Eat well

Join a gathering of metro Detroit's most delicious mobile eateries as several gourmet food trucks come together at the Royal Oak Farmers Market. If past rallies are any indication, this is sure to be an exciting, busy event, filled with too much great food to eat in just one evening. Sample barbecue, tacos, and plenty more. There will also be free live music and entertainment. Visit on either date this summer (Wednesday, July 8 and Wednesday, August 12) and give both your ears and your taste buds something to love.

Opened in 1987, Eddie's Drive-in lies just across from the Lake St. Clair waterfront in Harrison Township. It has all the trappings of a traditional 1950s drive-in restaurant. Carhops glide around on roller skates taking orders and serving old-fashioned staples like milkshakes, root beer floats, burgers, and ice cream. The retro vibe also makes the restaurant a prime spot for classic car and hot rod owners to stop by for a nostalgic Saturday night. Menu staples include the Big Ed Burger, the Slim Ed Sandwich, hot dogs, and Boston Coolers, a metro Detroit classic. Although most people order from their cars, picnic tables are also available.

Based in Ferndale for the past four years, this ice cream shop with a twist recently expanded to Detroit, where it has been serving out of the former Melt Gelato Shop since May. The parlor is famous locally for an inventive menu that changes from week to week, including such favorites like Kooky Monster, Salted Caramel, Red Velvet Cupcake, and Boston cooler, along with more fanciful items like Nuttin' Better Than Bacon, Strawberry Balsamic, and Tennessee Breakfast (you know, bourbon and cornflakes) among the more than 800 different flavors featured so far. The parlor also serves vegan options.

With an expected patio and license to serve alcohol expected later this summer, Rubbed is swiftly becoming a staple not only for Detroit's Corktown neighborhood, but a must-have for anyone looking to score a nice meal. This is a low-key, sandwich-driven shop with fresh cuts of meat, friendly vegetarian options, and a well-curated menu of small plates. If you're unsure of where to start, we'd say the Smash & Bang panini will treat you right, with smoked mushrooms, a delicious eggplant spread that has a nice kick, munster cheese, red onion, tomato, and cucumber. And if you don't like what you see on the menu, hook it up however you please; Rubbed's more than able to cobble together a sandwich with the ingredients you want.

Going strong for the better part of a decade now, Mudgie's has plans to expand to make way for a small bar and more space for patrons. Led by restaurant manager Greg Mudge, the deli has a slick brunch menu on Sundays, additional dinner entrees, and a beautiful selection of craft beers and tasty wines to accentuate your meal. Don't be afraid to ask for a tip on what's good — the staff here has always been more than accommodating and cheerful. While Mudgie's has established itself as one of the best restaurants in town for a sandwich, we'd be remiss to neglect a mention of the farfalle pasta, a staple of the dinner menu here. Top it with marinara or pesto, banana peppers, artichokes, roasted red peppers, smoked salmon, or bacon. Yeah, it's a sandwich shop, but really, the pasta's that good.

Located right on the Detroit/Hazel Park border, Ms. E-Vee's might serve the best soul food in the entire metropolitan area. This is a traditional, Detroit-style soul food place: There's no seating available, you order through thick plexiglass, and the servers are extremely nice and very capable. Consider showing up to a picnic with a few to-go orders from here if you want to be the hit of the shindig. We strongly recommend the "Mr. Robert's plate," which for less than $13 with tax provides two meals' worth of juicy and crisp fried chicken, gob-smacking collard greens, perfectly mushy yams, and what might be the Platonic ideal for macaroni and cheese (seriously, this mac and cheese will haunt your dreams).

They say when you lose a sense, the other four become stronger. By that logic, taking away your vision would heighten your taste, smell, touch, and hearing. Dining in the Dark Detroit bargains that, aside from a sharper ear, that loss of sight will heighten the dining experience. So, they've contracted chef Travis Waynick and plan to serve up a fantastic menu in total darkness, er, in candlelight to a bunch of masked guests. The June 25 event will take place at the Menagerie in Pontiac and will run from 7 to 10 p.m.

La Dolce Vita's sprawling outdoor patio makes it the perfect summer hotspot. Open daily (weather permitting), the patio especially comes to life on Tuesday nights, which features live music. Stop by and sample their savory Italian-inspired dishes, and don't skip out on dessert — their cannolis are a crowd favorite. Come in for Sunday brunch and sip on the restaurant's $12 bottomless mimosas, or check out La Dolce Vita's other lunch and dinner selections from Tuesday through Saturday. See why La Dolce Vita is a Palmer Park institution.

Los Galanes boasts one of our favorite outdoor patios in the city, which offers the perfect scenery for taking in the sights of Mexicantown (along with a cerveza or margarita, or two). Los Galanes' chips and salsa pairs perfectly well as a day-drinking snack — your first order is complimentary, and subsequent orders are just $1.25. The menu has plenty of Mexican-American favorites, along with dishes you can't get everywhere, like chicken mole. Do yourself a favor and end with dessert: fried ice cream.