Here is what Restaurant Week looks like in small town America - MLive.com

NILES, MI - Who doesn’t love a good Restaurant Week?

It’s usually a great opportunity to experience a huge variety of restaurants, especially in larger cities such as Chicago, Detroit and Grand Rapids or in foodie towns like Traverse City.

But what about small town America? Is there enough variety?

The answer is “yes” if you’re planning to check out the first-ever Niles Restaurant Week, which takes place March 1-7 in Niles.

“We have tons of great restaurants,” said Niles Mayor Nick Shelton in a recent MLive video. “Great coffee, pizza...even birria tacos - you name it, you can get it in downtown Niles.”

In addition, you’ll find “antique shops, collectible shops and record shops,” he added.

“We’re a welcoming community with so much to offer....Our downtown business owners want to give back and serve the people of our town.”

Located on the St. Joseph River over 5.95 square miles in Southwestern Michigan, Niles is less than six miles from the Michigan-Indiana border and 15 minutes from the Notre Dame campus. It has about 11,000 residents.

Their downtown NODE - the Niles Outdoor Dining Experience - recently was voted as best outdoor dining in the area by MLive readers.

READ: The NODE gets the nod as Michigan’s Best Outdoor Dining in Kalamazoo and SW Michigan

During the second shutdown because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the city closed off an entire street in the heart of downtown to create an outdoor dining space featuring a 6-foot fireplace and picnic tables, and all done with community support, donations and volunteers. It will stay open through mid April.

Now that indoor dining has opened to 25 percent, Niles Restaurant Week will give everyone an opportunity to visit close to 20 restaurants and bars, which will offer a little bit of everything from BBQ and Mexican food (including those birria tacos) to pizza and craft beer. (Yes, you can take food to the NODE!)

“This is also a wonderful opportunity to establish Niles as a destination for dining out in the greater Michiana area and to highlight all of the other great businesses here in Niles, as I hope patrons will take time to explore our wonderful city,” said Laura Tuthill, owner of Iron Shoe Distillery.

Organizers said Restaurant Week will feature unique, limited time menus, specials and events as part of the week-long celebration of local cuisine.

It’s not Chicago, Detroit or even Grand Rapids, but that’s ok, said Lisa Croteau, program manager at Niles DDA Main Street.

“You’re right, we’re not, we’re smaller, but we are pretty much the Center of the Michiana Universe. Thirty minutes in any direction from Niles gets you anywhere. And we have a lot to offer,” she said.

Bryan Williams of the Brass Eye Bottle Shoppe and chair of the Niles DDA Main Street Board said visitors will be impressed.

“I think people will be surprised by what Niles has to offer,” he said. “We pack a pretty big punch for a little city.”

See the participating restaurants’ menus at EatDrinkNiles.com.

Overall, Niles Restaurant Week means support for friends and neighbors, said Eileen Villanueva, membership coordinator at the Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce.

“This is the time to take action to ensure that the local businesses that make up our community have the support that they need to revive and thrive in 2021,” she said.

Birria tacos from El Amigo Pepe in downtown Niles, Michigan. They are located near The NODE - the Niles Outdoor Dining Experience.John Gonzalez

Participating restaurants:

Apothica Teas

Brew Ha Ha Café

Create Bar & Grill

El Amigo Pepe’s

Front Street Pizza Pub

Gabrizio Italian Café & Bakery

Iron Shoe Distillery

Jay’s Lounge Sports Bar & Grill

Jim’s Smokin’ Café

Joey Armadillo’s

Lakeside Bar & Grill

Niles Brewing Company

Nugget Downtown Grill

Pizza Transit

Plaza Restaurant

Prime Table Restaurant

Veni’s Sweet Shop

Wings Etc.

The massive fire pit at The NODE - the Niles Outdoor Dining Experience in Niles, Michigan.John Gonzalez

IF YOU GO

Niles Restaurant Week

March 1-7

View participating restaurants at EatDrinkNiles.com.

Facebook at Facebook.com/EatDrinkNiles

The NODE - Niles Outdoor Dining Experience

Hours: Pit is lit are 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. -8 p.m. Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday.

More info: Check Downtown Niles Main Street at uncoverniles.com/thenode or facebook.com/nilesddamainstreet/?fref=tag

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