Sacred Grounds, and McDonald’s are about the extent to which I have explored Spring Arbor’s food and drink options. However, this small town holds more than one would expect. The Wooden Spoon Restaurant, which many readers of “The Pulse” may have never heard of, is worth an adventure up the road.
Only open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Wooden Spoon is a breakfast and lunch restaurant. The Wooden Spoon’s menu varies from omelets to pancakes to hamburgers and, of course, a good cup of coffee. Everything on the menu is made from scratch and can be cooked to order.
“We are eager to please,” said owner Teresa Tolles.
Tolles and her husband Steven took over the restaurant in 1981 from their in-laws. They have raised two kids within the wooden walls of the restaurant. “It’s not a business; it’s a lifestyle,” said Tolles.
Indeed, the Wooden Spoon has become part of the lifestyle of the Spring Arbor community. There are between 60 to 70 regular customers every day, and “one could set a clock by them,” said Tolles.
Regular costumers are invited to bring their own mugs. Tolles wants the costumers to feel as though the restaurant is a place where they can feel comfortable and at ease. The restaurant feels like coffee house or a familiar living room; customers feel at home in the atmosphere.
Perhaps the most notable aspect of the Wooden Spoon is the decor. Covering the red wooden walls are old license plate and signs from around the world. Customers have even brought back license plates from their own travels to add to the collection.
Hanging underneath the counter are handcrafted wooden spoons from as far away as Greece and Africa. These have also been collected by loyal customers who are able to place a bit of their adventures on display.
This eclectic hide away is a nice option for a morning away from campus.
The Wooden Spoon is located at 5781 King Road in Spring Arbor, Mich. The phone number is 517-750-4900. The Wooden Spoon is open on Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Sundays from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
I think you should have mentioned a couple of things. One, they only accept cash. Two, they close earlier on Saturday and Sunday. With that being said, it is one of my favorite places to eat around the Jackson area.