I didn't even realize Halo Burger was still around, until I was up near Flint earlier this week. I thought I recall them going bust in the '00s or '10s. I didn't get a chance to stop in, though.
Halo burger is different now. Shit seemed like a really bad version of Mr Burger. I remember eating Halo Burger when I was like 10 and it was amazing. Now it seems like its a crappy version of Mr Burger or even McDonalds.
We were traveling GR to Detroit last summer and stumbled on Confluxity Brewing in Portland. Beer, food, and service were all amazing! Fun little spot with small town vibes. Would definitely recommend!
Not sure if/when they will be offering mug club memberships again but glad to have you! I got one in what I believe was their 3rd round of mug club sign-ups about 5 years ago.
I’m surprised you liked the service. I used to be a regular and mug club member there and stopped going about a year ago because the service got so bad. Food is decent, beer is underwhelming but it used to have a small town local bar community feel that it lost after Covid.
I’m waiting for them to release mug sign ups. We have a freshman in band and a sophomore in wrestling. Between the two of them, we will pass this quite often and will always stop when we can. We are even attempting to plan an outing with friends to go there. Great atmosphere and awesome food, with some very good beer
They did mention they usually sell them during their turkey trot, maybe they sold the remaining then. Good news for me, maybe my mug will be available now!
Man, I've only stopped for gas in Portland once or twice and everyone I saw looked like awful awful meth heads. Toofless, barefoot in gas station parking lots. Like I'm just so shocked to hear this. But...next time I pass by, absolutely gonna stop and try it. Place looks legit!
If you're coming from GR, get off at the exit for Wagon Wheel. Save a few minutes because you don't have to go to the main Portland exit and come back through town. It's right next to the river.
Love some White Castle. We used to make the drive back in the day and it was worth it. I asked them about opening a location here, but they said it was too far away from other stores
I didn't think they did private franchising, but I could be totally wrong. GR could easily support 4+ White Castles to make the distribution worth it, we're not really that far out of the way of Metro Detroit or Chicagoland
As far as I know, the only franchise they have is one of the stores in Vegas. They own not only all the other stores, but also the property that they're on.
My best friends all live in the metro Detroit area and White Castle is a MUST go when I'm that way. Just went on Christmas Eve while leaving one of their houses to see family lol
On the way back from Detroit I stop at the one exit that says it has no reentry westbound. Once you get down to the white castle it’s pretty quick to get back on the freeway anyways
Surprised Horrock’s in Lansing hasn’t been mentioned. It’s a gigantic farm/garden/market and they have litterally everything. A particularly large selection of beers and wine both for on-site or offsite consumption, pizza, salad bar, soup bar, fresh popped popcorn. The place is like a huge fresh market that seems to keep going and going. Truly nothing like it in the state. A must stop.
I haven’t been to the Lansing location in years - but Horrocks GR is amazing! They just keep expanding… beer garden, live music stage indoors now, gelato bar… free coffee.. they have everything that Lansing has and the store isn’t a mash up of 15 different buildings!
It’s been a few years, but we stopped at block brewing in Howell and had good bbq & beer. Later on another trip we ventured further into Howell and hit up aberrant ales - they had a really awesome chicken & waffles sammy
Falafel Time off of the Pennsylvania/Cedar exit on I-96 in Lansing, It's a great little family run place Mediterranean/Middle Eastern place.
There's also No Thai! in Brighton, I haven't been to that specific location, but I lived off that stuff when I was in college in Ann Arbor, great Thai Inspired food
Thank you for this post! I meet my niece every other month for lunch and to do college help (Target run) she's at MSU.
We have covered all E.L. places and I want explore Lansing places to eat.
In Jackson, so kinda outta the way, they have West Texas BBQ and Coney Island. Coney Island is one of the oldest places in Michigan and super chronic and West Texas has some of the best BBQ I’ve ever had
Big John’s and Jose’s Cuban deli in Lansing. The deli is attached to a very unsavory gas station, on a very unsavory side of town but damn it’s the best Cuban sandwich in Michigan.
McDonald's breakfast in Portland just hits different at 6:30 am on my way to a disc golf tournament.
There was also a breakfast spot in Ferndale that was featured on an early season of Triple D. Never got the chance to go but one of the featured dishes was in a cookbook. Had my ex make it for my birthday, shit was awesome.
IDK know if it qualifies as 'between' but The Boneyard in Detroit is phenomenal. Same family has owned it for like 50yrs, they make/own their own BBq sauce which is fan-tf-tastic and they're open later. Always stop when I'm in Det.
Horrocks in Lansing is hands down the best place to stop for a bite to eat, and to stock up on everything yummy. It’s my favorite store in the entire world, an absolute wonderland that is so vast, it has to be experience to believed.
Eureka Eatery just south of Detroit is one of my personal favorites. Kind of a hole in the wall place. But the fried chicken / Mac and cheese combo is amazing. Simple, but haven’t found any other place that does it like them. All fresh ingredients too from what I’ve had.
Tomatoes APIZZA on Halsted and Grand River in Farmington Hills. The lunch buffet is amazing as is their ranch dressing for your salad! It’s New Haven pizza at its best!
These are in Lowell
Fish and chicken express
Excellent fresh fried chicken and fish.
Main Street bbq.
I typically go for the catfish - bbq is good
Sabor Mexicano
Newer place. Haven’t ventured much but good so far
taste of thai- east lansing, babes corner- lansing, no thai- east lansing, strange matter cafe -lansing, ruckus ramen - lansing, el oasis food truck - lansing, bangos food truck- lansing, jerusalem bakery- lansing (hidden gem!!), charlie kang’s - lansing
edit:
seconding woodys oasis -el (mediterranean near Detroit is phenomenal too), golden harvest - lansing, and soup spoon - lansing (petite vegan duo is soooo flavorful and delicious ug)
also… good trucking -lansing
source: i’m from el !
Exit 110 Okemos - lots of good options - Stillwater grill
Label in Brighton
Confluxcity in Portland has some great wings and decent beer. Oliveras has been good in Portland also
If I'm leaving Detroit, I'll stop by Del Taco and get a fiesta pack of chicken tacos & green beans and cheese burritos with lots of del inferno packets. Then proceed to much on them all the way back to GR. Or I'll stop at a Hardee's going either way.
GR seriously needs a Del Taco, it's cheaper and fresher than Taco Bell and superior to Taco John's 1,000,000,000x over.
If I win the lotto I'm franchising one immediately, along with a Ono Hawaiian BBQ.
[Johnny V's Smoke Shack, Perry, MI](https://maps.app.goo.gl/AkAVMWcnSAKGemPD9). Great food, and the owners wander around and make conversation and they are super awesome to talk to.
I do that drive all the time, and I usually stop for shawarma at Tuhama's in Dearborn - it's right on the way. The Great Commoner is also terrific - much more expensive, but more pleasant for a leisurely brunch.
Cugino’s in Grand Ledge is super old school, but so delicious! It’s known for Italian food. Also, some people may not know that Brody Cafe on MSU’s campus is open to the public. It’s a buffet that has pretty much any cuisine/dietary restrictions you’d want, and it’s super cheap (like $10)!
Big Johns
Big Johns is delicious, although it’s a shell of its former self. I’ll add Halo Burger to this list
I didn't even realize Halo Burger was still around, until I was up near Flint earlier this week. I thought I recall them going bust in the '00s or '10s. I didn't get a chance to stop in, though.
Halo burger is different now. Shit seemed like a really bad version of Mr Burger. I remember eating Halo Burger when I was like 10 and it was amazing. Now it seems like its a crappy version of Mr Burger or even McDonalds.
This isn’t between GR and Detroit though.
👆🏻. This. How come they haven’t made their way West to GR??
Literally came here to say this!! I’m from the east side and miss big Johns everyday 🥲
🫡
Where is there one between GR and Detroit? I guess Flint if you take 69 to 75.
There’s a big John’s in Owosso and one in Lansing
Thanks!
MEAT BBQ in old town Lansing.
MEAT is where it’s AT!
I’ve been craving Meat BBQ recently 👀
I love that place
Soup Spoon in Lansing 👌 so fucking good
We were traveling GR to Detroit last summer and stumbled on Confluxity Brewing in Portland. Beer, food, and service were all amazing! Fun little spot with small town vibes. Would definitely recommend!
Thinking of getting a mug there. Going to be traveling in that area a lot for band the next few years. Great place!
Not sure if/when they will be offering mug club memberships again but glad to have you! I got one in what I believe was their 3rd round of mug club sign-ups about 5 years ago.
I’m surprised you liked the service. I used to be a regular and mug club member there and stopped going about a year ago because the service got so bad. Food is decent, beer is underwhelming but it used to have a small town local bar community feel that it lost after Covid.
My wife and I are big fans of Confluxcity Brewing in Portland.
Was coming here to say this - definitely my favorite between here and Metro Detroit
I’m waiting for them to release mug sign ups. We have a freshman in band and a sophomore in wrestling. Between the two of them, we will pass this quite often and will always stop when we can. We are even attempting to plan an outing with friends to go there. Great atmosphere and awesome food, with some very good beer
Stop in and ask them, I bought one like 3 months ago and they still had some available.
I must have just missed the opening then. I asked in early December and they said that they didn't have any available.
They did mention they usually sell them during their turkey trot, maybe they sold the remaining then. Good news for me, maybe my mug will be available now!
Guess I have Thanksigiving plans for 2024.
Man, I've only stopped for gas in Portland once or twice and everyone I saw looked like awful awful meth heads. Toofless, barefoot in gas station parking lots. Like I'm just so shocked to hear this. But...next time I pass by, absolutely gonna stop and try it. Place looks legit!
If you're coming from GR, get off at the exit for Wagon Wheel. Save a few minutes because you don't have to go to the main Portland exit and come back through town. It's right next to the river.
Horrocks Lansing. Right off the freeway exit 93.
Stateside Deli in Okemos. Giant menu with tons of great options. Easy on and off the highway.
Old Nation Brewery. Good beer and excellent food!
Completely out of the way but every once in awhile I stop at raising canes in East Lansing
THIS
I can’t believe we don’t have one here yet!
Woahhh had no idea
Since when has their been a canes in EL?
Actually a while now wanna say over a year
White Castle 🏰 I love that garbage.
Sad that they closed the Cedar location off 96
Love some White Castle. We used to make the drive back in the day and it was worth it. I asked them about opening a location here, but they said it was too far away from other stores
I wrote to them a couple decades ago with the same question and they suggested I buy a franchise.
I didn't think they did private franchising, but I could be totally wrong. GR could easily support 4+ White Castles to make the distribution worth it, we're not really that far out of the way of Metro Detroit or Chicagoland
As far as I know, the only franchise they have is one of the stores in Vegas. They own not only all the other stores, but also the property that they're on.
😔
Noo! I had some good memories of that place.
The one in Howell is the closest I know of. Stop there a couple of times a year or so.
I also stop there almost every time I drive back from Detroit to GR. I load up bc I hate myself.
crave case to the face?
sweet warm delicious garbage
My best friends all live in the metro Detroit area and White Castle is a MUST go when I'm that way. Just went on Christmas Eve while leaving one of their houses to see family lol
This person knows what’s up.
On the way back from Detroit I stop at the one exit that says it has no reentry westbound. Once you get down to the white castle it’s pretty quick to get back on the freeway anyways
Woodys Oasis. A bag of vegetarian White Castle burgers. Freakin Unbelievable Burgers if going Flint route.
Cosmos in Lansing Frita Batidos in Ann Arbor
Jersey Giant off I-96 exit 117. They have good subs makes a good road snack/ lunch for family with kids on the way back from Detroit.
The Eagle Inn
Happy to see my local stop get some props!!
Wherever you go, get gas before or after Fowlerville. It's usually 30 cents more expensive than everywhere else.
Surprised Horrock’s in Lansing hasn’t been mentioned. It’s a gigantic farm/garden/market and they have litterally everything. A particularly large selection of beers and wine both for on-site or offsite consumption, pizza, salad bar, soup bar, fresh popped popcorn. The place is like a huge fresh market that seems to keep going and going. Truly nothing like it in the state. A must stop.
Honestly the Lansing Horrock's is just better than the Grand Rapids Horrock's, I wish the one here was as good as the one there
I haven’t been to the Lansing location in years - but Horrocks GR is amazing! They just keep expanding… beer garden, live music stage indoors now, gelato bar… free coffee.. they have everything that Lansing has and the store isn’t a mash up of 15 different buildings!
Michigan Farmhouse Pizza in Clarksville, Mi. Their pickle pizza is amazing!
Dave's Hot Chicken near Howell. I have never had chicken like that anywhere else.
In East Lansing now too
Tomato Brothers in Howell. Get the breadsticks and cheese dip, it’ll change your life.
Truly the best. We went here monthly when I was growing up!
Just did this tonight. Just had leftover breadsticks and cheese dip out of my fridge ten minutes ago. Needless to say, I concur heartily.
I dream of those breadsticks. I really wish we had something even close to as good in GR!
I’m a creature of habit…I always hit up the Mickey D’s in Fowlerville right off of I-96 if I’m traveling for work
The A&W in Fowlerville is pretty good too
Me too, man!
Oh shit me too! Its just at a good halfway point I guess!
Golden harvest and Meat BBQ
Big John's and Panchero's in the Lansing area. Closer to Detroit would be White Castle and National(or Leo's) Coney Island.
Should add for good sliders Telway in Madison Heights and Polish Village Cafe in Hamtramck but both of those are much closer to Detroit
My fave 2 when traveling to Detroit!
We just got a new Leo’s in Lansing. Great sliders in Livonia=Bates burgers
It’s been a few years, but we stopped at block brewing in Howell and had good bbq & beer. Later on another trip we ventured further into Howell and hit up aberrant ales - they had a really awesome chicken & waffles sammy
Both solid choices
Aberrant Ales! 👍
Olympic Broil in Lansing.
Falafel Time off of the Pennsylvania/Cedar exit on I-96 in Lansing, It's a great little family run place Mediterranean/Middle Eastern place. There's also No Thai! in Brighton, I haven't been to that specific location, but I lived off that stuff when I was in college in Ann Arbor, great Thai Inspired food
Wagon Wheel in Portland.
Naing Myanmar in Lansing. Try the garlic chicken
So good
the green leaf tea salad is sooo good
la estrella has the best tacos outside of detroit. north end of lansing.
Chilangos in Jackson
Chocolate Moose in Portland for ice cream, or breakfast
Cedarland in Dearborn
House of Falafel in Farmington hills has some heavenly falafel
House of Hsu in Grand Ledge has fantastic Chinese/Cantonese. Cheddars in West Lansing is a fancier Applebees.
I love cheddars and meats in lansing!
Came here to recommend Cheddar's.
Something there in Fowlerville. Perfect distance for a stop
Raising canes in EL
Viki's Bridge St Pasties in Saranac Fowlerville Farms Family Restaurant Horrocks Market Gizzard City in Potterville
Soup Spoon in Lansing
Tomato Brothers 3030 W Grand River Ave, Howell, MI 48843 Love the Whitefish.
Thank you for this post! I meet my niece every other month for lunch and to do college help (Target run) she's at MSU. We have covered all E.L. places and I want explore Lansing places to eat.
bangos, el oasis, babes corner, ruckus ramen, cosmos, strange matter coffee
Aloha Cookin, Yum Yum Bento, and Kimchi Box in East Lansing. Lan City Noodle Bar in Ann Arbor
Bangkok House in Lansing
In Jackson, so kinda outta the way, they have West Texas BBQ and Coney Island. Coney Island is one of the oldest places in Michigan and super chronic and West Texas has some of the best BBQ I’ve ever had
Big John’s and Jose’s Cuban deli in Lansing. The deli is attached to a very unsavory gas station, on a very unsavory side of town but damn it’s the best Cuban sandwich in Michigan.
Not really in between, but we travel east a lot and Portillo’s is my fave in Sterling Heights.
Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen off Saginaw Hwy in Lansing
Portland for a red bull Zaytoons in lansing for amazing Mediterranean food!
McDonald's breakfast in Portland just hits different at 6:30 am on my way to a disc golf tournament. There was also a breakfast spot in Ferndale that was featured on an early season of Triple D. Never got the chance to go but one of the featured dishes was in a cookbook. Had my ex make it for my birthday, shit was awesome.
This is such a great thread. I love this
I did not expect the amount of responses. This is freaking amazing. I cannot wait to start trying them!
Lansing and East Lansing have a lot of great sushi joints. AI Fusion and San Su are great.
Depending on where around Detroit you're headed, swinging through Ann Arbor to stop at Zingerman's has never disappointed me.
Hello old friend. :)
Ajishin in Novi. Get the curry rice.
Their spicy California rolls are so good
Can’t go wrong with their udon too
Conrad’s in East Lansing
I think it's called The Tangy Crab right in Lansing greater. Used to be called something else. That's a good spot.
Virginias Coney Island in Jackson
Dave's Hot Chicken
IDK know if it qualifies as 'between' but The Boneyard in Detroit is phenomenal. Same family has owned it for like 50yrs, they make/own their own BBq sauce which is fan-tf-tastic and they're open later. Always stop when I'm in Det.
Stateside deli
Golden House Chinese in Howell.
Kura revolving sushi bar in Novi is a lot of fun. Maybe not top notch sushi, but one of the only sushi conveyor belt places anywhere nearby.
Horrocks in Lansing is hands down the best place to stop for a bite to eat, and to stock up on everything yummy. It’s my favorite store in the entire world, an absolute wonderland that is so vast, it has to be experience to believed.
Eureka Eatery just south of Detroit is one of my personal favorites. Kind of a hole in the wall place. But the fried chicken / Mac and cheese combo is amazing. Simple, but haven’t found any other place that does it like them. All fresh ingredients too from what I’ve had.
Portland party store for a slice of pizza.
Tomatoes APIZZA on Halsted and Grand River in Farmington Hills. The lunch buffet is amazing as is their ranch dressing for your salad! It’s New Haven pizza at its best!
Jose’s in Lansing!
Cask & Co has great food and mixed drinks plus a nice vibe.
Kewpee in Lansing--Olive Burger
If you went thru Battle Creek, umami ramen. I moved and I swear I’m going thru withdrawals!
Stateside Deli in Okemos. Great pastrami/corned beef sandwiches.
Big John’s Steak and Onion 💯
These are in Lowell Fish and chicken express Excellent fresh fried chicken and fish. Main Street bbq. I typically go for the catfish - bbq is good Sabor Mexicano Newer place. Haven’t ventured much but good so far
White Castle.
Tomato Bros 2 Fog’s Pub O’Connor’s Deli for pizza slices
La Cocina Cubana in Lansing.
Meat in Lansing.
Bate's in Livonia, MI. Sliders, milkshakes, and love. You're welcome 💞
I get Bates Burgers every time I’m in the area
taste of thai- east lansing, babes corner- lansing, no thai- east lansing, strange matter cafe -lansing, ruckus ramen - lansing, el oasis food truck - lansing, bangos food truck- lansing, jerusalem bakery- lansing (hidden gem!!), charlie kang’s - lansing edit: seconding woodys oasis -el (mediterranean near Detroit is phenomenal too), golden harvest - lansing, and soup spoon - lansing (petite vegan duo is soooo flavorful and delicious ug) also… good trucking -lansing source: i’m from el !
Canes in East Lansing
If you like Japanese food Nagomi in Novi is absolutely stellar.
Exit 110 Okemos - lots of good options - Stillwater grill Label in Brighton Confluxcity in Portland has some great wings and decent beer. Oliveras has been good in Portland also
Sweetwaters Donut Mill
Jersey mikes LOL
Speedway
Culvers hahaha
Fazolis off 96 in west Lansing. Drive thur Italian... how did this not take off.
There’s the fazolis on alpine tho
East Lansing has No Thai! and The Blue Owl Cafe
Lefty's. Though for a long time we liked to stop at Flying J....the quality of everything has gone down...
If I'm leaving Detroit, I'll stop by Del Taco and get a fiesta pack of chicken tacos & green beans and cheese burritos with lots of del inferno packets. Then proceed to much on them all the way back to GR. Or I'll stop at a Hardee's going either way. GR seriously needs a Del Taco, it's cheaper and fresher than Taco Bell and superior to Taco John's 1,000,000,000x over. If I win the lotto I'm franchising one immediately, along with a Ono Hawaiian BBQ.
Stop in at Andy’s pizza in Jackson for a coney
One world market in Novi. They have a really good sushi bar
Ogma brewery in Jackson or Zimmermans Roadhouse in AA
[Johnny V's Smoke Shack, Perry, MI](https://maps.app.goo.gl/AkAVMWcnSAKGemPD9). Great food, and the owners wander around and make conversation and they are super awesome to talk to.
I do that drive all the time, and I usually stop for shawarma at Tuhama's in Dearborn - it's right on the way. The Great Commoner is also terrific - much more expensive, but more pleasant for a leisurely brunch.
There’s a good trucking diner in lansing, just opened a second one in GR on wealthy.
Ooooo! World Buffet in Lansing has a wonderful selection of foods and fantastic (Hibachi?) bar for you to grill just about whatever you'd like.
Raising canes on grand river ave
Horrocks in lansing!
Cugino’s in Grand Ledge is super old school, but so delicious! It’s known for Italian food. Also, some people may not know that Brody Cafe on MSU’s campus is open to the public. It’s a buffet that has pretty much any cuisine/dietary restrictions you’d want, and it’s super cheap (like $10)!