Michigan Pit Master Wins Best in West..

2 09 2008

I keep giving Michigan a hard time for having sub-par BBQ joints, but a shop in Midland proved me wrong over the weekend by winning the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off in Sparks, Nev.

Bone Daddy’s BBQ of Midland, Mich., won the top prize Monday as the 20th annual Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off wrapped up in Sparks, Nev.

Bone Daddy’s was among 25 cookers from around the country that competed in the event sponsored by John Ascuaga’s Nugget.

The title came with a trophy and check for $7,500.

Midland’s not all that far.  Wish I would have known that this past weekend when we were in Frankenmuth…..


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Categories : Cook offs, Food News, Local Flavor, Michigan, Midland

Pizza House

1 09 2008
  • 4790 S. Hagadorn Rd. #116
  • East Lansing, MI 48823
  • (517) 336-0033
  • Website
  • Menu
The Pizza House in East Lansing. A little slice of Chicago in Mid-Michigan

The Pizza House in East Lansing. A little slice of Chicago in Mid-Michigan

The quest for the perfect pizza took me to East Lansing after getting several recommendations for the Pizza House in Hannah Plaza.  My family was in town and we spent the day in Frankenmuth.  As we were leaving, we debated on whether or not to go in to Detroit for dinner and gambling.  That was eventually shot down and my dad said he just wanted pizza.  Since the Pizza House has been so highly recommended, I thought that was a safe bet.  If you remember my review of Pisanello’s Pizza (review HERE) in Mt. Pleasant, you’ll recall that everyone in my family likes a different type of pie, so pizzaria’s can be a challenge.

I had a little bit of trouble finding Pizza House at first.  We put the address in the GPS and it brought us the right area, but as the GPS was saying “Arriving at Pizza House on right” I couldn’t see any signs for it.  We were at Hannah Plaza, so I assumed it was in there.  I turned into the parking lot and J saw the sign for it.  The building is nothing special.  Just your typical strip mall pizza joint….or is it? Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : East Lansing, Local Flavor, Michigan, Pizza, Restaurant, Reviews

Frankenmuth Cheese Haus

1 09 2008
  • 561 S. Main St.
  • Frankenmuth, MI 48734
  • (989) 652-6727
  • Website
The Frankenmuth Cheese Haus in downtown Frankenmuth

The Frankenmuth Cheese Haus in downtown Frankenmuth

I just can’t pass up cheese.  J and I were walking down Main Street with my parents and an aunt who were in town for Labor Day.  There were so many shops, but the Cheese Haus was one we couldn’t pass up.  We weren’t the only ones.  The store was packed.

The Frankenmuth Cheese Haus sits on the corner of a courtyard and has an interesting shape.  We went inside and there’s a one-way path around large freezers which eventually leads to the check out and the exit.  They had every kind of cheese imaginable and the cheeses they didn’t make on site, they shipped in from Wisconsin.  There’s no trying to hide that fact either as everything is clearly labeled as Frankenmuth cheese or Michigan cheese.  Along the way, there are lots of samples. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Downtown, Frankenmuth, Local Flavor, Michigan, Reviews, Specialty Shop

Mac’s Fudge

1 09 2008
  • 570 S. Main St.
  • Frankenmuth, MI 48734
  • (989) 652-6555
  • No Known Website
  • No Menu On-line
Macs Fudge on Main Street in downtown Frankenmuth

Mac's Fudge on Main Street in downtown Frankenmuth

The streets of downtown Frankenmuth are lined with candy shops.  For no particular reason, the one we actually chose to step into was  or Mac’s Fudge.  Mac’s is a pretty small shop connected to the Frankenmuth Woolen Mill’s.  There was a billboard out front that promised nuts and my dad likes cashew’s so I think maybe that’s why we picked it.  Problem is, once we got inside, we totally forgot about the nuts.

Like most of the places in Frankenmuth, there’s an area where you can watch candy makers make fudge.  While we were there, no one was making fresh fudge as there was only one person even working.  She was helping another couple choose from their huge variety of favors.   Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Candy, Chocolate, Downtown, Frankenmuth, Local Flavor, Michigan, Reviews

Black Forest Brew Haus & Grill

1 09 2008
  • 281 Heinlein Strasse
  • Frankenmuth, MI 48724
  • (989) 652-6060
  • Website
  • Menu
Sullivans Black Forest Brew Haus & Grill in Frankenmuth, MI

Sullivan's Black Forest Brew Haus & Grill in Frankenmuth, MI

My parents have been to Lansing several times since I moved here from Central Illinois.  On I-94 going through Indiana, they always see a billboard for Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland.  Christmas is a big deal in my family and this year it’s even more special. My brother and his wife are expecting my parents first grandchild.  My mom, dad, and aunt decided to come north for Labor Day and I suggested we drive over to Frankenmuth to check out the town.  I heard it was pretty touristy and it was.

Before we did the tourist thing, we needed to find something for lunch.  My parents had been on the road since 8:00 AM CST and we arrived in Frankenmuth at about 2:00 EST.  Everyone kept saying, “Go to Zehnder’s” or “You have to eat at the Bavarian Inn.”  I did a little research and noticed the chicken dinners everyone raved about were $20/person, so that was out.  Seems pretty expensive…even for an all-you-can-eat.  I mean, really, it’s just chicken.  I didn’t get a whole lot of suggestions when I asked for one on Chowhound, but I ended up stumbling across a website for the Black Forest Brew Haus & Grill.

We ended up finding Black Forest right across the street from Bronner’s. My family was marveling at just how big the Christmas store was when I turned in the driveway for Black Forest.  They all turned around and said the same thing about the big, castle looking building we were now sitting in front of.   We hit up the brew pub during off peak hours.  It wasn’t quite lunch nor was it quite dinner.  We were right in between so there weren’t a whole lot of people in the restaurant at the time.  We were met at the door and show to a table in the dining area to the left of the bar.  Besides the bar area and the dining room, there was a four seasons patio not far from where we sitting.  Upstairs, there were big banquet rooms.  The dining room and bar area is realy spacious.  There are high exposed ceilings and lots of seating.  There is a big room enclosed in glass where the distillers sit.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Brew Pub, Burgers, Frankenmuth, Local Flavor, Michigan, Restaurant, Reviews, Sandwiches

Munchies

30 08 2008
  • 4100 S. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
  • Lansing, MI 48910
  • (517) 887-2500
  • No Known Website
  • Menu
Munchies on MLK in Lansing. Serving up the Cheapest Wings in Town....Period!

Munchies on MLK in Lansing. Serving up the "Cheapest Wings in Town....Period!"

A few weeks ago I had to run to the Walgreens on MLK instead of the one I usually go to on Cedar.  As I’m driving down MLK, a small restaurant with a big banner out front catches my eye.  A lot of times, you’ll see stuff like “Best Wings in Town” or something similar boasting about the taste.  Not this banner.  It read “Cheapest Wings in Town.”  There’s something to be proud of….I guess.  When I got home, I told J about it.  She looked at me a little funny and said I was on my own for that one.  If all they can advertise is the cheapest wings in town, she wanted no part of it.

J had to work in Kalamazoo today so I waited until she left to get a late lunch.  I pulled into the parking lot and parked up front.  There was only one other guy there and he was leaving.  I went inside looking for a menu and didn’t see anything about wings.  When I got to the register, I noticed a piece of paper taped to the counter.  That’s where the wing prices were.  There were serveral options, but I went with six wings and wedges.  They weren’t kidding.  These probably ARE the cheapest wings in town.  The whole deal cost me about $4.50.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Chicken, Lansing, Local Flavor, Michigan, Restaurant, Reviews

Ah Barista Cafe – Indianapolis

29 08 2008
  • 201 S. Capitol Ave.
  • Indianapolis, IN 46225
  • (317) 638-2233
  • Website
  • Menu
Ah Barista Cafe in Indianapolis near Lucas Oil Stadium

Ah Barista Cafe in Indianapolis near Lucas Oil Stadium

I kind of surprised myself with this one.  I went to a cafe for lunch and my girlfriend wasn’t even with me.  I was in Indianapolis to work a Colts game at Lucas Oil Stadium.  I got to Indy about an hour before my call time, so I decided to look around for lunch.  I parked in a garage across from the RCA Dome and went for a walk in the immediate area hoping to find a sandwich shop or something quick.  I didn’t really know where I was going once I got to the Stadium, so I didn’t want to cut it too close.  After walking around about 10 minutes, I ended up back at the garage where I parked.  Right next to the door I came out of was a little cafe called Ah Barista.

Ah Barista is located on the ground level of the Pan-Am Plaza.  It’s not very big with just a counter inside that runs along the wall to eat.  I got there around lunch time and the demolition guys working across the street at the RCA Dome had the same idea that I did.  There were six or seven of them in line so I had enough time to look over the menu and not feel rushed.  The menu board is high above the counter which makes it a little hard to read if you’re not standing right at the cash register.  They did have a couple paper menus posted on doors and windows, so that’s what I used. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Cafe, Indiana, Indianapolis, Local Flavor, Restaurant, Reviews, Sandwiches

Great Lakes Chocolate & Coffee Co. – Lansing

26 08 2008
  • 500 E. Michigan Ave.
  • Suite 190
  • Lansing, MI 48912
  • (517) 999-3405
  • Website
  • Menu
Great Lakes Chocolate & Coffee Company in the Stadium District near Downtown Lansing

Great Lakes Chocolate & Coffee Company in the Stadium District near Downtown Lansing

If you’ve ever looked at my sidebar, you’ve noticed I have RSS feeds from the local media outlets here in town.  This story on WLAJ.com really jumped out at me today.

About a dozen mid-Michigan workers are employed today with the help of the Great Lakes Chocolate and Coffee Company.

YAY!  Chocolate!  When my girlfriend came home for dinner tonight, I suggested making a run downtown to get a couple pieces of gourmet chocolate for dessert before I took she had to go back. 

The Great Lakes Chocolate & Coffee Co. opened up shop on the corner of Michigan Ave. and Larch St. on the first floor of the Stadium District building across from Oldsmobile Park.  Parking is limited out front to a few meters, but behind the building is a massive parking lot for the businesses and the residents of the Stadium District.  We were going the wrong way down Michigan to get a spot at a meter, so we went around to the back parking lot.  For those coffee lovers in a hurry, there’s also a drive-thru behind the building.  The main entrance is off Michigan Ave, but there is a back entrance from the back lot and an entrance on the Larch St. side.  Since we parked in back, we entered from the back.  There an open sign and there are hours on the door, but when we walked in, we second guessed ourselves.  The only two doors you see are for the men’s room and an employee entrance to the kitchen.  There is a hallway that leads back into the shop, but it took us a second to get our bearings and realize that. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Cafe, Chocolate, Coffee, Lansing, Local Flavor, Michigan, Restaurant, Reviews

Redamak’s Tavern

25 08 2008
  • 616 E. Buffalo St.
  • New Buffalo, MI 49117
  • (269) 469-4522
  • Website
  • Menu
Redamaks Tavern in New Buffalo, MI

Redamak's Tavern in New Buffalo, MI

I had heard about a little bar in New Buffalo that may have the best hamburgers in the state.  In fact, I read that in a book at Barnes and Noble.  I don’t remember the name of the book, but the premise was the best hamburgers in each state.  In Michigan, there was Blimpy Burger in Ann Arbor (review HERE), Red Coat Tavern in Royal Oak (review HERE) another place I don’t remember and Redamak’s Tavern in New Buffalo.  For quite some time now, I’ve been wanting to stop at Redamak’s on our way home from Chicago.  After a three day weekend at my parents in Iroquois County, we finally got the chance, but not before a brief stop at Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets in Michigan City, IN.

We took a detour off of I-94 into Michigan City just because J had never been there and it had been years since I had.  We walked around, bought some candles at Yankee Candle and moved on.  Redamak’s is about 10 miles from Lighthouse Place and Blue Chip Casino.  Our GPS didn’t take us back to the Interstate, but instead took us on a two lane state highway through New Buffalo.  The tavern is located right on that busy highway.  We started turning into the parking lot and wondered if this was a good idea.  It was packed.   We went inside and again, had doubts about getting dinner.  There were quite a few people sitting down waiting to be seated.  We made our way up to the hostess stand and she asked the usual questions.  Smoking or non (damn Michigan) and then if we wanted to sit in the main dining room or the four seasons patio.  We said non-smoking preferably and we didn’t care.  Whichever would get us seated fastest.  To our surprise, she grabbed a couple menus right away and told us to follow.  We ended up sitting in the main dining room in a booth for two.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Bar, Burgers, Local Flavor, Michigan, New Buffalo, Restaurant, Reviews

Portillo’s Hot Dogs – Oak Lawn, IL

22 08 2008
  • 4020 W. 95th St.
  • Oak Lawn, IL 60435
  • (708 ) 422-1384
  • Website
  • Menu
Portillos Hot Dogs on 95th St. in Oak Lawn near Chicago

Portillo's Hot Dogs on 95th St. in Oak Lawn near Chicago

I said this a month ago when I reviewed the Portillo’s in Crestwood, IL (review HERE).  I LOVE PORTILLO’S!  The thing I miss the most about Illinois and Chicago cuisine is the Italian Beef sandwich so anytime I get a chance to get one, I make sure I do. 

J and I were at her parents before continuing our trip south to my parents for the annual Homecoming celebration.  We got in late and had plans to go to a 24 hour restaurant for breakfast, but we were too tired and just went to bed.  When we woke up, both of us were starving.  After playing Mario Kart Wii with her mom for a while, we got up and went looking for lunch.  J asked what I wanted and I said I didn’t care.  She knows me all too well and suggested Portillo’s.  I thought we were going to the one on Cicero we always go to, but she said there was one closer to her parents place near Christ Hospital.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Chains, Chicago, Illinois, Local Flavor, Oak Lawn, Restaurant, Reviews

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