Visit Michigan: Grand Traverse Pie Company

Grand Traverse Pie Company was nearby our hotel in Michigan, so we decided to pick up a couple of pies one night for dessert.

Michigan ABC Crumb

Michigan ABC stands for Apples, Blueberries, and Cherries.

Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb

Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb

If you love crumb pies, you'll love these pies at Grand Traverse Pie Company.  I'm more of a cream pie gal (which they do offer), but I love that they use local fruit in these pies so we had to try the pies with the local fruit vs the cream pies.  The filling was luscious tart, while the crust and topping is so buttery and delish!

This Michigan chain of eateries sells a number of different pies as well as desserts, and is also a full-service restaurant.

Grand Traverse Pie Company
5303 S Westnedge Ave

Portage, MI 49002
(269) 903-4991

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Visit Detroit: Lafayette Coney Island

In the battle of the Coney Island Dog in Detroit is Lafayette Coney Island, which is located right next door to American Coney Island.

The menu is very small, with just a few offerings, and that is totally okay, because they know what they do best.

And that is the Coney Island Dog.

Topped with mustard, meat sauce, and onions, The Lafayette Coney Island Dog is simple, but satisfying (this turned out to be the favorite of the two places we visited). 

 

If you get a chance to visit Detroit to taste the Coney Island Dogs from the different eateries, I'd love to know which is your favorite! 

Lafayette Coney Island
118 W Lafayette Blvd

Detroit, MI 48226

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Visit Michigan: SweetING

We were in need of a restroom break and drink stop before heading back to Kalamazoo, so we stopped at Briarwood Mall, and found SweetING.

They offer all sorts of drinks - milk teas, smoothies, flavored green and black teas, and more.

You can also get the drinks with boba, whipped cream, cookies, jellies, and other add-ons.  

SweetING will definitely have a drink to quench your thirst or satisfy your sweet tooth.

SweetING
54 Briarwood Cir

Ann Arbor, MI 48108

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Visit Kalamazoo: Nonla Burger

We were looking for a fast casual spot for takeout, and Nonla Burger was fairly close to our hotel.  

This burger spot with Vietnamese influences turned out to be a great find - it was one of my favorite restaurants on the trip! 

N.B. Double with Bacon

Cheeseburger with Bacon

Crispy Chicken Sando

I had the Crispy Chicken Sando, which was enormous, and filled with housemade pickles.  It was so delicious, with tender and juicy meat, and a crispy coating.  I couldn't even finish it (that's how huge it was).

The Nonla Way Fries are a must - crispy fries topped with their signature Nonla sauce, cheese, onions, cilantro, and jalapenos.

Nonla Way Fries

Everyone loved their burgers, and I would highly recommend a visit if you're craving a great burger or chicken sandwich.

Online ordering available!

Nonla Burger

2103 S. Burdick St

Kalamazoo, MI 49001
(269) 443-2270

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Visit Michigan: Ray's Ice Cream

We made an ice cream stop at Ray's Ice Cream while in Michigan, where they offer an array of ice creams and huge servings! 

PB Cookies & Cream

Superman

Playdough

Strawberry Cheesecake

Chocolate

Serving sizes are enormous (all of the above are single scoops)!  They have so many flavors on any given day, and I was kind of overwhelmed by all of the choices.  But since I love Cookies & Cream, I got the PB Cookies & Cream.   It had a nice PB flavor with lots of chunks of cookies.  YUM!

Superman is a multi-colored fave that is popular in many states, some even claiming that it originated in Michigan.

Ray's Ice Cream was a lovely spot for ice cream and all sorts of sweet confections!

Ray's Ice Cream
4233 Coolidge Hwy

Royal Oak, MI 48073

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Visit Grand Rapids: Kitchen 67

We were searching for somewhere to eat lunch at in Grand Rapids, and one of the nearest spots with great reviews was Kitchen 67.

They offer a pretty extensive and varied menu, with salads, burgers, flatbreads, grilled items, and so much more.

Bird in Hand Chicken Sandwich

My eye was immediately drawn to the Bird in Hand Chicken Sandwich, and the note that it was voted #1 chicken sandwich to dry before you die by the Huffington Post (back in 2016).  Made with a Founders Reds Rye batter, and served with mayo and lettuce on a brioche bun, I thought the sandwich was good, but I've honestly had better.  It was a little on the dry side, but overall a pretty good sandwich (get it with truffle fries!).  

Hand-Battered Pickle Planks

I've had fried pickle chips and spears before, but this is the first time I had planks!  I thought some of the pickles were not coated in the batter very well, but the ones that were coated well tasted good.

Hangover Burger

The Hangover Burger is topped with applewood smoked bacon, aged cheddar, and a fried egg.  Steak dishes come with two sides and rolls (the rolls were accidentally forgotten).

Coleslaw and Whipped Sweet Potatoes

Basil Pesto Chicken Flatbread

Smothered Sirloin Steak

The Smothered Sirloin Steak is indeed smothered - with Swiss and American cheeses, caramelized onions, and mushrooms.  

The Sizzle Bowl

The Sizzle Bowl consists of noodles, chicken, peppers, and mushrooms, and you can add on other ingredients, like shrimp and egg, for extra.  

The food was good, and the service was excellent (minus the forgotten rolls).  We were very satisfied with our meal at Kitchen 67.

Kitchen 67 

1977 E Beltline Ave NE

Grand Rapids, MI 49525

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Visit Detroit: Buddy's Pizza

Buddy's Pizza is a must-visit in Michigan for Detroit-style pizza.  I first tried Detroit-style pizza at Pizza Mamo, and was immediately hooked, so I couldn't wait to try the original!

There are several Buddy's locations throughout Detroit.  We tried the one in Portage / Kalamazoo.

Minestrone Soup

Buddy Bread

BBQ Connant

Detroiter

Motown Museum

Cream Puff Sundae

Detroit-style Pizza is made using a special square pan and Wisconsin brick cheese that extends all the way to the edges.  The result is a crispy, yet chewy crust loaded with toppings.

The BBQ Connant is great if you love BBQ Chicken pizza -  Wisconsin brick cheese, grilled chicken, red onions, fresh cilantro, and Buddy’s BBQ sauce.

The Detroiter consisted of Wisconsin brick cheese, pepperoni, tomato basil sauce, Parmesan cheese, and Buddy’s Sicilian spice blend

The Motown Museum, my fave, was topped with a Motor City cheese blend, Old World pepperoni and bacon.  Simple ingredients, but so delish (and that cheesy crust!).

The signature pizzas come in 4 or 8 squares.  We made the mistake of ordering 3 pizzas in 8 squares each, which ended up to be way too much food.  Each square was pretty thick and huge, and very filling.  It did make for good leftovers for breakfast!

The Cream Puff Sundae is a signature dessert.  We only ordered one, and it turned out to be just enough.

For authentic Detroit-style pizza, be sure to visit Buddy's!

Buddy's Pizza
5314 S Westnedge Ave

Portage, MI 49002

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Visit Grand Rapids: Frosty Boy

Our obligatory ice cream stop while in Michigan was Frosty Boy, which has multiple locations throughout the state serving their popular soft serves and flurries.

Chocolate and Vanilla Twist

S'Mores Flurry

Brownie Flurry

Strawberry Cheesecake Hard Servie

I had the Chocolate and Vanilla Twist.  I'm not usually a soft-serve person (I love hard ice cream), but since Frosty Boy is known for their soft serve, I had to give it a try.

It sure was yummy (and melted very quickly in the Michigan heat)!

The menu at Frosty Boy is extensive - soft serve, hard serve, frozen bananas, sundaes, floats, popsicles - event pup treats!  A must-stop during ice cream weather!

Frosty Boy

1757 Plainfield Ave NE

Grand Rapids, MI 49505

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Visit Grand Rapids: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Spanning 158-acres in Grand Rapids Michigan, with a mission to promote "the enjoyment, understanding and appreciation of gardens, sculpture, the natural environment, and the arts," the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is a must-visit for all ages.  At this very family-friendly attraction, Fred's love of sculpture and Lena's (his wife) love for flowers is on display.

The Children's Garden offers fun sculptures, a playground, hiking paths, water play, story time, and several interactive stations challenging kids to find specific things.

The vibrant colors of the sculptures are so engaging!

Kid-Sense Garden Sculpture

Family of Wolves

It's easy for little ones to want to spend all day in the Children's Garden, but there is so much more to see all throughout the park.

It's pretty incredible to be able to walk through the park and find such mastery of art at nearly every turn.  It's like a treasure hunt!  Below are some favorites, and just a few of the many, many sculptures we saw.

Neuron

Eve

It was incredible to see Eve by master sculptor Auguste Rodin.

The American Horse

A fave of the fam was The American Horse by Nina Akamu.  Inspired by Leonard da Vinci's plans for a sculpture for the Duke of Milan, she recreated two monuments (the other is in Milan).  

Disk in the Form of a Desert Rose

Aria

Scarlatti

Scarlatti was a juxtaposition between nature and man-made; everchanging and fixed.

Ways to Say Goodbye

My favorite sculpture was Ways to Say Goodbye.  This new piece honors holocaust survivor, Henry Pestka, and the broken glass represents the Kristallnacht (Crystal Night). 

Of course the flora throughout the gardens is just as amazing as the sculptures, with a dazzling array of colors and features.  I'm always intrigued when I visit gardens in other parts of the world, as there are so many species that are uncommon in or you can't find at all in Hawai`i!

If you are limited on time, I highly recommend a tour on the tram.  You'll get to see so many sculptures while learning interesting tidbits at the same time.

The Richard & Helen DeVos Japanese Garden is an 8-acre garden designed by Hoichi Kurisu, and is so impressive!  I've been to Japan a few times, and this Japanese Garden was one of the most amazing I've seen outside of Japan!

There are a few exhibits indoors as well. We thought the Carnivorous Plants were quite cool!

Also on exhibit through October 23 is Yinka Shonibare CBE: Planets in My Head.  Such fascinating British-Nigerian-influenced artwork is on display!

You can spend an entire day at the Fredeirk Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park and still have more to discover.  I can imagine with each visit, you could pick up new sculptural details, find new flowers, and even form new observations or ideas about the meaning behind the various sculptures.

The openness of the park, unlike a typical museum, means people are much more spread out, and there are enormous sculptures.  You don't have to worry about other people cramming at a sculpture for photos, or constantly having your view blocked.

The Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is a great place to envelop yourself in nature while strolling through peaceful landscapes scattered with brilliant works of art.

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

1000 E Beltline Ave NE

Grand Rapids, MI 49525
(616) 957-1580

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