Good things come in small packages - and amazing restaurants often appear in the smallest of towns! Michigan is home to its fair share of hidden gems, but there’s one delightful eatery here in the Great Lakes State that might be overlooked in favor of its larger neighbors. When you’re ready to indulge in delicious BBQ, make your way to this lovely little locale.
American Char is located at 6394 Adams St in Drenthe.
You might not be familiar with Drenthe, but that’s no surprise. After all, this community in Zeeland Charter Township is so tiny that you could easily blink and miss it.
Despite its small size, Drenthe houses some of the biggest flavors imaginable at American Char. As soon as you arrive, your mouth will water with eager anticipation.
There’s something utterly charming about this cozy eatery. With a rustic, welcoming vibe and plenty of beautiful woodwork throughout, American Char is unique.
The freshly prepared eats here are enough to impress even the most experienced BBQ connoisseur. Everything on the menu is incredible, from pulled pork to brisket.
Dig into an order of char-spiced wings or indulge in a rack of baby back ribs. With tasty sides like mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, and cornbread, it’s hard to go wrong.
As if that weren’t enough, American Char features friendly service and some of the coziest surroundings imaginable. In every season, you’ll have a blast dining here.
The next time you’re ready to uncover a true hidden gem, make your way to the tiny community of Drenthe for a meal at American Char. You’re in for a delicious treat.
For more information about American Char and its incredible menu items, click here. Have you dined at this little-known spot in years past? Share your experiences with us in the comment section below!
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...
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...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!
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
