G's Pizzeria
2775 South LaPeer Road
Lake Orion, Michigan 48360
This is a local Michigan chain, mostly on the east side of the state. I have gone here twice now both times at the location in Lake Orion. But they also have locations in Bay City, East Tawas, Houghton Lake, Oscoda, West Branch, and then ironically Kalkaska!
The inside of one of these places is a cliche. All the walls are covered in TVs, Keno is available, there is a bar, and an average menu. This looks like the inside of every Buffalo Wild Wings, Applebee's, and every other place that thinks it can call itself a sports bar by putting TVs all over and putting on ESPN. This format is completely tired and worn out.
So in my mind they have a lot to overcome. This might be unique and exciting in Kalkaska, but to the rest of us in the real world, it's lame.
I'm a sucker for ribs so I always opt for those. My friends always get the pizza and once, one guy got the Caesar's Salad (health nut!)
I got the ribs (they appear to be beef ribs but I'm not sure). Oddly to me, they only come with one side so if you're used to the "ribs-fries-slaw" usual like everywhere else, one has to adjust. I get the fries and wonder what the slaw is like. They come with, nowhere to put the bones oddly, and the bones have to be just shoved to the side of the plate. This is one of those little details that by supplying a little plate or pail, could easily make a visit more pleasant. But here's the good. The ribs are great. A nice sweet succulent sauce over nice simmered ribs is a thing of beauty. A half rack is plenty for me. With just a fork, they easily fall right of the bone and are tasty indeed. And even without the slaw, I got enough to eat. But many people might not.
My friend who got the Caesar's Salad had no complaints. But it was a Caesar's Salad. So nothing could go wrong anyway. It's mostly lettuce.
The Pizza looks.....well, pretty average. Nothing as exciting as Jet's, not as competitively priced as Little Caesar's, and not done as well as Pizza Hut. Mostly, it's like BC Pizza. It's okay, but I would only go there if I had to have pizza and it was the only place in town. It didn't get any complaints, and I had a piece for research reasons, and it was okay, but nothing to write home about.
So, bottom line: Go to this Pizzeria, but don't get the Pizza. Try their other menu items. They seem to be better at those.
The Good: Great ribs. Friendly, caring, attentive staff. Free Refills on non-alcoholic drinks. I got to hang with my pals Z, Rios, and Black.
The Bad: Tired worn out interior ideas, and average Pizza.
The Ugly: It's a long drive from where I live.
Grade: C
