Flat Rock Grill

Three new eateries in Henderson County

While recuperating from surgery to remove a tumor lodged behind her right eye, Crystal Harris watched a lot of Food Network television shows. She paid close attention to the ones about barbecue, she said Wednesday, sitting at a table with a red and white checkered tablecloth draped over it.

“I had the surgery in January and it (the tumor) was benign, so they took it out and I went home,” Harris said. “I have 10 years of experience in food service (she is the cafeteria manager at Dana Elementary) and I told my husband I always wanted to have a barbecue place. We knew about this location, so we just came in one day and told the owner we'd like to buy it, and he said yes.”

Her husband said he can't believe the way their lives changed at that point.

“I think she was still in a drug-induced stupor,” Johnny Harris said, laughing. “It was important to her, so it was important to me. We are working hard to make a go of it.”

He gave up a job at Milliken Research in Greenville, S.C., to be a partner in the barbecue business, which is next to Subway, he said. The couple changed everything in the former restaurant space, from the decor to the food. They spent a month perfecting recipes for their unique barbecue sauce.

“Our house still smells like barbecue sauce,” Johnny Harris said.

Their menu features barbecue plate meals, or customers can order from the a-la-carte menu. There is pork barbecue and beef brisket to choose. The restaurant also serves hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken tenders for those who don't like barbecue.

All the work that went into creating signature barbecue sauces paid off. The couple ended up with four types: vinegar-based; tomato-based that has a sweet taste to it; mustard-based; and a hot barbecue sauce for those who enjoy spicy food.

A plate of beef brisket barbecue with two side items and a beverage sells for $7.99, and the same plate with pork barbecue instead of beef goes for $7.50. The chicken tender plate with two sides and a beverage is $6.99.

Side items include homemade fries, slaw, hush puppies, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, green beans, corn nuggets and potato salad. A variety of salads and desserts are also on the menu. Everything is prepared fresh, with the couple spending an hour each morning hand chopping the hickory-smoked meat that has spent anywhere from eight to 10 hours cooking, they said.

Harris said one of her favorite things about the business is being around her customers, which include regulars and those who discover Crystal's BBQ & Grill when they come in off Interstate 26.

Julio's Mexican Grill | Downtown Flat Rock

Are you looking for authentic Mexican food in Flat Rock, MI? It’s probably closer than you think!

Right around the corner on E. Huron River Dr., Maria and Salvador Guzman are serving up some of the best Mexican South of Mexican Town.

Many of you might remember the Ice Cream Shoppe that was there for over 5 years. Also owned by the Guzman’s, they decided to convert it you a quaint Mexican grill to compliment their sister restaurant in Riverview, MI.

The food is delicious!

Even if you don’t have time to sit down at the restaurant you can still let Julio’s Mexican Grill do the cooking. They have a complete carry-out menu, which includes a Family Pack under $21 (try to do that at Taco Bell). Give Julio’s Mexican Grille a try the next time you want something a little spicer.

Shelby County, in

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