Berrien Springs, MI
Berrien Springs is a mecca for vegetarians. Every restaurant in town will have vegetarian, and sometimes vegan, options. Be aware, though, that many of the eating places are closed on Saturday. The reason for both the vegetarian emphasis and the Saturday closing is that many Seventh-day Adventists, who promote the vegetarian diet, live in the area because of Andrews University.
Apple Valley Market and Café 31
Address: 9067 U.S. 31
Phone Number: 269-471-3282
Apple Valley Market is an amazing all-vegetarian grocery market. Popular vegetarian products can be found in the freezer cases. A limited variety of organic fresh foods are stocked in the produce department. A large area of the store is dedicated to “natural foods.” In that section you can find all kinds of vegetarian and vegan foods from packaged prepared dishes to refrigerated and frozen foods such as plant-based cheeses, dressings, and frozen desserts to bulk nuts, seeds, flours, legumes to an array of vitamins and supplements. If you are making a recipe that has an ingredient you have never heard of before and if it is plant-based, chances are good that Apple Valley will have it.
The store has a deli with ready-made cold sandwiches, sometimes hot sandwiches, a salad bar, cold salads sold by the pound, and a few hot foods. In the same complex as the grocery market, Apple Valley owns and operates Café 31, which features sandwiches, soups, salads, and a daily special. Both the grocery market and Café 31 close approximately an hour before sundown on Friday and are closed all day Saturday.
Bon Appetit
Address: 8525 University Blvd.
Phone Number: 269-471-3161
Bon Appetit operates the cafeteria and other food services for Andrews University students. It is also the premiere vegan + vegetarian food service and catering company in the Southwest Michigan area. They offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the Campus Center of Andrews University. The dining ambiance is “college dining hall.” Off-campus guests are welcome. Any large group should make prior arrangements.
The cafeteria is designed around a scramble system. There are areas for different kinds of foods. Major areas are the vegetarian entrée and side dishes; the vegan entrée and side dishes; salad bar; sandwich bar; Asian bar; Mexican bar; and pizza bar. Drinks and desserts are included. The charge is a flat rate and allows all-you-can-eat.
The challenge is finding the cafeteria and then finding parking, especially with the ongoing construction of the new Wellness Center. Check their Facebook page and click on About. https://www.facebook.com/AUDiningServices/ One “ticket free” place to park is in the parking lot of Pioneer Memorial Church. It’s a short walk to the Campus Center.
Mabuhay Oriental Store
Address: 111 N Cass Street (next to Speedway)
Phone Number: 269-473-2755
After building an addition to their Oriental grocery store, the owners of Mabuhay (the name means “long life” or “welcome”) started selling food-to-go in 2015. With both vegetarian and meat options the style is a fusion of Asian foods for the American palette. There is an emphasis on Philippine cuisine. The food is prepared by the husband-and-wife owner team. Mabuhay is primarily a take-out place with only four or five places to dine inside. One of their popular items is bubble tea. Parking is tight and limited. Closed on Saturdays. Opens at 11:00 weekdays and 1:00 on Sundays.
Melendez International Restaurant & Fresh Food Market
Address: 8938 Old US 31
Phone Number: 269-473-3477
Located in a building that has seen several restaurants come and go, Melendez International Restaurant appears to be thriving. It serves authentic Mexican food with meat or vegetarian options. In addition, on Thursday and Friday it offers Caribbean food. Venezuelan empanadas are always available. Melendez Imports was located on Ferry Street for years and primarily sold groceries. It still sells a wide variety of groceries imported from Mexico. It had no restaurant until it moved across from the Andrews University entrance. Open every day from 11:00 to 8:00.
Beijin Palace
Address: 108 E Ferry Street
Phone Number: 269-471-1297
Beijin Palace was established in 1984, in Berrien Springs. There is a wide range of opinion about this restaurant. For the lunch it serves a buffet with meat and vegetarian options. Regular menu items are also available. Reasonable prices. Closed on Monday but open all other days. Eat in or carry out.
Baguette de France
Address: 9187 Old U.S. 31
Phone Number: (269) 473-2355
Baguette de France began in a remodeled Dairy Queen store in 1995. A few years ago this very popular sandwich shop got an attractive make-over. Andrews University alumni returning for Homecomings usually plan a stop to get a European style baguette, which can be made with a variety of real meat or plant-based, substitute meat ingredients. Soups, salads, and a variety of drinks are also on the menu. It’s interesting that this French-named restaurant was started and is still owned and managed by a German man who came to Berrien Springs to attend Andrews University. Instead he opened Baguette de France, first in Benton Harbor (no longer open) and then in Berrien Springs. The shop closes an hour before sundown on Friday and is closed all day Saturday.