One man, one grill, one heck of a breakfast. Paige studies the menu as waitress Vanessa (left) waits for a plate from Zane, who is working his way through the line of order slips above the grill

It seemed like a good idea at the time: swing through Lansing for breakfast en route from our home in the 313 to Blue Skies, our place in the Upper Peninsula. We usually just barrel up I-75 to reach the Mackinac Bridge as quickly as possible, but a family’s got to eat, and the gang was game for a detour to the Capital City to fuel up on the most important meal of the day at the kooky diner with rave reviews.

I’d heard about Golden Harvest from two trusted sources who advised there’d be a wait, but that it would be worth it. And that the funky building, on the north side of Lansing near the Old Town neighborhood, is off the beaten path in an industrial area.

They mentioned that Zane the tattooed cook (and co-owner) never stops moving as he fries jumbo eggs, mountains of potatoes, Paul Bunyan-sized pancakes, and various forms of pork on the grill in plain view of everyone packed into the tiny dining room.

You can’t miss the joint—if you can find it

That the décor is kitschy, the bottomless cup of coffee really good, the attitude thick, mood convivial, and that it’s open only for breakfast and lunch. They were right on all accounts (which is why I call them trusted sources).

They didn’t mention the cash-only policy (but I kind of anticipated that), and that there would be a really looong wait. Or rather, a series of waits: a wait for a seat, a wait for Vanessa to take our orders, a wait for Zane to create each dish.

Even the cover of the menu warns, “hang in there, we’re overworked and understaffed.”

The decor is a feast for the eyes, and ranges from orginal art to photos and a collection of metal serving trays including a perky Strawberry Shortcake

TJ and the kids knew nothing about the joint but they’re used to driving miles out of the way to investigate this sight or that diner, so no one blinked an eye at the industrial neighborhood, the pirate flag marking the spot, or choice of skull and crossbones to represent the hash house.

And no one complained that the breakfast experience added a couple of hours to our New Year’s trek Up North.

It helped that we landed front row seats facing the grill, so we had a floor show plus conversation with a regular seated next to us at the counter. (She said the place is usually less crowded weekdays after 9 a.m. when the bureaucrats head to work.)

If you don’t mind a long wait for good food served with plenty of attitude in an obscure location, check out Golden Harvest on Lansing’s north side

Thankfully, all of the food was worth waiting for: TJ’s choice was Mar’s Scramble (eggs, turkey, veggies, cheese); Cornbeef Hash & Eggs for Graham; two thick and fluffy Bluenutchipberrycakes for Paige, and my favorite, the Breakfast Burrito.

With hashbrowns, homefries, toast and beverages, it was a day’s worth of food—a breakfast that covered lunch—plus a cultural experience.

Sometimes what seems like a good idea really does turn out that way. If you’re willing to make the time.

Golden Harvest
1625 Turner Street, Lansing
Open 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday-Friday,
8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Cash only
Area A on the map

Visitor Info Clicks:
Lansing
Pure Michigan

All stories and photos copyright Kath Usitalo unless otherwise noted