A bright and balanced butter chicken bowl

When I covered the opening of Lansing Shuffle in early 2023, I was wowed by its simple yet chic decor, variety of cuisine options and relatively low drink prices. I expected myself to return frequently to explore all the restaurants and check out the entertainment offerings, but, as someone who’s only been living in the area for a year and a half, I found myself patronizing various other new-to-me eateries instead.

Flash forward to last Saturday (July 20), when I found myself ravenous in downtown Lansing between a trip to Music Manor and a double feature at NCG. It was warm and sunny, and I knew Lansing Shuffle’s patio would provide an ideal space to enjoy the weather over a cold beverage while simultaneously satiating my hunger.

Once I arrived, my first task was selecting which restaurant to order from. Walking past the brightly colored storefronts, I noticed Yeti Kitchen had displays of its dishes on its counter, and the butter chicken bowl looked too good to pass up. For $15, if the portion size matched up to the display, I knew I was looking at a new go-to order.

Since each restaurant notifies you with a text when your food is ready, I made my way to the bar for a summery cocktail. The vodka-infused strawberry lemonade I ended up with was cool and refreshing, and I enjoyed sucking up the muddled strawberries at the bottom of the cup with my straw while I people-watched on the patio.

After picking up my food, the process of which was incredibly painless, I headed back out to the patio to dig in. The portion size did match the display, leaving me with way more food than I could consume in one sitting, but that’s what I was hoping for. The curry, loaded with large pieces of tender, flavorful chicken, was some of the best I’ve ever had. The sauce was rich and creamy as I expected, but there was a hint of lemongrass that brightened the overall flavor, a sensation I haven’t experienced from other butter chicken dishes. The spice level was mild, which was fine by me since the weather was already hot enough. The fresh slaw piled atop the rice provided some welcome freshness and crunchiness, and the rice itself was tender and aromatic.

I also ordered a side of plain naan, which was noticeably fresh and pillowy, with a smattering of crispy, browned bubbles on the surface. It was a bit sweeter than other naan I’ve had, but I’m not complaining. It was the perfect vehicle for my leftover sauce once I’d finished the chicken.

In my opinion, Lansing Shuffle is the perfect summer hangout spot. There’s bound to be a dish for even the pickiest of eaters, and when you’re finished with your meal, there’s plenty more to do, from soaking up the sun on the patio to playing a round of shuffleboard to besting your friends in a “Mario Kart” tournament on the free game consoles. While I would definitely recommend Yeti Kitchen, I’m excited to try all the other options when I make my return, which will definitely come sooner than last time.