Mar 27, 2010

New in downtown Kalamazoo


New in 2010. This place is located next door to the venerable Michigan News Agency. It was formerly a coffee joint. The Studio Grill is a great addition to the downtown dining scene. They still are a coffee shop, bakery as well as a unique one of a kind restaurant. Their claim to fame are their stuffed burgers! They are really good. Made with always fresh ground beef. I had the Craig's burger marinated in buffalo sauce, stuffed with pepperjack cheese and sweet onion topped off with cheese and spicy buffalo sauce. Craig's is named after the husband half of the ownership. They have a spicy-sweet pineapple burger or kalifornia king burger plus several other unique offerings. They also allow you to create your own. Try the large selection of hot dogs or deli sandwiches as well. Even though the stuffed burgers are the thing, they also make a very nice breakfast with lots of choices of omelets, pancakes, french toast and their fresh bakery items. Click the name to go to the results page.

Mar 20, 2010

Very special Chicago style eats in Kalamazoo!


This place is non-descript from the outside and mostly take-out on the inside with only four stools at a counter for seating. However, once you have had the food at Ray Rays Italian Beef & Sausage , it will keep you coming back. The italian beef is great either plain or "dipped". Maybe add hot giardinieria peppers or even add italian sausage. The pulled pork is cooked out back on charcoal and comes with hot or mild bbq sauce. I like the hot! The fries are cut fresh and may be the best in town. My wife loves the bbq chicken which she gets with the hot bbq sauce and it falls off the bone. Real "Maxwell St." polish sausage, chicago dogs and several hamburger choices will satisfy a diverse crowd. Call first if you want their famous italian meatball sandwich, they run out often! Find this place and you will thank anyone who told you about it. Thanks Lindsey!

Mar 17, 2010

St. Patrick's Day! Where to eat?




Lots of good places to celebrate and eat meat! In particular corned beef with cabbage. This is the celebration in the middle of lent. St. Patrick (387-461a.d.) was from England and was brought to Ireland by raiders and held captive for six years. Later, after getting free and returning home he became a priest and returned to Ireland to spread the gospel. Legend has it that he used the 3 leafed clover to explain the Trinity to his pagan audience. He became the Patron Saint of Ireland and the date of his death is celebrated with a feast day. The celebration in his honor originally was bacon and cabbage. Their bacon was more akin to canadian bacon or ham. In the late 1880's the Irish in the U.S. were too poor to afford the bacon and their Jewish neighbors introduced them to corned beef, which was cheaper.
Check the guide under cuisine for Irish/English pubs. Many of the breweries that offer food will have a nice feast today with a special Irish brew. Also, several bar and grills will offer specials for today. In the guide, search under specialty for Irish food. Have fun, take in the green river in Chicago or the green ice at Wings Stadium. Wear some green and celebrate this patron saint with some good food and drink!

Mar 12, 2010

Do you like diners? New addition in Three Rivers



Since 1969. This place seems small from the outside, the inside is larger than you would think and nicely decorated as a diner. Try Goldies Diner in Three Rivers for this town's "readers choice" award winning "best burger". Chicago dogs, newly added pulled pork cooked on premises for 10 hrs! Good pizza and everyone goes to get Sherman's ice cream. Click on their name in this paragraph for more details and their menu is on their website.

Mar 7, 2010

Best burger in Jackson?


This place has won the Jackson Citizen Patriot readers choice award for Best Burger for several years in a row. Schlenker's Sandwich Shop has beaten some very stiff competition. Jackson has some great burger places! Maybe it helps that they have been open since 1927. This is a small burger joint that seats a few people around a U shaped counter. The burgers are served wrapped in wax paper. Fries and pie are good. Great burger! Click on their name in this paragraph for more review and details.

Mar 5, 2010

Great pizza near Jackson


This place has one of the best stuffed pizza's you will find. That and a great sports bar atmosphere make Klavon's Pizzeria & Pub a must visit. They have a large menu with lots of other pizza, sub and sandwich offerings, including burgers. Click on their name in this paragraph to be taken directly to their info. Take the whole family or just go watch the game. Very nice place! It is worth the short trip in the country to get to it.