Getting sick of the same old Maruchan ramen? Is the Rock feeling too familiar? Get out there and try something new this summer! Below I have chronicled my favorite food spots for any occasion, so walk, bike, Bird scooter, or drive on through the city of Big Rapids for some variety.
Breakfast/brunch
Three Girls Deli
Three Girls is an amazing breakfast and brunch restaurant. Their selection is vast, so everyone in your party can find something on the menu that will suit them.
They have everything from a standard breakfast combo plate to breakfast burritos, waffles, scramblers, and sandwiches. Name a breakfast item—they probably have it.
They also have a fantastic brunch menu with tasty wraps and sandwiches as well as in-store, handmade pretzels. But arguably one of the best additions to their menu are Italian sodas. They have 15 spectacular flavors that I just cannot get enough of. The only downside is that their iced coffee is mediocre at best. They also get an extra point for being on DoorDash and supporting DashPass.
Once you’re done with your meal, you can explore the rest of the building, which contains Artworks. Artworks is a combination art gallery, gift shop, and studio. Visitors are welcome to tour the gallery at no cost. A schedule for their classes and art installations can be found on their website, artworksinbigrapids.org.
Lunch
Fatty C’s Dog House
A new player in town tops my lunch picks for Big Rapids. Fatty C’s Dog House, which was opened last June by Ferris professor Dr. Kasey Thompson, serves polish sausages and hot dogs made up nearly 20 different ways. You can also get them made to order if the perfect combination isn’t already made for you.
Alongside these, they serve arguably the best fries in Big Rapids, which can be loaded with any and all of their dog toppings. Now, if we’re talking best french fries on DoorDash, no one has Fatty C’s beat.
The only concession to be made here is you must get your fill of Fatty C’s during the business week, as they are currently only open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Dinner
Gypsy Nickel Lounge
This is an all-around great place to eat. They have a concise menu that, in my opinion, allows them to put more effort and focus into each dish, and it shows in the quality and flavor. They have a nice atmosphere, although a little dark at times for menu reading, and they have a jukebox, which is always a plus in my book. Their sweet potato fries are divine, and the garlic aioli that they pair them with is just immaculate. Also, if you’re on the hunt for the best spin dip, rejoice, your search is over.
The only marks off I give here are for the lengthy wait times and the fact that they are not on DoorDash, however, those two issues practically explain each other away, so if you’ve got the time to stop by, definitely do so.
Sweets & treats
Toppings Frozen Yogurt
If you want variety, you’ve come to the right place. Here you can get anything from froyo, bubble tea, cheesecake, mochi, shakes, slushies, Italian sodas, lotus energy drinks, and much more. They also have a wide variety of flavors and toppings for each category, so everyone can find something they like. It’s also positioned right next to the Big Rapids roller rink, so if you play your cards right, you’ve got a whole afternoon of fun ahead of you.
Just pay attention to their hours of operation, as they are closed on Mondays and close at 7 p.m. on Sundays, instead of their usual 9:30 p.m.
Coffee
The Backroom Coffee
This gem of a coffee shop is in the same building as Toppings, and if you make your way to any of the places on this list, make this one of them. They have every drink type you would expect out of a typical coffee shop, with eight robust flavors. For those who are conscious of their sugar intake, five sugar-free flavors are offered as well.
Two things to note about this coffee shop. First, while they have eight great flavors to offer, they are fairly standard and don’t seem to ever rotate. While the core eight flavors are rock solid, some variety would be nice. Second, they have a $1 up-charge on dairy-free milk, just a bit higher than most local places. Finally, less of a gripe and more of a suggestion, it would be nice if they had some type of mobile ordering system, even if it was just the pickup option on DoorDash or GrubHub.