Grand Rapids, Mich.

[Big Buckin' agate_monkey]

I'm going to Grand Rapids, Mich. later this week for five days on a work assignment.
What restaurants do I need to visit? Not sure I'll have time for anything beyond a few dinners, but if you have suggestions for things to see, I'll take those too.

 

[Buck]

They've got three Applebee's there.

 

[Big Buckin' agate_monkey]

This will not end well.

 

[I Should Coco]

I haven't lived in western Michigan for 10-plus years, but I do remember stopping at a steakhouse just outside Grand Rapids in the early 2000s and not being able to order a beer with dinner because it was Sunday.

Whole lotta' Dutch Reformed folks in that region.

Also, if you can get over to Lake Michigan, about an hour or so drive, I highly recommend it. Holland and Saugatuck are cool towns near the lake.

The Midwest League (Class A) affiliate, the Whitecaps, had a pretty nice ball park, too. It's a few miles north of downtown GR on Highway 131.

 

[ColdCat]

Drive the 45 minutes down to Kalamazoo and check out the Bells Brewery/store/restaurant.

Also if there's an Olga's Kitchen in the neighborhood, check it out.

 

[Hank_Scorpio]

I haven't lived in western Michigan for 10-plus years, but I do remember stopping at a steakhouse just outside Grand Rapids in the early 2000s and not being able to order a beer with dinner because it was Sunday.

Whole lotta' Dutch Reformed folks in that region.

Also, if you can get over to Lake Michigan, about an hour or so drive, I highly recommend it. Holland and Saugatuck are cool towns near the lake.

The Midwest League (Class A) affiliate, the Whitecaps, had a pretty nice ball park, too. It's a few miles north of downtown GR on Highway 131.

Agree on Holland. Nice working windmill there, among other stuff.

Love the Whitecaps ballpark. Unfortunately, they aren't in town this weekend.


If you're into classic cars, the Gilmore Car Museum isn't far. It's in Hickory Corners, which isn't far from Kalamazoo.

 

[jlee]

Drive the 45 minutes down to Kalamazoo and check out the Bells Brewery/store/restaurant.

Seconded.

 

[steveu]

PM me if you want, Buck... I can pass along some stuff for ya.

 

[David Panian]

I feel like I should plug a brewpub started by one of my elementary school friends. I haven't been there, but I've heard good things about from people who don't know me or my friend well (or at all).

http://www.breweryvivant.com/

 

[Buck]

PM me if you want, Buck... I can pass along some stuff for ya.

I'm sure there are great local places there. I'm just joshing.

 

[slappy4428]

Stay in Lansing or Kalamazoo and commute.

 

[westcoastvol]

**** Bland Rapids.

Back in 99, I was living in L.A. I was interviewing for jobs in SF and NYC. My wife said she didn't want to live in either place; she wanted to move back home to Grand Rapids.

We were divorced six weeks later, just three years after the worst bachelor party of all time at the strip club that was housed in an old octagonal Denny's.

 

[imjustagirl]

Also if there's an Olga's Kitchen in the neighborhood, check it out.

A pox on you.

My grandmother lived in Troy, across John R from Oakland Mall. Whenever we'd visit, she'd take us to the Olga's at the mall because it was my mom's favorite in that area.

I was young, but I hated it. I think I was anti-openface sandwiches back then (WHY WOULD YOU USE A KNIFE TO EAT A GYRO?) but I just remember disliking it intensely.

She also took us to Friendly's, because that was the kids' favorite.

 

[murphyc]

Only thing I can add is I'm originally from Big Rapids, Mich. Big Rapids is small compared to Grand Rapids. We moved when I was five, though we did visit once in 1993 when my brother was considering U of Michigan for grad school.
Not that any of the info. helps at all, of course.

 

[ColdCat]

Also if there's an Olga's Kitchen in the neighborhood, check it out.

A pox on you.

My grandmother lived in Troy, across John R from Oakland Mall. Whenever we'd visit, she'd take us to the Olga's at the mall because it was my mom's favorite in that area.

I was young, but I hated it. I think I was anti-openface sandwiches back then (WHY WOULD YOU USE A KNIFE TO EAT A GYRO?) but I just remember disliking it intensely.

She also took us to Friendly's, because that was the kids' favorite.

What's openface about it? It's basically a normal gyro except Olga's uses a sweet bread. And FTR I have NEVER used a knife to eat an Olga.

Also they have good fries and an orange cream cooler which is fantastic

 

[imjustagirl]

I don't know. I just remember it came laid flat and my mom used silverware. Also that sweet bread was gross. As was their sauce.

 

[Cape_Fear]

... is a good town in which to get your ass kicked?

It's been a while since I've been there but that was one of my favorite Midwest League stops. The Ford Museum is pretty good, but it pales a little to the Lincoln one if you've been there.

 

[Smokey33]

No need to travel 45 minutes to Bell's. Founders is right downtown, and it's arguably more highly regarded than Bell's.

More beer nerdery: Hopcat is a couple blocks away also in downtown Grand Rapids. Fantastic beer bar.

Also, eat a hot dog at Yesterdog.

 

[Versatile]

No need to travel 45 minutes to Bell's. Founders is right downtown, and it's arguably more highly regarded than Bell's.

More beer nerdery: Hopcat is a couple blocks away also in downtown Grand Rapids. Fantastic beer bar.

Also, eat a hot dog at Yesterdog.

Founders is the best Eastern Time Zone brewery.

 

[Big Buckin' agate_monkey]

I feel like I should plug a brewpub started by one of my elementary school friends. I haven't been there, but I've heard good things about from people who don't know me or my friend well (or at all).

http://www.breweryvivant.com/

I suppose this is a good time to mention I'm traveling with a couple vegans.

Only thing I can add is I'm originally from Big Rapids, Mich. Big Rapids is small compared to Grand Rapids. We moved when I was five, though we did visit once in 1993 when my brother was considering U of Michigan for grad school.
Not that any of the info. helps at all, of course.

Thank you. I'll keep this in mind next week.

... is a good town in which to get your ass kicked?

It's been a while since I've been there but that was one of my favorite Midwest League stops. The Ford Museum is pretty good, but it pales a little to the Lincoln one if you've been there.

I've not visited Lincoln either, so maybe the Ford Museum is the better first visit. btw, I can't stop thinking about the .

No need to travel 45 minutes to Bell's. Founders is right downtown, and it's arguably more highly regarded than Bell's.

More beer nerdery: Hopcat is a couple blocks away also in downtown Grand Rapids. Fantastic beer bar.

Also, eat a hot dog at Yesterdog.

Yesterdog sounds like a winner.