The Entrepreunurial Spirit

17 04 2009

Is everyone going to go to Andy’s before I do?  First, I saw a blog on Runs With Spatula about the place and tonight, I see it on the 11:00 news.  Good story by ABC 3 to take a look at how Andy is keeping costs down and actually opening a business instead of closing one during this rough patch.

Too many cooks in the kitchen.

That’s a problem that a local restaurant owner definitely doesn’t have.

He’s the only cook.

Keeping labor costs down in an effort to keep up a small business.

It’s not only labor costs that he tries to keep down, it’s rent too.

All in an effort to make a go out of a business that opened during a recession.

This weekend.  I’m really going to make an effort to stop in for lunch.  I tried last weekend, but  because he’s the only cook, when he was pulled away for a family emergency, the restaurant had to close.


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Categories : Food News, Holt, Michigan

Name That Cow

17 04 2009

Saw this story in the Detroit News.  Couldn’t stop laughing.

What do you call a cow with a map of Michigan on its hide? Don’t know? Neither does the cow’s owner.

That’s why Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan, which acquired the 3-year-old Simmental steer from Jacob Kessler Farms in Spaulding Township, near Saginaw, is asking Michiganians to come up with a name.

The agency will accept contest entries until May 31; the top prize is $250.

My vote is “Lunch.”  If you can come up with something witty, you can enter the contest at the Farm Bureau Insurance website.


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Categories : Food News, Michigan

Work at Charlie Kang’s II?

16 04 2009
Workers painting the old Charlie Kangs II on South Cedar in Lansing.

Workers painting the old Charlie Kang's II on South Cedar in Lansing.

I noticed a couple weeks ago that there was a couple large dumpsters outside Charlie Kang’s II on Cedar Street in Lansing.   We assumed someone was doing so renovating to open a new restaurant, but weren’t 100% sure.  There were no signs or anything, so I didn’t say anything. 

Today, I stopped at the Speedway next door to get a Frozen Coke and noticed some pretty big changes.  There were four guys outside the building painting it bright orange.  I would say that we should be seeing some pretty big changes over the next few weeks.  If anyone knows anything, some info would be appreciated…if not, I’ll keep you updated on what I see.


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Categories : Food News, Lansing, Michigan

Blondie’s Barn

16 04 2009
  • 5640 Marsh Road
  • Haslett, MI 48840
  • (517) 339-4600
  • No Known Website
  • No Online Menu
Blondies Barn on Marsh Road in Haslett.

Blondie's Barn on Marsh Road in Haslett.

Looks like we could be going to Okemos a lot more.  I read a story in today’s paper that the company that owns Lansing Mall filed for bankruptcy protection, so who knows what will happen.  Mall operators say it won’t close, but we’ll see.  I’d rather go to Meridian Mall anyway.  J goes back and forth, but generally prefers Lansing Mall because it’s not as big, but it doesn’t have a couple key stores.  This morning, we were heading to one of the stores that Lansing Mall doesn’t have.  We timed it out, so we could do a little shopping, find lunch, and still get J home in time to go to work.

A few weeks ago, the LSJ did a story about a place in Haslett that I had never heard of.  They reviewed breakfast, but I figured if breakfast was good, lunch should be too.

We headed down Marsh Road to Blondie’s Barn which sits across the street from the Haslett Village Square shopping center.  J actually noticed.  I would have drove right by the building.  The front of the store faces away from Marsh Road, so you’re left looking at the back.  She happened to see the sign which is on the side of the building facing Haslett Road.  As you can probably guess, the building looks like an old red barn.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Burgers, Haslett, Michigan, Restaurant, Reviews, Sandwiches

Press Release – Cold Stone Creamery Opening in Tim Hortons

16 04 2009

From a Tim Hortons press release…..

TIM HORTONS® AND COLD STONE CREAMERY® MAKE THE SWEETEST WISHES COME TRUE AT GRAND OPENING EVENT
Tim Hortons and Cold Stone Creamery to Donate Proceeds from Grand Opening to Make-A-Wish Foundation®

April 17, 2009- Jackson, MI – Tim Hortons is pleased to welcome Cold Stone Creamery, America’s new favorite ice cream destination, to its 1715 W. Michigan Avenue location. To celebrate the opening, Tim Hortons and Cold Stone Creamery are joining efforts with the Make-A-Wish® Foundation Jackson Chapter to help grant the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses. The celebration will provide the foundation with funding to help make a child’s most heartfelt wish a reality.

The community is invited to join the grand opening wish celebration on Friday, April 17 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM where there will be a FREE Create-Your-Own-Sundae bar for kids 12 and under, FREE samples of cakes, shakes and smoothies and the first 50 customers will receive a FREE Like-it Signature Creation with one mix-in and a FREE Gift Bag full of Tim Hortons & Cold Stone Goodies. Also, everyone is eligible to register to win FREE cake certificates! During the Grand Opening event on April 17, 5% of all ice cream purchases will benefit the local Make-A-Wish Chapter.

“Cold Stone Creamery has a long-standing relationship with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Tim Hortons and Cold Stone Creamery support and value the same thing, which includes family, children, and lots of smiles,” says Elias Sayah, Tim Hortons store owner. “I can’t think of a better partnership than celebrating life with sweets, treats and wishes.” Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Jackson, Michigan, Press Releases

Dairy Dan – Revisited

15 04 2009
  • 7035 S. Cedar Street
  • Lansing, MI 48911
  • (517) 268-1264
  • No Known Website
  • No Online Menu
  • Original Review (4/11/08)
Dairy Dan on South Cedar Street in Lansing near the city limits.

Dairy Dan on South Cedar Street in Lansing near the city limits.

J must have been reading my mind this afternoon.  When she came home for dinner the first thing she said wasn’t “hi.”  It was, “I’m craving ice cream.”  That’s funny because I was craving ice cream too.  I was going to suggest making a quick run to Dairy Dan after dinner, but she beat me to it.

Dairy Dan is our go to when it comes to ice cream.  It was the first place we found after moving here because it’s just down the street from our apartment on South Cedar Street near the Lansing city limits.  The building is a walk up that’s only open in the summer.  They opened for the season just a few weeks ago.  We drove by all winter bummed that we couldn’t stop and get ice cream.

There is a drive-up window at Dairy Dan, but I prefer getting out and walking up to the window, so I parked under the sign and made the short walk to the window.  I know I wanted a Flurry, but I wanted to let J get a look at the other items.  Like most ice cream shops in this area, they put pictures of all their creations in the window so you know what you’re ordering.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Ice Cream, Lansing, Local Flavor, Michigan, Restaurant, Reviews

Press Release – Biggby Bob to Speak at LCC Commencement

14 04 2009

From a Lansing Community College press release –

LANSING COMMUNITY COLLEGE ANNOUNCES 2009 COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER
Biggby Coffee CEO Bob Fish to Speak May 1

LANSING, MICH. (April 13, 2009) – Lansing Community College has announced that Biggby Coffee CEO and Co-Founder Bob Fish will give the commencement address at its May 1 graduation ceremony. “Biggby Bob,” as he is known by many coffee aficionados, co-founded the company in 1995 with his partner, Mary Roszel, and opened the first café on Grand River in East Lansing. The first Biggby Coffee franchise was sold in 1999, and the company has virtually doubled in size every two years since then. It now has more than 100 cafes located in nine states. Bob earned his degree from MSU’s Hospitality Business School. In addition to serving as Chairman of the Board of the Michigan Restaurant Association, Bob is a Board member of the Small Business Association of Michigan and Junior Achievement of Mid-Michigan. Lansing Community College selected Bob because of his significant entrepreneurial success, his innovative spirit, and his charismatic and inspiring personality. LCC’s commencement will take place at 7 p.m. at Breslin Student Event Center.


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Categories : Lansing, Michigan, Press Releases

Governor Honors Final Four Bet

13 04 2009

From Governor Granholm’s blog.

Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm

Photo courtesy - Jennifer Granholm: The Conversation For Michigan's Future

 Krispy Kreme is the best they could do?  I guess since the Krispy Kreme in Lansing Township is boarded up, it’s something Lansing doesn’t have, but come on.   How about Bojangles?  Some good Carolina pork or something other than a baby blue donut and something you can’t get in Mid-Michigan.  It’s about as good as Senator Stabenow putting Little Ceasars on the line.


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Categories : Food News, Michigan

Carrabba’s Italian Grill – Lansing

13 04 2009
  • 6540 W. Saginaw Highway
  • Lansing, MI 48917
  • (517) 323-8055
  • Website
  • Menu
Carrabbas Italian Grill on Saginaw Highway in Delta Township

Carrabba's Italian Grill on Saginaw Highway in Delta Township

It had been a long weekend.  I had worked four days in a row (unusual for my line of work) and J had made a quick trip home to see a friend of hers who just had a baby.  We timed it out where she got home about an hour after I did on Sunday.  That gave me enough time to shower and have a little snack.  By 5:00, we were both pretty hungry.  She did brunch with her parents in Chicago, but that was at 10:00 AM.  We wanted to go out for dinner, but since it was Easter Sunday, we weren’t really sure what would be open.  I knew the chain restaurants would be serving, so we headed out to Delta Township.

We had our choice as far as chains go on that side of town.  I narrowed it down to Outback Steakhouse, Cheddar’s, and Carrabba’s.  J said she didn’t have a preference and since Carrabba’s is the one out of those three that I had never eaten at, it’s what we chose.

Carrabba’s Italian Grill is on Saginaw Highway in front of the Kohl’s in Delta Township.  Usually when we’re in this part of town, Carrabba’s isn’t open. They’re not the typical chain and they’re not open for lunch during the week.  They open their doors at 4:00 Monday thru Friday.  On Saturday and Sunday, they do open at noon, but they serve the same dinner menu.

We were met at the door by a waitress who welcomed us to the store as she stood holding the door for us.  We were then met by a hostess who showed us to a table near the kitchen.  The restaurant was surprisingly packed for a holiday.  The table we were seated at had a good view of the kitchen which was open and on display.  In fact, there was even a bar where you could enjoy your meal while watching the cooks prepare the evening’s meals.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Chains, Italian, Lansing, Michigan, Restaurant, Reviews

El Oasis Antojitos Mexicanos – Michigan Avenue

13 04 2009
  • 2501 E. Michigan Avenue
  • Lansing, MI 48912
  • No Known Phone Number
  • No Known Website
  • Menu (sorta)
El Oasis Mexican stand on East Michigan Avenue in Lansing.

El Oasis Mexican stand on East Michigan Avenue in Lansing.

After a long day at work and only a few hours of sleep, I was on the hunt for something to eat quickly so I could get to bed as soon as possible.  The first thing that popped in my head was Mexican.  I’ve been wanting to try a new place in Holt located in Brower’s Hardware.  When I got there, there was a sign on the cash register that the owner had to make an emergency run to the hospital for a family member and they were not open.  I then drove back out to Jolly Road to try Julie Joe’s for a second time.  Note on the door that they were closed for Easter (this was Saturday, not Easter Sunday).  The last place I could think of where I could get Mexican food quickly was El Oasis on Michigan Avenue.  The thing that really sucks is that if I had just picked that first, I wouldn’t have had to drive all the way back out there.

El Oasis is a cart that set up shop in a parking lot on the corner of East Michigan and North Francis Avenues.  They have another location inside Tony’s Party Store on Cedar Street (review HERE)which we tried last summer and had some problems with.  They got our order totally wrong and J ended up with ground beef, which she doesn’t eat, on her tacquitos and I ended up with her chicken on my tacos.  We had to trade dishes and I’m not a fan of avocado, sour cream, or raw tomatoes, so, needless to say, we weren’t very impressed. Read the rest of this entry »


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

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