Mission Barbecue

Mission BBQ
East Beltline across from Celebration Theater North
Grand Rapids, Michigan

I love BBQ. I have to say that right up front because I am prejudiced right from Jump Street. This was highly recommended so we were anxious to get here.

Right from the beginning we were put off. We have to stand in line and have to try to quickly read and ingest the menu. One gets confused and then right away you have to order. So you quickly settle on just any old thing.

As per the usual the sauce array is on the table and one can review while waiting for the food to arrive.

When the food arrived, I had ribs, my wife had chicken, it was totally....adequate. The sides were also wonderfully adequate. The sauces were what you would expect the usual fare. They were not bad, but usual.

This was a good meal. The portions were generous, and it was counter service so no complaints there.
But for us, it doesn't merit a special trip to Grand Rapids. Especially when we have better closer.

But if you are in the area and hankering for Barbecue, definitely give this a try.


Grade: B-

Zorba's
111 W. Portage Ave.
Sault St. Marie Michigan 49783




My wife was able to visit this establishment this summer and she was so enamored with the place that when we all had a chance to be there again last weekend I considered it a rare opportunity. She had gotten the number 2 when she was there before and was blown away. It was a gyro, and a Greek salad, and a Souvlaki.

So like sheep we all ordered the number 2. There were 5 of us. But before that we ordered that, we ordered a kind of sampler platter and I realized that the item that intrigued me on the menu I should have gone with. I should have went outside the box and ordered the Dolmades. But anyhow, we got our food and it was fantastic.

After the sampler platter stuff, I couldn't eat all of my number 2 but I got into it the next day. It was terrific food, spiced just enough, intriguing because I don't get exposed to Greek food enough. As mentioned there was a dish called Dolmades.  It was a marvelous rice and beef thing wrapped in a grape leaf and a lemonish sauce was poured on. This was wonderful. I wish I would have ordered it.

In reality I will probably never be here again, but if I am I'm going to get into it. If I lived there I would go everyday and know every item on the menu very well.

If you ever go up to see a ship go through the Locks, stop in just a little jaunt down the street to visit here. You won't regret it.

Grade: B+

see menu and hours online.