The Unvegan

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A Touch of Canada at The Kroft
The Best of 2015
Duluth Grill’s Rolled Flank Steak
A Torta at Tortugas

9/23/2013 Ferndale

Lunching at Local Kitchen

Not a slider.
Not a slider.

Growing up in West Bloomfield, Michigan was kind of like growing up in a bubble. When we did eat out, it was rarely beyond a two mile radius from home. Often, it feels like I missed out on a lot of food, but then I remember that I would have eaten a grilled cheese no matter where we went, so there was no real point in venturing out. When I go back home, though, I try to venture out just as much as I like to eat away at nostalgia. That’s how I ended up at Local Kitchen for Brunch in Ferndale, far outside the bubble.

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9/19/2013 Farmington Hills

Sliding into Bates’ Burgers

That's what I call a burger.
That’s what I call a burger.

Bates’ Hamburgers in Farmington Hills has a history with my family. As my step-dad’s favorite burger place in the area, I kind of inherited his love for their classic sliders. In the same vein as Greene’s and Hunter House, Bates’ is the third and final spot I had to review in the greasy trinity of awesome sliders of Metro Detroit. And just like in those other two reviews, it is important to note that these are real sliders: skinny patties prepped on the griddle with onions and the bun on top so that they get that tasty burger steam inside.

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9/18/2013 Mackinac Island

Island Eating at Goodfellows

Island wings.
Island wings.

On the Island of Mackinac in Lake Huron, it’s a bit hard to get over the smell of horse poop and concentrate on the need for food. But, an 8-mile bike ride around the entire island is enough to allow hunger overwhelm that smell of life before the automobile. The restaurants of Mackinac Island pretty much have a captive audience. Sure, they compete with each other, but once you’re on the island you’re pretty much stuck eating at one. Without knowledge of the food we consulted our bike rental guy who not only pointed us towards Goodfellows, but gave us a 10% off coupon as well. Kickbacks be damned, we were happy for the discount.

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9/16/2013 Saint Ignace

Off-Island Mac at Mackinac Grille

So carby.
So carby.

The town of St. Ignace in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula seems to exist solely to serve those people heading to Macinac Island. This makes it a bit of a tourist trap, with restaurant prices far exceeding those in a more distant proximity with Machinac Island. Nonetheless, we needed food and we found the Mackinac Grille. The place was set up like a big sports bar with a view of the lake and some outdoor seating that called our names despite the impending rain.

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9/13/2013 Duluth

Big and Bold at Duluth Grill

Mmm buffalo.
Mmm buffalo.

Duluth Grill is a restaurant that may as well have been created for Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. It’s off the beaten path not just in the fact that it is in Duluth, but because of the part of Duluth it is in. Plus, while it is clearly a diner, it is more than just a diner, serving unique, local and organic fare with an eye for people with food allergies. Guy seems to love that kind of stuff, which is why he paid Duluth Grill a visit and why, despite all of my nostalgic connection to Duluth, I felt good about going there as well.

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9/12/2013 Saint Louis Park

Eating Verde at Rojo

More like verde. Zing!
More like verde. Zing!

Out in the suburbs of Minneapolis is a place called St. Louis Park. Within that park is the West End, a mall containing, well, you know what malls have. This one, though, had a restaurant called Rojo. Mexican in theme, the place was slightly upscale and was kind of what is expected from Mexican restaurants so far from the border. Nothing was particular creative or exciting-looking, but this wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

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9/11/2013 Saint Paul

Feeling Blucy at Blue Door

A newer Lucy.
A newer Lucy.

The Twin Cities may have a few claims to their name, but none so big as the Jucy Lucy. This burger stuffed with cheese may have originated at Matt’s Bar, but many other Lucy spots have grown from there and tried to make improvements to an already incredible creation. Despite my desire’s to visit Matt’s Bar, I was convinced by a lawyer (typical) to head to Blue Door instead, as Blue Door is one of those places that supposedly took the Jucy Lucy to the next level.

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9/10/2013 Sioux Falls

Not Your Mama’s Ladas

Just like down in Mexico.
Just like down in Mexico.

While reports all over the radio waves are calling Sioux Falls, South Dakota some sort of a boom town, by the time we reached it we knew very little, if anything, about their food scene. Luckily, a friend of mine hails from the largest town in South Dakota and pointed us towards Mama’s Ladas, a Mexican place in a town that feels about a far from Mexico as possible.

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9/9/2013 Billings

A Quick Fix at Montana Brewing Company

Getting way gorged up.
Getting way gorged up.

Montana. Big sky country. The land of traffic jams caused by cows. Yes, like very few people before us (based on the lack of a line at the border), we returned from the Great White North through Montana. Billings is a long way from the border, but at some point we found ourselves there and in need of eats. Thusly, we discovered the creatively named Montana Brewing Company.

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9/6/2013 Banff

Sweet, Salty and Nutty at Eddie Burger Bar

Drop an E.
Drop an E.

Banff is not just a funny word, it’s also the name of an incredible national park in Alberta and a town in that same province. In said town, food can be a bit too pricey for poor road trippers, so the wife and I found ourselves at Eddie Burger Bar. Being the most reasonably-priced meal we could find, I hoped it would give me a better showing than my burger in Blue River.

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