Beltline Bar | Blogger: Michigan Restaurant Association

Monday, August 1, 2016

Becoming a Restaurant Member of the MRA

Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Beltline Bar is a Mexican-inspired restaurant that has been in operation since 1953. Perhaps best known for its Famous Wet Burrito, Beltline Bar is run by Jeff Lobdell, who regularly comes in to make the restaurant’s secret spices and sauces. The restaurant is a member of several restaurant organizations, including the Michigan Restaurant Association.

Since 1921, the Michigan Restaurant Association (MRA) has been representing the state’s hospitality and foodservice industry. Joining the MRA grants members access to educational opportunities, cost-saving programs, and networking opportunities. Currently, there are three types of membership available: restaurant, allied, and non-profit membership. Restaurant membership grants dual membership in both the MRA and the National Restaurant Association.

Restaurants have numerous benefits as members of the MRA. They receive discounted access to several important programs, such as credit card processing and workers’ compensation programs, and employees can take ServSafe certification classes at reduced rates. Members can access member-only information such as industry-related publications and also attend the Michigan Restaurant Show for free, which provides a multitude of networking opportunities. Further, the organization advocates for the hospitality and foodservice industry, so member restaurants have an outlet to lobby lawmakers for the issues that affect them.

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Michigan Restaurant Association Sponsors Restaurant Show in Novi

Opened in 1953 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the Beltline Bar offers Mexican fare featuring recipes dating back to 1966. In 2008, Grand Rapids Magazine named the restaurant's margaritas and burritos as best in the area. To help maintain its superior cuisine, Beltline Bar belongs to several industry-based organizations, one of which is the Michigan Restaurant Association (MRA).

As the leading organization of the state’s hospitality industry, the MRA represents close to 4,500 Michigan foodservice businesses. The MRA began in 1921 and has grown to employ more than 421,000 individuals and produce $15.4 billion in sales per year.

An event sponsored by the MRA is its annual Michigan Restaurant Show, with the 2016 show taking place October 18 and 19 at the Suburban Collection Showcase in Novi. This trade show is open only to industry professionals; the general public is not admitted. Attendees have an opportunity to listen to keynote speakers, watch live chef demonstrations, and partake in workshops. Attendees can also network with exhibitors, who come from all over the country to show their new products. Among the offerings at the 2016 trade show will be new seasonings, spices, beverages, and tableware.

About Beltline Bar

A Mexican restaurant, Beltline Bar has over six decades of history serving customers in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on a street formerly referred to as The South Beltline. During its early years in business, the restaurant served a small menu consisting of wine, popcorn, and chili dogs and seated only 42 people. Beltline Bar underwent two changes in ownership over the past 60 years, leading to its current focus on Mexican food and the expansion of services to include catering and curbside ordering. Additionally, the renovated facilities now seats 250 people.

Beltline Bar menu items include a wide range of Mexican classics, including quesadillas, enchiladas, tacos, and fajitas. It also contains several recipes developed by the second owner’s son in 1966, such as the restaurant’s signature dish, the Famous Wet Burrito. A recipient of the Grand Rapids Magazine’s Award of Excellence for best burrito, the dish features ground beef, bean, and tomato on a soft tortilla smothered with Colby cheese and the restaurant’s signature sauce.