Peterlins — Restaurant in Farmington

My wife and I were looking for a local place that we hadn't been to, and with a quick Google search, this place turned up. When we pulled into the parking lot, I made a joke to her that this place looks like one of those bar/restaurants that are frequently featured on the show "Bar Rescue". I guess if you know, then you know, haha.

Beyond that, this establishment is very conveniently located and easy to find. I think in order to miss the giant sign they have on the side of the building, you'd have to be driving with your eyes closed and I wouldn't recommend that anyone do that. If you're familiar with the area, then you already know it's pretty busy, but because this establishment is located in a strip mall/shopping center area there will always be plenty of space and parking no matter how busy it gets. On that same note, I am not exactly sure how busy this place gets, because we ended up here on a Friday night (during peak dining hours) and we had zero issue and no wait getting a table. It kind of seems like most of the people that dine here are possibly regulars that come here quite often. The staff is made up of mostly younger folks which is fine, but they seemed to get flustered quite easily when it came to seating people, cleaning tables, and repeating the process.

If you've never been here, one of the first things you'll notice is that it's kind of strangely setup. The door that you enter into, goes into an area that doesn't look like it would be a restaurant. Call me crazy but it kind of looks like a movie or TV set or something. Then if you travel through the hole in the wall to the other side, it looks like you're actually in a restaurant and there is a big old bar, and it just looks like a normal restaurant that you'd find anywhere. I'm not sure if that was the original space, and they knocked a hole in the wall and expanded to the area that we sat in or what. There is also a pretty sizeable outdoor patio seating area, but it's currently pretty chilly so it was empty, but just know that is also an option if your heart desires fresh air wafting through your hair while you're eating your meal.

Speaking of a meal, let's talk about the food. That's why you're here after all isn't it? The food here is just okay, and by that I mean that it's nothing to write home, or anyone else about. A lot of the fare is that of something you'd find in a majority of Coney Island type restaurants pretty much anywhere, just with a higher price tag. In all honesty, my sandwich was perfectly fine, but it was no different quality or taste wise, than something that I can get up the street from here for probably five bucks less.

When all is said and done, the place is clean (though I didn't visit the restroom so I cannot personally speak on that), our waitress was quick, kind and attentive, and over all things went fine. Would I stop in here to meet a friend for some appetizers and a few beers at the bar? Absolutely. Would I come here again for dinner on a Friday night (or any night)? Probably not, and that's okay, it is what it is. Maybe there is a reason why my Wife and I hadn't eaten here previously. I don't know. Either...

I met my college bestie at Peterlin's yesterday, 2/15/25. The food was excellent, but let me preface this review with a fun "small world" story." My bestie and I live about an hour apart, so when we get together, we try to choose a (roughly) halfway point. I noticed immediately when I sat down that had to be some connection to the UP. There is artwork on the wall with a heart in two separate places on the UP map. I asked our server what the connection was, and she told me the owners are from Escanaba. Within seconds, one of those owners came over to our table and asked "Is that your truck outside with the 906 sticker?" Yup, that's me! He grew up in Escanaba, which is about 30 minutes from my hometown. He is one of only a handful of Lower Peninsula residents who has ever heard of the tiny town in which I grew up. We had a nice chat before he got back to work. A few minutes later, he came out with a plate of free appetizers for me and my friend. The sauce for the Asian pot stickers was great, and the pretzels and cheddar ale cheese were also very good. I had a cup of the homemade mushroom soup (one of the daily specials) and the "Portabella Wrapped Up." I was only able to finish half of the wrap and almost none of the crunchy house-made chips that came with it. All of it was excellent, and the service was wonderful. Despite the plethora of options in that area to choose from, I will definitely be returning to Peterlin's to support my fellow Yoopers and try something else on their very large menu. Between the regular menu and the daily specials, there were so many interesting items that it was really hard to choose. Everything sounded really good! It's clear that the owners appreciate and understand food, flavor combinations, and variety. The weather was pretty crummy, so it wasn't very busy, but I would imagine that on a sunny afternoon this place is hoppin'. One thing I appreciated that most people don't think about is the space between tables. It's nice to have a little separation between yourself and other groups, and I really liked that the tables in Peterlin's were nicely spread out. I definitely recommend stopping at Peterlin's for a comfortable, delicious, casual...

Peterlin’s restaurant is excellent on all levels. First of all, it is quite unique in both variety and in the large number of food choices. There are many, many familiar favorites - from large salads to homemade meatloaf dinners, sandwiches, steaks, and seafood. Secondly, it is highly consistent. We visited two times in January 2022. The staff is polite and helpful, even with limited personnel, and they seemed cheerful in demeanor. My order of the same meal was exactly as delicious each time. My newest discovery has become my favorite - the “Portabella Wrapped Up.” Actually, it is the BEST WRAP (of any type) that I have EVER had in my entire life! It is served hot and fresh, and seems to stay that way even though it includes some shredded lettuces! Homemade, AND a well-loved personal creation of the owner - this delightful wrap is stuffed with freshly chopped “meaty” portabella mushrooms that have been sautéed with sliced red onion. A lovely aoli is poured over the mixture, which is tossed with some crisp chopped lettuce. The dish is finished off with drizzles of a balsamic reduction. It is wonderfully warm and filling…almost even too much to eat the second half (it’s that satisfying!) As you can see from my pictures, I couldn’t wait to dig in…and took several bites even before the photos! This meal is served with a side, and I always choose one of their fresh hot vegetables. If you look closely, you can find a pod stem or two on my crisply sautéed green beans. They are simply heavenly!

None of this surprises me, as this gracious owner has been a chef for 35 years. It is completely obvious that he loves culinary work and values every customer. He was visibly present at both our recent visits, although he can just as easily be found creating dishes in the kitchen. The restaurant is consists of two large rooms, and is furnished with booths, assorted size tables, and even several high tops in the bar area It is usually more quiet in one room verses the other, but that just depends on the time of day customers visit; and they are busier in the evenings, and weekends. Parking is ample, as this gem is situated in a fairly large strip mall on Farmington Rd, just south of...