Michigan’s Best Local Eats: Cheap eats make Robin’s Roost a ‘top notch dive bar’

JACKSON, MI – Robin’s Roost is known as a stop for late night drinks, but that doesn’t mean it skimps on the menu.

Robin’s Roost has called West Avenue in Jackson its home since it was opened by Steve Veneklasen in 1983. Wendy Kinsora took over the bar in 2020 after working there for 20 years and wanted to continue the great food and drinks, she said.

“We thrive off our regulars and our food specials,” Kinsora said. “We consider ourselves, I guess you would say, a top notch dive bar.”

Robin’s Roost recently expanded its menu, and now features a range of burgers, wraps, wings and plenty of sides. The goal is to serve good quality food, at an affordable price, Kinsora said.

The most popular dish right now, Kinsora said, is the Cheesesteak Wrap, which is a tortilla stuffed with ribeye steak, grilled onions, mushrooms and any other toppings the patron wants.

People like this because the wrap itself is good sized and, with an added side of fries, rounds up to be about $11, she said.

“Honestly, it’s really good. Our prices are really good too,” Kinsora said. “We strive to be cheaper than anybody in town.”

The burgers also are a big seller at the bar, with the Mushroom Swiss Burger being a star, she said. The burger comes with mushrooms, grilled onions, Swiss cheese and bacon.

Besides the food, people come Robin’s Roost to enjoy the bar’s atmosphere, the free pool table and the drinks, Kinsora said. Popular drinks on the menu right now are green tea shots and a Bomb Pop cocktail made with blue raspberry vodka, vodka lemonade and cherry vodka, she said.

Robin’s Roost, 608 N. West Ave., is open 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 2:30 a.m. Sunday. The kitchen closes around 10 p.m. each night, but the fryers stay on until 1 a.m., Kinsora said.

More information can be found on Robin’s Roost Facebook page.

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