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LIVINGSTON COUNTY – We heard you, Livingston County.
After we published an affordable dining guide that allowed families to eat at local restaurants for under $90, many of our readers asked us to ditch the appetizers and drinks and tighten up the reins. After all, shopping and dining out is more expensive than ever.
Our hypothetical family of four—two parents and two children under 10—will now try four restaurants at August 2024 prices, each for less than $50. Totals are based on a 6% tax rate and a 20% tip.
Our family consists of two parents and two children under 10 years old having dinner in August 2024. Totals are based on a 6% tax rate and a 20% tip.
More: Five restaurants where families in Livingston can dine for under $90
Breakfast: Olden Days Café in Fowlerville
Olden Days Cafe, located at 118 N. Grand St., is a family-owned restaurant that opened in 1992. Owners Chuck and Debbie offer home-cooked food and a friendly atmosphere. Customers can eat in, take-out, or pick up curbside.
The menu includes breakfast and lunch classics like biscuits and gravy and meatloaf. Most items on the menu are under $10.
The order of our hypothetical family:
Adult Starters: Western Omelet $7.49, Southern Smother $6.99
Children’s dishes: Short Stack Pancakes $5.50, French Toast $5.99 (Lunch and dinner on the kids’ menu include a soft drink and fries.)
In total: 27,53 €
Total amount including taxes and tips: $33.04
Pizza: Captain’s on Main in Brighton
Captain’s ön Main, located at 423 W. Main St., is a popular pizza spot in Brighton. The restaurant has a “Give a Slice Back” board, where customers can pay a bill in advance and put the food on the board for someone in need to pick up. In February, the restaurant donated 84 pizzas to Bountiful Harvest.
The price for a 12-inch pizza ranges from $14.50 to $18.50. Fortunately, pizza is a great meal to share.
The order of our hypothetical family:
Main course for adults: 12-inch pepperoni pizza $15
Children’s dishes: 12-inch Easy Cheesy Pizza $14.50
In total: 29,50 €
Total amount including taxes and tips: $37.52
Slider’s: Griff’s Grill in Howell
Griff’s Grill at 1009 E. Grand River Ave. is a local and family-owned restaurant specializing in sliders. Griff’s opened in the summer of 2023 amid overwhelming support in honor of Griffin, the son of owner Joe Matley, who died in a car accident at age 16.
Griff’s Grill offers a variety of unique and classic sliders, most of them under $5, so customers can mix and match them however they like.
The order of our hypothetical family:
Adult Starters: Cheeseburger $3.75, Highlander $6.50, Truffle Shuffle $4.50, Olive Slider $3.75
Children’s dishes: Chili Burger $4.50, Hamburger $3.50, Bacon Cheeseburger $4.50, Rodeo $4.25
In total: $35.25
Total amount including taxes and tips: $44.84
Barbecue: The Smoke Doctor in Hamburg and Hell
The Smoke Doctor’s first location at 5589 M-36 in Hamburg opened a month before the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020. Despite the unfortunate timing, the restaurant was successful, opening a food truck and a second location in Hell in addition to catering. Owner Cornell Clark learned barbecue from his father.
Smoke Doctor’s menu covers a wide price range, but there are also plenty of affordable options.
The order of our hypothetical family:
Adult Starters: Pulled Pork/Ribs Combo with Two Sides $13.95, Brisket Breakfast Bowl $8.95
Children’s dishes: Crispy Chicken Sandwich $7.95, Chicken and Waffles $7.95
In total: $38.80
Total amount including taxes and tips: $49.36
— Contact reporter Tess Ware at [email protected].
