Charles H.'s Profile

I really really really want to like this place.   They have great food, with a good menu, at fair-for-Downtown-Lansing prices.

But the service is terrible.   Not just normal terrible, but terrible to the point that the waitstaff doesn't recognize you walked in the door long ago and instead takes the order from the table with the larger party next to you that just came in.   Today's wait time from when I came in and when I was greeted was more than 10 minutes.   By the time I ordered and got my food, 40 minutes had passed.  

I've been here about a dozen times, always thinking "it will be better next time".   And every time I go in there, it is the same.   Great food, terrible service.

This restaurant is new in Downtown Lansing, where Famous Taco used to be.

Main menu options are Panini's, Wraps, and Hotdogs.  They have 16 different kinds of hot dogs.    

I had the "Detroit Dog", which were $2.50 each.  Substituted Onion Rings in place of the potato chips for $0.95 more.  

Service was very speedy.   We were in-and-out in under a half hour.  

The only complaint I had was that the booths were very close together, and it was a tight squeeze to get into the seat.   The tables looked like they were spaced out more.  

Definitely will eat here again.

This is the third time I've been to Max & Erma's, and I have to say I really haven't been overly impressed on any of my visits.  

The environment is a little chaotic and noisy.   Wait staff are constantly running up and down the aisles, even when they aren't carrying food.  

On yesterday's visit, I ordered a cajun burger, medium well.   It arrived very rare.    When sending it back to the kitchen, they did offer a bowl of fries while I waited.   And they were relatively quick in returning with the correct burger.    

The burger itself was not spicy at all.  Mostly, I could only taste the pile of onions.    The fries were very good.  

Pricewise, I thought it was overpriced for the meal in this area.  $9 for a burger in Lansing (not counting the pop, etc) is on the high side.

I was very impressed with this cafe.   I ordered the stuffed french toast and coffee.   The coffee had a wonderful taste to it; Louise is right, it's probably the best coffee in town.    The french toast appeared to be made with homemade bread (I've never seen slices of bread so large or odd shaped at the store!).  

It's a small place, but they have a wonderful atmosphere and great friendly staff.     I arrived at 8:30 and it looked like I was the first person there.   The place quickly had other customers, and the staff seemed to know many of them by name.  

It is a little hard to find.   It's right next to Bancroft Flowers.  There is a door in this cafe that opens into the flower shop.  Around 9am, Bancroft's opened and the cafe filled with the smell of fresh flowers.   Very nice.

The only complaint I have is the price:  $7 for the stuffed french toast.   I recommend checking out their menu online at their website.

I've heard very good things about this restaurant, that the price is reasonable and that the food is tasty.  

Unfortunately, I cannot say this myself.   I've tried to eat there 3 times now, and every time I'm told that I need a reservation.  I've tried to call to make a reservation, but they must be extremely busy, because no one has ever answered the phone...

I would agree completely with Louise's statement of "Drink here, don't eat here".   I'm not a huge fan of their menu, and it is rather limited in selection.   That being said, I always enjoy the "Gratin of the Day", no matter what it is.   Get there early at lunch if you want it, because they only make so many and often run out quickly. The homemade apple sauce they serve with it is awesome as well!   Happy hour here has one of the best prices on wine and appetizers that I've seen around town,  

The atmosphere is pretty enjoyable, but perhaps a bit too dark.  The plush chairs upstairs are great for sitting with your drink and contemplating after a busy day.

After visiting the City Market this weekend, I was feeling a little hungry and couldn't decide where to stop for a meal.   Then I pulled up to the traffic light on the corner of Cedar and Michigan, and saw the Nuthouse across the street.   It had been quite a while since I had been there, so I gave it a try.  

Ordered the Burger Basket and an Oberon.   Service was very quick, even though the place was pretty well packed.  

My only complaints would be on parking and beer selection.  It was a bit of a hike in from the parking spot I finally found.   Was a little disapointed they didn't have a good selection of Michigan beers.

I have to disagree with the previous reviewer.   I really wasn't impressed with the food nor the service.  

The place was small, but packed (both inside, and the parking lot.  I ended up parking across the street at the gas station).    After a short wait for a table, they gave me one that was right in front of the door where everyone waiting for a table was gathering.  

10 minutes later, they brought me a menu.

40 minutes later, they came to take my order.   As this place has only 15 tables, and the waitress passed by me more than a dozen times, I could see no reason for the delay in placing the order.   If I weren't so hungry, I would have walked out.

5 minutes later, the food arrived.   I had ordered the Banana Nut Pancakes and the Home Fries.   The pancakes were good, but nothing to write home about (and not really worth $7.50 (for 3)).   The home fries weren't quite right,  but I'm not sure what it was that didn't seem right about them; the potatoes were a little hard ($3.50) .  

When the receipt came, it said $4.25, which I knew wasn't right.  I brought it up to the counter and told the cashier, and she said "that's OK, the computer has it right", which it did.