OK, so it's a random Tuesday night, you're kinda bored, getting hungry and there's not much to do. If you live in mid-Michigan, there's a quick and easy way to spice up your life, and you don't have to go far.
You and your palate can take a quick trip to one of the handful of ethnic restaurants in the area, both satisfying your appetite for food and intrigue. If you feel it's time to break free of the burgers and fries, you live in the right place.
You could try
Kabob and Curry House in Saginaw if the rich tastes of southern India appeal to you; or there's
Carmona's Cocina in Bay City for a spicy experience in Mexican flavor; or you could sample the authentic Greek foods of
Zorba's Greek Restaurant in Saginaw.
These are just a few of the ethnic samplings available in the area, but they are a darn good place to start. Let's see what's happening over at
Kabob and Curry House at 4070 Bay Rd. in Saginaw.
"We're all about breaking barriers," says Eti Farber, sole owner at Kabob and Curry House since taking over early in 2012. The restaurant has been in business since 2001.
"The biggest challenge we find is that people will say, 'I don't like Indian food,' and then of course I ask them, 'Have you ever tried Indian food?,' and they'll say, 'No.'
"Once people try what we have offer, 99 percent of the time they love it and then are loyal customers. There are so many misconceptions about Indian food. People just need to keep their minds open and try something different."
The biggest misconception about Indian food, according to Farber, is that it's scorching hot and too spicy for most palates. That isn't true, she says.
"We use spices, but it isn't hot. The spices are flavorful," Farber says. "The food is full of vegetables, it is very colorful and the flavor is rich and wonderful."
Some of that "rich and wonderful" fare includes chicken, seafood and lamb kabobs, with three varieties of sauce. They are created by chefs who simply go by Chef Biju and Chef Anthony, both from southern India.
There is korma sauce, which is yellowish, smooth, rich and with a slightly sweet ("not sugar sweet, but sweet") taste to it. There also is tikka sauce, which is an orange color, rich without the sweetness; and then there's masala sauce, which is similar to korma, with just a touch of sweetness.
"It's very difficult to describe the tastes," Farber says. "You really have to try them to appreciate the flavor."
Farber stresses that every item in the restaurant is made from scratch--from the five specialty breads to the paneer cheese and everything in between. And, she points to the full range of alcohol that patrons may enjoy to go along with their meals.
OK, so you've filled up one Tuesday with a trip to India. But there are certainly other random Tuesdays coming down the road. Or Thursdays, or whatever day of the week you feel like taking an intercontinental trip of the taste. Let's try
Zorba's Greek Restaurant at 700 Gratiot Rd. in Saginaw.
If longevity is where you look to prove that a restaurant knows how to put together a wonderful meal, then Zorba's is your place. Owner Tom Veremis celebrated 30 years in business in 2012, and the 80-year-old is just as proud of his establishment as he ever was.
"I have customers who come in and tell me that they used to come here with their parents, that their grandparents used to come here," says Veremis. "You know you must be doing something right when second and third generations are coming to enjoy your food."
And there's plenty to enjoy. There is American food for those who prefer to stay "conservative," but Zorba's is all about Greek. Everything Greek.
There's brandy-saturated saganaki, served with the accompanying "Opa" and the flaming attention-grabber that makes everyone in the restaurant take a look. Don't forget the sweet and tasty baklava, or perhaps the most popular selection, the lamb and beef stuffed gyros. There also is a great Greek salad, filled with cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, peppers, onions--just like the old country (from which Veremis emigrated in 1951).
The venerable Veremis has reduced his hours from the early days when he put in sometimes 18 a day (he's mostly a morning guy now), but he still remains dedicated to his place. And to his fare.
There's leg of lamb, Grecian chicken, stuffed grape leaves, spinach pie, baked eggplant and tiropita, a flaky pie with egg and feta cheese.
OK, so now we've taken trips to India and Greece. For one more tasty journey we don't even have to leave the continent. Let's try Mexican, where
Carmona's Cocina at 1416 N. Henry St. in Bay City is as authentic as authentic can be.
It's more than Mexican food that you'll find at Carmona's, although there's plenty of sumptuous fare to be found. You'll feel like you're part of the family.
From the outside, it may not even look like your typical restaurant. It's a block building that might resemble a home. Inside, there are pictures of grandchildren and brightly colored Mexican ornamentation that make you feel like you've taken that south-of-the-border journey.
The restaurant moved from Midland Street to North Henry in 2012, but it didn't change the feel of the place. Conrad Carmona, and son Isaac, still run as fine a Mexican restaurant as you'll find.
All the standard Mexican fare can be found, but this is real Mexican food, not some Americanized version. There's enchiladas, tostadas, tacos, chili, menudo, salads, chicken wings, quesadillas, wet burritos and more. There is a kid-friendly menu and you can top it all off with a dessert if you've left enough room.
That's about it for our stay-at-home world tour, but just the start of the world cuisine available in mid-Michigan. With further exploring, you can find a few more ethnic eateries. So break away from that random Tuesday burger and explore.
Jeff Barr is a freelance writer who has lived in Michigan for 46 years. You can reach Jeff at barrj88@aol.com.