Sidetrack Bar & Grill

5 04 2009
  • 56 E. Cross Street
  • Ypsilanti, MI 48198
  • (734) 483-1035
  • Website
  • Menu
Sidetrack Bar & Grill in Depot Town in Ypsilanti

Sidetrack Bar & Grill in Depot Town in Ypsilanti

When I see that there’s a place that serves a burger someone has proclaimed to be the best, I’m gonna take an opportunity to try it for myself.  That was the case when I was working in Ann Arbor recently.  J made the trip to Ann Arbor with me and picked me up after my game was over.  Somewhere, I saw that a bar in Ypsilanti made one of the best burgers in the country.  I looked at a map and saw Ypsilanti was near Ann Arbor.  So I dragged J to another bar in search of the perfect hamburger.

Sidetrack Bar & Grill is located on Cross Street in Ypsilanti’s Depot Town.  Guess what.  It sits beside a set of rail road tracks.  As I’ve already alluded to, GQ Magazine proclaimed Sidetrack’s hamburger as one the 20  burgers you must eat before you die.  It was also featured on an episode of the Oprah Winfey Show.  With that much hype, it was something I was looking forward to all day.

We parked behind the building and entered through a back door.  There’s a sign that points you to the front door where a hostess took us back through the dining room we just walked through to a table along the wall.  The decor is that of an old bar.  There’s exposed brick walls, tin ceilings and hardwood floors that have seen better days.  The walls are covered with dead animals.  There was a big moose head right above my head and some giant penguins hanging above the door.  The tables are packed into the space.  When I initially suggested a bar for dinner, I was a little worried that we would have trouble getting a table.  Word is,  Sidetracks is always packed on Friday and Saturday night and this Saturday night, MSU was playing in the Final Four.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Bar, BBQ, Burgers, Michigan, Pub, Restaurant, Reviews, Sandwiches, Ypsilanti

Mia Za’s Cafe – Ann Arbor

5 04 2009
  • 615 E. University Avenue
  • Ann Arbor, MI 48104
  • (734) 555-1211
  • Website
  • Menu
Mia Zas Cafe near the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor

Mia Za's Cafe near the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor

Once again, I spent my Saturday working.  Not complaining at all.  I love it when I get a chance to work.  However, it takes weekends away from J and I .  When I work, my days are 10 hours and that doesn’t include travel, so I spend all day work and when I get home, I’m exhausted and don’t want to do much.  Instead of sitting home by herself, J decided to come to Ann Arbor with me.  We got a hotel room and she was going to do some shopping while I worked.

At lunch time, J came back to the Wilpon baseball softball complex to pick me up.  I only had an hour so I wanted to stay somewhat close to campus.  Last week while working in Champaign, IL, I stumbled upon a little cafe that served up really good food really quickly.  One of their two other locations happened to be in Ann Arbor and I knew it was something J would like, so that’s where we went.

It was a really busy Saturday in Ann Arbor.  There were people everywhere and traffic was slow going.  We finally made it to Mia Za’s which is on University Street in Ann Arbor near the campus of the University of Michigan.  There is street parking on either side of University so we started looking for a spot.  I saw one going the other direction so I did a U-turn and made it back before someone else picked it up.

There is quite a bit of construction going on in the area including a massive construction project at the building next to Mia Za’s.  The sidewalk is closed and the temporary sidewalk structures almost cover up the awning and front of the building.  I almost missed it when we drove by.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Ann Arbor, Big Ten Tour, Cafe, Michigan, Restaurant, Reviews, Sandwiches

Cancun Mexican Grill – Jolly Road

2 04 2009
  • 2398 Jolly Road #100
  • Okemos, MI 48864
  • (517) 347-3510
  • Website
  • Menu
Cancun Mexican Grill on Jolly Road in Okemos

Cancun Mexican Grill on Jolly Road in Okemos

Mexican wasn’t the plan tonight, but that’s where we ended up.  We were actually going to Backyard BBQ on Jolly Road in Okemos on the suggestion of a commentor.  When we pulled up there a little after 7:00 we found the business closed.  They close at 7:00, so we just missed them.

Instead, we headed across the street to Cancun Mexican Grill.  The shop is in one of the many strip malls in the area right next to a Mediterranean deli.  Cancun is in the corner and they make good use of the space.  When you walk in, you come to a very small waiting area.  We were met by a waiter who showed us to a booth.  The space is pretty much one long hallway with booths on either side. 

The decor is loud.  Very, very loud.  Everything is painted in bright colors and there are Mexican flag designs on the curtains.  The booths and tables are really neat.  Each table and booth back has a Mexican scene on them.  These scenes are actually carved in the wood then painted.  It’s a very cool looking design feature.  They really play on Mexican stereotypes with the way they’ve decorated. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Mexican, Michigan, Okemos, Restaurant, Reviews

Bob Evans Restaurant – American Road

30 03 2009
  • 900 American Road
  • Lansing, MI 48911
  • (517) 394-7676
  • Website
  • Menu
Bob Evans Restaurant on American Drive in South Lansing.

Bob Evans Restaurant on American Drive in South Lansing.

After a weekend of standing out in the rain, snow and wind, I really wasn’t in the mood to cook.  I had everything ready to go like I was going to cook dinner, but J e-mailed and said she was in the mood for pulled pork.  Unfortunately, Lansing doesn’t have any BBQ joints.  Our only real option is Smokey Bones, but that’s out near Eastwood and there’s no way I was going to chance construction on 127 when J only had an hour for dinner.  Instead, I thought of Bob Evans.  I thought they may have a pulled pork on the menu and they did.

Bob Evans is one of the interesting chains.  I’ve never eaten at one in the past because I always thought it looked like “an old person” restaurant.  The concept is to be a comfortable family restaurant where everyone is welcome.  The chain actually got it’s start because Bob Evans (real person) needed an outlet to sell his premium sausages.  Local restaurants near Rio Grande, Ohio didn’t want to buy his speciality sausage because people wouldn’t pay a higher prices for a higher quality sausage.  Mr. Evans  believed in his product so much, he started a chain out of his truck stop.

The South Lansing location is on American Drive near Cedar Street.  It’s shares a parking lot/driveway with the Super 8 Motel.  There’s another location on Commercial Drive near Exit 93 on I-96 in Delta Township and one in DeWitt just off I-69. 

Bob Evans restaurants are easy to spot.  They’re big red buildings that remind you of a barn.  That’s kind of fitting considering Bob Evans was a farmer and his farm is on the National Register of Historic Places.  I was meeting J for dinner so I found a spot in the parking lot near the road so she could see me.  I only had to wait a few minutes for her to show up.  Read the rest of this entry »


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

Li’l Porgy’s Bar-B-Q – Champaign, IL

30 03 2009
  • 1917 W. Springfield Avenue
  • Champaign, IL 61821
  • (217) 398-6811
  • Website
  • Menu
Lil Porgys Barbecue on Springfield Avenue in Champaign, IL

Li'l Porgy's Barbecue on Springfield Avenue in Champaign, IL

My last day in Champaign and I needed something good for lunch.  As I was driving away from Eichelberger Field on my lunch break, I remembered a BBQ place I ate at a couple years ago.  I was pretty sure I remembered how to get there once I found Springfield Avenue off of Neil Street. 

Li’l Porgy’s has two locations in the Champaign/Urbana area.  I chose the Champaign location which is on West Springfield Avenue near Mattis Avenue.  There are a number of other restaurants in the area including a Famous Dave’s. 

The building is nothing more than a run down old fast food joint.  It’s not much to look at and I wondered if it was even open on a Sunday morning when I pulled in.  As I was nearing Mattis Avenue, I knew I was close, but it wasn’t until I got right up on the sign that I noticed it.  As I turned in the parking lot, I noticed a couple other cars, so I figured I was go for Q.

Inside gets a little wierd and I remember I didn’t quite get it my first trip.  There obviously used to be a huge order counter like you’re familiar with at the fast food joints, but they put an oven or food warmer or something right in the middle and divided it up into two windows.  The openings are very small.  There’s not really room for anything but the cash register at the order window. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : BBQ, Big Ten Tour, Champaign, Champaign/Urbana, Illinois, Restaurant, Reviews, Sandwiches

Mia Za’s Cafe – Champaign, IL

28 03 2009
  • 629 E. Green Street
  • Champaign, IL 61820
  • (217) 352-2697
  • Website
  • Menu
Mia Zas Cafe on Green Street in Champaign, IL

Mia Za's Cafe on Green Street in Champaign, IL

Another Saturday.  Another Saturday working.  Actually, that’s been rare the last year and very welcome.  I was back in Champaign for game two of a three game set between the University of Illinois and Michigan State University’s baseball teams.  Once again, lunch time rolled around and I went in search of good food.

Yesterday, I ran into some trouble finding businesses open on Green Street, but I did notice a cafe open near the end of the stretch of businesses.  I was craving an Italian beef and knew this place wouldn’t have it, but today, I just wanted a sandwich, so I headed back.

Mia Za’s Cafe is on Green Street near the corner of Green and Sixth.  The cafe is one of three locations in Big Ten communities.  The other two stores are in Madison, WI (University of Wisconsin) and Ann Arbor.  If the name sounds sort of familiar, but not really, they used to go under the name Za’s Italian Cafe.  The Ann Arbor store is located at 615 E. University. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Big Ten Tour, Cafe, Champaign, Champaign/Urbana, Chicken, Illinois, Restaurant, Reviews, Sandwiches

Niro’s Gyros – Urbana, IL

28 03 2009
  • 1007 W. University Avenue
  • Urbana, IL 61801
  • (217) 328-6476
  • No Known Website
  • Menu
Niros Gyros on University Avenue in Urbana.

Niro's Gyros on University Avenue in Urbana.

The Italian beef craving set in again.  I’m just not going to go back to Illinois and not get one.  I left Illinois Field on my lunch break and headed towards Green Street to get lunch like I always do.  Problem is, when I got there, everything was closed.  U of I is on spring break and everything closed up with them.  I panicked a little.  Where else was I going to go?  I was driving around and I came up to University Avenue.  Then it clicked.  There was a little Greek place up the road where I could get my Italian beef.

Niro’s Gyros is located on University near Lincoln in Urbana.  Niro’s has several locations in the Champaign/Urbana area and there are even stores that I know of in Bloomington, IL.  I have no idea why Greek places tend to have Italian beef in Illinois, but it’s fairly common.  Places like Niro’s are almost cookie-cutter to the extent that you know what’s on the menu before you get there.

There’s not much to this Niro’s location.  There’s a drive thru which I should have used and a walk up window.  There’s no seating inside.  They have some concrete tables outside, but that’s it.  When you walk in, there’s just enough room for a menu board and a window. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Big Ten Tour, Champaign/Urbana, greek, Illinois, Restaurant, Reviews, Sandwiches

The Irish Pub & Grill

26 03 2009
  • 1910 W. Saginaw Street
  • Lansing, MI 48915
  • (517) 482-3916
  • No Known Website
  • Menu
Irish Pub & Grill on Saginaw Street in Lansing.

Irish Pub & Grill on Saginaw Street in Lansing.

Over the last year, we’ve gotten a lot of recommendations.  The one place that’s been recommended probably more than any is the Irish Pub & Grill.  We kept making plans to go on a Saturday night when they have karaoke, but something always came up and we never made it.  We were out in Delta Township this morning and come lunch time, finally took the recommendations.

The Irish Pub & Grill is on Saginaw Street just after Saginaw Highway splits into two one way roads.  There’s a corner parking lot on Saginaw and Cleo Street which is a little tricky to get into.  The entrance to the pub is on the corner of the building.  There’s a big, heavy wooden door that leads into a large bar and pub space. 

When you get past the door, you end up in the bar area.  There’s a long bar that runs along the wall with TV’s mounted above and behind.  All were tuned to ESPN.  The rest of the space is divided into two dining areas.  The one in the bar area, where we sat, has tables scattered through the space as well as pub style tables built into the support beams.  The other room has more tables as well as the dart boards and pool tables. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Burgers, Irish Bar, Lansing, Michigan, Restaurant, Reviews, Sandwiches

Mamacita’s Famous Taco

23 03 2009
  • 3500 S. Cedar Street
  • Lansing, MI 48910
  • (517) 393-0766
  • No Known Website
  • Menu
Mamacitas Famous Taco on South Cedar Street in Lansing.

Mamacita's Famous Taco on South Cedar Street in Lansing.

Today was the first day of what’s going to be a lot of improvising when it comes to dinner.  I’m working this summer downtown and it’s going to keep me from being home a few nights a week.  I had a 6:00 meeting tonight and when I was walking out at 7:00, I got a text from J asking if I could meet her for dinner.  I happened to be getting in my truck when I got the message, so I called her back and suggested meet for tacos.

Mamacita’s Famous Taco is on Cedar Street in that strip mall right next to the Lansing PD’s South Precinct.  I always thought it was two different business, but it’s just the sign that’s split up.  We walked in under the sign that said “Famous Taco” to find a dining room that spanned what probably used to be two separate store fronts.  There were already laminated menus on the table, so we grabbed a booth near the front.  It was a little after 7:00 on a Monday night and we were the only ones there.  A few people came in for carry out, but we obviously missed the dinner rush.

The decor is pretty bland.  They don’t have the usual, stereotypical Mexican decor.  Other than the booths and tables, the only thing in the restaurant were stainless steel buffet tables which get used during the day.  There was no dinner buffet, so we ordered off the menu.

A waiter came over with our Pepsi’s then went and got some chips and salsa.  The chips were home made as was the salsa.  He brought out mild and asked if that was ok.  It was fine with me.  The chips and salsa were delicious.  There were a few too many chunks of onion in the salsa for me.  I’m not an onion fan and I’d rather not see them even though I know I’m eating them.  J was eating the chips by themselves.  She really liked them. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Lansing, Mexican, Michigan, Restaurant, Reviews

Sweet Sensations

22 03 2009
  • 1693 Cedar Street
  • Holt, MI 48842
  • (517) 694-6922
  • Website
  • Menu
Sweet Sensations on Cedar Street in Holt.

Sweet Sensations on Cedar Street in Holt.

Ah, spring.  With spring comes one of my favorite things.  The opening of the ice cream stands.  J and I spent all winter sitting at home wondering where we could go for soft serve ice cream.  All the stands close during the winter.  There’s no Dairy Queen restaurant and Culver’s is in Okemos. 

On our way to Mason for dinner, we noticed that there was an ice cream stand on the way opened.  As we drove by, we decided to skip dessert at Big Boy and pick up some ice cream on our way home.

Sweet Sensations is on the corner Cedar Street and Watson Avenue in Holt.  It’s a small shop with a walk up window and a giant ice cream cone on the roof of the building.  If you’ve ever driven through Holt, you’ve seen the giant ice cream cone.  There are a few tables along the side the building, but other than that, there’s really no place to sit an eat.  It’s really more of a neighborhood place for families to walk to in the summer time.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Holt, Ice Cream, Michigan, Restaurant, Reviews

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