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Reviews

Recent reviews by Vik G.
Restaurant Name City
Rating
Wings Etc Mishawaka, IN
Excellent, excellent chicken wings. The best I've tried, anywhere. Really. I recommend the "TNT" flavor - it is HOT and FLAVORFUL. Dipped in bleu cheese, they are awesome. Wings are big and they're covered in plenty of sauce. The next step up in hotness is "suicide" - that one's a little too much for my tolerance. The point is, they're choices run the spectrum - so go for it.
Lunker's Edwardsburg, MI
You may laugh at this, but it actually took me several visits over several years to realize that Lunker’s is not an excellent restaurant. So you think I’m a slow learner? Well, the first time I went to Lunker’s (the actual name of the restaurant is the Angler’s Inn – Lunker’s is the name of the adjoining outdoor/sporting goods store), I ordered the frog legs. And...awe man! They were superb. Lightly battered, large and plump, and dipped in drawn batter, you would be challenged to find better frog legs anywhere. Well, over the course of my next several visits, I stuck with the frog legs, even though their menu had a wide variety of items that sounded very appetizing...so I still thought the place was excellent. In fact, I referred to it as my favorite restaurant, period. The atmosphere is nice, too, with the dining room being surrounded by large, clear fish tanks, to wet your appetite for lake fish, and equipped with artificial foliage made to look somewhat like Rainforest Café, albeit less sophisticated. Eventually, I tried some of the other items on the menu...blue gill, ostrich burger, game hen, etc. Well, the blue gill wasn’t too good. The ostrich burger, on another visit, was bland…next time I tried game hen; it was okay, but real average. And so on. So I eventually realized that other than the frog legs, nothing else at Lunker’s was really that good. And then to top it off, the last time I went there, the frog legs were a mere shadow of their former plumpness and size compared to when I first went there five years ago. Oh, don’t get me wrong…I’d still say it’s a good restaurant; portions are quite good, and the atmosphere is inviting, and even with their smaller size, the frog legs are still in a much better category than I’ve seen elsewhere. I’d still go there, now and then. It’s just that I can’t say it’s my absolute favorite. One last footnote, completely independent from everything stated above, and not a favorable one at that...a few years, ago, we took my parents there for dinner. My Dad asked for the fish to be prepared in a different way than how it was presented on the menu...the waitress replied that they couldn’t change it, and gave a somewhat convincing sounding reason as to why not. We didn’t have too much of a problem with that and accepted her answer. Recently, however, a friend told us that she took her parents to Lunker’s, and her father asked for the fish to be made a certain way, and the waitress was very pleasant and very accommodating, and the restaurant catered to their whims. This did not sit well with me at all...why could they not do that for my father? I do not appreciate double standards. Our friend said that the waitress thought her father was handsome. So I guess the waitresses at Lunker’s better find you or your father or husband handsome if you want superior service. And again, this little quip has nothing to do with my conclusions about the quality of the fare I discussed above.
Lunker's Edwardsburg, MI
You may laugh at this, but it actually took me several visits over several years to realize that Lunker’s is not an excellent restaurant. So you think I’m a slow learner? Well, the first time I went to Lunker’s (the actual name of the restaurant is the Angler’s Inn – Lunker’s is the name of the adjoining outdoor/sporting goods store), I ordered the frog legs. And….awe man! They were superb. Lightly battered, large and plump, and dipped in drawn butter, you would be challenged to find better frog legs anywhere. Well, over the course of my next several visits, I stuck with the frog legs, even though their menu had a wide variety of items that sounded very appetizing….so I still thought the place was excellent. In fact, I referred to it as my favorite restaurant, period. The atmosphere is nice, too, with the dining room being surrounded by large, clear fish tanks, to wet your appetite for lake fish, and equipped with artificial foliage made to look somewhat like Rainforest Café, albeit less sophisticated. Eventually, I tried some of the other items on the menu…blue gill, ostrich burger, game hen, etc. Well, the blue gill wasn’t too good. The ostrich burger, on another visit, was bland…next time I tried game hen; it was okay, but real average. And so on. So I eventually realized that other than the frog legs, nothing else at Lunker’s was really that good. And then to top it off, the last time I went there, the frog legs were a mere shadow of their former plumpness and size compared to when I first went there five years ago. Oh, don’t get me wrong…I’d still say it’s a good restaurant; portions are quite good, and the atmosphere is inviting, and even with their smaller size, the frog legs are still in a much better category than I’ve seen elsewhere. I’d still go there, now and then. It’s just that I can’t say it’s my absolute favorite. One last footnote, completely independent from everything stated above, and not a favorable one at that…..a few years, ago, we took my parents there for dinner. My Dad asked for the fish to be cooked in a different way than how it was presented on the menu…the waitress replied that they couldn’t change it, and gave a somewhat convincing sounding reason as to why not. We didn’t have too much of a problem with that and accepted her answer. Recently, however, a friend told us that she took her parents to Lunker’s, and her father asked for the fish to be made a certain way, and the waitress was very pleasant and very accommodating, and the restaurant catered to their whims. This did not sit well with me at all….why could they not do that for my father? I do not appreciate double standards. Our friend said that the waitress thought her father was handsome. So I guess the waitresses at Lunker’s better find you or your father or husband handsome if you want superior service. And again, this little quip has nothing to do with my conclusions about the quality of the fare I discussed above.
Jack Stack Barbecue Shawnee Mission, KS
Fantastic barbeque...simply the best I've tried anywhere. I'm from out of town, but the place of business that I visit when in Overland Park, KS always orders lunch from here for us. I can't comment about the restaurant itself as I've never been there, but the barbeque is great.
Doc Pierce's Mishawaka, IN
This is a good restaurant, with a somewhat cozy feel. The ambiance is dark, and looks Old English. A good place to dine with the family. The steak is very good. Seafood items are also on the menu. Same owner as the East Bank Emporium in Downtown South Bend, and the menu is exactly the same. Only the look and name of the restaurant are different.
Star of India Mishawaka, IN
This place is not a bad choice if you want to sample North Indian cuisine without paying a lot. The lunch buffet is inexpensive, and the dining room is fairly spacious. If you favor a dimly lit environment for that quasi-sophisticated feel, this restauarant offers a dark ambiance that is somewhat appealing in the evening hours. If you are visiting, please note that this is only one of three Indian restaurants in the South Bend/Mishawaka area. I personally favor Taj Indian Cuisine on McKinley a little more, but Star of India is not bad. An observation I've made is that Star tends to have a higher percentage of Indian guests, where as Taj clientele tend to be a little more diverse. This could be an indication that Taj Indian has a wider appeal, but Star of India may have some element that is more authentic. (Another factor could be that Star of India has an Indian store connected to it) That is an insight that may help you choose which place you go to according to where your taste is aligned. Star of India has an advantageous location, being right on Grape Road, a main shopping and dining corridor in our area.
Lunker's (angler's Inn) Edwardsburg, MI
You may laugh at this, but it actually took me several visits over several years to realize that Lunker’s is not an excellent restaurant. So you think I’m a slow learner? Well, the first time I went to Lunker’s (the actual name of the restaurant is the Angler’s Inn – Lunker’s is the name of the adjoining outdoor/sporting goods store), I ordered the frog legs. And...awe man! They were superb. Lightly battered, large and plump, and dipped in drawn batter, you would be challenged to find better frog legs anywhere. Well, over the course of my next several visits, I stuck with the frog legs, even though their menu had a wide variety of items that sounded very appetizing...so I still thought the place was excellent. In fact, I referred to it as my favorite restaurant, period. The atmosphere is nice, too, with the dining room being surrounded by large, clear fish tanks, to wet your appetite for lake fish, and equipped with artificial foliage made to look somewhat like Rainforest Café, albeit less sophisticated. Eventually, I tried some of the other items on the menu...blue gill, ostrich burger, game hen, etc. Well, the blue gill wasn’t too good. The ostrich burger, on another visit, was bland…next time I tried game hen; it was okay, but real average. And so on. So I eventually realized that other than the frog legs, nothing else at Lunker’s was really that good. And then to top it off, the last time I went there, the frog legs were a mere shadow of their former plumpness and size compared to when I first went there five years ago. Oh, don’t get me wrong…I’d still say it’s a good restaurant; portions are quite good, and the atmosphere is inviting, and even with their smaller size, the frog legs are still in a much better category than I’ve seen elsewhere. I’d still go there, now and then. It’s just that I can’t say it’s my absolute favorite. One last footnote, completely independent from everything stated above, and not a favorable one at that...a few years, ago, we took my parents there for dinner. My Dad asked for the fish to be prepared in a different way than how it was presented on the menu...the waitress replied that they couldn’t change it, and gave a somewhat convincing sounding reason as to why not. We didn’t have too much of a problem with that and accepted her answer. Recently, however, a friend told us that she took her parents to Lunker’s, and her father asked for the fish to be made a certain way, and the waitress was very pleasant and very accommodating, and the restaurant catered to their whims. This did not sit well with me at all...why could they not do that for my father? I do not appreciate double standards. Our friend said that the waitress thought her father was handsome. So I guess the waitresses at Lunker’s better find you or your father or husband handsome if you want superior service. And again, this little quip has nothing to do with my conclusions about the quality of the fare I discussed above.
Taj Indian Restaurant Mishawaka, IN
Of the three Indian restaurants in the South Bend/Mishawaka area, this one is my favorite. The cuisine is a cut above the other two, in my opinion, and the service is a little better and more professional than at its better known competitor on Grape Road. The dining room is not very large, but is well maintained, and has a somewhat elegant look. All of the chicken dishes are very good, and the Tandoori chicken tastes fresh. They also have a selection of Indian beers on the menu that you can try, which are quite good, and sport names reminiscent of the days of the British. The lunch buffet is inexpensive, and is a good choice. You won't leave hungry after trying a little bit of everything. My recommendation is to keep the afternoon open after having lunch there, however; you'll probably want to go home and take a nice long nap.
Hana Yori of Japan Mishawaka, IN
This is a nice place to go for a "change of pace". This is one of those Hibachi/Teppan Steak house (I'm not sure which is the technically correct name) restaurants, where they cook right at your table. They have an array of choices, including shrimp, scallops, steak, and chicken. True to being a Japanese restaurant, they also offer sushi on the menu. Hana Yori is a nice restaurant, but the main attraction is the show, in my opinion, rather than the cuisine. Our most recent visit was yesterday, for my wife's birthday, and my kid's enjoyed the fire on the "grill", especially the "onion volcano". Overall, we had a nice time. The grilled vegetables, shrimp, and scallops were certainly filling, but the taste was fairly average. The exceptional grilled hibachi flavor was somehow missing. Also, the sushi wasn't bad, but if you want sushi per se, Toyo Grill on Edison is a better choice. For $5.00 extra, they'll sing Happy Birthday for you in English and Japanese, do a candle ceremony with a Buddha, and offer two carved pineaple sections, and a picture. Ambiance is nice and can be lively. The little pedestrain bridge over the mini-pond to enter the dining room is a quaint touch. But please, if you're not the sociable sort or want more privacy, this is not the place for you. It is very likely you will be seated with another party around a common cooking area. It's not as fun for others when you have to sit with people who are unfriendly...if you don't want to sit with people who you don't know, please stay away. By the way, there is a separate bar where you can have drinks and only sushi, if you wish.
Bubba Gump Shrimp Company Chicago, IL
My aunt and uncle were visiting from India and my Mom was visiting from NJ. I was showing them Chicago and the Navy Pier and we went here as a secondary choice - but, am I glad we did! It was a hit! My uncle loved it! In particular, he loved the ambiance - he said "It looks like a place you'd see in a movie!" They loved the shrimp entree's. I ordered a 1 1/2 lb bucket of steamed peel & eat shrimp with Cajun spice, and it was excellent. The steaming partially splits the shrimp, making it even easier to take the shell off. You can order a 3/4 lb bucket, but get the larger size - even if you can't finish it, it tastes great cold a couple days later. Service was excellent. Waiter was outgoing and pleasant, and his manner suited the environment perfectly. Also, we went for dinner at around 8:00 PM on a weekday and there was no wait (but it was still a happening place!)
Bonefish Grill Mishawaka, IN
An update - just went there yesterday - the chicken marsala was pretty good, too. Slightly better than at Olive Garden, but not as good as at Carraba's. A slight hit was that they failed to seat us promptly for our 9:00 PM reservation - it ended up being 9:15. My aunt and uncle were visiting from India and they liked it - my uncle really enjoyed the scallops with the Pan Asian sauce.
The Cheesecake Factory Chicago, IL
They have absolutely the best grilled portabella sandwhich I've tried anywhere. The portabella mushroom is thick and robust with a good flavor. Took my aunt and uncle visiting from India and they loved it there. From the appetizers, the calamari was excellent, and the crab rangoon and salmon rolls were hits as well. Strawberry cheesecake of course, was excellent. Service was very, very good...the waiter was freindly and good humored in a way that suited the environment. Portions are large, so you get good value. We went for lunch on a weekday, and there was basically no wait. Great location, too...being at the base of the Hancock building, its a nice place for lunch after being up at the observatory.
Tippecanoe Place South Bend, IN
Located in an 1800's mansion formerly owned by the Studebaker's, the Sunday brunch is excellent, and not that expensive. It is buffet style and offers a good variety. Omelets are made to order - its worth waiting in line for one. It used to be better a few years ago when they offered a shrimp omelet - they stopped offering that - come on guys! After your brunch, take a tour of the house - it is interesting and the wood work is impressive. Make reservations, and one tip: If a member of your party has trouble walking up and down stairs, make sure you ask for a table on the first floor. The second floor seating is nice, but the buffet/food is all on the first floor.
King's Buffet Granger, IN
A few years ago, I would've said this is the best Chinese buffet I had seen anywhere. It has gone downhill over the years - our most recent couple trips there, it was noticeable that the taste wasn't as before. The place was closed down for several months on account of a fire. When it reopened, the place was redecorated (an imporvement), but cuisine isn't what it used to be. They still have a pretty good selection, though. One other tip - historically, I've found their fare tended to be better and fresher on Friday and Saturday nights compared to weeknights.
Toyo Japanese Restaurant Mishawaka, IN
This is the top sushi restaurant in the South Bend/Granger area, in my opinion. Best overall taste that I've seen...in fact it compares with the best anywhere that I've seen (better for example than the sushi at the Japanese restaurant in Epcot/Disney World). Casual atmoshpere. Formerly known as "Toyo Grill", been there several times, most recently for my son's birthday on August 10th. Right next to Bonefish Grill, its a smaller restaurant, so look carefully for it if you want to go there. Seaweed salad is excellent. Meals are great with Sapporro beer or plum wine. They have Korean selections also. Service friendly, but not very fast.
Bonefish Grill Mishawaka, IN
One of your better choices for quality seafood in the South Bend/Granger area. The fish is fresh and the Ahi Tuna sashimi on the appetizer selection is a top item. People tend to dress up a notch when they go here, giving you a little bit of a Chicago feel in Mishawaka (not coat and tie level, but slacks abd button down shirt or polo shirt, for example). Still kid friendly, though. One downside - their chef's haven't figured out how to do a good presentation. With all the nice decor, chic look, and fresh seafood, your plate looks really "blah" when it arrives. Food is good, they just don't present it well.
Barnaby's Mishawaka, IN
A good aroma of pizza strikes you as you walk in to this establishment. The pizza is freshly made, and the crust is formed into an appetizing-looking pie crust shape. After all the hype, however...the taste was very average. Fresh, but no character, nothing that made it stand out. This is a good place if you like a very casual atmoshphere and want "pizza and beer". More discriminating customers and/or those with high expectations of high quality pizza will be disappointed, however. Also, oddly, they only take cash or local checks.
Enchanted Oak Orlando, FL
Liked the atmosphere - dark but fun; relaxed and cozy ambiance. The bar at the far end provided a cozy and friendly feel. Food was average.
Pastamore Express At Citywalk Orlando, FL
Very poor management and regard for guest relations. The restaurant refused to honor a coupon for a free kids meal! We walked out! An establishment that would have customers walk out rather than accept a coupon? Very bad.