The Batata Shop is a local independent food vendor, and Tawnya (the owner & cook) has definitely…read morebeen on the hustle this past year! Chances are you've either seen or sampled the Batata (aka Sweet Potato) Waffles, as Tawnya sets up shop at various events & venues around the city (the DIY Food Fair, Model D's open house, Canfield Street Market, teaming up with Anthology at MOCAD, and so on). I can appreciate the efforts put into an independent food business, but when you're exclusively making/selling one product (in this case Batata Waffles) it better be damn good! Unfortunately, the sweet potato waffles are just okay. The batter has a nice consistency (not too light or dense) but the flavor is bland, and its only saving grace is the delicious homemade pecan butter! If you're interested in where The Batata Shop is setting up shop next, check their FB page: http://www.facebook.com/TheBatataShop

One day I might master an intro that has something directly to do with the business I'm reviewing,…read morebut today is not that day. So. There's an eCard going around that says, "Listen, I'm watching hockey and eating waffles. I just don't have time for your drama today." I don't get it at all. Games aren't on in the morning. Waffles don't have beer in them. If you throw one at someone, it won't even hurt. Can someone explain this ecard to me? I'll explain the Batata Shop for you in return. They're a pop-up serving up sweet potato waffles (whole wheat or gluten free) with pecan butter melted on top. You can usually find them at a coffee shop in Detroit, check out their Facebook page to find out where and when. These waffles are pretty damn good, although like Maria B. says, the best thing about them is the pecan butter. Mostly sweet, a little savory, a lot good. I like the waffle itself, but it's not at all crispy, and that's my favorite thing about a waffle. They're also pretty pricy. $3 for one, $5 for two. This might be okay, except I think an Eggo waffle is larger than these babies are. They're a great treat with your coffee, and definitely worth a try. But probably pointless to throw while watching a hockey game (Let's Go, Wings!).

I found them through their Groupon offer. The concept interested me - a freezer of pre-made meals,…read moreready to thaw and cook. I loved the prep work that went into my 8 meals, but I love prep at home too. For those of you who cringe when you see a set of measuring spoons, aka Ken, this place could make you hyperventilate. They truly set up each station to allow you to easily go about your business, and they keep the people working at the same time to the correct number. Now, for the taste. 3 stars average. I had to doctor practically every dish to match our tastes (fresh herbs and spices mostly). I appreciated that we had so much ready in the freezer, and Ken could follow the very easy instructions. I would recommend TTS to any couple or family that is looking to do more home cooked meals with ingredients you'll know everything about. The Groupon makes it even more...er...palatable. 3.5 stars

I bought a Groupon to try out Time Too Savor. I didn't read the fine print before buying the…read moreGroupon, so I didn't realize that I had to make an appointment and pre-order, which put me off a little, but shouldn't have. Making an appointment and ordering is easy via the website, and the variety of dishes to choose from is good. If I remember correctly, 14 different recipes are offered monthly. About half are chicken, with the remainder split between beef, pork, and chicken. The owner, Brian, made me feel completely at home when I arrived for my appointment. He did a great job explaining the process and then left me to do my thing. And my thing (and yours if you go) is simply this: Follow the crystal clear instructions to assemble and package your chosen meal(s). Ironically, I didn't feel like cooking when I got home, so I'll be trying my first meal tonight. If it's as good as I think it will be, I'll definitely become a regular.