Here's what we know about restaurants that opened and closed in the Lansing area in January
LANSING — Ivan Vera's take on the Chicano-influenced dishes of his childhood is at the heart of Takitos AF, his new restaurant inside Lansing Shuffle.
Vera said the menu is, in many ways, a nod to his mom's recipes — offering "takitos" and "chimis," served in a variety of ways. "It kind of showcases my whole life through the restaurant," he said.
The small eatery joined five others that operate inside the food hall and social club off Riverfront Drive in what was once the Lansing City Market, one of a handful of restaurants that opened its doors in the Lansing area over the last month. Nearly as many restaurant doors closed in Greater Lansing, too.
Here's a look at what opened and what closed around Lansing in the last month.
Openings
Takitos AF
Where: 325 Riverfront Drive, Lansing
The details: Takitos AF opened on Jan. 17. It was inspired by the food its owner, Juan Vera, grew up loving, recipes for which his mom's side of the family is known. The menu includes taquitos with chicken, carnitas, beef, potatoes, cheese or beans, served with different sides, including chips and salsa, fries and queso dip. The eatery serves horchata and margaritas, and desserts such as flan and tres leches cake. Learn more online at www.takitosaf.com.
Dave's Hot Chicken
Where: 194 Albert Ave., East Lansing
The details: The Lansing area got its first Dave's Hot Chicken location on Jan. 11. The California-based fast-casual restaurant chain is known for its chicken tenders, served "as is" or in slider sandwiches. Staff season them with varying degrees of spice. The 2,600-square-foot storefront offers seating for up to 40 people. Learn more online at www.daveshotchicken.com.
Moka & Co.
Where: 565 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing
The details: Moka & Co., the area's first Yemeni coffee shop, opened in mid-December. Owner Ahmed Sufyan, a plastic surgeon who practices in East Lansing, said the menu offers a "very unique style of coffees." Drinks include maleki, a coffee drink made with coffee husks, cream, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom and honey, and "Shai Yemeni," a black tea with cloves and cardamom. Treats include croissants, cheesecake and sabaya twist, a traditional Yemeni cake with cream cheese and milk cake.
Toarmina’s Pizza
Where: 3700 S. Waverly Road, Lansing
The details: Jehan Ibrahim and Hassan Ahmed opened the Lansing area's second Toarminas Pizza location on Jan. 8. The other is on East Michigan Avenue. It's the couple's first time running a business. Located in a 1,000-square-foot space in a plaza, the eatery is known for its 16-slice, 24-inch pizza. The restaurant also offers oven-baked subs, salads, wings, desserts and pasta. Learn more online at www.toarminas.com.
El Catrin Taco Shop
Where: 1620 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing
The details: California-style tacos are the highlight of El Catrin Taco Shop's menu. It opened on Dec. 22. The menu includes corn tortilla tacos filled with steak, ground beef, shredded beef stew, marinated pork, grilled chicken or Mexican sausage. Other dishes include tostadas, burritos, quesadillas, bowls, nachos, a corn tortilla cheese sandwich called mulita, and "loaded fries" topped with cheese dip, onions, cilantro and sour cream.
Closings
GoodFellas Bagel Deli, East Lansing
Where: 235 Albert St., East Lansing
The details: GoodFellas Bagel Deli closed its East Lansing location, which opened in 2022, in late December. The company's Lansing store, at 600 E. Michigan Ave., remains open. In a Facebook post, owner Adrian Joseph cited staffing issues and his bout with cancer among the reasons for the location's closure. "This decision was not easy but necessary," he wrote. "Thank you all for the great times!"
Airport Tavern and Steakhouse
Where: 5000 N. Grand River, Lansing
The details: The Airport Tavern and Steakhouse, a mainstay in northwest Lansing since 1970, announced its closure on Jan. 12. "This was a decision that was not taken lightly and we are really saddened to have to make this statement to the community," read the post on the eatery's Facebook page. "We love and value each and every one of you for the years upon years of patronage. Your support means everything to us and it has been an honor to be part of the Lansing community for so long." It's unclear if or when it will reopen.
Ellison Brewing Co.
Where: 1314 S. Washington Ave., Lansing
The details: Ellison Brewing Co. closed its location in REO Town on Dec. 30. "We cannot accept keeping it open and operating at a net loss," read a post to its Facebook page a day earlier. It was one of two locations operated by owner Aaron Hanson, who opened Ellison Brewing in 2015. Ellison Brewery + Spirits, located on Dawn Avenue in East Lansing, continues to operate.
The Junction
Where: 410 S. Clippert St., Lansing
The details: After replacing Green Dot Stables in 2022 at the South Clippert Street property, The Junction, an entertainment venue, closed on Wednesday. Property owners Jacques and Christine Driscoll plan to reopen Green Dot Stables, a slider bar, in the building next month. The Junction promotions team is expected to continue hosting concerts, comedy nights and live entertainment events at the restaurant.
Want to let us know about an eatery that opened or closed recently in the Greater Lansing area? Contact Reporter Rachel Greco at rgreco@lsj.com. Follow her on X @GrecoatLSJ .
READ MORE:
Green Dot Stables to reopen in Lansing
The Lions are playing for history Sunday. Here's where you can catch the game
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Greater Lansing area restaurants that opened and closed in January 2024
