Clara’s Lansing Station
637 E Michigan Ave, Lansing, MI, 48912
Clara’s Lansing Station Menu
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Address :
637 E Michigan Ave
Lansing, MI, 48912 - Phone (517) 372-7120
- Website https://www.claras.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Touristy
Noise Level : Average
Music : Background
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : No
Best Nights : Fri, Sat, Sun
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
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Nick M.
This place was cool and holds special value to me because my parents took me here on my graduation day. First of all, you get to sit and eat inside a train car! That is cool enough. The food is good, large menu, nice drink menu, you have your space ...it's a fun experience and not all that pricey. We had a real good waiter as well, but maybe that was because the place knew people were booking left and right for graduations. (It's hard to find places to eat for thousands of people.) I recommend going at least once, just to say that you ate in a train car. It's pretty good if I say so myself.
(4)Tabitha M.
Cute place. We ate in the train car, which was great. Service was lackluster and super casual. Food wasn't awful, but it wasn't great, either. I'd go back once more and see if the experience we had was typical or not.
(3)Jessica D.
This place at one time was great. The building is the only thing appealing now. The food is over priced and bland. The staff is interesting to say the least, our waitress literally apologized for screwing up our order because she was "too stoned to be doing this now".....
(3)Brian N.
This review is strictly in regards to their Sunday brunch. Given the price the brunch was very disappointing. The food was average at best. The dessert table was clearly pre bought fare I could easily find at SAMs. We have enjoyed lunch here on a few occasions but will not be back for brunch. Way too expensive for the quality of food.
(2)Erin K.
I would make two different reviews for Clara's based on my experiences but I don't have time. I would give it five stars for the breakfast buffet experience, it's my favorite breakfast buffet in the Lansing area! I just love the old architecture and decor. My last, lunch experience I would give it two stars. I asked the hostess if my daughter and I could sit on the train and she acted a little annoyed. Then she insisted I put the car seat my baby was in on an upside down high chair, even though it's completely dangerous. I ordered the half fajita salad and was pretty disappointed. It only had a couple pieces of lettuce and the waitress forgot the sour cream and salsa that was supposed to come with it.
(3)Jessica S.
The ambiance is wonderful and the building is beautiful. However, I was very disappointed by the brunch buffet. For the $ we paid, I expected more of a variety and better upkeep for the buffet. We will not be coming back for brunch.
(3)Jackie D.
Ambiance was awesome- loved the old building. Only offered a buffet for breakfast- $18 per adult. Was ok, not great.
(2)Sarah W.
My favorite restaurant in the Lansing area so far. Wonderful atmosphere, and a lot to look at with all the old antiques. The food has been nothing short of amazing every time we've visited, especially the carrot cake, which is to die for! A little on the pricy side, but so long as it's not a weekly visit, the price is worth it.
(5)Brad L.
Decent atmosphere, terrible food. Everything we ordered was bland and nearly inedible. The kid's pizza was reheated, low quality frozen pizza. My wife's tortellini was crusty and flavorless. My chicken and cherry salad was a bizarre mix of ingredients. And my parents ribs were completely dried out. Even my two year old would barely eat the food. We will never eat here again.
(1)R. L.
Disgusting food. It's all frozen gordon food junk. Tasteless. Oily. 20 dollars per adult for a brunch buffet? I was in shock. Never again. The environment does not make up for it either. Sweet building, but I rather have the ambiance of a bustling diner... or drive out to the middle of nowhere and find a real country-esque buffet.
(1)Will K.
Ok food.. great Environment...won't leave a lasting impression for food......type of place you bring out of Towner's that are country folk and old people...good place for basic taste buds
(3)Joe P.
Went here for Easter brunch with my family, and I was very disappointed. While the idea of eating in a train car is very neat. The food was terrible, you are forced to eat from the buffet. For 25 dollars a person you definitely do not get what you pay for. The food is of terrible quality and more of something you would be able to get from your local school cafeteria. Will not be coming back here.
(1)Lylian D.
This place is more like a 3.5. I came here on a Sunday with The Bo and his cousin after waiting in line at Golden Harvest for 30 minutes. We were pretty much last in the long line, so it would have been 2+ hours wait. It was too cold to be waiting around for some breakfast food, as good as it may be. We decided to try Clara's brunch buffet. I didn't know that it would be $19, but The Bo's sweet cousin paid for our meal. This meal was much needed after a night of drinking. Pathetic loss by UM football against MSU. The buffet had a variety of items: Biscuits, gravy, eggs, sausage links, stuffed french toast, fried chicken, tomato sauce pasta, macaroni and cheese, turkey, honey glazed sliced ham, mini waffles with fruit & cream toppings, a salad bar, an omelette station, dessert table. I did not like the following things: Eggs which was dry, bland, and tasted like something you would get in a school cafeteria breakfast or a carton of egg blenders. At least use real eggs. It's a $19 brunch buffet. Macaroni & cheese: Bland. Everything else was decent to pretty good, especially the waffles, fried chicken, and ham. I wasn't in the mood to wait for someone to make an omelette for me, so I can't comment on the taste of their omelets. My dining companions said their desserts were wonderful, but I was way too full to eat dessert. I couldn't help but compare this place to Weber's in Ann Arbor. I'm happy that I live closer to Weber's Restaurant so that I can binge on brunch food on Sundays since it is only $9.75 for the brunch buffet and of better quality than Clara's. Overall, it was a pretty good first experience at Clara's. The place is beautiful and has a great historical atmosphere. As for the value of the brunch, I definitely do NOT think that this brunch was worth $19. It does come with coffee and some other beverage, but that still doesn't justify the pricing.
(3)Regina S.
My Uncle Mike lives in Holt, and he had us out to see a play at the Wharton theater on the MSU campus. He suggested this place since it has the cool train car and everything. I was pretty stoked when we got here. It was 4 on a Sunday so we missed the brunch buffet. The menu is so freaking ridiculous.. Like a book. WHY can't restaurants find their own identities anymore??? It literally took us over 20 minutes to decide what we wanted. Any time I see this it's a huge red flag. When you have that many choices, 2 things you should always be sure: 1. 90% of the food will be frozen 2. Most of it will be premade, and microwaved to your liking (or disliking) I ordered the chicken tortellini, BF had the Mississippi spicy shrimp and Uncle had the plain fettucine alfredo. We also had french onion soup and cheese broccoli soup. Soup was pretty ok. No complaints there. Waitress took 15 minutes to come back any time we needed anything, which was pretty dumb since the restaurant was a ghost town. We were one of two seated table in the train car. Dinner was alright... nothing to write home about. No one liked the super greasy cheese bread, it literally soaked through the napkin I set it on. Gross. BF's was just noodles in olive oil with a bunch of powdery spice on the shrimp, it was hot, but had no flavor really. Mine was ok, the prosciutto made it a little better. The tortellini are obvi frozen and were just mushy. The dessert menu looked great, and maybe that's a better idea to try next time. They do have a lot of sandwiches and salads, so maybe they are better too, but the pasta was all just pretty bland. The alfredo sauce was broken. I thought that was only a specialty of Olive Garden, but I was proven wrong. So in summary..... Mehhhhh..... /Meh
(2)Kristin W.
My boyfriend (who grew up going here) and I decided to try this place again. We were greeted by a hostess who didn't smile and asked in a dull voice "two?" My water glass was sticky on the outside. The waitress was nice enough to give me a new glass of water. We ordered the vegetarian pizza. 18.99 for a 14" pizza. The veggies were fresh (the only reason I'm giving it a higher review), but the pizza sauce was flavorless and clearly out of a can. The dough as well tasted like cardboard. I suspect it was frozen. It was definitely not worth the price. Overall, the place seems like it's dying. The dingy atmosphere, dirty tables and menus, and lackluster food all seem indicative of the restaurant struggling. I won't be back.
(2)Agnes L.
Love the look- This charming, historic train depot-turned-restaurant is all about the atmosphere. I absolutely adore dining here at night and especially during the holidays. There are pluses to sitting in every nook and cranny. I love sitting upstairs simply for the ability to climb the grand staircase and look out over the rest of the interior. I love sitting downstairs near the fireplace to keep warm. And I love sitting in the refurbished train car for its privacy and its ability to transport me to another time. Dinner's decent- The menu is ginormous and mostly American. In the end, some customers appreciate the variety, while others might think that it would be better if it was more focused because it's a bit overwhelming. I've sampled a little of everything from each section over the years, but have concluded, now as an adult, that the food is not terrible yet not standout. And the lunch portion sizes are a bit too small. The price is right and the quality of the ingredients are satisfactory based on this factor. I've ordered the Michigan Chicken Cherry salad and French Onion soup more than once and have not been disappointed.
(3)Kevin V.
Nice atmosphere, but food was blah and most was straight frozen stock product. Nothing seemed special here, menu too large - clearly no specialties, so everything is mediocre. I had the brunch buffet and should have asked the price...$17.99!! I was maybe worth 11.99, and that's pushing it.
(1)Drew P.
Food is hit and miss, must depend on who's working. Atmosphere is awesome. Servers are usually ok, and on occasion so completely terrible it boggles the mind. No reason ever for a server or manager to not check the table or section for 25 minutes.
(2)Erica D.
This review is strictly for the Sunday Brunch spread, as I have never eaten off the regular menu at any other time. Clara's is a unique place that's fun to frequent for Brunch with large groups who don't mind spending a bit more than the average Sunday breakfast. The interior decor and set-up is half the big draw to visit... I love all the clocks and eating upstairs! The seats are very roomy and comfy. ADVICE: Come really, really early... like, the second they open. Once this place gets busy, it can get kind of annoying waiting for hot waffles or omelets. On that note, the food gets cold fast. Try scooping your food from the very bottom of the trays to get the hottest available. My favorite part about the brunch is the hot wings and the egg souffle. I would definitely recommend Clara's, especially for those who have guests from out of town and are looking for something other than the traditional IHOP for breakfast/brunch. Just be prepared for the bill.
(3)Diedra S.
This place is such a joke. As mentioned in previous reviews, the building and decor are gorgeous. This is really the only reason I'm giving this place any stars. The rest of my experience was awful. First of all, our server basically ignored us the entire time. We sat around for about 10 minutes waiting to order until we had to ask another server if they could let her know we were ready... and she STILL didn't come! A man I assume was a supervisor of some sort approached our table to take our order. Soon after, our original server came around just to top off our waters. I ordered a half-order of tortellini. Apparently to Clara's, a "half-order" means 8 tortellini (yes, I counted). Also, they have the nerve to charge $11 for this pathetic excuse for a meal. They honestly expect you to be willing to pay $1.70 (after tax and tip) for EACH tortellini... which were obviously frozen and didn't even contain chicken as the menu had advertised. It was very difficult to not throw a fit at this point. When I had tried to explain my disappointment in the dish presented, the server just said, "Would you like the full order instead?" You have got to be kidding me. Unless you really enjoy overpriced garbage from GFS and horrendous service, don't bother with this place. You can do a LOT better.
(1)Patrick M.
Love the atmosphere and last time I was there the food was great. Nice place to take a date. Very unique atmosphere! It's an old train station.
(4)Zoey R.
The decore is beautiful. The food is pretty good. Great selection of drinks. The only negative thing is the staff. They are not very attentive.
(4)Jessica C.
The stars are for location and decor only. The food was bland and low-quality. Everyone seems to be obsessed with this place and I'm unsure why. Maybe it's nostalgia for native Mid-Michiganians who went here as kids? I got a large burrito and everything on it tasted like it came from a can. The menu is huge and aside from The Cheesecake Factory, that has never been a good sign for a restaurant. My husband ordered some sort of really boring chicken with pineapple over rice. Not very good and it was over priced, for sure. MSU students should go to this place once to say they've been there and look at interesting decorations but the dining experience is less than stellar and definitely not special.
(2)Tally B.
This place has gone completely downhill. The historic building is interesting, maybe worth checking out over just a drink. But the service and the food were so bad that we thought we might be on candid camera. First the waitress tried to serve us drinks with coffee grounds in all of them. Then she took 15 minutes to bring back new ones, and then promptly disappeared without taking our order. We were all convinced she was on meth. She couldn't get away from us faster. I thought it was something about us, then I heard her tell another table, "are you guys gonna talk all night or give me your order." But then the food came and it was disgusting. I felt depressed that we had come there to celebrate a big deal for my brother in law, and then got such shitty food. The french fries were ok, but the tuna salad had gone bad, yet was still served. Clearly it had sat out in the heat for too long. The black bean soup was under cooked. The bruschetta appetizer was abhorrent. Basically stale bread, with chopped canned tomatoes mixed with capers and melted (not fresh) mozzarella cheese on top. So gross. Even the plain ice cream sundae was gross. We'd have been better off stopping at McDonalds. The tables were sticky from long accrued grime. The whole place smelled of mold. It was just plain gross. It's such a shame that Clara's has come to this. I'd say the place would be better off if someone bought the property and remodeled it, but the mold damage is so bad, I fear it will be condemned and torn down. Unless you have money to throw away, do not go here to eat. And for goodness sakes, don't come here to celebrate something or you will just be depressed and disappointed. On the bright side, we didn't have to pay for the bad tuna, but we did end up wasting a half an hour waiting for the free dessert we got to make up for the bad sandwich, which did end up giving me diarrhea.
(1)heather t.
I think this place is pretty neat, history, decor, etc. the staff was very attentive! (Thank you for that) BLT pizza- very weak. Do not recommend, tasted like frozen pizza with chopped up bread. The waitress also gave us mayo packets ..... (Really!!!!!???) Southwestern chicken salad- too small for the cost. But the salad itself was very yummy. Good dressing, and a generous amount of vegetables and chicken. (For the size) Mozzerella slices- average. Basic fried mozzerella. Blondie buster brownie- best dessert , I think I've ever had. The brownie was warm and really gooey. Also lots of chocolate chips. I would definitely come back here just for the dessert!!! A++++
(4)Linda P.
Worse Mother's Day brunch we have been to in years. We had reservations for noon and we were not seated until 12:45. It didn't matter when we went to one of the food stations there were so many people and certain foods were empty. Food was OK.I realize Mother's Day is busy but maybe too many reservations were taken!!!
(1)Megan K.
Very cool restaurant! An old train station converted into a restaurant is a great idea. We ate in an old boxcar. It was nice and quiet when we went. There were 2 pages of alcohol drinks, ribs, soups, pastas, burgers, calzones, shrimp, salads, even quiches. Waitress was a sweetheart and right on top of things too. Food was really good, ill go again. Neat atmosphere!
(4)Wanda L.
The only reason Clara's gets 3 stars is for the cool location (and that accounts for 2 out of the 3 stars). Like most of the reviewers have said, the food is just mediocre. I wouldn't go all out ordering an expensive meal here. If I ever went again, I'd just go to get loaded and share an appetizer or something with someone. I don't understand why the owner(s)/management would not want to capitalize on the allure / interest of the location by improving the food. I agree with the reviewer who said they should look into scaling down the menu and focus on quality instead of quantity. Unless you really know what you want, it can take awhile to narrow things down. I think our server was a little annoyed with me because she wanted to take our group's order ASAP and I wasn't ready due to scanning the vast selection. It was cool to sit up on the 2nd level where you have a bird's eye view of the joint though.
(3)Spring S.
great idea to have a restaurant in an old train station/train car but the service there stinks. we could not even get our waiter to get some napkins let alone order something else. soup we had was overly salty, they give you 4 onion rings and pay pretty much $1 each for them so we expected more.. Stay away from this place. they need new owners and or new servers all together. They could careless about the customers and don't expect the waiter or waitress to come back after bringing you the food.. sad they cant get it right because this place can be so much better. made the drive from Ann Arbor to go here for a friends birthday earlier this week. We would make the drive back if this place was worth it how ever it is not and will post about our bad experience anywhere I can. This place needs to be shut down!
(1)Jeffrey M.
Clara's has a great location inside the old train depot and has some seating inside an old train car. If you can get past the musty smell of the dining room the french fries are great. We lowered our expectations when we saw the 7 page menu. We stayed safe and ordered simple things. The chicken sandwich I had was ok. I also noticed our waitress pinch another waitress which seemed unprofessional. After finishing lunch I wasn't surprised we were one of two tables there for lunch. I wouldn't go back. This place is begging for Robert Irvine.
(1)Marion T.
The decoration and the station is cool. I do think this place has the potential to become a great attraction in the Lansing area. The two stars go to the train station itself and the lighting. However, I think this place does need a serious total makeover. I could smell a muddy and dusty scent when we first stepped in the building. I saw dust piled up on the cabinet next to our table......The food.....I just think they can definitely do way better for the price they charge. My pasta was soaked in excessive amount of olive oil, minced garlic (tasted plain), few slices of mushroom (not fresh) and tomatoes. Cajun spice does not save the frozen shrimp. Meh....... The clam chowder tasted ok but I thought I ate large amount of corn starch......Tasted like it is straight out of a can.........The french fries and grilled pork chop were alright. Please people.
(2)Devin P.
Sometimes it can be a little on the pricey side, but great for business or a romantic lunch/dinner with the spouse. The wife and I always go on the weekend for the Prime Rib, and it has to be the best Prime Rib I've had in the area. Great atmosphere with a side of history right downtown Lansing!
(5)Rob B.
Was taken to lunch here while on business. In simple words, it is a nice restaurant that is capitalizing on its location in an historic train depot with an attached train car. The atmosphere was very nice and I enjoyed eating in the train car, it was quieter and a more intimate setting. The service was good, prompt, attentive, and friendly. Unfortunately, the food was mediocre. I ordered the chipotle chicken pasta and a cup of the french onion soup, a great soup standard which to measure a restaurant. The pasta dish was flavorful and spicy, the way I like it. However, at the bottom of the dish was about a 1/4 inch of grease and oil. The onion soup was bland and scalding. I am happy to have had the chance of dining at the depot, but the food was really unimpressive. My host told me that this place is really designed to attract tourists, and I have to agree that the quality of food is on par with tourist trap restaurants. However, if you want to check out the depot/train or just want to say you have been there, it is worth giving them one attempt.
(3)Cristina S.
We visited Clara's for brunch on Sunday & enjoyed the decor of the old train depot. It looks like a great place to have a themed event. The brunch was a bit pricey despite the fact there were many options as well ad a carving station. I may be swayed by the fact we paid more for juices than the brunch for one person since there are no refills on those, but I just didn't think the food+atmosphere was THAT good to merit that price. We may try it again for a special occasion, or if visitors are in town but it wouldn't be a regular brunch spot...
(3)