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!

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.

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.

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.

I bet you will too. Let me know, won't you?