Restaurants in South Lyon

Nestled inside Wonderland Lanes, The Mad Hatter Pub satiates bowling champs and visiting diners with a wealth of classic pub food. Inside the kitchen, the culinary team crafts buffalo-chicken sandwiches, pairs fried cheese sticks with ranch or marinara sauce, and tops burgers with grilled onions and swiss cheese. Along with soft drinks and root beer floats, bartenders help wash down meals with wine and Michigan craft beers. Feasts unfold in a spacious, hardwood-floored lounge where cushy leather booths line the wall, flat-screen TVs broadcast the latest sports, and pool sharks sink 8-balls at a pair of billiard tables. The pub further entices guests with monthly entertainment, including beer tastings, live music, comedy showcases, and karaoke contests.

Originally founded in 1936 in Glendale, California, Big Boy’s flagship location initially bore the name Bob’s Pantry after owner Bob Wian. At a diner’s request, Bob piled two beef patties onto a bun to create the Classic Big Boy—an original double-decker hamburger that would become so popular that the small burger stand would eventually grow into a franchise of more than 100 U.S. locations. Legend has it that Bob named the creation after one of his most loyal customers: a 6-year-old boy in droopy overalls who would one day ascend to mascot stardom.

Though the menu has since expanded to include ham sandwiches, homestyle dinners, and breakfast, the eatery still serves its namesake burger stacked high with two patties, american cheese, shredded lettuce, and a special sauce. A large, overall-clad statue stands guard at every location, reminding patrons of the restaurant’s humble beginnings and that children will turn to stone should they not eat enough cheeseburgers.