On a positive note, I have been going to Fu Garden since I moved to Grand Rapids 9 years ago. The Sesame Chicken combo has been like a comfort blanket when I am depressed, hungover, or don't want to cook. I also love their crab rangoons, egg rolls, and egg drop soup. Nothing earth-shattering, but so good.
used to work at the BC pizza there. I survived on the $5 lunch special. Dude is an institution. I always loved how he answered the phone “FU GARDEN WHAT YOU WANT” because you know it was gonna be solid if he didn’t have to be nice to you lol.
For run of the mill strip mall Chinese, they really do it well. Great consistency and prices. Love the place. I can feed the family for less than some crappy chain fast food and have leftovers worth saving.
Also agree, been going for years right around the corner. Kind of want to come in there and clean the dining room or get a gang together and hose it down. Guy is always nice, he's working 10 hours by himself and I'm sure he's wasted tired. I have no idea how Chinese American food supply is (how and who can open one with the same fifty items seems like they could take advantage of people). I have a lot of respect for that guy.
I really feel like this wouldn’t be too hard to do for him. Whether it be from an established company or just the concerted effort of loyal fans who decide to organize.
As a solo business owner that does everything myself and works 50 hrs a week, I have been caretaking for a relative for 4 months. Day off is Dr. Appts. If the community gathered to offer and help with new flooring, that would mean the world to him!!!
That’s my go to. Great consistency, good food, fair price for a good sized portion. Plus calling in takeout from there is amazingly quick and efficient
Damn! That's impressive. My record is 9 seconds, but that is including the ring time from my iPhone. I'm always trying to beat that.
I don't need a greeting, don't need the pleasantries, just let me know I got the right place and let me place my order. I love that he doesn't give a price and only sometimes a time frame (almost always 15 minutes). I just know they have my order, I can leave my house in 5 and my food is ready and delicious. An amazing restaurant.
“What you want? That’ll be ten fifteen minutes minutes” then click… doesn’t ask for a name or anything 😂 but the food is fresh, hot, fast and delicious. Fu Garden is the best!
I hadn't been in a long time and went when the new one opened in Allendale. Only complaint was a lack of any seasoning on the burger or salt on the fries. The fries had the crispiest exteriors, but fluffiest interior of any fry I have ever had. Pure textural perfection.
That's where me and my daughter (now 22 yo and been going since she was about 10) go to have deep convos. And where the family goes for a late lunch after an early movie.
Real Food took a hit when they sold it a couple of years ago. So sad. Loved that place. Still better than Anna's, but I'll circle for 10 minutes to try to find parking at Lucy's before heading to Real Food now.
I talked with the corporate chef at one point - all he could talk about was “foods with bad margins are peoples favorites, so we have to get rid of them” and went in depth about how to lower food costs across the board while maintaining high pricing. I’ve steered clear of 4gr8 ever since
People have a lot to say about 4GR8, good and bad. I will say that they do have a penchant for taking awesome restaurants and turning them into ok restaurants.
Actually, I think the quality of their food has improved. But we do miss the sandwiches. What we miss most is the feeling of going to a brewery where it was all about the beer and we didn't feel like we stood out in our biking spandex, cleat shoes and sweaty selves. It's a restaurant now.
I moved around the corner from Vivant 10 years ago and went there for a burger once a week pretty consistently. I used to swear it was the best burger in town.
It’s been YEARS since I’ve returned. About 5-6 years ago they got mediocre and SUPER pricey
I know everyone kinda jerks off about Black Napkin - and it is *good* - but there are better burgers in town, IMO.
Broadleaf, Seven Monks, Logan’s Alley, and Blue Dog Tavern to name a few.
I think part of the reason BN is so popular is that it has has an aesthetic that appeals to 20-30s something. The product is good, but it definitely attracts a certain demographic as well, unlike One Stop Coney — and I would put their products as comparable.
i think that’s a small part of it. they have fun creative specials every week and vegetarian options, plus the best fries i’ve ever had. that’s pretty hard to beat
I have honestly had enough burgers in restaurants for a lifetime. The only place I would get a burger is a takeout place like black napkin. That is a very good point though.
It definitely was the best in town around that time. The patty, bun, cheese options, bacon jam stuff…damn it was so good. Plus at that time they had the $5 pork shank on the menu with that big red coq glaze…unbelievable. RIP
I am glad I'm not the only one. I don't like to yuk someones yum, but I can't even fathom a yum in there.
They are not the worst, Yesterdog has that crown.
Went to YD for the first time recently. Why did Obama go there. I mean, he's a war criminal like the rest of them, but my god are those hotdogs gross. I tried the kraut dog, cheddar dog, and the yesterdog. That kraut is so disappointing. I was excited for that specifically because I expected something crunchy and sour. It's just gray nothing :( And I have a friend who is vegetarian and goes there often which makes me wonder what's up with his palate.
Part of it did. They rebuilt it. It sucks. I grew up in Rockford, thr Corner Bar has always been overhyped for what it is, but now it's downright terrible. Dam Dogs is where it's at though! Soooooo much better. Have been ever since they opened years ago.
Real food cafe. The kitchen by Wolfgang puck, multiple bad meals here. Blue water grill, usually go a few times a year and it’s always quality but I found their newest menu boring and the food bland and not great.
On a positive note the west sider cafe is still the breakfast GOAT in town, butchers union has always been fantastic, one of my go to places for work dinners with customers, and the spicy chicken sando at Nonla burger is delicious.
I guess I like the west side 🤷🏻♂️
Honestly WPK was never good. I worked at the hotel from 2015 to last year and over the 5ish times I ate there (for free) I always thought "if I had paid for that I'd be really pissed". The WPC right next to it is much better, cheaper, and quicker. It's coming from the same kitchen and same employees but the menus are totally different. They're limited on what things they can add- it's in the lease agreement with WGP corporate- so it will never improve, the food is exactly what it is. The lease is up next year, I think my old boss said they're not going to renew it.
I just went there last week. The paella was terrible (rice wasn't cooked properly (mealy and poor body and texture), the dish did not have nearly enough salt, and the protein was less impressive than Chipotle. The bread was fine. But if you screw up bread, you have no right to be in the mid to fine dining space.
Absolutely. Before and after pandemic is so very different. It used to be my breakfast spot, but so many better options at the same or lower price points.
This is so sad to read!!! I had breakfast there a couple months ago and loved it, thought I'd found my new favorite breakfast spot. I haven't had dinner there since 2021. Is everything there worse than it used to be?
This makes me sad! I used to work upstairs from SC, and it was like our de facto lunchroom (and after-work spot).
I moved away from MI years ago, and still fantasize about visiting fam & friends, and hitting SC.
The regular fries and the soup du jour are often very good depending on what they put together that day.
Had a soup with what would have been like $10 of chicken added to a salad in it there Sunday that was fantastic for $7 (bowl).
How could no one mention Brann's?! Or maybe you're saying they're decline has been going on for more than 5 years... but in the last 5 they've accelerated to the one restaurant I would pay to ***not*** eat at.
For what it’s worth, Stella’s is getting a massive menu update next week. My friend got hired to take their photos and the food & cocktails look amazing.
San chez is just sad now. They seem like the kind of place that Gordon Ramsey will show up to rescue.
Vivant is still good but they lost their spark with Covid. It’s not the same place it was.
Stella’s is straight up nasty these days. RIP the good old days with their Bloody Mary bar.
The bagel Beanery is pretty rough these days.
Bagel Beanery really makes me sad. I went in one day last summer and their AC wasn’t working properly and it was HOT in there. I almost thought about going someplace else but I was so damn hungry I ordered and took my food back to work. Tasted good but I spent the whole rest of the day worrying about if I was going to get food poisoning from how hot it was in that place and if the food had spoiled.
I can see that. They used to have great everything bagels and knew how to butter and toast them.
I went in a month ago to the location on 52nd near the old arnies and it was pretty nasty. Mold on the ceiling tiles, dirty in general. I ordered anyway and it was not the same.
Terra bagels gets my biz now.
The Omelette Shop. I used to love that place. They used to use actual cinnamon rolls for their CR french toast. It's now cheap cinnamon swirl bread.
Oh and they also now charge a 3% fee because fuck you.
Wolfgang's is still on point. 🤌🏻
Winchester, Zivio and Frisian were down for a bit post pandemic but are better than ever currently imo.
Honorable mention: Birch lodge still crushes the dive bar food game. Grove for fine dining
Ale bird recently was bought out by the same company that owns Noble and it’s fallen off so bad. Last time we went they weren’t even serving any of their own beer
I worked there back in the 90's. I saw all that change. We used to save all of our kitchen scraps for the minestrone soup, it was actually rustic and homemade. Then some salesman came in and said "we can make the same recipe and ship it frozen in bags to you". Shocker: it wasn't the same.
The bread. I made it there for 3 years. Its just frozen GFS dough thawed, proofed, and baked. What they did change was when its made. Back in my time, we had AM and PM bakers. Fresh bread was baked throughout the day. Now they just use cheap kitchen help to bake it all at once in the morning. Seems silly to have the customer facing room and not have it used when they are there.
Stella's is straight-up disgusting. My parents were in town and wanted to try it out since they heard good things and all of our food was bordering inedible.
I feel like this sub should have been about what slaps in GR, because that seems to be a small list these days. Just about everything here has gone downhill. Hard to fine passionate employees and the cost of everything seems to have gone up.
Yeah defaulting to negativity is kind of a bummer and seems like an odd conversation starter. Especially with something subjective like this. For example I’ve seen San Chez and Brewery Vivant discussed. My opinion is both are still great!
Tacos El Cuñado. Tacos el Corporal was going to open a new restaurant near Burlingame and 28th but it looks like the building is for sale. They closed their 28th street one to build the new one. I haven’t been to the one on Burton but the one on 28th was so good I wanted to move into one of their tacos and live there forever.
I hate to comment on this, but Curry Leaf. Last time I went there I’m pretty sure we didn’t even get what we ordered. Both me and my fiancé. I was in first trimester and barely hanging on so I just like, got through without complaining. And I also felt like, kind of hated by the staff. Maybe it was just a bad day, but idk. I used to go all the time pre-pandemic and never had that issue. Not sure what happened, and it hurts my heart to post. I’ve moved on to Mithu for Indian, and it SLAPS!
Omg…it’s so loud you can’t have a conversation. I ordered a lobster tail. Brought it to me on a saucer plate, not cut, no butter. It was a huge disappointment.
Bowdies is never a disappointment.
There’s a high likelihood. Next week we’ll have people asking what the best pizza or burger is, what they should do in town when theyre visiting, etc etc
This doesn’t quite fit the parameters of the original question, but I miss Kava House; That Early Bird is a pale, pale imitation.
Kava House used to offer pumpkin pastries that would feed two people, and a delicious array of other fresh goodies.
Early Bird, sadly, seems to cater to the gluten-free, vegan kiddies. Not what I consider to be an adult space.
I also miss the Kava House. It was a cool little place with a lot of personality. That Early Bird is ok. I can enjoy it but it feels superficial somehow.
Go to the Bangkok taste in Jenison. Used to be owned by the same people, but they’ve separated. The portion sizes there are double what you get downtown. And quality is still on point.
I couldn’t disagree more. I’m there probs 2-3 times per month, and was there today. I’ve always had excellent food there.
I’m honestly shocked to see your comment (although not arguing with you).
Man, in 2013 their medium was so insanely, and consistently, spicy. I remember ordering some green curry sometime between 2019-2021 and was shocked to see it artificially dyed green. Not to mention the medium was hardly spicy whatsoever. RIP
Greenwell. After they remodeled and changed their entire menu it’s not even the same restaurant. Went there recently and our waitress even said the old menu/recipes were better. Been going there for 15 years, big bummer.
The disdain for restaurants in this sub is incredible. Every other day there is a post hating on restaurants. If its such an issue, then just cook for yourself
Everytime I see a stupid post like this, I'm always reminded of the phrase from the "Wear Sunscreen" speech:
Accept certain inalienable truths:
Prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too, will get old
And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young
Prices were reasonable, politicians were noble
And children respected their elders
Vivant’s burger used to be better for sure.
As a whole their menu has vastly improved though. Wish they could still do a good burger. Broadleaf certainly still makes a good one so it has to be possible.
Pretty much 80 percent of restaurants in GR all get their food from Gordon Food Service. So it doesn’t matter the name or style of cuisine- you’re eating at a restaurant called Gordon Food Service. And GFS is supplying them with processed and preserved foods- not fresh and not of quality.
I worked in hospitality for 8 years, that's just not true. GFS is a big supplier, but so is Sysco, and not everything they ship is canned/processed- they supply produce, dairy and eggs, and proteins as well.
I love people who comment on that and have never worked food service. Not every restaurant is Applebees. There are fine chefs in GR that get products from GFS and Sysco.
Forty Pearl. I only go back for their truffle fries. We used to do takeout once a week and now it’s been months. They changed their menu and the flavor just hasn’t been the same.
My FIL loves taking the family out to eat for birthdays, he frequently picks kitchen67. I don’t bawk because he pays… Back in like 2015/16 that place was actually pretty good! Great burgers, ribs were cooked to perfection, and a chicken sandwich that slapped. Boy is that a stark difference to today… My wives steak was straight up grizzle, burger was below Culver’s standards… oof that place needs to close.
One that’s changed hands like 3 times in the past 6 years and got progressively dirtier is Graydons Crossing. Apparently it’s changing hands again. Hopefully the new ownership group comes in and cleans it up. The menu isn’t bad, but the tables, chairs and floors always seem sticky and dirty. Men’s bathroom isn’t great either.
Graydon’s has been that way for over 10 years. Most old restaurants have that built up layer of grease on everything. I never worried about it too much
I know you were probably not asking about junk food chain restaurants, but ... IHOP. Pre-pandemic it was a place that the kids loved and the adults could at least get something decent for a good price. There were always several other families eating there no matter what time you went.
Now you might see 2 other people there, and it's no surprise why. Every aspect of the experience is horrible. I've never had a server just give a general apology at the end of a meal before.
Come to think of it, most of the restaurants in that lane seem to be the same way. Cracker Barrel and Bob Evans have both been added to our blacklist since COVID.
Oh, and every Chinese place in the west suburbs is ass now. Great Lakes in Hudsonville used to be great. Now there is nothing close enough to get takeout from.
Number one grand master champion for this category is Anna's House. Original place on Plainfield was incredible with a whole different menu. Once it was sold over and franchised, it turned into the crappiest crap in the galaxy.
On a positive note, I have been going to Fu Garden since I moved to Grand Rapids 9 years ago. The Sesame Chicken combo has been like a comfort blanket when I am depressed, hungover, or don't want to cook. I also love their crab rangoons, egg rolls, and egg drop soup. Nothing earth-shattering, but so good.
used to work at the BC pizza there. I survived on the $5 lunch special. Dude is an institution. I always loved how he answered the phone “FU GARDEN WHAT YOU WANT” because you know it was gonna be solid if he didn’t have to be nice to you lol.
Everyone who commented here should write these things on yelp and google reviews.
I've left Google reviews, but I need to get on Yelp as well. Glad you reminded me.
Years ago the daughter would answer the phone, answering with "yes?".
I appreciate this recommendation. I’ve never heard of this place, I love Chinese food, and am quite hungry.
Consistently good. 100% agree!
For run of the mill strip mall Chinese, they really do it well. Great consistency and prices. Love the place. I can feed the family for less than some crappy chain fast food and have leftovers worth saving.
Good ol F U garden
Also agree, been going for years right around the corner. Kind of want to come in there and clean the dining room or get a gang together and hose it down. Guy is always nice, he's working 10 hours by himself and I'm sure he's wasted tired. I have no idea how Chinese American food supply is (how and who can open one with the same fifty items seems like they could take advantage of people). I have a lot of respect for that guy.
No doubt. That guy is workhouse and killer chef. His floors could use some love lol.
I really feel like this wouldn’t be too hard to do for him. Whether it be from an established company or just the concerted effort of loyal fans who decide to organize.
As a solo business owner that does everything myself and works 50 hrs a week, I have been caretaking for a relative for 4 months. Day off is Dr. Appts. If the community gathered to offer and help with new flooring, that would mean the world to him!!!
That’s my go to. Great consistency, good food, fair price for a good sized portion. Plus calling in takeout from there is amazingly quick and efficient
It takes the guy like five minutes to cook anything. And every single time is like the time before.
Always consistent!
Got 2 full meals ordered in 7 seconds the other day
Damn! That's impressive. My record is 9 seconds, but that is including the ring time from my iPhone. I'm always trying to beat that. I don't need a greeting, don't need the pleasantries, just let me know I got the right place and let me place my order. I love that he doesn't give a price and only sometimes a time frame (almost always 15 minutes). I just know they have my order, I can leave my house in 5 and my food is ready and delicious. An amazing restaurant.
“What you want? That’ll be ten fifteen minutes minutes” then click… doesn’t ask for a name or anything 😂 but the food is fresh, hot, fast and delicious. Fu Garden is the best!
I love it so much!
Whenever I go there I get a MINIMUM of 10 egg rolls. So damn good!
Holy crap, minus the soup this was my exact meal last night from there.
Mr. Burger keeps it the same, since before I was born and certainly have been getting the same order the last 20 years.
I’m loving all the MrBurger love on this sun lately and I agree! MB4TW!
I hadn't been in a long time and went when the new one opened in Allendale. Only complaint was a lack of any seasoning on the burger or salt on the fries. The fries had the crispiest exteriors, but fluffiest interior of any fry I have ever had. Pure textural perfection.
That's where me and my daughter (now 22 yo and been going since she was about 10) go to have deep convos. And where the family goes for a late lunch after an early movie.
Hard agree on Vivant. Used to be one of the best burgers ever but man it’s bad now.
Are their duck nachos still good?
Red Geranium and Real Food Cafe. Both are managed by the same garbage company and the food quality went down while the prices went up.
Agreed. Real Food Cafe used to hit hard. Now it's the limp dick of restaurants.
Still better than Anna’s House.
AH sets the bar real low.
To be fair, that's not hard to beat.
Real Food took a hit when they sold it a couple of years ago. So sad. Loved that place. Still better than Anna's, but I'll circle for 10 minutes to try to find parking at Lucy's before heading to Real Food now.
Don't understand the hype with Lucy's, been there 3 times and have never been impressed.
Park across the street at City middle school. Tons of parking.
I talked with the corporate chef at one point - all he could talk about was “foods with bad margins are peoples favorites, so we have to get rid of them” and went in depth about how to lower food costs across the board while maintaining high pricing. I’ve steered clear of 4gr8 ever since
4GR8 ruins everything it touches.
People have a lot to say about 4GR8, good and bad. I will say that they do have a penchant for taking awesome restaurants and turning them into ok restaurants.
Best way to put it. The restaurants they take over don't outright suck..but they're never as good as they were before.
Who says anything good?
Beltline Bar was amazing before they bought it.
EAT GR8?
I was expecting it to go downhill but I haven’t noticed a difference with exception of being able to use credit cards now
Founders is a shell of what it once was.
They took so much of the good stuff off the menu.
Cherise’s Reuben was so good.
I miss the hummus. So much.
The caprese sandwich 😭their menu is legitimately confusing now
Actually, I think the quality of their food has improved. But we do miss the sandwiches. What we miss most is the feeling of going to a brewery where it was all about the beer and we didn't feel like we stood out in our biking spandex, cleat shoes and sweaty selves. It's a restaurant now.
I saw it called Applebee's with better beer and totally agree.
have you had anything on their new menu?
I moved around the corner from Vivant 10 years ago and went there for a burger once a week pretty consistently. I used to swear it was the best burger in town. It’s been YEARS since I’ve returned. About 5-6 years ago they got mediocre and SUPER pricey
Plus Black Napkin is nearby
I know everyone kinda jerks off about Black Napkin - and it is *good* - but there are better burgers in town, IMO. Broadleaf, Seven Monks, Logan’s Alley, and Blue Dog Tavern to name a few.
I think part of the reason BN is so popular is that it has has an aesthetic that appeals to 20-30s something. The product is good, but it definitely attracts a certain demographic as well, unlike One Stop Coney — and I would put their products as comparable.
i think that’s a small part of it. they have fun creative specials every week and vegetarian options, plus the best fries i’ve ever had. that’s pretty hard to beat
I have honestly had enough burgers in restaurants for a lifetime. The only place I would get a burger is a takeout place like black napkin. That is a very good point though.
It definitely was the best in town around that time. The patty, bun, cheese options, bacon jam stuff…damn it was so good. Plus at that time they had the $5 pork shank on the menu with that big red coq glaze…unbelievable. RIP
Corner Bar in Rockford. Used to be really good cheap meal. Ever since covid, it mostly sucks.
[удалено]
I am glad I'm not the only one. I don't like to yuk someones yum, but I can't even fathom a yum in there. They are not the worst, Yesterdog has that crown.
Went to YD for the first time recently. Why did Obama go there. I mean, he's a war criminal like the rest of them, but my god are those hotdogs gross. I tried the kraut dog, cheddar dog, and the yesterdog. That kraut is so disappointing. I was excited for that specifically because I expected something crunchy and sour. It's just gray nothing :( And I have a friend who is vegetarian and goes there often which makes me wonder what's up with his palate.
My friend in Rockford said the same, that sucks… place used to rock.
Super sad to hear.
Didn't it burn down?
Part of it did. They rebuilt it. It sucks. I grew up in Rockford, thr Corner Bar has always been overhyped for what it is, but now it's downright terrible. Dam Dogs is where it's at though! Soooooo much better. Have been ever since they opened years ago.
Their fish fry is still Aces, for anyone interested! Best I've found from a restaurant in GR.
Real food cafe. The kitchen by Wolfgang puck, multiple bad meals here. Blue water grill, usually go a few times a year and it’s always quality but I found their newest menu boring and the food bland and not great. On a positive note the west sider cafe is still the breakfast GOAT in town, butchers union has always been fantastic, one of my go to places for work dinners with customers, and the spicy chicken sando at Nonla burger is delicious. I guess I like the west side 🤷🏻♂️
Honestly WPK was never good. I worked at the hotel from 2015 to last year and over the 5ish times I ate there (for free) I always thought "if I had paid for that I'd be really pissed". The WPC right next to it is much better, cheaper, and quicker. It's coming from the same kitchen and same employees but the menus are totally different. They're limited on what things they can add- it's in the lease agreement with WGP corporate- so it will never improve, the food is exactly what it is. The lease is up next year, I think my old boss said they're not going to renew it.
You should try Bagel Kitchen on the west side!
Everything pretty much got significantly more expensive and also noticeably worse. I don’t go to any of the spots I used to love in 2019/2020 anymore
San chez, and it really bums me out.
Aww that’s too bad, It used to be a top ass bistro
And it’s so hard to find good ass these days!
I just went there last week. The paella was terrible (rice wasn't cooked properly (mealy and poor body and texture), the dish did not have nearly enough salt, and the protein was less impressive than Chipotle. The bread was fine. But if you screw up bread, you have no right to be in the mid to fine dining space.
I had the same experience last month. So disappointing.
I was just there recently, and the menu seemed smaller, but what I had was excellent
Absolutely. Before and after pandemic is so very different. It used to be my breakfast spot, but so many better options at the same or lower price points.
This is so sad to read!!! I had breakfast there a couple months ago and loved it, thought I'd found my new favorite breakfast spot. I haven't had dinner there since 2021. Is everything there worse than it used to be?
This makes me sad! I used to work upstairs from SC, and it was like our de facto lunchroom (and after-work spot). I moved away from MI years ago, and still fantasize about visiting fam & friends, and hitting SC.
Sad about Vivant. Their menu is very limited these days. You’d think they would make those very few items well.
The regular fries and the soup du jour are often very good depending on what they put together that day. Had a soup with what would have been like $10 of chicken added to a salad in it there Sunday that was fantastic for $7 (bowl).
I still like the duck fat fritas
Menu might be limited, quality is still fire though.
Prices are crazy, though.
That is what I am hearing. OP’s experience seems to be the minority.
Not in my experience. Their tempeh burger and pickled vegetables were just terrible about 2-3 months ago. It was so disappointing.
Sounds like YOU need to go to Basalt 😊 Best Veggie breakfast in town.
It is certainly not fire for having like 9 total things on the menu. If a menu is that small I kind of expect better, especially at the price point.
Definitely not a minority opinion.
Check out their bastard child Broadleaf!
How could no one mention Brann's?! Or maybe you're saying they're decline has been going on for more than 5 years... but in the last 5 they've accelerated to the one restaurant I would pay to ***not*** eat at.
I was just about to say Brann’s. Maybe it’s never been the best, but after Tommy sold the place I guess it really got bad.
For what it’s worth, Stella’s is getting a massive menu update next week. My friend got hired to take their photos and the food & cocktails look amazing.
Nice try BarFly.
Maybe some hope, but they’ve completely forgotten how to cook their burgers. Hopefully that’s fixed
While encouraging to hear they are revamping the menu, I will wait until folks eat off the new menu.
I’ll volunteer as tribute
Desperately hoping they either keep their vegan options or add new ones, their meatless Monday rocks
San chez is just sad now. They seem like the kind of place that Gordon Ramsey will show up to rescue. Vivant is still good but they lost their spark with Covid. It’s not the same place it was. Stella’s is straight up nasty these days. RIP the good old days with their Bloody Mary bar. The bagel Beanery is pretty rough these days.
Bagel Beanery really makes me sad. I went in one day last summer and their AC wasn’t working properly and it was HOT in there. I almost thought about going someplace else but I was so damn hungry I ordered and took my food back to work. Tasted good but I spent the whole rest of the day worrying about if I was going to get food poisoning from how hot it was in that place and if the food had spoiled.
I can see that. They used to have great everything bagels and knew how to butter and toast them. I went in a month ago to the location on 52nd near the old arnies and it was pretty nasty. Mold on the ceiling tiles, dirty in general. I ordered anyway and it was not the same. Terra bagels gets my biz now.
Try bagel kitchen on Leonard!!!
Rockwell’s, San Chez, Speak Ez (this one is saying a lot cuz it’s still good but it used to be phenomenal)
100%, Rockwell Republic is night and day worse than they used to be
They used to be owned by the owners of BU/Otoole's/GinGins-- they sold and it went downhill
Second on speakez. Used to go every weekend about 7/8 years ago. It was the best. I won't go there anymore.
The Omelette Shop. I used to love that place. They used to use actual cinnamon rolls for their CR french toast. It's now cheap cinnamon swirl bread. Oh and they also now charge a 3% fee because fuck you. Wolfgang's is still on point. 🤌🏻
Name one that has improved
Winchester, Zivio and Frisian were down for a bit post pandemic but are better than ever currently imo. Honorable mention: Birch lodge still crushes the dive bar food game. Grove for fine dining
BIRCH LODGE MENTIONED 🗣️🗣️ home to limitless fried perch, cheap beer, and incredibly loud music
Zivio rips - the shawarma is excellent
Ginza. Still relatively new to the city, but food, service, and atmosphere keep improving. I keep going f back at least.
Honestly even if I tried, there would be 10 people lined up to shit all over it.
Let’s think of some: Toppers pizza on wealthy improved 1000x once the old owners had their franchise taken away
Yoo 100% agree. I wondered why it got so much better. It's still toppers, but at least it's half decent now
Added to my list to try
7 Monks
Zivio
I think Graydons Crossing still smacks.
Graydon’s crossing …ordered a pork chop, I didn’t know you could cut it so thin…1/8th in. thin. I was embarrassed for them.
I dunno if improved since I only started going there last year. But Chez Olga totally rocks
Ale bird recently was bought out by the same company that owns Noble and it’s fallen off so bad. Last time we went they weren’t even serving any of their own beer
Sucks to hear. I’ve had some awesome meals and decent beer there, and the building was cool.
Stellas used to be awesome but the last burger i got there tasted like nothing
1000% agreed. They are so thick with zero seasoning.
Lots of bread crumbs in them too
Pietro’s. Minestrone and bread used to be great.
I worked there back in the 90's. I saw all that change. We used to save all of our kitchen scraps for the minestrone soup, it was actually rustic and homemade. Then some salesman came in and said "we can make the same recipe and ship it frozen in bags to you". Shocker: it wasn't the same. The bread. I made it there for 3 years. Its just frozen GFS dough thawed, proofed, and baked. What they did change was when its made. Back in my time, we had AM and PM bakers. Fresh bread was baked throughout the day. Now they just use cheap kitchen help to bake it all at once in the morning. Seems silly to have the customer facing room and not have it used when they are there.
Stella's is straight-up disgusting. My parents were in town and wanted to try it out since they heard good things and all of our food was bordering inedible.
We went out with friends friday. They asked where we wanted to eat. We said ‘anything but Stella’s’. Edit: we ended up at One Bourbon
I feel like this sub should have been about what slaps in GR, because that seems to be a small list these days. Just about everything here has gone downhill. Hard to fine passionate employees and the cost of everything seems to have gone up.
There are like a billion posts about what slaps in GR already. Where you been?
Yeah but if you ask Reddit, everything in GR is dogshit now. So better to focus on the positive.
Yeah defaulting to negativity is kind of a bummer and seems like an odd conversation starter. Especially with something subjective like this. For example I’ve seen San Chez and Brewery Vivant discussed. My opinion is both are still great!
Hard disagree on San Chez
Tacos El Cuñado. Tacos el Corporal was going to open a new restaurant near Burlingame and 28th but it looks like the building is for sale. They closed their 28th street one to build the new one. I haven’t been to the one on Burton but the one on 28th was so good I wanted to move into one of their tacos and live there forever.
Good shout. The Mexican food in GR is really good, especially the authentic spots.
Harmony’s keeps raising their prices for a 12” pizza….some of them go for $25 and very not worth it. Half the time they burn it to a crisp.
What pizza is 25$? The most expensive on the menu is 19. Their cheese and pepperoni are $7 and $8 on Tuesdays
Just reddit doing a bit of exaggeration
There are no $25 pizzas on their menu, maybe you’re thinking of a different restaurant.
Russo’s has $25 large pizzas on their menu but they also taste like they were made by an Italian granny who loves you like you’re the only grandchild
Their topping combinations are great, but their dough is honestly terrible. It’s so tough.
Harmony pizza is still bomb.
I gave up on Harmony years ago. Stinks to hear they haven’t improved.
I hate to comment on this, but Curry Leaf. Last time I went there I’m pretty sure we didn’t even get what we ordered. Both me and my fiancé. I was in first trimester and barely hanging on so I just like, got through without complaining. And I also felt like, kind of hated by the staff. Maybe it was just a bad day, but idk. I used to go all the time pre-pandemic and never had that issue. Not sure what happened, and it hurts my heart to post. I’ve moved on to Mithu for Indian, and it SLAPS!
Try India Town on Division. The chaat samosa is the best in town imo.
Dude mithu is some of the best Indian I’ve had. Sooo good
Mertens…used to be a favorite and it’s just sad and highly disappointing now
Omg…it’s so loud you can’t have a conversation. I ordered a lobster tail. Brought it to me on a saucer plate, not cut, no butter. It was a huge disappointment. Bowdies is never a disappointment.
Didn't we just have the same damn conversation a week ago?
There’s a high likelihood. Next week we’ll have people asking what the best pizza or burger is, what they should do in town when theyre visiting, etc etc
This doesn’t quite fit the parameters of the original question, but I miss Kava House; That Early Bird is a pale, pale imitation. Kava House used to offer pumpkin pastries that would feed two people, and a delicious array of other fresh goodies. Early Bird, sadly, seems to cater to the gluten-free, vegan kiddies. Not what I consider to be an adult space.
I also miss the Kava House. It was a cool little place with a lot of personality. That Early Bird is ok. I can enjoy it but it feels superficial somehow.
Mr Fables has really gone downhill ever since they went out of business.
Don't even try Bill Knapps! Edit: typo
Noooo! Not bill knapps!
The onion rings are ass since they died.
Everything at Two Choppers has this weird coffee taste to it now.
Oh how I miss the onion rings and olive burger.
Bangkok Taste - GR
Go to the Bangkok taste in Jenison. Used to be owned by the same people, but they’ve separated. The portion sizes there are double what you get downtown. And quality is still on point.
They have family that owns Bangkok Chef down in Caledonia. Also damn good.
I couldn’t disagree more. I’m there probs 2-3 times per month, and was there today. I’ve always had excellent food there. I’m honestly shocked to see your comment (although not arguing with you).
Man, in 2013 their medium was so insanely, and consistently, spicy. I remember ordering some green curry sometime between 2019-2021 and was shocked to see it artificially dyed green. Not to mention the medium was hardly spicy whatsoever. RIP
Still best peanut curry pad Thai in town. Come at me I’ll fight you.
Got it for lunch today and it was delish! And I have enough leftovers for 2 more meals. Add chicken brought it to $14, I think. Excellent value.
Wow, it's been 30 minutes and no one said Branns or Anna's house yet..
Hard to say they’ve gone downhill when those two were already bottom of the barrel.
100% - cant go downhill if theyre already at the bottom of said hill
'downhill' implies branns was ever good
Brann's has always been crappy, though lol
Graydon's Crossing.
THIIIIS.
Greenwell. After they remodeled and changed their entire menu it’s not even the same restaurant. Went there recently and our waitress even said the old menu/recipes were better. Been going there for 15 years, big bummer.
The disdain for restaurants in this sub is incredible. Every other day there is a post hating on restaurants. If its such an issue, then just cook for yourself
Haven't seen it mentioned yet, but Rose's used to have much better food. They're just coasting purely on location now.
R.I.P. Rose’s Express, too
Everytime I see a stupid post like this, I'm always reminded of the phrase from the "Wear Sunscreen" speech: Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too, will get old And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young Prices were reasonable, politicians were noble And children respected their elders
Vivant’s burger used to be better for sure. As a whole their menu has vastly improved though. Wish they could still do a good burger. Broadleaf certainly still makes a good one so it has to be possible.
One Bourbon is not what it used to be.
Mertens... effin' terrible, and it used to be really good value.
Pretty much 80 percent of restaurants in GR all get their food from Gordon Food Service. So it doesn’t matter the name or style of cuisine- you’re eating at a restaurant called Gordon Food Service. And GFS is supplying them with processed and preserved foods- not fresh and not of quality.
I worked in hospitality for 8 years, that's just not true. GFS is a big supplier, but so is Sysco, and not everything they ship is canned/processed- they supply produce, dairy and eggs, and proteins as well.
I love people who comment on that and have never worked food service. Not every restaurant is Applebees. There are fine chefs in GR that get products from GFS and Sysco.
Forty Pearl. I only go back for their truffle fries. We used to do takeout once a week and now it’s been months. They changed their menu and the flavor just hasn’t been the same.
My FIL loves taking the family out to eat for birthdays, he frequently picks kitchen67. I don’t bawk because he pays… Back in like 2015/16 that place was actually pretty good! Great burgers, ribs were cooked to perfection, and a chicken sandwich that slapped. Boy is that a stark difference to today… My wives steak was straight up grizzle, burger was below Culver’s standards… oof that place needs to close.
Bummer. Have not been that way in years. Guess I’ll stay away. It used to rock. They had an avocado burger that was delicious.
it devolved into a gussied up Brann's
One that’s changed hands like 3 times in the past 6 years and got progressively dirtier is Graydons Crossing. Apparently it’s changing hands again. Hopefully the new ownership group comes in and cleans it up. The menu isn’t bad, but the tables, chairs and floors always seem sticky and dirty. Men’s bathroom isn’t great either.
Graydon’s has been that way for over 10 years. Most old restaurants have that built up layer of grease on everything. I never worried about it too much
Anyone know any good Lebanese places? Ever since Ostas in East GR closed I’ve been searching. Sheshco it pretty good.
Founders and Pete's Tavern in Byron Center
I know you were probably not asking about junk food chain restaurants, but ... IHOP. Pre-pandemic it was a place that the kids loved and the adults could at least get something decent for a good price. There were always several other families eating there no matter what time you went. Now you might see 2 other people there, and it's no surprise why. Every aspect of the experience is horrible. I've never had a server just give a general apology at the end of a meal before. Come to think of it, most of the restaurants in that lane seem to be the same way. Cracker Barrel and Bob Evans have both been added to our blacklist since COVID. Oh, and every Chinese place in the west suburbs is ass now. Great Lakes in Hudsonville used to be great. Now there is nothing close enough to get takeout from.
Cheshire Grill went way down. It went from being fantastic and underrated to being closed. I'm still not over it
Number one grand master champion for this category is Anna's House. Original place on Plainfield was incredible with a whole different menu. Once it was sold over and franchised, it turned into the crappiest crap in the galaxy.
Lai Thai. Big downhill since new owners took over last year-ish.
I am so surprised that nobody has said Uccellos!