Saturday AM breakfast/lunch ideas btwn CHI and Grand Rapids?

My brother-in-law and I are heading to Grand Rapids early Saturday morning (2/28) for the Michigan Brewers Guild Winter Beer Festival in Grand Rapids. In preparation for a long afternoon of outdoor "sampling" I'd like to make a couple stops for a hearty sit-down breakfast and a quick lunch before arrival. I'm thinking South Side (preferably close to LSD) or somewhere around the bend in NW Indiana would be optimal for breakfast. A quick snack somewhere between Holland and GR might be in order as well.

Thanks in advance for any ideas!

P.S. Is anyone else around here attending the festival? There is an amazing variety of quality beer coming out of Michigan these days.

As far as beer in Grand Rapids be sure to try some of the Founders offerings.

For a lunch place: It's a little further than between Holland and G.R. but not much. If you like Mexican I highly recommend Tacos El Ganadero. Located at 950 Bridge SW. Just as you are coming into town you'll see the Lane St. exit. Take that exit and turn right. The next light will be Bridge. Take a left and the it will be on your right hand side. Less than 1 mile off the E-way.

This is the Mexican side of town and where all the "locals" eat!

Try the Lake Shore Cafe for breakfast (4900 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60615, (773) 288-5800). Right on the drive in the Ramada Inn so you can get in and out to LSD quick.

You could hit Phil's or Wally's in Saugatuck for lunch. Exit 36, through Douglas, cross the bridge and hang a left. Make sure to try the portabello fries if you hit Phil's.

chitownhowie wrote:I'm thinking South Side (preferably close to LSD) or somewhere around the bend in NW Indiana would be optimal for breakfast.

The Ramada would certainly be convenient but if you'd prefer a place with a pulse how about Valois Cafeteria (1518 E 53rd), arguably Hyde Park's best breakfast spot? There's also an Original Pancake House nearby (1517 E Hyde Park=51st). Also consider Daley's (809 E 63rd) for more Southern-style fare.

If you're taking US-41 to Indiana you could continue south on Ewing to 106th, then take a right for Pupuseria El Salvador (3557 E 106th). Their Salvadoran breakfasts are large, cheap and not at all challenging (though you can get sopa de pata—hoof soup—probably an excellent preventative before a day of drinking). Another option would be to stay on 41 (Calumet Av) to Hammond IN for Nick & George's, a fine old Greek diner (5850 S Hohman). After breakfast you could get right on I-90 (be sure to look at a map; it's not difficult but a lot of streets end abruptly). Unfortunately Nick & George's hasn't been mentioned here before (it's on my to-do list) but you can find comments on the others by searching the board. Most of these places open quite early but you'll certainly want to call ahead to check hours.

Saugatuck & Douglas have many places that are worth stopping for lunch and dinner.

Another note about Phil's in Saugatuck – excellent broasted chicken and wings.
Phil's Bar & Grille
215 Butler St
Saugatuck, MI 49453
Phone: (269) 857-1555

Another place with excellent broasted chicken and good breakfasts is
Kalico Kitchen
Blue Star Hwy.
Douglas, MI 49406
Phone: (269) 857-2678
Fax: (269) 857-4079
Web: www.kalicokitchenrestaurant.com
Email: kalicokitchen@verizon.net

And a terrific place for creative cookery is:
Everyday People Cafe
11 Center St
Douglas, MI 49406
Phone: (269) 857-4240
Fax: (269) 857-8806
Web: www.everydaypeoplecafe.com

A somewhat belated thanks to all for your recommendations. My brother-in-law and I found ourselves on Western Ave. on the way out of town, so we tried Don's Grill (listed as Don's Hamburgers in some circles). Very solid and reasonably-priced basic diner breakfast fare with some of the most perfectly-done hash browns I've ever had. The whole place had a great 60's/70's kitsch vibe with goldenrod and burnt orange furnishings abound. Very reminiscent of the older Waffle House locations in the Atlanta area. I should add that I had originally wanted to hit Moon's Sandwich Shop for the first time, but my bro-in-law was a bit squeamish at its "curb appeal." Another day, perhaps?

Don's Grill
1837 S. Western Ave., Chicago


In Grand Rapids, our best meal (two meals actually) were at Yesterdog, a 25+ year-old staple. I'm sure there are write-ups about the place here already so I won't rehash, but it is definitely a stop for the curious foodie with an iron stomach. We enjoyed two cheddar chili dogs with everything each, then returned later that evening for a repeat order. Great sloppy chili cheesy goodness! Had to love the poster-sized pic of President Obama above the counter proudly sporting a Yesterdog cap.

Yesterdog
1505 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids, MI
http://www.yesterdog.com/


On the way home, we stopped at a great little pancake house with a great history. The Glenn Restaurant was a quaint little diner just a mile or so off I-196 right on the Blue Star Highway in Glenn, MI (aka "Pancake Town"). Check out their website for their story. Had some excellent cherry pancakes and some good strong coffee for the rest of the drive back to Chicago.

The Glenn Restaurant
6999 114th Avenue, Fennville/Glenn, MI
http://theglennrestaurant.com/


Thanks again, everyone, I'll try all your recommendations soon!