If you're looking for FREE family fun this summer, head to Normandy Oaks in Royal Oak! The park features a…
#DADLIFE WITH CHEF JOE OF GREY GHOST

Looking for inspiration + ideas for things to do with kids in Metro Detroit? Tried and true suggestions that real moms actually do? Here they are! Hungry Howie’s appreciates Moms and joins LittleGuide Detroit in spotlighting a local Mom each week in the #MomLife series. To take one thing off her plate and give her more time for fun, Hungry Howie’s is giving each week’s featured Mom a free pizza dinner for her and her family to enjoy. Thank you Hungry Howie’s for being the Official Pizza of Moms.
In honor of Father’s Day we wanted to switch up our #MomLife series and feature a Dad! And because the pandemic has hit local businesses so hard (especially restaurants) we wanted to share with you our favorite local Chef Dad, Joe Giacomino. He’s the chef/co-owner of Grey Ghost which is one of Detroit’s hottest restaurants with delicious food + a fabulous outdoor patio! He’s also the co-owner of Second Best – the perfect place for your next date night or girls night out!
Meet Joe
HEY! I’m Joe Giacomino and I’m super stoked to be part of the #DadlLife series. I grew up in Wisconsin and went to culinary school in Chicago (BEAR DOWN). Currently, I live in Bloomfield Hills with my wife, Jill and our two kids, Sonny (4) and Gia (1) along with our two pups, Charlie and Rocket. I’m a chef and co-own two restaurants in Detroit, Grey Ghost and Second Best. Although I often work late nights, I’m happy that I have every morning to spend with my children and boy, do they keep me busy.
Follow along: @joe_giacomino, @greyghostdetroit, @secondbestdetroit
Favorite Ways To Spend Family Time:
- Hiking / Exploring Woods (El Johnson, Carpenter Lake, Metroparks)
- Saturday morning movies and doughnuts
- Swimming – pool, lake, ocean, we love it all
Favorite Places To Go:
- Detroit Zoo (Royal Oak)
- Bowers Farm (Bloomfield Hills)
- Any Cider Mill (Blake’s Farm + Franklin Cider Mill + Yates Cider Mill are our favorites)
Favorite Bedtime Stories:
Favorite Family-Friendly Restaurants:
Best Park/Playground: E.L. Johnson Nature Center + Booth Park + Kensington Metropark
We recently moved to the Bloomfield area and we discovered Johnson Nature Center right around the corner. They rescue forest animals and it’s just such a magical spot to explore. We love Booth Park in Birmingham – garbage slide, if ya know, ya know! And Kensington Metropark because we like to take a long bike ride (with the kids in the trailer) and end at the pirate themed park.
Best Family-Friendly Annual Event: Blake’s Farm (Armada)
Like many families, we love making an annual visit. There’s so much to do – eat a huge pretzel, jump on the bouncy things, pick apples, wagon rides, petting zoo, donuts. All the fall things.
Your Dad Must-Have: A Kitchen Helper Stool
We recently got one of those kitchen helpers for our daughter so she can hang with us in the kitchen. It’s nice to have somewhere for them to hang while I’m getting dinner going. We also like the plastic knives that kids can use to help prep. Sonny’s always on the broccoli chopping game.
Best Summer Destination or Event: Baseball Game at Comerica Park (Detroit)
Looking forward to hopefully seeing the White Sox crush the Tigers this summer!
“Pat Yourself on the Back” Accomplishment: Sharing my love of food with my little guy!
When we catch him on the right day, my son can be quite an adventurous eater – steak, sushi, king crab, caviar, goose, oysters, he’s tried it all – including our favorite meatball (try them out, you’ll love them).
Santino’s Meatballs
For the Tomato Sauce:
- 2 T EVOO
- 15 Clove Garlic (minced)
- 2 Small Spanish Onions (Diced)
- 2 28 oz can San Marzano Tomatoes
- 1 T Dried Oregano
- 1 T Dried Basil
- TT Granulated Sugar
- TT Salt
In a medium sauce pot sweat the garlic and onions in the olive oil until onions are translucent. Add the tomatoes, basil, and oregano, simmer on low/med heat for 2 hours. Season with salt and sugar to taste.
For the meatballs:
- 1 lb Ground Chuck
- 3 Large Eggs
- 6 Cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 ½ T Kosher Salt
- 2 t Ground Black Pepper
- 2 C Panko Bread Crumbs
- 1 T Dried Oregano
- 2 t Dried Parsley
In a large mixing bowl, combine chuck, eggs, garlic and salt. Mix until completely incorporated, mixture should be loose, then ad dried seasoning, once again mix until fully incorporated. Add the panko bread crumbs and mix until mixture is bound and formable.
Separate the mixture into 3 oz portions. Pack each portion tightly and roll between hands to form a ball. Poach meatballs in tomato sauce over low/med heat for 30 min.
Serve over your favorite string pasta (i.e. Spaghetti, linguini, bucatini). Garnish with Parmesan, Fresh Basil, and Giardiniera
Our #MomLife Series is Presented by Hungry Howie’s – the Official Pizza of Moms!
Photo credit: @lyndsi_d
SHARE THIS:

About Ashley Hubbbard-Porter
Ashley Porter is a Chicago native who now calls Birmingham home. Ashley and her husband Mike and son Jake love attending local festivals, exploring Detroit’s diverse food scene, and venturing outside of Metro Detroit to enjoy the natural beauty of Michigan. With a background in Early Childhood Education, Ashley loves connecting with and supporting families in her community, which is why she is so excited to be a part of LittleGuide Detroit.
MORE ARTICLES
FREE & Fun 4th of July Weekend Events in Metro Detroit
Make the most of 4th of July weekend and celebrate American Independence with fun and free activities! Go To…
Best Beaches In Metro Detroit
When you live in the Great Lakes State, there's no shortage of sandy beaches, but most of them require a…
8 Reasons To Visit Dearborn With Kids This Summer
Dearborn is one of the most diverse cities in the country and there are plenty of reasons to visit. From…
Mt. Elliott Splash Pad Re-Opens After Two Year Closure
Get ready to make a splash on the Detroit Riverfront - Mt. Elliott Park is re-open! We have all…
10 Things to Do with Kids in Metro Detroit this Weekend
The days may all be a blur but the weekends are a time to refresh. Save time scrolling and check…
Cirque Italia Brings The Water Circus To Metro Detroit This Summer
Cirque Italia is coming to town and you don't want to miss the Water Circus this summer. Calling all pirate…
Disney Heroes & Villains Are Coming To The Henry Ford
Disney magic is coming to metro Detroit! Don't miss Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume at The…
Win An All-Inclusive Family Vacation To Grand Rapids
When you need a family vacation, look no further than Grand Rapids. The metropolitan center of western Michigan is the…
Find Family Fun At Blake Farm This Summer
Blake Farms is a year-round favorite and if you haven't been before (or if you need an excuse to make…
Don’t Miss Out: The Henry Ford’s Salute To America Returns
Salute To America is one of The Henry Ford's most popular annual events and the 4 day event will sell…
Summer Bucket List For Metro Detroit Families
It's officially summer and we're ready! Plan for outdoor adventures, make a splash, go to a ball game or festival…
Detroit Historical Museum Hosts FREE Family Day
Travel through time and take a visit to the Cultural Center in Midtown to explore the Detroit Historical Museum. The…
Family-Friendly Campgrounds Near Metro Detroit
Get out the house and have fun in the great outdoors with a camping trip. Pop the tent, roast s'mores…
Family Camp Out Events In Metro Detroit
Get out of the house and into a tent for the weekend! Pack up the tent, some extra clothes and…
Dreamland Parties and Sleepovers Brings Overnight Magic to Metro Detroit
School is out and summer sleepovers are on the schedule. Surprise your littles with an extra special good time and…
Top Things to do with KIDS in Metro Detroit This Week
Looking for daily inspiration and ideas for things to do with kids this week? From at-home family fun,…
11 Family Friendly Festivals in Metro Detroit this Weekend
Summer is here and so are festivals and fairs! Get ready for rides, live entertainment, an elephant ear or two…
Plan Your Visit To Rolling Hills Water Park In Washtenaw County This Summer
If you haven't been to Rolling Hills Water Park in Ypsilanti, you want to add it to your summer bucket…
Lakeshore Park Is The Perfect Beach For Metro Detroit Families
After a nearly two year closure, Lakeshore Park is back and better than ever. Plan a family trip to Novi…
10 Things to Do with Kids in Metro Detroit this Weekend
The days may all be a blur but the weekends are a time to refresh. Save time scrolling and check…
20 Best Father Day Activities For Every Type of Dad
No one can make the kids laugh louder, smile more or show their silly side quite like dad. Father's Day…
2022 Guide To Splash Pads, Pools + Beaches In Metro Detroit
When you need to beat the heat on a summer day, here are the best places to cool down around…
OUR FAVORITE U-PICK ORCHARDS IN METRO DETROIT
Go back to nature and find your food in the field instead of the grocery store. U-pick farms are fun…