Paulie’s Cheesesteak
6650 South Westnedge Avenue
Suite FC6- Portage, MI 49024
- (269) 323-1102
- No Known Website
- Menu
The Easter Bunny and Santa Clause. Two reason we HAVE to go to the mall. L has always liked the Easter Bunny for some reason and after we mentioned that he was at the mall, she wouldn’t stop talking about going to see him.
We took both the kids to see the Easter Bunny and we did it on a Friday afternoon hoping the line would be short. It was. In fact, there was no line, so we were able to get in, get our pictures, and get out pretty quickly.
L wanted to go to the play area near the food court and we really had nothing else to do that afternoon, so we let her go “get out her energy” for a while.
We knew we were going to the mall, so J and I just decided we would eat at the food court. The Crossroads Mall doesn’t have a great selection of food, but they have just enough for us to both find something to make us happy.
J went to Subway, but I wanted a burger. The choice for burgers in the mall food court is Paulie’s Cheesesteak.
Paulie’s Cheesesteak appears to be a one shop only mall food court stop. I actually think they took over the space of Great Steak (and Potato Company) and only changed up the menu slightly. Their menu looks similar to the bigger chain and I can’t find any information about Paulie’s online anywhere.
Paulie’s has a big banner advertising the Pub Steak Burger right on the front of the space. That’s actually what drew my eye when we walked in. I could have gone with one of their cheesesteak subs, but a burger is what I was actually in the mood for. Read more…
Smoke-N-Buns – Sprinkle Road
3530 South Sprinkle RoadI spend a lot of time on the road and a lot of time eating in dinner in my car. Fast food gets old. In fact, I do my best to not eat fast food, but sometimes, it’s just inevitable.
Spending so much time on the road means I spend a lot of time at gas stations as well. I typically seek out Speedway’s just for the Speedy Rewards and the fact they usually have something hot to eat…even if it is just Tornado’s off the roller grill.
Every so often, I’ll come across a gas station with actual food. One that has a grill inside of it cooking up something fresh. I like those.
Ridderman Oil is one of those companies that have added grill’s to a couple of their stores. The D Avenue BP was the first to add Smoke-N-Buns over a year ago. The Sprinkle Road location followed suit recently and added a Smoke-N-Buns of their own.
The second Smoke-N-Buns location is inside the BP station on Sprinkle Road just south of the I-94 interchange. This location is a little bit bigger and a little bit fancier than the operation in Alamo Township. While that one looks shoehorned into the store, the Sprinkle Road location fits in to the corner nicely and has an actual kitchen area.
The other difference between the two stores is ordering. The Sprinkle Road Smoke-N-Buns has touchscreens to order sort of like the Speedy Cafe in Wayland. You don’t ever have to talk to anyone. You select your order on the touchscreen then it prints out a ticket that you take to the register to pay. The food is made fresh to order while you wait then a number is called when it’s done. Read more…
Slap Shot Hockey Bar
5051 W. Main StreetJ and I have only been in Southwest Michigan for about six years, but it seems like in that time, there have been just as many iterations of Niskers (I’m exaggerating a little…there’s only been four.)
The newest take on Niskers is really just an expansion of the last one. They took the Niskers Char-Grill store on West Main Street, opened up in to the space that used to be B’Wiched Deli and Microcatering, and added a bar. The Niskers name is still all over everything and the menu is still pretty much the same…just bigger.
Slap Shot Hockey Bar expands on the Niskers concept. In addition to the bar that has been added, they added table service and more menu options. The burgers are still there, but more salads and the addition of appetizers make Slap Shot more of a full service restaurant.
We were a little confused when we walked in because they do still have the service counter for take out orders. A waitress came out from the bar area which is kind of sectioned off from the rest of the restaurant with dasher boards and told us to take a seat and she’d be with us.
The bar area is heavy on the hockey which makes sense. Owner Lou Nisker played professional hockey for many years including several with the K-Wings.
We took a table fairly close to the bar, but it was still pretty early on Friday night. The waitress didn’t bring a drink menu, but my Mother-In-Law asked for one. I had already ordered a Coke by the time she asked, so I skipped the beer. It appears they have a pretty good tap list with a lot of crafts both on tap and in bottles. Read more…
Telway Hamburgers – Southwest Detroit
6820 Michigan AvenueI’m going to piggyback off my last entry a little bit and talk more about regional food. While it’s true Detroit didn’t invent the slider, they have taken it over as something somewhat unique to the area. For some reason, there are a large number of hamburger places serving sliders that are not White Castle.
I was in Detroit late one night last week and wanted to find something to eat on the way home. Coney’s are always an option, but I’ve done that in Detroit before and wanted to find something else. What was suggested to me was a slider place about five miles west of Downtown.
Telway Hamburgers has been in Detroit for well over 50 years with the Telway Hamburger System being created in 1944. Unfortunately, there’s not a lot of history online about the Telway. Some have said it was an old White Tower (not White Castle) restaurant while others say it was a small, local chain that copied White Castle. On a list of surviving White Tower buildings, neither of the Telway’s show up, but their design is similar. Whatever the history is, there are two left today. The second location is in Madison Heights on John R. Both are 24 hours and both serve the same simple menu of quick, greasy fast food.
It was a little after midnight when I pulled up to the corner of Michigan Avenue and Martin Road. The building is tiny and it does have the distinct look of a 1950’s slider joint…again, looking a lot like a White Tower restaurant with a white exterior an white porcelain on the inside.
There are two entrances to the tiny box. One takes you to a take out window that is right in front of the grill. The other goes in to a small, 8-10 seat diner with a lunch counter overlooking the kitchen on one side and stools up against a stainless steel counter facing the windows on the other. Read more…
Coney Island – Downtown
266 E. Michigan AvenueOne of the things I love most about food is the regional phenomenons. Growing up near Chicago, I can tell you that there is no more perfect sandwich anywhere in the world than the Italian beef. If you didn’t grow up in Chicago, you probably won’t agree with me on that. You’re going to get behind whatever is unique to the region you grew up in.
When we moved to Michigan seven years ago, I started looking for that regional food. What I found was the Coney Dog. I didn’t really jump on the Coney train because I’ve never liked hot dogs. I don’t remember why, but I have never been able to stomach hot dogs unless they were in corn dogs. Weird, right?
I didn’t really give Coney’s a shot at first, but a couple years ago, I was staying in downtown Detroit not far from Lafayette Coney Island. It was late at night and nothing else was open, so I thought it was time to give the Coney a shot.
Turns out, I actually liked it. It’s still not something I crave, but I did actually enjoy my Coney’s and I’m now no longer afraid of them.
Earlier this week, I was working solo in Kalamazoo and was waiting on instructions for my next assignment. I told my manager that I was going to grab dinner while I was waiting for instructions. My first instinct was to go grab a Jersey Giant Sub from the Portage Road location, but when I got there, they were closed. I then doubled back and thought I’d hit up Ray Ray’s Italian Beef, but they were also closed. Read more…
Rafaynee Southern Cuisine
97 Michigan Avenue WI first heard about a soul food restaurant opening in Downtown Battle Creek last fall from an article in the Battle Creek Enquirer. Right away, I made a mental note that I needed to find time to check this place out. I constantly searched for a menu online somewhere and hours, but it proved hard to find out much information for a while. Eventually, I forgot about it until I drove through downtown a month or so ago which reignited my interest in the place.
Rafaynee Southern Cuisine takes up a surprisingly large storefront on Michigan Avenue near Arcadia Ales. The previous tenant was Par 4 Lounge and Rafaynee takes advantage of the leftover bar near the back of the space. Tables are set up in the front and along the wall in the bar area.
When I walked in, I was expecting a counter service type of restaurant but quickly noticed it was a table service place. I was in at a pretty odd time, so the cook was also the waiter and he came out of the kitchen and told me to find a seat. I was looking for take out so I grabbed a paper menu off a table and sat down at the bar.
The menu is soul food staples that the Enquirer claims are old family recipes. The only real BBQ on the menu is a pulled pork sandwich. They do ribs on Friday and Saturday’s and an old menu on their Facebook page shows rib tips, but those were not on the menu the day I was there. Chicken is their main entree and they have a number of traditional soul food sides and deserts to compliment their small menu. Their is a specials board with a number of sandwiches every day, but, like I mentioned, the only sandwich staples are pulled pork and a polish sausage.
I wanted something easy to eat in the car, so I went with the sandwich. Chicken was tempting though and in the, I probably should have. I ordered the pulled pork and mac & cheese. There are no fries on the menu which saved me some money because I still would have gotten the mac & cheese. Read more…
Nestle Toll House Café by Chip – Portage
6650 S. Westnedge AvenueGetting out of the house in the winter can be hard. L’s feeling so cooped up lately, as we all are, and getting out is tough. J and I are so tired most of the time due to our crazy schedules and a newborn yet L is here always on the go self. We try really, really hard to keep that going and get out when we can.
J needed to make a trip to the Crossroads Mall before she went back to work after her maternity leave last weekend. That worked out great for the rest of us too. J was able to go shopping by herself while I took both kids to the play area by the food court. B fell asleep in the stroller right away and L was able to run around with kids and play while J shopped.
Getting L away from the play area can always be tough. She wanted to ride the carousel, which we promised she could if she was good, so we did that. Since she was good when we left that too, J asked if she wanted a treat on the way back to the car.
Nestle Toll House Café by Chip just happens to be on the way out of the food court and they have everything we like. Cookies and Icee’s. J asked L if she wanted an Icee…to which she never says no. Read more…
Nick’s Gyros
2727 W. Michigan Avenue2700 West is quickly becoming a go-to for late night food near the campus of Western Michigan University. It wasn’t that long ago, I was complaining (for many years) that there was no pizza by the slice place. Not the case anymore. 2700 West is home to Hot Slice. Add in Old Goat Tavern and you have some pretty good newer options in the Knollwood Neighborhood that compliment some of the established late night options near campus.
A couple of weeks ago, another option popped up in 2700 West for late night meals. Nick’s Gyros made the leap from food truck to brick and morter location.
I walked by Nick’s Gyros many times at Lunctime Live at Bronson Park last summer, but not being a huge gyro fan, I never stopped. I heard so many people raving about them though that I had to give it a try.
Nick’s Gyros takes up one of the many retail spaces inside 2700 West on West Michigan Avenue near Howard Street just west of WMU. It’s long, narrow space that does mostly carry-out. There are a few tables down the hallway connecting the back entrance to the front where the order counter is, but there’s really not a lot of eat-in space.
Parking is the biggest issue at 2700 West. There is a huge parking lot on the backside of the building and that actually works out OK for Nick’s as they have a back entrance. I didn’t realize that and I ended up parking at the old 7-11 next door. I justified that by going in to the party store to grab a couple bottles of Pepsi although I actually could have done that at Nick’s.
I stopped in on a Thursday night just before midnight. There was a pretty good line of people all waiting in the small pick up area for food. I squeezed my way through to the cash register where a dry erase board with hand written menu hangs. I have been so hesitant to actually stop at Nick’s because I can’t find a menu online. They have a Facebook page that’s updated every couple of days and no actual website. I searched and searched but couldn’t find a menu anywhere. The Facebook page has a post saying they take call-in orders, but there’s no picture anywhere of what they actually offer and I didn’t even see take out menus in the restaurant. I just snapped a picture of the menu with my phone for future reference and for this blog. Read more…
Papa’s Drive Thru
3522 W. Pierson Road- Flint, MI 48504
- (810) 785-3427
- No Known Website
- Menu
Being someone who travels quite a bit in state for work, it’s probably no surprise that I’ve been to Flint a few times recently. My jobs always take me there in the evening and by the time I get a dinner break around 11:00, most things are closed. There’s been a lot of Taco Bell and McDonalds meals recently just because they are the only ones open.
I got sent to Flint for a long day last Sunday. I started in Kalamazoo at 2:00 AM and was packing up to leave Flint, to drive back to Grand Rapids then Kalamazoo at 7:00 PM. The only thing I was able to eat all day was a couple of McDonalds breakfast sandwiches at 5:30 AM. I had packed a few snacks knowing it was going to be a long day, but as I was starting the drive home, I knew I had to find something to eat before leaving town.
As I was heading back to I-75, I knew my choices were pretty much fast food. In addition to the Taco Bell and McDonalds I have been stopping at, there is a Halo Burger and a Ya-Ya’s that would still be open at this time of night.
I was heading in the direction of Ya-Ya’s thinking chicken sounded good. I haven’t eaten at a Ya-Ya’s since we lived in Lansing although Halo Burger is always tempting. In the end, I made it to neither. Something else caught my eye.
Why go to a chain? I guess I should always be looking for local flavor and as I was leaving Flint, I came across Papa’s Drive Thru. There was a sign out front for a special on chicken wings, so I took a hard left in to the parking lot.
Papa’s Drive Thru is on the corner of Pierson and Jennings Roads in Mt. Morris Township just east of I-75. It’s a classic drive thru that has flares from the 50’s diner era. I have no idea how long this place has been here, but Papa’s has the look of a place that has been around for a while. Read more…
Press Release – Aubree’s Pizzeria & Grill Opens in Plainwell
From a Lambert, Edwards & Associates press release
Aubree’s Pizzeria & Grill Continues West Michigan Growth with Opening of Plainwell Location
First store opening in 2016 marks 11th location, continued growth across the statePLAINWELL, MICHIGAN – February 11, 2016 – Aubree’s Pizzeria & Grill, headquartered in Ypsilanti, Mich., the site of its original location, today announced the opening of its 11th store in Plainwell, Mich. The restaurant is located at 618 W. Allegan Street
The new location is part of the company’s aggressive expansion over the past few years. The opening of the location added 70 of jobs, at all levels within the business, to the Plainwell community.
The restaurant features a bar, dining room, outside patio and a private dining room for special events. In addition to award-winning pizza, Aubree’s also offers hand-crafted entrees, burgers, sandwiches, and a variety of Michigan craft beers. The store is 6,500 square feet and can seat more than 185 guests.
“We are excited to continue our expansion into the West Michigan area with our newest location here in Plainwell,” said Andy French, president of Aubree’s Pizzeria and Grill. “Opening this location has been part of ongoing growth strategy and we are grateful for the support we’ve received from opening both of our locations within the last year in this region.”
As part of an ongoing community celebration across its stores, Aubree’s is hosting a picture contest for local kids in the Plainwell area to submit their great “sports actions shots.” The winners of the contest will have their action shot showcased on the restaurant’s wall at the Plainwell location.
The full-service family-friendly restaurant can be found in nine different counties across the state with locations in metro Detroit, Grand Blanc, Howell and Marquette.
Aubree’s, known for its delicious pizza, was voted the Top 25 Best Pizza by the Detroit Free Press in 2009, best pizza by the Metro Times Readers in 2010 and 2012, Best New Restaurant in Livingston County and the #1 Best Pizza at the Northern Michigan University Hometown Taste-Off in 2013, and Best Pizza and Happy Hour in Livingston County in 2014.
The location’s hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
SW Michigan Dining 