[johnatl]

Hello all.

I'll be traveling between the Flint Airport and Grand Rapids later this week around lunch time, and am looking for little non-chain local places that anyone may know of.

Of course, traversing I-69 to I-96.

Thanks for any suggestions!

[michigan83]

Two suggestions that are really close to I-96:

Duke's Cajun Grill in Portland. If you take the Kent Street exit in Portland (exit 76) and go north, Duke's is at the end of the street to the left. It's a unique little place, right next to the river. There is a nice outdoor patio that you can sit on if the weather is nice.

Duke's Cajun Grill

Or, if you are looking for the typical burger joint/smoky bar, the Corner Landing Restaurant on M-66 is pretty good. It's only a half mile north from exit 67 on I-96, can't miss it, there's not much else there other than a truck stop.

There might be better places than these two, but you won't find anything much more convenient as far as easy off/easy on the freeway.

If you like Mexican food and don't mind driving 4 miles or so from the freeway, you could try Cancun Mexican Grill in Grand Ledge. Just go south from exit 86 on I-96 a few miles into town. After you go over the river in Grand Ledge, it's on the corner at the stoplight.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran..._Michigan.html

[johnatl]

Thanks so much, michigan83! This is exactly the great stuff I was looking for. I like all three of your suggestions, so thanks for giving us a choice.

I'll let you know where we went and how it was.

Thanks again.

[chiroptera]

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[johnatl]

michigan83 - Went with your suggestion of Cancun. Not only was the place great in every way, we fell in love with Grand Ledge! What a beautiful town & area.

All in all we had a great 5 day trip to Northern Kent County. Met friendly people everywhere we went. Came away totally impressed with Downtown Grand Rapids. We are very much looking forward to our next trip.

Thanks again, michigan83. If you ever find your way South, would love to return the favor some day.

Oh, and I totally fell in love with Meijer. I get it now!

[michigan83]

No problem! I think you chose the best of the three options that I came up with, even though it was a little further from the freeway.

I have yet to really get off the beaten path in the South, so I'll keep that in mind the next time I make it down there. I need to spend some time in the "real" South, and I'm sure you could help me figure out exactly how to find it.

One of the best things about this state is definitely our small towns... we have "Grand Ledges" all over the place! That is just one of many places that are cut from the same cloth.

Glad you enjoyed your trip!

[WheredoIlive?]

I wish the show Diners,Drive-ins and Dives would come to Michigan that would be pretty cool.

I think the best diner, where I have eaten the best food locally {this is too far off your beaten path}, is Rick's in Stevensville MI. They make the soup and pies from scratch and everything is up a couple notches and it's very economical.

[chiroptera]

Oh my gosh, I just noticed this!! I have no clue how that got posted but I'm going to blame the cat walking across the keyboard.
Sorry.

Originally Posted by chiroptera

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[michigan83]

Oh my gosh, I just noticed this!! I have no clue how that got posted but I'm going to blame the cat walking across the keyboard.
Sorry.


Quote:
Originally Posted by chiroptera
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LOL! I actually spent a minute trying to figure out what in the heck you were trying to say. What is this about? Am I being insulted? What do you have to say for yourself??!!

[chiroptera]

Sry.
I just noticed last night there was a little arrow icon thingie next to this thread indicating that I'd posted to it and I was like WTF...I read it but didn't post. It really must have been the cat, that's all I can think of!

Originally Posted by michigan83

LOL! I actually spent a minute trying to figure out what in the heck you were trying to say. What is this about? Am I being insulted? What do you have to say for yourself??!!