This Off-the-Beaten-Path Lansing Restaurant Is Off the Chain!

When it comes to Lansing restaurants, there's pretty much something for everybody. No matter what cuisine you're craving, you should be able to satisfy it somewhere in Michigan's capital city.

You ever get the craving for some good home cooking like your grandma used to do? I just found the perfect place to quench that craving - and it turns out it's been here for decades.

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Maybe you already knew about Gregory's Soul Food on N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Lansing? Why did you keep this secret from me?

Gregory's Soul Food in Lansing

I stumbled across an online menu for Gregory's, and it piqued my interest. Wanted to give their fried chicken a try, so I decided to stop in one Saturday to give it a shot.

Finding them was a slight challenge, as the restaurant's MLK Blvd. address is a bit misleading. The easiest entrance to Gregory's Soul Food is actually from the access road that links N. MLK Blvd. to N. Grand River Ave. (on the southeast side of that intersection).

The restaurant was closed for dine-in on this particular day for a private event, so I decided to come back the following Tuesday. So glad I did.

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The first thing that struck me about Gregory's Soul Food was the friendliness of the people. Not just the staff, but the customers as well. I was greeted warmly by both, even as a total stranger.

I must have pulled up an older edition of the restaurant's menu online, because I couldn't find the fried chicken dinner that had lured me there on its menu anymore.

I opted for the catfish dinner instead. Even though I'm a native Michigander, I was primarily raised down south and do enjoy some good Southern cooking now and again.

Good choice.

The catfish was cooked perfectly. Sometimes cooks add overpowering spices in the kitchen, thinking it's enhancing the flavor. Not here - Gregory's let the cornmeal breading be the star. The portion size was generous, and the price was reasonable.

But poring over that menu while I waited (and seeing what the customers at the next table over had ordered) made me want to come back again soon.

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Less than a week later, I tried the fried pork chops at Gregory's, along with their dressing and string beans.

Cutting the pork chop on a wobbly table conjured up visions of "Lisa from Temecula" on Saturday Night Live (if you haven't seen that skit, do yourself a favor and watch it here).

I relaxed a bit when the customer at the table behind me piped up with "Boy, you're in a soul food restaurant. It's OK to use your hands!" Truly the easier way to enjoy every last bit of those delectable chops. The dressing and the beans did not disappoint.

Admittedly, there are a few things on the menu at Gregory's Soul Food that I'm hesitant to order - for instance, Fish & Waffles for breakfast. (Don't knock it 'til you try it, maybe?) Customers have told me good things about the burgers and wings at Gregory's, so I'll likely sample those soon. Wish they served fried okra, but that's not currently offered.

Definitely a pleasant change of pace from the usual.