Fat Mike’s Barbecue & Ice Cream
301 E. Michigan AvenueTwo days of BBQ in a row? Yeah, that sounds like something I would do.
My colleague was off a couple of weeks ago and I got sent to the west side of Battle Creek for an assignment. I was done early afternoon and didn’t really have anything else I needed to get back to Kalamazoo for. I took my time coming back and took the long way through Augusta.
I was really questioning myself on this one because I had just eaten at Flavor Town BBQ Pit in Kalamazoo the day before.
But there’s no such thing as too much BBQ.
I stopped at Fat Mike’s Barbecue & Ice Cream on Michigan Avenue in Augusta. The small walk-up restaurant is on the corner of Michigan and Water Street on the east side of town. The catering company took over the Lickety Split Ice Cream shop. They kept the ice cream and added BBQ.
This is just a walk up window so once I got out of the car, I headed to the first window where I found a menu on a stand. The woman working the front of the house was making ice cream for someone else so I had a couple of minutes to look over the offerings.
I kept things simple. I ordered a Brisket Sandwich which comes with one side. Of course, I chose the mac & cheese. The cost was just under $13 and the bag was handed out the window and I was on my way back to Kalamazoo to eat. There is a little bit of seating outside on some colorful patio furniture but I was interested in dining alfresco so I head back to the office.
I started with the mac & cheese when I got back and holy cow. I was super impressed with the mac & cheese I had the day before at Flavor Town but this mac & cheese was something different. It was a thick, creamy sauce with pepper mixed in. I love pepper in my mac and this addition sent me over the edge. Had the kids been there, they would have took one look at it and been like “can I be done?” It’s a bold choice but it’s a tasty choice in my book.
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The brisket is more of a pulled beef brisket than slices. This type of brisket works really well on sandwiches as it makes it easier to eat. The meat is smoked Texas style meaning there’s a big peppery taste to it. The meat was piled high on to the white bread bun and topped with a thin, slightly spicy sauce. I didn’t want to go overboard ordering too much food and between the sandwich and the mac, the portion size was perfect for a late lunch.
So many things I like about Fat Mike’s Barbecue and Ice Cream. For one, they also have ice cream. I didn’t grab any on this trip but it’s a way to get my kids to a BBQ restaurant.
Other than that, the food is delicious and I love the walk-up window layout. I don’t typically sit down for lunches while I’m at work, so it’s nice to find places all over Southwest Michigan where I can quickly grab something and either eat it in the car, on the hood of my car, or wait until I get back to the office.
SW Michigan Dining 