Logan’s Roadhouse – Lansing

27 04 2009
  • 5800 W. Saginaw Highway
  • Lansing, MI 48917
  • (517) 327-4751
  • Website
  • Menu

Logans Roadhouse in Delta Township

I never know what to do when my parents come to town.  They’re not very adventurous eaters so I always hesitate bringing them to someplace I’ve never eaten at.  Chains are always safe because the menus are usually big enough to have something they will eat. 

Saturday, my parents decided to come to town for the weekend.  They hadn’t been here since last fall due to the weather and since my mom had the weekend off, they made the trip north.  They timed it so they got here about a half hour before I got home from the spring football game.  J entertained them while I finished up.  After a quick shower, we headed out to find dinner.  I don’t think my parents had eaten yet and my mom was hungry.  We wanted to make a stop at Babies-R-Us anyway and since we’ve eaten at a Logan’s Roadhouse before (in East Peoria, IL), I thought it was a safe bet. 

Logan’s Roadhouse is in Delta Township near the Lansing Mall on Saginaw Highway.  The parking lot looked pretty full when we pulled up, but we noticed the same for most of the restaurants along this strip, so it’s not like we’d be better off going somewhere else.  Fortunately, the dining room is big. Actually, it’s pretty large.  We were met by a hostess who took us to a non-smoking table in the middle of the dining room near the kitchen. 

Logan’s really pulls off the Roadhouse theme.  The dining room has a tall ceiling and the rooms are spacious.  The floors are distressed woods that creak a little when you walk.  Those floor boards are covered with peanut shells.  Yup, Logan’s puts buckets of peanuts on the table and the shells end up on the floor.  I love that.  It reminds me of the place my mom works at in Illinois.  My mom did mention that the peanuts actually tasted fresh.  At her restaurant, they go through a lot, but they buy them in big 50 gallon drums, so it takes a while to go through them.  By the time you get to the bottom, the peanuts have a little bit of a staler taste.  Not these. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Burgers, Chains, Lansing, Michigan, Restaurant, Reviews, Sandwiches

Taco Bell – Trowbridge Rd

27 04 2009
  • 1051 Trowbridge Road
  • East Lansing, MI 48823
  • (517) 333-9644
  • Website
The Taco Bell on Trowbridge Road in East Lansing.

The Taco Bell on Trowbridge Road in East Lansing.

Fast food is almost never my first choice, but when it is, there is one place J and I can usually agree on.  This particular scenario came up Saturday morning.  I was working at Spartan Stadium for the MSU spring football game.  When it came time for lunch, J came to pick me up so I wouldn’t lose my parking spot.  I was worried about rain and only had about 45 minutes by the time she got there, so I figured sitting down was out of the question.  If the sky’s opened up, I wanted to get back in a hurry to get my gear covered and out of the elements. 

The night before, we debated between pizza and tacos for a late night run and pizza won out.  Since we both had the taco craving, we headed for the border.

The closest Taco Bell that I could think of is on Trowbridge Road in East Lansing near the US 127 interchange.  We headed back that way and made the left turn into the somewhat small parking lot.  At first, I wondered if we could even turn there, but there looks to be a cutout in the median just for the purpose of going to Taco Bell. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : East Lansing, Mexican, Michigan, Restaurant, Reviews

Georgio’s Gourmet Pizzeria – Downtown

27 04 2009
  • 120 Charles Street
  • East Lansing, MI 48823
  • (517) 333-9990
  • No Known Website
Georgios Gourmet Pizzeria on Charles Street in East Lansing.

Georgio's Gourmet Pizzeria on Charles Street in East Lansing.

I love late night pizza-by-the-slice places and I love living near a college town that has many places to fill that late night craving. 

J got home from work just before midnight like she always does and I said, “I’m hungry” like I always do.  This time, she said she had a taste for pizza or tacos too.  We debated the pros and cons of each and eventually settled on pizza.  Since there’s no place on the south side of Lansing to get a slice at midnight, we trekked to East Lansing.

There are a couple locations for Georgio’s in East Lansing, but I chose the one in the downtown area on Charles Street.  We drove around the streets of downtown a few times on a very busy Friday night looking for pizza.  I knew there was a Georgio’s and a Bell’s, but I didn’t remember which was where.  We drove by Bell’s because there were so many kids around and no place to park.  I made it to Georgio’s and got really lucky.  There was a parking space right out front.  I showed off my awesome parallel parking skills (there was no space in front of me, so really, I just pulled in) and we went inside.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Downtown, East Lansing, Michigan, Pizza

Rally’s Hamburgers – Oakland Ave.

24 04 2009
  • 505 E. Oakland Avenue
  • Lansing, MI 48906
  • (517) 482-6464
  • Website
  • Menu
Rallys Hamburgers on Oakland Avenue in Lansing.

Rally's Hamburgers on Oakland Avenue in Lansing.

If you follow this blog, you know my feelings on fast food and drive-thru’s.  I’m not a big fan.  So, it surprised even me when I decided to stop at Rally’s Hamburgers for a pre-Lugnuts game meal.

Rally’s Hamburgers is a drive-thru fast food chain with two locations in Lansing.  I chose the Oakland Avenue location since it was close to downtown.  It took me FOREVER to get there.  I really feel sorry for the businesses at the Oakland Avenue/Cedar Street intersection.  With the construction from the CSO project, there is really no easy way to get there if you miss the turn at Oakland Street like I did.  It was a long way around, but I finally did make it back.

There is a walk up window, but I decided just to do the drive thru.  There was a guy standing there who was leaning halfway through the window and talking to one of the workers.  I’m guessing he knew the lady working since he didn’t move the whole time I was there.  I turned in and headed right for the first drive up window.   Rally’s is a unique concept because there are actually two windows.  There is one on either side of the building.  Stupid me.  I just chose the one closest to where I was.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Burgers, Chains, Fast Food, Lansing, Michigan, Restaurant, Reviews

Press Release – MLBA Uses Nevada Law to Make Point

23 04 2009

Should we blame the lack of auto sales on a smoking ban too?  Should we blame foreclosures on the smoking ban?  Everyone is losing business right now and it’s not because of a smoking ban.   I don’t agree with the following press release, but it is worth discussion.

From a Michgan Licensed Beverage Association….

Michigan Bars and Restaurants Point

to New Trend on Smoking Bans

Nevada Senate’s recent vote shows economic impact too much for some states

 LANSING, Mich. — Nevada lawmakers did an about-face late last week introducing legislation that modifies Nevada’s 2007 Clean Indoor Air Act to allow smoking in taverns that restrict patrons under the age of 21.  

The vote was a direct result of Nevada’s struggling hospitality industry – 21,000 jobs lost in the past year – and a 30 percent drop-off in video poker gaming revenues, which account for a significant source of revenue for the state.

“Michigan lawmakers should take a good look at what Nevada lawmakers are going through right now to try to save their hospitality industry,” said Lance Binoniemi, executive director of the Michigan Licensed Beverage Association (MLBA). “We have clearly stated any smoking ban will directly threaten at least 7,500 Michigan jobs and we will continue to fight to keep these jobs safe.”  

According to the Nevada Tavern Owners Association, gaming revenues plummeted due to patrons leaving to gamble at local casinos, which were exempt from Nevada’s smoking ban.

According to the Michigan Bureau of State Lottery 2008 annual report, bar games (Club Keno and Pull Tabs) accounted for 23 percent of total ticket sales or $564 million. More than 31 percent of total ticket sales are designated for the state’s School Aid Fund.

“Nevada’s situation is a perfect example of the economic damage that could happen in Michigan if any smoking ban is passed,” said Binoniemi. “With double-digit unemployment and our hospitality industry already struggling, passing a law that is proven to close businesses and cost jobs is unjustifiable.”

Testifying in front of the House Regulatory Reform Committee last month, casino officials estimated a statewide smoking ban that included casinos would result in a 22 percent drop in gaming, resulting in 400 immediate jobs lost. This testimony came one week after the MLBA testified that any Michigan smoking ban would threaten at least 7,500 hospitality jobs


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Categories : Michigan, Politics, Press Releases

Press Release – Salmonella Saintpaul Outbreak in SE Michigan

22 04 2009

From a Department of Community Health press release.

Salmonella Saintpaul Outbreak in Southeast Michigan Involving Sprouts

LANSING, MI – The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) is
issuing a public health alert regarding illness from Salmonella
infections among people who have reported raw alfalfa sprouts
consumption in southeast Michigan. At this time, MDCH is recommending
that people avoid consumption of raw alfalfa sprouts until we have
further information about the origin of the contaminated sprouts.

Michigan currently has 16 confirmed Salmonella Saintpaul cases from six
jurisdictions in southeast Michigan (Livingston, Macomb, Oakland,
Washtenaw, and Wayne Counties; City of Detroit).  The illness onset
dates range from Mar 23 to April 6, 2009.  There have been two known
hospitalizations. Ten of the 16 people reported consumption of raw
alfalfa sprouts at sandwich shops in southeast Michigan.

MDCH is working closely with local health departments, the Michigan
Department of Agriculture (MDA), the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to
determine the source of the outbreak. The Michigan cases are presenting
the same genetic fingerprint as uncovered in the Midwest earlier this
year, which resulted in a recall of alfalfa sprouts.

“Anyone who eats raw sprouts may be at risk for exposure to
Salmonella or E. coli O157:H7 bacteria,” said Dr. Gregory Holzman,
chief medical executive for MDCH.  “We want to alert people to the
risk of illness with the consumption of raw sprouts.”

Sprouts are the germinating form of seeds and beans and are frequently
eaten raw in sandwiches and salads. Past sprout-related outbreaks of
foodborne illness have been linked to seeds contaminated by animal
manure in the field, during storage, or as a result of poor hygienic
practices in the production of sprouts. In addition, the warm and humid
conditions required to grow sprouts are ideal for the rapid growth of
bacteria.

Salmonellosis is an infection with bacteria called Salmonella. Most
persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal
cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7
days, and most people recover without treatment. The elderly, infants,
and those with weak immune systems are more likely to have a severe
illness. Anyone who has recently eaten raw alfalfa sprouts and is
experiencing symptoms should contact their healthcare provider and their
local health department.


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Categories : Michigan, Press Releases

Press Release – Joan Bauer Comments on Hunter’s Bill

22 04 2009

From a House Democrats press release –

Bauer Joins the Fight for Smoke Free Air by 2010

Legislation would put smoke-free workplace in the hands of voters

LANSING – The Michigan State Senate today introduced a plan that will place the smoke-free workplace issue on the statewide ballot for Michigan voters to consider in 2010.

If approved by both chambers, Senate Bill 469 would ask state voters to decide the fate of an issue that has been debated in the legislature for more than a decade. The bill, introduced by State Senator Tupac Hunter (D-Detroit) is comprehensive in its definition of workplaces, and includes restaurants, bars, tobacco specialty shops and casinos.

“I am confident that Michigan voters will embrace smoke-free air legislation,” said State Representative Joan Bauer (D-Lansing). “I would hope that my colleagues and I can take the proper steps to protect workers before the November 2010 election season by passing HB 4341, which I introduced earlier this year.”

Michigan voters on have been polled on smoke-free workplaces three times in the past five years and each poll has shown consistent support for the issue at or above 66 percent.

 


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Categories : Michigan, Politics, Press Releases

Press Release – Senator Proposes Referendum on Smoking Ban

22 04 2009

Here’s a new twist.  Senator Tupac Hunter (D-Detroit) is proposing putting the smoking ban on the 2010 ballot.  This seems, to me, a drastic change from what the Detroit contigency has been saying about the ban.  I would be willing to bet that IF this question makes it to the ballot, it would pass overwhelmingly….so for that reason, I wouldn’t expect it to make it out of either chamber.

Hunter Introduces Bill to Put Smokefree Workplace Issue on the Statewide BallotBill would create ballot proposal to let voters–not special interests–decide if workplaces should go smokefree

 

LANSING- Tupac Hunter (D-Detroit) introduced a bill today that would put the issue of smokefree workplaces on the 2010 statewide ballot. Under this legislation, the ballot proposal would call for all worksites to be smokefree and not include exemptions for restaurants, bars, or casinos.

“For the past 10 years, the Legislature has tried and failed to pass a smokefree worksite bill that would protect our citizens from smoking-related diseases,” said Sen. Hunter. “Instead of continuing to argue about exemptions and concessions, we need to go to the voters and let them decide what is best for Michigan.”

Data from the New York City Department of Finance shows that tax receipts increased by 8.7 percent, or approximately $1.4 million, after the city went smokefree. Between March 2003, when the city went smokefree, and December 2003 there were 10,600 new jobs in its bars and restaurants. Florida saw similar results, and reported that retail receipts for taverns and bars that served food remain unaffected by its smokefree law.

“For my entire legislative career, I have fought on behalf of a majority of Michigan’s citizens who feel Michigan workplaces should be smokefree, only to have my concerns fall on deaf ears or be drowned out by special interests,” said Sen. Ray Basham (D-Taylor), a cosponsor of the bill and longtime advocate for smokefree workplaces. “I had hoped to protect the health of Michigan workers through state legislation, but I am confident that if we let the people of Michigan decide at the ballot box, we can finally move Michigan forward on this issue.”

Recent studies show that nearly 2/3 of Michigan voters support a workplace ban that includes bars and restaurants. Unfortunately, Michigan remains one of the 15 states left that has yet to pass legislation to create smokefree workplaces. Thirty-five states have already passed similar legislation to protect their workers form deadly exposure to secondhand smoke, including Ohio, Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota.


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Categories : Michigan, Politics

KFC Grilled Chicken

22 04 2009

Well, I didn’t plan on being home again last night, so I had nothing prepared for dinner.  Stupid rain screwing up my work schedule.  I started going through the cupboards to find food when J e-mailed me and said we should try KFC’s news grilled chicken.  It sounded good to me, so about a half hour before she’d be home for dinner, I headed to the KFC on South Cedar Street to pick up a bucket.

A fairly empty bucket of KFCs new grilled chicken

A fairly empty bucket of KFC's new grilled chicken

When I walked in, I was met by a clerk yelling from behind the counter that they were out of dark meat.  Yes, KFC, a chicken place, was out of chicken.  She just said they were out of original and extra crispy and didn’t say anything about the grilled chicken so I waited in line while a few other customers yelled at this poor girl for not having chicken.   I mean, really, it’s not her fault.  She’s not a manager.  She’s not a cook.  She was the poor girl who got stuck at the front register.  Apparently, KFC is running a special on an all dark meat bucket and they got swamped at dinner time and couldn’t keep up. 

When it was my turn to order, I asked if they had the grilled chicken.  She said she’d check and mistook that I wanted an all dark meat bucket.  She told me there wasn’t enough, but when I said I’d rather have the mixed bucket anyway, there was actually enough so I put in an order for the 8-piece meal which included two sides and biscuits.

I paid and waited for my chicken to come up and again, got the pleasure of seeing a number of @*&holes yell at this girl for something she had no control over.  Yeah, it sucks that you’re dinner plans just got ruined, but don’t be a jerk about it. 

Anyway, I grabbed my chicken then went home to wait for J.  I opened up the bucket and was a little disappointed.  It didn’t look anything like it does in the commercial.  The bucket was mostly empty.  At first, I thought I got shorted, but as I pulled the pieces out, I counted eight.  I didn’t get cheated, but the grilled chicken pieces are much smaller than the fried pieces.

A KFC grilled chicken breast

A KFC grilled chicken breast

While I was waiting for J, I ate the whole box of potato wedges which were much better than I remembered.  I felt bad about not waiting for J, but they were good and I was hungry.

When she finally did get home, we dug into the chicken.  It did have a nice grilled flavor, but it seemed a little greasy or slimy to me.  The size was the biggest disappointment.  I ate a whole breast in two bites.  J really liked it and didn’t seem to notice or mind the faults I found with it.  It’s definitely something we would order again, but it’s not going to replace fried chicken.  The healthier option is nice and I hope it sticks around, but it’d also be nice if they could find an efficient way to grill bigger pieces or, at the very least, charge a little bit less for the grilled chicken.  The two sides (I got potato wedges and mac ‘n cheese), biscuits (which are good, but not as good as Popeye’s) and eight pieces of chicken set me back just over $13.  Not a bad prices for a meal that left us with lunch for tomorrow, but not as good of a deal as the fried chicken.


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Categories : Chicken, Lansing, Michigan

Press Release – MIS Offers Lower Concession Prices

21 04 2009

J and I went to both NASCAR Sprint Cup races last year, but won’t be able to make either this year due to other commitments.  I’ve been to a few different tracks and the biggest downfall to going to Sprint Cup day is the prices.  I’m a ticket holder at Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee which is the hardest ticket in sports to get and my tickets are actually cheaper than comparable seats at MIS.  Anything they can do to bring expenses down for families is a good thing. 

From a Michigan International Speedway press release……

MIS to offer lower concessions pricing in 2009

Americrown adds value meals to updated, repriced menus

 BROOKLYN, Mich. (April 21, 2009) ­— A refreshing beverage at a racetrack shouldn’t soak you. So Michigan International Speedway and Americrown, the racetrack’s food and beverage provider, have rolled back concession prices on many of its menu items.

 MIS has added two value meals to the menu. Guests can choose from a hot dog, fries and a 20-ounce Coke for $8 — a $2 savings if purchased separately. A hamburger value meal is also available for $10 — also for a $2 savings.

 A kids meal is available this season. For $4, kids can get a tasty meal of chicken nuggets, apple slices, juice box and a toy. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Michigan, Press Releases

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