Great pizza great burgers and good beer selection! Get the beer bucket with your buddies. Wish I would have come more when I was a student at MSU. Every time i tried to come there was a line out the door!
(5)
Emily L.
I always enjoy going to Crunchy's for the atmosphere, food/drink specials and experience. Service is always a hit or miss. A server rang in our burgers wrong and when we told him, he said 'do you want me to scrape the toppings off?' No! Our service this night was bad to begin with and when we spoke with the manager she was clearly not paying attention to us- looking around the room and not making eye contact. I gave Crunchy's another chance and have had really awesome service since, and also really bad too. Will I be back? Yes since it is such a staple to MSU. Just be aware that the service may not always be the best, while the burgers will be delicious!
(3)
daphne r.
Crunchy's used to have incredible burgers then went seriously and disgustingly downhill during some ownership change (if the story I heard was right). They're back to being fabulous and have been for awhile, highly recommend for the burger lunch special. If you ever stopped going there go back.
(4)
Patrick A.
I really don't understand the fascination with Crunchy's... It's a run-down, dirty, somewhat expensive (for what you get - both quality and quantity) college bar with an experience tailored to only one specific type of patron. Not that there's anything wrong with hipsters (there's not), but I'm not one of them, and I don't really like feeling like I'm not welcomed at a place I'm going to eat dinner. And oh my god, their commercials on the radio; so awful. Seriously, who thought that guy's voice was a good idea???! TL;DR Decent burgers, average prices, hipster presence, horrible advertising.
(1)
Allyson F.
Crunchys is one of my new favorite spots in EL. Medieval madness pinball, PIZZA nugs, large selection of beer, and twinkly lights what more can I ask for.
(5)
Sydney A.
I really like that they have karaoke nights here, also the bartenders are really nice. Although I don't really like meat, I do order the burgers when I come here..they're that good
(4)
Michelle A.
Would never eat here again!! Got bread sticks which were not good..ate them with the help of ranch. Son got nachos...way over done, dry and gross...he didn't eat them. Husband got mozzarella sticks and they were okay but 8 bucks!! Slow service and no one seemed in a hurry but me!! Many people were eating burgers so that may be a better bet!!
(2)
Kevin T.
I skipped their great burgers and instead enjoyed a pretty decent taco salad. Not spectacularly presented like some places, but understated exactly like you'd expect at a dependable college mainstay like Crunchy's. Despite the picture, there was quite a bit of lettuce underneath a big dollop of ground beef, cheese, tomato and onion. With plenty of jalapeño, sour cream and salsa toppings, there was no need for dressing.
(4)
Brian S.
Merruci burger. Short simple and to the point review. Get it, eat it and enjoy the S@! $ out of it! Wash it down with a buckket of beer- i do meam an actual bicket of beer- very weird indeed.
(4)
Jackie C.
GO HERE!! Do not judge a book by its cover ( i did and im SO mad i am just discovering this place!!) Super cute little sports bar with awesome waiters. BOMB wings and super juicy burgers, pretty decent fish tacos and GREAT little pizza poppers with Conrad's ranch :) Overall awesome food and next time i am in town this will be my first stop.
(5)
Vee T.
Crunchy's has a great variety of beer. I tried out the flat tire and was really surprised with how good it was(like a better budweiser). If I had more time I would have tasted a few more. My husband had the burger and has claimed it the best burger he's ever had at a restaurant. It wasn't dripping with grease. It was so perfect, he didn't even need a napkin for it. Plus, for the price of $6.50 (with onion rings)...it was delightful. The patty was thick and the onions crunchy, not over cooked. I had the fried fish and pickles which were also awesome. Our server was the best service we've had in a while. Wasn't overly excited or constantly asking if we were okay. He was very real and calm, much like the atmosphere. !!! !!!Tips: go through the alley on the right side of thw building for the entrance and bring a silver sharpie to write on the walls!!! !!!
(4)
A C.
I love this place! Although I prefer the afternoons when you can relax & enjoy a good craft beer. At night, you can expect to see lots of college kids having the time of their lives. They have many great craft beers on tap, which change regularly (like every few days). And their food is delicious pub food. I highly recommend the deep fried Mac & cheese.
(5)
John L.
I have loved this place since college days (80's). Incredible beer selection and fabulous atmosphere.
(5)
Vikram V.
First time at Crunchy's in my time as an undergrad at MSU and getting it on the second-to-last day of college. I ordered the chicken caesar wrap which came with potato chips. Overall, the wraps are of better quality than many other places I've had them. For $7.49, the price seems a little high for the item that I ordered but other similar price items like the bean dip are worth the cost. The place is a lot smaller than I thought it would be and from what I hear the place is known for the burgers and beers. In the end, it's another bar with the typical food that's associated with it. Better than cafeteria food for students that stay in the dorm but casual food nonetheless.
(3)
Andrew M.
I was visiting Lansing for work and decided to follow a Yelp recommendation for Crunchy's. The restaurant itself has a great atmosphere, they have a very active Karaoke stage, a very elaborate beer list and when I was visiting it was during Michigan Beer Month, which was really quite wonderful. I had their signature hamburger and a big mug of beer. The food was done exactly the way I expected and the beer was quick and cold. The serving staff were friendly and quite fleet-of-foot as they have quite a bit of territory to cover. I did run into only a few negative things, parking is a bear, the nearest lot is curiously overwhelmed with rather grumpy signs pointing out that the parking is for the Biggby next door. That they can't share the lot is kind of dumb. The other bit is that the entrance to Crunchy's is in a rather tight alleyway between Crunchy's and the next business, an auto detailing place. It's not a problem, and there is a video camera pointed at the alley for security sakes, but if you are going after dusk it may be best to go in numbers. Not that crime is attracted to alleys, but it's something to think about especially if you've had a bit to drink, it's late at night, and you are on your own.
(3)
Patrick R.
A solid watering hole. Only 2 of us so couldn't take advantage of my frat's bucket. Crunchys is a great divey hangout spot. The food is mostly straight out the frier and I doubt anything is homemade (hopefully I'm wrong... but I don't try to eat here). Beer selection better than I remembered and prices are solid. For EL's less than stellar barscape.... This is one of the better spots.
(4)
Lauren M.
Classic. This is the place I will remember forever from my college days. Great atmosphere, warm people--try the buckets of food (like pizza nugs, yummmmmmm)! Lots of Michigan craft brews. If you're looking to become more familiar with Michigan beers try this place first.
(5)
Elizabeth D.
Food and beer are still awesome! Updating my review. Last night I ordered two items to-go (along with my sit-down order). The waitress informed me that my to-go order had been given to someone else mistakenly and that they would comp the to-go order, take an additional discount off my sit-down order, and try to complete the order as quickly as possible. Now that is customer service!
(5)
Joe T.
Burger was alright. Bucket of beer was pretty epic. They fill a mop bucket of the beer of your choice. The wings here are in my top 5. They're breaded and full of meat. Go with the house sauce-I will always order wings when I go here
(4)
Riley H.
This is one of my favorite places I've ever been to. The building itself is a giant hole in the wall pretty much. The atmosphere was great when I went, as the Michigan State was playing in a bowl game. The place was packed. I ordered the "world famous" Crunchy Burger, an it was one of the best I've ever had in my life. It rivals my favorite burger ever, which takes a lot. The fries were great, the burger was great, the apps were great, and everything was great. Definitely come here. It's tucked back between some other buildings, so make sure you know where you're going. The food isn't costly, and you definitely get what you paid for.
(5)
Cameron L. R.
My food was horrible and I got ignored by there server the whole time. My friend thinks it's because I didn't order an alcoholic drink. I don't know why that should get me bad service, just because I didn't feel like drinking. Other people at my table also tried my food and agreed it was practically inedible. So I decided to do something I pretty much never do, I didn't leave a tip. So then what do I see a few days later on my bank statement? The guy charged me for a tip anyway. Unbelievable.
(1)
Joey R.
Don't just go for the burgers try some of the salads or even better. Go early to beat the crowd it gets really really crowded with all the college kids or order takeout
(4)
Jody C.
They have Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale, Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza, Moonlight Meadery Kurt's Apple Pie and even Miller Lite....may I say more...
(5)
Jack M.
Burgers are great! We were highly recommended the pizza nugs, and hated them. Maybe if we were more drunk we would have enjoyed them...
(3)
Jeremiah R.
BUCKETS of beer, karaoke, and burgers. Need I say more.. Might be a small wait outside on busy nights but its definitely worth it
(4)
Kenn P.
This place is everything. EVERYTHING. As an MSU alum, I miss it every day. Literally bringing tears to my eyes as I type this. My senior year, I lived less than a block from this place, and I perhaps maybe too regularly went there instead of buying groceries. Whatever. Also, really good parking for those bougie people with cars!
(5)
Gary H.
Worst. Service. Ever. The food is just regular bar food with some silly bits like a bucket full of sliders. The place is known for its karaoke / music / etc as much as its food. I wouldn't mind as much, if the service wasn't so awful. Sometimes it's okay, other times the servers deserve for me to post a page full of curse words. Some words I can post: Arrogant, lazy, dirty, angry, unhelpful. This ruins any good night of drinking. East Lansing isn't exactly hard up for bars, go somewhere else.
(1)
Matt T.
Average food. Bar food. Nothing to write home about. Got the avacado bacon burger and was very meh. 4 stars to me, usually means the food is really good. The service was great!
(3)
John S.
Please do not visit crunchy's, because they have the Best Hambuger in the tri-state area and if too many people figure this out - I will have trouble getting a table. Best selection of Michigan taps. Wonderful service. Decor is carved wood.
(5)
Nathasja T.
Do you mean to tell me I can doodle all over your walls, drink beer out of a bucket and have a char grilled burger to wash that brew down? Sounds like..heaven? Crunchy's is kindof an east Lansing staple as I understand. Years ago when in college my husband used to go here, and on ocassion we still come here together in current times. The burgers are charred (grilled until..black spots appear). Some people dislike this, I happen to think it adds flavor (of the good kind). Now that I have given up meat I ordered a black bean burger last time we visited. It was a surprisingly good burger, the black bean mixture was well-seasoned and it even gained my stepdaughters' seal of approval. Burgers come with an option of adding MSU cheese..yum! You can choose fries, tots or Better Made's as a side. During lunch they have a $5 special; cheeseburger, fries and a pop. Not bad at all! So why three stars? Burgerwise I am (was) pretty picky. Though the char adds flavor, the actual meat lacks just that. Adding some seasoning wouldn't kill anyone, salt and pepper are magical things. Sure I can add it myself, but really - I shouldn't have to. The real kicker that knocks the starage down is the service as it leaves something to be desired, it is slow, unattentive and often rude. I'd like to come back for a burger in the future but I can do without the wenches. Excuse me - waittresses.
(3)
Matt C.
I'll always remember going here with my friends. 1. Great, dynamic beer selection 2. GREAT PARKING. I really feel that somebody should mention this. It's just so nice being able to park right by the bar and not have to screw around in a parking garage or pay to park or have to deal with a bunch of dipshits walking in front of you while you navigate down Albert. 3. Oh my god the tots. When the tots are fresh here, they're so good. I don't know, maybe they're not as fancy as the crack fries at Hopcat, but there's just something addictive about them. 4. The rest of the food. Their mini pizzas are actually really good!! Also try the brat burger.
(5)
Wendy W.
Had a great time here yesterday! ! Food was great! ! Really enjoyed the Bacon Bleu burger on pretzel roll. Chilli cheese fries were some if the best I have ever had, onion rings were great too!! The service was excellent! ! Kudos to our server, Nona. She was very timely & attentive, offered great food suggestions, & our glasses were never empty. This was a great experience, price was right for the 3 of us, very reasonable for what we ordered.
(5)
Sara N.
Crunchys is perfect if you just want a casual beer and burger with friends or a wild night of karaoke and a bucket with a group. I have been coming to Crunchys for years and I've never had a bad time. They have a great beer selection that features a lot of Michigan craft beers and they serve tater tots. I mean you can't go wrong with a place that serves tater tots and pizza nugs. I will say that lately I have seen children at Crunchys which kind of ruins the atmosphere so do as all a favor and leave the kiddos at home.
(4)
James H.
A classic East Lansing bar. They have a vast selection of rotating beers. I suggest the famous Crunchy Burger or their pizza nugs. They also have a killer trivia night every Tuesday which is a blast.
(5)
William W.
As a senior at MSU, I have had plenty of time to reach the decision that crunchys is the best bar in East Lansing. Crunchys offers drink and food specials every day of the week, so there is always something for the right price. Large group? Get the bucket of beer, trust me. I am always craving the burgers at crunchys, but the pizza is pretty darn good as well. I recommend the black and blue cheese and avocado burgers. Whether you partake or just go for the show, Going to crunchys for karaoke night should be on every Spartans bucket list.
(5)
Kevin S.
Had my brother's bachelor party start out here this past weekend - they weren't too busy and Taylor/the other servers made it an awesome time. They handled the logistics of a lot of guys drinking different craft beers with ease and were always available if we needed. The burger I had was amazing - just like I remember it. Karaoke was another absolute blast - they do a great job of MCing it and keeping things going. We also stopped by with the bridal party post wedding ceremony for a drink before heading to reception - again, servers were great about getting us a quick drink and letting us take a couple pics at the best little dive bar in East Lansing. Thanks for making my trip back to East Lansing for this special event a great one, Crunchy's! You'll always have a special spot in this Spartan alumnus' heart.
(5)
Leslie A.
I went there with a group of friends on a friday night. It was pretty packed and hard to get a waitresses attention at first. The karaoke was a fun experience. The DJ was cool. I probably sang about 3 songs that night and a lot of folks were singing along. I had a crunchy burger and it was one of the better burgers you'll find in East Lansing. Recommended
(4)
Carman L.
Crunchy's is just right. I've kind of become a regular with their trivia night. The waitstaff are always personable and fun. The burgers are fantastic. But if you order one of their toppings, order it a step undercooked from what you want. The pretzel buns are great. They have tots which are always cooked perfectly crisp. I also really like their chicken fingers. They're not really special, but they always hit the spot. And don't forget their fantastic tap list. And for a big group, you can order a bucket of beer. Literally a bucket. You could be a lunatic and mop with it.
(5)
Danielle B.
People who say this place is good probably have just lived in East Lansing their entire lives or really don't know what good food is. It is definitely not even close to a good burger like their billboards promise. Red Robin is better...because at least I can't see fat balls in the meat like I did with Crunchy's. Their chili cheese fries are gross. The meat tasted really fatty, in a grimy fibery way. Their beer selection is good, I'll give them that. So, in general, I would say this is a place to go if you are intoxicated. If you are a foodie and looking for a gastropub-like-burger, then turn some place else. If you are the type that thinks Culvers is the best thing known to man, then this place is the right place for you.
(2)
Matt N.
This place has very mediocre food. Everyone dips there cups and hands into a bucket of beer.... Won't be visiting this place again.
(2)
Binnan O.
This place probably doesn't need much more publicity but I got a 'atomic' crunchy burger and it was absolutely fantastic. Patty was cooked it medium rare like I asked so it was still juicy and tender. The atomic set of toppings includes a rich chili with pepper jack and jalapeños to give the burger a moderate kick. The cajun fries were excellently seasoned and fried to a nice crisp. I really had nothing to complain about and believe this to be one of the best burger joints around so long as you're not expecting anything gourmet with brioche buns and lemon truffle aoilis :P
(5)
Tom H.
I absolutely LOVE Crunchy's! I loved it when I was at Michigan State 20+ years ago and it's one of those places that is great simply because they DON'T mess with things...if it's ain't broke don't fix it. Best burger around, the atmosphere is awesome, and the bill won't break your wallet. Keep up the great work, Crunchy's!
(5)
Ian L.
Five star ratings need to be earned, and Crunchy's deserves every shiny, candy-like red Yelp star possible. College bars come in all shapes and sizes, but Crunchy's provides the best atmosphere, food options, beer selection, and fair prices. Get the Famous Crunchy's burger, a mug of Michigan craft beer, and enjoy the experience. Or, sing karaoke on Fridays (if you must), but make sure you have a few $5 Long Islands before you take the stage.
(5)
Alex M.
This is a place with a unique personality, beginning with the speakeasy-like entrance. The beer selection (particularly drafts) is excellent and so are the Crunchy hamburgers. Went there twice and enjoyed it both times.
(4)
Sarang Y.
On my first day in Lansing, Michigan, Crunchy's was my very first meal. Near MSU, this low-key welcoming bar had some good food and beers. I got their house burger medium and the beef patty had the right amount of pink and beef juices. The side of fries were all right but I enjoyed my friend's tater tots a whole lot more. Our waitress had excellent taste and recommended some good brews to us. My favorite was Dark Horse Plead the 5th Imperial Stout. 12%. An amazing experience, will definitely visit again!
(4)
Alexandra F.
Strange entrance, not fancy, but SO good! I got a salmon burger for $6.99 and it was really acceptable. They have a great selection of local beer and the atmosphere is great! Really informal, but great service.
(5)
Nick M.
Bucket of beer, great burgers, karaoke, a little off to the side of the other bars and it has its own identity. Crunchy's is a great dive, especially in the spring and summer. Woohoo!!
(5)
David S.
I'm not sure I've ever had a bad experience here. Sometimes you have to wait in line, or deal with frat boys and sorority sisters, but it's worth it. The food is actually very good for a dive bar. They have good and drink specials all the time. The beer selection and rotation is unbeatable. Be there on Sunday nights for half off beer...and don't be the fool who orders Miller Lite.
(5)
Pepsi M.
Several times I've been here for casual meals, and I've never been let down. The atmosphere is quintessentially college: creative, artful, and busy. Staff has been very friendly, nice, and helpful. It's fair to say that this places meets and exceeds expectations for a great time in a busy restaurant. Great burgers, drinks, and atmosphere - you can't go wrong... though I'm not sure how they are when it gets busy (gameday and possibly karaoke night)?
(5)
Rachel B.
Crunchy's is one of the few East Lansing hideouts that I frequent, and with good reason. It's billed as the original craft beer spot in town and features an excellent selection of regularly rotating taps with knowledgeable staff behind the bar. Like any good college town joint, there are some great specials during the week - burger & fries (or tots) with a soft drink for $5 on Wednesdays, and half off beer on Sundays. Just skip karaoke night, though - the sound system and talent just aren't up to snuff.
(4)
Chris C.
Decent food. Had the bacon avocado burger. Waiter forgot about our table, but was knowledgable about the menu and beers on tap.
(3)
Aaron M.
Want a craft beer and a tasty burger in a college dive bar setting? Crunchy's is your place! There are always interesting choices on the draft list and the burgers, while simple, are among the best in town. Crunchy's is an East Lansing tradition and rightfully so!
(4)
Esther G.
I've never had a bad experience at Crunchy's. Because of its location outside of the downtown core, I usually need a reason to come here. Most recently, it was the MSU basketball game. While it was packed, we were still able to score a table. There always seems to be a special going on for food and/or drinks no matter the time of day. On a Tuesday, it was $4 tacos for 3, and $1.75 wells. The tacos weren't anything special but got the job done. We also had a side of chips/salsa. The salsa is the Garden Fresh variety made in Michigan that's my favorite. The chips, however, were pretty stale. But they were quick and willing to get us a new basket. For it being so busy, our waitress was phenomenal. Service is definitely hit or miss on a game day in any restaurant/bar in East Lansing, so it was definitely appreciated.
(4)
Meg H.
Crunchys is one of the best hangout spots in East Lansing! Definitely one of my favorite places in East Lansing. Draft list is always on point, good food and awesome staff! Absolutely love the atmosphere!
(5)
Jen S.
One of the best, if not the best, bars in EL. I'm especially fond of the fried pickles, pizza nugs, pizza, and half-price drink Sundays!
(5)
Amanda H.
I seriously don't miss much from the Lansing area, but I sure miss Crunchy's. I couldn't ask for a better burger or better drinks, and all at amazing prices. The only problem is their parking lot...it needs to be bigger! I always parked next door at, I guess what Biggby's monopolizes as their parking lot only, but they're kind of extreme a**h*les over there and threaten to tow you.
(5)
John J.
Went here with my family (parents and grandma), sat outside, and had a great time. Very fast service, great beer selection, huge portions and a large menu. Very chill, dive style restaurant. check it out.
(5)
Erin C.
The perfect place if you are craving some local cuisine and beer. The beer on tap is top notch and the prices are pretty reasonable. If you have a group go for a Bucket of beer. Karaoke nights are tons of fun. The long islands will put you on your butt so be careful.
(4)
Adam Y.
Beer selection is good but compared to HopCat it's pricey. Go here for the burgers and bring a knife to carve something into the tables.
(4)
Sarah M.
This place is my fav. Great burgers, huge beer selection. Definitely going to miss my all time favorite server though: Danae aka Snookie! She was always super fast, really helpful and hilarious. She made the experience great and Crunchy's won't be the same without her!!
(4)
Christopher P.
Best bar I have ever been to. I love going there with a group of friends, ordering up a bucket of beer (the bucket is our personal one we got through an organization, always fun to see that being brought out to us) and relaxing for a fantastic night of drinking, eating and singing! First off the bucket of beer is exactly that, a 3 gallon bucket full of beer, how could you go wrong with that. There is a 4 person requirement for ordering one but the more the merrier. Also their list of other brews is extensive and always delicious and they make an amazing Mind Eraser. I've never had a bad drink from here whether it be beer or liquor, it is always great. Second, the food. Their burgers are great and for a good price. They come out pretty quick and their fries are just amazing. They get their cheese from the MSU dairy store if that helps make up your mind! Their pizzas are great bar pizza (need to make that distinction between pizza place pizza and bar pizza). It has all the things you want from a pizza at a bar. Also their buckets of food are great too! Cajun fries, pizza nugz, etc! lastly I will talk about the bar itself. It is a dive bar, the entrance is down an alley (which I find more fun). The wood booths and walls have writing all over them and carvings dating back years and years. Proclamations of eternal love to the representation of some student organizations fun night out. A lot of TVs in there but they are not big, they are good for watching the game on the side but the primary focus is the social aspect in my opinion. I have can say I have had consistently good service there for over a year now (almost there every thursday and other days) and after they got to know me it only got better! I cannot praise this place enough. I absolutely love going there with friends to relax, have some drinks and pour our hearts out through Karaoke! If you are looking for a dance club, or massive bar with 0 service than look elsewhere. But if you want a great bar experience with some friends than be sure to check this place out!
(5)
Scott S.
number of visits 10+ last visit ~ summer 2012 Crunchy's is somewhat of a local favorite in East Lansing. To start out with the best part, the beer selection here is awesome. It's definitely a great place to go for a great selection of craft beers. I enjoy Crunch's because of the beer selection. It's definitely a dive, not really a problem, just what it is. The place is very small. At night it's usually crowded and you often have to wait to get in, which can be annoying. Depending what time you come, a mix of students and older customers frequent this bar. They have buckets of beer...not a bucket filled with bottles of beer...literally a mop-like bucket filled with beer. You need 4 people to get it (I think you can get Miller Lite, Labatt, and Labatt Lite) and the buckets of beer are kind of legendary in East Lansing. They do Karaoke a lot. For me, this is a minus because it gets very loud and can be annoying. The service is bad and seems understaffed. Overall, this is a good place. I could give it more than three stars if the service was better, but with the terrible service I can't go higher than three stars.
(3)
J H.
The best burgers in town.
(5)
Josue M.
Their food tasted pretty good; but the service was bad. We basically had to waive down a server each time we needed something. I don't think the food was so great that I absolutely need to go back, especially since the service was so poor; but I may try it just once more to see if the bad service was a fluke.
(2)
D. V.
Crunchy's is super fun: definitely a staple for your run-of-the-mill MSU student experience. They do karaoke every weekend night (in East Lansing, weekends ALWAYS start on Thursdays, no matter what time you have to get up the next morning), and have decent specials and a mostly-Michigan-centric beer selection, if you're into that sort of thing (and you should be). The last time I was in there, it seemed like they expanded their karaoke song list, which is great, because the previous one was lacking a bit. Crunchy's has the best karaoke I'm aware of in the Lansing area, the audience is really receptive/drunk/happy, even if you're horrible, and everyone sings along to the old standards. It should also be noted that it seems like pretty much everybody here, especially the staff, is the kind of friendly not often seen in bar-type places. The food is your standard, deep-fried fare, and they have a nice special for half off pizzas and alcohol on Sunday nights. I docked a star because it seems like for the last couple months or so, EVERY time I have tried to go here, there has been a line, like, 25-people deep, even at 7 pm on a Thursday, and while I have a certain amount of loyalty to Crunchy's, if a place exists that is worth waiting 45 minutes to get into, I sure as hell have never been there, and I'm doubting it exists in Central Michigan!
(4)
Calvin F.
Crunchy's is my favorite little dive bar in the whole world. If you go in on a Saturday afternoon, it's almost quiet enough to bring the family. Almost. But the air of merrymaking must permeate those oft-carved wood-paneled walls. Just like ghost punters say you can feel when something bad has happened someplace, you can tell that many, many *rad* things have happened here. First, since I am a beer snob and always enter sober, the beer quality. They have an extensive selection of brew on tap from many local microbrewers. No matter what kind of beer you like, they always have something excellent that will fit the bill. The waitstaff has some quality personnel (at least when I was going there) and some of them even know their beers. But by "quality" I don't mean that they're not a little gruff and harried. They're both. Next, the beer quantity. You'll notice a shelf that stretches across most of the main seating area: over the entrance, around the bathrooms, kitchen door, and the whole bar. This shelf is filled with buckets. One has my fraternity's regalia decorated all over it. Hmm... if only we could figure out what a fraternity would do with a bucket... in a bar... with beer taps... No, don't pee in it, you idiot. Although I would recommend washing it out first before drinking from it. And if you don't feel like a whole bucket o' beer, or if you didn't bring enough friends for them to give you one? Fine, they have 25 oz. mugs that will knock you on your ass. Especially if it's filled with Long Island iced tea instead of beer. They also have buckets o' food too. And oh -- the food is the perfect blend that you're looking for in bar food: somewhat greasy, somewhat salty.. not TOO trashy: just trashy enough. The Crunchy Burger is marvelous. Order it with one of their toppings, and ask for "the rub" as well. They'll know what you're talking about. Your mouth will thank you. I have eaten enough baskets of their fries to put most mere mortals on The Biggest Loser. If only all bar food were like this. Finally, as if this place weren't packed with enough quality, they have specials. Order them. I'll spare you the math: they make things cheap. Just don't go there on karaoke night. Unless you show up an hour early to down a bucket first.
(5)
Brad C.
Classic. Sevice always pretty good.
(5)
Bee S.
Not a huge fan of the food, but you cannot beat karaoke nights. Just get a group together and head on out. Order a bucket of beer and as the night rolls on you don't even care that you are drinking foamy beer literally out of a bucket. The location may not be super ideal, since it's a little off the beaten path and further down grand river, but it's A-OK in my book. The first time I went in, the alley side door definitely seemed sketchy, but it really is a safe area and I haven't heard of anything shady going down ever. I may not have stopped in a couple times a week or even regularly once a week, but every now and then Crunchy's is just right. A super chill place to meet, eat greasy mediocre bar food, drink equally mediocre beer, and rock out to some karaoke.
(3)
Leigh W.
LOVE the focus on great beer - fun atmosphere. One of my favorite local pubs
(5)
Kristen B.
I am most definitely a Crunchy's fan. They have almost the worst service in town (Harper's is unfortunately THE worst), but the food and drinks are so SO good! The burgers, the tacos, the chili cheese fries....and I love their Long Islands/Long Beaches! They are HUGE, and on Fridays, they are only $5. You can't go wrong. The bartenders here are very creative and have recommended many good drinks for me (this was the site of my first Watermelon Bomb, tastes like jolly ranchers!). It's a great place to go with a group of friends and watch people who are drunker than you try to sing karaoke. Best of all, Crunchy's is cheap. And you can buy buckets of beer. It's also a great venue for St. Patrick's Day drinking festivities.
(4)
Per S.
This place definitely is on the top of my list of E.L bars. Most of the bars around here tailor to the same crowd and it gets old fast. Crunchy's has the karaoke and more of a dive-y feel, which is definitely up my ally. The food is tasty (what I've had of it) and the drinks are CHEAP. Electric lemonades are my jam and for two it was only $5. Can't beat that.
(4)
Katie M.
i don't understand the appeal of this place. i have NEVER gotten good service here, even by poor East Lansing standards. They are known for their burgers but every one I have had here has been dry. The pizza is actually pretty good but it is pricey for what you get and you will likely have to wait hours. One time my waitress NEVER brought my food. Crunchy's, I would go here all the time if you would just bring me my damn beer.
(2)
Scott J.
Crunchies is a fun place to start an epic night. The good old bucket of beer seems gross thinking about it but it's almost a necessity! Good service here too also a fun bar that you really dont feel like you have to be drinking at if you dont want to
(4)
May B.
Mopbuckets of beer and karaoke. Need I say more?
(4)
Jeffrey C.
Sometimes I think Crunchy's might be a hair too divey even for me but then I look at the tap list and realize they have everything I need. There is no need to say more but perhaps some of you will be eating here as well, which is fine too, as some of their burgers are actually what I would call delicious. Or is that the beer talking.
(4)
Jessica C.
It pains me to take off a star and not give Crunchys a 5 star rating but I cant. I loved Crunchys for the last 3 years of college. My boyfriend and I loved the great beer selection, pretty friendly staff, and delicious food. The pizza was and IS very good stuff. My last two visits to Crunchys are the reason it gets 4 stars and not 5. First, let me say that I do not like "well-done" burgers or anything like that and Crunchys burgers had previously been cooked to perfection. The last two times I went to Crunchys, my and my boyfriends burgers were falling apart and dark pink two bites into the burger. They were NOT cooked medium. They were very rare. I assumed it was a fluke the first time and simply ate what I could stomach and my fries. But the second time I nicely told my waitress "this is too red for me, can you please have them cook it a little more" and she said "every burger is cooked medium but yeah i can have them cook it more" which was fine but my food wasnt medium. It was rare and raw. It was not cooked enough to stick together and was mushing and soaking the bread. Dont get me wrong, I love rare STEAK but a burger is a completely different story and (in my opinion) needs to be cooked thoroughly, especially at a restaurant where they dont ask how you would like it cooked. That being said, Crunchys is still awesome just be careful about the burgers!!
(4)
Dan J.
Great selection of brews. Great Burgers. Buckets of Beer. Excellent Atmosphere.
(5)
Ryan G.
best burger in EL.
(5)
amy g.
I love this place so much. It appears to be a dive bar upon walking in (plus it used to be pretty smokey because the division between smoking & non-smoking areas were a joke). But now it's smoke-free! And the beer selections, eccentricity of its menu, and pretty damn delicious food makes it a diamond in the rough. It's indeed an East Lansing staple because you must go to experience a bucket of beer (and food). And no I do not mean glass bottles in a bucket of ice. I mean: a bucket that's held under the tap and filled with whatever beer you want (and they have craft brews, including a wide selection of Michigan beers so you can get an entire bucket of GOOD beer!) Then they give you a towel (for messes) and a pitcher to scoop up the poison (or straws if you request!!) It certainly is a deadly order but is so much fun & just an all-out awesome idea. There are actually a lot of things that I still don't like about Crunchy's but everything that I love about it trumps that. Sometimes the service isn't great and the wait staff can be pretty unapologetic about that. It's also noisy pretty much ALLLLL weekend because they have karaoke. But don't get me wrong, I am all for busting a tune at this place (so long as the dj isn't playing favorites - this happened to us once but that's it). But don't try to go on your 21st. They won't allow it. In fact, a lot of bars in East Lansing have a strict one-day barrier for 21st birthdays. At Crunchy's, you have to wait a day after your birthday, and then there's STILL a 5 drink limit. Kind of a bummer because this is where I wanted to spend my birthday. All in all, a bucket at Crunchy's must be experienced. It is a surefire way to liven up any crowd. It remains my second favorite bar in East Lansing after Woody's.
(4)
Alicia W.
Great place to go for a beer and burgers!
(4)
Robert L.
A group of us guys have been going to lunch on Friday at Crunchy's for 5 or 6 years because we like the burger/chicken special and the friendly atmosphere. Just heard that our usual waitress Dana was recently let go We had wondered where she was last Friday. Things won't be the same without her.
(4)
Rob N.
Great beers specials with a huge microbrew selection. Amazing burgers and a friendly atmosphere.
(5)
Sean L.
Big fan of their beer selection, and good prices.
(4)
Drew P.
Great bar. Lots of rotating taps and good burgers. Specials are terrific. Sometimes a bit overwrought with students but still a great place.
(5)
Brad M.
A local college haunt with lots of atmosphere. Pub food. The chicken in my salad was a little dry, but that's to be expected. The burger was good. Not sure if this is my regular "lunch" place when I'm in town, but it might try it out for my favorite bar when I am in town!
(4)
Alex T.
Crunchy's is one of my favorite places in East Lansing. I went there for the first time about 4 years ago for a burger with some college friends who always talked about how great it was (they were a few years older than I was). I figured I'd give it a try and tag along one day when it was still early enough to go while under 21. I entered classic burger heaven that day, and have since come back many times for more. Crunchy's offers many different burgers, but I always go with the classic Crunchy Burger with the usual lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, and cheese. I also order it with "The Rub" which is a spice blend that's not on the menu. It's only something like 25 cents more and it adds tons of flavor! Burgers normally come with chips, but you can upgrade to fries or onion rings. The "Bucket of Pizza Nugs" is my favorite appetizer. They're little pepperoni rolls that you dip in Pizza sauce. Their actual square pizza is pretty good too. Crunchy's is known for their bucket theme. They serve both beer and food in buckets. If you have four or more people, you can order a bucket of beer, which will get you well on your way to a great night. It's lots of fun. Aside from the Labatt Light, they always have a great variety of craft beer on draft. Now, for the one thing that keeps me from giving Crunchy's five stars...the service is very slow when all the tables are full. I have had to wait far too long for my check countless times.
(4)
Diane G.
My husband went to school at MSU, and came to Crunchy's all the time. So on a visit to Michigan recently , we make the trek to E. Lansing and had a great burger and icy cold beer. Crunchy's is your typical college bar filled with MSU sports paraphenalia, and great school spirit. They have a great craft beer selection which was a nice surprise.
(4)
Douglas S.
Burgers great...chili cheese fries good...beer selection awesome! Service very very very terrible!
(2)
Matt C.
WHAT A DIVE!!! And I wouldn't prefer it any other way! Crunchy's is my "go to" bar in East Lansing. While the thought of having to go down a dark and seedy alley to get to the entrance may be frightening at first, it soon becomes a welcoming sight for good beer, food, and karaoke. The interior reflects the dive bar that is Crunchy's. Expect to see name carvings and sharpie everywhere. The beer selection at Crunchy's is unsurpassed by any other bar in East Lansing. Over 20 different beers on tap, with just as many bottle selections. And if you don't want a pint, get a mug; and if you have enough people, feel free to get a delicious bucket. I still don't know if its 2.5gal or 3gal, but either way, its a lot of beer. Food-wise, the burgers are the best in town. But make sure you ask them for the burger rub. Sounds weird to ask for, an not all the waitstaff understand at first, but it makes the burger. The burgers taste even better by adding an order of fires, rings, or tots. The other food on the menu is good, but the burger is the best!
(4)
Kathleen C.
Where else can you order a bucket of beer - and no, that's not a traditional bucket (a bucket filled with bottles), that's a bucket that could be used for cleaning filled out of the tap? I didn't actually order this, but I have to say, after many visits to a variety of college bars on multiple campuses, that I have never seen this. A group of us managed to score a booth on a Saturday night. Unfortunately, I don't really like beer. I enjoy the taste, but my stomach doesn't agree. So, I started with a vodka gimlet...probably not my best choice. The gimlet came out in the cutest glass ever, however, the drink had a high concentration of vodka - unfortunately, I'm pretty sure it was the lowest end vodka possible (maybe my fault as I didn't specify). However, I also had to ask for a glass of ice as it didn't have any to begin with and was too strong to drink. In any case, I switched to beer...you can order large and small glasses, which is nice. The atmosphere is fun and the spot has unique (read: kind of dingy) decor. A good spot for a visit or a night out with friends.
(3)
O R.
Total casual joint. Fun atmosphere. College crowd and lots of cute girls. Gotta have a burger and one of the craft beers they offer. Do it.
(4)
Erica D.
Recently discovered how awesome placing an order for pickup is. They don't seem to have a "hold" button on their phone, and while you wait to place your order, you can hear all the conversations going on at the bar. Completely adds to the charm of Crunchy's! Side note of greater importance, the food came out fast and was still hot by the time I got home.
(4)
Becky T.
Great burgers and great service. We stopped in while passing through ton and were very happy! Also strongly recommend the buckets of pizza nubs - so yummy!
(5)
Kat H.
Bucket o pretzels! At 4.99, this is the best buy ever. So many pretzels! Only $5! Yeah. Want great beer, fun atmosphere and....pretzels? Come here.
(5)
Frank R.
Crunchy's has a very good beer selection, fair prices, but mediocre food and mostly poor service. However, the overall experience is satisfying and varied enough to make me go back every week! I was initially attracted to Crunchy's for their beer offerings. They always have a few exceptional beers on tap and they turn them over quite frequently. I really like their Brewer's Night where a brewery takes over the taps. Without a doubt, the best one they ever did was Goose Island Brewer's Night with Bourbon County Coffee stout and lots of their other offerings like Juliet and Madame Rose. It has the best craft beer selection in East Lansing! Finally, the whole bucket of beer thing blew my mind when I realized its not a bucket full of ice with a few bottles in it. Its basically a mop bucket (unused of course) full of beer. Its just insane! If you want a bucket of beer, you need at least 4 people because its basically a case of beer. I've had nearly everything off the menu and I have to say that it is completely middle of the road. Its never exceptional, but at the same time, its never repulsive. The menu is mostly burgers and pizza so its hard to mess that up. It seems to be par for the course in East Lansing but then again, I don't have tremendous expectations either. The prices are very reasonable to practically insane, but in a good way. The absolute best deal is the football game day specials with $2 mugs of domestic/Labatts, bloody Marys and burgers so $10 goes a long way. I suggest if you want a game day special, make sure you go early because the secret is out. I really like the environment of Crunchy's. It just screams authenticity from the MSU and Detroit sports posters and paraphernalia, to the beers signs and names carved into the walls. Its definitely an institution! I like watching games here, especially Tigers' games during the week in the summer. Oddly, I really enjoy their karaoke nights, which is weird for me because I actually am terrified of doing karaoke. There is a good pace, a no booing rule in effect, and its not so loud that you can't talk to the others at the table. If you are lucky enough to get to see Dennis sing, you're in for a treat! Dennis is the MAN! The only downside of Crunchy's space is that its fills up quickly and there can be a line, even at 7 on a Friday. While there is so much I actually like about Crunchy's, I do have to say the service can be terrible at times. It seems good service here is an exception rather than the rule. Once, I went with a group of 8 and we were only served two rounds in two hours. Then when we asked for our checks, the server forgot what we ordered and had to redo our bill. Other times, I come sit near the bar and it seems like no one wants to wait on me for some reason. A few other times, I get there right at 5 and there are about 4 or 5 servers just milling around while I sit without a drink or my order being taken. On busy days, like game day and brewers night, I just wish they would staff an extra server or two to make it smoother. I have heard they have outdoor seating. However, the 3 times we've tried to sit outside, no one even stops at our table, even after 20 minutes. It would be funny if it wasn't so sad and true. Overall, I really like going to Crunchy's. It always hits the spot. I really recommend you check it out for a real feel of East Lansing. In fact, I'll probably going there before the MSU-Oakland basketball game tonight for some Petrus Aged Pale Ale!
(3)
Aaron P.
Great place to go to try one of many great beers and to hang out with friends. The burgers are phenomenal also with lots of great options, you can't go wrong. I've heard great things about the pizzas also, that's next on my list to try. Strongly recommend!
(5)
Jessica W.
Don't go there for the great service or gourmet food. DO go there for the awesome beer and fantastic prices. I am a regular at Crunchy's--I'm there literally every Sunday night after 8PM for the half-off beer specials. Sunday is also home of the all-day half-off pizza (yep! half off!). You need to get there early to ensure you won't wait in line or have to fight someone for a table. Crunchy's is a dive bar. It's covered in graffiti, full of students, and emphasizes cheap prices over snappy service or great food. The burgers are pretty decent; the pizzas are usually alright, but can come out a bit burnt sometimes. Anything fried is pretty great. You will probably wait a while for your beers, especially if you're there on Sunday nights. BUT THE BEER. It is, for the price, the absolute best beer bar in East Lansing. They have approximately 24 taps, most of which regularly rotate. They get all sorts of awesome craft beers in all the time, and they're often the only place that you'll be able to get a really hard-to-find beer (like KBS, CBS, etc.). And it's DIRT cheap. If you are a money-challenged beer lover, this is the place to be, absolutely.
(5)
Robert K.
It has been about a year since our last visit. The burgers here are fantastic! Service was good considering the crowded pre-kareoke crowd. Stayed for some entertaining kareoke.
(3)
Victor U.
As far as food goes, especially burgers, there's a much wider and often better selection in East Lansing. As far as drinks go, you'd be hard pressed to find one. I think the wide selection of draft tends to make up for the food, which isn't bad by any measure, but if you're expecting to eat anything more than frozen burgers, you might be wishfully thinking. It's great drunk food, mind you, but don't come here for any culinary experience.
(3)
William N.
Went on a Saturday night. The place was packed but so what, it's a college town and they have great beer in giant mugs and priced moderately. I used to come here and it was never this packed. Maybe it's the Karaoke that they have, maybe the place is now hip with the college crowd. I have to say the people singing Karaoke were probably the worst I've ever heard. The guy running the Karaoke ended it by singing "Believe it or not, it's just me", the theme song from the Greatest American Hero. I almost barfed the whole time he was singing it. Other than the bad Karaoke, the bench seat cushion that came off and kept falling on me and our attractive yet seemingly jaded waitress, I'd come back here in a heartbeat for the people watching and great beer at moderate prices. I had forgotten that you could buy beer by the pitcher in so many bars in E.L. That more or less ends when you move to most cities.
(4)
Sherri T.
My brother lives in Grand Rapids, and my husband and I live near Detroit. Crunchy's is a half-way point for us. Therefore, we don't just meet there for lunch. We meet there for a whole afternoon! We drink mug after mug of fancy beers from Michigan breweries while we devour delicious pizza and buckets of soft pretzels. We play Club Keno, and we bring in cards so we can play Oh, Hell! as well. If you think about it, Crunchy's is our East Lansing vacation home. I have only two wishes for Crunchy's: a cool dessert to compliment its already awesome menu and city-provided parking meters that accept credit cards (or more free parking...dare to dream)!
(5)
Brett M.
Best selection of craft beer in the greater Lansing area, and it's all half off on Sundays.
(5)
Moani B.
We decided to do dinner with friends after getting coupon on groupon! Very Fun atmosphere and lots and lots on tap, made the man happy! The food was yummy but kind of cool once it came to the table. The waiter also left most all the dishes at the table from apps and drinks so the table was really crowded! Other then that it was yummy! We will be back:)
(4)
Dat Doughnu T.
Love the burgers and great staff!
(5)
Ruben L.
Quite possibly the best and cheapest burger in the EL/Lansing Area. Some people might argue you can get a better burger at Bonnie's, but for the price, this place is the place to be for sure. I think it's Monday (or they may have switched it up) where they have $1.99 burger and fries. Their menu has your typical bar type food- burgers, sandwiches, pizza, tacos (Seriously), beer, etc... And I think it's Thurs. or Fridays they have kareoke (skip this if you have little patience for drunk people). I've had my fill of burgers across the US and this is place is still probably in my top 10. For good, cheap burgers, you gotta check this place out.
(4)
Chris S.
Excellent selection of local beers. Classic East Lansing establishme
(5)
Ayesha S.
I spent several nights of my last visit to MI at Crunchy's and so I feel like an update is necessary. Some of the things that made me happy during this round of visits that I didn't mention in my initial review: 1. The crowd at Crunchy's is a bit older. Since I'm out of college (and have been for a few years now), it was nice to go out in EL without spending my entire evening hanging out with twenty-one year olds. 2. They have a special everyday- on food and drinks. You can eat and get drunk on the cheap! 3. On Sundays, they offer half off a large pizza and half of most beer, liquor and wine. I had way too many double vodka/Sprites but they only cost me $2.50 a piece. I heart you, Crunchy's!
(5)
Dave S.
Crunchy's is an East Lansing staple. I am an MSU grad and I can't say I frequented Crunchy's the most out of the available bars, but I always enjoyed myself when I visited. I recall one terrific St. Patrick's Day with their green eggs and ham breakfast washed down with green beer. I visited again recently and never realized the strength of the draft beer selection. I guess that was because in my younger days the group basically stuck with your typical drafts (bud light, miller lite, labatt blue light, etc). Crunchy's does own one East Lansing staple, which is the "bucket of beer." I can't recall how many ounces or pitchers you can get out of a bucket, but it's a lot. Basically, it's a big plastic bucket you would normally see used for cleaning a floor or something. You get a pitcher, a rag and a bunch of glasses and have beer for the entire group. It's a great novelty and something a lot of alumni recall from their college days. Back to the vast beer selection, I would say there was maybe two dozen total beers on tap. Many were local micro brews which is always a plus. I went with the Arcadia Whitsun which is delicious. Look out for the Friday night karaoke, that is some very enjoyable and cheap entertainment.
(4)
David M.
Best burgers in East Lansing, way better than the Peanut Barrel. This place also has a lot of character, with literal writing on the walls and a "smoky old bar/restaurant" atmosphere. All of the food available in buckets is also excellent. And the long islands are cheap if I remember correctly (which of course I don't... too many long islands). As someone else mentioned, karaoke night is a blast, although there are a couple of downsides to it. The line outside is kind of annoying if you show up late-ish, one guy (of two) that does karaoke is creepy and sings all the time, and sometimes it takes so long for your song to get called that you unintentionally sober up before the moment, which is never good. I guess they have a good beer selection here too, and I have had a few of the less-heard-of ones (Lion Stout is not for the faint-hearted, people), but usually I'm there to drink hard liquor and get drunk.
(5)
Alexandra K.
Cheap, good, quick, friendly. Not the nicest decor, but who cares. I had a veggie burger, split a basket of onion rings with my friend, and had a diet coke, for under $10. That's ridiculously cheap. My friend ordered a burger, fries, and diet coke for a little over $10, still, not expensive. The service was fast and friendly, I'd definitely come back, especially when I turn 21.
(4)
Kannan R.
Dive, super popular local sports/karaoke bar! AWESOME! Menu - if you haven't been here since you were an undergrad a few years ago, in addition to the standard bar fare they've added some nice Mexican, more pizza choices, etc. Decently priced. Go here for a game, to be loud and have fun, for great drink specials and decent food. Get there early if you want to get in on the weekends, this is one of the places that will most likely have a line by 8pm. If you are new to East Lansing, this is one of those places you want to become a regular at.
(5)
Linda K.
Great place to visit before a game (or after)! The pizza isn't the best around but it's pretty darn good and it's my "go to" food here. My family really like the burgers too! Excellent beer selection for the local area.
(5)
Ed C.
They have an incredible beer selection and a nice patio. So there's that. They have very few vegetarian options. I got the black bean burger and it was a Morningstar Spicy Black Bean Burger, straight outta the freezer. I mean, I like those patties and buy them at the store. But I thinks its pretty lame to serve them at a restaurant. As a bar its fine. Its loud and dirty and way too college crowd for me, but they have great beers. As a restaurant, it leaves everything to be desired. Also the service is awful, but who cares about service?
(3)
Serena B.
Oh Crunchy's- do you remember all the good times we've had? I was first introduced to this place Welcome Week freshman year, back before I could experience the buckets of beer. It's such a cool place with a lot of local character. Monday nights are my favorite, with $2 cheeseburgers (that are decent, better than the Riv and their Burgerama burgers for sure) and drink specials. There are a lot of choices for specialty burgers & toppings too. Yay Crunchy's!
(5)
Nikki M.
The female bartender is awesome! Makes great drinks, quick and efficient even when things are busy! The wait staff..... well they're really slow. Average time from ordering to receiving your drink is about 8 minutes. If you can go to the bar do it I guarantee you'll have your drink before your friends who order from the waitress. Food is good, the pizza nugs are really great and the nachos will feed a group a 4 people and are only $7 or $8. Everyday has specials to so call ahead. Karaoke is going quite a few nights here, usually decent and whats better then singing the fight song with a bunch of other drunks? Last thing - you can dress anyway you want here and no one will care a unpretentious bar in EL! amazing! And if you get enough people try a bucket of beer!
(4)
Carrie L.
I have to give it a 4 because the burger was SO good.....but I want to give it a 3 for the over powering cheap beer smell and average to poor service and atmosphere. If you're looking for a burger though, I would still recommend it.
(4)
Jeffrey S.
Some friends invited me to join them at Crunchy's this past Thursday for karaoke night. My first impression of the place was waiting in line for over an hour to get inside. Little did I know that would be the least of it... The bouncer was apparently convinced that my ID was fake. After disappearing to examine it for nearly 10 minutes, he returned and informed me in a stern and condescending tone that my options were to either leave immediately with them keeping my driver's license or wait for the police to arrive. At this point I still had no idea why I was being suspected, and regardless, they have NO legal authority to confiscate my property or hold me hostage. In short, if you have an out-of-state driver's license, bring your passport as proof of age, or better yet, just avoid this place. There are plenty of options in East Lansing that don't require waiting an hour anyway.
(1)
Falicia G.
Crunchy's is A-OK. I came home for a short vay-cay and met up with some friends here. It has been a few years since I graduated and been to the old Crunch-meister. It was exactly the same. In fact, the table where we sat at and some graffiti giving a shout out to my old dorm. "Holmes Hall, Bitches!". Yeah, us nerds really knew how to do it up big. Anyway, the decor is green, grungy, and 100% college bar. What blew my mind was the prices of beer. I think there were descent beers on the menu for about $2!! And a long island for $5. In Atlanta, or anywhere else, you would never find that! Nice job Crunchy's! So, if you're in the mood to get "faded", as we used to say in college, this is a good spot. I didn't try any of the food but a friend had a burger and ate the whole thing! I went on a Thursday and they were having Karaoke. It was too funny. My ass wasn't drunk enough to get up there but, the people who did were great!
(3)
Brandon S.
The service is awful. Only Harpers is worse. They serve good bar style food, but the service makes it impossible to enjoy.
(1)
Beth J.
It is definitely a bar--ok as a restaurant, but it's not the kind of place I'm in a hurry to return to. Food was ok--I had the 3 taco special. It was about as good as I could make at home. My dining companion had the pulled pork nachos which she said were excellent. Service was a bit slow in my opinion, for the number of staff present vs. the number of dining guests. I don't want to blame the wait staff though--perhaps the kitchen itself was understaffed. As I said, it's ok, it's bar food--probably if you are there to drink and watch a game, it's great. Otherwise, it is largely forgettable. Also--no parking lot. During the day M-F you will need to put money in the meters or find some free spot (good luck in E.Lansing) and walk. Another tip--the door is through the east side of the building--walk down the ally between it and the car wash. You'll see it, but it is a little odd.
(2)
Brian M.
A classic. The only place where poor service is part of its charm. The beer selection is outstanding. I remember many Monday nights spent enjoying the musical talents of one Dirty Don. Where have all the good times gone?
(5)
Drew M.
Go here now. They have only Michigan brews on tap. I went last week and was in awe of all the Michigan beers, and i tried about 7 of them. A great place for beer and food, and fun kareoke too. Buckets of beer are fun too if you want to come in with some freinds and leave very, very drunk. Great place.
(5)
Jenny W.
I love going to crunchy's, but dont expect to be in a rush if you go. the service is slow but friendly. the beer selection is really good and i'm happy with how many michigan brews they have. i love the bucket of fries and the burgers are really good! I havent actually been able to make it to karaoke but i've heard nothing but good things. its a good college town bar and i love taking people there
(4)
Oasis Ninja T.
My kind of place!!! Waitress was on her rag or sum thin but overall the best effin 5$ burger ever!!
(4)
Deidre I.
Crunchy's may look like a dive when you walk through the door but stick it out! The burgers are great and you can order a BUCKET of beer! No seriously, they bring it out in a bucket with a pitcher to scoop it out and share. And the karoake here is so much fun. I had a lot of great nights at Crunchy's while I was a student at MSU and every once in awhile a group of us will get together just for the purpose of having a fun night out at Crunchy's.
(5)
Erich Z.
Buckets of food and beer, and lots of variety makes this a fun place. As does the Karaoke night on Thursdays and Fridays. You have the opportunity to play darts in the back, which is something I look for in a bar. The place is not huge, so don't be surprised if it's crowded, even on a Wednesday night. ACHTUNG: Don't park in the lot on the west side of the bar, between Crunchy's and Beaner's. It belongs to Beaner's, and they WILL call the cops to give you a $50 ticket. Lesson: visit Crunchy's, and if you have to spew, spew in Beaner's.
(4)
Lisa W.
Crunchy's is an amazing place that I would normally hate if they didn't offer BUCKETS of beer. I got a bucket of Guinness and I chugged that into heavenly oblivion. Another reason that I would normally hate this place would be because there is karaoke, and karaoke really scares me. However, because my friend Josh went up as a regular to sing "It Takes Two", I will love this place forever for it. One of my best Guinness memories is from the bucket I drank at this place. We got a booth and did rounds of shots, it was a beautiful drunken thing that I am only ashamed of admitting to. If you want to go to a place you'd normally make fun of but would probably have an awesome time with the right group of friends, then this is probably it.
(5)
Matt R.
Ya have to have some perspective when reviewing Crunchy's! If you are gonna blast a place for poor service & smelling bad, etc than go for it. But then, why would you go to Crunchy's in the first place. It is a smoky, sticky, dark dive bar that serves some good deep fried foods & beer on the cheap. Sometimes you are just in the mood for that! I have been here after tailgating & just remember the Bucket O' Pizza Nugs :) Man those "Nugs" tasted good at the time. They have some excellent Michigan beers! As mentioned, their service is just a step above non-existent, but I guess I can forgive (unlike Harper's...I never forgive you. Ever).
(3)
D S.
I love Crunchy's. Sure it smells like stale beer, smoke, and last night's vomit, but that's part of its charm. And it has the best beer selection around. Nowhere else (except maybe Monk's in Philly) have I seen Delirium Tremens on tap alongside Michigan's finest like Bell's and Founder's. The pub grub menu offers a wide assortment of guilty pleasures, but why eat those calories when you can drink them? Crunchy's should be smoke-free by now, which will make it all the more enjoyable.
(4)
Don H.
100 years ago, when I was in school, my buddies and I all scheduled our classes around Friday lunch at Crunchy's. Who needs to graduate on time when you can sit down with your buddies and have a burger and beer for less than $4? It is also worth mentioning that you can get a bucket of beer for about $25. Not a pale or any of that weak shit, a 5 gallon bucket. I don't think you can get them on the patio anymore because drunk kids were throwing them at cars, but whatever. Living in San Francisco has also made me appreciate their gigantic mugs of Long Island. I miss you, Crunchy's! I will be back this Christmas.
(4)
Craig N.
Excellent bar. Great place to get away from the average East Lansing bars (Rick's, the Riv, etc.). Great beers on tap including seasonal brews. Excellent mixed drinks, especially the Long Islands (which are $5 for 25 oz. on Fridays). Burger Bash is on Mondays -- try your burger with a rub for maximum tastiness.
(4)
LAURA M.
This place has pretty good drink and food specials.I've never been too impressed with the atmosphere, but its just a dirty college drinking bar. The prices are the best thing about it. I've only been there twice, once on Karaoke night, but that was pretty boring. Must've been summer time, because it wasn't busy at all.
(2)
Randee B.
I love Crunchy's. It's my favorite East Lansing bar and the only one I will step foot into on purpose nowadays. I can't decide which is better: the karaoke (thurs. through sat.?) or the beer. The karaoke crowd is so friendly, it's hard to ever feel self-conscious performing. The beer is awesome - they have a couple dozen taps that rotate often. One reviewer said they only have Michigan beers on tap, which isn't true, but this is definitely the place to come for Michigan microbrews. The only downside of Crunchy's is that the bathrooms are always kind of disgusting. But hey, that probably just means people are having a good time, right?
(5)
Steve D.
Last time I was at Crunchys we had to wait to get inside in Feburary, and man it was freaking cold out not wearing any jackets. After I finally got the feeling back in my hands we decided to get a bucket of beer, which was pretty cool I suppose.
(4)
andrew l.
good burgers. great microbrew selection and beer specials. annoying msu-based customer base and sports-bar type atmosphere. i like to stop here for food in the middle of the afternoon when no one else is there, or occasionally a beer or two with friends in the evenings. i think sunday is their day for beer deals.
(4)
Derek B.
First to Yelp, are you kidding me? This place is an East Lansing staple. You know half of your friends wanted to (or did, for whatever reason) celebrate their 21st birthday here. You know Crunchy's was the first stop on at least 4 out of 5 of the bar crawls you participated in. You know you crave Crunchy's burgers at least once a month now that you've moved away. I'd be tempted to commit a minor crime for an olive burger right about now.
(4)
Cortney C.
I grew up in Lansing and frequented this establishment. Several a drunken night have I spent with friends at this dingy, smoky, smelly, greasy spoon. The place has a special "Crunchy's Funk" you'll find seeps into your clothes with in seconds after you enter the bar. You might find my name in the affectionately named "crack machine" at the end of the bar with such drunken delights like Photohunt, Q-shot, Mah Jong, Word Jumble, Movie Trivia etc. I know everyone loves the burgers but I can't speak to their goodness since I'm a vegetarian....but I do LOVE the bread sticks! Oh what I wouldn't give for a large mug of Oberon and a full order of bread sticks with ranch dressing right now... YUM YUM CUM GET SOME! Don't forget to sign your name in one of the booths before you leave.
(4)
Teddy D.
Delicious and often updated assortment of beer, but go on Sunday for the pizza. Yumm.
(4)
Viet T.
This place is overrated. If you wan't cheap food then this is the place, but the bouncer is rude. The wait staff here is not so good either.
(1)
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Address :254 W Grand River Ave
East Lansing, MI, 48823
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Divey Noise Level : Loud Music : DJ Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Drive-Thru : No Caters : No
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Adam R.
Great pizza great burgers and good beer selection! Get the beer bucket with your buddies. Wish I would have come more when I was a student at MSU. Every time i tried to come there was a line out the door!
(5)Emily L.
I always enjoy going to Crunchy's for the atmosphere, food/drink specials and experience. Service is always a hit or miss. A server rang in our burgers wrong and when we told him, he said 'do you want me to scrape the toppings off?' No! Our service this night was bad to begin with and when we spoke with the manager she was clearly not paying attention to us- looking around the room and not making eye contact. I gave Crunchy's another chance and have had really awesome service since, and also really bad too. Will I be back? Yes since it is such a staple to MSU. Just be aware that the service may not always be the best, while the burgers will be delicious!
(3)daphne r.
Crunchy's used to have incredible burgers then went seriously and disgustingly downhill during some ownership change (if the story I heard was right). They're back to being fabulous and have been for awhile, highly recommend for the burger lunch special. If you ever stopped going there go back.
(4)Patrick A.
I really don't understand the fascination with Crunchy's... It's a run-down, dirty, somewhat expensive (for what you get - both quality and quantity) college bar with an experience tailored to only one specific type of patron. Not that there's anything wrong with hipsters (there's not), but I'm not one of them, and I don't really like feeling like I'm not welcomed at a place I'm going to eat dinner. And oh my god, their commercials on the radio; so awful. Seriously, who thought that guy's voice was a good idea???! TL;DR Decent burgers, average prices, hipster presence, horrible advertising.
(1)Allyson F.
Crunchys is one of my new favorite spots in EL. Medieval madness pinball, PIZZA nugs, large selection of beer, and twinkly lights what more can I ask for.
(5)Sydney A.
I really like that they have karaoke nights here, also the bartenders are really nice. Although I don't really like meat, I do order the burgers when I come here..they're that good
(4)Michelle A.
Would never eat here again!! Got bread sticks which were not good..ate them with the help of ranch. Son got nachos...way over done, dry and gross...he didn't eat them. Husband got mozzarella sticks and they were okay but 8 bucks!! Slow service and no one seemed in a hurry but me!! Many people were eating burgers so that may be a better bet!!
(2)Kevin T.
I skipped their great burgers and instead enjoyed a pretty decent taco salad. Not spectacularly presented like some places, but understated exactly like you'd expect at a dependable college mainstay like Crunchy's. Despite the picture, there was quite a bit of lettuce underneath a big dollop of ground beef, cheese, tomato and onion. With plenty of jalapeño, sour cream and salsa toppings, there was no need for dressing.
(4)Brian S.
Merruci burger. Short simple and to the point review. Get it, eat it and enjoy the S@! $ out of it! Wash it down with a buckket of beer- i do meam an actual bicket of beer- very weird indeed.
(4)Jackie C.
GO HERE!! Do not judge a book by its cover ( i did and im SO mad i am just discovering this place!!) Super cute little sports bar with awesome waiters. BOMB wings and super juicy burgers, pretty decent fish tacos and GREAT little pizza poppers with Conrad's ranch :) Overall awesome food and next time i am in town this will be my first stop.
(5)Vee T.
Crunchy's has a great variety of beer. I tried out the flat tire and was really surprised with how good it was(like a better budweiser). If I had more time I would have tasted a few more. My husband had the burger and has claimed it the best burger he's ever had at a restaurant. It wasn't dripping with grease. It was so perfect, he didn't even need a napkin for it. Plus, for the price of $6.50 (with onion rings)...it was delightful. The patty was thick and the onions crunchy, not over cooked. I had the fried fish and pickles which were also awesome. Our server was the best service we've had in a while. Wasn't overly excited or constantly asking if we were okay. He was very real and calm, much like the atmosphere. !!! !!!Tips: go through the alley on the right side of thw building for the entrance and bring a silver sharpie to write on the walls!!! !!!
(4)A C.
I love this place! Although I prefer the afternoons when you can relax & enjoy a good craft beer. At night, you can expect to see lots of college kids having the time of their lives. They have many great craft beers on tap, which change regularly (like every few days). And their food is delicious pub food. I highly recommend the deep fried Mac & cheese.
(5)John L.
I have loved this place since college days (80's). Incredible beer selection and fabulous atmosphere.
(5)Vikram V.
First time at Crunchy's in my time as an undergrad at MSU and getting it on the second-to-last day of college. I ordered the chicken caesar wrap which came with potato chips. Overall, the wraps are of better quality than many other places I've had them. For $7.49, the price seems a little high for the item that I ordered but other similar price items like the bean dip are worth the cost. The place is a lot smaller than I thought it would be and from what I hear the place is known for the burgers and beers. In the end, it's another bar with the typical food that's associated with it. Better than cafeteria food for students that stay in the dorm but casual food nonetheless.
(3)Andrew M.
I was visiting Lansing for work and decided to follow a Yelp recommendation for Crunchy's. The restaurant itself has a great atmosphere, they have a very active Karaoke stage, a very elaborate beer list and when I was visiting it was during Michigan Beer Month, which was really quite wonderful. I had their signature hamburger and a big mug of beer. The food was done exactly the way I expected and the beer was quick and cold. The serving staff were friendly and quite fleet-of-foot as they have quite a bit of territory to cover. I did run into only a few negative things, parking is a bear, the nearest lot is curiously overwhelmed with rather grumpy signs pointing out that the parking is for the Biggby next door. That they can't share the lot is kind of dumb. The other bit is that the entrance to Crunchy's is in a rather tight alleyway between Crunchy's and the next business, an auto detailing place. It's not a problem, and there is a video camera pointed at the alley for security sakes, but if you are going after dusk it may be best to go in numbers. Not that crime is attracted to alleys, but it's something to think about especially if you've had a bit to drink, it's late at night, and you are on your own.
(3)Patrick R.
A solid watering hole. Only 2 of us so couldn't take advantage of my frat's bucket. Crunchys is a great divey hangout spot. The food is mostly straight out the frier and I doubt anything is homemade (hopefully I'm wrong... but I don't try to eat here). Beer selection better than I remembered and prices are solid. For EL's less than stellar barscape.... This is one of the better spots.
(4)Lauren M.
Classic. This is the place I will remember forever from my college days. Great atmosphere, warm people--try the buckets of food (like pizza nugs, yummmmmmm)! Lots of Michigan craft brews. If you're looking to become more familiar with Michigan beers try this place first.
(5)Elizabeth D.
Food and beer are still awesome! Updating my review. Last night I ordered two items to-go (along with my sit-down order). The waitress informed me that my to-go order had been given to someone else mistakenly and that they would comp the to-go order, take an additional discount off my sit-down order, and try to complete the order as quickly as possible. Now that is customer service!
(5)Joe T.
Burger was alright. Bucket of beer was pretty epic. They fill a mop bucket of the beer of your choice. The wings here are in my top 5. They're breaded and full of meat. Go with the house sauce-I will always order wings when I go here
(4)Riley H.
This is one of my favorite places I've ever been to. The building itself is a giant hole in the wall pretty much. The atmosphere was great when I went, as the Michigan State was playing in a bowl game. The place was packed. I ordered the "world famous" Crunchy Burger, an it was one of the best I've ever had in my life. It rivals my favorite burger ever, which takes a lot. The fries were great, the burger was great, the apps were great, and everything was great. Definitely come here. It's tucked back between some other buildings, so make sure you know where you're going. The food isn't costly, and you definitely get what you paid for.
(5)Cameron L. R.
My food was horrible and I got ignored by there server the whole time. My friend thinks it's because I didn't order an alcoholic drink. I don't know why that should get me bad service, just because I didn't feel like drinking. Other people at my table also tried my food and agreed it was practically inedible. So I decided to do something I pretty much never do, I didn't leave a tip. So then what do I see a few days later on my bank statement? The guy charged me for a tip anyway. Unbelievable.
(1)Joey R.
Don't just go for the burgers try some of the salads or even better. Go early to beat the crowd it gets really really crowded with all the college kids or order takeout
(4)Jody C.
They have Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale, Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza, Moonlight Meadery Kurt's Apple Pie and even Miller Lite....may I say more...
(5)Jack M.
Burgers are great! We were highly recommended the pizza nugs, and hated them. Maybe if we were more drunk we would have enjoyed them...
(3)Jeremiah R.
BUCKETS of beer, karaoke, and burgers. Need I say more.. Might be a small wait outside on busy nights but its definitely worth it
(4)Kenn P.
This place is everything. EVERYTHING. As an MSU alum, I miss it every day. Literally bringing tears to my eyes as I type this. My senior year, I lived less than a block from this place, and I perhaps maybe too regularly went there instead of buying groceries. Whatever. Also, really good parking for those bougie people with cars!
(5)Gary H.
Worst. Service. Ever. The food is just regular bar food with some silly bits like a bucket full of sliders. The place is known for its karaoke / music / etc as much as its food. I wouldn't mind as much, if the service wasn't so awful. Sometimes it's okay, other times the servers deserve for me to post a page full of curse words. Some words I can post: Arrogant, lazy, dirty, angry, unhelpful. This ruins any good night of drinking. East Lansing isn't exactly hard up for bars, go somewhere else.
(1)Matt T.
Average food. Bar food. Nothing to write home about. Got the avacado bacon burger and was very meh. 4 stars to me, usually means the food is really good. The service was great!
(3)John S.
Please do not visit crunchy's, because they have the Best Hambuger in the tri-state area and if too many people figure this out - I will have trouble getting a table. Best selection of Michigan taps. Wonderful service. Decor is carved wood.
(5)Nathasja T.
Do you mean to tell me I can doodle all over your walls, drink beer out of a bucket and have a char grilled burger to wash that brew down? Sounds like..heaven? Crunchy's is kindof an east Lansing staple as I understand. Years ago when in college my husband used to go here, and on ocassion we still come here together in current times. The burgers are charred (grilled until..black spots appear). Some people dislike this, I happen to think it adds flavor (of the good kind). Now that I have given up meat I ordered a black bean burger last time we visited. It was a surprisingly good burger, the black bean mixture was well-seasoned and it even gained my stepdaughters' seal of approval. Burgers come with an option of adding MSU cheese..yum! You can choose fries, tots or Better Made's as a side. During lunch they have a $5 special; cheeseburger, fries and a pop. Not bad at all! So why three stars? Burgerwise I am (was) pretty picky. Though the char adds flavor, the actual meat lacks just that. Adding some seasoning wouldn't kill anyone, salt and pepper are magical things. Sure I can add it myself, but really - I shouldn't have to. The real kicker that knocks the starage down is the service as it leaves something to be desired, it is slow, unattentive and often rude. I'd like to come back for a burger in the future but I can do without the wenches. Excuse me - waittresses.
(3)Matt C.
I'll always remember going here with my friends. 1. Great, dynamic beer selection 2. GREAT PARKING. I really feel that somebody should mention this. It's just so nice being able to park right by the bar and not have to screw around in a parking garage or pay to park or have to deal with a bunch of dipshits walking in front of you while you navigate down Albert. 3. Oh my god the tots. When the tots are fresh here, they're so good. I don't know, maybe they're not as fancy as the crack fries at Hopcat, but there's just something addictive about them. 4. The rest of the food. Their mini pizzas are actually really good!! Also try the brat burger.
(5)Wendy W.
Had a great time here yesterday! ! Food was great! ! Really enjoyed the Bacon Bleu burger on pretzel roll. Chilli cheese fries were some if the best I have ever had, onion rings were great too!! The service was excellent! ! Kudos to our server, Nona. She was very timely & attentive, offered great food suggestions, & our glasses were never empty. This was a great experience, price was right for the 3 of us, very reasonable for what we ordered.
(5)Sara N.
Crunchys is perfect if you just want a casual beer and burger with friends or a wild night of karaoke and a bucket with a group. I have been coming to Crunchys for years and I've never had a bad time. They have a great beer selection that features a lot of Michigan craft beers and they serve tater tots. I mean you can't go wrong with a place that serves tater tots and pizza nugs. I will say that lately I have seen children at Crunchys which kind of ruins the atmosphere so do as all a favor and leave the kiddos at home.
(4)James H.
A classic East Lansing bar. They have a vast selection of rotating beers. I suggest the famous Crunchy Burger or their pizza nugs. They also have a killer trivia night every Tuesday which is a blast.
(5)William W.
As a senior at MSU, I have had plenty of time to reach the decision that crunchys is the best bar in East Lansing. Crunchys offers drink and food specials every day of the week, so there is always something for the right price. Large group? Get the bucket of beer, trust me. I am always craving the burgers at crunchys, but the pizza is pretty darn good as well. I recommend the black and blue cheese and avocado burgers. Whether you partake or just go for the show, Going to crunchys for karaoke night should be on every Spartans bucket list.
(5)Kevin S.
Had my brother's bachelor party start out here this past weekend - they weren't too busy and Taylor/the other servers made it an awesome time. They handled the logistics of a lot of guys drinking different craft beers with ease and were always available if we needed. The burger I had was amazing - just like I remember it. Karaoke was another absolute blast - they do a great job of MCing it and keeping things going. We also stopped by with the bridal party post wedding ceremony for a drink before heading to reception - again, servers were great about getting us a quick drink and letting us take a couple pics at the best little dive bar in East Lansing. Thanks for making my trip back to East Lansing for this special event a great one, Crunchy's! You'll always have a special spot in this Spartan alumnus' heart.
(5)Leslie A.
I went there with a group of friends on a friday night. It was pretty packed and hard to get a waitresses attention at first. The karaoke was a fun experience. The DJ was cool. I probably sang about 3 songs that night and a lot of folks were singing along. I had a crunchy burger and it was one of the better burgers you'll find in East Lansing. Recommended
(4)Carman L.
Crunchy's is just right. I've kind of become a regular with their trivia night. The waitstaff are always personable and fun. The burgers are fantastic. But if you order one of their toppings, order it a step undercooked from what you want. The pretzel buns are great. They have tots which are always cooked perfectly crisp. I also really like their chicken fingers. They're not really special, but they always hit the spot. And don't forget their fantastic tap list. And for a big group, you can order a bucket of beer. Literally a bucket. You could be a lunatic and mop with it.
(5)Danielle B.
People who say this place is good probably have just lived in East Lansing their entire lives or really don't know what good food is. It is definitely not even close to a good burger like their billboards promise. Red Robin is better...because at least I can't see fat balls in the meat like I did with Crunchy's. Their chili cheese fries are gross. The meat tasted really fatty, in a grimy fibery way. Their beer selection is good, I'll give them that. So, in general, I would say this is a place to go if you are intoxicated. If you are a foodie and looking for a gastropub-like-burger, then turn some place else. If you are the type that thinks Culvers is the best thing known to man, then this place is the right place for you.
(2)Matt N.
This place has very mediocre food. Everyone dips there cups and hands into a bucket of beer.... Won't be visiting this place again.
(2)Binnan O.
This place probably doesn't need much more publicity but I got a 'atomic' crunchy burger and it was absolutely fantastic. Patty was cooked it medium rare like I asked so it was still juicy and tender. The atomic set of toppings includes a rich chili with pepper jack and jalapeños to give the burger a moderate kick. The cajun fries were excellently seasoned and fried to a nice crisp. I really had nothing to complain about and believe this to be one of the best burger joints around so long as you're not expecting anything gourmet with brioche buns and lemon truffle aoilis :P
(5)Tom H.
I absolutely LOVE Crunchy's! I loved it when I was at Michigan State 20+ years ago and it's one of those places that is great simply because they DON'T mess with things...if it's ain't broke don't fix it. Best burger around, the atmosphere is awesome, and the bill won't break your wallet. Keep up the great work, Crunchy's!
(5)Ian L.
Five star ratings need to be earned, and Crunchy's deserves every shiny, candy-like red Yelp star possible. College bars come in all shapes and sizes, but Crunchy's provides the best atmosphere, food options, beer selection, and fair prices. Get the Famous Crunchy's burger, a mug of Michigan craft beer, and enjoy the experience. Or, sing karaoke on Fridays (if you must), but make sure you have a few $5 Long Islands before you take the stage.
(5)Alex M.
This is a place with a unique personality, beginning with the speakeasy-like entrance. The beer selection (particularly drafts) is excellent and so are the Crunchy hamburgers. Went there twice and enjoyed it both times.
(4)Sarang Y.
On my first day in Lansing, Michigan, Crunchy's was my very first meal. Near MSU, this low-key welcoming bar had some good food and beers. I got their house burger medium and the beef patty had the right amount of pink and beef juices. The side of fries were all right but I enjoyed my friend's tater tots a whole lot more. Our waitress had excellent taste and recommended some good brews to us. My favorite was Dark Horse Plead the 5th Imperial Stout. 12%. An amazing experience, will definitely visit again!
(4)Alexandra F.
Strange entrance, not fancy, but SO good! I got a salmon burger for $6.99 and it was really acceptable. They have a great selection of local beer and the atmosphere is great! Really informal, but great service.
(5)Nick M.
Bucket of beer, great burgers, karaoke, a little off to the side of the other bars and it has its own identity. Crunchy's is a great dive, especially in the spring and summer. Woohoo!!
(5)David S.
I'm not sure I've ever had a bad experience here. Sometimes you have to wait in line, or deal with frat boys and sorority sisters, but it's worth it. The food is actually very good for a dive bar. They have good and drink specials all the time. The beer selection and rotation is unbeatable. Be there on Sunday nights for half off beer...and don't be the fool who orders Miller Lite.
(5)Pepsi M.
Several times I've been here for casual meals, and I've never been let down. The atmosphere is quintessentially college: creative, artful, and busy. Staff has been very friendly, nice, and helpful. It's fair to say that this places meets and exceeds expectations for a great time in a busy restaurant. Great burgers, drinks, and atmosphere - you can't go wrong... though I'm not sure how they are when it gets busy (gameday and possibly karaoke night)?
(5)Rachel B.
Crunchy's is one of the few East Lansing hideouts that I frequent, and with good reason. It's billed as the original craft beer spot in town and features an excellent selection of regularly rotating taps with knowledgeable staff behind the bar. Like any good college town joint, there are some great specials during the week - burger & fries (or tots) with a soft drink for $5 on Wednesdays, and half off beer on Sundays. Just skip karaoke night, though - the sound system and talent just aren't up to snuff.
(4)Chris C.
Decent food. Had the bacon avocado burger. Waiter forgot about our table, but was knowledgable about the menu and beers on tap.
(3)Aaron M.
Want a craft beer and a tasty burger in a college dive bar setting? Crunchy's is your place! There are always interesting choices on the draft list and the burgers, while simple, are among the best in town. Crunchy's is an East Lansing tradition and rightfully so!
(4)Esther G.
I've never had a bad experience at Crunchy's. Because of its location outside of the downtown core, I usually need a reason to come here. Most recently, it was the MSU basketball game. While it was packed, we were still able to score a table. There always seems to be a special going on for food and/or drinks no matter the time of day. On a Tuesday, it was $4 tacos for 3, and $1.75 wells. The tacos weren't anything special but got the job done. We also had a side of chips/salsa. The salsa is the Garden Fresh variety made in Michigan that's my favorite. The chips, however, were pretty stale. But they were quick and willing to get us a new basket. For it being so busy, our waitress was phenomenal. Service is definitely hit or miss on a game day in any restaurant/bar in East Lansing, so it was definitely appreciated.
(4)Meg H.
Crunchys is one of the best hangout spots in East Lansing! Definitely one of my favorite places in East Lansing. Draft list is always on point, good food and awesome staff! Absolutely love the atmosphere!
(5)Jen S.
One of the best, if not the best, bars in EL. I'm especially fond of the fried pickles, pizza nugs, pizza, and half-price drink Sundays!
(5)Amanda H.
I seriously don't miss much from the Lansing area, but I sure miss Crunchy's. I couldn't ask for a better burger or better drinks, and all at amazing prices. The only problem is their parking lot...it needs to be bigger! I always parked next door at, I guess what Biggby's monopolizes as their parking lot only, but they're kind of extreme a**h*les over there and threaten to tow you.
(5)John J.
Went here with my family (parents and grandma), sat outside, and had a great time. Very fast service, great beer selection, huge portions and a large menu. Very chill, dive style restaurant. check it out.
(5)Erin C.
The perfect place if you are craving some local cuisine and beer. The beer on tap is top notch and the prices are pretty reasonable. If you have a group go for a Bucket of beer. Karaoke nights are tons of fun. The long islands will put you on your butt so be careful.
(4)Adam Y.
Beer selection is good but compared to HopCat it's pricey. Go here for the burgers and bring a knife to carve something into the tables.
(4)Sarah M.
This place is my fav. Great burgers, huge beer selection. Definitely going to miss my all time favorite server though: Danae aka Snookie! She was always super fast, really helpful and hilarious. She made the experience great and Crunchy's won't be the same without her!!
(4)Christopher P.
Best bar I have ever been to. I love going there with a group of friends, ordering up a bucket of beer (the bucket is our personal one we got through an organization, always fun to see that being brought out to us) and relaxing for a fantastic night of drinking, eating and singing! First off the bucket of beer is exactly that, a 3 gallon bucket full of beer, how could you go wrong with that. There is a 4 person requirement for ordering one but the more the merrier. Also their list of other brews is extensive and always delicious and they make an amazing Mind Eraser. I've never had a bad drink from here whether it be beer or liquor, it is always great. Second, the food. Their burgers are great and for a good price. They come out pretty quick and their fries are just amazing. They get their cheese from the MSU dairy store if that helps make up your mind! Their pizzas are great bar pizza (need to make that distinction between pizza place pizza and bar pizza). It has all the things you want from a pizza at a bar. Also their buckets of food are great too! Cajun fries, pizza nugz, etc! lastly I will talk about the bar itself. It is a dive bar, the entrance is down an alley (which I find more fun). The wood booths and walls have writing all over them and carvings dating back years and years. Proclamations of eternal love to the representation of some student organizations fun night out. A lot of TVs in there but they are not big, they are good for watching the game on the side but the primary focus is the social aspect in my opinion. I have can say I have had consistently good service there for over a year now (almost there every thursday and other days) and after they got to know me it only got better! I cannot praise this place enough. I absolutely love going there with friends to relax, have some drinks and pour our hearts out through Karaoke! If you are looking for a dance club, or massive bar with 0 service than look elsewhere. But if you want a great bar experience with some friends than be sure to check this place out!
(5)Scott S.
number of visits 10+ last visit ~ summer 2012 Crunchy's is somewhat of a local favorite in East Lansing. To start out with the best part, the beer selection here is awesome. It's definitely a great place to go for a great selection of craft beers. I enjoy Crunch's because of the beer selection. It's definitely a dive, not really a problem, just what it is. The place is very small. At night it's usually crowded and you often have to wait to get in, which can be annoying. Depending what time you come, a mix of students and older customers frequent this bar. They have buckets of beer...not a bucket filled with bottles of beer...literally a mop-like bucket filled with beer. You need 4 people to get it (I think you can get Miller Lite, Labatt, and Labatt Lite) and the buckets of beer are kind of legendary in East Lansing. They do Karaoke a lot. For me, this is a minus because it gets very loud and can be annoying. The service is bad and seems understaffed. Overall, this is a good place. I could give it more than three stars if the service was better, but with the terrible service I can't go higher than three stars.
(3)J H.
The best burgers in town.
(5)Josue M.
Their food tasted pretty good; but the service was bad. We basically had to waive down a server each time we needed something. I don't think the food was so great that I absolutely need to go back, especially since the service was so poor; but I may try it just once more to see if the bad service was a fluke.
(2)D. V.
Crunchy's is super fun: definitely a staple for your run-of-the-mill MSU student experience. They do karaoke every weekend night (in East Lansing, weekends ALWAYS start on Thursdays, no matter what time you have to get up the next morning), and have decent specials and a mostly-Michigan-centric beer selection, if you're into that sort of thing (and you should be). The last time I was in there, it seemed like they expanded their karaoke song list, which is great, because the previous one was lacking a bit. Crunchy's has the best karaoke I'm aware of in the Lansing area, the audience is really receptive/drunk/happy, even if you're horrible, and everyone sings along to the old standards. It should also be noted that it seems like pretty much everybody here, especially the staff, is the kind of friendly not often seen in bar-type places. The food is your standard, deep-fried fare, and they have a nice special for half off pizzas and alcohol on Sunday nights. I docked a star because it seems like for the last couple months or so, EVERY time I have tried to go here, there has been a line, like, 25-people deep, even at 7 pm on a Thursday, and while I have a certain amount of loyalty to Crunchy's, if a place exists that is worth waiting 45 minutes to get into, I sure as hell have never been there, and I'm doubting it exists in Central Michigan!
(4)Calvin F.
Crunchy's is my favorite little dive bar in the whole world. If you go in on a Saturday afternoon, it's almost quiet enough to bring the family. Almost. But the air of merrymaking must permeate those oft-carved wood-paneled walls. Just like ghost punters say you can feel when something bad has happened someplace, you can tell that many, many *rad* things have happened here. First, since I am a beer snob and always enter sober, the beer quality. They have an extensive selection of brew on tap from many local microbrewers. No matter what kind of beer you like, they always have something excellent that will fit the bill. The waitstaff has some quality personnel (at least when I was going there) and some of them even know their beers. But by "quality" I don't mean that they're not a little gruff and harried. They're both. Next, the beer quantity. You'll notice a shelf that stretches across most of the main seating area: over the entrance, around the bathrooms, kitchen door, and the whole bar. This shelf is filled with buckets. One has my fraternity's regalia decorated all over it. Hmm... if only we could figure out what a fraternity would do with a bucket... in a bar... with beer taps... No, don't pee in it, you idiot. Although I would recommend washing it out first before drinking from it. And if you don't feel like a whole bucket o' beer, or if you didn't bring enough friends for them to give you one? Fine, they have 25 oz. mugs that will knock you on your ass. Especially if it's filled with Long Island iced tea instead of beer. They also have buckets o' food too. And oh -- the food is the perfect blend that you're looking for in bar food: somewhat greasy, somewhat salty.. not TOO trashy: just trashy enough. The Crunchy Burger is marvelous. Order it with one of their toppings, and ask for "the rub" as well. They'll know what you're talking about. Your mouth will thank you. I have eaten enough baskets of their fries to put most mere mortals on The Biggest Loser. If only all bar food were like this. Finally, as if this place weren't packed with enough quality, they have specials. Order them. I'll spare you the math: they make things cheap. Just don't go there on karaoke night. Unless you show up an hour early to down a bucket first.
(5)Brad C.
Classic. Sevice always pretty good.
(5)Bee S.
Not a huge fan of the food, but you cannot beat karaoke nights. Just get a group together and head on out. Order a bucket of beer and as the night rolls on you don't even care that you are drinking foamy beer literally out of a bucket. The location may not be super ideal, since it's a little off the beaten path and further down grand river, but it's A-OK in my book. The first time I went in, the alley side door definitely seemed sketchy, but it really is a safe area and I haven't heard of anything shady going down ever. I may not have stopped in a couple times a week or even regularly once a week, but every now and then Crunchy's is just right. A super chill place to meet, eat greasy mediocre bar food, drink equally mediocre beer, and rock out to some karaoke.
(3)Leigh W.
LOVE the focus on great beer - fun atmosphere. One of my favorite local pubs
(5)Kristen B.
I am most definitely a Crunchy's fan. They have almost the worst service in town (Harper's is unfortunately THE worst), but the food and drinks are so SO good! The burgers, the tacos, the chili cheese fries....and I love their Long Islands/Long Beaches! They are HUGE, and on Fridays, they are only $5. You can't go wrong. The bartenders here are very creative and have recommended many good drinks for me (this was the site of my first Watermelon Bomb, tastes like jolly ranchers!). It's a great place to go with a group of friends and watch people who are drunker than you try to sing karaoke. Best of all, Crunchy's is cheap. And you can buy buckets of beer. It's also a great venue for St. Patrick's Day drinking festivities.
(4)Per S.
This place definitely is on the top of my list of E.L bars. Most of the bars around here tailor to the same crowd and it gets old fast. Crunchy's has the karaoke and more of a dive-y feel, which is definitely up my ally. The food is tasty (what I've had of it) and the drinks are CHEAP. Electric lemonades are my jam and for two it was only $5. Can't beat that.
(4)Katie M.
i don't understand the appeal of this place. i have NEVER gotten good service here, even by poor East Lansing standards. They are known for their burgers but every one I have had here has been dry. The pizza is actually pretty good but it is pricey for what you get and you will likely have to wait hours. One time my waitress NEVER brought my food. Crunchy's, I would go here all the time if you would just bring me my damn beer.
(2)Scott J.
Crunchies is a fun place to start an epic night. The good old bucket of beer seems gross thinking about it but it's almost a necessity! Good service here too also a fun bar that you really dont feel like you have to be drinking at if you dont want to
(4)May B.
Mopbuckets of beer and karaoke. Need I say more?
(4)Jeffrey C.
Sometimes I think Crunchy's might be a hair too divey even for me but then I look at the tap list and realize they have everything I need. There is no need to say more but perhaps some of you will be eating here as well, which is fine too, as some of their burgers are actually what I would call delicious. Or is that the beer talking.
(4)Jessica C.
It pains me to take off a star and not give Crunchys a 5 star rating but I cant. I loved Crunchys for the last 3 years of college. My boyfriend and I loved the great beer selection, pretty friendly staff, and delicious food. The pizza was and IS very good stuff. My last two visits to Crunchys are the reason it gets 4 stars and not 5. First, let me say that I do not like "well-done" burgers or anything like that and Crunchys burgers had previously been cooked to perfection. The last two times I went to Crunchys, my and my boyfriends burgers were falling apart and dark pink two bites into the burger. They were NOT cooked medium. They were very rare. I assumed it was a fluke the first time and simply ate what I could stomach and my fries. But the second time I nicely told my waitress "this is too red for me, can you please have them cook it a little more" and she said "every burger is cooked medium but yeah i can have them cook it more" which was fine but my food wasnt medium. It was rare and raw. It was not cooked enough to stick together and was mushing and soaking the bread. Dont get me wrong, I love rare STEAK but a burger is a completely different story and (in my opinion) needs to be cooked thoroughly, especially at a restaurant where they dont ask how you would like it cooked. That being said, Crunchys is still awesome just be careful about the burgers!!
(4)Dan J.
Great selection of brews. Great Burgers. Buckets of Beer. Excellent Atmosphere.
(5)Ryan G.
best burger in EL.
(5)amy g.
I love this place so much. It appears to be a dive bar upon walking in (plus it used to be pretty smokey because the division between smoking & non-smoking areas were a joke). But now it's smoke-free! And the beer selections, eccentricity of its menu, and pretty damn delicious food makes it a diamond in the rough. It's indeed an East Lansing staple because you must go to experience a bucket of beer (and food). And no I do not mean glass bottles in a bucket of ice. I mean: a bucket that's held under the tap and filled with whatever beer you want (and they have craft brews, including a wide selection of Michigan beers so you can get an entire bucket of GOOD beer!) Then they give you a towel (for messes) and a pitcher to scoop up the poison (or straws if you request!!) It certainly is a deadly order but is so much fun & just an all-out awesome idea. There are actually a lot of things that I still don't like about Crunchy's but everything that I love about it trumps that. Sometimes the service isn't great and the wait staff can be pretty unapologetic about that. It's also noisy pretty much ALLLLL weekend because they have karaoke. But don't get me wrong, I am all for busting a tune at this place (so long as the dj isn't playing favorites - this happened to us once but that's it). But don't try to go on your 21st. They won't allow it. In fact, a lot of bars in East Lansing have a strict one-day barrier for 21st birthdays. At Crunchy's, you have to wait a day after your birthday, and then there's STILL a 5 drink limit. Kind of a bummer because this is where I wanted to spend my birthday. All in all, a bucket at Crunchy's must be experienced. It is a surefire way to liven up any crowd. It remains my second favorite bar in East Lansing after Woody's.
(4)Alicia W.
Great place to go for a beer and burgers!
(4)Robert L.
A group of us guys have been going to lunch on Friday at Crunchy's for 5 or 6 years because we like the burger/chicken special and the friendly atmosphere. Just heard that our usual waitress Dana was recently let go We had wondered where she was last Friday. Things won't be the same without her.
(4)Rob N.
Great beers specials with a huge microbrew selection. Amazing burgers and a friendly atmosphere.
(5)Sean L.
Big fan of their beer selection, and good prices.
(4)Drew P.
Great bar. Lots of rotating taps and good burgers. Specials are terrific. Sometimes a bit overwrought with students but still a great place.
(5)Brad M.
A local college haunt with lots of atmosphere. Pub food. The chicken in my salad was a little dry, but that's to be expected. The burger was good. Not sure if this is my regular "lunch" place when I'm in town, but it might try it out for my favorite bar when I am in town!
(4)Alex T.
Crunchy's is one of my favorite places in East Lansing. I went there for the first time about 4 years ago for a burger with some college friends who always talked about how great it was (they were a few years older than I was). I figured I'd give it a try and tag along one day when it was still early enough to go while under 21. I entered classic burger heaven that day, and have since come back many times for more. Crunchy's offers many different burgers, but I always go with the classic Crunchy Burger with the usual lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, and cheese. I also order it with "The Rub" which is a spice blend that's not on the menu. It's only something like 25 cents more and it adds tons of flavor! Burgers normally come with chips, but you can upgrade to fries or onion rings. The "Bucket of Pizza Nugs" is my favorite appetizer. They're little pepperoni rolls that you dip in Pizza sauce. Their actual square pizza is pretty good too. Crunchy's is known for their bucket theme. They serve both beer and food in buckets. If you have four or more people, you can order a bucket of beer, which will get you well on your way to a great night. It's lots of fun. Aside from the Labatt Light, they always have a great variety of craft beer on draft. Now, for the one thing that keeps me from giving Crunchy's five stars...the service is very slow when all the tables are full. I have had to wait far too long for my check countless times.
(4)Diane G.
My husband went to school at MSU, and came to Crunchy's all the time. So on a visit to Michigan recently , we make the trek to E. Lansing and had a great burger and icy cold beer. Crunchy's is your typical college bar filled with MSU sports paraphenalia, and great school spirit. They have a great craft beer selection which was a nice surprise.
(4)Douglas S.
Burgers great...chili cheese fries good...beer selection awesome! Service very very very terrible!
(2)Matt C.
WHAT A DIVE!!! And I wouldn't prefer it any other way! Crunchy's is my "go to" bar in East Lansing. While the thought of having to go down a dark and seedy alley to get to the entrance may be frightening at first, it soon becomes a welcoming sight for good beer, food, and karaoke. The interior reflects the dive bar that is Crunchy's. Expect to see name carvings and sharpie everywhere. The beer selection at Crunchy's is unsurpassed by any other bar in East Lansing. Over 20 different beers on tap, with just as many bottle selections. And if you don't want a pint, get a mug; and if you have enough people, feel free to get a delicious bucket. I still don't know if its 2.5gal or 3gal, but either way, its a lot of beer. Food-wise, the burgers are the best in town. But make sure you ask them for the burger rub. Sounds weird to ask for, an not all the waitstaff understand at first, but it makes the burger. The burgers taste even better by adding an order of fires, rings, or tots. The other food on the menu is good, but the burger is the best!
(4)Kathleen C.
Where else can you order a bucket of beer - and no, that's not a traditional bucket (a bucket filled with bottles), that's a bucket that could be used for cleaning filled out of the tap? I didn't actually order this, but I have to say, after many visits to a variety of college bars on multiple campuses, that I have never seen this. A group of us managed to score a booth on a Saturday night. Unfortunately, I don't really like beer. I enjoy the taste, but my stomach doesn't agree. So, I started with a vodka gimlet...probably not my best choice. The gimlet came out in the cutest glass ever, however, the drink had a high concentration of vodka - unfortunately, I'm pretty sure it was the lowest end vodka possible (maybe my fault as I didn't specify). However, I also had to ask for a glass of ice as it didn't have any to begin with and was too strong to drink. In any case, I switched to beer...you can order large and small glasses, which is nice. The atmosphere is fun and the spot has unique (read: kind of dingy) decor. A good spot for a visit or a night out with friends.
(3)O R.
Total casual joint. Fun atmosphere. College crowd and lots of cute girls. Gotta have a burger and one of the craft beers they offer. Do it.
(4)Erica D.
Recently discovered how awesome placing an order for pickup is. They don't seem to have a "hold" button on their phone, and while you wait to place your order, you can hear all the conversations going on at the bar. Completely adds to the charm of Crunchy's! Side note of greater importance, the food came out fast and was still hot by the time I got home.
(4)Becky T.
Great burgers and great service. We stopped in while passing through ton and were very happy! Also strongly recommend the buckets of pizza nubs - so yummy!
(5)Kat H.
Bucket o pretzels! At 4.99, this is the best buy ever. So many pretzels! Only $5! Yeah. Want great beer, fun atmosphere and....pretzels? Come here.
(5)Frank R.
Crunchy's has a very good beer selection, fair prices, but mediocre food and mostly poor service. However, the overall experience is satisfying and varied enough to make me go back every week! I was initially attracted to Crunchy's for their beer offerings. They always have a few exceptional beers on tap and they turn them over quite frequently. I really like their Brewer's Night where a brewery takes over the taps. Without a doubt, the best one they ever did was Goose Island Brewer's Night with Bourbon County Coffee stout and lots of their other offerings like Juliet and Madame Rose. It has the best craft beer selection in East Lansing! Finally, the whole bucket of beer thing blew my mind when I realized its not a bucket full of ice with a few bottles in it. Its basically a mop bucket (unused of course) full of beer. Its just insane! If you want a bucket of beer, you need at least 4 people because its basically a case of beer. I've had nearly everything off the menu and I have to say that it is completely middle of the road. Its never exceptional, but at the same time, its never repulsive. The menu is mostly burgers and pizza so its hard to mess that up. It seems to be par for the course in East Lansing but then again, I don't have tremendous expectations either. The prices are very reasonable to practically insane, but in a good way. The absolute best deal is the football game day specials with $2 mugs of domestic/Labatts, bloody Marys and burgers so $10 goes a long way. I suggest if you want a game day special, make sure you go early because the secret is out. I really like the environment of Crunchy's. It just screams authenticity from the MSU and Detroit sports posters and paraphernalia, to the beers signs and names carved into the walls. Its definitely an institution! I like watching games here, especially Tigers' games during the week in the summer. Oddly, I really enjoy their karaoke nights, which is weird for me because I actually am terrified of doing karaoke. There is a good pace, a no booing rule in effect, and its not so loud that you can't talk to the others at the table. If you are lucky enough to get to see Dennis sing, you're in for a treat! Dennis is the MAN! The only downside of Crunchy's space is that its fills up quickly and there can be a line, even at 7 on a Friday. While there is so much I actually like about Crunchy's, I do have to say the service can be terrible at times. It seems good service here is an exception rather than the rule. Once, I went with a group of 8 and we were only served two rounds in two hours. Then when we asked for our checks, the server forgot what we ordered and had to redo our bill. Other times, I come sit near the bar and it seems like no one wants to wait on me for some reason. A few other times, I get there right at 5 and there are about 4 or 5 servers just milling around while I sit without a drink or my order being taken. On busy days, like game day and brewers night, I just wish they would staff an extra server or two to make it smoother. I have heard they have outdoor seating. However, the 3 times we've tried to sit outside, no one even stops at our table, even after 20 minutes. It would be funny if it wasn't so sad and true. Overall, I really like going to Crunchy's. It always hits the spot. I really recommend you check it out for a real feel of East Lansing. In fact, I'll probably going there before the MSU-Oakland basketball game tonight for some Petrus Aged Pale Ale!
(3)Aaron P.
Great place to go to try one of many great beers and to hang out with friends. The burgers are phenomenal also with lots of great options, you can't go wrong. I've heard great things about the pizzas also, that's next on my list to try. Strongly recommend!
(5)Jessica W.
Don't go there for the great service or gourmet food. DO go there for the awesome beer and fantastic prices. I am a regular at Crunchy's--I'm there literally every Sunday night after 8PM for the half-off beer specials. Sunday is also home of the all-day half-off pizza (yep! half off!). You need to get there early to ensure you won't wait in line or have to fight someone for a table. Crunchy's is a dive bar. It's covered in graffiti, full of students, and emphasizes cheap prices over snappy service or great food. The burgers are pretty decent; the pizzas are usually alright, but can come out a bit burnt sometimes. Anything fried is pretty great. You will probably wait a while for your beers, especially if you're there on Sunday nights. BUT THE BEER. It is, for the price, the absolute best beer bar in East Lansing. They have approximately 24 taps, most of which regularly rotate. They get all sorts of awesome craft beers in all the time, and they're often the only place that you'll be able to get a really hard-to-find beer (like KBS, CBS, etc.). And it's DIRT cheap. If you are a money-challenged beer lover, this is the place to be, absolutely.
(5)Robert K.
It has been about a year since our last visit. The burgers here are fantastic! Service was good considering the crowded pre-kareoke crowd. Stayed for some entertaining kareoke.
(3)Victor U.
As far as food goes, especially burgers, there's a much wider and often better selection in East Lansing. As far as drinks go, you'd be hard pressed to find one. I think the wide selection of draft tends to make up for the food, which isn't bad by any measure, but if you're expecting to eat anything more than frozen burgers, you might be wishfully thinking. It's great drunk food, mind you, but don't come here for any culinary experience.
(3)William N.
Went on a Saturday night. The place was packed but so what, it's a college town and they have great beer in giant mugs and priced moderately. I used to come here and it was never this packed. Maybe it's the Karaoke that they have, maybe the place is now hip with the college crowd. I have to say the people singing Karaoke were probably the worst I've ever heard. The guy running the Karaoke ended it by singing "Believe it or not, it's just me", the theme song from the Greatest American Hero. I almost barfed the whole time he was singing it. Other than the bad Karaoke, the bench seat cushion that came off and kept falling on me and our attractive yet seemingly jaded waitress, I'd come back here in a heartbeat for the people watching and great beer at moderate prices. I had forgotten that you could buy beer by the pitcher in so many bars in E.L. That more or less ends when you move to most cities.
(4)Sherri T.
My brother lives in Grand Rapids, and my husband and I live near Detroit. Crunchy's is a half-way point for us. Therefore, we don't just meet there for lunch. We meet there for a whole afternoon! We drink mug after mug of fancy beers from Michigan breweries while we devour delicious pizza and buckets of soft pretzels. We play Club Keno, and we bring in cards so we can play Oh, Hell! as well. If you think about it, Crunchy's is our East Lansing vacation home. I have only two wishes for Crunchy's: a cool dessert to compliment its already awesome menu and city-provided parking meters that accept credit cards (or more free parking...dare to dream)!
(5)Brett M.
Best selection of craft beer in the greater Lansing area, and it's all half off on Sundays.
(5)Moani B.
We decided to do dinner with friends after getting coupon on groupon! Very Fun atmosphere and lots and lots on tap, made the man happy! The food was yummy but kind of cool once it came to the table. The waiter also left most all the dishes at the table from apps and drinks so the table was really crowded! Other then that it was yummy! We will be back:)
(4)Dat Doughnu T.
Love the burgers and great staff!
(5)Ruben L.
Quite possibly the best and cheapest burger in the EL/Lansing Area. Some people might argue you can get a better burger at Bonnie's, but for the price, this place is the place to be for sure. I think it's Monday (or they may have switched it up) where they have $1.99 burger and fries. Their menu has your typical bar type food- burgers, sandwiches, pizza, tacos (Seriously), beer, etc... And I think it's Thurs. or Fridays they have kareoke (skip this if you have little patience for drunk people). I've had my fill of burgers across the US and this is place is still probably in my top 10. For good, cheap burgers, you gotta check this place out.
(4)Chris S.
Excellent selection of local beers. Classic East Lansing establishme
(5)Ayesha S.
I spent several nights of my last visit to MI at Crunchy's and so I feel like an update is necessary. Some of the things that made me happy during this round of visits that I didn't mention in my initial review: 1. The crowd at Crunchy's is a bit older. Since I'm out of college (and have been for a few years now), it was nice to go out in EL without spending my entire evening hanging out with twenty-one year olds. 2. They have a special everyday- on food and drinks. You can eat and get drunk on the cheap! 3. On Sundays, they offer half off a large pizza and half of most beer, liquor and wine. I had way too many double vodka/Sprites but they only cost me $2.50 a piece. I heart you, Crunchy's!
(5)Dave S.
Crunchy's is an East Lansing staple. I am an MSU grad and I can't say I frequented Crunchy's the most out of the available bars, but I always enjoyed myself when I visited. I recall one terrific St. Patrick's Day with their green eggs and ham breakfast washed down with green beer. I visited again recently and never realized the strength of the draft beer selection. I guess that was because in my younger days the group basically stuck with your typical drafts (bud light, miller lite, labatt blue light, etc). Crunchy's does own one East Lansing staple, which is the "bucket of beer." I can't recall how many ounces or pitchers you can get out of a bucket, but it's a lot. Basically, it's a big plastic bucket you would normally see used for cleaning a floor or something. You get a pitcher, a rag and a bunch of glasses and have beer for the entire group. It's a great novelty and something a lot of alumni recall from their college days. Back to the vast beer selection, I would say there was maybe two dozen total beers on tap. Many were local micro brews which is always a plus. I went with the Arcadia Whitsun which is delicious. Look out for the Friday night karaoke, that is some very enjoyable and cheap entertainment.
(4)David M.
Best burgers in East Lansing, way better than the Peanut Barrel. This place also has a lot of character, with literal writing on the walls and a "smoky old bar/restaurant" atmosphere. All of the food available in buckets is also excellent. And the long islands are cheap if I remember correctly (which of course I don't... too many long islands). As someone else mentioned, karaoke night is a blast, although there are a couple of downsides to it. The line outside is kind of annoying if you show up late-ish, one guy (of two) that does karaoke is creepy and sings all the time, and sometimes it takes so long for your song to get called that you unintentionally sober up before the moment, which is never good. I guess they have a good beer selection here too, and I have had a few of the less-heard-of ones (Lion Stout is not for the faint-hearted, people), but usually I'm there to drink hard liquor and get drunk.
(5)Alexandra K.
Cheap, good, quick, friendly. Not the nicest decor, but who cares. I had a veggie burger, split a basket of onion rings with my friend, and had a diet coke, for under $10. That's ridiculously cheap. My friend ordered a burger, fries, and diet coke for a little over $10, still, not expensive. The service was fast and friendly, I'd definitely come back, especially when I turn 21.
(4)Kannan R.
Dive, super popular local sports/karaoke bar! AWESOME! Menu - if you haven't been here since you were an undergrad a few years ago, in addition to the standard bar fare they've added some nice Mexican, more pizza choices, etc. Decently priced. Go here for a game, to be loud and have fun, for great drink specials and decent food. Get there early if you want to get in on the weekends, this is one of the places that will most likely have a line by 8pm. If you are new to East Lansing, this is one of those places you want to become a regular at.
(5)Linda K.
Great place to visit before a game (or after)! The pizza isn't the best around but it's pretty darn good and it's my "go to" food here. My family really like the burgers too! Excellent beer selection for the local area.
(5)Ed C.
They have an incredible beer selection and a nice patio. So there's that. They have very few vegetarian options. I got the black bean burger and it was a Morningstar Spicy Black Bean Burger, straight outta the freezer. I mean, I like those patties and buy them at the store. But I thinks its pretty lame to serve them at a restaurant. As a bar its fine. Its loud and dirty and way too college crowd for me, but they have great beers. As a restaurant, it leaves everything to be desired. Also the service is awful, but who cares about service?
(3)Serena B.
Oh Crunchy's- do you remember all the good times we've had? I was first introduced to this place Welcome Week freshman year, back before I could experience the buckets of beer. It's such a cool place with a lot of local character. Monday nights are my favorite, with $2 cheeseburgers (that are decent, better than the Riv and their Burgerama burgers for sure) and drink specials. There are a lot of choices for specialty burgers & toppings too. Yay Crunchy's!
(5)Nikki M.
The female bartender is awesome! Makes great drinks, quick and efficient even when things are busy! The wait staff..... well they're really slow. Average time from ordering to receiving your drink is about 8 minutes. If you can go to the bar do it I guarantee you'll have your drink before your friends who order from the waitress. Food is good, the pizza nugs are really great and the nachos will feed a group a 4 people and are only $7 or $8. Everyday has specials to so call ahead. Karaoke is going quite a few nights here, usually decent and whats better then singing the fight song with a bunch of other drunks? Last thing - you can dress anyway you want here and no one will care a unpretentious bar in EL! amazing! And if you get enough people try a bucket of beer!
(4)Carrie L.
I have to give it a 4 because the burger was SO good.....but I want to give it a 3 for the over powering cheap beer smell and average to poor service and atmosphere. If you're looking for a burger though, I would still recommend it.
(4)Jeffrey S.
Some friends invited me to join them at Crunchy's this past Thursday for karaoke night. My first impression of the place was waiting in line for over an hour to get inside. Little did I know that would be the least of it... The bouncer was apparently convinced that my ID was fake. After disappearing to examine it for nearly 10 minutes, he returned and informed me in a stern and condescending tone that my options were to either leave immediately with them keeping my driver's license or wait for the police to arrive. At this point I still had no idea why I was being suspected, and regardless, they have NO legal authority to confiscate my property or hold me hostage. In short, if you have an out-of-state driver's license, bring your passport as proof of age, or better yet, just avoid this place. There are plenty of options in East Lansing that don't require waiting an hour anyway.
(1)Falicia G.
Crunchy's is A-OK. I came home for a short vay-cay and met up with some friends here. It has been a few years since I graduated and been to the old Crunch-meister. It was exactly the same. In fact, the table where we sat at and some graffiti giving a shout out to my old dorm. "Holmes Hall, Bitches!". Yeah, us nerds really knew how to do it up big. Anyway, the decor is green, grungy, and 100% college bar. What blew my mind was the prices of beer. I think there were descent beers on the menu for about $2!! And a long island for $5. In Atlanta, or anywhere else, you would never find that! Nice job Crunchy's! So, if you're in the mood to get "faded", as we used to say in college, this is a good spot. I didn't try any of the food but a friend had a burger and ate the whole thing! I went on a Thursday and they were having Karaoke. It was too funny. My ass wasn't drunk enough to get up there but, the people who did were great!
(3)Brandon S.
The service is awful. Only Harpers is worse. They serve good bar style food, but the service makes it impossible to enjoy.
(1)Beth J.
It is definitely a bar--ok as a restaurant, but it's not the kind of place I'm in a hurry to return to. Food was ok--I had the 3 taco special. It was about as good as I could make at home. My dining companion had the pulled pork nachos which she said were excellent. Service was a bit slow in my opinion, for the number of staff present vs. the number of dining guests. I don't want to blame the wait staff though--perhaps the kitchen itself was understaffed. As I said, it's ok, it's bar food--probably if you are there to drink and watch a game, it's great. Otherwise, it is largely forgettable. Also--no parking lot. During the day M-F you will need to put money in the meters or find some free spot (good luck in E.Lansing) and walk. Another tip--the door is through the east side of the building--walk down the ally between it and the car wash. You'll see it, but it is a little odd.
(2)Brian M.
A classic. The only place where poor service is part of its charm. The beer selection is outstanding. I remember many Monday nights spent enjoying the musical talents of one Dirty Don. Where have all the good times gone?
(5)Drew M.
Go here now. They have only Michigan brews on tap. I went last week and was in awe of all the Michigan beers, and i tried about 7 of them. A great place for beer and food, and fun kareoke too. Buckets of beer are fun too if you want to come in with some freinds and leave very, very drunk. Great place.
(5)Jenny W.
I love going to crunchy's, but dont expect to be in a rush if you go. the service is slow but friendly. the beer selection is really good and i'm happy with how many michigan brews they have. i love the bucket of fries and the burgers are really good! I havent actually been able to make it to karaoke but i've heard nothing but good things. its a good college town bar and i love taking people there
(4)Oasis Ninja T.
My kind of place!!! Waitress was on her rag or sum thin but overall the best effin 5$ burger ever!!
(4)Deidre I.
Crunchy's may look like a dive when you walk through the door but stick it out! The burgers are great and you can order a BUCKET of beer! No seriously, they bring it out in a bucket with a pitcher to scoop it out and share. And the karoake here is so much fun. I had a lot of great nights at Crunchy's while I was a student at MSU and every once in awhile a group of us will get together just for the purpose of having a fun night out at Crunchy's.
(5)Erich Z.
Buckets of food and beer, and lots of variety makes this a fun place. As does the Karaoke night on Thursdays and Fridays. You have the opportunity to play darts in the back, which is something I look for in a bar. The place is not huge, so don't be surprised if it's crowded, even on a Wednesday night. ACHTUNG: Don't park in the lot on the west side of the bar, between Crunchy's and Beaner's. It belongs to Beaner's, and they WILL call the cops to give you a $50 ticket. Lesson: visit Crunchy's, and if you have to spew, spew in Beaner's.
(4)Lisa W.
Crunchy's is an amazing place that I would normally hate if they didn't offer BUCKETS of beer. I got a bucket of Guinness and I chugged that into heavenly oblivion. Another reason that I would normally hate this place would be because there is karaoke, and karaoke really scares me. However, because my friend Josh went up as a regular to sing "It Takes Two", I will love this place forever for it. One of my best Guinness memories is from the bucket I drank at this place. We got a booth and did rounds of shots, it was a beautiful drunken thing that I am only ashamed of admitting to. If you want to go to a place you'd normally make fun of but would probably have an awesome time with the right group of friends, then this is probably it.
(5)Matt R.
Ya have to have some perspective when reviewing Crunchy's! If you are gonna blast a place for poor service & smelling bad, etc than go for it. But then, why would you go to Crunchy's in the first place. It is a smoky, sticky, dark dive bar that serves some good deep fried foods & beer on the cheap. Sometimes you are just in the mood for that! I have been here after tailgating & just remember the Bucket O' Pizza Nugs :) Man those "Nugs" tasted good at the time. They have some excellent Michigan beers! As mentioned, their service is just a step above non-existent, but I guess I can forgive (unlike Harper's...I never forgive you. Ever).
(3)D S.
I love Crunchy's. Sure it smells like stale beer, smoke, and last night's vomit, but that's part of its charm. And it has the best beer selection around. Nowhere else (except maybe Monk's in Philly) have I seen Delirium Tremens on tap alongside Michigan's finest like Bell's and Founder's. The pub grub menu offers a wide assortment of guilty pleasures, but why eat those calories when you can drink them? Crunchy's should be smoke-free by now, which will make it all the more enjoyable.
(4)Don H.
100 years ago, when I was in school, my buddies and I all scheduled our classes around Friday lunch at Crunchy's. Who needs to graduate on time when you can sit down with your buddies and have a burger and beer for less than $4? It is also worth mentioning that you can get a bucket of beer for about $25. Not a pale or any of that weak shit, a 5 gallon bucket. I don't think you can get them on the patio anymore because drunk kids were throwing them at cars, but whatever. Living in San Francisco has also made me appreciate their gigantic mugs of Long Island. I miss you, Crunchy's! I will be back this Christmas.
(4)Craig N.
Excellent bar. Great place to get away from the average East Lansing bars (Rick's, the Riv, etc.). Great beers on tap including seasonal brews. Excellent mixed drinks, especially the Long Islands (which are $5 for 25 oz. on Fridays). Burger Bash is on Mondays -- try your burger with a rub for maximum tastiness.
(4)LAURA M.
This place has pretty good drink and food specials.I've never been too impressed with the atmosphere, but its just a dirty college drinking bar. The prices are the best thing about it. I've only been there twice, once on Karaoke night, but that was pretty boring. Must've been summer time, because it wasn't busy at all.
(2)Randee B.
I love Crunchy's. It's my favorite East Lansing bar and the only one I will step foot into on purpose nowadays. I can't decide which is better: the karaoke (thurs. through sat.?) or the beer. The karaoke crowd is so friendly, it's hard to ever feel self-conscious performing. The beer is awesome - they have a couple dozen taps that rotate often. One reviewer said they only have Michigan beers on tap, which isn't true, but this is definitely the place to come for Michigan microbrews. The only downside of Crunchy's is that the bathrooms are always kind of disgusting. But hey, that probably just means people are having a good time, right?
(5)Steve D.
Last time I was at Crunchys we had to wait to get inside in Feburary, and man it was freaking cold out not wearing any jackets. After I finally got the feeling back in my hands we decided to get a bucket of beer, which was pretty cool I suppose.
(4)andrew l.
good burgers. great microbrew selection and beer specials. annoying msu-based customer base and sports-bar type atmosphere. i like to stop here for food in the middle of the afternoon when no one else is there, or occasionally a beer or two with friends in the evenings. i think sunday is their day for beer deals.
(4)Derek B.
First to Yelp, are you kidding me? This place is an East Lansing staple. You know half of your friends wanted to (or did, for whatever reason) celebrate their 21st birthday here. You know Crunchy's was the first stop on at least 4 out of 5 of the bar crawls you participated in. You know you crave Crunchy's burgers at least once a month now that you've moved away. I'd be tempted to commit a minor crime for an olive burger right about now.
(4)Cortney C.
I grew up in Lansing and frequented this establishment. Several a drunken night have I spent with friends at this dingy, smoky, smelly, greasy spoon. The place has a special "Crunchy's Funk" you'll find seeps into your clothes with in seconds after you enter the bar. You might find my name in the affectionately named "crack machine" at the end of the bar with such drunken delights like Photohunt, Q-shot, Mah Jong, Word Jumble, Movie Trivia etc. I know everyone loves the burgers but I can't speak to their goodness since I'm a vegetarian....but I do LOVE the bread sticks! Oh what I wouldn't give for a large mug of Oberon and a full order of bread sticks with ranch dressing right now... YUM YUM CUM GET SOME! Don't forget to sign your name in one of the booths before you leave.
(4)Teddy D.
Delicious and often updated assortment of beer, but go on Sunday for the pizza. Yumm.
(4)Viet T.
This place is overrated. If you wan't cheap food then this is the place, but the bouncer is rude. The wait staff here is not so good either.
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