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!

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.

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.

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.

Nice BBQ in Jackson

This fairly new place has really caught on. Nice southern atmosphere and excellent BBQ at the Rocky Top Beer BBQ in Jackson. Meats smoked for 12 hours. Even smoked prime rib. Their hot spicy bbq sauce is great on the pulled pork or beef brisket. Try deep fried twinkies or deep fried corn on the cob. How about some sweet potato or pecan pie with a big mason jar of sweet tea. Large menu and full bar. Check out the guide for longer review and all the details.

Happy 50th anniversary!

This place is a well known landmark in Kalamazoo. Bimbo's Pizza since 1959! I really like the renovations and the old feeling of this building. Plenty of seating, great atmosphere and great pizza. Be sure to go and help them celebrate their 50th. Very few places around reach this 50 year mark, so I want to recognize this and share their accomplishment with you all! Check the guide for more details.

New place added in Texas Corners

I had heard that chef Shane Sheldon was opening his own place and looked forward to its opening. It is here and it is called BOLD Restaurant & Catering. Self described "simple foods...big flavors". Shane is not the chef but brings his food philosophy to the menu. This is a casual fine dining place with a nice selection of "small plates" and "big plates" which are full dinners. Very nice place with a neat concept. Everything has that chefs touch with a little something extra. They have a neat wine concept that allows you to try a different wine with each course by buying it in 3oz segments. Check the guide for more details and description of our dining experience there.

Did you ever go to Emilio's?

Emilio's closed in 1992 and was located on Michigan Ave. in the Wattles Park area of Battle Creek. It was very unique and had a very loyal clientele. We drove from Kalamazoo to Emilio's at least once every two weeks just for lunch! The man, the food, the atmosphere were unmatched. However, his lead cook for 23 years opened her own joint in Marshall in 1993 on the east end of downtown and calls it Oye' Amigo's. She even has a tribute to Emilio in her restaurant and is serving all my old favorites from the original recipes. The best hot sauce I have ever had. Great guacamole (try a spoon for only two dollars)! I order the tortilla shells dry, but they are good with butter as well. I was a young man going to Emilio's and I still love going to Oye' Amigo's every chance I get. Check it out even if you never heard of Emilio's.

Chicago comes to Kalamazoo!

If you like the great sandwich joints in Chicago that serve italian beef, italian sausage and chicago dogs. You have to check out Pops Italian Beef & Sausage at the Campus Point Mall in Kalamazoo. Since 1980 in Chicago. Now with 10 locations including 2 in Indiana and now Kalamazoo. The beef and sausage is cooked and cut right on location. They also have burgers, gyros and chicken sandwiches available. You no longer have to do a "road trip" to get an authentic Chicago style italian beef. However, you could do a late light run since they are open till 3am Thursday-Saturday. More details in the guide.

New place added in Sumnerville

Since 1835. I am not kidding. This is the oldest business in Michigan. Andrew Jackson was President when the Old Tavern Inn opened in this tiny town. Not only is this a place worth finding because it opened during our 7th President (Lincoln was number 16), they also have very good food. Known for their goulash, fried chicken and burgers. They also have fish, soups and sandwiches. Full bar and menu for the whole family. Check out the guide for more details.

New restaurant added in Kalamazoo

This place is a nice addition to the Kalamazoo dining scene. The Mandwee brothers who brought you Tiffany's Wine Shop have opened an authentic middle eastern restaurant they have named Zooroona Restaurant and Lounge. In arabic zooroona means "come visit us". Nice atmosphere with a large menu offering many chicken, beef, fish and lamb dishes. Add a great salad selection, wraps, soups and desserts and you have a winner! Try the turkish coffee or the iraqi cardamon tea. No alcohol. Check out the guide for more details.

New place added in Harbert

This place is a rare treat for Southwest Michigan. We have an upscale Middle Eastern dining spot called Cafe' Gulistan which means "the land of the Roses". With a Kurdish cuisine, this place has some unique offerings and is the only place in the area serving beers and wines from the Mideast. It is the only place in Michigan carrying Turkish wines! The atmosphere is cozy and exotic at the same time. In the summer months you can enjoy outdoor seating in their very nice garden area. They have nightly specials and prices range from $10-$30. The Hummus has a nice twist with olives on top. I liked the Antepli Yahnisi served with basmati rice. Nice lamb, chicken and shrimp dishes. The baklava for dessert is made in their kitchen. Check out the guide for details.

New place added in Coloma

You will think I am kidding when I tell you about the great broasted chicken at the Hot Spot Cafe in Coloma. What is so surprising is not just how good it is, but their amazing Sunday special. A friendly down home cafe with homemade food. It is about the fried chicken, but they have lots of other homemade dishes on their large menu. Even if you can't get in on Sunday after 4pm because of the line out the door...try their food any other time at regular price and it is still a great bargain! Check the review in the guide for the "deal" I am referring to.

Enjoy!

New place added in Paw Paw

How about a place where the chef is the owner and used to be the chef at the Black Swan? Go to Paw Paw and try Cafe' 237. Bill Sutcliffe does a great job with farm to table cooking. He even makes the thousand island dressing from scratch for his top selling reuben sandwich. The corned beef is cooked and cured inhouse. I liked the goulash (not what you think). Chalkboard menu changes frequently with lots of new ideas. Lunch and dinner except weekends when breakfast is available. Check out the guide for a full review and details.

Two places added in Battle Creek

How about a place that has been in Downtown Battle Creek since 1932! I just made my first visit?? Old fashioned good food, cafeteria style at Shrank's Cafeteria. This place closes at 6pm and is not open on the weekends, however catch them when they are. The place looks pretty plain and old fashioned but the food is very good!

I was pleasantly surprised to find one more good Mexican place in Battle Creek. Antonio's is small but has a nice atmosphere, good service and very good food. Starting with the made from scratch quacamole and homemade chips. They have nice nightly specials and are easy to get to on Columbia just off M-66.

Check the guide for details on both places.

New place added in Sister Lakes

My favorite breakfast spots usually have a bakery attached or at least some homemade baked goods on the menu. If you try The Wright Place in Sister Lakes leave room for a homemade muffin, cinnamon roll or pecan roll. Famous for giant european style pancakes that hang over the edge of your plate. Full menu with lunch items as well. Very good food! Check the guide for more details.

Open air waterfront or waterview places for Labor Day!

Make it to Saugatuck's Red Dock Cafe' this weekend or you will wait till next Memorial Day! Located next to the S.S. Keewatin Maritime Museum this is a must stop on the water bar with good sandwiches. Live music and one of a kind Key West type atmosphere.



Outdoor seating at a very nice place in Holland is Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant overlooking lake Macatawa.








A great view of the boats, drawbridge and tall ship is available at The Idler Riverboat in South Haven. Nice drinks and some food. Try the South Haven Ice Tea!

How about an open air bar with great pizza overlooking one of the top 10 beaches in the U. S. at the Gelsosomo's Silver Beach Pizza which shares the still active Amtrack train station in St. Joseph.

If you happen into New Buffalo, try the rooftop of the Stray Dog Bar & Grill for a terrific view of Big Blue and all the boats going in and out. Nice bar with good food.

This Creamery makes their own Ice Cream-watch them!

I hope you will make the trip to this special place near Nashville, MI. A real dairy farm creamery called Moo-Ville Creamery. They even have a pipeline from the farm to the creamery. Very nice Ice Cream parlour with restaurant/store. Indoor and outdoor seating. We liked sitting outside while watching the kids in the petting zoo. This is especially nice for young children with all the farm animals! Check the guide for some of the 67 flavors and other details.

New Restaurant added in South Haven

A great new addition to South Haven's dining scene is the second location of Fennville's famous Su Casa Restaurante. This location is much smaller, but with many of the mexican favorites from the parent location. Fresh homemade ingredients is what they are known for (they own a mercado). No alcohol yet, but nice drink selection with smoothies and shakes. Also, serving Palazzolo's famous gelato in and takeout. Burrito's are great and so are the tortilla chips. Located next to the movie theatre. Check out the guide for more details.

Know of a great Fish place? I do!

If you like fish, you have to go to Captain Luey's Calabash Seafood! Located on Columbia Ave. in Battle Creek, just west of Hwy. 66 in a former Russ' Restaurant building. Real North Carolina Calabash style fish offerings. Their new menu has many steamed and broiled features to go with their Calabash favorites. I like the deviled crab with (salt and pepper breaded) catfish. Or the blue gill with (original breaded) shrimp. Clam chowder and hush puppies are very good as well. Check the guide for more details.