Jonesville is an unlikely small town in Michigan to have so many great privately owned restaurants. Jonesville is not a resort town or an attraction city. It is just a small town that has good food. Jonesville has been featured as one of the nation’s top small towns for foodies. It has also been hailed as a town with “must-try” restaurants. Additionally, it has a restaurant that has been called “absolutely amazing“. Many cities have very good restaurants, but this is a community of just 2,300 people that boasts some of the most heralded restaurants in a city its size. Jonesville is located at highways 12 and 99 in Southern Michigan, about 20 miles north of the Indiana/Ohio border.
Olivia’s Chop House is a fine dining restaurant located at 205 E Chicago Street in downtown Jonesville. It is a modern facility with a casual feel. Olivia’s is open Tuesday thru Saturday from 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM (10:00 PM on weekends). They do not take reservations and do not have a dress code. However, a private dining room for 20 people can be reserved, and a banquet room for 60 people is available, too. Olivia’s is famous for its melt-in-your-mouth prime rib. It is a Chop House, so all of the steaks are excellent. They also know how to prepare seafood, because it doesn’t taste like fish. An extended menu includes chicken, pork chops, crab legs, and more. A signature soup contains bacon, lettuce, and tomato. Creme Brulee is a great light dessert, but if you want to see something cool: they will prepare a flaming dessert, tableside, for your special occasion. Most entrees on the menu are around $20. Beer, wine, and cocktails are served.
Saucy Dog’s BBQ is a casual barbecue place with comfort food at 212 E Chicago Street in downtown Jonesville. It is a very popular rustic/modern facility with indoor and outdoor seating. Saucy Dog is open Tuesday thru Saturday from 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM (10:00 PM on weekends and Noon – 8:00 on Sunday. They offer traditional barbecue food including ribs, pulled pork, pulled chicken, and beef brisket along with hot dogs and sandwiches. Their meats are smoked for over 12 hours and have been complimented by Texans who know barbecue. Their hamburgers are among the best in the area, and a big selection of deep-fried hot dogs is great for lighter appetites. Most entrees on the menu are under $10. Beer, wine, and dog-themed specialty drinks are featured.
Rosalie’s Roadhouse is a casual dining restaurant serving Italian, Mexican, and American food at 417 W Chicago Street on the West Side of Jonesville. They are open Monday thru Saturday 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM. Rosalie’s offers pizza, subs, tacos, chicken wings, salads, lasagna, and sandwiches with a foreign flare. Their breads and doughs are handmade daily at the restaurant. Their lasagna is the best (that my mom didn’t make). They pride themselves by using locally grown products as much as possible. Most items on the menu are around $10. Beer, wine, and cocktails are offered. Their signature drink is a Long Island Iced Tea.
Spangler’s Family Restaurant is an upscale diner serving family favorites at 601 E Chicago Rd on the East Side of Jonesville. They are open on weekdays 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM, Friday and Saturday until 9:00 and Sunday 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Spangler’s offers breakfast all day, plus burgers, sandwiches, meatloaf, pot roast, and other comfort food. It is locally popular and always busy. Expect to wait for a table during regular breakfast, lunch, and dinner hours. It has been nominated as the best diner in Michigan and has won an award for ‘best country cooking’ in Hillsdale County. They are most famous for their home-made selection of pies. Most items on the menu are under $10.
Main Street Pizza is the local favorite pizza place at 233 E Chicago St in downtown Jonesville. They are open every day from 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM. Main Street offers pizza, subs, and cheesy bread 7 days a week. It has indoor seating, but most of their business is take-out. They do not offer delivery. Main Street Pizza is the perennial winner for ‘favorite pizza’ in Hillsdale County. It has a thicker crust that they pile with plenty of ingredients. On a typical night, the pizza is ready in 20 minutes.All of these restaurants are walkable from the Munro House B&B in downtown Jonesville. “Life is good in Jonesville”.