Venezia Pizza Restaurant
306 Kalamazoo Street- South Haven, MI 49090
- (269) 637-8505
- No Known Website
- No Online Menu
While my parents aren’t always happy that I live three hours away, they do really like summers in Michigan. They love the fruit stands and the U-Picks scattered throughout the region.
Last year, we somehow ended up in Fennville and my mom wanted to look for blackberries. I came across Earl’s Farm Market on Blue Star Highway. We had a blast picking our own blackberries and my mom wanted to go back.
We actually ended up leaving J at home. She was still sore and exhausted from the previous day’s trip to Ford Field, but my parents wanted to go, so the three of us took the 45 minute ride out to Fennville.
It turned out to be a pretty successful trip. We got blackberries, raspberries, peaches, and salsa. We also found berry picking makes you hungry.
Since my parents had never been to South Haven, I decided to take them there to eat. I figured we could grab a bite to eat and then head out to the Big Lake to walk it off. Read more…
Ford Field
2000 Brush Street- Detroit, MI 48226
- (313) 262-2000
- Website
It took eight months, but J and I finally got to see the Zac Brown Band. It was actually my parents idea. They saw ZBB was going on tour with Kenny Chesney for his stadium dates. At the time, there was no Chicago date listed, so my parents asked if J and I would take them to Detroit. We had already seen Kenny Chesney at Soldier Field a couple years ago, but we hadn’t seen Uncle Kracker, Billy Currington, or the Zac Brown Band. I put in an ticket order and we waited patiently for eight months for the day to finally get here.
I have been to downtown events in Detroit enough to know that the best place to park is in Greektown. This trip was no different. I headed straight for one of the surface lots near the casino. The problem with this plan is not only was there a concert at Ford Field. There was also a baseball game at Comerica Park and the Woodward Dream Cruise. That meant there was a lot of traffic in downtown Detroit.
I weaved my way through the narrow streets surrounding the Greektown Casino to a lot that looked like they had openings. I pulled in and asked how much. For the baseball games we’ve been to, parking has always been under $10. I guess I assumed it would be the same for this event, but boy was I wrong. I pulled a ten out of my wallet and asked how much. The parking attendant asked if we were tailgating. I said no. He said $40. I didn’t really have a choice because all of the parking in the area was $40, so I forked over the money and headed towards Ford Field.
The gates for the 4:30 show opened at 3:30 and WYCD was doing a concert out in front of the stadium. Most of the large crowd was paying attention to that show and didn’t even notice that people were being let in to the arena. The front of the stadium had long ques separated into lines for men and women. Everyone was being patted down before entering so my dad and I entered one line and my mom and J went to the other. Read more…
Winston’s Pub
115 S. Eagle StreetLast January, my mom called and asked if we wanted to go see Kenny Chesney and the Zac Brown Band in Detroit. It didn’t take much arm twisting for us. We both really wanted to see Zac Brown Band and Kenny Chesney always puts on a good show.
Since I usually work Saturday’s, I had to ask for the night off….and since I’ve technically held three jobs this summer, I had to ask for it off three times. Fortunately for me, everytime I asked for it off, it got approved, so the concert was a go.
My parents decided to drive up from the Chicago area the morning of the show instead of the night before. They got here a couple hours before we needed to leave and we were all hungry. I wasn’t going to make them wait until we got to Detroit for two reasons. 1.) it was a long drive…and 2.) there was a concert at Ford Field, a baseball game at Comerica Park, and the Woodward Dream Cruise….Detroit was going to be packed.
I decided to stop along the way in Marshall. Ever since we moved to Michigan (almost four years ago), we have passed signs for Schuler’s on the various highways around Southwest Michigan. I checked the menu out a few times and realized it was a little fancy for J and I, but, and isn’t there always a but, in addition to the fancy part of the restaurant, there’s a pub that serves pub food. Now, that’s something right up our alley. Read more…
Olga’s Kitchen
6650 S. Westnedge Avenue #129We had been holding off on running some errands out by the mall until this afternoon. Since I worked a day off earlier in the week, I was given today off. Instead of trying to cram some shopping into the two hours we have off together in the afternoons, we just waited for a day off.
After a quick nap when J got home, we headed towards the mall. J said she wanted to eat before we did what we had to do. She then asked about that restaurant at the mall entrance near Gloria Jean’s.
Neither of us had ever been to an Olga’s Kitchen despite the fact there are a couple in Lansing where we used to live. Olga’s is a Michigan based chain that got it’s start in 1970 in the Detroit suburb of Birmingham. Olga Loizon made a name for her little restaurant with her unique bread.
The only Kalamazoo area location of Olga’s is inside the Crossroads Mall in Portage. The restaurant is a little small and has somewhat of a sterile feel to it with the tile floors. The setup of the space is like most small family restaurants. There are two distinct dining rooms with tables and booths. Read more…
From a Kalamazoo Cooks press release….
West Michigan’s Top Chefs Share Secrets with Students
Kalamazoo, Michigan – August 18, 2011 – There really are no “secrets” in cooking, but rather a collective of knowledge held dear by Culinary and Pastry Artists. West Michigan is home to some of the greatest Chefs in the country and they are eager to share their passion and knowledge with the community.38-year old Chef Will Sprague started Kalamazoo Cooks! Culinary Programs in an effort to bring the culinary school experience to the recreational cook or budding professional who does not have time or money for a long term culinary education.“Full-time Culinary and Pastry schools are ultimately the way to go towards getting into the profession, but are often grueling and time intensive.” says Chef Sprague. “Our classes are for those who want hands-on training in an easy to digest schedule.”Kalamazoo Cooks’ classes are generally one to three hours long and can be taken independently from each other. Classes range from Fundamental Knife skills to Molecular Gastronomy, French Cuisine to Foods of Rome.“Whether you’ve never boiled water or you are just getting started in the profession, chances are we have something for you.”“One of the most exciting aspects of our cooking school is that we are bringing together top chefs, pastry artists, and wine professionals from across West Michigan to share their expertise. Chefs have their passions and we aim to share this with the community.”Kalamazoo Cooks Culinary Programs will be offering its first class of the season, Knife Skills I, on Saturday, August 27, 2011 from 4 – 6 pm. Classes will be held at the Can-Do Kitchen in downtown Kalamazoo. Potential students are encouraged to enroll two weeks in advance through the Kalamazoo Cooks website.
Little Caesars – West Main
4250 W. Main StreetJ might be used to the early morning schedule, but when I have to work it, I drag ass most of the day. I’m used to being up fairly late, but not all night. That was the case for a couple days this week as I had to work the overnight shift.
On the first day I worked the shift, I called J on my way home just to talk….hoping she could keep me engaged and awake as I drove. About halfway home, she asked what I wanted to do for lunch. I suggested running by Little Caesars and picking up one of their new Deep Dish pizzas. I thought they were Hot ‘n Ready, but J called to make sure. Good thing, they’re Hot ‘N Ready in the evening, but not at the time of day I was stopping in. She put in an order for a half pepperoni and half cheese Deep Dish Pizza and an order of Crazy Bread.
The Little Caesars I was heading towards to pick up the order was the West Main Street location across from Davenport University. Like most Little Caesars’, the shop is a small carry-out operation. I pulled in to the parking lot on the Main Street side. The logical thing to do is go to the door closest to that parking lot, but that’s an employee entrance. You actually have to go around the corner to what is actually the front of the shopping center. Read more…
Nagle’s Top Dog & Malt Shoppe
1210 S. Burdick Street- Kalamazoo, MI 49001
- (269) 342-2031
- No Known Website
- Menu
Surprisingly, I got out of bed on a Saturday morning. I felt bad that J and I really hadn’t been able to spend anytime together over the past week so even though I only got five hours of sleep, I got out of bed so J and I could run some errands.
After a few quick stops, we ended up at the Kalamazoo Farmer’s Market. We got what we needed there then headed for lunch. The only problem is that we didn’t really know where we wanted to eat. As we were leaving the Farmer’s Market, I saw the sign for Nagle’s Top Dog. We had never eaten there, so I asked J if it was ok if we tried it out.
Nagle’s Top Dog is on Burdick just south of Crosstown Parkway. The place is kind of a dive that looks like much hasn’t changed in forty years. There’s a drive up window on one side of the very small parking lot and the roof is crowned with a dog house.
We headed in to find the order counter immediately to the left when you come through the door. The menu consists of classic American food sandwiches and hot dogs. I’m told their claim to fame is the breakfast sandwich which is served all day. I considered it, but I wasn’t in the breakfast mood. Read more…
Garden Party Cafe
5020 Texas DriveJ came home from work today hungry. I got a 15 minute warning that she was on her way home and I better either have lunch ready or be dressed and have a place picked out to go. She wanted to eat.
Because of the added urgency, I really didn’t want to go to a bar or someplace that was going to take a while. I didn’t have a whole lot of ideas. I did have a long shot place that I read about in the Gazette a few weeks ago. I was a little nervous because I couldn’t find a good menu right away, but I sucked it up and took the chance.
The Garden Party Cafe is actually inside of Wedel’s Nursery, Florist, and Garden Center at the corner of 12th and Texas Road just inside Texas Township. It really is one of the last places you would think of when it comes to picking a place for lunch. When you walk in to the store, the cafe is off to the right. It’s a little hidden from the displays, but I noticed a neon sign hanging high above the merchandise on a wall that looks a little out of place in the wide open garden center.
The cafe area is pretty small and sectioned off with white fencing. The seating area is set up like a patio. The furniture is all stuff you would put on your own patio at home. The small kitchen was manned by a single person who took our orders then grilled up the food on the small flat top stuck in to a corner. Read more…
From a Venture Foods, Inc. press release…..
SMASHBURGER CELEBRATES 1 YEAR OF SIZZLING IN KALAMAZOO BY
HOLDING BENEFIT FOR GREG JENNINGS FOUNDATION
Donation made for every entrée purchased for entire week.
KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN (08/11/11)—Smashburger is happy to be celebrating their 1st year anniversary in the great city of Kalamazoo. The owners and staff of Smashburger are extremely grateful to the many already loyal “Smashfans” who support their business.
To show their appreciation to the Kalamazoo community, Smashburger is partnering with the Greg Jennings Foundation to raise funds for the entire week of their anniversary. Smashburger will donate 25 cents from every entrée sold for the whole week of August 15 to 21 to the Greg Jennings Foundation. Customers will also have the opportunity to make additional donations at the time of purchase.
Since their inception in 2008, The Greg Jennings Foundation has partnered with many organizations within Michigan and Wisconsin in order to assist children and families and promote the importance of youth education. These organizations include:
Kalamazoo Gospel Mission – Boys & Girls Club – Big Brothers Big Sisters – Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity – Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity – Green Bay House of Hope – The Salvation Army – Department of Human Services – Parent to Parent – and many more. More information is available at gj85foundation.com or call 269-343-6990.“We truly admire the way that Mr. Jennings supports his home town through his work with the Greg Jennings Foundation” said local Smashburger franchisee, Terry Henderson. “As fellow Kalamazooans, we proudly support the goals and efforts of the Greg Jennings Foundation. We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate our anniversary than to support our community through this great organization.”
Smashburger in Kalamazoo will also celebrate with a CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY on Saturday, August 20. All customers on that day can spin the prize wheel for a chance to win discounts and free Smashburger menu items.
Mar-Jo’s West
325 N. Grand Street- Schoolcraft, MI 49087
- (269) 679-5422
- No Known Website
- No Online Menu
It’s been over a week since J and I ate out together. We’ve had a few bad experiences lately that have really turned me off to dining out and trying new places. The last few meals I’ve eaten out have been at places I knew wouldn’t piss me off.
On my first day off in a week, J came home from work and asked if I wanted to go to lunch. I had leftover pizza in the fridge that I really wanted to eat, but I knew she wanted to go out, so I suggested a little diner in Schoolcraft that was recommended to me some time ago.
Mar-Jo’s West is on Grand Street/US 131 in Schoolcraft. It’s just north of downtown in a small building that sits right next to the road. The parking lot was still pretty packed at 1:00 when we made it down there and a sign out front proclaims the best food in the area.
We headed inside to find a sign that told us to seat ourselves. The dining room is pretty typical of a small town family restaurant. The place mats and mugs are adorned with advertisements from local businesses and the decor is just a bit dated. Read more…
SW Michigan Dining 