Restaurants in Kentwood

Located downtown near the Grand River with the White Pine Trail leading to its back door, Mad Dogz invites guests to stroll, bike, or mash potato in and enjoy a menu boasting 19 gourmet hot dogs. A place where regulars are greeted by name, the friendly frankfurter maestros slather the all-beef or veggie dogs in chili and cheese and get adventurous under a pile of chili, peanut butter, pickles, and Fritos crumbles. All franks can be prepared extra fiery, as the bun-fillers turn up the heat to “insane,” “unstable,” or “psychotic”. During clement weather, Mad Dogz seats guests out on the patio to relish a juice box or iced tea along with views of squirrels playing kickball at Dwight Lydell Park across the street.

Chefs at Zen Asian Bistro and Sushi serve up Asian-fusion inspired dishes. Behind a full sushi bar, experienced chefs delicately bundle together sushi rolls of eel, cream cheese, veggies, and salmon. Asian-fusion entrees such as spicy mongolian beef stir-fried with green onion complement Western classics such as a rye-bread patty melt topped with swiss. As beer glasses click together, big-screen TVs overhead keep patrons updated on athletic events or the weatherman’s 70-minute-long attempt to pronounce “atmospheric.”

Brick walls and fireplaces surround the nautical-themed dining area of Great Lakes Shipping Co. Restaurant & Tavern. During warmer months, the casual steak and seafood house opens its large outdoor deck that allows diners to pair meals with the melodic tweets of nearby birds. Executive chef Thomas Verlin's menu showcases fresh lake catches such as breaded perch alongside oceanic fare such as Australian lobster and Alaskan king crab, often accented with simple sauces, pastas, and cue cards that let the entree speak for itself. Thomas also lassos hand-cut slices of prime rib, new york strip, and tenderloin fillets onto dinner plates and wrangles juicy burgers and sandwiches to satisfy lighter appetites.