Back in April of last year a banner went up in an empty lot not too far from where I work, announcing that a Culver's was coming soon. I had no idea what Culver's was. My only clue was the picture of the burger that made my mouth water every time I drove by. About I month later I was on a vacation in Wisconsin and nearly every freeway exit announed another Culver's was nearby. Finally I couldn't take it any more and we stopped to try it out. All I can say is WOW! (But more on that later.)

Over the next several months that empty lot grew into a rather impressive building. Sometime in early October, a coworker and I - getting impatient - decided to walk over and see how much longer it would be until opening day. We met the owner who was very nice and very anxious to be making money instead of spending it. He told us it would be early November. So we waited. And oh how time seemed to stand still.

Finally the big day came and our very own Culver's opened to the public. This particular franchise is the first one to venture into Michigan. The first week I had lunch there nearly every day! The specialty at Culver's is the Butterburgers (the name comes from the way they butter and toast the crown of the bun).

Culver's is fast food - but yet it's not. You order at a counter just like at McDonald's. But then you take a number and go find a seat. The dining area is much nicer than most fast food establishments. The floor is carpeted, there are ceiling fans and lighting fixtures. The reason you have to go sit down and wait for your food is because they do not make it ahead of time. It is not already sitting in a warming bin before you have even made up your mind where to go eat. While you sit, they are preparing your food. When it is ready, a smiling employee brings it out to you. Everything is fresh. And it shows. From the juicy lean (never frozen) steakburgers, to the freshly cut tomatoes, onions, and lettuce.

While the butterburger is my favorite, their menu is expansive. They have melts (sourdough melt, swiss melt), sandwiches (turkey, ham, fish, roast beef), chicken strips, grilled or breaded chicken sandwiches, and fresh salads like you wouldn't believe. Not to mention two different soups and chili every day. Sides? Oh yes. They have sides! Fries, onion rings, real mashed potatoes, cole slaw, you name it! Heck, they even have fried chicken dinners. I mean, why not?

The only blemish on an otherwise perfect record is that they carry Pepsi products. But that is my own opinion and I know many people don't like Coke (as crazy as it may sound). However, and I say this with all honesty, Culver's brand Root Beer is the best root beer I have ever had. (Burger and fries not enough? Add a root beer float!)

But wait - there's more! If that wasn't enough, Culver's also specializes in frozen custard. If you are not familiar with Frozen custard, it's basically soft serve ice cream but yummier. Which means, cones, sundaes, shakes, malts - just like an ice cream parlour. It's amazing!

I became an instant fan and eat at Culver's at least once a week. If you have to go cheap and quick for lunch (or dinner), and you have McDonald's across the street and Culver's next door, to me - it's a no brainer!