/Jenean Zahran
/Jenean Zahran
The Michigan franchise Menna’s Joint, known for their grilled burrito sandwiches called “Dubs,” plan to open the doors to their sixth location in Grand Rapids on Friday, January 31.
Opening their first restaurant in 2003 on Michigan State University’s campus in East Lansing, it quickly became popular among the college crowd. Since then, they have expanded their stores across Michigan on college campuses. After opening their Allendale location in 2011, president and co-owner Hank Andries became aware of Grand Valley University’s expansion in the downtown area and felt it was a great opportunity for them to expand their franchise with the high population of students here.
“This is definitely our first location that’s in a more urban area,” Andries said.
Along with their two locations in East Lansing, they have restaurants located in Mount Pleasant, Kalamazoo and Allendale.
“Opening a location in downtown Grand Rapids to serve our customers and the young at heart seemed like a natural fit,” Andries says. “Additionally, the observable exciting growth in the downtown Grand Rapids market from new restaurants and breweries played a significant factor as well in our decision to open a new location downtown.”
The menu offers items from Vegetarian Dubs to Gyro Dubs, all made with fresh ingredients according to their website. Typical items found in a “Dub” are meat, vegetables and potatoes grilled in a flour tortilla. Menna’s Joint has breakfast Dubs as well, like their French T Dub which includes ham, sausage or bacon served with scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, french toast sticks and maple syrup.
“We offer a unique, delicious product at an affordable price that really satisfies the appetite,” Andries says. “Our stores also give our customers a relaxed, collegiate environment for sit down or take out.”
Menna’s Joint stays open later than most restaurants, with hours from 10:30 a.m. to 3 a.m. or 4 a.m. the following morning. In addition, they offer the option for delivery - so you can get your Dub without leaving your couch.
“I would say the places we're at in college towns, we do a healthy amount of delivery,” Andries says. “We are known for delivering a fresh, grilled product quickly. It’s a nice service we offer.”
On the evening of their opening day, local radio personality Holmes and the Freakshow will be broadcasting on site at their location on Ionia to help kick off their opening. There are currently 30 employees hired and training for the big day.
“We’re always looking for good employees,” says Andries. “I anticipate we will be hiring more in the future.”
Menna’s Joint’s Grand Rapids location will be at 44 Ionia Ave. SW, just north of McFadden’s Restaurant and Saloon.
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