THEIO’S RESTAURANT
2650 E. Michigan Ave
517-487-3955
Price Range: From $3.99 – $11.99
Diner atmosphere with good
customer service
[Jo:] After a night of jazz, we (along with 3 friends) decided to cap off our night with a run to a local restaurant. One friend suggested that we hit Theio’s; a hometown favorite, with a reputation for great comfort food, just a few miles from where we were on Michigan avenue.
[Mo:] We all arrived at Theio’s within seconds of each other and strategically sat in the front of the restaurant; in what would presumably be considered the non-smoking section. The restaurant was modestly sized with some tables but mostly booths. [Jo:] It was equally modestly decorated – think Mel’s diner meets the diner from Quentin Tarrintino’s Pulp Fiction.
[Mo:] According to all accounts the food was great. You could choose traditional diner food like burgers but keep in mind that their burgers are deluxe versions including mushrooms and bacon, or smothered with sautéed onions and cheese. With prices less than $7.50, you get a _ lb of beef and loads of fries. If burgers aren’t your wish, you could opt for Theio’s classics like a sirloin steak ($7.99), a NY strip ($11.99) or fish and chips ($7.99).
[Jo:] But we went for their well-known and loved breakfast that is served anytime. I had the “Pancakes and More” which was three buttermilk pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, and bacon. Although my eggs were cooked a little too long and were cold when they arrived, the remaining meal more than made up for the eggs. The pancakes were fluffy, light and enormous. Plus the cook managed the delicate balance of cooking the bacon just long enough to be crunchy but not burnt, and the sausage was cooked long enough to see the sear marks on all sides of the casing, without being overdone.
[Mo:] I chowed down on the hearty breakfast, which included scrambled eggs, hash browns, toast and sausage. I requested my scrambled eggs with cheese and they were great. The exact amount of cheese for my taste and cooked to perfection. The hash browns had the perfect blend of onions, green peppers and seasoning. The best I’ve had in a long time. None of the menu items from the breakfast menu cost more than $7.00 and the servings were huge.
[Mo continues:] Per Theio’s slogan, they are the place “where the sun never sets”. So if you decide to venture out during the middle of the night to people-watch, or at any time to enjoy their free Wi-Fi Internet, be sure to go hungry.
[Jo:] Considering that we all needed “to-go” boxes, and Mo managed to get 2 more meals from her leftovers, I would say that for an average cost of $6.50 per meal, Theio’s gives you more than your money’s worth.
