Michigan’s Best Local Eats: Two Cups of Joe touts ‘elevated’ American cuisine at a reasonable price – MLive.com

MUSKEGON, MI – There’s a new spot in town the community is already flocking to for a delicious brunch spread since opening its doors to the public in October.

Owner Joe Hoerle opened Two Cups of Joe at 4557 E. Apple Ave. with the intention of it being a place where Muskegon area locals can grab quality food and drinks at a respectable price.

Although the spot is a bit out of the way from the usual hustle and bustle, Jonathan Messenger, head chef at the cafe, said they have a good amount of regulars that stop in.

“I would like to make Two Cups of Joe a destination, but an affordable one,” Messenger told MLive/Muskegon Chronicle.

He said that when he came to Muskegon from Seattle, he hit the ground running by checking out the different food scenes.

After working as a sous chef at the Brunch House, he found that he wanted to create something with a nod back to the diverse cuisine found in his hometown as well as his Hispanic heritage.

That’s why he takes such care pulling the menu together at Two Cups of Joe, grabbing whatever feedback he can get from his kitchen staff.

“We’re leaning toward game meats,” Messenger said. “Guaranteed to fill up even the mightiest of appetites.”

A new special item on the menu, “The Huntsman,” is already gaining traction with local foodies.

For $15, it comes with a half-pound patty of elk, bison, boar, and wagyu beef topped with smoked gouda, bacon, a buttermilk fried onion tangler spice blend, and a cranberry-blueberry chutney with fries on the side.

If you’re looking for something more on the sweet side, Messenger touts the decadent mixed berry French toast for $14.

It’s made with two pieces of brioche French toast topped with sweet cream mixed berry compote, fresh berries and powdered sugar.

“It is delicious,” Messenger said. “There’s a lot of construction guys that come in here and they will pick that up or they’ll do The Hunstman. They’ve been a really great seller.”

Messenger told MLive that he wants to call everybody from all over the state to be able to come on over and enjoy Two Cups of Joe’s cuisine.

He said it’s all about presenting an elevated Midwestern feel, keeping it close to home.

“For me, the vision I would like to bring to Muskegon is an elevated food experience at a very affordable price,” he said. “You get that feel of eating a fine-dining establishment without the suit-and-tie feel.”

In the future, the new local cafe will be debuting some on-the-go sandwiches and more fresh pastries like crème brulée and pumpkin rolls.

Two Cups of Joe is open daily from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. To place a carryout order, visit online.

Would you like MLive to consider featuring your favorite restaurant in Michigan’s Best Local Eats? Send the details, including business name, address and best menu item, to Skyla Jewell-Hammie at [email protected].

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