Ask a number of Capitol insiders where they plan to dine again in-person and you’re going to get some great feedback.

Lobbying is a social business. In addition to all of the face-to-face and Zoom meetings, packing in early breakfast meetings, lunches between committee hearings and legislative session, or dinners at night to talk shop, are all done to maximize the limited time in our week and provide for a more relaxed atmosphere to catch up.  While Lansing isn’t known to be the culinary capital of the state, there are some great family-owned places that have carved out their own unique niche, atmosphere, and great food.

The restaurant in-dining restrictions has given us all time to reflect on the many places that we want to run to when it’s safe and we’re allowed.  While many families have tried to help do their part by ordering take-out, that’s not a sustainable business model for most business owners.  With that in mind, recent industry surveys show that a whopping one-in-three restaurants are likely to close permanently within the next six months.  It’s already a tough profit margin sector, so that statistic isn’t totally surprising, but it’s unfortunate and sad.  It’s also a call to action to support your favorite places in order to help them pull through this brutal period.

Over the past few days, I’ve inquired with colleagues, the elected class, staff, and clients on which spots in the Lansing area they can’t wait to patronize in-person.  The responses were widespread and provided great insight where you’ll find these Capitol insiders hanging out.

Capitol Insiders – Go-To Restaurants:

Coffee Shops:

• • Strange Matter on Michigan Ave.
  • Blue Owl Coffee – REO Town and East Lansing

For Breakfast:

• • Soup Spoon Café – This was the overwhelmingly popular top pick for breakfast. While it’s close to the Capitol, it’s just far enough away.  Also, have you tried their crab cakes benedict?
  • Fiddler on the Grand – Near the Lansing airport.
  • Fleetwood Diner
  • Good Truckin’ Diner – Also a hit for lunch.
  • Dimitri’s – On the west side of Lansing.

Lunch:

• • Kewpee’s – This downtown staple was the top pick for lunch.
  • Saddleback BBQ – Staffers go-to place.
  • Kelly’s Downtown – Popular at lunch and as a 5 p.m. watering hole.
  • Steakhouse Philly
  • Corey’s – This could make the dinner and after-hours list too. Definitely an old school hangout.
  • Harry’s Place
  • Alicia’s – A great Mexican restaurant by the airport. They also cater.
  • Haupei – A Korean restaurant that folks claim have the best dumplings.
  • El Azteco
  • Altu’s Ethiopian
  • Pablo’s Old Town

Dinner:

• • Bowdies – The top pick for dinner.
  • People’s Kitchen
  • Black Cat in East Lansing
  • Maru Sushi
  • Dusty’s Cellar
  • DeLuca’s
  • Naing Myuanmar – A favorite spot for many of the Lansing elected movers and shakers. I’m told that Mo and his wife (the owners) are a great American story, and the garlic chicken and tea leaves salad is a top recommendation.
  • Cugino’s – Especially for those on the west side of Lansing.

Pub Grub and After-Hours:

• • Dagwood’s – The top pick in this category.
  • Moriarty’s
  • Kelly’s Downtown – It’s all about Lynn.
  • Harrison Roadhouse
  • Crunchy’s
  • Zoobies/Cosmos
  • Frank’s Press Box
  • Reno’s

I hope you enjoy this post and are ready to place an order for lunch! Let us know what restaurants will be first on your list to visit in person in 2021.

Michigan Legislative Consultants is a bipartisan lobbying firm based in Lansing, Michigan. Our team of lobbyists and procurement specialists provide a wide range of services for some of the most respected companies in America. For more on MLC, visit www.mlcmi.com or connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.