"If I could bring any restaurants to Rochester, it would be the Fleetwood Diner, Zingerman's and Big 10 Burrito, all in Ann Arbor."
So stated Rochester Patch blogger David Gifford in a post on our Facebook page earlier this week.
Our Facebook fans were quick to offer up THEIR wish list for restaurants they want to see in Rochester and Rochester Hills; more than 100 people responded.
Zingerman's, the Ann Arbor bakery and deli institution, took the top number of votes; the Cheesecake Factory, which locations in 36 states — but none in Michigan — came in a close second.
A Curt Catallo restaurant (like Clarkston Union, Union Woodshop or Vinsetta Garage) also ranked high on the wish list.
Other notables: The French Laundry in Fenton, Red Coat Tavern, Potbelly, Cracker Barrel, Sagebrush and Pizza Bob's.
Two people voted for a German restaurant, and one said we have too many restaurants in town as it is.
Here's a look at all of the restaurants that made the list; what's your vote? Add it to the comments below.
- California Pizza Kitchen
- Slows
- Seva
- Manuels Taco Hut (Allen Park)
- Zumba
- Fazoli's
- The Root (White Lake)
- Cork
- Amantea (Garden City)
- A Polish restaurant
- Moe's
- Tap (Atlanta)
- Carmines Italian
- Rudy's Real Texas BBQ
- Sonic
- Chick Fil-a
- Primanti's
- Apovini's
- Carinos
- Prickly Pear
- Old German
- Mexican Fiesta and Antonio's
- El Azteco
- Beltline Bar in Grand Rapids
- Grand Lux Cafe
- Ashley's
- Casa Nueva Restaurant and Cantina in Athens, Ohio
- Melting Pot (Troy)
- Cafeteria-style restaurant
- Herbert's BBQ (Franklin, Tenn.)
- White Castle
- The Big Salad
- Bubba's (Traverse City)
- Food Dance (Kalamazoo)
- Crispelli's (Berkley)
- A breakfast place like Yolk (Chicago); Toast (Lincoln Park); Fido (Nashville); Broken Egg (Florida)
- Frontera Grille
- Gordon Biersch (Arizona)
- Foodcraft (Hampton, Va.)
- Halo Burger
- Angelo's Coney Island (Flint)
- Hickory Park (Ames, Iowa)
- Jersey Giant
- Pizza House (East Lansing and Ann Arbor)
- Harvey's (Saginaw)
- Skyline Chili
- Fuzzy Taco (Texas)
- Sweet Tomatoes (salad restaurant)
- On the Border
- Harvey's (Canada)
- Pancheros
- Smash Burger
- Lelli's
- Blue Nile (Ferndale)
I completely understand your concern, but I don't think that the previous comment was intended to insult anyone. We are also a budget-conscious family. We love Lipuma's downtown. And, although this is obviously not downtown, the new Noodles in the Village is very reasonable. You can get a large mac and cheese for about $5 (easily enough for two kids to split), and my husband and I can usually split a more substantial entree, too. And salads are only $1 when you order an entree. We actually just ate there tonight for a very reasonable price! Maybe other people have ideas on how to stretch the budget when dining out in Downtown Rochester!
I've held my tongue for weeks, but I really do have to say my piece now. We are all neighbors, yet we are treating each other like trash. Over and over again, in the "comments section" of various blogs and articles, people are being insensitive and downright rude to each other. We are PEOPLE, for goodness sake. We are parents, teachers, doctors, nurses, college students, and small business owners. We all have people who we love and who love us in return. We are PEOPLE with FEELINGS. Perhaps I am just an idealist, but I simply cannot comprehend the disdain and blatant disregard for other people's feelings that is being continuously spewed in these comments. As neighbors, we should be supporting each other and caring for each other. And as neighbors and human beings, we can disagree without being hateful and insulting. This is an amazing city to live in. Let's do it justice and live up to the meaning of the words "neighbor" and "citizen".
I was not on this thread to complain about Rochester, merely to suggest that there are those of us here who would enjoy cheaper fare. Nor did I assert that I was the only one with personal problems, ffs I have NO idea what part of your sphincter you pulled that one out of. I was speaking on behalf of all of us in Rochester who aren't the "director of the Hermitage Gallery", and don't have an ivory tower from which we speak down to those beneath us. And seriously, you're going to put aside the problems of those in Rochester who are barely getting by in favor of the woes of business owners and landlords? I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm as hardcore conservative far-right leaning, Rush Limbaugh loving as they get...but when families are going through tough financial times (which will likely only get worse, thanks to the sheep that re-elected the Stalin look-alike sitting in the White House), it's hard for us to push past that and focus our concern upon the small business owners that don't cater to us anyway. I think I irk you because you have assumptions about me that simply aren't true. Whereas you irk me because you are insufferable. Touting your job title and pridefully displaying the fact that you are on a first-name basis with certain restaurant owners? I'm guessing that everywhere you post on the internet, the first thing that you do is make sure everyone is fully aware of your standing in the community, career, and connections. Not getting enough affirmation at home?