Road trip from Chicago to Ann Arbor

[schaf1]

We're driving from Chicago to Ann Arbor & would appreciate suggestions for lunch along the way. Diners and scratch cooking preferred. No chains allowed!
As always, thanks for your help 'hounders.

[nsxtasy]

Kalamazoo is a good midpoint for stopping, and there are lots of recommendations in these discussions:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/372222
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/510379
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/541273

[schaf1]

nxtasy, thanks. Any places you suggest from personal experience?

[nsxtasy]

I don't have a lot of experience in Kzoo itself; several times I've enjoyed Bravo! which is right off the highway (across the street from the airport). If you're driving on a Sunday they do an excellent Sunday brunch. It is a chain, which you don't want to consider. www.bravokalamazoo.com

[Jim M]

It may be a small chain, but that was the first one. When I worked in K'zoo that was the place to go.

If you want to try something really different, hit Rasa Ria, a Malay restaurant, on W. Main. Cheap and good.

[schaf1]

I checked their website (thanks) & it doesn't appear they are the same organization as the Brio/Bravo folks out of Ohio. You are most helpful!

[shelleybell]

Bravo! is a locally owned restaurant (definately NOT a chain). It is co-owned by the Chef Shawn Hagen and his brother Terry. They have an excellent menu and a wonderful wood-fired oven. It is one of the best restaurants in Kalamazoo.

[jjo]

I've made the trip many times, and always time the trip to have lunch at:

Stop 50 Wood Fired Pizzeria
500 S. El Portal
Michiana Shores, IN 46360
219-879-8777

It's no more than 10 minutes off the highway, and it's top qualify pizza. It would be high up on my list even in Chicago. Call to check the hours as they are not always open during the off season.

[Kaelin]

jjo -- you and I must be doppelgangers; I made a nearly identical post on the Chicago board before I knew that this topic was in progress on the Midwest board!

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/619203

Stop 50 is wonderful.

[ferret]

Blue Plate in Union Pier is great for breakfast/lunch. Just north of the Indiana border.