Electric Cheetah: Guest Blogger Jennifer Luth
More hype than I have seen for a restaurant in a while, the Electric Cheetah was brought to my attention in 2008 by some eager folks in the Grand Rapids area, ready for an “enhancement” to the intersection of Diamond Ave. and Wealthy St. The Meanwhile, and few other neighborhood expansions began the re-invention of this eclectic intersection a few years back. Now sprinkled with a few more businesses eager to grow the area, this intersection is becoming its own little “East Hills, Center of the Universe.”
Regretfully, it has taken me until this summer to actually eat at this talked about, locally owned restaurant run by Cory DeMint, Owner/Executive Chef. He opened the doors in May 2009.
The Electric Cheetah took a means of expression that I was refreshed by. When I walked into the restaurant, I was surprised that it was as small as it is. Just a café, it seemed. Expecting a large, eccentric dining area with bizarre tables, chairs, menus etc. I was suddenly drawn to the large windows with spices growing in the sunlight. How unlike what I had imagined – Electric Cheetah, a name that provoked my imagination in an urban-safari sort of way. Thank goodness no one let me pick that theme.
With the spices growing inside next to our window-front table, it was easy to see that they use them for their locally grown menu items. I enjoyed the menu descriptions telling me where the food comes from – anything from fish to salad greens.
With no liquor license, (yet) I left the idea of my favorite micro brew behind. Even though happy hour could have caught my interest, I was instantly drawn to the idea of a cane sugar mandarin-lime soda. My mom and lunch partner in crime joined me on this dinner venture, and ordered a Sprecher Root Beer (great German brewery that also produces gourmet sodas in Milwaukee, WI).
After ten minutes or more of choosing only one dinner for myself, off of a menu that offered nothing but yummy, I began to have menu regret. Menu regret – which I consider to be the point where you start to worry if you ordered the thing you REALLY wanted or if you just made a mistake and should catch the servers attention again. I finally ordered the Egg Sandwich and hand cut Michigan Russet fries and my mom ordered the Sweet Pulled Pork sandwich and sweet potato fries. No mistakes here.
Many options including aoli were given as an alternative to ketchup for our fries (yeah! but you can still order the classic). The aoli was perfect for the incredibly tasty homemade fries.
When the food arrived, naturally we traded halves of our sandwiches and swapped fries. Overall, the Sweet Pulled Pork sandwich beat the Egg Sandwich, with its pineapple-jalopeno-sage salsa on top and tostonnes on the bottom. Sweet potato fries – a must at the Electric Cheetah! I will go back just for the sweet potato fries and Parmesan aoli – perfect match.
At the time we ordered our food, we also ordered the cookies off of the dessert menu. I had heard this was a must at the Electric Cheetah (mostly because they bake them fresh as you eat your dinner and serve them warm)! We could barely finish dinner when we remembered we had cookies on the way out. You will not be left going home hungry or unsatisfied from the Electric Cheetah. This new edition to the Diamond and Wealthy St. intersection is nothing but pleasant with their well-rounded menu and atmosphere.
Note: Interested in sharing your experiences at Grand Rapids local establishments? Just email me at jdodge@grdine.com and let me know where you would like to write about.
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Thanks for the great article Jennifer! I haven’t been to the Electric Cheetah, but the pictures speak for themselves. Can’t wait to give it a try.
Some of the best food in GR. Mos def in my top five, possibly top three.