Great Trackside Dining

[Railnut]

The McD's in Lapeer has a pretty good view of the CN main just east of town (by Walmart)..I sat at the depot with a few fellow nuts one cold winter afternoon..3 hours and 2 trains (not bad..to be honest)..but we were all hungry and cold..so we went to the McD's and saw 4 trains in 2 hours...including 2 CSX westbound (Q331 and an empty coal drag)..oh well.
Dave C

[GP30M4216]

There's a restaurant in Ypsilanti right next to the tracks that cross the main intersection in the old part of town, complete with a patio that sits just a couple of car lengths from the rails. I imagine sitting there and enjoying a cold brew while Amtrak flies by is a pretty cool experience.

This place is also called the Sidetrack, JT, Sidetrack Bar and Grille. I mentioned it in one of the first replies... the food is awesome and if you time it right you'll see a train or two there as well.

I also just remember there Railroad Cafe located inside the Bangor Station on the west side. Great place to eat a tasty sandwich surrounded by Railroad themed decor just a step from the CSX line. Now there aren't that many trains on the line but it's worth it to check out. I think in the summer they have outdoor seating right on the platform! You'll pay more than you would for a burger at the McDonalds in town but I've never had a bad experience there and they're always helpful when you ask if any trains have been through recently...

[GP9R]

I'm suprised no one has brought up the McDonalds in Dekalb. Right outside is the former CNW now UP line west. just a few hundred feet(Maybe less) Is a Coal Tower.

[SteveTJ]

But isnt McDonalds the best great trackside dining experience. I know ive done that 100s of times.

No truer words have been spoken in this thread.

Hehe. Don't know how many times I've sat by the tracks eating a quarter-pounder, nuggets, or McFlurry.



The Favorite Food of Railfans Everywhere!!

[GP9R]

But isnt McDonalds the best great trackside dining experience. I know ive done that 100s of times.

No truer words have been spoken in this thread.

Hehe. Don't know how many times I've sat by the tracks eating a quarter-pounder, nuggets, or McFlurry.



The Favorite Food of Railfans Everywhere!!

I'm Partial to Toxic Hell..er Taco Bell

[PlymouthStationGuy]

Another place in besides 885 in Plymouth is Bodes Corn Beef House right next to CSX Saginaw Sub on main street
during Lent on friday they have an all you can eat fish fry that is really good and the price is reasonable.
In Novi just north of 8 mile on Novi rd next to CSX Saginaw Sub is Guernsey Dairy they have a good chicken dinner.

[JANGAJONGA]

THE GANDY DANCER IN ANN ARBOR YOU GET A GREAT VIEW OF THE MICHIGAN LINE!!!!!!!!!!!! it is very upscale though and expensive.

[GreatLakesRailfan]

I'm suprised no one has brought up the McDonalds in Dekalb. Right outside is the former CNW now UP line west. just a few hundred feet(Maybe less) Is a Coal Tower.

There's a McD's in DeKalb???

Just kidding. I know the one you're talking about. Totally forgot about it though...seems like there's a couple other restaurants in that neighborhood too, that look at the line through downtown. You can probably see that line (UP) from the Culver's in Rochelle too, IIRC.

Heh. Seems like there's a restaurant (McD's?) on Big Timber Road in Elgin, that looks at the ICE/Metra/UP lines that parallel Big Timber for a stretch on the northwest side of Elgin. Also, from what I can tell, there are a couple restaurants in downtown Downer's Grove that look at the BNSF racetrack through DG. Haven't had the opportunity to eat at any of them yet though.

EDIT:
The UP line through Rochelle is definitely visible from the Arby's drive through at this time of year (pre-crops). In fact, it's visible from most of the fast food joints on the east side of town (as well as several of the hotels on the east side of town)...

[PAT.C]

Re: Great Trackside Dining...

HEY PEOPLE, READ THE TITLE AGAIN.
MIKEY D IS NOT GREAT DINING---IT IS CRAP FOOD FAST.
IF YOU HATE YOURSELF AND WANT TO DO HARM TO YOURSELF---CONSUME MC D SHEEEEIT AND SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES.
I WILL ADMIT THAT TACO HELL [ZACK'S OTHER HOME] IS A NOTCH ABOVE MCDUMPS , BUT NEITHER CAN COMPARE WITH GR88888888888888 BEER FOOD AND BEER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[AARR]

Taco Bell better than McDonalds??? Not in my book. Taco Bells food is greasy and grizzly.

If you know what to order McDonald's, and other fast food places, have decent food that won't clog your arteries. Broiled chicken (light mayo) and simple salads for example.

And be careful of some of that bar food. If you're not you may eat something that contains more calories and fat than you should have in a whole day much less one meal.

[redside20]

neither McDog#### or Toxic Hell is in my vocabulary. If there is a subway near the tracks i am so there. I have also been known to ingest Burger King once in awhile as well

[BerkshireKid]

I don't like to go to Subway often, especially on railfanning trips (Ask Matt about the car ride back from Cleveland a couple years ago!! ).

Taco Bell, McDonalds, Wendy's & Hardees!!!!!! Complete my 4 food groups. I work on about a 3500 calorie/day diet!! YEEEE HAWWWWW

[Jeff L]

Jack Stack Barbecue across the tracks from UnionStation is the place. Eat on the patio if the weather is warm enough. Don't stay too long after eating, it's a busy place people and can sometimes have a line from outside the doors waiting for a table and parking lot is under video surveillance. Over 150 trains a day with BNSF, UP, and others. Walk up and on/or across the Freighthouse pedestrian bridge connecting the station and restaurant.

[RailCanon]

How about Clare's in Lansing? You can even eat in a passenger car Foods ok, little out of whack for the price but affordable.

That's actually Clara's, Don, not Clare's.
And how come no one has mentioned Mama's Pizza in Fennville yet???

[RailCanon]

p.s....fast food sucks.

[AARR]

That's actually Clara's, Don, not Clare's.

Oh yea, thanks Gregg.

[DTIDave]

The McD's in Lapeer has a pretty good view of the CN main just east of town (by Walmart)..I sat at the depot with a few fellow nuts one cold winter afternoon..3 hours and 2 trains (not bad..to be honest)..but we were all hungry and cold..so we went to the McD's and saw 4 trains in 2 hours...including 2 CSX westbound (Q331 and an empty coal drag)..oh well.
Dave C

---> the look on my face that day because my eyeballs were frozen open and couldn't blink! I remember that day well Dave. Kinda p****ed me off actually because we did sit and wait all that time only to have 'em parading by the window "nyah nyah nyah nyah nyaaaaaah nyah!" and all we could do was sit and eat and warm up. Still had a good time though.

I've got one to add to the list. I know Mt. Clemens isn't necessarily the train-watching mecca of the midwest, but where the CN main crosses Cass Ave (just west of downtown MTC), the Engine House bar and grill has exceptional food and it always seems that the "window seats" closest to the tracks are usually available. The food is great and priced in the med-high end depending on what you order, but there are lots of affordable things on the menu too. My only gripe is that you have to walk through the hacking (read: smoking) section to get to the non-hacking section. The Engine House is decorated up with all kinds of firehouse memorablilia, but used to be the "Railroad Inn" in a past life. I remember the Railroad Inn, but I never was in there. From the guys at the depot, the new owners did a wonderful job in renovating the place into a pretty nice place. 4/5 stars

Dave J

[tsinoms]

What!? No one mentions Swingbelly's in MI City? RIght next to the amtrak MI line. Also the Eric Bridgman Cafe' in Bridgman MI is a good one.

[CAT345C]

Gandy Dancer in Ann arbor is in the old cobble stone NYC depot, and Station 885 in plymouth is less than a car length from the rail in Plymouth on the Detroit sub. 885 is expensive but worth the money, one of the few places I will actually eat a salad. It is really that good.

[PerRock]

THE GANDY DANCER IN ANN ARBOR YOU GET A GREAT VIEW OF THE MICHIGAN LINE!!!!!!!!!!!! it is very upscale though and expensive.

Good someone remembered about it. I was getting worried that no one had mentioned the Gandy Dancer.

Another which hasn't been mentioned is the A&W in Dexter. You can get car-hop service and watch the train(s) go by.

Sidetrack/Frenches in Ypsi's Depot Town is good (already mentioned) there is also the bar across the street from STF which appears to have another great view of the tracks.

And another; While not exactly track-side one can get Ice Cream at the Washtenaw Dairy and if you sit on the north side of the building you can look east and watch the AA about a block away.

peter