When it comes to our definition of a “small town” in Michigan, we have to be very honest, it’s anything and everything smaller than Detroit.

If we’re being even more honest, some of our favorite “small towns” are simply college towns, frozen in time, that offer a sense of nostalgia, pride, and home (here’s looking at you Kalamazoo and Mount Pleasant).

While major cities like Detroit, Saginaw, and Grand Rapids are known for their rapidly growing dining and craft beer scenes, there are other places in Michigan that deserve the same love.

These restaurants might be in smaller cities, but they serve up big-town flavor.

Palms Krystal Bar and Grill 1535 Pine Grove Ave., Port Huron, 810-985-9838, palmskrystal.com The last existing restaurant in a chain formerly known as Chicken in the Rough that was founded in 1936 and once boasted nearly 300 locations, this spot is known for its former namesake’s eponymous dish: the Chicken in the Rough, or half a fried chicken, shoestring potatoes, and a biscuit with honey. Photo via Palms Krystal Bar and Grill/Instagram
Tonys I75 Restaurant 8781 Main St., Birch Run; 989-624-5860; tonysi75restaurant.com If you have a thing for bacon, Tonys I75 Restaurant is the place you need to go. While Tonys serves everything from breakfast and burgers to Mexican inspired dishes, the one-pound BLT is the standout item. Credit: Google Maps
The Stray Dog Bar & Grill 245 N. Whittaker St., New Buffalo; 269-469-2727; thestraydog.com The Stray Dog Bar & Grill sits right near New Buffalo Beach (aka the shore of Lake Michigan). This restaurant not only offers a great beer selection, but you can enjoy views of the water from their rooftop. Credit: Google Maps
Dark Horse Brewing Company 511 S. Kalamazoo Ave., Marshall, 269-781-9940, darkhorsebrewery.com A microbrewery and taproom whose unique suds will leave you wanting a whole barrel. They also serve food to go with your beer. Photo via Dark Horse Brewing Co./Instagram
Trout Town Tavern & Eatery 306 Elm St., Kalkaska; 231-258-2701; trouttowntavern.com While this restaurant might be located on Elm St., it’s far from a nightmare. Though they do offer a trout pate, fish and chips, and battered perch, Trout Tavern is actually a smokehouse. Land or lake, you can’t go wrong with what you pick on this menu. Credit: Google Maps
Smoke Street 424 N. Main St., Milford, 248-529-6464, smokestreetmilford.com This barbecue spot is known for smoking its meats in-house for up to 12 hours, as well as its assortment of six sauces and 15 rotating draft beers. Photo via Smoke Street/Instagram
Catch 22 Bistro 2430 Point Tremble Rd., Algonac, 810-794-4844, catch22bistro.net The family-owned restaurant serves salads, pastas, sandwiches, burgers, and more. Photo via Google Maps
Stella’s Table 340 Town Center Blvd., White Lake, 248-698-2400, stellastablemi.com Formerly known as The Root Restaurant & Bar, the new Stella’s Table specializes in Italian cuisine. They offer pizzas, salads, sandwiches, seafood, and more. Photo via Stella’s Table/Instagram
Donckers 137 W. Washington St., Marquette, 906-226-6110, donckersonline.com Along with chocolates and caramels, Donckers specializes in natural, local, and organic ingredients in all of their scratch-made dishes. They also make ice cream, malt shakes, and pulled sodas. President Barack Obama once stopped by. Photo via Google Maps
Lynwood Bar 596 Busha Hwy., Marysville, 810-364-8114, lynwoodbargrill.com This family-owned restaurant not only serves great food, but they also have a full bar, a jukebox, and a pool table. Photo via Google Maps
Tecumseh Brewing Company 128 W. Chicago Blvd., Tecumseh, 517-815-1726, tecumsehbrewingco.com This downtown spot is known for its inventive beers, which use unique ingredients like peanut butter, goji berry, coffee, and more. Photo via Tecumseh Brewing Co./Instagram
Steis’s Village Inn 5523 Main St., Lexington, 810-359-5090 This spot located off of Lake Huron has become a favorite of locals and visitors alike for its handmade pizza. Photo via Google Maps
Taste 402 Phoenix St., South Haven, 269-637-0010, tastesouthhaven.com This love-driven restaurant is owned by couple Chef Joel and Heidi Gesiakowski, known for their unique dishes and martinis. Photo via Taste/Instagram
Tivoli’s Pizza 68287 E. Main St., Richmond, 586-727-2242 For more than 30 years, Tivoli’s has served up a number of different pizzas, including both Detroit-style and Chicago-style. Photo via Google Maps
The Wicked Sister 716 Ashmun St., Sault Ste. Marie, 906-259-1086, wickedsistersault.com Located in U.P., this family-oriented restaurant has burgers, salads, starters, desserts, sandwiches, and even an entire gluten-free menu. Photo via Google Maps
Jose’s Authentic Mexican Restaurant 209 Petoskey St., Petoskey, 231-348-3299 Established in 2005, this family-owned restaurant is known for its homemade Mexican dishes. Photo via Google Maps
Salt of the Earth 114 East Main Street, Fennville (269) 561-7258, saltoftheearthfennville.com/ A rustic, farm-to-table spot that serves up seasonal American cuisine made from scratch. During the colder months, its known as a live music venue, featuring roots, Americana, bluegrass, and blues. Photo via Google Maps
Bistro on the Boulevard 521 Lake Boulevard, St. Joseph, (269) 983-6600, bistroontheboulevard.com// This upscale bistro is located inside of The Boulevard Inn, overlooking Lake Michigan. The restaurant uses local ingredients in many of its dishes and offers gluten free and vegan options, too. Photo via Bistro On The Boulevard/Instagram
The Cabin 930 W. Broomfield St., Mount Pleasant, 989-779-9167,cabinmp.com/ Ask any student at Central Michigan University where to find the best pizza and they’ll most likely say “The Cabin.” While the pizza is good, the drink specials are better. $3 shots and karaoke? Yes, please. Photo via Google Maps
The Cove 11 W. River St., Leland, 231-256-9834, thecoveleland.com The Cove overlooks Lake Michigan and the Manitou Islands in Leland’s Historic Fishtown. Their motto is “fresh fish, cold beer,” but they also serve a drink called a “Chubby Mary” — a bloody mary with a smoked chub fish in it. Courtesy photo

Have something to share?

SEND US A NEWS TIP

Since 1980, Metro Times has been Detroit’s premier alternative source for news, arts, culture, music, film, food, fashion and more from a liberal point of view.