Smokey Bones Barbeque & Grill

10 08 2009
  • 2401 Lake Lansing Road
  • Lansing, MI 48912
  • (517) 316-9973
  • Website
  • Menu
Smokey Bones Barbeque and Grill on Lake Lansing Road in Lansing.

Smokey Bones Barbeque and Grill on Lake Lansing Road in Lansing.

My curiosity finally won out.  Is it possible for a large chain restaurant to make good BBQ?  I’ve tried in the past.  I’ve eaten at a Corky’s franchise hoping for the best, but leaving feeling disappointed.  In my experience, the best BBQ joints are always locally owned, they smoke on site, and they serve Memphis style BBQ. 

Saturday was a pretty crappy day.  J and I both overslept due to the rain.  Our bedroom looked dark all morning and neither of us were motivated enough to actually look at a clock to see what time it was.  When we did finally roll out of bed, we started our Saturday ritual of debating eateries and activities to fill our afternoon before I had to go to work.  I had the BBQ craving and J had a GAP Rewards card, so Eastwood Towne Center seemed like the best option.

Smokey Bones Barbeque & Grill is just off of Lake Lansing Road in front of the Eastwood Towne Centre near the other chain restaurants that dominate the area.  It was a miserable rainy day when we pulled into the parking lot and fortunately, we found a parking spot near the door.  The main entrance does not face Lake Lansing Road like you’d expect it to.  It actually faces the access road for the mall.  Read the rest of this entry »


Comments : 15 Comments »
Tags: , , , , , ,
Categories : BBQ, Chains, Lansing, Michigan, Restaurant, Reviews, Sandwiches

Press Release – Grub Crawl

7 08 2009

Sounds like a cool event.  It’s a weeknight though so J and I won’t be able to go.  From a LSJ Media press release (sorry about the formatting.  I got the release in a .doc file so I did my best to copy and paste)….

A Capitol Affair Grub Crawl
Get acquainted or re-acquaintedwith the Eastwood Towne Center for eats and drinks! Join us for the second Lansing Grub Crawl.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009
5 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Pre-sale: $20 per person; $35 per couple
Night of: $25 per person; $40 per couple
Tickets available for purchase at LansingChamber.org;
or, by calling 517-853-6455 Read the rest of this entry »


Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: , ,
Categories : Lansing, Michigan, Press Releases

MBC Lansing Location Opening Soon

7 08 2009

The “coming soon” sign has been in the window for over a year and a half, but according to the LSJ, the Michigan Brewing Company will open their downtown Lansing location in just a few weeks. 

Crews are putting the final touches on the Lansing location, MBC, at 402 S. Washington Square. The 4,000 square-foot facility formerly housed the Greenhouse Bistro, but has been mostly vacant for a couple of years, St. Pierre said.

 The pub will be non-smoking and feature 16 kinds of beer and a full menu.

Non-smoking.  Awesome.


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , , ,
Categories : Michigan

Sammy’s Lounge – Holt

6 08 2009
  • 1957 Cedar Street
  • Holt, MI 48842
  • (517) 268-0820
  • No Known Website
  • No Online Menu
Sammys Lounge on Cedar Street in Holt.

Sammy's Lounge on Cedar Street in Holt.

I haven’t felt very well the last few days.  Nothing serious.  Just a summer cold.  Probably had the air conditioning blowing on me too much while I was sleeping.  Because of that, I wasn’t really in the mood to cook dinner.  I looked through the freezer, the cupboards, the fridge…nothing looked good, so I told J I’d pick her up from work and we’d just go out. 

I didn’t want to go to far from home and about the only thing that sounded good to me was a greasy burger.  We seem to always drive by Sammy’s Lounge but we’ve never stopped.  Since it’s fairly close to both J’s work and our home, I thought it would be a good choice. 

Sammy’s Lounge is on Cedar Street in Holt just past the downtown area.  The entrance is actually in the middle of the parking lot.  They have a great outdoor bar and beer garden that you have to walk through in order to get inside.  We headed inside where we ran into a hostess station.  One of the waitresses saw us and showed us to a table in the non-smoking side of the restaurant. 

The dining room is divided into two sections.  It’s a bi-level space with the bar/smoking section on the higher section.  The main dining room sits on the lower area.  The decor is very old school.  It looks like it hasn’t been updated since the place originally opened.  There are green vinyl seat backs on the booths and the furniture is classic 70’s restaurant.  The bar was the most interesting thing to me.  It wasn’t a regular size bar.  Instead of bar stools, they had what looked more like chairs that you would put around your kitchen table.  The height was about half the height of a normal bar.  Read the rest of this entry »


Comments : Leave a Comment »

Categories : Burgers, Holt, Michigan, Pub, Restaurant, Reviews, Sandwiches

Press Release – Crosby Mint Farm at Eastern Market

6 08 2009

From a Crosby Mint Farm Press Release……

PEPPERMINT JIM WILL BE SELLING PRODUCTS AT THE DETROIT EASTERN MARKET ON SATURDAY AUGUST 8TH 2009.

HELP PRESERVE THE OLDEST, CONTINIOUSLY FAMILY OPERATED MINT FARM IN THE U.S. BY SUPPORTING THE CROSBY MINT FARM, ST JOHNS, MICHIGAN.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

(MINT CITY, USA/St. Johns, MI) August 5, 2009 – All Michigan Made costumers, supporters, community members, new and old costumers are invited to come to the Eastern Market in Detroit on Saturday August 8th 2009. Peppermint Jim Crosby will be at the Detroit Eastern Market on Saturday selling his mint oil products. This will be an opportunity to support the oldest continuously family owned and operated mint farm in the country that is facing foreclosure. There will be a wide variety of mint products produced directly on the farm for sale. Peppermint Jim will be sharing his passion and knowledge of the healing properties of mint.

WHAT: Peppermint Jim Crosby will be at the Detroit Eastern Market.

WHO: Community members and supporters of the Crosby Mint Farm.

WHERE: Detroit Eastern Market
                     2934 Russell Street
                     Detroit, MI 48207

                     PH: 313.833.9300

                     FAX: 313.833.9309

WHEN: Saturday August 8th, 2009
                   5AM-5PM

About Crosby Mint Farm
Our mission is to preserve the heritage of the nation’s oldest sustainable mint producer, live as an independent American farmer producing the highest quality point of origin essential mint oil available, while honoring the land with sustainable farming management plans, renewable energy sources, and green growing practices, build relationships through education and

outreach, health & wellness, and personal ecological accountability.


Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: , , , , , ,
Categories : Michigan, Press Releases, St. Johns

Wild Wing Cafe

1 08 2009
  • 2085 W. Grand River Avenue
  • Okemos, MI 48864
  • (517) 349-2321
  • Website
  • Menu
Wild Wing Cafe on Grand River Avenue in Okemos.

Wild Wing Cafe on Grand River Avenue in Okemos.

When I rolled out of bed this morning…er, afternoon, J started asking about lunch.  She was hungry.  I was hungry, so we started getting ready to leave the house.  Last night, I gave her the option of Mexican or wings.  Today, I wasn’t really in the mood for Mexican so I made the call to head to Okemos to try out the new chain in town. 

Wild Wing Cafe is on the corner of Grand River Avenue and Okemos Road in the building that used to be Bennigan’s.  The chain is an east coast franchise based in South Carolina.  The Okemos location is both the farthest north and west. 

I never went into the Bennigan’s, so I have no idea if anything has changed inside.  The dining room is anchored by a large bar in the middle that is covered with LCD TV’s.  In fact, that’s pretty much the whole design theme.  LCD TV’s everywhere.  Everywhere!  The place really has a sports bar theme.  The TV’s are accented with MSU pictures that have been blown up and hung on the walls. 

There are tables and booths that fill in the space around the bar.  We were shown to a table near the stage that hosts local bands on weekends.  A waitress came over and took drink orders while we looked over the rather large menu.  I knew I wanted wings, but there were a lot of options.  J isn’t in to the traditional wing as much as I am, so she needed a little more time to work her way through the choices.  Read the rest of this entry »


Comments : 15 Comments »
Tags: , , , , , , ,
Categories : Chains, Chicken, Michigan, Okemos, Restaurant, Reviews

RG’s Ballpark Dogs & More

29 07 2009
  • 625 E. Michigan Avenue
  • Lansing, MI 48912
  • (517) 977-9079
  • No Known Website
  • Menu
RGs Ballpark Dogs & More on East Michigan Avenue in Lansing.

RG's Ballpark Dogs & More on East Michigan Avenue in Lansing.

I go to a lot of Lugnuts games and almost every game I go to, I walk right by a little Mexican/hot dog place on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Pere Marquette Street.  Sometimes, the restaurant is open, but most of the time, it’s not.  It seems like every time I walk by, I’m low on cash so I’ve never been able to stop in for a quick meal. 

I was downtown this afternoon for the Lugnuts Summer Family Fun day game.  When I walked by before the game, the store was open.  I didn’t eat at the park figuring I would take my chance and see if they were open when the game was over. 

After a dramatic ninth inning, two out comeback that fell just short, I started walking back towards my truck.  The door to the restaurant was open and there was one other person in.  The special board caught my eye, so I made a quick turn to see what this little corner shop was hiding.

RG’s Ballpark Dogs & More is about a block from Oldsmobile Park on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Pere Marquette right across the street from Clara’s.  I have no idea what the hours are or even if they have regular hours.  I’ve tried to see if they were posted somewhere on the window or door, but there’s nothing. 

The shop is very tiny.  When they are open, the front door is usually propped open.  When you enter the store, you have to take a step up to get to the order counter.  There is enough room for two small tables in the space next to the counter, but that’s about it.  On nice days, they pull at least one of these tables outside to the sidewalk which makes more sense.  Read the rest of this entry »


Comments : 4 Comments »
Tags: , , , , , ,
Categories : Downtown, Lansing, Mexican, Michigan, Restaurant, Reviews

Press Release – “Mix It Up For MDA” at Carrabbas

29 07 2009

From a Muscular Dystrophy Association press release…

CARRABBAS ITALIAN GRILL, AWARD WINNING MIXOLOGIST TO “MIX IT UP FOR MDA”

WHO: Carrabba’s Italian Grill invites consumers to “Mix It Up for MDA” at a special event combining exclusive cocktails from award-winning mixologist Charlotte Voisey with new Carrabba’s food items to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

WHAT: A special mixer and food tasting event that includes a delicious array of appetizers from the new Mr. C’s Menu, designed for snacking and sharing, including: Antipasti Misto, Meatballs with Ricotta Cheese, Patatinas with Blue Cheese, and Chicken Parmesan Piccolinos.

Admission to “Mix It Up for MDA” is $15 per person. The ticket price includes a sampling of four food items from the new Mr. C’s Bar Menu and, for guests 21 years and older, one of Voisey’s signature cocktails created for the event (Blackberry Lemonade, the Italian Lemon Drop or Blackberry Fields Martini) or another drink on the Mr. C’s list.

In addition to monies raised from “Mix It Up for MDA” event admission, Carrabba’s also will donate $1 to MDA for each of Voisey’s drinks sold from July 30 – August 6.

WHEN: July 30, 2009

5 p.m. to close

WHERE: Carrabba’s Italian Grill

6540 West Saginaw Hwy.

Lansing, MI 48917

WHY: Funds raised will directly affect the lives of children and adults in the Lansing area living with one of more than 40 muscle-wasting diseases in MDA’s program. “Mix it up for MDA” will support research, clinics and programs in the area. Contributions will help MDA provide outpatient clinic services, purchase and repair wheelchairs, leg braces and communication devices, and perform many other important services.


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , , , ,
Categories : Food News, Lansing, Michigan

Take on the 3-Foot Coney

28 07 2009

There must be something in the water in West Michigan.  First it was the Fifth Third Burger.  Now, it’s a monster 3-Foot Coney from The Galley in Wyoming.

The Jolly Roger is a three-foot long hot dog that comes with Coney sauce, onions, mustard and pickles. The German-style wiener is made by a local meat market and the bun crafted by a Grand Rapids bakery.

Owner, Rick Baumgardner hopes it will put his restaurant, The Galley on the map. “We’ve been thinking about something for the past couple of years and we just didn’t know what– but we knew we needed a signature item, and a few months ago we decided we needed something big and unusual and recently we decided it was going to be a Coney dog.”

From a marketing standpoint, I love these ideas.  I would never take one of these challenges, but anything that gets people talking about your place is a good thing….a website would help too..especially with all the media attention that you’re hoping to get from this gimmick.


Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: , , , ,
Categories : Food News, Michigan

A & W Restaurant – E. Oakland Ave.

28 07 2009
  • 427 E. Oakland Avenue
  • Lansing, MI 48906
  • (517) 485-3950
  • Website
  • Menu
The A & W Restaurant on East Oakland Avenue in Lansing.

The A & W Restaurant on East Oakland Avenue in Lansing.

As I’ve mentioned in the past, I still haven’t figured out the fascination with Sonic Drive-In’s.  J, on the other hand, loves the place.  Mostly because of their Limeade.  While watching TV the other night, we saw a commercial for A & W and they were promoting their new Fruit Flavored Limeades.  The commercial caught her attention and the next chance we got, we headed to A & W.

There are two A & W Restaurant in Lansing.  One is on West Saginaw Highway.  The other is on East Oakland.  We chose the Oakland store because it was the one I knew.  The A & W is at the corner of East Oakland Avenue and North Cedar Street.  Like many businesses in the area right now, their parking lot is only accessible from one street because of the CSO project. 

As we were pulling up to the stoplight at Cedar Street, I had serious doubts that they were open.  It was lunch time, but there was only one car in the parking lot.  It looked desserted.  As I pulled into the parking, there was a car that drove around to the drive thru window so we knew they were open. 

We were wanting to eat in the store because our next stop was grocery shopping.  It wouldn’t make sense to take our meals with it.  The inside of the store is tiny.  Very, very tiny.  There’s an order counter that only has one register and almost no counter space.  There are less than ten tables jammed into the small space…most of which are two tops.  Read the rest of this entry »


Comments : 3 Comments »
Tags: , , , , , ,
Categories : Chains, Chicken, Fast Food, Lansing, Michigan, Restaurant, Reviews

« Previous Entries Next Entries »