese and BBQ sauce.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
Pot Roast, anyone?
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
Meatloaf Bowl.
Dinner? How about the Meatloaf Bowl, which is two slabs of hearty meatloaf over mashed potatoes and gravy and served with peas on the sides and onion rings on top. (Available on Mondays only.) Or Martin's special recipe for the tender Pot Roast ($8.99) that melts in your mouth. (A special on Saturdays.) We think you get the picture! We loved everything, and we do mean everything. The soups are homemade (Polish sausage and cabbage potato on the day we stopped by.) The sandwiches are creative (try the Maurice Pita, named after a customer who wrapped a sweet dressing salad of lettuce, ham, turkey, Swiss and olives into pita bread) and homemade desserts, including cookies, cupcakes (we loved peanut butter chocolate chip) and pies (order up the velvety Pumpkin silk pie if they have it). Could we be hungry again? YES!
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
Peanut butter chocolate chip cupcake is one of many flavors.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
Pumpkin silk pie.
John Gonzalez | MLive.com
The Crew at The M-29 Diner.
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