On my recent yearly trip to Novi, Michigan, I ate at all of my usual favorite places. The only problem I have is I love these places so much I never try anywhere else.

Bagger Dave’s is a burger tavern, but the burgers far exceed standard bar burgers. While I always choose the “build your burger” option, I get different combinations of cheese and other toppings. This time, I tried sauteed mushrooms, pineapple and smoked gouda. Any way you build it, the burger is one of the best I have ever eaten. I also love the turkey black bean chili, and the homemade cola is outstanding.

Unlike my usual plan of sticking with my favorite, when I go to Border Cantina, I always try different entrees. This time I had shrimp tacos, served with real refried beans, Mexican rice and a little corn cake. Everything tastes fresh and delicious. The service is fast, and the atmosphere is lively yet not overpowering. My friends always question me when I tell them the Coke is awesome, but after drinking it, they all agree.

Our final dining stop is always Tony Sacco’s Coal Oven Pizza. They serve pizza perfectly. The caramelized cheese sits on a sweet and zesty sauce, spread over a crispy golden-brown crust. It’s pizza nirvana. I recommend getting the garlic rotolis (knots) to enjoy during the short wait for the pizza.

On the drive home, we always debate trying new places for dinner, but we always go back to our favorites. I guess the solution would be to add another day or two to the trip!

— John Wroblewski, online contributor