Biggby

Biggby
Various locations

www.biggby.com

The coffeehouse formerly known as Beaner’s started out in East Lansing.  The first Beaner’s opened was in a building that used to be an Arby’s on Grand River Avenue, just west of campus (look for the steer’s head in the tile floor).  This location is open 24 hours.  

You won’t see very many Starbucks stores in Lansing because Beaner’s/Biggby’s dominates the market.  Biggby’s seems to have a less formal atmosphere than Starbucks with cuter slogans and promotions and friendly, talkative staff.  Where Starbucks aims for an international, sophisticated feel, Biggby’s de-emphasizes the coffee itself and focuses on the flavored beans and sugary concoctions.  One example is the Butter Bear – a butterscotch-flavored latte with whipped cream, chunks of toffee, and a drizzling of caramel.  You won’t find your prize-winning pull of espresso here, but it’s a friendly place to grab a sweet latte.

Bonus points: free wireless internet (but there’s usually a fight for power outlets)

Welcome, Mid-Michigan Dining!

There are now three food blogs in the Lansing area (that I know of). This site, Lansing Food News, and now Mid-Michigan Dining.  Also, don’t forget about RestaurantDB.net – birthed in East Lansing (and a sponsor of my soccer team).  

Lansing has a great variety of eateries and it’s exciting to have more and more foodie bloggers.  I can’t possibly eat at and review every restaurant in town by myself!

Charlie Kang’s

Charlie Kang’s

127 E Grand River Ave, East Lansing, MI 48823
Phone: 517-332-4696
Hours: M-Thu 11:30-3:00 & 4:00-9:30, F-Sat 11:30-3:00 & 4:00-10:00, Sun 1:00-9:30

A Korean/Chinese restaurant with a “lodge” feel. The restaurant is owned by a Korean family, so I would trust the Korean food more. They serve Bibimbap in stone bowls along with pickled root vegetables and kimchi.

I used to hate Korean food. I used to live in Northern Virginia’s “Korea Town” but most of what I’d experienced was spicy blandness or soups containing a myriad of random sea creatures.  Not particularly appetizing. The Bibimbap I had at Kang’s, however, was spicy (thanks to copious amounts of pepper sauce) but wasn’t so bland. It’s a good, quick, hot meal that’s made interesting by the fact that it is cool ingredients cooked at your table within the hot bowl – be sure to stir it well!