HopCat

<p>
Crack fries….need I say more?
</p>
<p>
Overview:
</p>
<p>
Restaurant: HopCat
</p>
<p>
Location: 17 locations and still growing! (Michigan
locations include Ann Arbor, Detroit, East Lansing, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo,
and Royal Oak)
</p>
<p>
Price: Food = Meals around the $11-$12 mark. Drinks = A beer
drinkers paradise. Long list of about 100 beers from cheap to outrageously
priced. Great happy hour/late night food and drink specials. (But beware of
extra charges for condiments…smh.)
</p>
<p>
Overall Rating: 33 out of 40
</p>
<ul>
<li>
Atmosphere: 8
</li>
<li>
Service: 7
</li>
<li>
Food Options: 8
</li>
<li>
Taste: 9
</li>
<li>
*Vegetarian Options: 8
</li>
</ul>
<p>
*vegetarian options not counted in overall score
</p>
<p>
Description:
</p>
<p>
There seems to be a new HopCat location in the works every
time I look at their website, and I’m happy more places will soon get to enjoy
the ever-so-iconic, crack fries. I’ve been to the original location in Grand
Rapids and the Kalamazoo restaurant on Water Street and both have a super chill
atmosphere, great music, delicious bar food, and a massive beer list.
</p>
<p>
For the HopCat novice, the Michigan-originated restaurant is
known for their “highly addictive” and signature food item called “crack
fries.” In 2017 the Food Network listed crack fries as one of the top 10 French
fries in America. Essentially they’re fries battered in a light beer, sprinkled
with a black pepper seasoning, and served with an amazing cheese sauce. I
personally think the cheese sauce is what really makes the fries so good but
just remember the dipping sauce does not come with the fries when you order a
meal. It’s only upon request and $1 extra, but believe me it’s beyond worth it.
</p>
<p>
To my vegetarians, it’s easy to tell what meals are
meat-free and tons of their food options can be made vegetarian by substituting
a chipotle black bean veggie burger. I highly recommend the “Muffin Top” which
is a black bean patty on an English muffin, with peppers, tomatoes, blue
cheese, and spinach. The English muffin starts to crumble and get a little
messy, but it was still amazing. I’ve also had the “Madtown Grilled Cheese”
which has apple slices on it, and as weird as that sounds, it’s delicious.
</p>
<p>
The best thing about HopCat (besides their crack fries) is
their happy hour and late night special. Be sure to check each location (as it
can vary) and go when you can get a couple bucks off. At the Kalamazoo location
you can get $5-off any burger or pizza Monday-Thursday from 3pm-6pm, half off
shareables and crack fries Sunday-Wednesday from 10pm to close, and a couple of
other $1.50 off drink specials. Saving money is always pretty nice.
</p>
<p>
My only complaints are they do like to try to get you on
additional fees. I got a side of ranch with my Muffin Top and it ended up being $1 extra. On a weekend or a busy event day expect to wait a while and
sometimes I haven’t had the greatest service when I have gone because they’re
either too busy and can’t keep up or slow when it comes to food coming out.
Just be patient, grab a beer from one of their 100 on tap, and hang out with
friends.
</p>
<p>
Overall it’s a chill atmosphere, good bar food, addictive
crack fries, tons of beer options, but the occasional extra charge or slow
service. 
</p>
<p>
Definitely worth a visit though, and you’ll be back and "addicted" to crack
fries.
</p>
<p>
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/media.mwcradio.com/podblogs/uploads/4acef9b9-f8a7-459b-8e99-555bdae948f3.jpg" style="width: 202px;" />
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/media.mwcradio.com/podblogs/uploads/10dbe0c9-2993-4c52-b5a3-2bbfbdb9fa1a.jpg" style="font-size: 1.6rem; width: 202px;" />
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/media.mwcradio.com/podblogs/uploads/95cbb1cf-c17b-4e2e-a80d-c9b96a3558b6.jpg" style="font-size: 1.6rem; width: 202px;" />
</p>