Janelle's Family Restaurant

11.2012 This restaurant burned down.

I did not find it to be quiet.  Just putting it out there.  Every surface was hard...

The food was tasty.  We came for the buffet after being told the golfcourse kitchen was closed.  The tater tots were chilly but the rest was tasty.  Breads, meats, fruit, and a full service omlette station.  For $5.99 I think.  Alrighty!!!

The service was a little lax, but they were changing shifts so I didn't take a star off.

Byron is a tiny hamlet between Fenton and Howell. We were there on a visit to a nearby farm; we decided to stop in town and have lunch. Janelle's is one of two eating spots (the other looked like a small pizzeria/take-out joint) on the main street. Visually Janelle's is a typical small-town family restaurant; all wood paneling, antiques and vintage photos of the area. We were surprised by the ambition of the menu, which was supplemented by a number of weekly and daily specials; then again, it's pretty much the only game in town for a "real" sit-down meal, and has to be all things to all people in this rather isolated place.

We ordered, off the main menu, Carolina Pig sandwiches, pulled-pork-and-slaw on a bun; I had chicken-vegetable soup, one of the daily specials, on the side, while my partner chose sweet potato fries. We were both pleased with our lunches. The sandwiches were huge, flavorful and neatly wrapped in waxed paper (not so neatly eaten!); the fries were nicely seasoned; the soup, while obviously made from an assortment of frozen vegetables,, was colorful and hti the spot -- like something you or I miight throw together in a crock pot for a quick lunch on a blustery day.

The interior of the restaurant is very clean and cheerful, and the service was friendly. (I believe we were served by the owner.) The prices were surprisingly low, we thought, for the quantity and quality.

We didn't have room for dessert, but we did see an appealing teaser for shakes, malteds, sundaes and pies on the wall.

If you're looking for some groovy, poppin' Guy-Fieri-ate-here restaurant, keep driving. This place is what it is.  But we thought it was one of the better main-street restaurants we've eaten at in small-town Michigan, and we've been to a lot.