Grand Rapids

Silver Derby

816 burton st. se near the corner of eastern, 616 243-5777. this "dive bar" has a great atmosphere and amazing chili dogs.

The Beltline Bar

16 28th street at division avenue, 616 245-0494. mexican specialties, including their famous sauce-smothered "wet burrito". no, it's nowhere near the east beltline or the south beltline--way back when they opened, 28th was "the south beltline".

Rose's

550 lakeside drive se, on reeds lake. one of the many gilmore collection restaurants, this is arguably the most popular. it has a great view and many delicious, yet tasty, foods.

Charlie's Crab

63 market ave sw, 616 459-2500, (http://www.muer.com). some of the best seafood grand rapids has to offer in a refined setting overlooking the grand river.

The best Thai place to eat at, especially on a student budget. Most dishes are between $6-8

Twisted Rooster

A mid-range restaurant with a reasonably priced menu, the food is better than you might expect and the service is good for this genre 1600 E. Beltline Avenue NE,(616 301-8171) - fear the huge hot dog and enjoy the bison burger

Fantastic Mediterranean country cuisine. One of the best values in all of West Michigan. This is more like a place you'd find in New York or Chicago. Great wine and beer list. Open for lunch and dinner.

Marie Catrib

1001 lake dr. se on the corner of diamond and lake, 616 454-4020. fabulous sandwiches, soups, and some middle eastern dishes. amazing desserts try the sticky toffee.

A casual upscale restaurant open for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and our Famous Sunday Brunch. Currently featuring an all-you-can-eat crab leg buffet for $16.95 on Fridays and Prime Rib and Pasta on Saturdays for $16.95 $8-$40. edit

Yesterdog

1505 wealthy se, in the wedge between lake drive and wealthy street,616-336-0746. genuine early-20th-century memorabilia, genuine all-beef hotdogs, seemingly chaotic order-taking/filling procedure trust them: it works. a quirky local institution in the eastown neighborhood. if you want to pass for a regular, skip the "dog" when ordering: e.g. "two yester[dog]s, one cheddar[dog]". buy a t-shirt!

Gaia

209 diamond ave. se just south of cherry street, 616 454-6233. ample servings of delicious vegetarian food in the closest grand rapids gets to a bohemian atmosphere.

Wolfgang's

In East Grand Rapids 1530 Wealthy St SE, (616 454-5776), this is a breakfast restaurant where you must bring your appetite and expect long waits, particularly on the weekend, but it is worth it.