But tonight, fortunately for me, was not one of those nights. Tonight my husband and I took in the classic Muskegon date night: Indie flick at Harbor Theatre followed by a warm pink and purple sunset at the sugar sanded beach of Pere Marquette Park. But not before stopping by Frosty Oasis on Sherman Boulevard for ice cream, of course!

My husband M. ordered his usual. Well, not his usual. It wasn’t the chocolate Monster Malt.  He’s watching his portion sizes. Or something like that.

Instead, M. ordered the “medium,” which honestly folks, is more like a “large.” Like ordering the new “small” drink at Burger King (but that’s another review in another place). And, though I can’t speak for him, I do know it was nearly gone by the time we drove past the dog beach.

Seems like, when it comes to food, West Michigan likes it large. Which maybe is why there are literally hundreds of options on the “Frosty O” menu board.

Have you seen that thing? Wowzers. You almost need to pull up a lawn chair to give yourself enough time to consider all the ooey-gooey options, or at least until you find that perfect little morsel of goodness crying out to you.

Will it be Grand Haven’s famous Pronto Pup? A freshly made elephant ear or caramel corn, or maybe a Gummy Bear Flurry? It can honestly be overwhelming if you don’t know your taste buds well.

In my case, Ashby’s “Ultimate Peanut Butter Brownie” hard ice cream in a homemade waffle cone had my name written all over it — like a good sale on chicken breast at Meijer.

But as with the malt, a ‘small’ it was definitely NOT.

‘Small’ just doesn’t seem fair. It does not describe the heaping mounds of ice cream molded to my delicate cone, or the intensely rich peanut butter and goodness in my first bite.

It was heaven on a cone — is what it was (cue the choir of angels). A hard, hand-packed mountain of vanilla ice cream with swirls of velvety smooth peanut butter ribbon blended with just the right amount of brownie bites to satisfy the chocoholic in me. Every bite was sinfully delicious.

But it wasn’t just the ice cream, or the lack of preschoolers in the backseat, that took me back to being 17 years old on the way to the beach with my sweetie. The handmade waffle code sealed the deal.

It was rich, and crunchy, and fresh. And big. It was the perfect place for the last drops of melted, syrupy peanut butter cream to pool in before I devoured the last crumb. Every drip on my hand from that bottomless cone reminded me of the joys of being a kid with an ice cream cone.

Now, what the ingredients were, I can’t say. I honestly don’t know (but definitely some hints of almond). I don’t know if it was made with organic milk or fair trade chocolate. I doubt it. And as much as I appreciate all that is good and right with those elements, I equally appreciate enjoying a deliciously refreshing ice cream cone while watching a sunset with my best friend.

And anyway, I’m convinced the finest ingredients for a summertime date night on the Lakeshore include, “Frosty O” and a Lake Michigan sunset.

Just one disclaimer: There’s often a long line to place your order at Frosty Oasis. But that’s a good thing, right?

I made a visit Monday afternoon around 2 because I knew the Pie Company had everything I was looking for: Cafe food, coffee, pie, free Internet and a quiet ambiance for reading.

When you walk into GT Pie, you’ll realize the setup is similar to Panera Bread. Basically, large menus behind the counter give you four main options — grilled sandwiches (paninis), deli sandwiches, salads and comfort food (pot pies and quiche). They offer a variety of homemade soups as well.

Again, GT Pie is setup very similar to Panera, including the overall look, menu layout and ordering process. Like Panera, they have a Your Choice Combo, which allows you to select two items, such as soup and a half sandwich, for $6.49. They also take your name when you order and have it ready at the counter within a few minutes. This is one of my favorite parts because I love giving them a fake “funny” name to see how the cashier reacts (if he dares).

Best of all, the 28th Street location is not nearly as crowded as the Panera down the road, so you can actually get some work done without all the noise and movement.

I grabbed the GT Grilled Cheese ($5.99). With the typical choice of an apple or chips on the side, I was delighted when the cashier offered a new option — blueberry applesauce. Why not?

For $2.99, you can add a drink and pie slice, so I got a coffee (unlimited refills) and Lakeshore Berry pie.

With slices cheddar and Havarti cheese, cherry wood smoked bacon and tomato between two pieces of fresh sourdough bread, this sandwich is lightly grilled and served hot. The sourdough is spot on and the blend of Havarti and cheddar is perfect. I live for bacon and GT’s cherry wood smoked is full of flavor — the slices were lean, not full of fat. As a deli-style sandwich, this basically was a home run in my playing field.

The applesauce had a deep purple hue, which was surprising because the taste was still predominantly apple. The blueberry was very subtle. I prefer a chunky applesauce, and this was very smooth and straightforward in flavor.

The pie is the prize at Grand Traverse Pie Company. I love the Lakeshore Berry because I get a little of everything — strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and apple. Somehow, it blends together in a moment that is heavenly. I got mine warmed (sometimes I get it to go and save it as a late night snack). The fruit is fresh and so full of flavor.

I suggest the crumb topping. Actually, I can’t imagine why anyone would get the pastry topping because the crumb is what makes GT so unique and amazing. There are plenty of other baked goods, including muffins, cookies, cakes, cheese pie and dessert bars.

Grand Traverse has 15 location all across the state and three in Indiana, including two in West Michigan — Norton Shore (5817 Harvey Street) and Kentwood (28th Street, across from Woodland Mall).

So many factors make Grand Traverse Pie Company a great place for regular visits (even during this visit the courteous staff  took my dishes away as I had my face in a book). If you’re looking for a great cafe meal and the best pie for miles, then this is your place.

Now note, Grand Central is a market first. The indoor atmosphere is about 75% market, 25% deli. There are a few tables and chairs — again, nothing fancy but it does the trick.

The menu isn’t crazy creative like Cherry Deli and Schnitz, but it offers the staples with a minor twist thrown around every so often. During my visit, I opted for the Turkey Day ($6.49), which featured turkey, provolone cheese, lettuce and mayo. Pretty normal, right? That is, until you add sweet potatoes to the mix.

I went with the grilled version of the sandwich, and was glad I did. The sweet potatoes were soft and almost acted like a chunky sauce, and complemented the turkey perfectly. It was like Thanksgiving dinner all over again, all stuffed together in between some fresh sourdough bread. In addition to grilled sandwiches, Grand Central also offers all of its sandwiches cold or as wraps.

My two dining partners opted for the Twisted Reuben ($6.49), which consisted of corned beef, pastrami, swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and dijon mustard. They agreed with me here — the sandwich was pretty good and was filling, but not too over-the-top either.

If I had one complaint, I would actually want the sandwich stuffings to be heated a bit longer. Some bites were a bit luke-warm, but not enough for me to stop from engulfing it.

But if Grand Central does one thing right, it’s the fact that all its ingredients tasted so fresh. The store’s new owners, which took over last summer, have done a great job of expanding the market but keeping the deli that Grand Central has been known for over the years. And with its downtown location, it’s certainly a great alternative to the usual lunch hot spots.

Years later, Coco Charlotte Gluten-Free Bakery, located at 2481 32nd Street SE, is not only making something once impossible possible, but also doing it with plenty of flavor.

As you drive up to the simple blue building for the first time — what appears to have been someone’s house years ago — you do not expect to be greeted by so many wonderful treats.  It reminds you — for those of you my age and older — of the neighborhood bakery that we all once visited on Saturday morning for donuts.

My selections were the double chocolate, peanut butter and oatmeal raisin cookies ($1.25 each), along with the spice muffin ($1.50).  I would have liked to have sampled more for this review, but my waste line can only handle so much.

All three cookies were large, full of flavor and very fresh.  I don’t know if they were baked the same day, but the kitchen was busy so I presume as much.

I tried the oatmeal raisin cookie first, the raisins were plentiful and the right ratio to the oatmeal. Very chewy and sweet,  just as you would expect from a homemade cookie.

The peanut butter cookie was my next sampling; more of a crunchy texture, sprinkled with sugar and the peanut butter flavor was very apparent. To save myself some calories, I had my daughter sample the double chocolate.  Not only did she enjoy her cookie, she could not even tell it was gluten-free.

The spice muffin was topped with peanuts, very moist but substantial.  I felt it could of had a few more nuts on the top, but overall very well-done.

I wish I could have ordered more for this review, as the blueberry muffins, cakes and breads looked wonderful; however, if I buy it I will eat it. For those of you that must eat gluten-free, it is important for you to know, Erin Davis, owner and pastry chef, sells her baked goods to Forest Hills Foods, and offers fresh pizza crust (take-and-bake). She also sells her crust to Vitale’s in Ada.  Additionally, she makes the ever-popular Saturday morning donuts — but not all the time, so call before you go.

If you have a gluten-free family member, this is a place the whole family can visit — gluten intolerant or not. Yes, it is expensive, but if you eat gluten-free, this is something you’re accustomed to. Either way, it’s worth every penny.

It wasn’t until a trip to Tea Garden that I found a new level of excellence for a fast Chinese choice. I’ve ventured to plenty of order-at-the-counter Chinese joints around town, but Tea Garden trumps them all in flavor and freshness.

I went for a traditional dish — Chicken and Broccoli. I asked to spice it up and the chef, who took my order personally, understood exactly the level I was asking for. After a short wait of, say, five minutes or so, the dish was delivered to me piping hot at one of the tables in the restaurant’s small dining area.

The portion was definitely up to par. Everything tasted like it was cooked with care and not with a bunch of cheap oils, sauces, meat and veggies. I usually order the steamed rice and this certainly met the mark.

The chicken was tender and fresh. I’ve been to dozens of other Chinese places where the chicken tastes tough and, for lack of a better description, stale. The traditional brown sauce was tasty and well-complemented by the extra spices and oil. Clearly, the chefs do not scrimp on the cooking oil, which makes the brown sauce taste to its maximum potential and gives the chicken a the aforementioned texture and taste. Then again, it’s not so much oil that your dish tastes like it’s deep fried.

My friends both tried the day’s special, Bang Bang Chicken. Neither was disappointed and lamented on how they had wasted money at other area Chinese places. The bang (spice) was up-to-par and they agreed on the exceptional freshness and flavor.

Ordering in scored our meals on a plate with a real silverware. There is a small dining area and you can buy cans of pop or juice with your meal or drink free water if you so please. The prices are very reasonable for both lunch and dinner. Yes, there are lunch specials and the dinner special gives you free Crab Rangoon (in the case, crispy and tasty, not soggy and bland). The egg rolls were a hit as well — packed with flavor and crispy on the outside.

The best part is, it’s not as if you have a wait staff, so there’s no need to leave a tip. Order at the counter. Wait at your table. Food is brought to you. Leave the tray and dishes above the trashcan.

Even without being a traditional sit-down Chinese restaurant, Tea Garden might be the best in town. Clearly, the owners and chefs care about their quality of food and serving the customer with a smile. You wouldn’t suspect such good taste from a strip mall Chinese restaurant, but Tea Garden, located on the East Beltine near 28th Street, is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered by Chinese connoisseurs. It’s only a matter of time before people discover its deliciousness.

While my son’s usual choice is the bacon cheddar ranch fries, the rest of us order hot dogs and get to choose from over 20 free toppings to beef them up. Have someone in your group that isn’t into hot dogs? No problem, they have quite an extensive menu to choose from, including ‘veggie dogs’.

Feeling really hungry? Then you might be interested in getting your name on their Wall of Fame; ask the staff about the details. It won’t cost much to get your name there because the dogs are so reasonably priced. If you are feeding a big group, All American Chili Dog also has great specials for tailgaters, and they also offer catering services.

So if you want to look at antiques, get blunt or rude service, or throw your change around, this is not the place for you. If you want really great hot dogs with unlimited toppings, fast and friendly service in a clean atmosphere that is family-friendly, and not have to spend a lot of cash; then there is a seat waiting for you at All American Chili Dogs.

If you had the chance to check out the Electric Eel, much of the decor hasn’t changed. There is a little extra seating, but the tiny shop is still catered towards take out. But that’s about all that’s left of the Electric Eel remnants. Instead, the service is fast, and the food is great. You can walk up to the kitchen counter and ask for a sample of their 12 soups of the day, or chat with the chefs about what they recommend as a tasty dessert.

During my visit I had the chance to sample three soups. The first, a Roasted Red Pepper Asiago, had a substantial amount of flavor and a bit of a peppery kick. The second, the Safron Tomato Bisque, was perfectly seasoned and very filling. Finally, I tried the Lobster Bisque, which had just a hint of lobster flavor and plenty of herbs and spices to finish it off. Today, the Safron Tomato Bisque hit the mark for me, but I would’ve been happy with the other two as well (even the Lobster Bisque, and I’m not a fish person). The rustic feel, along with the seasoning and amount of flavor, just blew me away, and I figured it was as good a choice as any for a cold fall day.

I also went ahead and ordered half a grilled cheese. Now, this isn’t the typical grilled cheese that your mom used to make for you to dip in a bowl of Campbell’s. Instead, it’s a rich, cheesy dish that went great with the soup I ordered. You can choose from several bread options, but it was recommended I go with the Three Cheese bread. And what a recommendation it was. I was a bit nervous to have that much cheese in a sandwich, but it was paired perfectly. The cheese was gooey and the bread was thin enough that it didn’t take away from the amazing flavor that it was holding together. They usually have a daily special sandwich option as well.

Finally, I had to try a dessert. While there were plenty of cookies, espresso brownies and even ice cream to choose from, I couldn’t help but immediately be drawn to the pumpkin cupcake. In what could have been one of the best cupcakes I’ve had, the pumpkin and spice was just enough to provide a rich, fall flavor. And the cream cheese frosting, while a little sweet, countered the spices in the cake like I had never experienced before. I would go back again — if not to just get another cupcake.

It seems like the “Cheetah family” has produced another winner. It blows the Electric Eel out of the water, and in my opinion is a little better (and more unique) than its Electric counterpart down the street. The staff is friendly and full of ideas. In our discussions with them, they mentioned that a “soup flight” is being considered down the road, which would allow various samples of soups. And they’re definitely not short on knowledge, and in my experience, know exactly what to recommend.

Like the Electric Cheetah, all of the ingredients come from local farms too, making it all the more worthwhile. My only question is how they’ll attract diners in the summer months, when soup is on less people’s minds than it is during the cold months. If they keep the success up, by possibly introducing cold or iced soups and additional menu options, Uncle Cheetah’s could quickly become a staple of Wealthy Street.

In business since 1976, Yesterdog has stayed true to its original recipe of providing cheap, quality dogs with a plethora of toppings. It’s won several awards, and has been represented in the movie “American Pie” as Dog Years.

The menu is pretty simple — six types of hot dogs, sides and drinks. And while the actual hot dogs and buns aren’t anything overly special, it’s what’s on top that counts. Order a Cheddardog ($2.10) and not only will you get an immense amount of shredded cheddar cheese, but you’ll be greeted by Yesterdog’s thick, hot chili. It makes for a perfect combination. Or kick it up a notch at get the Killerdog ($2.30), which adds kraut, onion, pickle, ketchup and mustard into the mix. No matter what type of dog you get, you certainly won’t leave feeling hungry.

But it’s just not the hot dogs that make Yesterdog unique. The staff has a one-of-a-kind vibe. You better know your order, or else you’ll hear about it. While it might not exactly be described as “friendly service,” it certainly gives you a different taste to what you’d normally expect at a successful West Michigan restaurant.

As much as I love Yesterdog, it could use some minor improvements. The buns are nothing to write home about, and neither are the actual hot dogs. Grilling the dogs and buns would add a kick of uniqueness and flavor. Then again, do you really want to have to wait for a hot, grilled bun when all you want is an overly messy, great-tasting dog?

Usually I stick with a turkey sandwich — specifically the #7 Hollister — which is packed full of fresh turkey, lettuce, tomatoes, white cheddar cheese and roasted tomato mayo on an Italian Sourdough bread. Paired with chips and a drink, I have a hard time even eating the “Half” portion of the sandwich (half the amount of stuffings). I’ve tried the “Full” before…let’s just say it was a bad idea. Cherry Deli goes big with their stuffings in every way imaginable.

One of the greatest things about Cherry Deli, though, is the variety of options. The menu features over 50 sandwich options, on top of the restaurant’s soup and salad offerings. So, on my most recent visit, I decided to switch it up a bit. While I’m the furthest thing away from a vegetarian, I decided to get a #18 Luton. Featuring marinated tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, a fresh spring mix and olive oil, the sandwich is a little plain-sounding. It’s basically a dinner salad. But the marinated tomatoes are so fresh and full of flavor that it just completely brings the sandwich into a whole different element. The tomato basil focaccia bread isn’t bad neither; though it does start to get a bit messy to eat with.

While there’s nothing special about the restaurant’s decor, it does make you feel somewhat at home. The outdoor patio in front of the  restaurant is perfect on a summer day, and the restaurant does a good job of making sure to cater to people’s needs outside just as much as they do inside.

Something I would like to see is some updates to the menu, which hasn’t changed in years. Maybe bring on some new trial sandwiches to burst energy in the deli. Other than that, Cherry Deli has a recipe for success that can’t be broken. And with its recent opening of 4th Street Deli, the restaurant group now has two places that offer the same amount of quality and deliciousness.

Located right next to The Winchester on Wealthy Street, Jonny B’z gives you a classic diner environment, full of shiny red booths and checkered flooring, along with some great food. Obviously its specialty is the hot dog, but it’s got several other items to soothe your craving.

Being a huge fan of Yesterdog, I knew I had to try the All Beef Dog to see how it would compare with the Cheddardog. The chili is a bit meatier, and is a little more filling. That, paired with some gouda cheese (there were several selections), made for a great combination. The hot dog itself seemed to be a bit fresher too. But the buns are what makes it a Jonny B’z. Soft and toasted, the bun actually adds quite a bit of flavor instead of taking it away. These certainly aren’t your typical hot dog buns you can pick up at Meijer, and they definitely helps calm the mess you’d usually get at Yesterdog.

I was a bit disappointed to see that the All Beef Dog was really the only heart-killing hot dog on the menu. While Jonny B’z lets you literally put anything on your hot dog, I would’ve liked to see a few recommendations. I expected to see at least a few different recommended options on their menu board.

Other than hot dogs, Jonny B’z makes a mad beef brisket. While the portion size was a bit sparse, it had great flavor. The sandwich seemed like it was slow-baked for ages, and the grilled bun was cooked to the perfect crisp.

We were pretty impressed with the service too. Everyone was friendly and seemed to answer our questions pretty well. When we wanted more fries, they gave us an absolute ton of them without a fuss. Everything was delivered straight to our table. While something has to be said of Yesterdog’s “in your face” service and how unique it is, sometimes it’s nice to know that there’s a joint a few minutes away that doesn’t yell at you if you don’t know what you want to drink.

In conclusion, while Jonny B’z still has a little ways to go to catch the likes of the hot dog geniuses in the area, it’s definitely on its way to success. Next time you’re around Wealthy Street and just want a quick bite to eat, Jonny B’z is definitely a good bet.