A Detroit tradition, Buddy's Pizzeria has grown from a little-known bar and pizza joint to an institution. There are now Buddy's outlets in multiple suburbs, but the authentic experience is at the original, crowded, multi-roomed eatery. Buddy's-which operated as an after-hours blind pig (a place that sells alcohol illegally) when it first opened in 1936-was the first spot in Detroit to offer Sicilian-style deep dish pizza, in 1946. The pizza is thick and filling and comes with plenty of cheese and sauce, and it is repeatedly voted the best in Detroit in local surveys. Salads, pastas, burgers, sandwiches and homemade soups are also on the menu. There is always a bustling party atmosphere. There's even a small area attached where locals play bocce ball, the Italian game of lawn bowling.

Big portions, a casual setting and a friendly staff characterize this Mexican restaurant in the heart of Royal Oak. The dishes are predictable but tasty, like quesadillas, enchiladas, burritos and tacos with lots of spicy rice and refried beans. The drinks, however, are a pleasant surprise, with a large selection of Mexican beers and several varieties of margaritas. In the warm weather you can enjoy the fare at an outdoor table.

This storefront restaurant in fashionably funky Ferndale has the feel of an Italian restaurant from the 1950s, complete with candles burning in Chianti bottles, and the food is as tasty and filling as you thought it would be. The breaded veal with sauteed shrimp, breast of chicken and eggplant with prosciutto in a rich tomato sauce are among the favorites, all accompanied by a garlic bread that draws high praise. The pizza is also popular, and the house wines are homemade.

Featuring good food at reasonable prices, Kruse and Muer on Main prides itself on its prime cuts of beef, large variety of pasta dishes and its excellent salads. The specialty, though, is seafood, from the freshest Great Lakes catch to Maine lobster, and the shrimp scampi draws rave reviews. Don't forget to check out the photos of old Rochester on the walls.

A whole new approach to dining, Mongolian Barbeque gives you no one to blame for a bad meal except yourself. Diners select their own meats, stir-fry vegetables, sauces and spices. Grillers throw the meals onto a huge circular griddle and use large wooden sticks to slice and dice. The best grillers are also comic performance artists, cracking jokes and performing magic feats. The stir-fries are served with tortillas and rice, and a huge salad and soup bar are also available. This adventurous approach to dining has become enormously popular. The Royal Oak eatery is the flagship of an empire that has expanded to 22 locations in seven states.

Check out all kinds of sushi, sashimi and noodles at Edamame. From traditional-style rolls like Nigiri, spicy tuna and California rolls to more creative ones like the Michigan roll and the Seattle roll, Edamame has it all. There is a good selection of fried noodle and rice dishes as well as traditional Japanese Udon noodle soup. The wallet friendly prices let you truly feast without having to worry about it!

The Rochester Mills Beer Company is located within the historical Western Knitting Mill on Water Street, and offers something for everyone and for every occasion. With an outdoor patio, billiards, a reservable private lounge and a menu for adults and for kids, this place has it all! Call or see website for more information.

This American mainstay provides all you can eat and drink (and dessert) for a flat fee. It's great for kids because they can make their own ice-cream sundaes. Menu items vary, but tend to include mac and cheese, fried fish, chicken, and a range of sides.

Baci Abbracci is a quaint little restaurant throwing together and serving up some pretty good tasting authentic Italian cuisine. Housed in a brick building, which romanticizes the restaurant more, it specializes in old world Italian. Try their specialties. such as pollo arrosto ripieno and Agnello arrosto. Baci Abbracci literally means 'hugs and kisses', that's something to keep in mind when wooing your date and sipping some wine at Baci's.

Take in the atmosphere of the Australian Outback while enjoying mouth-watering entrees and high-quality service. Serving dinner only, Outback Steakhouse offers an extensive menu featuring appetizers, chicken, ribs, steak, seafood, pasta, salads and desserts for moderate prices. Family-friendly, the casual restaurant has something for everyone at its numerous locations in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Outback Steakhouse also offers call-ahead seating and curbside take-away. Check website for locations and menu selections.