Capo’s Cheesesteak Hoagies and Grill
219 E. Grand River AvenueFrom fast food posts to Mid-Michigan posts.
I apologize. It’s figure skating competition season now and we got some traveling to do this summer.
This isn’t one of those posts though. I got sent to East Lansing on Tuesday of last week for work.
I was meeting a colleague at Michigan State University at 3:00. I didn’t have much to do in the morning…just a couple of housekeeping things around the office, so I had time to leave early and grab lunch before heading to campus.
Last time I was in the area, I passed a place on Grand River that I had never noticed before. It was time to check it out.
Capo’s Cheesesteak Hoagies and Grill is on Grand River Avenue near M.A.C. Avenue in downtown East Lansing. The restaurant is right on the busy stretch of road so parking is a huge challenge. There is very little street parking in this area and the ramps are all a couple of blocks away. It’s really difficult to make a quick stop to pick up a sandwich (or anything on Grand River as I would find out a few days later trying to pick up Dunkin’ at 7 AM). I ended up just parking in the Grove Street Garage and walked back.
This space was a Pita Pit for a really long time. The set up hasn’t really changed. There’s a really long counter to one side of the building with the grill behind it. The order area is at the end of the counter furthest from the door. I was the only person in there at 2:00 on a Tuesday afternoon so I didn’t have to wait long. I put in an order for Capo’s Cheesesteak (without the onions) and an order of Cajun dusted fries. The cost was right around $15 before tip.
I did something odd for me. I decided just to eat in. I still had some time before I needed to meet my colleague so I opted not to eat in my car this time. There’s not a ton of dine in space but there are a few tables set up along the wall opposite the counter and a stand up bar in the window.
It really only took five minutes for the guy who took my order to tell me the sandwich was ready. I grabbed it from the counter, along with the fries and sat down at one of the tables.
I started with the fries. They’re simple, frozen restaurant fries with a Cajun seasoning dusted on top. They were hot and crispy as they had just come out of the fryer. Nothing special but tasty and a good sidecar to the sandwich.
Capo’s Cheesesteak is a typical cheesesteak. The super tender, chopped ribeye is mixed with melty, gooey Swiss Cheese. The sandwich also comes with grilled onions but I’m not an onion guy. I love the combo of just the meat and cheese. The bread was a little underwhelming. I’ve never had a true Philly Cheesesteak so I don’t know how the bread is usually done but a little toasty would have made it better. It was just a bland white bread hoagie roll. It did contain the meat and cheese and it soaked up all the juices so it did it’s job.
Capo’s Cheesesteak and Hoagies takes one thing and does it well. There’s a Potbelly Sandwich like two doors down so they have some competition but Capo’s has something the large sandwich chain doesn’t. You’ll get a delicious, hearty sandwich that won’t break the bank and you’ll get it quick.
SW Michigan Dining 