Turkey Roost Restaurant in Kawkawlin, MI, and Judy's Famous Pies -- REVIEW

The Undercover Divas were approached by friends to try one of their favorite restaurants, and we did!! The Turkey Roost restaurant is located in northern lower Michigan and is a landmark stop for most everyone passing through. The large pink building is located off Exit 164 of I-75 (if you are going north—southbound it is Exit 168), heading to M-13, in the small town of Kawkawlin. Upon entering, you notice the wonderful smells from grandma's kitchen on a holiday visit. The interior looks like a family diner from the past, very inviting. Their motto is “Thanksgiving Everyday” and that is truly what you experience.

I ordered the large turkey plate, which includes buttermilk biscuits (flaky, huge and delicious), vegetable of the day, mashed potatoes, delicious dressing, gravy and cranberry sauce. You have the choice of all white, dark, or mixed turkey for one price ($7.95). It was delicious and I took enough home from my dinner for two more meals.

My DIVA friend had the hot turkey sandwich, consisting of both dark and white meat and mashed potatoes smothered in gravy ($5.95).

Their menu offers a number of variations of the turkey plate and a few beef dishes for variety. Hot buttermilk biscuits are served with all dinner meals, and lots of jam and honey on the tables.

Fish fry (perch, shrimp or cod) only on Fridays. Wednesday only, they have the best turkey pot pies ($4.50) known to man.  This is the place to find great home cooking, a cute diner setting and the best turkey dinners this side of Thanksgiving.

Always a full parking lot, but the place is large and they move customers in and get them fed quickly. It wasn't more than five minutes after we gave our orders that the food was served, piping hot, by a friendly waitress, and was definitely turkey at its best.

The food is home cooked, portions are huge, prices are very affordable, service is stellar, children are welcome, and the place is clean, spotless and inviting. A must stop if you are traveling to northern Michigan, or just looking for a Sunday drive with family.

Special Attention: A stop at The Turkey Roost is not complete unless you go north for about a mile to Judy's Famous Pies, on the same street. They are a “to go” pie store with the best pies around. Their signature, best selling caramel apple pie is a winner, or you can try their specially-created razzleberry pie, full of raspberries and strawberries, my personal favorite. They are all home-made in the back of the shop, you can watch the crew in action while you look over what's available. I noticed a large, decadent pie loaded with walnuts, chocolate and bourbon, and just couldn't decide which to purchase. They have regular sized pies, over-sized pies, sugar free pies, and individual serving pies. Just stop here once and you will come back for more.  

Sugar Bowl Restaurant and Call of the Wild Museum, Gaylord, MI - REVIEW

Field trips to Northern Lower Michigan are always fun. The Undercover Divas love to travel to areas where the air is clean, fresh, and smells of a pine forest. So on a recent trip, we visited the Alpine Village of Gaylord, Michigan. We stopped at the Sugar Bowl,one of Gaylord's Landmark Restaurants. Nestled in the heart of Alpine Village, it has been operational since 1919, and is loaded with lots of character.

Located at 216 W. Main Street, in downtown Gaylord, it is only a short drive from the I-75 freeway. There is limited parking on Main St. but preferred parking is in the back with a back door entrance to the restaurant. Upon entering, we passed through a hallway full of historic photos, newspaper clippings, and menus from previous years, telling their own story of the history of not only the Sugar Bowl, but other landmarks in Gaylord.

Before entering the dining room, we noticed an antique shop entrance within the lobby and glanced inside. We saw lots of interesting items from dishes to books, statues and many other items from years gone by, and priced reasonably. Definitely a place we will visit next time we are in town and have the extra time.

Upon entering the Sugar Bowl restaurant, we were escorted to our table and given an extensive menu with breakfast, lunch and dinner items. One Diva ordered the German plate, which included Wiener Schnitzel, warm German potato salad and the authentic German sauerkraut. The dinner also came with coleslaw, all for $8.99. It smelled delicious and she said it was some of the best German food she has eaten in quite some time. I had the “Luncheon Special” three-cheese and tomato grilled sourdough sandwich, that came with a small salad and their homemade raspberry vinaigrette dressing for $7.29. Mighty fine!

The food was tasty, but portions weren't generous. Quality was superb but prices were a little high. All things considered, made from scratch food and featuring home style breakfasts, tasty sandwiches for lunch, and great German food (a few Greek choices and lots of American dishes, too) make this a good dining experience. The Sugar Bowl provides a welcome alternative to all the typical fast food restaurants. It is a step up from a family diner, with some fun, local history thrown in for good measure. The Sugar Bowl is open daily from 7am to 9pm. 

Special Attention: If you have extra time while in Gaylord, check out the Call of the Wild Museum. See beautiful displays of whitetail deer, the majestic elk, moose, black bears, Alaskan brown bears, polar bears, timber wolves, coyotes, raccoons and more. You will learn about their behavior and habitat and listen to the wolves howl and the elk bugle! The museum is rich in Michigan history with two projected image displays about early Michigan fur trapper, Joseph Bailly, telling about his life in the deep forest of Michigan during the 1800's. Bavarian Falls Park is located right next to the museum and is where you will find Adventure Golf, Go Carts and Krazy Kars. Location is on S. Wisconsin Ave. in Gaylord. Take Exit 282 from I-75 and go East.  

Redsmoke Barbeque in Greektown, Detroit, MI - REVIEW

Hi Diva friends, it's Annod from The Undercover Divas with another hit when it comes to restaurant reviews. All three of us Divas decided we needed a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We were on our way to the Greektown Casino and decided to check out some of the restaurants in the district of Greektown. I don't know about you but I never have any luck when it comes to slots, but oh boy did we win when we chose Redsmoke Barbeque.

We decided to take a walk through Greektown as it was such a beautiful day. We wanted to try Redsmoke because we could smell the great smells from down the block. When we walked in, we were greeted by a nice young lady who ushered us to our seats. The smell of Hickory and Applewood smoke filled our lungs. Gini was smiling from ear to ear and Suse couldn't wait to order.

We received our drinks, and noticed that Redsmoke has Michigan Draft Beer, and as they say, “only in Pure Michigan.” Suse and Gini ordered the 6 piece Smoked Whole Jumbo Wings ($9.99), that looked so yummy on the menu. I couldn't resist the smell of the BBQ so I chose the pork back ribs that were slowly smoked over Hickory wood, ($26.99) full rack, with just the rub on it. We wanted to sample the different barbeque sauces they had to offer. Suse didn't get a side but Gini and I chose the Mac & Cheese, which had breadcrumbs on top and the Jalapeño Cheddar corn muffin, yes, Jalapeños in our muffins. The food came quickly and was served with a smile.

The wings came out smelling so awesome, but just a little too hot to eat right away. My ribs looked inviting and were just right. The ribs would have fed all three of us. Sauces available were Redsmoke, which was hot & spicy (habanero and jalapeño pepper accents), Michigan Cherry Molasses (sweet Michigan cherries in a tangy vinegar base), Honey Mustard, and Roasted Poblano, with a blend of Memphis Mud and Michigan Cherry Molasses. I tried them all and decided on the Redsmoke. (I love my food hot and spicy.)

The chicken wings had finally cooled enough that my dear friends were able to start eating. The wings were smoked whole and very big and meaty. We all thought that the Jalapeño Cheddar corn muffins were a little too dense and somewhat greasy. The Mac & Cheese proved to be a good choice, smooth and creamy. Redsmoke has a variety of menu choices, from Pit Smoked meats, such as the ribs I chose, to pulled pork and Texas beef brisket and Apple smoked chicken. Blackeyed peas with spinach over rice, candied sweet yams, and collard greens, are also a few offerings. House, Caesar and Greek salads were also available. 

When we were done indulging, we asked for a doggy bag.  We had heard there were a few homeless guys that play jazz music around and about.   Leaving Redsmoke, we handed a gentleman who had been playing his horn, our bag, and said "enjoy."  He was very thankful, and for us, besides the great food, it was the best part of the whole visit.

Redsmoke offers carryout service and catering. They are open Sunday-Thursday from 11am to 11pm. Friday and Saturday, until Midnight. They are located on Monroe St. in downtown Detroit, Michigan, which is located across from the Greektown Hotel, in a beautifully restored, two-story building. Our visit to Redsmoke made losing money at the casino not quite so painful. We enjoyed our visit.

The DIVAS on Everyday KARMA.

As The Undercover Divas, we really enjoy what we do, the Exploring, Experiencing and Posting. But in daily life, we know that people are aware of how all of us are treating each other. People react to what we put out in the world. It is important to make our collective words sweet, as we may have to eat them later. Yes, we all will be treated unfairly now and then, but remember that there is a cause and effect to every action. We don't always see the results of a good deed, or bad deed, but there will be a reaction down the road.

KARMAis the law of cause and effect. It is the law of action and reaction, which controls the destiny of all living things. (Just take a look at the stars and planets in the universe, you can see how cause and effect, action and reaction, keeps it all in perfect order.) Any action produces an equal and opposite reaction, which influences everything we do. There is no such thing as an accident or coincidence. It is important to be responsible for our actions, and if we are not satisfied with the outcome, then make changes accordingly.

The principle of Karma is that for the good actions one performs, one receives good reactions; and if one inflicts pain or violence on others, one will suffer equal violence either in this life or the next. Everything that we are today is the sum total result of all our activities up to this moment. If we wish our lives to be different in the future, we have to change our activities in the present. Everything we receive in the future is a result of what we do now. Be the best you can be, take care of each other, act responsibly, and good karma will come your way.

When someone tries to steal your joy, don't let it happen! By holding on to unnecessary grudges, you are doing yourself a disservice. Most people insist upon holding on to grudges and dwelling on how they will make someone pay for the pain they have caused. In life, we cannot control the cards we are dealt. We have to live within our situation, move past the negative people trying to drag us down, and get to a better place in our lives where we can continue to be productive individuals. 

When life hands you lemons, make lemonade. Smile, and treat others the way you would like to be treated. Give your friends and family members the benefit of the doubt, and they will do the same for you someday. Don't put negative energy out in the universe. Be the best you can be, as often as you can, and make a habit of doing it daily. You will be pleasantly surprised at the positive reactions you will have. Never forget that Karma will happen, andthe best revenge is to do well.

Introducing Ms. Mary's and Pete Too! in Clinton Township, MI - REVIEW

The Undercover Divas have been watching one of our favorite restaurants in Clinton Township, MI, for new owners. We liked it when it was Yorgos, and really liked the next owner, Dimitri's Cafe. But recently, they left and the place was sold. A few days ago we noticed new owners, the sign announced Ms. Mary's and Pete Too! We had to try!

What we found was an establishment combining fine dining and casual dining. Ms. Mary's has a casual dining menu that includes a wide variety of comfort foods, along with a selection of appetizers, salads, sides and desserts. For the casual diner, the emphasis is on value, generous portions, and speed of service, rather than the fine dining approach of presentation. Along with this menu, we were given a one page menu for the fine dining experience. The fine dining menu was focused on an ethnicity that changes every day. We were there for the Polish experience.

The inside of Ms. Mary's has been transformed to an atmosphere comparable to restaurants in New York City's midtown. There is a piano located in the dining room and a piano player/singer named Liz, on Friday and Saturday evenings. We came for lunch and felt like we should have dressed up, but noticed all the other diners were also dressed casually, with several children in attendance.

I ordered off the fine dining menu, done European style. For one price ($12.99) I chose from the different groups. Note: The dinner price was a few dollars more. It was Polish themed, and there was a Polish combination plate available, but I decided to order the salmon. I had the loaded salad, best ever, and the main course, the poached salmon. From the other choices, I picked mixed vegetables and mashed potatoes. The salmon was expertly prepared with a dill cream sauce. My last choice was from the dessert section. I chose the wonton chocolate kisses, tasty. Our food was prepared to order and served on fine china, with white tablecloths on every table, along with a single red rose in a vase. Portions were small, but there were so many levels of food that I had plenty to eat.

The other Diva ordered from the casual dining main menu and was very pleased with her choice. She had the hot turkey sandwich ($6.75), served with mashed potatoes, gravy, soup and vegetable. The casual dining menu contains lots of pitas, wraps, quesadillas, Greek specialties and Italian favorites. Fresh smoothies are on the menu for $3.49. There is available fresh squeezed (daily) juices: carrot, apple, orange and grapefruit. Burgers, homemade soups and all types of salads, are just a few of the many items available on the menu.

Ms. Mary's and Pete too!, is open 7 days a week and is located at 34010 S. Gratiot (South of 15 Mile) in the Charter Township of Clinton. They open at 7am for the breakfast crowd. Available on the breakfast menu are the traditional egg dishes, and they also carry pancakes, crepes and waffles. Ms. Mary is a trained chef and teaches her culinary skills at the local college. She does a fantastic job of meeting everyone's hunger needs at her new establishment.

Servers were cheerful, attentive and very helpful with the ordering experience. Prices were reasonable, food was delicious, and the place was squeaky clean. There is plenty of parking. You will enjoy the visit.

Leo's Coney Island in Warren, Michigan - REVIEW

Hello my Undercover Diva friends.  Hope you got out of the house this dreary, chilly weekend.  Suse, Gini and I found a great, inexpensive restaurant with wonderful service.  The place we visited is Leo’s Coney Island, in Warren, Michigan.  

The Undercover Divas arrived and felt like we were at home, the atmosphere was so inviting.  We were greeted when we arrived and were told to sit anywhere we wanted.  Leo’s has lots of booths and tables, but the corner booth looked the best as we would be able to view the whole restaurant.  I saw customers, each called by their name, so right away we knew we picked a good place for dinner. 

As soon as we sat down, we were greeted by our waitress, Julia.  She asked what we wanted to drink and we gave her the order, but unfortunately they were out of one of our favorites, Vernors.  Julia got our drinks and asked us if we were ready to order.  Our order came out quickly, starting with salads for Gini and Suse.  Just a hint, the Greek dressing is amazing!!

Our dinners came in no time.  Suse got the Chicken Finger Wrap ($5.39), which arrived with lots of chicken bulging out of it.  It made me want her food for dinner.  Gini ordered the all you can eat seafood plate, which was a Friday special, listed on the front board when we came in.  It is always $9.99, but “all-you-can-eat” only as a Friday special.   Her cod was so inviting and steaming hot, the aroma was delicious.  She subbed a baked potato instead of the fries, and they were fine with substitutions. 

I was in the mood for strawberry pancakes ($4.99) and a side of scrambled eggs ($3.59).  It was a difficult choice as I saw so much I liked.  It was brought to the table and it looked so pretty.  The pancakes were folded in half with strawberries inside and out. 

Julia was very attentive and asked us if we had everything we needed.  We noticed they had a nice crowd, and fortunately we arrived before it was too packed. 

The dessert menu was inviting.  Gini ordered Strawberry Cheesecake and Suse asked for the (Sanders) Hot Fudge Cream Puff.  I decided to take a taste of each.  I loved them both, the cheesecake was very smooth and the hot fudge cream puff was, well I need to choose another word since my first thought was not proper.  It was amazing. 

What I loved most about this restaurant (in addition to the food) was the friendly staff.  The menu included breakfast, egg specials, omelettes, and it wouldn’t be a Coney Islandwithout the great Coney Dog.  Wednesday is Coney Day with the Coney Dog for .99 cents.   Greek specials included my favorite, the Saganaki “Opa.”  Pitas are always a good choice along with the burgers and sandwiches.  For the health conscious, there are Healthy Alternatives on the menu.  They included the Garden Burger, Tuna Platter, and the amazing Michigan salad.  Leo’s Coney Islandis family-friendly, with a great children’s menu. 

I know you are saying that a Coney Island is a Coney Island, but the service, the freshness of the food and the way it is presented to you, and the cleanliness and friendliness of the place makes Leo’s Coney Island your place to go.  There is plenty of parking, especially at the door.  They are located at 15198 E. 13 Mile Rd.(at Hayes) in Warren Michigan.