The following out-of-date & personal ratings are primarily based on food, though a nice setting can increase the rating. Restaurants near to campus are italicized and in green.   Ratings are relative to the area only.   A one * restaurant should not be taken as a low rating; it is likely to be better than anything else.  Strangely, the $$$$ restaurants are more expensive than a quality-equivalent restaurant in Chicago or D.C. For whatever reasons, dining in the Lansing Metroplex is disheartening. Even the biggest boosters for living here admit this. Preferences in this area tend to run in the direction of exchanging quality per dollar for additional quantity per dollar. (Not that there is anything wrong with that.)   Recently a new out-door mall (Eastwood Towne Center) has opened with several "up-scale" chains: P.F. Chiang, Mitchell's Fish Market and Bravo Cucina Italiana. Sadly each is the best restaurant in Lansing in their category (chinese, fish, italian), but except for business, I rarely eat at them. (If you want Italian go to Grand Rapids' Tre Cugini , or Tuscan Express .) Frankly, do not believe anyone in Lansing as to what is a good restuarant (including me) or who say things like X is a great Italian restaurant. Very few have any idea and almost all think big portions is a necessary requirement. Most people think that Mongolian Barbeque is daring dining (it is an ok place). There are some truly bad restaurants that many will tell you are good. They aren't. Sadly, several of the "best" restaurants have closed.   Most recent visit appears as (MM/YR).
 
      Note that Grand River runs through several towns, so that heading west you go from E. Grand River Okemos, to W. Grand River East Lansing, etc.

Beer

****

best restaurant in the metroplex (MZ,JS). One positive professional review raved about its "home made" catsup, which uses Heinz's as a base! Go figure. I suppose I would say it was my favorite, but it is the most expensive. Has his own video's for sale. A little further east of campus than Dusty's. $$$$$ (1/04)
 
CLOSED! (***1/2) Jambalaya - Cajun/Creole/French - 5942 E Round Lake Road, Laingsburg, 651-9072
Pleasantly located on Round Lake (a big pond), 20 minutes north of campus driving through farm country. Now has an extensive appetizer ("tapas") menu. Some find the service lacking. Music (blues) on the weekends currently and sometimes it gets packed. $$$$ (10/03)
 
(***1/2)The Knightcap - Steak - 320 E Michigan, LANSING, 484-7676
Unlike many Mid-Michigan steak houses, they start with good steaks. Very cozy/small although the last visit was a bit disappointing. Reservations needed. Nice wine list. 15 minutes west of campus in Lansing, cater-corner to the Baseball Park (Lansing Lugnuts, Lower Single A). $$$$. (7/03)
 

***

 
All Seasons - Nouveau American - 1500 West Lake Lansing Rd., East Lansing, 336-9890
Has recently moved down market: both less expensive and less fancy. This could have been a nice thing, but in this case just more disapointing. Still better than many here. Wine list is not as good on the quality side, better on the value side. 8 minutes north of campus. $$$. (12/03)
 
Bangkok House - Thai - 420 E Saginaw, LANSING, 487-6900
Not as good as Bangkok palace, but they do have beer. 15 minutes west of campus, a few blocks north of the ballpark. Beer & wine. $$ (7/02)
There are some others like the Thai Kitchen (**), 2843 E Grand River, EL, 332-8866, (9/01), Taste of Thai (NR), 2843 1105 E. Grand River, East Lansing, 324-0225, (N/A))
You are probably best off going to the oriental market and making your own.
 
CLOSED! Bangkok Palace - Thai - 106 E Grand River, East LANSING, 351-1996
My favorite Thai restaurant and the newest; perhaps not unrelated. Wish they had beer. Next to camupus. $$ (1/04)

 
The English Inn - Continental - 728 S Michigan Road (M-99), Eaton Rapids, 663-2500
It is in a mansion on a hill overlooking the Grand river. There is outside (simple menu) dining in the pub in back, which is the best outside dining in Lansing. I have heard Ann Arbor people rave about the EI, while Lansing people are more phlegmatic. The prices seem disproportionately high give the quality. About 25 minutes Southwest of the campus. Formerly Dusty's Old English Inn. $$$$$ (9/03)
 
Omi - Japanese/Sushi - 210 MAC, E Lansing. 337-2222.
The best of the bevy of new sushi restaurants. Pretty good Odon. (Second place: Sansu, 4750 S. Haggadorn, 333-1933 and they have beer! (11/03)) $$$ (12/03)
 
Park Lake Grill - American/Asian - 5900 Park Lake Drive, East Lansing, 339-0755 .
Used to be Signatures, seems slightly more innovative. This rating is tentative, as there has been only one visit. Would like to see if it becomes more interesting. Patio in back next to a golf course for nice outside dining. $$ (12/03)
 
Red Cedar Grill - American - Grand River, Williamston. 655-5519
Competent. Recently the menu has been shortened. That often is a good thing, but I am not sure of that here. However, its consistency has moved it up in the ratings. 20-25 minutes east of campus. $$ (12/03)
 
Sahara's - Eastern Mediterranean - 4790 S 3536 Meridian Crossing, Ste. 260 Okemos
I suppose the best in this category, perhaps because they do have beer. 10 minutes south of campus. $$ (1/03)
Some like better Sultan's(**1/2) 4790 S Haggadorn (in the Hannah Plaza), 333-4444 service can be rude, next to campus on the eastern side. or Woody's Oasis (**1/2) 982 Trowbridge (in the Trowbridge Plaza), 351-5188. Western edge of campus. No Alcohol. $$ (3/98)
Also nice is the New Alladin's (**1/2) Frandor shopping center near Video-to-go, 333-8710. Western edge of campus. No Alcohol. $$ (3/00)
 

 

**

Beggar's Banquet - American - 218 Abbot, 351-4573
The atmosphere can be nice. Pretty good not-the-usual sandwiches, but otherwise the food is mediocre. Others really dislike the place (RB,RP). Recently its focus seems to be moving towards being a bar/student place. It has expanded and maybe changed owners. On the north edge of campus. $$ (5/03)
 
Clara's - American - 637 E Michigan Avenue, LANSING, 372-7120
Located in the old train station (freights will rumble by) and train car. Turn-of-the-century kitsch. A competent generic American restaurant and many similarly styled ones are not. Outside tables next to the tracks. Open late on Sundays! 10 minutes west of campus. $$ (12/03)
 
Cosi's - Chain - 301 E. Grand River Avenue
It is a chain. You know what it is like, but, despite the questionable toppings, the most similar to Italian pizza I have found not on the East coast. (Although I prefer the wood fire pizza at Arcadia Brewing.) They do have beer and wine. On the northern edge of campus. $$ (12/03)
 
CLOSING SOON Evergreen Grill - Nouveau American - 327 Abbott, 337-1200
"A goat cheese and sun dried tomato kind of place, but usually good." (PS) On a recent visit, the food timing was poor and on the most recent filet mignon order medium-rare came well done. Pretentious. On the north edge of campus. $$$ (4/02)
 
Georgio's - Pizza by the slice - 120 Charles
The usual toppings, plus more interesting things like artichoke hearts, eggplant, tortellini, fresh mozzarella... some without a tomato sauce base (olive oil or pesto instead) or mozzarella (cheese). Cheap. (1/04)
 
Gourmet Village - Chinese - 4790 S. Haggadorn, 333-6666
If you have to have "Chinese" food, then many think this is acceptable. Some like it more. On the eastern edge of campus. $$ (5/02)
 
Korea House - Korean - 978 Trowbridge, 332-0608, in the Trowbridge Plaza
Authentic is a word to describe this place. On the western edge of campus. No alcohol. $ (3/98)
 
Taj - Indus river - E. Saginaw, Lansing, just after crossing 127 and across from the AAA. 372-8860
Has gone down hill a bit, but always friendly. Probably the best, which is not saying much. Has beer/wine. $$ (5/03)
India Palace - Indus river - 304 Albert Ave 336-0870
Does have goat on the menu. Ambience stinks, but the next best place. On the northern edge of campus near the Abbot St. exit. $$ (2/03)
(*) Sindu - Indus river - 4790 S Haggadorn (in the Hannah Plaza), 351- 3080
Once was the best, became the worst, became the best, and now is CLEARLY the worst. Has beer. Next to the campus on the east side. $$ (9/03)

 

*

El Azteco - Mexican-American - 225 Ann, 351-9111
Really, I only list this because of the outside dining. Many chains are better and more authentic. Does pretentious things. I would avoid any restaurant on this block. HOWEVER! If the weather is nice, then there is roof-top eating -- have a margarita and some chips and then eat elsewhere. North edge of campus. $ (8/03)
 
Pancheros - Mexican, 125 E Grand River
Plastic benches/tables. No Alcohol. On the northern edge of campus. Cheap. (6/03)
 
Peanut Barrel - Burgers, 521 E Grand River
Scrubby place to have a beer and burger. Burgers is all they do, and they do the best job around. Things can get confused with the bill. On the northern edge of campus. cheap. (12/03)
 

Asian/Indian

****

Murasaki - Japanese (Sushi)/Continental - 116 Bailey, East Lansing, 332-7766
 

***

Bangkok House - Thai - 420 E Saginaw, LANSING, 487-6900

Omi - Japanese/Sushi - 210 MAC, E Lansing. 337-2222.
Sansu - Sushi- East Lansing. 4790 S Haggadorn (in the Hannah Plaza).

**

Gourmet Village - Chinese - 4790 S. Haggadorn, 333-6666

 
Taj - Indus river - E. Saginaw, Lansing, just after crossing 127 and across from the AAA.
India Palace - Indus river - 304 Albert Ave 336-0870

 

American

****

All Seasons - Nouveau American - 1500 West Lake Lansing Rd., East Lansing, 336-9890

 
Dusty's Cellar - Nouveau American - 1839 W Grand River, Okemos, 349-8680

 
Villegas - Nouveau American - 1735 W. Grand River, Okemos, 347-2080

 
(***1/2)The Knightcap - Steak - 320 E Michigan, LANSING, 484-7676

***

The English Inn - Continental - 728 S Michigan Road (M-99), Eaton Rapids, 663-2500
Park Lake Grill - American/Asian - 5900 Park Lake Drive, East Lansing, 339-0755 .

 

**

Beggar's Banquet - American - 218 Abbot, 351-4573

Clara's - American - 637 E Michigan Avenue, LANSING, 372-7120
Evergreen Grill - Nouveau American - 327 Abbott, 337-1200

*

Peanut Barrel - Burgers, 521 E Grand River

 

European

****

Dusty's Cellar - Nouveau American - 1839 W Grand River, Okemos, 349-8680
Murasaki - Japanese (Sushi)/Continental - 116 Bailey, East Lansing, 332-7766

 
Villegas - Nouveau American - 1735 W. Grand River, Okemos, 347-2080

 
(***1/2) Jambalaya - Cajun/Creole/French - 5942 E Round Lake Road, Laingsburg, 651-9072

***

All Seasons - Nouveau American - 1500 West Lake Lansing Rd., East Lansing, 336-9890
The English Inn - Continental - 728 S Michigan Road (M-99), Eaton Rapids, 663-2500

*

Georgio's - Pizza by the slice - 120 Charles

Cajun/Mexican/Southwestern

****

(***1/2) Jambalaya - Cajun/Creole/French - 5942 E Round Lake Road, Laingsburg, 651-9072

*

Pancheros - Mexican, 125 E Grand River

Eastern Mediterranean

***

Sahara's - Eastern Mediterranean - 4790 S 3536 Meridian Crossing, Ste. 260 Okemos
Sultan's(**1/2) 4790 S Haggadorn (in the Hannah Plaza), 333-4444 Woody's Oasis (**1/2) 982 Trowbridge (in the Trowbridge Plaza), 351-5188. New Alladin's (**1/2) Frandor shopping center near Video-to-go, 333-8710.
 

Eating Outside

Park Lake Grill - American - East Lansing. Used to be Signatures. It has patio dining out back. It is a not a bad setting as you look onto the golf course. I would say definitely better setting than Roadhouse or dusty's though the food isnt as good as dusty's. Think golf club outside dining. It is at the intersection of bus69 and Park Lake. 15 minutes east of campus.
 
Peanut Barrel - Burgers - East Lansing. See review above. Really nice with trees overhead although the street makes it not perfect. On the other side of Grand River from the campus. Long waits at popular times.
 
El Azteco - Mexican - East Lansing. See review above. After the Peanut Barrel the nicest outdoor seating in East Lansing, although no view. Popular. Just north of campus.
 
Buddy's - Burgers - East Lansing. It looks over the parking lot & strip, but no road. Also the trees from near by overhang so that is better. Definitely a burger and nachos place. There is more than one Buddy's in the metroplex. This one in the shopping center at the intersection of Haggadorn and Lake Lansing.
 
Old English Inn. - English Pub - Eaton Rapids. See review above, though only a pub menu outside. Definitely the best setting in the metroplex over looking a hill down to the grand river. Also has Bass at cellar temperature. I have never gotten reservations as no one seems to know about this, but they probably would be willing to do it. The down side is too expensive for the food quality (but the setting is worth it) and it is not a short drive. It is just before Eaton Rapids on M-99. 25 minutes south of Campus.
 
Clara's - American - Lansing. See review above. It use to have outdoor seating, but with the new train car I am not entirely sure. It isn't next to road, but tracks instead. In Lansing.
 
Jambalaya's - Cajun/Creole - Laingsburg. See review above. Jambalaya's has limited outside dining. However, I was there once and the mosquitoes were ferocious -- especially relative to outside anywhere else in Michigan. It is on a lake. However, if you eat before dusk you should be ok.
 
Michigan Brewing Company - BEER - Webberville. They now have outside seating; nice in the summer. Also sandwiches available, but don't expect much.
 
Others include Dusty's (see review above), but I find the outside seating completely unattractive. There is also Harrison Road House (Harrison and Michigan), but I've rarely found it acceptable, but many others do.

Creane / December 1997