MBC Authentic Michigan Pub

Our dinner group visited MBC Authentic Michigan Pub in Lansing last night. We’ve all been there a bunch of times, but for some reason nobody ever got around to blogging about it. So here it goes.

I love the MBC Pub because it is smoke-free! They also have great beers made by Michigan Brewing Company in Webberville, MI. I am a total hop-head, so my favorite is the High Seas India Pale Ale. They usually have about ten beers on tap, so there are options for every beer drinker. Only MBC beer is offered because of their brewery license – so it’s either great craft-brewed beer, soft drinks or water.

The food menu is traditional pub fare. The difference is all of their fried foods are hand breaded and fried to order. I met some friends for a pre-dinner IPA and we split an order of fried dill pickles. Like all of the fried foods at MBC the batter is light and crispy. The order had at least a half dozen pickles and they are served with ranch dipping sauce.

For dinner, Rod and I split the shrimp basket and the pub fish and chips. We got the sweet potato fries and the pub fries along with coleslaw as sides. I love the flavor of the sweet potato fries – they are crinkle cut – but they are not super crispy. The pub fries are lightly beer battered, super crispy on the outside and fluffy goodness on the inside. The coleslaw is pretty standard – creamy but not overly mayo-ee (yes, that’s a word!).

We ordered the shrimp with buffalo sauce on the side. The shrimp were wonderfully crispy and cooked perfectly – moist and tender inside. The buffalo sauce is zippy and delicious.

The pub fish and chips has two moderate size pieces of cod. The fish is always cooked perfectly too. It seems like there is less fish in the order than there was when the pub first opened, but I can’t be sure. Also, they have reduced their offerings – they no longer have Walleye and one other fish. I can’t remember if it is the whitefish or perch that got cut from the menu too.

The atmosphere at the pub is always fun. The wait staff is friendly and attentive. There is a soft seating area if you are just relaxing with friends over a few beers. There is also bar seating and high top tables in the bar area. The main dining area has many square tables that are easily pushed together for large groups such as ours.

I highly recommend MBC Authentic Michigan Pub for a casual night with friends. They are open 6 days a week at 11:00 and open at noon Sunday.

MBC Authentic Michigan Pub

402 S. Washington

Lansing, MI 48933

517-977-1349

Geno's Pizzeria

I cannot even begin to say how happy I am that Geno Abbey will be opening Geno's Pizzeria within the next month or so. Geno is the former proprietor of the pizzeria associated with Izzo's Pub in REO Town. Geno's new location is 208 S. Washington Square - the former Menna's Joint location.

To say Geno makes a good pie is an understatement. While there are some pizzas I enjoy in Michigan, most notably Crunchy's with an awesome IPA, none of it compares to what I grew up eating in New England. Our Blog group ate at the former location together on several occasions and you can check out our review below.

We'll be sure to visit the new location and write about it as soon as possible. Keep your eye out for Geno's to open and please stop in for a slice. Be sure to tell Geno that The Blog that Ate Lansing sent you!

Roma

To Cassie's list of local shops and eateries, I would like to add Roma -- which is both! Locally owned and in business for 41 years, it is fantastic. Roma has, hands down, the best deli in the Lansing area. Fabulous imported meats and cheeses that you just cannot find anyplace else! You can get a sandwich and eat there or buy the fixings for the best sandwich ever. The bakery is to die for -- seriously. The best cannoli I have had outside of the North End of Boston (and, by the way, if you ever make it there go to Mike's (http://www.mikespastry.com/) for a chocolate rum cannoli -- you will understand that heaven really does exist!). Roma has specialty grocery items and frozen homemade pastas and sauces. If you haven't been yet, you are really missing out!

Roma is open Monday through Friday 8:00 - 6:00 pm and Saturdays 9:00 - 5:00! Next time you are downtown, stop in for a feast for both the eyes and the palate!

Roma Bakery Deli & Fine Foods
428 North Cedar Street
Lansing, MI 48912

517-485-9466

Handy's Market and other cool places in the Lansing area

Well it has been over six months since we last blogged, way too long for sure! No excuses.

On my way home from work today my mom and I stopped at Handy’s Market (424 West Willow Street, Lansing, MI 48906, 517-482-1156) on Willow. I am very sad to say it was my first visit (I’ve lived here since ’96!) but it will definitely NOT be my last! Mom bought tortilla chips and salsa along with Mexican Coke (it is the best … cane sugar) and two burritos (a surprise for Scott’s lunch tomorrow). Just got done eating 13 chips and salsa and OMG, they were out of this world!!! Why oh why haven’t I stopped in sooner? I knew about it back in ’99, but no, it was 11 years later that I finally stop. I’m just glad I did not wait longer. What a cute market and the staff was very friendly! I’m looking forward to my next visit.

The stop at Handy’s got me thinking about all the food related places new and old to me that I love here in Lansing. So I thought I’d share my top ten list in the hopes that if you haven’t been to one of these places, you’ll make it a point to stop in. Enjoy!

Oh and please share your favorite places with us.

Horrock’s Farm Market
7420 West Saginaw Highway
Lansing, MI 48917-1104
(517) 321-4446
Learned about Horrock’s the first week I moved here, thank goodness! Love this place from the wine selection to the flowers to the cheap fruit and vegetables, a fun shopping experience.
http://www.shophorrocks.com/

Emil’s Restaurant
2012 East Michigan Avenue
Lansing, MI 48912-3012
(517) 482-4430
Cozy, dark and good food. I go for the relaxed atmosphere as much for the manicotti.

New Aladdin’s
300 North Clippert Street
Lansing, MI 48912-4691
(517) 333-8710
If I were Norm, then this would be my Cheers. Love it!

Maru Sushi
5100 Marsh Road
Okemos, MI 48864-1195
(517) 349-7500
http://www.marurestaurant.com/
Best sushi in the Lansing area.

Goodrich’s Shop-Rite
940 Trowbridge Road
East Lansing, MI 48823-5298
(517) 351-5820
http://www.goodrichshoprite.com/
I do not shop here enough. Great hazarai, Dr. Beef makes great brats!

Sultan’s
4790 South Hagadorn Road
East Lansing, MI 48823-6810
(517) 333-4444
Tasty shawarma chicken and lentil soup. Oh, and when they have it, the rice pudding is amazing!

Alicia’s Authentic Mexican Deli
6424 W St Joseph Hwy
Lansing, MI 48917
(517) 323-6430
Just found this place and the tacos … are the best! It is like Pablo’s and Mexico to Go had a baby.

Mijo’s Diner
5131 North Grand River Avenue
Lansing, MI 48906-5811
(517) 886-0406
Great staff, quick food and the cinnamon raisin toast is good.

Mexico to Go! Restaurant
418 Elmwood
Lansing, MI
517-886-1133
The grease runs down my arm when I eat tacos here. Love it!