Westsider menu reflects diversity
To understand the Westsider Cafe, you have to understand a little bit about the West Side. Passionately made food, after all, has much to do with the place in which it was created.
The West Side of Grand Rapids is fierce, funky and a foodie’s paradise, if you know where to look. West Siders are a proud lot with Polish, Irish and (increasingly) Hispanic roots. And that is reflected in the food that you can find on the West Side.
Many come to the West Side for its unbeatable selection of Mexican eateries and a number of quirky bars that serve incredible hamburgers. But a restaurant tucked into a mostly residential neighborhood on Walker Avenue has quietly built a reputation as one of the best on the West Side.
The Westsider Cafe is nothing short than the West Side’s answer to East Hills hotspot Marie Catrib’s. Though different in many ways, both restaurants are built on food created with love and care. When you receive your plate at both places, it is clear that the owners care about food, how it tastes and how it is presented.
The Westsider Cafe is a product of its neighborhood and it shows in its menu. There are a number of Polish dishes: Golabki, homemade cabbage rolls stuffed with seasoned beef, pork sauteed onions and rice topped with red sauce ($6.95); Pierogies, homemade potato and cheese dumplings served with sauteed onions ($6.95); Kielbasa Plate, fresh kielbasa served with mashed potatoes ($6.95). The Westsider Cafe is known for its burgers and sandwiches as well. I’ve tried the Cubano with its roasted sliced pork loin, shaved ham, pickles, tangy mojo sauce and Swiss cheese ($7.50) that comes with a side of black beans and rice. It is the best Cuban sandwich I’ve had outside of Miami.
On a recent trip, I tried the Polish Reuben (also available in a corned beef and turkey version), a wonderful take on the classic. At $7.50, the Polish Reuben has kielbasa grilled with sauerkraut and Swiss cheese served on rye bread with thousand island dressing. It is as spectacular as it sounds.
A visit to the Westsider is not complete without trying one of its wonderful soups. The restaurant features a soup of the day and Dill Pickle Soup ($2.75 for a cup and $3.25 for a bowl), a creamy potato soup with slivers of dill pickle mixed in.
The Westsider also rocks out amazing breakfast food, which is available all day. GR Grub co-founder Bryan Esler tried the blueberry oatmeal pancakes ($4.50) on a recent visit and loved them. He received three huge pancakes loaded with blueberries and beautifully presented with fresh whipped cream and strawberry slices. I’ve had a number of Westsider skillets ($7.50), which range from Polish with kielbasa to Irish with corned beef to Cuban with roasted pork, ham, potatoes and black beans, topped with fresh salsa, green chile and shredded cheddar.
The restaurant also does a Cuban Eggs Benedict ($7.25) that looks great. Those looking for a more traditional cafe breakfast can find that too with eggs, meat and toast dishes available as well ($3.95 and up). I also love the 5th Street, two buttermilk biscuits topped with homemade sausage gravy and served with grilled redskins ($5.95).
The Westsider Cafe is housed in a former hardware store, across the street from the Walker Street Pharmacy and just up from the Dairy Queen. It can be a bit tricky to find if you don’t know the neighborhood very well. It is a homey place where regulars come in and say hello to each other. It is simply, but tastefully designed with hardwood floors and an open kitchen.
Simply put, the Westsider Cafe makes food that will knock your socks off. It serves the hearty, delicious food West Siders expect and it does slightly upscale cafe food better than anywhere else on the West Side.
Westsider Cafe, The ( Rating:
out of 5 )Where: 1180 Walker Ave. NW
Hours: 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday; 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Ambiance: West Side industrial
How much will it cost you: everything is between $4 and $8
Credit cards: All major
Alcohol: No
Reservations: No
Contact: (616) 233-0400
