The unofficial online home for fans of the Western Michigan University Broncos. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

Hey guys...Cuse fan here.

I plan to bring a group of fans to the Friday Night opener. Not sure how big we will be...but I'm guessing around 75 fans.

I already have my motels booked...

Looking for some recommendations for good eats and drinks in Kalamazoo.
Names and websites are great. Primarily looking for something that will be open late after the game on Friday.

More importantly...I'm looking for tailgate intel. We plan to start grilling about 4-5 hours prior. Where is the best cash lot to go to? Being Friday afternoon...this could present a problem if it is a business lot. Suggestions are appreciated. We are a friendly tailgate and welcome Bronco fans.

Many Cuse fans have adopted WMU as a favorite team to follow for obvious reasons...hope we have three good competitive games in the series.

I will reciprocate intel for those coming to Syracuse. You guys are invited to visit my tailgate in Syracuse. We are one of the biggest tailgates and normally host 150 fans on game day.

I'm not sure how many fans we will bring...but I guess you'll see about 500 Orange fans at the game.

Most popular cash lots are off of Oakland Drive at the College of Health and Human Services. Lots of RVs in there on game days.

Main Street Pub, Burdicks, University Roadhouse, Bell's (yes, the Oberon Bell's), and HopCat are all I can think of right now.

Tailgate rules are here: https://www.wmich.edu/tailgate/rules-lots

Can't say I've ever seen WMUPD, KCSD, or KPS get too crazy about enforcing rules, but it only seems to be the jackasses who attract their attention.

(04-08-2018 09:41 PM)wingsenforcer Wrote:  Most popular cash lots are off of Oakland Drive at the College of Health and Human Services. Lots of RVs in there on game days.

Main Street Pub, Burdicks, University Roadhouse, Bell's (yes, the Oberon Bell's), and HopCat are all I can think of right now.

Tailgate rules are here: https://www.wmich.edu/tailgate/rules-lots

Can't say I've ever seen WMUPD, KCSD, or KPS get too crazy about enforcing rules, but it only seems to be the jackasses who attract their attention.

You think those cash lots will be open early on Friday? I'm assuming it is a school day?

(04-08-2018 09:59 PM)TexanMark Wrote:  

(04-08-2018 09:41 PM)wingsenforcer Wrote:  Most popular cash lots are off of Oakland Drive at the College of Health and Human Services. Lots of RVs in there on game days.

Main Street Pub, Burdicks, University Roadhouse, Bell's (yes, the Oberon Bell's), and HopCat are all I can think of right now.

Tailgate rules are here: https://www.wmich.edu/tailgate/rules-lots

Can't say I've ever seen WMUPD, KCSD, or KPS get too crazy about enforcing rules, but it only seems to be the jackasses who attract their attention.

You think those cash lots will be open early on Friday? I'm assuming it is a school day?

Western has started the Tuesday after Labor Day for quite some time now. I'd have to see a calendar.


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(04-08-2018 09:59 PM)TexanMark Wrote:  

(04-08-2018 09:41 PM)wingsenforcer Wrote:  Most popular cash lots are off of Oakland Drive at the College of Health and Human Services. Lots of RVs in there on game days.

Main Street Pub, Burdicks, University Roadhouse, Bell's (yes, the Oberon Bell's), and HopCat are all I can think of right now.

Tailgate rules are here: https://www.wmich.edu/tailgate/rules-lots

Can't say I've ever seen WMUPD, KCSD, or KPS get too crazy about enforcing rules, but it only seems to be the jackasses who attract their attention.

You think those cash lots will be open early on Friday? I'm assuming it is a school day?

Mark, that Friday isn't a school day. Classes start the Monday after the game. We'll be up there, and will stop by and say hello to everyone.

(04-08-2018 09:21 PM)TexanMark Wrote:  Looking for some recommendations for good eats and drinks in Kalamazoo.
Names and websites are great. Primarily looking for something that will be open late after the game on Friday.

I would recommend the following:

University Roadhouse
http://www.universityroadhouse.com/

Bell's
https://www.bellsbeer.com/

Kalamazoo Beer Exchange
http://kalamazoobeerexchange.com/

Also, you have to have Sweetwater's at some point:
http://sweetwatersdonuts.com/

Waldo's. Downstairs. Pepper Stoli.

Enjoy the pickle.

(04-09-2018 07:00 AM)Hoekjeness Wrote:  

(04-08-2018 09:21 PM)TexanMark Wrote:  Looking for some recommendations for good eats and drinks in Kalamazoo.
Names and websites are great. Primarily looking for something that will be open late after the game on Friday.

I would recommend the following:

University Roadhouse
http://www.universityroadhouse.com/

Bell's
https://www.bellsbeer.com/

Kalamazoo Beer Exchange
http://kalamazoobeerexchange.com/

Also, you have to have Sweetwater's at some point:
http://sweetwatersdonuts.com/

University Roadhouse is good. I know Daoust likes it.

(04-09-2018 05:08 AM)Brindlee2015 Wrote:  

(04-08-2018 09:59 PM)TexanMark Wrote:  

(04-08-2018 09:41 PM)wingsenforcer Wrote:  Most popular cash lots are off of Oakland Drive at the College of Health and Human Services. Lots of RVs in there on game days.

Main Street Pub, Burdicks, University Roadhouse, Bell's (yes, the Oberon Bell's), and HopCat are all I can think of right now.

Tailgate rules are here: https://www.wmich.edu/tailgate/rules-lots

Can't say I've ever seen WMUPD, KCSD, or KPS get too crazy about enforcing rules, but it only seems to be the jackasses who attract their attention.

You think those cash lots will be open early on Friday? I'm assuming it is a school day?

Mark, that Friday isn't a school day. Classes start the Monday after the game. We'll be up there, and will stop by and say hello to everyone.

Great news...sounds like lots open 4 hours prior.

I assume kickoff will be at 6pm. Colorado/CSU kicks at 9:30pm
http://mattsarzsports.com/Schedule/Weekl...ball2018/1

We'll have a fairly simple menu...since we are on the road. I expect Hofmann Coneys
https://hofmannsausage.com/

And Conecuh Sausage
http://www.conecuhsausage.com/prodbycat.aspx?cid=4

We'll bring over some Upstate NY beer...and will be looking to taste some of the famous brews from SW Michigan

(04-09-2018 07:23 AM)Brindlee2015 Wrote:  

(04-09-2018 07:00 AM)Hoekjeness Wrote:  

(04-08-2018 09:21 PM)TexanMark Wrote:  Looking for some recommendations for good eats and drinks in Kalamazoo.
Names and websites are great. Primarily looking for something that will be open late after the game on Friday.

I would recommend the following:

University Roadhouse
http://www.universityroadhouse.com/

Bell's
https://www.bellsbeer.com/

Kalamazoo Beer Exchange
http://kalamazoobeerexchange.com/

Also, you have to have Sweetwater's at some point:
http://sweetwatersdonuts.com/

University Roadhouse is good. I know Daoust likes it.

Looks good...expect we'll go there after the game.

Oduffy's Pub on Vine has a great gorgonzola burger and they pour the best Guinness in town... if that's your thing...

http://oduffyspub.com/

Bells as has been noted is a solid stop... especially after the game... Nothing like getting Bell's beer directly from the source! Not to mention they have a fabulous beer garden that usually has some great live music, especially on weekends.

Food Dance Café is a great breakfast joint as far as I can remember if you are in town the night before and need some good eats on the morning of game day...

S. Kalamazoo Mall street off W.Michigan Ave on a nice day has quite a few spots... Just south east of the Radisson across the street...

If I think of anything else I will drop back in on this thread....

(04-09-2018 01:40 PM)flushtheherd Wrote:  Oduffy's Pub on Vine has a great gorgonzola burger and they pour the best Guinness in town... if that's your thing...

http://oduffyspub.com/

Bells as has been noted is a solid stop... especially after the game... Nothing like getting Bell's beer directly from the source! Not to mention they have a fabulous beer garden that usually has some great live music, especially on weekends.

Food Dance Café is a great breakfast joint as far as I can remember if you are in town the night before and need some good eats on the morning of game day...

S. Kalamazoo Mall street off W.Michigan Ave on a nice day has quite a few spots... Just south east of the Radisson across the street...

If I think of anything else I will drop back in on this thread....

Thanks...The Beer Garden sounds pretty good too...weather should be good.

In about 10 minutes you can walk to Arcadia Ales, Bells, Old Dog Tavern, HopCat, The Beer exchange, Shakespeare's Pub, The Entertainment District, Food Dance, and The Green Top.......
A bunch more on the Mall and Burdicks at the Radisson....
If your younger, the Grotto just off campus used to be a great place to party.

Lots of good suggestions so far. If you get there 4 hours ahead you should have no problem finding a spot. The only game in recent years where I have seen the lots fill up anywhere close to that early was the Michigan State game a few years ago that sold out, but normally you can easily find spots an hour or two before game time. WMU has not had a sell out since the MSU game, and I wouldn’t expect this one would be either (although you never know.....). We usually tailgate in the Reed Field House lot and many times it does not fill up until an hour before game time (if at all).

For after game places, it might depend on where your hotel is. If you are staying downtown (Radisson or Comfort Inn) there are a bunch of places within walking distance that have already been mentioned earlier in the thread. If you are at an outer hotel the options get a bit more sparse. Several people have mentioned University Roadhouse which is basically right across the street from the stadium and a good place to hang out. Bell’s Brewery downtown is great too, but one thing you might want to keep in mind regarding the beer garden. Often in summer months they have outdoor concerts on Friday nights, so the beer garden is not necessarily open to the public if a concert is happening.

Kalamazoo is the land of great beer. We have more than a dozen breweries in town, all of them high quality. You can't go wrong with any of them.

(04-09-2018 09:51 PM)sdsly Wrote:  Lots of good suggestions so far. If you get there 4 hours ahead you should have no problem finding a spot. The only game in recent years where I have seen the lots fill up anywhere close to that early was the Michigan State game a few years ago that sold out, but normally you can easily find spots an hour or two before game time. WMU has not had a sell out since the MSU game, and I wouldn’t expect this one would be either (although you never know.....). We usually tailgate in the Reed Field House lot and many times it does not fill up until an hour before game time (if at all).

For after game places, it might depend on where your hotel is. If you are staying downtown (Radisson or Comfort Inn) there are a bunch of places within walking distance that have already been mentioned earlier in the thread. If you are at an outer hotel the options get a bit more sparse. Several people have mentioned University Roadhouse which is basically right across the street from the stadium and a good place to hang out. Bell’s Brewery downtown is great too, but one thing you might want to keep in mind regarding the beer garden. Often in summer months they have outdoor concerts on Friday nights, so the beer garden is not necessarily open to the public if a concert is happening.

Kalamazoo is the land of great beer. We have more than a dozen breweries in town, all of them high quality. You can't go wrong with any of them.

Thanks, is Reed Field House a Cash Lot on Game Day? That sounds good...in they might have indoor bathrooms for the ladies. Kalamazoo's Beer scene sounds amazing...many larger cities can't match it.

I highly recommend coming to Syracuse for one of the two games in CNY. Lots to do around the area (Niagara Falls, Cooperstown, Finger Lakes, Casinos, etc...)

(04-09-2018 10:03 PM)TexanMark Wrote:  Kalamazoo's Beer scene sounds amazing...many larger cities can't match it.

We are pretty fortunate here:
https://www.discoverkalamazoo.com/drink/...ery/recent

Yes, the Reed lot is cash. Last year it was $10. As for bathrooms, they have porta potties set up in the lot. For indoor bathrooms, I am pretty sure the recreation center is open during games which is close by. Not sure about the fieldhouse itself. It may depend on if there is an event going on there or not.

I actually have a good friend of mine who is originally from the Finger Lakes area and keeps trying to talk my wife and I into going there with them for a long weekend. He went to school at SUNY Oswego, but is a fan of Syracuse when it comes to major sports. Maybe the game would be the perfect excuse to finally get to that part of the country!

I hadn't seen anyone mention the best pizza restaurants in town, so in case you're feeling it, the best is:

https://www.erbellis.com/home

...and the 2nd best is:

https://www.martiniskzoo.com/

Enjoy the 'zoo!

It's Read not Reed. Rookies

(04-10-2018 07:57 PM)sdsly Wrote:  Yes, the Reed lot is cash. Last year it was $10. As for bathrooms, they have porta potties set up in the lot. For indoor bathrooms, I am pretty sure the recreation center is open during games which is close by. Not sure about the fieldhouse itself. It may depend on if there is an event going on there or not.

I actually have a good friend of mine who is originally from the Finger Lakes area and keeps trying to talk my wife and I into going there with them for a long weekend. He went to school at SUNY Oswego, but is a fan of Syracuse when it comes to major sports. Maybe the game would be the perfect excuse to finally get to that part of the country!

Yes you need to come over. I'm a SUNY Oswego grad too...you guys definitely need to show at my tailgate. We put on an extensive menu and include beer. We ask for a free will offering of $10 for adults and $5 for kids. If you bring over some SW Michigan Beer...you'll eat for free!