If you're willing to take the chance of getting rained or snowed upon, dining outdoors in early spring can be a nice experience. It's not quite warm enough yet for bugs to dive bomb your enchiladas and the inconsistent weather keeps those annoying cell phone addicts inside.
Some restaurants have cleaned off the six months of dust from their patio chairs while others are patiently waiting for sunny skies and balmy temperatures before they commit outdoor seating.
Nevertheless, there's nothing like taking advantage of a nice day by sitting outside, sipping beer and munching on cheeseburgers - and the Lansing area is the perfect place to do that.
Wednesday's cloudless skies and fairly warm temperatures enticed dozens of diners to eat outside in East Lansing.
Finance senior Nevra Alver and advertising senior Rebecca Rittner enjoyed beer and burgers on Crunchy's patio, 254 W. Grand River Ave. Alver said it was the first day this semester she's been able to savor her food outdoors.
"It's just the stress of the semester and finals are coming up," she said. "It's nice to just take a break and sit out in the warmth."
Area patio dining:
The Airport Tavern
5000 N. Grand River Ave., Lansing
(517)321-3852
Cuisine: Steakhouse
Status: Patio seating opens early May
Brookshire Steak and Rib
205 W. Church St., Williamston
(517)655-4694
Cuisine: Steakhouse, seafood
Status: Patio seating when we've had at least a week of warm weather
Carrabba's Itailian Grill
6540 W. Saginaw Hwy., Lansing
(517)323-8055
Cuisine: Italian
Status: Patio seating open
Chi-Chi's
4880 Marsh Road, Okemos
(517)349-6260
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Status: Patio seating open
Clara's Lansing Station
637 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing
(517)372-7120
Cuisine: Variety
Status: Patio seating available soon
Crunchy's
254 W. Grand River Ave.
(517)351-2506
Cuisine: Pizza, burgers and such
Status: Patio seating open
The Draft House
12449 N. US-27, DeWitt
(517)669-5206
Cuisine: American
Status: Patio seating available soon
Dusty's Cellar
1839 Grand River Ave., Okemos
(517)349-8680
Cuisine: Contemporary American cuisine, wine
Status: Patio seating open
El Azteco
225 Ann St.
(517)351-9111
Cuisine: Mexican
Status: Patio seating available in early May
Espresso Royale
527 E. Grand River Ave.
(517)332-5224
Cuisine: coffeeshop
Status: Patio seating open
Evergreen Grill
327 Abbott Road
(517)337-1200
Cuisine: American fine dining
Status: Patio seating open
Frank's Press Box
7216 W. Saginaw St., Lansing
(517)886-1330
Cuisine: American
Status: Patio seating available in mid- to late April
Harper's Restaurant & Brewpub
131 Albert Ave.
333-4040
Cuisine: Casual fine dining
Status: Patio seating open
Harrison Roadhouse
720 Michigan Ave.
(517)337-0200
Cuisine: American
Status: Patio seating available soon
Jambalaya's
5942 E. Round Lake Road, Laingsburg
(517)651-9072
Cuisine: Cajun and New Orleans cuisine
Status: Patio seating open
Nuthouse Sports Grill
420 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing
(517)484-6887
Cuisine: Burgers, sandwiches and such
Status: Patio seating open
The Peanut Barrel Restaurant
521 E. Grand River Ave.
(517)351-0608
Cuisine: Burgers, sandwiches and such
Status: Patio seating open
Reno's East Side Sportsbar & Grill
1310 Abbott Road
(517)337-2333
Cuisine: Burgers, sandwiches and such
Status: Patio seating open
621
621 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing
(517) 482-2212
Cuisine: Classy American
Status: Patio seating open
Signature Steak House
5900 Park Lake Road
(517)339-0755
Cuisine: Steak, seafood, burgers, ribs and all other forms of meat
Status: Patio seating available when it warms up
Spartan Sports Den
1227 E. Grand River Ave.
(517)333-1944
Cuisine: Burgers, sandwiches and such
Status: Patio seating open
Stillwater Grill
3544 Meridian Crossing, Okemos
(517)349-1500
Cuisine: Steaks and seafood
Status: Patio seating available soon
Traveler's Club International Restaurant
2138 Hamilton Road in Okemos
(517)349-1701
Cuisine: International
Status: Patio seating available soon
Troppo
213 Ann St.
(517)336-7768
Cuisine: Casual and fine dining
Status: Patio seating available soon
