The Post Bar

We have primarily focused on lower-end restaurants in terms of price in this blog. For a change of pace, I wanted to discuss The Post Bar, located at 213 Ann St. 

If you are looking for a restaurant/bar combination that not only has good food, but a dance floor with DJ's, The Post is definitely worth a look. The menu at The Post is not extensive, spanning only a single narrow page. Your choices boil down to about six appetizers, six sandwiches, and five main courses. While the selection is limited, the items that are on the menu are delicious. 

The nachos make an excellent appetizer choice for a group of about four. They come loaded with meat, guacamole, sour cream, salsa, and peppers. Two people could share this appetizer for an entire lunch meal. 

The Post is known for having several drink specials throughout the week. An example of this is Ladies Night, which occurs every Wednesday. All non-top shelf drinks are half off for women.

The music at The Post is typically modern hip hop and other dance hits. Every now and then a classic from the 70s or 80s will make an appearance. Weekend nights see The Post transform into a club atmosphere with a crowded dance floor and loud music. 

For a slightly more upscale dining experience, or a swanky club experience late at night, be sure to check out The Post. Their entire menu, which includes drink specials, can be found HERE.

Insomnia Cookies

Although I stated my intention to avoid major chains in this blog, I felt that Insomnia Cookies was a notable exception. It is a unique institution that appears only on college campuses, which in a way makes it unique to Michigan State. In other words, you will not find an Insomnia Cookies just anywhere. They are few and far between.

When I arrived at Michigan State, I heard many reviews of Insomnia Cookies. Surprisingly, reviews were all over the place. Many people insisted these cookies were the best they had ever tried, while others contended that they were merely average. I felt compelled to finally try these cookies for the purpose of this blog.

I have some good news and some bad news.

Good News: The cookies were delicious, particularly the chocolate chunk and M&M variety.

Bad News: The cookies are a bit pricey. 

In rough economic times, not many people can afford to shell out $1/cookie, particularly when the cookies are relatively small. If the cookies were discounted in bulk orders, it would be a major plus. They are not. The fact is, a person will be paying over $20 with tax if they want 20 cookies. With the same amount of money, I have purchased enough ingredients to make at least 100 similarly sized cookies. 

This is not to say that the cookies are outrageously priced. They would be well served to lower the prices by about 15 or 20 cents per cookie. 

(For detailed pricing and other information, you can reach their website HERE)

I found the cookies to be worth the price for a one-time deal, though I admit I am hesitant to return frequently given the expense. The cookies are baked when ordered, giving a genuine freshness that is difficult to find anywhere else without making them yourself. I was very pleased with the taste.

If you have the means, feel free to stop by Insomnia Cookies at the corner of Grand River Ave. and Bailey St. If you can afford a dent in your wallet or purse, you won't regret the trip.

The Peanut Barrel

Our focus shifts to the Peanut Barrel, located on Grand River between Bailey St. and M.A.C. The restaurant and bar has been a staple of the East Lansing community for three decades. It is avery popular alumni hangout that tends to feature an older crowd on the weekends of a special event. Patrons of the Peanut Barrel love the place because it is an escape from the loud atmosphere present at many other local bars.

The Peanut Barrel features several televisions, a pool table, and a handful of class arcade games. They are known for their large, juicy hamburgers that have attracted customers for decades. The "Rodeo Burger", containing cheese and bacon, is considered the most popular of hamburger choices at the restaurant. It is the most expensive hamburger on the menu, but at a price of $4.75, it is very reasonable on a relative scale.

On weekends of big Spartan athletic events, The Peanut Barrel draws a significant pre and post game crowd. Although some people choose to watch games there, it is not considered an ideal viewing place for a game in comparison to a restaurant like Buffalo Wild Wings. It is common for The Peanut Barrel to become heavily crowded about half an hour after the conclusion of any athletic event. 

Between the juicy burger and similarly priced wraps (try the Italian), there are plenty of delicious and affordable options on this menu. The bar has every type of liquor the average person could desire, and the beer list is extensive with no fewer than 30 varieties offered at any given time. I recommend The Peanut Barrel if you are interested in a calmer, relaxed setting and affordable bar food. 

CHECK OUT THE PEANUT BARREL'S WEBSITE

Crunchy's

A staple of East Lansing for three decades, Crunchy's has the self-declared "Best Burger in Town". Located at 254 W Grand River Ave., Crunchy's provides a nearby location for East Lansing residents to take in a game, enjoy a beer, and play darts. It is in a way the antithesis of Buffalo Wild Wings, which represents a more modern sports bar. Crunchy's proudly presents itself as an old school bar. It tends to attract more alumni than current students, though a steady mix is common.

Although sports bars declaring their burger the best are a dime a dozen, Crunchy's makes the statement with a certain level of credibility. The standard cheeseburger is reasonably priced at $2.99 and is the best I have tried thus far in town. Only The Peanut Barrel, which we have covered already, can hold a candle to the Crunchy's burger. 

The menu at Crunchy's is surprisingly diverse for such an old fashioned style sports bar. They have an entire Mexican portion of the menu that produces quesadillas and enchiladas among other options. Although I have not tried everything on this alternative menu, the dishes that I have tried were surprisingly good. Crunchy's has one of the largest, diverse menus I have ever come across at a sports bar. The menu makes many return trips necessary, although my ultimate recommendation is the sucker's choice: a delicious, $3 cheeseburger. 

Try Crunchy's for an old fashioned bar night, great burgers, and a cheap bill when you leave. 

Wing Zone

Chicken wings and college. The two go hand in hand. For years before the commercialization and spread of Buffalo Wild Wings, students have enjoyed buffalo style chicken wings. In East Lansing, there are a variety of nearby options to indulge in a wing craving. While many will flock to Buffalo Wild Wings to get their fix, in my opinion there is a better show in town.

Wing Zone, located at 340 Morgan Lane., has a product that can easily rival the taste and texture of a wing from Buffalo Wild Wings. Although it does not have the name recognition and built-in reputation as the major chain that serves as its competition, Wing Zone provides a more tender and affordable wing. Factor in a wider variety of sauces, and it is clear that Buffalo Wild Wings is not the only show in town.

When comparing atmosphere, the major chain known affectionately as "B Dubs" cannot be matched. A full bar complements a sports lover's dream. Televisions of all sizes fill the restaurant, classic arcade games and pool tables are available for use in the back corner. If one wishes to plop down with friends and watch a game, I would recommend Buffalo Wild Wings.

If we are to focus strictly on the food product itself, Wing Zone is the superior option. They offer a whopping 25 sauces, a far more diverse selection than the 14 sauces offered at Buffalo Wild Wings. The meat itself is noticeably more tender, to the point that the difference is easily distinguished by all that have tried both options. The price is slightly better as well; 10 wings at Wing Zone will cost $7.99. The same amount of money at Buffalo Wild Wings produces only 8 wings. 

The Lemon Pepper Supreme and Honey Teriyaki are two of the tastier sauces that Wing Zone produces that has no equivalent at Buffalo Wild Wings. 

For people interested in a change of pace in flavor that will save them a little money at the same time, Wing Zone is an excellent alternative. Their website contains a full menu and price list and can be found HERE.

Menna's "CT Dub" Pleases Many

Today we will focus on Menna's Joint, a very popular restaurant among the students of Michigan State University. The restaurant, which originated in East Lansing, offers "American style burritos". Their menu consists of a variety of burrito type wraps that, in my experience, cannot be found anyplace else.





One of the most popular menu items at Menna's is the "CT Dub". At the restaurant, all the wraps are known as "dubs". The "CT" stands for "Chicken Tender". I have tried several of the dubs, and the CT is my personal favorite. The wrap comes standard with chicken tenders, mozarella, lettuce, tomato, and your choice of dressing. Naturally, other ingredients are available for an additional fee.

The CT Dub is moderately priced at $6. There are better deals in town, but on a relative scale, the CT Dub is fairly priced. For me, it was quite filling. Another benefit is that Menna's delivers, which for a college student is a major bonus.

I would highly recommend the CT Dub as a relatively affordable and tasty meal for the typical college student.

Los Tres Amigos

Residents of East Lansing rejoiced when Los Tres Amigos came to town last summer. It marked the first genuine Mexican cuisine restaurant to make its way onto the main stretch of Grand River Ave. For a campus that frequents Taco Bell, a slightly higher grade Mexican restaurant was a welcome change. 

Los Tres Amigos is an excellent dining opportunity for a myriad of reasons. First, I can say that I have tried almost every single combination platter they provide (there are almost 30) and have never once been disappointed. The beef burritos are probably my personal favorite, and I would recommend the cheese sauce that comes optional. 

A great aspect of Los Tres Amigos is that the salsa is homemade at the restaurant. This makes for not only a fresh tasting salsa, but an ever changing salsa. My friends and I have noted that the salsa tastes a little different each time we visit. The fact that the chips and salsa come at the beginning of the meal and are included free of charge are major pluses. 

Los Tres Amigos is, shockingly, almost as affordable as Taco Bell. When you consider the portions received and the free chips and salsa, the two are comparable. I went with two friends to Los Tres Amigos about a week ago. We each ordered a combo, easily enough to satisfy more appetites. Along with our free chips and salsa, we purchased a margarita pitcher to share. So, what did three big meals and a pitcher cost us? The bill was around $15. With tip, we owed a little over $6 each... and that was to get stuffed and have a couple margaritas!

The restaurant features a full bar and several high definition televisions, making it a nice place to take in a game. I would definitely recommend the Los Tres Amigos experience. You can find an in-depth review of some of their menu items HERE.