Budget-Friendly Restaurants in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Finding good food at good prices can be a challenge, especially when you're traveling and aren't familiar with the area. If you're in the Grand Rapids area of West Michigan, you don't need to worry about finding budget-friendly restaurants. There are several locally owned restaurants that offer great food at affordable prices. Some of the most popular family restaurants and cafes are listed below in alphabetical order. They are all smoke-free and have no dress code.

Arnie's Bakery & Restaurant

Arnie's is a local chain of bakery restaurants serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They offer dinner specials Monday through Thursday. Entrees come with your choice of soup or salad; the Riviera salad is a good choice, including strawberries (in season) or mandarin oranges, pecans, and greens. Arnie's is known for tortes, so be sure to check the dessert menu. If you'd rather have ice cream, try the decadent turtle sundae, which features butter pecan ice cream from a local creamery. It's definitely large enough to share! Arnie's also has baked goods, including party cakes, at the front counter. Several of their products are available in local supermarkets.

There are four restaurant locations and a bakery store. The Centerpointe Mall location, at 3561 28th Street SE in Grand Rapids, offers live piano music, but if you're interested, it's a good idea to call 616-956-7901 and confirm that the pianist is scheduled. The hours are 7:00 am-10:00 pm Monday through Thursday, 7:00 am-10:30 pm Friday, 8:00 am-10:30 pm Saturday, and 9:00 am-3:00 pm Sunday. Check their website for information about the other locations, online coupons, and a list of the daily specials. Your server can take your payment.

Cafe Connection

Cafe Connection offers delicious menu items and daily specials. If you're lucky enough to be there for the barbecue beef sandwich special, give it a try. The roast beef sandwich, a regular menu item, is also delicious; they use pot roast and cheddar on your choice of grilled bread. Sandwiches can be upgraded to combo meals; you'll lose the kettle chips but get a soft drink and your choice of brew fries or Yukon gold crinkle-cut fries. The breakfast menu is available all day, and entrees are served after 4:00 pm most days--the full menu is available all day on Sundays. The children's menu is very affordable, and on Wednesdays, kids' meals are free with the purchase of a qualifying adult entree. Cafe Connection also has a large dessert menu. When you're ready, your server will be your cashier at your table.

Cafe Connection is located at 7599 Clyde Park Avenue in Byron Center. Hours are 6:30 am-8:00 pm Monday through Friday, 6:30 am-3:00 pm Saturday, and 10:00 am-2:00 pm Sunday. For directions and additional information, check their website or call 616-878-9060.

Fricano's Pizza

Fricano's Pizza is a West Michigan original. Their thin-crust pizza comes in one size (12 inch) and has only five possible toppings: pepperoni, mushrooms, green peppers, Italian sausage, and anchovies. Fricano's believes that no other toppings are necessary; however, they do offer a few specialty pizzas with additional toppings. Pizzas are baked in a very hot pizza oven and cut into slices with scissors. If you like herbs sprinkled on top of your pizza, ask for extra "birdseed." Fricano's also offers salads and spaghetti. They serve Coke products but do not offer free refills; they also have a beer and wine menu. Don't leave without trying some of their famous oatmeal chocolate chip cookies; you'll find them next to the cashier.

There are currently five locations throughout West Michigan. The Comstock Park Fricano's, located at 5808 Alpine Avenue, is smoke-free. The hours are 4pm-10pm Monday through Thursday and 4pm-11pm Friday and Saturday. This location is closed on Sundays.

Red Geranium Cafe

Red Geranium Cafe is a local favorite for breakfast, and it shows; the wait on weekends can be long. They also serve light lunch fare and recently began serving dinner at the Kalamazoo Avenue location. Check the blackboard near the door for the daily specials. The egg dishes are popular choices, especially the hearty skillet dishes, but if you want something sweet, try some pancakes or the Belgian waffle topped with strawberries and whipped cream. When you're finished, you can pay the cashier.

Red Geranium Cafe is located at 6670 Kalamazoo Avenue SE in Kentwood. It is open 6:00 am-8:00 pm Monday through Saturday and 8:00 am-2:00 pm Sunday. An additional location is at 5751 Byron Center Avenue in Wyoming; phone 616-532-8888 for details.

Russ' Restaurants

Russ' Restaurants are a local chain of family restaurants serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The fried chicken dinner is popular, and it comes with two side dishes and a homemade roll. If your order includes your choice of sides, try the applesauce; it's chunky and homemade. The vegetable beef soup is also delicious; a cup counts as a side, or you can order a bowl. Russ' Restaurants also offer a variety of baked goods to take with you, located near the cashier's station. They even have drive-thru service.

There are thirteen Russ' Restaurants. Hours vary by location, but all are closed on Sundays. Check their website for locations and contact information.

Sources:

www.arniesrestaurants.com

www.cafe-connection.net

www.fricanospizza.com

www.russrestaurants.com