Dining Out

Windmill outside Russ,' Holland, MI

One of our favorite places to eat around Grand Rapids Michigan is Russ.'  

According to the chain's website, it started because J. Russell Bouws' egg business was losing money.  In 1934, his dad bought a small building next to a gas station as a restaurant; the rent paid was providing lunch to the landowner every day.

The place started growing and became popular after the end of World War II.

When we first stopped in 2017 there were phones at the tables to place your order.  Post-COVID, the phones are gone but the home-made food is as good as ever.  It's not fancy but is very good.

On the way home we tried a new place we've seen elsewhere but hadn't tried, Cheddar's.

The sign outside says scratch kitchen which suggests your meal was made after it was ordered with fresh ingredients.

In Bolingbrook, IL

 Cheddars has only two locations in Wisconsin, neither near us.  Established in 1979 in Irving, Texas they have more than 170 restaurants in 28 states.

 The restaurant has an inviting interior but in a restaurant you come back because you like the food.  Before we ordered, a server came to our table with two warm honey butter croissants.  

 Oh my.  The croissants (already made with a lot of butter) were amazing and didn't show up on our bill.

 I ordered the Buttermilk Fried Chicken sandwich (lower right).  My wife went with their Monte Cristo (lower left).

Buttermilk fried chicken

The from scratch was immediately evident from the first bite and the french fries are top-shelf.

The Monte Cristo has smoked ham, turkey, and two cheeses ensconced within a fried bread roll.  It comes with raspberry preserves for dipping. 

My wife loved it.  The way it's made makes a difference.  Instead of two meats and cheeses sandwiched between two slices of bread, the fried bread around it gives it a mouth-feel which makes it next level good.

While scratch cooking also suggests it will take longer to prepare your meal, I was surprised how fast we had plates slid in front of us.

Monte Cristo. All photos by D Mossner 9/23/23

 After paying the bill there was a seven question survey; in the comments section I suggested they open a store in Madison.

 If you are watching your calories, you either have to take extreme precautions when ordering off the menu at places like Russ' or Cheddar's or plan visits only as a special treat.

 One of my favorite items at Russ' is their hamburger with a hand-scooped malt.  It's authentic style makes it great.

Enjoy both, maybe take some home.