When you have a sweet tooth, nothing beats the experience of setting foot in a candy shop. Whether you crave chocolate, jelly beans, hard candy, or something in between, there’s nothing more wonderful than enjoying that first sugary bite. Here in Michigan, we’re lucky to house some of the most delightful sweet shops around — and this tasty tradition is nothing new.
While the company’s products are available in dozens of retailers in the Great Lakes Region, these eight Sanders-centric Michigan locales simply must be explored.
If you’re a Michigander, you’ve surely enjoyed some of Sanders’ most mouthwatering creations. The company opened its first shop in Detroit in June of 1875.
That’s right: for more than 100 years, Michiganders have indulged in the chocolatey goodies and other confections offered by this one-of-a-kind spot. What’s not to love?
Today, visitors can venture to Sanders shops located in Clinton Township, Livonia, Wyandotte, Rochester, Novi, Grosse Pointe, St. Clair Shores, or Mackinac Island.
Each shop offers some of the tastiest treats imaginable. From baked goods to novelty chocolates to freshly scooped ice cream, there’s so much to discover throughout.
If you want to learn more about this longtime Michigan confectionery, visit its flagship store in Clinton Township for an amazing and informative chocolate factory tour.
Whether you’ve been indulging in Sanders treats for decades or you’re a new fan who’s eager to sample a few tasty treats, you’ll have a blast at any of the shop's locations.
For more information about Sanders and its delicious product selections, click here. Do you have a favorite sweet treat from this beloved Michigan chain? Share your experiences in the comments!
Tucked away on the streets of an idyllic small town, you'll find an absolutely incredible historic building turned restaurant in Michigan. Located in Plainwell, Michigan, only 20 minutes from Kalamazoo, Dog & The Bank is a fresh, local American restaurant...
advertisement
...that happens to be housed in the remains of an old bank!
Open since late 2021, this new American restaurant kept the original windows of the bank that used to occupy their space. From the exterior, the building appears classy and elegant, but a bit homey as well.
The lunch menu is straightforward but with a few twists.
Sure you can get a Rueben at most restaurants in Michigan, but how many Wagyu Ruebens have you tasted? Let the one on the menu at Dog & the Bank be your first.
No matter what you order at this Plainwell, Michigan historic-building-turned-restaurant, you'll be enjoying it in style. The owners of this establishment took great care in the renovation, choosing trim and paint colors that compliment the historic space.
The booths and tables are comfortable and cozy. You could just as easily have a business meeting as you could a family celebration - the restaurant is extremely well-rounded!
advertisement
advertisement
While all of the menus at Dog & the Bank in Plainwell, Michigan are full of stellar-sounding dishes, it's the brunch menu that has my tummy rumbling the most. From Biscuits & Gravy to Steak & Eggs, the ampersand really gets a delicious workout at this bank-turned-restaurant.
Pictured above is the Monte Cristo, also on the Brunch menu. It looks like a work of art doesn't it?! I bet it tastes even better.
Also on the brunch menu of this Michigan restaurant is a Dutch Baby Pancake. If you've never had one before, it's an experience your taste buds will never forget.
The one at Dog & the Bank comes topped with lemon curd and raspberry preserves. My mouth is already watering.
One of my favorite ways to experience restaurants as upscale as this one is sitting at the bar and enjoying its happy hour menu. Dog & The Bank offers a small selection of specialty dishes on their happy hour menu, including Filet Mignon Sliders and Oysters on the Half Shell.
Patrons also have the option to order a sandwich from the lunch menu at half price during happy hour. I'd be going after the Steakhouse Smash Burger pictured above.
advertisement
advertisement
The dinner menu at this bank-turned-restaurant in Plainwell, Michigan sounds absolutely incredible. Splurge on a Bone-In Ribeye or enjoy a Burratta Panzanella, a delicious salad made with tomatoes, beets, focaccia croutons, and a pistachio pesto vinaigrette.
Now, your wallet might be a little lighter than it was before you ate, but, hey, what can you expect from a restaurant housed in an old bank?
If you're visiting this historic-building-turned-restaurant in Michigan for a happy hour or a celebration dinner, you won't be let down. The flavors the chefs are creating sound absolutely mouthwatering.
I'm definitely putting this on my list to visit the next time I'm in the Kalamazoo area. There's a lot to see and do there- like this outdoor vintage market. There's so much to do in this small Michigan town that it might be worth an overnight stay!
Have you eaten at a Michigan restaurant in a building that used to be something else? A firehouse? An insane asylum? We'd love to hear about it! Share your experience in the comments!
Whenever someone comes to visit me, there is one requirement: we're going to Mugly's. There is something magical about this restaurant tucked inside a Best Western. This particular hotel restaurant is located in Allen Park, Michigan, which has underground salt mines running beneath it. That has nothing at all to do with my most favorite local restaurant; I just think it's a neat fact!
advertisement
My first visit to Mugly's in Allen Park came on my second visit to Michigan. We made an offer on a house and I had to fly up here to do the inspection.
I was a girl on a budget, so I booked a room at the local Best Western, figuring it was a serviceable spot to stay. I was not expecting to stay in what appeared to be a pink castle in a tiny town in Michigan.
On the first night of our trip, we were tired, worn out from traveling and just wanted to eat. We figured we'd grab a quick bite at the restaurant downstairs and then head back up to our room.
We walked down a hallway filled with local motor vehicle history - images, articles, and even some artifacts. Then we slipped in the door to Mugly's and felt like we were transported to another world.
Which, in a way we were. One time the bartender told us that the bar, as well as some of the other rich wood accents, was shipped over from Ireland piece by piece early in this hotel restaurant in Michigan's life.
It not only feels like you've stepped into a different place at Mugly's, but also a different time. A time where food was prepared and presented with pride.
advertisement
advertisement
The French Onion soup pictured above is among the best I've had in my life. It's always served piping hot and the broth feels almost luxurious in your mouth. Topped with perfectly melty cheese, it's the perfect start for a meal that's gonna be way better than you expect it to be.
It's so difficult for me to choose what to eat when I visit this restaurant hidden inside of a Michigan hotel. You can't go wrong with a salad, though. The lettuce is so crisp you can hear the crunch of every single leaf.
There's not a bad thing on the Mugly's menu, though... and I've been so many times I've tried most of them! From mouthwateringly fresh fish and chips to more simple burgers and sandwhiches, like the club in the image above, you can't go wrong ordering anything on the menu.
One thing that this Allen Park restaurant has on its menu that I haven't seen in many other places is fried green beans. When I order them with someone new, they always turn their noses up at them, but the appetizer plate is clean before our main course even arrives.
As it should be because these fried green beans are near perfection. They are crispy and flavorful without feeling greasy at all. And the dipping sauce is cool and tangy, a perfect complement!
This feels somewhat embarrassing to admit, but one of my go-to's, when I visit Mugly's in Allen Park, is its Chicken Strip Dinner. They are by far the best chicken fingers in town as far as I am concerned.
advertisement
advertisement
Pro tip: Order the chicken strip appetizers and a plain Caesar Salad and combine them to make the best Crispy Chicken Caesar of your life. It's a game-changer.
Another pro tip: Do not skip out on dessert. My favorite thing to order is the chocolate cake and ice cream, but every single sweets offering is the stuff dreams are made of. Plus, like with all of Mugly's dishes, the presentation is a step higher than you'd expect in a Best Western.
I love bringing first-time visitors to the Motor City, because it's like stepping back into the city's history, but in a low-key accessible way. The history of the area is present wherever you look in the restaurant and hotel.
Two things you must do before you leave Mugly's: first - on your way out the door, stop by the grand piano and give Mugly's nose a little rub. According to hotel legend, it's good luck!
The second thing you should do is take a left instead of a right out of the door and walk down the grand hallway. There are some incredible pieces of antique furniture and a vintage staircase that you can just hear the dresses of days gone by rustling on. Mugly's is truly a magical place. Anywhere that keeps the history of the Motor City alive is AOK with me.
I don't know why but I always feel sort of weird bringing friends to this hotel inside of a restaurant whenever they visit me in Michigan. However, once they have their first bite of food; they understand.
