Yates Cider Mill in Rochester Hills, MI - REVIEW

With the changing of the leaves comes fall traditions, and one of the major ones is cider and warm donuts. The DIVAS were ready, and off we went to the Yates Cider Mill, in Rochester Hills, Michigan. It's a great place to walk around in the woods and enjoy nature. What really makes it the best is the relaxing nostalgia of enjoying a place like you did when you were a kid.

Yates Cider Mill is a Michigan landmark and a registered historic site. It was originally built in 1863 as a grist mill to grind grain into flour. They have progressed to apple cider, beginning in 1876. Their mill is powered by the Clinton River, and the traditions at Yates have not changed much since then.

You will find the Yates Cider Mill alongside the Clinton River, across from Yates and Bloomer Parks, and it joins with a Shelby Township walking trail. There are more than 1200 acres total. The best time to visit is in the fall, when you can take a tour of the cider-making operation.

There is no longer an orchard on site, they have their apples shipped in on a flatbed truck from Michigan orchards near and far. As each week passes, different apple varieties can be blended to round-out the taste. By mid October, as many as six different types of apples are intermixed. They do press the apples on site, to make their delicious cider. Their cider is made without preservatives and is an excellent source of fiber.  Cider isn't all they do at Yates. They make their own assortment of apple pies, apple turnovers, caramel apples, apple butters, delicious types of fudge, ice cream, jams and jellies.  We purchased a hunk of caramel fudge for later, it tasted amazing.  

We were able to visit Yates one morning during the week, as we don't like waiting in lines. Traffic was not a problem and we were able to park close, had no line at the counter, and we walked around and enjoyed the peace and quiet of the river. Weekends are packed with long lines everywhere, but they do move quickly. There are lots of things to do for kids on the weekends. There are pony rides and a petting zoo with goats and other outdoor entertainment. They can enjoy the railroad crossing lights and bells, announcing the Pulp Car hauling its load to the dumping area. The Apple Tent is also open on the weekends, with a great selection of the best fall fruit, meat and cheese snacks, candy, gifts and apparel.

The workers at the inside counter will sell you whatever you might need for a nice picnic snack to take outside. Cider is sold in different sized containers and free plastic glasses are available on the wall by the counter. There are lots of picnic tables and benches outside on the property. But be prepared for the bees, they love buzzing around open cider and they appear instantly when you open your jug.

It is the perfect place to walk the nature trail along the river and enjoy the beautiful fall colors. The cider, the smell of the warm, fresh donuts, the sound of the water wheel... it would not be Fall without a visit to Yates.  

The Undercover Divas loved the visit.  You will, too!!

Yates Cider Mill's fall hours are Monday – Friday – 7am – 7pm and weekends – 9am – 7pm. The Mill is located at Dequindre and Avon Roads (23 Mile Rd.) in Rochester Hills. They are just 35 minutes north of Downtown Detroit in Oakland County.  

Big Al's Firehouse Restaurant in Shelby Township, MI - REVIEW

We were passing through Shelby Township at lunchtime and the DIVAS were hungry. As we reached the corner of Schoenherr and 22 Mile Rd. in northern Macomb County, we noticed Big Al's Firehouse in the strip mall. Lots of cars in the lot so we decided to stop and try something new.  

We were greeted at the door, and directed through a bar area where people were having a good time watching a Detroit Tigers game on the TV. The hostess led us to the main room to be seated. There was a small salad bar on the back wall and firehouse memorabilia decorated the room. It was a bit past lunchtime and there were still lots of customers. Our waitress brought us a “bag” of hot rolls and an assortment of butter and a ranch spread for the bread, they were very tasty.  

There were a number of lunch plates on the menu, but I decided to try a daily special, which was a half slab of BBQ ribs with Big Al's special sauce ($11.00). The rib plate came with two pieces of Texas Toast, and the Texas buttered toast was almost as good as the ribs. The rib plate included a trip to the salad bar. The other DIVA had a BBQ Brisket and Cheddar sandwich with fries. It also included either a trip to the salad bar or a bowl of homemade soup ($10.00). The ribs were mouthwatering, and the brisket was delicious.

Big Al perfected his rib recipe cooking for the guys at a firehouse when he was a fireman. With his refined skills, he opened Big Al's Firehouse Restaurant. The tender meaty bones of these ribs are smoked with his secret dry rub. I was glad I ordered the ribs because they were really fall-off-the-bone good, with his signature sweet sauce.

Service was quick and friendly. The food was really good, portions were large and prices were reasonable. Everything from the salad bar to the sandwiches were fresh and appetizing. Big Al's Firehouse Restaurant is located at 49035 Schoenherr in Shelby Township, Michigan. They are open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.  

The Iron Kettle in Lewiston, MI, and Sunflower Farms - REVIEW

Lewiston is a small town, located in the northeast area of lower Michigan. The town was named after Lewis Jenson of the M.H. Lumber company, in 1891. The lumber boom ended shortly thereafter but logging continues in the area. It is being done very selectively, to preserve and protect the remaining old-growth forests. You can find just about anything in this little town. While visiting Lewiston, The Undercover Divasdecided to visit one of our favorite family style restaurants, a small diner called the Iron Kettle. They serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, and anything in between.  

The Iron Kettle is open all day, all year round, unlike most restaurants that cut back hours during the off season. Their great soup and salad bar is the reason we chose the Iron Kettle. That was probably our biggest disappointment. What used to be great was now only average. There was a bowl of lettuce, but nothing appetizing to help dress it up. Side pasta salads and extras were a letdown. But there was a good choice of home-made salad dressings. What saved the soup and salad bar was the soup. The Iron Kettle has some of the best hot soups anywhere, and we've been many places. The soup of the day is your only choice, and it was chicken rice, and delicious, and the price of the salad bar ($2.99) was still a bargain.  

The menu is extensive, with just about every type of diner food you could imagine. There is also a menu board when you enter the restaurant, listing the day's specials. I usually get the dinner special, which often is the fish of the day, and have never been disappointed.

We arrived at noon and found some appetizing lunch specials. One DIVA had the South West Chicken sandwich with fries ($6.99) I had the Turkey Club with their kettle chips ($7.50). Both were really good.

It's not a steak house, you can find that next door at the Redwood Steak House, but a home-cooking diner. Lots of country people, in the middle of farm country, gave the place it's charm. Dress was definitely jeans. It's great to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities and just breath the clean air and enjoy the fresh, country atmosphere.

We have always experienced fast and friendly service at the Iron Kettle. Portions are large and prices are reasonable. The Iron Kettle is located at 4737 Salling Ave. (Co. Rd. 612), in the heart of downtown Lewiston. They open every day, seven days a week, at 6am, for good, hearty, country breakfasts. It's well worth a stop by.   

Special Attention: Acres upon acres of sunflowers, with fully bloomed flowers... It's beautiful indeed! If you are like us, you love the sunflowers and how nice is it to run into actual sunflower farms. That's just what happened to us as we were driving up north. Fairview, Michigan, is home to several sunflower farms along with an Amish community. Located in Comins Township within Oscoda Township, centered in the Huron Nation Forest, it runs along the Au Sable River. Wildlife are nearby, including bear, deer, eagles, Kirtland's Warblers and wild turkeys. We passed the farms while driving north on M33 after exiting I-75 at Exit 202 (Alger). The farms were just north of Mio, and there were a couple of them. What a sight to behold!!