2014 MICHIGAN Battle Creek - Foodie Trip

Last week we went to Battle Creek, Michigan. That is the home of Kellogg cereals--Kellogg's Cornflakes probably being the most famous. This town's nickname is Cereal City, USA. We didn't go on the cereal factory tour or see the world's longest breakfast table or be amazed by the Hot Air Balloon festival (all events that happen at B.C.), but we did go to Malia's and Horrock's. The trip is about 27 miles and 38 minutes from home, but worth it to either of our destination places today.

We started at Malia's for lunch. Figured we better eat first before our next stop or we would be buying out the market. It is right downtown and is the best restaurant as far as we are concerned in B.C.

It serves an eclectic menu but leans to  Mediterranean. Mike and I shared their famous wild mushroom soup--not to thin or to creamy and lots of mushrooms. A splash of sherry would have made it perfecto. Then I had Florida sweet white shrimp on a quinoa salad. For diet purposes I only ate half (hard to do) and saved the rest for dinner. Mike had a BLT-S (S for salmon). It was messy to eat but way worth that mess he said. Both too full for dessert, a rarity. See www.maliafoods.com







Next stop is a bit out of the heart of downtown. Horrock's is a store with everything food and food-related. This place is packed. As you enter the market, there is a wonderful nursery with starter plants, roses, fruit trees, and more and more. This time of year there is also display after display of food and flower seed packets and garden supplies. We picked up a few of those.

They have a deli counter to buy soups, salads, and sandwiches to eat on the run. They have a huge beer and wine selection and a tasting counter, so you can sip before you select. Good thing we ate first! They have a huge cheese department and olive / relish bar. They have a florist section to buy fresh flowers or order arrangements. And there is a book nook with a wide selection of books including but not limited to cook books, cooking-related, interior decorating, nature, and children's.

They have a walk-in refrigerator room that accommodates a wide rarity of meat and dairy products. The canned and bottled food area accommodates any condiment you can imagine and many some you can't imagine. This includes a lot of imported foods from Mexico and Europe. They have a frozen seafood selection. Among choices there are huge shrimp, scallop and crab legs.

The produce section in our favorite. It is probably the biggest I have ever seen outside of a farmer's market. They have so many things there that you can't find elsewhere--tamarind seedpods, fava beans, huge papaya, fresh herbs, bulk tea, cactus, Asian veggies including bok choi and lemon grass, bulk frozen raspberries, red AND green tomatoes, as well as the common supermarket fruits and veggies like apricots, several types or oranges, a variety of lettuces, etc, etc, etc. I just cannot begin to list all the healthy treats here.

Also, they have probably 50 whole coffee beans to choose from. They have so many dehydrated fruits and vegetables, and nut and candies in bulk. They have a bakery stocked with homemade style breads, etc. We bought a garlic infused loaf today.

We try to keep our purchases under $100 when we go there, but usually go over. Today we spent $100.05. Not too bad for a lot of good and healthy food.

As I re-read this I see I keep saying "huge," but that is the best adjective for this establishment. It does everything in a HUGE, but unpretentious way. The building is basic no frills though, so that keeps the prices down. The staff is helpful and knowledgeable.

We LOVE this place and shop here about once a month to stock up on things we cannot easily find in Kalamazoo. See their website at: www.HorrocksMarket.com