Another Local Restaurant Goes Smoke Free

20 02 2009

With a smoking ban looming, another local restaurant has decided to cut off smoking in the building.

Sammy’s Lounge on Jolly Road in Lansing has been a staple of the South side for 53 years. People could walk in without reservation and enjoy a meal, a drink, and yes, a smoke. That ended Thursday. Sammy’s went smoke-free in an effort to get ahead of the curve, as owner Mark Corey puts it. The curve being a statewide smoking ban.

I drove by Sammy’s today and the sign says the restaurant is smoke free, so I’m guessing the bar is not.  Either way, it’s a step in the right direction.





Texas Roadhouse – Lansing

19 02 2009
  • 208 E. Edgewood Blvd.
  • Lansing, MI 48911
  • (517) 887-8181
  • Website
  • Menu
Texas Roadhouse on Lansings south side

Texas Roadhouse on Lansing's south side

Finally!  Home!  I left Illinois this morning not knowing how long it was actually going to take me to get back to Lansing, but I hit things just right and didn’t see more than a few flurries on the way home.  Didn’t slow me down at all and I actually made it home before dinner.  Unfortunately, I haven’t been home in over a week, so there’s no food in the house.  I didn’t feel like going shopping, so I asked J if she wanted me to pick her up and we’d just go out for dinner.  We’re starting to run out of places to go on the south side of Lansing.  All that’s really left are a handful of chains.  I didn’t feel like thinking, so I suggested Texas Roadhouse.  I honestly don’t know if I’ve ever been to one before.  I always get Texas Roadhouse and Lonestar Steakhouse confused.  I know I’ve been to at least one Lonestar, but after that, it’s anybody’s guess.  This may well have been my first time at a Texas Roadhouse.

Texas Roadhouse is on Edgewood Boulevard near the Target and Sam’s Club.  We pulled up on a Thursday night and were really surprised by the number of cars in the parking lot.  Don’t let anyone tell you restaurants are struggling during these tough economic times.  I’m convinced no one knows how to cook anymore, so if they want a decent meal they HAVE to eat out.

We found a parking spot and went inside.  When J said we’d like a table for two in non-smoking, we were told there would be a little wait, so we made our way to the peanut barrel and starting eating.  I love places that put peanuts out.  I always eat too many though.

A few minutes later, the hostess said our table was ready and our waitress showed us the way.  The walk to our table went right by the kitchen, so the waitress grabbed a basket of rolls and some butter so we didn’t have to wait for it once we were seated.  J told me before we got there that she loved the butter at Texas Roadhouse.  How many places do you know of where someone actually craves the butter?  Once we were seated, I wanted to see what all the fuss was about, so I buttered up a roll.  I see know why she likes it so much.  It’s a cinnamon butter.  It was sooooo good.  After we polished off one basket of rolls, the waitress brought a second.  Uh-oh.  We’re going to fill up on rolls.  We polished that one off to and the waitress said she would come back with more, but we stopped her.  If she brought it, we would eat it and we didn’t need anymore…no matter how much we wanted it. Read the rest of this entry »





Press Release – Bath Middle School Family Fun Night

19 02 2009

Got this from a press release.  Lots of restaurants participating…

On Friday, February 20, 2009, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Bath Middle School will host a Family Fun Night. A silent auction, featuring themed baskets and a variety of items donated by area businesses, will go on throughout the event. Businesses donating silent auction items include: Stillwater Grill, The State Room Restaurant, The English Inn Restaurant & Pub, Mitchell’s Fish Market, Bravo Cucina Italina, Eagle Eye Athletic Club, Eagle Eye Golf Club, Hawk Hollow, Royal Scot, Powerhouse Gym, Caruso’s Candy & Ice Cream, Jimmy’s Pub, Playmakers, Munn Ice Arena, Dublin Square, Portrait Innovations, Burgdorf’s Winery, Michigan Athletic Club, McAlister’s Deli, Hair Plus, Caribbean Cabana Tanning, CMU Bookstore, DeWitt Family Golf Center, Cork & Bottle Winery LLC, Gringos, NCG Eastwood Cinemas, Lansing Lugnuts, Quiznos, The Teacher Store, Grand Traverse Pie Company, Jumpin’ Jax, Max & Erma’s, Johnny Rockets, Panera, Impression Five Science Center, The East Lansing Aquatic
Center, Abrams Planetarium, Douglas J Salon, B/A Florist, Hair and Body Elements.

Free activities include inflatable fun by Wacky Zone, interactions with crazy critters, a CSI lab activity, dancing with DJ J.D. Larner, karaoke, a game room, arts and crafts and cookie decorating. Student organizations are sponsoring several of these free activities. Pizza, pop, and baked goods will be available to purchase during the event. All proceeds from the event will be used to enhance the educational experience of Bath Middle School students.





How Much Caffeine is in Energy Drinks?

17 02 2009

You may not know right now, but Senator Michael Switalski (D-Roseville)  wants you to.

State Sen. Michael Switalski says a “caffeine race” is escalating in the marketplace. The Roseville Democrat wants to require the makers of Red Bull, 5-Hour Energy and other drinks to put caffeine content on their labels.the U.S. Food and Drug Administration generally oversees food and beverage labeling.

Switalski says the products are marketed toward youth, and parents need information to control children’s caffeine intake. The bill may not get far because

I don’t know about you, but even if they put a number on the can, I would have no idea what a lot or too much is.  Hell, for kids, it will probably just encourage them to buy more.  I can remember going for Jolt Cola when I was kid because it had more caffeine than Mt. Dew…it was kind of the cool thing to do.

The bill is SB 0230 and right now, it’s been referred to the Committee on Commerce and Tourism





Press Release – Hunt Morel Mushrooms In Petoskey Area

17 02 2009

Got this press release from the Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau…

49th ANNUAL MOREL MUSHROOM FESTIVAL
May 14 – 17, 2009

Boyne City, MI – The 49th Annual Morel Mushroom Festival will take place May 14-17 in Boyne City on beautiful Lake Charlevoix.

Come forage the woods in search of the rare morel mushrooms. If you’ve never hunted for these tasty treats, don’t worry – a guided practice hunt is one of the activities on Friday the 15th. And you don’t want to miss the Wine & Dine dinner sponsored by the Boyne Area Chamber of Commerce – mushrooms guaranteed!

The National Morel Mushroom Hunting Championship is held on Saturday the 16th as part of the festival. Here, hunters can win prizes in a variety of categories. There will also be a carnival with rides and games for the kids, mushroom seminars and the “Morel Taste” of Boyne where visitors can sample the best mushroom recipes from area restaurants and see cooking demonstrations from area chefs. Visit http://www.morelfest.com or contact the Boyne Area Chamber of Commerce at (231) 582-6222.





Henry’s Hamburgers

12 02 2009
  • 1832 M-139
  • Benton Harbor, MI 49022
  • (269) 926-6757
  • Website
  • No Online Menu
The last remaining Henrys Hamburgers in Benton Harbor on a cold, rainy February night

The last remaining Henry's Hamburgers in Benton Harbor on a cold, rainy February night

Unfortunately, J and I had to make an unplanned trip home due to a family emergency.  After being back in Michigan for just three days, we loaded up and headed south again.  We left just before dinner, but at the time, weren’t even thinking about being hungry.  By the time we got to Kalamazoo, our belly’s started rumbling.  About a month ago, Corky left a message in comments about a place in Benton Harbor that we should try.  We were still about forty miles from Benton Harbor, but decided to stick it out and go in search of Henry’s Hamburgers.

Henry’s Hamburgers sits on M-139 not too far from the Orchard Mall.  According to this website, the Benton Harbor Henry’s is the last of a chain that was popular in the mid-20th century.  At one time, there were several locations in Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, New York, Missouri and Wisconsin.  There were even locations in Lansing on South Cedar Street and East Lansing on Michigan Avenue in the 60’s.

We pulled into Henry’s right at 7:00.  Whenever we travel to Illinois, I set my clock’s back to Central time before leaving, so when we pulled in and the doors were locked, I was a little confused.  The counter closes at 7:00 during the winter but the drive-thru stays open until 9:30.  My clock said it was only 6:00.  Stupid me, I had already forgotten I set the clock back.  Read the rest of this entry »





Twisters Soft Serve Ice Cream – South Cedar

10 02 2009
  • 5620 S. Cedar Street
  • Lansing, MI 48911
  • (517) 272-5015
  • Website
  • Menu
Twisters Soft Serve Ice Creams second location on South Cedar Street in Lansing.

Twisters Soft Serve Ice Cream's second location on South Cedar Street in Lansing.

Boy, as soon as the mercury hits 65 degrees, everyone thinks it’s summer.  Just this morning, I saw a story on WLNS.com about ice cream shops opening up…in February!  My day was spent barbecuing so I guess I’m not any better.  After dinner, J suggested we go get ice cream.  Heck, this might be our only chance at sixty degrees for a couple months yet so let’s take advantage of it.

Twisters Soft Serve Ice Cream has two locations in Lansing.  The original is on South Waverly.  The second location and the one closest to us is on South Cedar Street right next to Taco Bell.  The building is a drive-thru only structure with a little patio area set up out front if you choose to get out of the car and order at the window.

It was a nice night, but not nice enough to eat ice cream outside, so we hit up the drive thru.  When you first enter the driveway, there’s a menu board on the side of the building.  It’s not lit up and J had a hard time reading it from the passenger seat, so we drove around to the order speaker.  Again, no light on the menu board and J couldn’t make out most of what it said.  I went with my normal ice cream treat, a peanut butter cup Flurry.  J eventually gave up and ordered the same thing.  We each got a medium Flurry for a cost of $7 for the two of them. Read the rest of this entry »





Ice Cream Shops Opening for Season

10 02 2009

Saw this on WLNS.com……yay!

 The warm weather is heating up sales for local ice cream shops. As the snow melts, customers are once again indulging their tastebuds with frozen treats. For local shops, the rise in customers is a sweet topping to the barren winter season. Twisters Ice Cream Shop reopened last week and customers are already coming in to get their frozen fix.





Press Release – Granholm Smoking Ban Remarks in State of State

10 02 2009

From a Campaign for Smokefree Air press release….

Granholm once again calls on lawmakers to enact smokefree legislation in her State of the State address

LANSING, Mich. –During her State of the State address, Gov. Jennifer Granholm, once again, strongly urged Michigan lawmakers to pass comprehensive smokefree workplace legislation.

“We again applaud the governor’s comments tonight and her support for smokefree air,” said Susan Schechter, CSA spokesperson and director of advocacy at the American Lung Association of Michigan. “Many lawmakers have done their research and know that in 2006 U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona released a report stating the only way to protect Americans from secondhand smoke is through comprehensive smokefree workplace legislation and policies. It’s time for lawmakers to stop dancing around the issue and finally listen to the state’s leader as well as their constituents and pass comprehensive smokefree air legislation this year.” Read the rest of this entry »





Fat Matt’s Pizza

9 02 2009
  • 986 Trowbridge Road
  • East Lansing, MI 48823
  • (517) 324-7000
  • No Known Website
  • Menu
Fat Matts Pizza in the Trowbridge Plaza in East Lansing.

Fat Matt's Pizza in the Trowbridge Plaza in East Lansing.

I’m still on that quest for the perfect pizza.  We’ve found a couple really, really good ones and some really, really just alright ones.  I had been hearing things about a fairly new place in East Lansing called Fat Matt’s.  Since I was in the area, hungry, and tired, I stopped in to Fat Matt’s to see if they could place on my pizza list.

Fat Matt’s Pizza is located in the Trowbridge Plaza in East Lansing.  It’s a little tough to find at first.  It’s not visible from Trowbridge Road.  There’s a little section of the plaza on the side that has a few stores and Fat Matt’s is the last store in this stretch.  It actually sits right next to Goodrich’s loading docks. 

The store itself is pretty small.  Most of the space is taken up by the kitchen, but they do have two tables should you want to sit there and eat for some reason.  I had heard they did pizza-by-the-slice and they had a display for them, but there was nothing in it.  Instead of questioning, I just ordered a large pizza.  Usually, we get just cheese pizza since J doesn’t really like toppings, but I was in the mood for pepperoni, so I got half cheese, half pepperoni.  I got a little bit of sticker shock when the guy told me the price was $17.  I thought that was pretty expensive for a pizza.  I looked at the menu and a large cheese pizza is $13 then it’s almost $2 more for each topping.  To me, that doesn’t seem like a way to compete with the chains. Read the rest of this entry »