Metro Detroit: Our Favorite Places To Eat

A home-cooked meal is divine but dining out is just as delicious! For us, it brings its very own luxury as well. With two young kids, we need to know the menu is good, the waitstaff is kid-smart, and {quite frankly} that the food is worth every dime. Because as every parent knows, a great dinner can go from table to take-out in five minutes when a tantrum is spontaneously served.

So where are our favorite places to treat our taste-buds in our Detroit metro area? We’re akin to favoring any place with one-stop-shopping and healthier options to choose from. If they also provide discounts, freebies, and reward programs then its even better!

Best Overall Eatery Extraordinaire : IKEA

This place is so great, I don’t even know where to start! This is a location that has something for everyone in the family. Just off of I-275 and Ford Road in Canton, MI; IKEA continuously proves to be the best place for both locals and road-trippers. A clean spot for all, they prove to be the best and most child friendly retail and restaurant location I’ve ever found.

First off, do yourself a favor and sign up for the IKEA family membership. You’ll get freebies and deals to take advantage of that will make your visit even sweeter. Even without it, you’ll find a smorgasbord of food and a theme park for showcasing home design. I for one, love to get lost in the kitchen demo’s to work up a good appetite. In fact, here’s a picture of my current favorite.

But with a recent redesign, its even easier to meander straight to the self-serve Cafeteria upstairs. While the menu is small, its often a culinary delight. Often hosting a special event or holiday buffets, there are also free meals for kids on Tuesdays and family nights on Wednesdays. Plus IKEA often hosts various other great events, contests, and special holiday buffets to showcase the Swedish side of life. In addition to the quick food service, you’ll also find everything from a kiddie play area to side nook’s beside more traditional tables and chairs.

Travel downstairs and you’ll find a the small corner store of  goodies next to a tiny Cafe area. Here IKEA is serving up such kid favorites as cheese pizza, frozen yogurt and 50¢ all-beef hot dogs. And lets not forget to take home the trademark cinnamon rolls, meatballs, or other great edibles sold in the gourmet grocery.

There really is something for everyone on every budget here and that is why I love it the most for my family. Add in the free childcare for potty-trained children as well as the vast retail displays and products available? I’m simply in heaven.

Try it out: Buffalo Chicken Wrap and the Apple Cake are sure to please! As always, check the special of the day too. For the kids: Traditional favorites abound, if the cafeteria doesn’t satisfy your picky eater, grab a hot dog or pizza downstairs at the cafe!

Keep reading for more favorites…

★★★Best Family Dining Experience:  Carrabba’s Italian Grill 

Every now and then its nice to have a more formal sit-down mealtime out. And Carrabba’s Italian Grill in Canton, MI is where we always go. The wait staff is the epitome of kid-smart and are always super friendly. Plus, they offer the tri-fecta of child seating options: carseat slings, highchairs and booster seats.

For the kids, there is a well-rounded menu available for the younger palettes. And make sure to ask for some pizza dough for the kids to play with while you wait! The adults however can feast your eyes on an open kitchen layout and wood-burning ovens that tease the taste-buds. Not only does this menu take you back to what your nights looked like pre-kid, but for once there are options to include a different “wine” at the table for once.

They also offer a brilliant curb-side service for take-out options. So even when you can’t actually get out, you can still bring home a great meal. After all, Carrabba’s isn’t rated #1 Best Italian on the 2012 Zagat for nothing.

Try it out: We love the Scotty Thompson Bruschetta for an appetizer. And we can never go wrong with the Chicken Bryan. For the kids: If they love pasta…this is the place to actually see it cooked right!

★★★Rockin’ Drive-Thru: Starbucks

To a Mom with little ones, a coffee shop with a drive-thru is her best friend. I constantly fretted about my ability to juggle a baby, a sprinting preschooler, and a hot cup of coffee in the cafe. So despite my {known} predilection to this strong coffee favorite; I can solidly say that this Canton, MI drive-thru is one of the BEST I’ve ever experienced. And I’ve {ahem} been to quite a few.

If you peak in the drive-thru window, you’ll often see the latest goal reached for cars serviced in 30 minutes. Last I checked, they’d serviced more then 60 cars in a half hour! People, that is an average of 30 seconds to caffeinated sanity! The barista’s have seen me at my worst and never smirked at my sleep deprived grande customization’s. They remember {and take care} of regulars too. Always considerate, they’ll go the extra mile you need and never break a smile.

Try it out: Caffeinated: Caramel frappuccino with a espresso shot affogato {the espresso is poured over the top last}. For the kids: Strawberries & Creme frappuccino with 2 pumps Toffee Nut syrup. Can you say Captain Crunchberry Frappe?

★★★Kid-Friendly Coffeehouse: Biggby Coffee

Tucked into a shopping corner just off of I-275, is a stand alone Biggby Coffee shop that is great for kids. The staff is always friendly, the coffee {and tea} choices are plentiful, and Biggby includes a kids menu. {Let me repeat – kids menu!} Not only that, but this location includes a corner filled with books {and often some toy trinkets} for kids to sit idly by as Mom get a chance to sip that coffee hot for once. I only wish it had a drive-thru, but then I’d have never known about the wonderful perks to sit and sip while the kids played! Plus, they offer a variety of bakery edibles and always have fresh fruit on hand too!

Try it out: Caffeinated: Iced Vanilla Bean Latte or grab the seasonal specialty latte.  For the kids: Who wouldn’t love Magic Milk in a reusable cup?

★★★Favorite “Fast Food” Kids Meal: Panera Bread

There aren’t many “fast food” locations that offer up {truly} healthy meal options. Complete with drive-thru, you can make the whole family happy in one stop. But what sets this store apart, is that they offer kids meals that aren’t fried. Instead, you’ll get good portion sized main entree and a squeezable organic yogurt. Good food, fresh bread and hot coffee in one order? How can you go wrong?

Try it out: Iced Chai Latte and the Tomato Basil Loaf sliced thin for grilled cheese sandwiches! For the kids: Mac-N-Cheese kids meal is a favorite!

★★★Top {Man-Food} Burger: Jay’s Stuffed Burgers

Some days a girl’s just gotta have a burger. And in this case, Jay’s Stuffed Burgers makes sure there is a whole lotta burger to love. Stuffed with amazing toppings, you won’t leave hungry…or its your own fault. Fries are fresh and the atmosphere is friendly. Personally, I’d suggest older kids would like Jay’s more, but all ages are welcome. Still its a favorite and worth every calorie-stuffed morsel.

Try it out: Specials abound…but I can say that the Mama Mia would melt in your mouth.

★★★Hidden Cafe Jewel: Honeybaked Store & Cafe

Just the mere mention of “Honeybaked” can make most people drool from the memory of such a traditional holiday favorite. Now how about the fact that you don’t have to wait for a special event to have it anymore?

We love stopping in to pick up a smoked and/or roasted turkey breast for a quick dinner {of course Honeybaked Ham is available too}. Sold pre-sliced, the average turkey breast is perfect for a week of cold-cut sandwiches too! And better yet, this store includes a small seating area and lunch menu. Completely customized to your liking, these a-la-cart meals are priced well and will keep you coming back for more!

Try it out: Sweet tooth? Order up the smoked turkey and don’t forget the cranberry walnut chutney!

★★★Family Gathering Go-To Catering: Toarmina’s Pizza

In the realm of pizza the biggest is King. And that doesn’t get any bigger in Canton, MI then the 24″ behemoth offered up by Toarmina’s Pizza. A great local pizza parlor, it hosts 14 locations in and around southeastern Michigan. Personally, I love the friendly atmosphere. From granting my daughters occasional wish for mozzarella cheese to helping us cart our order to the car, this is a local business I love to support.

Toarmina’s offers up a vast array of great things to fit any occasion and its all fresh and made to order. The 24″ giant pizza grants a bit more of a breaded crust for a tasty balance but otherwise, its nice to find a good {slightly sweet sauced} pizza that isn’t all dough and grease. They aren’t ones to skimp on toppings and cheese either. Combined with promotional mailings or online coupons you’ll feel like your walking away with a steal!

Try it out: Want to make an impression at your next party? Order up the 24″ Giant sized pizza and you’re guests will visit again asking for more!