And we're off!
The search for Michigan's Best Breakfast Joint is on, and since Friday morning's announcement I have received more than 200 emails and more than 170 comments on our first story.
I'll be honest -- I'm overwhelmed with the response.
I know I shouldn't be. We love our breakfast. And we all have our favorite places.
You have two ways to nominate your favorite restaurant:
• Go to your local story on MLive.com and nominate your favorite place in the comment section of the story.
• Or send me an email, and I will forward it to the appropriate reporter. In fact, I have spent the entire morning reading my emails and sending them to each local market. My email is gonzo@mlive.com.
The deadline for nominations is 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27.
Reporters in each market will factor in the number of nominations, plus some of their favorites and come up with a ballot. So, be heard!
LOCAL LINKS
• Saginaw County search: Led by entertainment reporter Yfat Yossifor.
• Bay County search: Led by entertainment reporter Yfat Yossifor.
• Jackson area search: Led by entertainment reporter Zeke Jennings.
• Lansing area search: Led by entertainment reporter Zeke Jennings.
• Kalamazoo area search: Led by entertainment reporter John Liberty.
• Genesee County search: Led by entertainment reporter Scott Atkinson.
• Metro Detroit area search: Led by reporter David Muller.
• Muskegon area search: Led by entertainment reporter Lisha Arino.
• Grand Rapids area search: Led by entertainment concierge Todd Chance.
• Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area search: Led by AnnArbor.com.
As for nominations from outside each market (Traverse City, Ludington, etc.), please email those to me or use the comments section below. I'm gathering notes for a possible trip to restaurants in the Northern cities. I even have one nomination for a place in the Upper Peninsula.
Once we finish the nomination process, the search will look like this:
• On March 1, local entertainment reporters will post a poll with the top nominees from readers. The deadline for local polls is 5 p.m. March 5.
• On March 8, I will announce the winners of each local poll, and also announce our itinerary.
• From March 11-15, I will join the local entertainment writers in their markets to sample the best in each market. The public is welcome to come out and join me on the visits.
• On March 19 I will announce Michigan's Best Breakfast Joint, as well as my Top 10 ranking.
I am so hungry. All I have had for breakfast is a banana.
Email John Gonzalez at gonzo@mlive.com
Or follow John on Twitter at Twitter.com/MichiganGonzo
On Facebook at Facebook.com/GRGonzo