GRDine

So after a grueling month and a half of boycotting the Dog Pit for not being served before close one evening, I decided I have too big of a weakness for chili dogs that the boycott could never last.  The Dog Pit on Monroe Center is now in good standings with GRDine.

Last week I was downtown for a meeting and when the meeting got out I just needed something quick and easy for dinner.  I considered the new Pita House next to the Dog Pit, but how could I resist eating unhealthy?  When I entered the Dog Pit, I was greeted by none other than who I had once referred to as Man-boy.  Let’s call him Keith (I don’t know his real name, but he deserves something other than Man-boy).  Keith wasn’t very busy and served me very well.  I went with a Junkyard Dog, and Frito Nachos…Fantastic!  It must have been my pent up guilt over the last little while I left Keith with a nice tip as an offering of my apology…Not like he’s seen this blog, but it made me feel a little better.

I’ve moved on.  I’ve forgotten the poor experience.  The previous experience has been masked by chili cheese Frito nachos.   We can all move on with the weight lifted off of our shoulders.  Go to Dog Pit!

-Jon Dodge

I find Chinese restaurants to be a very odd phenomenon.   Almost every Chinese restaurant I’ve ever been to in my life has consisted of the same menu, the same prices and the same décor.  If I wasn’t mistaken, they are all owned by a shell company in China that decided to “Americanize” a menu and take about 25% of share from quick serve restaurants.

Since starting GRDine I’ve eaten at 4 Chinese restaurants, but I have noticed there is never really anything special to say about any of them.  I love Chinese food, but it is all the same.  It would be a lie for me to tell you that XO on Monroe Center has better food or service than First Wok.  It’s all about proximity when it comes to this cuisine type.

I do have an interesting tip that many people probably have not tried.  Because most Chinese restaurants are westernized, the food is created for the American palate.  There are a handful of Chinese restaurants where you can request that the meal comes out Chinese style.  Some of the dishes are not going to have a Chinese counterpart, but your server can work with you.  Live on the edge and give it a try and let me know how it goes.

Here are some of the local Chinese restaurants I have tried:

First Wok – Old 28^th Street, Cascade

XO Asian Thai & Chinese Cuisine – Monroe Center

Shang Hai Ichiban Asian and Japanese Steakhouse – Broadmoor (The Japanese side is worth trying out.  I will review this at some point)

Great China Inn – Lake Michigan Dr.

What are your thoughts on Chinese dining in Grand Rapids? –JD