Restaurants At Fox Run Focus on Collaboration and Socialization

At Fox Run, an Erickson Senior Living community in Novi, Mich., residents savor delicious dishes prepared by professional chefs using the freshest ingredients.

More important, each made-to-order meal provides the opportunity for social connection. Whether gathering with neighbors for dinner, celebrating a special occasion with friends, or inviting loved ones to share a meal, dining is a highlight of life at Fox Run.

"I think the best thing about dining here is the social aspect--either getting to know new people or having dinner with people we have known for years," says resident Jon Blum. "It's easy to find people to have dinner with."

Something for every taste

Fox Run's six on-site restaurants feature their own distinct menus and atmospheres.

At Campus Coffee and Marketplace, residents start their day off right with breakfast sandwiches and parfaits as well as a variety of coffees and teas. It's also a great spot for grab-and-go lunch items. Midtown serves casual pub fare, including pizzas, salads, soups, and sandwiches.

For carryout, visit the Hunt Club Café, where chefs at the grill station cook everything from salmon to a signature burger. And at the chef's creation station, there are two entrees and four sides that change every day.

Looking for a more formal dining experience? Check out The Fireside or Signatures. Menus are updated regularly to incorporate fresh, seasonal produce and ingredients.

In 2025, in response to resident feedback, the Great Lakes Bistro became an Italian bistro, where build-your-own pizzas and pastas have become fan favorites. Diners can also find lamb chops and pan-seared walleye, a Michigan staple, on the menu.

"There are approximately 110 different entree choices on any given night," says Jon. "I'm on a low-sodium diet, and I have friends who are gluten-free or on low-calorie or low-sugar diets. You can always find something at one of these places."

Powerful partnership

To ensure residents continue to enjoy high-quality meals, Dining Director Doug Sullivan and his team work with the Resident Advisory Council's dining committee to identify areas of improvement.

"For our residents, dinner is a big social occasion, and they're going to be looking for a great experience," says Sullivan. "We want to meet--and even exceed--their expectations!"

"We gather information from other residents about what they like or would like to see changed, whether it's the food, the service, or the menus," says Jon, a member of the dining committee. "Doug is wonderful because he wants to know what residents enjoy. And if there's an issue, he'll do something about it."

In addition, the dining team holds monthly forums called Dialogue with Dining. They release the topic of the month--starter salads, for example--in advance so residents can think about what comments they'd like to share, whether it's positive feedback or constructive ideas.

Residents can also fill out paper comment cards or complete online surveys during meals to give immediate input.

Food festivities

Throughout the year, Sullivan and his team host themed meals and celebrations to help cultivate the social atmosphere that residents know and love. A surf-and-turf option of tenderloin and lobster tails was a bit hit on Valentine's Day, for example.

This year, the dining celebrations for Chinese New Year and Mardi Gras happened to fall on the same day.

"On one side of campus, we celebrated Chinese New Year with Asian-themed dishes and a station for stir-fry. On the other side, we celebrated Mardi Gras with jambalaya and shrimp po'boys. It was really fun, and residents loved it," recalls Sullivan.

It was also National Paczki Day. "We considered celebrating National Paczki Day on another day because of everything going on. But residents quickly told me that I would be serving paczkis on National Paczki Day," says Sullivan, with a laugh.

As a result, the large Polish jelly donuts were available around the community. "It was terrific," he adds.

Dinner with friends

"The holiday meals are my favorite," says Jon. "We have super elaborate buffets. You can try all kinds of foods."

But what he and his wife, Rosie, appreciate most is connecting with new friends and neighbors over dinner.

"I enjoy the atmosphere and being with friends," he says. "While I don't have any family here in Michigan, I have hundreds of friends that are my family here at Fox Run to have dinner with. I love it!"

Request more information today to learn more about the restaurants and social dining experiences residents enjoy.

By Michele Wojciechowski