The Red Ball Jet Cafe. The Red Jet Cafe.

The Red Ball Jet Cafe.
1431 Plainfield Avenus. NE
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49505
Phone: 616-719-5500 but reservations not accepted.

In my continuing quest to find new and unique places, today my Publisher, my Wife, and I decided to go to "The Red Ball Jet Cafe." But that's what the sign says. Inside everything was "Red Jet Cafe" undoubtedly from fear of a law suit from the Red Ball Jet Sneakers company.

The menu featured appetizers, salads, entrees, breakfast all day, burgers, some Mexican, Pizza, sandwiches, soups (one of the soups today was a squash bisque that sounded great), and on and on. For some reason we all were in a breakfast mood so we all decided on the skillet stuff on the Breakfast page. My wife and my publisher both got the ribeye skillet and I opted for the Corned Beef Hash skillet.

The service was terrific, and no complaints there. When we got there, we had to sit at a counter waiting for a table. Two others walked in after us and they were 'entitled' kind of guys, and when a table began to clear they wanted it, but the staffer spoke up and said, "no, these people [us] get that." Very nice.

When our entrees arrived, they looked wonderful. Great presentation. Two poached eggs on the side over this exquisite potato and meat feast. Only mine wasn't so meaty. As in practically none.

My wife and my publisher went on an on about how much they enjoyed the ribeye and the bacon in their skillet entree, whereas I, accidentally stumbled on a piece of meat somewhere in the process of eating this.

So, unfortunately all I can report on here is the breakfast menu. My wife's and Publisher's skillet was tasty and wonderful. They loved it. My publisher inquired about the hours, because he wants to bring a date here.

I, however, felt shorted on the promise of corned beef. It never happened. What I got, potatoes and tomatoes, and spinach was good, but I would liked to have it been high-lighted by corned beef. But that's just me. The rest was delicious.

The Good: If you order the right thing, you're in for a pleasant surprise.

The Bad: Metered Parking all around. But a free lot close by, if you're willing to walk a hundred feet or so.....

The Ugly: They totally gypped me on my Corned Beef Hash. I am a firm believer that Corned Beef should actually have Corned Beef somewhere in the equation. So if that makes me a bad guy.....

OVERALL GRADE: B