Best Restaurant to Spend Less Than $15, Oakland County

Kalamata Greek Grill

3149 Crooks Rd., Troy; 248-643-2600; 

kalamatagreek.com

Kalamata's counter staff stays busy preparing generously portioned fresh Greek dishes. The menu includes Greek favorites — spinach pie, lemon rice soup, gyros and Greek lasagna — all for no more than $10. House-grilled pitas are available with most dishes.

Best Restaurant to

Spend Less Than $15, 

Macomb County

Seeburger's Cheeseburgers

71 N. Main St., Mt. Clemens; 586-468-4200; seeburgerscheeseburgers.com

Owner Todd loves to talk burgers at this counter service restaurant. The sliders are especially tasty, served three in a basket, and topped with caramelized onions and cheese. But there's more to Seeburger's than just burgers; they also offer meat-filled Italian panini or a generous antipasto salad. They also have a full-service Stroh's ice cream counter, where you can order cream puffs, malts and sundaes.

Best Restaurant to Spend Less Than $15, Washtenaw County

Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger

551 S. Division St., Ann Arbor; 734-663-4590

You better order your burger just right; the menu asks you to read it properly before ordering. Yes, the staff at Blimpy Burger loves to poke fun at the customers, but it's all in good fun — and their fresh-ground burgers are worth it. Sloppy, tender and with more than 30 toppings and buns to choose from ... imagine how long it'll take you to eat through the possibilities.

Best Restaurant to Spend Less Than $50, Oakland County

Union Woodshop

18 S. Main St., Clarkston; 248-625-5660;    unionwoodshop.com

This retro-style barbeque restaurant serves mouthwatering smoked and slow-cooked ribs, pulled pork and chicken. The pizzas are cooked in a wood-burning oven, and there are also unique vegetarian options, such as the sweet potato burrito. Don't miss the mac and cheese: It's made with sharp cheddar, Parmesan and béchamel in a crunchy crust.

Best Restaurant to Spend Less Than $50, 

Washtenaw County

Best Barbecue, 

Washtenaw County

Red Rock Downtown Barbecue

207 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti; 734-340-2381; redrockypsi.com

Freshly opened, Red Rock is a cozy barbecue joint decorated with an exposed brick and wood interior. They serve up the classics: brisket sandwiches, tender ribs, creamy mac and cheese, and more. They also offer a nice beer selection to go with your 'cue.

Best Italian Cuisine, Wayne County

Roma Café

3401 Riopelle St., Detroit; 313-831-2253; romacafe.com

Detroit's oldest Italian restaurant serves up classic Italian dishes, including gnocchi, veal Parmesan, polenta and lasagna topped with a thick, rich tomato sauce. There is a full bar with a wide-ranging wine list. For dessert, we recommend a crisp cannoli studded with bits of chocolate and filled with sweetened, whipped ricotta cheese.

Best Italian Cuisine, Oakland County

Best Italian Cuisine, Macomb County

Andiamo

7096 E. 14 Mile Rd. Warren; 586-268-3200 

42705 Grand River Ave., Novi; 248-348-3838;  

see andiamoitalia.com for more locations

The Andiamo mini-chain serves traditional Italian fare in an intimate setting that caters to both romantic couples and families. They serve such house-made favorites as spaghetti, lasagna and gnocchi, as well as more creative items, such as vitello con insalata portabella, a free-raised veal rib-eye steak in a portabella mushroom slaw served atop a bed of balsamic-braised Swiss chard. 

Best Italian Cuisine, Washtenaw County

Palio

347 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-930-6100;  paliorestaurant.com

This rustic Italian restaurant serves generously portioned Tuscan dishes, such as spaghetti Bolognese, with rich flavors of veal, pork, porcini mushrooms, fresh rosemary and more. Except thick soups, country breads, and grilled meats and fish.

Best French Cuisine

Le Petit Zinc

1055 Trumbull Ave., Detroit; 313-963-2805; lepetitzincdetroit.com

Le Petit Zinc is a casual and bright little restaurant that offers delicious sweet to savory crêpes, goat cheese, ratatouille and more French-inspired cuisine. The garden patio is a lovely spot to dine al fresco on a nice summer day.

Best Greek Cuisine

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