Hattie’s Kitchen

4 06 2009
  • 401 E. Grand River Avenue
  • Lansing, MI 48906
  • (517) 894-4465
  • No Known Website
  • Menu
Hatties Kitchen in Lansings Old Town Neighborhood

Hattie's Kitchen in Lansing's Old Town Neighborhood

There’s a little soul food place in Old Town that I’ve been wanting to go to for quite some time.  Up until a few months ago, it was called Vernadine’s, but it now goes by the name Hattie’s Kitchen.  J and I were out running some errands and since we had some extra time, we headed down Grand River Avenue through some horrendous construction in search of some good comfort food.

Hattie’s Kitchen is in Lansing’s Old Town on the corner of Grand River Avenue and Center Street.  It’s a small, corner building with the entrance accessible from either street.  As we drove through the Old Town Neighborhood, we noticed a lot of people out walking around and enjoying some of the other dining establishements.  That got me a little worried about getting a meal during the lunch rush.

It was a nice, cool day and the door was propped open to let the breeze in.  We walked in to find only two of the handful of tables full.  Along one wall was a couple older gentlemen waiting for the food.  Along the other side of the room was a group of college aged kids looking over a couple menus.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Lansing, Michigan, Old Town, Restaurant, Reviews, Soul Food

Panera Bread – Frandor

3 06 2009
  • 310 N. Clippert St.
  • Lansing, MI 48912
  • (517) 332-9183
  • Website
  • Menu
Panera Bread in the Frandor Shopping Center.

Panera Bread in the Frandor Shopping Center.

I know.  I know.  Another chain.  J and I had made plans earlier in the week to only eat out once.  Tomorrow.  Something came up and J wanted to run to Frandor. Neither of us had eaten lunch yet and we wouldn’t get back home in time to eat before she had to be at work, so we just ate while we were out.

J has always been a big fan of Panera Bread.  Me, not so much.  When we lived in Peoria, J worked long hours on Saturday and would usually stop at a Panera for at least one meal.  Before we started dating, she almost lived there. 

The Panera Bread in Frandor has a physical address on North Clippert, but it’s actually on the interior of the shopping center.  It sits on a corner connected to the  same building that houses Kroger.  It’s much smaller than most of the other Panera’s I’ve been in.  From the beginning, I felt a little crowded.  Usually, Panera has separate areas for the cafe and bakery.  I didn’t see that here. 

When you walk in, the order counter is right in front of you.  The bakery section is off to the right side of the counter.  There were four cash registers, but only two open.  We waited for the next available cashier, but that wasn’t good enough for a lady who walked up after us.  She wanted us to pick a line in hopes we would pick the longer line so she didn’t have to wait as long to get her coffee. Read the rest of this entry »


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

Food Traditions in Lansing

3 06 2009

Another story I found via Twitter thanks to LEPFA and the GLCVB.  MLive.com has this article about Lansing food traditions.  They mention Emil’s, Roma Bakery, The Peanut Shop, Fabiano’s, and Golden Harvest.  Nothing you wouldn’t expect, but still worth the read.

LANSING, Mich. — Snack your way across Lansing, discovering the secrets behind the staying power of spots that have remained locally famous for multiple generations for peanuts, pastries, pancakes and more.

It’s hard to tell if it’s the blend of rich ricotta mixed with gooey mozzarella or the hint of spicy Italian sausage, but something about the lunch special at Emil’s makes you turn to your dining companions and say “Wow. Try this.”

Likely, the recipe is working the same magic it spun in the early 1920s, when Emil DeMarco was running a fruit stand where the cozy restaurant now stands (2012 E. Michigan Ave. in Lansing). In those days, Emil’s wife, Carmella, would bring him lunch, and the tantalizing smells from the homemade spaghetti were more popular among customers than the fruit, says the couple’s grandson and current owner, Paul Grescowle.

CONTINUE READING ON MLIVE.COM


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Categories : Food News, Lansing, Michigan

Press Release – Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Benefit

1 06 2009

You’ll have to click on the picture below to see the flyer.  There was no way I could copy and paste from the .pdf into a post here.

From a Claddagh Irish Pub press release…..


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Categories : Lansing, Michigan, Press Releases

Corner Bar & Grill

1 06 2009
  • 505 E. Shiawassee St.
  • Lansing, MI 48912
  • (517) 374-3565
  • No Known Website
  • Menu
The Corner Bar & Grill on Shiawassee Street in downtown Lansing.

The Corner Bar & Grill on Shiawassee Street in downtown Lansing.

J and I called it quits early on Be A Tourist In Your Own Town.  After the zoo, we tried to go to MSU, but couldn’t find parking and just gave up.  We spent a few hours at the zoo and we were getting hungry and I had to go to work in a few hours, so we decided to find lunch/dinner.  Since we were in East Lansing, J suggested Buffalo Wild Wings which is usually a hit with me, but on our way, J also pointed out that a lot of the blog entries recently have been chains and I hate doing that.  I wanted to get back to something local.  A couple weeks ago, Runs With Spatula reviewed a bar that I haven’t been to yet.  Her blog made my mouth water.  We were saving it for after a Lugnuts game, but bar food sounded good and it would put me back on the local track.

The Corner Bar & Grill is on the corner of Shiawassee and Cedar across the street from the City Market and just a block down from Oldsmobile Park.  Before we moved here, the building housed the Club 505 which I’m told was a lesbian bar.  Now, it’s kind of taken on a biker bar feel.  Maybe that’s because there are scooters from the neighboring business parked on the sidewalk. 

There’s a gravel parking lot across Shiawassee Street that has signs for parking.  When we pulled in, there was only a couple cars in the parking lot, but it was an odd time.  We were eating lunch around 3:00 which isn’t a prime meal time.  We crossed the street and walked into the building which opens up into the bar.  There aren’t really any tables in this area.  It’s got more of a bar feel.  We walked into another room which has a number of tables, booths, and of course, flat panel TV’s.  A third room was set up for live music and there was a guy running around setting up some gear for later in the evening. Read the rest of this entry »


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

Potter Park Zoo

30 05 2009
  • 1301 S. Pennsylvania Avenue
  • Lansing, MI 48912
  • (517) 483-4222
  • Website
Potter Park Zoo on Pennsylvania Avenue in Lansing.

Potter Park Zoo on Pennsylvania Avenue in Lansing.

Last year, J and I did a lot of exploring on the day of the “Be A Tourist In Your Own Town” event.  The first place we went was the Potter Park Zoo.  Both J and I have fond memories of trips to Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo and Brookfield Zoo from our childhood.  The Potter Park Zoo isn’t quite comparable, but the day we spent there was a lot of fun and something we were looking forward to for this year’s “Be A Tourist..”

The Potter Park Zoo is on Pennsylvania Avenue on the banks of the Red Cedar River.  On a normal day, you would have to pay for parking then pay to get in.  Since we’ve made both our trips on the “Be A Tourist….” day, we’ve gotten both fees waived with our passports.  From Pennsylvania, you drive down a long driveway before hitting the parking lot. 

This year, the parking lot was packed.  We drove around for a while before we found a spot.  We also timed it just right with a CATA bus.  They had just dropped off a load of people, so when we got up the ticket window to show our passports, there was a line.  Even without having to pay, it took about ten minutes to get in.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Entertainment Venues, Lansing, Live Entertainment, Michigan, Reviews

Ponderosa Steakhouse & Buffet

27 05 2009
  • 6727 S. Cedar St.
  • Lansing, MI 48911
  • (517) 694-1299
  • Website
  • Menu
Ponderosa Steakhouse & Buffet on South Cedar in Lansing.

Ponderosa Steakhouse & Buffet on South Cedar in Lansing.

Ponderosa was a staple in my family growing up.  My parents had two hungry boys and there’s no better value than an all-you-can eat buffet.  Since then, I’ve kind of drifted away from those type of places.  You don’t think quality food when you think buffet.

The Ponderosa on South Cedar Street in front of Lowe’s has been calling J and I since we moved here.  We’ve made so many jokes about going to Ponderosa, but we never have.  The restaurant is literally within walking distance but it’s just never sounded like a good idea.

I was supposed to go to the Lugnuts game tonight and J was going to fend for herself for dinner, but as I got down to Oldsmobile Park, the sky’s opened up again the game was cancelled.   I headed back towards home and texted J that I was home.  She asked if I wanted to meet at Ponderosa for dinner.  I thought she was joking, but she wasn’t, so we did.

We met in the parking lot which was the first of many weird things.  If you enter after you pass the building, you have to park in back.  There is an entrance before the building (if you’re coming from Pennsylvania) with angled parking.  The entrance to the building is actually on the backside.

When you get inside, there is a counter where you order your dinner.  The menu board doesn’t list the price of the buffet or even show it as an option.  They only list the steaks.  I ordered two buffet’s and J handed the waiter/counter clerk her credit card.  The kid mumbled so much, we couldn’t understand a word he said.  The total for the two buffets, which included drinks was $24.  When you think about how much food you could possibly eat, it’s not bad, but you better get your fill and make sure you show up hungry. Read the rest of this entry »


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

House May Vote on Smoking Ban Today

26 05 2009

I just noticed this Tweet from Rep. Barb Byrum.

I am in session….Hoping to vote on a smoking ban….soon.

Here’s a little more info from the Associated Press.  Unfortunately, I’m not going to be around tonight, so I won’t know anything until I get home from work.

The Michigan House is preparing for a possible vote on legislation that would ban smoking at most
workplaces in the state including restaurants and bars.

A vote on the legislation is likely late Tuesday. But it does not appear a compromise has been reached between the Democrat-led House and Republican-led Senate on a final version of a smoking ban that might become law.

The House is discussing legislation that as introduced would exempt Detroit casinos and tobacco shops from the ban. The Senate hasn’t taken up a smoking ban bill this year but previously backed a ban that did not include any exemptions


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Categories : Michigan, Politics

Los Tres Amigos Express

26 05 2009
  • 730 N. Clippert St.
  • Lansing, MI 48912
  • (517) 324-9600
  • Website
  • Menu
Los Tres Amigos Express near the Frandor Shopping Center.

Los Tres Amigos Express near the Frandor Shopping Center.

J rarely gets a holiday off, but this year, she actually got to celebrate Memorial Day.  We spent the morning running errands and ended up in East Lansing.  When it came time for lunch, I asked what she was in the mood for.  She said she didn’t care, but Mexican sounded good.  Last week, when we were in Frandor getting her ring sized, I noticed a Los Tres Amigos tucked into a tiny strip mall outside of the Frandor shopping center.  Since we had to head back that way, it’s what I chose for lunch.

Los Tres Amigos Express is on Clippert Street between Saginaw and Grand River.  It’s easy to miss if you’re not looking for it and it took a few times around the block to get in the right parking lot.  Once we did get parked, we questioned whether this was a sit down restaurant or a take out.  You can’t see anything from the door, but once we got inside, we found tables along with an order counter, so you can sit an eat. 

While there is an order counter, we were told to take a seat and the waiter would be right over.  Los Tres Amigos Express isn’t really decorated like a Mexican restaurant.  It’s pretty bland and could pass for just about any take out place.  It looks like you used to order your food directly from the kitchen and kind of did the assembly line thing, but that’s not the case anymore.  We grabbed a table and looked over the paper menus on the table while our waiter got the Cokes and we snacked on the complimentary chips and salsa.  I really like Los Tres’ salsa.  It’s a smooth salsa that’s got a little bit of a kick.  It’s kind of a happy medium between what I like and what J likes.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Lansing, Mexican, Michigan, Restaurant, Reviews

Press Release – BWL Chili Cook-Off

26 05 2009

From a Lansing Board of Water & Light press release…..

14th annual BWL Chili Cook-off will spice up the night on June 5

The Lansing Board of Water & Light will hosts its 14th Annual BWL
Chili Cook-Off on Friday, June 5 in Adado Riverfront Park.

“This a great opportunity for people of all ages to celebrate our city and
our riverfront, as well as to raise money for worthy, local non-profit
organizations,” said BWL General Manager J. Peter Lark.

New this year:
 The time: The BWL is extending the Chili Cook-off an hour. The
new hours are 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
 The place: For the first time, the Chili Cook-off will take place on
the west side of the Grand River, in Adado Riverfront Park.
 Advance ticket sales: Advance tickets are $5 each for persons over
age 13; $2 for ages 6-12. Ages 5 and under are free.
 Tickets at the gate are $8 for ages 13 and over, and $3 for ages 6-12.
Advanced tickets can be purchased at the BWL Customer Service
Center, 1232 Haco Drive, Lansing, and at the Lansing Lugnuts Box
office, Oldsmobile Park.

More than 45 restaurants and organizations will compete for best chili
honors. For chiliheads wishing to take a “chili break”, there will be
mechanical bull rides. Current and former Michigan State University
football players are expected to try their bull-riding skills. Other activities
include a Duck Derby (A $5 ticket gives contestants a chance to win prizes
including 4 tickets to a Lugnuts Suite and 18 holes of golf at Eagle Eye) plus
games and activities for all ages. Non-chili offerings include adult beverages
and ice cream.

Two live bands will perform: 496 West and La Inspiracion.

Proceeds go to support these fine community institutions: Impression 5
Science Center, Adopt A River, the HOPE Scholarship Program, and the
Sparrow Foundation.


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Categories : Cook offs, Downtown, Lansing, Michigan, Press Releases

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