Grand River - Map C (Paper map: block 12)
Michigan Ave - Map B (Paper map: block 3)
This is another odd little restaurant with a great cook. (This one also tops the list of the cleanest restaurants in town every year.) It's a small place in a little strip mall, tucked up right next to The Silver Dollar Saloon on Michigan Avenue, just over halfway to Frandor. It is, actually, the last place in East Lansing, as the wall it shares with The Dollar is the border between Lansing and East Lansing.
The dishes are basically stews served with either rice or the spongey flat Ethiopian Injera bread. This bread is wonderful, made from teffe rather than wheat flour, and raised as a sourdough batter, then spread on a griddle, where it bubbles up and forms, well, a spongey cloth. The food is served in the middle of it, and you tear off peices to scoop up the food.
The dishes are either meats or legumes. This is a very popular place for vegetarians to go--and I have confirmed that she does use vegetable oil in her sauces, so the vegetarian dishes are okay for vegans. The meat is spicey or mild, beef, lamb or chicken. Spicey is very spicey, but the mild is kind of salty. She's very stingey with the chicken. However, she's generous with the legumes--spicey lentils is one of the most popular dishes, but my favorite is the lima beans. They aren't spicey, but are instead rather lemony.
You can get combination plates--either the ones she has already set, or for 75 cents extra, you can choose a different combo (I usually get spicey beef with lima beans). If you've got several people, though, it's cheaper just to get regular dishes and share. On wednesdays, she has some special dishes, including some collard greens cooked with coconut, which are wonderful in combination with either the spicey lentils or the lima beans.
The prices are around $6-7 for vegetarian dishes, and $8-9 for meat--but you get a lot for your money.
1101 East Grand River, 332-3950 - Map D (Paper map: block 14)
Excellent Vietnamese food and some good Chinese food. Buffet is mediocre. This place is particularly excellent for large bowls of beef soup with rice noodles (Pho). Try the S2, a soup with wontons, egg noodles and barbequed pork. Otherwise, the favorites are the grilled beef with rice noodles, Vietnamese Crepe and Rolling Cake Rolls.
If you've never had Vietnamese food, the wait-people are friendly and helpful about how to eat it. Most dishes come in a big bowl, with condiments to pour over the dish or mix in with it. You really do need to pour the sauce over the dishes to really appreciate them. The soups come with a plate of beansprouts and herbs, as well as a bottle of hot sauce and hoisin. The "nouc plam" sauce that comes with most things looks much like the spicey chili/lime sauce you see in Thai restaurants, but it is not hot, and is generally mellower and milder, with a bit of saltiness from fish sauce. You will likely need to use it much more heavily.
The one downside of this restaurant is that the 'specials' aren't really all that special.
Saginaw and South Cedar in Lansing, 487-6900
Good authentic Thai restaurant, although I find it a little heavy on the salty fish sauce. Also, their idea of "mild" is pretty hot. It's closer to what most restaurants would call "medium". You can, however, ask for "not hot at all." A few favorite dishes: Pad Woon Sen is a cross between a salad and a hot noodle dish, a little hot, little sweet, and appropriately salty. "Yum" is a grilled beef salad with lime and herbs (can be had with other meats or tofu) Pla Jian is a large fried fish fillet, topped with a gingery sauce with vegetables, mushrooms and shrimp. I like the Gang Musmun (Muslim curry) which here is a little plainer and less bright than many places--no pineapple--but still has a nice peanuty curry.
This place is close to downtown, and therefore doesn't stay open all that late.
East Grand River Map C, (paper map: block 7)
This looks like it could be the best Thai restaurant in town. A lovely atmosphere, good authentic flavors, carefully prepared. However, they are in one of the worst locations in East Lansing. They have no parking of their own--but there is city parking behind them--and foot traffic doesn't tend to go beyond Abbot Road. But please, give them a visit anyway.
1137 East Grand River, 332-8513 - Map D (Paper map: block 19)
Grand River and MSU Union - Map C, Brookfield Plaza - Map D (Paper map: block 7, 9, 25)
Coffee house, good hot chocolate. The store up on Grand River, in an old Arby's building, is the store from which they launched quite a franchise over Michigan and Ohio. (I think it has something to do with the catchy little tune in their first add..."You can have a boring sip, or a taste of something hipper, Beaner's, the hip sip in a zip" sung to a calypso beat....) Company webpage.
218 Abbott, 351-4540 - Map C (map: block 6)
"Gimme Eat!" Informal and well-known gourmet restaurant and bar. Known for its burgers and chili as well as the more gourmet fare. (Their webpage, which includes menus and recipes.)
225 MAC, 332-527 - Map C, 1135 East Grand River - Map D (map: block 9, 19)
"Greek" pizza. A good place for "grinders" -- sub sandwiches baked in the pizza oven. The only draw back of their sandwiches is that they only have one cheese--White American--and it is what they put on the pizza too. In spite of this, I really do love their crusty hot sandwiches.
The MAC location is a fun place to visit as "Ma" Bell has postcards from her student customers pinned up all over.
MSU Union - Map C,1200 East Grand River - Map D (Paper map: block 9, 24)
Grand River Ave. - Map C, (Paper map: block 13)
Coffee and Jazz. They also have chess on Thursdays. (This also seems to be a popular hangout for the 2002 Clarion.)
Grand River Ave. - Map C, (Paper Map: block 12)
1141 East Grand River 351-2600 - Map D (Paper map: block 19)
(New Location--on Albert street), 333-2999 - Map C, (paper map: block 10)
This is a franchised bar that specializes in Buffalo hot wings (with an 8-step scale of spiciness) and sandwiches served on a kimmelweck roll. The menu shows a decent variety of bar food. I've only tried it once so far--medium is definitely not "mild" here.
Grand River Ave, - Map C (where Expresso Royale used to be)
This new sushi bar and coffee house has quite a variety of food. They have muffins and sweets and coffees and teas, along with a nice variety of sushi--both the traditional nigiri sushi and the fun and tasty variety of rolls. I haven't had a chance to sample much of the menu yet, but what I've had is good, and they have a lot of the fun rolls--from spicey, to the multi-fish fancy, to the tempura rolls. Some are cooked, for those who fear raw fish.
They also have shrimp shu mai, the little "money-bag" shaped dumplings that you see in Chinese and Korean restaurants, but they prepare theirs a little differently--they deep-fry them. And by golly they are quite tasty that way. I find that a California roll and an order of shu mai makes for a nice lunch.
Charles St. - Map D, (Paper map: block 11)
127 East Grand River, 332-4696 - Map C, (Paper map: block 6)
Second best restaurant in East Lansing. Korean and Chinese food. Several good vegetarian dishes (especially on the Korean side of the menu). Personal favorite combination: Kampungi (fried chicken wings in rich spicy sauce) and Mu Shu Vegetables.
in Brookfeild Plaza, 337-1882 - Map D, (paper map: block 21)
The food is good (except the eggrolls, which are lousy), and it's all you can eat for around $8, or $6 at lunch. The menu varies daily. They have dumplings on weekends, and a wonderful green bean stirfry on tuesdays. The Hot and Sour soup is good. Vegetarians mostly have to order off the menu, and that means a long wait.
MAC near Grand River (right behind Cosi) - Map C (paper map: block 10)
This is a chain of fancy ice cream shops which makes an upscale version of the midwestern "flurry." First you pick your ice cream (more than a dozen varieties), and then you choose from dozens of "mix-ins", and they mix it up right in front of you on a cold stone with a pair of paddles.
Grand River Ave - Map C, (paper map: block 10)
A new upscale sandwich, quesadilla and coffee place. They advertise that they serve S'mores--complete with one of those tiny hibachis to roast the marshmallows over.
2838 East Grand River, 337-1311 - Map F, (paper map: block 24)
"Dining and Cocktails." It's been there since forever and seems legendary to me-but I've never eaten there. It was one of the first places to serve alcohol near MSU as a "roadhouse" just outside the dry East Lansing city limits. In the fifties, my father worked as a busboy here. Said to have decent pizza. (It was also the first place in town to HAVE pizza.)
Grand River Ave. - Map C, (paper map: block 7)
Burger and Pizza joint.
Hannah Plaza on Hagadorn - Map E, (paper map: block 22)
Trowbridge shopping center - Map A, (paper map: block 2)
Lots of kinds of calzones, and they deliver. Next to Korea House, hidden back behind the shopping center on Trowbridge.
225 Ann St., 351-9111 - Map C, (paper map: block 8)
Good mid-western Mexican food, and something of a Clarion tradition. Used to be a great little dive in a basement. Now that they've moved upstairs, they've become noisy. Best time to go is lunch or happy hour mid-week. They have a rooftop cafe now, too. Personal favorite dishes: Guacamole Tostada, Softshell (corn) Chicken Taco, Enchiladas de Jocoque.
327 Abbott Road, 337-1200 - Map C, (paper map: block 8)
There have been several restaurants in this old, WPA-built post office building, although this one seems to be here to stay. All the restaurants there so far have been trendy, upscale and a bit snobbish-and I haven't heard otherwise about this one. They are great supporters of the Arts, however, and have taken a stand against censorship by displaying those works of local artists that have been banned from other displays.
Grand River Ave, - Map C , New location under construction, between Jersey Giant and Credit Union,
Expresso Royale has moved a few doors down, into the old Bagel Fragel spot. They are open and have a nice set up with a fireplace and an inside/outside front room. This is another place for playing chess.
Harrison and Trowbridge - Map A, (paper map: block 1)
Homemade Mexican food from grandma's recipes. There is enough cholesterol here to kill a football team, but hey, they'd die happy. Vegetarians may want to call ahead with questions. I suspect they use lard in the frijoles. They deliver, and are reasonable about minimum orders. Everything is good but the enchiladas.
Farmer Jack's
Grand River Avenue - Map F,
New grocery store, just moved in to the building where Oriental Mart used to be. (Oriental Mart has moved across the street.)
Grand River Ave - Map C, (paper map: block 12)
This wrap/tortilla place, emphasis on southwest.
Grand River Ave - Map F
Large healthfood store in the new shopping complex near the corner of Grand River and State Road.
Charles St. next to Caffe Latte - Map C, (paper map: block 11) New location - Map D, (Paper map 15)
Trowbridge shopping center - Map A, (paper map: block 2)
Grocery store that serves the international student population. It has a WIDE variety of groceries and supplies. They might even have regional American product you are missing from home, and can't find anyplace else in Michigan.
Hannah Plaza on Hagadorn - Map E, (paper map: block 22)
This place is the best "fancy" Chinese restaurant in East Lansing. It had gone downhill--as if they were trying to cater to mid-western tastes by making things bland. Now, however, they may be rebounding in the other direction. For instance: they had a wonderful Hot and Sour Soup that was made with a gourmet broth, and seasoned with white pepper and just enough sour to be delightful and different. They still use the same great broth, but now they've changed the seasonings to match or exceed other places in town, and you can't really taste the other flavors.
Most of the food, though, seems to be just dandy again.
Favorite dishes: Wontons in spicey sesame sauce (appetizer), Ginger Chicken with Green Beans, Lamb in Spicy Tea Sauce. There are an awful lot of interesting and tasty dishes in the "chef's specialties" list. There is also a wonderful vegetarian dish, the name of which I can't remember (something to do with Jade, but not the plain"Green Jade" dish), which has fried tofu in a clay hot-pot with vegetables. They also deliver.
Grand River Avenue (paper map: block 5)
(if this were on Map C, it would be across from location 1)
Albert St. - Map C, (paper map: block 6)
Micro-brewery and yuppie restaurant/bar.
Michigan Avenue and Harrison Road - Map B, (paper map: block 4)
Burgers, pizza, wings and sports in a roadhouse atmosphere. (That is, the sort of place that's both a student hangout and a place to take your parents.) There's a little pub/bar in another building behind the roadhouse.
Grand River (across from Denny's) - Map F,
Pretty much what the name implies: steak, prime rib, seafood. Decent dining atmosphere, moderate price for the kind of place it is (most steaks under $20, some entrees under $10). No deepfried food--so you can't get fries with your steak.
Trowbridge shopping center - Map A (paper map: block 2)
Hobie's Olde World was a local legend founded in the sixties: great soups, good salads and sandwiches. They grew, and went commercial for a while, and the quality went down. Now they've shrunk back down to a single store--one of their originals, (the one I used to hang out in in1969). You can't get that hot ham on a chewy kaiser roll any more, but they still have good soup and sandwiches.
Hannah Plaza on Hagadorn - Map E (paper map: block 22)
Michigan has a special relationship with fudge. It is to Michigan what Maple Sugar is to Vermont, except that here is no particular regional reason for it. Fudge just is. It's something we sell to the tourists.
"How Sweet It Is" is a nice little homemade candy store of the sort you'd find up north and at the beach, good for noshing and gifts. Since I'm not keen on sweets, though, I can't tell you how good their products are. I'd be pleased to hear from sugar fans what they think of the place.
Grand River Ave. - Map F (paper map: block 23)
Albert Street (across from Holiday Inn) - Map C, (paper map: block10)
India Palace has opened in their new location. They are now on right downtown, on the ground floor of the parking ramp, which should be much more convenient, and we look forward to checking them out a little more thoroughly.
This is a place that could give Sindhu a run for it's money. They are a tandoori house, so they've got the good breads and roasted foods. So far everything has been very tasty. Only warning; they don't automatically include rice with dishes as other restaurants in the area do.
Brookfield Plaza - Map D (paper map: block 21)
332-2969 - Map C, (paper map: block 12)
Grand River, and Hannah Plaza - Map D, Map E (paper map: block 13, 22)
On campus: Harrison Road, just south of Michigan Ave - Map B (not marked on map)
This is the hotel and conference center for campus, home of the hotel and restaurant services majors. It has several little restaurants, mainly of the hotel type and pricing. The State Room is the main restaurant. There is a sandwich and pasta bar open for breakfast and lunch on weekdays called The River Cafe. Visit their website for menus.
Grand River Ave - Map C (paper map: block 11)
Upscale homemade candy and icecream. Great fudge and Seafoam candy, among other things. (This is a chain you'll find in some of the better "resort" areas around Michigan.)
Trobridge Road - Map A
This is a little Korean market, but they carry the basics for most Asian cuisines.
Trowbridge shopping center - Map A (paper map: block 2)
Mom and pop restaurant, hidden around the corner behind the shopping center. It's inexpensive, and they have good (and authentic) Korean barbeque (although not with table hibachis), as well as good lesser known soups, fish dishes and even some goat meat dishes. The more I eat here, the more I like it. The mandu (dumplings) are nothing exciting. The Jap Chae, a noodle dish made with a Korean cellophane noodle, seems ordinary, but wait just a moment after you bite, and the flavors (particularly the garlic) blossoms on you. The Stone Bowl Bibimbap (rice topped with vegetables and egg in a sizzling stone bowl) isn't as exciting as Midori's is across town--but then Midori is the more expensive, showy place.
They recently expanded to add a sushi bar. The menu shows emphasis on the nigiri sushi, the traditional Japanese peice of raw fish on rice, which I am not an expert on. They only have a few rolls on the menu, but these are very good, and they will make some to order. (They don't have handrolls on the menu at all, but you could always ask.) I asked for "something spicey" and they gave me the Tuna roll with a litte cucumber and a Korean type hot sauce added, and it was really quite wonderful. The "MSU Roll" has smoked salmon, cream cheese and avocado, and the California Roll is also very tasty, but it comes with the orange salmon roe on it, so if you don't want it, you'll have to tell them. (I am not fond of fish eggs, but I found that it didn't add much flavor, and what it added went very well with the rest.) The rolls are small--six peices rather than eight--but the price is good.
101 East Grand River, 351-8973 - Map C (paper map: block 6)
Where the frat kids used to take their parents, but now it's the place where they go to drink a lot of margaritas and throw up.
MSU Union, 337-2400, East Grand River, 337-1631 - Map C, Map D (paper map: block 9, 24)
5439 W. Saginaw Highway, Lansing, 323-2450 or 323-0094
Lansing Mall Area -- all the way to the other end of Lansing.
This appears to be an ordinary Chinese restaurant in a little strip mall all the way out past Lansing Mall on the west side of town. However, they have an excellent chef who cooks some really really good Shainghai style dishes. AND they have Dim Sum at lunchtime on Saturdays and Sundays.
Ann St. - Map C, (paper map: block 7)
This is a branch of Lou and Harry's grill. Good sandwiches, which can be had hot or cold. They also have coffees and deserts, and deli salads. The gyros here are not so good. (They don't have a grill, but one of those little pass-through toasters. It cooks the meat, but it doesn't give that crisp crunchy surface.) If you want a gyro, go to the grill about ten blocks down Grand River.
1139 East Grand River - Map D, (paper map: block 19)
Good Greek American gyros and grill food. The gyros are not cut from the classic rotating shwarma roll, but they are still the best in town. The fries are not great. They have good burgers and other sandwiches, and some Greek foods and salads in a small deli counter.
East Grand River, Map D, (paper map: block 3 and 15)
There is also a location at the north end of the Frandor shopping center. This is of note because it is an Oldsmobile museum of sorts. Lots of cool old memorabilia, booths with headlights, and tables with parking meters. (They no longer have classic car shows on Fridays.)
337-8612 - Map F, (paper map: block 23)
East Grand River Ave, 332-0110 - Map C, (paper map: block 10)
Storemade ice cream and other goodies.
436 Elmwood Blvd, 323-7991
near Lansing Mall -- all the way to the other end of Lansing.
This Korean Barbeque and Sushi bar is across town, tucked down a side street near Lansing Mall on the west side of town. However, it is a marvellous restaurant, somewhat more expensive than other Korean places in town, but significantly upscale both in food and atmosphere. (But especially in food.) They have karaoke late in the evenings.
116 Bailey (Basement of Stonehouse Village), 332-7766 - Map C, (paper map: block 13)
Used to serve authentic Japanese food, but now serves a kind of haute cuisine "fusion" cooking--Japanese and continental. Expensive, but good. (Note, this restaurant is in the basement, and although they have a lift for chair users, it isn't very handicapper accessable.)
2850 East Grand River, 337-2115 - Map F, (paper map: block 24)
Natural Ice Cream and frozen yogurt.
Corner of Willow and Grand River (Seymour) in central Lansing, 485-8584.
The building was once a drive-in, and the food is good old-fashioned grill food. No, not "retro-yuppie burgers" but the real thing. Cheap hamburgers and hot dogs, shrimp baskets, gyros. Their fries are not great, but they are the last place in town to serve old fashioned hand dipped-onion rings. Their fried fish is also hand-dipped in batter. The only problem with the fish, though, is that sometimes the batter gets too thick, and then they don't fry it long enough to cook through the batter. In spite of that, nearly everyone I know would rather head to Olympic to satisfy a craving for fish and chips than any other place in town.
This restaurant is not within striking distance of the Clarion Workshop, and probably not worth a special trip for them--Tony's in downtown East Lansing serves excellent grill food of this type. Probably higher quality on most things, too. If you're downtown in Lansing, though, this is a favorite place for a grease fix. Head north on Seymour (one block west of Capital) and it's a half block north of the intersection with Willow.
2793 East Grand River, 337-2519 - Map F, (paper map: block 25)
This is a large Asian supermarket with all kinds of food, from Jamaican to Thai. They've got a great selection of frozen and fresh foods, as well as the usual dry goods. On Saturdays they get in a selection of freshly made Vietnamese snacks--buns, rice packets, rice rolls, etc. If you have some special grocery need, you can probably get it here or at Goodrich Shoprite.
125 East Grand River, 351-3620 - Map C, (paper map: block 6)
"Home of the 2-pound Burrito." Advertises very macho hot sauce. Nightly specials. I've only been here once, and I was impressed by the creativity and quality. Open late, tends to fill with smokers later in the evening. (They have a new location in the new upscale mall up on Lake Lansing Road, a few blocks west of the Meijers up there.)
- Map D, (paper map: block 20)
521 East Grand River, 351-0608 - Map C, (paper map: block 12)
Smokey bar hangout, with usual (but good) bar/grill food, dart board and loud music.
603 East Grand River, 351-0533 - Map C, (paper map: block 13)
Tiny express style Chinese place. Good, cheap, FRESH food cooked to order, not a steam table. Favorite dishes are: boiled dumplings, mixed vegetable stirfrys, hot and sour soup (excellent and spicey), and Mongolian beef (sweet, with hot peppers). You can get things made to order. Medium is definitely spicey. Portions are not all that big, but they are not stingey with the rice.
Sometimes they offer delivery, depending on the employee situation.
2827 East Grand River, 351-1551 - Map F, (paper map: block 25)
Hannah Plaza on Hagadorn - Map E (Paper map: block 22)
Abbott Road - Map C, (paper map: block 6)
Grand River Ave. - Map D, (paper map: 18)
A "southwestern grill" place that recently opened up. Looks like a chain, but I'm not familier with it.
Various locations all over
QD is a midwestern convenience store chain, something like 7-11. They do have pretty good icecream, sold in cones as well as pints/quarts.
224 Abbott, 351-2285 - Map C, (paper map: block 6)
Bar with live music-known for the bluesier end of the rock and roll spectrum, but books other kinds as well.
231 MAC Ave, 351-5855 - Map C, (paper map: block 6)
Major beer, burgers and wings student hangout. Not really known for great food.
Jolly and Okemos Rd in Okemos
This restaurant is tucked off in an upscale stripmall in Okemos, near the freeway exit, but it worthy of mention because it is the finest Chinese restaurant in town. I generally like the cooking at Little Panda at the opposite end of town a little better because I like stronger flavors--but this place has complex and subtle flavors, and some very interesting dishes (try the vegetarian "Oriole"--little bundles of crunchy mushroom and vegetables wrapped in bean curd skin). This is the place we tend to go when we want something like Peking Duck.
605 East Grand River, 332-6811 - Map C, (paper map: block 13)
Hannah Plaza on Hagadorn - Map E, (paper map: block 22)
This place was the best restaurant in East Lansing, but they had some problems for a while. Now they are returning to the old qualiity, with new dishes and creativity.
They have a tandoori oven, but don't just settle for the Tandoori Chicken. Other dishes from the tandoor, and the various curries, have much greater flavor. Whatever you do, do not neglect the Naan, a flat bread cooked in the tandoor, which I consider bread of the gods. (A little mint chutney goes nicely with it, but you can eat it all by itself.) At lunch they only do buffet (about $6-7), but it is an excellent buffet, and a good opportunity to try a variety of dishes. The weekend buffet often has dishes not on the menu. During the regular school year, this place is always full, but in the summer you should not have too much trouble finding a seat.
They've just opened an Indian grocery over in the Trobridge area--see "Swagath"
East Grand River - Map D, (paper map: block 20)
East Grand River - Map D, (paper map: block 19)
One of my favorite places for fries and hotdog. It's also well known for the traditional grill breakfast. I usually eat at the Frandor Location.
Grand River and MAC - Map C, (paper map: block 11)
Trowbridge shopping center - Map A, and Albert Ave - Map C, (paper map: block 2, 14)
They have a new location on Albert, also on Map C.
Hannah Plaza on Hagadorn - Map E, (paper map: block 22)
Good semi-formal restaurant type middle-eastern food. The sampler platters are a good place to start. Many of the chicken dishes come with a wonderful garlic/yogurt sauce. Sometimes they have wonderful house-made bread. Have it with the lentil soup.
East Grand River - Map C, (paper map: block 6)
This northern style Chinese restaurant has a Vietnamese cook. She makes some wonderful Vietnamese food; particularly the appetizers and rice noodles dishes. She also does a great job with the Chinese recipes. This place has always been known for the great dumplings and noodle dishes. On the Vietnamese menu, my two favorites are the Vietnamese crepe, and Vietnamese Lemon Chicken--which is not at ALL like the dish they call Lemon Chicken in Chinese restaurants--this is diced chicken, onions and peppers, stirfried with a spritz of lemon, and served in little boats of Napa cabbage leaves. (It's served with rice, but the rice isn't necesssary--so this is an excellent dish for those on a low carb diet.)
I do like Asian House better for the Pho (Vietnamese Soup), but the mix of dishes and the wonderful dumplings drive me back here often, and I think their crepe is better.
East Grand River - Map C, (paper map: block 7)
This new sushi place with a young, hopping sort of atmosphere has an extensive sushi menu. Altough they advertize 99 cent sushi, they don't seem to have particularly cheap prices on the roll side--about average. I haven't tried them yet, but a quick look at the menu shows some Korean influence, which usually means a greater variety of flavors.
Trowbridge Road (hidden behind laundrymat west of Adventure Cafe) - Map A ,
I haven't had a chance to stop in here yet. This is an Indian foods grocery run by the people who run Sindhu, or by friends of theirs. (I'm not clear on that yet....)
Trowbridge Area - Map A, 565 East Grand River - Map C, (paper map: block 1, 16)
Lansing, just west of Frandor on East Grand River (in old "Don's Windmill" site)
Another tandoori house for good Indian food, definitely on a par with Sindhu and India Palace, and yet with it's own flavors and style. It's worth seeking out. They have lunch buffets, although it is a half-service buffet, with the waiter bringing you the naan and occaisional other dishes (they expect a tip!) My favorite dishes are the Baigan Burtha--a creamy eggplant dish--and Chicken Korma, a braised chicken in cream and milder spices. Nearly all dishes can be had hot or not.
Grand River - Map D, (paper map: block 16)
Smaller restaurant with similar menu and style to Thai Kitchen. More informal. Very good springrolls.
1307 East Grand River, 332-2677 - Map D, (paper map: block 21)
The old-fashioned kind of soft serve ice cream place that DQ used to be. Good sundaes, nice variety.
2843 East Grand River, 332-8866 - Map F, (paper map: block 23)
Thai food with a westerized/British Empire flavor. Tends to be on the mild side, some dishes are subtle, others merely bland. The best spring rolls in town, however, and they have a fun dish called Valcano Chicken-a flaming roast chicken with a sauce. Other recommended dishes are their Masumen Curry (#33), a mild coconut milk curry, with chicken, pineapple, peanuts and tamarind; Shrimp Phad Khing, a shrimp stirfry seasoned so strongly with fresh ginger, that it makes more a side dish than a central dish.
235 Ann St., Delivery Phone: 882-1777, Business Phone: 332-5553 - Map C, (paper map: block 7)
"Home of the Giant Steak Sandwich."
This place has good old-fashioned fries, shakes and burgers as well as steak sandwiches and grill breakfasts.
Corner of Hamilton and Okemos Rds in Okemos (south of Okemos Meijers)
This fun restaurant with a really creative menu is located in an old ice cream parlor in Okemos. The concept of the restaurant is that their menu travels to different regions, and the specials change from week to week. They have quite a variety on their regular menu too--the one that stays the same. Their specials are at the higher end of normal for Lansing (under $20), but there are also inexpensive things on the regular menu, and they give you LOTS of food.
The atmosphere is ultra-informal--a cross between a diner and a hippie cafe. The Tuba Museum used to be upstairs, but I think it is now just displayed along the upper walls of the restaurant. They used to offer free coffee to people who woud play the piano to entertain the customers. I don't know if they still do that. However, they do often have live music, and are associated with a long term music store in town called White Brothers. These are fun people--this place is really worth a visit just to visit, and the food is both fun and excellent.
NOTE: this is a good restaurant for vegetarians: they always have good vegetarian food, along with their rich and often meaty entrrees.
Check out their webpage for the regular menu. Just remember, they have their wonderful specials hidden in a little "what's new" link at the bottom of the page. For your convenience, and because I think it is important, I have provided a direct link to those menus: Traveller's Specials, dinners, or a la carte.
Harrison Road near Michigan - Map B , (paper map: block 4)
The main problem with this place is a severe shortage of parking. The nearby lots belong to residential buildings and the Harrison Roadhouse. (Be careful about parking in reserved residental spaces - bloodshed or towing can ensue.) Because of the access problem, I have yet to try this place. An attendee from 2002 Clarion says it's a good find--with good nigiri sushi (the traditional Japanese kind). There are also Korean dishes on the menu, but they don't appear to have the variety of interesting spicey rolls that some Korean sushi houses have.
Grand River - Map D, (paper map: block 19)
Trowbridge - Map A, MSU Union - Map C, (paper map: block 2, 9)
Trowbridge Shopping center - Map A, Grand River Ave. - Map C, (paper map: block 2, 13)
Lebanese Deli. Inexpensive, and good food. Always have a good selection of vegetarian dishes and lots of those sweet Middle Eastern pastries. Downtown location is a very nice sit-down restaurant with a coffee bar. I haven't tried their expanded menu yet, but they have quite a variety of kabobs--including swordfish. (Their webpage, including menus and specials, although it's a little out of date. They have been expanding, and some of their locations have moved, and the grocery store "around the corner" of their original store is gone.)
Stuff I couldn't leave out-even if I didn't have time to make maps and such;
This is a small shopping center west of East Lansing. Head down Grand River, and turn left at the fork in the road (which is the beginning of Michigan Ave). It's behind Sears. The Number 1 bus goes through here on the way west-although it skips the place coming back between 4-6 pm. It's been rebuilt, and big chain stores have moved in, but there are still a few of the little local specialty stores here, including The Hobby Hub and a decent hardware store (hey, you never know what you're going to need when you're writing science fiction).
Restaurants in the area:
Yat Wah-Cantonese. Still have good eggrolls, but the rest has gone down hill. The fried rice and the chow fun are both still very good. The eggrolls are best with the house duck sauce, which they don't give you when you get take out (unless you pay for a half-pint seperately).
Better Health Food Store- Healthfood, organic groceries and a little cafe. The cafe is associated with the Traveller's Club out in Okemos--a place where people actually have taste, so the food is likely to be much better than just "healthy."
Trippers-upscale sports bar with full menu.
Aladdin's - Lebanese food (similar menu to Woody's Oasis)
Apple Jade-Cantonese, serves pretty good pot stickers.
Sparty's Coney Island-Hot dogs, burgers, gyros, good old-fashioned fries, and a good grill breakfast available all day.
MacDonalds-This Micky D's is a temple to Oldsmobile, and a bit of a tourist attraction. See the entry in the body of this guide for details.
Centeno's-A decent little Mexican restuarant.
Yat Wah, Sneakers, Centeno's and a few fast food places (Arby's, Wendy's, and pizza places that come and go) are all across Clippert street to the west of Frandor--in a little corridor between the shopping center and the alley.
This is a large mall to the EAST of East Lansing. It is the end point of the Number 1 bus. AMC has a multiplex of six theaters in the mall parking lot (call 349-4104 for current showtimes). It also has a large candy store and food court.
This is a mondo everything-in-the-world store, across Grand River from the mall. It is a supersize grocery store, combined with a supersize discount store, combined with a whole lot of other stuff. WalMart can't compare. If you've never been to a Meijer store, come see. It is a true mid-western experience.
There is a newer, and smaller, store north of town. You can't get gas there, nor get a mortgage, nor get your teeth cleaned (unlike the bigger stores). But you can get just about anything else. Locals may guide you there, because it is closer. For the full experience, you must go out to Okemos, across from Meridian Mall.
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This page is continuously updated...which doesn't mean I can keep up with all the changes around town. If you see something wrong, please drop me email to the address above.