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Beggar's Banquet, East Lansing, MI

Beggar's Banquet

4.4
4.4
41 Reviews
$30 and under
American
Beggar's Banquet has been making folks in East Lansing, Michigan beg for more since 1973. Not that the servings are small, but because you just don't want to stop experiencing one delicious menu item after another. It actually got its name from the proprietor's favorite Rolling Stones album that was released in 1968. The American cuisine at Beggar's Banquet is full of comfort food but with an elegant twist here and there. Options are plenty on the lunch menu, dinner menu, daily brunch menu and Sunday brunch menu. One notable item is the smoked salmon cake platter. The salmon is house-smoked then formed into three New England-style cakes, each with a different flavoring for variety that goes beyond anything you have ever had. In addition to American items, you'll also adore the "south of the border"options that Beggar's Banquet has to offer.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 3 times today

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Cuisines
    American
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Mon–Thu 10:00 am–3:00 pm Fri–Sun 9:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Thu–Sat 3:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (517) 351-4540
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Private party facilities
    The private event room can accommodate 50 people for a seated dinner or up to 80 people for a mingling event. There is a fee for the use of the room which varies depending on event day. The private room features a private bar for your imbibing needs. Options range from appetizers and hors d oeuvres to dinner buffet options. Perfect for networking mixers, bridal and baby showers, holiday parties, or your next company outing. Let us take care of your next event!
  • Neighborhood
    East Lansing
  • Cross street
    E Grand River & Albert
  • Parking details
    There is a parking garage directly behind Beggar's Banquet off of Albert.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 41 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.4
4.4 based on all time ratings
  • 4.3Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.2Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Lansing

    Most Booked

41 Reviews
  1. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had the baked Brie, which was excellent, as well as the French dip. Our waiter was quick and pleasant. Always a good meal at beggar’s!

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  2. OpenTable Diner

    New Orleans

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food is incredible and the service was wonderful. Definitely adding this to the roster of places to enjoy.

    Is this helpful?

  3. EatingOut

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Friendly service. Yummy food. Great suggestions.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Fairone

    Richmond

    23 reviews

    5.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on June 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I visited one of my favorite spots in East Lansing. My experience started in the late ‘70s when B2 first opened. I haven’t been back in several years to ELansing. Met a couple of friends and were looking for a place to go to eat and talk. I picked B2 because of my past experiences. B2 did not disappoint. It isn’t your ordinary bar food place. The menu is upscale but still have burgers and fries. Has updated to include vegetarian fare for our friends. I chose the duck and it was fantastic my wife had Cesar Salad and it was great. Our friends had the Salmon and a large salad which they raved about. The serve was so very friendly and helpful. He recommended the portion that best suited all of us was knowledge about the cocktails. All around great waiter. The food was great and great atmosphere with low volume background noise so we could talk. When I comeback to E Lansing this will always be my first choice.

    Is this helpful?

  5. OpenTable Diner

    Grand Rapids

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Awesome food and great drinks! Fun place for dinner!

    Is this helpful?

  6. sparks79

    Cincinnati

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on April 8, 2023

    overall5food4service4ambience4
    All good but service a little slow despite fairly empty restaurant.

    Is this helpful?

  7. MimaS

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    Waiter - Milo was exceptional. Great food. Quickly prepared.

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  8. GregoryS

    Milwaukee

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Nice place. My piece of salmon was bigger than most restaurants (8 oz vrs 7) and cooked just right. They didn't whine about having to open a bottle of Malbec just for me. (Maybe college kids drink a lot more of it than patrons of a franchise restaurant. ) And I travel on business alone, so I appreciate a pleasant smile from my server. Next time I am in town I will come back.

    Is this helpful?

  9. LynnS

    Grand Rapids

    62 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    62 reviews

    Dined on February 19, 2023

    overall4food3service4ambience3
    Server was great.

    Is this helpful?

  10. OpenTable Diner

    Detroit

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on January 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great experience every time ! Great food, great service!

    Is this helpful?

  11. patrickr

    Grand Rapids

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on December 30, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always great!

    Is this helpful?

  12. Jewels616

    Detroit

    9 reviews

    4.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on December 4, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    We had a very nice evening before the MSU Basketball game. Kylie was a great server. The food & drinks were very good. It was nice to have a reservation prior to the game, so we were assured a table and good timing. It's always nice to go to a place we went to a million years ago while students at MSU! Go Green~!

    Is this helpful?

  13. zebe

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 30, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    The gluten friendly menu was disappointing as it listed many sandwiches but they had to be without bun or bread. Having GF buns would've made for a lot more appetizing options. I got a chicken choice but it had a spicy sauce that didn't sound spicy in the description, so that was a surprise. I think with a bun it would've dispersed the heat enough to be okay, but "open faced" it was just too much and I couldn't get enough off of the cheese, so I ended up not eating much of that either. Perhaps sauces should be lessened or put in the side for GF orders. The steak my friend has was very flavorful but seemed over salted. For having been told big parties were coming in that evening, we were surprised how empty it was. That made for better conversation though. Being next to campus it can get loud.

    1 person found this helpful

  14. Hoofer

    Tallahassee

    34 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    34 reviews

    Dined on November 1, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Great menu, great libations and really friendly and professional staff.

    Is this helpful?

  15. Rambo

    Detroit

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on October 14, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience3
    Wonderful time! Just gotta ask what they're thinking with that inedible green salsa?!

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  16. BarbaraT

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 5, 2022

    overall3food3service4ambience3
    Our server was very attentive, but we were disappointed that several items we wanted to order from the menu were not available.

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  17. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on October 1, 2022

    overall3food2service4ambience3
    Not a steak place.

    Is this helpful?

  18. michaelr

    Chicago

    21 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on August 26, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Beggars is an MSU classic. Been there forever and always delivers with great food and service. We visit every time we're in town and are never disappointed

    Is this helpful?

  19. MarcS

    Grand Rapids

    32 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    32 reviews

    Dined on August 9, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    The food was good but very expensive. Our server was attentive and personable. I would come again to try something else.

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  20. MELISSAL

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 25, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    All 4 people in our party LOVED our visit. Wonderful choices on the menu and we all thoroughly enjoyed our choices. Comfortable atmosphere with exquisite food.

    Is this helpful?

  21. OpenTable Diner

    Detroit

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 25, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food & experience

    Is this helpful?

  22. snfrclk

    Detroit

    4 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on April 1, 2022

    overall3food3service1ambience4
    I love their brunch, but dinner was disappointing. Food wasn't really hot. Wine was expensive and tasted horrible. Servers seemed overwhelmed. Got my son's order incorrect and then it took so long he wasn't able to eat his dinner. The manager was very accommodating, taking the meal off the bill, but it was disappointing given all the dining options that are available nearby.

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  23. OpenTable Diner

    Grand Rapids

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 12, 2022

    overall2food2service2ambience4
    While the server tried to offer his opinions on suggestions, he honestly couldn't, due to his preference on drinks and not trying some of the food offerings. The prices are a little high, considering your portion size. I would not suggest the steak to anyone. There was a lot of fat that could have been trimmed prior to reaching the table. A $40 dollar steak should have been trimmed better. The meal was aesthetically pleasing, but everyone knows, looks are a small portion of the entire dinning experience.

    Is this helpful?

  24. SaraP

    Chicago

    21 reviews

    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on March 4, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was amazing will be returning!

    Is this helpful?

  25. KennethB

    Grand Rapids

    34 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    34 reviews

    Dined on March 3, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience3
    It was ok, nothing stood out as exceptional or as horrible.

    Is this helpful?

  26. OpenTable Diner

    Grand Rapids

    3 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 28, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Beggar's never disappoints!

    Is this helpful?

  27. AdrianC

    Detroit

    18 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on February 14, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    One of our favorites! From their brunch to their cocktails, we love it all!

    Is this helpful?

  28. CathyF

    Detroit

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on February 5, 2022

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    The Mac and cheese was delicious and worth the drive. Sounds like they are a good place for brunch too

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  29. BillyP

    Detroit

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 29, 2021

    overall4food4service3ambience4
    Although our server was assisted by someone else in bringing out our food, I was never served. She stopped by twice & did not notice. I asked & she was very apologetic.

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  30. MoiraJ

    San Diego

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on November 5, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Awesome food and service. We went back for brunch the next day!

    Is this helpful?

  31. JillH

    Minneapolis

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 15, 2021

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Fun place with great food! We would go again in the future

    Is this helpful?

  32. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 1, 2021

    overall1food1service1ambience3
    Two hours for the worst food I’ve ever had. The chicken piccata was a bed of dry angel hair pasta with ann over done FRIED piece of chicken dumped on it. Salads were marginal, and the burger my husband ordered was gross.

    Is this helpful?

  33. OpenTable Diner

    Detroit

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on October 1, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    took the sons/nephews out to dinner for homecoming

    Is this helpful?

  34. OpenTable Diner

    Grand Rapids

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on July 16, 2021

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    We came to Beggar’s Banquet after two other restaurants had too long of a wait. The restaurant was unusually busy according to the manager, and short-staffed. The bartender was our server. He did an incredible job! He was friendly and prompt. We saw him clearing tables and doing just about everything with a smile on his face. Our food came out quickly and everyone was happy with the meal.

    Is this helpful?

  35. ShayR

    Caribbean

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on June 19, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Love this place! East Lansing staple

    Is this helpful?

  36. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 29, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Terrific service!

    Is this helpful?

  37. AnnC

    Grand Rapids

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 16, 2021

    overall2food1service2ambience3
    Oh Beggars, you used to have such great food but our last visit was terrible. Not sure if it was due to COVID restrictions, short staffing or what, but none of us in our party of four had a good meal. The Chicken Piccata was simply overcooked chicken on angel hair pasta with no capers or lemons to be found. The tenderloin steak didn't even taste like steak and the brussel sprouts had be over cooked. Our friends rated their meals as 'okay'. Our baked brie was half the size it used to be with no pecans, only a side of raspberry jam. It was so sad to see such a consistently good restaurant fail across the board.

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  38. JasonS

    Detroit

    5 reviews

    3.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on March 12, 2021

    overall3food2service4ambience4
    Decent but extremely over priced on some items

    Is this helpful?

  39. Birmingham48009

    Denmark

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on March 6, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    A great place for brunch or to meet your students for a meal away from the madness of EL. Have been going there for 30 years and don’t see us stopping anytime soon.

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  40. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 14, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food was amazing. The environment was nice and clean and the service was great. We really enjoyed our dinner.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Beggar's Banquet is rated 4.4 stars by 41 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 3 times today
Google Map for Beggar's Banquet

218 Abbot Rd, East Lansing, MI 48823-4340

Additional information

  • Cross street
    E Grand River & Albert
  • Neighborhood
    East Lansing
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Mon–Thu 10:00 am–3:00 pm Fri–Sun 9:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Thu–Sat 3:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Cuisines
    American
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    There is a parking garage directly behind Beggar's Banquet off of Albert.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (517) 351-4540
  • Private party facilities
    The private event room can accommodate 50 people for a seated dinner or up to 80 people for a mingling event. There is a fee for the use of the room which varies depending on event day. The private room features a private bar for your imbibing needs. Options range from appetizers and hors d oeuvres to dinner buffet options. Perfect for networking mixers, bridal and baby showers, holiday parties, or your next company outing. Let us take care of your next event!
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