Hello Kalamazoo!

Funny how life changes with one phone call.  That’s what happened with me.  Two weeks ago, my soon-to-be wife and I were getting ready for our wedding.  On the Friday before, she gets a phone call from her boss in Lansing.  She was being transferred to Kalamazoo effective immediately after our honeymoon.  Lots emotions.  We were both happy because this is a much better job and it puts us closer to our families in the Chicago area. 

Like I mentioned, my wife (who I will refer to as J from now on) and I have lived in Lansing for the last year and a half.  We were brought to Lansing from Peoria, IL for a job.  I don’t talk about her job, but I will tell you I’m a freelance camera operator for sporting events, so I’m on the road quite a bit

While in Lansing, I started a dining blog called Mid-Michigan Dining.  To my surprise, it got to be pretty popular.  I have over 1000 posts, 200+ followers on Twitter, and literally hundreds of restaurant reviews from all over Michigan, Illinois (from our trips home) and several other cities.

I’ve actually really enjoyed writing it, so I’m going to start over her in Kalamazoo with SW Michigan Dining.  The thing about J and I is that we really enjoy eating out.  It’s not only about the food (although that’s important).  It’s also about the experience.  Yes, we go to the casual dining chains and fast food, but not very often.  Only when we get lazy and don’t want to think or look for someplace. 

I’m a meat and potatoes kind of guy.  I love hamburgers.  I could live on hamburgers.  A lot of the places we eat at are bars/pubs/sports bars, diners, pizzerias, and family dining joints.  Other than Mexican and Italian, we don’t eat much ethnic foods.  I hate Chinese. I hate sushi.  You won’t see a review from any of those types of places.

I don’t know the area very well, so I’m always open to suggestions.  One thing I’m going to warn you about right now, this blog is more like a journal than a NY Times review.  I’m not a chef.  I’m not a food expert.  I’m a guy that likes food.  I write about our lives and our experiences.  Food is kind of a backdrop.  Don’t be surprised when you start seeing Chicago area reviews or reviews from other places.  If you’re not interested pass them over.  I’ll get back on track when we get home.  I’m just telling a story. 

We just moved to Kalamazoo and I’ve still got a lot of work back in East Lansing at Michigan State, so it might be a few weeks before things really get rolling.  I know the site is unattractive right now, but I’ll get it built up.  Follow me on Twitter so you know when I’m updating

For now, I’ve linked to some SW Michigan reviews from Mid-Michigan Dining.  This will give you an idea of what to expect from me.  Again, if you have any suggestions let me know.  I just do this for my own enjoyment so if you don’t like something, tough luck.

Kalamazoo – Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken – Westnedge
                          Olde Penninsula Brewpub

Portage – Sonic Drive-In

Grand Rapids – Black Rose Irish Pub
                               Fresh Market
                               Fulton Street Farmer’s Market
                               Malarky’s – Deposit Dr
                               Van Andel Arena
                               W. G. Grinders

East Grand Rapids – Rose’s on Reed’s Lake

Benton Harbor – Henry’s Hamburgers
                                  McDonald’s

Bridgman – Get-A-Way Saloon

Coloma – The Chocolate Garden

Marhall – Marshall Moonraker

New Buffalo – Redamak’s Tavern

Paw Paw – Chicken Coop – CLOSED
                     Chicken Coop
                     McDonald’s

St. Joseph – Kilwin’s Chocolate & Ice Cream
                         Pump House Grille