Denise’s guidebook
Adult beverages
Don't leave without seeing our historic downtown and stopping in for a tasting with Patrick and the great team at PK. Perfect atmosphere and hand picked wine selections; many from local vineyards (and some great little finger food snacks). Check out their Facebook pae for live music line up and tell them that Denise Graves sent you! (For you non-wine drinkers, there's a small selection of beer)
PK UnKorked Wine Shop & Tasting Room
826 S Main StDon't leave without seeing our historic downtown and stopping in for a tasting with Patrick and the great team at PK. Perfect atmosphere and hand picked wine selections; many from local vineyards (and some great little finger food snacks). Check out their Facebook pae for live music line up and tell them that Denise Graves sent you! (For you non-wine drinkers, there's a small selection of beer)
Food scene
One of our small town favorites since 1954. Stop in for a homemade pastry and walk the downtown square for the Saturday morning farmers market when in season, and check out all of our great shops.
Pfaff's Bakery
313 N Mill StOne of our small town favorites since 1954. Stop in for a homemade pastry and walk the downtown square for the Saturday morning farmers market when in season, and check out all of our great shops.
Stop in and see Jimmy at Baby Bull’s Family Restaurant located about five minutes from my home. This it what THEY say about their restaurant...." Our food quality is better than ever. It is our promise to you – if it can be better it will be better. Our full menu provides something for everyone. Breakfast is a special treat with many choices available including Breakfast Skillets, Omelets, Biscuits and Gravy, Waffles, Pancakes, and Eggs to Order. At lunch try our Half-Pound Certified Black Angus Steak Burgers Topped with your favorites or a Black Angus Steak charbroiled to order, Pasta topped with Alfredo, Meat Sauce or Marinara. Greek Chicken and Pork Chops, Gyros. Fresh Salads, Club Sandwiches, Wraps, and Paninis are a great choice for a quick lunch. We have an affordable kid’s menu for 12 and younger and a senior’s menu for those over 60."
What do I say about Baby Bulls? I waitressed there when I was a teen and have been having my Saturday morning omelette at Bulls for just about 30 years now. It's certainly a Pontiac favorite.
Baby Bull's Family Restaurant
1025 West Reynolds StreetStop in and see Jimmy at Baby Bull’s Family Restaurant located about five minutes from my home. This it what THEY say about their restaurant...." Our food quality is better than ever. It is our promise to you – if it can be better it will be better. Our full menu provides something for everyone. Breakfast is a special treat with many choices available including Breakfast Skillets, Omelets, Biscuits and Gravy, Waffles, Pancakes, and Eggs to Order. At lunch try our Half-Pound Certified Black Angus Steak Burgers Topped with your favorites or a Black Angus Steak charbroiled to order, Pasta topped with Alfredo, Meat Sauce or Marinara. Greek Chicken and Pork Chops, Gyros. Fresh Salads, Club Sandwiches, Wraps, and Paninis are a great choice for a quick lunch. We have an affordable kid’s menu for 12 and younger and a senior’s menu for those over 60."
What do I say about Baby Bulls? I waitressed there when I was a teen and have been having my Saturday morning omelette at Bulls for just about 30 years now. It's certainly a Pontiac favorite.
Don't leave without ordering a Mario's Pizza. They'll deliver and look a little confused when my Shiba Inu doesn't greet them at the door. Try the Bacon Cheeseburger pizza and don't you dare not order some Nachos Supreme. Pretty historic dine in experience if you wanna get out of the house a while.
Mario's Pizza
748 W Madison StDon't leave without ordering a Mario's Pizza. They'll deliver and look a little confused when my Shiba Inu doesn't greet them at the door. Try the Bacon Cheeseburger pizza and don't you dare not order some Nachos Supreme. Pretty historic dine in experience if you wanna get out of the house a while.
Bernardi's is authentic Italian. Great atmosphere for a sit down meal in either the family dining side or the bar side. It's also a nice bar for a singe traveler to enjoy the conversation with a local, friendly bartender while watching your favorite sporting event on the bar TV, or even just a quiet time to yourself with an appetizer at the bar. Good take out food as well, but they don't deliver and our little town isn't equipped with DoorDash or UberEats just yet.
Bernardi's II
123 N Mill StBernardi's is authentic Italian. Great atmosphere for a sit down meal in either the family dining side or the bar side. It's also a nice bar for a singe traveler to enjoy the conversation with a local, friendly bartender while watching your favorite sporting event on the bar TV, or even just a quiet time to yourself with an appetizer at the bar. Good take out food as well, but they don't deliver and our little town isn't equipped with DoorDash or UberEats just yet.
Another great location; the best in town for classic bar food. Sit at a booth on the bar side or enjoy the quant dining room of a small house converted to a restaurant not far from my place. David is always there and will take great personalized care of you. Take two...when he comes around with a box of chocolates for dessert!
David's Food and Spirits
624 West Howard StreetAnother great location; the best in town for classic bar food. Sit at a booth on the bar side or enjoy the quant dining room of a small house converted to a restaurant not far from my place. David is always there and will take great personalized care of you. Take two...when he comes around with a box of chocolates for dessert!
If you're here for a historic Pontiac experience, please don't miss the Old Log Cabin. It'll take you back a few good years and they'll treat you like family. Good food, beer or soda, great breakfast, even just a good coffee spot to visit with some regulars and locals. Try the open face hot beef sandwich.
Old Log Cabin
18700 Historic U.S. 66If you're here for a historic Pontiac experience, please don't miss the Old Log Cabin. It'll take you back a few good years and they'll treat you like family. Good food, beer or soda, great breakfast, even just a good coffee spot to visit with some regulars and locals. Try the open face hot beef sandwich.
Sightseeing
Pontiac is a very patriotic and historical town located on the Old Route 66 trail. Check out the War Museum downtown for the true tourist experience that draws in busses and bikers from all around the country.
War Museum
Pontiac is a very patriotic and historical town located on the Old Route 66 trail. Check out the War Museum downtown for the true tourist experience that draws in busses and bikers from all around the country.
Dog Park
Pontiac lost one of it's own, and his loyal Police dog in a tragic car accident a few years back. In their memory, our city created the most amazing dog park just outside of town on airport road. If you want to spend some time there during your stay with your furry friend, please text me and I'll be happy to give you good directions from my house. I know when I travel I'm always looking for a dog park, and I'd hate you to miss this one.
Pontiac
Pontiac lost one of it's own, and his loyal Police dog in a tragic car accident a few years back. In their memory, our city created the most amazing dog park just outside of town on airport road. If you want to spend some time there during your stay with your furry friend, please text me and I'll be happy to give you good directions from my house. I know when I travel I'm always looking for a dog park, and I'd hate you to miss this one.
Traveler advice
Traveling with kids
Child and Pet services
I use Town & Country Vet services in Bloomington, about 40 min away. They have emergency hours and fair prices. There is also a Vet in Pontiac if you have needs that arise during normal business hours. Reach out to me if you need help with boarding, dog walking or child care while you are in town; I can link you with resources. I do not require you crate if you leave your pet alone at the house, but suggest it if you worry about mischievous behavior or property damage. You know your pet better than I do so I trust your judgement.