Michigan's State Capital should be called "Lucious Lansing!"

I recently spent the day in our state capital exploring some of the Foodie  Fun Lansing has to offer and doing research for the Lucious Lansing Foodie Road Trip.  Having attended college downtown at Lansing Community College, I was eagerly anticipating the delights that awaited me as well as the seeing the changes in the cityscape over the years.   

My guide for the day was my former classmate from Howell High School, Mike Grove.  Mike has called Lansing home for some time and was more than happy to share some of his favorite Foodie spots!  We started off at the Lansing's City Market.  It was great to see my friend Paul behind the counter at Hills Cheeses at their Lansing location.  Hills has a wonderful shop at the Flint Farmer's Market too where I learn a lot about cheese from Paul & his Dad, Glenn!  They have a large selection of cheeses, both domestic & imported and are very nowledgeable of their products.  We wondered on to Aggie Mae's Bakery & Sweet Shoppe to drool over their fresh breads, pastries, cake, cookies & pies.  The Waterfront Bar & Grille is a great spot to stop for a cool drink & bite to eat while overlooking the riverfront in downtown.  The natural wood atmosphere reminds me of being up north instead of being in the heart of Lansing.  The City Market is full of wonderful vendors to explore for fresh fruit & veggies as well as candies, Michigan made products, grains, fresh chicken, Calder Dairy Milk and live plants.

Our next stop is the Allen Street Farmer's Market in pursuit of our coveted destination for the day:  Trailer Park'd Slow Fast Food!  Trailer Park'd is one of the gourmet Street Vendors roaming the Lansing area and offering scrumptious gourmet delightes from their kitchen on wheels!  Co-owners Ben Ackerman & Jesse Hahn have created a traveling log-cabin that offers gourmet soups, salads & sandwiches that your momma didn't make!  My tour guide & I decided to share two selections so we could sample both!  My choice was the Ballin' Ass Taco which was designed with Charizo, Queso Fresco, Mole Verde, Cilantro & Fresh Lime.  Mike's choice was the Braised Port Shoulder Sandwich-Smoked Bleu-Arugula-Honey Pistachio on Sourdough.   Neither one of us could resist the Blueberry Lemonade that was their special drink of the day.

Perched upon barstools pulled up to a dining bar attached to the pickup that pulls Trailer Park'd around Lansing, we were pleasantly surprised by the fresh sprig of mint that came in our Lemonade.  After trading half of our bounty, we dived into tacos that Trailer Park'd's is known for.  The heat & spiciness of the Charizo was perfectly highlighted by the coolness of the Quesco Fresco.  Just when you thought you'd waded through all the flavors, the sweet tang of the fresh lime sections & cilantro hit your tastebuds with a "bang"  that just begs a sip of the refreshing Blueberry Lemonade!  I decided to totally relish the flavors of the taco before starting on my half of the sandwich.   Anyone watching us had no doubt that I was a total Foodie that eats with her eyes as well as her taste buds!   I've gotten good at ignoring the surrounding  glances as I take pictures of my food before I eat it!

Once I had savored every morsel of the Ballin' Ass Taco, I turned to the second gem that I had acquired!  The Braised Pork Shoulder was cooked to perfection and then piled high on crispy grilled Sourdough slices.  Topping the Braised Pork was a generous dollop of Honey Pistascio Sauce, Fresh Arugula & Crumbles of Bleu Cheese for a flavor combination that was spicy & cool at the same time. Sips of the Minted Blueberry Lemonade was the perfect refreshment between bites!

Shortly after our visit, Food Network Canada & The Cooking Channel's Eat Street spent a day shooting with Trailer Park'd for upcoming shows.  Lansing is developing quite a gourmet street food culture that has caught the attention of the Food Show producers.  It is well worth the drive to Lansing just for Trailer Park'd alone! 

The other Gourmet Food Vendor in Lansing, The Purple Carrot was also filmed this week and is expected to air in early 2012.  Word has it that they are in the running the Food Network's Great Food Truck Race and you can cast your vote on the Food Network web site.  Both Trailer Park'd Slow Fast Food & The Purple Carrot rotate locations around Lansing so check their fb pages for current schedules & menu. 

 After feasting at Trailer Park'd, we wondered down to Old Town Lansing to stroll along the Grand River.  Old Town is filled with eclectic shops and galleries where you could wander away an afternoon discovering the delights.   Tallulah's Folly not only offers, but encourages Street Vendor patrons to use her courtyard to enjoy their gourmet fare!  I know that there are many other Foodie Adventures to be discovered, but they shall have to wait for another day when I can wander thru Lucious Lansing. 

If you would like to explore LUCIOUS LANSING, join our FOODIE ROAD TRIP on October 21, 2011 departing from Flint!  For just $30/pp, we will visit Sweetie-licious Bakery , Trailer Park'd Slow Fast Food & The MSU Dairy Store.  You will also have FREE TIME to explore Old Town Lansing's wonderful shops & galleries.  Please visit www.FoodieRoadTrips for complete information & reservations.