Food finder

Cafes & Diners

RESTAURANT MEDITERAN DELI — This bright,casual deli is set up as a New York-style take-out, but there are about10 seats, if you want to sit by the window and watch the world go by.It offers fresh rotisserie chicken, pork and lamb, as well as freshsalads and wraps. 333 S. Washington Sq., Lansing. 11:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.(lunch), 4:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. (dinner) Monday-Friday, 4 p.m.-9 p.m.Saturday (dinner only). Closed Sundays. Deli side is open 10:30 a.m.-6p.m. Monday-Friday. (517) 372-1072. www.restaurantmediteran.com. TO,OM, $.

SAWYER’S GOURMET PANCAKE HOUSE —You may have had blueberry pancakes before — but how about mango?Sawyer’s is known for its all-natural, organic and local approach tofood, as well as for its diverse menu (which goes far beyond pancakes).608 W. Saginaw St., Lansing. 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 7 a.m.-8p.m. Thursday –Sunday. (517) 485-9410. OM, $$.

SOPHIA’S HOUSE OF PANCAKES —Pancakes and omelets fill the tables at Sophia’s, but a dinner menuincludes other favorites, such as stuffed chicken breast. 1010Charlevoix Drive, Grand Ledge. 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 7 a.m.-4p.m. Sunday. (517) 627-3222. TO, WiFi, $.

STATESIDE DELI AND GRILL — WhenSpencer Soka moved to mid-Michigan, he grew tired of driving all theway to his home city of Southfield for a good corned beef sandwich. Nowthe Stateside comes to East Lansing, featuring traditional Phillycheese steaks (with real Cheez Whiz!) and a deep-fryer with killeronion rings. 313 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.Monday-Thursday, Friday 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Noon-8 p.m. Sunday. (517)853-3033. Second location at 3552 Meridian Crossings, Okemos. 8 a.m.-8p.m. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. (517)853-1100. www.statesidedeli.com. TO, OM, $.

SOUP SPOON CAFÉ — Offeringgourmet meals for lunch or dinner, this café keeps customers coming fordishes like pan-seared Atlantic salmon drizzled with garlic-dill orhoney soy sauce. 1419 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday;7 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 7 a.m.-midnight Friday; 8a.m.-midnight Saturday; closed Sunday. 

 (517) 316-2377. www.soupspooncafe.com. OM, D, TO, WiFi, $

SPOTTED DOG CAFÉ — Menu favoritesat this downtown breakfast and lunch spot include the chicken salad andspicy Thai slaw with chicken. 221 S. Washington Square, Lansing. 9a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday; closed Saturday & Sunday. (517)485-7574. www.spotteddogcafe.com . TO, D, OM, P, $

SUGAR SHACK — A cupcakeconnoisseur’s paradise, Sugar Shack has nothing but sweets to make yourmouth sing: enormous and slightly less than enormous cupcakes,brownies, cookies, pies and more. 215 N. Clippert St., Lansing.  Summerhours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Sunday; School year: 11 a.m.-1 a.m.Sunday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. (517) 316-2009.  TO, D, OM, $.

TED DEE’S SANDWICH SHOP — Thisdowntown Lansing spot serves a variety of deli sandwiches andspecialties, like the chicken cheese panini. It also offers soups,fresh salads and desserts. Every Friday there is a pulled pork sandwichspecial. 119 S. Washington Square, Lansing. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.Monday-Friday; 11-2 Saturday closed Sunday. (517) 374-2784.www.ted-dees.com. TO, D (orders of $20 or more), OM, WiFi, $

THEIO’S — Serving breakfastaround the clock, Theio’s is also great place to grab a burger forlunch or satisfy a late-night craving. 2650 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing.Open 24 hours. (517) 487-3955. TO, P, WiFi, $

TONY’S — A lively restaurant nearthe Michigan State University campus that has something for everyone,with breakfast all day, lunch specialties, burgers and dinners, such asthe hot turkey sandwich. 350 Albert Ave., East Lansing. Summer hoursare 8 a.m.-4 p.m. 7 days a week; School year hours are 8 a.m.-8 p.m. 7days a week. (517) 332-5553. TO, WiFi $. 

ZEUS’S CONEY ISLAND — This eateryoffers Greek classics, like chicken kabobs marinated for 24 hours inlemon juice, olive oil and a blend of secret herbs. Plus Americanfavorites like walleye. 6525 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing. 7a.m. - 9p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday & Saturday. (517)272-7900. OM, TO, WIFI, $

Casual Dining

ALTU’S — Traditional Ethiopianfood served with specials, including the Friday special of spicyshredded beef with jalapenos and ginger served with Ethiopian bread,yellow cabbage and a house salad. 1312 Michigan Ave., East Lansing. 11a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; closed Sunday & Monday. (517)333-6295. www.EatAtAltus.com, OM, TO, P $

BAJA GRILLE — This family-ownedrestaurant in downtown Mason offers a wide range of options, from freshseafood and hamburgers to homemade soups and chili. 402 S. JeffersonSt., Mason. 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday; Closed Sunday. (517)244-1181. www.bajagrille.net. TO, $

BEST STEAK HOUSE — Low-costdining for meat lovers, serving steaks and sandwiches, including amodified Philly cheesesteak. 3020 E. Kalamazoo St., Lansing. 11 a.m.-9p.m. Monday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. (517) 337-2210. TO, RES,OM $$.

BLUE GILL GRILL — This eclecticrestaurant features a variety of fresh fish, including grouper, salmon,walleye, cod and bluegill made with a unique blend of spices in asecret family recipe. 1591 Lake Lansing Road, Haslett. 11 a.m.-2 a.m.Monday-Saturday; 12 p.m.-2 a.m. Sunday. (517) 339-4900.www.bluegillgrill.com. FB, TO, RES (eight or more), OM, WiFi, $$

THE BOARDROOM — A downtown watering hole for CEOs and average Joes.  Afull bar and to-go beer and wine attracts thirsty revelers, and a menuthat includes hand-pattied, char broiled burgers, served on GreatHarvest bread, brings the hungry.  107 E. Allegan, Lansing.  11a.m.-2 a.m. Monday-Wednesday, 11 a.m.-12 a.m. Thursday-Saturday; 4 p.m.-2 a.m.  (517) 316-2312.  TO, WiFi, P, FB, $.

BRUNCH HOUSE — Owner Leo Farhathas peppered his traditional breakfast house menu with dishes rooted inhis Lebanese heritage. Try “Leo’s house special,” which begins withseasoned beef, onions and pine nuts sauteed in a frying pan, thencombined with a couple of eggs. 1040 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing. 7a.m.-3 p.m. Monday- Friday, and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (517)484-1567 TO, WiFi, $ 

CLARA’S LANSING STATION — Thecozy atmosphere and first-rate service outclass the food at thisone-time railroad station. The novel-length menu offers a vast array ofoptions, including American fare, Tex-Mex, seafood, basket meals,sandwiches galore and much more. (Reviewed by Joe Torok in our June 15issue.) 637 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday;11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday & Saturday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. (517)372-7120. www.claras.com, OM, TO, FB, WiFi, P, RES $$-$$$

CONRAD’S COLLEGE TOWN GRILL —Featuring creative sandwiches such as the J.F.K. (with chicken,jalapenos, mozzarella and honey mustard) and a full slew of breakfastitems, burgers and (we swear, this is what the menu calls them)“Magical Munchies.” 101 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing. 4 p.m.-3a.m. Monday-Friday, noon-3 a.m. Saturday, noon-10 p.m. Sunday. (517)333-2723. www.conradsgrill.com. D, OM, $.

CORAL GABLES — Serving meals forgenerations, this family-style restaurant offers handmade desserts,homemade soups and a small menu of homemade Greek specialties. 2838 E.Grand River Ave., East Lansing. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday; 7 a.m.-10 p.m.Tuesday-Thursday; 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday; 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday; 8a.m.-9 pm. Sunday. (517) 337-1311. www.coralgablesrestaurant.com, WB,WiFi, FB, TO, OM, $$ 

DIMITRI’S — The former stalwartof downtown Lansing now serves Delta Township with a full dinner menualong with familiar Coney dogs, burgers and fries.  Also find full breakfasts and dinners like barbeque beef brisket and tilapia with lemon butter cream sauce.  6334 W. Saginaw, Lansing; Monday-Saturday 7 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m.-3 p.m.; (517) 323-6867; TO, $$

EL BURRITO — A cozy, authentic taqueria offering homemade Mexican cooking and baked goods.  Stopby early for a breakfast burrito, try a lunch special entrée that comeswith rice and beans, or fill a taco with marinated pork, beef tongue,chicken or a number of other meats.  5920S. Cedar St., Lansing. 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Monday-Tuesday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m.Wednesday; Friday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; Closed Sunday. (517)272-1665. TO, $$.

FISH & CHIPS — Serving fish,fries and more on Lansing east side for almost 40 years. Dine in orpull up to the drive-thru window for dinner on the go. 2418 E. MichiganAve., Lansing. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday.(517) 487-5774. TO, P, $

FORK IN THE ROAD ARTISAN DINER  —  ContemporaryAmerican cuisine with a local and organic focus and a menu thatcombines gourmet grilled cheese, "Ballin’ Ass Tacos," homemade meatloafand much more.  Menu adjustsby season. It’s a gift to this area’s dining scene, an early holidaypresent that will hopefully keep on giving for many years to come.(Reviewed by Joe Torok in our Nov. 9 issue.) 2010 W. Saginaw St.,Lansing. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday, closedMonday. (517) 580-3556. forkintheroaddiner.com. TO, OM, $$$ 

GENO’S PIZZERIA — Owner GenoAbbey has captured the essence of East Coast-style pie. The dough ismade fresh from scratch several times a day, the sauce is composed ofhand-crushed San Marzano tomatoes (considered the world’s best formaking sauces) flown in from Italy, and all vegetable toppings aregarden-fresh. . 208 S. Washington Sq., Lansing. 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m.Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, 11:30-9p.m. Saturday. ClosedSundays. (517) 580-7124. www.genospizzeria.com . OM, $$. 

GRACIE’S PLACE — A classy, cozyrestaurant in downtown Williamston offering customer favorites like theDancing Zorba vegetarian sandwich with grilled veggies, roastedeggplant, zucchini, portabella mushrooms and baby tomatoes on a wholewheat tortilla with roasted red pepper hummus. Now open for dinnerThursday-Saturday. (Reviewed by Joe Torok in our July 27 issue.) 151 S.Putnam St., Williamston. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.Tuesday-Wednesday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; closed Sunday.(517) 655-1100. www.graciesplacebistro.com BW, TO, RES, P, WiFi, $$

HARRY’S PLACE — A bar and grill with Greek roots.  Try the Greek chicken—a half chicken roasted in lemon oil sauce and doused with Mediteranean herbs.  404 N. Verlinden Ave., Lansing.  10 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Monday- Saturday, closed Sunday.  (517) 484-9661.  TO, FB, $.

JOSE’S CUBAN SANDWICH & DELI —Hearty sandwiches are heated up in a plancha — a flat grill press — atthis inconspicuous eatery that’s well worth discovering. Try themedianoche (“midnight”), with roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese andonion, or the brie chicken, augmented with onion, cilantro andguacamole.  Two locations. 401 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing. 11 a.m.- 10 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-8 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday.  2315 E. Grand River Ave., Lansing. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-3 a.m. Thursday-Saturday, noon-8 p.m. Sunday.  (517) 862- 8420. TO, D, OM, $. 

LOGAN’S ROADHOUSE — This nationalchain specializes in ribs, steaks and burgers, but the menu is largeenough, with salads, lots of sides and a kid’s menu, for even finickyeaters to find a meal. Monday-Wednesday: two meals for $14.99. 5800 W.Saginaw Hwy., Lansing. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m.Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. (517) 327-4751.www.logansroadhouse.com WB, TO, FB, OM, $$.