Buddy's Pizza
Detroit

It's hip to be square at Buddy's, "a neighborhood favorite since it opened 60 years ago." The dough is made from scratch every day, and the Sicilian-style pizza is served up square, which makes for a "unique, thick, crispy crust." Inside, there's a "relaxed, casual atmosphere" that tends to attract a "diverse crowd of locals." If you time your visit right, you might even spy "local celebrities like news anchors, sports figures, and radio personalities" digging into what many say is the "best" square pizza in the area. Even though there are nine locations around Detroit, Buddy's largely remains a Local Secret. Read more.

St. Andrew's Hall
Detroit

Music has always been linked to the church, but not in the way you'll hear it at St. Andrew's Hall, which some dub "an old church converted to a live music theater." However, its real past was as a meeting place for the St. Andrew's Society, a Scottish expatriates group, at the turn of the 20th century. More recently, it's where Jane's Addiction, Alice in Chains and other bands came to make it big. Today, it's just a "great place to see a band, any band." There are "three floors of fun for any taste," weekends are hopping, and there's a "great view of the stage from any angle." If you're a movie buff, step into the basement. Known as The Shelter, this is the supposed venue of Eminem's rap battles in the movie 8 Mile, even though the film wasn't shot in this location, and the real Shelter is "not nearly as grimy as in the movie." Read more.

Burgdorf's Winery
Haslett

You, too, can be a vintner at this "delightful surprise" of a winery that has been offering a terrific selection for 29 years, while also letting you "make your own." Close to the Michigan capital, the "friendly and savvy" owners are more than willing to "introduce the inexperienced to the secrets of wine." Because you can also custom-design your own label, it's also great for special occasions and "several bridal parties have made their wedding wine there." And if you'd like something already pre-made, the wine-tasting cellar allows visitors to try specialty or seasonal varietals. Read more.

Woodland Farm Market
Shelby

The owner of Woodland Farm Market makes a cherry pie so good that "she is considered unfair competition," and has thus been "barred from entering the local pie contests." So much the better for her customers, who are able to enjoy her "secret recipe" along with some of the other "best-kept secrets in Oceana County." Head here to stock up on "home-baked pies and rolls," novelty items like "pickled asparagus," and some of the "best produce and ingredients" in western Michigan. When fall rolls around, be sure to try some of the "fresh-pressed apple cider."

Zingerman's Deli
Ann Arbor

While serious foodies the world over are familiar with Zingerman's, this stand-out deli and bakery is "mostly not known to those outside the state," but it is "wildly popular locally." The place is "absolutely fanatical about its use of ingredients," which translates to the "freshest and finest food." The "incredible" breads are used to make "out-of-control" creations that some say are "the best deli sandwiches west of New York." If the weather's nice, join the flanks of "folks only able to finish half their sandwiches" on the outdoor patio. As for the gourmet foods, cheeses, and "amazing desserts," the "outstanding" selection makes for a "celebration of food." There's also a terrifically comprehensive selection of hard-to-find pantry ingredients. Read more.