Noshworthy: Travel Edition – My Midwest Pit Stops

Dec 30, 20243 min read

I recently had the pleasure of traveling through several cities and, of course, sampling the local food. Here’s a roundup of the dishes I had on the road — some hits, some misses, and a few unforgettable moments that made the journey even more special. Here’s a look at what I got to try!

Midwest - But not ALL mid

1. French Toast – Westland, Michigan

Brunch at French Toast, a cozy little bistro in Westland, Michigan. I opted for the avocado toast with eggs over hard, red roasted potatoes, and a refreshing mango smoothie. The avocado toast, while a bit mid in my opinion, was balanced out by the fantastic sides. The red potatoes were perfectly crispy, and the smoothie was yummy, and toddler approved. Bonus: they have a kids’ menu that Olive absolutely loved. Always a win when you can find a family-friendly place with great food (This is not my first time here and their other menu options are very good!)

2. Pop’s for Italian – Ferndale, Michigan

For a reunion with my high school best friends, we visited Pop’s for Italian in Ferndale, Michigan, and it had all of my favorite elements, dim lighting, comfortable chairs, and good food. I ordered the lemon ricotta pancakes, which were to die for — so light and fluffy! The seasonal cocktails were also a nice touch (you know I had to indulge), and Oliver had a pizza from their kids' menu, though she wasn’t exactly impressed. But the real star? The bacon. I ordered a side of bacon and it ended up being the best bacon I’ve ever had. Seriously, if you’re in the area, make sure to give this place a try - This place was recommended and I will be coming back next time I'm in town!

3. The Local Taco – Lexington, Kentucky

On our way up North, we stopped at The Local Taco in Lexington, KY. I opted for the 4 taco platter (Always), and it did not disappoint. Olive got to try the chicken and cheese enchilada with rice and beans. She ate every last bite — except for the handfuls that somehow made it to the floor beneath her high chair. The Local Taco never misses, and honestly, if I could, I’d franchise one in Nashville. Seriously.

4. Tea Tree Asian Bistro – Perrysburg, Ohio

In Ohio, I went to Tea Tree Asian Bistro for some seriously crave-worthy Asian food. I ordered the Szechuan Jalapeno Chicken with fried rice — so good that I had leftovers to enjoy later! Olive, potentially having a shellfish allergy inherited from her father still got to enjoy some of the food by getting a hearty serving of chicken fried rice (she’s a big fan of ANY rice dish) and drank several glasses of water from her cute little kids’ cup with a bendy straw (big milestone moments over here!). This is definitely a place to check out for delicious, flavorful dishes - and the most amazing Thai Tea.

5. Deet's BBQ – Toledo, Ohio

Lastly, we stopped by Deet's BBQ, a chain restaurant in the area. I wasn’t expecting much, but I was pleasantly surprised! I ordered the pulled chicken sandwich with mac n' cheese, and it came with cornbread and salad. Olive and I shared, and it was a nice, filling meal. The true star of the show, however, was the cornbread with honey butter. I am still thinking about it — it was THAT good. The sauces they offered were good, but honestly, it was all about that cornbread. Please try some and order extra, because I made the mistake of having to dream about it until the next time I can make it up that way!

From seasonal brunches to family-friendly taco joints, this trip had no shortage of great eats. Each place had its own charm, but I’ll be dreaming of that bacon and that cornbread for quite a while. If you're traveling around the Midwest, these spots are definitely worth checking out!