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

Lord of the Fries

I don't report on chain restaurants. When I started this blog I wanted to review the small independent spots that I had the pleasure or displeasure of dining at. But I am going to go outside of that sphere. It is because I once in a while I hear a statement that makes me absolutely cringe. And that is:

                 "One thing about McDonald's, they have the best fries."

This just makes my skin crawl. How can the one place that has absolutely, without a doubt, the worst fries on the market continually get people to perpetuate this myth? Maybe it all began back in the day when all chain fries were basically the same. And since McDonald's is far and away the industry leader they gained the aid of this myth. Because back in the day, there were no real stand-outs. But things have changed and they've been changed for a long time now. So for all of you brainless dimwits who have it burned into your brain that McDonald's have the best fries, let me give you a few examples of places that have way better fries. I mean, seriously this means everywhere else, but I'll give you dead palate zombies some other fries to check out.

STEAK AND SHAKE: A smaller version of the usual fry, reminiscent of Shoestring potatoes. Anyone remember those? Very Good. I toss them into their Chili.

BURGER KING: A few years ago Burger King made some slight change. It might be as simple as they changed the type of oil they fry in. Whatever they did, their fries are far superior to McDonald's.

WENDY'S: These are whole cut potato fries, meaning you will see part of the potato skin on the end of some. They are cut slightly larger, and have a much more authentic fry taste than McD's.

ARBY's: For years Arby's (you just have to know this place was started by someone whose initials were RB, and thus the name) anyway, Arby's for years have had some of the greatest fries around. Their renown Curley Fries are soft and tasty, and so much better than anything McDonald's could come up with.

LONG JOHN SILVER's: Great fish, great chicken, great hush puppies, and great fries. Much better than Mickey Dee's.

TEXAS ROAD HOUSE: Like any other steak restaurant, TRH offers potato wedges, or sometimes called "cottage fries." These are considerably better than the junk McD's can offer.

And finally, the very best:

FIVE GUYS, burgers and fries: These are truly the best fries in the business. The best, bar none. And I have asked myself why? Why are these fries one million miles above all others in the business? And finally it came to me. These are the only french fries of any chain that are never frozen. They have sacks of potatoes in the restaurant everyday, and every morning they chop them into fries and that is what they use all day. These are never frozen, which makes all the difference in taste. These are the best.

If you really think McDonald's have the best fries, try eating, ummm, let's see, ANYWHERE else sometime. You will be surprised. McDonald's fries are the worst in the business. Period.

I should also mention that in studies, when folks (maybe the guy who did the film "Super-Size Me") sit out all fast food out and film it in time lapse, all the burgers and other items grow mold and eventually fall apart and basically finally turn into granular sand, the McDonald's fries still look like they just came out of the frier. I have a theory. If mold won't eat something, maybe we shouldn't either.

The Middleton Diner

The Middleton Diner
125 N. Newton
Middleton, Michigan


Over the years, since I worked in a nearby town, I have come to this place many times. Recently my wife and I have occasionally ventured out there for dinner, as we did today, and it suddenly occurred to me...I've never reviewed this place!

And oh boy folks you need to know about this place!

On Michigan's M-57 one heads east from Greenville about 25 miles, through the town of Carson City, and on to the first intersection since Carson City with any kind of traffic light. One then turns left into the teensy-tiny burg of Middleton. Main Street consists of about 200 feet. On one side there is a grocery store, and on the other there is the Post Office and the Middleton Diner.

The Middleton Diner used to be kind of a rundown building with faded linoleum and aging paint on the walls, but this was all overlooked because of the food. But the place recently has had a complete overhaul and is really quite nice.

When going on a Sunday, as we did today, the only thing that used to be offered was the Buffet. Period. But today, she asked if we were going to get the buffet? As if we could get other menu items. But seriously, anyone who may ever be here....get the buffet. Just do it.

The buffet today featured it's premium product [as it always does], the best fried chicken you'll ever have, hear about, or read about. Everyone I've ever known who's had it says it's the best they've ever had. Today's buffet also included Ham, Roast Beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, biscuits, baked beans, candied yams, string beans, and a full salad bar which includes a wonderful pudding desert.

I have been here once when they were offering a deep fried pork chop that was the best pork chop I've ever had, and I've been around the block folks.

Friends, this food is what every Mom and Pop restaurant wishes they could put in front of you. As I've said, the chicken is the best you'll ever have, the potatoes are real and not from a box, the string beans are done to perfection, and if anything is running low, wait about 2 seconds because the refill is on it's way.

The Middleton Diner also features wonderful home-made pies, including my favorite Rhubarb. But honestly the graham-cracker vanilla pudding dessert on the salad bar is so good it's a tough choice.

The wait staff are gracious and friendly, and I cannot fathom better food anywhere. It is definitely worth the drive, sailboat ride, or plane trip from wherever you're at. Come to greasy spoon Mecca.

Grade: A++

Chef's Hand Specialties & Events

This chef is let's say, a little unique. He operates out of a streamline mobile home. Chris got tired of not "holding all the strings" and the lack of mobility. Of course he notes that being a "one-man-band" also means all clean up duties, and everything else that comes with being the main man.

We obviously got there at an optimum time. Because as soon as we were served, seriously, throngs arrived. It was a continuous huge line. But very efficiently dealt with I might add. These folks obviously have a rep and a huge following.

We had heard about this more than once from friends. Their Chicken Club is supposedly to die for. So my wife ordered that. I felt a little Asian and ordered the Two Eggrolls, and the Chicken Fried Rice.

You know it's good food when with every single bite my wife cries out "Oh Baby! She ordered the "Chicken Club" which is chunked chicken, bacon, raspberry mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, and onion all wrapped in a flour tortilla. This came with their infamous Sweet Potato Chips. These are truly wonderous.

My egg rolls were delicious. Everything that you would expect. Except he puts something in them that gives them a little "bite", to say in spicy terms. They, a husband and wife team, also included some Sweet and Sour sauce to dip them in. Exquisite.

My Chicken Fried Rice was unique to say the least. It was coconut rice, chunked chicken, broccoli, and other cool stuff that made it wonderful. It didn't come brown, as fried rice often does, and there's nothing wrong with that. I loved it, and I loved that this Chef is not afraid to step out of the norm and try a fresh approach. This stuff will make me want to crave it often.

The Chef, Chris, notes that he feels he's doing all he can for a wandering joint that serves it's food in a box and a plastic fork. Don't sell yourself short Chris. The utensils are meaningless. I would rather eat your food off plastic than many other restaurants offerings off the finest silver utensils. It ain't how it gets there, it's how it delivers.

This place spends a lot of summer days in front of the Mobile Audio place across from The Other Place on M-91 on the north side of Greenville. Please, please try some of this stuff before they take their act to Florida or wherever for the winter. You won't be disappointed.

The Good: A fresh approach on many levels. Great Food, with a great reputation.

The Bad: It's a little pricey for the portion.

The Ugly: Because they are mobile and move around they aren't always there when you want them to be.

Grade: A.

G's Pizzeria

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

Full Moon Bar-B-Que

Full Moon Bar-B-Que.
Around Bessemer which is around Bermingham, Alabama.

This is a local chain. And I have to be honest. This was near the end of this tour of the south. And I had eaten a LOT of Bar-B-Que. So, I knew that I had to be careful here, to be fair.

Penny went for the Chicken here, and I decided on some brisket. We both decided on the sweet sauce.

I enjoyed my entree very much. It came with fries, and not much else. Penny complained her entree was just so-so. It looked good, but sometimes looks can be deceiving. She complained that it was tough.

Overall, I liked this place and will go there again. I thought the atmosphere was nice and what I had was tasty, although honestly "cottage fries" are the same wherever you go..... and again, I was pretty bar-b-qued out at this point.

The Good: Tasty Brisket. A nice, modern, clean atmosphere. Employees that care.

The Bad: Penny's Chicken didn't do much for her.

The Ugly: Nothing much here. I will go there again.

Overall grade: B-

Bunyan's Bar-B-Q

Bunyan's Bar-B-Q is located in Florence, Alabama. We went there because we were touring the boyhood home of WC Handy (the Father of the Blues) and we asked a college student where there was a good place to eat in the area. Without batting an eye, he said "Bunyan's". He seemed enthused, so we couldn't wait to get there.

When we arrived the first thing one gets is that it is an entirely black establishment. That is so different in the South than the North. In the north we fall all over ourselves to show that we frequent black establishments. In the south, it's just natural life. We in Michigan have a lot to learn about race relations from Alabama.

Penny ordered the Bar-B-Q chicken and I went for the ribs. I opted for the "snack" -only 3 rib bones....(although I actually got four....man, I love the South).The atmosphere, got up and left sometime in the 70's, but we persevered. A lot of Penny's chicken was tough, and honestly only 2 of my 4 ribs were not tough. I wanted to love this place because of the counter gal, but hey, the food is the ultimate decider.

The parking is easy (wonder why?). Sadly, as much as I wanted to love this place, and the counter gal, this was a dud. When in Florence, do not listen to college students.

The Good: It was in Alabama.

The Bad: It wasn't that tasty.

The Ugly: Limited seating, and limited drink menu.....Coke products do truly suck.

Overall, pass on this one. Go to a chain. Sadly, Bunyan's doesn't deliver. Next to our room was a Applebee's. When you seriously consider Applebee's, others are making serious vocational errors....

Overall grade: D+