M-22 Cafe

May 2, 2010

M-22 Café captures the heart of Arcadia
By Danielle Horvath
Looking for an authentic Up North café, where they make omelets
with farm fresh eggs and red skin potatoes, hearty soups, burgers, and
sandwiches on homemade bread? Then take a drive to Arcadia and stop at
the M-22 Café.
Nestled on Lake Michigan – it’s a short block to the beach – time
stands still in this sleepy up north town that’s just up the way from
Manistee, and new owner Rick Lanin couldn’t think of a better place to
be.
“I’ve grown up with the people around here, and worked with most of
them in some way or another,” Lanin explained. “We have a riot when
they stop by and help me out on busy days.”
Lanin purchased the former Northwoods Café last year and opened on
Labor Day. “I know,” Lanin smiles, “Not the smartest time to open a
new place.
“The restaurant business is dear to my heart,” he added, “When I
vacation I remember where I went by the food I ate.”
A Benzie County native, Lanin went to NMC for food service training
and worked in area restaurants ever since, going on 30 years. He honed
his business skills growing up helping in the two Imperial gas
stations his parents owned in Beulah and Benzonia.

FAMILY BUSINESS
When the restaurant he last worked in closed, Lanin decided it was
time to find his own place. “I actually looked at this place when it
was for sale back in the ’80s. It was the first shop built in Arcadia
in the ’40s and was the local ice cream shop and summer hangout for
many years. Then it was turned into a café and was open weekends in
the summer.”
Lanin thought he would try to make it year round, and he’s hoping it’s
been a good hunch. Today, his mom, dad, sister and son are all working
at the newest family business. If his customers aren’t already his
friends, they soon will be due to the hometown friendliness of the
place.
Besides traditional café fare, Lanin relies on over 30 local farmers
to supply fresh steaks, ribs, chops, ham, fish and chicken, along with
local fruits and vegetables. He also offers gluten-free choices. “We
have the best tasting fruit in the world right here, so we take full
advantage of that,” said Lanin.
The restaurant has become a meeting place for area groups with seating
for 75 people inside and 10 on the back patio that will open this
summer. There’s a newly-installed flat screen TV and WiFi, and the
staff also offers a catering service.
The menu will be changing with the summer season; offering more fish
choices, fresh salads including the house salad with spinach and
romaine, fresh local feta cheese and cherries grown just down the
road. Lanin also plans to smoke the menu’s ribs and chops right out
front. They also carry former sailor and local baker Harry Stockman’s
fresh bread and blueberry, cherry and apple pies. They are also
expanding into deli style meats, cheese and other picnic fare and are
pleased to be carrying Moomer’s ice cream.

M-22 Café is open year round for breakfast, lunch and dinner, 8am – 8
pm seven days a week. Located at 17201 N. Wood Hwy, also known as M-22
in Arcadia, call for specials or more information at 231-889-0290 or
check it out online at: www.M22CafeArcadia.com.