BANGOR TWP, Mich. — Shariece Simbahon and Coltin Sisk quit dining out when their daughter Skye, 5, was diagnosed with autism.
Simbahon said Skye is constantly on the move and stims often. She and Sisk could tell it was disturbing those around them while dining out.
“We didn’t want to ruin anybody’s experience,” Simbahon said.
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Simbahon and Sisk started to brainstorm ideas as they didn’t want to stop going out altogether, so they created a safe dining space for families like theirs.
Da Spot, 1210 N. State St. in Gladwin, opened in August. Simbahon and Sisk opened another location inside the Bay City Town Center, 4101 Wilder Road, in February.
“We were amazed at how many families stopped going out as well, until they heard about our spot. That’s kind of how it took off,” Simbahon said. “We wanted to create a safe place where the children could come and eat with their families and not be judged.”
While both businesses operate under the same name, they offer different concepts.
In the Gladwin location, Simbahon said people can draw on the walls, play on PlayStation 5s, and enjoy sensory-friendly toys and games. It’s a place where families can enjoy a meal and not have to worry about their child staying put in their chair.
Simbahon said a family recently came in with children ranging in age from 9 to 14 who also quit dining out years ago.
One of the children was very artistic and made a mural on the wall and another played video games all while mom and dad got to sit and enjoy their dinner together, Simbahon said.
“They had a great time. It was something different for them,” Simbahon said. “It’s good to make that connection when you feel like you’re the only one.”
Simbahon said the Gladwin location also hosts game nights, movie nights with themed food and contests.
The restaurant’s name came from playing around with several ideas between Simbahon and Sisk. Simbahon is from Hawaii, so she said she typically shortens words and uses “da” instead of “the.”
“‘We need a spot; we need a spot.’ And then it just became The Spot,” Simbahon said to Sisk.
“I was like, ‘There’s no way I’m going to let you do The. You’re Hawaiian. We’re throwing the Da on there,’” Sisk recalled. “We call it Da Spot because it hits the spot. … There’s just so many different things you can do.”
Da Spot offers a variety of savory and sweet dishes with most of them featuring waffles. Simbahon said children with autism tend to be very picky with foods and textures, but waffles are one food Skye adores.
So, Simbahon and Sisk test drive all their new creations on Skye, topping the waffles with different concoctions.
“It was a way for us to just get creative,” Simbahon said.
Their menu highlights sweet or savory Belgian waffles, doughnuts, croffls (croissant waffles), dirty sodas, boba and refreshers.
Sisk said they offer their versions of what is trending at the time, such as a strawberry Dubai waffle, Cookie Monster doughnuts and Biscoff doughnuts.
“Our biggest thing is sticking out. I want crazy waffles, something to remember,” Sisk said. “My favorite is when you make something and the first thing they do is pull out their phone and have to snap a picture before they take it, that’s how you know you did something right.”
Sisk said his favorite is the “cowboy waffle,” which is a cornbread waffle topped with chili, shredded cheese and green onion.
Simbahon said they do make most of their fillings and toppings in house. The waffle batter is customized too, including red velvet batter, taco batter, cornbread batter and pizza batter.
The new Bay City location offers most of the same foods and drinks as the Gladwin location just without the dine-in space.
Their business isn’t driven by profit, Simbahon said, but rather by offering a welcoming space for families like theirs.
“We’ve experienced firsthand how judgmental and cruel some people can be, you know? Not everybody, but there’s some people who just don’t understand,” Simbahon said. “I never want other people to feel that way.”
Simbahon and Sisk said they plan to continue to grow and are dreaming big with the hopes of expanding their concept internationally.
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