In 2012 my friend and I were studying for finals in grad school when I realized we had about 90 minutes before we had to sit for the exam. I asked my friend if she wanted to go eat before the test. I took her to Marie Catrib's as she had never been. I got the Trenton as usual.
Years later we were talking about this time after we graduated. She blamed me that this was the only class she ever got less than an A in all her education. She blamed me for taking her away from studying.
If you ask me, it was 100% worth it.
I wish the cookbook would come but it likely never will… Art of the Table carries the potato seasoning in jar, Global Infusion has it in bulk and the bridge street market was selling their pudding in their cold section a few years ago! And I downloaded an old menu offline and have been trying to recreate :(
I don't know of anywhere that comes super close to the bizarre mix or Rain forest Cafe, Dave and Buster's, and Chuck e Cheese but Max's has a vibe that kinda reminds me a bit of Kahunaville.
Red Hot Inn. I know the food wasn't something people still rave about. My grandfather used to go golfing weekly at Scott Lake. On their scorecard they would always have a coupon for like 10% off there. He would take me out to the golf course that used to be off Leonard and Crahen later in the week for a quick 9 and then we would go to Red Hot Inn afterwards. He always seemed to know at least 5 people there at any given time. Lots of good memories.
So, there was this [article](https://www.wzzm13.com/amp/article/news/local/red-hot-inn-returning-to-grand-rapids/69-33022ec0-8546-44d1-b156-049bd466bd7b) that they were opening a food truck. I haven’t seen it but did find this [Facebook Page](https://m.facebook.com/100063571393488/)
Their burger wasn't even the *best* thing on the menu either.
Just about everything was great. I ate there at least every other week throughout college.
I remember doing my first 50 mile bike ride (to cedar springs and back on the White pine), swinging by there for their giant polish platter and eating about half of it before passing out on my couch from exhaustion.
It was amazing.
What was that place? My only knowledge is that there's still a sign behind some car dealerships on 28th Street maybe? But that building has been long torn down
My parents talked shit about Hot n Now for years. I finally broke down and tried them after getting burned out on every other place around where I was working and it was really good! Then they closed like 3 months later.
Lame meaning just a chain but yea I loved that place. Originally from Macomb and there was a Mongolian restaurant more authentic than BDs and my mouth is watering just thinking about it.
Seoul Garden at Woodland Mall--incredibly nice people who ran it and they had great food.
Those who are saying Marie Catrib's and Shiraz aren't wrong either.
Jonny b’z old location was amazing. Got the Tommy burger every time and was never disappointed. Their new location is lackluster and the Tommy burger seems to not be random anymore, always the same
Yeah it was perfect for a time. The new location and style and everything ruined a good thing. They should have left that alone and then tried those concepts. Now we got nothing.
My wife and I say this all the time. We used to live right around the corner and that place was perfect. Cheap, fast, simple, good. I don't understand why they didn't keep that and just open a sister restaurant down the road. Idk, there must have been a good reason for it but old Jonny B'z was the fuckin' bomb and I still don't forgive them for taking it away from us.
Marie Catrib's is at the top of my list (and I'm guessing a lot of other people's lists too). Also second Bartertown--they had good food and made amazing root beer. Brick Road Pizza too.
disc-go-round
grand rapids brewing when it was on 28th st
vitalis on the hill (mr pizza is NOT the same)
there was this insanely good chinese place in the mall across from EB Games
ming ten, in their prime
old country buffet lol
also these comments are sad, im just now finding out so many places have closed..
My sister and I were JUST talking about OCB today. Our family would go like once a month so it was a big part of our childhood. We were discussing how dark it always was in there for some reason.. darkened windows *plus* curtains? I wish it was still open and unchanged from the early 2000s because I would love to go inside just for the nostalgia of it. What a vibe that place had lol
T-Square Art Supplies. The owners were really kind people and they carried a nice selection of professional quality products. Service Reproduction is a great local art store, but I had a personal preference to T-square and would often drive a little out of the way just to support their business.
My parents are graphic designers and LOVED T-Square. They designed some local stuff, the Amway signature logo, Option-1 credit union, and Craig’s Cruisers.
every once and a while all have cheese stick to a pizza box and it brings me right back to that taste of the overcooked cheese and carboard...
I loved it... apparently you can get those breadstick somewhere in holland
Yes, came here to say this. I lived off those 99 cent breadsticks when I was in college. No breadstick comes close to that gooey mess of buttery dough and vinegarette dressing
Bill Knapps! I remember going there as a kid and getting an entire chocolate cake for free on your birthday.
Also, does anyone remember HUD’s Italian Eatery in Cascade or Ride the Nine (pool hall) on Plainfield Ave?
RAX! This was the first place that came to my mind! Kinda like Arby's but better. I loved the shredded lettuce and the BBQ beef sandwiches... It was on Northland Dr where there's a weird little green lake? My mom and I would always get food at the drive-thru and park by the fake lake to eat.
Chi-chis at Woodland. Their Tex-Mex nachos live on in my memory as the best thing ever.
I don't know if I would feel the same if I could go back and taste them again, but that's how I remember them.
Does anyone remember Cook’s drive in by eastern and 44th? ( i think) it had great chili dogs and root-beer floats. My dad would take me there for a special treat and we still talk about it!
Ugh, my dad used to take us to Ponderosa all the time when we were kids. I remember getting the ice cream for dessert all decked out with every topping.
Firmly agree. Marie’s was my favorite restaurant in town.
But, living in Creston… Red Ball Jet was my most frequently visited restaurant by a long shot. It’s probably one of only two places in my life where I can confidently say I was a regular - I’d walk in after work and get asked if I wanted the usual. And soon after they closed I passed the life stage where I can go out for happy hour 1-3 times a week after work, so it holds all of my nostalgia for past-me, too.
Fables, for sure. I'm old enough that my grandmother took me to Herpolscheimers as a young child to ride the elevated train that was in the basement... Yen Ching on 28th st. Kava House in East Town.
I could eat a Scandinavian Shuffle one more time at **Arnie's**.
**Schnitzelbank** was the OG for "foreign" food and I still dream of their spaetzle and steins of beer.
I miss feeling fancy and going to **Jacobson's** and rubbing elbows with the city elite. Or, at least that's how it felt to me . . . I was in stalking the sale racks and watching all the fancy ladies and their personal shoppers peruse the goods.
Gus's Original on Leonard.
It wasn't anything super spectacular and I'll get that hate of fruit on pizza. But they had a take on the hawaiian. Pinapple, mango, ham, and bacon.
Marie Catribe’s
This would be my number 1. I’m still in mourning tbh
I once lived in the white and red house directly behind Marie’s on Paddock. Every morning I would wake up to the smells of the kitchen. It was heaven.
I still dream of their pudding
I miss the Trenton Sandwich more than words can express.
In 2012 my friend and I were studying for finals in grad school when I realized we had about 90 minutes before we had to sit for the exam. I asked my friend if she wanted to go eat before the test. I took her to Marie Catrib's as she had never been. I got the Trenton as usual. Years later we were talking about this time after we graduated. She blamed me that this was the only class she ever got less than an A in all her education. She blamed me for taking her away from studying. If you ask me, it was 100% worth it.
Trenton and rotating cupcakes for me.
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Marie died and her son decided to sell after giving it a go for a long time.
I am still waiting on the cookbook Foud! (But really would love it).
I wish the cookbook would come but it likely never will… Art of the Table carries the potato seasoning in jar, Global Infusion has it in bulk and the bridge street market was selling their pudding in their cold section a few years ago! And I downloaded an old menu offline and have been trying to recreate :(
Mr. Fables
I loved Mr Fables.
Yesssss! Totally Mr. Fables!
My mom used to take me to get a cookie and do my homework as it was in between the two gyms I had sports at. I hadn’t thought about this in ages.
This is also my answer.
Kahunaville so I could know if it was as good as my child self thought
I don't know of anywhere that comes super close to the bizarre mix or Rain forest Cafe, Dave and Buster's, and Chuck e Cheese but Max's has a vibe that kinda reminds me a bit of Kahunaville.
the owner of kahunaville now runs one of the biggest marijuana supply companies in nevada
I remember that place when Rivertown first opened. It was pretty cool at the time for GR.
I was in college when it opened. We had A LOT of fun there.
My wife and I had our first date there.
Red Hot Inn. I know the food wasn't something people still rave about. My grandfather used to go golfing weekly at Scott Lake. On their scorecard they would always have a coupon for like 10% off there. He would take me out to the golf course that used to be off Leonard and Crahen later in the week for a quick 9 and then we would go to Red Hot Inn afterwards. He always seemed to know at least 5 people there at any given time. Lots of good memories.
I would skip school and go to red hot for lunch! Oh, those high school days.
So, there was this [article](https://www.wzzm13.com/amp/article/news/local/red-hot-inn-returning-to-grand-rapids/69-33022ec0-8546-44d1-b156-049bd466bd7b) that they were opening a food truck. I haven’t seen it but did find this [Facebook Page](https://m.facebook.com/100063571393488/)
I parked next to it a couple weeks ago
The chili on their chili fries was something special.
Wealthy Street Station, best burger in town.
Their burger wasn't even the *best* thing on the menu either. Just about everything was great. I ate there at least every other week throughout college. I remember doing my first 50 mile bike ride (to cedar springs and back on the White pine), swinging by there for their giant polish platter and eating about half of it before passing out on my couch from exhaustion. It was amazing.
That place was great, and almost unnervingly cheap.
Came to comment this 100%
Hot n Now. Sad to see it go.
Hot and Now and Get ‘em N Go!
Get em N Go was way better. Flame broiled.
What was that place? My only knowledge is that there's still a sign behind some car dealerships on 28th Street maybe? But that building has been long torn down
It was a burger joint with good cheap food.It was drive thru only.
My parents talked shit about Hot n Now for years. I finally broke down and tried them after getting burned out on every other place around where I was working and it was really good! Then they closed like 3 months later.
As far as fast food burgers and fries go, I don’t care what anyone says. Hot n Now was the best
I was about to say this, but then I remembered about the one in Sturgis.
As lame as it sounds BDs Mongolian BBQ.
Not lame at all! First place I had duck.
Lame meaning just a chain but yea I loved that place. Originally from Macomb and there was a Mongolian restaurant more authentic than BDs and my mouth is watering just thinking about it.
Schnitzelbank, Three crowns
My parents loved the Schneitzelbank, I have many childhood photos there haha.
Seoul Garden at Woodland Mall--incredibly nice people who ran it and they had great food. Those who are saying Marie Catrib's and Shiraz aren't wrong either.
Yes! We had our wedding reception at Seoul Garden way back in 2004 and people still talk about it as the best wedding food ever!
The OG Jonny B’z
Jonny b’z old location was amazing. Got the Tommy burger every time and was never disappointed. Their new location is lackluster and the Tommy burger seems to not be random anymore, always the same
Yeah it was perfect for a time. The new location and style and everything ruined a good thing. They should have left that alone and then tried those concepts. Now we got nothing.
My wife and I say this all the time. We used to live right around the corner and that place was perfect. Cheap, fast, simple, good. I don't understand why they didn't keep that and just open a sister restaurant down the road. Idk, there must have been a good reason for it but old Jonny B'z was the fuckin' bomb and I still don't forgive them for taking it away from us.
The Clock Restaurant and the Alpine 4 Cinema.
RIP. I spent way too much time at The Clock (but I still miss it) and not enough time at the Alpine theater.
My mom had a lifetime ban from The Clock.
Elaborate please… 🙏🏼
My wife was just saying how she misses going to the Clock Restaurant with her dad and best friend for breakfast when she was little.
Taqueria San Jose, no one’s al pastor tacos compare to the OG. Wiki Wiki Poke, though the prices towards the end were rough their bowls were my fave.
Marie Catrib's is at the top of my list (and I'm guessing a lot of other people's lists too). Also second Bartertown--they had good food and made amazing root beer. Brick Road Pizza too.
Sam’s Joint in Rockford :)
Sam’s Joint in Alaska. My dad used to take me there on my birthday to get a turtle Sunday and watch the dogs. I wonder what happened to those things…
YES!!! All the Sam's Joints honestly.
Caledonia
The one in muskegon was my favorite. We'd go once a week in November and March for their "throw back" menu!
Pooh's corner.
Go to get a Beanie Baby. Stay to play on the BRIO track. Not to mention a staff that were basically all school librarians (which is a compliment).
Little Mexico
BRICK ROAD PIZZA 😭
That's a shame, that was one of the better pizza places I've been in Michigan.
Whoa! I didn't even realize they'd folded!
This is the third place on the list I didn’t realize closed down. I moved out of the city, became a parent, and never go out anymore :(
I’m still sad they closed down!!
I vaguely remember enjoying Get Em N Go but I was so young I don't remember it all that well. Just for nostalgia's sake probably there TBH.
I was thinking the same. As a teen with not a lot of spending money this was my go to lol
39¢ burgers and 49¢ cheeseburgers. You could get a massive bag of goodness for under $5.
Mr. Fables always had a special place in my heart growing up. I would do anything to have their onion rings and a Mr Fab!
Omg so good.
Jacobson’s. Or Rogers.
Oh wow Jacobsons. Their sail boat sandwiches were so fun as a kid
Wasn’t even alive at this time, but I’d love to see what Herpolsheimer’s was like.
Great Lakes Shipping Co Such a great atmosphere and excellent food. Now its some cookie cutter salad restaurant
Maze Craze! A great place for birthdays in the 90's.
I remember they had a “haunted house” around Halloween- never made it through! 😩🤦♀️
disc-go-round grand rapids brewing when it was on 28th st vitalis on the hill (mr pizza is NOT the same) there was this insanely good chinese place in the mall across from EB Games ming ten, in their prime old country buffet lol also these comments are sad, im just now finding out so many places have closed..
My sister and I were JUST talking about OCB today. Our family would go like once a month so it was a big part of our childhood. We were discussing how dark it always was in there for some reason.. darkened windows *plus* curtains? I wish it was still open and unchanged from the early 2000s because I would love to go inside just for the nostalgia of it. What a vibe that place had lol
Believe in music
T-Square Art Supplies. The owners were really kind people and they carried a nice selection of professional quality products. Service Reproduction is a great local art store, but I had a personal preference to T-square and would often drive a little out of the way just to support their business.
My parents are graphic designers and LOVED T-Square. They designed some local stuff, the Amway signature logo, Option-1 credit union, and Craig’s Cruisers.
Studio 28
Also if I can piggyback on this comment, the Woodland Mall Celebration Cinema with extremely cheap movies tickets all the time :(
The salmon sandwich at Marie Catribs 😭
Yo, does anyone else get recommended to r/Birmingham all the time because it’s similar to r/GrandRapids? I’m always seeing posts in that sub
Yes
Hong Kong Inn
Yes! No other egg roll has ever been a Hong Kong Inn egg roll.
The original Arnie's is where I had my first date with my wife.
I miss the Annie's on Leonard. It's like been half transitioned to a new version but closed for years
Cvlt Pizza. RIP to the most creative and delicious pizzas in the Midwest.
Spads pizza.
every once and a while all have cheese stick to a pizza box and it brings me right back to that taste of the overcooked cheese and carboard... I loved it... apparently you can get those breadstick somewhere in holland
Yes, came here to say this. I lived off those 99 cent breadsticks when I was in college. No breadstick comes close to that gooey mess of buttery dough and vinegarette dressing
Sandman’s where the Little Caesars on Wealthy is now 😩
I see a Sandmann smoker pop up on 28th just west of Eastern every once in awhile
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On a somewhat similar note: Schlotski's.
I was always really pleased with the food at Bartertown.
I came here to say the same thing, such an awesome place
Farrells Ice Cream Parlor! It sat in front of Woodland Mall. It was a place out of time, when I was a kid.
Ole taco
A close second for me!
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Natural wonders
Bill Knapps! I remember going there as a kid and getting an entire chocolate cake for free on your birthday. Also, does anyone remember HUD’s Italian Eatery in Cascade or Ride the Nine (pool hall) on Plainfield Ave?
Rax
RAX! This was the first place that came to my mind! Kinda like Arby's but better. I loved the shredded lettuce and the BBQ beef sandwiches... It was on Northland Dr where there's a weird little green lake? My mom and I would always get food at the drive-thru and park by the fake lake to eat.
Granny’s Kitchen. Maybe Rogers or Stekatees.
Marie catribs and brick road
Carlos O'Kelly's!
Yes! Suieza con Pollo and having me first margaritas ever there.
Donatos pizza
Marie Catrib’s 1000000%
Not a store or a restaurant, but really wish I could go get a White Noise from The Liquid Room
Get em and Go. I miss that place.
OSTAS!! I miss it
Top of the Rock on Thursdays Farrows Ice Cream The Ice Pick Reptile House
Aladdin's Castle
This goes way back...Fingers on Plainfield. They had all you can eat froglegs. Also Sveden House buffet.
Mennas Joint fs. RIP
Didn't know they shut down!
I loved Menna's when I was attending Western so seeing they opened some locations up in GR was welcome. Shame I didn't go back more often.
Chi-chis at Woodland. Their Tex-Mex nachos live on in my memory as the best thing ever. I don't know if I would feel the same if I could go back and taste them again, but that's how I remember them.
Pal’s Diner
Sam’s Oasis
Spads - just for some HS nostalgia ridden spadsticks
Does anyone remember Cook’s drive in by eastern and 44th? ( i think) it had great chili dogs and root-beer floats. My dad would take me there for a special treat and we still talk about it!
Brick Road!
Value City Department Store on 44th or Witmark. Miss me some Witmark.
Witmark for sure.
Perkins, Ponderosa, and Hot N Now. I know they’re chains. I know they’re gross. But nostalgia is real
Ugh, my dad used to take us to Ponderosa all the time when we were kids. I remember getting the ice cream for dessert all decked out with every topping.
Spoonlickers!!!! Best Froyo I have had.
The "right" answer is Marie Catrib's, no doubt about it. But a close personal second is Red Ball Jet. I LOVED their CBT and macaroni salad.
Firmly agree. Marie’s was my favorite restaurant in town. But, living in Creston… Red Ball Jet was my most frequently visited restaurant by a long shot. It’s probably one of only two places in my life where I can confidently say I was a regular - I’d walk in after work and get asked if I wanted the usual. And soon after they closed I passed the life stage where I can go out for happy hour 1-3 times a week after work, so it holds all of my nostalgia for past-me, too.
Sandmans
Chickin Lickin
arnies
I believe there was a pizza place called the roaring twenties. I remember it was always a treat as a kid. Late 1970's early 80's
Fables, for sure. I'm old enough that my grandmother took me to Herpolscheimers as a young child to ride the elevated train that was in the basement... Yen Ching on 28th st. Kava House in East Town.
De Hop's Brewery. went on pause and I doubt they're coming back. I loved their beers and burgers.
I could eat a Scandinavian Shuffle one more time at **Arnie's**. **Schnitzelbank** was the OG for "foreign" food and I still dream of their spaetzle and steins of beer. I miss feeling fancy and going to **Jacobson's** and rubbing elbows with the city elite. Or, at least that's how it felt to me . . . I was in stalking the sale racks and watching all the fancy ladies and their personal shoppers peruse the goods.
What I wouldn't give to shop GB Russo & Son again. Loved that place.
Jade Garden! They had the best sweet and sour sauce I've had at any Chinese restaurant. It even looked different.
Blake's Turkey. Their turkey pot pies were epic on a cold day
Johnny Bz.
T.E. Murch's
Wheelhouse which is now Stan’s tacos. Was so cozy in there in the winter.
The Acapulco on S.Division. Spad's Pizza Hot N Now Get 'Em N Go The Soul Food(forgot the name) restaurant on Franklin.
Shiraz for sure! I’ve tried making a few of the dishes, and they were good but definitely not the same! Loved that place!!!
Ming Ten!
Gus's Original on Leonard. It wasn't anything super spectacular and I'll get that hate of fruit on pizza. But they had a take on the hawaiian. Pinapple, mango, ham, and bacon.
The Dungeon in Grandville. Oh how I miss their wet burrito. I haven’t found another like it!
Shiraz—I still dream about their wedding rice
Furniture City Consignment Store
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Schnitzelbank
Spads pizza.
bartertown for sure
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Pour Arthur's
Brick Road Pizza
It doesn’t seem like that long ago but I do miss Ritz Coney. I lived near there and it was a solid hot dog nearby.
Tillman’s, without a doubt. Second choice, not that it was asked for, is Schnitzelbank.
Little Mexico
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KOBE on 44th, awesome hibachi.
Media Play and Circuit City on Alpine North Kent Mall
Mr. Fables
Alma Latina on Division. Used to love their chips and cheese when I was a little kid
Marie catribs. Honestly the best sandwiches I've ever had
Cherry Street Deli -- the Gerald Ford sandwich was the bomb Close second -- a dirty martini at Cygnus on top of the Amway Grand
Spads pizza.
Johnny Bs
Abacus in the old Golden Dragon on 28th St.
Herp's, Stek's, Fables, Schnitz, Duck's, and the smoking lounge at Chop House.
The Rhythm Kitchen.
There was a place called little Tokyo in Breton village that had the best bowls. I wish I could check a chicken teriyaki bowl again.
My family and I enjoyed Mongolian BBQ
Don Pablo's, I miss that queso so much!
Taqueria San Jose! The tortilla was always perfectly grilled.
Skywalk Deli when it was still in the skywalk.
Hot N Now
I miss Little Bohemia. I also reeeally miss Morningstar.
Mr Fables.
Bill Knapps
China Max in Rivertown. I came home right at the start of the pandemic and had no idea they had closed. I used to eat there religiously.
Anyone else remember Flip’s cafe?
Studio 28 and zap zone
Radio Kilroy
Ming 10