Birch Run Eats

"We all know Birch Run is a shopping paradise in the Great Lakes Bay region, but do you know it is also a food paradise? Let our guest blogger, Allie Boyer, a Birch Run native, tell you the best eats in Birch Run!!"

Year after year, Birch Run welcomes the many tourists who enjoy shopping at the World's Largest Outlet Mall, stopping by Tony's for the biggest BLT they've ever seen, or heading to Frankenmuth for world famous chicken dinners.

As a girl born and raised in Birch Run, the mall is something I’ve always taken for granted, the Frankenmuth Eagles are serious rivals to our Birch Run Panthers and Tony’s BLT is left to the tourists. What Birch Run should be known for is its small town charm, friendly residents and fierce panther pride.

Where are the best places to find all three? Right in town at the local restaurants!

Family owned and operated since 1963, The Exit Restaurant boasts an atmosphere of comfort. Whenever I walk into this place I receive friendly hellos, see familiar faces and visit with the same waitresses.

On Sundays, when church is over, this is where the locals go to load up their plates at the breakfast buffet. Life slows down, friends come together and the small town life is evident at every table. With a great menu selection, a bakery full of homemade bread and donuts and a gift shop for your favorite Michigan souvenir, The Exit is this small town’s staple and a must see on a trip to Birch Run.

Another local find, completely unknown to tourists, is Goal Post Pizza, located past the mall in downtown. This family friendly restaurant has anything from pizza and chicken to burgers and salads. But don’t leave Birch Run until you’ve sampled their Stromboli. Goal Post's prime location, on the corner of Church St. and Birch Run Rd., and its quaint gazebo, makes it a favorite for photo ops and teens getting out of school.

For more good eats, head west on Birch Run Road, toward Burt, and check out Backwoods (formerly known as Gracie's). This bar and restaurant was built in the middle of farm country, between the corn fields. Then, head south on I-75 to Clio and stop in at Joe's Garage Sports Pub for a great burger and some live music.

There's something to be said about finding a "home cooked" meal in a friendly restaurant where everyone knows each other and strangers are always welcome. You may have to bypass the mall or drive through the country, but isn't that what Michigan is all about? Slow down, relax and tuck in to some good eats in Birch Run.

About Allie Boyer...
My name is Allie Boyer and I grew up in Birch Run, graduating from Birch Run High School. Last year I graduated from Central Michigan University with a degree in integrative public relations and double minors in political science and American sign language. I currently live in Lowell, Michigan while working as the online content - PR coordinator for Capital Area District Library in Lansing.